Savernake Forest, England

A storm had been raging the past two days, resulting in every creek and lake a risen to alarming levels. The ground was soggy and you risked getting stuck in the mud with every step you took.

Ainsley had not been particularly eager to venture out on the reconnaissance expedition around the Savernake Forest. An elderly witch living close to the forest had allegedly spotted three Dementors roaming the forest, and Headquarters had dispatched two Aurors to investigate the claim. The witch was old and odd, and Ainsley did not reckon they would find anything but mud and wood ticks.

Her rather unfavourable state of mind had been brought on by the dismal weather and the fact that she was spending her Tuesday night out in a dark forest. Although she had shielded herself from the rain, the freezing air made her feel like she was a 100 years older and no source of heat seemed to be able to rid her of the cold.

She did enjoy the company though. Zeke Wingate had been sent with her on the wretched expedition, an Auror Ainsley barely remembered from Hogwarts, but who had been a great help when she started as an Auror Trainee. She felt just a little bit less vulnerable out in the dark forest, when she knew someone like Zeke had her back.

‘Have you seen anything?’ she asked and looked at her colleague. Her wand light illuminated the immediate area, but after that the forest was pitch black, save for where wispy beams of moonlight shone through the dense leaves of the trees. The storm was dying off, and it was some time since she had heard the last clap of thunder. Ankle deep puddles of rainwater and mud covered the ground.

Zeke’s hood was pulled up over his head and his knee-high boots did little to stop the rain from soaking the backs of his trousers. His wand was at the ready, but it was difficult to say if he was going to have to use it at all except for the light. The old woman seemed a bit out of it, but they’d have to work with the information. If there did happen to be dementors out there and they didn’t do something about it, HQ would definitely have their heads.

He was happy to be working with Ainsley, of course. He’d been itching to work with her ever since she joined the force, even just to see the rookie’s style of investigating. Zeke gazed around, his sharp eyes looking for the snapping end of a cloak, or listening for an unholy whisper in the early spring gale. “In like a lion.” He thought to himself, not spotting any sign that any dementor, much less three could be lurking in the woods.

“Haven’t seen anything yet, keep looking!” He had to shout over the wind and rain that fell in sheets, soaking him through and through. After another few minutes of trying to walk quietly through the mud, Zeke suggested they look elsewhere. “Let’s try the pond in the middle of the property where witness first saw them!” It was the best he could think of under the circumstances. Thunder shook the ground and lightning slashed through the perpetual blackness.

Normally he loved rain. It was good for the flowers that grew outside his bedroom window. He found rain rather refreshing. But not this. This whirlwind of pissing ran and skybound earthquakes was like a personal hell. He’d changed direction some time ago, and checked behind him to see is O’Neal was still there, but the deluge kept even his eyes from seeing anything past his wand.