Just outside the Forbidden Forest

[Blake Deimos]

"Mr. Weasley, it's necessary to be how you say 'a git' when working around substances that are potentially volatile. Aside from that, not every person you encounter in your life will be pleasant and it is best you learn that as well." Blake unclasped his hands and let them fall at his sides while giving George a glance, "I have changed, yes, but I am not pushing the issue of being a pure-blood here am I? I'm defending a man who was kind enough to share his personal work space with me during a time I was in need of it. You just brought up the issue of blood and you are making it an issue of blood. Do I go around calling you and yours blood traitors? Do I sneer at you? Have I refused a greeting or looked down upon you like you're the dirt my feet grace? Don't go making assumptions, don't go insinuating, and don't make me change my perceptions of you both."

[Fred Weasley]

Fred smiled, "You're right, but there's no need to call us inept."

[George Weasley]

"Even though it's true," George added.
"But we've seen good people change to match their "blood status". You were gone for a long time. It's only natural for us to assume that all that time you've been spending with your dad has taught you a few things. And that butler of yours is just Pure-blood cliche. Forgive us for being a little suspicious, but it's not like we were wrong in interpreting it in that way."

[Fred Weasley]

Fred nodded in agreement, "But we'll make sure to avoid directly insulting your...friends next time. Especially when you get older. Hey, with your piercing gaze and commanding tone already perfected this early on, who knows how you'll be later on," Fred joked.

"And with bravery like yours, what with scolding us like that, you'd make a pretty good Gryffindor. We haven't had a lashing like that since the last time we visited mum!"

Fred and George laughed as they headed off towards the Portrait of the Fruit Bowl. "Have a good night Blake. Don't be too upset with our inept ways!," he laughed happily. He wasn't the slightest bit mad with Blake. In fact, he actually liked him a little more. Something about that commanding tone. He couldn't figure it out, but he was glad they were friends. He was just a little ashamed that they'd voiced their fears, since they really needn't worry about it.

[Blake Deimos]

"I apologize then, for the unneeded remark." Blake smoothed his dress shirt even though there weren't any wrinkles. "I have learned more than a few things but I have managed to maintain the person I was and still am, just not forthright. Please do not speak ill of Engel, he means well, and you are both forgiven... for the most part. But answer me this: if I truly changed so drastically to match my blood status, then why is it I have no problem with being bisexual and dating Emery?" Blake expected no answer as it was a rhetorical question. "Aside from your humorous compliments, I wish you both a good night. Try not to get caught with your smuggling." He watched them leave and once they were gone from view, he went back to taking his walk alone.

[Fred Weasley]

Fred stopped and walked back, surprised that Blake would talk to them after that. "We weren't speaking ill of him. He seems like a cool bloke. It's just a bit cliche we think. Haven't met a pureblood yet that didn't have some sort of servant."

Fred thought about Blake's second remark. "Well, we haven't said you'd changed completely. We meant you were in the process. And it's not like there are only straight purebloods," he laughed. He was about to make a joke about the Malfoys, but held his tongue, not wanting to offend his fellow Slytherin. He'd save it for the common room. George would like the joke.

"Does your father even know about you and Emery?"

[George Weasley]

George snorted at Fred's comment, because he thought of making a joke about Lucius. But he said nothing, not wanting to annoy Blake. They'd already done enough of that for the night.

[Blake Deimos]

Blake stopped and turned around, equally surprised that one twin would turn back to deliver a reply let alone both of their returns. His eyes narrowed momentarily until he remembered Fred and George weren't exactly privy to the fact that he and Engel weren't master and servant, but best friends. Engel meant everything to him but he didn't need to know that. He faked amusement and flipped his hair over his shoulder, "I suppose you're right."
He leaned against a tree and waited for Fred to finished speaking so he could respond, "To my knowledge, it isn't exactly approved of-- having an affinity for your own gender. But if you must know, mother and father both know and are fine. We aren't exactly like the Malfoy's, Parkinson's or the Nott's. He is aware of Emery and hoping to meet him come this summer." He hadn't realized completely who he had been speaking of and when he did, his eyes softened considerably and his defenses dropped slightly, "How... how is he by the way? Emery? Is he well?"

[Fred Weasley]

Fred was surprised. Pleasantly surprised. He was seeing the old Blake again. Too bad it only happened when he talked about the one he loved.

Fred rubbed the back of his neck, "Well, actually, I haven't seen him that much lately. You haven't exactly been very prominent either. I figured you two were out about the castle toghether, seeing as how you two are getting pretty close. Has he not been owling you?"

[Blake Deimos]

Blake played with his well manicured nails and looked away with a forced smile, "Oh, yeah, no-- we've been hanging loads don't get me wrong, I just wanted to know how he was since I didn't get to see him today." He shifted his view again and look down, "I should get going, I'm tired. I'll talk to you later Fred, George."
He ran. He ran past the twins and kept going until he hit the common room.

[Fred Weasley]

Fred was startled, "No, Blake, wait!"
"Bugger! Great going Fred." He felt as if he'd said something wrong. Yet, he couldn't figure out why Blake had run. He wasn't fond of nosing into people's relationships, but he couldn't stand seeing Blake like that. Especially since it might have been something he said. He'd owl Emery first thing in the morning. He hoped his buddy was ok. He hadn't realized, until Blake had mentioned it, that Emery had been gone for awhile.

"Come on George, I can hear your stomach from here." They walked to the Kitchens. Fred decided he'd also send a friendly barn owl to see Blake in the morning, too.

[Jake Crawley]

Jake went out to his spot near the forest, doing his usual routine of sitting and pulling out his sketchpad.

[Jake Crawley]

Jake had been using his wand to light his sketchpad for the last few hours. He stopped to rub his eyes and then closed the pad as he rested back against the tree.

[Jake Crawley]

Jake heard chirppng nosies and opened his eyes. He'd fallen asleep outside under the tree. Probably not the wisest choice but there was nothing to be done about it now. He stretched and yawned, laying down fully to look up at the sky.

[Blake Deimos]

Blake had wandered, much to his pleasure, to the edge of the forest with an empty basket. He was in the mood to pick a few wild flowers which conveniently would give Kiba and his interest, Pansy, some time alone. If there was one thing he avoided, it was intruding upon privacy or becoming the third person to a duo. Humming and picking flowers here and there was how he spent the time he allotted himself outside.