Title: Guardian Angels, pt 4
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Sunday followed a similar path that of Saturday, but rather than go outside she decided to go to the library instead, so she grabbed an apple and exited the great hall. Upon entering the comforting room she walked towards the transfiguration section. Running her fingers along the bindings she looked for the book that had been mentioned in passing in her own book for some extra reading. Finding it pretty quickly, now that she understood the librarian's method of shelving the books, it she walked to the nearest table and opened the book. It was here that she spent the better part of her Sunday.
Monday morning came, she accepted a seat next to the last girl in her dorm. She found out her name was Myrtle and that she wasn't noticed by many people. She was definitely the shy person Bryn assessed her to be but she found the quietness the girl had to offer refreshing.
Every night Bryn would go to the library, mostly sitting alone and other times she inadvertently sat at the same table as Tom. She vaguely noticed that neither Bale nor Abraxas ever came to the library, or if they did she merely overlooked them. She kept her grades up and by the end of the week she'd completed all of the make-up practicals on her second Friday at school.
October 31st was coming up in the mid-week and tomorrow would be Bryn's first trip into Hogsmeade. They were going to have a Halloween ball, classes were dismissed on Wednesday for the ball preparations. Walking down the hallways to the great hall, she heard someone running behind her.
"Bryn." Bale greeted catching up to her easily with his long and athletic legs.
She smiled up at him. They'd become exceptionally good friends, mostly because he never asked anything of her and he was a comfort to be around, because he spoke her language. He was also a good conversationalist and seemed to understand academic things far better than he let on. "Bale." She returned softly.
"Would you go to Hogsmeade with me?" He inquired. "And to the Halloween ball?" He added once she stopped and glanced up at him.
"I would love to." She said, halting her normal reaction to speak in her native tongue. "So Mr. Avery, what is it you plan to attend the ball as?"
Bale shrugged, "Merlyn?"
Bryn chuckled loudly, shocking the students that were in the hallway. "And who would you have me be?" She inquired before continuing, "Nimue, the Lady of the Lake?
Bale laughed softly, "It would be fitting, would it not?"
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Bryn met Bale at the front entrance at eight, their pre-arranged time. "Good morning, Bale." She greeted upon seeing the handsome wizard. He looked in his natural element, his dark hair hanging freely around his face, his eyes twinkling happily once seeing her coming down the hallway. He wore his traditional black slacks, but rather than a dark emerald turtleneck he was dressed in a navy blue turtleneck with his winter cloak draped over his shoulders.
Bale noticed for the first time Bryn wasn't wearing her calf-length skirts but rather long black pants and a deep purple jumper underneath her wool cloak. Her plain black shoes adorned her feet and her hair was pulled up into a French twist with a few stray hairs that hung around the base of her long neck.
Together they exited the school, stepping into the carriages that were pulled by Thestrals; the trip down the path to the town of Hogsmeade was a quiet and easy trip. Within moments they were stepping out of the carriage and he turned to her before calmly reaching for her hand. Placing it on the crook of his elbow, with ease he led her through the streets giving her the tour.
For their robes, he suggested Gladrags Wizardwear to which she merely nodded and allowed herself to be led by the handsome wizard. "Do Abraxas and Tom visit the village?"
Bale looked down at her before he answered her question. "Sometimes, though Abraxas more than Tom." He began. "Tom's got quite the fan base even though they'll deny it."
She nodded, walking into the store before Bale who was currently holding the door open for her. She slowly began to browse through the store feeling Bale near her but not hovering. She had a picture in mind of the costume she was looking for, it was finding it that was the hard part.
"May I help you?" A kindly old witch inquired.
Bryn nodded, handing the witch a slip of parchment. "Do you have something like this?" She asked gesturing to the simple dress design.
The witch nodded, impressed with the art work of the dress which she commented on before quickly rushing to the back before coming back to the front, in her arms was a black garment bag. "This way dear." She directed moving towards an area in far corner where there was a platform. With quick measurements, the dress was altered and Bryn with an excited Bale – who hadn't seen her in her costume – left the store, their purchases having been sent up to the school.
He took her to the Three Broomsticks, Honeydukes, and around the town before they slowly made their way back to the carriages for the ride back to Hogwarts. He walked her back to her tower, as it was late in the day but still early evening. "I had a good time." She said standing at the bottom of the spiral staircase. "Thank you."
Bale grinned at her words before leaning forward to place a kiss on her forehead. "I'm glad. Sit with me at dinner?"
She nodded and then turned and climbed the stairs to her tower. Finding her purchases lying on her bed she sat down next to the items a happy sigh leaving her lips. Her thoughts were a jumbled mess before she grabbed the book she had on her nightstand. Time moved quickly and she looked up realizing that it was time for dinner.
Putting the book aside she exited the practically empty tower and headed down to the great hall. Taking her seat next to Bale she joined in the conversation between the aforementioned wizard and Abraxas.
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Wednesday came sooner than the not and the school was a jumbled mess with excitement for the upcoming dance. By about five o'clock the girl's dormitories were a frightful mess of confusion. Bryn slipped in and grabbed her things and exited before anyone could say anything to her about helping her get ready.
She slipped on her dress, watching its light fabric flow gracefully down to the ground. Using her wand she zipped up the back of the dress, having dressed in her corset that she wore under formal robes and the like. She couldn't not wear shoes, though as Nimue it would be more fitting, so she'd transfigured her knee highs into simple slippers to make it appear that she wasn't wearing shoes. She charmed her hair up in a simple but elegant design to capture the weightlessness of that of water. Content she looked the part, or at least as close to it as she could, she grasped her translucent mask that charmed to fit her face and stay until the spell was broken.
Her gray eyes glittered beneath the mask, her make-up simple highlighting her eyes with silver and pale blue, her lips were glossed a pale color – it was nearly indescribable. It was almost had a blue tint but also a light pink and clear color.
Carefully she made her way back to the tower and within moments of sitting down she was notified that her date was waiting for her just outside. Taking a deep breath she placed her wand in the pocket of her dress. Taking her time she opened the door quietly walked down the spiral staircase and glanced down at her Merlyn.
Bale was nearly unrecognizable. His normally clean shaven face, had a light beard grown onto it, his mask covered the rest of his face adding to the mysteriousness of the character he was portraying. He was dressed in long, tunic-like robes of deep brown, hanging tassels that were draped loosely around his waist.
"You look very mystifying, il mio amore." Bryn said softly causing him to look over at her.
Bale gazed at the vision before him. Bryn was dressed in a white flowing gown that had the appearance of floating as if she were in the lake as it laid on the ground a good couple of inches, flowing about her in a pool of fabric. A soft gold accentuated her tiny waist and around her flattering neck line. Her sleeves were long and bell shaped, and the fabric was light and airy. "Il mio amore, siete una visione."
Together they walked down the halls to the great hall. People stopped and stared at the pair, wondering who they were, but neither spoke for that would give them away. They entered the hall, seeing the intricate decorations – bats flying above their heads, pumpkins that had been carved, and the candles shown in black and orange lights.
"Nimue, may I have this dance?" He queried, his eyes laughing and his voice mystically deeper.
Bryn smiled up at him before curtsied lowly. "Of course, Merlyn." Her voice was smoky and slightly husky. They began the waltz, they're eyes focused on each other as well as the people around them. She spotted several 'angels' and a few 'devils' along with ladies of the olden day courts of the French and English courts. She even thought she saw two wizards and two witches dressed as the founders, respectively. But one in particular caught her attention. "Merlyn, love, is your King Arthur here?"
Bale smiled, "-wherever there is a Merlyn there must be a King Arthur."
The night passed slowly, Bryn having many offers of dances from the male population. She was in the middle of her third dance with 'Her Merlyn', who had just saved her from the grim-reaper, when she heard a voice inquire, "-may I cut in?"
She and Bale stopped dancing and she turned, seeing 'King Arthur' standing there with his left hand posed to accept hers. Curtsying she accepted his hand, noticing that Bale bowed gracefully out of the dance. 'King Arthur' whisked her away, her feet following his effortlessly.
'King Arthur' was dressed the part. He had on a tunic-robe, much like Bale's, though it looked like it was made with the finest material and didn't reach all the way to the ground. His shoulders were covered by a robe made of slightly darker colored material. He wore a golden crown as well as a mask that made his face look more distinguished.
"You are a fine dancer, my King." She commented softly, her voice still husky and smoky. They danced the next couple songs before the last dance came. As the final strings of the song finished, Headmaster Dippet – dressed as King Henry IIIV – stood up and spoke to the hall.
"It is nearly time to unveil ourselves." He began. "But first, I'd like to extend my congratulations to the Head Boy, Head Girl and the prefects for an outstanding job coordinating the festivities." A round of applause rang through the room. "You may now turn to your partner and unmask them."
Bryn turned to 'King Arthur' but found that she was standing on the dance floor alone. Leaving her mask on, she too exited the hall while others exclaimed their surprise at having spent the night with this person or that person. Once reaching her room, she tiredly removed her mask and curled up in bed and fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
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The next few days after Hollow's eve flew by quickly. The night of the ball was quickly the talk of most students; people were wondering who the lady in white was and the 'King' she'd been dancing with the majority of the night. No one questioned Bale, who was shown to be Merlyn as they knew he wouldn't say anything. But soon the laughter and happiness of the night was forgotten when they were piled down with assignments to make up for missing classes on Wednesday.
It was finally Friday, the second week of November. Quidditch practices have started to get more intense for all the houses as the first game is days away. The bulletin in the common rooms said the first game was Ravenclaw/Hufflepuff and was scheduled for Saturday morning. Gryffindor and Slytherin teams eased up a bit the week before allowing the other two continuous nightly practices.
Unconcerned with the happenings around him, Tom walked into the library nodding arrogantly to the librarian before approaching "his" section, which he'd claimed as a first year, of the library. His noiseless footfalls halted their movement as he took in the sight of someone sitting in the chair next to the one he'd claimed for himself.
There with her inky black hair spread on the cherry wood as her head rested on her arms was Bryn Dovizio. He peered at her for a long moment before noticing that she wasn't reading or doing school work, but that she was sleeping. Her breathing was even and had a serene rhythm.
Quietly he set his things down and began working, in effort not to get too far behind because of the sleeping girl at his table. But every now and again he'd look up to see her still sleeping silently. Her pale skin was glowing slightly in the pale light of the candles that lit the area giving her an almost ethereal look about her.
The unbidden memory of the Halloween ball slipped into his thoughts. He remembered how alluring she looked, her black hair pulled up in a series of intricate loops, her gray eyes sparkling in the glow of the candle light. The dress she wore fit like second skin and she seemed to be content wearing it. He recalled how she felt, so strong and yet delicate, as they danced most of the night.
He knew she'd be sadden when he disappeared before the unmasking, wanting to remain anonymous. He wasn't sure how she would react to knowing it was him who she'd spent half the evening with. Her gray eyes went nearly as translucent as her mask at one point because she was having so much fun.
That memory of her at the dance seemed to be so unlike everything he'd been able to put together about her to this date. Normally, she seemed determined to hide away to be part of the scenery, which was difficult because the school was full of piranhas that were waiting for you to show weakness.
Girls like Hornby and her merry band of stuck up witches. He'd heard the way they spoke to her, at her was more appropriate, or about her when she wasn't around. They were giggly horde of witches and there were bunches of them in all of the houses. Mueller and company were the worst of the school. He saw the way they'd pounced on her, Mueller speaking in buoyant tones to her that weekend he'd seen her under the willow.
He couldn't understand why he was drawn to this witch. He never felt the need to get close to people, knowing they were a disappointment in the end. But she was radiant with beauty and he didn't understand his desire to be near her. She spoke with him, unknowing who he was and set forth a challenge in her eyes when he didn't acknowledge her hand that first day.
He remembered Bale Avery intercepting her from slapping Mueller in the middle of the hallway in front of all his little friends and supporters. Then he scowled in the way she opened up to Avery allowing him liberties that she didn't allow many people. He could tell she was introverted with information about herself. Even Avery didn't know much about her, but that she had attended De Costa's di arte di strega – or that's what he was sure Bale had said – but Avery didn't seem to mind not knowing details about her.
A deep sigh broke his thoughts and he glanced over at her. He scowled when he realized he'd been distracted from his progress of assignments thinking about the witch. He changed the avenue of his thoughts by returning them to his charms assignment.
Silence rained in the library and he nearly forgot she was there until she shifted on the table, her other check coming into view as her hair fell around her shoulders. He looked up disoriented for a moment before going back to the last of his assignments. He'd nearly finished his astronomy project before she jerked back from the table; her back was straight as a board as her hazy gray eyes took in her surroundings.
A pink hue panted her cheeks as her eyes met his slightly amused jade orbs. Quickly she opened her Defense textbook and began reading, trying to hide the embarrassment she felt by being caught asleep. Slowly she relaxed into her reading, her chagrin forgotten as she leaned against the back of her chair.
He found that like when she was sleeping she was really quite beautiful. The way the light reflected off her inky black hair, tinting it a bluish shade, her skin tones and the way the dark blue pullover seemed to fulfill the attire, knowing she was wearing the fashionable calf length black skirt, as it was Friday night. Somehow she always looked pressed and prepared for classes, always with school regulated skirts and blouses. While other girls were trying to show a bit more leg than was socially acceptable, she was fashionable but respectful.
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Bale had pulled her outdoors to watch her house team play against Hufflepuff on the pretense that he was merely escorting her as a friend. "Venire su, bello."
Grudgingly she admitted to herself that she didn't mind spending the afternoon with him. She knew he was on the Slytherin Quidditch team as a Chaser, which in her mind explained the lithe muscles underneath his fitted sweaters. Today, in support of her he wore a deep sapphire blue turtleneck with his normal black slacks. He'd convinced her to also wear a sapphire blue sweetheart cut jumper, which he'd purchased for her, with a practical pair of black pants.
Once in the stands, Ravenclaw she noted, she began to relax. The wind was blowing but not terribly strong, but the chill in the air on the sunny Saturday afternoon was definitely present. Bale sat close to her, his body heat was addicting to her as she wasn't as used to the cold weather of the highland.
Seeing her shifting closer to him he wrapped his arm around her asking, "-freddo?" Rather than answer she moved into his side allowing him to warm her. At her gasp of surprise he questioned, "Non avette visto mai prima un fiammifero?"
She shook her head no and at Bale's questioning glance she softly explained, "Alla scuola viaggeremmo verso est all'isola di vivara fuori dell'isola del procida. Era un viaggio difficile anche per i wizards in modo da ho rimasto appena alla scuola."
The game continued to get more exciting as she continuously asked Bale questions about the match and he was nice answering them, the score was 100 to 70 Ravenclaw in the lead. Suddenly the Snitch was spotted, Bale had told her that the Snitch was used to end the game – whoever caught the Snitch earned 150 points for their team – causing the stands to lean forward in their seats or stand near the rail.
Bale stood behind Bryn, his arms wrapped around her in effort to keep her warm as the final points were scored.
"WATTERS CATCHES THE SNITCH! RAVENCLAW WINS!!! 270 TO 120!" The announcer called into the microphone.
End pt 4
Translations:
"My love."
"My love, you are a vision."
"Come on, beautiful."
"Cold?" Then he questioned, "Have you never seen a match before?"
"At school we would travel east to Vivara Island off the island of Procida. It was a difficult journey even for wizards so I just stayed at school."
Author's Notes: I thought it would be interesting if De Costa's students had to travel across the Tyrrhenian Sea to play Quidditch. Isola Vivara is a natural island off the coast of Procida which is closer to the coast of Naples. Vivara is a nature preserve which made it ideal to me to have the wizards set up Quidditch there.
Author's Notes 2: I know Bryn seems kind of mysterious and lacking a defined personality, but I'm trying not to "play" all her cards yet by rushing the plot. I'm trying to develop her, giving her shades of gray as well as a likeable personality. I don't want her to be a Mary-Sue, unless it's for humorous purposes. Anyways, I put in some of Tom's thoughts on her and I really hope I conveyed Bryn's Halloween ball's dress as well as I pictured it in my head. I had a semi-picture of how the Dementors' robes are portrayed in POA, that floatie feeling.
