Never Look for Trouble

Posts : 170 Join date : 2011-02-01

I was somewhat glad I was in shape, because the run from the Lake to the Forest was actually quite a long one. Not to mention the ground was still covered with snow and ice in some parts. I tripped a few times thanks to my clumsiness, but I managed to stay upright and relatively close to Pat. Standing at 5'8 I realized I was very tall for a girl, but my long legs assisted me very well when it came to physical activities such as running. I hadn't yet managed to get my hands on either of the kittens though.. and I felt bad, because the forest was close.

With a large inhale I pushed myself a little faster, closing in on the one named Soda. He was getting so close.. if I could just stretch out a little bit more, I knew I'd have him.. but the edge of the forest was coming, and fast.

Posts : 375 Join date : 2010-12-01

Chasing after kittens made Patrick fit and able to run for a good while but it was difficult when one was chasing a kitten in snow.

Diving in some places, he seemed to just miss Two-Bit every time. The edge of the Forest was growing closer and closer until....

"Two-Bit!" Patrick hissed. "Get your feline arse out here!"

Two-Bit just meowed and ran in a bit farther as if daring Patrick to come in after him.

Posts : 170 Join date : 2011-02-01

I made one last attempt to grab at the kitten, and I felt my fingertips skimming along his soft fur as he dodged my touch and zipped straight into the forest. I blinked as I nearly face-planted into the snow, and I ended up landing on my knees right before I ran into a tree. Today was just not my day when it came to trees, but I wasn't embarrassed by being on the ground.. yet again. I huffed a bit as I ran my fingers through my hair anxiously, glancing over toward Pat to see that he hadn't caught Two-Bit, either. So now both kittens were in the forest?

I slowly stood up from the ground as I listened to Pat trying to encourage the kittens back out. "C'mon, Soda. Nice kitty, come on out here.." I cooed in my nicest voice, but I had a feeling they weren't going to come out. For some reason, I felt a little upset at the thought. "Now what?" I said a bit breathlessly as I looked at Pat, a slightly panicked look on my face. I mean.. we could go in to get them.. but that would mean trouble. And while I wasn't a Slytherin for nothing, I was pretty sure getting points docked off of my house would not earn me friends.

A determined look crossed over my face as I turned back toward the forest. These kittens were going to come out, one way or another. "What do your kittens like?" I asked, wondering if we could somehow bribe them out. If all else failed though.. well then, I would be going in.

Posts : 375 Join date : 2010-12-01

"Besides driving me insane?" Patrick asked running a hand through his hair. "Warm milk maybe but that would mean calling a house elf...."

He was rambling, he knew that much. For the first time since getting Two-Bit, a look of panic spread over his face. He was a Hufflepuff for a reason; his sister liked the rash decisions. He was the more loyal one. The Forest though.....he'd rather fly.

He quickly got an idea and took off his shoe.

"Two-Bit!" he hissed and waved his sock around. "Come on! You know you want it!"

Not even the sock seemed to prevent the kittens from going even further into the forbidden forest.

Posts : 170 Join date : 2011-02-01

I felt bad as I watched Pat, listening to him ramble. It was clear that the situation was getting to him a bit, and I wanted to try and put his worry at ease. Of course, I wasn't exactly sure how I could really do that, besides getting the kittens, and at this point, them coming out on their own was looking grim. "Pat. Relax." I commanded suddenly, my forehead creasing as I glanced back into the darkened forest. "We're gonna get them. Don't worry." My voice was firm. I hadn't been placed in Griffyndor, which was the house of bravery and courage. But I was a Snake, and I liked danger. This was no acception.

My brow rose slightly when he removed his shoe and began waving a sock around. I didn't comment on it though, and when I saw the kittens weren't coming out.. I decided.

"I'm gonna go in." I stated definantly. "Don't try to change my mind, either." I warned him. I knew how this was stupid, and if I got caught.. but hopefully, I'd be in and out quickly. "Keep watch?" I asked him.

Posts : 375 Join date : 2010-12-01

"I wouldn't dare try to change your mind," Patrick said, "but I'm coming in with you."

Two-Bit was his kitten and Pam would murder him in broad daylight if he lost Soda in the forest. He liked living thank you!

Posts : 170 Join date : 2011-02-01

My brow rose a bit when he said he was going to come in with me. But I didn't hesitate for very long before I was nodding. "Well, ok. Hopefully we'll be in and out quick.." I mused, taking a deep breath as I turned back to the forest. It was so dark and eery in there.. not to mention all of the magical creatures we could very possibly disturb. What, why was I even trying to change my mind? I shook my head back and forth slightly.

"Ready? Let's go." I said, and without another moments thought I took a step into the dark forest, adrenaline immediately beginning to pump through my veins. Ah, the feeling of danger. I loved it. "Soda.. Two-Bit.." I said in a loud whisper, my eyes adjusting to the dim lighting as I began to look around. The forest was so big, I hoped they hadn't gone far!

Posts : 375 Join date : 2010-12-01

Following her into the forest, Patrick pulled out his wand and lit it with Lumos. The small beam of light seemed necessary as the forest was dark even near the edge.

"Two-Bit...Soda...!" Patrick hissed. "Come here! Here kitty, kitty, kitty!"

It seemed that they were going in deeper and deeper into the forest.

"Remind me to lock one of them in my dorm if we ever find them," Patrick muttered to Emmy as he searched for one or both of the troublemakers.

Posts : 170 Join date : 2011-02-01

And suddenly.. it was a bit lighter then normal. I turned around with a blink, noticing that Pat had his wand out... I chuckled sheepishly. In all my excitement, I'd completely forgotten about my wand. Not a very smart choice.. I stealthily slid it out of my boot, holding it ready in my hand just in case it was needed. When it came to the Forbidden Forest.. well, I'd never been inside of it. All I knew of were the rumors lurking behind it.. so I didn't have much experience. I swallowed my fear though, tuning back into reality as I heard Pat hissing the kitten's names.

"Will do." I muttered when he asked me to remind him to lock either of them away in his dorm. We were getting deeper into the forest.. I could feel it, the slight drop in the temperature, and I involuntarily shivered. What happened if we couldn't find the kittens? I hadn't even caught sight of them yet! I bit my lower lip as I continued walking, but all of a sudden...

"Ouch!" I yelped as quietly as I could as I felt something scratching into my arm. One of my hands flew to cover my mouth in surprise as I stared down in surprise, my heart rate accelerating slightly. What the hell..? "Just keep walking, just keep walking.." I muttered to myself, ignoring the stinging sensation coming from my arm. "Soda... Two-Bit... come here kitties!"

Posts : 375 Join date : 2010-12-01

Pat wrapped his cloak closer to his body as they got further into the forest. Those kittens were more trouble than they were worth.

Branches and other detritus was sticking to it, and once or twice he stumbled over a root.

A crack in the dark made him jump and his heart started racing.

Walk! Just Walk!

"What'd you think that the chances are that we find them?" he asked Emmy while holding his wand up farther to see more.

Posts : 170 Join date : 2011-02-01

Even though I was a big fan of the danger, the longer we spent in the forest.. well. Lets just say my adrenaline was beginning to fade, and when I heard the crack in the dark I felt myself jumping, and I felt like my throat had leapt in my throat. Stop being such a chicken, Emmy! I scolded myself, and with a deep breath I squared my shoulders, clutching my wand in my right hand. I glanced behind me when I heard Pat talking, and I bit my lip. "Well... I really don't know." I admitted after a moment.

"They can't be that lost.." I reasoned, absently wiping my hand across the trickling of blood down my arm.. wait what? I crinkled my nose in distaste when I felt the stickiness on my fingertips, but did my best to ignore it. All of a sudden movement caught my eye. I paused, and without thinking grabbed Pat's hand (the one with the wand) and held it out in front of us. Squinting and peering closer, I squeezed his hand slightly until I realized..

"This way!" I stated and started off, having a feeling I'd just caught a glimpse of one of the kittens. Hopefully..

Posts : 375 Join date : 2010-12-01

Jumping a little when she grabbed his hand, Patrick followed her as she made her way toward what he hoped was the two trouble makers.

He looked down at the ground and paled a little when he saw the difference in the ground between where they had been walking and where they were going.

"Emmy? I think we might be going off the path," Patrick hissed worried. But his kittens meant more.

Posts : 170 Join date : 2011-02-01

I felt slightly bad for causing him to jump when I'd grabbed his hand, but it was too late now to apologize. I had a habit of acting before I thought it through clearly.. I'd have to work on that. Hearing my name I slowed a bit, glancing backward in confusion. But hearing the worried tone I blinked, glancing down.. oh, oops. I stopped in my tracks as I stared at the different ground, and I blew out a frustrated breath. "But I could have sworn.." I muttered, shaking my head as I once more ran my fingers through my messy blonde hair. Nervous habit.

"Well.. then.. lets go back." I said with a sigh. I didn't want to put either of us in danger, after all. And maybe it wasn't even the kittens I'd seen.. glancing back ahead of me I took a step back, wondering where exactly I'd been leading us. And well, now that I thought about it.. how in the hell were we going to get out of here? I wasn't going to admit I was a bit scared now, no. I never would.. because I had far much too pride for that.

"Maybe.. they're.. already out of the forest.." I said in a slightly distracted voice.

Posts : 375 Join date : 2010-12-01

As they stood there, Patrick heard a meow that he'd recognize anywhere.

"Did you hear that?" he asked Emmy. He listened carefully and heard it again.

"Come on!" he said staying on the path. Two-Bit was near, and hopefully Soda was too. Thank Merlin for Two-Bit's loud voice.

"Two-Bit," Patrick called. "Soda!"

Posts : 170 Join date : 2011-02-01

I listened closely once I heard the first initial meow.. and then I heard it again. Nodding quickly, I didn't hesitate to follow behind Pat, glad that we'd at least gotten somewhat of a lead on the two troublemakers. I hoped that they were okay.. and well, I also hoped they were together. But seeing as they were always with one another.. I didn't see why they wouldn't be this time.

I stayed close to Pat, glancing around warily for any sort of danger as he moved forward, and once I heard the meow again.. "We're definitely close." I paused before turning my head slightly to the right. The meow was so loud.. "Point your wand toward the right." I mused, wondering where I'd see the kitten.

Posts : 375 Join date : 2010-12-01

Doing as told, Patrick shined his wand over the area near to his right and what he saw made his heart sink and rise at the same time. Soda was trapped in something that Pat couldn't make out and Two-Bit was standing guard over his friend.

"Two-Bit!" Patrick raced toward his kitten. "Come on Soda. Let's try to--OUCH!"

Something scratched Patrick's hand so deeply that he drew it back.

"Merlin!" he hissed. How was he to get Soda out if he couldn't do it without injury?

Posts : 170 Join date : 2011-02-01

I could feel my eyes widening a fraction when I saw the two kittens, and I frowned as I glanced toward Pat. He was already racing forward to save the one named Soda, and I couldn't stop him before... "Pat! Are you okay?" I asked as I came up on the side of him, noticing the deepness of the scratch. What the hell was the kitten stuck in? I frowned again as I peered a bit more, wondering how on earth the kitten had even gotten in there..

I took a step back, closing my eyes for a moment as I began wracking my brain for some sort of spell I could use. I was feeling slightly panicked though.. being Muggleborn, I didn't have a ton of experience with spells. I exhaled slowly as I tried to stay calm. "Think.. think.." I muttered. A spell that healed minor injuries did pop into my mind though, so I stepped forward and took gentle hold of Pat's hand. "Hold still." I said quietly, before I took my wand in my right hand. Closing my eyes I took a moment before I muttered, "Episkey." I opened my eyes to see his wound stitching itself closed, and I chuckled a bit. "Glad I remembered that much. Now if only I could remember..."

I blew out a sigh in frustration. I had an idea of what I could do.. but.. "Do you trust me?" I said randomly. I waited anxiously for his answer. I knew I might have been asking for too much.

Posts : 375 Join date : 2010-12-01

"Thanks," Patrick said grateful that she was there. He'd forgotten about magic, though he was muggle born. Such a lapse of judgement was expected almost.

What was Soda stuck in? Why didn't he take Herbology? Oh yeah, because he thought plants were boring.

"I've gone in this far with you and you haven't led me astray," Patrick said when she asked if she trusted him. "I trust you Emmy."

Posts : 170 Join date : 2011-02-01

"No problem." I said honestly, glancing back toward the plant that Soda was stuck in. I took Herbology, but I felt slightly helpless because I still had no idea what it was. But taking my moment of calm, a few spells had come to mind. It was just a matter of if I could handle performing them correctly.. and under such pressure, I wasn't so sure. I inhaled deeply through my nose, holding it in for a few moments before I let it go through my parted lips.

Hearing Pat's words though, I couldn't help but smile. "Thank you." I said quietly, feeling my cheeks blushing a bit out of habit. But then I was leaping back into business. I had a kitten to save, if all went well. "Well.. I think I can get Soda out. But.. I'm not all that experienced with the spells.." I explained. Not wanting him to think I was going to hurt his kitten, I quickly rushed forward. "I just.. I'll get him out." I said a bit more confidently.

Trying not to doubt myself, I turned back to the kitten. Signalling Pat to hold the light coming from his wand closer, I closed my eyes, readying myself. After a moment I brought my wand up, and concentrating the best I could.. "Protego Totalum." I said firmly. Cracking open an eye, I noticed nothing had happened.. yet not allowing my confidence to be shaken, I tried again. "Protego Totalum." Still, nothing.

I gritted my teeth, standing up straight and taking a deep breath. "Protego Totalum!" I said a bit more sternly, and this time I saw the glow beginning around the kitten. I smiled in triumph. The shield was so nothing could harm the kitten, but it was limited.. I had to act quick. I didn't want to harm anything in the forest, but.. "Diminuendo!" I spoke, causing the plant to shrink back slightly. Now that the path was more open... I was beginning to feel physically drained, but I almost had it..

With a deep breath I inched closer to the plant, and hoping the spells held up... I gingerly slipped my thin arm through the gap I had caused, biting my lip as my fingers wrapped around the small kitten. I could feel my time running out, so with one last deep breath, I closed my eyes and pulled.

The kitten came out unharmed, but my skin came out scratched and sliced. I winced as the pain rolled through my arm, and I ground my teeth together again as I clutched the kitten to my chest. The spells dropped almost immediately and my muscles felt like jelly from the relief.. and from being fatigued. "I.. got him." I managed, giving Pat a faint smile.

At least I'd gotten Soda unharmed.

Posts : 375 Join date : 2010-12-01

Quickly taking Soda from Emmy, Patrick put his wand behind his ear and held out his free hand for her to take. She looked exhausted.

"Soda, in here," he said placing his sister's kitten in his bag. He didn't seem to mind and Two-Bit was staying close.

"Thank you," he told Emmy with a smile. "Are you alright?" he asked taking in her scratched and sliced body. Not to mention the fact that she looked fatigued.

Posts : 170 Join date : 2011-02-01

I let my arm fall a bit limply to my side when Soda was taken from me, but I was a trooper. While the scratches were burning like hell (not to mention I had no idea what the plant was), it wasn't the worst pain I'd ever dealt with. I watched quietly as he put Soda in his bag, and then I noticed his outstretched hand. Normally I would have been stubborn and refused his help. But then I remembered I didn't really know where we were in the Forest.. and well, I wasn't sure how much longer my legs wanted to hold me up. So after a moment I reached out with my uninjured arm, my hand grabbing onto his.

"You're welcome." I replied, offering him another small smile in return. I noticed him looking at my injured arm, but I merely shrugged it off. "I'll be okay. Nothing a little spell can't take care of.." I said, trying to keep the atmosphere joking. I didn't need him worrying about me, even if I felt a little off. I would be fine, I just wasn't used to using such strong spells. And as for my arm.. well. I'd see to that when I got out of this Forest. "Lets go." I said quietly, giving his hand a small squeeze.

I had a feeling that if we were in here much longer.. things wouldn't get too pretty.

Posts : 375 Join date : 2010-12-01

"Lumos Maxima!" Patrick cried and the light grew brighter. He didn't know what creatures were in the forest but he didn't want to hang around to find out.

"Where did you learn those spells?" he asked trying to keep the growing feeling of dread down. "They didn't sound familiar to me."

Then again, this was the guy who didn't study at all for his OWL's. There may be something there that he hadn't heard of.

Posts : 170 Join date : 2011-02-01

I remained quiet (which wasn't very normal for me) as he caused the light to grow brighter, and I let my gaze rest on the ground as we walked, trying to be alert to every movement around me. I had to keep telling myself that the worst of things were over. We had the kittens, nothing too severe had happened, and now we were making our way out. Everything was going to be fine.. so I hoped. I just couldn't seem to get the dread out of my stomach though, and it was beginning to frighten me. Unconsciously I began walking just a bit quicker, though I blinked hen I heard him asking me a question.

It took me a few seconds longer then normal to process it, and another few seconds before I could actually remember. Well.. odd.. "Lets just say.. I always felt the need to prove myself to the Purebloods." I said with a small chuckle. I wasn't familiar with many spells, but I'd taken it upon myself to study up on ones I thought I would need later in life. Turns out they'd come in handy. "I spent a while in the library my second and third year." I added. "And my Charms Professor always seemed more then willing to help me."

I fell quiet soon after my explanation, shivering a bit without even realizing it. I hoped we were somewhere close to the end..

Posts : 375 Join date : 2010-12-01

The area on his hand where he'd gotten scratched itched like mad. Patrick couldn't scratch it because it was on his left hand and he was right handed--meaning his wand was in his other hand.

"Oh," he said when Emmy explained. "Same here, only instead of learning new things constantly, I try to be comic relief. Muggle insults are the funniest on pure blooded bigots."

The dense forest seemed to be getting lighter but he didn't trust it. He had his wand lit after all.

Posts : 170 Join date : 2011-02-01

I nodded briefly when I heard Pat speaking, although I didn't really realize he couldn't exactly see the gesture. Clearing my throat I spoke up instead. "I can see that." I said agreeably with a slight chuckle. Sometimes I disliked the underestimating people did because I was Muggle.. but it just gave me a chance to prove everyone wrong. I loved it, and well.. I almost always came out on the top, laughing in the faces of the second-guessers.

I frowned as I glanced down toward my arm, which was beginning to feel slightly numb.. I gave it a small shake, but it flopped around limply. I turned my wide eyes back ahead of me, trying my best not to feel as sick as I looked. My skin had turned a ghostly shade, and my lips were pursed in a thin line. I was so eager to be out of here..

Who would have thought I would have been itching to get away from danger? There came a point where enough was enough, though. "Your.. is your scratch.. did it heal up nicely?" I asked, wondering if it were just me that the plant was effecting.

» a little trouble after dinner ((tristan and casey/pm to join))