Easy Prey

[Lycus Jin Howard]

Somehow the forbidden forest calmed Lycus down. It was the sound of nature that he missed the most, singing birds, the sound of leaves flying, and not to mention the sound of the stream of water. But he wasn't there to ponder on his life, he actually had some plans going on with his twin brother Augustus. He was going to make him swear not to touch Kaia who turned out to be a Howard. It was a good thing that Augustus knew nothing about Kaia being a part of the family, but someday he would know. Lycus made his way toward his favorite spot, which was a mile away from the entrance of the forest where a huge rock marked it's territory. He climbed to the rock and sat on it as he waited for Augustus to come. The first year Slytherin took his potion book out and flipped a page to the other. His mother wont be happy if he failed on potion class, he would be a disgrace to the whole Howard family.

 

[Tristan Collins]

Tristan was bored, he had caught up on his homework and didn't really know anyone to hang out with. He needed to make more friends, but he wasn't sure how. Today he was spending his time wandering the grounds and looking around to see if he found any useful plants. If he found ingredients for potions or something, he might get some extra credit in his potions class. He was nearing the line of the forest though, and glanced around. He'd been a bit curious what was inside and why they had been kept out, but he hadn't dared to go in yet. He didn't know enough about the magical world to know what the dangers might be, and he wasn't ready to get mauled to death by some animal he didn't even know the name of.

He blinked as he noticed movement, a boy was heading into the forest with a purpose. He looked about Tristan's age, and Tristan wondered what he was doing. It couldn't be clearer that the forest was forbidden from students, it was even in the name. But the boy looked a bit as if he had gone before, he didn't seem nervous at all.

After a moment, Tristan made an impulsive decision. If another first year could go into the forest, so could he. Maybe he would find something cool in there that he could use to impress others, or maybe he could befriend the boy that was starting to fade from sight between the trees. Tristan glanced around once more before he followed him, excited and nervous at once.

 

[Augustus Jin Howard]

Augustus had planned to go to the forest with Lycus that day. Though, he was growing bored as lately he hadn't spent time with his twin and there was also the fact that he hated not having someone to bother. He didn't mind that Lycus had been vague about what he wanted Gus at the forest for, because surely it had to be good. His expression showed no indifference as he swiftly walked through the trees and found his twin brother almost immediately. Augustus nodded towards him as he went over to him, and was about to say something when he heard a crunch from somewhere to his left. It was too bad that for whoever had followed the brothers this would most definitely not end well for him.

Not that he felt sorry for the person because in al honesty, he'd have his fun, it was time for some entertainment he missed this semester. Gus nudged Lycus in case he hadn't noticed - but knowing him he probably had - and started to walk towards the sound. "You," he said coldly, pointing his index finger at the boy in his year. Augustus didn't know his name because well, he didn't pay attention to those who weren't like him. Pure. "Why were you following me?" His tone was cold but at the same time accusing. Whoever this guy was better leave them, for his sake, or if he stayed Gus and Lycus would ensure he knew who he was messing with.

 

[Lycus Jin Howard]

Lycus turned his body toward the west as he heard the footstep of someone who could probably be Augustus. He saw another figure not too far from his twin brother and wondered why the h3ll an unexpected company would even consider to be near with the J Howard twins. "You've got yourself a pet, Gus" he glared at his twin brother coldly and turned his attention to the other boy. "State your name and your blood status" Lycus wasn't going to play the guessing game. He hadn't met the boy before in the annual proud pureblood gala hence he doubt if that boy was to be a pureblood or not a blood traitor. Ending the boy's life wont be a hassle for Lycus especially in the forbidden forest where the twins could easily hide his body. Or if death would be too much for him then two broken arms and a broken nose sounded great to Lycus. He had been in so many fights with Sybil, his younger sister and the two of them had been breaking each others joints for numerous of time, practicing it to a stranger would be easier for the eleven years old.

 

[Tristan Collins]

Following this boy was a bad idea. Tristan knew it before the boy ever spoke to him. The forest was dark and creepy and he wanted to go back, but if he turned around he might be more lost. The boy met up with another boy that looked similar to him. Brothers? Tristan contemplated leaving them alone just as he pointed at him and spoke to him. Apparently he was busted. "Oh, I'm sorry." He said quickly, holding up his hands and giving a small smile. "I just saw you go in and I was curious, I didn't know you had a secret meeting or something. I'll go." There was something scary about these two, which was ridiculous but true. They were his age, why would he be scared?

His fear partly turned into annoyance as the other guy spoke. He was no one's pet, and he didn't like how people talked about blood status, though so far no one had directly asked him like this. "I'm Tristan, my parents are muggles, if that's what you mean. If you have a problem with that, you can go have a club with the Astronomy Professor." He half-joked. It wasn't entirely fair, the woman had just given her lesson but it had put muggles in a negative light which annoyed him. He wished he wasn't alone, two to one wasn't smart. He cursed himself for ever going into this stupid forest. "I'll go, okay? No need to get defensive, I won't tell anyone about your secret forest hangout spot."

 

[Augustus Jin Howard]

Gus rolled his eyes at his brother's words. "It's not really my problem," he smirked coldly at the other boy, wondering just what the twins should do about him. Following the Howard twins had to be the stupidest decision in someone's life. No one sneaked up on them, ever. Augustus only stood up straighter when Lycus asked the boy who he was, as he'd grown up never to accept people who weren't like them, status wise. He rolled his eyes again. "Don't you know you shouldn't sneak up on other people because what goes around comes around," his tone was unapologetic, for all he cared the dude could be scared but trying not to be. Now that was pathetic.

Augustus didn't get his joke, was that meant to lighten the mood? It sure didn't for him. "So you're filth then," he narrowed his eyes and his gaze hardened. "Why does this school have to accept traitors," he growled that last sentence, subconsciously taking a step towards the boy. The Gryffindor felt his hands clench into fists. "You're missing the point. Who cares about the hiding spot." He didn't know what the boy's name was but didn't care, all he cared about was that he shouldn't have approached them at all.

 

[Lycus Jin Howard]

Lycus rose an eyebrow listening to how much guts and confidence the boy had. "Secret place" he sneered, there was no such thing as a secret place especially not in the forbidden forest. While the boy was talking to Augustus, Lycus made his way toward Tristan and stopped a few steps away from him. He is a mudblood and this disgusts Lycus. The Slytherin turned his head to the side to see how much of complaints Augustus had for life or in this case Hogwarts accepting non pures. Being the most quiet out of the J Howard siblings, Lycus continued listening to the argument that the two boys had and locked his eyes to Tristan's eyes. The eleven years old held on to his wand in his pocket tightly and began to speak. "Shut up Augustus" he said flatly still locking his eyes on Tristan's. "Hello Tristan, I'm Lycus Jin Howard and this is my twin brother Augustus Jin Howard" he said coldly with pride. "It's our pleasure to meet you here, deep in the forest" Lycus said still with a monotone. He took his wand out and quickly pointed it at Tristan before casting a spell "Stupfey" he casted.

 

[Tristan Collins]

Tristan was starting to feel like he really messed up by coming here. Who were these boys and why did they care what sort of people his parents were? He had to get out of here, but a part of him wanted to stay and argue. The clear contempt in their eyes hurt him and he hated the idea that they disliked him just because of what he was. The boy he had followed called him filth and possibly a traitor, which he didn't really understand. He stepped closer to Tristan and Tristan forced himself not to step back. "I didn't do anything to you, I don't know what your 'point' would be." He snapped. "I'm leaving you alone."

But then the other boy spoke up, Tristan hated the feeling of being outnumbered and now did take a step back. His heart was racing, this was dangerous. The boy introduced himself and his brother but Tristan was on his guard, this was not a friendly chat. So when the boy pulled his wand and cast a spell, he wasn't completely surprised. He wasn't ready enough to cast the protection spell they had learned in Defence Against the Dark Arts but he let himself fall to his knees and felt the stunning spell pass over his head. He quickly scrambled back, fumbling to grab his own his own wand. "Expelliarmus!" He yelled as he pointed it at Lycus, hoping it would save him enough time to get away from these two.

 

[Augustus Jin Howard]

Augustus clenched his jaw but obeyed his brother and didn't say another word. When he envisioned what was about to happen, he let Lycus cast his spell but when the other boy, Tristan, raised his wand and sent another spell his twin's way, the Gryffindor jumped in front of Lycus and said "Protego" thankfully stopping the spell from reaching Ly and make him lose his wand. He shouldn't be the one to lose it out of the three of them. Before the other two could react, Gus pointed his wand at Tristan's legs and cast, "Locomotor Mortis" hoping it was successful. At this point, he didn't care whether they got into trouble. After all, the Howard twins were known to cause all the trouble.

 

[Monty Pendleton]

After catching wind that a student or three had been sighted entering the forbidden forest, Professor Pendleton had taken it upon himself to investigate. They were young, according to the source, which made them quite unlikely to venture deep enough into the thicket to find themselves in any real trouble, and thus Monty decided he would retrieve them by himself. It wasn't completely uncommon for first and second years to mess around within a few hundred yards of the forest's edge, often in the safety of daylight, and always within sight of the castle. That the students in question might be in serious danger scarcely crossed Monty's mind.

Until he'd walked for almost fifteen minutes and still not found them.

Of course, their sighting might simply have been a rumour intended to disrupt Monty's day, but this was not a risk the Potions Professor was willing to take. Not after Avie's death. He was in the throes of debating whether or not to head back and find reinforcement when he saw the light - a flash of light, not so far in the distance. Hastening toward it, he saw another, and another, and then he was close enough to discern the faces of the students responsible. Young, indeed, but apparently malicious beyond their years. Just as the Hufflepuff fell victim to a leg-locking curse, Monty withdrew his wand and cast two quick, silent disarming spells at the Howards, hoping that the element of surprise might aid him. Whether or not his spells hit their targets, he was furious. "Lycus, Augustus, I'd advise you save your breath for explaining what on earth you think you are doing to your Heads of House." Next he turned to Tristan, who had fallen to the ground, and muttered a quick counter-curse to the spell that had struck him. Unsure of the Hufflepuff's involvement in the situation, but almost certain that he was lesser at fault, Monty said, "Up you get, please, Tristan. All three of you will follow me, is that clear?"

GM approved

 

[Lycus Jin Howard]

Once again Lycus aimed for Tristan after he ducked down but before he could cast the same spell the Hufflepuff cast something else. "Prot" and there you go, Augustus saved the day. Lycus rolled his eyes and glared at Augustus with his face displaying the irritated feeling of his. Right after Augustus aimed for Tristan, Professor Monty Pendleton came and withdrew their wands. Lycus locked his eyes at Tristan's and slowly made eye contact with the Professor. This was the second time Lycus had his wand taken away by the professor, and who knows if a third is to occur. He had learnt his lesson to stay away from the castle when a victim appeared to be slaughtered hence he thought the forbidden forest would be better to proceed it. The Slytherin was disappointed in knowing that Professors were everywhere roaming around Hogwarts. Lycus glared at Tristan once more before following Professor Pendleton.

 

[Tristan Collins]

Tristan had only a moment to be proud of his spell choice before the other twin protected the first. How was he supposed to get away from these two if he couldn't even hit one with a spell? He was starting to panic and didn't react fast enough when Augustus sent another spell his way. It hit him, locking his legs together. For a moment he thought he could remain standing and be okay, but as soon as the thought entered his head he started to wobble and fell forward onto his front, barely bracing himself with his arms. Oh no, he was at their mercy now.

That was what was in his mind until he heard a new voice. He couldn't see who it was from the position he was in but he was sure he recognized Professor Pendleton's voice. Tristan first felt relief but then uncertainty. The two others could say anything and why wouldn't he believe them? They'd back each other up. It might be best if Tristan didn't try to go against them. After all, he wasn't supposed to be here either. And if the Professor had been this close he would have seen Tristan cast a spell as well. Thankfully, the Professor did hit him with a counter curse and he could get to his feet. " Thanks Professor." He muttered, wiping some mud and leaves off his robes. He ignored the glares he got from the twins as he followed the professor, anger and humiliation still coursing through him as he played their mocking words to him over and over in his head.