Where Wild Things Grow

[Emeric Lancaster]

Now that Fenris had graduated from Durmstrang, Emeric no longer had his stronger, protective older brother guarding him from any wannabe bullies who were looking for an easy target. Which admittedly, he was. The budding herbologist wasn't physically strong, and only averagely skilled when it came to wandwork. Fighting was not his thing, he very much preferred a pacifist way of life, unlike his siblings. Heck, unlike most of his family. When it came to turning tail or standing their ground, a lot of the Lancaster kids took the latter. Fenris was brutal in a duel and both Esme and Lythande seemed to enjoy a good fight. Emmett was the only one who knew how to avoid confrontation, but even he was well-equipped to defend himself. Emeric on the other hand, was only really good at perhaps throwing a handful of young bouncing bulbs down and running as fast as he could.

As it were, he had to look out for himself now. Lythande was still around to watch over him, but two pairs of eyes had been better than one. He had hoped that Emmett could fill in the role that Fenris left behind, but the older boy was always too busy to focus on anyone but himself. He'd just have to wait and see how the year turned out. As a school known for it's relation to the Dark Arts, Durmstrang wasn't particularly brimming with friendly people, but Emeric was a fourth year now. If anything there were plenty of first years to prey upon. He hoped.

Sitting cross legged on the grounds of Durmstrang with his back propped up against one of the greenhouses, Emeric decided to spend his free time watching over the plot of land that contained the bubotuber saplings he'd started planting for Herbology. They weren't the most attractive flora, but he was already liking them anyway. The boy's hands in the meantime looped dark stems around each other, creating the start of a daisy chain. Although he hadn't found any daisies to make one with, he instead settling for wild fjelltjæreblom growing around the institute. The reddish flowers were pretty and made a fairly nice deviation from the usual flowers he used. As he worked away, the Lancaster by hummed quietly to himself, eyes drifting from the freshly watered soil in front of him to scan over the rest of the grounds. Clouds had filled the sky, casting the land in shade and giving everything a generally dull, grey look, with the exception of the bright splashes of colour coming from the few plants and flowers Emeric had surrounded himself with. It looked like it was going to rain soon, which was a nice change from the Summer heat they'd been experiencing. He closed his eyes, leaning his head back against the greenhouse's pane and taking in a deep breath. Once the rain fell, the entire grounds would carry that enticing smell of dewed grass.

The sound of shoes crunching against grass invaded the calm of the garden and Emeric immediately opened his eyes, lifting his head to see who was approaching. "Hello?" He called out, ceasing his fidgeting with the half-made flower chain in his fingers. Other than other Herbology kids or occasionally, his cousins, not many people came by the greenhouses, which was partially why he preferred the spot.

 

[Ezra Valentin]

Another year at Durmstrang and it did feel weird to be back at school for the fourth time. Even though things had only really just started off, Ezra had already turned fifteen thanks to an early September birthday and he was quite certain he was one of the, if not the eldest, person in the year. But it was not something he found himself bragging about, being old just made it feel like there were more responsibilities shoved on your head and simply more things for you to worry about. But the boy simply tried to not let it get him down and he was without a doubt one of the smiliest people in the whole school, bumbling around the place like he was in a constant state of amazement at his own limbs. A statement which was not far from the truth. A tall and skinny lad with an accent which made people struggle to understand what the hell he was saying. Ezra was, without a doubt, one of the weirdest people in the school, but he liked to think that was just what made him special and better than all the normal people.

Wandering around was something he quite liked to do, it gave him some time to think to himself and get away from other people. He was practically bouncing on the balls of his feet, putting one foot in front of the other as his body moved up and down with each step like he was on springs. The fact the sky was covered with dark clouds didn't bother him and if it rained, even better, he liked the rain and especially liked pissing off the Professors by trying to get back inside while dripping wet. He was just a boy who liked the trouble, living on the edge was his thing and it was something he was quite good at. Next to confusing the hell out of people and managing to look like a tourist in his own home.

Running a hand back through his dark hair, Ezra just let his feet take him wherever they wanted to, his face turned skyward as he drunk in the fresh air through his nose. He hadn't even noticed that he was anywhere near the greenhouses until a voice called out. Stopping his head was on the swivel, eyes finally catching sight of who it was and a grin splitting on his face. "Emeric!" Well, at least he was pretty sure that was what the kid's name was, after being in the same year you would think that he would know these things. Instead, Ezra was a master of nicknames and in his head he simply went by 'plant boy'. "What ya up to?" He questioned as he stepped a little closer to him, leaning over to get a better look at what was in his hands. Once he saw the looped flowers, his smile got a lot wider, head nodding as he shoved his hands into his pockets. "Tha' look nice. You gonna wear it once it's done, or are ya jus' doin' it 'cus you can?"