Hey you, I miss you…(open)

[Keaira O'Connell]

It seemed like forever. In reality it hadn’t been long at all. Keaira had thought of so many reasons to explain what had happened but none of them seemed to work. As the first of dawns light was just reaching the ground Keaira was waking up, and as with most days she started by getting up and attempting to once more write a letter to Zane. However, after a short bit of time she gave up and decided on a different course for this day. As always she packed her bag with the essentials, including several different bits of food she acquired from the kitchens before she left, and then she headed out, unsure of where her foot steps might lead her.

After a bit of wandering through the lower corridors Keaira found herself headed outside. The courtyard was particularly empty at this time in the morning, most students chose to sleep in on Saturdays, but Keaira hardly thought that attempting to sleep was the best idea for her. The nightmares were a constant reminder of the hardships she had been through since the beginning of this school year and life in general. She knew that eventually things would go wrong for her so much to the point where she would break. She just hoped that when that happened she would be near friends and not alone.

As she walked aimlessly about she let all her worry about Zane fill her mind. What was he up to anyway? He couldn’t really think that this behavior was better than how things were. She recalled the look in his eyes as he gazed on to his parents’ dead bodies. It was a look that would remain forever seared into her mind, much like the final gaze as the life left her grandfathers eyes that night so long ago. It was a haunting experience looking into the eyes of the dead, but to her it was so very much more disturbing to watch as that last light lifted from their eyes and see just that hollow empty look remain. She felt certain that Zane had seen that very light leave many a creatures eye, and yet she knew that looking upon his parents as they were was somehow worse for him than the culmination of all the torture and death he had inflicted through his many years.

Her feet continued their path future out into the grounds, the area became slightly off the beaten path; few students actually chose to put themselves this close to the forbidden forest for fear of what was in there. Keaira however didn’t care whether or not the monsters got her. It wasn’t like she was particularly afraid of dying, after all her chances of capture and torture were far more likely. As she looked about the small clearing near the edge of the forest she saw what looked to be a black shadow fly between several trees and come to land not that far off hidden slightly by her vision. Her first reaction was that it may be a shadow or dememtor keeping to the darkness that the trees provided. Thinking it would be best to destroy such a creature if she had the opportunity, Keaira retrieved her wand and a small black bag from the small compartment that she kept both in her book bag. Slowly she walked through the clearing.

As she took each step Keaira was waiting for the chill that would let her know that she was getting closer to her intended victim, and yet it didn’t come. The silence that would normally be dripping with cold and despair seemed oddly alive for it to be what she had thought it to be. She kept her wand raised however, unsure whether she was in danger here or not. It was after all early in the morning, and the creatures that she had originally assumed to be that clip of shadow were generally night creatures. As the trees began to thicken up, and the small clearing was fading slowly away, Keaira began wondering if what she had seen was simply a centaur or another of the forest denizens. After a few moments of waiting to see if anything decided to pop out at her Keaira finally lowered her wand slowly and turned to head out back to the courtyard. A few steps later however, the small sound of a tree branch being broken made her turn her attention back to the forest. Her wand was once again raised as she scanned the forest for the creature that made the noise. Her eyes scanned the trees and came to rest on the form of a creature that in some ways resembled nothing more than a large black horse that is until you saw the giant leathery wings.

She had remembered her third year, when she returned to school and had been able to see the creatures for what they were for the first time. It was strange asking people about a creature that they couldn’t see. Many of her classmates thought she was just seeing things, a side effect of the trauma she had endured, it wasn’t very reassuring for her. But after a while she had learned of their origins, and eventually she accepted that this was just the way things were going to be from now on. They were really fascinating creatures, with the ability to only be seen by those who have seen death, something she had witnessed a staggering number of times in her short life thus far.

The creature was not alone in this small patch of woods however, a surprising number had this small clearing as their apparent home. As Keaira watched the ones that had gathered she vaguely recalled the new Care of Magical Creatures Professor mentioning something about an upcoming class on thestrals . The thought of which made her wonder how many of her fellow classmates and lightfighters could now see the creatures for what they were. As much as the thestrals were a constant reminder of the death that she had seen, they were peaceful creatures, and didn’t make her uneasy. With that in mind, Keaira sat down against a thick tree and pulled out her ink, quill, and some parchment. This time she chose not to write a letter, but to have a conversation.

Hey you, I miss you…

[Niobe Blakes]

"Is something the matter? This area is dangerous you know."

Niobe had been wandering around, trying to get herself some fresh air. She had many things on her mind, her dreams, being a Shadow Warrior. She had not written to her mother in a long while, a part of her afraid that she'd never get anything back, that her dream was real.

Of course, if that were the case, she would have known about it by now. Her mother worked in the Ministry, her death would have been all the rage and gossip.

Things were fine. She was fretting way too much.

Well, she supposed it made sense now why she saw so many students depressed or looking down. It was hard to remain happy when so many things were burdening you. Not that she was an overly cheerful person, but she definitely had never had to escape her dorm and go outside just to feel a sense of peace.

She still had not yet met Dylan Cooper, her Elemental Master. She also knew very little, except that he seemed to harbor a dislike for D'rorah, her mentor. Niobe liked D'rorah so found this to be distressing. She would do her best to work with him, just as long as he didn't speak ill of D'rorah. She found it unfortunate that it seemed the Lightfighters didn't get along, it definitely put them all at a horrible disadvantage.

As she was walking, she noticed something in the distance, or rather, someone. They were sitting very near, almost inside, the Forbidden Forest. The girl looked distraught, almost wistful, but Niobe felt that perhaps that area wasn't a great place to be doing that. Then again, it was probably just her overreacting.

However, she found herself drifting towards the girl anyway, curious.

Bending over, she questioned the girl and then decided to introduce herself.

"Sorry for being rude, I'm Niobe Blakes."

[Keaira O'Connell]

Hey you, I miss you…

It’s been a while since I’ve seen you around and I can’t bear this much longer…and I wondering how you have been. Things here haven’t changed much, it’s still pretty much the same story. Exams start next week so if there were any classes you were thinking of taking a NEWT in you should come back to school before those start.

I can’t even describe how much I miss you, things here may not have changed much in other aspects, but I do know that without you here the days and nights alone have been terrible. Although, I suppose that’s a constant in itself. I wish you were here to actually talk to, since I find nothing stimulating about the other company I am forced to endure without you. I wish you would just come back. There is talk about appointing a new prefect, although personally I think no one will ever be as vigilant as you were.

A large ink blot blocks the next few words and it looks like it was hastily wiped up, after which there is a large break in the page before the letter continues.

I hope you’re being safe. Something doesn’t feel right Zane, but I can’t place it. I know that you’re not currently hurt or in trouble, but I don’t know where you are or how you are really doing…..Stop blocking me… please I beg of you just let me in. I don’t know what it’s like and I can’t tell you that things are going to be fine, but please let me try and at the least help you work through this. I really miss you. So please write back and tell me you’re alright.

I love you.
Keaira.

[/color][/size]

She had written a lot. More than any other note she had tried to send. And of course it wasn’t perfect, and she knew that it was likely never going to be, but still it was a letter and in her eyes much of it seemed to be good. She would have to rewrite it, as there were several times in which she had crossed out things and the ink had blotted over a section due to her hesitance, but it would work. Although honestly in her mind a letter to Zane might never be good enough to send to him. Words, in Keaira’s mind, could never be expressed as eloquently as a light touch on the arm of someone you care about or the softest whisper of goodnight after spending a wonderful day with that person. Although Zane did have quite a knack for getting words right, even when she thought no one would.

Although the letter seemed good Keaira had to have reread it twenty times to check for errors or other things that weren’t perfect so she could edit it before rewriting it. It was during one of these reads that Keaira noticed the slight change in demeanor of the animals around her, and then seconds after, the words that were spoken in her direction.

Was something the matter? … well of course it was, but that was something that Keaira wasn’t about to share with an unknown stranger. As for the area being dangerous, Keaira felt that oddly enough she knew well more about the dangers than this girl who just walked unaware into a herd of thestrals . Looking up from her note Keaira saw the younger girl leaning slightly over her. A stance that put Keaira on guard immediately, she didn’t particularly like it when others hovered over her. And with the added aspect of being in a war, it definitely sent warning signs shooting through Keaira’s neuro-system, and suddenly she was glad that her wand was still easily accessible.

With what Keaira thought was a pretty nonchalant, and relaxed action, she straightened up and placed her writing material to her right side, further away from the new girl, while she simultaneously grabbed her wand from the forest floor, hiding it in the folds of her sleeves. It was better to be prepared than not. As she did this Keaira smiled slightly, and responded to the other girls initial comment, while using her left hand to reach into her bag, hoping the girl would follow her left hand and ignore her right.

“Well, personally, I feel that the forest is only a danger to those who do not know what they are dealing with. “ As she finished the sentence she pulled her left hand out of the bag revealing a small container, with various breakfast items. A green apple, a muffin, some toast, and a few strips of bacon alongside some other bits and pieces. She hated bacon, but she hadn’t packed the lunch, and the elf who had didn’t know her too well. Popping the top left handed she removed the bacon and tossed it a few feet to her right towards one of the smaller thestrals. With her eyes half on the bacon, half on the girl she watched as the thestral slowly ate it, wondering what the girls’ reaction would be. Was she aware she was surrounded? Or was she as innocent as many of the other students are. Would shock show through her as she watched the bacon disappear of its own accord, or would she be unfazed? She doubted that a servant of the Mage would be unversed in death.

While Keaira watched her reaction she moved onto the next thing the other girl had said. An introduction. If the girl intended on attacking her while she was in the forest such formalities would not be followed, or so Keaira reasoned, unless it was to throw her off guard and therefore make her easier to take down, again just speculation. Yet why use such a public name if it wasn’t true? The girl looked as if she could be the daughter of the woman her father talked of on occasion. Any servant of the mage would know better than to lie about easily attained facts, unless this was a murder mission and it didn’t matter because the plan involved Keaira being very dead shortly… or maybe she was just too paranoid without Zane. Putting that thought aside Keaira decided to go ahead and be polite for now, unless there was a imminent attack, chances were she would see this girl again, and it was better to not make a new enemy.

“Blakes, like the international confederation of wizards, Blakes? Must be your mum, my father speaks highly of her on occasion when he agrees with her that is. And fear not, I haven’t branded you as rude yet, my names Keaira O’Connell. As for something being the matter, don’t worry about me too much I guess I’m just one of those dark brooding types.”

[Niobe Blakes]

(OOC: OMG my original post was devoured by the internet. I'm so upset. D: )

For some strange reason, Niobe felt uncomfortable around this girl. It wasn't as if the older student was being hostile towards her, it was just a strange vibe. There seemed to be a darkness about her, or rather, a strange tenseness. It made her feel a bit out of place, as if she should just turn around now and walk away.

However, Niobe was never so rude. She did, however, take a step back when Keaira began to put her materials to the side.

"Anything can be dangerous if one knows not what they're getting into." Niobe said in response. If the older girl felt that she could handle being out here in the forest, it wasn't Niobe's business to question it any further.

When Keaira pulled out and threw bacon to seemingly no where, Niobe merely gave the girl a quizzical look. When the bacon seemed to be getting quickly devoured by air, Niobe's surprise was merely a series of blinks.

However, Niobe was a Ravenclaw, if anything she was well read. "So, I guess you come out here to feed the threstles?" she couldn't see the creatures, but she had read up on them before. "Well, it's certainly a noble cause, I suspect."

When Keaira mentioned her mother, Niobe's expression did change to one of shock. She hadn't been aware that anyone had ever really heard or knew her mother. "Yes, her name is Xiao Xing Blakes. I wish I could say I know of your father, but my mother doesn't discuss work at home." or too much of anything that was beyond mundane. It hadn't always been that way, it had only been recently that her mother had begun to clam up and become engrossed in research. Could it be because she knew what was going to happen to her daughter? Niobe had no idea and wouldn't ask.

"It seems that 'dark and brooding' is pretty common here this year," Niobe remarked with a small smile "Even I have fallen victim to it a bit, although I'm trying hard to lift up my spirits."

Hanging out with Ben was one of the ways she had been regaining her positive nature. She was grateful to him for that. Perhaps she should buy him a gift of sorts, he was always so kind to her.

"However, I think I've heard of you. You're a Slytherin prefect, aren't you? I'm just a girl in Ravenclaw but you are well spoken of in the halls."

[Keaira O'Connell]

((Well that’s why I personally always type things into a word document and then copy and paste it. I’ve lost more than a fair share of posts to the internet demons.))

In all fairness to the young Miss Blakes, she was what appeared to be a very nice woman, even though Keaira still held her suspicions about every new person she was approached by. Keaira wasn’t always so suspicious about new people, and could still remember a time when meeting new people and befriending them was a part of everyday life. If she had always retained this level of caution when meeting people, she never would have gained Alessandro Darko as a friend, or well anyone…. Although to be fair nowadays her list of friends is a very short one indeed, as she had lost a few through the year, and it seemed to be getting shorted by the day. A cost of war, or so she assumed.

"Anything can be dangerous if one knows not what they're getting into."

It was a good statement. Anything could be dangerous if you weren’t aware of the situation… All the more reason for Keaira to remain on guard around this girl until her intentions were clear. A thought that prompted Keaira to pull her legs up to her and wrap her arms loosely around them, keeping the wand as best concealed as she could, it was better to be prepared for the attack than not.

“I agree completely with you; which is why I try to always be aware of my surroundings, and prepared for the worst.” A statement that Keaira followed up on by pulling her potions kit from her bag; revealing the dozen or so potions that she kept on her at any time. Healing potions, exploding potions, and calming draughts were among the many she had that would help in nearly any given situation. “I try to be prepared, at least, to the extent that I can.”

As the younger girl reacted to the bacon being devoured, Keaira noted the fact that the girl said that she “guessed” Keaira must be here to feed the thestles. So she couldn’t see them after all. Keaira took this as good news in most manors, as she doubted The Mage would send a girl who had never witnessed a death on an assignation mission. Or she was just really good as acting.

” I came out here to clear my head, and try to get a positive start on the day; the thestles were quite the accident. I am however, surprised to find someone who can’t see them, as I hear that there is no shortage of misfortune among the students this year.”

The surprise on Niobe’s face was pretty easy to catch after Keaira mentioned Mrs. Blakes. Of course Keaira’s father didn’t actually work for the ministry, but he was well connected within it, and was therefore aware of some of the more interesting people the ministry employed, the International Confederation of Wizards, was always an interesting group to him, particularly whenever a new rumor is flying around involving the code of secrecy. For instance, when it was rumored that the code of secrecy would be nullified for one day a year, being October 31st, so that the magical community could have fun without too much suspicion, her father made it a point to find out whether or not it was a serious discussion. It however turned out to be nonsense.

“My father doesn’t work for the ministry. My Grandfather did, or course that was many years ago, even before he died, and so my dad was raised with quite the extensive knowledge of the ministry. Now my dad takes the time to follow the political decisions that govern our world as they affect all of us, and he would like his opinion considered. So he knows a lot of people, and as a family we discuss a lot of the new laws and regulations that are coming up to vote, when we’re together. Dad wants his daughters to be involved with the world I guess. I’m not sure how I feel about it, but it’s always cool to have the inside scoop on these things.”

Niobe’s comment on how dark and brooding was the general emotions of the entire student body; Keaira couldn’t help but think on what it was that made her so depressed currently… Zane. With all that had happened she wasn’t truly sure how he was going to recover, and could only hope that it would work out. A frown furrowed the lines of Keaira’s face as she thought on this for a moment. Of course it didn’t take too long for Niobe to switch subjects, commenting on Keaira’s prefect status, which only served to be another reminder of Zane, and kept her just as sullen.

”Yeah I suppose it’s easy to become susceptible to such negative emotions. But everyone has their own reasons. As for me being a Slytherin Prefect, well I am, and currently I’m the only one… Zane, my partner, withdrew from school recently, after his parents were murdered. I was just trying to write him a letter when you showed up.”

With that last statement Keaira turned her eyes down to the parchment beside her, and reached over to flip it upside down, it was after all a privet letter, and she didn’t have to share it if she didn’t want to. Besides she had enough to worry about without someone trying to give her advice on how she should have written her letter to Zane.

[Niobe Blakes]

((Normally, I do that as well...but I tend to slip up often))

Prepared for the worst? Niobe tilted her head but said nothing. Prepared for what? She talked as if something was going to come out right now and attack her.

The uneasy feeling did not go away. Niobe found herself taking another step back to keep a decent distance from herself and the older girl.

"Someone once told me that he felt that Hogwarts was supposed to be a safe place." she said, quoting Alessandro's words from when they first met. She did not continue with the train of thought, wondering what Keaira would say.

Alarms went off in Niobe's head when Keaira continued about the threstals. Niobe had seen death, but it was...from a dream. It hadn't actually happened, so did that count? Obviously not, otherwise she'd be able to see them.

"That is unfortunate and a bit...strange." she commented "Are you implying that a majority of the student population has seen death? I can understand depression but death is a bit extreme."

Who was this girl? Was she prehaps a bit more derranged than the others? Her words were a bit severe, a bit off for someone who was like the other students. Perhaps something had happened to her. Maybe a death in the family. Her words were definitely not of a normal student.

"Ah, I see." she remarked in regards to Keaira's knowledge about her mother "Well, it is good to keep on track of those things, especially if it may come in handy later. I'm sure my mother would be pleased to know that someone follows her line of work."

"I am sorry to hear about your partner." Niobe said genuinely "We had thought one of our own had withdrawn, Alessandro Darko, but he's recently returned. I've only spoken to him once, but I think our house is happy he has returned." she smiled at Keaira "I am sure you friend will also return, it seems that Hogwarts is a rather addicting place."

She had used the word 'friend' on purpose. Most of the reason being that she didn't want to assume differently with no proof, but Keaira's expression showed that the two had been close or that she had considered Zane someone special to her.

When she flipped the letter upside down, Niobe bowed a bit, habit really, and took another small step back.

"I apologize. I should leave you to what you were doing. It's obvious you had desired privacy before I barged in."

[Ivy Halliwell]

Wearing form fitting, tan, cargo capri’s, and a pink, long-sleeved shirt, she threw her golden locks into a loose pony tail. This Saturday would not be dedicated to books, or school-work, or socializing. Time was ticking, and Caira was putting pressure on her to complete her assignment-- The Felix Felicis potion. There were several ingredients, a couple of which were readily available around Hogwarts or within, but some, like the Mackled Malaclaw, she would have to travel for. However, today was the day she acquired the Fluxweed necessary to induce the change in one’s luck. It was an ingredient found in Polyjuice potion to facilitate the change in appearance, and it made sense to Ivy that fluxweed could be used for a potion to alter one’s luck. Although she had read that it was native to the United States, Ivy was sure that she had seen a patch of it somewhere within the forest, presumably an old Potions master had smuggled a bit of it over and planted it there to have on reserve.

Adjusting the strap on her bag, she rummaged through it as she exited the castle and made off to the forest, quickly though, so nobody saw her going in and attempted to stop her because it was “oh so dangerous” these days. She scoffed at the notion.

Dangerous for those half-wits that don’t know how to cast a proper protection charm… She thought to herself smugly as she entered the forest.

It was slightly damp today. She could feel the moisture in the air against her skin, and the air felt a bit heavy because of it, causing her breaths to be a bit more intense. The canopy was thick as ever, obscuring much sunlight from the bottom of it’s home, save for the rogue rays breaking through as if to say Diffindo!. She brought out her wand, “Lumos,” and illuminated the area, dimly, but enough for her to inspect the flora of the forest. She had gone around for about twenty minutes before succeeded in identifying the fluxweed’s rigid form. It has a high stalk with many thick, and firm leaves sprouting from it, and along it in various places are a small but beautiful, purple or blue flower.

“Ahh!” She exclaimed softly. “There we are!” and with that, she knelt down and removed her double sided knife from her bag and proceeded to stab into the dirt around the plant/flower in order to loosen it up, for she was directed to pull it out with roots and all. After procuring exactly seven stalks of Fluxweed that was now secured in her bag, she turned around and made her way toward (an educated guess in the right direction) the castle. Not realizing how far she had strayed, as she neared the outskirts of the forest, she heard voices. Pointing her wand at her feet, she cast a quick “Muffliato.” and continued to progress toward the voices ever so carefully. As she took a place behind a large tree, she was close enough to hear what the two girls were talking about.

Aww. Zane Lucifer Bishop. Such charisma, such poignant evil lying in wait, though he was on the side of light? It had to change. After being caught in the woods procuring the Acromantula Venom she had required, he toyed with her like she was some child, but she retaliated with her less than child-like attributes. She knew just what to do and say to get his man-mind twisted into knots and remembered their subtle flirtations that day. The mention of his parents brought a smirk to her face as she thought. Got you Zane. Really good too, wish I could have been there to see the look on your face. Do I deserve a detention for that? She thought with delightfully evil glee. Taking the lives of his parents seemed relatively easy, as they didn’t really fight much. She remembered how soulless and non-motivated they were to save their lives…almost as if someone had ordered there thoughts to be elsewhere. Feeling it appropriate now to make her presence known, she discretely dispelled her charm and hopped out from behind the tree with a loud surprise for them.

“Boo!” She squealed, segueing into bubbly laughter almost immediately. It seemed as though the young Ravenclaw had been preparing to leave prior to her presence being revealed. Feeling like she had nothing better to do after she acquired her prize from the forest, she felt inclined to stir up some girlish trouble.

“You weren’t about to leave were you? I just got here!” She giggled as she looked back and forth from Keaira to Niobe. “Hello Keaira.” She said it with a rather amused, and excited tone. The kind of “excited” tone one has when something was up. She moved over to her quickly and took a seat down beside her on the right, eying her paper ferociously. “Why so glum?” She asked, pouting her lips and making a sad face that was obviously mocking.

[Keaira O'Connell]

It was supposed to be a safe place. How convenient the wording that sentence held. Keaira thought that many thing were supposed to be something that they were not, Hogwarts was near the top of that list. How safe could a place that was run by the enemy be? Right. Keaira suppressed the scoff that she desperately wished to project after all, this girl didn’t need to know her true feelings. Instead, Keaira just nodded like any other student would have.

Keaira did however, have something to say about the notion that the student population might not be as well versed in death in Niobe’s eyes. Apparently the younger student was less knowing in certain matters. Or at least her naivety was well acted. Either was it as Keaira’s intention to let her know a little more about the safe haven that Hogwarts was.

“Well, rumor has it that Zane was not the only student to experience the death of a significant family member this year. A raven like you, I heard lost her entire family, I think the name was Knightwood or something like that. Then there was that Gryffindor who drown in the lake in the beginning of the year, I think there were several of his friends there who tried to help him, but no one managed. Aside from that there have been rumors involving other students but I don’t know anything concretely.” Besides, she wanted to add, death is only extreme when you are not at war.[/color]

Of course Keaira did know more than that. She personally had witnessed the deaths of two former teachers in the same night and then later that very month had killed a third. Of course the third was a man possessed by a shadow wraith, and was no longer human at that point. And on top of that she knew of other student that had either been killed or almost killed, and instead whisked away to an alternate reality, or turned into a vampire, but to mention any of that would have been suspicious.

But of course, whenever it was that Keaira was distracted, either by matters which caused her great emotional pains, or ones that involved love, at the center of them were the same two names. Zane Lucifer Bishop, and Alessandro Orion Darko. She supposed it was fitting that she would be writing a letter t one of them when a stranger mentioned the other. Or perhaps it was more than just a coincidence. Keaira was once again on a high alert. Of all the people to mention in Ravenclaw, why Alessandro? Dylan Cooper was also very recently away for an unexplained time, and then Knightwood had gone away too…It just seemed off. So much so that Keaira couldn’t help but wonder who this girl was.

With the slightest bit of a frown, Keaira closed her eyes for a moment, letting her barriers down only the slightest amount, to let her mind brush against that of Niobe. After the moment when she dropped her shields she opened her eyes and blinked as if something had been caught in her eyes. “Yea, I know Alessandro quite well, we dated for a bit, I heard he got lost in the Americas or something crazy like that, a rogue portkey. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to chat with him since he returned… I’ve been a bit preoccupied worrying about Zane. Some friend I am, I can’t even manage two boys at a time…But I do hope he’s doing good.”

As Keaira chatted a bit she let her mind feel out the girl in front of her, looking for the tell tale chinks that would show her to be lying or well generally for some sign that she was of malicious intent. Keaira however, didn’t notice anything. What she did however notice ever so slightly was that Niobe wasn’t the only person in the area. Not that Keaira needed her ability to find that out, because a mere second after she brushed up on the other mind that was near them, the unknown person leapt from the tree line into their little clearing. It was a surprising enough move that Keaira instantly withdrew her thoughts into her own head, and slammed her barriers back in place. Jumping to her feet in response, Keaira’s hand tightened around her wand, which still remained tucked up in her sleeve, in case this was meant to be an attack, and Niobe the decoy.

However, as much as Keaira was ready for an attack in that instant, there was no need. The fight or flight instance that had her jump to her feet in a moment’s notice calmed considerable when she realized it was Ivy. Not the best company most of the time, yet, she was also not the threat that Keaira had initially perceived. Rolling her eyes and letting out a long breath of air, Keaira relaxed her shoulders, and released the tension that held her seconds before.

“Ivy I ought to hex you for that. It wasn’t particularly funny.”

Dropping back down to the ground by her things, Keaira hastily grabbed her things and shoved them into her bag, sealing it, once her things were secure. The last thing she wanted was for Ivy to get her little claws into the letter she had written for Zane. Keaira wasn’t nearly as blind as some had thought her to be. She had seen how some of the girls looked at Zane, as if he were simply the best candy in the world and they must therefore have him. It wasn’t a pleasing thought, and had left Keaira more than a little miffed at some of her fellow classmates. With her belongings secured in her bag, protected from wandering eyes and spells, Keaira turned her attention back on Ivy, who like always was interested in playing games.

“Oh well, I’m sure you know me by now, I’m never really chipper unless I’ve got some prank to pull. Or some other reason to celebrate. But enough about me, pray tell, what brings you to the forest today, Last time I checked you weren’t one to be checking up on the sulking types who wander too close to its edge.”

[Niobe Blakes]

Niobe's eyes narrowed just a bit. "I don't make it my intention to listen to rumors. Nor do I try to pry into the business of others. If people wish to tell me something, I listen, otherwise, I do not bother. Rumors and gossip only end up in people hurt."

The Ravenclaw left it at that. She wasn't entirely sure how accurate Keaira's statements were, people liked to talk and that didn't always mean that they were correct. She also wasn't going to research into the matter. If people here had seen death or had been through something horrible, it wasn't her business.

"I've only spoken to him once." Niobe remarked in regards to Alessandro "He asked me some curious questions and that was all. The only reason I knew he had returned was because everyone had made such a big deal about it. Apparently, he is popular in the Ravenclaw house." That uncomfortable feeling didn't go away, yet she sensed...something else.

Darkness recgonizes darkness, does it not? a soft voice whispered in her head, definitely male. She frowned.

Just as Ivy jumped out of seemingly no where, Niobe's wand was out and pointed in her direction. It had been a quick and smooth movement, her body hadn't moved an inch. Brown eyes narrowed as she regarded the new Slytherin girl.

When it seemed that the two girls obviously knew each other, Niobe put her wand away. She had already been a bit tense around Keaira, feeling a sense of unease, the appearance of Ivy made her even more so. There was something...off about the girl. Familiar, but off. It reminded her of the man from her dreams, the stories of darkness that her mother had always warned her of.

"We are closer to the darkness than you know Niobe...the Shao family is." her mother had always warned her "You must always, always be careful. The Shao history is filled with glory and prestige, but also filled with blood and dark magic. We were not always so noble, we did not always follow The Path..."

The Path. Her mother had spoken of it often, being of the Buddhist religion. Niobe's own religion was up in the air, she believed in the Path and because her father had taken up the religion she had also practiced it...but she wasn't entirely sure what all she believed in completely. Did she fully believe in the teachings of Buddah? She just wasn't sure.

As the girls continued talking, Niobe decided it might be best to go "My apologies." Niobe began "I don't mean to cut you off but I think it might be best for me to go. I do not wish to continue to intrude."