Of Apples and Slingshots (Zara)

[auraquinn collins]

Aura approached the door and heard a gasp. He bowed before who chose to show in the picture frame, dropping his bags at his sides. They all knew him and it was clear that they were not to even hint at his previous stays inside the Ravenclaw tower. "I have more things to paint for you later, but if you don't mind, it has been a long journey and I am tired." There was giggling as the picture swung open without requiring a quiz, something that never happened for students. Aura just hoped he wasn't being followed because that would be a pain to explain.

He grabbed up his bags and winked. "Much thanks, m'lady." He passed through and pulled the portrait shut behind him before entering the common room. Once inside, he winked at Helena Ravenclaw only to receive a scowl. He laughed and shook his head, dropping his bags again and crossing his arms across his chest. "So, we're back to this again?"

"You disappeared, Auraquinn Collins."

"I didn't have much choice. I graduated again and it isn't safe to stick around. You know that, Helena. You may be fine with it, and the students may ne fine with you, but we both know they would be less than thrilled to know of my existence." He grinned and watched her scoff while throwing her hands up and drifting off.

He made his way over to the closest chair, kicking his bags along the way. The rest of his belongings were bound to be in his room already, so he was in no hurry. Instead, he flopped into the chair and kicked his left leg up over the left arm of the chair and leaned back in the right corner as he grabbed a book to settle in for a bit. It would be some time before anyone else arrived with the opening feast going on.

[zara celeste o'riley]

Being back at Hogwarts was a relief. Jason had been more than suffocating this summer. Although Zara knew it was because her brother cared she just wanted to get away from him for a while. With so much going on in the wizarding world along with his current status as a trainee auror she was not surprised that things had been stepped up in the over protective department.

Decked in Ravenclaw robes, Zara had sat herself next to Tyson despite having spent a large portion of the summer together and whispered throughout the entire sorting ceremony. With that having ended she enjoyed the feast and catching up with some of the others in her house before making her excuses just before dessert. Zara wanted to check on her owl being newly purchased this summer and then she would head off to the dorms.

She climbed the stairs with a small smile tugging at her lips as portraits welcomed her back and as she got to the owlery she was glad to see that her new pet had settled in and by the time she left was on his way out the window to hunt with the others. Having seen him go, Zara began her trek to the Ravenclaw common room, answering a riddle to enter the place. It made her proud that their house was the only one to have the need to answer a riddle due to their traits that put them in the house to begin with.

Zara had gone straight up to her dorm to change into a set of flannel pyjamas and rummage through her trunk for some chocolate and a book. Having found what she was looking for she made her way back down to the common room so that she could curl up and wait for Tyson to make an appearance for a catch up before bed. She moved towards some of the chairs in the room and saw someone had already draped themselves over one and so Zara sat herself quietly into another.

[auraquinn collins]

It was Aura's first time back in a very long time, so he was slightly surprised that his presence wasn't questioned when the other person had entered the room the first time. Her smell had hit him and he was busy hiding to write it off as a coincidence. His eyes darted around the book to see if he could make himself believe that he was imagining things. There was no way this could be happening. Not here. Not again.

When she came back out, he dropped further into the chair and dropped the book on his face. It was happening again and he couldn't stop it. The thickness of his book made his swearing sound like someone trying to talk normally through a pillow. He was less than happy about this, but now that she had made her presence known, he had a good idea what was about to happen.

Aura knew he was being childish, but this had to be the fourth or fifth time for this to happen. No one else smelled like that. He knew full well what her name was, the flannel pajamas she wore, and every curve of her body. Zara was burned into his memory with a fire that wouldn't stop burning. Hell, he could even guess the look she was giving him right now, and that alone made him grin behind his book.

The childlike behavior would continue as he waited for her to cave in and leave, but he knew better. She would probably try to talk to him, then ask what his problem was, then become convinced it was her and blame him for being stupid. That was a thing thst never failed, and yet he hid and hoped it wouldn't happen again, so he just hid under his book and made it a point to not be the first to speak.

[zara celeste o'riley]

She opened the wrapping on the chocolate and set it on the table beside her before her eyes flicked over to the boy in the chair a few over from her. Her eyebrows furrowed as she took in how he was sat. "Um, I don't think you're doing that right… the whole reading thing." The was laughter in her voice. The guy was probably tired and needed some sleep. She was surprised that he had not been at the feast but then again it wasn't everyone's cup of tea.

Zara tucked her feet up under herself and broke off a piece of chocolate before popping it into her mouth. She was slightly regretting missing out on dessert and contemplating how her entire dinner tomorrow night could consist only of sweet things. Maybe she would be able to rope Bert in on it. She doubted there would be much resistance towards the idea. Even if he had stuffed his face tonight. She glanced at the boy again before pushing the bar towards him slightly. "Feel free to help yourself."

She picked up her book and opened it back to the page she had been on. An old Shakespeare play Tyson had recommended to her. She he had began reading it over the summer in her spare time and decided that she had enjoyed it enough to want to continue. Muggles fascinated her and their tales were always interesting. They were always getting themselves into predicaments and their non magical solutions could be both wonderful and disastrous as she was quickly learning.

[auraquinn collins]

Aura lifted the book and snapped it shut. His face was less than amused as it was now clear as day who she was. Then again, he also knew that she wouldn't remember him. Again. He grabbed his bag and opened the top of it, dropping his book inside before pulling out a cherry cheesecake that was as cold as if he had just pulled it from a fridge.

The cheesecake was in a plastic cake carrier to keep it safe in transport. He set the whole thing on the table and slid it across to Zara before pulling out a hoodie and pulling it on. The hood was flopped over his head and over his face as he dropped back into the same position he had been in. "You're up here to early to have satisfied you affinity for sugary byproduct. Have at it."

He tried to keep from speaking too much as he pulled out his wand and tapped each bag. They would lift into the air and dart off for his room. He heard yelling from the stairwell and sighed. His head rolled over the edge as he watched the ghost floating over him with a pissed look on her face. "Helena, do we need to do this now? If you haven't taken stock, I am less than happy with you. You could have warned me." He watched the ghost smirk and float off without a word. He mumbled something in Korean only to hear her laughter from the walls.

The sound of Helena Ravenclaw laughing in the walls caused Aura to shudder. "Well, that wasn't creepy at all." He pulled the hood back over his face and readjusted. He wanted it all to go away like a dream but the smell alone was too much to let that be even a slight possibility. "Well, Zara, since you're bound to ask anyway, my name is Aura Collins." He shuffled his body more and groaned. It would never be as comfortable as it had been. He slipped his wand down into his boot and waited for his body to adjust into the position he was already in.

[zara celeste o'riley]

The page on the book was open and her thumb kept her place as she looked at what he had pushed over to her. A cheesecake. Zara looked at him confused. ”You carry round a cheesecake with you?” Zara asked looking at him sceptically. She wasn’t entirely sure whether she should accept the cake off someone who carried it in his luggage. But the again the same could be applied to her and the chocolate and so Zara took the cover from it and said, ”Thanks.”

Zara watched the exchange between the boy and their ghost and sat entirely still throughout. ”You seem to know her well?” Better than most, that was for sure. Everyone knew their house ghosts and all the rest but no one was particularly friendly with them or had any history. ”How do you know her?” She took a piece of cheesecake onto her fork. She wasn’t going to deny herself the small pleasure of some cherry cheesecake.

It was halfway to her mouth when he addressed her and Zara promptly put the fork down. ”How do you know me?” Zara asked him. She had not introduced herself. She shut the book in her hands and got ready to leave. This boy, Aura, was weirder than she had originally given him credit for. ”You know I’m actually quite tired.” Zara picked up the chocolate bar and began to get up from her seat.

[auraquinn collins]

Aura pulled a slip of paper from his pocket, an article from the daily prophet about the Ravenclaw Quidditch team of many years ago. Both of them were there. He looked it over as she asked her questions and laid it on the table before stabbing it into the table with a six inch boot knife.

He stood and headed toward the stairs. His feet carried him slowly as he passed her. He came to a complete stop and shook his head. "My name is Auraquinn Collins. I have never had the strength to protect you and yet every twenty years I am drawn back here. Part of me hopes that you make it out alive, and yet each time you are here. If you need anything else, feel free to ask. I need to see Albus about my not being here in the morning so that you may at least have a chance this time."

He stuffed his hands into his pockets, completely unaware that his locket had fallen onto the chair when he was messing with his hoodie. Inside it was her picture from the last time they were in this room together and happy. Aura wandered towards the stairs slowly, taking stock of the room.

He listened and turned towards the door. Where were the students? Probably still trying to get organized or done with food. The first night was always the longest when the older students had to transport the first years in their food comas. He looked outside and realized it was still earlier than he thought and sighed before heading for the stairs again, his sense of time thrown off by actually having to talk to someone he didn't expect.

[zara celeste o'riley]

Zara jumped slightly when he stabbed a knife into the table. Her hand instantly went to her hip where she had slipped her wand when she had gotten changed. President of the duelling club was a title that she had earned with good backing from her skills. If he was going to attack her she was going to be ready that was for sure.

His words sent a cold shiver through her. What the hell did he mean make it out alive? He moved off towards the stairs and Zara pulled her wand out. ”Wait there!” As far as start of years went this was definitely the bumpiest one she had ever had. She placed her belongings down and pulled at the knife in the table. It had pierced an article relating to Quidditch and their house and she frowned at it feeling a twist of sickness in her stomach.

A glinting from his seat made her look over and pick up the locket that must have been his. ”You dropped this.” Zara moved towards him with her wand still out. She was still holding his knife and now the locket. ”You might want to take these back.” Her heart was thumping in her chest. This type of thing is what you heard went on in Gryffindor and maybe Slytherin house. Stupid and impulsive houses. Not in Ravenclaw.

The article was still bugging her and she fumbled with the locket in her hand to open it and dropped it once she had. ”What the hell?” Zara asked looking at him. She could hear the blood thumping in her ears as she tried to understand what was going on around her. ”Seriously, who the hell are you?”

[auraquinn collins]

Aura took the knife and slipped it inside it's sheath inside his boot. When he stood up, his wand was in hand and twirling between his fingers. He looked at the locket now open in her hand and just stared at it. He always hated this part. It was the one bit he could do without.

His fingers were cold as ice when they touched her palm and snapped the locket shut. He lifted it from her hand and slipped his wand back into his belt. One hand opened the clasp and he other fed the gold and silver chain around his neck. He clasped it in place and turned back for the stairs. His body began to tremble as he was starting to realize the full situation that was happening.

He walked over and grabbed the article from the table. His eyes read through it as he made his way to the fireplace. The obituary in his hand had been delivered to him by a mutual friend that knew full well about the past. In dark marker on the back was a simple message that read She would have wanted you to have this. He took a deep breath as he contemplated launching the paper into the fire before him.

Her words resonated as a tear ran down his cheek. "My name is Auraquinn Collins. I am a specialist in Healing and Defense Against the Dark Arts for the Ministry of Magic and quite possibly the most tortured being to ever live." He turned to face her and shrugged, the article squished tight in his hand. "Any other questions?"

[zara celeste o'riley]

He took the knife back and she gripped her wand tighter. What was wrong with this guy? He took the locket off her and she flinched at how cold his hand was. Zara watched him carefully as he moved not knowing whether she wanted answers to her questions or not.

When he spoke she gave out a nervous laugh. ”You want me to believe you work in the ministry?” Zara asked him. ”You’re asking me if I have any other questions? Yes I have more questions. Like, why is there a picture of me in that locket? With you. How do you know me?” Zara asked him, she was beginning to feel a little light headed like she was forgetting to breathe. He was upset and she could see that but she was trying to get her head around what she was dealing with.

She lowered her wand arm slightly. ”What’s wrong?” If she could remember how to move and things were a little less strange she would have moved towards him but instead she kept the distance between them.

[auraquinn collins]

"I have worked for the Ministry several times. Right now, I am on hiatus. The minister and I have an agreement. He keeps my secrets, I keep his." His voice shook as he spoke. It was taking everything in him to not go hide. He wanted to run and just leave the whole situation be, but that couldn't happen. She was far too stubborn to let that happen.

Her questions calmed him a bit. He knew full well that everything about them was going to be brought up at some point within the next few weeks and he wasn't going to be able to get her to drop it. He took a deep breath and slipped the paper into his pocket before walking over to the table and disarming himself. Knives, explosive potions, and various other deadly objects, including both his wands, dropped onto the table.

He took his hoodie off and laid it on the chair before rolling up his sleeves as a sign he had no more weaponry. "First, lower the wand. If you want to know your answers, you must meet this simple request. I cannot completely disarm myself, so I will allow you to hold onto your wand, but it needs to be not in your hand." He knew full well that he couldn't bring himself to harm her, so he made his request as best he could and hoped it would work.

He saw the ghost again and nodded slightly, a regal air came about him as he turned to adress her. "Helena, I forgive you for what has transpired and beg your forgiveness for the way I responded. Please find a reason to keep all students from this room until this is settled, if you wouldn't mind." He saw the smirk on her face and he groaned, his body slouching where he stood and his shoulders slumping. "Oh come on, Helena! You could at least act like my dispair doesn't amuse you." He watched her float off and sighed before returning his attention to Zara and waiting to see what would happen next.

[zara celeste o'riley]

The longer she spent there with him the more uncomfortable she felt. ”Okay, so not only do you want me to believe that you work for the ministry and have done for years. But you also want me to believe you and the minister keep secrets?” Another nervous laugh came from her. This was getting ridiculous and she was beginning to think that she should go to bed and try to get rid of whatever nightmare was happening.

Her eyes followed him as he put an array of things onto the table. He asked her to put her wand down and she bit at her lip. Zara quietly slipped the wand into the pocket of her pyjamas before nodding at him. ”Okay.” Zara showed him her hands. ”It’s gone.” She was quick to draw and if she needed to she would defend herself.



He had another small spat with the ghost and Zara let out a breath. ”I don’t feel comfortable with the fact you don’t want my wand in my hand and the fact you don’t want anyone else in this room…” Zara told him. She needed Tyson here. He was always her second and she needed someone here to remind her to breathe. This was weird by her standards and she saw most things coming her way.

[auraquinn collins]

Aura sat in his chair again and caught the look on Zara's face. A smirk teased at the corner of his mouth and he rolled his eyes. "Breathe, Zara. You are probably safer here than anywhere else. I asked Helena to keep the others busy because you want answers and a distraction is not needed." He nodded slightly before looking at her again. "Oi! Breathe!"

He readjusted in the chair and sighed. This conversation got longer every time and that would make this one longer than the last. He shook his head slightly and got comfy. "The reason for the lack of wand presence is because you are skilled and I am a vampire. I have no desire to die and I would much rather you didn't try to kill me. Therefore, I sit in this chair with all my unnatural weapons out of reach and you stay there with the wand within reach but out of play. It makes it a fair field." He nodded again and took a deep breath.

He kicked his leg back up over the arm of the chair and raised an eyebrow. "Seriously, you need to breathe. I would really not have to try to revive you with how hard your blood is pumping. It's hard enough to be around you without you freaking out, so take a deep breath, eat some cheesecake before it spoils, and then ask your questions one at a time. I promise to answer them as best as I can."

[zara celeste o'riley]

Breathe. Breathe. A natural process that she needed to remember. For a second, Zara closed her eyes and took in another deep breath. She didn’t feel safe but she wasn’t going to try and argue with him right now. They were fair game. Both unarmed and in neutral territory. If anything was to happen surely the other housemates would raise the alarm when they got back into the common room. There were dark times ahead and she didn’t particularly trust anyone that was remotely shifty.

He sat himself back in a chair and Zara watched him but chose to stand. She really did not want to get comfy with him here. The next few sentences that came out of his mouth made her vision swim. The colour drained from his face as she squeaked out the word, ”Vampire?” If she had not wanted to be in the room alone with him before she certainly was not going to stay with him now and not unarmed.

Zara took the wand back out of her pocket. ”I’m… I… if that’s true,” She swallowed hard. ”I’m not staying here with you without my wand.” He’d mentioned her blood and Zara could not calm down the thumping of her heart. ”You start answering questions right now. Why am I in that locket? Why does is look like you know me? How are you here? Are… are you really a vampire? Merlin, what am I saying? Is this a joke?” A stream of words just fell from her mouth.

[auraquinn collins]

Aura watched the reappearance of the wand and sighed. He stood slowly and pulled his top lip up with his fingers. His fangs glistened in the firelight before he let go of his lip causing them to become hidden again. His eyes dropped to her wand and then back up to her eyes. "I am playing fair and that needs to disappear." He dropped into the chair and leaned forward. He was not going to stare down a wand and not be where he couldn't reach his if need be.

As he watched her defiance, he stood snd started putting his weapons away. If she wanted to be obstinate, she got nothing. His hands grasped the wands, one going into his boot and the other into his belt behind his back. Next there was the assortment of knives that went into various sheaths strapped to his person. The potions were then picked up and put into the various pockets on the inside of his hoodie before he finally turned back to her. He knew full well that he was much more threatening looking when armed.

"Zara Celeste O'Riley, I have seen you die more times than I'd care to admit. The locket is yours from the last time we were in this room. You were killed by a Death Eater in combat. I am here as part of my agreement to Albus, the Minister of Magic, the Ministry of Magic, and various other instructors in this facility so that their D.A.D.A. training is up to date with current threats. You only saw yourself because you didn't look at the other side. The other side is me, which is why it was returned to me. Is there anything else you would like to ask?"

Aura was clearly frustrated as he stood with his hands in his pockets. He made it a point to keep them away from his wand as he waited for her response. Tuis whole situation was threatening to both of them and he was doing his best to stay calm.