An exploration

[Saffron Ironsong]

Saffron finally pulled herself out of her studies in order to do some practical learning. That and she had been eager to see what nooks and carnies she could discover with in the woods that surrounded the school. She had invited one other person with her. Isabelle, whom she was getting a bit closer to than she had ever planned to but she liked the girl well enough and it seemed like she could use the company of something other than her fictional characters. Not that she could talk. Historical figures had been her company for a rather long time. Saffron found path at the edge of the forest and took a seat at the root of a tree waiting for her friend to come and find her so they could go and explore the edges of what was mean to be forbidden. Saffron had with her a book that had the names of plants in it. She had gotten it out of the library after she finished with the Herbology book. She wondered if she could find the plants that where in this one and then take them back to the castle to press and have her own record after when she had to give the book back to the library.

Saffron's eye scanned the passages in front of her as she took in the sounds of the forest. She heard the distant call of a bird.... Should it not be too cold for birds. Saffron put her hood, leaving her two bangs out on either side of her face so that Isabelle could know that she was the one under the hood of the cloak, as if the sliver thread was not enough of a marker. She made a mental note to look up ways of getting rid of fear, her bird phobia was going to be a hindered one day if she couldn't even hear the cry of one without having to crawl in a corner. For now she pressed herself tighter against the tree and battered her mind into focusing on the book on her knees.

 

[Isabelle Beaumont]

Isabelle couldn't wait to explore the woods with Saffron. Saffron seemed nice enough - a bit obsessed with work and studying, sure, but she was good company. Isabelle walked out of the castle and down towards the Forbidden Forest. She searched the tree line as she walked, and soon found a small path at the edge of the forest. She started walking down it, reveling in the small chirps and tweets that seemed to echo along the path. As she strolled, Isabelle began to smile. She couldn't wait to see what was hidden in these woods. However, Isabelle still kept careful watch on the forest as she walked, beware of the monsters that could be hidden in these woods.

Isabelle felt a small breeze of chilly air wash over her and pulled her cloak tighter around her, drawing her hood up over her head. Soon Isabelle came across Saffron, identifiable by her bangs hanging out from either side of her face. Isabelle's footsteps made no noise on the dirt, so she coughed slightly, breaking the silence and to not alarm Saffron when she sat next to her. Glancing over Saffron's shoulder, Isabelle saw she was reading a book on plants. Isabelle absentmindedly wondered is they had different poisonous plants to Muggles as she sat down carefully next to Saffron.

"Ready to explore?" Isabelle said quietly to Saffron, slipping her hood off. She had foregone wearing glasses, instead using spare contacts that she had found in her toilet bag. She was going to need to replenish her supply soon though. Isabelle slipped her wand out of her cloak and twirled it around. She turned to look at Saffron, then stood up, sweeping the dirt off her cloak.

 

[Saffron Ironsong]

Saffron heard her, although a tad reluctant, friend walk by and folded the book. She scanned the girls face for a quick second. "You looked better with glasses." She said by way of a greeting. She tucked her book in her ever present book bag and got off up the ground gracefully enough. "Ready when you are." She said while dusting off the back of her cloak. She dropped her hood but was still a little on edge for the bird she heard. There was little she could do about it now and she could always shoot sparks at it if it came too close. Flattening a few strands of hair, she started to walk the path expecting Isabelle to come with her. She looked around at the ground to see if she could identify the plants that where growing out of the forest floor.

"Don't know why more students don't cultivate potions ingredients out here. I mean conditions stable enough, aside from the occasional snow storm" She commented offhandedly as she kept searching. Her eyes fell on something particularity toxic looking but didn't have the gloves to pick it up her at the moment. She made a mental note to write home for them but then realized that she would be told that she wouldn't need them until later in her school career when she was working with more toxic and complicated potions. That thought made her put her hands in her pockets and walk away from the purple spiky plant.

About five minutes of walking later Saffron looked up. She had heard a noise like crunching leaves. She knew that students often took small trips into the forest even through they where not meant to. What if it was one of the creatures of the forest. With another crunch Saffron took Isabelle's arm and pulled her behind a tree. She had her wand out ready to lock anything that could be stalking them in the dark forest.

 

[Marcus King]

Marc wasn't one for causing trouble unless he felt it was justified but given the situation, he assumed it would be. He had sat and watched Isabelle walk off into the forbidden forest and he knew why: Saffron was kind enough to tell Marc what she was up to and why couldn't she? Marc had no intention of snitching to the Professors to get two minor students in trouble.

Waiting a couple of minutes after Isabelle's entrance into the dark woods, Marc took a different route in. He kept low and picked up his pace as he ran a good 20 feet alongside Isabelle without her noticing. Until he was almost spotted by Saffron. Slowly laying down upon the broken twigs and leaves, he could hear them both talking together.

Marc had come prepared.

A day or two before he was sorted into Slytherin, Marc had bought a Weatherball. He had been saving it for a rainy-... well... foggy day. Contained inside the ball was the a mild fog cloud that would not allow the girls to see anything but a foot or two in front of the,. He crawled a foot forward to get a better aim... c**p... a twig snapped.

The girls, now clinging onto each other, were clearly terrified of what was out there. Little did they know that they were doing to be in for a misty time. Releasing the cloud from the ball and launching it just in front of the girls, Marc watched as a cloud the size of a small room grew and grew and grew until it nice and thick.

Taking out his wand, Marc slowly walked up to the girls who were now pretty much blind and shot only a single red spark at the floor where the weatherball was. His intention was to scare them but only to be funny. Putting on a deep voice, Marc spoke. "Saffron, you are forbidden to enter the forbidden forest! Your punishment is death by..., he now switched to his normal voice, "...Marc King's funny pranks".

 

[Isabelle Beaumont]

Isabelle followed behind Saffron into the forest, her wand tucked into her sleeve."Don't know why more students don't cultivate potions ingredients out here. I mean conditions stable enough, aside from the occasional snow storm." Saffron said offhandedly. Isabelle nodded, then realized she couldn't see her. "Yeah. It'd be a good idea, then if you ran short you could replenish your supplies for less money. Or people could pay you to use some of the ingredients you grew if they were in an emergency. You, set up a small trading thing or something..." Isabelle trailed off, in awe of the beauty of the forest. A small bird alighted on a branch nearby, and Isabelle smiled slightly.

About five minutes of walking later Saffron looked up, and the sudden movement alerted Isabelle, who glanced up as well. A small noise, like crunching leaves echoed slightly. She knew that students often took small trips into the forest, even though it is forbidden. But what if it was one of the creatures of the forest - a bad one? When another crunch sounded Saffron grabbed Isabelle's arm and pulled her behind a tree. She had her wand out ready, and Isabelle quickly drew hers as well. She stood up straight - after all, the worst thing that could happen is she would have to fight to the death.

Suddenly a foggy mist started spreading to them, out from the bush. "Protego!" Isabelle said quietly, as her spell erupted from her wand and formed a shield in front of her and Saffron. Suddenly a spark of red hit the bottom of her shield. Isabelle started, pulling Saffron back with her. Isabelle got ready to shoot another spell when a voice came out of the mist. "Saffron, you are forbidden to enter the forbidden forest! Your punishment is death by...," The voice switched to a normal boys, one she swore she had heard before - wait of course she had. "...Marc King's funny pranks". However, Isabelle was ready to shoot a spell or curse, and when the figure emerged from in front of her, she backed off and hit a tree. "Stupefy!" Isabelle said, and the spell hit the boy - who Isabelle now recongised as Marcus. "Oh my Merlin, Marcus I'm sorry!" Isabelle said, stifling giggles, then quickly preformed the counter spell.

 

[Saffron Ironsong]

Saffron crouched low, impressed to see that Isabelle had her wand out. She saw the fog take over the landscape closed her eyes letting her other senses open to make up for her lack of vision. It reminded her a bit of when her father would blindfold her and let her brothers attack her. She had learned to pick up even the smallest noises this way. Saffron had a mental picture of the surrounding trees so she left Isabelle's side and silently as a shadow slid around behind the entity in the fog. She was back in Ravenwood now, training for unforeseen terrors in the blindness of battle arena. Saffron put one hand on the ground, her feet planted firmly on the ground.

She heard Isabelle shoot a stunning spell and Saffron took that as her cue to pounce. She lunged forward and caught whatever it was in the fog that was threading them. She caught him around the middle and knocked him forward then dug her knee into the his lower back, know feeling that it was a person. She caught on to the person's hair and pointed her wand at his throat before the words he had said registered. "Marc King" Saffron let him go but not before shoving his head down non to gently. "Idiot." was all she said as she straightened out her cloak.

Saffron supposed that she should apologize for having overreacted to the prank but the words never came as she walked over beside Isabelle again. "What is the fog made out of?" She asked as she pulled her hood up. She was sure her hair was a mess by now and she didn't want anyone to see it. She crossed her arms and started out into the foggy expanse.

 

[Marcus King]

Marc shook off the attack and stepped forward, whipping away the fog before him. Chuckling, he spoke. "It's actual fog. It's a wonder what you can do with wizard tech ey?", he paused for a moment. "I'd make a good evil villain, I think". He chuckled again.

"You two on the other hand would be very good at protecting yourself". He laughed again. He was in a good mood from earlier on today and it really affected the rest of his day. It was one of those where the day just goes the way you want it to and Marc was embracing it as a close friend.

 

[Isabelle Beaumont]

Saffron walked over to stand beside Isabelle again, saying "What is the fog made out of?" Saffron had managed to attack Marcus, which Isabelle though rather cunning and admirable. Chuckling, Marcus replied to Saffron. "It's actual fog. It's a wonder what you can do with wizard tech ey?" , then her paused, and continued "I'd make a good evil villain, I think". He chuckled again. Isabelle let a small smile slip. This guy seemed funny, and pretty cool.

"You two on the other hand would be very good at protecting yourself". He said laughing once more. He seemed to be in a great mood for someone having just been attacked. Maybe he was a family friend of Saffron's - which meant he should be okay. Isabelle joined in, saying "I think it was mainly Saffron that did all the work - I just stupefied you. That fog was cool, you could make a great prank out of that." Isabelle stopped herself. "Anyway, did you follow us out here?" She asked him. "Because that is typical of a Slytherin. I suppose it was me that lead you to us - I am pretty loud out here."

Isabelle started walking off further down the track, then turned to Marcus. "Well, since you're here now, why don't you join us? Or are you scared?"Isabelle smirked at Marcus, silently hoping he'd take the bait.

 

[Saffron Ironsong]

Saffron rolled her eyes. "If you want to scare people with thunderstorms." She said though she thought it was a pretty good prank. Just because Saffron was not cracking a smile didn't mean she didn't appreciate the set up. She made a note to herself see where she could get a weather ball herself or other things. Something like that would come in handy for other things. 'Don't be too hard on yourself Isabelle not everyone has been trained in stealth as well as combat. I'm finding that out." She said stuffing one hand in her pocket while the other rested on her bag.

She looked at Isabelle then looked away. She had no clue what the girl was planning but she could sense that a bit of her Slytherin side was coming out. There was no doubt in her mind why her friend was placed in Slytherin despite her blood status which Saffron payed little attention too. Marc's jovial demeanor was pleasant to say the least. It meant that he didn't take her pulling his hair too much to heart or the dig into the small of his back.

"Yes do come with us. If anything we can trip you while running away from something else in the woods." She said her voice flat but she meant it as a joke. The way she had tried to pull Isabelle out of the line of fire should say something about how she treated those that managed to become her friends.

 

[Marcus King]

Marc thought to himself. Was really going to explore in the woods a good idea? Hogwarts called it for Forbidden Forest for a reason and it's very dangerous. He could be killed or even worse. But Saffron was a good friend of his and he weren't going to lose face. "Sure, why not". He picked up his Weatherball from the floor and slid it into his cloak pocket. "You two lead the way", he spoke casually trying to keep his nerves down about what could be in there.

 

[Isabelle Beaumont]

Isabelle took the lead, her wand hidden up her sleeve. She was excited, yet worried. Who knows what is hiding in these woods? After walking for about 5 minutes, she came into a clearing. Over to one side, a giant branch stood, broken off from one of the trees. Isabelle walked onto a twig and it snapping sharply, the sound echoing around. Isabelle froze for a moment then walked further into the center of the clearing. She could see several faint paths around the clearing, leading out into the Forbidden Forest once more. A soft layer of pine needles and various leaves covered parts of the clearing, and in the left corner from where they had entered there was a pit full of small, ashy remains. A bird, slightly startled by the intruders, took flight. Isabelle took hardly any notice and had slowly made her way to the center. She noticed Marcus and Saffron had moved, although slightly. So she turned and looked up into the empty sky, and smiled. What was this place?

 

[Saffron Ironsong]

Saffron let Isabelle walk in front of her. She backed up a little bit and jumped up to hang on to a low hanging branch. The bark was rough and biting but she bore the slight pain and she lifted herself up into the tree like gymnast on a low bar. She made her way towards the harder center of the branch then started to hop from branch to branch, making only slight rustling noises as she did. The trees where so closely nit that it was easy for her to do this. Saffron watched Isabelle and Marc under her with a careful eye. A bird rustled and took flight. Saffron held her place for a bit making it so that she didn't fall. "Stupid birds." she murmured under her breath before she dropped down behind Isabelle in the clearing. "Looks to me like someone had a camp fire." She said looking around at the ashes around, she wondered for a moment if someone hadn't burned a clearing here. She wouldn't have doubted if her cousin Cassandra where here but the girl was only seven and not allowed at Hogwarts yet.

 

[Marcus King]

Marc took the lead and took a long look around at his surroundings. He had heard many bad things about the Forbidden Forest and here he was standing in the middle of it. Taking a glance at the ashes, he noticed that it had been contained quite well. Meaning someone knew what they were doing out here which meant that it couldn't of been a student. Maybe it was a creature trying to keep warm or a professor? Who knows? Just more questions to be answered in this riddle of a forest.

 

[Aspen]

life had been slow for the young centaur recently. moving from camp to camp through the forrest, keeping out of the centaur lands where she wasn't welcome and basically just trying to stay alive which was a lot harder when one was living alone than in a clan. this winter had been a tough one, it hadn't been to cold or icy but it had been wet, and wet meant that animals hid, and any fruit went off, fires were hard to start with wet wood which meant it was cold too. thankfully things were starting to look up as spring was here. she had spent the morning gathering food, checking her snares on the way in which she had managed to catch a rabbit, and also collecting other things, mainly eggs from some of the nests. gathering eggs was a lot more complicated than it sounded. you didn't actually want the eggs with a bird inside and you didn't want to take all the eggs from any nest no matter how great they were.
she was almost back to her current camp when she heard voices. she paused and unslung her bow from her back and took an arrow out of her quiver mounting it but holding it low and not drawn. she didn't know who it was, it could be some students, friends, or it could be the herd come to ransack her stores. quietly she circled around trying to get an idea of who it was before quietly entering through one of the paths, the path she had picked because it was the main one and the others were harder for them to escape, and also because they were all facing the opposite way. there were three young people, students at the school most likely. "that someone would have been me" she said when one of the girls, one with very right hair said it looked like someone had a camp fire here. she walked over to the students. "I'm aspen and you have found my camp." she said. "you are students at the school right?" she added not really knowing what else to say.