|
||||
|
Characters
~*This evening marked Melody's return from her first private study session with the new teaching aid for the Defense Against the Dark Arts class. And she was.. somewhat shaken by the whole experience. Looking back in retrospect it had played like some kind of bizarre dream, and she was very eager to get Trevor's opinion on it all. After all, she'd not been bade not to discuss it with him. Her books from the day's classes were still held at her chest as she entered the common room, and looked around hoping to locate that particular housemate. She found herself yet again irritated by the separation of their sleeping areas by silly things like gender division in the dorm rooms.*~ Trevor has been firmly seated into a large, well cushioned chair. Thick dark green leather and plush cushions covered the back and armrests. Almost like a emperor seated in a throne, he sat, his legs crossed, and his arms laid outright along the armrests length. The chair rather large for him, almost engulfing him within it, yet you couldn't miss his pressance within. The dark pupils of his orbs focused about the room, darting almost as he simply sat and took in the room. Focusing on several things, all no different then the last time he was here, yet he prided himself on merely being here in this room. Melody, suddenly she came into his eyes view. Books to her chest and a small look of concern, or was it something else he thought? Her face had a defined expression of something. He had not yet learned to read her completely, he would though, or he would die trying, or perhaps even she. Determined, focused, arrogant, all words used for Trevor, never so previlant as now, his pressance almost dominating over the room. Difficult for a child, especially of his stature. Definitely not the largest child on the grounds, but no bigger then most of the third years. Often teased at times he was, in his earlier years, before his mind came about, and his vision put in motion. That is when the jokes stopped, that is when he became Trevor McGaritty. ~*Melody was fairly small in stature herself, a petite girl who had often been teased for things far more ranging than just her build. However, the art of fighting back was something she still hadn't learned. His presence filled the room, almost engulfing her but it was a sensation which over time she had begun to grow more and more comforted by. Letting him have the confidence she did not, and simply following along in the wake of his movements. Either way, if any shreds of the spark she had shown Jinx not long ago had remained by her entrance, they were swept aside by that all-encompassing demand his being seemed to have on her to obey. She had started to smile, but no longer felt it was the time for one. Stepping closer to him she said softly*~ You might want to know about my..lesson today. ~*She glanced up the stairs towards her dorm*~ Just let me put my books away and we can.. find somewhere more private? ~*Because this was a discussion that definitely NO other ears should hear.*~ "Indeed, I was waiting for you. This lesson I wish to know much about indeed." Trevors eyes looked to her, not so much in the usual harsh tone he would give her for doing something he wished against, despite even this he knew she had to attend to, it being a Professors wish. His physical tone more of a firmness, hard to explain, he wasn't agressive, yet calm and collected. Almost as though he had been in deep thought for some time, and just came from that place within his mind. Reentering the world. A phoenix emerging into Hogwarts, the best fitting expression for the comman he controlled with his pressance in the room. The room was well lit and warm, despite the cold winter air that swept through most of the halls. Brisk and chilling, the night air was begining to fill the grounds around Hogwarts. He would wait for her to put away her books, prepare as she would, and then rejoin him here. He never once stirring from the chair as he watched for her to leave, then awaited her return. ~*The last time they'd had such a conversation it had taken them outside into the night, and since that hideaway had worked s well she had reason to suspect it might be where they headed again. So when she put her books away, she also pondered a change into robes more protective against the cold than those form Hogwarts, her old Durmstrang's ones. She looked at the brilliant red velvet with its fur trim, but ultimately left them there in the bottom of her trunk and donned only the green and silver striped house scarf before heading back down. Much as she had always loved her old school robes, they stood out. They would draw stares. She returned to the common room, finding her mentor in the same place she had left him, and took a place just to one side of his chair before she nodded her readiness to go where he would take her.*~ Trevor nodded to her as he watched her reenter the room, the cloaks and scart of his house, their house, adorned on her petite frame. She was so fitting in so many ways of this house, perhaps she shy, perhaps she a follower not a leader, she however with her dark black hair and violet orbs, fit in, no less then the Prince himself Draco. She at his side, a place he wished she would take more, in time, rather then at his heel. He would teach her how to control her pressance soon enough, just as he had. Secluded it made him, yet so powerful with his mind. Magic, a broom, not his strengths, everyone knew this, and this why he had little for true friends. Most scared of his mind, and his constant thought. He was a threat, that, the way he liked it. Standing slowly, he pushed his frame from within the depths of the chairs cushions. His feet placing now firmly to the floorboards, his heels letting out a small thud as he now stood, far less towering and commanding then his pressance was while seated. The dark orbs of his eyes scanned the room before he began walking towards the exit, towards the main Corridor leading from the Slytheirn Tower. "Come Melody, we can discuss this, whilst we walk." Speaking, his tone soft, and smooth, never hitting a hitch or bump. His linguistics almost flawless, for one of his age. Something he spent time on over the years, perfecting many things, to cover the many flaws he truely had, and never would admit, to anyone, especially himself. ~*Perhaps to some he appeared less commanding once his height difference became evident, but to Melody he would have been a force to be reckoned with even in his sleep. Perhaps.. because she saw through to that dark potential of his, the part that set so many of those around him ill at ease? She seemed a born follower, and who better to lead her? That passive nature showed itself as her time by his side was short lived, no sooner was he in motion than she had taken that place a step behind him again. Her eyes darted to other students about in small scatterings even on their path, and tried to catch his eyes to convey the seriousness of the things she had to tell him*~ I think we'd better wait until we're somewhere completely secluded. ~*It was this grave, this secret.*~ Trevor had peered over his shoulder many times to her, catching her eyes, and what she wished to convey to him. Her words speaking half as much as her eyes, as usual. Her eyes, always gave her away, if her words agreed or not. They proceeded now down the corridor, passing several groups of students, Ravenclaw, and HufflePuff. No Gryffindors, that suprised him actually, especially for this area of the Castle. He didn't get bother by this at all, not in the least. He would rather have it this way. She was close to his heels, as always, nipping almost for his approval and his leadership. He led on, for now. He wanted to call her to his side, it too early, too early indeed. The Yule Ball, presenting her to Lucious the last step he would wait to hurdle before demanding she take his side, not just physically but mentally. He would open to her a world he thought she knew little of. A world even he knew little of. The Darkness within his heart would be exposed, fully to her in time. He would play no games with her soon enough, merely be brutally honest with her, of all things, even his Parents. The corridor came to a hault before them, they stopping at it's blunt end, one to the left, towards the Quidditch Pitch and open grounds, the other towards the Courtyard and even further, the Dark Forest. ~*She stopped with that skill which came useful to her disposition, catching her step easily and lightly on her toes so that when he paused at the T- junction instead of running into, or even touching him, she was still ready behind him. Her eyes glanced down the corridor towards the courtyard, where they had gone last time, assuming it would be their destination now as well. Anything but surprisingly, she did not move in either direction, waiting for him, eyes turning up to him for a decision.*~ Trevor looked to her, they would proceed towards the courtyard, that is the destination they would pass through which they had choosen before. He did not like a steady pattern, he did not like to be caught in the same place more then once, and already he seen her talking with the two teachers who had many whispers roaming about them. He would not be there again, in anyone's eyes. Walking, his heels pressing into the stone, then trasnsisting to the snows that covered the grounds. The snow only an inch or so deep, fluffy and lilght under him. She was undoubtedly following right at his heels. He need not check. She did have uncanny nack for not running into him, even when abrupt in his movements. It spoke emensely of her observation skills. That pleased him much. Those same skills something he prided himself about, something he was rather arrogant about. One thing of many. They had entered into the Courtyard, and yet Trevor showed no sign of slowing and stopping. His feet kept on, taking them through the middle of the courtyard, and to the right. Still in the couryards confines, he led off, almost. A small passage through ivy covered walls, covered in snow was before them. The outgrounds out in the distance. Rubius Hagrids hut was in sight, the Dark Forest, covered in snow a backdrop to the sight. ~*She of course did not question when they passed the place of their last private chat, as if she were likely to question him on anything. Her eyes drifted out along the snow, and her steps through the thin layer were comfortable and easy, clearly a sort of weather she was used to, not surprising given her old school. Her eyes darted to both the forest and the hut, wondering if he was bold enough to chose a locale so close to both, but at least content that they could see no one else about, she wondered if it was all right speak on the less direly secret matters from this afternoon. Not making the decision herself of course, but asking*~ Should I begin? Trevor looked on as he began through the small pathway heading into the open outter grounds, Hagrids hut near now, and the Dark Forests whispers almost heard clearly now. His shadow ducked through the ivy lined path, she pulled through behind him, almost drawing her through with his own path, his shadow. Speaking, over his shoulder and not showing her an eye, as he was scouting the area before them, "Yes, please, begin." His eyes focusing on the open area before them, exposed, yet noone near. ~*She spared a glance for the forest. Forget assurances by a few choice individuals that she had nothing to fear from followers of the Dark Lord, there was far more in that forest to worry for than just one particular breed of evil. But still, Trevor was with her and it was at least half a comfort. Now that they were here, ready to speak of her most disturbing afternoon, she wasn't sure really where to begin. After a moment of thought she said finally, simply*~ He's crazy. Trevor had began slowing his step, the snow lightly crunching under his feet now. The snow here a bit more frozen, a bit harsher. The winds from the forest icing it over much more then within the Courtyards confines. Cold, the chill of the air was there, his cloaks tightly drawn about him. His frame particularly looking small now, as he was with her, he still looked small in stature despite what he brought to the table mentally. He listened to her, all he heard was two words, and he not liking the tone, nor statment. Crazy? The man worried him less then the other Professor, yet he still worried, for her to be alone with him, without him knowing exactly what was going on there, and without him being able to intervein. He would never step on a Professors toes, yet he knew many ways to convey a message, and Melody knew this, he would have interveined in one way or another had he had the chance. "Crazy? The only word he offered, almost a bit more harshness and haste to this one single word. The one word making up for all his earlier speech without aggressivness. His tone now demanding, not of her, yet of the situation he had no control of, something that severally displeased him. ~*She nodded, unhappy earnesty in her eyes. She drew even closer to him, so that despite the openness muffling their voices and the whisper that she dropped her tone to, he could still hear her.*~ He uses ..that name... far too freely. And.. ~*Eyes dropping not for any shame of her own, but because he knew this information was likely to disturb him and she wished not to be the bringer of such emotion.*~ He is casting the Imperius Curse. Here, in these walls. ~*As if that wasn't enough she continued*~ He tried to get me to do the same, taught me some of it. ~*Shaking her head to indicate she had refused, though she left out how very, very tempting it had been. Or how much despite his lunacy, she very much wanted to see what else this man with all his promises would offer her.*~ Trevors ears perked to life at what she spoke. His eyes narrowed almost to slits his eyes could not see past. This as she guessed, displeased him extremely. This man, corrupting her to his will. She was his, who did this Professor think he was? Her eyes on the ground, Trevor stopped in immediate step, his heels pivoting as he turned, now immedaitly focused upon her. The narrow slits focused on her as he spoke, his words almost hissing as it would fit, "Imperio. Here. The man, is crazy. So openly doing such things, shows an extreme lack of intelligence. And speaking so freely as you say of he who just not be named. A fool. Do not pay any attention to this babbling fools loonacy." His words not in a way talking to her, but through her. Everyword a demand, every word a comman to his shadow. She would fall in line as usual, or he would get very aggressive with her. A twinge he had yet to feel towards her came through him, merely for the fact that his man had brought up such with her. It was one thing to study the curse, perhaps even have some interest, but to openly use and practice them was loonacy. Here, where Dumbledore, despite being a fool himself could easily tell such things and stirring of pots long let to rest. The Dark Forst whispering as it often did, trying to lure them in. His eyes and thoughts entirely to focused to pay mind. ~*She kept her eyes as they were, letting his harshness rain down on her, but also in her posture able to keep those eyes which so often betrayed her from showing to the other.*~ I didn't cast it Trevor... ~*Her voice at once timid and defensive, frightened of him. But she stayed as she was, accepting all the anger that he would display as though she had actually done something to earn it instead of being caught between the boy and the man. Still however, still.. she said nothing on her continued studies with him. Studies she wanted to go on with. But she could always fall back on not having a choice should the point be pushed, a point for now she wasn't even going to bring up. Those beckonings, not near as terrifying to her as the rage in front of her.*~ Trevor watched, focused and heard the pupil before him as she was. Willingly she put herself into these shoes she wore. It was her choice, her will, just as much as it was his, and she knew it, as well as he. He knew she was intimidated, he knew this was her was of showing this, showing her acceptance of his displeased attitude. She was not the one he was furious with, this Professor was, and yet he could do nothing. Not a word, not an action could be done towards this man. She his only vessel to put a halt to this chain of events that was beginning to unfold. Reaching outward, his hand cupped at her chin. Gentle and yet firm he lifted at her chin, trying to shift her gaze from the ground back up to him. ~*She trembled as his hand touched her face, and as she let her eyes be lifted to his there was stark terror there, of a kind deeper than she had ever regarded him before. Not just because of his anger, but because she wanted something that she knew he did not want her to have. The air was still before her, not even the mist of her own breath forming as it waited, she waited, to see what he was about to say.*~ "I am not displeased with you Melody, you did nothing wrong. It is this bafoons idiocy that concerns me. There is nothing wrong with you and studying the curses, nothing at all. Here though, it is not safe, not safe at all. There are many ears in the Castle, even Professors cannot see. Those ears, having very limber mouths at the other end." Trevor spoke, flatly, a bit of gentlness to his tone as he attempted to calm her. Her eyes showing her almost cowering fear. Was it of him? He wanted her loyalty, not her to fear him to this degree. That was not what he wanted. Fear of him would bring seclusion and distance. He wanted neither of those things, not with this girl he held on such a high pedestal, despite demanding her obedience for now. The chilled air almost froze on end, the air stopped in motion completely, as though it had it's ears turned to their talk. His words and hers startling it. This concerned him very much, his eyes conveying that to her as the slits loosened to the much less aggressive linger of a gaze he often gave her when in private. ~*She wasn't sure she agreed with there being nothing wrong with her studying the curses, not when it was another one of that trinity which had placed her parents in the dark cell they remained in to this day, awaiting their salvation from the power which constantly grew stronger in the wizarding world. But that of course she didn't voice, what she did voice was the agreement she had.*~ I told him that. That very thing, that I wouldn't do it here. ~*Surprising perhaps, that the easily swayed girl could defy a teacher's wishes in order to obey her common sense? She let out a puff of shaky breath, staring into those slightly less aggressive eyes of his but still very much afraid. Of him, of how easily he could take from her the comfort that she found in his presence. How long would she allow him to hold her like that, forcing her gaze to stay with his? With Melody all night seemed a likely answer should he not chose to let her go.*~ Trevor, with that, her words and her gaze seeming to not entirely lose her fear for him. Her shaking fear for him for what reasons he didn't know. And what assumptions he made, he was wrong. He never guessed her loyalty more for her own comfort. He had suspicions are times, but this the one thing she actually didn't make so vain through her eyes depths. This actually more Slytherin then he could have ever indoctrinated her in. She using him, she getting what she wanted, even as warm hearted intention it was. Friendship. "Is there any progress with your project?" He asked her, quirking an interested brow. The progress of this would entail actually a few things for his own future. He had plans for her progress, her projects future. The ground began to tread under his feet again as he began towards the Dark Forests edge, the whispers growing from a whistle of the winds to a plain voice almost, whispering, but undeniable. Hagrids hut not far to their right hand side, resting at the edge, almost the border keeping presence he had, not mattering to Trevor as they drew near. ~*The sudden shift of conversation startled her, and she seemed to spend a moment to adjust before offering a reply.*~ The same as it did a few days ago. It was meant to be the work of years. ~*Her attitude growing more comfortable as the subject became one she had confidence in, even forming a little scowl as she said*~ I have to work on it in secret and that too isn't helping things. I somehow don't think I'm going to talk Snape into letting me continue it under his tutelage. ~*Pausing, and saying thoughtfully, with logic uncharacteristically characteristic of their house*~ But Jinx does seem to want to win me over. ~*Her shadowing of Trevor instinctive now, not even seeming to notice the path on which he lead her. Were he to step beyond that border, would she follow? Were he to order her there alone?*~ "Win you over? I see." Trevor gritted his teeth as she could not see his face, his back still to her as he led on, his feet stepping into the small lush foliage that lined the entrance into the Forest, the Dark Forest before them. They so close to it's entrance, a few steps they would enter this place they were forbidden. This would be a test for her, this would be his demand on her obedience if she fought him. The chill to the air came more brisk as they now stood at the base of the forests entrance, his eyes looking out into its depths. Vacant of life, yet so teeming it almost frightened him. Almost? That's what he told himself despite fear striking across him. ~*Behind him she quirked a little "oops" expression at the tightening of his voice, did not slow or respond more than that. She was going to continue her studies, and her mentor might as well learn to accept that since neither of them had much say in the matter. Not that she was about to let on these attitudes, conflicting so harshly with her overwhelming desire for her housemate's approval, onto him. She continued after him, eyes straying out into the forest, aware of it but looking altogether not too concerned. That gaze which seemed to always speak her thoughts showing no real signs of fear. Because he was with her? Or perhaps because something in her blood or history shared a common bind with those whispers? Or maybe the thought that he would ever draw closer than this threshold where they stood never crossed her mind.*~ Trevor stopped but only for a momment before he pulled in a deep breath of the solid chilled air. The air filling his lungs almost with its presence, the Dark Forest. This was not his first time here, yet something, this night whispered to him, brought about that bit of fear in him. He could not put a finger onto it. The thought did cross his mind, as his first step entered it's floor, that perhaps this place was not speaking to them, but her. Her parents connection something this place most likely would not lay to rest. This place more her domain then his, and neither laying more then a steps claim. Anticipating she would follow, he had yet to look back to her, for a reaction, focusing more on his own thoughts and such as he entered the Forest. His second foot following into the Woods depths now, before he looked over his shoulder, thinking perhaps she may have hesitated, but perhaps now. With her, obedience was clear, yet a strong will hid in her. ~*If the forest was calling to her, then it was a song she had long learned to tune out, or at least grown comfortable with. The circles of aurors and rooms full of chained chairs, the barbs of spiteful classmates and muggle children who had seen her weakness so clearly while she lurked apart on their playgrounds frightened her much more than these things which she had been raised warned against, but raised with none the less. She was still behind him when he turned, following indeed, but there was a certain spark there to her eyes now, that hidden will he thought of as she was already whispering urgently*~ Trevor! What are you doing?? It's not safe here. ~*Seeming.. perhaps more concerned for his safety than her own? That was true, and though he might interpret it as something far grander in her confidence, it was actually only the fact that she held her life as a rather worthless thing, but saw his as something great.*~ We could get caught or.. ~*Actually reaching out to grab the hem of his cloak and try to pull him to a reverse.*~ come on.. Trevor listened to her, confidence shining her, for some reason it did. She wasn't the little shadow nipping lapdog she was outside the Forest. This honestly caught him off guard. This the first time she acted this way, so outright since the incident with Draco and Fintan. This impressed him greatly. Asking her to proceed he spoke to her, "Or, what?" His eyes lit up slightly and a brow quirked. "Alright, alright." Offering her a thin lipped tight grin as he was beginning to be drug from the Forest they just entered. He only allowing her to do this, because of her brashness, her outright act of leadership. This what he wanted from her. ~*There was a flare of alarm at his question, the hints of her usual nature returning as he half challenged her words, but still enough of that.. almost scolding attitude remained for her to turn around and tug him right back over the edge of the forest with her, in front with no doubts about it. Only once they were back within "safety" did she look back at him and respond cheeks flushed as though embarrassed by the boldness she'd been forced into displaying*~ Or something might have happened to you. ~*Her voice, teasing?*~ And then where would I be? ~*As in this moment she still seemed to have forgotten the role she had donned .*~ Trevor chuckled a bit, releasing the unusual sound from his lips. He didn't laugh nor chuckle much. This rather interesting, even to himself. Why was he so amused? He didn't even know fully. Perhaps it was that, she cared? He wasn't sure though. They were now out of the Dark Forest. Back into the Castles outer grounds, the safety as it were and as she thought so obviously by her words. Although this place almost as dangerous as within the realm of the Dark Forest. Just as foul a creature lurked here in Hogwarts. The nasty creatures in the Forest at least upfront about their role, evil or good, the one's here, always deceiving, even as Trevor very oftenly had. "Then I thank you for saving me from the Forest." Offering her the still thin tight grin across his lips. His eyes showing a bit softer a tone with her as they stood now back before hogwarts. They would return, to the Castle, they had talked about what they wanted to discuss, this little test of his gone well. An answer he had, whether he understood it yet or not, he would think and decipher later. "Come, the air here has a chill. We will return to the Tower." Nodding firmly to her he now ordered this almost of her, the typical commanding tone showing for a brief moment before he offered her a softer tone in finally, "We would not want you to become chilled and ill and be bed ridden. I would not want that at all." With that he began walking towards the small pathway they had went through, back towards the inners of Hogwarts, the Slytherin House Tower their destination. His hand reaching down to grip hers, he would comfort her, show a bit of appreciation, as he was actually a bit fearful of the Forest, and saved him from having to show it ~*She smiled, something of a more muted shade than the eagerly bright expressions he had elicited from her during the earlier parts of the week, but a calmer, almost somehow more real smile as though she were simply enjoying that he seemed for a moment to have felt some happiness. Her own light giggle answered his thanks, as they continued to stand there facing eachother for a moment with the moonlight casting their shadows in parallel, neither falling on the other.*~ It can't have you. ~*Stepping at his summons to return to her place at his heel, needing no answer to show that she would of course follow. But as they walked, and his hand dropped back to clasp hers, she stepped half a pace forward and slightly to the side again, not quite in synch with him but not so far behind as to seem like a child being drug along. But rather, a strolling companion whose chosen place just happened to be slightly back from him.*~ | |||
