Ethan raised his knees up to his chin and hugged his leg as the wind swept through the area. Stupid cold weather, really. “…why is it so cold? It feels like Durmstrang’s a summer school or something…” and for Merlin’s sake, he can’t even do a proper round of crying.

Sniff.

Well, thank the heavens though, because someone else was here. The third year was expecting another student…or maybe Professor Bentley to check up on her garden amid this terrible weather. But…wait, what? He’s…outdoors? “Professor Culloden?” Ethan’s brows furrowed in confusion as he turned around to face the man. Yep, he knows his voice now, what with all the shouting back in the Potions Classroom.

Did he ever consider being a coach for a Quidditch Team? He’d do well. Unless of course he doesn’t play the sport.

Anyway.

“I…didn’t expect you to be here sir.” And uhm…did he see him all emotional and stuff? Great. It would have been better though if there were tears. As much as Ethan wanted to lie, for some reason he can’t do it with this man. There’s something in him that made the third year want to trust him. Is that a quality he should learn? Maybe. “I’m…thinking about my dad.” He said as he scratched his head and turned sheepishly away from him, not sure if the Potions Master would want to hear the drama.

Not far from them though, Ethan heard…a crack…and a crashing sound?

The boy tilted his head and turned to where the sound came from. Nope. Nothing there. Maybe it was just a bunch of trees snapping into two because of the cold? Yeah, it sounded like that to him.