Betrayal ((Pyro & Kennedy))

[Fiona O'Reilly S5]

Fiona stuffed her wand into her pocket, taking a deep breath as she did so. She stared at herself in the mirror and found herself imagining what would happen in less than 15 minutes. Her hand shook a little and she quickly rubbed them together trying to get them to stop. She glanced back over her shoulder. Her roommates were all fast asleep. She only hoped no one would notice she was gone. She needed to take care of things before they spun even more out of control. She grabbed up her black cloak from her bed and slung it around her shoulders tying it securely. One last look in the mirror was all she needed before she stole out of the room, moving slowly and quietly through the empty common room. She didn't want to run into Pyro now. Not when everything was already set up outside. A shaking hand ran through her hair. The thin strands falling through her fingers and back down to her shoulders. Another deep breath went into her lungs as she pushed through the secret passage and began a slow, quiet walk through the dungeons.

It wasn't long before Fiona found herself sneaking out the entrance hall doors and stealing out into the cold bitter night. The cold hair hit her lungs immediately and she took a few minutes to breathe, letting her lungs adjust to the cool air. A light snow had begun to sprinkle across the grounds and she was grateful for it, knowing that it would keep the air from falling to far as well as covering any tracks that would be left in the morning. Fiona's hand wandered down to her pocket and she felt for her wand. She wanted to make sure it was there. She couldn't afford to be without it, not when this was the night of her escape. The night that she gave everything up for Kennedy. She only hoped that her decision would not hurt her and that her father would understand why she gave up what she had to. Her feet padded along through the icy grass. The crunching that came from her shoes made the intense silence boom with the sound. She was afraid that at any moment she would be caught, but she couldn't turn back now. No...she wouldn't turn back now. As her feet reached the outcropping she slowed to a stop and fell into the shadows. Her eyes darted around her waiting for any sign of Pyro.

Fiona pulled her dark cloak tight around her shoulders. She bounced her knees up and down as she feared the upcoming conversation and tried to warm her body. She glanced into the woods. She didn't want to be surprised by anything and she knew that Pyro could sneak up on just about anyone, especially when she was already nervous. She rubbed her hands together before she shoved them in her pockets. Her breath fogged out from her mouth and she blew it away quickly. She leaned back against the rock and waited. She sent up a silent prayer for things to go her way before resorting to watching the snow fall silently across the grounds.

[Pyro Blackfire S5]

Pyro took one last glance at the note in his hand before turning it into a pile of ashes with his wand. Fiona wanted to meet with him, and only him? Could it finally be time? Ever since the incident Pyro hadn't managed to track Fiona down and actually speak to her about the matter. Was she choosing the Chosen? Or was she Choosing Kennedy. Last time Pyro spoke with Kennedy he seemed rather confident that Fiona would pick his side, but Pyro wasn't so sure. Fiona was part of the group, and had seen its power first hand, as had Pyro. Fiona knew what would happen if she decided to betray the group. Pyro sighed, it was all going to clear out by tonight. Alliances would be layed bare and everyone would know where they stood. Pyro's eyes scanned the dorm and smiled when he found that everyone was sound asleep. Slipping on some dark clothes and a dark cloak Pyro reached into his bag and pulled out a small chest.

Unlocking it he pulled out the one small object that had been causing him much grief these past few months. Slipping the book into a bag he hung it from his waist and quietly slipped out of the dorm and common room. One great trick that Pyro knew was to be invisible in the shadows and soundless in the night. Slipping from shadow to shadow he easily navigated the empty corridors and made his way outside into the dark night. It took Pyro only a few minutes but he was soon upon the meeting place. He spotted Fiona's silhouette in the darkness. Instead of moving directly toward her he took a roundabout way and slipped through the shadows, barely discernible from them.

Pyro hid behind a tree and watched Fiona for a moment, she seemed nervous, twitchy, why would she be like this? They had had many meetings like this before. It should be second nature to her by now. Unless, she was worried about what was going to transpire in this meeting. Pyro slipped one hand into his pocket and felt his wand. He would have to keep a mental note on her hands so that he would not be surprised. Pyro slipped out from behind the tree. "You seem a bit nervous." He said smoothly as he stepped out of the shadows and into view. "Is something wrong?" He asked cocking his head slightly and never letting his eyes leave Fiona.

[Kennedy Valak S6]

Kennedy lay still, making sure to be like a statue in his bed. His breathing was even controlled so much that his chest barely rose and fell with each breath. Pyro couldn’t know that he was awake. For almost an hour, Kennedy remained in his bed, appearing to be asleep, but more awake than ever. His hearing was what alerted him to the moment when Pyro was finally about ready to head to meet Fiona. She had told him just that day about their meeting, and he was still almost certain that she told him just because she knew deep down that he would come even if she asked him not to. However, unlike Pyro and Fiona who only had to sneak out of the castle without being noticed by any professors, prefects, or Filch, Kennedy had to sneak out without either of them knowing as well. The hardest part would be to fool Pyro. Kennedy knew he was no fool, and that was why he had went to bed early that night, acting very tired and sleepy.

Finally, Kennedy heard Pyro exit the room, but just to be sure, he remained still for another few minutes. Once he was certain the coast was clear, Kennedy slid from his bed and glided to the door in a ghost-like motion. He needed to be neither seen or heard tonight. There was no way that he could risk getting caught with perhaps the biggest meeting to determine his future set to happen this very evening. With his dark clothes shadowing his body, Kennedy crept through the castle and out into the cool night air.

Just earlier that day, he had talked with Conan by the lake. The weather was much warmer, and the snow almost all melted. Now, however, in the cold of the night, the grounds looked much different with the snow and darkness shrouding them. Remaining in the shadows, Kennedy was beyond silent as he made his way to where Fiona had said that Pyro would meet her. When the large stone was finally in view, Kennedy ducked in the shadow of a large tree, watching and noticing the two silhouettes standing just a few feet apart. It was too far for him to hear though, and he knew he needed to be closer in case he needed his presence to be known. He walked from tree to tree, being sure to be quick when the shadows were not hiding him. Finally, once he was close enough to hear Fiona and Pryo, he knelt in the darkness and waited to see what would happen next. His wand was gripped tightly in his hand and his eyes pierced through the snow and fog as he never took them from the duo.

[Fiona O'Reilly S5]

Fiona nearly growled in annoyance as Pyro once again seemed to stalk up behind her. Damn him and his silent movements. She turned to eye him carefully, her nerves were definitely shot, but she wasn't about to let him see that in her. She was good at lying. She was good at hiding. Emotions were just mere annoyances to her and as soon as she let those go then she'd be fine. Until then she'd be stuck in this same place until the end and that was definitely something she didn't want. Eyes looked him up and down as she merely shrugged. "Just because you can't feel the cold doesn't mean I can't," she said as the silence was definitely now broken by the pair. Her eyes roamed from Pyro back through the trees behind him, searching, but she didn't find what she was hoping to see. She only hoped that things wouldn't go sour too quickly. Frankly she hoped things didn't go sour at all, but she couldn't trust herself right now.

Fiona's eyes fell back on Pyro and then slid down to the small bag that hung from his waist. Her mind knew immediately what it was and the need to have it was overpowering. Instead though her eyes traveled back up to Pyro. "So things have gotten a bit out of hand lately...especially with the Chosen's dwindling numbers and a girl that seems to stop at nothing to get her hands on that book, although we all know what happened last time she touched it," Fiona said nonchalantly as she leaned back against the rock, her hands coming out from her pockets and crossing in front of her chest. "The question is, where do we stand in this mess? And how are we going to deal with your dear cousin and my boyfriend?" Fiona tried to hide the brief look of fear that passed her eyes as she thought about how much she didn't want to see Kennedy hurt, but this decision was not hers alone. It was a group decision and if Pyro voted for Kennedy to be hurt, Fiona would know where she stood. She would do what is necessary to survive. Eyes once again slid back to Pyro as she awaited his answer...awaited his vote...and awaited her final decision.

((Sorry kinda short, but I realized how long ago we started this and I'm sure other's plots have moved on, but I felt this was necessary.))

[Pyro Blackfire S5]

Pyro hardly reacted as she spoke back, though a Small hint of a smile crept onto his lips. Fiona was good, to come up with such an excuse so quickly, but than again, she was a Slytherin, quick and cunning came with the territory. Pyro kept a hand near his pocket at all time, though he didn't draw much attention to it. His wand poked out a few inches from his pocket, allowing for easy reach and withdrawment. He didn't know why he felt uneasy at this situation, Fiona was one of the Chosen, she would not leave or betray the group. But how could Pyro be so sure of that? Was he not having doubts about remaining in the group himself? Perhaps his own views weren't so far from Fiona's, and if Pyro could falter, Fiona could also. Nevertheless Pyro decided not to allow his guard to fall for a single second. His eyes scanned the darkness around him, searching for some kind of sign of foul play, or any clue that would give him warning as to what was about to transpire.

Fiona's voice brought him back from his scan as he focused on her words. He could feel bile build up in his throat as she spoke about the current situation, mentioning his cousin, perhaps one of Pyro's least favorite, living, people on this earth. "The Chosens numbers have always been small. If the group gets to big, than we will get noticed and have some unwanted publicity. Not to mention that with growing size its harder to keep tabs on all the members." He stated matter of factly to her. "As for my cousin." Pyro snorted, "She is but a minor inconvenience. All her family is now dead, shes an orphan. She wont be taken seriously anywhere, and if she becomes to much of a liability." Pyro shrugged, "She can easily be removed." He said, showing no emotion at all at the words.

He brought his eyes slowly back to Fiona's, locking them in a stare. "As for Kennedy, well. You know the rules Fiona. He will have to be silenced." Here it was, the moment of truth. Pyro's muscles tighten, ready to spring to action if this turned ugly. "By any means necessary." He said in a low tone.

((Your right Fiona, this really does need to be finished. Sorry my reply is so late. Hopefully we will be able to end this soon and than we can move on with life ))

[Kennedy Valak S6]

Their hushed tones were barely audible, but Kennedy could make out what they were saying for the most part. He wondered if Fiona was only acting the part, or if she said everything she meant. Would she really choose him, or was everything just a ploy for her to remain true to the one group of people that she had always been truthful with. Just the thought of her never telling him about the Chosen made Kennedy sick to his stomach. It had to have been an indicator of where Fiona's true alliances fell.

He sensed a bit of apprehension in Fiona's voice, as though the struggle she was inevitable facing within herself had manifested itself through her tone and speech. Kennedy hoped it was an easy decision for her, but he knew how much power and ambition could blind a person, even tower over something as strong as love. More pain seared through him as he listened, and anxiously waited to hear what would be concluded through their meeting.

When Fiona finished speaking, Pyro replied rather coldly and blatantly. His motives and position concerning the issue were rather clear. An anger boiled deep inside of Kennedy as he felt like blaming the tension between himself and Fiona all on Pyro and the group called the Chosen. As Pyro spoke, his disregard for all others was clear. The way he spoke about Cass and then even about Kennedy himself. He had had enough. With his wand drawn, Kennedy emerged from the shadows, pointing it directly toward Pyro.

"And just how do you plan on silencing me, Pyro," he shouted angrily as he approached the two of them. The anger level inside of Kennedy had risen to a point that he couldn't control. A rush of heat washed over his body, and his wand was gripped so tightly that his hand shook with rage. The thought of cursing Pyro right there was tempting, but regardless of the anger that was controlling him, Kennedy held enough sense to refrain from casting any spells. He had already risked enough by following them, and to get caught dueling would be foolish.

Catching him off guard, Kennedy didn't even realize what was happening whenever he felt his wand leap from his hand and the sound of another voice. He momentarily thought it was Pyro, but then saw the same look of confusion coming from both he and Fiona. He stood there in silence, his eyes darting around through the darkness, trying to figure out what was happening, expecting to be ambushed at any time.

((Agreed that this post needs to end. For that reason, I have made some arrangements to kind of leave this in a stale-mate, at least for the time being, seeing that it was winter when this was supposed to take place. I have sent you both a PM with my ideas for continuing the plot. ))

[Professor Minerva McGonagall]

Minerva had been awake much later than normal, for she was reviewing a stack of essays that she had unfortunately gotten behind in grading. Even at the late hour of the night, she heard a panicked voice at her door, accompanied by a series of knocking. "Enter," she said loudly, speaking over the echoing sounds of the knocks against the wooden door. Out of breath, Mr. Filch burst through the door and over to her desk.

"Students... edge of the forest... past curfew." He spoke in spurts, attempting to catch his breath in between the clusters of words. "And how do you know this?" she questioned, a bit irritated that Mr. Filch hadn't resolved the issue on his own. "Mrs Norris," he answered quickly. Pondering the situation momentarily, Minerva then looked up with a slight scowl. "Thank you Mr. Filch, I shall take care of this.

Hurrying past the scroungy old man, Minerva took her wand from her pocket and transfigured her clothing to be more appropriate for the cold weather that waited outside. Stepping into the cloud of darkness that laid beyond the warmth of the castle, Minerva's shadow floated across the grounds as she made her way to the edge of the forest. As she approached, sure enough she heard the voices of at least two separate parties. With squinted eyes, she peered through the darkness toward the place where she heard the voices. Then, seeing the shadows of three people, she quickly drew her wand. "Accio, wands," she said clearly. In that instant, three wands flew to her grasp, and she then approached the group rather upset to have had to bother herself with their carelessness.

"What could possibly make sneaking out past curfew seem like a good idea?" she asked in a stern tone as she was close enough to see the students. Three Slytherins, she recognized from having them in class. "It will be detention for all of you, and twenty points each from Slytherin" she announced, pointing her wand back toward the castle. "Go on now," she scolded, "before something a lot grumpier than myself decides to come out of the forest after the lot of you."

((Obviously house points have already been calculated for the year. Seeing that Slytherin had been in last place anyways, this would have had no effect. As well, there will be no need for the three of your characters to worry about actually doing detention IC seeing that you seem to have a lot to catch up on as it is already. We will just assume that the three of them took care of their detention responsibilities and everything can continue for your plot. ))