Taking a stroll (Jason/open)

[Maura Mosely]

Maura was a risk taker. She certainly belonged in Gryffindor, she believed, as she was always looking for a bit of an adventure. She found herself looking for something exciting to do that day and even begged her sister to come with her to no avail. Her twin, Amber, was a Ravenclaw through and through. Her nose was buried in a book when Maura found her and she was quite content to keep it there rather than galivanting through the castle. She gave up on her sister and took off on her own.

She'd done a lot in the castle over the years. She'd found many secret passages ways and hoped to find more. She came across the Room of Requirement, something not all students are able to do. She even dared to enter the oh-so-scary Forbidden Forest.

Of course! The Forbidden Forest. She could go exploring today. It was still light out so at least she would still be able to see, if only for a short time. She set off, making sure to have her wand with her, and soon found herself entering the trees. She'd been in here a few times before, usually with a group. Today she was alone and that made it all the more exciting. There were more chances to come across something alone than with many others. As she was walking, she listened intently. She soon heard a familiar sound and stopped to listen. It sounded like footsteps. Someone was walking around nearby. She drew out her wand and glanced around.

"Is someone there?" She called out, curiously. She felt goosebumps as the sound got closer but would never admitt fear. She would merely call it excitement or anxiousness. Not fear, never fear. "Hello?"

[Jason Shaffer]

The only noise he heard was the crunching leaves underneath the soles of his black boots and his own, cold breath. Jason kept his head down, watched where he was going. He breathed deeply, or at least tried to pump his lungs full of cold, cold air, inhaling through the nose, exhaling through the mouth. Quickly as he trod through the Forest. His hands were shoved deeply into his pockets, one of them curled tightly around his wand.

he walked on, trying not to think. Slowly, daringly, he opened his mouth and felt the coldness on his tongue, the exceptional taste tickling his palate. The sky was grey, the sun hidden behind thick layers of clouds. His head was as empty as it could be without having to force any thoughts back. There was a cracking sound and immediately, his wand was at the ready, and he spun around wildly. Maybe it had just been a silent bird, or an animal stepping on a fallen branch. he suddenly heard a voice and spun around again. "Hello?" And those were the only noises he could hear and he could finally draw a deep breath.

[Maura Mosely]

Maura walked a couple of steps around a tree and saw a boy standing there with his wand out. She recognized him as a Hufflepuff fifth year but she couldn't remember his name. Upon seeing him, she lowered her own wand and gave him a smile. Company wasn't always so bad. Maybe he would join her on her stroll, she thought.

"Hey, sorry. Have to be on my guard out here. You understand." She said, gesturing with her wand. Obviously he did because he had his out as well. "I'm Maura by the way. What's your name?" She asked, trying to be friendly. He seemed nice enough from first glance. She kept her wand in hand just in case something else came along. Never can be too safe right?