Once Every Millennium

[Ian Gray]

Ian held the lantern just near his head, peering closely at the trees. Although it was hours past curfew, he couldn't help but linger in the forest a little longer, having read something quite interesting in an Ancient Runes book earlier that week.

It seemed that a particular rune formed on Birch trees that were nearly a millennium old. Of course, the tree then contained properties that Ian would have enjoyed experimenting with--

They had the ability to create invisibility droughts.

Chewing his lip thoughtfully, he leaned in to one tree in particular. "If I were a tree that was a millennium old, where would I be hiding?" He said, scratching a finger down the bark. Smiling slightly, he turned his lantern and ventured deeper into the forest.

[Diana Fortuna]

Diana had been in the forest all afternoon and decided it best not to leave. It was dark and a bit creepy she had to admit but she liked it like that. Hearing footsteps she decided to hide in the shadows. It was Ian Gray and Gryffindor boy that was a year older than herself. When Ian spoke Diana came from behind him and whispered lightly, "I would be hiding deep in the forest... but that's just me dear Ian."

She giggled lightly when he turned around to look at her. She hadn't spoken to him in a long time, but she always found it interesting to see him.

[Ian Gray]

Ian raised a brow as a soft voice whispered in his ear, before a small smile flickered onto his face. "Deeper?"

Shining his lantern between them, he nodded toward the thick brush almost challengingly. "Alright then, Fortuna," he said while pushing back a branch and allowing her to step through. "Ladies first."

He grinned a bit, throwing the hood of his cloak over his head.

[Diana Fortuna]

Diana giggled and allowed herself to brush past him as she walked further into the forest. It was dark and getting chilly but she didn't mind it. She looked back at him and crossed her arms. "So you have no clue where this tree is," she said as her blue eyes shimmered in the light of the lantern.

[Ian Gray]

Ian sent her a slightly helpless look. "Hardly. I figured the best place would be to look in here, though I'm not even sure if I'll be able to find one."

Wincing as a few brambles scratched his wrist, he gestured beside him. "Maybe we should stray off the trail?" His voice grew a bit curious as he wondered whether or not Diana would agree to leaving the pathway to venture to the most dangerous parts of the forest.

[Diana Fortuna]

"Oh," Diana spoke lightly. "Well it just seems that the older the tree the farther back it is." Her eyes scanned over his, "Do you agree?"

She nodded but then walked in front of him to stop him playfully. Her hands met his lower stomach as she stopped him lightly. "That is if you.. my dear Gryffindor.. promise to stay by me and not to leave me all by my lonesome," she said winking at him lightly.

[Ian Gray]

Ian let out a small laugh, bowing as he pushed back a few more branches for the Slytherin. "Of course! What kind of Gryffindor do you take me for," he said with an impish grin, waiting for her to walk forward a bit before catching up.

"As for the trees, I suppose we'll have to look for the really tall ones." He paused beside one, searching for the Rune mark.

Seeing nothing like it, he let out a hum of disappointment. "It's really quite creepy in here, isn't it? I'm half expecting a vampire to come out of the trees and attack us..."

Of course, being half muggle, Ian had heard variations of horror vampire stories-- all portraying the creatures quite differently than they actually were. He gave Fortuna, who was most-likely pureblooded, a side long glance wondering if she would show her distaste at such Muggle-like tales.

[Diana Fortuna]

Diana smiled and put her hand charmingly on her heart. "Thank you Mizter Gray.. or shall I call you my night," she said winking and walking through the branches.

She could tell that it was getting darker and so she stayed close to Ian. "Vampires..." she said giggling. "Well my father befriended..." she stopped herself. "Umm yeahh.. I think it would more than likely be a werewolf that we should be frightened of," she spoke softly. She didn't go on with the story for she knew that he wouldn't be interested. As well it was of a darker origin and so she didn't think Ian would be interested. "Tall and mossy," she added as they walked further.

[Ian Gray]

Ian realised their origins were beginning to create an awkward tension between them, so he smiled slightly as he ducked under a thorny branch.

"Werewolves, Hunh?" He said thoughtfully, before stopping next to a tree to inspect it in vain. "Now, it would definitely be interesting to befriend one of those."

After a few more minutes of walking, a slow buzz sounded throughout the forest. Then, a sudden flash of lightning caused him to rear back.

Immediately, an onslaught of heavy rain fell onto them, and Ian cursed as the pages describing his Rune began to grow rigid. The ink slowly slipped down the parchment.

Of course, they had bigger problems to worry about as the rain was growing even more thick, the water at their feet reaching their ankles.

[Diana Fortuna]

Diana jumped and pretty much hugged up to Ian. However, when she found out it was just rain she hissed. "Bloody hell," she cursed the rain. "Well.." Diana looked at the rain hitting the book. Slightly tapping the book she let out a small, "Impervious." The water was now sliding off of the pages as if it was laminated. "Better," she said looking up at him.

It was noticeable that the rain was now rising. Her body was growing goosebumps and she looked utterly saddened. It had been a nice night for it to rain. Looking up at the sky she sighed. "So I say we find higher land until the rain dies down.. otherwise we may be screwed," she said lightly.

[Ian Gray]

Ian smiled thankfully, tucking the parchment between the folds of his cloak before nodding. "You're right. Looks like any tree hunting is spoiled... Though, I hope the rain stops soon. I've heard it can go on for days at at time in here..."

He paused, growing a bit nervous. "It would be terrible if the Ministry found us out here."

A soft howl rang out from a distance away, though Ian was certain he was just hearing things. Frowning, he tugged gently on Diana's robes and led her to the part of the forest ground that was slanted upwards.

The water was reaching their knees now, and the Gryffindor gripped the girl's cloak a bit more insistently. "We'd better hurry..." He said worriedly, noticing the shiver run down Diana's side.

Another howl. A few rickety branches screeching throughout the distance.

Ian sharply looked behind him, narrowing his eyes as he tried to find the source of the noise.

Branches crackling and a low snarl.

"Diana... I think..."

A loud snort. Impatient rustling near by.

"We should run." Ian finished, grabbing the girl's hand and rushing forward uphill as a wolfish creature suddenly lunged toward the spot where they had previously been standing.

[Diana Fortuna]

Diana looked at him, "Well we should find a tree anyways so we can get out of this." As he spoke of the Ministry she giggled. "The Ministry... no my dear.. my parents," she winked at him lightly. The Ministry had nothing against her parent's. "Don't worry we'll get out safet...ly" Diana heard a howl.

Another shiver ran down her body. She couldn't believe that of all times it was a werewolf. As Ian tugged on her robes Diana began to walk faster.

Hearing yet another howl and rustling, Diana had to keep herself from screaming. She couldn't believe that she was running from what seemed to be a werewolf. "Oh my God, Ian," Diana looked back and saw a deadly creature. Grabbing his hand she ran for it.

Diana didn't look back as the rain kept on pouring. They were stuck and the first thing that came to mind was to climb the tree. "Mobilicorpus," Diana hissed lifting them out of the water and into the tree. It was quite high up and when she sat down, her whole body was shaking. All she could do was wrap her arms around herself to help the shiver and bring her knees up a bit.

"D..D..Doo..Dooo you th..think...it..it's.. gg..g..gone," she shivered and looked at him with frightful eyes. She wasn't sure how to react. They were in rain, in the middle of the forest, and in hiding from a werewolf.

[Ian Gray]

Ian had taken to climbing a tree, his finger nails scraping against the bark desperately as mud clung to his palm. The hood of his cloak had fallen back, leaving his hair damp with short tendrils curling at his ear.

Of course, Diana had a smarter idea and he felt his fingers let go of the bark as he levitated toward the highest branches, sitting shakily at the top.

"I... I think it's --"

The Werewolf reached the tree, clawing at it with angry eyes. However, Ian barely registered this fact as he had caught sight of something very interesting...

"This is it!" He cried as the Werewolf clung tightly to the bark of the tree, slowly climbing it as its fangs clicked horridly in the night air. "This is the tree!"

He tore off a piece of bark, laying it in front of them. Pulling out his ruined parchment, he tried to read the incomphrehendable writing quickly.

It happened too suddenly. Just as Ian pulled out his wand to state the charm that would activate the invisibility properties, the branches beneath him and Diana snapped.

They fell in a tangled tumble to the floor, Ian letting out a startled yelp as a claw sunk deeply into his ankle. He quickly thrust one of the pieces of bark clenched in his fist to the Slytherin.

Then, everything grew silent save the steady rain as the werewolf stared puzzled in front of him.

Ian and Diana had seemingly disappeared.

[Diana Fortuna]

Diana grabbed onto Ian as they fell to the floor. Her leg was broken and she grabbed the piece of bark that Ian had passed to her. Slowly dragging herself back so that she was now leaning against the tree.

She didn't dare speak in case the werewolf attacked them. However, it didn't seem to see them. It looked confused at the spot and turned around and left. Almost as if they were... Diana looked at her leg that was broken and noticed she was gone. Where was Ian, oh my god Ian, she thought to herself.

Then letting out a small whisper, "Ian." She looked around and tried to help herself up. She couldn't believe that he was gone. Did the werewolf get him, all these thoughts were running through her mind.

[Ian Gray]

Ian had the most abnormal feeling coursing through his body. The rain still splattered unattractively toward the ground, spiraling the dirt around them and Ian let out a soft groan, rolling over and feeling the impact of what felt like a body, even though there didn't seem to be anything there.

"Diana?" He whispered back, wonderingly. The werewolf's ears flickered and he snarled again.

Licking his lips, Ian silently pulled himself up, before letting out a yelp as he realised he could no longer see himself. "It worked!" He breathed, clenching the bark tightly in his fist.

Then, turning to where he supposed Diana was, he whispered once more. "Try not to let go of the bark, or you'll become visible again."

However, the rain was hitting them and outlining their silhouettes, and the werewolf was bound to notice soon. "Alright, I think we should try to stand up. The branches below us should be damp enough to stop the snapping and sudden noises."

Taking his own advice, Ian heaved himself up, hoping Diana was doing the same. Then, picking up a rock, he threw it far off into the distance. It had the desired effect and the wolf ran after it immediately, disappearing between the trees.

"It'll be back," he said, surely. Though, he couldn't help the relief speeding through his veins.

[OOC; Sleepy now. Night :p ]