The Whomping Willow, one of the oldest and most notorious additions to the Hogwarts Grounds. Be careful of the tree, however! You gotta know how to hit it just right!

Brittany ran out onto the grounds, coming to a brisk walk. She pulled her wand from within her robes, and without muttering a word, she flicked it. Seconds later, her broom zoomed into her awaiting, and open right hand. She began a swift jog, and hopped on the broom, zooming towards the edge of the Grounds, to an all too familiar tree. She pointed her wand to the ground, summoning a small rock into her hand. She aimed and threw the rock perfectly at the notch within the tree, immediately calming the already uncontrollable Whomping Willow.

She planted her feet on the ground, holding her broom over her right shoulder now and began pacing around, searching for something.

"Now that was quite a display..." She uttered. Her legs moved out from behind the woodland. A red jacket cuddled her torso, trapping elements of heat within the fabric. Eyes, dilated hovered over the girl inquizitively. Her rummaging seem so petty and unnecessary. Her hand hung around an opposing tree, scratching soft skin on the bark. "May I enquired as to what your looking for?" Elle twittered, motioning towards the ground.

Brittany pulled her wand out quicker than she realized and pointed it straight in the direction that the voice had come from. She sighed and dropped her wand slowly.

"S-sorry, I didn't know anyone was out here. Um, I'm just looking for something that I had out here earlier... I could have swore it was here, um... maybe you might know where it is. It's a pearl necklace, with a silver pendant in the center."

She smiled at Elle, but she did not pocket her wand.

The wand had no effect on Emmanuelle's stance nor did it provoke a violent turning. Elle could have been a murderer for all the girl had noticed. Easy pay for a sweet young lady like her. She glared blankly at the girl. "That was clumsy of you." She uttered. Hands dressed her pockets slowly, caressing the soothing felt with her fingertips. "Was the necklace very precious to you?" Elle tilted her face towards the grass.

She lowered her wand more, seeing that there was no need for her harshness. She sighed, dropping to her knees to help.

"Yes- it was very important to me. It was the last thing I ever received from my parents before they died... I can't have it be lost, I just can't."

She hadn't meant to make him mad. But he was being an ass- literally. Damn centaurs didn't know when to keep their tempers. They were the condescending ones- all she ever did was praise and suck up to them... and then one mistake- one little quip and she's kicked out- literally again.

She held a hand fast to her lip- a conjured white cloth pressed to her mouth- soaked through with crimson. int he darkness it looked back.
"Shit, that's gonna look fantastic for a week- maybe I can find a scar healing spell- I'm sure I can- if not M-pomf can take care of it." God, she loved madame Pomfrey. In fact, Vipera had gotten into the hospital wing quite a few times. usually for fights- nice.... Centaur fight was definitely one for the record books. too bad it ended in Vipera running away. Hah. yeah... like she'd try to take on a herd of centaurs- DUMB IDEA!

And it was uponn returning from the Forest that Vipera noticed Britt and Emanuelle.
She walked up, not bothering to take the cloth from her mouth. She did pull it away to speak though as she drew close to them.
"Ohhh A Slytherin and a Gryffindor working together- how sweet" she teased, a large cut running through her cheek and lip. She cracked a small white smile.
"What's up- looking for something? Oh hey Emanuelle- you move in yet? I'm prefect- missed you girl." she said before stopping- noting the look on Britt's face.

"Something wrong?"

Brittany wiped her eyes and looked up, startled to see that Vipera was bleeding. She stood up, brushing her knees off, looking behind where Vipera had walked from. She raised her eyebrow, walking over to her.

"Who did you piss off now, Vipera? I can fix that if you want..."

She smiled weakly. Her friends were certainly more important than her current dilemma.

Vipera laughed and that laugh turned into a sneer.
"A bunny rabbit- eh don't worry Headmistress I got it under control, but you don't seem to- what in the hell are you looking for?" she asked, arching an eyebrow at the woman.

OOC- Don't say woman, hahaha. It makes me feel old and fat.

Two could play at that game. She smirked her signature smirk, and raised an eyebrow at Vipera. Sometimes she wondered how she was place in Slytherin, because she could be a real bitch sometimes.

"What makes you think I'm going to tell you, if you can't even be honest about what obviously had the upperhand on you?"

Vipera gave her a wicked grin. "It was a big bunny? Upper hand? Really Britt it's just a cut- You should see the Bunny." Vipera laughed, the sound just a little harsh coming from a girl so sharp. It sounded a bit like broken glass- pained.
"Doesn't matter Headmistress- couldn't tell you if I wanted to." In fact, she'd probably be expelled so it was best if she kept it to herself.

"So what are you looking for Brittanyyyy" she drawled. "You don't believe I'm telling the truth?" she pouted.

She sighed. She wasn't going to play this game with her. She almost hated her new stature within Hogwarts- she knew that her friends felt like they couldn't tell her things, and frankly- all of her friends were involved in illegal activities that were more frowned upon than approved of. There was no visible way of persuading Vipera to be honest with her, and it pained her. She was still that trustworthy, reckless, fun friend- everyone else just couldn't see it.

What's the point in lying... she thought. She took a deep sigh, dropping her arms in defeat.

"I'm looking for my necklace, alright? I lost it down here a few days ago, I think. I've looked everywhere. It's a pearl necklace with a silver pendant. It's important to me... have you saw it by chance?"

"Try a summoning charm yet?" Vipera asked, her voice a little less catty then before and she noted Britt's crestfallen face.
They had never been that close- I mean- Britt was Gryffindor last year and I mean- it wasn't like they were best friends- and now she wanted to know Vipera's secrets? Well, that just wasn't going to happen- despite the fact that Britt was nice and actually quite well-thought-of by Vipera- she wasn't a confidant yet by any means. But then again- who did Vipera confide to? No one. Exactly.

She nodded. She decided to tell her the truth, what could it hurt? The only way to get her trust was to confide in her.

"I've tried everything, Vipera. Believe me. I have a feeling that it was stolen. I haven't told anyone yet. I have my reasons for thinking so, however. I've been having some pretty interesting dreams lately regarding this school, and Shawn Black. I have a feeling that this is the beginning."

She put her wand in her robes and sat down on the grass, patting in front of her for her to sit.

Vipera sighed and sat. Woo- bonding time. It kinda disgusted her. She wasn't really the emotionally lovey-dovey type. She eyed Britt with suspicion.
"If you think it's stolen Britt- then it probably is- Why do you think that? Kids playing pranks already? I'm the Slythy prefect I can probably get it back- It's probably in Myrtle's toilet."

She paused and listened.
"Well dreams are just dreams Britt- unless you're a psychic or Legimens. Are you? And Shawn... does it have to do with that damned talking stick?"

She shook her head. She'd win her over eventually, she could tell. Vipera was a curious girl, and sometimes curiosity got the best of her. She could tell that Vipera, although stubborn, wanted friends more than anything- that's what anyone wants afterall.

"It has nothing to do with school pranks. This jewelry has a specific meaning to me, and only someone who truly knows me would know it's importance. I don't even wear it, that's how much it means to me. It was the last thing that my parents gave me before they died..." She hated feeling vulnerable.

"I'm not a prophet, if that's what you're asking me. I do have a tendency to have prophetic dreams, but this dream- is incredibly realistic. It has nothing to do with Merlin... it's vague... I can't explain it to you, though I want to..."

She smiled at her, her eyes twinkling.

"Nah- Actually you probably can" Vipera said, eyeing her. "Dad was a Legimens." She arched an eyebrow.
"So? It's just a piece of jewelry- no magical properties right?" She tried to be practical about it. "And you think someone stole it because why... just to irritate you? Or to send a message? And maybe the dream won't come true. I have vivid dreams too but they never do that."

"What is Shawn? You seem to be awfully worried about him- why is he so important to you?"

She frowned slightly.

"It's not just a piece of jewelry, I mean- yeah, it has no magical properties that I know of, but- it means a lot to me. I think it's bait, in fact- I'm pretty sure it's bait. It's very important to me, Vipera."

She sighed at her next question.

"Shawn and I have... well, we have a past. We dated for about a year, and we actually got married- it was all very romantic, but then things fell apart, he went away- there was a war... it all sounds so dramatic. He's a close friend to me now. I still love him, but... not in that way... I don't think..."

She looked up at her, eyeing her carefully. She thought she could trust her with this. She hoped that Vipera wouldn't disappoint her.

"How can it be bait if you don't know where it is or who has it?" she asked, frowning as she listened to Britt's love story. Wow. And she thought she had boy problems. Ouch.

She shrugged. "So he's like what- a brother because I don't really think you can ever love someone you're married to.... like a brother- but whatever-" she shrugged. "War? Like here? with the Order or what? And where did he go away to?"

She shook her head. She continued on.

"In my dream, I know who has my necklace. I can see him clearly, though I don't know who he is. I know who the person with him is though. It's one of Shawn's enemies, actually- his brother. His name is Shika. However, Shawn claims that he killed Shika. He swears on it, so- it's confusing."

She sighed.

"The war was a different type of war. You'd have to ask Shawn about it. It's all very confusing, I'm still not sure about who it was between, all's I know was that Shawn was the leader... he was the King, I guess. I didn't know he was that important when I started dating him, believe me..."

"As for your question about how I feel about Shawn... I still don't know. There was never any closure, you know? It's hard to say."

"Well, I don't know what to say to that-" she murmured, looking down at te grass and running her ivory fingers through the blades like piano keys. "Anywho- so Shika is some bad guy- can't be baiting you because there's nowhere for you to go... You pretty much love Shawn and so- I guess you just have to let the necklace go then- it ain't coming back.... I guess"

She shook her head.

"I wish it were that simple, Vipera. You see, in my dream, I see myself looking for the necklace, and I come across it, only Shawn is with me. There is this- battle, I guess you could say. Vipera... Shawn- he dies."

She bit her lip. This always hurt her to talk about. The last time she mentioned this to anyone, she got her head chewed off by a stubborn Shawn Black.

"I've seen Shika. I saw him once in the forest. I could have swore I did. I told Shawn that, and he basically flipped out on me. I don't want to cause any worry to him. I'm leaving tonight- to go to the area where I saw this dream happening. I didn't tell Shawn about it... I'm going alone. I have a feeling that if he came, my dream would come true... it's already set in motion..."

"Why do you have to go?" she asked, her eyes a little angry. "Why is this necklace so damn important Britt? Is it worth your life?" she asked.

"No necklace- no matter how pretty or sentimental is worth as much as you Britt- and I'm sure Shawn would want you to stay here. Stay here otherwise you're just playing into it- seriously. Just ignore it." Vipera glared at britt in frustration. What was so damn important about that necklace/ So her parents gave it to her? So what! It wasn't worth it. No memory was....

She raised an eyebrow at her outburst, focusing mainly on the part where she said that she was worth something. This was different for Vipera- she was getting to her.

"Don't you understand, Vipera? It's not the fact that my necklace is missing. I have plenty of memories, I don't need the necklace- it's merely a symbol. It's the fact that it's missing, and what that means. They expect me to react. They expect me to bring Shawn along. This is all a ploy to get to Shawn, don't you get it? I'm not going to let that happen! I'm going to confront them myself. I'm not going to let them get near Shawn, no matter how hard they try."

"I've always relied on Shawn, they expect me to do that."

Her laugh echoed this time- and a mixture of pity and anger ran through her, the laugh a characteristic breaking of glass- tinkling shards that fell to the earth in pieces.

"Britt- why do you have to go at all? Either way they don't get Shawn. Fine. If you want to go get killed super, but don't pretend to be a heroine when you're really just being stupid." she said, flat out and honest. She stood. She was ready to go. Britt was nice but the last thing she wanted to hear was more childish ideas about being a heroine, a martyr and something better than average. Blah Blah Blah- it was annoying. Clearly, this game wasn't in Britt's favour- and if she wanted to lose. Fine. Vipera would let her. She didn't give that much of a damn. And she had already said her piece.

"I got some shit to do in the Common Room," she lied, ready to leave.

She stared at Vipera, speaking quietly.

"Vipera, if I don't go to them, they'll come here- and all of my friends would be in jeapordy. Now- look. I know what you must think of me. 'Sad little Gryffindor girl, always trying to be brave.' Well, you're wrong. Just because I have a deep love for my friends, and because I want to protect them, doesn't mean that you should look down on me. I'm not being stupid, I'm doing what's right. They're going to get Shawn either way. I want to at least give him time... he's never had a place that's been as solid as Hogwarts."

"So, you know what? Call me pathetic, call me whatever you like. At least I'll be able to live with myself at the end of the day..."

She stood up, brushing herself off.

"Thanks for nothing, Vipera. I thought for a moment that you would be different but no- soon you'll learn that pushing everyone away is not the way to gain admirer's."

"How do you know they'll come here? Whoever the hell they are- and Hogwarts has good defenses. I doubt a bunch of random wizards could do it- the only way Voldemort got in was because of Draco- even he couldn't break in without help." She laughed and rolled her eyes.

"Yeah yeah... bravery, is that a synonym for stupidity? I didn't know that- thanks for the grammar lesson Headmistress." she emphasized the word and walked off towards the castle.

"Admirers?" she asked, steaming as she thundered away. 'Why the hell do I need admirers? What's to be admired?" She grumbled and cursed a little more. See what happens when you try to listen to a Gryffie- they just show you their true colors.
Scarlet and Gold.

Colors of Fools.

She watched her go, not saying a word. She didn't need to defend herself, she knew what she was doing, she knew it was the right thing to do. She felt sorry for Vipera, when it came down to it. She knew that her stubborness would result in her being lonely for the rest of her life. She hoped that one day she would realize that and change for the better.

She held out her wand and continued searching for her necklace, though already knowing where it was- where it had to be.

Paul walked down to the womping willow to have a bit of a workout coming to the clearing he saw a girl searching around in the grass for something"Hey you shouldnt be here im going to set the tree off and its not safe to hang around"He called

She looked up at Paul, smiling weakly.

"It's okay, I know where the notch is. I've already contained it. Trust me, I know these grounds like the back of my hand... if you could wait and not set it off while I search for something, that'd be great..."

Ooc its Paul different character sorry for the confusion



"That probably fine i can wait"Paul said somewhat downheartedly

OOC- Oops! I'll fix it. Thanks!

She stood up, frowning.

"Well, if you're in a hurry, you can go ahead and do it. I can wait until you do what you need to do..."

"Nope iv got all day i can afford to wait a few minutes.What are you looking for by the way?"Paul asked curiously

Ulti took a seat against the whomping willow. His quill in one hand, and a parchment in the other. Dear journal, my owl Who still hasn't returned since I last used him to deliver a question to Ragnarok. Its been almost a week. I still await his reply. Ulti rolled up the parchment. (Ragnarok is one of Ulti's centaur friends.)

She sighed, looking at Paul.

"My necklace... it's a pearl necklace with a silver pendant on the end. I really need to find it. I think I might know where it is, but I really hope that it's not... if that makes sense..."

"It doesnt but ive never been all that bright so dont worry about that"Paul replied

She laughed at his joke and sighed, giving up. She stood up and looked at him, crossing her arms over her chest.

"So, what're you doing out here?"

"Working out its a good spot for that sort of thing"Paul answered"Im Paul by the way"He added

She smiled and stuck her hand out for him to shake.

"I'm Brittany. Do you mind if I accompany you? I really don't have anything else going on tonight, and I haven't worked out in ages..."

"Sounds cool as long as you dont mind the sight of blood i get hit a lot"Paul said shaking britts hand