The Wind Sings of a Journey (Lucy!)

[Merle Shepherdson]

((Because there aren't any other places I could possibly put this?))

M E R L E
s h e p h e r d s o n



[American Dragon][Total Nerd][I'm going to try SCIENCE!]

Merle Shepherdson was a little nervous. Sure, he had taken Lucy to his home several times over the years, but this time, it was different. He was bringing her home as his girlfriend. He stood there, satchel hanging over his shoulder, waiting. He obviously wasn't bringing a whole lot, as it was only a weekend trip and he had things at home waiting for him. What was Lucy bringing? He didn't know, but if she decided to bring a lot of things, he'd be ready to help her.

Done with classes, and she didn't have work or practice this weekend. It was perfect. His parents had called him to come visit them, saying they had some important business to discuss, probably him cleaning out the dragons' teeth again. They always waited for him to be free to have him do it, as they seemed to tolerate him doing it more than his father. At least, that was what he assumed was going on. Either way, they had extended an invitation to Lucy, citing that she might enjoy getting some free time away from school.

He wasn't going to deny that he wanted Lucy all alone to himself away from the prying eyes of the students -- but still, they were going to be able to spend plenty of time together. It would be fun for the both of them. And hopefully, he'd be able to introduce her to his dragon. His parents had seemed all right, finally, with allowing him to bring her to the enclosures, at least to their outside. Perhaps he could sneak her in, or maybe they had finally come to the conclusion that Merle's dragon was not a dangerous one and would let her get close to Nanto with Merle's presence and direction.

And so he stood, waiting by a large fireplace in the Hogwarts castle. A bag of Floo powder was heavy in his pocket. He was wearing a pair of khakis and a dress shirt with his thin Hufflepuff tie and a suit jacket. He already looked the part of future Ivy-leaguer. This time next year, he'd be at Muggle School, leaving poor Lucy all alone at Hogwarts. He'd be miles and miles away, and he wasn't looking forward to it. Sure, he was looking forward to Cornell, but he would miss her. But that was what this was all about, right? Finding out if they worked well together as a couple! Dating! Would it be worth the long distance?

He didn't want to think about things not working out. He was already irreparably infatuated with the girl, and as he stood there waiting for her he couldn't imagine not having her at his side. Where was she, anyway? Merle was not normally an impatient man, but he was excited and wanted to escape with his precious Lucy Ferrier.

[Lucy Ferrier]

Lucy fixed her hair one last time before looking back on her bed and seeing her big duffle bag and her camera sitting on top. She also had a backpack as well to keep her personal things that didn't fit in the bag and she smiled, she was ready for her trip with Merle. Lucy as only been out into America once or twice with her brother on one of his trips. But she was glad she was going to go with Merle, her boyfriend.

That was still new to say.

So far the plan was that she was going to stay at his place for a day or two and then maybe see his dragon, which is why she brought her camera mostly. She wanted to se the dragon face to face for the first time, and hopefully his parents would let her even touch the dragon. His parents were so nice to her, and she was glad to known them as more than the boyfriend's parents.

She was wearing semi-shorts and a v neck shirt, along with a retro black vest with her gray v neck and one of her mother's necklace and her red converse shoes. She was hoping to take her broom, but she knew Merle had a stash of broom at his home so she left it behind for this one time, next time she would try and find a way to bring her own broom. Her kitten was wanting to go with them, but Lucy didn't think of it being a good idea to take a kitten to a dragon.

It would be rather sad actually.

She lugged her duffle bag over her shoulder with ease, her camera and backpack in her other hand and walked down the stairs to the main common room. there she was Merle, ready to go with his own stash of floo powder and she smiled at him, feeling warm all over again.

"Hello you." She said in a warm tone and placed her things carefully down next to his, She was glad to see him again. They were one of those couple that hated behind away from each other, but as corny and fluffy as that was, it was true.

[Merle Shepherdson]

M E R L E
s h e p h e r d s o n



[American Dragon][Total Nerd][I'm going to try SCIENCE!]

Merle stood there, waiting, adjusting the strap of his satchel only idly. He was getting impatient! Where was she? That bag of Floo Powder was certainly getting heavier by the moment. He was quite excited! He'd get to see his dragon, eat real food, spend time with his girlfriend and even go to the festival! With Lucy in tow, of course. He could hear footsteps in the halls off in the distance, and he locked eyes with her as soon as she came into his line of sight.

Immediately he smiled to her, a faint pink blush creeping its way across his face as she greeted him. She set her bags down and he grinned lightly. "Hi." he said, his emerald eyes glancing down to her feet and then back up to her face. He was still so shy around her! He wasn't shy around her before, but things were different now. He'd get over it, eventually, but things were still so fresh and new. She was his girlfriend now.

"I um... Are you read to go?" he asked. He looked down to her things, reaching down and picking up her dufflebag for her, slinging it over his shoulder. He wasn't going to let her carry too much! Ever the gentleman, he was. He grinned to her, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the bag of Floo Powder. He took a handful of it and tossed it into the fireplace, causing a sickly green fire to erupt inside.

He looked to her and waited for her to gather her things. He'd wrap an arm around her waist, guiding her toward the fire. Once the two of them were inside the unconsuming green flame he said something quite clearly, but in another language. It wasn't a familiar language, or at least it likely would not be to Lucy. As soon as he uttered those words, the whole world began rushing by as they travelled through the Floo System.

Other hearths rushed by, Merle having his eyes screwed shut. Floo travelling gave him a bit of a headache during the actual movement. His arm remained wrapped tightly around her waist, the other grasping the straps of their bags. After a few moments that felt like a bit of an eternity to Merle, their feet landed on the cold stone hearth of a fireplace miles and miles away.

Opening his eyes, he breathed a sigh of relief. Releasing her from his grasp, he ducked and exited the fireplace, which was quite clean. Blinking, he looked around. They stood in his bedroom, quiet and empty. He scratched his head for a moment, but shrugged. They must have had the main one blockaded for some reason or another. They were always doing home improvements. "Well. We're here!" He said with a laugh.

His room was neat, orderly. Various trinkets hung on the walls, mostly dream catchers, feathers, a few pelts and large posters of stars and constellations. He had a large bed, several bookcases, a big desk and large windows. The most notable feature of his room, though, was the large window above his bed, revealing the night sky. A small telescope sat on the floor by one of the other large windows. There was a door that lead outside the room to a balcony that was shared by another room. There was also a door for a closet and a door to the rest of the house, which was cracked slightly.

He set their things down on the floor quietly, glancing around. It was the middle of the night! What in the world were they going to do? He lowered his voice to speak, realizing that his parents were likely trying to sleep. "We'll have to be quiet. Parents are light sleepers. Uhm, this is it! Glad I cleaned up before I left for school." he said with a grin.

[Lucy Ferrier]

Lucy was glad to see him and got her things in her hand, her backpack over her shoulder and her camera in hand, ready to go by floo powder. She liked using the floo powder, something her brother would use when they were travel together to America or another part of Europe. She felt the rush in her chest as she went in with Merle, the wind in her hair and the sudden excitement in her fingertips as they traveled from Hogwarts to America. She was looking forward to the weekend away from work, from practice and from the students. There was no homework to be done, no tests or quizes to study for, and no practice needed for quidditch. So this was going to be a fun time away with Merle.

She looked around the room as they made it to his bedroom. She's been in it once or twice when they were younger and she would visit in the summer. But now it was nighttime in the area and everything was nice and dark. She moved over to the window, where she saw nothing but clear plains and clear sky. Whenever they would come to his home, they would fly on the plains and feel the sweet air on their skin. Lucy was itching just to go out there and ride her broomstick.

"Let's go outside then, it's bright from the moon!" Lucy said in a giddy tone as she looked out the window and opened it slightly, feeling the light breeze on her skin and smiling. She missed America sometimes, how it was warmer and sweeter in the air when she breathed it in, and how everything seemed brighter as well. It was home for Merle, and it was nice for he.

[Merle Shepherdson]

M E R L E
s h e p h e r d s o n



[American Dragon][Total Nerd][I'm going to try SCIENCE!]

He couldn't help but smile as she went over to the window and cracked it, looking outside it. She loved flying, especially at night. He wasn't a big fan of brooms, mostly because he wasn't so great at flying. Perhaps sometime they could share a broom. But it was already nighttime, and he wasn't sure which dragons were in which enclosure at the moment, and which ones were out and about.

Nevertheless, he moved over to stand behind her, wrapping his arms around her in a warm hug from behind. Nuzzling his head against hers for a moment, he looked out the window to her, to the trees in the far off distance. He grinned lightly, lowering his head to press a soft kiss against the nape of her neck. That first kiss soon turned to several soft kisses all the way up to her jawline and ended with a playful, affectionate kiss to her cheek.

"We'll have to be very quiet." he smirked, lifting his head to look out the window. "If my parents wake up, they'll be angry with us. And we can't wake the dragons. They'll cause a ruckus." he said, resting his chin atop her head as he stared out the window. The grass had grown a bit, enough to be seen moving like waves as the window blew over it. A sweet breeze swept over the land, and the stars were all alight. It was gorgeous out. It'd be a sin not to spend some time outside. Was it worth the risk?

[Lucy Ferrier]

Lucy smiled and felt her heart burst a bit when his lips went onto her neck and his arms went around her. She loved these little moments with him, the two of them alone and being in all privacy. Merle always held her in a protective fashion, his hands on her belly so gently tapping against her skin and his head against her, trying to hear her breathing and how his lips so pressed against her skin go gently like she was a bubble about to burst from any pressure. They were so intent with each other as she turned in his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck and running her fingers in his hair. One of his weaknesses that she loved to use against him, one of the best cards she can use in their flirtatious lustful game.

She smiled at him and kissed him lightly on the lips, her hand that wasn't in his hair on his neck and felt his heartbeat tapping against her palm. Lucy loved kissing him, it was like things were brighter even when her eyes were closed. She wanted ti push it sometimes, like the time they were in the COmmon Room and she straddled him, kissing him like her life depended on it and making him sigh and melt under her touch. It made her feel powerful, fierce and confident all at the same time. She pulled away and nodded her head at him.

"We can only walk around for a couple of minutes, just you....and me....and the moon above us." She said in a low whisper as she leaned in and breathed him in, loving the smell he was harboring mixed with the sweet scent of the wind coming through the window. She could see is face from the moonlight tint: the blue was bringing out the brown eyes he had and the brown hair that she was harassing with her fingers.

[Merle Shepherdson]

M E R L E
s h e p h e r d s o n



[American Dragon][Total Nerd][I'm going to try SCIENCE!]

All the complaining in the world would stop as soon as her fingers found their way into her hair. As soon as she turned around and her fingertips weaved their way into his brunette strands, his eyes rolled back and shut, practically melting into her grasp. She certainly had a way with him. The poor boy was completely smitten, too. His eyes slowly opened, his dark emerald eyes looking at her own as he returned her kiss.

"I guess we can. . . If we're extra quiet." he relented, nuzzling his nose to her own. His fingertips brushed over the soft, supple skin of her lower back, having weaseled their way under her shirt. He pressed a soft, fleeting kiss to her lips before pulling away from her, looking to the door that lead to the balcony connecting his bedroom to another one of the rooms on the second floor. He grinned, moving over to the door and quietly opening it. Once she was outside with him, he shut the door and moved over to the wrought iron fencing of the balcony.

There were a few planks in the balcony that looked off. He slipped his fingers between the grating and lifted up the 'trap door' to reveal a rope ladder. He picked up one end of it and moved to the gate, opening it and tossing the rope ladder off the balcony. "Let me go first." he said, tugging on the end of the rope ladder to make sure it was secure. Just to be safe, he'd go first. That way if she lost her footing, he'd be there to catch her. It was easy for him to make his way off the balcony with the rope ladder -- it was something he had made several summers ago when he didn't feel like going through the entire house (which wasn't that big) just to get to his bedroom. Besides, what kid didn't love rope ladders?

Once he was on the ground, he stood at the foot of the ladder, ready to help her off. Maybe a walk was a good idea. It sure felt nice outside. The full moon was out and the stars were shining and the weather was perfect! They could go stargazing! It'd be great. As long as they didn't wander too far to the enclosures, they'd be just fine. "Careful!" he warned up to her.

[Lucy Ferrier]

Lucy loved seeing him practically melt under her touch, it made her feel powerful and somehow dominate in their relationship. How could she think like that, she never did before. But this was her first relationship and who better to have it with than Merle? She smiled from his agreement to go outside with her. She saw him get the ladder and go down himself over the ledge onto the floor outside the house.

At first she was hesitant to go down the ladder, seeing how it looked rather shaddy. But she saw Merle looking up at her with some confidence in his eyes. SHe knew he wasn't going to let anything happen to her, not at his home late at night. So she swung her leg over and climb down with some confidence in her step. As she landed on the ground lightly on her feet and smiled at Merle, moving the hair that flew in her face from the wind away from her eyes. She felt a chill through the wind, but it was a good chill, it woke her up and looked around them at the hills around them rolling by. It felt more like a dream to her, and she smiled from what she could see.

"Wow, this is better than Hogwarts at night." She said in a gleeful tone, taking Merle's hand in her and looking up at the moon. It might of looked different to her than the moon at Hogwarts. Sure it was the same moon, but somehow it was different to her, bigger and brighter. Lucy looked back over at Merle and smiled at him,

"Should we walk around for a little bit?" Lucy explained aloud, hoping to get some sort of a adventure in. She loved the thrill of adventure, and also being able to walk around with Merle and have the private moment with him. The setting was almost perfect in her opinion, the lightning and the light breeze that came through and made their skin crawl.

[Merle Shepherdson]

He grinned, watching her come down from the ladder. She immediately took his hand and he squeezed it gently. He followed her gaze up to the full moon above, shining down bright light onto the plains. They could see pretty well for it being night time, and the moon even cast shadows. At her question, he grinned devilishly down at her and nodded. "Sure. Let's go for a walk. " he said. He tugged on her hand and lead her down the hill carefully.

There was a small footpath trodden in the grass that he instinctively went to. The smell of grass was sweet in the air and it was relatively cool that night. He'd have to keep her warm somehow if she got cold, of course. He didn't bring his jacket, but they had other ways of keeping each other warm. "I'm going to take you to the tree. " he said with a grin. "Remember that big tree? The one I fell out of and nearly broke my ribs?" Merle wasn't the most atheletic person in the world, but at least he tended to bounce back easily.

It was hard to tell where exactly the enclosures began or ended, but Merle knew where they were. He wasn't going to lead her into the dragon's den. Instead, he led her through the plains, spying the enormous tree several hundred yards away in the middle of an open field. It wasn't that far from the house, but it was beautiful. It had big branches and was easily climbed -- but Merle probably wouldn't be up to it, ever since that one summer where he fell out of it and . . . well, nearly broke his ribs.

"You're not getting tired of walking, are you?" he asked, swinging their conjoined hands slightly. He grinned boyishly at her. He was happy to have her here with him. He had come to crave her company, her attention, and he surmised that it would only get worse as they became closer and closer. He was already dating his best friend, it was hard to imagine them getting closer -- but he knew they would. His heart pounded in his chest. His Lucy. It had a nice ring to it.

[Lucy Ferrier]

Lucy was already loving where they were going, since it was only the two of them and they were walking late in the night out on the open plains. It reminded her of home, where she would go to see her grandparents in Ireland. There were so many hills and so much green around her. She could breathe in all of nature that was around her and feel ten times better. But holding his hand in hers, feeling his arm brush up against hers, it was home for her.

"I remember that incident, you scared me to death." Lucy explained to him aloud, sneaking a kiss on his cheek as they walked. She was there when it happened, and she saw him fall to the ground. As soon as he said to go get help, she took off on the broom she had that day with her and found his parents within a minute. Lucy was fast, real fast when it came to flying her broomstick and reactions. That day was a bit scary to her, since she had no idea if he was going to be okay or not. She could see the tree already coming close to them as he asked her if she was tired from walking.

"No, I'm fine. You better not be, I don't wanna carry you over there." She said in a joking tone, nudging him slightly from her spot and they kept walking towards the tree. Lucy was already loving this little vacation she was having with Merle, being away from the school and from quidditch. Everything about Merle was happy to her: his humor , his unusual tactic with communication, and his physical touches on her. All of it was wonderful to her, and she wanted to have it last forever.