The hour before curfew, border of the Forbidden Forest.


Raine was sat on the log of a fallen tree, just off the forest perimeter with the hood of her grey sweatshirt pulled up to hide the loose curls underneath. She sat with her feet planted firmly on the grassy earth and her elbows resting against parted knees- an expression of mild impatience was written across her face. Unconsciously, she fiddled with the golden medallion around her neck; enchanted with a mild charm that would set off the red sparks of alarm when activated. Hopefully this was an unnecessary precaution.

They had agreed to meet separately. It was less conspicuous.

Admittedly the prefect didn't know for a fact how inconspicuous this was, especially considering the amount of time she had spent lately appearing out of the blue or waiting in the middle of nowhere. Perhaps it was a good thing she had no great reputation for sociability.

Maurice was curled up next to her ankles and appeared to be asleep- the cat had worn himself out playing with the flames of her red gown from earlier[1] so she left him to doze while she looked around for some sign of expected company. The Forbidden Forest rose up behind her, towering dark silhouettes against a nearly-full moon; she faced the Castle instead and ignored the general merrymaking lights emanating from the Hall.

To eat and dance was a fine thing but this was Halloween after all. They would not find a more convenient hour to assuage their curiousity on.... magical fruit or whatever it was that had piqued their interest after study group.[2] Raine hadn't been the most intrigued but she was interested now and there was no helping it.

1.	Halloween Ball
2.	Let's Make a Racket

Naomi's costume wasn't easily cast aside or removed as a muggle one; the Slytherin had made sure it'd last most of the night so she could brew an Everlasting Cauldron with Lua and Ronni, which involved having magical vines staying on her skin for a while. So all Naomi could do was change her skin color back to normal and let her hair color die down to its normal raven color--the vines would have to die and fall off of her overnight, but for now, it coated her hands and feet in enough plant fibers to make her comfortable enough to walk around a forest in Scotland's chilly October night with a hooded shrug thrown over it for good measure.

So if anyone caught a glimpse of her silhouette she probably looked like a nearly naked forest spirit with something hanging off her shoulder as she  skirted in the shadows of the looming trees that loomed around the edges of the Forbidden Forest until she reached a fallen log that contained the dark outline of another hooded figure.

Naomi took her wand out of her bag as her voice hummed from the shadows, "Anyone else around?" she rubbed the top of her foot against the calf of her leg, "Did Attwood want ta' come and pick poison apples too?"

Alex's pace was less hurried than usual as she walked towards the Forest, spinning her top hat lazily on one finger as she walked. Apart from the removal of her moustache, she'd made no change to her outfit[1] after departing the ball, deciding that as it was functional and practical she would continue to wear it. She slowed still more, buttoning up her coat against the cold, and wondering why they'd decided that meeting outside in October was a good idea.

Although the ball had been an improvement on those of previous years, it had hardly been thrilling, and Alex had been glad to leave. For one thing, there would be no first years wittering on the fringes of the Forest. In any case, skulking around at midnight, or rather strolling because skulking was a sure indicator that you were misbehaving, would always take priority over dancing.

Speeding up slightly as she made out the shape of someone, who looked rather scantily clad, Alex smirked in amusement when it turned out to be Naomi. What was she supposed to be, a wood nymph? Although since wearing fancy dress of any kind was a way to make yourself look ridiculous, she supposed that there were worse things to be than a wood nymph. But not many.

"Is it too much to help that he'll eat one?" Alex queried. "He was dancing with Batty," she added with a shrug, "he might be delayed." But dancing with Batty was more than sufficient grounds to hurry away, so maybe not.

1.	The one on the left