katetierney

Aurelia's palms began to ache as she pressed them into the windowsill, her shoulders hunching as she let all her weight fall to her hands. She couldn't look up, she couldn't move. It was taking all her strength to keep control of her demeanor, and even so she wasn't doing such a great job. Her hands clasped at the sill while her chest heaved, her breath coming quickly. She was expanding, and all too soon she would burst. She had to do something about this, before it was too late.

She was terrified of the outcome. There had never been anything to happen to her that was so momentous as the thought that quite likely she'd fallen for someone who could completely warp the way she lived and thought. It was unthinkable- she'd been with so many people, using and leaving had become second nature to her. Live for the moment, take what you can, give nothing back. She'd had it all, and in the arms of one smirking schoolboy, she'd practically given it away on a silver platter.

What if she continued to ignore the fact? She could always go along screwing who she could, seducing who she couldn't. Quite possibly she could make Logan hate her. The thought made her chest thicken and gut cramp. She didn't want him to hate her. She wanted him to love her, and hold her, and make sweet endless love to her, and to be with her and claim her for his own. Make no mistake- she wanted to be his as much as she wanted him to be hers. The thought idled on the edge of her reason, knocking patiently till she could all but hear her own thoughts clearly.

Aurelia cursed herself silently. Why had she left? It showed weakness, and it was more than clear, she was sure, that Logan fully understood the meaning of her departure. There was no way she could have stayed there the whole day, though. She would have gone insane, or worse, jumped into Logan's lap and shocked the other students with hungrily displayed affection. It could not be had.

Aurelia looked down at her feet, her blonde strands hanging in her face. She didn't know what to do. There weren't many choices, and most of them she wouldn't be able to stand. It was more than just getting herself a man, or the spurring of all the ideals she lived by day to day- it was survival. She knew that she couldn't survive in the same way anymore, whether she did something about Logan or not.

Someone was standing close to her- she could feel their heat. How long had they been there? They didn't say anything. Aurelia was hesitant to find who it was. If it were a professor, she was fried She lifted her head, slowly, and came face to face with Logan and the smirk she'd envisioned so perfectly. He'd won, and he knew it. The bastard absolutely knew it.

Aurelia thought he'd mock her, maybe taunt her for ridiculous behavior. No. She hoped he would do these things. Or at least, some part of her did. The part of her that could fxck and leave, without a thought to the feelings of anyone else. There was a side of Aurelia that was spreading its wings, demanding that she face facts and realize that she in fact wanted him to take her into his arms and love on her and tell her he would be with her for eternity if that was what it took. For once, her new piece rose like a phoenix from ashes, its heat in the pads of Logan's fingers as they gripped her jaw and pulled her forward, his lips crushing against hers.

Logan wasn't asking- he was taking. It was clear in the way he held her chin, the way his mouth forced itself against hers. Aurelia was nearly still in shock. Her lips felt raw, outdated, as if it had been too long since she had truly used them for her to remember how. A wave of hot electricity burst through her as he nipped at her lip, his teeth tugging as he pulled away. She could feel his hand in her hair and his skin swept against her ear, sending a pulse that made her shiver. Like a master stringsman, he knew how to play her, and she found she didn't mind at all.

"I can't stay away from you ..."

Aurelia's eyes had been closed- she didn't need sight to see what Logan was doing, not when she felt every single minute movement to her very core. She blinked at him, speechless, floating somewhere between jubilation and sobs. "I am not going to stay away ..." She blinked again, but her brows did not furrow and she did not frown. Instead, she merely stared as she tried to comprehend his words. He spoke as if his words were the simple truth.

He wasn't going to stay away. Aurelia stared at him, her eyes wide, as she tried to comprehend his words. Countless situations and temptations raced through her head- he didn't know what he was talking about. She'd thought he was just like her, and maybe he was. Was he going through the same confusing flurry of emotions as she was? If he was, she could understand how he could so confidently tell her he wasn't going anywhere.

His lips began to move. "So why don't we stop with the pleasantries, and call a spade a spade Aurelia." Her name fell from his lips as if he might set them free, something he'd been dying to utter since last he'd given them speech. She understood what he was saying. It was no less than she knew she wanted, but even so she had to fight to agree, even silently. Without waiting for a reply, Logan leaned forward, his eyes locked on hers, and graced her lips with his tongue.

Against his open mouth, Aurelia tasted the sweet cool of Logan's breath- and with it returned weeks of loneliness and longing. She stood still, that one last weakened piece of resistant battling to the end, standing alone for what had once been so important to her. Had it only been weeks? It seemed like years. Logan moved away, only slightly, parting his lips from hers, but Aurelia grabbed him, her long, tapered fingers clutching at him.

"Don't leave me ..."

Swiftly, her hands moved to take their place at his side, and wrap theirselves around his neck, and she pulled him into her, her back arching as she thrust herself onto her toes. Their lips parted as she kissed him thoroughly, lips moist and tongues clashing. She could feel every brush, every stroke, made by Logan's ferverent fingers. She reveled in the way they leaned together, their only support being the aged stone of the wall behind them.

Aurelia paused, her lips frozen in mid kiss as she pulled away enough to look at Logan. "Don't ever leave me ..." One demand, one plea, one simple request. Blasphemous words from the mouth of a young woman who stood with her world crashing down around her, and all she could think of were the hands holding her and the lips molding against hers.

Head in her hands, Aurelia sat in her desk, her heartbeat drumming loudly in her ears. She'd fxcked up, and there was no sense denying it any longer. Somewhere along the way, she had to have become easy, soft. Never in a million years would she have thought she'd fall. It wasn't in her- she was the cold one, the one who could sit back and let things happen without getting involved. But this time she'd failed, and looking back, she had no idea where she'd messed up.

It seemed simple enough at first. A guy obviously searching for someone to spend the night with him, and who better than Aurelia? For only fifteen years, she had more experience in the sack than many girls her age, and better yet, she wasn't going to come running for a second date. He'd even seemed fun, with his sneers and piercing gaze that so well matched hers, and how uncommonly forward he was. But then something changed, Whether it was the moonlight playing tricks across his features, or his own devices, he'd turned sweet on her, but not in a way that made her think of sap or cotton candy.

Aurelia breathed in deeply. Even the thought of his eyes gazing into hers, one arm stretched above her while the other cradled her hip, knocked the wind out of her. It was like a furnace was set between their desks, and she could feel every move he made, every little electric signal that waved through the air. As good as she was with people, at reading them, sensing them, she'd never been this fully aware of anyone in her entire life. Even with her head in her hands, the light shut out from her eyes, she could see him perfectly in her head.

The view point quickly changed, though. No longer was Logan sitting in the desk across the aisle, head resting on his hands. Instead, he was flat against her, his skin hot against hers as they moved together, his hand cupping her rear. Her head tilted back as she sighed and moaned, his every attention exerting an elated sound from the depths of her throat. She'd done the unthinkable- completely lost herself in his arms, her mind far from any sort of planning or care. No. He'd done the unthinkable. With well executed strokes and the gentle pursing of his lips against hers, he'd found her completely off guard and careless to correct it.

The thrumming of blood swelled in her ears, and Aurelia couldn't take it anymore. She sat up, her eyes straight ahead. She hadn't realized she'd been pressing her palms against her eyes, a desperate attempt to erase the thoughts that streamed through her mind. Folding her arms, she made a great effort to study the patterns of stone on the floor beside her, and not glance in Logan's direction. As hard as she tried, she couldn't shake the images of him from her mind. She wasn't strong enough.

She wasn't strong enough...

A grimace crossed her features that quickly turned into a silent whine. She missed it- being able to pass through her days completely careless of the day ahead or behind, or even the moment in which she lived. If she wasn't the one going through the trama of what was now her life, she'd have thought herself a curious subject of study. It had always been one of wonder- why some people could seriously not go an hour or two without thinking, even mentioning a person of who they, apparently, cared a great deal. She loved her sisters, she loved her family, but it was beyond her level of comprehension to understand what could make someone so dependent on an other being.

Aurelia never thought she'd be the one going through such a thing, and she refused to look at Logan like someone she couldn't do without. She could go without him- forever if she wanted to. But not if she was forced to be around him. She'd thought she'd be okay, but deep down she knew that everytime she jumped at someone's entrance, every idle at every door, was all for Logan. She hadn't wanted to see him, let alone end up sitting next to him.

But she wasn't okay. Every muscle and every bone told Aurelia to turn, to look at the boy who'd completely rocked her world. It made her head hurt, and she felt an odd pricking behind her eyes as she tried to evade the temptation to look at him. She didn't want him to see her face again. What had he seen there? Had she left her expression so unguarded that he could read every emotion, every doubt and grudge? The thought horrified her. She didn't want anyone to know what she was feeling- especially him.

Again, Aurelia faced forward, her gaze locking on the slate board at the front of the class. Logan was clear in her perephial, and she could see every strand of hair, even stroke of soft blush that coloured his skin. She felt a warm, queasy feeling in her gut as she focussed on him. More than ever, she ached to turn to him, to look him in the eye and pull herself onto his lap, her arms hooking around his neck as she buried her lips against his. But that couldn't happen. He could never again see the weakness in her eyes, or feel her flesh against his.

It wasn't enough that she promised herself this. Aurelia's mind seemed all ready set on making him hers, and she fought against the notion. Even so, her cheeks flooded and her mind was ambushed with millions of all too familiar frames. She could feel his head turn toward her, his dark gaze lighting on hers, and before she knew it she was turning her gaze on him. There was no helping it- she couldn't look away, but neither could she tear her gaze from his. Blood rushed to her cheeks, setting her skin aflame as everything around them clouded, and all she could see was Logan's eyes boring into hers until she was hopelessly, dreadfully lost.

Something snapped. Aurelia's breath quickened, but then so did her heart beat, and in an instant she'd grabbed her jacket and despite all exclamations from the detention mistress, she was heading for the door, her heels clacking against the stone. She grabbed the door frame to help turn her around, and she fled the room and the echos of shocked students. Skirting a corner, she turned down a side hall. She was heedless of where she was going, but she didn't care. Logan wasn't going to affect her- he couldn't. Never mind that he'd just made her skip out on detention. She could see a months' worth of detention for that, unless she could do some fast talking.

The hall curved, and Aurelia followed- it ended in a high glass window and a few old doors. She headed straight for the window and rested her palms against its sill, her arms spread as she hung her head. What are you doing, Reylie? she asked herself. Her blood pounded in her ears, and she could feel her breath catching. As what she'd just done, and what she'd escaped, caught up to her, she began to feel a panic rising. Her feelings ate at her like a worm, eroding her strength, her nature. Again and again, she told herself she hadn't fallen for Logan Luca, and at each denial, she could feel her mind turning, with open arms, to accept the fact.

I took a friend's suggestion and started writing, and this is what came out. Don't usually do first person, but eh. Yeah...




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Lie back...

His rosy lips moved slowly uttering the words as if breathing alone were as pleasurable as what he was about to do. Caelen did not look away, his gaze did not fall from mine. His hand cupped my head as I lay back slowly, sure of his strength to keep me from falling back too fast. My brazen curls met the soft sheets first, then my skull, and my head lolled a bit as I looked up at him. He leaned over me, his body coupled against mine, and I could feel our skin flushing with heat.

Caelen moved to cover me, his chest against mine. He embraced me, one hand hooking my leg higher while the other cupped my face, his slender fingers stroking at the curve of my jaw. It seemed like forever passed as he stared into my eyes, yet we still had forever ahead of us. I caught a flash of mischief behind his carefully controlled expression, then he leaned down, his lips pursing against my neck.

It was different from the last time. Last time, I'd had to convince him, nearly trick him, into feeding from me. It had been all or nothing. This time didn't take anywhere near as much convincing, and he seemed almost glad to sink his teeth into my hot flesh and drink the dark, sweet blood my body had to offer. He wasn't hesitant this time.

I could feel the pin points break my skin, and the searing began. This was familiar, this pain that raked my body, flooding through me as his teeth sank in. This was different too, though. Somehow, despite the sheer panic that was set upon my system, there was also great hints of pleasure hitting at various points and curves. The good was everywhere behind the bad, but it broke through in places, causing me to arch and squirm in Caelen's embrace.

I didn't know if he thought that my movements were from pain or pleasure, but to be honest it didn't cross my mind to wonder. I was too caught up in the feelings. At first, the pain was too much, but after enduring it for just a while, or maybe it was years- I didn't know, it became a good sort of pain. This was foreign to me- how could such sheer pain be something so terribly good? I was confounded, but so was I unable to reign in my speech.

I was sure I was making all sorts of unintelligible cries, maybe moans and groans and the like. Maybe I was silent. I'd prayed I'd be silent. But then, I didn't know exactly what it would be like. Mind you, I had an idea. I remembered the extreme pain that made me cry out and fight his grip, and at times I'd laid in bed at night, idling between wakefulness and sleep, my head full of the transition to the greatest pleasure I'd experienced in all my short years.

It was this pleasure that made me burn in Caelen's presence, that made me crave for him to hold me and take from me once more. Crazily enough, it was also the pain. I wanted all of it, even if I had the choice between one, the other, or both. I couldn't have just one. It was like they said- to have good at all, evil must be present also. But the pain was good too. Thus, I needed both- the pain and the pleasure, and most of all I wanted Caelen to be the one to inflict each upon me.

With that said, I felt almost embarrassed admitting this to him. I had always been the good girl, the innocent one, the angel. It felt dirty to want both. Even so, it did not occur to me at the time to act the opposite. I did not pretend hesitancy or dread at the thought of the pain, and I did not feign humility in my need for the pleasure that such an act would give. I could not be sure if Caelen was surprised at this, or if he'd somehow expected it. I had a feeling that it was both.

A soft, cold presence battled at the core of the heat that spread over my skin. Caelen's lips were like ice against my increasingly fiery flesh, and I could not tell the difference between the teeth that were embedded in my skin. After less than a second, I ceased to pay attention to my neck, and my mind wandered. The pain was piercing, little jolts of electricity pricked against the walls of my veins, and my very muscles grew sore and began to ache. But it felt good.

I do not know how to communicate to you how the pain could be good, but I can try. An ant bites you- remember the horrible itching that covers the area as the poison spreads? You can only endure so much. But then, you take the edge of your nail and press it into the bite, and in a way it is cold and the pressure is too much, but at the same time it feels good. The relief of itch and a new feeling is what makes it feel good. A vampire's bite is better. The raw itch is what Caelen gave me the first time. And now, he was giving me his nail, relieving the pressure.

If it were not for the pleasurable aspect of it, the pain would not have been bearable a second time. But then, I would not have asked for it a second time. Instead, I had dreamt of the possibility of someday having the chance for Caelen to feed from me once more. Whether it was in the safety of my bedroom or during a lecture, the thought was constantly on my mind. The need was strongest when I was near my love, though. It taunted me, the idea that the one person who could quell the craving was standing right next to me, yet I could not have it. Ironic- in making him able to be more comfortable around me, I'd made myself less comfortable around him.








You know, you guys can comment on this stuff, I'm a sucker for constructive criticism... ^.^

Aurelia tugged the tie that held her hair in place from her pony tail, and slipped it over her hand. She was standing in front of her wardrobe mirror, trying to figure out what to do with her hair. Giving up, she swept her fingers through her straight blonde locks, leaving them just a tad messy. Unlike her sisters, she'd been blessed with hair that did precisely what she wanted it to do, when she wanted. Taking one last look in the mirror, she grabbed her coat and ducked out of her dorm room.

The halls were deserted- most students were either all ready up and at breakfast, though quite a few were probably still in there beds, taking advantage of a day without classes. ”Lucky bastards...” Aurelia grumbled miserably. If it weren't for a few too many tardies and cross words, she could still be snuggled under loads of comforters and sheets. Aurelia grimaced. If it wasn't for a certain ass hole, she'd be able to happily bury into someone else's bed, but as it was, she hadn't had a decent lay in two weeks, and after about one week she'd given up on staying the night anywhere than her own room.

When she reached the Sournois common room, Aurelia ducked her head and headed straight for the door. She didn't want to talk to anyone, let alone any guys. She was beginning to get sick of boys. It was never like that before- but now things were different, to her greatest disdain. Aurelia tried to avoid the fact, and no one but her subconscious could get away with noting that things were, indeed different. She'd always been someone who did what she wanted, when she wanted, someone who took her own pleasure without much need for giving back. If she did give back, it was because she was pleased- not because she was being nice. All in all, Aurelia wasn't the nicest of girls. She could be sweet and be a good listener and wasn't a bad friend really, but she tended to keep to herself and her favourite company was an interested male with all the bad intentions- though not necessarily the wrong ones.

Aurelia prided herself on being able to remove herself from situations- to feel only the things she wanted to feel. It was a fact- if she wanted a guy, she knew exactly how to play her cards to get him to do what she wanted. It didn't hurt that most of the men she spent her time with were more than happy to let things flow and never act as if they owed each other anything. Just because she spent a night with someone didn't mean she owed them her life, or even a few good morning kisses. She'd been happy to do whatever she wanted with whomever she wanted- up until two weeks ago.

Two weeks ago, she'd headed for the Detaillant pub, only intent on a few pints of whiskey and maybe some dinner. That lasted about half an hour, and then Aurelia's outlook changed. Whether it was for better or worse didn't matter. It was different than what she'd always wanted, and she'd never been one who took change without a fight. She knew what she liked and she knew how she liked it, and she wouldn't have bet in a millions years that she'd like things any other way. Things were always the same, and that was how she liked it. That was besides the point. Everything changed with her second glass of whiskey.

He'd been absolutely gorgeous- with a piercing, 'I know what you want', gaze, and devilish grin. His voice was honey and cinnamon, and the air that moved around him was warm cedar and lime. She'd never forgive him. Logan Luca was one man that she would never go to again. She didn't need reminding of how he'd made her feel- even the thought of him made her heart race and her stomach gurgle like she was going to throw up. It made her sick. He'd completely ruined how she did things, how she lived, and the way she was able to leave emotions out of a night of fun. Not that he made her fall for every man he encountered or anything. Instead, it didn't take long for reviews of their own night together to seep into her thoughts as she spent time with someone else.

After a couple of nights of this, Aurelia had become quite brash, even for her. Sick of the ways her mind made her hesitate in some one else's arms, she'd begun to push past her thoughts and force herself to not think. There was no more time for talking, no more time for witty banter and insinuating looks. There was only time for action. With that said, Aurelia began to skip all the foreplay and get down to the real thing. But even then, she found pockets of peace and silence where her mind would shove the image of an other hotter, more passionate night into her mind and she'd have to change tune. She began to do things with a colder outlook, getting things done in as little time as possible and wearing herself out till she could leave wherever she was and head for her dorm and fall into bed without even the strength to pull the covers over her small frame.

Aurelia slipped past the dining hall, clinks of silverware and lazy chatter drifted to her ears and made her long for a plate full of eggs and sausage. She cursed the professor who'd given her detention, and made her way to the classrooms. If there was anywhere she could have been on a Saturday, it wouldn't have been detention. That's what you got though, for thinking the professor was too much of a mouse to do anything about your snide remarks. Smirking, she left the stairs and headed down a hall way, a few students littering the hall ahead, apparently headed the same place as she. The school staff was becoming stricter with detentions, and it seemed that nearly everyone she talked to had received one, or at least been threatened with the idea, at some point throughout the year. Even Aife, sweet, innocent Aife, had been threatened with one thanks to too much talking. Aurelia snickered. Her sister was an angel- she was nearly convinced the older girl hadn't ever done anything bad or risky or selfish in her entire life.

Aurelia reached the detention room all too soon, and after handing in her detention slip, she made her way down an aisle and took a seat nearer to the back than the front. She wasn't stupid. You take a seat in the very back, the teacher targets you and you'll never get away with anything. Same goes for the front, but you get a better grade. You choose somewhere in the middle, and you're neutral. It's all up to you. With that thought in her head, Aurelia shrugged off her coat and swung it about the shoulders of her chair, straightened the grey of her wool pencil skirt, and sat down, one knee slung over the other. The class was all ready half full, and students kept trickling in, their shoes scuffing as they walked to their seats. Everyone had a look on their face that said they'd prepped for a day full of bore, and if Aurelia had to bet on it, she was sure quite a few of them had a daydream charm in store.

Cursing silently, Aurelia realized she should have brought her own charm. She'd spent two weeks trying to avoid thinking, and here was with a day's worth of opportunity to spend time with her subconscious. Oh joy, she thought, her eyes rolling. Exactly what she needed. She looked up at the professor, who sat at her desk like she wasn't exactly thrilled at the thought of being there either, but at least she had things to do. The woman was going to see the most intricate lines there'd ever been in the history of detentions, all thanks to Aurelia's will to survive the day. She dearly hoped that at the end of it, she wouldn't be insane and headed for St. Mungo's.

The class was nearly full, and it was almost time for the detention to begin. Aurelia slipped her hair tie from her wrist and began to twist it around her fingers. This was going to be a boring day. There wasn't even anyone she'd really like to make eyes with. There were a couple of guys who seemed familiar, but she reckoned they'd probably look loads more welcoming after her body's weight in liquor. Sighing, she looked back down at her hands, and watched as her long fingers twisted themselves in her hair tie. It was about time the class began- she was starting get antsy. Her foot tapped in the air, and she cocked her head in boredom. The class was nearly full, except for the seat beside her, and she could see a pair of grey pants in her peripheral, making their way toward it.

Aurelia glanced up, absently, as the boy took his seat beside her, then looked back to her hands. Then she froze. Skin pricking, her eyes shot wide, and her heart, oh her dear poor heart, started pounding against her chest, like it was just as desperate to get out and leave the class as she was. She could feel her stomach begin to roll, and her hands began to shake, and why the hell did her mind have to bring back every single moment of two weeks ago, in one second? Her face was frozen- the only evidence of horror being in her wide eyes- but the air surrounding her was charged with a million volts of electricity. She needed to get out of that room. She couldn't be next to him- it was too dangerous. Her chest started to constrict, and oddly enough, she couldn't tell if she was going to cry, start screaming, or what. She wondered how much trouble she'd get if she just ran out and left, and went to hide somewhere. The thought was seriously tempting.

Aurelia sat frozen to her seat. She could see everything he was doing in her peripheral, and he wasn't doing much. Logan was just sitting, looking straight forward, his hands together on his desk. He looked angry, like something was bothering him. The day was just getting better and better, because Aurelia felt herself begin to worry for him. She never worried, especially about some guy she'd happened to spend the night with. But that wasn't just any night, she thought, too late to keep the words from her mind. That set her mind to roaming. Why didn't he look at her? Why didn't he even nod, or wave, or, oh she didn't know, gesture or anything? He just sat there, refusing to look at her. Was it nothing to him? Instantly, she chided herself for the thought. Of course it was nothing. One night didn't mean anything, and she should have been grateful for that. Instead, she felt this hollow, sinking feeling in her centre, as if the world was falling out beneath her. It was absolutely dreadful, and for the first time in her life, she finally understood why her mother cried for her father, why Aife couldn't bear to be away from school, away from Caelen. The realization made her throat raw.

Timidly, she looked to the ground, at Logan's feet, then up to his ironed grey trousers. Emboldening, her gaze idled over his waist, where the crisp Beauxbatons blue of his shirt tucked into his pants, covering his supple flesh and perfect hipbones. His shirtsleeves stretched tight against his arms, giving way to his lean muscles, and his broad shoulders, shoulders she'd sunk her teeth into as she'd cried out at his mercy. Shirt turned into flesh, and Aurelia found herself gazing at the veins in his neck, his shadowed jaw- it was just so perfectly cut, and she felt herself itching to sweep her fingers over his cheeks, and cup behind his ears to pull him closer to her lips. It hurt. It really did. Just looking at him, everything came flooding back. Every kiss, ever nip, every touch and graze and elated sigh- they filled her head, pooling into every nook and cranny till he was all she could see. When he finally looked at her, it took her a minute to register his gaze, to remember that he was real, and that yes, he was sitting across the aisle, and those were his eyes that were staring at her.

The moment she realized that he was looking at her, Aurelia's eyes nearly doubled in size. She couldn't have looked away if her life depended on it, but she wasn't absolutely sure that she wanted to. Her skin was hot as a blush crept over her skin, her cheeks flushing red. She couldn't quite tell what the expression was that masked Logan's face. At first glance, he looked angry, terrifying. Yet, as Aurelia's gaze swept over his own, she began to see hints of other emotions. Longing left his eyes clear, and softened their piercing sharpness, while a bit of something she couldn't place her finger on made them seem almost helpless. He looked disrobed, like something had happened to weaken him. She fought against letting the words like her attach themselves at the end of the sentence.. Something told her she was seeing something she wasn't supposed to.

Whether it was hours or years that passed as they stared at each other, Aurelia could have happily sat gazing at him for the rest of eternity. The thought shocked her, and she felt her jaw drop a little, her lips pulling apart slightly. Her throat was dry, and the cool air that slipped inside hurt a little. Somehow, she managed to turn away, her gaze falling to her desk. How had this happened? She felt all control and all freedom slipping from her grasp, and what was worse was that she was letting it go. This was without a doubt, the last thing that she'd ever thought would happen to her. It angered her, how easily he'd upset her way of life, her point of view. And she had a whole entire day to let that fact sink in, and every moment would be spent beside the man who made her fail. Head shaking, she leaned her elbows on her desk and let them hold her forehead.

Aurelia snuggled closer to her pillow, her eyes shut against unwelcome light. She'd slept wonderfully, and though she couldn't remember any of her dreams, they left her feeling happy. She could almost catch soft scents of cedar and citrus traced with warmer, spicier scents, and they smells made her grin.

She felt a graze of flesh against her shoulder, then the soft purse of lips against her back. Aurelia lay still beneath the attentions, sighing happily as the unseen mouth nipped at her ear lobe. Shivers raced up her spine as the hand fled down her side. ”Morning...” The voice was soft but masculine, and she arched her and back spread her arms before her, her palms flat against the headboard as she stretched. ”Morning...” she sighed in return.

Opening her eyes, Aurelia turned over to look at Logan. The night before came flooding back to her, and to her absolute horror, she felt a blush creep over the blades of her cheeks. She never blushed. Aife blushed. She didn't. Trying to contain herself, she looked at Logan, her eyes taking in his mess of hair and lazy gaze. He looked different than he had in the bar. If he'd looked this way last night, she never would have paid an inch of attention to him. She had no patience for lovely words and sweet affections- usually.

Slowly, Aurelia pushed herself up to a sitting position, and looked down at Logan. She ran a hand through his hair, letting it idle as her fingers swept down to his cheek. Somehow, throughout the night, this bastard had made himself dear to her. She knew she should feel angry, tricked- but she didn't. All ready in her mind, she could see herself jumping from the bed, throwing on her clothes, heedless of how she looked to him, a chanting of 'fuck' on her lips as she left. Yesterday, she would have run from this. Today, nothing at all could make her do so.

Eyes wide and timid, Aurelia let her hand fall to his shoulder blades, digits tracing the lines of his clavicles as she looked at him. Who was this boy that could stir feelings inside her she never knew she had. Aurelia was always the cold one. She could watch and participate in things without feeling anything emotionally, and yet, without even seeming to try, he'd shattered the shield that came so naturally to her. It was a running joke between she and her sisters that Aife would have the family and Aurelia would have all her lovers.

Aurelia looked away from Logan, her brows furrowed. The room they were in looked very much like the female side of the dorms, with a few exceptions. She wondered absently who belonged to the other bed, and for the first time ever hoped that no one had come in on the during the night. She looked back at Logan, her gaze unsure. There was no telling what would happen when they parted, and Aurelia felt dread at the idea. With a sigh, she tossed the thoughts into the back of her head. They weren't happy thoughts, and she didn't want to spend time thinking while Logan was looking up at her like that. She let herself down till she was supported by an elbow, her hair falling to one side as she looked down at him.

Carefully, she brushed her lips against his, then withdrew them to kiss along his jaw, then over his neck and shoulders. His skin was cool and soft beneath her idling fingers; they played against his skin absently as she kissed him. He was absolutely, entirely, impossibly delicious. It made her want to stay put all day. She just wanted to stay in bed, and cuddle up to him- what was she doing? She never cuddled. Shocked, she stared at him, her eyes wide. She wasn't like this- she didn't know what was happening to her, but it wasn't normal.

Flustered, Aurelia sat straight up, her brows furrowed. What do I do? she thought. Her mind returned to her earlier thoughts, and at this moment, they didn't r from what she should do. Quickly, she got out of the bed, and began to pick up her clothes, at the same time muttering excuses as to why she couldn't stay. She pulled on each piece of clothing quickly, barely even bothering with her shoes and sweater. With a smirking grin that took heaps of effort on her part, Aurelia said goodbye and swung the door open. Logan was looking at her like she was absolutely mad, and like he didn't know what he'd done to make her leave. Eyes rolling, Aurelia left the room, slamming the door shut behind her.

When Logan cupped her face in his hands, she knew there was no looking back. There was nothing Aurelia could do to tear away from him- instead, the idea seemed all together terrifying. There was no where she'd rather be than in his arms at that moment, despite how she'd felt before. He held her gently, as if she were made of porcelain instead of meat and bone, as if he couldn't bear to break her.

This was new for her, this following of sorts. Logan led, she followed. It didn't bother her nearly as much as it had in the past. She didn't complain about his graceful movements, the way he held her, or how bored she was. Instead, she relished the way his fingers were stroking the length of her back, and how they found a hot slither of skin at her waist. He began to grip at her, softly as possible, crushing her to him as their lips battled.

He wasn't hasty as his fingers brushed against her skin, cradling her even as they moved across her blushing flesh. His kissing, if slow, was deep and thorough, her chin tilting and head swirling as they molded together. They'd stopped, but now he was slowly moving, tilting her back, his arms tight around her as they fell to the bed behind them. His body was warm against hers, and she felt a bubble of nervousness in her stomach. Again with the nervousness. She'd never been nervous about anything in her life, and she wasn't going to start now.

Aurelia clutched at Logan's shirt, and she gasped against his lips as he ran his fingers over the small of her back, gripping lightly as he smoothed over her hip and thigh, and down to her calf. She could see his face, so perfectly cut against the moon's shine, holding himself away so he could smirk at her. He looked delicious, and like he was doing something absolutely naughty. Smiling, he hooked her leg over his, and running a hand through her hair, pulled her lips up to meet his.

Somehow, amongst all the twisting and turning, Logan managed to shrug from his clothes, and have Aurelia bare as well. At some point, Aurelia realized the presence of cool, starched sheets between her clutched fingers. She'd never spent a meaningful night with anyone in her life- any male that was. It felt so cheesy, referring to it as meaningful or special. It sure as hell didn't feel like anything she'd felt before though, and whether it was a trick of Logan's that was very well practiced, or a first taste of true love , Aurelia knew that she could never look at Logan the same again. The fact was absolutely nerve wrecking. Either he'd completely rock her world, or he'd just leave her disappointed in the face of it all, but as they fell asleep, Logan cradled in her arms, she felt it was all worth it.

For a second, Logan scoffed inwardly at her question. He didn't reply, he merely gazed at her. After a few moments, he took Aurelia's chin in his hand, his lips lowering to hers as he pressed them against the wall, his other hand hot against her back. She shivered. He was gentle, ever so gentle, taking her lips slowly between his own as if they had all the time in the world.

Aurelia's brows furrowed. If she'd pegged Logan for anything at all, it would not have been this slow coupling. She would have bet that he was one of those rough types- one who would tire a lesser girl in seconds. Was he proving her wrong?

His hand left her chin, and she could feel it rising above her as he towered over her, covering her against the wall. Aurelia hadn't realized how much taller Logan was until this instant. She felt very small beneath him, very vulnerable. Even so, she felt well matched to his height, with the way they fit together. He pulled away, his eyes again boring into hers. He was intoxicating.

As Logan stared, Aurelia began to see more than just hot need and expectancy in his eyes. She couldn't put her finger on it, but then his haughty expression faltered. A wave of emotions were changing his starry eyed gaze, and Aurelia cocked her head in curiosity. She looked down as he took her hand in his, their fingers knitting together. Her gaze returned to his as he took her other hand and laid it on his shoulder.

Logan pulled her into him, his lips moving against her cheek and her neck, sending shivers along her spine. Aurelia could make out the faint whispers of hum that ebbed from his rosy lips, and they swayed, leaving her heady, but giving her the sensation that she was floating. His lips landed near her ear, his cheek against her own, and the soft, delicate humming filled her head. Aurelia found herself relaxing in Logan's arms, her feet following his.

She should have pushed him away. Anyone else she would have. Aurelia's mind was flying in earnest, trying to fight against the urge it felt to let go. She'd only wanted a fun night. Maybe a few more throughout the school year if things went well enough. But for some reason, the way Logan held her, the way he looked at her and kissed her- it all made her want to cry. Normally, crying wasn't a good thing. Confusion took over as she felt relief well up inside her. She was very lost indeed.

Their eyes met as Aurelia looked up, her gaze searching for his, and she almost gasped at the look on his face. There wasn't time enough for gasping. His lips fell against hers, their movements slow and tender. She expected Logan to move away, but he didn't. Back arched as she leaned into him, Aurelia pulled her hand from his shoulder and placed it on his waist. She pulled him closer, if that were possible, her fingers gripping at his sides.

Her heart began to hammer against her chest as Logan kissed her, and she trembled with nervousness. Why the hell was she nervous? Aurelia was never one to be nervous. Even so, here she was, quivering in the arms of someone she'd thought was just like her. She felt weakened, tricked, even scared. What had happened to make this her feel this way? But she didn't care. It felt good. No matter who she'd been with in the past, no matter who she'd had her eye on- they were all pushed to a back burner and she could only feel the exhilarating touch of Logan Luca's hands and lips.

Forgetting whatever made her hesitate, Aurelia gripped his hand in hers. The hand left tugging at his hips was withdrawn, and she began to trace her fingers over his side, his ribs, to his strong, smooth jaw. She wanted to feel all of him, wanted to know exactly what would make him writhe under her attentions, what would make him feel good, what would make him happy. Her fingers played against the flesh of his neck. She smiled and opened her lips against his, eager to search every inch of his heavenly mouth. It wasn't enough to just kiss him, to just touch him here and there, to lean against him lazily. She felt needy, elated even. Tilting her head back, she clung to him in blissful abandon. She wanted all of him.

It felt almost strange to have Logan's hand in her own. Most boys wanted you to slip an arm through theirs so you could hang on to it like a giddy know nothing and smile and laugh like everything they said was worth their body's weight in gold. Aurelia couldn't say she liked the fact, but it was one she was used to, and when Logan slipped his hand in hers, his steps matching the stride of her legs, she looked at him with renewed interest. Just maybe, she'd found someone who liked the game far less than the reality, just like she did.

It seemed to take no time at all for the two to reach the school, and even less time to make their way from the tall steepled doors to the Sournois dormitories. Logan led her to one of the doorways, his frame taking up the entrance as Aurelia looked up and down the darkened hall. She felt a tug at her palm, and he pulled her inside. His hands cradled her hips in an instant, and she could feel the chill of stone wall meet her back.

There was one thing to be said for Aurelia Argent. She didn't care what a guy could do. She didn't care about how many girls bragged that they'd peaked within five minutes, or how so and so made their spine curl in pleasure. Normally, she took the reigns, showing whichever lucky fellow she happened to be with how they were supposed to act. She almost tutted at Logan's control, but something made her stop. Aurelia wanted to see what he would do.

Moonlight was shining on his face, sharpening his immaculate features. The light made his eyes glow, and they bore into Aurelia like they were forcing her to look at him, demanding that she acknowledge who was holding her against the wall, who's fingers were pressing gently against the curve of her hips. She shivered lightly as his hands left her sides. Cool finger tips traced lines of fire through the cotton of her dress, the heat racing as it followed his digits over her ribs, to the chilled flesh of her neck. His fingers played against her collarbone, and though her eyes had not left his for an instant, Aurelia knew exactly where his fingers were, and what they were trying to do.

Logan's thumbs moved to sweep against the lids of her eyes; they left tendrils of heat behind as they followed the arch of her nose and ran slowly across her flushed lips. His eyes grew in intensity as he leaned closer, his hand resting about her collarbone, till his lips pressed against her own in hot release.

Aurelia could feel his kiss to her core. Blood boiling, her lips moved with his, following their charge as they clashed together. Logan pulled her to him, till they were molded together as they let the wall hold them up. She was all too aware of the ridiculous sounds he was forcing from her, but she didn't care. If moans and sighs were what made him press against her like that, she'd give him all of them. Her mouth parted against his, and she could feel his tongue against her own. In just one fiery kiss, Logan had Aurelia gasping, her chest heaving as she clutched at his back. He was good at this.

Aurelia couldn't bring herself to make Logan do anything. Not tonight at least. She was too curious to see what he would do next. When he pulled away, allowing them to take a full breath, his eyes were full of accomplishment. His lips however, were ruddy and bitten, and she had a feeling hers were the same. It made her wonder if the rest of him tasted as delicious as his lips did. Her head leaned back against the wall, and she gave Logan a look of full on expectancy. ”Is that all?” she asked lazily, her taunting eyes on his.

Aurelia sat leaning on the table, grinning challengingly at her companion. She meant to shock him. Meant to make his perfect skin colour and his own smile turn down a bit at the sides. He did neither, and instead took back his own drink and set it down to stare at her. That was when Aurelia Argent knew that she was going to have a very fine night indeed.

”You are coming back to my dorm”, were the first words out of Logan's beautifully pursed lips. ”I am going to show you around, we are going to make small talk until we're blue in the face, and the next thing you know, we will see nothing but the blur of the sheets and entangled limbs.” Logan's tone suggested that he knew exactly what he was saying, and even more importantly, that he was going to fulfill his end of the bargain.

Smile becoming wicked and charming, Logan glared at her, and Aurelia could feel her body heating from her very core and out. His eyes cast to his glass again. Maybe he expected her to say something, maybe he didn't. Either way, Aurelia sat looking at him, her eyes ranging over the delicate arch of his knuckles, his sculpted chin, the way his shoulders pulled ever so slightly at his shirt as he leaned forward. His eyes were on hers in an instant.

”Forgive my boldness, Aurelia.” Her name rolled off his tongue in a way that made her skin boil and the edges of her fingers itch. Logan leaned in closer, till their faces were mere inches apart, and if she'd wanted to, leaning forward the slightest bit, she could bite his lip. She wanted to know if those red lips could deepen any farther, or if he'd exercised them so much that they stayed flushed. ”You are much too strikingly beautiful to let go...” he breathed.

Logan was so close, that as he spoke, she could feel the warmth of his breath caressing the fllesh of her lips. His breath smelled of woodsy pine and citrus. Maybe it was the gin, maybe it was natural, but she didn't care. His tongue peeked out and ran over his lips, wetting them to a shiny crimson. All she wanted to do, was lean forward, meeting his lips with hers, and then he sat back. She decided she'd been right about him earlier.

Clearing her throat, Aurelia stood. ”Sounds good to me”, she said lazily. Standing beside the booth, she looked down at him. ”But let's skip the small talk.” She started out the pub, nodding to the man who held the door open for her, and looked back to see Logan following with a look of great amusement on his face. When he fell in beside her, Aurelia took a detour, her hands pulling at his collar points as she pushed him against the side of the pub.

Lips meeting, Aurelia moved hers slowly against the warmth of Logan's. Her hands found his hips- his skin was hot beneath his slacks. He wasn't going to tease her and get away with it. Gripping him tighter, she opened her mouth against his, sighing as he responded. She stepped away, her hands pushing against his hips to break them apart. Her lips spread into a wicked grin. ”Come on- we only have all night.” With that, she turned and headed out into the dark, following her feet to Beauxbatons, a sleepless night, and as little talking as possible.

The boy who sat across from Aurelia had perfectly arched brows and lips formed for Lucifer. As she spoke, she realized he all but touched his drink, and not once did he take his eyes from hers. Sitting back against her seat, she smiled invitingly and wondered what he would use that delicious voice of his to say in response. She had a feeling that if he had the time, he could talk her into a fluster and leave her wanting just because he felt like it. Not seeing this as a good thing, she promised herself that if he did indeed ever do this, she'd have to ravage him on the spot.

”I didn't say you were a waste of good alcohol”, the boy explained. ”I just prefer less biting kinds, such as gin...” Aurelia grinned at the look on his face, and at his words. He simply stared at her, his eyes seeming to take in everything they could. She found she liked the feeling. ”Maybe I like the bite”, she said with a smug expression. It was true, too. She didn't have much use for things that were soft and easy.

Aurelia's brows peaked as the boy introduced himself as Logan Luca. The name was simple enough, but it suited this boy who looked like never a thing had been withheld from him. She wondered if he pouted if he didn't get something he wanted, or if he fought for it. Something told her it was the latter, and the thought made her grin like a Cheshire cat.

Logan looked down at his glass for a moment, his deft hands swirling around the lip. His facial features were perfectly molded, and his skin looked warm and slightly flushed. Aurelia liked looking at this one. His gaze met her own, his eyes full of fire. ”What are you doing tonight doll?”

Aurelia's brows arched at the word doll. Normally, she would have told this boy that she was nobody's doll and if he treated her like one she'd black his eyes. Even so, she found she liked the way the word rolled off his tongue, and even better the way his eyes lightened when he said that. She could think of quite a few things she'd rather be doing than sitting in a stuffy restaurant with a table between the two of them. Things that involved wrinkled sheets, fast breathing, and sweaty skin. Then again, maybe they could nix the sheets...

With a look that was meant to tell the fine young man across from her exactly what she wanted to do, Aurelia smiled. ”I hadn't thought...”, she murmured as she brought her glass of whiskey to her lips. She took a great swig that emptied her glass and leaned toward him, her arms resting on the edge of the table. ”What do you think I should do?”

Aurelia didn't know how many boys she'd gotten to know since she arrived at Beauxbatons, but she did know that she'd had yet to see one whose eyes held as much confidence as the one sitting beside her. Eyes locked on hers, he lowered his lips to her offered knuckles in an age old gesture. His lips were soft and rosy, pursing just so as they pressed against her skin. She smiled as he sat straight again, letting her hand slip from the grip of his own.

”Whiskey would do that trick, that's for sure...” he said in response to her statement. The look he gave her was full of judgment, but playfulness too. But why is a pretty girl like you drinking such a harsh drink anyway?” he queried. As he leaned toward her, the air filled with light scents of herbs and cedar. Flawless ruddy lips framed a devil's grin of perfect white teeth.

”Is it a broken heart? A ghost from your past? What could be eating away at you to make you turn to such a dreadful waste of good alcohol?” Aurelia was silent at that. She didn't know why she liked whiskey, but she did know that she'd lost the burning feeling that came with it long ago. It might be strange, but she wasn't easily affected by strong alcohol.

The boy chucked a few galleons on the bar, his head nodding discreetly. Aurelia smiled at him. What was he trying to pull? ”Tell me over dinner.” He stood and gestured toward a woman dressed in black, as if he expected her to follow. Brows raised haughtily, Aurelia stood. It seemed to her that this was a normal thing for the boy, and if he'd been a little less attractive, she would have laughed. Something in his eyes made her curious, though, and instead of insulting his confidence, she followed him to their table.

Once seated, Aurelia leaned toward him. ”No heartbreak here, I leave that to other people, and no ghosts either”, she said with a smile. She picked up her fresh glass, her eyes twinkling at the boy over the lip. Setting it down, she gave him a long look. ”Unless you count a few bitter chaps- that's two birds with one stone.” Leaning her head against her palms, Aurelia cocked her head at him. ”And why am I a waste of good alcohol?” she asked resentfully. ”I happen to think that alcohol and I are perfectly suited to one an other, especially such a delicious whiskey as this one.”

Aurelia sat mulling over the offerings of the pub's kitchen, at times sipping at her firewhiskey, others her shoulders sifting absently to the background music. Muddy resonations of indie rock and deep, throaty vocals rose just decibels higher than the din of the place- Saturdays were a busy night for the pub, but she liked the music and atmosphere. Still not settled on anything to eat, she tipped her glass back once more and pulled back with a grimace- it was gone too soon.

To her side, Aurelia noticed someone sliding into the seat beside hers, their finely made slacks crinkling as they settled. Looking up, she saw a dark haired boy with a well defined face and haughty expression. She listened as he ordered, her brows raising as he requested a refill for herself. Hell, if it got her a free drink, who was she to complain? He was cute too- and judging from the fit of his shirt, his body wasn't too bad either.

"Little early to start drinking, don't you think?" the boy queried, his voice a bored murmur that clashed with his mischievous smile. Aurelia's eyes rolled slightly and she chuckled, taking the new glass as the tender offered it. "Spot on, I suppose- but I don't pay too much attention to time..." Aurelia shot him a side ways glance as she took a sip of her whiskey. The boy looked a lot like the pansies her grandmother introduced her to at home, with their well padded pockets and simple tastes, but he took to his own drink well enough.

Setting her glass down, Aurelia swiveled her stool a bit toward her partner. A bare arm leaned against the bar counter, her hand absently wallowing the liquid in her glass. "There's not much else that gives you a good warm up like firewhiskey anyway, is there?" she asked. Giving him an other once over, Aurelia offered her hand for a sturdy shake. "Aurelia Argent", she bid, her lips curling into a grin.

Mama i'm leavin' way from home to join the circus
And papa i go into that place where them clowns get down
Sister i know that there are lions tigers and bears
I'll be safe and sure to call ya'll when i get there

A full week of classes had come and gone with naught but rays of sunshine in the sky. Such consistent weather made one Aurelia Argent curious as to how in the world it could be pouring cats, dogs, and hippogriffs alike outside. She'd taken to often spending dinner time in Detaillant, rather than just the dining hall of the school, and on her way to the village, the sky had been swept with puffy white clouds and bright sunlight. Heedless of any changes in weather, she'd worn a simple brown cotton frock and grey sweater, with sandals to boot. However, all was not the same upon her arrival.

Drenched to the skin with water, Aurelia ran up the stairs of the Grub Pub, her arms holding her sweater over her head. It was pouring hard, though slight bits of fading sunlight still seeped through the rain. Ringing out bits of her skirt, she threw the sweater over her arm and slipped inside the warmth of the pub. It was bright and smokey, compared to outside, and she could feel goose bumps raising along her arms as her body registered the difference in temperature. Pulling her soaking hair into a messy bun, Aurelia stalked straight to the bar and sidled into an open stool.

Draping her sweater across the stool back, Aurelia turned to face the tender and caught his attention. "Firewisky, please..." she muttered, her teeth chattering. It was a quick request, and all the tender had to do was place an opened bottle before her. Taking a swig from the bronze tinted glass, Aurelia leaned her elbows against the bar, and picked up a spare menu. Her gaze traveled over the stained pamphlet, her brows furrowing as she tried to figure out what she should have for dinner. Hopefully, the rain outside would stop before she had to return to the school.

The wind swept through her hair as the girl strode through the tall grass of the stormy grounds. Rain was coming, and the breezes clashed as they raced, causing the tall reeds to dance playfully in their wake. The sky was dark, but the stunted sun shot it's rays through the clouds. She looked around her, robes clutched close to her body, skirts swirling about her as she stood, her eyes trying to see everything at once. It was beautiful. She felt like she were at sea, watching the storm tossed waves of an ocean in conflict.

Drops of water splashed her face every now and then, too rare to be much warning for the turbulence to come. Most students were holed away in their common rooms, playing wizard chess by a roaring fire. But she relished in this sort of weather- the kind that ruled the world, and was powerful enough to trump humanity's plans. She closed her eyes, feeling the rain pelt faster, the grainy sound joining the rush of wind that filled her ears. She could hear her mother's voice now, scolding her for the childish behavior.

The rain hurled now, drenching her hair through her raised hood. Her robes, once billowing out around her in response to the furied winds, clung to her form desperately, as if searching for a safe hold to her vulnerable self. She stood strong, fighting to keep her balance as the storm surged around her, trying to bring her down. The thought, that she could get hurt, crossed her mind once, but how much damage could be done in the midst of a grassy field?

She could hear the rain increasing in fury, and she smiled at the breathtaking chorus. Nature played for her, and she reveled in the sounds. The great, booming drums that pounded out their thick, deep calls as the thunder clashed, followed by the frenzied trace of lightening across the sky. The clouds lit, and she glimpsed the scattered light through the blackened clouds. Oboes and flutes sounded their high pitched squeals as wind whipped around her, finding nooks and crannies in the atmosphere that only it could make use of.

Black washed the sky draining the clouds of light. Blindness over took her and, though she could feel the rush of the storm around her, the girl could see nothing but the darkness that engulfed her. A high pitch scream overreached the squeals of the wind and rain, her heart beat racing to meet it till she was sure she would burst. There was no more breath, no more air, no more life. She struggled to run, but to her greatest dismay the winds that swished about her tied her to the spot, and all her struggles were for naught...



Cissa shot up into the dark, sitting straight in her four poster bed, a flash of lightening painting the room white before it ebbed away, leaving darkness behind. She looked around, her chest heaving as she gasped for air. A dream... it was only a dream. She rolled her eyes as she tried to calm herself, but her body was just not having it. She felt rediculous. She felt weak.

Thrusting her heavy green comforter away, Narcissa swung her legs over her bed and let herself down. Her dorm mates were fast asleep, barely aware of the rain outside. She felt silly, ashamed. They made no sense to her- nightmares. Not that this one was particularly a nightmare, but she could remember the horrid closing feeling of her chest, and the panic that rose so swiftly upon being held in one place. She was not one for submission, no matter who or what was doing the controlling.

Cissa grabbed her dress robe and threw it on over her nightgown. The hall beyond her door was dark and silent- not a sound to be heard save for the distant echo of the storm's trials. She tip toed to the head of the stairs that led to the Slytherin common room and, descending, laid her slender hand on the banister for support. A step creaked, squealing dangerously into the night, causing her to wince and pause.

Content after a few moments' silence that the noise had disturbed no one, Narcissa continued down the stairs and let herself into the common room. High ceilings allowed for a spacious feeling, and the dark grains and hues of the interior echoed the wealth of the given house. Green was everywhere, either blatantly or subtly- in the upholstery of the overstuffed couches, the marbling of the lofty fireplace, even the gilding that edged every statue and frame. It was grand, without a doubt, but there was no denying the beauty of the place.

Her arms hugged her robe closer to her waist, and Narcissa sank lazily into one of the couches that were situated closer to the fire. Her eyes locked with the brazen flames, and moments passed as she watched them flicker, licking at the stacked logs that kept them strong. It was now, most probably, well past midnight and, despite the promise of busy classes for the next day, Cissa could not bring herself to leave the room. She didn't feel sleepy- instead she felt antsy and alert. At this point, she felt she'd never go to sleep. With a sigh, she grabbed a book from the maple coffee table before her, she settled into the cushions and opened it in her lap. It was something to do, and maybe a bit of a read would help her body claim sleep.