Nights of Silence

Domi slowly walked into the forbidden forest. The name speaks for itself, it was forbidden for students to visit without chaperone especially at night. She knows, really. But nonetheless, here she is. Alone in the dark night. Domi had been wandering around the forrest since she was in her forth year, searching for a peaceful haven. Lately, she found a small lake quite deep inside the forest. It has a big oak tree with round and sturdy branches. Domi likes to climb it and sit one one of its branches. What did she do? Usually stares at the magnificent view of the stary night sky or the glittery lake or even sunrise when she decided to stay the night. The quietness of the forest and soft voices of animals made it so hard for her to leave.

Domi always feels so tired of people lately. Her mother taught her how to be a proper lady, how to behave. Always strictly reminds her that she was expected to behave properly. She follows whatever her parents tell her to do. And she will gladly do it. But sometimes, she feels so stuffy. She wants to do whatever she wants. That's when a place like this comes in handy. A secret place that no one would disturb her. A quiet place to think and daydream.

Tonight is a bit chilly. She tightened her jumper and fixed her scarf. With a book on her hand and wand on the other, she made her way to her favourite spot on the tree. Sat there, she opened her book. The sound of whatever creatures the forest had howling softly from afar. Smiling, she started to read.

Julius cursed. There're still a lot of people in Slytherin common room tonight. He wanted to had a peaceful night, but they are so noisy talking about whatever evil plan the they are going to do to other houses students. He couldn't care less. He just needed some peace. So, he decided to head to his favourite hiding place. Julius had been wandering around the forbidden forest ever since he entered Hogwarts. Death eaters came to the deepest side of the forest for planning. And his family had been the oldest supporter of the dark ever since generations ago. He has no choice but to follow. And tried to help the innocent everytime he can. He loves his family, but never agrees with their choices.

He sat on the edge of the lake. Rolled his sleeves and pants. He put his feet on the water. Lately, there is this girl who likes to sit on the tree behind him. Just sat there quietly. No interaction and no introduction whatsoever. She just sat there doing whatever she was doing and he just did the same. He heard rustled from behind him. A thin line of smile appeared on his face. He doesn't need to look. He knew it was her. So, he just sat there... Staring at the moon reflection on the water and splashing water with his feet.

Domi was watching the stars when she heard footsteps. She then saw a Slytherin boy walked pass the tree and just put his feet inside the lake. Merlin! The water would be cold enough to makes her shiver. It's been a couple months since the first time she came here. That boy always sit on the same spot. Just put his feet in the water and lay there. Enjoying the quiet night as she did. But right now, it's almost winter and the wind really chilly. She wondered if that boy would feel cold in just a long sleeve t-shirt and his Slytherin scarf.

They never once talk to each other. They just ignored each other completely. But Domi would make an exception tonight. She waved her wand while muttering a spell. A cup of hot chocolate and a thick wool blanket appeared on the right side of the boy. Hopefully, he wouldn't catch a cold later. She just smiled and returned to her book.

Jules was busy with his thought when suddenly he heard a soft 'zap' beside him. He turned his head and saw a neatly folded blanket and a cup of hot chocolate from the smell of it. White smoke still floating from it indicate that the drink was steamy. He can't help but smiled fondly. He can't even remember the last time someone, other than house elves, made him a hot chocolate. He then sighed. If only she knew who he was. Bet she would run so quickly and never come back. It was hard not to when the whole magical community knew what his family had done in the name of the dark lord.

Then again, this girl is really nice. He really wanted to get to know her at the risk of scaring her away. He got up, took his feet away from the water, then turned to the tree where the girl sits. "Thank you." he said, reached for the cup and sipped the hot drink. "Could you come down? Or should i climb up?"

Domi watched from the tree how that Slytherin boy got up and reached for the cup. She smiled when he sipped the hot drink. Her smile grew wider as he said thank you and asked her to come down. Or he was willing to climb up. Since it was more spacious down there, she decided to climb down. She jumped down and walked towards the boy. Her curly golden burgundy hair waved slowly under her woolen hat because of the wind.

"There is no more space for you up there." she said.

Domi sat in front of the boy, reached for the woolen blanket and put it around his shoulder. Her hand accidentally touched his cheek. And it was ice cold. Merlin! How could he stand the temprature without any warm clothes. She rubbed her two palms while blowed hot air from her mouth. It was much more chilly down there.

"Stay warm. Don't catch a cold."

Julius watched as the girl jumped down from the tree. He saw the most beautiful curly red hair waved as the wind blew. She sat in front of him, far from scared. He was so sure that she already knew that he was in Slytherin. Then she reached for the blanket and put it around his shoulder. Dear Merlin!! Even his parents never acted so caring like that. His heart beating fast in excitement. What is wrong with me, really!

"Now that you mention it, tonight is especially cold." he said.

Julius put the cup on the ground and tightened the blanket. Then he reached inside his bag and took out a jar of blue fire. He saw the girl had been rubbing her palm. He gave it to her.

"Here. Use this."

Domi took the jar of blue fire from him. She was so mesmerized by the color. It was so pretty and also handy. Why didn't she think to create one before stting off to forbidden forest. It surely can keep her warm. Domi held the jar in between her palms. She could feel the warmth of the little fire radiated through out her body.

"Thanks." she said.

Then they stayed quiet again. This felt so awkward. Domi is not really a talker. These last couple of months, they always together at this spot but never once talked. Just enjoying the quietness. And now that they started to talk, she felt like dying, because she didn't know what else to talk about. So, she waved her wand and her cup and book appeared next to her. She took her cup and made a 'cheers' gesture. The boy smiled and followed her. Then she drank her hot chocolate in one go.

Julius gave her a smile and drank his hot chocolate. He could feel the awkwardness and her hesitation to talk. Julius himself was rarely talk. But he really wanted to get to know this girl, so he decided to start a conversation.

"Ah... Forgive me for the late introduction. I am Julius. Just call me Jules."

He took another sip from his cup and let the warmth of the hot chocolate filled his body. He was not particularly cold, but the calming warmth was so soothing that a moan of joy almost eacaped his mouth.

"You are obviously not a first year. How come i never saw you before?"

Domi smiled. The boy introduced himself. But left his surname out on purpose. But she knew who he is. Julius O'Brien. The middle son of O'Brien house. His family was old magic descendant. Dark magic to be exact. The one family that magic community had been cautioned about for generations. The family that scare most people. Even her family who were quite open about relationships with others disregard about their family names, had been strickly reminded her to not stay too close with this particular name.

But, she had been watching him for several months now. And all she could see was a quiet, lonely boy who likes to spend time near the lake. So, she decided as long as he doesn't harm her in any way, she would not run away.

"A pleasure. I am Domi Weasley." she said.

Too bad the moon shines so bright tonight, so that she could see that his expression changed a bit after hearing her name. Well, if you put our name together, we should be on the end of different edges of the paper. She sighed and gave him another week smile.

"To answer your question, i don't socialize much."

Weasley?? Of all the family names in magic community, why does she has to be a Weasley? The opposite of his family, Weasley always on the other side. Also, why does he had a feeling that she already knew who he really are? And she still sat there, smiling, without even a hint of wanting to run away.

"You know who i am."

Not a question. More like a statement. He looked at her. She must be the daughter of Bill and Fleur Weasley. Just looking at the beautiful face with high cheek bones and a tad of golden hair. She really earned the name Ravenclaw's Princess. Maybe it was came out as a mockery because she act and behave like a royalty, but at least to him, she really does look like a princess.

"You are not scared of me?"