Things had began to worsen ever since the day Byron laid his eyes on the Hogwarts Express in its latest fashion. That itself should have been the omen itself, combined with the posters of regulations that the school has never seen before inscribed in what looked like law enough to him. The boy's parents were worried about the new term at Hogwarts, both for Byron and his younger sister. He had deemed them lightly, the worries. After all, had not the worst that can happen to Hogwarts already the one event that wrecked the castle the term before? Surely that was as bad as it could ever get. And then the days at school had worn on. Unlike how Byron had expected the tension to loosen itself up once everyone settles down into the usual school routines, the atmosphere at Hogwarts had simply heightened in its oddity. And it was a bad oddity. There have been rumours of nightmarish detentions, less tolerance for student quirks and idiosyncrasies, and just a general air of fear about the Castle, that bothered Byron increasingly.
As much as he was perturbed, Byron desired for a change, and he was definitely more determined, the more what he saw around the Castle made him dislike the new order at Hogwarts. When Mis called for a PA meeting that sounded more secretive and more urgent than usual, Byron paid the call more attention than usual. After all, there must be someone, or some group of people, who was going to be willing to break the silence over this new order at Hogwarts that obviously was not making too many people very happy. Of course, there were the ones who were still oblivious to the changes. Trent seemed absorbed, as always, in his own world. There were also those who relished in the changes. This was undoubtedly demonstrated more among the Slytherins. That, already, was a sign that something was not going on properly for the larger good of the student population at Hogwarts.
It was early, for sure. Byron tried to wake Trent up, while in the Boys Dormitory. It was in vain. Trent refused to move an inch or even show one slight indication of acknowledgement. Byron wished he could use his wand, but there were instructions on keeping this meeting a top secret one. If he used his wand, and Trent wakes up in a yelp, there was certainly going to be others who would wake up first, before the intended one. So Byron gave up. He pulled on a dark maroon hoodie, over her t-shirt and jeans, and left the room as quietly as he could manage.
Made for agility despite lacking in height, Byron attempted to make his way unnoticed through the Castle, enough be out and into the Forbidden Forest. He passed a student couple who looked half-asleep next to each other, huddled at one corner. At that, he held his breath, worried that he would be seen if they just looked up from the ground. It was not easy. Byron wished he had his broomstick to rely on, to make the quick trip to the meeting place. The problem was that he was sure to be noticed, flying so early in the morning. And so, he had to do without the very thing he trusted best.
After what seemed to be like a painful journey from his Dormitory to the edge of the Forest, Byron finally made what he thought to be an almost silent dash into the darkness beyond. Of course, the Forest had a sinister atmosphere about it, especially since it was still very early, and the sun had yet to make everything easier. Just in case, Byron brought his wand out of his pocket and began to walk cautiously. The temperature in the Forest was a lot colder, and the boy tried to ignore how it affected his gathered bravery. It was so easy to get lost in the thickness of the Forest. Byron squinted, as if by focusing his eyes everywhere, he could find out the way to the meeting place. That was in vain, however, seeing that everything around him look just the same.
Shrugging, he pressed on, as if by walking deeper and deeper into the area, he would somehow find it, relying on things unseen that could guide him. And then, after what felt like a long walk, the temperature felt a little more comfortable, as if there was ... heat? Thinking it the best way for now, Byron tried to locate the direction of the heat. Soon enough, and sure enough, he saw a blur light that could mean the best, to him. He walked towards it, coming to a clearing after quite a number of steps.
".....Professor?" Byron eyed a man who can only be that Professor from Practical Magic. At first, he was worried. After all, there did not seem to be anyone else here except this older man, who was way more experienced than him in duelling. He could very well be looking at the last face he would ever see in life. Despite the panic, he ventured with that greeting of question. While he did not notice, Byron had pointed his wand at Michael, wishing really really hard that someone else he knew was near, near enough to rescue him if something went wrong. After all, Byron was not sufficiently acquainted with the older man to expect anything. And with the fear that had taken hold of Hogwarts Castle, he had unknowingly learnt to expect the worst. The boy failed to notice the niceties that Michael had set up for the PA meeting.
by 
