Quote:
Originally Posted by
princess of*hp* 
There was one phrase, and only one phrase, running through the forefront of Theodore's mind as he wandered into the darkest, dankest area of Hogsmeade that he had ever encountered: Constant vigilance.
This area of the small village rather reminded the Ravenclaw of Knockturn Alley, which he had merely glimpsed during his trip to Diagon Alley in August. This place looked just as foreboding, although it was much less populated than Knockturn Alley. Well, if there was one thing that the sixth year had learned from his recent experiences, it was that there was no reason to be terrified of everything. For Merlin's sake, he had just made the quidditch team and had nearly completely conquered his fear of heights! If that wasn't a victory over his frightened nature, then Theo didn't know what was. Sweeping his hand into the pocket of his faded jeans, he produced his wand and held in tightly in his grip, just in case something or someone ran across the path of he and his tour guide, Braeden.
"Hogsmeade has been excellent so far. This place is just a bit... shady." He spoke, craning his neck at the sound of moment that turned out to be a rat scuttling behind a garbage bin. "I like it, though. It's quiet. Much quieter than your beloved Three Broomsticks." He snorted, one corner of his lips turning up with satisfaction. After journeying to the famed pub for a butterbeer, Theodore wasn't sure when he would return and wasn't all that bothered about it. A lot of the bar-goers were rowdy, egged on by their mates and their glasses of various liquors, and rather than being intimidated, the blue-eyed teen had been rather disgusted. Added to that the hollers and screeching of most of the banshee-esque students that attended Hogwarts and Theodore was bent on never stepping foot inside again.
"Aw c'mon, The Three Broomsticks isn't that bad," said Braeden as he held his lit wand ahead of him and Theodore, so they could see their way through the deep darkness of the back alley. "The people are a bit crazy, yeah, but you've got to admit… they've got
the best butterbeer in all of Great Britain," said the boy with a grin, wiggling his eyebrows at his shorter companion. "You should be grateful I didn't take you to the Hog's Head instead," he added with a shudder. Brr. He hated that place.
"Anyway, on the other end of this alley we should find Dervish & Banges… trust me, this is the shortest way there from The Three Broomsticks," said Mr. Tour Guide. So far Braeden had done a surprisingly good job at showing Theo around; with his goofy nature and excitement, he was able to show off everything the little village had to offer with a very positive light. However, it was when he decided to try new things - like this supposed 'shortcut' - that things usually went wrong.
So nothing good could come out of Braeden leading himself and Theo through the creepiest part of Hogsmeade. And, being the cowardly lion that he was, Braeden jumped and hugged his companion every time a rat passed by or the tiniest, most insignificant sound was made.