[Shrieking Shack] Shriek of the Century

[Rieko Daniels]

It was cold.

The wind whistled through the cracks in the shack, and she could just about make out the lights in Hogsmeade. It was late evening, probably boarderlining on around elevenish maybe later, and Rieko could sleep. The howls in the shack were more eerie than she had expected them to be, and everywhere she looked she kept seeing shadows in the corner of her eyes which creeped her out somewhat.

"I should never have come here alone"

She made her way through the downstairs area, looking around, though not really able to see much because of the darkness. The floorboards creaked beneath her feet, which added to the whole horror film effect. She was sure if she turned around, she would likely see a knife wielding maniac, so of course, that wasnt much incentive for her to turn around, was it? Rieko took in a deep breath, and almost straight after she wished she hadnt as the musty air filled her lungs making her choke something horrible. Putting a hand on her chest she managed to ease her breathing, thankfully.

She hadnt put the light of her wand on, she was sure someone would see it, her eyes scanned around her, finding shadows and shapes everywhere she looked. This was not her best idea in the world, she couldnt have settled for a night by the lake, no, she had to put herself in a horror film situation. "Im never watching another horror film in my li--" She stopped herself, she had heard a noise in another room. Her breathing was unsteady as she made her way across the room and into the hallway, This is how the characters die... she thought wildly to herself, what was wrong with her, Rieko never got scared.

As she turned back around she walked right into someone and screamed. She jumped back, her back hitting the wall as she stood there frozen, she couldnt make out who it was as all she could see was a shadow. She pressed herself further back on the wall behind her, as though hoping to sink right through it.

[Blake Adams]

After a short drinking session in the Three Broomsticks, Blake had decided to call it a night. He moved his way through the relatively uncrowded pub, and wandered through the doors into the quiet streets of Hogsmeade beyond. There was a slight chill in the air, Blake pulled the collar of his jacket up around his neck. About to head off in the direction of the castle however something caught his eye. There was a familiar flash of a red coat and the ends of blonde hair disappear fleetingly around a building heading in the other direction. Blinking, he found he was unsure whether his mind was playing tricks on him. Maybe it was vain hope more than anything else. However he decided to go and see whether his inkling was right.

Blake found himself on the path to the shrieking shack. He reached its door, which was slightly ajar. He was beginning to doubt his inkling, and that he had been imagining things instead. Why would someone be in such a place at an hour such as this? Thinking no more of it, he decided to continue anyway for the sake of it. He brought his hand up to the door and pushed it open slightly more. It creaked loudly as it went, making Blake cringe. He slid through the narrow doorway, bobbing down slightly as he went. The roofs were never high enough is these places!
He crept along a narrow corridor, and into a slightly more open room. The air surrounding him was dense and dusty, making the room even darker, it was hard to make out its contents. Blake thought he heard a faint voice somewhere above him, but once again believed himself to be deluded. Something sparkled in a corner, where a little moonlight was coming through a small crack in the boards covering the windows.

He started toward where he saw the sparkle of the item refracting its light. As he reached it he heard a sudden noise over to his right. He was about to turn around, when something collided with him. Knocking the wind straight out of him. Struggling for breathe, the sound of screaming reached his ears, causing him to wince. Painfully, he looked for whomever it was that was creating such a racket. In an effort to calm then down he strained his eyes looking for their silhouette, they were now pressed heavily against the back wall. He headed towards them. Arms outstretched. He placed his hands on their arms uttering the words “Shush, calm down, it okay its okay.” In a reassuring tone, trying to calm them down.

Removing one hand he felt for his wand and muttered lumos. Light erupted from the end of his wand, filling the corners of the room. Infront of him, coiled and shivering back against the wall was Rieko. He had been right.
Blake looked upon her sympathetically. He smiled at her. He had not seen her since the end of last term. It had been months, and she had not made contact during the summer much to his dismay. “Nice night for it eh?” Blake chuckled.

[Rieko Daniels]

Rieko's own arms were pressed against the wall and her chest was rising and falling heavy and fast. Her breath caught in her throat when she heard whoever it was coming towards her and her heart seemed to have stopped. She felt their hands on her arms and heard a fait uttering of words, though they didnt calm her breathing, yet something about this person's voice was familiar, but she wasnt sure where she had heard it before.

She felt one hand leave her arm and Rieko closed her eyes and took a deep breath, opening her eyes at the sudden light, she looked at the speaker, it was Blake! She didnt know whether to smile, laugh or cry with joy. His was the first face she had taken time to let register since she had been back, and she had been completley on edge, as had Max. Too many distractions had surrounded their family and Rieko had completely forgotten about everyone else.

"Blake!" She cried happily, throwing herself off the wall and throwing her arms around his neck. It was a surprise, even for herself she hadnt realised she had done it until she found her arms around him. She slowly let go of him when she realised and gave a laugh, it was her way of saying she was happy to see him. Though she soon found herself slunk back against the wall. The sound from the wind through the cracks were screaching, causing her ears to prick up. Looking down to the floor, she really didnt know what else to say after that asides from a small nod, what had she expected to come out of tonight, scaring herself witless was definatly on the cards as she once more tried to control her breathing.

"Yes, I guess... I guess it is"

[Blake Adams]

Blake had not quite known what to expect of a greeting from Rieko, after such a long silence between them, he had wondered whether it had been for a specific reason, perhaps he had said something to offend her without realising it at their last meeting. However his mind was put at ease at once. Rieko had flung her arms around his neck. He found himself slightly at a loss for words at the suddenness of her actions. He simply felt himself grinning like a fool.
Blake felt Reiko grow suddenly slightly tense in his arms and she began to pull herself away from him. Blake had an urge not to let her go, but thought better of it. He lessened his smile somewhat, to more of a simply pleasant kind.

He watched as Rieko moved back up against the wall, not making eye contact with him for some reason. As she did so strands of hair fell out of place. There was a slight tension, if it could be called that, in the air. He coughed and flattened the hair on the back of his neck. “Sooo, what may I ask are you doing in such a place at this hour?” He enquired waiting for her to look upon him.
He did think it slightly unusual, out of all of their chance meetings so far this was perhaps the most bizarre yet. This was definitely a first, he scanned over her, taking in every detail of her appearance. He had not seen her for so long it was simply refreshing. However he had never once imagined Rieko to be screaming and scared upon their next encounter. It was most peculiar. Rieko did not seem the type, she had always seemed very in control of her emotions. He felt a smile grace his lips. He allowed it to stay there, seen as she was not looking at him at the time, it would make little difference.

Blake then thought of something, and uttered the thought that had sprung to his mind in a rather hurried manner. “I’m not disturbing you or anything am I? I mean I can leave if you want me too?” After all she may have been there for a purpose, or simply for space and a place to think. If so then he was simply causing a nuisance of himself.

[Rieko Daniels]

Rieko pushed the strands of hair that had fallen out of place back into place. Her gaze kept to the floor, the air around them had tensed and become mustier and clammier than before. She brushed her palms against her jumper and sighed, she had let her emotions get the better of her and she had not known how it happened, she looked up at Blake when he spoke to her.

"In all honesty," Rieko said with a shrug as she looked up at him with a smile, "I dont have a clue"

Rieko's brow furrowed though a smile played on her features, though she was still clinging to the wall as though she was holding on for dear life. She took a moment to compose herself, she hadnt seen Blake in months and all she could think to say, was, well nothing. She averted her gaze when she realised she had been staring and muttered something that sounded oddly like, Sorry.

"No, no!" Rieko stammered just as quickly, looking up at him once more and then away again. Pushing some more of fallen hair into place, Rieko looked at him once more and spoke again, quietly, "No, you're not disturbing me or anything, and no, I dont want you to leave."

She pushed herself off the wall again and with a slight smile, she walked back over to him and put her arms around him once more in a hug, a clap of thunder was heard outside the shack, and soon after the pelleting of the rain came down which could be heard smacking against the side of the shack. Rieko let her arms slack as they rested on Blakes shoulders, she rested her head on one of her arms, and said quieter, "It's good to see you, Blake"

[Blake Adams]

Blake watched Rieko move strands of her hair back to where they should have been in the first place. He found himself watching her intently, he could not take his eyes off her, it was almost as if his eyes hungered to gaze upon her. Thankfully she had still been looking upon the floor at this stage. For he feared his eyes would have given away too much if she had gazed upon them at that moment in time.
“Ah fair enough then!” Blake said with a grin lighting up his face “That is a valid reason is ever I heard one! I have a tendency to do similar things, however it would appear I just simply lack a memory.” He laughed, more to himself than anything.

It struck Blake as slightly odd how she could not make eye contact with him, her eyes darted about the place taking in anything, except him. Rieko then muttered something under her breath, which he did not catch. Making him slightly uneasy, he felt as if he was making her slightly uncomfortable. And yet still he found, he could not tear his eyes away from her.

Rieko’s eyes met his once more, he felt a slight warmth as she reassured him that he was of no disturbance to her. “Are you quite sure? For if you are here for reasons such as for space or to think, then I should not get in your way.” He replied just as quietly. He was somewhat glad when she uttered the words ‘I don’t want you to leave’ he had still been unsure of whether he had caused her offence, or she was annoyed at him in some way. However these words he received almost gratefully. He could not resist returning a small smile.
As he was still in thought, Rieko had removed herself from the wall and was hugging him once more. He rested his chin on her head. His eyes closed, little to his own doing. He felt so happy to be close to her once more. He was roused from the sense of comfort when a clap of thunder sounded about the old shack. Reverberating off the walls. As heavy thuds of rain hitting the roof accompanied the thunder.
Blake felt Rieko loosen her grip around his neck, and rest her head upon her arm, and he found he could do nothing except smile back at her and gaze into her eyes.
“Indeed it is good to see you too, it has been a long while.” Blake replied quietly with the same smile still gracing his lips.

Looking upwards as the sounds of rain hitting the roof grew still louder. It was growing heavier. “I wonder how long this shall go on for” He mused “I shall have to remember a few spells I think to keep the rain off us.” Once again he stated this quietly and perhaps more to himself than to Rieko.

[Rieko Daniels]

"Probably the latter," Rieko smiled, "Well it is you"

Rieko chanced a glance at Blake, only to find his eyes on her, which made her flush as she looked back at the ground with a nervous laugh. There was so much tension between them, a lot of electricity so to speak. It was tension, but not an uncomfy tension. It was like, every time Rieko looked at him, she felt a jolt run through her, it sent shivers right up her being and every inch of her just felt alive. She lifted her head up and looked back at him, a quizzicle look was on her face as she tried to work out how he had done this to her, how he had made her feel so tense but so relaxed, she hadnt even even realised it had happened until now, and she wondered one question, which escaped her lips, however she was unsure whether he heard her or not, "How?"

It seemed as though, everytime Rieko looked at him, he looked away, and everytime he looked at her, she looked away. They couldnt seem to hold eye contact for more than a few seconds, which made Rieko return to the question of 'Why?' though this one, she made sure did not escape her.

"Yes, Im quite sure" She answered honestly, if she was going to be stuck in a dark creepy place, she would prefer it to be with Blake. "You're not getting in my way, I didnt come down here for any other reason than a wander, I think."
Rieko kept her arms around him, though they were relaxed, her body was still tense in his arms as he hugged her back, her eyes drew closed as she took in another deep breath. Her eyes scanned the back of her own eyelids before she opened them to look back at Blake who spoke next. It was good to know he was somewhat glad to see her too, and she realised she hadnt kept in touch over the summer but she had been busy, none of which she wanted to talk about so made sure the conversation stayed well away from that.
She returned his look, as he was looking in her eyes, she was looking in his, "Too long" She smiled at him, she had missed him, though of course, she wasnt going to tell him that.

"Probably a while," Rieko said, not removing her eyes, nor her arms, "I heard there was going to be some kind of storm tonight."

[Blake Adams]

Blake laughed at her abruptness. “Yesh indeed, no memory to speak of. Tis’ the bane of my life!” He stated this last bit dramatically and drew his hand to his forehead, in mock distress.

He noticed a sudden flush of pink enter her face as she made eye contact with him, he looked away from her, attempting to make it look more as if he had not noticed. He thought it better to look as if he were taking in his surroundings, he had never really observed the interior of the shrieking shack to a certain extent. However it appeared that he would not do so this time either. He could not concentrate his mind was on the girl stood with him. He turned back to face her, and as soon as he did so, Rieko looked up once again. He could not refrain from smiling slightly. However as she looked at him, her expression was a quizzical one. As she did so she seemed to utter something similar to the word ‘How’.
Blake assumed he had either imagined it or simply misheard her, if she had said such a thing, then it would have made no sense, following the previous words. It did however cause him to wonder. What had she been thinking to herself? He had a feeling this would be a question that may trouble him for a while afterward.

“It is a strange place to wander by yourself. Is it not?” He stated tilting his head slightly and raising an eyebrow as he did so. “Well I couldn’t get in your way now could I, so if I do...do feel free to inform us.” He smiled, but then slightly in a worried fashion, in case she took him up on that offer.

Blake could not think of a response, it had all been said, they seemed to have shared a mutual missing of each other. If of course that was the correct way to describe such a thing. She may not have said it aloud, but he could see it in her eyes. She had not really made eye contact with him upto this point perhaps this was why.
Deciding they had perhaps stared into each other eyes, doing nothing for slightly too long. He stood up straight, even with her arms still around his neck. And asked quietly. “Could I have this next dance Miss?” he smiled down at her.

[Rieko Daniels]

"Dont worry about it," She half laughed, "I dont know many people with a good memory."

Rieko chewed on her bottom lip out of nervousness, she had known by the look on his face that he had heard her question, yet neither seemed to elaborate more on the subject and Rieko could honestly say she wasnt sure whether that was a good thing, or a bad one. Another thunderclap sounded overhead, followed quickly by a flash of lightning, which Rieko knew meant the thunder wasnt far away from them, only a few miles if that. The rain was coming down harder and the shack was becoming damper and colder, though Rieko was soon growing accustomed to it, call it her animal side, the animal trying to keep her body temperature steady, though she couldnt help a shudder, wrapping her arms around herself, trying to keep in what remaining bodyheat she had left.

"Its," Rieko said looking around, the place was full of interesting things, history and a sense of old, it made her smile, knowing this has stood over 100 years and if walls could tell stories, she was sure this place would be able to tell some fascinating things, "Interesting."
"I shall inform you if you do," Though with a slight smile she turned her eyes back to him and spoke softly, "Though I doubt you will get in my way"

Rieko closed her eyes, it seemed as though they had stared at eachother long enough, what Rieko didnt tell him that she didnt need to stand infront of him to remember what he looked like, her memory was sharp so she pretty much remembered everyone that she ever met, mainly Blake, Mark, Maxi and Ashton, of course two of them were gay and one of them was like her older brother, so there really were no competition on who's face came to her mind the most often.
Rieko lifted her head as she felt Blake shift, she smiled at him, he seemed to have a like for dance, though if she remembered rightly, he never asked before. Was this a new Blake she was seeing? "Of course you can"

[Blake Adams]

“Ah, very kind of you to overlook such a thing!” Blake laughed, “Oh really? Come to think of it neither do I...” He paused and brought his hand to his chin and running his fingers along his jaw, he jokingly mused “Perhaps the elves of hogwarts have been obliterating students memories! Conspiracy!” Blake chuckled.

Blake was relieved to find that Rieko appeared to believe that he was taking in his surroundings rather than trying to make it look as if he had not seen he flush. “It is indeed most interesting.” Remembering the glittering item that had caught his eye previously. “Definitely a place to explore. However...” He paused and made eye contact with her, “...it is one thing, that I do not believe should be done by oneself.” He uttered allowing a small smile to grace his lips.

“Thank you kindly, however i’m sure I could manage to get in your way somehow. Whether intentional or not.” He grinned cheekily down at her. “After all, it would appear we have seemingly got in each others way at all of our meetings!” He laughed. It was true. They had quite literally bumped into each other on each occasion. It was single handedly becoming a habit of theirs.

Blake smiled down at her, and was glad to hear her approval. As he held her slightly closer, and began to dance slowly around the small room, the rain continued to fall upon the roof heavily, faint thuds filled the atmosphere. However he did not believe it dampened the atmosphere of the room. He looked down into Rieko’s eyes, which were glittering in the light. He smiled down at her. It was hard to believe they were acting in such a manner, and they had not heard a word from each other for months.

[Rieko Daniels]

Rieko found herself watching Blake run his hand down his jawline with a slight smile on her face, she couldnt help but laugh at the idea of House Elves putting a conspiracy against them. "Its hard to believe something so small would do such a thing."

Rieko looked around the shack, running her hand over the woodworks as she went, though careful to not get a splinter. There were gaps and small cuts as if something with talons has sliced some of the furnature, though Rieko thought nothing more of it as she let her hand drop back down to her side, "Well I didnt think of that when I came here," Rieko looked at him, "And unless you have someone with you, I think you'll find you also over looked that small detail. Unless," She said, looking at him with a cheeky expression, "You knew I'd be here and you wanted me all to yourself, which," She laughed, "Is rather selfish, I should be shared."

"It seems as though you want to get in my way, Blake" Rieko smirked as she looked upon her brown haired friend, "Well that was hardly our fault, I didnt know I was going to run into those suits of armour, nor did I know you would be around that corner," Rieko laughed, "And nor did i know it would have been you trying to give me the fright of my life."

Rieko put her arms around Blakes neck a little further as he pulled her closer, following his steps around the room, she had never had Blake down for a guy who liked to dance to know music, or was he one who expressed thoughts through dance? Either way, Rieko doubted she would ever know and she chose not to ask, when she came out of her thoughts, she realised she was staring into her eyes as he was into hers, she gave a nervous laugh, "This could look quite like an intimate moment if anybody else came in, you know"

[Blake Adams]

Continuing with the same stance and expression Blake replied “Perhaps. However I think size is easily overlooked, though the Hogwarts house elves are definitely too kindly to do such a thing. We shall have to mull this over some more!” He added with a raised eyebrow.

Watching as she wandered around the room, perhaps careful not to look at him. He could not help but take in her every feature and smile. However he made it disappear when she looked upon him once more. “Ah..” He muttered glancing away, attempting to think of a reply, however she had caught him out. It was indeed a good point. “Hmm...Yes it would appear I also overlooked that factor..” waving a hand through the air as if to cast the idea away “That, however is beside the point!” Blake noted her cheeky grin and responded with a similar one. “Oh really? And whom would I have the pleasure of sharing you with? People shall talk, do you not think?”

“Well I have no complaints on the matter!” He declared poking his tongue out at her cheekily “However the question is. Do you want me too?” Blake allowed a cheeky grin to spread across his features. “Ah indeed not! But I do apologise if I caused you such a fright. It was not my intention. I assure you I had no idea anyone else was here.” The latter was partially true, he had begun to doubt his original inkling by the time he had reached the shack.

As Blake continued to gaze into Rieko’s eyes, they appeared to become alert once more, this was accompanied by a small laugh. He had a feeling she had been in deep thought. ‘Well’ he thought to himself, ‘At least this means she is relaxed with me.’
“Indeed it could.” He said still smiling at her. “However if you were worried of such a thing you would have refused me surely?”

[Rieko Daniels]

"That was my point," Eko laughed, looking towards the Gryffindor male whilst pushing even more stray stands back into place, "Size does not matter, the smallest thing can hold the greatest power," She looked away with a forlorn expression, "That's what I was told anyway"

Rieko carried on walking around, running her hands over the tops and picking things up, studying them. She ran a hand over what seemed to be an old photograph, except the picture was so damaged you couldnt make anything but blobs out. "I thought you would say that," Rieko smirked as she placed the photograph back down and turned back to look at him, "However, I think that is precisly the point. Though I wont stress on it just yet."
"I dont know," Rieko smiled as she continued her exploration of the room she quickly concluded was an old seating area, "Share me, or keep me to yourself, people would talk either way." She smiled as she realised she was backing him into a corner, figurativly, in her words, "It all depends on the one you want people to talk about, do you agree?"

Rieko couldnt help but laugh when he declared he had no complaints, which Rieko found as a good thing, they were on a ladder and slowly making their way to the top, however, what happens when they reached the top, Slide down it? Sliding down a ladder is always fun. Rieko thought despite herself. "Well," Rieko stammered, realising this was a direct question that needed a direct answer, and the wrong one could prove disasterous, "I must say, I kinda like you being in my way."
"Then if you doubted anybody was here," Rieko asked, "What made you come up here in the first place?"

She became aware they had stopped dancing, and Rieko and Blake were just looking at eachother. She smiled away to herself, trying to keep her level of emotion in check, which she had become mighty good at over the summer, Rieko had not flew off the handle or got to emotional. She was proud of herself. "I never said I was worried about what people thought." She gave a smile as she looked back into his eyes, her tone was flat, but somewhat flirtatious. Besides, who, asides from these two, would be idiotic enough to come into the Shrieking Shack at this time of night?

[Blake Adams]

Observing Rieko move strands of hair out of her way again, he found himself somewhat distracted by it. Then when he was paying attention once again he was puzzled exceedingly by a change in her expression, her demeanour had saddened somewhat. Blake decided not to press the matter. Rather more leave her to her thoughts. He had an awful feeling of not being wanted there at that precise moment.

Blake strained his eyes as Rieko picked up what appeared to be an old photo. However he could not see it overly well as he was glancing over her shoulder. He had a sneaking suspicion however that that had been the object that had caught the light when he had first entered the room.
Blake could not help but smile, as she continued taking in her surroundings. However as she continued speaking. He could not help but feel ever so slightly interrogated. Perhaps it was the big cat aspect of her, showing once again. “Ah indeed they would.” Deciding quickly the best way out of this was a cheeky-ish response he replied. “Well if you think about it, the latter would die down the quickest and be the most straight forward. However the first I believe would last on peoples lips for longer.” Blake shot her a grin and paused slightly, and thought to turn it back on Rieko. “So surely. You, being the main subject and all, then this is one for you to decide? So yes in summary, I do concur!” He grinned.

Blake smiled down at her. He was glad to see that she had answered him directly rather than skirting around it. “Then I think I shall have to get in you way more often?” Though her stated this more for confirmation, once again he found himself unable to refrain from smiling.
Blake was at a loss as to how to answer her question. It seemed whichever response he gave, it would appear an unlikely reason. He was hardly going to admit to the fact he had thought he had seen her and followed her there. Then it came to him. Now this response would both puzzle her to a large extent and distract her. Or perhaps just make her somewhat ecstatic. Either way it was worth a shot. He whispered softly. “Perhaps it was fate?” He looked at her waiting for her to look up at him. So he would be able to gage her response.

Noting her flirtatious tone he replied similarly “That is good, because neither do I.” What happened next he found he had little control over, the thuds of rain seemed to dim. Before he had realised what he had done, he had pulled her closer in his arms and stooping pressed his lips against hers. Realising what he had done, he pulled away slowly and glanced down at her. Wondering how this action of his was going to be perceived.

[Rieko Daniels]

It would seem to her, as though the tension in the room had both lessened around them, but increased at the same time. It was clear to anyone, even the two of them, they were being careful, almost wary of one another, though the biggest question Rieko could think of, was why? Hearing him speak, pulling her out of her thoughts, she looked at him, with a slight smile as she listened.
"Indeed the latter would die down the quickest, but the first could prove to be more fun." Rieko laughed, if anyone knew better, they would say Rieko was prowling like the feline she was, "It wouldnt just be me in the limelight though would it, Blake?"

"I certainly shant complain if you do."

Rieko went over to the shacks edge and peered through a crack down into Hogsmeade, the lights were slowly being put out, which meant the tiny town would be sleeping soon, however, Rieko was not in the mood for sleeping. She wasnt tired anyway so what difference did it make? She couldnt decide whether she liked tonight or not, usually she would sit by her window and watch the rain pelt against it, and watch the flash of white trim over the skys surface, it relaxed the young Animal.
"Fate?" She asked, looking at Blake, trying to figure out if he was taking the mick or being serious. Though with a small laugh she said simply, "And why would fate have brought you here?"

Rieko didnt believe in fate, in fact she was highly sceptical of anything like that. She didnt like to think she wasnt in control of her own life, she didnt like to think everyone's lives were mapped out for them, if they were, why did people make so many mistakes? They wouldnt if thier lives were mapped out, would they? She didnt believe in superstitions, walk under a ladder, she would do it, split lamposts, she had done, brake mirrors, Rieko had broken many.

Friday the 13th.
Bad things happen on Fridat the 13th because you believe they will do, inadvertantly, you make those things happen.

Rieko smiled as Blake said he didnt mind either. Though she was about to say something witty and snippy back to it, though he cut her off before she had a chance. She felt herself being pulled closer to him, and for a brief moment, thier lips came together. All comments, all witty things Rieko usually would have came out with, just washed away, her mind was blank, their wasnt even any confusion in it, he pulled away and Rieko found herself looking at him, though, she was smiling. "I wondered how long it would take you." She smiled at him, before moving forward to kiss him once more.