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[Adrian MacDermott]

Adrian had been waiting outside for another of his secret friends to meet him. Knowing that the invitation to be a duo (that Cerri would have recieved earlier) rather than the trio they normaly were might seem strange to her. Adrian had a plan though, hopefully something to bridge any gap that might have formed between cerri and himself in the couple weeks he had spent minding his schooling and almost sticking to his common room for free time.

The arrival of a furry eight legged creature though cause Adrian to venture back out to his friends (even though hewould never admit it) to make sure they were ok. This however had done almost nothing but scare Adrian on several occasions.

Even now as he stood in the wide open he constantly checked his surroundings just waiting to hear the scurring of eight large spider legs moving up behind him.

He hadnt noticed but he seemed to be hovering around a tree without a reasonable explination as to why, in the end he had decided it was a form of protection rather than hiding somewhere that he could be seen from any angle.

He was hoping that his Ravenclaw friend would join him soon because two heads were always better than one.

[Cerridwyn Glynn]

Boredom!  Languid anxiety!  There had to be something to do other than class work.  It wasn't Saturday so there was no presettled meeting between Cerri and Alistair and Adrian had been remoted to his common room and sticking harder to his studies.  Her other housemates had other things going on and her friends from other houses were working on their own projects.  Cerri needed something that would hold her interests that was not limited to staying inside.  Finally it dawned on her, she hadn't been out to keep watch on George for a while.  If she and Alistair were going to write a book about the Black Lake Monster she needed new information to work on.

That was it, it was settled.  Cerri found her feet taking her quickly out to the Lake Grounds.  She was headed directly to the tree where she had learned how to skip rocks with the levitating spell.  It offered the best view of the lake that she had found so far.  As she reached closer to the tree, she saw Adrian standing there.  Her eyes widened and a brighter smile fell over her.  Had he been waiting for her?  He was smarter than she gave him credit for.  How had he known she would go to her favorite tree?  He must have known her better than she thought, that, or maybe she had mentioned this place and didn't remember.

"Adrian."  She shouted across the distance.  "What are you doing here?"  Her voice softened as she got closer.  It was no secret that she was excited to see him.  In fact, she had thought about dragging him out of his common room earlier to keep her company, but going down into the dungeons scared her more than facing the Slytherin Prefect or Head Girl.  So instead she found other things to keep her busy.

[Alistair Bauldaugh]

It wasn’t often that Alistair was out wandering alone, but it was just the short distance from the Great Hall out to the front door that had the boy worried. He had determined that if the big hairy spider were still about, it had to be in the castle. It would be too large to fit through the small window panes that could open, and someone would have seen it scuttle past them out the door. Breathing a sigh of relief as the warm, fresh breeze washed over his face. He immediately felt the urge to run.

All week the sun had been shining brightly, almost as if unaware of the darkness that was dangling in a web somewhere within the castle, or trying to overpower it. Regardless of the sun’s motivation, it was absolutely invigorating, and Alistair took off at a slow jog, eventually making it across the lawn. The bright reflection of the sunlight shown off of the lake as Alistair reached the top of one of the hills. He saw the expansive shore and a very landmark tree. He decided to take a path that ran along the grass right at the edge of the shore, his feet making hardly a sound as the green blades bent beneath his shoes.

For a short while, Alistair listened only to the sound of his own thoughts, which tended to swirl when he went on runs. But after a short while, a different voice filtered in... “Adrian, what are you doing here?” The familiar voice caused Alistair to stop in his tracks. He looked toward where he thought he had heard her. She was a few feet away, near the base of the tree; of their tree. But it was the sight of Adrian standing there as well, seemingly waiting for her, that bothered Alistair.

Several thoughts burst into Alistair’s mind all at once. First of all, why were they out here, so far away from the castle and seemingly alone? Had they planned to meet here or was it a coincidence? A rather odd one that that. Had Cerri been lying to him when she told him that she was meeting Adrian to do homework a few weeks ago when she gave him her Christmas gifts? It all confused him and he needed answers. Rather than charging down to the two of them, which could cause an embarrassing scene, he quickly ducked behind a nearby bush, making sure not to rustle the leaves. Neither of them seemed to have noticed him. Peering through a small hole in the leaves, he saw that they were looking at one another. Attempting to control his breathing, harsh from the short run, he strained his ears to listen in.

[Adrian MacDermott]

"Adrian." She shouted across the distance. "What are you doing here?"

It was a voice he hadnt heard in a couple weeks a voice (that he hadnt realized untill now)hed been wanting to hear. To tallk to someone who knew the real him the Slytherin who probably should not be.

With him being so tense though it did cause him to jump slightly before he turned to look at the Ravenclaw with a wide smile painted on his face. "Well I'm waiting for you of course"

"It is good to see you again, what have you been doing since the last time i crawled out of my hiding place?" he asked her, a look of interest on his face. He never realy knew why but for some reason his Irish accent always played out a bit thicker when he was around Cerri.

As one of his two best friends approached him, he extended both of his arms to capture Cerri in a hug he hoped she would return rather than leaving him looking like a complete loon.

"So what are you doing down here by the lake so far out of sight of the castle when there is a big scary monster running a muck of everything?" he asked as he looked over his shoulder to make sure no one or thing was sneaking up behind them.

[Cerridwyn Glynn]

Immediately her boredom slipped away.  Seeing him and then seeing him turn to look in the direction of her call, it was like the magic of nature flourished through the lake's valley.  The wind picked up just slightly to ruffle his hair and the sun peaked a little more warmly.  Even the leaves in the trees laughed with a soft hint of perfection.  It was absolutely just one of those moments that would take anyone.
"wow..."  Cerri whispered to herself in a quiet tone.  It was slow and drawn out.  The single one word said it all.  The whole moment just whizzed into realization within her mind like a dream.  A lake behind him, a few dramatic crags behind that, even the tree itself leaned into the corner of the sight like a perfect border.  How she wished she could just shoot a spell and capture the very second to be remembered forever.

Picking her pace back up from the scenic view before her, Cerri witnessed Adrian's arms outstretched for a hug.  Quickly, she leaned in in a big elaborate show of a huge hug.  
"Well, it's not that big."  She tried not to look so serious as she said the words.  The truth was that the baby spider was the largest she had ever seen.  While it did scare her to no end to have seen it so close, she didn't want anyone to know she was bothered by it at all.  What kind of witch would she be if magical creatures scared her?

"Spiders don't like the sunlight."  The Welsh girl stated as if she was the authority of it now without any study, which instantly would have garnered the most bothered look from any Professor.
"No, truthfully, I mean it.  That's why they build their webs at night and in the shadows."  Now she was making clear her own observations that she had witnessed with just growing up.
"I thought it would be safer out here by the water, where the sun reflects off the water like a mirror.  Plus I haven't been keeping up with my George sightings.  But then, I could ask you the same question, why aren't you closer to the castle where they can hear you scream."  She grinned hoping Adrian would understand that she was just joking.

Edited by Cerridwyn Glynn, 04 September 2010 - 01:24 AM.

[Alistair Bauldaugh]

It was if a horror story had come to life before Alistair’s eyes, though his unfortunate near sightedness made things a little fuzzy. However their embrace was unmistakable and that cinched a knot that was forming in Alistair’s stomach. The only comfort he had was that from what he could understand, the two hadn’t expected to run into each other. But the first thing that Adrian said, “what have you been doing since the last time…” had been cut off by the sound of the leaves of the bush he was hiding in rustling against his ears.

Since the last time of what? He wondered furiously. The last time they came down to this lake? The last time they were in class together? Since the last time he hugged her? Alistair didn’t recall a time that he had ever hugged Cerri. He had thought about it, when she had given him his gifts, which, he thought with a further plummeting stomach, he had never gifted her back for. He had thought about it, but it had seemed too difficult; felt too strange. He didn’t think he was allowed to hug a girl. But there Adrian was doing it, had they hugged before. Alistair felt that he might be sick. What else were they not telling him?

He figured that he should simply hold his position. He did not want to be discovered spying on his friends, he wasn’t sure what they would think of it. As well, he wondered what all he might hear. The fact that Cerri had brought up George, the creature that he and her had decided to study and write a book about, made him feel like she had betrayed a secret. But then again, they had never agreed to not tell anyone. Taking a deep breath, Alistair tried to calm himself. Surely this wasn’t as bad as it seemed.

[Adrian MacDermott]

Adrian felt relieved when when Cerri had returned the hug. An even bigger part of him felt relieved when she said what she knew about spiders.

"Whew" he said "Maybe I can finally relax out here" He still however looked around nervously he couldnt help but feel that somthing was watching him.

"So, I realized that I hadnt thanked you for the gift you gave me over christmas. And I have been carrying this around in hopes of running into you. I know its not much but I didnt realy have time to shop for anything" From inside his Robe pocket he pulled out a piece of partchment folded over its self and in a crooked scrawl of green writing across the front said Cerri "I hope you like it" he said knowing that on the inside the card would simply read to someone who means alot to me. along with the message there would be a hand drawn picture of a a raven with its wing tucked in around a snake holding it it what looked like a hug.

[Cerridwyn Glynn]

Cerri looked down to the drawing Adrian had handed over.  It was folded to not give away its secret immediately.  Upon opening it, Cerri saw the most delightful piece of art she had ever seen.  This was like Adrian and herself, depicted as their House represented animals.  It really wasn'ty that bad and Cerri doubted she could do any better.  A great smile slid over her as she looked over the art.
"Is this....us?"  Her grin was growing.
"All I did was give you a book.  I wanted to make sure you had ample entertainment on your way home.  There is nothing like a bored Slytherin with idle hands.  I didn't even think that the Gorgon tale was any good."  She leaned in a little closer as she whispered.  "I thought the part where those snake ladies ate the children was quite disgusting and the I could have done without that part."  She looked down to the gift of art she been given.  It was a quiet piece of paper, but it soon reminded her she hadn't said thank you and her eyes lit up like two magical orbs of surprise.

"Oh, forgive me.  I must have left my manners in the dormatories.  Thank you, Adrian.  This is very thoughtful.  Did you do this?  Or did you have help."  Her eyes turned suspicious towards him as she scruntinized his face hoping to be able to discern if he was truthing or lying with his next answer.

[Alistair Bauldaugh]

Talking, they are just talking Alistair’s inner voice attempted to reason with what his somewhat blurred vision was telling him. But talking about what?” He wondered back. Adrian handed over a piece of paper, and Cerri seemed to find some joy in whatever was on it. What could be on that paper? Was it a poem? A recipe? A profound declaration of love? Alistair simply couldn’t take it anymore, another minute of this and surely he was going to run at them from the bush and demand to know what was on the paper.

But a sadness swept over the boy, it was no business of his as to what was going on between those two. Perhaps, if he were very quiet, he could continue down the road a bit and continue running. The two friends would be none the wiser that he was spying on them. Perhaps even, later the three of them could spend some time together. If those two were choosing to be better friends with one another, they could still be good friends with him, right?

Alistair made himself believe this, and went to get back onto the path. Most unfortunately the laces in Alistair’s shoes had become entangled with the roots of the bushes that he had been crouching in. As he pulled his leg up to make a swift get away, he found himself falling face first into his former hiding place. “Ahhh!” He screamed, his hands sinking down into the branches and leaves going up his nose. So much for sneaking away, he thought sadly. Then, a wonderful idea came to mind.

Standing, Alistair swung wildly and the poor, smashed shrub. “Take that, and that, you fiendish elf.” Adrian would certainly think the boy had lost his marbles, but, hopefully, Cerri would understand.

[Adrian MacDermott]

"Yeah, well its a represimtation of us anyway" Adrian said with a slight smile. He had feared that the picture would be rejected as a peice of rubbish but as a smile spread over Cerri's face Adrian felt a rush of pride at his new found ability to draw.

"Oh come on...When the who doesnt want to read about snake ladies eating little children" Adrian whispered back. Before giving a look of discust at the thought.

He almost jumped out of his skin when there suddenly came a large earthly crashing noise from a short distance away, and their good friend Alistair seemed to be attacking a peice of shrubbery. Now why on earth a once sane person would attack a bush Adrian didnt understand but he was instantly convinced that Alistair needed to see the school nurse to make sure he hadnt been a victem of foul play.

"Everything Allright Alistair?" Adrian asked in a lound voice, hoping that he would be heard over the Hufflepuffs raving about some invisible elf. He aproached the scene with caution.

[Cerridwyn Glynn]

Cerri looked back down to the picture that Adrian had drawn.  She was a little jealous, not that it showed much.  She would have loved to be as creative with a drawing as he was.  His bird looked like a bird and the snake looked exactly like a snake.  If she was drawing it, the bird would have ended up resembling more of a cow and the snake...well, let's just say wouldn't have looked like a snake.
"It's really good and thanks.  Now I have something to decorate my room."  Cerri paused for a moment trying to decide if she should clue Adrian in on the idea that her mother was quite specific about decor in the house.  Cerri's mum was one of those women that believed an English castle looked one way and her house should look the same...to teach the young women how to act and be and get them used to a future life in the richness of a husband in the future.  It might have been best if Cerri just decorated her Ravenclaw room in fun and left the real house alone for Mother to do as she wished.  Otherwise Adrian's drawing might be tossed and Cerri never wanted that to happen.

When the topic changed to talk about the gorgon stories in the book, Cerri seemed happy and interested as well as bothered and disgruntled that Adrian might actually have enjoyed that particular part of the story.
"Please tell me that wasn't your favorite part in the book."  Her eyes narrowed a bit as she hoped she wouldn't be responsible for a future murderer.

Hearing a noise in the distance drew her attention and seeing Adrian himself jump as a reaction showed her just how surprised her friend was.  Someone was yelling behind a bush.  As the voice stood Cerri could see plain as day that Alistair had fallen and teaching the malcontent pranksters a lesson for his trouble.  Slashing and slapping at the bush and roots below it, Alistair seemed content to bestow a curse of anger upon it crying out such things at the nature of his ailment that made the girl look alarmed but smile at the same time.  Cerri knew exactly what had happened the moment he cried out fiendish elf.  One of her sister's minions had been spying on her and Alistair was acting out his title in defense.

While Adrian was cautious, Cerri ran directly towards Alistair.  Time was of the essence.  If Alistair couldn't catch the elf in time, he would turn invisible...or worse yet.  The elf might disguise himself as something in plain sight, like a rock or a root, and then no one would be able to find him.
"Wingardium Leviosa!"  She shouted as she pointed her wand towards the foe Alistair was fighting with.  A small snailshell rose up from the ground as quick as could be for that spell and whisked int the sky, never to be seen again.
"Alistair,"  She called as she got closer.  "are you all right?"

[Alistair Bauldaugh]

Every syllable that came from Adrian made Alistair certain that the Slytherin boy was currently fearing for his sanity. “Ah hah, I have you now!” Alistair proclaimed, pretending to take no notice to the other boys attempts to bring him back to reality. In fact, it wasn’t until Cerri distracted him with her spell that Alistair quit taking swings at the sad, beaten plant. Hopefully it will grow back alright he thought. The plant had served two great purposes that afternoon; hiding Alistair while he looked upon his friends, and being the scapegoat to an unfortunate failure in escaping unnoticed.

“Yes,” Alistair finally said, standing upright and attempting to straiten out his vest, unaware of the small twigs and leaf shards that had embedded themselves in his dark curls during the scuffle. “Quite alright, Adrian.” The very proper way that Alistair was speaking only highlighted the shift in his behaviour that had just occurred.

At the very least, Cerri seemed to be happy with his antics. She doesn’t suspect a thing Alistair thought gaily, it had worked out better than he had hoped. He just had to keep it up. “I happened to be jogging along near the forest when I saw one of those elves start running out from the trees. I followed him here to this bush, and leapt after him. I, unfortunately, was not able to capture him before he disappeared.” A slight blush rose in Alistair’s cheeks. He knew that it was due to the fact that he had just fabricated a ridiculous tale, but it could easily be interpreted as a response to his failure to catch the fiend.

[Adrian MacDermott]

Adrian stood there completely stunned. Never before had he seen his friend act like this. It was completely normal for Alistair to act a bit unusual around girls but this was just completely over the top.

"Well I still think we should take you up to the hospital wing, but if you say there was an elf..." he finished leaving his sentence hanging in the air as he began laughing at the way the boy looked with his hair full of twigs and leafs making himself look as though he had just gotten done fighting a troll rather then an elf.

"well. Maybe we should leave the poor bush to heal itself while we seek shelter from your attacker in this tree it seemed plenty big enough to hold us all" he finished with a gesture to the tree.

[Daniella Cruz]

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