Between the trees (kinda open)

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Annabelle leaned into Michael, pressing her body against him. Her arms hugged his torso tightly as she fought to keep the tears away. She took a deep breath, collecting herself enough to speak. "Is he really that bad? I thought he was just the typical Slytherin Bully."

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael nodded, "He...he's ruthless." The typical Slytherin Bully. If only. Michael hadn't felt the pressure of Emilian until this meeting. He was barely able to think straight through the euphoria that Anna was safe. "I'm just so glad he's done nothing to you," he said, rocking slightly.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Annabelle tilted her head up slightly, kissing on his neck. "I was so worried you'd get hurt dueling him. What happened after we left?" She didn't care if he'd injured Emilian, as long as Michael hadn't been hit with any curses.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

"He said it was all my fault, told me to come down here and tell you guys what a horrible person he is." Michael couldn't bring himself to tell her what he had replied to those words with. He still didn't know why the words had escaped his lips. "He's not much of a dueler."

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Annabelle pulled back slightly and sat up higher on her knees so she could see him face to face. "You know he was just trying to upset you. You can't control his actions." She tried to read his eyes but was unable to in the dark forest.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

"No, but I am responsible," Michael said, looking down, refusing to meet her eyes. "He never would have come if...." she knew, he knew, what was the point of saying it?

[Annabelle Hennessy]

"Don't say that!" Annabelle took his face in her hands, angry that he could think such things. "It's not you're fault that you're trying to do the right thing! It's not your fault that your families are a bunch of right-wing purist nazis that think they can conform you by sending him here. Do they-" Annabelle stopped short, realizing what she'd just said.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael wasn't able to avoid her eyes. He was silent while she spoke and when she stopped he took her head in his hands. He examined her face for a few moments, his eyes intense, before kissing her. It was a slow, but desperate kiss, a mixture of an appology and a yearning to be able to believe her words.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Annabelle returned the kiss, so thankfull that he wasn't mad at her for saying such hateful words. All the energy and emotions of the evening poured out. Her hands loosened, caressing his face while one moved to stroke his hair. It had been far too long since she'd been able to kiss him in private.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

He slowly pulled out of the kiss, laying his foread to hers and looking deep into her eyes. "Stay away from him, don't be anywhere near him." It was a plea, a request, an order, all the emotions showing in each choppy word that came from his mouth.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

"I will." Anna replied, she didn't see herself seeking out the guy on purpose. "Adara and I just ran into the hall earlier." Her thoughts went to her friend, wondering where she had taken off to. "Do, do you think Adara will be okay?"

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael let his hands drop from her face, taking hers and resting them on her knees. "Hopefully she'll just take some time to think and steer clear of him." He just hoped that Emilian wouldn't hunt her down.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Annabelle hoped Michael was right and Adara stayed away; she couldn't see anything positive coming out of an interaction between her friend and Emilian. She squeezed Michael's hands, letting him wordlessly know that she appreciated the comfort she found in his presence. She stayed quiet, taking the whole evening in and processing it. Her mind whirled with a million different questions as it sorted through the events and what Michael had revealed to them. Eventually, her thoughts focused on one point, what their future came down to.

"Why is he here?" She asked, hoping Michael would understand. All he'd told her was that his parent's had sent him. What she needed was to know what Emilian was supposed to accomplish while at Hogwarts.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

"Honestly I have no idea. I've spoken to him twice other than today. He said that he was here because the families sent him, something about they had heard rumors or something. And once he got that letter he wanted to change me back. I was so scared he'd go after you, he mentioned that he might...." he trailed off, remembering that day. His face turned to one of disgust, "He said that why he was here and what he was here for were two different things. Said that....that he's wanted me for years."

[Annabelle Hennessy]

"Wanted you?" Annabelle repeated, confused for a moment before it set in. "Oh my! You're joking right? That's disgusting!" She wrinkled her nose and made a sour face, as if it left a bad taste in her mouth. It was a hard thing to swallow that another guy would want her boyfriend like that, especially one like Emilian.