Open Call It An Evening Stroll

[Lydia Drage]

When Professor Summers pointed out that the girls had brought knives with them, Lydia smiled, but managed not to burst out laughing. Children didn’t like being laughed at, especially by adults. Lydia actually thought knives made rational sense. Certainly, a knife would be more useful than a wand for students that young.

The Defense Against the Dark Arts professor listened to all of the girls try and take the blame individually, so their friends wouldn’t get in trouble. After they went around in circles, Lydia spoke up.

“No matter whose idea it was, or your reasons for entering the forest,” Lydia said, pausing, “you all made the choice to enter the forest, which you know is forbidden and carries consequences. None of you were forced to enter against your will.”

 

[Aeon Summers]

Aeon lowered his wand and nodded his head in quiet agreement with Drage. “Quite.” He said. “Saira, you’ve had an entire year to get accustomed to a wand, there’s no excuse anymore. You aren’t a first year. None of you are. You all know the rules.” He said, looking at each of them in turn. He sighed. “If you’re going to break the rules and wander into the forest, at least get your stories straight beforehand. It’s admirable to all try and cover for each other, but regardless of whose idea it was, you are all to blame. If you want to see magical plants and creatures, you can ask the Herbology or Care of Magical Creatures professors, respectively. There’s no reason to gallivant off into the woods, especially when it is getting dark.” He whipped his wand toward the castle, illuminating the path back. “Alright, let’s start walking.”​

 

[Hildegard de Valeriane]

Hilda felt herself supported when Saira wanted to take the blame for them, as Lily had done, they were really friends she could count on.

She blushed with shame at the professor's reflection, it's true that they should have thought of a back-up plan if they were caught up in the act. It's true that they could have asked a professor to show them magical creatures but Hilda's interest was to find out what secrets the forest might hold but she had enough survival instinct to know that she shouldn't go too deep into it.

When Professor Summers lit the path with a wave of her wand, Hilda began to walk in the direction of the castle.