Ewan was running now, his legs carrying him as fast as humanly possible, the letter burning a hole in his pocket. Eager to remove the fire from his pocket, his eyes searched in the distance, scanning the edge of the forest.

“Where is she?”

In all honesty, the run from the Owlery to the Forbidden Forest wasn’t that far, but he was eager to share with her what he’d found out and he did not want to be over heard! That anxious look on her face still haunting him from that day in the library.


“There!”.


Spotting her, leaning on a large fir, he made a B-line towards her now.
“Quinn” Heavy breathing...Keeling over now, hands on his legs, he took several deep breaths to steady himself before finally standing up straight in front of her. Looking down into her blue eyes, he pulled out the letter.

“Just got this letter back from my contacts. You’re name! I mean the name from the wanted poster! They found a mention of it in a muggle newspaper!”.

Pulling out a snippet from a newspaper article now, he held it out for her to read, the headline reading “Where is she? The Untold Story of Serafina Pekkala”.

Handing her the article, he stood there, waiting for her response. He wasn’t sure if she was Serafina, the girl in the article. But, according to the article, the little girl (Brown hair, blue eyes) had been missing since July 2087!

Initially, it was assumed that the little girl had died along with her parents in the fire that had engulfed their semi-detached house (Thankfully, the family that lived next door were not home at the time. Brief mention of them needing to move due to their house also burning down). But upon further investigation, only two bodies were found, charred to a crisp. Despite this, there was a small interview with her only remaining family member; One particular line stood out to him the most... “Never say goodbye because goodbye means going away and going away means forgetting.” Wasn’t that a quote from Peter Pan?

Yes, Beth had told her all about the acromantulas in the forbidden forest that some cousin of hers had told her. And while Quinn believed the story, there was always a slight disconnect hearing a story secondhand. Besides, she wasn't going in the forest. The edge of the woods, however, were often quiet and a perfect place to find some peace alone.

There was one tree, in particular, that sat some distance away from the main tree line, and made a perfect, quiet, shady reading spot. Quinn leaned against thr tree and opened her bag. She was just about to pull out her book when she heard him.

Now, she was going to need to find a new spot to be alone. Grand.

Quinn simply watched him without so much as a word given as he gasped for breath. Watched and waiting, her eyes as piercing as ever.

Letter from contacts? Her name in a muggle paper? Confusion knitted her brow slightly as she blinked at him a couple of times. She took the newspaper clippings and was first, a little shocked to not see the images printed on it moving. She knew, of course, muggle publication didn't have moving pictures from all the books she's read, this was the first non-wizarding newspaper she'd ever seen. It took her a second.

Serafina Pekkala? Quinn looked back up at Ewan questioningly. Then realization hit her. "Oh. Right. I forgot about I told you this." She shook her head with a slight smirk and handed the clipping back. "Not me, sorry. I just pulled the name out of The Golden Compass. But, good job, I suppose." There wasn't a hint of remorse or even, embarrassment in her words.

Quinn pulled out her book, sat down at the base of the tree and opened it. She looked back up at Ewan. "Do you mind? You're sort of blocking the light."

Chest still moving in and out, his breathing not quiet back to normal, he couldn’t help but notice the confused look on Quinn’s face as she listened to him. Even when he thrust the newspaper article in her face, the look that he was expecting didn’t appear. It was one of, confusion more than anything. Watching closely now, ready to comfort her if she got upset, he was not ready for what happened next. Her face, slightly confused turned to one of...amusement? Why?

“Oh!”, was the only sound he could make now, low and full of emotion. Shock spread across his face like wildfire as he continued to look at her, trying to figure out if what she said was true.

“But..you...”, *Eyes Widening*

“Your parents were...” *Takes a step closer to Quinn*

“The newspaper...” *bends down in front of her*

Looking at her in that moment, comfortable at the base of the tree, her cold blue eyes looking at him with no emotion, it was almost as if time stood still. He would have stood there, forever, waiting for her to tell him she was joking. But that was never coming. Instead, it was followed by a cold and remorseless comment. And with that, his face changed as he finally realised that she’d lied; and not just a small, white lie, but a big one. Where there was once shock, now stood a blank expression. If you knew him though, you would be able to see the hurt that was slowly settling in behind his eyes.

The glass had been shattered. The last bit of wide eyed innocence had just been eviscerated completely with one simple lie.

Despite the ache in his legs as he stood there, knees bent, face to face with Quinn, he couldn’t help but notice how the shade of the tress was slowly creeping towards them. With an almost painfully expressionless tone, he mustered up the only thing he could think of, “Why?”.

The question was left there hanging. What he'd really meant was 'Why did you do that?' Or rather 'Why are you like this?' He should have led with either but, he couldn't. He froze, the wind ruffling his hair.

She calmly watched and waited for him to catch up. You could almost hear the gears grinding in his head as they strained to grasp the obvious. Was the concept really that difficult. Quinn gave him a shrug, "Nothing personal."

She glanced down at her book, intending to read but Ewan wasn't done. He was scruntinizing her now, with almost the intensity she often used. Was it her, or was he taking this much harder than he ought to? Quinn studied him back, curiously surprised to she some of the light in his eyes had been snuffed out. Had he really been that innocent and trusting that she broke him with a story?

This was not how you reacted if you wanted to impress Quinn even a little. You reacted the way Reese had on the train. This...this was almost pitiful.

She could see it now, in his eyes. He was seeing her, the true her for the first time. The vile, horrid creature not even her own mother could love. If it bothered her, she didn't let on. She didn't let on to any thought or reaction, keeping her face as blank and unreadable as ever as she studied him back with more intensity still than he studied her.

"Why?"

It was a small question but she could feel the layers hiding in it. It seemed to be asking more than one thing. Why would you do that to me? Why make up something like that? Why lie? and her personal favorite, Why are you like this?

Quinn looked away at last, not in embarrassment or shame, or the like, but in thought. She was thinking it over, searching for anyone answer that might satisfy all the why's he seemed to be asking. She looked back into his eyes and shrugged. "Schadenfreude?"

It was a strange sensation, when ones’ innocence is stolen. It was obvious to Ewan that Quinn, despite being smaller in stature, had already lost hers. Somewhere, somehow, someway, someone had hurt her in a way that was almost unforgivable. He could see it in her face now, her lack of sympathy and disgust almost in his reaction, as if he were the weak one. It was almost funny now to him. She didn’t care how she’d hurt him because she had been hurt herself.

It was in that moment that all the hurt and betrayal left his face. It was replaced by pity. His eyes softened as he looked back at her, his stony face slipping away. Even though she’d taken something from him, he couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. She couldn’t understand how the simple lie had had this much of an impact on him but, to know that, she’d have to know him! and well... why would she want to? Quinn was one of those people that did not see the point in things if it didn’t slap her in the face and force her to pay attention.

Tilting his head slightly now, still not breaking eye contact with her, “Schdgbzonsdfps... What does it mean?”, not even trying to pronounce it right. Despite the pity on his face, he couldn’t hide the curiosity in his eyes. What had hurt her this badly?

Still looking at her, his legs aching slightly from bending down to look at her, he couldn't help but wrap his arms around himself. Almost as if it would stop the glass from shattering.

She watched as his expression softened to pity. She could read it clearly and her lip curled. An expression of contempt flowed through her. Feel however you wanted toward Quinn, think of her however you wished, she didn't care, bug she would NOT be pitied.

Quinn snapped her book closed, harsh and cold, and shoved it back into her bag. "Schadenfreude," she repeated, slinging her bag over her shoulder and stood up. Her voice was colder than ice. "German. It means, 'taking pleasure in the suffering of others.'" She shoved past him and stormed off. Quinn needed to find a new, private space to just exist for herself now.

It was interesting to him, her reaction. With a small sigh, he picked up his bag which had fallen to the floor. Turning, the leaves under his feet crunching as he did so, he watched as she stormed away. With a small smile, he couldn't help but think back to his discussion with Professor Marchand. She really did remind him of a certain tiny character.

Pulling his hood up now, he trudged off back up to the castle, hands in his pockets. Despite the rain that was slowly making its way down, he couldn't help but walk slowly, digesting all that he'd just discovered about his fellow first year Ravenclaw. This would certainly make lessons a little more interesting at least.

Normally during the winter months, Regina made use of the Room of Requirement, the Defensive Training Room, or even -- for more of a challenge -- the moving staircases to get her morning jogging done. But, alas, here she was outside in the bitter cold, now running along the edge of the forest. How Roderick managed to persuade her into it, she didn't know. Or maybe she did.

The woman did her best to not show that she wasn't terribly fond of running in this kind of weather. Visible puffs of air escaped her mouth with each breath she took, and she just kept on moving, not stopping to let the chill overtake her. She was stronger than that, she knew it. She just preferred warmer conditions to work out in.

But the company she had was making up for it. A quick glance was sent his way as their feet kept on crunching beneath the snow. "How much longer are we staying out here? I could freeze to death, you know," she said in between breaths with a bit of a grin forming on her face. "Or was that your plan all along?"

Hirsch, on the other hand, preferred to jog outside no matter what. There was something about the early morning air that filled him up with a sense of energy, making him feel as though he could tackle the day. Besides, he very much preferred jogging in the chill instead of the summer where the heat made jogging a lot more difficult.

He had to admit, though, jogging with Regina was a much better experience and it did make up for the chillier atmosphere. What was even better were the comments she'd made, earning her a small snort from the Defence professor. "Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't. Maybe this was part of my elaborate plan to take over your job and raise an army of my own," he said, glancing in her direction and shooting her an amused smirk, "I can't tell you for sure, though. Where's the fun in that?"

"Why? Is the powerful Headmistress Hawthorne scared?" This was definitely a better jogging experience.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hermionesclone

Hirsch, on the other hand, preferred to jog outside no matter what. There was something about the early morning air that filled him up with a sense of energy, making him feel as though he could tackle the day. Besides, he very much preferred jogging in the chill instead of the summer where the heat made jogging a lot more difficult.

He had to admit, though, jogging with Regina was a much better experience and it did make up for the chillier atmosphere. What was even better were the comments she'd made, earning her a small snort from the Defence professor. "Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't. Maybe this was part of my elaborate plan to take over your job and raise an army of my own," he said, glancing in her direction and shooting her an amused smirk, "I can't tell you for sure, though. Where's the fun in that?"

"Why? Is the powerful Headmistress Hawthorne scared?" This was definitely a better jogging experience.

She had to admit it. The cold air was making her move faster, much faster than in warmer conditions. It involved less sweat too. Regardless, her roots as a Curse-Breaker in the heart of Egypt were still present with her. There had been many occasions she missed the heat of her former glory days, running through the depths of cursed tombs, escaping mortal peril. But this was nice. It was a change she would be willing to allow on more than one occasion.

The tiny grin she had on her face was now accompanied with an eye roll. Roderik Hirsch was after her job, hmm? Regina couldn't stop herself from letting out a snort at that comment. She would believe that when Nogtails could fly.

Her lips pursed together when her jogging companion asked if she was scared. She tilted her head and, with a raised brow, gave him a look of utmost seriousness. "Should I be scared?" Regina asked the Defence professor. There was a deadpan pause before she added, "I think it is you who should be scared."

With a twinkle in her eye, the woman slyly reached for her wand, which had been holstered to her hip, and gave it a quick wave, causing snow to clump together and pelt the man. She, laughing, then made a beeline for the trees.

It didn't matter the time of the year, as Skylar continued to go out for morning jogs daily. It was part of her routine that she'd been doing for several years. The only difference was that in warmer months she was comfortable in running in just her sports bra and leggings, whereas when the colder months drew in she'd wear a zip-up athletic jacket and gloves. She wasn't about the frostbite. She was all about seeing what two professors were doing also jogging early in the morning, however.

Slowing her speed to avoid the ground crunching too much beneath her running sneakers, the captain withdrew her wand, casting a non-verbal muffliato on them. Was it wrong if she was maybe looking for a new Quill story here? She'd change the names, perhaps, given that the Headmistress was the advisor for that club but her gray-blue eyes were carefully observing the two adults, and eventually she found herself slowing her jog to a stop just to watch. Don't mind her. Just a captain slash journalist out for her morning run. Nope, nope. Nothing to see here at all.

After her successful evening a few weeks ago, Emmalyn was excited for another try at observing and Aurora. It has been one of the most beautiful sights she had ever seen. Almost as beautiful as the lightning storm she was in when she was just a small child. Almost.

Hoping to catch another glimpse of an Aurora, she headed out to the grounds just after dinner. The weather that night was much warmer than her trip to the igloo several weeks back. Although spring was around the corner, it was still full on winter at Hogwarts.

With her notebook in hand and extra layers on, she slowly made her way across the grounds, careful to not slip on any frozen ground. It was just past six in the evening and already dark as midnight. The stars were brightly shining and the moon was full, giving a sort of eerie glow to the castle. She shivered at the sight, hoping any sort of magical creature that may be venturing out during the full moon would wait until after she had gone back to bed.

After she had finally settled herself down on the blanket she’d packed, her eyes searched the horizon and sky for any hint of Aurora. While her searching and waiting continued, she ran over the past few months in her head. Her initial panic over failing as slowly changing and turning into more of a dull ache that never seemed to go away. She was no longer waking up in the middle of the night, sweating from nightmares of being sent back to the muggle world. But, she was constantly second guessing why she was at Hogwarts at all.

Before she could go deeper into her thoughts, a meteor shot across the sky, catching her full attention. “Make a wish” she mumbled and closed her eyes to think up a good one. After her wish was made, she jotted down a few notes, packed up her things, and headed back to the warmth and safety of the castle.

The amused smirk didn't leave his face anytime soon, not after that snort from Regina. Whether she knew it or not, it was going to be something he'd bring up a lot more often in the future, just to tease her. For now, however, he was going to respond to it but then she said something that made him forget all about any secret army of his and stare at her with raised eyebrows.

He should be scared?! HIM?! Roderik Nikolas Hirsch?!

Was the woman out of her mind?!

Hirsch, snorting, opened his mouth to respond to that, possibly with a bit of banter of his own, but before he could, he was interrupted again. This time, by something icy cold.

SPLAT!

........

Snow. Snow that had been on the ground was now splattered across the side of his face.

Constant vigilance, who?

He gasped a little more dramatically than he should've and wiped away at his eyes. His glasses weren't good for a jog but now, he was slightly even more glad that he'd swapped them for a pair of contacts. "REGINA! You're in for it now!" And with that, another snowball went flying through the air and straight towards the trees.

Since he was so invested in this mini war fight with Regina, he didn't hear or see the sight of a certain seventh year Slytherin....

Text Cut: Quotessssss

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixRising

It didn't matter the time of the year, as Skylar continued to go out for morning jogs daily. It was part of her routine that she'd been doing for several years. The only difference was that in warmer months she was comfortable in running in just her sports bra and leggings, whereas when the colder months drew in she'd wear a zip-up athletic jacket and gloves. She wasn't about the frostbite. She was all about seeing what two professors were doing also jogging early in the morning, however.

Slowing her speed to avoid the ground crunching too much beneath her running sneakers, the captain withdrew her wand, casting a non-verbal muffliato on them. Was it wrong if she was maybe looking for a new Quill story here? She'd change the names, perhaps, given that the Headmistress was the advisor for that club but her gray-blue eyes were carefully observing the two adults, and eventually she found herself slowing her jog to a stop just to watch. Don't mind her. Just a captain slash journalist out for her morning run. Nope, nope. Nothing to see here at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hermionesclone

The amused smirk didn't leave his face anytime soon, not after that snort from Regina. Whether she knew it or not, it was going to be something he'd bring up a lot more often in the future, just to tease her. For now, however, he was going to respond to it but then she said something that made him forget all about any secret army of his and stare at her with raised eyebrows.

He should be scared?! HIM?! Roderik Nikolas Hirsch?!

Was the woman out of her mind?!

Hirsch, snorting, opened his mouth to respond to that, possibly with a bit of banter of his own, but before he could, he was interrupted again. This time, by something icy cold.

SPLAT!

........

Snow. Snow that had been on the ground was now splattered across the side of his face.

Constant vigilance, who?

He gasped a little more dramatically than he should've and wiped away at his eyes. His glasses weren't good for a jog but now, he was slightly even more glad that he'd swapped them for a pair of contacts. "REGINA! You're in for it now!" And with that, another snowball went flying through the air and straight towards the trees.

Since he was so invested in this mini war fight with Regina, he didn't hear or see the sight of a certain seventh year Slytherin....

Even though she didn't see the man's facial reaction to being hit with a snowball (nor did she see the Slytherin that was watching them), what Hirsch said in response was enough to make her laugh again. With a slight turn of her head, she saw the incoming snowball and ducked in true vigilance. Was that all the Defence professor had in him?

"I'm SO afraid," Regina said, obvious sarcasm in her voice. After all, it was she who said that Roderick that should be scared. That was a statement she was going to keep valid.

When the snowball she had ducked for hit a tree, the woman continued running into the thick forest and found refuge behind a different tree. She knew her footsteps would eventually give her location away, but it would provide her with enough time to mentally plan out her next course of action.

Remaining quiet and still, she waited.

A faint rustling sound is heard from the Forbidden Forest. Leaves on a few of the trees jiggle, and a twig snaps in the distance, an ominous warning of what lurks within. A hand reaches out of the shadows, crushing a branch in its way... a hand that is nothing but bone.

The owner of the hand, a gaunt skeletal creature, emerges. Several of its comrades follow close behind, drawn out of the dark safety of the forest by the screech. The creatures vary slightly in size and appearance. Many among them are nothing but skeletons, while others have remnants of clothing. The tallest of the creatures wears tattered trousers and the remains of a Viking helmet. It stands in the middle of the group; white, cloudy eyes stare blankly as its skull turns in the direction of the sound.

As they make their way onto the grounds, a few gold coins fall from some of the creatures' ragged clothing. They lumber forth with surprising speed, approaching ever closer. They will not be deterred!