((Closed please. Except for Miss. Avalee of course. ^_^))
The Great Hall was unusually quiet and empty today. Perhaps it was because a majority of students were in Hogsmead and only a few students, other than the first and second years, decided to stay back at the castle. Axel was on of those people. He didn't feel like going to Hogsmead today. If anything, he really needed to stay away from there. He needed to stay out of trouble.
He sat at the Gryffindor table, towards the middle where nobody else sat. There were only a few Gryffindor's at the table, the rest were probably in the common room. His crimson red hair that went down just past his ears, was straight. He wore a white thermal long-sleeve and jeans that had a few tiny holes in them.
He was reading a book for History of Magic, and was bored beyond measure. He groaned and put his head down on the open pages.
Avalee walked gently into the great hall. She took tiny light steps, wanting to be as quiet as humanly possible. Everyone who was allowed to be at Hogsmead, was. She though she was alone, exept for the first and second years who were all in occupied now. She didn't want to be around crowds of happy people as she passed along in a daze, trying to pretend she wasn't there.
She had no idea what had drawn her to the great hall. Maybe it was the idea of its intense size and it being silent. Maybe just because she liked to wander through the castle.
On this day she wore her favorite dark jeans, and an earthy green v-neck long sleeve t. She wore a necklace with a cresent moon on it, a gift from her sister.
As she quietly, yet quickly walked into the giant room she noticed a boy sitting at a table, his face down in his book. It was Axel.
After a moment, Axel picked his head up and tried to start reading again. But it was pointless.
"I can't do this." He muttered, closing the old book and pushing it away. He drummed his fingers on the table. Now what? He didn't have any other homework to do and he could read another time. He could go running. Yeah he could---if it weren't raining outside. He looked up to the ceiling dark and cloudy, flashing with lightning. The ceiling usually matched the weather outside. A sigh escaped Axel's lips. He looked around, not really paying attention. It was more of an absent minded thing. There were the Slytherin's snickering and pranking each other, the Hufflepuff's doing who knows what, the Ravenclaw's studying and having intelligent discussions, and there was Avalee standing in the middle of the hall.
Avalee?
Axel waved to the girl and grinned. "Hey there!" He said.
She walked swiftly towards him as soon as he said hi, smiling to have found a farmiliar face. She sat next to him at the table, crossing her legs under the table. "What brings you the great hall on a free day such as today?" she asked. "I though I was the only one left."
"I figured I should stick around here today. I don't need to get in more trouble. You know fighting, alcohol. All that good stuff." Axel said crossing his arms.
"What about you? And I think I'm the only seventh year here." He glanced around the hall and didn't see anyone from his year.
"The idea of one hundred kids crammed into Honeydukes doesn't appeal to me." she said bitterly. "I don't like crowds so much." she smiled slightly, and the smile fell quickly. It wasn't just crowds, it was specific people as well. She brushed her bangs out of her eyes as she tried to read his face.
She hadn't known him very long, she wanted to know more about him.
Axel nodded. "Yeah. That can be pretty annoying. Or the jerks that hide inside a bar all day." He ran his hand through his hair then looked at her.
"So, while we sit here, why don't you tell me a little about yourself?" Axel suggested with a crooked smile.
((Shooortness =D))
"I haven't really had an exciting life. My parents are psychology professors in the muggle world. I have an anxiety disorder, and that's about it. I moved to Hogwarts last year. It's been a heaven and a hell for me." she had opened up more about herself than she had planned to. But that was a good thing right? Letting people in. She winced at that though. Last time she had opened up she had gotten her heart crushed.
"Well I hope it's more heaven than the other." Axel said.
Axel saw a hint of uncomfortableness in Avalee's facial expression. Perhaps she opened up more than she intended. He decided to tell a little about him, something he rarely spoke of.
"I came here last year too. My parent's and my little sister died in a car accident when I was eight. To this day I still remember most of the details. I lived with my cousin Seth, but left because his family treated me differently. So I'm on my own."
"Sorry." she said, and she lightly touched his hand realizing that he had opened up about himselfx, something personal. "That's awful." she looked into his blue eyes showing him her compasion.
((shortness!!)))
Axel's sky blue eyes fell to her hand that was on his, then flashed up to hers.
"It's okay. It's my past." He smiled softly. She was a sweet girl. She had a pleasent aura about her. As if she could brighten up a room simply with her presence. She was definitely one of a kind.
"What..er..year are you in?" Axel asked. "And house?"
"Seventh" she answered shortly. "I'm in Ravenclaw" She didn't know what he thought of these answers so she kept looking directly into his eyes. She didn't want to miss a single emotion that ran through them. She took her hand off of his hand, and intertwined it with her other hand, placing both of them on the table casually.
"You?" She asked him tilting her head to one side, waiting for a reply.
"Me? Same. Only, I'm in Gryffindor." He smiled proudly. He loved his house and wouldn't switch to another one if he could. He grabbed his book and sat up straighter.
"Would you like to go for a walk? I might die of boredom if I sit here any longer."
Her eyes lit up. Outside sounded great. "Sounds good" She said quietly. The light rain made the earth smell so good. She swung her legs around the bench and set them on the ground, standing up. She took his book off the table to look at it. It was a book for a history class. "Some light reading, for fun?" She smiled and handed it back to him. "So, Axel? What kind of stuff are you into? Music? Favorite color?" She half smiled, and looked up at him.
Axel chuckled. "Trust me. This is not light reading." He took out his wand and silently sent the book upstairs to his trunk. He looked over at Avalee and brought his hand to his chin, thinking.
"Hmm....I suppose rock would have to be my kind of music. And I like blue. What about you? Do you have any special abilities or talents? I'm an animagus."
"I'm rather good at shape shifting, , mediocre at element type stuff, and I'm trying to get better at dueling." She smiled. "I like all colors, especially blue, red, and yellow. I like rock music, especially at incredibly loud volumes." She looked at the floor. It was harder to talk about her specific likes and dislikes than her past.
"Ooh. I can control fire. That's about it. I haven't discovered any other abilities. But then again, I haven't really tried." He put his hand on her shoulder when she lowered her head. "I can help you practice dueling." He said with a smile. "We both could use the practice." They came to the door and Axel pushed it open, the rain drizzling outside.
"Ladies first." He said, holding it open.
She smiled slightly. His hand was warm on her shoulder. "That would be helpful. Just a walk today though." "Ladies first" He said. She almost giggled. "Thanks." She walked out into the light misty drizzle. She smelled the sweet air. It smelled nice. Like home.
((Sorry for shortness, laptop about to die!!))
((Plug it in lol. =) ))
Axel stepped outside after her into the rain. It felt good. It felt kind of stuffy inside. Outside, the air was fresh and invigorating. He took a deep breath of the air and ran a hand through his hair.
"Do you like Hogwarts?" Axel asked.
((I couldn't find the cord. I did now!!))
Avalee didn't know how to respond exactly. She felt more awake as the mist carassed her face. The wind spun her hair around her face. The coolness of the weather turned her cheeks a shade of red. "The teachers classes, most of the students, are all amazing. I just, I--" she struggled to put it into words. "Even though I've been here nearly a year, I still feel like an outsider. I still haven't been accepted. Maybe it's that I haven't adjusted, I just..." she trailed off. Leaving her sentace at that. Waiting for Axel's reaction. It pleased Avalee how he could get her to talk so freely.
((T_T You keep leaving me. XP ))
Axel nodded, understanding exactly how she felt. He was practically an outcast. Always has been and probably always will be. He fought in bars and did drink. Though he rarely got drunk, people still looked down on him. They never understood why he did the things he did. They just put judgement on him.
"I know what you mean." Axel said, putting his hands into his pockets. He looked at the ground. "It's hard to find a place here. Anywhere really."
"Until you find someone that understands." she looked up and looked into his deep blue eyes, trying to prove that she meant it. She continued walking along with him. They weren't heading in any specific direction. Which was fine by her. A peaceful stroll mightbe just what they needed.
(here!!! (; ))
Axel blinked, then smiled.
Someone that understands.
That was what Axel needed. Someone to understand. To see him for who he really was. To not judge him and make him feel so small. Yeah, him and Alice got along well, but did she really understand? Sometimes, she made him feel so inferior. She would always be stronger, faster, possibly even smarter.
"How would you like to go for a ride?" Axel asked. And without another word, he had changed into a giant wolf animagus, with thick black fur. His sky blue eyes were on Avalee. He winked at her. A sign to hop on.
She giggled like a 13 year old as he said this. Her heart pounded in her chest. She wasn't scared of the wolf, or riding, it was that Alxel had a twinkle in his eye. An eye that he now winked at her. Telling her to hop on. "Ok...?" she answered, biting her lip. She was afraid to open herself up to another person. But she had a feeling that that sort of thing wouldNt happen with Axel.
She climbed on his back, holding his warm, dark, soft fur.
The wolf, Axel, crouched down, baring his teeth into a smile before sprinting off like a bullet. They were suddenly speeding through the clearing, progressing towards the Quidditch pitch. Everything around them was blending, blurry colors. His paws were pounding into the ground, leaving a tiny imprint on the area's that revealed only dirt. The pitch was in view now. He sped through the entrance and skidded to a halt, stopping so fast that he fell to his side and turned back into his human self.
"Oh man." Axel groaned, rubbing his head. "Are you alright Avalee?" He called.
She fell to the ground, tumbling through the dirt, grass and sand with Axel. She laughed. "I'm great. That was amazing! You're so fast!" she complimented him. Avalee was in a fantastc mood. All that had hapened in the crash was a small scrape on her palm, far too tiny to even bother bandaging. She was unaware of a peice of grass in her hair, and turned to him "Are you ok?" she asked.
Axel got up on his knees and crawled to Avalee. Once he saw her laughing, he couldn't help but laugh too even though he felt bad. He reached for her hair and pulled out the blade of grass. He smiled.
"Yeah. I'm fine as long as you are."
"I'm better than fine" Avalee said looking into eyes. The cool mist of the great outdoors was cooling her hot face. She took a deep breath in, it still smelled like rain. The Quittich pitch was desserted, which was great. The silence was nice, a cool down after the sprint.
Axel bit his lip.
"I'm glad you're alright." Axel said. "I don't know what I would do if you got hurt. Especially if it were because of me."
"What should we do now?" she asked, standing up then holding out her hand to help him up. "Sky diving?" she asked jOkingly. More seriously she asked him "What's your favorite place on campas?" Hoping that would be inspiration.
Axel took her hand and stood up.
"Thanks." He chuckled at her joke. "Well, I dunno. I suppose the forest, but everybody goes there these days. Even though it's prohibited. I haven't been here in awhile." He looked around at all of the different house colors and hoops.
"What about you?" He asked dreamily.
"The edge of the forest, out by the lake, not very many people go there this time of year" Avalee said she had sat there many days waist deep in thought. That was all she did when she wasn't studing. Sit and think, or run in the forest. She didn't have anyone to talk to or turn to. She might have now.
"I've been there occasionally. But it smells like fish." Axel wrinkled his nose at the thought. "Not my cup of tea." He layed down on the ground, despite it getting his shirt dirty, and stared up at the dark clouds.
"No it doesn't" She said, too happy to say it in a serious tone. She was still beaming at him. She was content to just sit there with him.
((Sorry for shortness))
((It's cool. Do you not have school?))
Axel closed his eyes and let the rain gently fall on his face. "Yeah it does." He argued playfully. "Have you ever actually gone swimming in there?" He looked over at her and smiled. He sat up just enough to smooth her hair, which was a little out of place from their mishap.
She blushed slightly as he stroked her hair, not because she was uncomfortable, but because it felt pleasant. His hand was warm on her head. She looked at him with a small happy smile, a very happy smile. Until she thought about the last time she had been to the lake. Her eyes glazed over. She swallowed.
"A few months ago, with my friend Vivian, and Aiden." That was the before all the drama, and the awkward, forced healing moments. All the moments she regretted. But she shook her head, and tried to bring the smile back to her face.
((I was on the computer at school))
"Aiden..., Aiden. Why does that name ring a bell? Oh! Stacey's husband." Axel said. He sat back up, the back of his shirt covered in sand and dirt. He could see that the subject was making her uncomfortable. He looked up at the sky then back at her.
"Are you cold?" He asked.
"Yeah her...husband" She was glad he changed the subject as quickly as she did. He was doing quite well at reading her face. "A bit," She admitted. It had started raining a little harder, and she was always cold. She usually brought a jacket with her but she was really absent minded today.
Axel smiled.
"Okay, I know this is weird, but it'll warm you up." He gently pulled her closer to him, so that his arms were around her. He was concentrating his fire power on his body heat, so that his skin felt warm, even through his clothing. "Does that help?" He asked.
Okay, okay. So he could have found another way to make her warmer, but what was wrong with being a little flirty?
She let herself relax in his arms. "This isn't weird." she said witha content expression, leaning her head into his chest. "It actually feels quite nice," she finished. She breathed evenly. Just relaxing there with him was nice. "I feel a lot warmer" She knew he was using his special power to help her, and it was incredibly sweet.
Axel rested his chin on her head. He literally could have stayed like this forever. He was comfortable like this.
"Yeah." He said softly. "It does feel nice."
The rain started to pick up, suddenly coming down harder now. "Figures." Axel mumbled.
She took slow deep breaths, and was able to relax for the first time in a long time. She closed her eyes, and leaned into his chest a little more. Of course, just then it started raining hard enough that they should probably move. She sighed, and Axel mumbled something under his breath. She waited, seeing who would move first, because quite honestly she could have stayed like this forever.
Even with the rain pouring down like it was, Axel didn't budge. In fact, he squeezed her a little tighter.
"Tell me if you want to go some place dry. I don't want you to catch a cold." By now, Axel's hair was soaked with water dripping off of his bangs.
"I don't really want to move" She admitted blushing. She was glad he couldn't see the redness of her face. "This is perfect" she whispered, not knowing if he could hear her or not. Avalee felt Axel hug her tighter. The past and future were unimportant. All she cared about was this moment. In the moment she was blissfully happy. She tilted her head up so she could see his face.
As she looked up, some water dripped off his hair and onto her blushing cheek. Axel carefully brushed it away with his thumb. He smiled at her, staring into her bright green eyes.
"Sorry 'bout that." He said softly. Almost like a whisper. He didn't know why he was being so gentle. Maybe it was because he didn't want to ruin this moment.
She stared back into his bright blue eyes, beaming. All of a sudden lightning and thunder sounded, making her jump. She laughed at herself she was very much absorbed in the moment. She really didn't want the moment to end, but if they didn't want to be struck by lightning they had better move inside. "It would probably be best if we moved now." She said, not making the first move, though, almost in a childish way.
((Where is Axel's bio? I can't find it!))
Axel turned a little red and stood up, releasing her from his embrace. He felt a little empty not having her to hold on to. He let his temperature fall back to it's normal state and looked around for a place to go. They could go under the stands. At least they would be dry and he could start a fire there. He looked at her.
"How 'bout we go over there." He said, pointing to the stands. "They're wooden I think so we won't get electricuted." He grinned. "Unless you have some place else in mind."
"That sounds great." She grasped his hand, gently, yet firmly. Trying to show him how bare she felt without his arms around her. They headed up to the stands. At least they wouldn't be electrocuted up there. As they walked she thought. She thought about Aiden, and what she felt, or at least what she thought she had felt for him. Would she ever feel that again?
To distract herself from thoughts like those she asked Axel another question. "So where did you grow up? Were you around magic when you were young?"
Axel sighed.
"I grew up on a large field in a big house. My parents liked not being close to the city, so we lived out in the country. Me and my sis would run through our neighbor's corn fields and play hide and seek." Those memories..., he never told anyone. Avalee was the first person. They were the best memories he had. Who would have thought Axel was a country boy?
"But when my parents and sister died, I went to live with my Aunt, Uncle, and my cousin Seth in the city. To answer your question, I've been around magic my entire life." Axel felt a little sad thinking about his past. But he was more surprised that he even told somebody, especially Avalee, about his first real home. He never opened up before like that.
She squeezed his hand, telling that he was opening up. "I'm sorry, about your sister, and father. That must have been awful." She couldn't last in his shoes. Axel was a strong person. The more Avalee got to know about him, the more she became interested in him. He was gentle, kind, and seemed very loving.
They started climbing up the stairs into the stands, they were covered now. Her hair was sopping wet, as was his. Her clothes were soaked through and she was still a bit chilled she shivered and walked closer to him. He radiated warmth.
"Thanks. That means a lot." He wiped the water off of his face and pushed away the spikey hair that had fell in front of his eyes. But like always, they fell back to where they were. Axel stopped and looked up. They were under the stands now and finally were away from the heavy rain. He sighed with relief and broke away from her grip to get started on a tiny fire. Though he wanted to hold her some more.
She watched him go start the fire, breaking from her hand. She followed him and found a good place to sit down. She was ready for the fire. Her hands were shaking. She looked up at the ominous sky above Hogwarts, and smiled. She loved the rain, and she loved this day. It was going exceedingly well. What she had believed would be a boring day of lonliness and self loathing quickly became quite the opposite.
"Are you nervous for graduation, Miss. Avalee?" Axel asked as he sat down beside her. His shirt stuck to his chest, making his muscles look more apparent. He made the fire take multiple shapes. A cat, a dog, a person, a lion, a train.
She watched as the flames make amazing shapes. "Petrified. I'm not ready to leave. I'm not ready to be out on my own." It was a topic she was truly terrified of. It seemedcto be looming in the near future, and it got scarrier every day. "What about you?" She asked, watching him perfectly manipulate the flames.
Axel shrugged.
"I dunno. I don't really have anything here for me. When I get that certificate, I'm going back to my parent's house and starting a new life. There's so much I want to do."
"Lucky. I have nothing to go back to. My parents live for their jobs, I have no siblings, and all that's left in my hometown are things I'd rather not revisit." She thought back to her town, her chest felt tighter, like begining of an anxiety attack, but it went away quickly. She thought back to her past, all the years, wandering, only Avalee. Always only Avalee.
Axel took her hand and grinned.
"Hey now. You can always come visit me. I need visitors." He said. He wouldn't have anyone to come see him. Maybe Alice or Leah. "I'm sorry you don't have anything to go back to."
"That would be nice." she took a pause deciding wether or not to open up. She decided to talk. "All i've left behind is a string of destructive relationships. Alcholic boyfriends, abusive boyfriends, friends who used me. I don't always find nice people like you to hang with". She shivered, the fire was working, but not as nicely as his arms around her. Although his hand felt nice in hers.
"I know I give off a bad impression when I drink. It fuels my temper. But sometimes it's the only thing I have to cope. To deal with things. Honestly, it's like my only friend." He shrugged it off and stared at the fire.
"You're a really amazing person. You didn't deserve all of that stuff." He said.
"Thanks. It doesn't have to your only friend." she put more emphisis on the second half of the sentence. She hugged him around his middle, her head against his chest. Listening to his breathing. "You are really amazing Axel." she closed her eyes listening, waiting for him to respond.
Axel smiled and stroked her hair. Then he carefully lifted her chin, bringing his lips to hers.
"Thank you." He said softly, pulling away just a little.
Her heart pounded as their lips met. As they pulled apart she into his blue eyes, trying to read them. Did he feel the same way as shed did in that moment? She felt alive andcnot as empy and alone as before. Jokingly she said "You're welcome" She still gazed into her eyes waiting to see if it was alright to lean back in.
Axel ran his hand through her hair, smiling. His heart was racing. He didn't even know what to say. He was speechless. Was he too pushy? Was kissing her a stupid move?
Axel looked worried so Avalee reasured him. "If that's how say thanks, I'm going to compliment you way more often." She smiled warmly back at him. She leaned halfway in waiting for him to meet her. She didn't want to push him as much as he didn't want to push her.
Axel chuckled, but looked away, into the flames. There was a flash of lightning followed by a roar of thunder.
"Wow. I'm glad I decided not to go to Hogsmead today. It would suck." He pictured all of the kids walking around in the rain or huddling inside The Three Broomsticks for a warm butterbeer.
"Me too." She thought about Hogsmead. About what had happened in Hogsmead, with Aiden. Would that happen with Axel. She prayed it wouldn't. She just couldn't take that again.
She leaned back a bit, still holding his hands.
"I'm sorry if I kinda...you know, came on a little too strong? I mean, with the kiss and stuff." His cheeks were a little red. Inside, he was confused.
Just the other night he had kissed Alice. But kissing Avalee was so much better. He felt so different. There had been a spark. But Alice, it was just a kiss. And she was so sad. Seth left her to take care of his Mom and left Alice here. Axel felt bad for her.
"No, it was perfect" she said in all honesty. She stepped closer to him, and stood on her tiptoes and kissed him full on the lips. This was a different kiss than the one she had shared with Aiden. She had just been a confused child then. This was different, and better. This kiss conjured up a spark she had never felt before. A warm melting feeling, like her heart was on fire. She closed her eyes tightly. She put one hand up, holding his blushing cheek. There was no need to blush. She was being honest with herself and Axel. More than she had in a long time.
Axel was slightly alarmed by the fact that she has kissed him back. It was perfect to her. And to him, it was perfect to. He brought his hands to her waist and closed his eyes, letting his lips speak words he never spoke before.
She felt his hands at her hips and she smiled as she continued kissing him. His lips were heaven on hers. She was dizzy and her heart pounded. She pulled back for a moment, just to look into his eyes, to see what he felt at that moment.
Axel smiled, staring into her eyes. He brushed a piece of hair behind her ear and kissed her again, then he brought his lips to her neck, kissing her softly.
((XD))
She lightly giggled under her her breath. She just held still and let go of Axels beautiful face as he kissed her softly. He was so kind and gentle. He would never hurt Avalee, she knew that much. The rest of her future was unclear at that moment.
"Well Miss. Avalee. Would you accompany me to dinner sometime?" Axel asked with a pearly white smile. "Say...saturday?"
"Yes, I would love that" She added with a smirk, "Mr. Hampton..." She looked into his eyes. His gorgeous blue eyes. That sounded so perfect. She was very excited. "Where? May I ask?" She asked taking one of his hands.
"Hmm. How about this little coffee house in Hogsmead? They serve regular meals there and they have the best coffee and tea around."
"Sounds perfect" she said.
((New thread?))
((You start it haha.))