On the Edge ((Anne))

[will]

Will peered into the semi-darkness, aware that once he made a noise, he would be given away. To be successful, he'd have to create a trust bond. Frightening them away would do no good - but he mustn't act like he was sneaking up on them either, or come out as not-too-pleasant of a surprise. That could certainly be possible, even if he was only standing on the very edge of the Forbidden Forest. The Forest itself was not one of his concerns, even if the secrets it held were fearsome and twisted. If he kept his guard up always, he wouldn't be in for any surprises himself. Walking along the edge warily, Will shot a glance at the castle. If one of the Professors decided he was too close to the Forest, he would be in big doo doo. Will took three steps away from the forest to create a suitable distance. There. Now he had nothing to worry about concerning teachers. He continued to walk along the tree-line until he found a stump; nice and smooth with no ridges that would prove painful on his back-side. Will sat down slowly, making sure that no noise was made. He would stick to his plan, and maybe, just maybe, he would spot one.

Ever since Will had met that intriguing Kris character, he had been mystified over the thestrals. To him they appeared to be the closest thing to a horse and, on top of that, they had wings. Next to the horses of modern day, thestrals could over-power them, if they weren't so... well, let's just say they didn't have the best looks of all time. Their gleaming coats of black hung on their skeleton loosely, showing off every bone in their body. Their eyes weren't exactly the most pleasant to look at, but most importantly, the person doing the seeing had to have witnessed a death. Will remembered vaguely when he had first been introduced thestrals and how surprising it was to realize he was one of the few who could see them. After considering the possibilities and wracking his memory for anything that could have even hinted a death, Will decided that as a young toddler, he had seen his parents' death. It didn't bother him much though; it was too long ago for him to remember anything. Although it was a bit disconcerting - his parents had died in a fire after all - he decided not to bother himself over it. What was the use? Lately though - people had been noticing thestrals more and more, sadly pointing out that more people were dying. What with the Death Eater attacks that had now become somewhat of a regularity over the years - Will wasn't surprised, but he was afraid.

A movement in the darkness woke Will. On his back was the sun (it was probably three in the afternoon by now) but in front of him was a cloud of darkness. His eyes took a moment to adjust, and when he did he could just barely decipher a shadow among the shade the trees cast. Its shape alerted Will that it was indeed a thestral and if not some demented animal. Will grinned with anticipation. He had no idea why he was so taken with them - but for the most part, he realized it was for selfish intentions. The gleaming black coats, the horsey figure - all too much like Lucifer. Although that horse had much more meat and muscle to him and take off the wings... Still, it was the closest thing to a horse. William watched silently on his stump, straining his eyes to see through the semi-darkness. Yes, they were definitely there, and it sounded like there was more then one... possibly three. Will wondered if one of them was the same one Kris had "played" with near the lake. If so, it might recognize his scent. Animals were a lot smarter then most people suggested, and since thestrals were indeed enhanced by magical roots, they were sure to have some brains. Some more movement and one of them came out of hiding. It was a small one - but fully grown. The one Kris had rough-housed with had been a colt. Somewhat disappointed but not enough to make him want to leave, Will stared at the magnificent creature. With a snort, a swivel of its head, and the thestral was soon staring back, straight at him. A little shiver ran down Will's spine, making him uncomfortable.

Looking at the thestral's eyes made Will remember the reason he could see them. They were one of the many symbols of death in the world. He vividly imagined his parents shriveling in a deadly fire - Will shivered. A wave of ice seemed to pass over him and he broke the eye contact by staring at his shoe laces. The thestral pawed the ground uncertainly but continued to stare. Will chanced a look back up. He felt that it was trying to communicate with him - this was why Will had come out here anyway. Time passed and Will's rigid shoulders, neck, and back began to hurt but he remained still. The thestrals behind the first emerged from the shadows and... a noise behind Will. Surprised, William turned around speedily, reaching for his wand... but it was just some girl. Will turned back to the forest, hoping that they hadn't been... they were gone. All of them had been frightened away. Disappointment washed through Will, soaking his entire being. He swiveled back to the impostor - the girl. She looked familiar, but right now he didn't care in the least. "Thanks a lot. Do you have any idea what you just ruined?" Will asked angrily, glaring at her. The sun hurt his eyes so he had to squint - but he could still pick up on the details. She had red hair, dark eyes, and a pale complexion, as do most red-heads. Will put his wand back in his pocket, still upset the moment had been ruined and turned to face the girl totally, waiting impatiently for an answer of some sort.

((Kind of long, I know, but I was hit with inspiration out of the blue. I realized how much I missed posting Will.))

[charrie]

Annie fixed her dressed carefully while looking in her full length mirror in the dormitory. She was always fixing her dress or her clothes. She just never felt satisfied with them and she certainly didn't today. She felt like everything she touched she wrinkled more and folded up on itself. She sighed in contempt at the dress and she flung her hands out in exasperation. "Nothing is the way I want it to be!" Annie exclaimed to her cousin as she flung herself, rather gracefully, down on top of her bed. Everyday she was getting more and more agitated by the thought of going home for summer break. She didn't want to go home. Going home meant facing what was next in her life. Her future was drawing ever closer. It wasn't even one that she had picked for herself. It had been set up for her before she was born and she had just recently found out about it. When she turned 17 she found out about her 'future' life. Her future husband to be exact. "Why don't you just pretend to me for the summer and you can marry that guy when we graduate? I probably won't like him," Annie complained. She normally wasn't like this, but everything seemed to have come crashing down around her recently and this was no exception.

Angie just sat silently listening with a small smile. Annie finally looked over and frowned at her. "Are you enjoying this?" she asked. Only mildly, her cousin responded. "Oh, go away," Annie said as she pushed herself off her bed and grabbed her wand. "I'm going for a walk. Wanna go?" Annie asked. Her cousin shook her head and pointed to her potions book which lay on her pillow. "Oh right," she sighed. Annie had interrupted her cousin in the middle of her studies to complain about life. Annie really hated acting this way, but she couldn't help it. Her life was sliding out from under her and she seemed to have lost all means of control. Annie shut the door slowly behind her as she left her cousin to continue her studies.

From there Annie mingled around the common room for a while, but the constant chatter of mindless first years annoyed her and she found herself leaving through the secret passage way to the corridors of the dungeon. She walked without thought and without knowing where she was going. She had found that she was like this more and more often lately. Wandering around the school subconsciously. Going where her feet would take her. Today her feet had taken her out the front doors of Hogwarts and was heading out to the lake. She smiled at the serene beauty of it, but squinted her eyes when the sun came out from behind the clouds. It was too bright for her. The sun was her bane of existence, not really, but she always referred to it like that.

Turning from the lake her feet started off in the direction of the Forbidden Forest. She had never attempted to get close to the forest except when she was taking classes with the oaf, Hagrid. Today however, her feet wanted to go inside. Her feet urged her on toward a lump of trees. Coming closer and closer she recognized a shape sitting on what looked like a log. He was staring into the forest at something. She squinted, but her eyes only made out darkness. She wondered what he was looking at. She wanted to diverge from her path, but her feet would not listen to her. Onward they went until she could make out the shape, who happened to be a boy and then a large beast in front of him. It spooked from her quick walking and took off into the forest with the other that had been near it. As if some higher being was making sure her day was horrible, the boy turned around and 'yelled' at her. Annie took a deep breath to try not to bite back. She stared at him with a look of disgust before she answered. "I didn't know you were trying to make friends. Besides don't you know that threstrals can be dangerous?" Annie said with venom. On top of everything that had been going on she definitely didn't need to be yelled at by someone.

[will]

Will took a deep breath of fresh air. He had no reason to attack the girl - she probably couldn't even see the thestrals. Yet, it became apparent she could when she mentioned them being dangerous. He raised an eyebrow curiously, wondering before he could stop himself why she could see them. The girl sounded like a brat - but then again Will couldn't talk much for himself after that episode, now could he? "I'm sorry," Will said quietly. Perhaps the girl couldn't even hear him, perhaps she could. He didn't really care, as long as he said it. That would make things right for him. He shrugged. "Thestrals are dangerous if only you give them a reason to be. Just like every other thing in this world," he said, expressing his love for animals through his words. "I wasn't exactly "making friends" as you called it. Just visiting. I get bored and come out here for a spin. They remind me of home." He closed his eyes and smelled again the unique smell of Lucifer, his dream horse. The only horse he could ever have and love this much. The smell of hay and oats, the smell of Luce himself as Will bent down on his neck while riding, the feeling of air filling his lungs and an exhilaration that nothing else could give him... Sighing, William pushed the memory away.

"I'm William Senetta," Will said. "I suppose we should introduce ourselves, unless you wish to be leaving?" He raised his eyebrows and looked expectantly at the lake. He expected the girl to leave - but then again some human company wouldn't be that bad. He gave her a small smile. "I'm a Ravenclaw sixth year. I'm sorry, but I have to guess what House you belong to..." He pretended to think. He loved trying to guess what House people were in before they ever told him - indeed he even placed muggles he knew into Houses on occasion. This girl wasn't very hard to figure. "A Slyth?" Will guessed, trying to keep a straight face. He had met some very proud Slyths this year and conversed, those including Dawn McGrogan and Kris Graas. After that he rather thought he could handle himself with any Slyth, but you never knew. A nasty one could still come up. Trying to think of a Slyth even more... well, Slytherin like then Dawn and Kris seemed impossible. This girl just seemed an average Slytherin - mean and sadistic. Although lately Will thought that things with Slyths weren't as they appeared - most of them had grown up like this. It wasn't their fault they were so... er... well, you know. It was all with the up-bringing. Their parents must have brainwashed them somehow early on in life. It seemed the only logical explanation. I mean, how could someone go through life being mean to everyone else?

[charrie]

Annie sighed as he said he was sorry. It seemed that they both had reasons to be angry that day. She looked at him and took a deep breath. "I apologize as well. I was just a bit too curious for my own good, I think. But you're right. Things are only dangerous when they have a right to be. It seems to be the only way of survival for all species," Annie said. It was more to herself than to the boy, but she couldn't help saying it. Her eyes drifted into the forest and she strained looking for any signs of the animals she had driven off. She had always refused to admit she could see them, but today was different. Today she felt like she could admit to seeing them and the memories of death didn't bother her like that used to. Perhaps it was because she had finally come to terms with it. Annie's attention fell back on the boy. "They remind you of home?" she asked. Annie wondered what sort of home he could have been raised in for threstral, which were often refereed to as the 'creatures of death', to remind him of that place. Oh was it just because there was so much death in his family. She pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind. It was not something she cared to ever think of.

"Well, Mr. Senetta, I'll leave if you want me too, but I'd rather stay here and try to help you get the threstrals to return. I am sorry that I interrupted such a moment," Annie said as she nodded her head. "I'm Anne Bradshaw. You're right. I am a Slytherin, a sixth year to be exact. I guess it's not hard to guess after my first impression. On the other hand, I must admit that I have only seen a Ravenclaw burst out like that on one occasion. Can I ask why it was so important for you to come face to face with a threstral? I mean other than the fact that they remind you of home." Annie didn't know if William would answer her question or not. It was a personal question and they had only just met, but still her curiosity had gotten the best of her. She really needed to tame that curiosity. It was getting her into more and more trouble. It was like the old proverb, Curiosity killed the cat, but Annie knew that satisfaction had brought it back. It was a phrase Alice had taught her as a child, when Annie had gotten too curious for her own good. Annie had become quite fond of the phrase and used it often.

[will]

"Home? Yes, my home," he said dreamily, thinking back to the forest around the orphanage. The orphanage was just a blur in the background. Even though that was where he lived and ate - it was no significance to him. Where he truly lived and breathed, that was where he called home. The pasture where multiple wild horses were kept was the only place Will had ever been happy - besides Hogwarts that is. But that's school, not home. He thought back to the smell of trees and grass, hearing Luce pounding against the green turf... oh, how much he wanted to go back home! He found himself looking forward more and more to the end of the school year. He couldn't wait to see Luce again! William turned again to the girl, who introduced herself as Anne. She seemed to have been taught manners, for she talked in a fancy way. Will just smiled, glad she had thought of waiting for the thestrals as an option for her.

"Sure! The trick for thestrals..." Will stopped himself before he began to rant. Perhaps it was a good time to learn his own manners. "Nice to meet you, Anne. Ravenclaws bursting out like that? What do you think Ravens are? Quiet kids who always have their nose in a book?" Will's face flushed a bit. It was true, that was what most people thought of Ravens. Just because they had been "labeled" the "intelligent" house didn't mean they had to be made fun of. Will decided to ignore it though. Lately he had been jumping every time someone so much as hinted at labels. He had to quit that. He regained his composure and smiled once more. She wanted to know why he sought out the thestrals. "Just that. They remind me of home. Oh no! Not because there's death in my family or anything, although that is the reason I can see them," Will said quickly, realizing why Anne was so curious. "Just because... well, I've grown up with horses all my life - they've loved me more then anyone else. I have a dream to make this horse that was also neglected because of his name - Lucifer - to rise to the occasion and show everyone how wrong they were about him and... me." Will didn't expect Anne to understand, but he was the type of guy to just talk about anything, even his life story when asked by a stranger.

"The thestrals are kind of like Luce. Luce is much better looking, but the thestrals are just... the closest thing I can get to a horse while here. And since I miss horses... I seek them out." Will shrugged. "It's demented, I know, but it makes me feel a little better. And anyway - I love animals on a whole. But lately I've just really been missing home. I can't wait to go back. Plus, I can get out of the orphanage!" Will smiled brightly. "Soon, anyway. Seventeen years old and I'll be out of there once and for all!" He could hardly wait until his seventeenth birthday, and now that they were talking about it, the old anticipation came back. Ever since he realized that he became of age at seventeen, he couldn't wait. The sooner he got out of that orphanage the better! He could take Luce with him, and together they'd make themselves known around the world! Will shook himself out of his vivid daydream reluctantly, but he didn't want to look a fool in front of Anne. His pride wouldn't allow it. "So if we want to get the thestrals back, we can wait here. You can come sit down on the stump if you want but... it might ruin that dress." Will said slyly. Girls and their dresses - blah. Couldn't they wear normal attires instead of fancy things for a not-so-fancy occasion? Will let it go by though. "Hmm... mind telling me a bit about yourself? I kind of already talked for a while, so you have an idea who I am, but I hardly know you. Might as well - we might have a wait ahead of us."

[charrie]

Annie bit back a smile as Will began to eagerly explain threstrals to her. He seemed to have realized that he was going off and stopped as he seemed to find his manners. Annie raised an eyebrow at the boy. He seemed to have taken offense at her inquiry about his outburst. Was her fault that Ravenclaws were like that? "Did I hit a sore spot?" Annie asked without apology. She didn't know this Will and she didn't really care to know if he had offended him. She liked to test people. She wanted to know exactly where they stood in the thick of things and if this boy was going to take offense at one little thing than he should never have offered a conversation with a Slytherin. Annie tossed her hair off her shoulder and behind her back. She really didn't know if she wanted to listen to Will if he was going to go off about labels or something like that.

However, Annie was saved from the annoyance of that conversation. Will seemed to have realized that he needed to calm down. He changed the subject almost as quickly as it had been brought up. He seemed to be answering Annie's question on his home life. Her suspicions that he had grown up in a house full of death was wrong. The beasts reminded him of horses. Horses? Annie thought to herself. She had never ridden a horse before. She didn't think she had ever even touched one. Annie had never seen anything great about them and she didn't see how they could further a pure-bloods reputation or actions. "I don't know anything about horses, so I can't really agree or disagree with you on that statement. Maybe some day I'll find a need to climb on the back of a huge beast that could crush me under it's hind legs," Annie said with a bit of a laugh. It was slight though and hardly recognizable. "An orphanage, huh? That must have been hard. Although I think not knowing who your parents were is better than living with your parents and not knowing anything about them." Annie's voice had turned bitter. It always was a rough spot with her. She lived with her parents, but she didn't know them.

Annie looked down at her dress with a smile. "I happen to like dresses thank you very much. There's nothing more freeing than wearing a dress mind you. Besides there's always magic if the dress gets dirty," Annie said as she raised an eyebrow and took a seat on the stump. She crossed her legs and brushed her dress, straightening out the wrinkles. "Me? You want to know about me?" the words struck her as odd. Not many people wanted to know about her and those that did she hardly said anything to. However, she was now sitting on a stump of a tree with a boy she had just met waiting for the threstrals to return. This was a pretty awkward and different situation than the ones she had been in before. She supposed she could make an exception for Will.

"You're lucky you know. I mean you probably think that being raised in an orphanage is horrible and all, but my parents. Well let's just say that only care about me when it comes to their reputation. I'm not to them. I would prefer not having parents to being completely neglected by them," Annie said with anger and resentment. She pawed the wand in her pouch. She had come to hate her parents; everything about them. All she wanted was for them to care about her and what she did, not about the family reputation. "I guess there's not much to know other than that. I just really had to tell you that. You know the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Trust me I know. I wish it was, because then I wouldn't have to worry about this stupid arranged marriage or my parents disowning me or this stupid dance recital that my parents are forcing me to take control of. Sorry, I'm done ranting. Truly." Annie shut her mouth tightly. She realized she had been babbling on too much and she hoped Will didn't think she was daft for doing so. It was just once she got going she couldn't stop until everything was off her chest. She chanced a look at Will to search for a reaction.