Night was creeping up slowly on her. Sitting on a bench near the pitch, she was peering into the nearby wood. There she lost her favorite broom, one bad night of flying into a tree and it was splinter city. Not only that but she spent time in the Hospital wing removing said splinters, it had not been a happy memory. It however was the memory she was fixating on so not to come out of her skin from waiting. The time was going by so slowly since they had made a time to meet, and she was impatient as always.

The other day she had passed him a note to meet at their usual spot, at the usual time and he had grinned at her which caused quite the blush to break out over her face. Peeking across the tables in the Great Hall and having her head muddy with thoughts she never quite processed before that, was enjoyable. Arielle wondered a couple times why her cousin and uncle didn't want her to feel like this. Maybe they were just trying to keep all the fun to themselves, but Arielle was defiant as always.

Sitting in her t-shirt, blue jeans, and signature red hooded sweater, Arielle found her fingers in her pony tail twisting at the ends playfully and trying to keep her mind off the waiting. Her eyes went from the Forest to the Rings up in the sky above the pitch. Those were happy thoughts, and she closed her eyes as she remembered the last game they had. It was a well played one, Arielle nearly caught a bludger to the stomach but it just skimmed her hitting the ride side more than anything. Nothing terrible, or to write home about and worry her father. Instead she enjoyed the flight, the fight, and the trash talk after the fact.

Hearing a twig snap in the distance, Arielle was knocked out of the reverie to turn her head hoping to see a familiar figure in the distance.

Outfit

Dagan rode casually on his broom, laid back staring up at the sky humming a pleasant tune. This was his usual carefree demeanor. He was fairly excited to be able to see Arielle finally, spend some time with her. That was a new thing for him as well, since usually he didn't care enough about girls or other people in general to sacrifice his ever so valuable sleep time. He's just have to skip breakfast and his first class to catch up. Shovel down food at lunch What a pity.

He was wearing his usual dark hoodie, an old pair of jeans, a random shirt he stole off a fellow ravenclaw, and boots that had served him well over the years. Nothing special though. He liked Arielle, but he wasn't going to dress up for her. He wasn't a doll.

Though he was a little anxious, something incredibly uncharacteristic of Dagan. Usually he had a carefree way about him, and even now he did but he was still feeling unusual. Lost in thought, Dagan didn't realize his arm was too far out as it brushed against a small tree branch snapping a twig off of the side. That gave him away. Not that he was sneaking up on her anyway. He continued to lay back comfortably and hum his tune as Arielle came into sight.

Once he was close enough, he hopped off his broom and slung it over his back. "Hey." He said with a crooked smile, "How's you?" He added with improper grammar, something Dagan liked to throw in on occasion for good measure.

Outfit

Now that was an entrance, she thought with a smug little smirk. Under the bench she was sitting rested her spare broom. The broom was the only thing she had going for her until she could convince her father to throw a couple coins her way. In face she had put some extra effort in her grades to motivate his cash flow in her direction. Arielle wanted a new broom for her fifteenth birthday which happened to be just around the bend. With some proper needling, she could only hope some well placed hints and out right begging would give the handle of a new speed machine to her eager outstretched hands.

There was her friend, the bloke she had started to fancy almost without her own knowledge. It snuck up on them both, and hit her over the head like a bad hit bludger. She was sneaking about, and keeping her family at arms length so not to show her growing weakness for the laid back Ravenclaw boy. What some might find a slacker, made her more intrigued.

Moving from the bench she stretched a little and flattened out her red hoodie's hem. "Hey" his crooked smile made her cheeks burn. It wasn't often that she made an effort towards anything but Quidditch, but this was different. She met Dagan through their mutual love for the sport. After seeing him play, before she herself made the team, Arielle approached him with her over confident self. Having asked for tips for her future tryouts for Gryffindor team, Arielle and Dagan began to bond.

Leaning on the back of the bench, she eyed him, "I'm doing well... waiting for someone to fly with, you know anyone like that?" She gave him a cheeky little smirk and her hand found the pony-tail again twirling with her fingers.

"Flying?" He asked a little sarcastically, "Who would do that?" he added with a chuckle. Dagan was never one to dance around situations, he just did what felt right at the time.  With a flick of his wand he enchanted the broom to follow them as they walked into the pitch. He then grabbed Arielle's hand and went off.

This was unusual behavior for Dagan, showing enough emotion or care to hold a girl's hand but this felt right. He knew he'd never be girl crazy or anything but it wasn't so bad spending time like this. He and Arielle had bonded over Quidditch and flying originally, it was how they met. She'd seen him play, and it must've been pretty intimidating to go up to a boy two years older and ask for tips. Dagan respected that, so he helped her out. Unfortunately she didn't take up the noble position of Beater; the protector and pain dealer of the field. But it could've been worse, she might've been a keeper like his sister. Delilah, he wondered what she would think of this situation.

"So how's uh, studies?" He asked, an unsuccessful attempt at being serious. Clearly it was a joke, especially coming from Dagan. Though he was laid back and carefree, he'd never really done this before. Hooking up with random girls isn't an equivalent to hanging out in this sort of way.

"Hmm haven't the foggiest, but that is who I am looking for..." When he grabbed up her hand a shock hit her. Like a jolt she grinned grabbing up her own broom with her spare limb making sure she wouldn't be without it. "Though I am at the moment looking for that sort of bloke, if you would keep your eyes open, I would really appreciate it." With darkness closing in on the pair, she felt more secure in them holding hands.

Arielle had fancied boys before, but not really in a public view. Because if she was caught holding the hand of someone, or perhaps leaning too close, it would surely get back to Gavin or Alex. It was like the two of them had spies all over the bloody school watching her every move. It would look like a scandal to have her sneaking about, and her cousin or uncle caught it. She could only hope it was dark enough no one would be able to distinguish her from some other student.

The worst of all was her Uncle Gavin. From what she seem to gather over her years at Hogwarts was that if you blinked in her direction for two long you risked the chance of a good hexing or perhaps your face meeting the knuckles of his dominant hand. Either way, she did things in secret to keep down the rabble as well as keep some semblance of sanity.

Eyes rolled easy with the comment about school work, "Studies are what they are. You know me," she replied with ease. The feel of her hand wrapped with his still had her a little more fluttery than normal, but nothing she couldn't handle. "I'm assuming your school work is much the same," a knowing smirk slid over her face. School work bored them both, she only expended the energy towards doing well for financial gain. "Enjoying the remembering day festivities?" Arielle asked with small talk in mind even though she hated the event.

"But studies are important." He said in a mocking authoritative voice. It was a good joke between them, something they both had in common along with Quidditch. And he used to tell himself that he'd never find a girl like that. How excellent it was that he did.

Dagan's expression changed at the mention of Remembering Day. "Eh, I don't have a stake in it. I'm muggle born, and it was all over by the time I came here." He said looking up at the sky. "But it's serious for some I guess," He added turning to her, "And staying out late isn't bad either."

With that, he turned back and continued walking right into the pitch. Dagan reluctantly dropped her hand and took the broom from his back and mounted it. "Yeah, who would want to fly?" He said with the same crooked smile he exhibited earlier, kicking off the ground hard and soaring into the night air. He wasn't a show off, but his martial arts kept him fit which allowed him to do some pretty fun broom tricks which he did after getting into the air. Most notably, skydiving then jumping back onto his broom last minute. He loved daredevil air moves. Not because it looked cool, but because the thrill was intense and amazing.

"Terribly important. You would think I might lock myself up in the Library hiding my nose in  my books. Knowing me of course, that is exactly what I plan on doing when I leave here," her voice taunting as she replied. Arielle despised homework, hated class work, and participation was a bare minimum for her. Aunt Ana however, saw potential in her or something along that vein and continued to push her in hopes she might get a job outside of sport. Not likely, and not what Arielle Gale Snark had in mind at all. If Arielle had her way she would be picked up for some teams reserves the moment she stepped off her Hogwarts pitch on her final game. That of course might not happen, so a back up was always suggested it.

Arielle had no clue what her back up might be. Who would she be if she didn't have Quidditch? No one she wanted to know that was for darn sure. Arielle lived, breathed, and slept thinking about it. Flying was the most exhilarating thing one could do (that she knew of). Though she had to admit this hand holding was rather nice, with all of it's heart racing qualities it came with. Dagan could make her heart skip a beat rather easily, there was no denying the attraction. Combine that with the possibilities of being caught by one of her Uncle or Cousin's meddling friends, and it just intensified the feeling growing already.

"True true. Figured you might have enjoyed one or two of the attractions," she hadn't. Other then the reenactment, Arielle hadn't cared for much of any of it. "Very serious," uttering trying not to let it bother her that she was one of them. Not the remembering day nonsense but the person she remembered. Each passing day she forgot her mum more and more and it scared the heck out of her. Arielle hated the passage of time. "Mmmhmm yes that is enjoyable." Squeezing his hand her golden eyes, a family trait, shined at him in the growing dark.

When he released her hand she held back a pout. Dagan of course was playing coy, "Really I have no clue who would want to do such a thing." Arielle liked her broom for the most part. Though she didn't know anything about martial arts, or any of that rot, she did know about flight. Her father had been giving her tips since she was old enough to fly her first toy broom, and she hasn't let up learning more since. Taking her broom she slung one leg over the other and kicked up to fly around him playfully her hair flowing through the breeze. "Can't say I don't love every second in the air," her eyes danced as she started to move upward in the air.

“Oh yeah,” He replied casually, “As a Ravenclaw, I happened to be very accustomed to the library. Nothing like… books.” He said sardonically, putting emphasis on the final word. But in the end, nothing mattered with books or libraries. Knowledge only goes so far when it comes to binded pieces of paper. The rest came from intuition and experience, something that Dagan capitalized on because he sure as hell wasn’t going to become an avid reader.

Many had questioned in the past where Dagan planned on going in his life. He didn’t ever have an answer. Nor did he plan to have any answer anytime soon. It was all just a game. He wasn’t a pureblood, he wasn’t wealthy, he had no motivation – the dice weren’t in his favor. Maybe he’d be a chef, or a professional kite flier. That sounded appealing.

After Arielle had launched herself into the air, Dagan ceased his broom tricks and flew over to Arielle. “You know as Captain of the Ravenclaw team, I can assure you that Gryffindor will not win the cup.” He said with a grin. “Because we of the Ravenclaw house define excellence.”

“No, really. Look in the encyclopedia.” He added with a laugh, playfully pushing her broom with his foot. Changing the topic as Dagan often did, he moved his broom so he was in front of her. “But anyways… so how’s the life eh? Friends? Boys? Family? Boys?”

She didn't peg him for the type to study his butt off over frivolous nonsense. Nor did he strike her as the bookworm sort who enjoyed keeping their rather lengthy nose stuck between the pages. Dagan wasn't like that, neither was she. Arielle enjoyed the thrill of flying, of swimming, of adventuring. Getting out there, stirring things up. Her father hadn't been the type to try and keep her locked up inside. Arielle was more likely to be climbing trees, hopping over fences, and just getting into mischief in general. "Guess you don't fit the stereotypical Ravenclaw... Pity," she smirked at him playfully. Arielle was glad he didn't, she would be bored to tears if he tried to drone on and on about school work or if she had to listen to him read to her. That could be why she preferred physical activity over mental exertion.

A little dirt and sweat never hurt anybody. There was no question who Arielle wanted to be when she got out. Her father taught her everything she needed to know about, what she assumed would be her future career. That of course would be more than fine for her. To play Quidditch professionally would be splendid.

"Talking a lot of malarkey doesn't mean you can back it up there Maddox. You might be captain but you don't have the Gryffindor's team spirit or me" she stuck out her tongue at him as he flew in her direction. Boys always thought they had the upper hand, but Arielle knew her team was not made of any slouches. "We have Quidditch skills in spades my dear friend but I don't want to bury you under that growing ego of yours..." she tossed back her pony tail and chuckled lightly.

"See last I looked up anything in the Encyclopedia it was to bore myself to sleep. We don't need papers that claim we are the best because we can bring the game proving it," a flash of color covered her cheeks as he pushed her away. Circling she did a spin maneuver before coming back level with him, "Life, is much the same. My family as usual are watching my every move, and what do you mean boys?" He seemed awfully curious about her male interaction which gave her heart a reason to flutter a bit knocking back that cocky attitude she proudly shown earlier. "Are you referring to boys in general or the special kind?" Playing coy she nudged him a little.

"Gryffindor team spirit? What are you a hippie?" Dagan burst out laughing, but nodded at her second comment. "It's a shame you weren't a 'Claw. We could use some better chasers." Dagan said thoughtfully thinking back to some great plays Arielle had made in the past. This of course was before they were pretty close friends, when he has no hesitation to send a bludger at her head. To Dagan's dismay, he hesitated in games now. "And my ego?" He asked rhetorically, "I have no idea what you're talking about. No idea." He mused.

"Paper helps." He grinned as Arielle described her life. "Ha, Gavin and Alex are a little too protective but they mean well, no?" He said with a laugh. "Of course the special kind of boy, why would I be asking about boys in general? Hogwart's lack of a biology class doesn't leave anyone curious does it?" He joked, pushing her broom with his foot again.

"So?"

"Oh hush," she said doing a barrel roll and spinning back towards him. When she was little Arielle wondered if she would be afraid of Quidditch tricks. Putting herself out there, trying new things. Turns out that was not to be the case. Arielle was every bit the adrenaline junkie her father must of been growing up. She was very much the child of Augustus Snark. Always smelling like fresh air and broom polish. A life in the skies was the only one for her. "Not a hippie, just a proud Gryffindor," she replied her hand going over her heart.

Rolling her eyes, "Never would have been a good Ravenclaw, can't stand being locked away in the bloody library. Still not sure how you got there," she gave him a playful wink. He was smarter than he let on, and she knew it. Arielle leaned back as she circled him once more taking in his figure with her golden eyes.

"Yes well when they find out I fancy a bloke they tend to try and frighten them off any way they can. Need a brave boy to want to be around me," for fear her family might pound them into the pitch first chance they got. "So...what? So is there a special boy in my life?" She felt him nudge her broom and she pulled up closer to his broom to catch his eyes with hers, "Depends on what your answer is to that... is there?"

"Nice barrel roll. Your daddy teach you that?" He joked, though curious as the same time. Her father was a coach that Dagan admired, and should be pursue a career in Quidditch he'd love to play for him. Alongside Dominik Wiedman who was known for being a brutal beater as well, the opposing team would shake in their boots. This was course was a simple dream for Dagan, but there was always hope. He had received his fair share of penalties for dirty and rough play. "Proud Gryffie eh? I suppose you lot are good for that. But whatsit that muggle phrase... pride before the fall? My father tells me that quite often. Yes, yes..." He said thinking back to the Winter vacation. "Never really liked him tha' much..."

"Oh me? I got there 'cause I'm the wittiest and most clever bastard in the entire school, I am. Prophecies speak of me y'know. I am a legend." Dagan mused, scratching his arm and leaning back yawning on his broom casually with a smile. "Ye might've heard of me." He winked. Confidence was one of Dagan's strong points.

"Brave boy? Well you might try a Gryffindor. Though usually that lot isn't worth going for. It includes people like that Kyle Gibson bloke. He's mad." He said, trying to point out the worst examples of the house. "Oi, Gavin and Alex are a little protective. But I bet I could call 'em off if you found the right boy... Maybe." He said grinning. "But I think there might be. Just maybe. Perhaps. Potentially. Possibly. Per chance."

Arielle made a face at him, "As a matter of fact he did teach me that, Jealous? I mean honestly Dag, it's okay that you are so scared of our superior skills on the Gryffindor Quidditch team it only makes sense," swiping past him innocently, "It only makes sense. Just think of it, we are only getting better too. It must be frightening to behold," the cockiness was shining through. The over zealous love for Quidditch and her team bubbling to the surface like a fine bottle of champagne or over flowing trough of Butter-beer float. Maybe she was putting the cart before the horse, but at that point she hardly could find a reason to care. What she liked was the fact that they could converse like this and she was play coy. To think he wasn't as aggressive in the sky towards her, she wondered if it showed to the rest of the school. Maybe it was only obvious to the two of them. "There is no fall here my friend," she gave him a playful wink as he spoke of not liking his father.

"You forgot modest in your list of qualities," eyes rolling as she gave him a hard look. That boy was going to be the death of her yet. Maybe as long as she kept things under wraps from her family it would be later rather than sooner. Some people like to know their fate, she preferred to skate around the possibility of being in trouble until the word got out and it was too much to hold back. "A legend in your own mind I'm sure of it," she replied waving him off as if he was too full of himself. Secretly she found the confidence in his own abilities to be endearing since she pegged him to be a slacker except for on a broom.

There was that eye roll again, "Try a Gryffindor? No, not exactly my taste. Besides, we can only have one brilliant Quidditch player in the relationship... so suppose I will have to find someone slightly less impressive than myself," this was playful teasing nothing more. Arielle respected his craftsmanship in the aire and he knew it. "Perhaps I should fancy someone a bit more like you, yeah? It only makes perfect sense if you ask me," tilting her broom a little closer, "We both know out of the two of us I have the upper hand in the aire as well as on the ground." The idea of Dagan calling off her uncle and cousin was particularly hilarious, "I have a sneaking suspicion that not even you with all of your hidden and known talents could call off either of them. Besides I still don't know if the boy I think I like can be labeled as the 'right sort' anyway. They never think anyone is worthy of me..." she wanted to finish it by saying 'including you' but thought better of it.

 

Dagan coughed a fake cough and smiled. "I am immune to jealousy..." He said grinning, "...but that is pretty cool." He added moving a little closer to her. "But better is relative when you're not very good!" He half shouted, winking as he pushed her broom again. "All right Snark, I'll say Gryffindor isn't half bad compared to oh... Hufflepuff. But you lack real, honestly talented Beaters like myself. Seriously. Your guys are scared to hurt others. The world needs more people like myself." He said adding a second wink.

"Modest? Yeah, sure. Definitely. A legend in my mind and many others, I'd say. They'll erect statues in my honor..." He said, his ego boasting much more so than usual. He was all bravado around Arielle.

"Slightly less impressive than yourself eh?" He said, putting his hand on his chin as if he were thinking. "Well that might be hard, no? Generally speaking, everybody needs a person like myself. I said this earlier," He chuckled "But if you were to find a guy like myself, you'd be well off I think."

"Generally speaking, it's because they're each the type untrusting bloke who creates more problems than they solve. But I can fix that, should you find the right man..." He said, inching a little closer. "Which is a big 'if' if I do say so myself."

Nudging him again, "Immune to jealousy my foot." No one she knew was immune to jealousy, especially not herself. Arielle had been jealous every time her cousin or uncle found a new friend, whenever they had a girlfriend and spent less time with her growing up and now when she saw Dagan around other girls a green-eyed monster came a-calling. There it rose up and growled and would claw at her insides, despite her desire not to let the insecurities win. Their sneaking out to see one another was enough proof that she didn't have anything to worry about. "Who needs that anyway? I mean honestly they have me and I score more goals then you hit bludgers anyhow..." she teased though she couldn't be certain if that was even close to being true.

"So very modest indeed. It's one of your more endearing qualities," her gold eyes sparkled as she looked him over. If he knew her like she thought he did, he would have an inkling that she was only playing around. Dagan had to know by now that she liked him for more than his lack of modesty.

"If I find one like you?" Arielle quirked a brow crossing her arms while she steadied her broom level with his own. "Suppose I should really start searching for a bloke like you but I have no idea how I am going to find that guy."

His inching closer to her caused a red in her face to grow to a deep crimson. "So how do you suppose I go about that? Any suggestions?" If her cousin or uncle caught her now mid flight with a boy she was a dead woman. Eyes tilting downward she saw no bodies lining the pitch, and she hoped she was in the clear for the most part.