DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter, nor do I own a fair amount of the
background characters. Some of the characters (Taseia, Faellen, Kairn, and
Seth in particular) I am the creator and owner of. So hands off please. The
rest are copyright to J. K. Rowling.
Author's Note: Sorry for the incredibly long pause... I got really discouraged with my writing for a long time and almost wanted to shut everything down. I'm not going to though! Writing more! I like this chapter actually. Harry Potter is in it again (he will be in a few, just so you know. Not as a main character but he's just there...). He kind of bothers me sometimes, but for the most part he adds another dimension with Faellen that nobody else does just because of how their personalities click and collide at the same time. I'm having particular fun with good old Fael in this chapter, actually.
Mystixnight
Chapter 10 Sinking Fast
Kairn stopped dead, Mirillen's wand digging into his forehead and her mouth open to shout come hex or another.
"Kairn! It's you. Oh..." She lowered her wand slowly, releasing a shaky breath. "Sorry about that, but, eh... Next time: knock."
Kairn nodded, releasing his breath. He'd stormed from the library, so livid and sure, that he hadn't even paused to wonder if she was in her office. He'd just shoved open the door and the next thing he knew he had a feeling he was going to get his head blown off... That lady had quick reflexes, if nothing else... Maybe she was just a little jumpy. More like paranoid, he thought wryly.
He didn't let himself get distracted for long, closing the door behind him with a suspicious glance down the halls that received a curious smirk from Mirillen who was seated behind him. Turning around he nodded once firmly. At receiving no verbal answer he did so again, this time speaking.
"I'll do it. I'm gonna do it, Professor."
A slow smile spread over Mirillen's lips and she inhaled sharply, a glassy look coming over her one visible eye that made Kairn think she might start crying. She stood up quickly and wrapped him in a hug, quite motherly actually. "Thank you! I knew I could count on you! We knew if you were anything like your father..."
Kairn blinked furiously, trying to pretend the catch in her voice and her talk of his father weren't incredibly affecting him. Mirillen pulled back far enough to brush his hair out of his eyes which did remind him horribly of his own mother, probably working her second shift at Flourish and Blotts right now... "And you are, Kairn. You're just like him."
Kairn coughed low in his throat and nodded, swiping casually at one eye and muttering something under his breath about 'dust'. He was not going to cry. He'd kill himself before he let himself cry in front of anyone. Mirillen gave another smile and drew back, seating herself on the edge of her desk and crossing her arms in her lap. "Now, Kairn, you're sure you wish to do this. Absolutely sure. Once you start, you can't turn back. Make your decision for sure. You can still walk away..."
This last, more than anything else, made Kairn shake his head, taking a step forward. "I said I'm in, and I mean it! Just tell me when, Professor. I can do this." He narrowed his pupils, though one wouldn't be able to tell, what with his eye colouration.
An appraising smile lit Mirillen's lips. "I know you can, Kairn. Thank you, once more... You're doing the right thing. I'll contact you when things start moving into action. Go ahead. Go back to your friends. Relax, Kairn..."
He returned her smile with more of a confident smirk that made her own curve all the further in satisfaction. "I'll see you later." Letting himself out, feeling confident and sure and for the moment content, he made his way to the Great Hall. Lunch was good. He deserved it. He knew he did. And maybe he'd apologize to Tasiea and Seth for storming out like that. Hell, he could even forgive Faellen. She didn't know any better, anyway.
He was still almost walking on air as he shoved open the double doors.
* * *
Faellen wasn't quite sure where she was supposed to sit, and apparently, neither was Harry. Slytherin and Gryffindor didn't usually mix, obviously enough. Picking her own table she sat down and Harry followed warily, casting furtive glances up and down the table. A low, disproving hiss seemed to settle around them, and whilst tossing a glance over her shoulder she could see points and stares from the Gryffindor table. Harry kept his gaze glued to his plate, as though oblivious. It was easy to see he was unsettled as well.
They ate in silence mostly, and Fael for one wasn't about to start a conversation. She had sent more than one accusing glare to those who's eyes she felt riveted upon her back, but they'd only blinked and kept right on staring. She didn't know what else to do. So she ate. Harry hadn't said a word and was looking rather petrified. He hadn't eaten either, just pushed around the food on his plate.
Fael dropped her fork with a loud clatter on her plate. "You wanna get out of here, Harry?" She arched her brows, trying to look like she didn't care but privately hoping to get out of everyone's line of sight.
"Yeah," he said, looking as though he'd been waiting for her to say just that. He stood up quickly, the hissing doubling in volume around them, and they both filed out of the Great Hall.
They made their way aimlessly through the halls for awhile in a much more comfortable silence than they had shared while eating. "So..." Fael started. "What did happen between you and Kairn, exactly?"
Harry winced, pushing his glasses further up the bridge of his nose. When he gave no reply Faellen stopped, crossing her arms. "Well? I'm waiting!"
He cowered all the more but gave in, muttering under his breath so she had to strain to hear. "See, uh... Him and your friend-the one with the silvery hair-" "Taseia," Faellen said nodding in encouragement. "They were coming across the lawn and a... A friend of mine and Ta-" he faltered and Faellen repeated herself. "Yeah, Taseia. Well, Sienna-my friend-and Taseia used to be friends, I gather. But they had a falling out and now they're all put off with each other. And Sienna said something, but it wasn't really that bad," he added quickly, looking a little defensive and growing more confident. "Taseia said something back and they went to leave. Then Kairn shouldered past her and gave her a dirty glare. I didn't think he should be involved so I... I stopped him and told him to apologize. He didn't want to and I-" He had been growing more and more loud and decisive as he'd continued, but his voice went back to sheepish. "I said something about his dad. Dumbledore told me about all of that at the start of the school year. How some kids wouldn't treat me right because of what happened to their families. But I didn't honestly think it would get to him that bad. And he hit me, and we fought and then McGonagall came and flipped out. I went to the hospital wing and he went to see Dumbledore. Probably got chewed out..."
Faellen listened raptly, noting how Harry switched back and forth between proud or defensive and sheepish or embarrassed. Kairn would be disgusted, Seth would have laughed, and Tasiea would have found it interesting. But Faellen wasn't focusing on the words; she was focusing on herself. She was angry... No, judging by the flaming of her hair and the ferocity with which it lashed about in the air above her, she was fuming.
"What the hell?!" She shoved Harry sharply in the chest, sending him back a few steps with a confused expression. "Do you and Sienna just wander around starting fights, you GIT! I knew something was up with Taseia, I knew it, but she wouldn't tell me! But I saw all those dirty glances Sienna kept shooting around, don't think I didn't." Her upper lip curled back. "Seth and Kairn wouldn't tell me, though I think they knew something, but thanks to you I have it all figured out." She crossed her arms sharply over her chest, fingers clenching and unclenching on the fabric of her robe at her elbows. "I don't blame Kairn. I would've beat the shit out of you too, and I hope he did!"
Harry wasn't taking this sitting down. "Excuse me?! You didn't hear some of the stuff Kairn said to Sienna! I didn't want to fight and I regret some of the things I said, but I'm not going to let him go around talking to people like that. Just because he's a year older than us doesn't mean he can shove everyone around, alright!"
Faellen, not easily distracted, though curious about the age thing took a menacing step forward, smoking tresses going up another foot in the air, crackling loudly. "It wasn't any of your business, Harry! That was between them, so get your nose out of it! Just because you were the accidental hero as a baby doesn't mean you have to stick up for everyone. Sienna's two years older than you, which is one year older than Kairn. I think she can take care of HERSELF! Thank you," she clipped her voice sharply, and Harry winced, rubbing his forehead.
He knew when he'd been beaten, though he was still scowling darkly. Faellen wasn't done, though, she had only started her tirade. "Why is Kairn a year older than us? Why isn't he a second year?"
Harry made a face and seemed as though he wasn't going to answer but Fael's hair spat out a few sparks and he gave in. "Because he stayed with his mum an extra year! Hagrid told me about it!"
Faellen wanted to hit him with something hard. Why had she wasted those textbooks on Kairn? Harry had all these people slobbering all over his feet and telling him everything about everyone. He doesn't need to know, thanks! This is their private life. This was slightly hypocritical of her as she was drilling him for information, but she didn't think about that. "Why?!"
Harry made another face. "Because his dad's dead and she has to work almost all day everyday! Happy!"
Faellen's hair recoiled a few feet, and her face lost most of its animosity. "No..." She answered simply. Of course she wasn't happy. His dad was dead? His mom had to work all the time? Faellen didn't have parents she knew of. But she'd been to foster homes, and though they never kept her long, at least they'd been there. But she always felt luckier than some of the kids. Every night in the dormitories you could hear at least one person crying himself or herself to sleep, those quiet little sobs, muffled by covers or pillows. Every night; because they were wishing that they had their mother of their father there to tuck them in or say they loved them. But that was why they were here. Because their parents didn't do that. They were here because they're parents had been there, yes, but not enough... Faellen was almost relieved she hadn't known her parents. She couldn't miss them if there was nothing to miss...
Harry's anger deflated as he saw her face fall and her hair flickered once and then settled back into a solid form. He took a hesitant step forward. Faellen only stared at the ground, diligently studying her toes. She lifted her head suddenly. "Why is Kairn's dad dead?" She lifted her brows in almost a pleading gesture, which was so out of the ordinary for Faellen Harry didn't exactly know what to say. So Kairn hadn't told anyone... He didn't blame him. Who wants that hanging over their head? In an almost desperate attempt to patch things over indirectly, Harry shook his head, shrugging. If Kairn didn't want them to know, Harry wouldn't tell them. "I don't know, Faellen..."
Faellen waved a hand listlessly. "Call me Fael."
Harry grinned gingerly. "Okay... Fael."
Faellen gave a little laugh, shaking her head in exasperation. "You don't have to use it in every sentence," she said with a grin.
Harry was only too pleased to see she was moving on quickly from their spat (he supposed she wasn't the type to dwell on things), grinning sheepishly. "Okay!"
She gave another laugh and they wandered off again, talking in low voices about this and that.
* * *
A/N: Tadaa! Finite! Bit of a shorter chapter, though, but it was full so I left it at that. Kairn, Kairn, Kairn... What are you getting yourself tangled up in, my boy? Can't wait for Mirillen to get more involved. I like her, actually, her char that is. She had a way of getting to people, making them understand. With Kairn especially, due to the connections she had with his father, which will be clarified later.
Author's Note: Sorry for the incredibly long pause... I got really discouraged with my writing for a long time and almost wanted to shut everything down. I'm not going to though! Writing more! I like this chapter actually. Harry Potter is in it again (he will be in a few, just so you know. Not as a main character but he's just there...). He kind of bothers me sometimes, but for the most part he adds another dimension with Faellen that nobody else does just because of how their personalities click and collide at the same time. I'm having particular fun with good old Fael in this chapter, actually.
Mystixnight
Chapter 10 Sinking Fast
Kairn stopped dead, Mirillen's wand digging into his forehead and her mouth open to shout come hex or another.
"Kairn! It's you. Oh..." She lowered her wand slowly, releasing a shaky breath. "Sorry about that, but, eh... Next time: knock."
Kairn nodded, releasing his breath. He'd stormed from the library, so livid and sure, that he hadn't even paused to wonder if she was in her office. He'd just shoved open the door and the next thing he knew he had a feeling he was going to get his head blown off... That lady had quick reflexes, if nothing else... Maybe she was just a little jumpy. More like paranoid, he thought wryly.
He didn't let himself get distracted for long, closing the door behind him with a suspicious glance down the halls that received a curious smirk from Mirillen who was seated behind him. Turning around he nodded once firmly. At receiving no verbal answer he did so again, this time speaking.
"I'll do it. I'm gonna do it, Professor."
A slow smile spread over Mirillen's lips and she inhaled sharply, a glassy look coming over her one visible eye that made Kairn think she might start crying. She stood up quickly and wrapped him in a hug, quite motherly actually. "Thank you! I knew I could count on you! We knew if you were anything like your father..."
Kairn blinked furiously, trying to pretend the catch in her voice and her talk of his father weren't incredibly affecting him. Mirillen pulled back far enough to brush his hair out of his eyes which did remind him horribly of his own mother, probably working her second shift at Flourish and Blotts right now... "And you are, Kairn. You're just like him."
Kairn coughed low in his throat and nodded, swiping casually at one eye and muttering something under his breath about 'dust'. He was not going to cry. He'd kill himself before he let himself cry in front of anyone. Mirillen gave another smile and drew back, seating herself on the edge of her desk and crossing her arms in her lap. "Now, Kairn, you're sure you wish to do this. Absolutely sure. Once you start, you can't turn back. Make your decision for sure. You can still walk away..."
This last, more than anything else, made Kairn shake his head, taking a step forward. "I said I'm in, and I mean it! Just tell me when, Professor. I can do this." He narrowed his pupils, though one wouldn't be able to tell, what with his eye colouration.
An appraising smile lit Mirillen's lips. "I know you can, Kairn. Thank you, once more... You're doing the right thing. I'll contact you when things start moving into action. Go ahead. Go back to your friends. Relax, Kairn..."
He returned her smile with more of a confident smirk that made her own curve all the further in satisfaction. "I'll see you later." Letting himself out, feeling confident and sure and for the moment content, he made his way to the Great Hall. Lunch was good. He deserved it. He knew he did. And maybe he'd apologize to Tasiea and Seth for storming out like that. Hell, he could even forgive Faellen. She didn't know any better, anyway.
He was still almost walking on air as he shoved open the double doors.
* * *
Faellen wasn't quite sure where she was supposed to sit, and apparently, neither was Harry. Slytherin and Gryffindor didn't usually mix, obviously enough. Picking her own table she sat down and Harry followed warily, casting furtive glances up and down the table. A low, disproving hiss seemed to settle around them, and whilst tossing a glance over her shoulder she could see points and stares from the Gryffindor table. Harry kept his gaze glued to his plate, as though oblivious. It was easy to see he was unsettled as well.
They ate in silence mostly, and Fael for one wasn't about to start a conversation. She had sent more than one accusing glare to those who's eyes she felt riveted upon her back, but they'd only blinked and kept right on staring. She didn't know what else to do. So she ate. Harry hadn't said a word and was looking rather petrified. He hadn't eaten either, just pushed around the food on his plate.
Fael dropped her fork with a loud clatter on her plate. "You wanna get out of here, Harry?" She arched her brows, trying to look like she didn't care but privately hoping to get out of everyone's line of sight.
"Yeah," he said, looking as though he'd been waiting for her to say just that. He stood up quickly, the hissing doubling in volume around them, and they both filed out of the Great Hall.
They made their way aimlessly through the halls for awhile in a much more comfortable silence than they had shared while eating. "So..." Fael started. "What did happen between you and Kairn, exactly?"
Harry winced, pushing his glasses further up the bridge of his nose. When he gave no reply Faellen stopped, crossing her arms. "Well? I'm waiting!"
He cowered all the more but gave in, muttering under his breath so she had to strain to hear. "See, uh... Him and your friend-the one with the silvery hair-" "Taseia," Faellen said nodding in encouragement. "They were coming across the lawn and a... A friend of mine and Ta-" he faltered and Faellen repeated herself. "Yeah, Taseia. Well, Sienna-my friend-and Taseia used to be friends, I gather. But they had a falling out and now they're all put off with each other. And Sienna said something, but it wasn't really that bad," he added quickly, looking a little defensive and growing more confident. "Taseia said something back and they went to leave. Then Kairn shouldered past her and gave her a dirty glare. I didn't think he should be involved so I... I stopped him and told him to apologize. He didn't want to and I-" He had been growing more and more loud and decisive as he'd continued, but his voice went back to sheepish. "I said something about his dad. Dumbledore told me about all of that at the start of the school year. How some kids wouldn't treat me right because of what happened to their families. But I didn't honestly think it would get to him that bad. And he hit me, and we fought and then McGonagall came and flipped out. I went to the hospital wing and he went to see Dumbledore. Probably got chewed out..."
Faellen listened raptly, noting how Harry switched back and forth between proud or defensive and sheepish or embarrassed. Kairn would be disgusted, Seth would have laughed, and Tasiea would have found it interesting. But Faellen wasn't focusing on the words; she was focusing on herself. She was angry... No, judging by the flaming of her hair and the ferocity with which it lashed about in the air above her, she was fuming.
"What the hell?!" She shoved Harry sharply in the chest, sending him back a few steps with a confused expression. "Do you and Sienna just wander around starting fights, you GIT! I knew something was up with Taseia, I knew it, but she wouldn't tell me! But I saw all those dirty glances Sienna kept shooting around, don't think I didn't." Her upper lip curled back. "Seth and Kairn wouldn't tell me, though I think they knew something, but thanks to you I have it all figured out." She crossed her arms sharply over her chest, fingers clenching and unclenching on the fabric of her robe at her elbows. "I don't blame Kairn. I would've beat the shit out of you too, and I hope he did!"
Harry wasn't taking this sitting down. "Excuse me?! You didn't hear some of the stuff Kairn said to Sienna! I didn't want to fight and I regret some of the things I said, but I'm not going to let him go around talking to people like that. Just because he's a year older than us doesn't mean he can shove everyone around, alright!"
Faellen, not easily distracted, though curious about the age thing took a menacing step forward, smoking tresses going up another foot in the air, crackling loudly. "It wasn't any of your business, Harry! That was between them, so get your nose out of it! Just because you were the accidental hero as a baby doesn't mean you have to stick up for everyone. Sienna's two years older than you, which is one year older than Kairn. I think she can take care of HERSELF! Thank you," she clipped her voice sharply, and Harry winced, rubbing his forehead.
He knew when he'd been beaten, though he was still scowling darkly. Faellen wasn't done, though, she had only started her tirade. "Why is Kairn a year older than us? Why isn't he a second year?"
Harry made a face and seemed as though he wasn't going to answer but Fael's hair spat out a few sparks and he gave in. "Because he stayed with his mum an extra year! Hagrid told me about it!"
Faellen wanted to hit him with something hard. Why had she wasted those textbooks on Kairn? Harry had all these people slobbering all over his feet and telling him everything about everyone. He doesn't need to know, thanks! This is their private life. This was slightly hypocritical of her as she was drilling him for information, but she didn't think about that. "Why?!"
Harry made another face. "Because his dad's dead and she has to work almost all day everyday! Happy!"
Faellen's hair recoiled a few feet, and her face lost most of its animosity. "No..." She answered simply. Of course she wasn't happy. His dad was dead? His mom had to work all the time? Faellen didn't have parents she knew of. But she'd been to foster homes, and though they never kept her long, at least they'd been there. But she always felt luckier than some of the kids. Every night in the dormitories you could hear at least one person crying himself or herself to sleep, those quiet little sobs, muffled by covers or pillows. Every night; because they were wishing that they had their mother of their father there to tuck them in or say they loved them. But that was why they were here. Because their parents didn't do that. They were here because they're parents had been there, yes, but not enough... Faellen was almost relieved she hadn't known her parents. She couldn't miss them if there was nothing to miss...
Harry's anger deflated as he saw her face fall and her hair flickered once and then settled back into a solid form. He took a hesitant step forward. Faellen only stared at the ground, diligently studying her toes. She lifted her head suddenly. "Why is Kairn's dad dead?" She lifted her brows in almost a pleading gesture, which was so out of the ordinary for Faellen Harry didn't exactly know what to say. So Kairn hadn't told anyone... He didn't blame him. Who wants that hanging over their head? In an almost desperate attempt to patch things over indirectly, Harry shook his head, shrugging. If Kairn didn't want them to know, Harry wouldn't tell them. "I don't know, Faellen..."
Faellen waved a hand listlessly. "Call me Fael."
Harry grinned gingerly. "Okay... Fael."
Faellen gave a little laugh, shaking her head in exasperation. "You don't have to use it in every sentence," she said with a grin.
Harry was only too pleased to see she was moving on quickly from their spat (he supposed she wasn't the type to dwell on things), grinning sheepishly. "Okay!"
She gave another laugh and they wandered off again, talking in low voices about this and that.
* * *
A/N: Tadaa! Finite! Bit of a shorter chapter, though, but it was full so I left it at that. Kairn, Kairn, Kairn... What are you getting yourself tangled up in, my boy? Can't wait for Mirillen to get more involved. I like her, actually, her char that is. She had a way of getting to people, making them understand. With Kairn especially, due to the connections she had with his father, which will be clarified later.
