Getting to the Root

"You know he'll be angry if he finds out."

"He won't, besides he's always angry over something James."

The taller of the two wizards rolled his eyes, unimpressed with Artorias seemingly lax attitude. The potential reprecussions for a certain event which took place in the Prefect's bathroom the day before didn't seem to phase the Slytherin. He really was smitten, huh.
So far it seemed only a select few knew about the pairing between Hannah and Arto, and those few discussed it privately - or not at all. Most knew that gossiping about one of the Black family members was usually a bad idea.

Down below on the large, open field a few students were busy flying kites. Fighting against the wind as it tugged them back and forth. It proved a sufficient distraction for the two up on the small cliff whenever the conversation lulled.

Before they could continue the unexpected grunt of someone falling to the ground behind them spurred Artorias to turn, while James cast a half-look over his shoulder.

".. Addie?" Arto went over and helped the boy back on his feet. "Oh, yeah there's a big root there, almost had me earlier on the way up."
"T-Thanks-.. Yeah I got my foot stuck." Adrian offered his fellow classmate a thankful and somewhat embarrassed smile before he started to dust himself off.

"Here for the view Addie? Or did you have something for us?" James lazily rolled his wand between two fingers. That supple flexibility rather notable despite his gloves layering the skin from direct contact.

".. Oh, yeah the view here is quite good, actually." The shortest of the trio paced up between them now that his robes were in presentable condition. "A bit windy though." Not that Addie really needed to worry, flanked by the two Quidditch players he was shielded from the worst of it.

"I guess so, hadn't really noticed honestly." James shrugged before setting his attention on the students down below once again.

A large tree accompanied them on the cliffside, and on one of the branches quite close to their heads sat a rodent of some kind. Adrian couldn't quite tell what it was, but it seemed strangely unbothered by their presence. Even when it had clearly taken note of him staring at it.

"You never answered the question." With a blink he was pulled back from his pondering and he suddenly realised why he'd made the trip. After patting himself down Addie reached in to his robes and fished out a small paper bag which he handed over to James. Whose tone had carried some surprising measure of urgency to it.
".. Don't they have these in Hogsmeade? Why'd you need me to bring them from London?" He gave the Seeker a curious look, and Artorias also seemed rather confused as to what exactly he'd brought with him.
Opening the bag, James plucked out what looked to be a small root, but the sharp scent immediately gave away that it wasn't from any ordinary plant. He judged it for a moment. "Yeah these seem fine, you've done well." He plucked the end of it between his lips and let out a faint but content sigh.

Adrian of course knew it was Liquorice Root, but he'd only ever seen it used for it's medical properties.
".. Uh- Yeah, you're welcome."

They spent a little longer on the cliff together. Mostly discussing James' rather odd choice of candy. But eventually as they were getting ready to leave Artorias posed a question for Adrian;
"So.. you didn't go all the way to London just to fetch some candy I assume?" James chuckled to himself but didn't interject.
"Huh? Oh.. Oh no not at all I-.." A lot of emotions began to bubble through as Addie recalled that day. ".. Me and Cora went."

The taller Slytherins shared a look, James being the one who appeared the most amused given he'd just been grilling Arto over his date, and now he had the opportunity to do the same with Adrian. Anything to pass the time on slow days like this..
"You can tell us about it on the way back, come on." As the Quidditch Seeker turned to lead the trio down, he abruptly turned around, wand in hand.

"Diffindo."
Before the other two had a chance to react the spell was cast and the students down below had to watch as their kites were cut loose and claimed by the wind. James hadn't even bothered to look at the result, he simply turned around and continued down the makeshift path at a leisured pace.

".. Stand gawking there much longer and you'll get the blame." Both Addie and Arto briskly stepped off to join him. Followed closely by a particular rodent.