REALIZATION
His fingers moved with fine strokes of paint colouring the canvas.
The nimble fingers moved with a life of their own, speaking a language only the owner could understand. Each colour had its own role to play, each one contributing to the masterpiece.
The wind blew in and the white curtains flew, newspaper sheets scattered themselves and the wind chime played its tune.
One final stroke and it was complete.
The painting was different from the ones he had painted before, it was evident to him as he drew the back of his palm across his cheek. This painting had more meaning than the others.
Flames of fire covered the canvas but parted in the centre to reveal an angel with her back to the world, her arms raised to the sky and wings of white feathers spread out wide, slowly catching on to the tendrils of fire dancing around her.
And above her were ink blue skies tainted with smoke.
Nate sat back on his three-legged stool as his deep blue eyes skimmed over the painting trying to find the mistakes.
Finally he stood up and stepped towards his window, his paint splattered sleeve less shirt stuck to his bony frame as the wind blew and his cargos too had paint everywhere.
When he looked out of the window of the apartment all he saw was the city, miles of buildings and heard noises that belonged distinctly to the city.
The city according to him had a beauty of its own even if one had to strain to hear birds or trees. Painted in grey, black and brown and encompassing so many lives within it.
But something was different that day, there was some magic in the air.
A kind of magic that could not be explained and could only be felt. It was powerful and it marked new beginnings. Just then a sparrow perched itself on the ledge of the window and he watched mesmerized as it fluffed its wings.
It was almost a miracle, a sparrow in a city where pigeons dominated the bird population was truly a sign if anything.
He smiled a slow, creeping smile as the sparrow flew away, something was going to happen. Something beautiful and magical.
Albus was sitting in the lawn chair sleeping with the book covering his face.
As his royal highness enjoyed his slumber Scorpius was busy climbing the tree and trying to get into Violet's balcony.
When he finally got into the balcony, he sighed with relief.
Luckily for him the doors of the balcony were unlocked.
He stepped in as silently as he could, when he did he was shocked by the number of sketches covering the wall opposite him.
He could see talent there.
He said fascinated "Wow"
That's when the room's door opened and Violet stepped into the room. It is safe to say that she almost had a heart attack.
She asked suspiciously and trying to calm herself down "What are you doing here?"
Scorpius apologized "Sorry, I know this is extremely weird"
She nodded.
He sighed and raised his hand at the opposite wall "Great work"
She looked at the wall and shyly looked at him "Um, thanks I guess"
He asked "So can I talk to you?"
She looked suspicious "Why?"
Scorpius said shoving his hands into his pockets and swinging back and forth on his heels "Just thought I'd get myself acquainted with you, it seems like we're going to be seeing each other often"
Her eyes narrowed "Your best friend would butcher you"
He laughed "If that idiot has a problem with it he can deal with it, I rather not be in your bad books"
She scanned him, he seemed sincere. He smiled good-naturedly "I'm Scorpius Malfoy by the way"
She nodded "Violet Felix"
He grinned "Felix, that's pretty funny"
She asked defensively "Funny?"
He immediately tried to placate her "I mean…it means happy that's why!"
She raised an eyebrow "Are you trying to say that I'm happy or are you telling me that I'm not?"
He paled "Okay maybe I'm not doing a very good job trying to be someone you can trust, but can you just take it easy? I swear I'm not spying for Albus or trying to sabotage you"
She gave him a long look and then said reluctantly "Fine"
He smiled "Thanks"
She asked walking over to her bed "Why is your friend such an arse?"
She pointed for him to sit on her chair, he gladly did "He's always been like that, it comes with the fame"
He shook his head.
Violet's eyes widened "He's famous?!"
Scorpius mentally slapped himself for being tactless, she was a muggle "Um…I meant popularity in school"
She sat back "Oh, that fame"
He nodded "Yeah he's damn popular and proud. He's your quintessential star. Good at sports, studies and he's got that savior thing going for him"
She looked at Scorpius "Where do you go to school?"
Scorpius said almost reflexively "Ho-Scotland"
His palms were sweating, trying to look normal. Violet asked completely surprised "Scotland? Why?"
He answered thinking this time "It's a boarding school, our parents went there too"
She looked at him weirdly "I see"
He asked trying to change topics "So do you have any hobbies apart from…you know sketching?"
She just shook her head. Scorpius noticed that if not for her balcony the place was a dark hellhole.
So he asked impulsively "You like the dark?"
She blushed "It's comfortable"
They sat in awkward silence as he stared up at the ceiling and she looked at the ground.
Suddenly he asked "Want to play a prank on Albus?"
Her eyes lit up and her head snapped up "Yes"
He grinned "Great come with me"
She followed him out of the balcony and down the tree.
She asked as the landed on the grass "What's the plan?"
He told her "I know someone who loves bees and I know bees love honey and I know Albus loves honey"
She smiled "I like the way you think"
He smiled "I just want to help you sober him up, he needs to you know"
She nodded "Yeah he does"
His majesty was still passed out like a log on the lawn chair unaware of the devious plan being plotted.
Scorpius asked Lily to arrange the bees pronto and Violet asked Nate to bring the honey, his mother always seemed to have an awful lot of it.
Nate arrived carrying three big jars of it, standing there in the Potter's backyard he felt slightly out of place in a place surrounded by good-looking people.
Violet took one jar and said "Come on, we have something really good planned"
When he saw her eyes alive with mischief he felt slightly scared for Albus.
Lily came out followed by the patronizing Bingley.
Nate felt like he was dreaming, he'd never been this close to someone as beautiful as her. He felt his stomach dancing the happy dance.
Lily saw this new friend of Violet's. He was skinny and incredibly cute in her opinion, with his paint-splattered clothes and a nervous and shy look on his face.
She smiled only to put his heart in danger "Hello"
Nate smiled back blushing "Hi, I…I..am Violet's friend"
She approached him "Does Violet's friend have a name?"
Nate gulped "Yeah…Nathan Gillard….N-nice to meet you"
Lily smiled a pretty smile "I'm Lily Potter, Albus's sister and Violet's neighbor"
Nate walked with her to where Scorpius and Violet were busy discussing how to carry out the plan.
Scorpius said "Right, now listen up, Violet and I have it planned out, please stand back"
Lily said to Nate as the other two put on gloves "Let's go there, out of harm's way, yeah?"
Nate could only nod.
Violet nodded at Scorpius seriously and Scorpius nodded back, they went about it, pouring honey all over the sleeping Albus after setting his useless book aside. Albus only said "hmmm honey…"
Then they brought in the wooden box and when the lid opened very enthusiastic bees flew out in a swarm and immediately flew to where the great lion enjoyed his peaceful sleep.
Scorpius and Violet moved to the edge to enjoy the show.
At first there was one bee buzzing in his ear and Al waved his hand to shoo it away. The buzzing grew louder and louder and then so loud he slowly opened his eyes.
On seeing the swarm of bees all trying to get a swipe at him he jumped off the lawn chair with a look of terror and yelled "Aaagh!"
He was shocked at the honey all over him, in his ears, his hair, his beautiful hair and his clothes.
He ran trying to shield himself from the buzzing bees.
He screamed "Help!"
Scorpius had fallen to the ground with laughter. Violet was clutching her stomach, Lily too wasn't holding back her amusement. Nate being slightly sympathetic grinned but also hoped he would be alright.
Albus screamed "Get them off! Get them off! Aaaagh!Shit!Scorpius I'll kill you, I'll use the Cruciatus curse on you I swear to god!"
Violet amidst the laughter asked "Has he gone loopy, what's he saying?"
Scorpius tried to cover for Albus "Yeah, he's loopy"
Nate asked "I think this is enough torture right?"
Violet laughed "It's so funny!"
Nate looked around and spotted the garden hose. He quickly attached the thing and opened the tap.
Not waiting for anyone's permission he sprayed Albus with water.
The poor boy screamed "Bloody Merlin!"
Scorpius, Lily and Violet couldn't seem to hold their laughter.
But the water seemed to do the trick, the bees buzzed away and the honey washed off.
Finally Albus yelledd "Enough! Enough!"
Nate turned the tap off.
Albus stood there soaking wet with his chest heaving.
He finally took in his surroundings after spewing a fountain of water.
He saw Scorpius and Violet cackling with laughter and Lily unabashedly wiping tears from her eyes.
Then he saw Nate standing apologetically by the hose.
Albus started walking towards Nate.
Nate said looking scared "Sorry, I meant to help that's all…I-I…I am sorry!"
Albus didn't say anything he just grabbed the hose from the boy's hands and turned the tap on.
Then he said "Hey you three! Take this!"
The three of them looked at Al confused when they were hit with a jet of cold water.
Lily yelped and jumped to the side to dodge the stream, Violet was too overwhelmed to do anything and Scorpius promptly yelled "You jack ass!"
As Lily tried to take the hose from Al, Nate was sprayed with water too.
So the whole thing just turned into a huge water fight.
Albus hit Violet with water and asked "How do you like that? You little schemer!"
She lunged at Al and wrestled him to the ground "Give me that hose!"
Aland Violet rolled around the garden battling for the hose as the others tried to break them up.
Water flew everywhere.
Albus being heavier than her managed to push her off to the side, then he kneeled over her and sprayed the water straight in her face.
She was spluttering, coughing and choking, but he didn't stop.
The others tried to stop him.
Scorpius yelled "Stop Al, don't she's choking on the water!"
Nate being smarter switched the tap off.
They all huddled to see if she was alright.
Violet was on all fours coughing and spitting out the swallowed water.
Panting and with watering eyes she looked up at Al.
He seemed frozen, like he couldn't believe what was happening.
She raised her arm and slapped him "You are the most insensitive and emotionless, proud and narcissistic person I've ever had the misfortune to meet"
She stood up and said scathingly "Oh and I'm sorry for the innocent prank, wouldn't have done it if I had known you didn't have a sense of humor"
She began to walk away.
Albus just sat there looking like a statue.
Scorpius ran after Violet "Wait Violet!..."
Lily asked her brother "What were you thinking? Did you lose your mind? You could have killed her!"
Nate came to her and said surprisingly calm "Just let it go, don't pressure him, he feels guilty already"
Nate put his hand on his shoulder "Come on get up and get changed, you'll catch a cold"
Albus did as he was told and without saying a thing he walked into the house.
Albus went to his room, pulled the shirt off over his head and looked into his mirror, what had he been thinking? He had never lost his temper like that.
Why did this girl Violet make him act like this?
He threw the shirt at the wall. It slid down leaving a trail of water on the wall.
He sat on his bed and ran his hands through his wet hair. Obviously what he had done was wrong.
If anything had happened to her…he'd never be able to forgive himself.
He decided, he had to get his act together.
Was his ego that important to him? Was his pride and image that dear to him that he forgot how to be human?
Had he really been that closed off from emotions? Was he losing himself in this web of self-confidence? Was he losing sight of what really mattered?
Was he willing to change?
AN:
I love this story!
It was a nice chapter to write!
Please let me know what you think!
Thanks
SPHP20896:)