Out At Dark [[James & Josh]]

[Sara Cromwell]

Dress
Hair

Sara had been running towards the Shrieking Shack at midnight in her long, violet dress. She was at a family ball here in Scotland. It happend three times a year and this one was at her grandparents friends manor. She didn't like to dress up but it was mandetory at these sorts of things. She didn't like it but her grandparents made her.

As for Sara running, her and her father had gotten into a fight. If she had stayed there longer it could of gotten physical. She couldn't even remember what the fight was about but all she remembered was her father yelling very loud. The room had gotten quiet and it made her nervous and she ran out. Luckily for her they lived close to Hogsmeade.

Tears were streaming down her face as she ran up the hill towards the Shack. She held her dress up so she wouldn't trip over it. Once she made it up to the top of the hill she slowed down and began to walk, wipeing the tears from her eyes.

[James Potter]

"And that’s about the time she walked away from me
Nobody likes you when you’re 23
And you still act like you’re in Freshman year
What the hell is wrong with me?
My friends say I should act my age
What’s my age again?"

Saturday 0000 ish…
James Potter

Bored, so bloody bored...Godric Hollow had nothing to offer the seventeen year olf boy anymore. Okay so that was a lie but it was nearing the end of the holidays and there was only so much you could do with your family before missing his school and friends. It was nearing midnight and the rest of the family were asleep but James lay still dressed in his black jeans, white t-shirt and grey jacket staring blankly up at the ceiling wide awake. He rubbed his eyes with the palm of his hand before sitting up, grabbing his wand from his bedside table and standing up. Closing his eyes he pictured a small village with a cobbled stone street and quaint little shops before he turned quick on the spot.

POP!

His eyes opened and there he stood in the middle of the village of Hogsmeade. A wide smile crossed his face as he looked at the shops that surround him. A loud drunken cheer could be heard from a smoky pub known as the Three Broomsticks and a large group of wizards staggered out of the wooden door. James laughed as he pocketed his wand in his back pocket and made his way up the street and started up a grassy bank. A cloud covered the near full moon in the sky, the boy was in darkness and when it cleared the boy had vanished, replaced with a large black wolf animal that bounded up the hill panting frantically but then it halted quickly to a stop, it's ears picked up as he heard a cry, a cry come from the direction Shrieking Shack up ahead.

The wolf sniffed the air, Sara Cromwell? The animal picked up speed again, before it reached the top of the hill and there she was in a purple dress with tears streaming down her pale face. James stopped right in front of the girl, his head tilted to one side as he looked up at her through shining light blue eyes a questionable look on its face before it obediently sat in front of the entrance of the shack.

[Sara Cromwell]

As Sara made her way up to the shack she started to slowdown her steps. She had calmed down a bit and began to wipe her eyes. Her eyes were heavy and red from the crying. She had to keep a hold of her dress for it was long and she was afraid she would trip over the trim. A gentle breeze blew in front of her as she walked up the steep hill. It was quite hard for she still had her heels on. She wasn't about to get her feet dirty and get yelled at some more. She tried to recall what the fight was over but too many things were running through her mind.

As she took her last steps towards the abandoned shack she heard panting. She looked around but it was too dark to see anything. She pulled out her wand from her garder under her dress and casted a light out of it to see. As she stoped she looked around once more then returned her gaze to the shack. She didn't like being in the dark alone but that was the last thing on her mind. Once she turned fully around she noticed a wolf sitting infront of her. With a slight jump she placed her hand over her chest. She knew it wasn't wild for it was behaving like a trained dog. "Oh my god, James. Don't do that." she said as she looked down at the dog. James always liked to scare her like that. She thought that he used his ability to his advantage too much.

[James Potter]

"And that’s about the time she walked away from me
Nobody likes you when you’re 23
And you still act like you’re in Freshman year
What the hell is wrong with me?
My friends say I should act my age
What’s my age again?"

Saturday 0000 ish…
James Potter

If it was possible for a wolf to frown this one was as the girl in front of him looking quite startled spoke to the animal. The wolf yapped at the girl, standing back up it moved over to her and nudged its wet black nose into her hand, it’s tail wagging it bounced up the broken wooden steps of the shack before turning to look at Sara once more.

The wolf chanced its tail a couple of times, barking at the black bush of fur that belonged to himself but his wolf form unaware and going on its animal instincts alone before sitting back down upon the step. Blink and you would have missed it but one moment there was a black wolf and the next a dark brown hair boy sat where it was previously itching the back on his head.

“Bloody fur,” he muttered as he looked up to the blonde, “Itches like crazy.” Bring his hand back down he stood and walked over to the girl, a warm smile on his face before he stopped a few inches in front of her. He did not speak as his eyes studied her tear stained face, his head tilted to once side before he brushed his thumb over a tear upon her cheek that she had not managed to wipe before the same hand moved into hers, holding it tightly. “What’s wrong Sara?” he asked quietly, “Why are you crying?”

[Sara Cromwell]

"My dad. We got in a huge fight." she replied. Normally she wouldn't tell him this for the two never fully got along. There were moments where they have held a conversation but they were too different to be anything more than regular friends. Or atleast she thought so. He was too much of a player and she was too stubborn. Unlike most girls she didn't fall for his ways and good looks. Yes, of course she though he was cute but nothing more. She never quite understood the reasons of the way he was but she wasn't in the mood for questioning his lifestyle.

"We were at a family ball. My grandmother made me wear this." she said, looking down at her violet dress. It held close to her small waist and stomach and flowed out at the bottom. "I forgot what the fight was about but he was yelling at me and I was yelling at him. I didn't like all those eyes on me." She felt his hand slip into her's. If she wasn't in this state she would pull away. But right now it was what she needed. Someone there to comfort her. She really didn't care who it was at this point. Sara moved a strand of curled hair from her face. The pins in her hair were scratching her head so with one hand she pulled a few out and let the curls fall down upon her shoulders. She looked up at him and said "Why are you up here?"

[James Potter]

"And that’s about the time she walked away from me
Nobody likes you when you’re 23
And you still act like you’re in Freshman year
What the hell is wrong with me?
My friends say I should act my age
What’s my age again?"

Saturday 0000 ish…
James Potter

James listened intently to the girl as she spoke his head still itching but trying his best to ignore it. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly, “But you’ll make it up I mean he can’t be mad at you forever, you are his daughter and he loves you I’m sure. And you look stunning by the way, your grandmother has good taste.” An encouraging smile crossed his lips as he squeeze the girls hand once more before letting go and shoving his hands into his jeans pocket. “Bored at home,” he replied to her question, “Missing Hogwarts so decided to randomly apparate here, good job I did you don’t wanna be wondering around on your own, especially looking like that near the shriek shack. You don’t know what freaks you might meet.”

The boy turned to look up at large ruined house with boarded up windows and it was obvious no one had ventured in for many years. Leaning his head to one side he stared vacantly at it, wondering what the house used to be used for before he started walking slowly towards it. Part of its door hanging off its hinges he bent down to look inside the deserted house but could see nothing but darkness behind it. Looking back to Sara he straightened up, “Fancy a bit of exploring?” he asked, “Have a bit of adventure and take your mind off all the shit that just happened?”

[Sara Cromwell]

A small giggle escaped her lips. She liked to be complimented. Especially from the biggest player of Hogwarts. "Thanks." she replied, looking down at her dress. She felt his grasp tighten he let go and she returned her hand to her side. "Yeah. I'm glad you did. It is pretty freaky up here. But I'm a big girl and I can take care of myself. By the way, I would of thought you would be with your girl of the day." she said, crossing her arms over her chest and placed a smirk on her face. She put her wand back in her hand with the light still shinning.

She looked around as he stepped closer to the shack's door. Once she heard his voice again she returned her focus back to him. When he mentioned adventure a smile came to her face. Obviously he did know her well. She walked over next to him and looked up. "Are you reading my mind Mr. Potter?" she said.

[James Potter]

"And that’s about the time she walked away from me
Nobody likes you when you’re 23
And you still act like you’re in Freshman year
What the hell is wrong with me?
My friends say I should act my age
What’s my age again?"

Saturday 0000 ish…
James Potter

"Girl of the day?" he enquired, "Nice to know my reputation up holds me but I'll have you know that I haven't been with a girl all summer, that should shock you no doubt...fancied a break from all the heart ache, that I cause them. Can't deal with crying and begging too often." He laughed slightly as he reached into his back pocket once more to pull out his wand. That statement was a complete lie. He had not been on a break from the girls just because he couldn't deal with their emotions, the real reason was far more complicated...Brandi D'acanto. James mental shook his head as an image of the tanned brunette entered his mind before raised his wand at the half broken door.

"Confringo," he muttered before moving his free hand over his face to shield it. Whatever remained of the door could be found in bits and splinters all around the porch of the shack. Once the dust cleared James moved his hand back down and looked to the open way. "I might be," he replied to her as he looked round at Sara with a smirk, "I am a legilimens." Raising his wand once more, "Lumos," it emit a thin beam of white light as the boy walked into the deserted building.

Instantly James gagged slightly, the smell was intense like rotting meat and he very nearly walked out there and then until he looked around the hall way they were in. The interior of the Shack bared evidence to something that was much more of a physical haunting, well more than any ghosts would be capable of. The peeling wallpaper, blanket of dust over everything, bloody stained walls and piece of what he assumed to be furniture that looked like they had been ripped apart on the floor.

[Sara Cromwell]

Sara smiled at the comment. She didn't believe him. But she didn't want to argue about it. She had enough argue's for one night. "Alright. Whatever." she said. She watched as he pulled out his wand, she was still holding hers. As he shouted the spell she turned her head and placed her hands over her face for she knew what was going to happen. After a few seconds and after she heard the last peices of old wood hit the front porch she returned her gaze back to the old shack. "Well don't." she replied as he spoke about being a legilimen. She hated it when people got into her mind. Especially if they are trying to find her most secret thoughts.

She took a few steps towards the door, standing behind him. She held out her wand, the light spell still in effect. As they walked in the abandoned house she placed her free hand over her nose but left her mouth free. "What is that smell?" she asked. She looked around to try to find the source but it seemed the whole house was that way. Everything was dirty, torn, and old. This was no place for a girl in an expensive dress. "Hold on. I have to change." she said. She placed her wand down on a near by table as she made her way to the center of the room. The moonlight was shinning through the broken windows so there was enough light for her to see. Standing still she flicked her fingers and with a flash she was wearing her normal jeans and t-shirt. "Thats better. Why havn't I thought of that before?" she asked herself.

Grabing her wand she looked around. Noticing the stairs on the far corner she wanted to explore a bit more. "Wanna head upstairs?" she asked, looking back at James.

[James Potter]

"And that’s about the time she walked away from me
Nobody likes you when you’re 23
And you still act like you’re in Freshman year
What the hell is wrong with me?
My friends say I should act my age
What’s my age again?"

Saturday 0000 ish…
James Potter

James raised his eyebrows at her sudden quick change of course noticing that she did not use her wand. Wandless magic always confused him, he did not posses the ability but then he was more than fond of his wand and even if he knew he could use magic without it he'd think something would end up messing up. Wandless magic had a God like feel to it but he admired those that did have the ability. "Think your reading my mind now," he replied as he gaze moved to the stairs, "Come on then."

James started up the stairs, still keeping his lit wand high as he studied the bloodied walls and what seemed like large claw marks ripping the wallpaper and some of the plaster board. As he ascended the stairs the repulsive smell seemed to get stronger and James cover his nose and mouth with his hand as he gagged. What the hell was responsible for all this? “What the hell is that bloody smell,” he shouted down to Sara as he felt his gag reflexes wanting to retract.

Stepping up onto the landing he looked around at what this part of the shack had to offer. Five doors stood in front of them, all just as dirty, stained and scratched as everything else. Not wanting to touch anything James kicked one door open with his foot and a great waft of that rotting smell came out at them from behind the door.

This time his gag reflexes did retract as he emptied his stomachs contents into a corner of the landing. Spitting the bile that was still in his mouth he wrapped his t-shirt up to around his mouth and nose as he peered inside at the room. It had evidently once been a bathroom but the mould and whatever else around the toilet, bath and hand basin you could see it hadn’t been used in a long time. A remains of some animal that was obviously living a month of so ago lay half ripped in the bath as maggots crawled out of it’s rotting flesh. Gagging again he quickly closed the door and moved as far away from it as possible, “Erm … hope you ain't desperate,” he said as he turned around to look at Sara.

[Sara Cromwell]

As Sara grabed her wand again she smiled. She liked her wandless magic. Ever since her mother started teaching it to her. Most of European witches and wizards don't use it but American's seem to idealize it. Makes them feel more connected with magic. She began up the stairs, slowly pacing herself behing James. As they made their way up to the second floor she caught the foul smell again. She covered her nose again with her hand and continued upstairs.

As they reached the top she watched as James kicked down one of the doors. Takeing a peek in the room she quickly turned her head and covered it with both of her hands. "Oh my god." she muttered. She heard gagging and turned to see James bent over. She felt she was about to do the same, but fortunately she didn't. She looked up and walked behind him down the hallway and stoped next to him. "Who would do such a thing? What would do that I should say?" she said, looking back at the door.

She turned to look back at him and noticed door at the far left down the hallway. She walked around James in the small hallway and walked towards it. It had huge scratches on the door. With her fingers slightly she ran them down the scratches. She had a feeling she knew where these came from but she couldn't put her finger on it.

She placed her hands on the old and dirty door and opened it. Taking a step in all you saw was straches on the wall and blood on the floor. The smell of the room wasn't bad as the other one. She walked over towards the far right and noticed some small writing. Looking closley she finally figured out where the scratches were from. "James, you have to see this." she called out for him.

[Joshua Botelho]

Josh walked out of the castle, looking for trouble. He knew there had to be a Potter out there somewhere that he could piss off. His new Head Boy badge now gave him the power to be out of the castle anytime, for any reason. He wore his regular Slytherin robes, wand tucked safely in his pocket. He strolled over to the forest. If there was a Potter, it would be here. He was about to enter the forest when a loud crashing noise. He turned suddenly towards the direction of the noise. The Shreiking Shack?

He walked up to the building and curiously stared at it. People were definately inside it, whether it was a student or someone else. He drew his wand and gripped it tightly in his right hand. He used his left to open the door. A low creeking sound emitted from the door hinges as they were moved. Josh stepped inside, to see a door, lying down on the ground. He cautiously entered the room and turned. A small smirk appeared on his face as he realized that it was only Sara and that other Potter boy.

"Escuse me Potter, but the toilet would be that way" He said, pointing towards where the castle was. "Or were you just trying to be adventurous?

[James Potter]

"And that’s about the time she walked away from me
Nobody likes you when you’re 23
And you still act like you’re in Freshman year
What the hell is wrong with me?
My friends say I should act my age
What’s my age again?"

Saturday 0000 ish…
James Potter

"I don't know," he replied as his gaze moved around the landing, studying the bloody walls that surrounded him, "But then again I'm not really sure I wanna know what did this either to be honest." It had to be an animal of some sorts, but what sort of animal had a rage such as this to cause so much destruction on a house? Everyone had heard the rumours that the Shack was haunted but no ghost could ever had done this. James thought back to his fathers many stories that he would tell his children about his so called adventures of Hogwarts. There was quite a few that involved this place, it was in here where he had first really meet his godfather, Sirius Black, who James got his middle name from. And of course this was where Lupin used to...

"Werewolf," he said quickly rather more louder than he had initially intended as he looked to Sara. "Erm... sorry," he continued dropping his voice back down to normal, "I know that a werewolf used to transform here, Moony... erm... I mean Remus Lupin, one of my grandfathers best mates and a professor when my dad was at school. Well he was a werewolf and used to transform here when he was at school. But I mean," he gaze moved back to the rotting bathroom, "That was years ago, something else, another werewolf I guess must still use this place. Bloody glad it ain't full moon anyway, doubt that a stunning spell would knock out a werewolf."

James took one last look around the hallway before following Sara into the second room to where she was looking at some writing but then he heard it, a voice that he recognised but really didn't want to hear. A disgusted look crossed his face as he gripped his wand slightly tighter in his hand before turning around to face Botelho. He raised his eyebrows at him, crossing his arms over his chest. "Sorry mate but I don't really need a piss right now but if you go through that door," he nodded to the bathroom with the rotting corpse in, "You might feel more at home using that one than the ones at Hogwarts. If you really want I could make you your own name badge to go on it, your own private bathroom inclusive of a dead animals dying corpse, now that's something to be proud of Botelho, you‘ll have all the Slytherin girls after you then."

[Joshua Botelho]

Josh's face contorted into a snarl. Yeah this Potter had nerve. He whipped out his wand at his last comment. He pressed it into his neck and backed him up into a wall. "Something for me to be proud of?" He growled. "I have everything to be proud of! I am part of the most powerful Slytherin family in the world! So what if my parent's were different? I am not anything like them! And neither is the rest of my family! I have more things to be proud of than you have hairs on your head! And if you continue to annoy me, you wont have any at all."

[James Potter]

"And that’s about the time she walked away from me
Nobody likes you when you’re 23
And you still act like you’re in Freshman year
What the hell is wrong with me?
My friends say I should act my age
What’s my age again?"

Saturday 0000 ish…
James Potter

James's eyes widened slightly when he felt Josh's wand pressed into his neck and his body being backed into the wall. His heart quickened in his chest, as did his breathing. He would not say that he wasn't slightly scared, though I would never show nor admit it. This boy was a very strong wizard and had great ability in the darker side of magic and James was more than aware of this fact however he did not raise his own wand to him. He kept it steady by is side, his grip still tight and ready to use it should he need to. His light blue eyes stared right into the Slytherin's should he need to use his ability of legimency.

"Yeah Botelho you should be proud, your parents, the only half decent ones in your twisted pure-blood family killed by Lestrange's and the rest of you supporting someone who was killed by my father. So you know what I think I have more to be proud of than someone like you. At least my family actually gives a shit about me, rather than yours, all their interested in is teaching you crap like how muggles are the scum of the earth and us blood traitors should be whipped out. Honestly your all a bunch of fucked in the mind inbreeds," he hissed quietly at the boy.