The wind blows broken melodies [open]

[LORANA ALEXIS SMITH]

On days such as the one that Lorana had woke up to there was absolutely no way she could stay inside, cooped up. She loved autumn; well actually there was something that she liked about all the seasons. Winter gave her a sense of serenity, spring offered new growth, and summer was cheerful. But autumn, that had to be her favourite. Watching the colours of nature change was fascinating to her. It also made for really beautiful pictures, which was what she was currently taking advantage of. That Saturday morning was filled with blue skies, fluffy white clouds, and bird song. Her most prized possession, her camera, was hung around her neck bouncing against her midriff with each step that she took toward the Game Keeper’s Cabin down that steep incline. Lori had a cautious air about her as she headed down knowing full well that if she didn’t pay close attention she was liable to trip and roll the rest of the way down. Embarrassment was a concern but it paled in comparison to her worry over damaging her camera, forget herself.

Lorana knew that the Forbidden Forest was off limits to students, but that small clearing where some of the Care of Magical Creatures class was sometimes taught was surely acceptable to be in, wasn’t it? Otherwise why would they be allowed to be there for classes? Regardless of whether this was true or not Lori kept that in mind, telling herself that it was correct, logical even. As she approached the quaint little cabin she noticed that someone had lit a fire, smoke was puffing out of the chimney a great, big white wisps. If not for her having other plans Lorana might have stopped in just to say hello, but instead breezed past heading into the trees. The toe of her shoe snagged on an exposed root making her tumble forward, hands defensively coming up to brace herself and avoid hitting the tree in front of her face first. The bark was rough and painful against the palm of her hands as Lori used the trunk to straighten herself up. Wiping her hands off on her jeans she was just thankful that her camera hadn’t slammed into the tree as well.

The clearing wasn’t too far off and already Lorana could see that today had definitely been the right day to come out and get some pictures. Beams of sunshine pierced through the multi-coloured canopy turning the gold and red leaves even more vibrant and offering them an ethereal sort of glow to boot. Following the makeshift path to the clearing Lori took in her surroundings carefully not wanting to miss any potential shot. She nearly missed one however, if the bird hadn’t chirped when it had Lorana wouldn’t have noticed it there as the brilliant red of the Cardinal blended in with the leaves of the limb that it was perched on. Lori halted bringing the camera to her face to peer through the lens. The birds head snapped to and fro, hopping from one spot to another. Her finger was poised over the button waiting for the opportunity to capture the image of the Cardinal while it was still and she didn’t have to wait longer. Another moment passed and then the bird settled titling its head nimbly in her direction regarding her, and her camera with cautious interest. When Lorana snapped the shot and the camera shuttered it became startled and took flight on a gust of wind. At least she had managed to get the photo.

[IVAN VLADISLAV KIRKE]

Ivan wasn't really just wandering aimlessly, but some would consider that so as he was just walking around all the different corridors of Hogwarts. No real goal in mind today as he had nothing to do, but he didn't even want to think on that one. Finally deciding on a set course for a change he soon decided that not getting lost within the school was his best bet. Arching his back a little to stretch he ran a hand through his wild hair that never seemed to like to stay in one place even after he had washed it. Feeling the wet tips of it, as it seemed to have spiked itself upwards today and some of it was poking in every other direction at the same time that almost made it quite the scene.

Bed-hair was Ivan's signature style and not many people would put it past him to just let it go, however, as he was walking down the many corridors he barely passed a window to look out towards the Forbidden forest. Someone was standing there, but he really paid it no mind until his boredom turned into curiosity. Why would a student be frolicking near the forbidden forest when it's obviously forbidden, surely there was a reason for it. Tugging his long-sleeved white shirt on, and then putting his brown coat over him to keep him warm from the cool, chill air of November. Walking down towards the moving stairs again hoping that his streak of luck would actually take him to the ground floor for a change. Passing by the great hall as the moving stairs actually did move where he wanted for a change, and as much of a miracle as that was he seemed curious enough to actually step off of it.

Glancing behind him to see if anyone was following, which was dumb cause lots of students headed down to the ground floor to go the grounds of Hogwarts or explore the outdoors, but in the winter it was harder to just stay outside. Just like the cold, chilly month of November was settling in, so was the snow. Kind of feeling sorry for the champions having to deal with his kind of weather, but he really paid it no mind. Just another consequence for being picked as a champion, however strange that may sound he pursed his lips lightly. Trudging onwards he soon found the exit to Hogwarts and then started to make his way past many of the other students. Chatting with some of his fellow Gryffindors as he made his way past them.

Ivan was well-known for his reputation as a prankster and having set one off against all eight champions along with Roxanne Weasley left him a prodigy since no one had known who had done it. Well, except James, since he had been in on the fun. Finally catching the glimpse of the girl he had noticed earlier, he waved towards her, recognizing her as one of their own house. 'Hey! What brings you out here? Taking pictures of wildlife?" he asked curiously, although had to say his name too. 'Ivan Kirke, if you will, what's your name? I've seen you around, just never talk to anyone much although I do talk a lot," he commented, chuckling softly.

[LORANA ALEXIS SMITH]

It was funny how you could spend seven years attending the same classes with a person and still never learn their name, officially at least. Lori recognized the boy that came up on her immediately. Most Gryffindors knew of him, he was big into the pranking and so naturally his reputation did get around. She wasn’t all that popular herself. Sure, she had some friends who were but Lorana was more the go with the flow type and when it came to being well known, it had never been something that was a concern of hers. She didn’t know what it brought you in the long run really, except things being a little more clouded as to who truly liked you and who put up with you so they could be considered part of the “in” crowd. Looking Ivan over she offered him a vibrant, inviting smile.

“Oh yeah, wildlife, interesting looking trees, whatever suits my fancy at the time.” He seemed like he would be an interesting subject to photograph. The whim couldn’t go unsatisfied though and without thinking whether or not it would be rude, not that Lorana didn’t care it just wasn’t something that crossed her mind until after it was done. Lifting the camera back up to her face she took a quick shot of Ivan already eager to see how it would turn out when she developed them in one of the spare classrooms later that day. Despite there being cameras far more advanced, digital even, Lori was fond of the older ones. She felt that they had more characters in the prints than some digital one that was always so clear and perfect. Lorana liked the imperfections in the lighting and the blemishes that were prone to stain an image for no specific reason. She wondered what shadows might decorated Ivan’s face or how the angle in which she had snapped the shot would make him look, would it be more distinguished than the straight on view in which she saw him now?

“Sorry,” Lorana apologized slowly realizing, betwixt her contemplation, that not only had she taken his picture without his permission but she had neglected to introduce herself. “Lorana Smith, though I typically go by Lori. My mum calls me Lorana in that accusatory motherly tone, so it always has made me have an aversion to people calling me Lorana and-“ She clamped her mouth shut tightly. It was a character flaw of hers, so to speak, that she rambled incessantly, usually over sharing with the personal details. Some found it charming in a quirky sort of way and others took it as their cue to glare and/or sneer at her for being odd. But apparently Ivan talked a lot too, so Lori had high hopes that he would be the sort to find it charming.

After a beat Lori laughed nervously. “But Ivan, you’re that prankster guy. It says a lot about the type of person you are, I think. You like a good laugh, which is always a good thing in a person, its also likely that since you can dish it out you can take it, which would mean that you’re humble, in a sense, too.” She was analyzing him aloud now, but being such an optimist the things that Lorana was speculating about were all positive in nature. It had been said more than once that she was a bit… zany, but she had taken it as a compliment. At least she wasn’t average, she supposed. “You can tell me to shut up anytime.” Lori offered knowing that sometimes that was what it took to let the other person get a word in edgewise with her.

[IVAN VLADISLAV KIRKE]

Ivan noted that this girl was indeed strange, but he had no quarrels with her previously. Impervious to her judgmental ways, he soon just walked up to her as she was snapping the picture. A breeze wavered past him as his hair seemed to go with the breeze in the same direction making it look wind-struck now, but it still looked rather odd on him. Impervious to any form of debauchery to his hair, it stayed the way it was considering Ivan rarely brushed it. Of course he did comb it, but that was a whole different story, letting it fall whichever way was just his style. Something that made him a trademark of the Gryffindor house, and he was glad not many girls cared how he wore it anyways.

Basing someone just based off of their hair was pretty shallow, and Ivan had to consider that for a moment as he soon realized that she had taken a picture without his permission. What a quirky girl, but she was beautiful in that respect. There was a great side to her that he could see, and her bubbly personality already had him looking at her eyes. The main part of a girl's body to Ivan was their eyes. No matter how long you looked, there was no way you could ever tell what they were thinking. If that was a bad thing, Ivan would have looked away, but he knew that the mysterious ones were more fun. Life wasn't always fun and games. Ivan had found that out the hard way when he had dated Lily Pootter, which had spread rather quickly how they had ended just deciding to become friends when the relationship got stale.

Just as what was going to happen with Roxanne, but this time it was going to be Ivan who would end it, realizing that they couldn't be together forever. A fifth year and seventh year would always lead to that inevitable fight, especially the major ounces of drama that it would cause. Finally deciding to respond to her as she was talking a million miles per minute it seemed, but he always did get his words in edgewise too. Just seemed to be a thing between these two already, and he could tell that they'd probably get along well. "Well, Lorana, may I add that's a very lovely name, I'm Ivan Kirke, prankster extraordinaire, and I take it you love taking pictures?" he asked her politely. Obviously he hadn't cared if she had taken his picture or not, considering he knew that many more would come without permission.

Or that was what he was thinking as he moved to walk towards her to get a better view of her, and he was considering how gorgeous she was. Normally not one to hit on girls all the time, but all he had done was compliment her name nothing special. As he did with almost everyone he met, but he wasn't going to let rumors get the best of him. Hanging out with someone didn't mean he was intentionally flirting, and right now he was doing far from it considering a greeting was normal.

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[LORANA ALEXIS SMITH]

As Ivan approached her Lorana shuffled her feet noticing the way that he was looking so intensely into her eyes. It wasn’t that she minded or anything like that but the truth of the matter was that Lori wasn’t exactly one of those girls that were all that great around boys. Sure she had dated before, but only with people that she knew well and was already so familiar with so they were used to her unique personality. Not that Lori had dating on her mind from the second that Ivan had walked up but the way he was looking into her eyes seemed to be in admiration. Lorana pushed her worries away. That would just be pretentious to think that someone was admiring her without them actually saying so. She was prone to letting her overactive imagination get the better of her.

“Oh thanks. I’ll be sure to pass that on to my mum in my next letter. She’ll be most pleased. There was this big debate between her and my dad apparently. He wanted to name me Penelope so she’ll be happy to wave the letter in his face, good-naturedly of course.” Maybe that last part wasn’t entirely true. When it came to her dad, who could be very narcissistic, sometimes when her mother found something that she could rub in his face she enjoyed to do so. Her mother wasn’t a spiteful person, but she could do spiteful things. But that was true for every person, wasn’t it, especially if you were married to the likes of Zacharias Smith. He had been a git in school on it hadn’t died down any significant amount into adulthood. But they loved each other, her mother always telling and re-telling the story of their romance. Lover’s spats were the only explanation.

Looking down at her camera she nodded whimsically. “Definitely. It started out as just a hobby to fill my time, but I got attached. It’s loads of fun, finding something that might look cool as a picture or a moment that you or someone else might want to memorialize and seeing how it comes out in a photo. The texture, at least with the older cameras like this one, is always different. Kind of like how they say that every snowflake is unique and no two are ever the same, though that claim I never understood how this they that claimed it could actually know that considering no one could examine each flake that fell to confirm it. I suppose its just one of those things that you have to take on faith.” Glancing back up at Ivan she gave a small shrug.

“Have you ever tried it? Taking pictures that it?” Maybe that was a stupid question. But then there were some wizards out there that never had, though there were wizarding cameras obviously, but those were for moving pictures. Lori preferred muggle cameras, freezing a moment in time and all that.

[IVAN VLADISLAV KIRKE]

What a peculiar girl, yet she's rather eccentric and fun. he thought to himself, but he wasn't about to revel in that though, but Ivan saw eyes as the window to the soul. Mainly his usual saying he would have used, but he was oblivious to her actions right now, and the pictures she had snapped earlier had left him seeing spots still even now. What was it that made her so interesting, despite the random fact she had taken his picture without asking. Lorana, he had heard that name in warning from some passing Gryffindor's before, but he really never took them too seriously. After all he wasn't about to let anyone get in his way of having fun.

Ivan was obviously well known for his prankster ways, and she probably knew him from that. Noticing how she did talk a lot, but it just made the conversation more interesting to him.
“Oh thanks. I’ll be sure to pass that on to my mum in my next letter. She’ll be most pleased. There was this big debate between her and my dad apparently. He wanted to name me Penelope so she’ll be happy to wave the letter in his face, good-naturedly of course.” "Well, I'd say that it would be a good thing to do, considering the fact it was just meant as a compliment, but that's usually my common greeting anyways. It's not normal for me to find anyone out here with someone as peculiar an interest as yours. Nothing wrong with it of course, just admiring," he said to her, smiling warmly. Ivan was impervious to blushing now after dealing with a few other gorgeous girls.

Lorana wasn't shallow, and he could tell. At least she was open about what she did and explained everything without having a morale to go with it. Unlike most Gryffindor's he knew, she was at least brash and rather brave to take his picture without thinking about the consequences. Listening to her story about the camera, he nodded his head in return as a simple answer. Ivan found he rather liked listening to her talk and found himself thinking they could indeed be friends despite her quirky personality. “Have you ever tried it? Taking pictures that it?” "Yes, once, but that was it, and never found why my parent's liked it, but I suppose if you don't like moving pictures that's the way to go. I grew up with moving pictures, so seeing a still one would be incredibly weird for me to cope with," he added, although if he was forced to, he could probably get along well with one.

"I suppose if I really had to, I wouldn't mind, considering I don't have many wizard cameras at all," he confessed, just telling her that in confidence hoping she wouldn't blab it to anyone else.

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[LORANA ALEXIS SMITH]

A large grin was slowly forming on Lori face as Ivan spoke. Admiring, well she hadn’t been pretentious after all, just right, which maybe that was pretentious in of itself. But she stopped herself short from going off onto that tangent. It was like trying to figure out which came first, the chicken or the egg. “Well my dad doesn’t need to know that part.” Usual greeting or not Lori had no intention of putting that in her letter, it would spoil all her mother’s fun. “What if the person has a horrid name… like Gretchen or Bertha? Do you still compliment their name just for the sake of being polite?” She wasn’t sure if, in fact Ivan did still compliment people with unfortunate names, it would make him a liar or just overly gentlemanly? It didn’t much matter she supposed but she was still curious. “I guess you could always compliment on their smile or something equally harmless.”

“Its not that I dislike moving pictures.” Lorana admitted. “I just like the stills better. When I look at them I can always come up with possibilities of what they did after that particular moment. It can be pretty amusing really. Speculating whether the little girl with the rainbow lollipop continued to cheerfully lick the candy or if she decided to stick it in her brother’s hair. Or the old man on the side of the road holding the flowers met up with his date or went off to the cemetery to place it on his late wife’s grave.” These were just a couple of examples to give Ivan an idea of why it appealed to her. Usually when she took pictures of people they were strangers to her. Sure, the wall above her bed in her dorm room was filled with pictures of her friends and family, but the ones that she took to indulge in her hobby were of strangers and wildlife.

Photography wasn’t a widely popular thing for teenagers to do so it didn’t come as a big shock that Ivan didn’t have many wizard cameras. They were bloody expense anyway. She gingerly pulled the camera strap over her head to take it off. “Well, it’s not a wizarding camera, but do you want to try your hand at it?” Lorana was extremely protective of her camera but she was also generous. She didn’t mind letting Ivan try his hand at it. Who knew, maybe there was some hidden photographer extraordinaire to add to his repertoire. With that notion in mind Lori was rather excited to see what Ivan might find of interest to photograph. Everyone was supposed to have a different eye for art after all. He was likely to find something of immense beauty that she would have overlooked.

[IVAN VLADISLAV KIRKE]

Ivan found it rather fascinating that Lori was rather infatuated with this hobby of hers and going off on random tangents about it. Yes, she was enthusiastic, almost as much as he was about his pranks, which sooner or later gave him an idea. Grinning at the thought but he would mention it to her eventually. Ivan hated spoiling surprises and when he realized that she liked the fact she had her camera by her side, well he had to oblige in following her train of thought. In reality, it really did make sense when he listened to her explanation of it. Realizing it made much more sense the way she had made the images view in his own mind, and then considered the alternative path.

Realizing she was offering her camera as he had spent most of the time listening, but he had to deny it since he really hated taking other people's things if they valued them. Ivan had a strange sense that this particular item was something she deeply cared for, so he then picked it up in his hand soon pushing it against her chest in return. "No thanks, I'd rather it be with you, cause I fear I'd drop it or something worse, plus I think you deserve it more than me to begin with. Although I wouldn't even think of what to take a picture of to begin with. If it was something rather beautiful, I'd pick a scene like the gazebo over-looking the lake, only few people know about that spot," was all he said to her.

Gesturing towards the lake in the long run to show her where it was, only if she was willing to follow of course. Normally known for it's reputation of being a romantic spot though, but he didn't think this was a date at all in fact it was more like just a gathering of two people meeting to become friends. Ivan would have laid heavily on the flirtatious comments already if he wanted something more.

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[LORANA ALEXIS SMITH]

Ivan accidentally breaking her camera wasn’t something that she would be looking forward to of course, but if someone as prone to disaster as her had managed to keep it safe then Ivan was likely to prevent from breaking it too. She wasn’t going to force him to take her camera though. His aversion was important to him so Lori tried to see it from his point of view. From the way she had been jabbering on about photography, it was probably plain as day that Lorana had an immense fondness for her camera and putting it in his hands would be a big responsibility for him. It could easily make anyone apprehensive so Lori didn’t hold it again Ivan for declining her offer.

The mention of a lakeside gazebo definitely appealed to her romantic notions. Whether she was on a date or not Lorana was a total sucker for being in placing that set the mood. It allowed her that piece of mind despite her not currently having someone to share the experience with. She was a bit of a daydreamer with more everything that she did. In her seven years at Hogwarts Lori had never come across the gazebo that Ivan mentioned. It shouldn’t have come as a shock to her considering that her exploration of the castle and grounds was limited to places that were accessible to students. The little alcove of the Forbidden Forest that she had slipped into was as far as she had gone, but Ivan was gesturing toward that lake. So why hadn’t she come across it before? Maybe you had to go through some part of the forest to get to that side of the lake or something like that.

“And you’re going to be so generous as to share this coveted bit of information with little ole me?” Lori beamed. It was rather nice of him, but so far Ivan had presented himself as a polite young man and he had been nothing but nice to her. His prankster side might have had some contradictory effects to this amiable personality that he was showing her, but Lorana had a feeling that it was all good-natured. No prank was really meant to hurt someone, just for a laugh, she could respect that if her suspicions were the case. Putting the strap back over her head a precaution that Lori tried to always take just on the not-so off chance that she tripped, it wouldn’t go flying out of her hands. “After you.”

[IVAN VLADISLAV KIRKE]

Ivan was pleased to see that Lori was one of the few Gryffindors that didn't over-look things, but he did notice she had a habit of wanting to share things right away. Funny as that may sound, he'd probably have to watch over her a little more, just in case someone did try messing with her. Lori did seem like a rather sweet girl to him, and he really didn't want to see any harm coming to her. Yet, he hadn't flirted with her as of yet, something that he was well-known for as well, but he was trying to cut back hard on that habit since the seventh year started. Not really a player by any means since most of the other girls had turned him down.

No doubt, Roxanne Weasley was one of the few that had actually warmed up to him and enjoyed pulling pranks with him. Finally giving in to what he thought was just a pure blond moment as he looked across the lake, remembering how to get there finally. It was an odd little hidden place that he found, but no one else really knew about it. There were many other places that seemed to be rather hidden, and Ivan wondered how she felt about entering the Forbidden forest. After all, there were bugs and many other strange creatures in that forest that could possibly kill them. Ivan loved taking an adventure and this was no chance to deny that.

"How about it, you up for a trip through the forbidden forest to see it? Don't worry it's not too far out, just maybe half a mile or so," he stated towards her. Ivan wondered if this really would set a romantic scene with her, but looking at it from his point of view that would be slightly bad. Running at the first signs of trouble, emotionally or physically were his strong suits, and he obviously wasn't going to do such a thing with Lori. Right now he was viewing her more as a sister than an actual girl to flirt with.

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[LORANA ALEXIS SMITH]

Lorana wasn’t afraid of bugs or dirt like some girls could be, always fussing over their hair and nails like some kind of drama queen. But that didn’t mean there weren’t still things within the Forbidden Forest that made her slightly apprehensive. She was brave when it came to standing up for some bullied second year not laughing in the face of a territorial centaur or anything like that. She was happy-go-lucky not daft. Lori really wanted to see this gazebo that Ivan had mentioned though and it was only half a mile.

Although Lori didn’t know him well she did trust him enough to follow his lead. What was the worst that could happen? It was still daylight and most of the ominous creatures didn’t come out until after the sun went down, as with most foreboding things, they preferred darkness. That was the impression that Lorana was under at least. Her desire to go to the gazebo far outweighed her fear of coming across something deadly in the forest. There was a chance that she needed to prioritize better.

“I’m ready when you are.” She gave her consent. The thick trees in this part of the forest seemed to be acting as a buffer to the howling wind that kept sweeping across the grounds bringing with it biting chills, which Lorana was glad for. She was dressed warmly thankfully, but as a draft winded its way past the maze of tree trunks Lori had to stuff her hands in her coat pocket. Moving along side by side with Ivan the silence, though pleasant enough seemed rude to her. “You never said what brought you out to the forest.” Lori reminded, or had she asked? Maybe she hadn’t. Her nose crinkled up as she tried to recall. Sometimes she thought about saying something and then never did, that was probably the case now and the goofy expression dropped from her features a moment later.

[IVAN VLADISLAV KIRKE]

Ivan was starting to glance around at this surroundings once more, but he looked back occasionally to stare see if Lori was following him. Funny as that sounded to him, he wasn't going to just let his thoughts get the best of him in this situation, and Ivan may act like a gentlemen. Usually he was far from it when he was pulling pranks on people that deserved it and that's when his true side showed, even though for a Gryffindor, he really didn't have an evil side either. Only when angered was he dangerous, considering his pranks were usually outrageous on a large scale if it came down to getting revenge on someone.

The Forbidden Forest, forbidden was the strangest word to have chosen for it, but he paid it no mind any more than he was just glancing left and right. Finally looking around to remember the trail he had taken to get there, but he had to converse with her after all. After hearing her question, he soon looked back towards her, making sure to look forward every time before he answered. Conveniently almost maneuvering around a tree that seemed hell-bent on making him run into it, but he had just entered the out-skirts of the forest itself. Ivan would defend Lorana if he had to, mainly give his life up for her too, acting like the brave idiotic Gryffindor he could be at times.

Chuckling at that though, he supposed he should answer her now, "Well, nothing much really, I just like going on adventures and proving people wrong, I think I was first dared to go in there at one point, but they chickened out after hearing a howl to make sure I actually returned. Those fools, but still I came back in one piece, no problem there," was all he said to her in response grinning as he moved forwards. Picking up the pace since they were almost half-way there, but he honestly would stop for her a few paces ahead to make sure she didn't lose sight of him.

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[LORANA ALEXIS SMITH]

Having never ventured in this part of the forest, Lorana found herself looking around eagerly. There was so much going on that, from the outside, the sea of trees had always seemed so ominous. But here with the sunshine making small, scattered appearance through the canopy, and the birds and rodents lively in the foliage, it seemed like a rather cheerful place. A tender, blissful sort of smile perched itself comfortably on Lori’s lips, gaze darting from side to side trying to take everything in while still dutifully following Ivan. As tranquil as the forest seemed now she really didn’t fancy getting herself lost and then being witness to all the bumps in the brush turning from interesting to terrifying.

A fair few things crossed her mind as they walked along, mostly in a comfortable lull of silence, with nothing but their breathing and the jaunty whistles from birds, angry fussing of squirrels, and rustling of leaves to fill the void. Lorana was pretty surprised that she hadn’t tripped or stumbled on any of the exposed roots, or gotten her coat sleeve snagged on a thorny bush yet. It seemed as though her feet were carrying her quite gracefully for a change and Lori, for one, was grateful of it. Her attention snapped to Ivan as he spoke to her. “Wow, I’d have probably shrieked like a little girl and high tailed it out of there as quick as my feet would go- just a forewarning for you in case we do end up hearing anything bigger than a cute, furry, little woodland creature. Either that or I’ll be clinging to you for dear life.” Lori wasn’t sure which impulse would be strongest if the time came. She hoped that such a time never did come.

The trees thickened and thinned along their path to the gazebo. She didn’t know which she liked better; the clear sections of forest where light more easily found its way through the trees to bath the ground in its warmth- here there were usually more birds decorating the branches- or the denser parts of the forest which were alive with squirrels chasing one another around tree trunks. As they entered another thick section Lorana noticed something large, just the tail end of it, sticking out of a hole at the base of a tree. There was a scratching sound for a second and then the creature backed up holding a mouse between its teeth. It looked like an overgrown ferret and her eyes lit up with excitement. “Hey! Is that a Jarvey?” She questioned to make sure that her eyes weren’t deceiving her.

[IVAN VLADISLAV KIRKE]

Ivan started to look around the forest again, as was his normal habit, but he soon just smiled warmly at Lorana. Perhaps it was her rather adoring smile he found himself looking at, but it was immensely hard to refrain from flirting even if he was impervious to it himself. With all of the many roots extracting themselves from the forest floor, he could tell which ones were older than the others. Looking over his shoulder to see she had stopped for a moment, he raised an eyebrow out of curiosity and finally looked towards the little hole he saw in the tree hiding the little ferret-like creature.

Well, this wasn't the first time he had seen one of those magical creatures, but he knew that Lorana really didn't venture through here much. The prospect of her taking her even somewhere remotely close to beyond forbidden, was well, deserving of it's name if it was in the forest. Chuckling at his own logic slightly, he then spoke to Lorana, "Well, I'd have to say it is, luckily for you, I'm glad you found it, but I'm sure it wants to be left in peace," he commented on it. Watching the animal vaguely as he whispered slightly to Lorana, however, he wouldn't try to stop her taking a picture of it. Surely that would gain her a status within the care of magical creatures class, one of Ivan's second favorite classes. Not that it pertained to him honestly, but he figured she should do what she felt right.

Lorana had her own sense of adventure as Ivan had his, and it seemed they had collided at one awkward moment by talking about the gazebo he had found. It wasn't too far up now as he finally started to trot onwards, avoiding a few gnats that tried to buzz at him. Swatting them away with his wand instead of his hand as it was much more effective to make his wand act like a bug zapper. Hearing a few tzing's every so often, he was glad that it had any effect at all, but soon there was a clearing up ahead towards the lake. It was to the left, and there was a slow winding path down towards a gazebo that actually sat there untouched.

The water around it moved smoothly, but it wasn't right against the lake. Cliffs were actually protecting it from the waves that crashed into the side of the rock bed as Ivan soon gestured for Lorana to follow. 'Here we are, the lakeside gazebo," he said to her, smiling warmly. Offering his hand towards her, he would help her get to it as there was a narrow path-way most of the way down to the gazebo considering the cliffs had been made by the Earth itself.

[LORANA ALEXIS SMITH]

He was probably right. What beast really did want to be disturbed from its privacy? It was just that she had never seen one up close, only in text books and, not that the illustrator wasn’t talented, but there were some things that you simply couldn’t capture in a drawing, or even a photograph. The creature’s presence had an enigmatic way about it that seemed to draw Lorana in without actually taking any steps toward it. Wild animals had that sense about them usually. She was an animal lover in general, but there was something about the non-domesticated ones that seemed… sacred. That didn’t mean that she couldn’t get a shot of the Jarvey though, did it?

Cautiously, hoping that her movements wouldn’t frighten the thing away, Lori raised her camera adjusting the scope to get a more focused shot. The flash was necessary for such poor lighting and the moment it went off the Jarvey swiveled around and stood on it hind legs peering at her with, what she could only describe as, annoyance. Jarvie were known for insulting people, mostly mimicking the things that they over heard, and it seemed that her audacity to take its picture was deserving of such an insult. ”Your mother was a hamster and you father smelt of elderberries, you two bit cum guzzling bureaucrat who is the child of a libelous chicken molester and an airheaded douchebag.” Lorana’s mouth dropped open, eyes widening with disbelief. Apparently that particular Jarvey had been ease dropping on some foul-mouthed little hellions, or just as likely it was mixing up insults, clumping a bunch together. “Wow.” Lori uttered snapping out of her speechlessness as the Jarvey strutted away.

It was definitely one of those things that she would have to make a mental note about not bothering ever again. Recovering from the slap to the face, which was all the harsher considering it came from an animal, Lorana picked up the pace following Ivan along again on the route to the gazebo. After a few paces though she couldn’t help but to break into a fit of giggles. “Libelous chicken molester?” She repeated finding it rather amusing in a vulgar sort of way. “Well you have to give the Jarvey credit, it sure knows how to toss around insults.” Just as she was laughing one of those pesky gnats flew into her mouth making Lori cough and sputter, grossed out.

Luckily, they soon came to the gazebo though and she awed. Taking Ivan’s hand Lorana started up the narrow, rocky path doing her best not to slip, though she did manage to stumble a few times along the way. “Ivan, it’s gorgeous.” Lori gushed her smile widening at the sight. The waves broke against the cliff side spraying mist into the air, not enough to splash over the edge but enough to make the air smell wet and fresh.

[IVAN VLADISLAV KIRKE]

Ivan was admiring the view more than Lorana right now despite how doe-eyed her appearance looked to him. Even that was enough in itself to make him long after her, but with a body like hers, he was sure she could rock anyone's world. Not that he was going to that train of thought and pulled himself out of it. Chuckling softly at the mention of how beautiful it was, Ivan thought it was nothing short of boring to him. Imagine that, a girl calling something he thought dull rather beautiful, but he wasn't going to question it. Even if he was just visiting here, but he had to make it a point to actually go with her towards it. Surely, if he sat there with her, something strange might happen so he left it at that.

"Ah yes, care to go take a seat?" he asked her politely, oh dumb question Ivan, she already had and here you are offering her a seat when she already took one. Lousy fool, maybe you should just go dig your heads back in those books you had read about romance. Ivan blushed at himself for that one, and he felt like every women should bow to him for reading cliche novels about love. Even the ones that were in the wizarding world were weird in their own rights, and they had a reason being in the restricted section too. Ivan churned a little more over that, but soon he had to do an actual little 'ahem' before speaking again.

"Sorry, we already are sitting and it's not really the view, just the person I'm with that usually makes it interesting. Surely you're more beautiful than that horizon, however, that's all I'll say," he said to her. What was the harm of letting out one little flirty comment? Obviously he wasn't intending for this to go anywhere.

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[LORANA ALEXIS SMITH]

She was far too caught up. Where it might have just been some pretty view to Ivan, Lori saw deeper than that. She was sure that no matter how many times she came it here there would be something new to see. It came with the changing of the seasons, the brightness of the sun, how hard the wind blow. That was the true beauty of nature, as Lorana saw it. It was always changing, and yet there was something so solid and consistent about it, in the contradictory sense, that made it familiar. Peering out over the horizon her eyes took in everything that the view had to offer. Simply nodded, absently to Ivan’s offer, not really paying attention to what he had said.

At least until he apologized. Lori was about to ask what he was sorry for when a compliment was quick to follow. For a second Lorana didn’t know what to say. She had been complimented before but with Ivan it seemed to have just side swiped her, taking her by surprise. As much of a relief as it would have been just to let the comment pass with only a grateful smile to show for it, Lori was never that lucky. Her mouth had a tendency to run a million miles a minute and often was prone to embarrassing her, in these sorts of situations at least.

“Thanks. Lets just hope I’m not wider than it too.” It was an impossibility, Lorana was realizing, for her to take a flirtatious comment gracefully. Sometimes she wished that she was like those girls that could just bat their lashes and be all beguiling without even uttering a word, but no, Lori just had to make a joke out of it. Did that make her come across as unappreciative? Or was it charming in its own goofy sort of way? Lori had always attracted the humorous type, after all one of her exes was the infamous James Potter, so it had to have something to do with the way she reacted to being flirted with? Right? Lori made a small sound of nervous amusement. “Not that I think I’m fat or anything. I could never stand those girls that were all, lets munch on lettuce like a little bunny to keep our figure- I’d be so miserable ‘cause I’ve got this sweet tooth that is futile to resist.” It was curse, this over sharing problem that Lori had.

[IVAN VLADISLAV KIRKE]

Ivan was chuckling at her for that comment and obviously had enjoyed the humor in it glad that she was almost somewhat as humorous as he was. Surely there was more of that Gryffindor spark in her somewhere, but she had already proven that too by entering the Forbidden Forest with him. It was like going on an adventure of a rather small scale with a good friend, but for some reason he wanted no one to touch Lorana without his say in anything she did. Odd as that sounded, perhaps that's what best friends did. Ivan really didn't have that many female friends that he would consider best friends, although he did consider her really attractive either way.

Looks weren't everything, and Ivan was sure that he'd find her rather annoying if he did have her around twenty-four seven asking him many different questions or speaking about random things. Suddenly realizing what she just said, he let out another little laugh and just shook his head at that. Lorana was indeed incredibly beautiful, but any comments he made seemed to make her think he was joking. That was good for Ivan, since he didn't like making flirty comments for no apparent reason, and right now he was considering tossing another her direction. "Oh I sincerely doubt that, you're as thin as a twig, and considerably not fat...I wouldn't say that any day. Surely you must know this, after all, like I mentioned earlier, ah well I can't really say much else. Flirting usually isn't my style anyways. Plus I prefer friends over you know..love any day," he said to her smiling warmly.

Of course, his eyes had a slight glint in them that said he had wanted to say something else, but images of Roxanne had flooded his head for a minute. After that, he had stopped his little game of flirty comments and soon settled on telling her what he felt, despite how much he just wanted to hug this cute girl. No matter what, "Oh I know, those girls look like they could fit in between the cracks of a wall and come out unscathed," he said to her comment, chuckling again.

[/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify]

[LORANA ALEXIS SMITH]

Well, no she wasn’t fat, nor did she think that she was but Lori could help but make those sorts of comments. She was a hopeless romantic, sure, but not in that tacky way where she got all doe-eyed and blushed at every little positive thing that was said to her. Lorana went for the humble, yet laughter inducing approach. It made her feel vastly more comfortable about it. Besides that Lori had never really liked how some girls could just flip their hair and be like ‘I know.’ And actually mean it in the vain sense. She was all for friendship. It made the living lively and all that, gave you a shoulder to cry on, and good times filled with smiles- what wasn’t to like about it. But Lorana also liked love or rather she was attracted to the idea of it. “So not a Beatles fan then? All you need is love.” She quipped returning the smile.

It was a foreign concept for Lori, this whole not being able to say anything more thing that Ivan seemed so keen on. Considering that she was a genuine chatty Cathy, a small bit of egotism came into play. Although she did try to see things from other people’s points of view, putting herself in someone else’s shoes, so to speak, but it was only human nature to, on first instinct, see things from your own perspective. Reluctantly tearing her gaze away from the horizon she looked to Ivan quite liking the sound of his laughter. It had a real jovial ring to it, which Lorana was so very fond of in a person. Maybe him not saying more had something to do with not wanting to give her the wrong impression. Seemed likely.

“So I can count on for all-night candy binges?” She needed to stock up again sometimes soon. Her supply wasn’t yet gone or anything, but Lori knew that by the end of the week she’d be out. It was lucky that they were both Gryffindors so they could just sneak down into the common room rather than be out in the corridors at night, especially since some pretty strange things were happening lately. It was definitely a concern of hers.

[IVAN VLADISLAV KIRKE]

Ivan was smirking as he looked over at her, and just the thought of hanging out with her constantly brought some joy to his face. Perhaps this was indeed the start of a strange, and great friendship that would end up with them actually acting like brother and sister. Even if that was the case, he was glad they weren't related so he could at least admire her beauty from afar, but that wasn't his main concern anymore. Obviously getting a little weird around her as she was a little too close to him, but his morals kept him in line. Looking out across the water, and the ripples the lake made at certain intervals like it was chaos waiting to unfold.

The serenity of the area seemed to calm him down a little more as he let his breathing maintain a rather steady rhythm that seemed to make him seem like he was quite practiced at meditation. Ivan normally wasn't alone, but he had practiced such a strange stress-reliever when he was younger to keep his mind from wandering to places it shouldn't. The darker part of his mind would be untouched, but those memories were waiting to be picked at by Dementors. Ivan wouldn't go down without a fight until they had to overcome his patronus, but he knew they hated the fact it was a pure memory that was getting rid of them. Pure happiness seemed to be like an anti-charm for those dementors.

Ivan didn't know anyone who was able to perform a dark patronus, but he wasn't going to keep thinking on this forever. Soon he finally looked over at Lorana curiously once more, "All night binges huh? Never thought of that, but sure that would work. Either way, it was a pleasure meeting you. A few other students know about this spot too, haha, so it's starting to become more popular. Most of them are gryffindor's though, I'm surprised the rumor about it hasn't spread. Although just mentioning it's in the forbidden forest is enough to get in trouble I would think," he said to her. Over-sharing himself now as to what he was thinking.

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