It was a simply starry night, the moon budding past half-full -- more than quarter bright -- and the tree tops whispering gentle lies on the fringe of the forbidden forest.  At a quarter to midnight, Dazmond Wiedman lingered darkly in the shadowed woods, awaiting the arrival of one colorful Beatrix Dark.  Attending to a cigarette with her new (tempermental) wand, Daz exploded half the thing before becoming able to subdue her hunger for a proper smoke.  With enough drags, Dazmond melted into the moment -- her impatience having been muted by the presence of the sounds of the elements.  It was in this space that she found herself grounded and expansive, under the influence of an ancient moon and soiled earth: hag and crone and witch and dirt.

Dazmond carried with her a large brown purse depicting the image of the green man womanized in an intricate and many-colored stitch of fine thread.  Anyone who did business with the woman knew that the innards of this bag had many strange pockets and subdivisions, cushioned and zippered, in which she toted around a right apothecary with her, wherever she went. 

The objective for the night was simple enough:  Dazmond was to meet her contact, deliver a Draught of Peace, avoid getting slapped, and catch up on the latest Hogwarts gossip.  But the longer she waited and the more fags she exploded with her new tempermental wand, the grander her notions became of the possible adventures of the night.  One should always take care not to leave the five-foot witch alone for all too long....

What is it with me and these old haunts, she asked herself, oblivious to the newest scorch mark covering her brow.

[Her "Undercover" outfit yet again]

Beatrix Dark wasn't suppose to be out at this time of night. Gosh, no, she wasn't. But it was almost a fact that she didn't follow rules that often and that she could be caught running around whenever she pleased. And tonight she was meeting up with a great potion supplier that she had been in contact with for a large portion of her life. Bea just never really started buying things off the woman until most recently. Beatrix was a small girl, so slipping away definitely wasn't a problem for her. The only problem would be her hair, which she kept black in the nighttime so she wouldn't get caught.

She WAS, after all, a school prefect. To be caught off grounds... Well... Snark would have her badge, as well as her head. It was moments like this where she sort of wished she WASN'T a prefect. But, those wishes vanish quickly once she remembers that she's awesome. If Sasha were to find out that Beatrix was out... My, she wouldn't hear the end of it. That boy seemed to have a stick lodged up somewhere. And that somewhere wasn't pretty. But, Beatrix loved him nonetheless and was getting used to being lectured on how she wasn't a good prefect and that she should stop running into people only to abuse her powers on them.

That was no fun, but Beatrix usually listened.

After slipping around the corner, Beatrix immediately spotted her dealer, Dazmond Wiedman. She was such a bad influence on the small girl. Bea approached her, quietly, before finally speaking up. "Hi, Daz... How are you?" It was a lot quieter than the small girl's usual voice. Which was strange. After taking in the older woman for a little bit, she furrowed her brow and scratched her forehead, "You have a little something right there..." She said, tapping her own eyebrow.

"What?  Oh...."  Dazmond rubbed at her skin feverishly a moment, totally missing the spot.  "Blasted twig," she said harshly, not at all daring to point the thing at her face for a good scrub.  She gave a small sigh, but the problem was already forgotten as she turned her attention to her little friend.  Her bag clinked with a simple shift of her weight.  She was carrying a full load tonight.

Dazmond smiled as she absorbed the girl's good taste.  "I'm fantastic," she said, unbuttoning her bag.  "It's fantastic to be home.  And at Hogwarts!  Well, technically.  Whatever.  Close enough."  She examined a handful of small bottles and chose one of a light pink glass.  Especially chosen for one pink-haired mini-minx (because Dazmond was fanatical when it came to bottle shopping as everyone knew).  "See, I'm hoping you've got the innards of the castle under your domain now.  So I can be rest assured at night."  She held the bottle up in the moonlight between her blaspheming finger and thumb.  The liquid inside was crystal clear and glistening.

"For the nerves," she said, extending it toward Beatrix.  "But read the fine print, lass."  For a moment she closed her fist around the thing, as if holding it out of reach.  "Batch is extra strong.  Don't take more than a sip or two.  And don't say I didn't tell you so."  A strange silence stretched and yawned between them, broken only by a heavy wind that rustled the treetops.

Dazmond and Beatrix went way back.  Back, indeed, as far as Bea could probably remember.  Family stuff.  Resorts and luncheons and pure-blood hoity-toity kind of stuff.  Dazmond's mother still asked after her and sent personal invitations to Wiedman gatherings.  As if there were such a thing.  But Miss Dark's recent turning toward business on the illegal potions front struck Daz as a sign that she may be more than a pretty face and brains type.  Granted, she had yet to ask for anything illegal -- but Dazmond was a perpetually bad influence and still had high hopes for the girl.

"And also there'd be the matter of payment, you'll remember.  Have anything good?"  She stood back and rocked slightly on her heel, smiling with fixed eyes as if about to see some sort of revered performance.

Beatrix watched (With great amusement) as Daz scrubbed her face and then pretty much acted like nothing had just happened. Even if Dazmond and her friends were generally an incredibly bad influence on their girl, Beatrix couldn't help but look up to her. She was practically family, after all. But because of Daz, Beatrix wasn't sure whether she should stick to her father's lifestyle or keep putting up the goody-two-shoes act that she had kept up for so long that it had actually became a part of her. But, she decided that she would only be a criminal around those who she could trust. And Dazmond was definitely someone she could trust.

"See, I'm hoping you've got the innards of the castle under your domain now.  So I can be rest assured at night."

She marveled at the bottle and smiled as Daz chattered on about how she was happy to be creeping around in a dark forest at night. Beatrix thought about what she had just said before speaking up, "Er- Well, I AM a prefect now. And I know the Head Girl real well, and haven't really ever ran into the Head Boy... So I think I'm safe." Her lips formed a smirk. Beatrix did what she wanted, as freely as she needed. It never occurred to her that she could possibly be caught.

"Batch is extra strong.  Don't take more than a sip or two.  And don't say I didn't tell you so."

"I wasn't planning on downing the whole thing, if that's what you're implying." Beatrix smirked and took a step forward to claim the bottle. But Daz knew Beatrix well and it was quite smart of her to remind Bea that she wasn't the most brilliant person, even if she was a Ravenclaw and had read up on the potion. Beatrix could just be quite forgetful with that useful information.

"And also there'd be the matter of payment, you'll remember.  Have anything good?"

Beatrix paused and pulled a bag out from inside her coat, "I have about ten galleons... And I think I have Graham Bombay's address in my pocket somewhere... But I don't know how useful that could be to you." She held the bag out and grinned. But then she thought of something else, "Of course... I could always get you something else. What would you like, Daz? I can get you anything." Except love... And a house... But she COULD get a muggle for her. That'd be easy as cake.

"Next time we meet, I might need some Felix Felicis... I got a cute boy I want to get lucky with, and I'm not sure if I can do it alone..." Beatrix sighed dreamily, thinking of her future meeting with Vincent Pennyapple, "Then again... I may need some Amortentia. Or, I could just do without the potion... Already got a date with him, but I dunno..." She shrugged.

"It never hurts to water the lips," said Dazmond.  "The thing with Felix Felicis is -- if he's the type that's gonna cause you grief, you might well find yourself on some other trip, miles from the bloke.  It all depends on what you're looking for.  I can make you irresistible, honey; not that you really need it."  Dazmond thought to herself about the Prefect comment.  She'd never been into the whole inside-the-system tinkering, but, to each their own.  If Beatrix wanted to be the type to rule and not be ruled, with an illusion of goodliness about her to provide protection for her less than legal deeds, it was something that Dazmond could support.

"Home address?"  Dazmond considered.  She could figure a couple of ways her old Herbology Professor could come of some use.  It would certainly be nice to be able to reach him during the Summer months.

Ten galleons was, really, a little much for a simple draught of peace.  Especially since Dazmond kept a steady supply of the stuff (being a bit high strung herself) and had only had to pull a draught off the small wooden barrel at the Shodding Arms.

"Tell you what," she said.  "Ten galleons and the address, and I'll cook you up a complementary dish."  Daz was figuring that Beatrix's desire for this boy might be a good opportunity for her to teach Bea a thing or two.  Certainly a little taste of power over boys would bring her closer to an independent existence.  Dazmond pondered over her cigarette a moment, watching the smoke rise to the moon and feeling the strength of the fullness of it coming on.  She'd have to go collecting when it reached its height -- to gather the fluxweed for Devlin's polyjuice.  She could easily add belladonna to her 'shopping list'.  Introduce a little womanly earth essence into the girl's psyche.

"Sure," said Dazmond definitively.  "He and everyone else in a five mile radius'll be tripping over themselves to get to you!"  She smiled.  "Course, if you really want it to be good... I've gotta use some of the more -- ahh -- regulated plants.  That okay?" 

"The thing with Felix Felicis is -- if he's the type that's gonna cause you grief, you might well find yourself on some other trip, miles from the bloke.  It all depends on what you're looking for.  I can make you irresistible, honey; not that you really need it."

Beatrix smiled at Dazmond as brightly as she could. "Thank you, Daz." She said before shrugging, "I guess... The love potion should do then." But the more she thought about it... Couldn't she just act natural around Vincent? Beatrix settled on simply buying the potion just in case. Not only would she be making Daz happy by buying something completely illegal, she'd have a potion she could abuse in oh-so many ways. In fact, she could give it to Devlin Matthews so he'll leave poor Fauna Blake alone! Wait... Then he'd be falling for Beatrix...

She decided not to use that potion on him after all.

And what if Bea stopped liking Vinnie and he was till head over heels for her? Though Beatrix highly doubted she'd like anyone more than Vincent... He was just so sweet and nice... Then again, she just started talking to him. Beatrix's mind fluttered with these thoughts... What could she possibly do? She shook her head away from her jabber. Perhaps she'd think about it later.

Daz contemplated accepting Bombay's address and Beatrix grinned like a little devil. She had no clue what Dazmond would possibly do with that address, but she was at least getting somewhere. In fact, Beatrix didn't even know what she would do with that address. Stalk the man? Beatrix was crazy, but even she knew that waiting out for her Professor outside his house was incredibly time consuming and could be quite boring. She didn't need it. Beatrix didn't want to waste all that time just to catch a peek at the man.

"Ten galleons and the address, and I'll cook you up a complementary dish."

Another diabolical smile formed on her lips. "Really? Sounds good." Beatrix didn't mind giving Daz all that money... Beatrix didn't exactly buy things that often, anyways. Plus, she could always steal some more from her mother whenever she got a chance. And who was she to hold back from her lifelong friend? Her father would probably tell her to add another ten galleons simply for being so cool. But Beatrix wasn't planning on doing that any time soon.

"He and everyone else in a five mile radius'll be tripping over themselves to get to you!"

"That sounds great." Beatrix chuckled, she admitted that the potion was very tempting... But she still didn't want to use it on poor Vinnie. Maybe some other poor bloke just to string him along... That sounded like something she would do.

"Course, if you really want it to be good... I've gotta use some of the more -- ahh -- regulated plants.  That okay?"

Beatrix shrugged, "Of course... Whatever you need to do." She didn't quite get what Daz was saying, but she knew exactly what the woman wanted to hear. Beatrix didn't want to be a bad girl... But whenever she was around her father's friends (Or even her twin) those guilty feelings stayed away. The only exception was that she didn't want use a potion on a guy she genuinely liked... She still didn't have a problem with using it on some helpless soul.

Beatrix was thoroughly agreeable to all of Dazmond's passes, and this much pleased her, of course.  Bea was almost as crazy as her twin, but always provided much more of a challenge when it came to convincing her to misbehave in the right sorts of ways. 

Both the girls were, of course, neatly under her influence; but they were still nearly as psychotic as the rest of their family.  They were both in need of a mentor, being susceptible to the Ministry's lies and to keeping questionable company -- something that Daz's mum was always keen to remind her of.  For not only was Dazmond interested in having a hand in the girls' development for her own purposes (and amusement), but she had -- for a long time -- been charged with their psychic protection by her overly-doting mother.  A guiding hand was, surely, all they'd need to develop into capable and distinguished Witches.

The Wiedmans were long-time friends of the Darks', though over time they came to see the twins' mother as certifiably insane, a terrible care-taker who had done serious psychological damage to her children -- especially Bellatrix.  Daz had always been expected by her family (and particularly her mum) to watch over them and guide them as a mentor or a surrogate sister might.  Which had of course given to an interesting dynamic between the three young Witches. 

"Brilliant," she said simply, overturning her cigarette to the earth and stomping it out with a booted foot.  Beatrix was much too lovely to remain so sweet and innocent forever.  It would hardly do her good in the world out there.

Dazmond took the payment, tucking it into her bag and imagining she'd send an owl to Graham soon.  It had been a great while since the two had swapped goods, and he was always only too keen on the illegal plants she could lay her hands on.

Dazmond peered into the depths of the woods -- beyond a ways where it was dark -- looking eager.  It had been too long since she had entered deep into the forest with a full arsenal of goodies at her disposal.  She surely spent the greater part of her Summer in some sort of wilderness inside that island cave, but the forbidden forest felt somehow enormously different from all of that.  Despite its dangers, it was familiar territory.  She was always at her highest wits while within its wild clutches, and had a sort of control over herself which was not as available to her in that strange cave that was but a vague and terrible memory now.  She itched to enter the familiar and yet unpredictable void of the forbidden forest.  Daz looked to Beatrix, considering a moment before she spoke.

"Figure I'll go for a romp in the woods," she said.  "You wanna come?  I've got some potions I wanted to test out... we could gossip and romp.  Or, you might need to be getting back...?"  It was clear enough by her casual tone of voice that Dazmond wouldn't judge the girl for her decision in the matter.  She didn't fully expect Bea to go so far so fast.  This wasn't the only opportunity they'd ever have to go out into the woods together, and Dazmond would go whether or not she had the company.  But still, an invitation was only polite.

Dazmond took Beatrix's payment, much to her satisfaction. There was nothing wrong with paying the woman in advance... Especially a buttload in advance. Again, Bea trusted the lady. Even if Daz would simply take the money and never make a potion for her (Which Beatrix highly doubted would ever happen) the young Ravenclaw wouldn't mind one bit. Daz could consider it a gift... Even though Beatrix wanted her god damn love poison potion.

"Figure I'll go for a romp in the woods,"

Beatrix's eyes lit up at the mention of the woods. Dazmond was just so cooool. Even though Bea had gone through the woods countless times (Probably more than she could count) and made it out perfectly fine without thinking she was a bad ass. It was just the fact that everything Dazmond did was kick butt in Beatrix's young eyes. Much to her friendly goodie-goodie friends' dislike. The fact was that Beatrix was falling downhill with her violent temper and awful influences. Even still, Bea was still the nicest, goodhearted Dark out there. Which wasn't saying much.

"You wanna come?  I've got some potions I wanted to test out... we could gossip and romp.  Or, you might need to be getting back...?"

Why would Beatrix go back to the school now? "Sure! I'll come!" She chimed and took a step further into the woods, waiting for Dazmond to take the lead. Who knew what kind of shenanigans they'd get into? Daz always seemed to get Bea into something strange, stuff that Beatrix sometimes couldn't remember afterward. Those, of course, were the fun times. Beatrix wasn't the most reckless person... Actually, scratch that. Beatrix was quite reckless no matter what.

"Umm..." Beatrix cleared her throat, "Speaking of... Gossiping..." A sickly sweet smile formed on her face as she attempted to figure out her thoughts. Another step further into the darkness, "I told you I'm after this hunky guy, right?" Beatrix bit her lip, "Vincent Pennyapple... Yeah. Weeell--" She paused before continuing, "Agh, it's stupid..." But not really to Beatrix, however. The matter was a big thing to her, she just didn't know if Dazmond would wish to hear her blabber about boys.

But since when did that stop Bea from talking... Ever? "Ahh... Well... I guess it's not stupid,  but..." Beatrix sighed before speaking. What was she rambling about now? "Well, there's this other guy... Erin Harper." Beatrix turned away from the deep, dark woods and back to Dazmond, "And he's Vincent's, ah, dormmate, I believe..." Another pause and her brow crinkled, "Well, I really like Vincent... I really like him..." Beatrix stopped talking and thought it over again. It wasn't that she didn't want to talk to Daz about it... It was just Bea wasn't sure if she wanted to talk about it in general.

"Really?  Ace!"  Daz beamed brightly and straightened up, glad for the voluntary nature with which Bea gave herself over to adventure and intrigue.  She stepped ahead with Bea's gesturing and started navigating through the crunching twigs.  Gossip it was then.  "Yeah?"  Hearing the hesitancy in Beatrix's voice, however, not over their path but on the topic of boys, Dazmond continued on in a slowed pace, so she could lend her attention better to her friend. 

"Right," answered Daz.  A pause, then:  Vincent Pennyapple.  The name wasn't ringing any bells.  Dazmond nodded, letting Bea take her time wrapping her head around words.  Boys, she remembered, could be terribly confusing to a fifteen year old Witch.  But Daz lifted her brows pointedly when Bea nearly dismissed it on account of its 'stupidity'.  "Oh, don't be daft.  Nothing you have to say could ever be stupid," she assured her, turning her attention to the ground as she hopped over a fallen tree.  Beatrix continued, nullifying her former comment. 

And there was -- another boy.  Check.  Perhaps it was the first time she'd felt her affections divided, which could be just as troubling as having affections in the first place. 

But, Erin Harper? 

Wasn't that interesting!  A bit of subdued shock, mingled with curiosity, blossomed on Daz's face in the darkness of the woods.  Erin Harper was a name she knew, though she'd be hard-put to attach the name to a face.  She knew nothing about the boy except that he was Landis Morgan's little brother.  And Landis was, of course, one of Dazmond's closest friends.  A strange coincidence, indeed.

"Do I sense a 'but' statement coming on?"  Dazmond grinned over at Beatrix as they moseyed deeper into the woods at a comfortable pace.  "What's Erin's deal, then?  I mean, I know his brother.  Used to date him in school as a matter of fact."  The moon caught her eyes through a break in the evergreens, and a mischievous glint was transmitted to Beatrix.  "Good kisser," she said. 

"D'you like Erin or someat?"

"Oh, don't be daft.  Nothing you have to say could ever be stupid,"

Beatrix bit her lip and followed Dazmond carefully. That was the great thing about being friends with Dazmond, she never made her feel stupid... Though, she did make her feel bad for being such a goody-goody. It wasn't like Beatrix was Kit Branwell... Beatrix clearly snuck around and hurt people, no matter how sweet and "innocent" she was. At least she wasn't stupid, eh? She smiled and stuck to Daz's side. She didn't feel so bad for continuing on with her story, no matter how much she hated the whole ordeal.

"Do I sense a 'but' statement coming on?"

Her brow furrowed before she parted her lips again, "But... I kind of... Sort of... Snogged Erin." That was quite painful to say for the small girl. Though, a relieved sigh escaped her throat. It was better now that she told someone, after all. Especially Dazmond. It made her think... If Vincent were to find out, would he really mind? Vincent was the reason Beatrix told the Harper boy she couldn't be with him. But would that matter? Beatrix pursed her lips and thought about what to say next...

"What's Erin's deal, then?  I mean, I know his brother.  Used to date him in school as a matter of fact. Good kisser,"

Now that was strange. Daz dated Erin's brother? Erin had a brother? Interesting. "Well..." Beatrix stepped over a branch and managed to maintain her pace, "I think he hates me now... Since I told Erin, after we kissed, that I liked Vincent a whole lot... And that I was choosing Vincent over him." It all sounded a lot worst in words that Beatrix had imagined. It wasn't her fault, anyways. The boy was just... Greedy. Yeah, that was it. "And, er, yeah... He was a good kisser, too," she admitted with a small blush.

"D'you like Erin or someat?"

Beatrix had to really think about this one. Just because she was inevitably attracted to him, didn't necessarily mean she liked him, she just thought he was hot. Then again, she was also quite fond of his stubborn personality and crude jokes. "I-- I guess," Beatrix shrugged and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. Sure, she liked him (More so, lusted for him) but Vinnie Pennyapple was just... Right. And completely lush.

"I don't know. I can tell he can't stand me anymore," Beatrix turned her head to Dazmond, not exactly knowing what to say next. Would Daz understand? Did she ever have to deal with a predicament like Bea's? The girl didn't realize that plenty of girls her age were as naive as she was... But relationships and love and whatnot had never been Bea's strong point. But she at least understood it better than History or Ancient Runes.

"Uh-huh?"  Dazmond listened along and worked the situation out in her head as Bea spoke.  Since Beatrix was not with this Vincent Pennyapple kid yet, she felt her guilt was a little displaced.  But Dazmond knew how it was different when it was all relatively new.  Boys in particular could be rather disheveled to think of the girl they liked as having done things with another boy.  It was like a teenager's extension of the cooty principle. 

But Beatrix had to understand that Vinny didn't own her.  It made sense to Dazmond in this situation to weigh her options.  Daz's experience was that the charming, handsome boys who you aimed to make boyfriends out of were, in the end, nowhere near as cool as the ones you accidentally snogged and found clever and scrappy.  Nate being her case in point.

"Don't be so sure he doesn't like you," she said.  "Sometimes -- well, animosity can be a sign that he actually finds you rather fit.  It may be, you know, that he's trying to retain his dignity since he's not number one in your books."  Dazmond held a hand out, coming to a stop.  Utterly still, she listened for what she'd thought was rustling in the bushes.  Blinking, Daz's eyes moved about carefully, her hand still poised.  Then she dug into her bag and pulled out a potion, drinking half.  She held it out to Beatrix as every bitter and acrid flavor magnified tenfold in her mouth.  "Drink this," she said.  "Down the hatch."

It would only be a matter of moments before they both had the heightened senses of wild animals, if the batch had come out right.  It hadn't yet been tested.  Unfortunately perhaps, Dazmond was cocky enough in the strength of her abilities to concoct original recipes that she didn't think twice about using Beatrix as her secondary guinea pig.   

"I'd try and weigh my options really," she said finally.  "Vincent might seem perfect now, but the seemingly perfect ones always turn out to be boring."  She stated this as if it were a law of the universe.  "If they're dorm-mates, that does makes it rather sticky, doesn't it.  Dunno, Bee.  Maybe you should go with your instincts --" 

Dazmond took a deep breath and inadvertently smelled the sweat of centaurs.  She redirected their path casually, eyes starting to drink in their surroundings.  Where once it had been dark, she could now see in great detail.  She could hear ants marching below the leaves, subtly.  But Daz acted as if nothing were different, showing no flinch in her cool resolve; another day in the life was what it was.  Strange new potion effects had long since blown her mind.  But what she did feel was a slight swelling in her chest of quiet pride.  It was satisfying to feel the effects of the process you had created.  Daz didn't need to be a mother to understand what it was like to play as a partner of Creation. 

"I mean, something was telling you to redirect your affections toward Vincent -- and you set 'em on that path.  That's where Erin thinks you are, and that's where you think you want to be, so, be there.  And see what it's like?  Time should tell...."  Daz, having experienced similar things in her past, was inwardly making comparisons.  She already had an opinion -- and that was that Erin was the better choice.  His flaws and angst were worn on the outside.  That was always a useful thing because you never knew what sort of horrible personality was hiding in the poster-boy beauty kings.  Worse yet, they were vacuous.  But Dazmond didn't like to tell people what to do, really.  At least not when it came to making personal life decisions.  The school of hard knocks was way important.  And what she really wanted Bea and Bella to do was think for themselves.  As long as they did it in a I'm-Going-to-be-a-Friend-of-Knockturn-because-I'm-Smart-and-Know-who-my-Real-Friends-Are sort of way.

"Tell me more about Vincent," she said.  "What's he got going for him?"

"Don't be so sure he doesn't like you,"

Dazmond made a very good point to Beatrix... The usually smart Ravenclaw was completely stumped by that. Had she really... Hurt his feelings? Did he really have to hide away his emotions from her like that? Was he really crazy... Or just... A normal boy? Guys who didn't show their emotions were mysterious, after all. And girls loved mysterious boys, no matter how much they said they didn't. God damn, why'd he have to be so hot? Beatrix didn't like that. At all. She loved his appearance, but his personality really irked her.

Dazmond held her back from her mindless walking and handed her some potion. Beatrix was quite used to this by now, and simply downed it and gave her back the bottle. She shook her head before she spoke, "That does make sense..." Bea sighed and began to follow Daz once more. It took her a few more seconds for the potion to take effect, and Bea felt like she was tripping hard. Everything was in vivid detail... It wasn't unlike Daz to give Bea something that made her wig out. Not to mention, it tasted awful.

"Vincent might seem perfect now, but the seemingly perfect ones always turn out to be boring."

"My instincts were to stay with Vinnie, though..." Beatrix pointed out to Daz, her eyes shifting around her, quickly. All in all, the potion was spectacular. The silly girl would eventually get used to it... She grasped onto Daz's arm, but other than that, she remained calm. "I mean... Erin and I started out fighting and then he made me cry by calling me some name I don't quite recall," Beatrix told her, "I don't know about you, but I'm not very fond of being insulted".

And after the woman spoke again, Beatrix felt much easier about the whole ordeal... It seemed she knew exactly what she was talking about. Beatrix could simply wait it out. Though, she really doubted Erin could stand a chance to Vinnie. Well... For Beatrix, anyways. She wasn't so sure if the two were in any kind of fight. Vincent, of course, was cunning as hell... But Erin knew how to get into people's skin.

"I don't exactly think, Daz. I just know. I'd rather spend time with a guy who actually has the same interests in me than one who just wants to snog my face off," Beatrix paused. She felt like what she just said was quite smart. And made her feel less of a harlot, even though she was destined to become quite promiscuous when she got older. Promiscuous... But loyal to her lovely Pennyapple, at least.

"Tell me more about Vincent, what's he got going for him?"

Beatrix slowly began to notice why Daz was directing them so precisely... All those living things crawling around them... Bea wanted a bottle of this potion, for sure. Yes, Beatrix noticed her surroundings, she was simply to preoccupied to care before. She bit her lip and took a moment to think again. "Well," she began, "I think you'd like him... He's rather snarky and intimidating. Reads a lot, and I really like that..." What else could she really say?

"I know his brothers... William and Atticus are a bit on the, eh... Mug-" She paused. Would Dazmond prefer her to say mudblood? "Muggleborn-hating side of things, but I'm not so sure about him," Beatrix was pretty sure that was Daz's view, right? That was basically everyone's view in Knockturn. It was times like that Beatrix was glad she was a pureblood. Hardly anyone disliked her because of her status in purity. The only people who would dislike her were probably disgruntled mudbloods who didn't understand the concept of 'We don't give a crap'. But the word twisted Bea's guts around. Wasn't Sasha a muggleborn? If he knew about her ever using that word, she would probably die.

"And... He's a prefect, also. But, clearly, that doesn't mean anything since they picked me for a prefect position, and I've already broken basically all the rules," she leaned in closer to Daz as she felt a deer scurry away from them. Holy hell, she couldn't believe of strong that potion was. "And... I don't know, Dazmond. What do you wish to know?" Beatrix giggled. She felt kind of weird talking about Vincent so much... It was like Daz was secretly dissecting her words and decided whether or not he was good enough. For once, Beatrix felt like she would deceive Dazmond if she ever told her Vincent wasn't right.

Her gut twisted again. It was like Beatrix was deceiving everyone nowadays. Who was going to be next for Beatrix's deception? She really didn't want to know.

As they walked and talked more in depth, Dazmond punctuated her friend's descriptions of Vincent Pennyapple with full-bodied reverberations of approval.  An "aahh" here, an "oohh" there -- she was starting to take on the gracious movements of a slow-motion dancer under the inebriating effects of her first experimental brew since being back.  It was sensational -- in every sense of the word.  Dazmond laughed lightly in response to Bea's giggle hanging at the end of her last inviting question.  "Sounds like a catch, Bee.  Soo... they're both in Slytherin, I'd venture?"  Dazmond smelled the air and put a lightly guiding arm on Bea's trench-coat covered back, veering them off to the right.  An owl hooted overhead and the woods were easily navigational with their newfound night vision.

"Hm, let me see... what would I like to know?"  It had been a long time since Dazmond had ogled over boys -- she was never much of the ogling type to begin with.  What characteristics should Bea be looking for?  What would gain Dazmond's approval?  The men in Daz's life all tended to fall into one of two categories, after all:  Brother figures, or the annoying scabs she would inevitably end up poisoning. 

"Is he -- er -- clever?"  There -- that was a target she could get behind!  But regardless, Beatrix would have to learn from her own mistakes if she was to become her own force in the world, and that was the way it should have been.  No use stepping on toes or curving fate when it came to a young girl's will.  But in Daz's books, obviously, having a boy who could keep up with you and honor your autonomy was tops.  "And what does Bella think of this Vincent?  She could be your eyes and ears, I've no doubt."  With a cheeky grin, Daz's gaze lit up from the leaf-strewn ground to meet Bea's face. 

"You doin' good, lil bit?  Potion's just a prototype.  Though it seems so far to be most... advantageous."  Daz's pace slowed as she scanned the area scrutinously.  There were some scarce hornworts nearby.  She could feel them.  As her eyes searched hungrily around the brush, Dazmond vacantly offered a little tidbit from her own romantic life.  "I haven't said yet, but, I've been thinking I might live with Nathan," she gave, speaking as though nothing were the matter with this statement, even as she admitted to considering something she never thought she'd do.  Girls were supposed to be nomadic.  That was the way of it. 

"Ahh, here," said Dazmond, kneeling down with her wand drawn and acting as if she hadn't just said something substantial.  She maneuvered the short plant's thick leaves out of the way and aimed at the base of its stem.  "Abrumpo mundus," she incanted. 

"OW!" 

Dazmond jumped back, inadvertently ripping the hornwort out by its roots and stumbling back with her wand sparking.  There was bright red blood dripping from her hand and the air smelled strongly of copper and dirt.  "It's this fecking twig," she hissed.  Dazmond tucked the plant into her bag, paying no mind to the mess it'd make and was soon downing a potion and pouring another one out on her palm.  She squinted and winced at the burning sensation engendered (made a thousand times more palpable by the prototype in her blood stream), but sooner than not she was flexing a rapidly healing hand.  "Blast it, we better get you back to the castle," said Dazmond.  "I don't want to know what'll be sniffing out for freshly spilled blood in this forest." 

She suddenly looked almost bashful.  "New wand," she said with a shrug. 

"Sounds like a catch, Bee.  Soo... they're both in Slytherin, I'd venture?"

Beatrix nodded, "For some reason... I only ever like Slytherin boys," besides that one Hufflepuff boy. He didn't really count since she never really, well, kissed him or anything. Though he was very nice, he was probably lucky never to face the crazed girl in a relationship. She didn't exactly know she was hurting Erin, and Vincent didn't know about anything (Which was for the best). It was strange that Beatrix preferred to keep on lying to him without his acknowledgment.

Again, they weren't dating yet. She wasn't technically lying to him about anything yet, especially since he never even asked.

"Is he -- er -- clever?"

"Very!" Beatrix nodded, feeling Daz pull her along. The girl could feel all that Dazmond was... Plus the nausea that the potion gave her. "He's also quite unpredictable. Well, neither is Erin... But Vincent is a comforting unpredictable, while I'm afraid Erin could strangle me at any given moment," not that he would, would he? Erin wouldn't hurt her. She saw how nice he could be... But she also saw how cruel he could be. Perhaps strangling her would be the least of his worries.

"I- Well, I don't think Bells likes him very much," Beatrix's brow furrowed as she remembered how Bellatrix would roll her eyes whenever she mentioned the boy. She had no clue what Vincent ever did to her to make her so angry with him... Then again, "Bells doesn't like people in general, though," Beatrix giggled. It was the truth at least. Bella wasn't a people-person. But Bea was still surprised when Bellatrix acted so iffy towards the boy. Perhaps it was because he was a Pennyapple. That lot was always a bit funny.

"You doin' good, lil bit?  Potion's just a prototype.  Though it seems so far to be most... advantageous."

"Ahh... The potion works perfect. Just a lil' queasy though," Beatrix admitted, placing her open hand on her stomach. When Daz spoke of Nathan, Bea's brows quirked up. What happened to Dazmond being the free-spirited, free-roaming woman? Of course, she couldn't stay untied down forever. Even still, she could always run off again. Even if that always seemed a little strange to Beatrix... If she were to marry a cool guy like Nathan (Someone like Vincent of course) she wouldn't be running around and sleeping in strange places. But... She knew Daz didn't like being tied down.

"Really? That's sounds... Great, doesn't it? Have you spoken to Nathan yet?" Beatrix asked, though not exactly used to speaking his first name. Daz and Bea didn't often speak about Nathan. And whenever he was around, it was usually "Mister Briggs" (Even if Daz insisted otherwise). Even then, Beatrix didn't see him often. He was a funny guy. Beatrix thought it was nice that Daz was thinking of finally living with him.

Daz then stopped to grab some sort of plant. Beatrix waited, patiently, until Daz's wand basically exploded and she cut her hand. "Shiver me timbers, are you alright!?" Beatrix gasped, stepping forward.

"Blast it, we better get you back to the castle,"

"Y- yeah, I understand," Beatrix agreed, though she was a bit disappointed. She liked being around Dazmond. But she was right, something would smell her blood and then end up chasing the two small ladies. That wouldn't be fun. At all.

"Is it broken?" Beatrix giggled, "Or does it just hate you?" She pulled her arm through Dazmond's good one and started to pull her back to where they came from. She could always go on another adventure with Dazmond. Perhaps one with more action. And using more of her strange potions. That would be fun. Getting chased by a blood-thirsty beast? Not so much.