Chapter Eight: Of Friendships and Feedings
Disclaimer: Aside from the original characters in part or whole I don't own them, don't sue me, and don't hex me. Enjoy
Author's Note: This chapter contains a very sensuous feeding, if you don't like it I'm sorry.
"If I didn't know you better I'd think you were trying to seduce me Wynters…" I rolled my eyes as Ayden, once again decided to tease me. Though few people knew about it, there was a secret passage from the library up to the seventh floor, near my corridor. The entrance in the Library was guarded by a rose portrait, while up on the seventh floor it was guarded by a cemetery scene.
"If that's what you'd like, I'll willingly oblige Ayden, though you'd have to settle for blonde tonight not ginger…" I smirked at her as she half glared at me over her shoulder, turning to the portrait to give the password.
"Wahre Freundschaft," I followed her into the passageway amused with her random mutterings in German. Ayden and I had a very strange friendship, but it was strong and true, which is why her willingly allowing me to feed from her regularly was so special. Since she was a willing participant it didn't at all hurt her, in fact my feeding from her was as pleasurable as she wanted it to be. At first it was a bit odd, in fact it had started off as an accident, it had been a really rainy day but Ayden being on the Slytherin Quidditch team still had to practice. We had agreed to meet in the Library, near the rose portrait actually, it's in the middle of the poetry section which means unless its Valentine 's Day no one ever wanders over to it. She had been scratched up during practice but had come to meet me anyway after a shower and getting some basic healing. We sat and talked quietly about our days, I was helping her with a Potions essay when she somehow managed to reopen a wound on her arm. It wasn't particularly deep, but it bled quickly and being a vampire I couldn't help myself. I grabbed her arm and licked the wound clean, before sucking lightly on it until it closed. The look of total surprise on Ayden's face was classic, even now she wears it when I feed from her; it's rather pretty on her to be honest.
While that incident could have been the end of our friendship, it only cemented us as better friends, it helps that neither of us has a problem getting that intimate with one another. While neither of us identifies as gay, the thought doesn't scare us, it made feedings much more fun for the both of us, and it had proven to be a good stress reliever so far.
We had reached the end of the passageway and Ayden was listening to make sure no one could see us as mostly Gryffindors made their way passed the portrait to go up to their common room. I realized we wouldn't be able to open the portrait without gaining attention so I decided on getting Ayden back for her teasing.
"Bloody Gryffindors in the way…" I smirked as she muttered and pressed her ear to the portrait to better hear them. We would have to time ourselves with a lull in the crowd, plenty of time to rile her up.
"Oh come now Ayden, you have quite the soft spot for Gryffindors in your Slytherin heart…" I pressed against her, hands on her hips my head tilted as if I too were listening for the Gryffindors to pass. We both know it's a ruse, as my hand ran lightly along her side.
Ayden glared at me halfheartedly as she tried to suppress the shivers, and I only smirked, tugging just slightly on her jumper to reveal her un-tucked shirt and soft skin. I could feel her heart beat quicken and heard her breathing hitch slightly.
"So do you Isabella…or have you forgotten Oliver?" I traced my nails lightly along her skin and narrowed my eyes at her slightly; I have always admired her ability to keep up a conversation while I was trying to work her up to feed from.
"Can't forget him even when I try, but we're not talking about that right now…rather your affinity for one Fred Weasley…" I brought my other hand up to rest on her hip as well, using both to rub gently, occasionally running my nails along her skin. I watched her shiver as I ran my nails along the small of her back, her ear still to the portrait.
Ayden is about four inches taller than I am, though I'm always in heeled shoes so it doesn't always seem it. I easily rested my cheek on her shoulder, watching the emotions playing out in her vibrant green eyes. I wrapped my arms around her waist, running my nails along her flat stomach in slow movements and smiled as she let out a soft almost purr.
"He'll be the end of me I swear. I can't help but like him, and not just because I shouldn't, Fred's never judged me by anything other than my character, even after we were sorted into rival houses. He promised me on the train we'd still be friends no matter what…and …" Ayden moaned softly as I teased just under her bra and I finished her sentence.
"He's always kept his promise…Aye I understand the value of that…but if he breaks your heart, I'm breaking his arm." I smirked as she half glared at me again, the effect of course being ruined by the smile on her face.
"Don't know whose friendship is more dangerous, his or yours…" I stopped the rest of her sentence with a soft kiss to the lips and pulled my arms back.
"As long as you don't volunteer to test any of his inventions, probably mine….vampire violent streak and all. I think we're good to go now…" I swatted her rear gently and teased her again by licking her cheek.
"Bloody vampire…" She snorted and rubbed her cheek on her shoulder to wipe it clean before leaning into the portrait and stepping out into the corridor. I followed incredibly amused to see her fighting the blush that had planted itself from her neck to her hairline while we were in the darkened passage.
I blinked at her innocently and tilted my head heading down the corridor towards the entrance to my rooms, Ayden followed leisurely hands on her bag's straps. This time we were greeted by a raven haired witch in flowing blue robes. She smiled at us and tilted her head as I gave her the password.
"I'd give almost anything to have a room like this at home…" I watched as Ayden dropped her bag by the armchair and pulled her robes off. Sitting she stretched out putting her feet up on the coffee table.
"To do what with exactly, you spend more time outside at home than most people I know. Granted with damn good reason, but still…" I pulled my robes off and pulled off my shoes, sitting on the couch to take off my stockings.
"Good point…I'm going to take a shower…" I nodded as she stood and headed for my bedroom, though I was hungry I could wait for her to shower. I went into my room and threw my robes and stockings into my laundry basket, pulling off the rest of my uniform before looking for something to change into. I settled on a pair of green shorts Ayden had gotten me for my birthday, and a blue baby doll tee I had gotten on my last trip to the Wynters estate.
"Let's see then…" I walked back to the common room and settled onto the couch, pulling the leather bound book into my lap. I ran a hand along the front cover, reveling in the contrasts of materials. The leather was soft but firm, the silver leafing cool to the touch, and the velvet offered an interesting contrast between the two.
I opened the book and found it at first blank; I tilted my head in confusion before I realized there was a muffled sound coming from the book. I closed it again looking down at the cover to see a portrait of a haughty looking man.
"Took the wench long enough to notice me here…" I glared at the portrait and it only scoffed at me.
"I'm not a wench you badly drawn Casanova copycat…" he raised an eyebrow at me and turned to face me, I had to admit he looked vaguely familiar and there was no actual malice in his face, though there was annoyed amusement in his look.
"Well you are a woman…so why have you borrowed my book?" He waited for my response, and I studied him closely for a moment before responding.
"I am a woman, but not a wench, my name is Isabella Wynters and I borrowed your book to learn more about vampire customs, real ones." I was trying to keep my temper in check, since arguing with a book usually leads you nowhere.
"Wynters you say? They have not bred a woman in centuries, a turned vampire then? And judging by where I am kept a witch as well, another reason as to why I would call you wench just for my amusement." I pointed my wand at the book, amused by his offended look.
"You sound familiar…you wouldn't happen to be the same annoying vampire count whose portrait hangs at the Wynters estate are you?" I glared at him, the tip of my wand on his drawn nose.
"Depends, I hear there are quite a few portraits at the Wynters estate." He tilted his had slightly and I lowered my wand slightly, as he had a good point.
"Count Lucian I believe…" I couldn't help but smirk as he betrayed a very pleased look to have me recognize him.
"Indeed, well you seem worthy of my help, so what do you need Isabella?" He nodded and gestured for me to open the book, which I did and found the pages filled with ink and letters.
"I've recently been having trouble with my enhanced sense of smell. I can't block them out as well as I used to…and well…I react differently to one…" I squirmed as a look of amusement came onto Count Lucian's face.
"Well…let us start with basics shall we? How old are you and when were you turned?" In the pages I could see his features better; he had shoulder length blond hair, and piercing black eyes.
"I'm 18 I was turned in 1980." I nodded at him and he rubbed his chin thoughtfully before making the pages turn, about a quarter through the book.
"Hm, being a witch this means you are a half breed, lucky girl then. Though I imagine the bite stopped your growth for a while and they gave you a potion to speed along your growth to match your age." I nodded as I saw him walk onto the page on the left, he pointed to the chapter on the right. I could feel my eyes grow as I read the title and groaned slightly.
"So you're saying…I'm reacting this way because my vampire instincts want me to find a mate?" I frowned and read over the words on the page opposite Count Lucian.
"No, I am saying you need to read this entire section, but if you are asking me for my personal opinion based on what you explain, I would say you have already found your mate." I stopped my reading and glared at him, of course the drawing could care less.
"How do you know? Couldn't it just be due to stress that my senses are a bit haywire?" I pushed my hair back from my face, watching the drawing closely.
"I suppose it could be possible; however I do not think that is the problem. Tell me, when this scent is near does your mind automatically try and push you to be near it physically? Does it cause everything else to dampen in comparison, such as other's voices? When you catch a whiff of it without the person being around do you automatically want to go find them? If there's been some time since you last saw them, do you start to feel ill?" I could feel my cheeks blushing brightly and glared at the drawing though I didn't answer right away.
"Bloody hell…aye those things happen…" He smirked at me and raised an eyebrow crossing his arms as I leaned back on the couch.
"What is the problem then? Many vampires go decades before being able to find their mates…You found yours at 18…" Count Lucian looked at me utterly bewildered and I sighed heavily, the throbbing in my head coming back.
"That I don't know what to do? What am I supposed to do, go up to the boy and say: 'Hey Oliver you're my mate so just stick to me like glue?' I mean I don't even know what to tell him if he were to start asking me what I mean about him being my mate, I don't even know what it means fully." I sighed again and rubbed my temples slowly, hunger pains starting again.
"Relax Isabella that is why I told you to read this entire section. It will answer your many questions, and will help you be able to deal with what your body is putting you through. You do have someone to feed from, right child?" I was slightly touched that the haughty Count actually cared and nodded.
"I do, my friend she's taking a shower." I nodded towards my room and actually started to laugh at the Count's flustered reaction.
"Well make sure to leave me near the bedroom, I would love a bit of a show…" He wiggled his eyebrows at me suggestively and I rolled my eyes, using my wand to summon a bookmark before closing the book soundly.
"Forgot I am also on the cover, wench?" He snorted quite annoyed at me from the cover but I just smiled at him and flipped the book over. Just in time too as Ayden walked into the common room.
"Who were you talking to Isabella?" Ayden walked out into the common room in her green plaid flannel pajama pants and grey tank top, her hair was still wet and I playfully growled at her, causing her to blush as she dropped onto the couch next to me. I happen to like those pants on her, they're actually rather low on her hips, and the tank top clung to her nicely.
"Count Lucian…Madame Pince thought I would benefit from this book…with my sudden inability to focus some of my…gifts." I sighed and leaned back, glaring at the book.
"What's it about then?" She leaned over to get a look at the book and I ran my nails along her back gently teasing the exposed skin at the small of her back, causing her to shiver next to me.
"Vampires…Count Lucian was one of the few full vampires who also knew about turned vampires from magical families. They were at one point the most common turned, at least that's what the Wynters told me when they explained some of the changes I would go through. They did however leave out some things…" I sighed and leaned back into the couch.
"Uh oh sounds like trouble in paradise; I'm guessing you've had a bit of a falling out with them if you're resorting to a book rather than just ask the Wynters elders themselves." Ayden checked the spine of the book for the title but put it back, face down as I had left it and turned to look at me.
"Aye…remember how last year I came of age in the wizarding world? Well I wanted to know more about my family, before I was turned, because I hardly have any memories of that time. The elders told me they would look into what information they could gather on my family, as by the time we had moved to Ireland it was just mum and I." I sighed and pushed my hair back finally filling in my friend on everything that had happened over the summer.
"Well did they find anything out about your family then?" Ayden flipped her hair out of her face, being short it was mostly dry now.
"Did they ever…when I was turned the Wynters gave me the clan name as my surname, to establish I was their responsibility, but also to protect me presumably. A family friend of my mother's and surrogate uncle to me told her I had been attacked by a rogue vampire, but before anything else could be decided she died of shock, I think she assumed I was dead, being only 5 at the time. From what the Wynters were able to find out, she had been rather ill since my father had been killed, the news was too much for her to bear and her heart simply gave out. The bite hadn't killed me just drained me and so the Wynters clan decided to take me in, and turned me to save my life. My given name and the name the Ministry would have of me on record is Isabella Rose Prince." I watched my friend as she listened attentively.
"Prince…why does that sound vaguely familiar?" Ayden tilted her head, giving me a spectacular view of her pretty neck and the veins just under the soft flesh. I growled gently, eyes focused on her pulse point.
"It's an old pureblood family name here in Britain, my father, Thomas Prince, was the last male born to the Prince line. According to what the Wynters found out, he had an older sister, Eileen Prince, both were apparently disowned, she married a muggle, and my mother happened to be muggle born. Eileen had a son though…" I hesitated and drew in a breath.
"A son, do they know what happened to him or who he is?" Ayden's eyes shone with curiosity and though I knew I could trust her with my life, and often did, I still decided to swear her to secrecy.
"Aye…promise you won't tell a soul Ayden, swear it on your life." My tone and look were serious and I watched her swallow thickly before answering me.
"I swear Isabella…" She had the beginnings of a frown forming on her face, not from the vow but from trying to figure out who it could be that I would swear her to secrecy.
"Eileen Prince married a man named Tobias…Snape. Her only son's name is Severus Sebastian Snape." I watched Ayden's eyes grow and her jaw go slightly slack, I nodded and gave her a few moments as she processed the information.
"Our Snape, Hogwarts Potions Professor Snape? You're Professor Snape's cousin?" Ayden looked shocked as she leaned back slightly on the couch, resting her arm on the armrest behind her.
"Aye…though we both agree because of the age difference I can call him Uncle…" I eyed Ayden lounging on my couch and smirked knowing all the stress I've been carrying around is about to get some relief.
"Shite, that explains why he seemed so concerned about you when you were burned…and you two do have some mannerisms in common. I just figured it was coincidence, but now that you tell me this…" Her doll lips are smirking at me right now, green eyes mischievous, she must have caught me staring at her position not that I really care at this point.
"Oh, like what mannerisms?" I raised an eyebrow and repositioned myself to face her on the couch, one leg drawn to my chest.
"You glower similarly, use sarcasm like a second language, can brew pretty damn complicated potions with presumable ease, granted that may just be talent, and I've yet to meet anyone with a better poker face than either of you, and I'm actually in Slytherin house." I snorted in amusement as she listed things off, I shifted my weight and slowly crawled over her, pinning her to the couch.
"Is that so? Well there are a few things I imagine I do not share with my cousin…for example, the ability to render you speechless…" I smirked as I watched her body shift, chest rising quickly as her breathing picked up.
Ayden went to open her mouth to say something when I ran a hand slowly up her side, under her tank top, nails tracing slowly along the soft flesh. She gasped slightly and I smirked wider, lying on top of her and quickly grabbing hold of her right wrist. I lowered my mouth to her collar bone and slowly kissed along it, occasionally licking at the clean skin until I made my way up to her ear.
"Of course that ability is paired with an ability to make you emit delicious sounds from that pretty mouth of yours." I whispered slowly into her ear, using the tip of my tongue along the edge of her ear, tracing over her earrings before gently tugging on her earlobe.
As if she had been trying to prove my statement wrong I felt her buck under me, trying to push me off, and considering Ayden is a chaser on the Slytherin team, I know if she had put her strength into it I'd be on my ass by now on the floor. Of course she hadn't put all of her strength into it and had only managed to grind up against me, an action that paired with my light biting at her earlobe backfired on her and made her moan in pleasure.
"Aye…like those…though you can make so many more sounds for me…" I hadn't let go of her right wrist, her wand hand can be dangerous at times and I was not about to take any chances, though her left hand is free and is currently running up my back to grip my shoulder.
I shifted my weight on her again, effectively straddling her hips as I trailed kisses down her jawline and neck, licking, nipping and sucking at the skin to cause pleasure shocks to run through her. Since I fed from Ayden so regularly I was rather in tune to her body and what she liked, which showed as I left a faint trail of hickeys along her porcelain skin and had her squirming under me. I moved to capture her lips with mine and let go of her wrist, her hand instinctively coming to lie on my back, pressing me closer as I deepened the kiss.
Anise and strawberries forever remind me of Ayden, one because she loves licorice, and two because that's what her kisses taste like. A mix of strawberries with a faint hint of anise, it mixed with her scent as I slipped my hand further up her shirt cupping gently at her breast. She gasped and I chuckled against her lips, slowly working my hand against the soft flesh, her eyes looked like molten emerald pools as I worked her up slowly, I loved stoking her desire.
"Isabella…" I growled in response to how she moaned out my name, moving my lips from hers and bringing my other hand under her shirt as well. I shifted my weight grinding against her and making her buck her hips, moving myself a bit lower, attacking her collarbone again with rougher kisses and bites, though not breaking skin yet. She whimpered and I smirked against her skin, moving my hands further to push her shirt up, blowing cool air across her bare chest.
Ayden panted and whimpered watching me through hazy eyes that begged for more, there was a blush covering her face and down her neck; I playfully licked a straight line from her navel to her lips kissing her deeply until I heard her moan.
"I believe…now would be a good time to head to bed…" I smirked and slowly got off of her, gently pulling her along with me. Amused with the half coherent and semi disgruntled German she was muttering behind me. I flicked my wand and the covers of my bed were turned down along with the candles, Ayden squealed slightly as I swatted at her rear while she crawled onto my bed having discarded her flannel pajama bottoms, I took a moment to pull off my shorts, seeing it would only be fair.
"Oi stop teasing Isabella…" I could just make out her pout as my eyes adjusted to the darkness in my room and I laughed softly, once again crawling over her. I didn't answer her only pressed my lips to hers and pushed her slowly back onto the bed; she deepened the kiss as I slipped my hands back under her shirt.
I repositioned myself so our legs were entwined and as I sucked gently at the pulse point on her neck I rubbed our thighs together. She gasped lightly and arched up against me, she was nearly there, and I felt my canines extend slightly. I shifted and pressed my thigh against her, already there was a wet spot on her panties and I smirked against her neck. I moved my leg enough to rub my thigh against her and felt her hips moving back to grind on me. I could feel her temperature rising, her skin would be flushing from her head to her toes from the mounting pleasure. I let my hands wander, teasing her nipples, my mouth however did not move from her neck a deep hickey forming now.
Ayden grinded harder against me and I felt her hand run up my back to tangle in my hair. I bit then, sinking my fangs quickly into her pulsing vein, I heard her gasp and moan, grinding faster. I could taste her pleasure as the first rush of blood coated my tongue, most people describe as blood having a copper smell and taste, but that's not how it works for a vampire.
I can taste people in their blood, taste what they're currently feeling, if they're healthy or not, happy or sad, their blood carries it. Ayden is quite happy at the moment; shocks of pleasure running through her body make her blood taste tangy on my tongue. I slip one of my hands under her panties and help her grinding. Her hips stop for a moment and buck again when my fingers reach their goal. She moans louder, pleasure now building faster in her as I take another deep drink, this is enough to drive her over the edge and I hear her scream her pleasure.
The taste of her blood changes when she crosses into bliss like this, it becomes hotter, thicker and tangier, as she sucks in deeper breaths her body shuddering in pleasure still. I pull back from her neck slowly, two puncture marks catching my eye in the dim light of the candles, blood starting to trickle down her neck. I trace my tongue slowly across the marks, cleaning the blood off and closing the wounds. I feel Ayden shiver under me, breathing hard, the hand she had tangled in my hair falling to the bed, her body exhausted. I kiss at her neck softly, knowing it's tender and remove my hands from under her shirt and panties. I smile at her lovingly as her eye catches mine before I reach over to the night stand.
I grab a thick vial and take out the stopper, tilting it to her lips and coaxing her to drink it. Though I never drank so much blood from Ayden that she couldn't replenish it on her own, I always gave her a blood replenishing potion to aide in the process. Granted getting her to drink it has always been a bitch, though a good coaxing method is simply to rub my thigh against her again, causing her to gasp and swallow the potion before choking. She didn't put up too much resistance though and eagerly drank the potion, which worried me. With a lazy wave of my wand the candles sprang into full life and I looked over my friend.
Ayden lay panting in my bed, eyes still hazy as her body coursed with pleasure still, she was paler than usual as I had drunk from her, but it was the bruise I had left on her neck that caused me despair.
Ayden's neck not only had lingering small hickeys, but also a deep one where I had teased her pulse point and bitten, I had drunk a bit too deep from her. With renewed vigor I sat up, untangling my legs from hers and pulled her body easily further up on my bed so she lay comfortably on my pillows.
"Ayden…luv look at me…focus…" My voice was soothing and calm, not wanting to startle her. It took her a moment to focus her eyes on mine; her face showed relaxed pleasure as I looked carefully for any signs of pain.
"Mm Isabella…that felt really good…all that pressure, stress everything built up in me, repressed desire for Fred…you just let all of that out…it made pretty colors in my eyes. I'm so tired now 'bella…" I listened to her and gently ran a hand through her dyed hair; I pushed it from her face and nodded. As long as nothing hurt she would be okay, I had to be more careful though, I didn't want to cause her pain from feeding from her.
"It's okay Ayden…sleep now, nothing hurts right?" I pulled the covers around us, still half sitting as I watched Ayden yawn and stretch, her neck not seeming to bother her at all.
"Mm nothing hurts, neck is sore, but always is when you're hungry…" Her eyes fluttered but she still managed to smirk at me cheekily.
"Here Ayden, this will help you sleep and heal…" I reached for the sleeping potion I usually took, and tilted less than half passed Ayden's parted lips. She swallowed and smiled, reaching a hand up to my cheek.
"You're a great friend Isabella…and I love you…not like I love Fred…but I do love you…" I smiled and leaned in kissing her softly as her eyes fluttered again and she fell into an easy sleep. I sighed and shook my head sitting up next to her and leaning back against the headboard.
I pushed my hair back slowly, I could never sleep right after I had fed, there's just too much energy in me. I let my mind wander as I listened to the soft sounds of my best friend sleeping next to me. My body is assimilating the blood I had just taken in and so my thoughts feel like they're rushing around at top speed. I traced my fangs with my tongue slowly, the lingering taste of Ayden's blood making me smile. Soon my thoughts turned to deep chocolate eyes and a Scottish rogue, my stomach flipped and I felt light headed. I knew I'd have to read the chapter Count Lucian had pointed out, but for the first time I can admit part of me wants it to be true, I want to be with Oliver, but the other part dreads it, because it means I have to tell him I'm a half breed.
I don't know if I can live seeing disgust in those deep chocolate eyes. I let out a long sigh and reached for the rest of the sleeping potion, downing it quickly and putting my wand on my bedside table after extinguishing the candles completely. I curled up behind Ayden, wrapping my arms around her waist and nuzzling her neck gently.
"Mm Fred?" I blinked and smiled as I realized my friend must be dreaming of her crush, I can't help but hope Fred realizes Ayden likes him soon, they'd make such a cute couple. I didn't have time to think anything else as I fell asleep holding close to my best friend, Count Lucian's words in my head.
I woke up an hour before I needed to still holding Ayden's sleeping body to me. Her breathing was normal and she hadn't complained all night, so I figured in my feeding I must have jerked and my fangs caused blood to pool under skin, resulting in the angry bruise on her neck. I kissed her shoulder gently and removed myself from her and the bed; I made sure to cover her back up again and headed for the bathroom. I stripped out of my remaining clothes and started the shower, stepping in and standing a few minutes under the hot spray.
Everything feels different after a feeding; things feel more vibrant and alive for a few hours since the renewed energy coursing through my body making my senses sharper. I reached for my shampoo and started lathering up my hair, lost to my thoughts. I rinsed out the shampoo and lathered up my body, scrubbing until I was slightly pink, I applied conditioner to my hair and let it set for a few minutes as I thought over my options.
'I need to make a quick batch of bruise removal for Ayden, she can't walk around with those hickeys all day, she'd kill me. I'll have to finish reading the chapters Count Lucian pointed out, and I should probably make an effort to talk to Uncle Severus today. He's pretty much the only family I have outside of the Wynters, and…I will eventually have to stop giving the Wynters the silent treatment…' I sighed and started rinsing out the conditioner from my hair, eyes closing as I rubbed my scalp slowly. 'I wonder if Oliver is up…or if I have classes or free periods with him today. Granted he is fanatical about Quidditch, he's probably already started training with his team…maybe if it's not too sunny today I can go down to the training grounds and watch him. Ayden's always going on about what a great keeper he is, and how much fun Quidditch and flying are.' I finished rinsing out my hair and finished up my shower, closing the faucet and stepping out into my bathroom. I reached for my fluffy rose towel, grabbing a white one to wrap around my hair for a bit as I dried myself. I crossed back into my room, taking care to be as quiet as possible and got dressed in my uniform; I just put on panties, a bra, shirt, skirt and socks heading for the common room. I sat on the couch and sighed pointing my wand at my hair to dry it completely, before I reached for book I realized I just spent a good fifteen to twenty minutes thinking about Oliver. 'Shite…this crush can't be normal'
I pushed my hair back and turned the book over, opening it to where I had left the bookmark. Count Lucian lounged on the page and merely waved a hand in greeting before settling back to…well whatever it is he's actually doing while lounging on the page. Maybe he's not in the mood to antagonize me, at least not just yet, I decide not to say anything and offer the drawing a half smile before turning my eyes to the words on the next page. I read silently, only the turning of the pages and the sound of the fire being heard. I sigh and put the book back on the coffee table after fifteen minutes of reading the chapters.
I got off the couch and set up my cauldron, mixing the ingredients for the bruise removal potion. It was a relatively quick potion to make, and I wanted to stop the thoughts in my head so I cleared it and focused on getting the right color and consistency. I needed to let the potion simmer for at least fifteen minutes, so I removed the ladle after stirring it one last time and headed over to the arm chair.
Before I could properly sit down the door to my bedroom flew open and Ayden stumbled out, tears in her eyes and looking wildly around. She had her wand gripped firmly in her hand and had a very clear look of having been startled out of her sleep by something.
"Ayden!" At my voice her eyes focused and looked at me for a moment before rushing over and wrapping her arms around me.
"Isabella, I woke up and you weren't there and I had this awful dream and…and…and…" I pulled Ayden with me towards the couch and sat, holding her close and murmuring softly to try and calm her down. Every now and then Ayden would have nightmares, I'm not entirely sure where they came from but they did and she would react much in the same way. I rubbed her back gently in slow circles and sang softly:
Hush Little Baby (Celtic Woman Version)
Hush little baby don't say a word
Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird
And if that mockingbird won't sing
Mama's gonna buy you a diamond ring
So hush little baby don't you cry
Your papa loves you
And so do I
So hush little baby don't you cry
Your papa loves you
And so do I
I listened to her humming along and smiled, kissing the top of her head as I hugged her gently.
"I'm sorry Ayden, I shouldn't have left you asleep like that, I forgot I hadn't given you dreamless sleep potion last night." I ran my fingers through her hair and watched as she settled her head on my lap quietly.
"It's okay Isabella…nightmares always go away…" Ayden's voice was soft and I just let her stay curled up on the couch with her head in my lap. We spent a few minutes that way, just listening to each other's breathing, the fire and the gentle bubbling of the potion I had left simmering. I sang the lullaby again, making her smile against my thigh.
"You should sing more often…I think I'm going to shower and get dressed…" Her voice sounded a bit more like she usually does and she sat up slowly and laid her head on my shoulder for a moment. I rubbed my cheek against her hair slowly and kissed her forehead.
"I'll see what I can do; I doubt my singing down the corridors would be beneficial to anyone…The cream should be done by the time you're out, it will heal your bruises." I half smirked at her as she stood and nodded looking back at my with a slightly sad look still lingering in her eyes.
"I'm sorry I bruised you so badly Ayden…" I frowned and stood to rub her cheek and neck gently; she smiled and raised an eyebrow at me.
"It's okay, I know you didn't do it on purpose, and hell it was much needed fun. I'll be out in a bit, and then we can head down for breakfast." I nodded and watched her go back into my bedroom, leaving the door open. I hated that she had nightmares, but it hurt more to feel so impotent about them, I didn't know what caused them so I couldn't do anything about them.
I sighed and shook my head, going to check on the potion, I ladled a bit and checked the consistency, rubbing a bit on a bruise I had on my arm just to watch it disappear. I smiled slightly and summoned a large round jar from my potions cabinet, filling it with potion and labeling it meticulously with Ayden's name. I smiled and set the jar on the coffee table before bottling the rest of the creamy potion for my own use. I had gone back to humming as I worked, making sure to get as much potion as possible out of the cauldron before I cleaned it.
I sat heavily on the couch, trying to focus my thoughts; they flitted between worry for Ayden and musings of Oliver. I can't help but wonder if I have classes with him today, though I know my first period is potions. I push my hair back and sigh heavily, according to the book there were a few ways to check if he really was my mate, but I wasn't sure what to do. Then there was the whole situation with Professor Snape, part of me feels I should open up to him more, especially since part of the reason I was fighting with the Wynters was because they hadn't wanted me to know I was related to him.
The Headmaster had urged me to get to know him for myself because only then could I show the Wynters whether or not they were right in their mistrust of him. Though I'm sure there's some amount of justifiable worry from the Wynters, while I was not a full vampire, the Wynters clan was all I had. They were the only family I knew since I was five, and considering that part of being turned at such an early age is not being able to remember your life before then, at least not well, I didn't have any other notions of family. Granted I occasionally dreamt of a kind woman, who I have always thought is my mother since I can't place her, singing lullabies to me in an odd accented voice I've always found calming and beautiful. Those dreams didn't count though; they weren't tangible when I was awake.
I know deep down the Wynters are acutely aware that I don't fully belong to their world as similar as it may be to my own. I had never stopped being a witch, and the wizarding world is my home, though it has often felt foreign to me. While I had no family other than them, they at least knew I would always seek them out, and I would always be part of their lives. Now there was a very real threat in the form of a blood relative, who could very well take me away. Granted I'm of age, and therefore could very well move away if I so felt the need, but I do understand their worry; my lack of communication with them is probably not helping matters.
I shook my head and summoned some parchment and my quill, penning two quick notes. One to the Headmaster asking him if he would be so kind as to lend me Fawkes sometime to get a message to the Wynters, the other to Professor Snape, asking him when would be the best time to speak with him. I smirked remembering the look on his face when I told him the title of the book I would be checking out of the restricted section. I have a feeling discussing what is happening to me in detail would permanently scar the man, so I pull out another piece of parchment and pen a third letter, to Professor McGonagall. Still smirking I wave my wand, a soft chiming noise being produced as I open a window in the common room.
A few minutes pass by as I idly flip the pages of Count Lucian's book, before my heightened hearing picks up the faint sound of rushing air. I can't help but smile as I watch a beautiful barn owl glide silently in through the open window and land gracefully on the coffee table.
"Good morning Midnight…" Her beautiful eyes turned to me as if to contest that statement and I held back a snort. I reached out and ran my fingers through her soft feathers slowly, offering her owl treats with my other hand.
"I'm sorry I've not called you sooner, but I have a different schedule now. Do you think you could deliver these letters for me; the first for the Headmaster, the second to Professor McGonagall and the third to Professor Snape, as soon as possible if you would?" I held each letter up for her to inspect before she flapped her wings once and opened her beak. I smiled and gave them to her, rubbing her head gently before she took off.
"Aw did I miss Midnight?" Ayden smiled walking over in her uniform, her slacks covering her feet as she sat next to me to put on her socks.
"Aye, she just left…" I leaned my head on my hand and watched her, my hair cascading over my shoulder slowly.
"Damn, you should have kept her around for a bit longer. Haven't seen her since the summer." I rolled my eyes and watched her amused, Ayden was the only girl I knew at Hogwarts that refused to wear the skirt uniform. She did however pull off the boys' slacks with a sort of androgynous grace that most people lacked. She finished lacing up her shoes and we made our way down to the Great Hall for breakfast. We took our time as we were still early for breakfast.
"Do you have any classes with Oliver today?" Ayden smirked at me as we walked down the stairs slowly. I snorted slightly in response, pushing my hair back slowly as I readjusted my bag.
"I don't know…I have Potions first, then Herbology, a free period, lunch, another free period and Ancient Runes today. I'm sure you've most of your classes with Fred…" I smirked as we made it to the Great Hall; playfully I poked her cheek as she blushed brightly.
"Three classes, I think...He's been acting a bit weird lately hasn't he?" She tilted her head slightly as we sat at her usual place at the Slytherin table; I snorted and held up my wand, realizing neither of us had put on makeup. I muttered the spell slowly as I gave Ayden her usual kohl lined eyes; she smiled at me as she pulled out her books and wand to return the favor. I closed my eyes allowing her to do my makeup for me; it took a bit longer as I wore more than just eyeliner, my scent was suddenly assaulted with the warm masculine scent I was quickly becoming addicted to.
"Morning lasses…" I wonder if Oliver's Scottish rogue becomes more pronounced in the morning naturally or if he knows it causes shivers to run through my body. I open my eyes to see Ayden smirking at me as Oliver comes to stand next to us a genuine smile on his face.
"Morning Oliver…" My eyes trace over his features without much thought from me, noticing his hair is still slightly damp, and his eyes haven't left me.
"You're up early Oliver, don't tell me you've started Quidditch try outs already…" Ayden smirked as food began to appear on the table, she didn't at all seem bothered by Oliver's slightly strange behavior.
"Worried that Gryffindor will kick your arse Vascott?" He smirked and finally turned to her, crossing his arms across his chest.
I rolled my eyes as they started their playful bickering, instead I pulled out my half-finished potions assignment from the night before, having fed from Ayden meant I'm not nearly as starved this morning. My eyes scanned over the questions and what I had already answered before I picked up my quill and started finishing my thoughts from the night prior. It didn't take long for me to be almost done, when I felt someone reading over my shoulder, I half tilted my head my eyes not leaving my parchment until my sentence was done to look up at Oliver.
"Do you have potions this morning Isabella?" Oliver's smile made my stomach quiver, as I tried to fight the sudden urge to press my lips against it.
"Aye, then Herbology, a free period, lunch, another free period and Ancient Runes, and detention with Professor Lupin before dinner…" I wasn't entirely sure why I rattled off my schedule without him asking but Oliver didn't seem to mind.
"I have Herbology as well today; meet you in the front hall after potions, if you wouldn't mind my walking with you I mean?" I couldn't help but smirk at his sudden nervousness, I imagine the sight of it, isn't helping matters as I can see Oliver swallow thickly.
"Sure, I always get confused with the Greenhouses…" My eyes focused for a moment on Oliver's lips as he licked them and then smiled at me, I'd love to trace my tongue along them…
"I'll see you then…" He started to retreat to the Gryffindor table, which had been slowly filling as we spoke, and I couldn't help but watch him. For a boy he was rather graceful as he moved, I found my eyes taking the sight of him in slowly as if etching his movements into my brain for future reference.
"Isabella…you're staring…" Ayden's voice was sharp and caught my attention as I turned my head to face her, the Slytherin table was slowly filling up as well, and a few of the students quickly averted their gaze from me.
"Well the lot of them can mind their own bloody business…" I snorted and picked up my tea slowly sipping it as I put my potions homework away. Ayden raised an eyebrow at me, watching me carefully as I glared at any Slytherin bold enough to look my way. Before she could speak the Great Hall was filled with the screeching of owls as the morning post came in. Midnight landed in front of me, dropping the mail next to my cup of tea and Ayden immediately offered her toast and rubbed her feathers.
"Traitor…" I playfully glared at her owl as Midnight cooed and snuggled against Ayden's hand. Midnight of course ignored me and continued to hoot softly at Ayden's affections. I couldn't help but laugh lightly and roll my eyes opening my mail slowly to read its contents.
The headmaster had offered Fawkes to make the trip to the Wynters estate over the weekend; Professor McGonagall sent word that I was welcome to take lunch with her in her office today if I wanted, and Professor Snape implored me to come to his office before class started. I snorted and sighed, putting my things away as I was done with breakfast.
"Where are you off to Isabella?" Ayden looked up from petting Midnight and reading over the Daily Prophet as I stood.
"Professor Snape would like a word…before class. I'll see you later Ayden, try to stay out of trouble…" I smirked and tousled her hair as I walked out of the Great Hall, ignoring the pull at my center wanting me to head for a certain Gryffindor.