Running away. That's exactly what Skylar felt like doing. Yes Apollo had said she had a lot going for her, which in theory was true. She was an OUTSTANDING student. She was a Quidditch Captain, an intimidating beater, an Under 17 player for England. She was an actress, who was even so skilled that she could play roles of the opposite gender. She was a writer. But the thing was, she was also confused. She didn't was so many things and yet she was also none of those. She couldn't see herself spending twenty years playing quidditch professionally, if she even got drafted. And she wasn't so sure she wanted to keep writing after Hogwarts. Nor was she set about being a creatures healer, anymore. WADA? No. She enjoyed it, yes, but she couldn't see herself devoting all her time to something so ... fake. Because in the sixth year's mind, acting was fake.

Yes, she knew the wrought iron gates were locked except during Hogsmeade weekends, but that didn't mean she wasn't going to try to escape. And yes, she could have maybe attempted to fly away, but going by foot would be less suspicious.

So here stood Skylar Natasha Diggory, staring up at the gates, debating how she was to get out. And run away from everything she'd known for the last five and a half years.

Wandering about the grounds was one of Emmalyn's favorite things to do when she was feeling overwhelmed with energy. Moving her body and letting her mind roam seemed to instantly cure her grumpy mood and a smile quickly spread across her face. Her slow walk turned into a peppy skip as she bounded forward with no destination in mind.

She was just about to veer off toward the left, when she spotted another student near the front gates. Her curiosity was piqued and she had to find out who was out by the gates, apparently all alone. Her hand instinctively brushed against her robe pocket, where her wand was tucked safely inside. There had been a lot of strange paintings of hawks and messages showing up around the castle, and a culprit hadn't been identified.

Her skip slowed to a slow jog, then walk as she approached. "Oh, hi there." she greeted the girl she recogized as the Slytherin Quidditch Captain. "What are you doing all the way down here all alone?" Emmalyn wasn't sure if she wanted to know the answer, but she was happy to help her rival team's captain if she needed it. Her eyes studied Skylar's face, trying to read the almost sad looking expression, and she wondered if she had lost something or someone.

So apparently staring up at the wrought iron gates had been a mistake in that it drew the attention of the one ickle Hufflepuff, who made Quidditch Chaser. Skylar had to admit she'd been impressed, because that was some raw talent right there and almost wished she could see her in three or four years. It was possible though, as with her talent, Skylar was definitely expecting her to make an under seventeen team and she'd hopefully be able to watch those matches as an alum.

Quidditch aside though, it was the question that caught her off guard. What are you doing all the way down here all alone? Wait, who was she to judge? The girl was only a first year, compared to herself, a sixth year. Sixteen. Almost a legal wizarding adult. Okay, so not for like eight months, but still much closer than Emmalyn and she was more than capable of being on her own. She was also not about to confess to the first year that she was running away, because that was the last thing the girl needed was to be terrified of growing up.

"I'm just thinking ... how curious it is that it is necessary for the gates to be locked?" And how to unlock it? Probably a simple alohamora wouldn't work. Also, the girl wouldn't tell on her right? Because she hadn't been doing anything wrong by just standing here, gazing longingly outside the gates.

She walked all the way down to the front gates to think about why the gates were locked?? Emmalyn shuffled her foot against the dirt. Her mind was focused on Skylar, but her body was still in wandering mode. "I would think they are locked to keep unwanted wizards and muggles out." She gave Skylar a puzzled look. "Haven't you heard about the things going on at Hogwarts? Someone or something is leaving paintings and messages all around the castle." Maybe the teenager had been spending far too much time snogging and was oblivious to what was going on around her. She'd seen it happen before with her older cousin. That poor girl was a mess.

She stepped a bit closer and looked out the gates. "Oh, are you maybe waiting for someone?" Her eyes scanned left then right but she couldn't see any movement through the gates. Then it occurred to her that Skylar might just be away from the castle to think about the last quidditch game. Slytherin had not preformed well at all. In fact, they had scored well below all of the other house teams. That would have made her sad too.


She looked back to Skylar, "I'll stay with you until you are ready to go back to the castle, I wouldn't want you feeling lonely while you ponder the meaning of the locked gate." Her smile was sincere and she reached into her right robe pocket and pulled out two wrapped dark chocolate truffles. "Would you like one?" she asked, holding out her hand to offer the treat.

For whatever reason, Juniper had decided to go this way on her run. She had skipped it this morning and the last few morning. Who had the smart idea that one should wake up an hour to and an hour and a half than normal people do just to get up and run? Yep not her.

She was NOT a morning person, if you couldn't tell.

So she has been opting for the before dinner runs. Even as counter productive as it sounded. By some chance on one of the runs she had made it to the gates. And had been going this way every since. It was quiet and not many people around. In fact she rarely seen anyone until she was heading back.

Normally she would stop look around on the other side of gate and head back to get ready for dinner. But today was different. There were people there at the gate. Though she couldn't recognize who it was from back here.

She took of in a sprint and slowed down to a walk. Seeing that Emmalyn and Skylar there. "Hey, what's going on?" She asked because this was Hogwarts and something was always going on. Also those Hawk painting and that propaganda stuff was showing up around again.

There wasn't one of them here was it? Her brown eyes scanning around.

Just as she offered Skylar the dark chocolate truffle, Emmalyn heard footsteps coming their way. Maybe that was who Skylar was waiting for? Then Juniper asked what was going on and the location was once again a mystery.

"Hi Juniper! I have some candy, would you like a truffle?" She felt a bit like a silly little kid, but candy. Everyone liked candy. "I think we are looking for something or waiting for someone." Emmalyn really had no idea why Skylar was down at the gates, her excuse of wondering why the gates were locked didn't fly with her. Either way, she was in it for the long haul. Eventually the truth would come out and she would be able to offer any help she could, no matter what it was.

She held out her hand to Juniper in offer of candy and grinned at the older girls. One more and they could almost call it a party. "What are you doing all the way down here, Juni? May I call you that?" The older girl looked a bit moist and her skin had a faint glisten of perspiration.

Turning her focus back to Skylar, she waited to see what the Slytherin captain had in mind. Teenagers were so secretive. Emmalyn found it much easier to just say what she wanted or what was wrong. How was anyone going to be able to help if you never put words to your feelings? No, she liked to talk. Talking was one of her favorite things to do. Right up there with playing quidditch and roaming around the grounds.

Eh, she should have known for a Hufflepuff to get in the way of her plans. Her best friend was a Hufflepuff. Also, why did Emmalyn have to be so logical? Because that made a whole lot of sense actually, about the unwanted wizards and muggles. Sort of. "Muggles can't see Hogwarts anyway, but it's just... makes us feel like prisoners." This wasn't Azkaban, after all, but it was a school. Things going on at Hogwarts? Skylar tilted her head curiously at the first year. "Yea, it happened last year too. Honestly, I'm not bothered as long as it doesn't affect me." Sure her dormmate had gotten cursed last year, but she had her eyes on quidditch and her studies and her boyfriend. In general, if it didn't affect any of those things, she wasn't to be bothered.

Waiting for someone? A small mischievous smile crept to her face, as she glanced between the first year and the gates. "Yea. But I don't know how they'll get in, with these gates being locked as they were." Honestly, woe is her. WAIT, WHAT?!? NO, NO, that wasn't part of the plan!! No offense, Emmalyn, but she didn't want her staying with her until she was ready to return the castle. Besides, that could be an ALL day thing and well after curfew and while she was prepared to face the consequences of being caught after curfew, she doubted the first year would.

Before she could comment on that or the truffle offered though, someone else was joining them. That someone was Juniper and really?? What gave the impression something was going on? It was just an innocent, chance meetup between a sixth year and a first year. Emmalyn was quick to divert the attention away from the question and asked Juniper what she was doing all the way down here. Also, candy, because another diversion.

"Yes, waiting for someone....But confused as to how they could get in? And why they keep Hogwarts locked up like we're prisoners?" Or at least that was the story she was going with. Because no way could she confess that she was feeling stressed and overwhelmed with everything and wanted to just leave for a bit. One day away in Hogsmeade was definitely not enough time for decompression.

Merlin, she was looking forward to the Winter Holidays.

She stared up at the two girls, wondering what they were both up to. Skylar seemed to be a bit too fascinated with the gate. Were people coming in or going out? "So, someone is coming?" She shrugged her shoulders and unwrapped a truffle before popping it into her mouth.

"Is there a way to open the gates?" She asked, mostly to herself, and also wondered if she would be able to climb over. The gates weren't that high, but they were probably charmed in some way. Her head spun with all the questions that now ran around in there. She HAD been perfectly happy knowing the gates would be keeping bad people out, but now she was feeling like she was being kept in. Thanks a lot, Skylar.

Emmalyn gazed up at the gates and along each side. She then turned her attention back to the girls. "So, are we staying here to wait for your friend, or are we heading back to the castle? The responsible side of her was screaming castle, but the curious part was secretly hoping Skylar would say they were staying.