Finished Taking a Trip Down the frosty Memory Lane PV Zephyr pt 2

Zephyr followed the girl while occasionally watching her out of the corner of his eye. Noticing the cup in her hand, he hid a grin. The girl really didn't let go of that one and brought it with her as they explored the grounds to the lake. Seeing her like that, she seemed more approachable, not someone who wanted to avoid him.

“Just by the bank?” he shifted his head toward the silhouette she pointed out. It was the same willow tree he climbed whenever he wanted to feel free or think. His favorite spot. The branches were low enough to get on easily but high enough to feel like he was above the rest of the world. It's so easy to sit for hours, “That willow tree? That's my favorite spot too. I climb that one a lot, we like the same tree then.”

He comes here whenever there is a lot on his head, when he needs to sort through ideas, or just escapes from everything else. He liked the view of the lake they looked smaller. He would bring his sketchbook up there too, to draw the lake or the sky, or sometimes just the tree itself. It helped him think and feel calm.

"That’s why I like it so much, the brances touching the water. Just then, a single snowflake landed on his sleeve, and he looked up at the gray sky. He didn’t mind the thick clouds but the snow made the place looked more peaceful. "Snow..." He commented as he raised his hand to catch more snowflakes. He glanced at Ada and saw her looking back at him with a sheepish grin. Her excitement over something so simple mirrored his reaction.

Sharing his favorite place with someone else who liked it too seemed nice. Maybe making a friend wasn’t so complicated after all. "Want to climb together? Or you want to go back to the castle since it's snowing now?" It's bound to get colder later.

@Ada Hawkins

Something tells him he should watch her reaction when he mentioned about the willow tree. There was a part of him that was expecting her to hesitate or get territorial about it. But she didn't, instead, she smiled. Even though the tree is technically part of the school and it's not their property, he was so used to going there whenever he needs some time to be left alone with his thoughts that he already considered it as his place. His spot. Not in the way that it's possessive but more because it was his safe space when he didn’t want to deal with anyone else. A quiet spot that doesn't belong to crowds or noise. But at the same time, now that he was talking about it with someone who probably share the same reason as his, Zephyr realized he didn't mind sharing it. He even let someone else sit there with him before. It has become like a symbol to him, not so much as keeping people out, but who he let in. Right now, he didn’t mind her being there at all.

The snow started coming down softly at first, flakes falling past them in soft patterns. He glanced up at the gloomy sky and nodded in agreement. It was not a big deal to him whether they climb or not, irrespective of the weather. “Yep, let’s do it, I don’t mind the snow.” But to be more practical and not to be stupid as well, he added, “We can stay for a bit, it doesn’t have to be long if it gets too cold.” He noticed her shiver, causing him to glance at the tree again, already thinking ahead. “The branches might be a little slippery, take it slow when you get on.”

He walked over to the tree and brushed some of the snow off a lower branch with his hand before testing his grip. “I’ll go first.” And started climbing, testing each step if they will hold and he won't slip. “And if it gets too cold, we should head back. No point freezing out here.” He didn’t make it sound like a warning but more of a plan and a suggestion. The girl didn’t seem awkward, just quiet and careful. Maybe they're the same when dealing with people. Looking up, he thought it’s better up there anyway. They will see more of the lake if they want to continue talking. Once he reached the bigger branch where he usually sits, he stopped and took his usual spot there and waited for Ada. "Everything okay so far?"

@Ada Hawkins

Being the first one to climb, he automatically went to his usual spot which happened to be one of the bigger and thicker branch of that willow tree. That particular branch was long and it was hovering above the lake which gave him a good view of the lake and what's happening beneath the surface whenever he was rewarded with clear water on specific days. He gave his undivided attention to Ada while she was climbing, being alert just in case she would need his help. He was serious with his warning that some parts of the tree were slippery due to the snow and as much as possible, he was avoiding any accidents to happen again in his presence. He had enough for that in his lifetime. While watching her, he noticed they have different styles in climbing. He's usually very careful despite how many times he did this in the past with the same tree. Ada, on the other hand moved confidently as if nothing could ruin her moment which told him how often she did this like him.

When she finally reached his spot, he grinned and smiled at her as a form of acknowledgment. "Nice, you're really into this activity." There was no surprise in his voice anymore, just a mere observation of her actions which said a lot about her experience. He adjusted his position on the branch to give her more space. The snowfall was getting heavier, it started covering the ground, the bark, even the tree leaves. "Somehow, when it's snowing like this, I feel like the world suddenly turned silent." He voiced his thoughts just to get her opinion.

His gaze shifted to the lake for a moment when suddenly, a bird landed on the branch between them. He watched it in fascination, definitely a welcome addition. Ada surprised him when she pulled out crumbs and fed some to it. The bird peck at her hand. Before he could say anything, the bird flew off and the girl apologized to him which confused him for a minute. "Why are you apologising? It’s a bird, it will show up on its own terms. You're just being nice by giving it food. I don't see anything wrong with that.” Glancing at where the bird had been. "I had worse interruptions up here before, like that squirrel trying to steal my sketchbook. I lost that fight, by the way.” A hint of amusement in his voice as he told her that, feeling more relaxed than before. "How often do you come here?" It came as surprise that they frequent the same tree but he never saw her before. They must have a different schedule when visiting this tree.

@Ada Hawkins

Zephyr leaned back against the trunk while watching Ada catch a snowflake on the tip of her finger. The crystal vanished and melted into a single droplet that slipped soundlessly onto the branch below. There was a moment neither of them spoke. For Zephyr, he was used to silence, he likes, embrace it and makes it his companion most of the times.

After the bird flew off and Ada laughed at the story about the squirrel, the last remnants of tension dissolved entirely. The sound of her laughter was like an assurance to him, as if he had accomplished something. And maybe he did...? He gained a friend just now. One look at her face and he could say this version of her was not guarded at all or not trying to retreat into herself. She was just being Ada.

Zephyr nodded in understanding when she responded how frequent she visited this place while absently brushing a thin layer of snow from the sleeve of his coat. “That's okay, sometimes the castle swallows up all your time without you noticing it.” His gaze shifted toward the outline of Hogwarts castle through the snowfall. Even from here, the castle looked something ancient under the grey sky.

A smile appeared on his lips at her question, or should he consider that as an observation? “I come here a lot, as often as I could.” He glanced at the dark lake beneath them, the snowflakes vanished on its surface. “Usually, when I want to be alone. We probably just miss each other somehow.” He looked at her, “You strike me as someone who comes here when you also wanted to be alone.”

@Ada Hawkins

When the girl nodded, that simple gesture told him he’s been right. They both came to this tree for the same reason. It was not to hide from people, but to find somewhere peaceful and quiet. It was a comforting thought, knowing he’s not the only one who wanted a place like this.

There was a moment neither of them spoke again. The snow just continued to fall around them. They settled on the willow’s branches and turned the lake’s surface white. He couldn’t help rubbing his hands together and then hid them under his arms for warmth. He insisted the cold didn’t bother him, but that was before they spent so long sitting still. His fingers were now stiff and they were also trembling.

It was Ada who broke the silence, who just told him she was going back to the castle now. Hearing the part of detention, he laughed before he could stop himself. “I’ll rather climb trees than write History of Magic essays too.” Her next action surprised him when she just jumped down from the branch and landed in the snow as if this was a normal thing for her to do.

He shook his head in amusement. “You’re making it look way too easy.” Using the branches and bark instead, he climbed down carefully the same way he came up, which included testing footholds before lowering himself to the next. Once his boots touched the ground, he brushed the snow from his sleeves and flexed his fingers, to try to get some feeling back into them. The girl said her goodbye and the mention of kitchen confused him. “The kitchens?” He thought students were not allowed anywhere near them. Although he was curious how food just appeared in the Great Hall when he first arrived here. The idea genuinely surprised him. “Why not?”

He pulled his scarf higher around his neck as gust of cold wind swept across the lake. “I’ll like that.” He also went back to the castle, and while walking, he shoved his freezing hands deep into his pockets. He came outside expecting nothing more than a peaceful afternoon but was leaving with something he never expected to find - a friend.

End.

@Ada Hawkins

Reducio

OOC Notes: don’t worry about it, I have a lot of stuff happening irl too hence the delays in all my rp replies. Thank you for this rp, tagging this as finished now. Let me know if you want a new one this coming school year.