Autumn Walk PV Emerly Pine Finished

Emerly had meandered his way out of the castle and onto the grounds. He had always liked nature, even at home in London, and especially in Ireland where he spent most of his life, he would frequently meander out of the house and lose himself in boughs of trees, racing against the flow of rivers. If he could live under the stars and find warmth under a blanket of moss and a rock under his head like some sort of fairy he would.
As he picked through the trees and passed small and sometimes big groups of students also taking a stroll, a familiar face began walking up some rock stairs in the opposite direction he was going.
Without knowing why Emerly found himself lifting the book he was holding to his face to hide to conceal his identity, and picked up speed. Andrew Vance.
As he was about to turn the corner, it dawned on him that he was afraid of the Second year. The realization stunned him and he stood, removing the book from his face. He couldn't get the image of the normally cheerful, well-meaning, and friendly Slytherin suddenly losing control and slashing Jack Warren across the face with a powerful spell during the spontaneous duel that had broken out between the latter, him, Emerly, Donnovan Perrywinkle, and Erik Tharaldson, in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom not too long ago. At that point, autumn wind whipping around him like the barrage of thoughts running through his mind, Emerly was faced with a decision- keep going and potentially stay safe, or keep one of the first friends he'd thought he'd made since arriving here.
He turned around and retraced his steps, holding the book in front of him.
"H-Hello, Andrew." He gulped, "You aren't scared to be out here? With all those rumors of unicorns and centaurs not too far away? The Forbidden Forest isn't gated off, you know." he tried to lighten the atmosphere and hide his dismay, how successful he was was anyone's guess.

His ears pricked at the soft crunch of footsteps approaching, not enough to be concealed by the dry blanket of leaves surrounding Andrew where he stood. Andrew threw a glance over his shoulder, tugging a weak corner smile at Emerly, who came up beside him. But behind Andrew's eyes was a weariness that didn't just come from physical exhaustion, but mental toll as well.

"Hey, Emerly," he chirped quietly. Although his tone was still friendly, it lacked the usual burst of energy he normally would've revved up in order to act upbeat and jolly in front of other people. But with Emerly being the soft-spoken, mellow kind of guy anyways, Andrew knew it wasn't necessary to try too hard and be too talkative. He could relax himself in Emerly's company and loosen his smile, in that regard, letting his mind and gaze wander contemplatively -if not blankly- over the countryside. Relishing silence, for once.

A few yards away, Penelope poked her head up from a small pile of leaves, like a gopher from its hole. Her beady black eyes searched around for a moment before locking with Andrew's.

"Don't go too far, Pin-pin," he warned lightly, as if Penelope were a child, though it was unclear how much the old rat actually understood in terms of human vocabulary.

Often Andrew felt drawn to the trees, like the ones in the Forbidden Forest that stood starkly in the distance, whenever he wandered the Grounds. Of all the places in nature, he enjoyed being in woods the most. Andrew gave a light-hearted huff at Emerly's remark. He wasn't nervous about being so close to the Forest, at least when it came to the dangers of encountering magical creatures, which he knew was next to impossible. If he were a unicorn or centaur, he wouldn't want to leave the shelter of the Forest either.

"Wouldn't that be something.." Andrew mused. His imagination stirred as he stared off into the Forest. "I wouldn't mind seeing one of them.. Someday." With a sigh, his thoughts reeled back to reality and school, remembering Emerly beside him. "Can't wait 'till third year," he expressed hopefully. "Finally be able to use all that 'Fantastic Beasts' knowledge, put that into use." He burrowed his hands in his jean pockets to keep the chill from nipping at them. "What's your book?" He asked, giving a head-motion towards the book Emerly was holding.

Emerly gave a series of deep, uncertain nods, watching Andrew like he was a snake Emerly wasn't sure was venomous or absolutely harmless. He opened his mouth, but closed it when Andrew noticed Penelope hidden in the piles of paperlike leaves, which, come to think of it, looked somewhat like magnified confetti, "She's having a little party for herself in those leaves." he noted, amusement playing across his features.
He quietly listened to the rest of Andrew's musings, noting how distant and pensive he seemed... if Emerly didn't know any better he'd assume the fellow Slytherin was as affected by the previous events as much as he was, as to how exactly was another guess for anyone to wonder about.
"I think it's fascinating there are creatures out there that aren't exactly human but... not exactly human... I don't know much about them, but I know about mermaids, for sure. I was excited to meet one, until I stumbled across a book about them in the library. It gets a little less interesting when you learn they're more akin to sirens... and more terrifying than beautiful." He sat down on the mossy steps and set the book down on his lap, crossing his arms and almost glaring off into the wood for a while. He cocked his head at Penelope and addressed Andrew without turning, "By the way, what's your favorite mythical... creature? I don't know the correct term for it among wizardfolk. Also, you can talk to rats? What kind of stuff does she say? Are you a parseltongue? Ah no... that's for snakes." he looked at the book face-down on his robes, and then at Andrew, head still cocked somewhat uncharacteristically mischievously at the other student, "Does talking to Slytherins make someone a parseltongue?" His eyes glimmered and he gave a great grin. A peaceful feeling welled up in him, and he realized that maybe, just maybe, Andrew had his reasons for snapping that one time. Though the healer instincts in Emerly didn't quite understand, he had plenty of time to find that out without asking directly... hopefully.
"Oh this? This is a very scary story, all the more scary because it actually happened... I've just now been trying to learn more about it, well... because my uncle told me to." he looked a little dismayed, "Ever heard of the Wizarding War?" he tapped the book, face returning to its usual sober reserve again, "Wild stuff... ever heard of the Malfoys?"

"She's having a little party for herself in those leaves."

Hopefully no snakes are partying in there as well, flashed through Andrew's mind, but kept the thought to himself. He didn't feel like poking pessimism right now.

"You plan on getting a pet?" He asked. For Andrew, it had been a no-brainer to get one as soon as possible. He couldn't imagine not having a critter around to look after, something to entertain him aside from humans.

"I think it's fascinating there are creatures out there that aren't exactly human but... not exactly human... I don't know much about them, but I know about mermaids, for sure. I was excited to meet one, until I stumbled across a book about them in the library. It gets a little less interesting when you learn they're more akin to sirens... and more terrifying than beautiful."

"Hm." Andrew listened to Emerly's comments. A moment of silence passed as he was absorbed in thought. Sure, Andrew was cautious, but not exactly fearful at the thought of interacting with merpeople. One just had to learn how to speak their language, was all. Being respectful and kind… He wondered if he could lure out a siren by playing a flute or other instrument at the Lake shore. Sirens did like music, right? Or could they only hear tunes underwater?

While Emerly sat down on the mossy steps, Andrew remained standing, hands stuffed inside his pockets. Curiously, the first year seemed to be much more talkative than usual.

"By the way, what's your favorite mythical... creature? I don't know the correct term for it among wizardfolk. Also, you can talk to rats? What kind of stuff does she say? Are you a parseltongue? Ah no... that's for snakes."

"Oh, no, I don’t talk to rats. At least I haven't heard her say anything. But I do think she's smarter than normal rats, though. At least those that haven't been raised by wizards. Maybe she understands me. But I don't know."

"Does talking to Slytherins make someone a parseltongue?"

Was Emerly playing dumb, or…? Andrew raised an eyebrow at him, not sure whether to respond sarcastically or seriously. He huffed in amusement. "Depends on your point of view," he replied, hoping he didn't sound too boring.

"Well, as for magical/mythical creature, I… don't really have a preference. Maybe…Thunderbird? Because of my wand core—Thunderbird tail feather—if I had to pick one. But my sister, Stacy, she loves horses and keeps asking me about whether I've seen unicorns and pegasi yet. So if I could only meet one, it'd be one of those."

"Oh this? This is a very scary story, all the more scary because it actually happened... I've just now been trying to learn more about it, well... because my uncle told me to. Ever heard of the Wizarding War? Wild stuff... ever heard of the Malfoys?"

"Yeah, I heard about 'em. And the Potters. And both the Wars." Who in Hogwarts didn't know about the First and Second Wizarding Wars? At least in Slytherin, they were popular topics of discussion, especially about Voldemort and the Death Eaters and the Malfoys. Honestly, it had been a little unnerving for Andrew when he first heard of it during his first year, realizing that he had been Sorted into the House where most "bad guys" in England's wizarding history came from. 'I hope I don't turn out evil', he remembered writing in his first letter home. . .

But after slicing Jack across the face with Diffindo in a burst of anger he didn't know he had, it had unsettled Andrew to wonder if he was undergoing a transformation of character.

Because no—he had decided resolutely—he wasn't sorry for hurting Jack Warren. He was only sorry that it had to come to that.

He couldn't deny that it felt empowering to unleash his magic and stand up for himself. Perhaps this action had earned him a tally of respect and awe from some students who admired heroics, but there were others that had distanced themselves from him in the same manner of fear and wariness as Emerly had. Not to go unnoticed by Andrew. After that DADA scuffle, he and Emerly hardly spoke a word to each other since. Before that, they had only met each other a few weeks into the school year, the only conversations they had mainly being about school and the like.

"Your uncle. He's a wizard? Don't remember if I asked, but are you…half-blood or…?" He trailed off. It was always best to assume 'half-blood' than to offend a pure-blood by suggesting they might be muggle-born.

Emerly pursed his lips at the mention of a pet. Granted, when his family moved in with his paternal grandmother in London he had been very happy to reunite with the yellow cat he had only seen on visits, "Well, my grams had a tabby named Knight, a real lion of a creature. He was real friendly. My aunt owns him now..." he wrinkled his nose, trying to figure out if it'd be a good idea to disclose he'd shown interest in getting a cat to keep him company while shopping before school started in Diagon Alley, but not all too much interest- his parents couldn't quite afford the best robes and other supplies, he wasn't quite bold enough to burden them with another expense.
"I like cats myself, but I honestly considered a toad. I really like green, but then I realized I might lose it and end up chasing it down to the Chamber of Secrets, now wouldn't that be something eh? But if I save up enough I might adopt a cat, name him Rook or something. Who knows? I might end up with a whole chess set of felines by the time I graduate! Not sure though..."
He hid a smile behind his book, eyes sparkling, "You know! Since Slytherins are snakes! Ahh... never mind..." he put the book back down, flattening his hand over the cover, suddenly going somber.
"You reckon a thunderbird'll fly out of your wand whenever we learn to do corporal patronuses? Or a horse? Ah, a pegasus would be fascinating..."
He seemed somewhat distracted though, hand still tracing over the silver lettering on the volume. When Andrew inquired about his blood status and uncle he tensed. He had been hoping Andrew had forgotten it when Emerly had unintentionally let it slip a few times around the time the both of them had first met Erik Tharaldsen, a decidedly pureblooded Slytherin in Second year, and that in the off-chance Andrew did forget, it wouldn't be brought up again. When Emerly spoke again, his voice abruptly took on a cold, distant quality, and whatever friendliness or softness he wore on it before flew away as quickly as the barrage of leaves that blew up in a strong, cool gust and swirled up the stair like a wave, "I think I should go." Face curiously serious, he gripped the book close to him and made his way to the top of the stair. He paused for a moment, and looked back, and he seemed to have an internal battle storming away in his eyes- go, stay quiet? Stay, disclose? It seemed like a risk either way... as to what choice he would make was another one for the guess book...

Andrew wasn't good at subtlety. He also didn't take things personally. So whenever people reacted…differently…than he anticipated, he wouldn't let it bother him. Rather, he'd let it roll off his shoulders and forget about it. That's what made him a good secret-keeper, at least when it came others' personal lives. If he was curious, it wasn't so that might gossip about it. Andrew, having grown up in a happy household, couldn't relate to those who would want to hide anything about their family lives. Funny how half-bloods could be even more sensitive than Muggle-borns when it came to talking about families and blood status. Seeing Emerly's demeanor change struck Andrew as odd, but in a way, did answer his question. Clearly, it was a sensitive subject. But fine. . . If Emerly didn't want to talk about it, then Andrew would make a mental reminder not to pry about it again.

At least until he forgot about it. . .

He wouldn't protest when Emerly decided to up and leave. Andrew would maintain a cordial expression and keep silent, seeing the boy walk away from the corner of his eye. Andrew wouldn't turn around to watch him go.

Seeing that Andrew was standing by himself, Penelope would come running up, ushered by a sense to keep her owner company. Feeling a tug on his right pant leg, Andrew would glance down to see Penelope scaling her way up. A few leaves and twigs clung to the wooly material of Penelope's sweater, bristling against Andrew's neck as she snuggled close. Andrew would scoop her up to pick off the stickers of dried plant material before placing her back on his shoulder.

With a sigh, he would meander down the slope, lost in thought once again.