Chapter 11: A Trip to the Not-So-Forbidden-Forest

Words: 5,580

Recap: And so after failing to take the blame and only made it worse for myself and Lily, we got detention to accompany Hagrid in his nightly watch through the Forbidden Forest. Yes, the same forbidden forest Dumbledore had nicely warn us off at the start of the feast if we didn't want to die a horrible death. The same one where the centaurs had banished me from unless I'm asking for a round of arrows sticking out of my butt. I'm halfway giving up for any peaceful night tonight.

When night fell and the moon rose, Heckler himself had escorted us to the forest with a bit of an eagerness than normal. Hagrid, who was notified of our coming, had been waiting by his hut and looked worriedly between us two. Instead of getting ready to put our foot into the forest, the two adults waited. For what? I wasn't sure until I asked.

"Oh, just another rabble rouser that claimed to have stolen my book as well, and who am I to deny someone from getting their just reward if they so ask it?" Heckler answered with a stretched smile and a gleam amusement. I shouldn't have been to surprised but I hadn't expect for our DADA Teacher to have a bit of a sadistic streak in him.

Lily and me exchanged confused looks. We hadn't expected that, but we had ceased to wonder on it when a blip of light from a lantern caught our eyes and watched Mr. Pringle trekking down toward the hut, next to him was one of the last person I expect being here when I had spent the last week with him every night. I'd look back to Lily, and instead of the shocked face I was expecting, she was glaring daggers at him.

"What did he do now?"

"Most likely the one that got us into this mess in the first place."

That made me gave him an identical glare, making James tense slightly and almost stumbled his steps.

Heckler hummed our attention, "Children, it would sssheem you two aren't the one admitting of stealing my precioussh book. I would think it'ssh only prudent for you to get what you yoursshelf practically ask. And I think teaching why stealing other people's thing is wrong, as you three had claimed, is to learn why thissh place is called the Forbidden Foressht."

Oh, Heckler tried to spook us as he called the forest's name with a low whisper, but that only got us to avoid eye contact with him. He must have misread our action, thinking he managed to spook us if the tale tell smug look he had was any evident.

Then Heckler bid us adieu with that sickly grin of his (scratch that, any kind of smile of his look are either sickly or demented). Leaving us at the hands of Hagrid. He told us to always be either by his side or Fang's if either of us got seperated. With a side note that he was a bit of a coward, so we shouldn't rely on the dog too much.

"So, what do we basically do in here?" James raised a reasonable question to my hairy friend.

"Well, it might be just meh imagination but I think there's trouble brewin' within the forest. It's been quiet for a few days, much too quiet for meh liking and usually that would mean the calm before the volcanic eruption."

"Uhh...don't you mean 'before the storm'?"

"Really? Well, not much different."

Lily was halfway toward objecting him but I grabbed her shoulder and shook my head.

The three of us followed behind Hagrid with Fang alongside of him and only a lantern that barely lit up the path we walked in the forest. I had thought the patrol along the forest would be a but mix of creepiness and boring without going deep in the forest but that assumption was soon debunked when we unknowingly came straight to the heart of the problem of Hagrid's had suspicion.

I flinched when I saw a group of centaurs standing on a slight steep hill and hid behind a tree, hoping it would obscure my identity enough. Looking up at the armed half-man, barring their canine teeth, and making shuddering growl reverberating the air. The tension was palpable and the two showed clear sign of wanting blood. Even Hagrid became pale at the sight, and James had to hold back a squeak of terror. I felt Lily's hand gripping my own and we watched in silent at what was unfolding.

"You have crossed the line for the last time!" I almost jumped at Bane's familiar voice, "Do you think we won't know you've been sneaking one of your own around our turf?!"

The wolves barked and growled, loud enough that even I wouldn't be surprised if it was heard all the way to Hogwarts. One of the bigger wolves on the front, with silver fur that seemed to shine under the moonlight and his large jaw look it could chew my head off in a single bite, and I'm not exaggerating. But one step from what I guess was the Alpha, the two centaurs beside Bane raised their bows.

"Don't talk like you don't know," Bane boomed out but not even his commanding tone could make them flinched, "We have sights of your kind running amok and will not let that stand!"

The wolves snarled as one, and due to Bane's face changing slowly to red, I assume they called him some profanities. Not that I disapprove or anything.

Lily tugged the sleeve of our Half-giant friend, getting his attention, "Uuh...Hagrid, do you think you could tell us what is going on? Why are they fighting?"

Hagrid scratched his bearded chin, his gaze never lingered longer than a second and gulped, "Yeh, well...it appears we got ourselves a turf dispute. It's not uncommon thin' here in the fores', but I haven't seen the centaurs havin' a dispute since I started workin' here."

I raised an eyebrow, "Really?"

He tilted his head in thought, "'Kay, maybe they're prone to dispute but not concernin' their turf. Everyone in the fores' knows how territorial they are. Second to the Wolves, actually, so this is... troublin'."

"You think we're blind about your filthy half-breed, mongrel," Bane retort and obviously asking for a fight with them. A slap to his bicep made him turned to one of the centaurs beside him who was giving him a warning look.

Another loud growl in response to the, the pack inching forward and ignoring the menacing arrows being aimed.

"I think that's an understatement," James muttered as the tension was getting thicker by the second as an explosion was on the edge. One wrong move or one wrong word, and everything will go pear-shaped.

The sound of hooves clopping near made us tensed until the sight of one of the young centaurs came out from the forest's shadows and under the dim moonlight, and I relaxed when it was one I recognized, "Firenze!"

He paused his step and looked shock at seeing me, "You should not have come here, young Half-Blood."

I had to quell the urge to bark out a dry laughter, "Oh believe me, I wouldn't be here if I had any other choice."

Firenze looked like he wanted to say more but then turned to Hagrid since it looked there was more important thing to say, "Hagrid, I don't know if I should be happy or worried more with you here. The situation has been...delicate as of yet."

"Why? They should know better than ter crossover one another's turf, especially these two."

Firenze nodded in solemn, "Exactly, but I heard from the elder centaurs how there's been sighting of werewolves not just surrounding our territory, but even on the border of the Forbidden Forest."

"Wha'? You're jokin'? They know better than to risk Dumbledore's promise like that!"

"Wait, sorry to interrupt," James cut in between the two. "But did you just say those wolves are actually werewolves?!" he asked the same line of question that cross my own mind.

"In one sense, they are," Hagrid answered but his tone was unsure.

"In what sense?" Lily voiced out, her curiosity piqued.

"Those pack of wolves are actually teh offsprings between werewolves who gave birth durin' teh full moon, some said they were conceived unde' a full moon. Some say both, we never really know. There's a rumour that says only one of teh parents needs to be a werewolf. Ridiculous right?"

"So, you're saying there might be people who gave birth to wolves in their wolf form?" Well, that would certainly make an exciting baby shower. I could even picture the banner saying: "IT'S A WOLF!"

Lily gazed at the pack, squinting quizzically. "They don't look that different from normal wolves."

"Oh they are far more intelligent than what you would assume, child." Firenze commented. "The wolves here are no more dangerous than normal wolves, yet bearing none of the savageness and taste for human flesh that werewolves have."

Hagrid nodded strongly at this, his burly arm crossed. "Despite this, it's often bein' spread that they are as savage as werewolves. Only Dumbledore sees enough reason teh give them a shelte' here in the fores' like the Centaurs. Great guy, Dumbledore."

"But, there were rumours of werewolves living here. Isn't that them?"

This time Hagrid sighed, his face forlorn. "That's teh sad part. Of course livin' in teh fores' would spread rumour amongst teh studen'. Yet mos' of teh staff let it spread in hopes of keepin' teh students out of teh fores'. While keepin' teh studen' safe is importan', I can't say givin' these wolves a bad name is teh way ter go."

"And sadly that misconception is carried among my kinsmen as well," Firenze added, his face was regretful by his admission. "They looked down on them as they do to others, and they do not like even the sight of wizards within sight, much less the other colonies. And there were no proof of them actually coming across our turf. Bane and his friends are displeased by that and wanted to make sure they understand their place."

"So...if I understand correctly," I drawled with less impressed tone, "Bane is being a xenophobic idiot and trying to cause a pissing match with his neighbor, is that right?"

If I had wondered if Firenze could sigh any heavier, then I have gotten my answer. "I am ashamed to admit that yes, that's exactly what's happening."

"Well we can't have things escalatin' any further, do yeh think yeh could translate the wolves fer us Firenze?"

Firenze turned his attention to the bickering two species. His head tilted in concentration, "The wolves are defending themselves, they've only been tracking down someone and never gone past the line they agreed on."

"Trackin' who?"

"They've been tracking...a cub? I'm not exactly sure of their term, but a cub of one their kind has been crying for the last year and they were having a hard time finding him in their own turf, so they had to spread out."

"Is that all?"

"Well, Lynn just barked out a colourful insult or two but that's not an important...though I will say I agree Bane is a sodding bald douch-"

"Firenze," Hagrid warned.

If possible, the young centaur blushed and made a dry cough. "Yes, uhh...they're also saying-"

"Don't spout nonsense!" Bane's cry cut him off, "Your lies are unbecoming more than you already are. There are no other werewolves around this part, otherwise we would have made sure to eliminate it!"

The sound of a gasp made me turn, followed by a hitching breath from beside me and I glance to find James looking more than scared, but horror stricken. His face paler than it already was beneath the moonlight, and he looked like he had choked on food. I didn't get to question him further though before Hagrid took my attention back quickly. Walking over to him with a placating hand raised.

"Now, now, what's all this about? I've been keepin' an ear of things but looks like yeh two got off in the wron' foot from a misunderstandin'"

The growl and the death stare directed by the two colonies were now sent toward Hagrid and I couldn't help but shifted just a bit closer behind him but still within the shadows. Keeping a wary eye and making sure nothing happens to my friend. Hagrid didn't look a bit worried, though if he had been groundskeeper since they've settled here as he said, then I should have expect for him to know what he's doing.

I was more reassured when I saw the tensed muscle between the two relaxed slightly at the sight of them. They have clear respect for the Half-Giant which made me beamed a smile. Good respect is so hard to come by after all, especially coming from stubborn asses.

Bane sniffed in disdain as he spoke, "I think you had heard enough to know what this mongrels had been spouting lies."

A loud bark that didn't need a translation that it was a retort from the wolves.

Hagrid nodded, his features calm like his voice. "From what I could tell, you have problems with a turf breach."

Bane eyes seemed to light up, a cruel satisfied grin curved up, "So you understand, Hagrid, the severity of their act-"

"But did they?" Hagrid cut in, his tone was had a clear innocent despite the clear intention behind his question.

The Centaur looked like he almost bit his tongue from being cut off, his cold stare return in vengeance as he spoke with gritted teeth, "What?"

Hagrid wasn't deter by his tone, his own voice didn't so much as waver toward the armed borderline hostile creature perched on the steep hill. "You said that they were seen near your border but not past it. Then surely there's no need for confrontation. It's not like they breached their agreement."

Bane began to snarl and frown, making his face that much uglier. "So they haven't gone and went past our turf, do you think we're going to let them toeing the line?"

"The agreed line exists for a reason Bane," Hagrid chided softly and patiently. "As long as they don't cross it then there's no need for you to-"

"Yet. They haven't cross the line yet, and I'm not going to wait until they think they could get away from entering our turf. They need to know their place!"

"Is that teh Centaurs way then? To taunt an' besmirch othe's when they did somethin' you don't like instead of doin' wrong? And I thought yeh all are big on honours."

That seemed to hit a spot when the other centaurs began shifting uncertainty, glancing one another as they shoot eyes of doubt toward Bane. Himself looked annoyed at being lost for words. It was a good thing I was hidden or the shit-eating grin I had would have pissed Bane more than he already was. Knowing a kink in the armor of his argument when he saw one, Hagrid kept his patient tone on him-

"Look, clearly they've been stayin' in their own turf fer almost three decades and it shou'd be clear they like having dispute as much as ye doh. So they mus' have reason for sniffing around yer side of teh colony. Let them explain themselves and if it's somethin' I could help settle than all teh more reason teh put this case to rest. How does that sound?"

The silence accompanied after was one with thought, and I couldn't help the glee I had seeing Hagrid settling this diplomatically. Firm, gentle, with a hint of stubbornness that would not let the issue leaf unsolved. A side I had never seen him when he was with people which surprised me a bit.

Maybe because of that I didn't pay enough attention to Lily when she moved. Inching a bit closer to the scene and and reached out her hands to what she assumed was a tree but went rigid when she found herself touching a soft hairy surface instead of the expected rough prickly bark. Slowly she looked up and was faced with a hairy humanoid creature with large canine teeths, red murderous eyes, his mouth had saliva dripping, and looking hungry wasn't so farfetched.

Lily screamed which made the creature roared back at her. All of us was surprised by the action but James made the monumental stupid idea to act hero by drawing his wand and aimed at the creature.

Only to missed and hit one of the centaur instead, which led to one of them so startled that he let an arrow escaped his grip and hit one of the wolves.

After that? Well… it felt like all of Hades's worst creature from the underworld got loose.

Things became that bad as a fight between two species broke out but it was only the beginning of a horrific chain reaction.

One centaur threw a wolf into a tree, which turned out was a niffler nest. Prompting them to spread out and dig themselves out from ground zero or either skitter away, only to disturb a group of rabid carnivorous horned rabbit - what were they called again? Wolperting or something? - zooming out from the ground and bit or stab anything in their way. I never thought any kind of hybrid rabbit would terrify me but they do.

Then the same creature that had scared Lily began appearing one by one, almost unnoticed by their dark color but their eyes showed enough to where they are when they popped up behind the tree then disappearing. No one noticed there was one less being in the fray everytime it was gone.

Try as he might, Hagrid had tried yelling out for them to stop but some member of the brawl somehow managed to throw a rock at his head, rendering him to slump down to the ground, eliciting a worrying cry of his name from us. Lily would have ran to checked up on him by his side if I hadn't reign her in. Why? Because not long after he fell, there was a gradual increase of spiders crawling about. To the point that calling a wave of spiders wouldn't be exaggerating to say, seeing a chunk of the forest was covered with creepy crawlies and surrounding Hagrid like a barrier.

At some point, other creatures of the forest awaken from the brawl and somehow for some reason joined in. Becoming one supernatural slugfest with the three of us standing ways away from.

And that kids, is how Stupid James started the first ever turf war in the Forbidden Forest.

"I said it was an accident! How many times do I have to say for you to believe it!"

"Say as much as you want James, but it's not going to change the fact- DUCK!"

The three of us did that and narrowly getting hit by a flying centaur as he flew over us. We glanced at the now unconscious half-man and half-horse lying on the ground before looking back at the fight that's seemed to escalating more with trepidation.

I gulped, "All in favor for running?"

I didn't hear their reply since they had done just that before I had to catch up from behind.

"What were you even thinking?" Lily hissed as her running slowed into a wide hasten steps beside him, "You had to pulled out your wand and make things worse, didn't you?"

"I didn't mean to...I just…I thought you..."

Lily scoffed at the fumbling words James couldn't form, "Save your excuses when you grow up and learn not to bring more trouble than you're worth."

James gawked at her before his mouth was flailing and blurted, "I wanted to protect you!"

That got Lily to paused, standing for a second or two before slowly looking back at him. Her arms crossed and the angry face she had wasn't wiped, but I knew her enough to see the question in her eyes, "What?"

"You screamed and I...I panicked, okay? I thought you were hurt or something hurting you and I couldn't let anything happen to you," James admitted.

There was a long silence stretched between the two that I was stuck in what to say when my own eyes boggled out like Lily from his words that from what I could tell were sincere. That, and I was feeling strangely like a third wheel between the two as they stare at one another without so much as blinking.

Lily bit her lip, her eyes soften and it was only because I knew better that she was trying to keep her angry face intact. Feeling like the silence had been going on for too long, I was about to break the ice when the bushes next to us began to rustle. James moved in instinct, horrible instinct if you ask me, and tackled Lily down with a shout of "Watch out!"

He wasn't quite aware where he was tackling her and got the two of them rolling down a steep ground. I wasn't quick enough to save them so I was left watching them being tangled with themselves at the bottom. I looked back to the rustling and found it had only been a single fox and I couldn't stopped the slight curved at the tip of my lips.

"You know James, if you were so scared of small and harmless fox, you could have said so!" I shouted out. There was some faint grumbling I couldn't hear but I have a guess what either of them might say. I had no problem sliding down to their side, in time for Lily to pushed him off and stood beside me.

"Some offense James, but next time you tried to 'save' me? Just...don't."

If I wasn't so crossed with James, I might have a shred of sympathy from the look if his face. He eventually picked himself up but tensed midway when we heard the audible sound of… something. I couldn't describe it much other than it sounded like whistling, but with deeper tone and had an echoing feel to make it sound more like growling.

Our caution spiked when we whipped of our head toward the source, but the darkness made it that much harder to see what's beyond the shadows.

James swallowed his saliva, "Any chance this could be another fox?"

"If it's a two feet tall fox then maybe," I promptly answered.

But nothing came after nor was there any sign of life, just the continuing blow of the deep reverberate whistle until it stopped. Curiosity got the best of me and made few steps closer, pushing away the huddled leaves from the tree to give a clear view of what was behind it. Lily didn't need prompting before following behind me. I spotted at the corner of my eyes how James grabbed her hand and shook his head, but Lily only needed to pull her hand away before James reluctantly followed alongside of her.

To our relieved, it wasn't any sort of beast or monster. It wasn't even a living being. It was only-"A cave?" Lily said what the three of us had in mind at the undramatic reveal. It was a big cave to be sure. The biggest that I've ever seen, which gave off the sound of the blowing wind much more ominous than it should. Our strained muscle relaxed after realizing what the sound truly was.

Lily breathed out in relief, "I thought for a second we were going to face another one of the beasts here."

In hindsight there were probably monsters lurking inside the cave but I thought it was best not to say it. I was about to suggest we turned away but froze when I glanced back, "Where's James?" Lily's eyes widen when she found her fellow Gryffindor missing from her side. We both exchanged bewildered look before spotting him making his way into the cave.

"What is that idiot doing now?" I dragged my hand over my face, muffling my groan that followed before going after him.

James was quicker than expected and was already deep within the cave that we almost lost sight of him. The darkness didn't really help but it was a good thing the cave wasn't much of a maze so it was easy to follow him. Lily was first to noticed of the dim light began appearing on the rocky walls and ceilings. Like a glowing blue moss that I had to admit was mesmerizing even for me. It is a time like this to realize I wasn't much of a poet when mere words couldn't quite capture the beauty as we got deeper to the cave. The glowing moss began to spread further wide in the cave but mostly concentrates in the stalactite ceiling, making it look like a night light chandelier. It wasn't an elaborate scene but it was one that spoke of tranquility and peace. A scene where you could lose yourself in it forever.

The dark cave brighten a bit, not from the blue moss this time but the moonlight, shining down a set of staircase like a spotlight stage and James climbing up with hasten pace that we had no trouble catching up now that we have a good eye on him. He stopped short when he reached the other side of the cave where the moonlight broke through and I had to hold back from growling at his ear, "You know, when we find mysterious large cave it's not a sign telling you: 'Hey, let's go inside and check it out!' In fact, it's the exact opposite of what you should do."

I almost didn't caught Lily's snort. "You're one to talk," she spoke under her breath.

James didn't answer though, just a short "Uh-oh" that caused me to frown before I turned. I had to admit that, while the Dark Luminous Cave was great, this was something else.

We were perched up on a cliff, the sound of the waterfall under us turned into background noise as we took in the scenery. A tree stood in the middle of the clearest lake I've ever seen. Seriously, I could see the bottom of it in great detail. The various shape and sizes of the rocks and corrals, the green plants that emitted small bubbles, even a wreck boat stuck between the roots of the tree. There was also more glowing moss illuminating below, but instead of blue it was a mix of yellow and purple glow. Although the air was humid and cool, the smell of ancient wet stone made me sneeze. The most magical thing about it would be the fact that despite the amount of water falling into the lake, it remained undisturbed nor did it swell into a river. A constant body of water that kept its serene state.

"What is this place?" Lily breathed out her question in awe. The corner of her mouth curved up while she took in the scene.

I was about to answer "I don't know" in response but was cut off surprisingly by someone who I never expect to know the answer.

"It's the Endless Fall where the first tree ever grown in the forest and has been here far longer before Hogwarts was even made. There are rumours surrounding the tree for centuries; like how people seek its wisdom when confronted with a difficult task or where one mourns their loves one and filled the place with their tears and made the lake" Lily and me turned to him in shocked at the series of facts he didn't sound to be making up. James seemed to caught on what he had said and looked just as shock and a bit horrified from it, "I mean...hehe...I think that's what it is if I heard right from Professor Binns" James tried to glossed over.

I snorted, "Yeah, and I'm a sea slug. Try a better bit."

"Harsh, but fair. I wouldn't believe me either." James took the silent a cue for him to begin sliding down the steep rocky terrain and I didn't even have the energy to shout for him again.

"We're going to have to follow him, aren't we?" I asked to my redheaded friend only to find I was alone. I whipped my head around to find she was following James heel. Spouting out something about not wandering off.

With a defeated sigh, I caught up with them no problem by the small lake that encompassed the moss-covered stonehenge. The closer I get, the more I felt the shrouding thick of old magic in the air. Very old magic.

"For god's sake, could you stop for one second and listen!" Lily screeched next to his ear, and while James winced, he didn't seem to be fazed much by her.

"You could have just stayed up and go back you know? No need to follow me around," he faced back to Lily, wiggling his eyebrows, "Can't say I blamed you, I am irresistible." The blanched of her face and the upside slap of his head was well warranted if you ask me. A retort seemed to be at the tip of her tongue when James began pulling out his robe, shirt, trouser until he was left with only his pants. Lily flushed beet red before turning away.

A question was halfway formed from my mouth on what he was doing, but it was clear why before he even made attempt to dive into the lake.

"10 knuts says he'll turned up in less than a minute."

Lily turned to me with a raised eyebrow, "and why is that?"

"Because looking at first glance might make i seemed shallow, he'll realized how deep it was in any-" On cue, James pop up with a frantic swim aa he tried to reach the shore of the lake. His erratic swimming didn't help reach to it faster. "There he is," I said with a barely contained chuckle.

Hs hand touched dirt and inhaled a mouthful of air, "That ain't a freaking lake! There's a whole ocean back there!"

Lily's surprise was only evident from her wide eyes and turned to me with a question, "How did you know?"

I grinned and followed with a knowing wink, "Trade secret." I then walked toward and offered him a hand after laughing at him. Bu he gave me only a stink eye before swatting my hand away. I'm not even surprised. "So, so you want to tell us why you suddenly got a death wish?"

He scoffed with that condescending tone I was familiarly associated it with the gods. I would think it was cute hearing that tone from someone mentally younger than me if I wasn't so bloody annoyed by him.

"Seeing as it's none of your business, you should quit prying while you're ahead," he said while he put on his robe back.

Lily took this moment standing between us and looking inquisitively at him with her large doe emerald eyes, "Is there really no way of you telling then? Pretty please?

James looked away and ruffled his already messy hair and I swear I could see a hint of blush on his face, "Well...since you asked so nicely."

Wow, this guy is a huge sucker.

And so he looked left and right then urged us closer so he could whisper to our ears despite no one was there to hear us, his excited tone was not unheard, "This place could possibly be, just possibly, where the Lost Treasure is hidden."

"No! You're joking. Really?" Lily couldn't stifled her gasp.

The smug grin wasn't lost by his face, "Oh, I'm dead serious."

"And how did you know about this?" I asked, not quite buying his story. He's not exactly the brightest bulb around.

"Trade secret," he retorted.

Touchè.

"Okay, I'll change my question. How were you planning to get to this treasure then?" James opened his mouth to answer but found he didn't have the answer now that he know his swimming plan was a bust.

"I-haven't got to that, but I'll think of something. My plans are brilliant just so you know!" His words were only met with scrutiny. "Oi! You would have a different opinion if you know all the pranks I'd done. Besides, I'm the one who has any clue of this place so you better listen to me and I wouldn't mind sharing the treasure afterward."

"Now that's not nice way of treating your friends, you should be grateful they're open to help you."

The unfamiliar voice coming out of nowhere made us tense, and jolted us to move so we were back to back with one another. Eyes roaming for the source, my fingers twitching around my pen and wand, and feeling the heat of their backs to me was the only reassurance of their presence.

"Oh, my apologies. I didn't mean to startle you kids," I glanced back to note the same confusion we all had even when search around for the woman's presence. That is until I felt James tensed next to me and watched his jaw dropped, his eyes round as saucer, and his finger shakily pointing toward the tree. We glanced at his direction only to have our expression matched with his when we noted that the tree had something peculiar at its bark.

Specifically, a wooden face of a middle-aged lady softly looking at us, "Now haven't anyone told you it's rude to look and gape at other people?" The Wood Lady scolded us with gentle tone which doesn't undermine the creepiness in all this.

One thing was clear though.

Things just got a whole lot weirder.

AN: Oh James...one step forward two steps back. Someday people are going to like you but today is not that day.

Guess who it is as the Tree Lady. Not that hard to guess but guess anyway!

Don't forget to R&R