Musing

17 September 2025

Colin was waiting for Liam. Again. They were supposed to meet here a whole five minutes ago to head up to the library for some important research. He was sat crouching on one of the plinths in the shadow of the suit of armour. Greebo was curled up on the plinth behind him, enjoying a brief nap. He thought back to the day he and AngelFyre had enchanted them to dance, and how his bestie had tried to --- er --- sing. He smiled. He hadn't thought of that day in a long time. He felt as if the old darkness had truly left him, especially after the events of this last summer. They'd found out many things. Colin was actually quite eager to spill the tea to Emmi! He knew just the place to take her for that kind of talk!

He let his eyes defocus and concentrated on the world of scent around him. Apart from what he called the "old smells" --- the castle itself, age, the wee creatures that inevitably moved in to a place where people lived, hints of ancient blood and war, perhaps even magic itself --- there were the "new smells". People, both students and teachers, of course, and their various cats and owls and crups and snakes.

Colin smiled again. He could tell that Kibō had been here, along with his boy Kim. Ever since Jacob left Lear's Army to him and Kim, he'd wanted to find the elusive Gryff so they could talk! And naturally Bailey too! Some scents were strong, he thought. Not just the way the girls, and even some lads, doused themselves in stinky perfume! Colin made a soft retching sound. That stuff gave him a real headache, and he absolutely hated being in class near one of them!

Honestly! What was so wrong about a simply clean and perfume free body and clothes! He and Liam had talked about this several times. Scent auras they called it. They were researching this in the Library. Colin knew that some kids had their "signature scents", favourite stinky water that they poured all over themselves. Probably with the express purpose of ticking off all werewolves. Colin smirked. After all, they didn't call perfume "toilet water" for nothing!

But it was the scent auras Colin was thinking about. AngelFyre, speaking of, had indeed been this way. Several hours ago, he thought. Sun on hair, fresh air, strength, Simon. Colin smiled. And a hint of recently worked herbs in the greenhouses. Yes, AngelFyre had come this way after Herbology class. Starch and fresh laundry, pride and prejudice, the scent of purity and not undeserved haughtiness. Avery Leveret had passed by quite a while ago. Perhaps yesterday as the scent was now quite faint.

Now that class was out, the corridor filled with a pressure wave of scent in motion. Mostly unknown to him, the first years were streaming along, playing their games and chattering! Colin remembered the last time he and Liam had streamed along, playing their own games and chattering. Colin laughed softly --- just yesterday! One of those totally annoying twins, Jun, actually managed to slip aside before Colin could shove her against the wall! And she had the gall to laugh! Well, she was a fellow Wolf, and Colin was actually proud of her evasion! He let his mind wander over the first years. None were distinct here. They came in four flavours --- vaguely Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor scented. Colin could easily tell what House a kid was in.

That actually came in handy around this time of year. Sometimes a poor little Hufflpuff would find herself lost in the corridors and, even without saying so, Colin could just tell she was trying to get back home. First years were so cuwute! All innocent and eager! Of course, by October, those who actually survived would be sleeping with their wands under their pillows just in case some old hag wormed her way into the castle looking for a tasty midnight snack!

Colin sniffed delicately at the air again. A familiar scent. Gryffindorque. She smelled of courage and blood. Colin wrinkled his nose. A couple kids smelled like that. Also very strongly of Emily. Not many kids smelled like Emmi! Colin smiled. He knew who was approaching him. He never opened his eyes, but he greeted her anyway: "Ayo Scout! What---?"


"Pardon me-- Coming through-- Hi Scoutie-- Bye Scoutie--! Colin! I can't today-- I have somewhere to be!" A rush of wildflowers, fresh air, books, choco, forest, pine, leaves, fresh blood, strength, no fear, and embodied courage blew by them! Colin opened his eyes as a hand ruffled his wayward hair! Colin smiled and called after the girl: "EMMIII! I'll catch ye later lassie!" Greebo stretched and emerged from behind Colin to greet Scout.

He looked back at Scout with a shrug. "Isn't Emmi just the best!" Colin sighed as he watched his girl dash out the door of the castle and into the outside! "I haven't told her yet, but I do love that girl..."

@Emily Shephard | @Scout Fu-Hai