Closed Precepts: discarded at the Lake. PV w/ Lucian

You ever feel like the walls are closing in on you? That the air is just slowly running out and you are finding it harder and harder to breathe? I feel like that a lot. Usually after a particularly trying day. I know that for weeks after the January fiasco I spent more time outside of the castle than inside but also when I was younger I would get the House Elf to apperate us onto the roof so I could just breathe without being told that’s ‘not the Pureblood way to do it, Michael’. Uff. Stupid Michael. Half the time I believe my grandfather just wanted me named after his friend because he can’t remember my stinkin’ name. Why would you call your grandson after your dead best friend? It’s ludicrous. But I never said anything; always being the Golden Boy — much to Niklaus’ chagrin. I think that boy would love it if I fell off of the Wesley Throne just for his own gain. He would make a perfect Slytherin if he attended here and not Durmstrang, that is.

I carefully made my way up from the dungeons, almost becoming one with the wall as I scoured across. Trying to see if anyone was about. I carefully and nimbly made my way out and that’s when I was outside! I still stuck to the shadows a little before making a break for the lake. I could just lay on the grass and let the chill breeze wash over me like a soft blanket. Close my eyes. Listen to the birds and just that silent air.

As I neared I saw a figure near a tree trunk. Frowning, I grew cautious and didn’t advance. Was this a prefect? A teacher? Perhaps even the Headmaster? Well… if it’s a prefect surely they too are breaking the rules so it would be a checkmate of sorts? And if it were staff… wouldn’t they look more adult-y? This chap looked content and not at all adult like.

I edged closer and really tried to zero in on them. They hadn’t noticed me yet, thank Merlin, but as I got closer I deduced that they were, indeed, a student and it was okay to advance. “Hello,” I greeted, stood at his feet. I wasn’t really expecting anyone to be out here. I had hoped for pure isolation. Perhaps it wouldn’t be too bad. “Come for a late night wander have you?” I added with a slight smile. Maybe it would be nice to talk to someone. On one hand, I knew I wouldn’t fall asleep here! But on the other, I came to collect my thoughts and decompress. Maybe this lad would be a nice person to talk to though, he looked like he would be a firstie. Wonder who he is, though. Can’t be a Slytherin or else I would have seen him at least in passing.

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Oliver could feel the darkness of his eyelids isolating him, he felt the back of his hair pillowing his head from a hard-wood tree trunk, it took him a good few seconds to realise the peculiar nature of his sleeping position, sitting upwards on a ancient lake-side tree nested with the exposed roots of what was definitely not the Hufflepuff Dorms.

Oliver opened his eyes in a startle finally understanding the oddity of his situation, his head felt light once again and his body well-rested, he peered at his surroundings, The Hufflepuff was still by the lake, before him the blackened silhouette of a student of similar stature, masked by the fruitless illumination of a now pitch-black sky. The first thought to cross Oliver was how late it had become, had he only rested his eyelids for a quick moment? yet the sky had gone from a purple twilight to an inky night. Then his second thought passed; who is this person? it can't be a prefect, surely he had seen all the prefects by now and none are this short. Oliver began to panic internally, his bets was it's a first year like him but even then is he a snitch? The Hufflepuff didn't mean to stay out too late he would never, he just slipped into a quick nap, "Now that is just a poor excuse!" he could already hear the professors rambling, maybe it would be worth pretending to still be asleep, maybe the witness would understand and would leave him alone, but it was far too late for that Oliver was already pressing a panicked gaze at the quizzing silhouette he couldn't back out with that. Oliver calmed down reaching his conclusion, with an attentive cough he began to share words.

"Well I wouldn't call this a wander, I've mostly just been sitting here."

Oliver readjusted himself; aiming for a more lax and sleek posture he stood up stoically, meeting with the silhouettes visage, faint details could be noticed from Oliver's stance, fine brows, luscious hair, and a slight smile accompanied the lips. It was good news for Oliver who broke his sleek posture a notch as the tensity of the situation died.

As Oliver peered at the similar figure it struck him, his lax expression turned into concern as the Hufflepuff inquired.

"What are you doing out this late?"