a stroll / dustin

[BLAISE CUNNINGHAM]

Despite what happened last year, Blaise found himself in the forbidden forest again. This time, he was going to stick to the paths and he was with his friend Dustin. They also didn't plan to go too deep so they probably wouldn't find anything scary.

They were walking and talking about school and life. There was no limit to what they talked about. They talked about Hogsmeade too and what snacks Blaise would bring back with him after the holidays. They also talked about what was happening to the students at Hogwarts. That was a little more heavy and something they already discussed many times before, though. There wasn't really anything new, other than the fact that they both doubted that the trouble was over just because the students were revived. But at least it was good that they could be revived quickly now if there were any more.

They were walking when suddenly Blaise heard some cackling and a branch came down and nearly hit Dustin, but it did knock them over. They went different ways and then Blaise rushed over to Dustin. "Are you okay?" he asked frantically. He had to know if Dustin was okay. Blaise didn't really know it until just then, but he wasn't sure what he'd do if something bad happened to him. 

DUSTIN BURKE

[DUSTIN BURKE]

The forbidden forest was not somewhere he had thought he would end up in. The forest itself was kind of spooky and he attributed that fact to knowing that there were creatures out there. Mostly he was worried about werewolves, even if it was not near the full moon. He'd read a bit about them after hearing some things about an older Slytherin. Ó Seighin was three years older than him and overly aggressive. Angry and everything and everyone which made him nervous to be alone in the common room with the other.

None of that mattered out here though, not with Blaise talking to him about all the things one did with friends. With the Christmas holiday fast approaching he was eager to be home and with his parents to be away from the tension and uncertainty this year had brought already. Yes, the students who had been petrified were now awake which was great, the fact of the matter was how it had happened and whether it would happen again. Certainly, any of the students staying at the school might be in danger from whatever it was.

Hearing a branch crack above him he had barely looked up in time to see it. He was quick enough not to get squished by it but sprawled in the snowy leaves, looking up at Dustin as he came over. "Yeah, yeah I think I'm fine, just startled." Puffing out hot breath against the chilly air he got himself up, fumbling for his wand to be sure it was undamaged and still on him. Luckily it seemed fine and with relief, he glanced back to his friend. "And you, alright then?"

BLAISE CUNNINGHAM