One Fateful Night

Characters

Melody Lestrange (violet)	Professor Snape (white)	Artemis Jones (aqua)
Albus Dumbledore (red)	Trevor McGaritty (white)	Isabella (green)
Zoey (orange)	Joseph Hawkins (red)	Alena Dumbledore (cornflower blue)

~*She hung in the doorway, not wanting to enter Snape's office without permission.*~ I'm sorry to trouble your Professor. I uh- I- had a question about House points..

~his work would have to rest for a question that more than likely any first year would be able to answer~ " Well, then do come in and sit down instead of standing in the door frame like your exercising an Earthquake drill."

~*Uh oh. He had this.. look.. like she shouldn't be here. And all at once she was sorry she'd even come. But she wasn't about to go now, it would undoubtedly only irritate him more.*~ Well sir.. ~*Rushing inside at his beckoning, where she stood with her hands clasped every bit as nervously as she had outside.*~ I was wondering.. since by fifth year we don't have flight class any more.. Is umm.. is it likely to hurt our House's points in any way. ~*She'd heard he was very big on seeing his own, her, win*~.. if a fifth year isn't very good on a broom? ~his eyes peered into her from his position~

" House Points are withdrawn based on breaking the rules, and there is no rule standing that states that you must master a broom. Laziness is not tolerated, lack of talent is. As long as you make the effort, Mrs. LeStrange, Slytherin will not suffer." ~he left the end open for any retorts~

I'm not lazy. ~*She did indeed protest.*~ I'm just.. ~*Nodding to his statement about lack of talent*~ ..bad at it. ~*Without thinking, she added the request she made of everyone who knew her last name.*~ And could you please.. call me Melody? ~*Eyes going wide as soon as the words were out of her mouth, as she realized too late she'd just asked him to treat her more familiarly.*~

 ~his eyes fixed on Melody~ " If that question exits your lips again, I will have your name changed to Mrs. Lestrange so that no one has a choice, understood?" ~he finished off on a bit of a positive note~ " Flying on a broom comes with practice, I have no doubt you can succeed.. if success is your goal."

 ~*She visibly shuddered under that angry stare*~ Of course Professor. I'm sorry. I-I..it just slipped out! I'm just so used to asking .. ~*Daring to glance up at him for just a moment*~ It's just my family's something I'm not proud of.. ~*Not daring to protest that she had been trying for years and success hadn't come yet. Instead she tried the most encouraging thing she could think of*~ Well Draco Malfoy was talking about helping me.. at least finding someone to try teaching me..again.

~he sat down infront of Melody, his gaze suddenly turned almost.. maybe compassionate.. but not really~ " Your family is your foundation. Occassionally the foundation forms cracks, if you allow yourself to hate your namesake the entire structure may very well collapse. So.. rather than prefer to distance yourself from your name.. grasp it and make everyone see what the new line of LeStange's are made of."

 ~*She was very quiet as he spoke, peering at him with the same eager eyes she did in class, as though hanging by his every word. And when he finished, there was silence for a moment, before she asked*~ Do you really think that's possible Professor? With.. their legacy? ~*Not challenging, but quite the opposite. Asking, hoping.*~

~he looked straight at her, not moving his eyes for a moment~ " You are not responsible for the actions of those who came before you. You will be known as Melody LeStrange.. and your legacy will be documented with your own accomplishments and failures. This school, this House.. are only stops along the road, soon you will come to the same fork in the road your parents did, and then it will be time for you to show everyone else, that the legacy they left behind.. is dead."

 ~*It was a message she had never heard before entering Hogwarts, but one that since that time people had frequently tried to impress upon her, and met with little success. But from this man, perhaps the only being in the cosmos whose opinion could have swayed her, it was a whole different story.*~ I will Professor! ~*She proclaimed with a sudden solidity to her voice, it holding far more determination and confidence than had ever been there before.*~ I'll show them! The Ministry and the aurors and everyone who was always threatening me with what they'd do if I became my parents. I will Sir, thank you!

~he had a distaste for the giddiness, but it was to be expected, so he interjected with his own little comment to perhaps make her think~ " In that case, Mrs. LeStrange... I will expect no more than great things from you in the future."

You'll see them Professor. I promise. ~*She said with a quick nod, her eyes dancing in excitement. Already a thousand ideas on how to go about proving herself were swirling through her mind. Giving him a momentary, but dazzling smile, the brightest perhaps which had ever crossed her face, she stepped back and out of the room.*~ Thank you again! ~*A small wave and she was off towards the library, with a head full of notions about showing those in charge how wrong they were, and rising above her unhappy childhood in Muggle orphanages.*~ ~*Her feet danced up the stairs into the high tower, wanting somewhere she could look out over the night and laugh in her giddy delight. It wasn't until she was practically on top of the pair already in there, nearly bumping into the school's headmaster, that she noticed them.*~ Oh! Excuse me! ~*She said with an uncharacteristic little giggle. For the first time not lowering her eyes in the presence of someone who knew her secret.*~

(Dumbledore, mid conversation with Artemis) Like Harry *He smiled at her* Harry has a great deal more to deal with, he knows who is parents are and what happened to them and him, he has moved past all the fame and glamore that came from that to be who he is, it doesn't matter who your parents were or are, it matters who you are and what you do

(Artemis)*she nods* "Yes Sir" *she picks up her book then looks up startled as the other girl almost runs into Dumbledore*

You don't have to leave! ~*Proclaimed Melody, mistakenly thinking that somehow her arrival was prompting the younger student to go*~

*He turned and looked at her* Hello Melody, why such the rush today?

No rush sir. ~*She said, still smiling with a brightness the young lady had never had before.*~ Just.. ~*she laughed.*~ felt like running. ~*Suddenly reaching out and shaking his hand*~ Sir, I just wanted to thank you for admitting me to your school, for giving me a chance. I'm going to do great things! I promised.

*Athena lands on her shoulder as she nods at the girl* Hello *she says some what quietly*

Hi! ~*She said with an enthusiastic wave.*~ What's your name? I'm Melody.. oh wait I guess you already heard Headmaster Dumbledore say that didn't you? Well.. hi! ~*If she had been too quiet for a Slytherin yesterday, she was making up for it today by being too outgoing.*~

*He smiles at her* Well I can only wait and see Melody *He smiled at both of them* Now it is dinner time, Melody would you show Artemis to the Great hall *he smiled*

*Aremis blinks at the girls frindlyness she's noticed her with the other Slytherin students and since her run in with Draco she's steered clear of them at every turn* "Im Artemis" *she says*

Yes sir! ~*She replied with an enthusiastic nod, and reached down to try and tug the other girl along by the hand*~ Come on then, nice to meet you Artemis. Are you a first year? It's my first year in Hogwarts too! I'm not -really- a first year obviously ~*She rambled on happily*~ but just transferred from Durmstrang this semester.

Trevor walked with a high heeled step. His arrogance flowing with his very presence in the hall. Strolling almost as he proceeded forward, giving a small nod to Crab and Goyle as he proceeded past them towards the inner parts of the hall. A fellow Slytherin, the Transfer student from Durmstrang and a young Gryffindor. What was a Slytherin doing conversing so well and publicly with a Gryffindor?

~*Trevor might very well have thought his reclusive housemate was under some sort of spell. She had spent every day since her arrival doing her best to speak with and be noticed by no one. So for her to suddenly be prattling her head off to a Gryffindor four years her junior was.. odd.. to say the least.*~

*Artemis blinks and allows herself to be dragged of at Athena hoots goodbye before settling on her perch* *Artemis allows Melody to prattle on not saying anything just listioning that's the thing she's best at she notices Trevor and blanches slightly*

Zoey sat there at House Gryffindor's table, poking at her food. Somehow she had managed to form the Leaning Tower out of her mashed potatoes and was now decorating the bottom with brocolli, looking like small tress below. A rather bored sigh escaped the girl.

Trevor gave a piercing gaze from his eyes as he moved quickly past the two girls in the hall. Conversing so well, she must not have known better from the other school. Fraternizing with a Gryffindor, almost a House sin for Slytherin. Draco wasn't in the hall, he wondered lightly over what the boy was up to now. Something always rotating around the young prince's head. The hall filling with people, Trevor slowly stopped his walk near the Slytherin table. Long and oak, the starry night above them full in effect. He waited for this transfer student.

~*One of the other things which might strike her housemate, if he was the type to notice such things, was that the girl was intensely pretty. She had always cringed in upon herself, never smiled, and just in general gone out of her way not to attract attention. But today, she seemed to positively beam. She flashed him a smile far too warm for most to believe it was sincere coming from a Slytherin, and called a cheerful greeting*~ Evening Trevor! ~*Sparing another one of those friendly glances to the older Gryffindor girl playing with her food as she passed, still towing Artemis along.*~ Hm.. ~*She said suddenly, slowing.*~ You know, I don't think we can sit together.. ~*Eyeing the segregated tables. Her expression fell ever so slightly as she noticed the look on Trevor's face.*~ Is something wrong? ~*Innocently oblivious to her trespass of fraternization.*~

She nodded towards Melody as the Slytherin girl walked by. It was almost unnerving to see a Slytherin be that bouncy and cheerful. Maybe she should've been a hufflepuff after all, she mused to herself. Quickly she took a spoon to the tower, devouring the top.

"I do not know how they did it at your school LeStrange, however, here, we do not fratanize with Gryffindors." Trevor nodded firmly and shot an eye to the Prefect, a approving nod of his words from the 7th Year. Standing now firm in stance he looked with a piercing gaze again to the Gryffindor girl, heading towards her table.

~*She stood there for a moment, looking stunned by this obvious thought. Snape.. didn't seem to approve much of out of house friends now that she thought about it. She had just.. been so excited by his words. Slowly her hand de-linked from that of Artemis, though she didn't move away. Instead, she said forlornly, sounding much more like her usual, submissive self*~ We didn't have houses at Durstrang's... ~*An implore to someone, anyone, to tell her what she should do.*~

*Artemis nods slilently in agreement and turns towards the Gryffindor table she notices Mikail and eye's the older boy for a second before sitting at her seat near the end he's rumored to be as smart as Hermione and Artemis wishes that some day she to might be thought to be a succesor to Hermione she sits and stares at her plate*

She finally looked over towards Mikail, her cheeks reddened a bit. "Sorry, absorbed in my artwork until i absorbed it." she chuckled, shaking her head. Her bright blue eyes then turn towards the new girl, red hair framing her face. Yep... she did so much look like the Weasley clan sometimes, expecially when she grinned. "Nice ta meet ya. I'm Zoey." she held her hand out to Artemis.

~*Her eyes were wide as she watched the first year walk towards her own table, and bit her lip as the fact the world was less than perfect once again settled in on her. She looked enviously at the warn greeting the Gryffindor received, versus the scorn of her own housemate.*~

Is there a problem here?

Trevor nodded firmly to Melody before turning on his heel, Dumbeldores words hitting his ears. A small cringe shot across his face, disappearing before he turned to face him. A bot of fear ran through him as he spoke to the Headmaster, "No Headmaster, merely instructing the transfer on house rules. With Prefect approval." Nodding to Dumbledore, then towards the Prefect as a gesture.

~*Eager to do something to redeem herself in Trevor's eyes, she moved towards his conversation with Dumbledore.*~ And it was very enlightening Headmaster. Thank you again Trevor. You're right we should stick together. ~*Trying to usher him away from the situation he looked uncomfortable with.*~ You could.. tell me more house rules... over here at OUR table.

*Artemis blinks at the other girl with the red hair she looked like a weasly but she wasn't acting like one she akes her hand brifly then drops it* Artemis *she says and stares at her plate again before picking up her fork to poke at the mashed potatoes*

 I do not recall anywhere in the rules, that say Students from different houses could not be friends, I should know I wrote a few of them myself *He looked at him* Melody can be friends with anyone she chooses regardless of what house they are in, is that clear?

 ~*Again she tried to intercede between the two.*~ He wasn't saying I couldn't sir. He was just uh... saying that a first year Gryffindor might not be comfortable at the Slytherin table. Weren't you Trevor?

"Crystal Dumbledore." Trevor would just nod the old man off for now and agree. To old for his own good the Headmaster was, Lucious would make a much better Headmaster he thought. Spending last summer, a portion with the Malfoys, he learned much, and so forth. Turning to walk from the Headmaster he proceeded with the new girl, he words almost seeming appologetic and such, he returned in a soft tone, "Well despite what the Headmaster says, we do not encourage such things. Especially with Gryffindor." Nodding to her slowly he took a seat. Trevor sat slowly, placing himself into the rather large wooden chairs. His body resting there before he looked to the new girl, then his plates of food before him. This girl, interested him, that was certain.

~*She nodded, focused intently on Trevor, listening with the same fixedness she did on lessons. Because to her this was a learning experience. He might catch the fact that if there were anything else at all he wished to instruct her in, she seemed an all too eager pupil.*~ I understand! I'm not going to let Slytherin down! You'll see. I'm going to be great. ~*Nodding with her new resolution as she sat across from him.*~

Trevor let out a small chuckle. She was old, his age almost it seemed, her transferring transfering in Class level. "Well, I know Professor Snape would be pleased to hear such things." Nodding to her he offered a smile, almost eerie.

~*Her expression grew quite serious*~ Oh he's the one who said so. Well, encouraged me anyway. He's expecting a lot of me and I won't let him down. I'm going to show everyone! ~*Leaning forward to drop her voice to almost a whisper*~ Especially the Ministry.. they're wrong you know. ~*About what she neglected to mention.*~

Artemis looks towards the head table watching Dumbledore he'd accepted her made sure she got what she needed and somehow by pointing her towards Melody has made her not feel as alone as she had before for the first time since she'd come to Hogwats she feel's as though she's accepted she wishes Melody weren't in Slytherin she knows that they all look down at her because she doesn't know who her parents are like Malfoy had said on the train "That makes you no better then a Muggle Brat" *  (friendly conversation continues on between several Gryffindors at their table..)

"Wrong about what exactly?" Trevor quirked a interested brow to her as he released the thin smile across his lips. She acted a bit differently with Snape's mention now. "I doubt Professor Snape encouraged you to befriend a Gryffindor." Nodding firmly.

~*Indeed the thought that being so outgoing might disappoint Snape seemed to have sobered her considerably*~ Oh.. ~*A little smile*~ Many things. Me, for one. They don't think I could amount to anything, just because of my parents. But even some of their own employees call Fudge a fool. ~*She glanced over at the Gryffindor table guiltily with his mention of it*~ Well no.. ~*She admitted.*~

"Your parents, what of them?" Trevor quirked a brow. Thinking to himself for a moment, a MudBlood, if she were.

~*Had she known what he was thinking, she would have laughed. Her parents were quite far from Muggles.*~ They.. ~*She leaned in even closer, taking a deep breath as she prepared for the first time ever to divulge her secret to another willingly. She whispered just loud enough for only him to hear*~.. they're in Azkaban, because they refused to renounce you know who.

Isabella entered the hall, being late as usual. She always found herself stopping in the hallway, socializing with many of the other Slytherin's before even making it to meals. Her green eyes didn't even look at the other tables as she made her way towards her 'family.'

Trevor laughed loudly and leaned back into the chair, his eyes looking to her, relief through his veins. The girl was alright, indeed. "Is that it? Honestly, none of us will think any less of you for that." Nodding to her, he was rather twisted over the years he'd been here.

~*She looked at little surprised at his reaction. Wow if everyone acted that way maybe she'd been far too concerned over it.*~ Oh.. ~*Smiling*~ Well.. I'mn glad to hear it. You have to understand I spent my younger years being harassed CONSTANTLY by aurors and such.. ~*Offering a smile to Slytherin girl who entered.*~

Trevor smiles to Isa as she entered, late as usual. The social one of the bunch she was, that was certain. Looking back to the girl before him he smiled as he talked, "I see, well you're here now. We're family, long as you stay true."

Family.. ~*She nodded slowly, smiling, thought it was a little less bright and a little more.. let us be kind and call it thoughtful.*~ I like that. I haven't had family I could be proud of in a while. ~*It was easy to understand why the other girl didn't recognize her. Though she had transferred here earlier in the semester, up until today she had been the most extreme sort of wallflower. All until those words which had so changed her.*~

She nodded to the new girl, looking over her carefully as if trying to place her. Had she seen her before, perhaps at any ... meetings of some sort. It was hard to remember so many faces sometimes. "Hello Trevor." She said with a smile, yes, he was a familiar face from such gatherings. Her eyes drift towards a few others at the table, nodding. She knew almost everyone and their families - at least in House Slytherin.

"Well then we are your family treat us as such, you will be treated the same." Trevor smiled gently, almost to comfort her now as he nodded to her, looking to Isa for one more brief second, then back to her.

"So, anything interesting happening tonight?" She asked, looking rather bored for a change as she gazed over the foods and then back between the two house mates sitting closest to her.

~*And not out of any real drive of her own, but that desire to win well..everyone's approval, she grinned back to Isabella's comment*~ Not yet.. but.. the night is young. ~*Glancing over at the Gryffindor table. Though they were all a little outnumbered.*~ Hmm.. ~*And then up at the troublesome fact Dumbledore was still at the staff table*~ well.. maybe ..

Trevor spoke to Isa before Melody, "Not that I know of. I did not see Draco at the table though, he might have something going." Nodding to her, his voice was soft and almost whispering. Looking back to the transfer student before he spoke now, "Well maybe?" Looking to her, then the Gryffindor house table.

~*She frowned and returned her gaze from the place where Dumbledore sat*~ Yeah.. ~*She said with a petulant frown*~ Maybe if Dumbledore wasn't watching us.

A well groomed brow arched at the new girl. "Not yet?" A dark smile came to her lips as she leaned in closer so their words wouldn't be as heard by others. "What did you have in mind.... once we are done with our meal of course"

"Yes, what do you have in mind?" Trevor lifted a brow to her as he spoke inquiring a bit with tone alone. In between talking he had finished his plate by now, empty and clean it was.

~*Actually the truth of the matter was Melody hadn't had a THING in mind, she was just talking big to try and impress them. But she couldn't tell them that. However on the spot, under the pressure to behave as these two clearly wanted, she found that ideas came rather.. easily..*~ Well, I just couldn't help noticing the current cloud has more than one "innocent" first year. First years who might be persuaded they hadn't remembered rules about things like the Dark Forest quite as well as they thought... if we could get them alone.

"Interesting Melody, interesting." Trevor wet his lips almost salivating at her words, the setup a good idea. Send a clear message to Gryffindor first off.

She considered it for all of a second then shook her head. "No... us going into the forest, even to lure them in, wouldn't be a good idea. We don't need to loose any points you know."

What are you, scared? ~*She asked brazenly. After all she'd seen dementors so the forest didn't quite threaten her the way it did some.*~ We don't have to go any further than the edge. All we need to do is make THEM go in. I mean come on we've learned spells they haven't even heard of. There's got to be something we could use.

He looked to Isa and smirked, "You know, she wouldn't need to get her alone to trick her into going into the Forest, we wouldn't lose a point for that."

Smiling. She rose from the table, nodding. "Do tell me how this goes. I've got a few letters to write before mail tomorrow. She bowed her head politely to them both. "See you back in the common room." Her green eyes were bright with intrigue. Hmmm perhaps a new one to be brought into the folds, the lovely new arrival. Sir Malfoy would love to hear the news...

Trevor nodded to Isa as she departed, focusing back on Melody before him, his eyes remaining her now for the first time actually.

~*She looked back steadily at him. It never even striking her how easily this all.. fell into place. All she wanted was to make him like her. Make her housemates and Snape like her.*~ So, you have any ideas? Do you know any way to fake a monster? I was thinking if- ~*glancing back at the Gryffindor table again*~ Where did our little friend go anyway? ~*Noticing the sudden absence of younger students*~

"I didn't notice her leave.." Trevor shook his head gently as he looked to the Gryffindor table, the new student was gone indeed. "You befriended her, do it again." Nodding firmly.

~*She nodded in agreement, suddenly feeling a bit uneasy with the idea of using friendship against the young girl. Were friends meant to be..used? She didn't like it, but she didn't let it show. She wanted what these people had, their confidence, their popularity. She longed for it.*~ Yeah, that will be the easy part. It's the rest we need to play. Maybe uh.. maybe here isn't the best place? ~*Nodding towards the door.*~

"No here is not the best place. We should find Draco as well." Trevor offered her a slow nod as a gesture towards the door as well. His eyes scaned the room, noone had paid even the slightest attention.

~*She stood, and slipped quietly out of the room. She reverted easily back into the skills learned over her years of being nobody, those of going unnoticed. Now whether her housemate was one to diminish his presence was another question all together. But one way or another.. the pair left the Great Hall.*~ Want to try the common room? ~*Their own, obviously.*~ Or.. ~*Glancing out into the courtyard and spotting their future victim*~ Hey.. there she is.

*Artemis stands outside in the yard and looks at the stone on the ground waving her wand* Transfigurs Stonus Catus *the stone grows wiskers but stays a rock she sighs and trys again* TransfigurS STONus CATus *the stone grows a tail and four legs and starts to pounce on a blade of grass*

"Well I have already proven myself to the house, you on the other hand must do this alone." Trevor nodded to her and offered a thin almost sneaky smile across his lips. He would test her right now.

~*His pushing and schooling had worked a bit too well, because instead of agreeing immediately she turned to him with a surprised look and asked skeptically*~ Where did all this act as a family stuff go? ~*Not planning to stick her neck out alone.*~

"You prove you are willing to stick your linb out for the family, we will embrace you as one will you accomplish this." Trevor nodded to her and offered a thin grin, touching her back with his hand. "Now, go.."

~*She had the distinct feeling she was being used here. But however hard she tried to be confident, strong, she was not one of these people. And he pressed all the right buttons with his words of being embraced by a family. She was being played and only more pathetic for knowing it was being done. She sighed.*~ All right, but at least you be ready to call Filch or someone as soon as I get back so they'll find her out there.. and remember if you do it too soon and get me caught, it's points off our WHOLE house. ~*And with that she headed out into the moonlight, raising a cheery hand*~ Hi Artemis! Whatcha doing?

Trevor chuckled and nodded to her, already bartering her way through the system. Catching on quick she was, this one. Watching her approach the young Gryffindor, he planned on nailing the young Gryffindor himself, why would he go get Filch? He'd get the glory of this.

*Artemis stares at the Cat/Stone/Thing and sighs deciding to take a break* Spellus Cancelous *the stone returns to it's stone shape and she turns noticing Melody* Hi *she drops her head not sure why she's coming over to talk to her*

 ~*She caught the end of the spell.*~ Were you animating stone? That's pretty impressive for a first year. ~*Forcing on the cheeriness now that had come so naturally before. And hating herself for its motivation.*~

*she looks at Melody* Transfiguration *she looks at the stone* Still working on it though I jumped ahead in the book a lot

~*She nodded.*~ Still.. that's pretty good. ~*Taking a step closer to her and making sure she held that friendly, deceptive smile.*~ Listen, do you think you could help me out with something? I'd REALLY appreciate it..

*blinks at Melody wondering what a fifth year could need with a first year* I guess so *she eye's the older girl*

Great thanks so much! ~*Beginning to walk a bit closer to the forest's edge, and urging the girl to follow*~ I uh.. I opened up one of my housemates's Quiddich cases, and I didn't know the balls would just jump out. I've managed to track down all but one, and if they find out I lost it they'll get super mad at me. ~*Adding a scared frown for the other's benefit.*~ It flew somewhere over this way.. ~*She pointed towards the line the forbidden trees formed with the grounds.*~ Could you help me look for it? I'm sure someone whose read as far ahead as you at least knows immoblius or something to stop it if you see it.

*she looks at the older girl and notices that there moving towards the forbidden forest she feels a tinge of hurt knowing that Melody is leading her into trouble but she decides to play along* Ok *she pulls out her wand and follows the other girl*

~*But Melody didn't try to lead the girl inside the forest, instead just began walking it's edge with her, and peering behind bushes and into trees. After a little while she sighed.*~ This is taking too long! I tell you what, why don't you go that way and I'll go this way? ~*She suggested, pointing the younger girl along one edge, and gesturing that she would head the other direction.*~

*Artemis nods and goes in the other direction skirting the edge of the forest* Illuminatai *she says making the tip of her wand glow so she can see where she's going*

 ~*Melody took enough steps in the other direction to get out of sight, and then paused, frowning at the heavy feeling in the pit of her stomach. Guilt? She felt terrible. She really had meant every bit of kindness she had shown the girl initially. But then she reminded herself of how the other had been greeted so kindly by her own housemates, and the chill which melody had received from Slytherin. She wanted to be liked like that. So.. with the same silent feet she walked the halls with, she crept back around, away from the edge of the forest, trailing behind Artemis.*~

*Artemis continues around the edge of the forest her wand lighting her way the girl being sure not to step into the forest*

~*Quietly Melody picked up a medium sized rounded stone. Really it looked a great deal like a bludger.*~ Wingardium Leviosa ~*She whispered. And the rock took off into the air, swooping over Artemis's head and into the forest to begin hopping about from tree to tree. Even with her light spell it would be impossible to distinguish at night from a regular ball until she was right next to it. She stood there, feeling ashamed of herself and almost hoping the other wouldn't go after it.*~

(Joseph Hawkins, walking along outside in conversation with Alena Dumbledore) *He smiled* Thats true *he glanced at the forest and stopped a momment seeing a light* Now what is that

*Artemis see's the thing fly by into the dark forest and thinks for a second* Seperato *she waves her wand at the woods and branches and leaves move out of her way as she peers into the forest attemting to see which way the stone went*

~*Under Melody's careful control, the "ball" bobbed back and forth in plain view, a tempting thirty feet or so inside the forest, but from this distance still looking very much like a bludger. The girl could be in and out for it in a matter of minutes. ..If she wanted..*~

(Alena)*she looked around* Whats what? *then looking past his shoulder she notices it too.* It's right on the edge of the forest.. you don't suppose it's something coming out of the forest do you?

*He shook his head* Things in there don't make there own lights usually Maybe we should go check it out.

*she pulled out her wand and put Orion down with a stern warning* Don't wander off

*Artemis watches the bouncing rock/ball part of her wanting to go get it but anopther larger part of her urging caution she doesn't want to get in trouble not when she's just made a few friends suddenly a white shape brushes past her face* "Athena" *she gasps as the White Owl gives chase to the rock*

*He walked with her and watched the light*

~*Melody frowned as the bird rushed after the "ball", but then a thought occurred to her. Forget the ball, if her pet ran off, she'd be sure to follow wouldn't she? Slowly Melody let the ball drift deeper and deeper into the forest, hoping to lure in the animal. Just then a noise behind her caught her attention. Footsteps. She snapped her wand back into her robe, and the rock fell like well... a rock. As the girl dived into some bushed to avoid being seen by whoever was approaching.*~

*proceeds cautiously towards the forest. Alena never really like the forest as a student she had never really ventured into the dark forest even in the day and in the night it did send shivers down her spine*

*Athena dives and catches the rock and takes it to Artemis who looks at it then back at the path direction which Melody took as it hits her what the older girl was trying to do Athena settles on her shoulder and coo's in her ear as Artemis bites her lip to bite back her tears as she turns towards the footsteps*

~*Peering out from the bush where she was concealed, Melody felt a deep stab of empathy for the glance she got of the other girl's face. Her own lip trembled at the sheen in the other's eyes. It was one which had filled her own all too often. When the aurors would circle her, or the stupid muggle children on the orphanage playground would surround her and make fun of her. She didn't want to do that to someone else. But she didn't want to be that girl anymore either!*~

*the student practically runs into them* what's this... a young Gryffindor out this late? Now what have you been up to child?

*Artemis Blinks and looks at the techer* Im Sorry Ma'am I just wen't for a walk with my owl is all I didn't go near the forest ma'am *she doesn't know why but she doesn't tell about Melody*

*Seeing the frightened expression on the first year's face she softened her own expression* you were rather near enough. The forest is a dangerous place even if you didn't go in there those that lurk in the forest might just as easily have reached out and pulled you into the darkness. What's your name young Gryffindor? ~

*He looked at the Young Girl* It is not a safe place to be around this time young miss, it is a dangerous place

 Artemis Jones Ma'am and Im sorry I just needed to take a break *Athena hoots in her ear and nibble at her hair comfortingly* *she nods at Joseph* Yes Sir Im sorry Sir *Artemis clutchs the stone tighter in her hand and it slices her palm and one drop of blood leaks out as she stands there* May I go back to my dorm room Ma'am? *she asks politly*

That's a nice owl you have there Ms Jones. Now I understand you needing a break from your studies but try to keep it in the confines of the castle. I'm sure there are many places within the grounds where you can find some peace and solitude.

Yes Ma'am....Thank you Sir *she hurries back to the castleand takes Owlery where she gives Athena a treat before heading back down towards the Gryffindor Commens but she stops and leans against the wall in the hallway near to the Slytherin Common room waiting for Melody to show up*

~*Artemis had a quite a wait before the Melody came by, because the first place she went was somewhere private to cry, where her housemates wouldn't see her weakness. But at last with all traces of her deep remorse and tears hidden, she did come down the hallway.*~

*Artemis see's Melody and tigtens her grip on the stone* Hey Melody *she says loudly* I found that ball you we're looking for *she tosses it a the other girl and brushes by her face hard as she walks towards the Gryffindor house*

~*Things had ended fairly well for the Gryffindor girl, she hadn't lost any house points and so she had dared to hope that maybe she wouldn't have even noticed the fake ball and everything would be all right.*~ Hi Arte- ~*Her hopeful greeting cut off as she scrambled to catch the stone, nearly hitting herself with it in the process*~..mis... ~*She finished softly, standing there quietly in front of the Slytherin common room holding that cold stone in her hands. Just as alone as she'd begun.*~

~*Melody Lestrange*~ | ~Gabriel Archer~ | ~Lucius Malfoy~ | *Kimmy Knightdale* | -Jacob Wrathorne- | #Professor Meridian#