Somebody I used to know [Lysander]

[Deleted]

@lysander
-End of April 2023-

It had... been an intense two months for Diana. Two months since the ritual had.... gone horribly wrong. Two months since she and Professor Kamuntu discovered what her affinity was. Two months since she started to feel Elaine Dupree. One month since Elaine disappeared from the school in the chaos and destruction of the invasion. Even apart Diana could feel her. Constantly. In those two months Diana had started to grow more and more distance to her friends as she tried to understand just what was going on with her. But today? Today was a chance to feel normal again. Because today? Lysander wanted to go and try to find the herd of Unicorns in the Forbidden forest. And it would be her chance to just get away from everyone else and focus on something that wasn't her current emotional dilemma.

The plan was to meet by the Care of Magical Creature hut and then head in. So, dressed in tennis shoes, jeans and a pullover hoody she leaned against one of the trees with her hands stuffed in the large front pocket. Waiting for her friend to arrive so they could begin his little adventure. He'd always liked Unicorns, and Diana... well she didn't like them like he did, but they were pretty. So was she to complain?

[Deleted]

Sander was beyond excited for that day. Everyone who knew Sander knew that he was the unicorn boy. His interest - well, obsession was probably a better word for it - with the animals was well known, mostly because Lysander was very bad at shutting up about it. He had considered going into the Forbidden Forest on his own to see if he could find the unicorn herd, but he somehow doubted that would be well-received given the earlier events of the month. It had taken some begging in the common room to find someone who would go with him, but eventually Diana Bainbridge had agreed. (Personally, Lysander was glad that it was Diana and not Cara, mostly because the other Bainbridge girl could be a little bossy, and this was Sander's expedition, not hers.) Sander had dressed as best as he could for the weather, unsure whether or not it would be too cool underneath the forest's canopy. He wore a light jacket in addition to jeans and some sturdy hiking boots - he wanted to be able to go off of the trail if he saw the unicorns and there was no clear path to get to them.

When Sander found his way to the hut, he was surprised to see Diana was already there - he was certain that he was going to be there before her. Either way, Sander gave the other Ravenclaw a smile. "Are you ready to see some unicorns?" He asked excitedly, bouncing on the balls of his feet as he waited for her response.

@diana

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Diana couldn't help but smile at Lysander's appearance. He was practically oozing excitement, but could you blame him? They were his favorite creature after all. Diana hadn't spent much time studying the creatures so this whole afternoon was more for just a distraction instead of actual passion and study. "Probably not as ready as you, but definitely." she answered. Here was hoping that if they did actually find the herd Lysander would settle down enough to be able to approach them calmly. The last thing he'd want was to scare them off after all! "Have any idea if where to look first or are we going to let fate guide us?"

@lysander

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Sander grinned at Diana when she said that she probably wasn’t as ready as him to see the unicorns. He wasn’t going to argue, because he was certain that there was not a soul on the earth who was more ready than he for the day. Diana asked if there was a place where he thought they ought to look first, and Sander paused, considering. Honestly, he hadn’t a clue, but he could always go with his guy, and his gut was telling him that the unicorns would be closer to the beaten path than they expected. “Let’s just walk down one of the paths and see what happens.” He suggested. “Are you ready for the seventh years to graduate?” Sander asked as he began trotting down the path, walking faster than was probably safe given the uneven nature of the ground. It was strange to think that the current seventh years were going to graduate soon, and then their year would be the ones to rule the school. Lysander didn't particularly fancy the idea of being a ruler, but it would be interesting to not have anyone who was trying to hold their age over him as if age was exactly equivalent with world experience.

@diana

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Lysander was grinning and she felt her own smile grow a little in response. He was so excited, like a child on Christmas. She couldn't blame him though. She had some hobbies that she was equally passionate about, and knew that if this had something to do with soul magic and her lessons with Professor Kamuntu she would be equally ecstatic. She nodded as he recommended a path and hurried to catch up to his quick pace. She could have asked him to slow down but decided to leave him be.

His question though, of the seventh years graduating made her pause.. then hurry to catch back up. Her brother was one of those seventh years graduating. And the class was two students short. Two Ravenclaws to be exact, Ethan Johnson and Braelynn Roussea. Quite a bit of things had happened this school year. Too much in fact. "I'm ready for this year to be over." she finally answered as she quickened her pace to keep up. "But I don't know if I'm ready to be a seventh year. Because that means our schooling is almost done." Diana still had so many unanswered questions. Graduating was way to close to get all the answered she wanted.

@lysander

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Diana said that she was ready for the year to be over, and Sander nodded his agreement. He was excited for his summer plans, of course, but he was also somewhat ready to be away from Hogwarts and the constant niggling worry that something was going to go wrong. He could understand why Diana wasn’t ready for graduation, since she had an older brother who was going to go out into the working world, but they couldn’t have the year be finished without students graduating, so she was going to have to accept them both. Diana said she wasn’t sure she was ready to be a seventh year, and Sander paused. “Why not?” He asked. He realized, a little belatedly, that it was a silly question. Diana had already said that she didn’t want their schooling to be over, which was rather typical of Ravenclaws, but there had to be a reason beyond that. It probably had to do with careers, Sander decided. He had known for a long time that he wanted to be a magizoologist, but not everyone was as sure of their path in life as he was, which could lead to a lot of stress during the final year of school, when careers had to be decided.

@diana

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Diana stuffed her hands in her jacket pockets at his question. There were plenty of reasons, besides the one she mentioned of being almost done with schooling. But what ones to pick? "Just... growing up, I guess." She started to explain, pausing for a moment as she tried to convey the feelings into words. "I mean, I don't feel ready to be done with school. To be an adult. Because it'll bring a lot of responsibilities with it that we aren't used to or prepared for." Having to get jobs, earning money, paying bills, doing their own grocery shopping, not having an adult over them to remind them of all the things they needed to do. "We'll be responsible for ourselves. Doesn't that scare you?" She asked honestly, looking over at the boy curiously. Was she alone in all her worries of the future?

She looked away and back at the path in front of them as they walked. The forest was peacefully quiet today. So many people were afraid of the Dark Forest because of all the stories, but Diana? She found it fascinating and wanted to learn more about it. She wasn't big on creature study, but wasn't it interesting to think about all the creatures that could live in there? Living in harmony with each other and the school. Both creatures considered good and evil (though she never believed that part.).

@lysander

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Sander nodded when Diana said that she wasn’t ready to grow up. He didn’t point out that they were always growing up. Every moment they lived was the oldest they’d ever been and the youngest they’d ever be. The only way to stop growing up and stop growing old was to die, and though that was a possibility after the past school year, it definitely wasn’t the option that Lysander preferred. Diana said that she wasn’t ready to be an adult because of all the responsibilities that came with it, responsibilities that she wasn’t used to or prepared for. Sander wasn’t sure he quite understood. His parents had given him a childhood, but never treated him like a child – if he wanted to do something like cook a meal he was permitted to, and while that had resulted in more than a few mistakes, Lysander felt more equipped to deal with the world than Diana seemed to be. “I think it’s only as scary as we make it.” He replied. Even when they did graduate, they’d still have their friends and family to support them. It wasn’t like they would suddenly be alone in the world just because they left school. Sander paused in the middle of the trail. “We’re close.” He didn’t know how he knew that, but he just… knew. They would be seeing the unicorns within the next hundred yards.

@diana

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Diana's parents definitely tried to raise and prepare all their children for adulthood, but sometimes that was hard when you had so many children is quick succession. Seven kids in under 5 years was insane. So while Diana was one the older end of the Bainbridge children she also felt like she was just one of the kids. Cara was the bossy one with the typical oldest sister mentality, Dustin was the oldest and the only boy. Within the family dynamics there wasn't really anything particular about her (that she could think of). But not only that she was used to do many people being involved. Growing up and moving out meant doing things alone and not with her siblings to help. So, Diana just nodded. "I'm probably over thinking all of if anyway. It's been a crazy year and I'm just stressed. It'll all be fine, I'm sure." Not really. Because of Elaine. Because of what happened. Because of this... connection she didn't understand. It terrified her. But she couldn't share any of that with Lysander.

She slowed to a stop when he mentioned being close and immediately started to squint around to try and spot a glint of pure white. The trees were blocking their path though. "If you say so. I can't see anything yet." she actually believed him. He was a Unicorn expert after all.

There was a dull tightness in her chest, but she ignored it. She'd been feeling something similar (though duller) for weeks now, so she'd stopped paying it any mind long before.

@lysander

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Diana said that she was probably overthinking everything, and Lysander nodded. “Ravenclaws seem to be very good at overthinking.” He commented. It was fitting, considering that their house was one of intellectuals and they liked to think. Logic was a double-edged sword, Sander mused. It got them through the worst of situations, but it also put them in other situations that they could have avoided if they had used their hearts instead of their heads. Sander was still working on a way he could get the best of both worlds… but without any of the messy emotional stuff. Diana said that the unicorns were close if he said so, and Sander rolled his eyes. Of course he said so – he wasn’t going to say something and not mean it, especially if that something was pertaining to his beloved unicorns! Sander continued to pick his way down the path, until he stopped suddenly. He had seen a flash of silver in the trees, but that flash was all that he needed to confirm his suspicion that there were unicorns nearby. Lysander took one more step forward, and there they were – the unicorn herd. “Diana!” He hissed. “There they are!” Sander was rather proud of himself for keeping his composure… but he wasn’t sure how much longer he could hold himself together.

@diana

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The girl smiled. Yes, Ravenclaws did tend to overthinking. But that's what you got for being in a house of 'thinkers'. "What else would we spend our time doing?' She teased lightly. "We have to do all the thinking for everyone." Not always... But sometimes it definitely felt like that. Especially in her large family.

Shrugging, she followed her yearmate down the path. She actually didn't mind to much if they did or didn't find the Unicorns. Today was simply a good distraction from everything else going on in her life. But then he was hissing her name, excitement in his voice. Cautiously she inched forward until she could see past the brush and spot the herd as well. She couldn't help but smile even wider. Unicorns were known as one of the most beautiful and pure creatures in existence. But the books' pictures and descriptions couldn't even hold a candle to the majesty of reality. "They're stunning." She whispered. Not just because she didn't want to spook the creatures but also because her chest was starting to hurt even more. The tightening starting to make it difficult to breath and swallow. Something was very wrong, but what? Her face was starting to feel hot and she was sure her cheeks and nose were turning a touch red, as if flushed... "Lysander.... I don't... I don't feel well..." She forced herself to say, the words coming out breathy and quiet as breathing became more and more difficult.

@lysander

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Sander chuckled softly when Diana said that Ravenclaws could only really spend their time overthinking, since they had to think for everyone. He was inclined to agree – his twin brother was not a Ravenclaw, and was also not much of a thinker, which left Sander in a rather strange position. At least Diana’s twin was also a Ravenclaw, so she could have someone else to commiserate with. Sander’s mother was a Ravenclaw, though, so maybe she would think the same of him, even though his mother wasn’t with him at school. Then again, Diana also had more non-Ravenclaws to wrangle, so there was that to consider.

Upon their seeing the unicorns, Diana whispered that they were stunning, and Sander nodded as slowly as he could manage, not wanting to startle the creatures right after getting to see them. His focus was quickly taken away from the unicorns, though, because Diana’s breaths were getting louder, and more ragged. He turned to her to ask her what was wrong, but it was quickly obvious that it wasn’t a transient sensation. Diana was rapidly reddening, and judging by her breathing, she was having a difficult time getting oxygen. It was almost like anaphylaxis – but Sander couldn’t remember her having any issues when they had studied unicorns in Care of Magical Creatures, so maybe it was something in the forest? “Take a few steps back.” Sander commanded, tugging on Diana so they weren’t so far in the brush. He scanned the undergrowth rapidly for something that could have triggered the reaction, but didn’t see anything.

@diana

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Diana was very, very confused. And scared. What was happening... It was almost like an allergic reaction. She'd seen people have them before. But she didn't have any allergies. Not that she knew of at least. Nothing had ever really bothered her before. Sure, she sometimes got hayfever in spring but who didn't? The tightening in her chest and throat was getting worse, and it was making her feel lightheaded and dizzy. But somehow she managed to listen to Lysander's instruction and stumble a few steps back. Her own gaze had moved to the ground as well, trying to find just waht might be causing this, but nothing stood out to her. What was this? The only thing that had change in the last few minutes was the appearance of the unicorns. But it couldn't be them. She'd never heard of anyone having an allergy to unicorns before. Plus, she'd worked with them before in Care of Magical Creatures! They'd never been a problem. So what was it? "I don't-" She started to say, the words rough and forced. "know. what. it is." She knew her throat was closing up, not just from her difficulty breathing but from how much effort it took to get those words out. "Not... allergic." She couldn't manage to get the rest of the sentence out as she started to cough uncontrollably, but her meaning would be clear. Nothing was around that should be causing this. And yet, here they were. And the more seconds passed, the worse her chest compressed in on itself. Suffocatingly tight to the point where she was starting to sway from a moment of dizziness.

@lysander
(meh. Whatev. It works. Get help, yo.)

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It was obvious that neither of the teenagers were well equipped to handle an allergic reaction of the magnitude of the one that Diana was having. Sander wasn’t scared so much as he was confused. There was nothing that would cause a reaction on the forest floor around, at least not a severe one, or one as immediate as the one his friend was having. Had Diana been stung by a bee, maybe? That could trigger anaphylaxis… but she would have felt it, wouldn’t she? Eventually Sander had to accept that he wouldn’t be able to figure out what was causing Diana to behave the way that she was. She didn’t have any clue, either, which didn’t make it any better. Sander took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. His mother had taught him a spell for situations like this – situations when a message desperately needed to be conveyed, but it was too dangerous to leave where he was. Sander didn’t want to run back to the castle only to return and find Diana dead, which meant he needed to perform the spell. Sander closed his eyes, trying to push away the fear he was feeling. He focused instead on his happiest memory – wading in a creek, his brother by his side and his mother laughing on the riverbank; sun on his face and breeze in his hair – and incanted the spell, his voice shaking. “Help needed in the Forbidden Forest. Student in danger. Please hurry.” Lysander felt shaky, but the unicorn that burst forth from his wand was shining with a steady silver glow. It looked at him for a moment before galloping off towards the school, leaving the Ravenclaw pair alone again.

@diana