I kid you not, this is one tree you don’t want to mess with. Its best you keep a safe distance from The Whomping Willow’s tree limbs. This is one fight you can’t win. And, if you choose to ignore and get hurt, then Mr. Masterson reserves ever right to laugh at you and poke fun.

Ha.

With a slight adjustment of her fedora, Raven headed out from the school and towards the Whomping Willow; it definitely intrigued her how something so old yet so beautiful could be incredibly deadly to anyone who decided to test their luck. She wasn't about to be one of the foolish ones who would get injured already and have to go to the hospital wing, no she was going to keep herself out of the hospital wing as long as she possibly could have but that definitely was going to be a challenge seeing as causing trouble was unpredictable; she never actually knew what was going to happen but that was what was so fun about it.

She stopped in her tracks when she was far enough away from the tree, leaning backwards slightly on the heels of her shoes as her hazel eyes scanned the area for anyone that she knew seeing as she'd not seen many of her friends since before the summer.

Ivory stepped through the grounds, the slight wind disheveling any semblance of control she had, or thought she had over her hair. Blowing her bangs out of her face, she reached for her back jean pocket where she'd stuck her hat and then proceeded to pull it on as she looked around the greenery remembering the not too long ago time when she’d stood at this exact spot, carefree…her first year at Hogwarts.

A lot had happened in that one year. There was sadness in her wide-set dark eyes as she remembered…a sadness she quickly shook off.

There was no point in that. Hopefully, after the long summer no one would remember. But on the bright side at least she’d grown a bit. In her mind…well two inches was quite a success.

Her cheeks were lightly rounded so that her cheekbones and the determined line of her jaw showed clearly as she tried to keep her head up while she made her way to the Whomping Willow.

The majestic tree never ceased to amaze her. It radiated energy and had a raw power that few things in life did. Which is why, when she felt her resolve slipping this is where she usually liked to come to.

Her feet carrying her closer and closer to the tree, that was when her eyes caught sight of a girl not too far off. Immediately, her motions stopped.

Her primal instinct was to leave. She’d been looking for peace and quiet wasn’t she? Not awkward small talk among people who barely knew eachother. Ivory had almost turned heel when for some subconscious reason her feet began moving again. Maybe it was because enough was enough and reliving the past was never going to get her anywhere, especially socially. Maybe it was because the Whomping Willow had some sort of mystic effect upon its observers.
For whatever reason, she didn’t stop until she was next to the girl. Although, still at a respectable distance of course. No reason to invade personal space.

Staring up at the billowing branches and the crackling of bark, she nodded towards the object of both their scrutiny.
”She’s really something, isn’t she?”

It was definitely peaceful out here, Raven definitely felt like nothing could come here and bother her; she just felt a lot more relaxed then she had before leaving the school maybe it was because she was trying to forget the point situation now with Slytherin but that wasn't something that would be permanent.

She heard a young girl speaking to her then lowered her hazel eyes slightly to see exactly who it was, hmm.. the girl didn't seem familiar which must have meant that she was below 3rd year. "She is, funny isn't it; this tree seems so innocent and peaceful but she is quite the opposite."

That was one thing that explained her at times, if you didn't know Raven then you wouldn't expect that she was just so evil at times that it was shocking but that was what made her definitely interesting compared to a normal person. Not that she wasn't a normal person, she just never had been referred to as such and it was surprising if someone had called her that.

Ivory's eyes traced the outline of the tree, following the path of the individual whip like branches as they swayed either in the wind or out of sheer personality.

The moment the older girl spoke, Ivory felt a little more at ease, not realizing that some part of her had been scared to be spurned and despised for past mistakes. Nodding along with the girl's words, she watched the way the Whomping Willow seemed to grip the ground with her roots, almost as if even though she was resigned to a life where she was planted with no say so, she was still ultimately happy. She still made the best out of an impossible situation that she'd had no choice in.

"She's a wonderful inspiration though..." she admitted almost to herself.

Turning to the older girl, Ivory figured it was best to get the pleasantries out of the way before any form of awkwardness set in.

"I'm Ivory by the way. Nice to meet you."

Maddie walked out of the castle towards a large tree and sat beneath it's branckes, sheltered from the sun. She pulled out the book she was currently reading, and flicked to the right page. Hogwarts was so beautiful, but she did miss home. Just a little bit.

Raven brushed the dark blue hair from her eyes, she dyed her hair over the summer after getting it cut so that it was shoulder length and really liked how it looked; there was nothing better than being able to rock an awesome hair do that most people would think she was crazy to have.

Her hazel eyes scanned the tree as it began to move slightly and she bit her lip gently, there was no way that she could get hurt seeing as she had stayed at a safe distance away from the tree.

"Nice to meet you Ivory, the name's Raven Athlon, 7th year Slytherin."

It seemed like she always introduced herself the same, she needed a brand new introduction that would fit her personality but that was a challenge.

Ivory gave the older girl a tentative smile. Maybe meeting new people wasn't so bad afterall, and well anyone who had that cool of a hat definitely was on her good list anyway so why fight it.

"7th year?" Ivory couldn't help the sense of curiosity as she said those words. What must it feel like to be that much older...to look upon Hogwarts knowing it was part of the last year you'd be here? Other underclassmen might've zeroed in on the fact that the girl was a Slytherin, but not her. It didn't bother her in the slightest. After all it wasn't the house that made the person. And this girl seemed perfectly amiable and in all honesty peaked her curiosity.

She carried herself with a self-confidence that was reassuring, especially with the awesome blue hair. Not many people could pull something that drastic off and still demand respect because of it. Smiling ruefully, as she continued to look over the grounds she wondered if she'd ever have the courage to change her hair that drastically and not be shy about it. Looking at the girl out of the corner of her eye, Ivory decided to just take the plunge into the conversation.

"I'm sorry if it's none of my business but- why blue? "

Kevin wandered out to the whomping willow and sat down far enough away from the tree he was still looking for more friends but he had to meet more people to do that

Emma walked out of the gates to the whomping willow. She thought to herself, Wow, this tree must be ancient. I musn't disturb it. Emma dropped her pen and quickly picked it back up. She looked around to see if anyone was there. She turned and saw an older boy by the tree. She waved and asked him, smiling, "Hi I'm Emma Malfoy. And I'm a first year Slytherin. I don't believe we've met before. What's your name?"

Kevin looked up at Emma and said "Hi Emma, i am Kevin McKay 5th year Slytherin" Kevin held his hand out for Emma to shake

'Emma!' said Maddie loudly, looking up from her book 'Hi! Congratulations on getting Slytherin, by the way...'

Emma shook his hand. "Nice to meet you Kevin. So how has your first few days back been?" asked Emma smiling.

Emma smiled, "Thanks Maddie! And congrats on getting into Ravenclaw! How has your first few days been? What book are you reading?"

Kevin smiled at Emma and said "It has been alright thanks Emma"

Wooot. The Whomping Willow! How cool was this? It was definitely one of the destinations that she couldn't wait to go to at Hogwarts. That and the Forbidden Forest. Obviously, she had to keep her distance from the huge tree and sat down a little while away with her eyes still firmly on it.

Right now, what she needed was any kind of company. 'Cause even though this tree was totally cool, it was kind of giving her the creeps. She tore her eyes away and looked around casually.

Herminny walked down the grounds at saw the Magestic tree that is the Whomping Willow. Even knowing the tree could snap her in two if she got too close there was something strangely intriguing about that tree. She wallked closer to the tree and saw a girl she had seen around but never introduced herself to. She looked rather nervous which was normal considereing this is the whomping willow but even so she wanted to comfort this girl. She walked up to her and said, "Hi, I noticed you looked a little nervous, would you like some company, I'm Herminny Telerino by the way", Herminny said extending her hand toward the girl.

Ella jumped almost out of her skin as someone had approached her from behind. "What are you talking about? I'm not nervous. I never get nervous." She said, frowning slightly at the girl. Well she would never appear to be scared/nervous in front of others. Agh, this girl obviously meant no offence so Ella's expression softened and she smiled politely.

"Sorry for my rudeness. Hello Herminny." That was a peculiar, yet awesome name. "I'm Ella. Good to meet you." She said, shaking the girl's hand.

"It's okay, and nice to meet you Ella." She did not mean for the girl to react like that and thought maybe atarting some casual converssation and asked, "So, Ella what brings down to the whomping willow?".

"I was just really bored and I thought it would be cool to see what this place was all about." Ella explained. She had heard about this huge tree that moved around creepily. She would NOT want to approach that thing on a windy day. "What about yourself?" She returned the question politely.

Even though this was such a common introductory question that Ella asked people, she thought that she would say it anyway. "Which house are you in Herminny?" She asked casually.

Amy wandered around the school having found it impossible to sleep she sat down near-ish the massive tree which looked vicious she pulled out her charms books and practised for the 15th time the incantations

Jay walked behind the tree, avoiding the huge limbs that tried striking him and sat on a rock far enough away from it. He pulled his book out and started reading, but his phone rang...

|Mikayla| he picked up. "Hi Mikayla, yeah im fine... you? Goood Did you get the job?" he asked, the answer was unfortunate though, "You don't know yet?" he added. "Ring me when you do I gotta go I have to study. Yeah I know it's a shock... ok love you, bye" he said putting his phone in his pocket. Then hearing a huge thump behind him, "This tree wants me dead..." he said turning around moving a bit further away in fear.

Amy turned around and spotted jay she went behind him an crept up, planting a kiss on his cheek, hey silly I thought that was you I heard wanna get away from the tree, there's this gorgeous quiet spot round the corner she smiled taking his hand, she always felt so happy around Jay

Jay jumped and lost balance almost falling over, after regaining his balance he turned to Amy. "Thanks for the heart attack I thought the tree was getting closer..." he replied still ina bit of shock, "And sure I hate this tree he said letting her guide the way."

"Your Welcome. So could you do me a favour please? Can you give me a little bit of info on the teachers please?" asked Emma smiling.

Chase walked out towards the Whomping Willow. She saw the limps sawy in the air and she sighed peacefully. She adjusted her hat as her shoes sunk into the ground/mud.She clutched her arms as the wind blew against her face. It stung.

She saw some people up ahead. Smirks.She walked slowly up to them. praying that the sun would come out. "Hey I'm Chase"She said polietly but,casually.