In This Silence -Open-

[Dominic Hunterston.]

Dominic rolled out of bed and yawned. There was no point in trying to sleep any longer. Every time he tried he knew it was to no avail. He looked across the room and saw the rest of his roommates sleeping. It really wasn't fair to be honest. All he wanted was some sleep. Was that really too much to ask for? Sighing, he walked over to his dresser and grabbed a t-shirt. The shirt was designed for fans of a muggle band. Linkin Park. He rather enjoyed it. He had fallen asleep in his blue jeans already. He spent almost all of his Saturday getting caught up in schoolwork. He hadn’t realized he had fallen behind. At least until he was yelled at the other day by the Potions professor. But she would be happy to know everything is done now. After he was at least semi dressed, he escaped the dorm room, and completely bypassed the common room until he reached the portrait. He swung open, letting him leave. A small smile spread across his face as he walked into the hallways. The darkness masked him, and if someone were to shine a light on him the only thing that might give him away would be the white “Linkin Park” words across his black t-shirt.

Smirking to himself, he continued his venture until he reached the stairs leading him up to the astronomy tower. It would be abandoned at this time, so he figured it couldn’t hurt to head up there. He moved quickly to the corner of the room. He smiled softly as he began moving a pile of old cloaks. Under the massive pile was his prized possession. He pulled out the guitar and moved to window seal so he would stare out at the grounds. He placed the guitar on his lap and closed his eyes. Running his fingers over the cords he knew and loved, he began to lose himself to music. When he hit the perfect notes, only then did he let his voice fill the room. ”Give me release. Witness me, I am outside. Give me peace. Heaven holds a sense of wonder, and I wanted to believe…That I'd get caught up, when the rage in me subsides. In this white wave, I am sinking . In this silence, in this white wave, in this silence, I believe. Passion chokes the flower, till she cries no more. Possessing all the beauty, hungry still for more. Heaven holds a sense of wonder, and I wanted to believe…That I'd get caught up, when the rage in me subsides. In this white wave, I am sinking . In this silence, in this white wave, in this silence, I believe. I can't help this longing, comfort me. I can't hold it all in, if you won't let me. Heaven holds a sense of wonder, and I wanted to believe…That I'd get caught up, when the rage in me subsides. In this white wave, I am sinking . In this silence, in this white wave, in this silence, I believe."

[Riley Fletcher.]

Riley had been in the forest. Usually she was in there to train, though for the past week or so, she was in there to let out all of her pain and frustration. She had hoped that by breaking Dominic's heart and telling him that nothing would ever happen between them again, would get him out of her thoughts. It didn't work. She ended up thinking about him even more then usual. It was almost like he was a ghost who was constantly haunting her. It had gotten to the point where she couldn't be around Cartella. Every time she saw her, all she could think about was Dominic and how she hurt him.

Due to not being able to sleep, because every time she closed her eyes, she could only think about Dominic, Riley had decided to let all of her emotions out in the forest. She didn't bother to change out of her blue pajama shorts and white tank top, nor putting on any shoes. She just got straight out of bed and headed for the forest.

Riley had been in the forest for a couple of hours, letting out all of her anger and sadness. It didn't make her feel any better, but she liked being out there and just letting everything she felt out, instead of having to bottle it up inside. she eventually got tired and just sat on a log and cried. Riley hadn't been very careful to make sure there was no other creatures near by. So when one was approaching, she didn't hear it right away. Until she heard a bush near by move. Quickly looking up and getting onto her feet, Riley became silent. She went to go reach for her wand, when she remembered that she had forgotten it back in her room. She mentally swore at herself.

The few silent moments felt like an eternity to Riley. She wasn't sure what was in the bushes. It could be anything. Though she really hoped that it was a gentle creature, but she doubted it. She readied herself to transform, if anything jumped out from behind the bush. What Riley didn't expect was for the creature to come at her from behind. It had jumped at her, knocking her to the ground. Before she could do anything else, she felt a severe pain in her left arm. When she looked over, she noticed a black hairy creature with several legs biting into her arm. She quickly knocked it away and got up onto her feet. Then out of the bush that she was looking at, just a moment before came another one. She then realized what they were. They were Acromatulas and she hated spiders. She tried to let herself freeze up in fear, but she kept a close eye on them.

The two advanced on her, and Riley began to move back. She then noticed a few more behind them coming towards her as well. Riley quickly transformed into a black panther, and injured one with her claws when it jumped at her. She kept swiping her claws at them to keep them back, as she herself slowly moved backwards. Then in a flash, Riley quickly turned and began to run away. As she ran, she could hear them following behind her. She didn't know how fast they could move, but she knew she had to get out of there and fast. One managed to catch up to her and got a hold of her right back leg and put its fangs into her, causing her to trip. She quickly turned and swiped at it with her claws sending it flying. Getting back up, Riley took off again, at full force. She never stopped or slowed down, until she was out of the forest and half way up the grounds. She then looked back to make sure they weren't after her anymore and continued on towards the castle.

When Riley reached the doors to the front hall, she realized she was still in her panther form. Riley really hoped that no one was up and saw her run across the field. She quickly transformed back into her human form and noticed how bad her injuries were. She had blood running down her left arm, starting near her shoulder, and on her thigh of her right leg. It was then that she began to really feel the pain. She knew she had to get back to her to clean and fix herself up, before anyone noticed or else she would get into big trouble.

Riley limped as she made her way towards the Gryffindor common room, when she heard something. She had to stop and listen carefully. It was someone singing. She began to follow sound, which brought her to the astronomy tower. She listened at the bottom of the stairs to the voice. It felt like she was under some sort of enchantment as she listened. Riley couldn't help herself, she had to know who was singing. When she finally reached the top of the stairs and looked inside the room, she couldn't believe it. Dominic was the one who was singing. She wanted to say something to him, but she couldn't. Riley just stood there for a moment, watching and listening to him. It almost brought a smile to her face, until she remembered that she shouldn't be near him. She then also remembered the mess she was in and that he would wonder why she was so bloody. She then went to turn to leave, before she saw her.