Coming Home (Open)

The wolf's footfalls grew louder as he picked up speed running through the forest, the man astride his back leaned over him and whispered something in his ear, urging his companion forward. The wolf sped up, his long dark legs carrying him surely through the brush as he broke out into the open. 

Slowing to a walk his human companion slid from his back "Well done Kurama" he said stroking the wolf's side. The wolf shook his entire body and nodded, swinging his head to look in the direction his companion was. "This is our new home Kurama, the last time I was here...I was but a boy" 

The stranger walked towards the hut, a view of the castle in the distance caused a smile to slowly christen his lips. Unlocking the front door he walked into the small building, Kurama following him. Shrugging out of his long black trench coat he hung it on a peg at the door and lit a fire with his wand, where his wolf went to curl up. 

Sitting down in the large over stuffed arm chair he took a deep breath and let it out slowly, it was good to be home.

Scarlett was taking a nightly jog, hoping to get a gleams of the Black Lake at midnight. She heard from others that the view was stunning and the water at the perfect temperature. As she calmed her jog to a slow walk to catch her breath, Scarlett could heard a creature's feet pawing at the ground before her. Noticing someone step off the black wolf's back, Scarlett went to go check them out. "Hello, Mister," she greeted when she came into clear view.

Standing at the door he was cleaning off his boots when he heard a voice, looking up he nodded "Hello little one, what brings you out so far?"

Scarlett smiled a bright smile, not expecting such a spooky, slender looking man to be so polite. "I'm out for the view of the Lake, sir," she replied, remembering to keep her manners when saying to an adult. She then noticed what he was doing, "And you must be the newest Groundskeeper?" she wondered, "Headmaster made an announce about you at this morning dining,"

Armen nodded, rising to his feet he brushed his hands off on his pants "My name is Armen Salander, and what shall I call you Ms. Hufflepuff?"

Scarlett shook her head, "I'm sorry! Um, I'm Scarlett. Scarlett Rose," she greeted, reaching her hand out for Mr. Salander to shake. After returning the favor and shaking hand, Scarlett asked what she was wondering, "So, Home, uh?" she started, examining the mini shack, "You use to be at Hogwarts?"

"Indeed" he said gesturing for her to follow him into the hut, walking over to the sink fridge where lemonade was waiting Kurama stirred on the floor his large eyes surveying the girl "I went to hogwarts some fifteen years ago"

Scarlett followed the man into the hut, observing her surroundings as she entered through the doorway. Her mouth falling open at the man's comment about going to Hogwarts fifthteen years ago. "So that means you were sorted, what were you exactly sorted into?" she asked, watching the Groundskeeper take out some lemonade.

Sitting down at the table he poured two glasses of lemonade and pushed one across the table to the small girl. Kurama wrose to his feet and sauntered over to sit beside him at the table his frame making his head come as high as Armen's shoulder. "I was a slytherin" he said with a nod, the wolf huffed at him and he couldnlt help but smile "Scarlett this is Kurama, Kurama this is scarlett" he said introducing the wolf to the girl.

It was a little after midnight when Angel decided to go for late night swim. Yes, she knew it wasn't the smartes idea, but she did it anyway.Stepping out of the caste, Angel glanced up at the dark, vast sky. A small smile   tugged on to her face when she saw Scarlett jogging towards the black lake. Maybe I'll have some company Angel thought switching her slow, lazy pace into a run. Scarlett must have changed her destination because she walked in a different direction. That's weird Angel thought before shrugging and running after Scarlett in the direction of the Ground Keeper's hut. When Angel arrived she saw that the door was left wide open. "Professor" Angel said recognizing the man as a new teacher. " You wouldn't mind if I came in, would you?"

Scarlett watched the glass of lemonade slide across the table in her direction. Putting her hand up to the glass, she stopped it and take a sip. "Thanks," she replied as Armen went to o sit next to his, pet. The Groundskeeper then introduce Scarlett to the wolf who's name was, Kurama. "Hi, Kurama," she greeted with a small wave as her attention turned to the doorway. Where one of her best friends from Ravenclaw stood, "Hiya, Angel," she greeted, taking another sip of the cold lemonade.

Sweeping his arm out he gestured to the entirety of the hut "Please, you are welcome. Angel is it? my name is Armen Salander, I am not a professor merely a groundskeeper." Kurama stiffened at the entrance of the new person, testing the air he nodded to himself then leaned his head on Armen's shoulder. "Girls what brings you out of the castle so late at night, it is dangerous you know" he said with a chastising smile.

Scarlett smiled in Angel's way, "We're not your typical girls, sir," she started, "We're somewhat different," she added, turning her glance over to the GroundsKeeper. "And, well.. sleeping doesn't come easily for neither of us, if I can speak for the both of us," she explained, taking a sip of her lemonade. She knew Angel has been up at night roaming the castle now in days and this is the first time, Scarlett was brave of enough to bring it to her attention.

Angel nodded at what Scarlett had said," She's right, we aren't one of the usual girls you'll meet," She smirked at Scarlett and the Groundskeeper," And anyway, I love danger. Without it, the world would be boring,"