【 4 】

« Azure »

Why is the sky so much more blue?
Why is the breeze so perfect today?
Pretending like I don't know
Like I didn't hear a thing, like I erased it
Should we start talking about something else?

— Good Day

› › ‹ ‹

Dragons had flown about the earth, their mighty wings could be heard a mile away and their trail of destruction left not only the faint smell of death but cinders of what once was or could've been.

It was in this fantasy world that a girl had been born into, filled with a mystifying hope of longing to fly. She was poor and sickly with little time left, spent on creating contraptions that could fulfil her wish.

Her name was Aria.

Hunched over unhealthily was how her days went, weaving what she hoped could help her soar. Try as she might, it had failed, causing more than one casualty in the now deserted town.

A simple look at the blue sky sent ideas to drill into her mind but as an immaculate swan flew in all its revered elegance, she perked up instantly. Morbid as it may sound, she had killed it without a second thought, plucking its feather out one by one until she was satisfied, completing a part of her new mechanism.

She needed more, Aria decided.

And so, her hands had been tainted in bad blood until all feathers were put to what she decided was good use. There was no one else left for whom she could ask to test it out, leaving only herself as the option. She held no fear whatsoever, despite the likely chance of plummeting to her doom.

It was sewn into her back expertly, painful but substantial.

Never did she have the slightest intention of being like a dragon, feared and monstrous. Her skin was pale and her blonde hair clung to her face desperately while her blue eyes were oddly content. She mused on how she must've looked like an angel which was what she intended to appear.

With that as a final thought, she jumped. Needless to say, she had made it to the ground, staring up at the azure with unblinking eyes.

"You've got some grim ideas for entertainment, Annon," MIke commented dryly, not at all impressed by the story she had told him. He had gotten used to her name even if it felt strange rolling out of his tongue.

"It managed to pique my interest!" Annon defended, tucking the aged parchment into her pocket.

She lightly punched him on the arm and stopped once he had raised his arms in defeat. The sun had barely risen yet they had chosen to leave the common room in search of a more serene ground. Settling upon a location, they promptly plopped down by the lake. The beams of the sun had danced around the surface of the waters, playfully instilling an imaginary tune.

Mike got up lazily, satisfied with the moment of tranquility provided. He extended his hand for Annon to take, in an attempt to help her up. She smiled at him and took it, adding warmth to his cold hands. She basked in the mellowness around her as the light brightened up their surroundings.

Annon locked their pinkies together, Mike grumbled as she did so, muttering about her and her childishness.

Not much people occupied the seats as morning had just registered. The pleasant smell of pancakes wafted in the air, shaking the languid people sharply.

Mike's expression was slightly peeved, perhaps by the array of food available. She had learned that there were simply things he wasn't allowed to eat, recalling her attempt at giving him a cupcake which he looked at in disdain.

"What food do you dislike?" she asked him, curiously. Her hands had proceeded to neatly pile two pancakes on her plate and a hash brown, pleased with its golden glint.

"Sweets and the like," he grunted. Among the variety of delicacies, he had only picked eggs and sausages, the latter was something Annon abhorred. "What do you like then?" she questioned, baffled that he hadn't gotten a single milk tart.

He seemed to contemplate upon it before shrugging and replied, "Whatever isn't sweet."

Huffing resolutely, she angrily munched on her food. As more Slytherin's arrived at the table, she calmed down and nibbled meekly. The arrival of a certain rowdy bunch, however, brought her out of her stupor. Mike eyed them disinterestedly although she could've sworn he'd glared at a certain silver-haired male and energetic companion.

The mist latched to Annon's left wrist was tugged to some degree as Killua sat down, talking animatedly to the famous boy.

"Zoldyck, too much sugar isn't good for you," Amelia Tempes scolded, scowling as Killua added waffles, chocolate desserts, and practically everything saccharine.

Chuckling to herself, she caught Mike's wary gaze, inhibiting her from getting back a muffin he had stolen. "Mike! I thought you didn't like sugary things!" Annon accused. The purple-haired male bit the muffin begrudgingly before replying, "You made me annoyed."

He stuck his tongue out at her and many were left in disbelief of the varying emotions she elicited from him. He was known famously as the Zoldyck family's guard dog, supposedly cold and unwavering.

The day went on as usual and it wasn't until the dreaded Flying lessons that Annon's mood bummed out. She wasn't particularly athletic, only enticed by the prospect of a rival. The thought of flying being within one's grasp had caused her to pity the girl in the story who died and failed miserably.

"Mike, it's safe, right?" she questioned.

"Relax, Annon. I could teach you if you don't understand," he offered, flashing her a reassuring smile.

"Thanks," she replied, sighing offhandedly.

Hogwarts grounds were vast and kept in good condition, an ideal place to learn how to control broomsticks. Many of the first years buzzed about it in excitement, the perpetual noise continued to drone on in Annon's ears. There was a significant division between the houses as they neared.

"Alright, the name's Dwun. As you can see, the broomsticks are already provided for since certain first years in the past had caused a great ruckus with their personal broomsticks," he started his introduction, earning the yawns of some.

"Um, broomsticks were allowed in the past?" Tessa inquired, raising her hand timidly.

"Yes, Miss Ephicurus. Now, the prospect of today is to simply learn the basics, no showing off!" he reminded, directing it to a group of arrogant-looking boys, snickering amongst one another.

A chorus of agreements were made before he carefully instructed them to stand by their respective broomsticks.

"Remember, the broomsticks can smell fear," he warned, with a slightly crazed tone.

"But they don't have noses," Tessa muttered to herself, displeased.

The Gryffindors all sniggered as they heard Tessa retort, biting their lip to stop themselves from convulsing from laughter. She bitterly scowled at them from where she stood, distancing herself further. After further instructions, many had began their attempts with few succeeding so far.

"Up!" Amelia stated, the broomstick obediently complied.

She smirked as it was held firmly in her grasp and frowned once she say that Allena had managed to do it as well. The latter had already mounded it and was a good three feet off the ground. Not wanting to back down, she followed suit. Allena didn't fail to notice the challenge presented before her and threw Amelia a pompous smirk.

Amelia glared at the heterochromic girl with full force, daring her to go beyond six feet. Allena cared little about the rules Dwun had presented and rose a good ten feet, ignoring Amelia's silent fury, being the rule-abiding student that she was.

"Get down right now. This isn't what Dwun told us to do," the redhead ordered menacingly.

"Last time Allena checked, he wasn't complaining, Tempes," Allena retorted.

"Don't provoke my temper, Le Vaste!" Amelia said, her tone raised.

"Ne, Gon! Catch!" Allena yelled, ignoring the warning.

A transparent orb was thrown Gon's way which he expertly caught. It blew up in a puff of smoke and revealed a decent-sized dragonfly, though it was obviously a toy of some sort. A second later, the thing escaped the boy's grasp and sped forward. Allena chuckled and chased after it, Amelia following close behind.

"Killua! Killua! Let's join in!" he urged.

The two mounted their respective broomsticks and raced towards the retreating blur.

"Professor, aren't you supposed to stop them?!" Tessa screeched.

"Eh, I think it's alright. They'll come back so I'll just do other things," he responded nonchalantly.

Tessa's hair was a mess as she ruffled it in frustration, turning to Annon for help, Her eyes held a pleading look which the brunette simply couldn't ignore. Shuffling feet could be heard beside Mike as he watch with boredom for the lot to return. Curiously, he sent Annon a questioning gazed as she began to pace slowly.

"I think it'd be nice to help me now?" she suggested, clutching the broomstick.

"First of all, suck in a deep breath since I know you're terrified. Second, I'll be with you so ease up. Third, stay natural and instil Aria's hopes into the broom, understand?" he affirmed, holding a steady grip on her shoulder.

"Yeah," Annon answered, an even tone of determination in her voice.

It wasn't until the wind hit her face that Annon felt a smile tugging her lips. Her hair was in a lopsided mess as she hadn't the motivation to braid her hair that morning. Mike was beside her, relieved that there wasn't a hint of fear in her eyes.

Everything felt so natural and instinctual to Annon. She had no trouble manoeuvring the broomstick's course and it wasn't before long that she spotted the mischief-making lot. They hovered above the lake, searching for the guileful dragonfly. Annon's finger twitched as she felt a sudden movement to her left. Acting on her gut feeling alone, she flew in what she believed to be the right direction.

And there it was.

She closed in on it and felt someone do that same. It was just an inch left until the tips of her fingers would latch onto the stubborn thing yet what met her was a second hand, a warm one. She caught a glimpse of silver before the two of them swerved to the side, the air was knocked out from their lungs, along with the insect.

Splash!

The two figures landed into the lake's cold waters, acutely drenching the remaining students. Mike landed and discarded the broomstick without a second thought, diving into the darkness. He was faced by two choices; Annon or Killua. He served the Zoldyck family so he should simply pull Killua out of the water, right?

As he resurfaced, he carried Annon in tow, letting the giant squid handle Killua. He was huffing out water once his body touched the grass while Mike solely tended to the pale brunette. The Zoldyck's guard dog had come to a resolute conclusion that greatly agitated him.

She had tamed him and he wanted nothing more than to follow, even if it meant going against the family that raised him.

Annon opened her eyes to find Mike by her side, worry evident on his features. She wasn't sure whether he was troubled by a sudden thought or if it was due to her current condition.

It was then that she noticed Allena and Amelia on the oppsite sound, a downright guilty expression was etched on their faces.

"Annon… we're sorry," they both said in sync, choosing not to glare at each other for that.

"Haha, it's fine," she said, waving it off.

Clangs and Klinks could be heard in the room and she realized she once back in the Hospital Wing. This time, however, she was bedridden and immobile. She turned her head to the next bed, seeing Killua devouring a large chunk of chocolate. His laughter filled up the uncommon silence of the room.

Annon smiled to herself, despite the aching soreness of her neck. The blue mist hung loosely on their wrist, connecting the two despite the notable distance between them. Sighing, she brought her attention to Mike and squeezed his wrist for support, failing to notice Killua's fleeting gaze on her.

Mike, on the other hand, saw it very well and glowered, unsure of how to treat his once close friend.

"Sulein," Killua called, referring to Mike.

"Yes?"

"Thanks."

During the tense exchange, Annon was fast asleep while Allena and Amelia were back to arguing, with Gon as the baffled mediator.

Two hours passed once Annon was deemed healthy enough to go amongst her usual activities, thanking Leorio once more. All of them left the Hospital Wing, walking to the Great Hall.

"Rule, Le Vaste, Zoldyck, Freecss, Tempes, and Sulein, come with me," Professor Krueger called, pulling them out.

"Is there any problem professor? If this is for the accounts of what transpired during the Flying Lessons, I sincerely apologise in behalf of our rash behaviour," Amelia stated politely.

"Don't worry, none of you are in trouble. In fact, you've all been given a spot in your respective houses' Quidditch team, absurd as it may sound," she informed, giving them a stern look.

"Rule, Sulein, do not disappoint me," Shiapouf interjected, pushing the witch to the side.

"Tch, head back to the Great Hall, now," Biscuit commanded, stepping on Pouf's foot innocently.

She huffed, vexed by their own childish behaviour before shoving past Shiapouf, sitting on her designated spot with an air of sophistication.


Author's Note: Please, please, please leave a review! If I don't get at least 4 then I won't update for the next chapter. Real sorry!