Disclaimer: I own nothing. All content belongs to their owners except characters solely created by me.
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People fake a lot of human interactions, but I feel like I fake them all,
and I fake them very well. That's my burden, I guess. -Dexter
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Chapter Two
Aurelia laid in bed staring at the ceiling. A week had passed since classes had started and she was already bored. Everyone had fallen back into their old familiar patterns. Illythia flirting endlessly with older boys and relentlessly teasing the younger ones. Regulas Black tailing after Tom and speaking of the latter, the King of Slytherin always seemed to be disappearing into the night. It was not unusual for Tom to hardly find time for her, he was always too busy with coursework to bother himself with her. The boredom was irritating enough, but the older she got the more isolated she felt. Illythia only concerned herself with the latest gossip, and perfecting her housewife abilities, Regulas and his quidditch, and Tom maintaining his perfect reputation, she found herself growing more distant. Surely there was more to life than leaving school, getting married and spouting out children, only to bow to her husband's every whim.
The more she thought of it the more agitated she got. She knew her father was already working on marriage contracts it would only be a matter of time before he settled on one. Apparently I am to be handed off like cattle, branded by my husbands name, as if I have no worth on my own, she numbly thought to herself. But the thought festered deep within her. Suddenly she threw the blankets off her and quietly got out of bed. Her roommate, Lilith Zambini, lightly snored. She always was a heavy sleeper.
Changing into something more appropriate, she quietly left the room. Careful not to be too loud she wondered out of the dungeons and made her way to the astronomy tower. The night was always soothing, she could actually hear herself think for once. Walking down the dark corridors, she made sure to not be seen, she wasn't too keen on getting detention any time soon. Despite the vastness of Hogwarts, she always felt more at home there than in her own house. While she loved her family, it seemed they never fully understood her at all. She was never witty and sultry enough, like her sister, not athletic like Regulas or as well liked as Tom. She did have her academic skill, though that seemed to be overlooked. Women were meant to be seen, not heard. And still, she can see the disapproval in her mother's eyes for not being the "perfect housewife" like her sister. Despite how much she tried to push it down, because there was no point in wallowing in self pity, it still didn't soften the sting.
Reaching the Astronomy tower, she laid on her back and stared at the sky. The stars were especially bright that night. She liked astronomy, they told stories, the stories of those who became more than what was merely expected of themselves. It was stories where men ascended the mediocrity of humankind and became gods. One day, I will a way out of this meaningless existence. Suddenly an anger, a kind she never felt before, almost a desperation, began to claw at her, so strongly she nearly hyperventilated.
Get control of yourself for Merlin's sake. She thought viciously to herself, willing herself to calm down. Slightly unsettled by such an aggressive emotion, she quickly stood up and began to walk back to the dungeons. A feeling of unease washed over her and she turned around. The night sky turned orange, and clouds rolled so quickly she felt as if she were dreaming. Her unease increased tenfold as she watched the sky. Suddenly it was over, the night returned to normal, but the feeling that something was coming, settled deep within her.
Shaking her head slightly, you're acting like a scared little girl, she berated herself, and quickly made her way back to the dungeons.
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"I don't think I've ever heard of one,"
"I wonder what he's like,"
"Do you reckon he's taken?"
"I heard his whole family was killed,"
Aurelia sat down in the Great Hall. Apparently the whole room was abuzz with some news.
"What's happened?" She asked Lilith while pouring herself a cup of coffee.
"Didn't you hear?" The girl responded animatedly.
"Clearly, and that's why I'm asking you now," Aurelia answered tersely. She really did hate stupid questions.
"Obviously someone needs more of their beauty sleep," Illythia interjected. "Honestly Aurelia, did you even brush your hair this morning?" She finished snidely.
"I really suggest you refrain from such charming comments and actually get. to. the. point." She ground out to which Illythia merely rolled her eyes.
"Apparently we have a transfer student," Lilith responded.
"And he happens to be in our year!" Cassia Parkinson enthused.
"Oh for Merlin's sake Parkinson, stop drooling, he could be in Hufflepuff for all we know," Illythia replied haughtily.
"As if Hogwarts needs another worthless Puff," Aurelia said. "Honestly, I don't even understand why that House even exists, it's not as if they are producing anyone of worth." She finished poking at her food.
Suddenly Illythia laughed. "And here I was thinking you had lost your touch Sister," she said with a wicked smile.
"Well, obviously not much is known about him, only that he came here for protection against the war," Lilith said. "It's said that his whole family was murdered by Grindelwald's men."
"So his family's a supporter of muggle rights," Aurelia said tersely before turning to Parkinson. "If that's so, why are you so enamored by him." She demanded.
Parkinson blanched at her words.
"They're only rumors," she said shakily. "We have no idea what his values are," she defended quickly.
"Well until you know, I'd advise you to keep your silly comments to yourself before disrespecting this House," Aurelia replied coldly to which her sister smirked.
Suddenly the doors to Great Hall opened and Headmaster Dippet appeared with a young man following closely behind him. Whispers began again as they made their way to the front. It was obvious by the way the new student walked, he was not intimidated at all. A power seemed to exude from him, and Aurelia found herself curious. Quickly looking to the head of her table, Tom merely looked at the boy with mild interest.
The boy stood by Dippet's side as the two conversed. His hair was black, slightly messy, and his build like that of an athlete. Though covered by a pair of round glasses, his eyes seemed hard and unwavering, as if he was walking into war.
He was handsome. To deny that would make her a liar. But Aurelia never placed much thought on the attractiveness of a person, there were far more important things than how good looking a person was.
"Students of Hogwarts," Dippet's cheery voice rang out to the room. "I am very pleased to announce that we have the honor of housing a new student. Hadrian Evans will be finishing his next three years at our beloved school. Please do your best to make him feel at home," he finished before turning to the boy.
Slughorn then stood and exchanged words with Dippet before leading the boy to Slytherin table. Parkinson nearly choked on her food.
"See! I told you it was only rumors, he wouldn't be in Slytherin if he was a supporter of muggle rights!" She said enthusiastically.
"Careful Parkinson, it seems that there is a bit of drool oozing from the side of your mouth," Lilith said in return.
Slughorn walked over to Tom and introduced the two. Something in the way his eyes hardened when he laid eyes on Tom made Aurelia suspicious. After all, Tom was nothing short of charming, and it seemed this Evans was acting like a complete prat. It wasn't what he said or what he did, more just how his demeanor shifted to that of cold. If Tom caught on, he certainly didn't act like it.
She watched his eyes travel from the students of her house. And then his eyes were on her, and suddenly it was as if he was looking straight through her. His eyes shifted from hard and cold to something unfamiliar, it almost seemed longing. It was like something set off inside her, an emotion she couldn't quite grasp and quickly she felt her heart beating wildly in her chest. What the hell is wrong with you! But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't break eye contact. It was like a person was seeing who she really was for the first time.
"Aurelia,"
A voice finally cut off the connection.
Turning she found her friend looking at her strangely.
"Are you alright?" She asked softly.
"I'd say she's more than alright, considering she was just eye fucking him," Illythia spat out.
The same feeling of unease that washed over the previous night took root. And suddenly Illythia's foul mood meant nothing. She was finding it hard to breathe, looking at Tom he was staring at her with an unreadable expression on his face. Suddenly standing up, quite abruptly, "Excuse me," she mumbled and strode from the room quickly.
Reaching the girls bathroom she leaned against the cold stone, breathing heavily. Nausea swept through her. What the fuck was that! She couldn't seem to get a handle on herself. Hands shaking and palms sweating she tried to calm herself down. No one had ever looked at her like that, no one had ever evoked such emotions from her, not even Tom, and he knew her better than anyone.
Stumbling to the sinks, she splashed cold water on her face and gripped the sink. Staring into the mirror, her reflection was unsettling, her face ashen, and eyes were frenzied. Finally after taking some deep breaths, she calmed some. Looking back to the mirror, she couldn't help but notice that Illythia was right. She really did look awful.
Unacceptable.
Charming her hair, she set it in smooth curls and pulled the top half back with a ribbon and put color back to cheeks. Smoothing her school robes, she took one last glance in the mirror before striding out the door.
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Aurelia quickly took her seat in Potions. The classroom was abuzz with talk of Evans. The girls seemed to like that new bait had entered Hogwarts. She just rolled her eyes. Honestly, it was ridiculous. Soon the door opened and Tom walked in with Evans just behind him. It was clear, seeing as him being Head Boy, he was tasked with showing his newest house member where his classes were.
"Ah excellent!" Professor Durage spoke. "Do come in, why not take a seat with Miss Black, we are partnering up today and she is the only one without a partner."
Aurelia could have throttled the man. She didn't need a partner. They only got in the way.
Evans merely nodded before asking who Miss Black was. Durage quickly pointed in her direction and Evans seemed to hesitate slightly before making his way to her.
Sitting across from her, he eyed her strangely before pulling out his book.
"Miss Black, it's a pleasure to meet you," he said formally.
"Likewise," she replied shortly. "We're making Dreamless Sleep, I presume you know of it," she finished with a clipped tone.
"Of course," he replied as he began preparing the ingredients.
She realized fairly quickly he was quite talented at the subject. Very rarely did she come across someone who knew their way around potions with such ease other than Tom and herself.
"Do you like Potions," he asked breaking the silence.
"I suppose," she said with a shrug. "It's predictable, like most things."
"If only people were," he replied adding the ingredients in carefully.
"People are always predictable Evans," she stated flatly. "You only have to observe," she finished.
He looked up, regarding her with an unreadable expression.
"People are not as predictable as you seem to think Miss Black, everyone has secrets." he challenged leaning back in his chair. He eyed her intensely, to which she smirked some.
"Only people who have nothing to hide, and wish to look more interesting that what they are say that, Mr. Evans." She finished with a sneer.
"You're very blunt Miss Black, not to mention cynical," he replied smirking in return.
"The same could be said about you," she clipped stirring the potion lightly.
"Pardon, I am merely returning the same warmth you've extended me. It seems that I am boring you with my conversation. Which is not surprising I guess," he continued. Her eyes narrowed some.
"Whatever do you mean Evans?" She asked coldly.
He merely shrugged. "Well seeing as you are a Black, wealth and power are the two things you hold most value in, Maintaining a perfect reputation would be second on that list. And I'd expect by now you'd be searching for a suitable mate, that's if your father hasn't found one for you yet, and deducing by your tone, you have to come to the conclusion that I have nothing to offer therefore have absolutely no interest in what comes out of my mouth" he finished with tinge of mocking in his tone. His tone only served to anger her. Insolent little twit. "I'd imagine you spend your time grooming yourself into being the perfect little housewife, to bring honor to the Noble House of Black," he continued lazily. "After all, what are you actually worth without a man," he finished with a smirk.
Aurelia gripped the side of the table. The nerve of ignorant bastard. Suddenly a bizarre smile twisted up her face as she leaned forward.
"Of course you'd think that, to merely sort me to the side with all the rest of these vapid, stupid silly little girls. And you exactly prove my point," she said pausing for a moment. "Just another, arrogant little boy trying shit all over me with your sexist ideologies, she continued, ignoring how he raised his eyebrow at her tactless language. "You think that just because I lack that worm between my legs makes me less than you?" She asked coldly.
"Well that's exactly what I think Miss Black," he answered haughtily. "Because from where I stand, you've been taught your whole life that you're sole purpose currently lies between your legs," he finished.
His looked at her with interest and in that moment Aurelia realized he was baiting her, trying to see just how predictable she was.
A smile twisted up her face at the knowledge of it.
"Well there's one flaw in your logic Evan's," she replied sweetly.
"Oh really, and pray tell what that is," he asked in return.
"You try too hard. People are predictable Evans," she said. "And you, don't believe a word that just spewed from your mouth. I'm not stupid nor am I unobservant. If this is your way of trying to gain my attention you are failing miserably at it." She replied. "You are right on one point though," she continued not missing how his amusement had yet to leave his eyes. "You absolutely have nothing to offer from where I happen to be currently standing." She said before leaning in closer. "Do yourself a favor and consider the House you've just been sorted into. Slytherin does not welcome new members, especially those who insult the Head Boy's sister," she finished before raising her hand.
"Are you finished," Durage spoke walking over to her table.
Glancing at Evans she eyed him coldly, attempting to ignore how his eyes piercing into her own made her feel more alive than she had felt in ages.
"Quite." She replied smoothly.
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The air was cold, the floor hard and wet. Blood was everywhere, seeping into the crack of the wood, under her fingertips. Pain bloomed from her abdomen, and the room was pitch black. Crying could be heard, the sound of a child. She didn't quite understand where she was, but fear made her nerves on wire, as if her entire body was itching with anticipation. She felt the blood between her legs, and the child's cry quickly turned to a loud wail. Throat sore and hands shaking, she attempted to stand up, but found she could not.
Footsteps began in the distance.
With each step her heartbeat increased.
With each step fear began to claw at her.
And the will to survive overwhelmed her.
Aurelia woke in a cold sweat. Every nerve ending in her body was on fire. Never before had she dreamed something so real. Coughing and breathing heavily she sat up and ran a hand through her hair. She was covered in sweat. Despite knowing she was dreaming, she couldn't get herself calm.
She needed air.
Quickly changing, she made her way out of the room quietly. It seemed she would be visiting the astronomy tower again. Still shaking, she tried to breathe deeply.
For Merlin's sake, it was just a dream. Get a handle on yourself!
But it seemed no amount of berating herself worked. She was still shaken up.
Reaching the tower, to her annoyance, she was not alone. Of all people, the prat Evan's was there.
"Breaking curfew the first night in," she said watching him intently as he turned to face her. "Of course you do seem to walk around as if you own the place," she finished with an irritated tone.
"Well hello to you too," he said amused. "It seems I'm not alone in breaking curfew tonight," he finished with a smirk. "What brings you here in the middle of the night?"
"Not anything to concern yourself with, that much I can assure you," she replied coldly.
"Am I bothering you your Highness?" He mocked.
"You really know how to charm a lady, Evans," she replied walking up beside him.
"Well apologies that I'm not falling all over your feet Miss Black," he replied.
As if men make it a point to fall at my feet to begin with.
"Well as lovely as it is conversing with you, I'd appreciate if you'd leave," she replied.
Suddenly he started laughing, clearly amused.
"There are a lot of things I'd appreciate, but as it stands life isn't fair Miss Black," he replied with a smirk. "And I'm not one of your mindless admirers that surrenders to your beck and call," he finished.
Clearly he the impression he got of her was severely off base.
"You seem to have mistaken me for my sister," she replied with an irritated tone.
He simply eyed her.
"Oh yes, I have had quite the misfortune of running into her," he said. "Your sister is a piece of work," he finished with a laugh.
"Unfortunately we find agreement on that aspect," Aurelia said before chuckling some.
Suddenly Evans turned to her and looked her straight in the eye, his gaze intense.
"You were right," he started in a low voice. "About what I said," he continued taking a step towards her. "I find you interesting, you don't seem like a typical pureblood female." he stated.
"And what makes you think that?" She asked with a scoff.
"You're not afraid of what others' think," he concluded.
She merely looked at him with curiosity.
"We've only just met Evans, you haven't the slightest clue whether I'm afraid or not," she replied tersely.
"You certainly didn't care in our initial meeting how I perceived you," he argued.
"Because I didn't find anything of worth where you're concerned," she said coldly.
"If that were true, you wouldn't be standing here arguing with me in the middle of the night," he replied looking directly in her eyes.
Something in his gaze made her nearly feel weak at the knees. She hated weakness.
"Do not presume to know or understand me Evans," she replied taking a step back. "And you're right, I am done wasting my time arguing with you," she finished tersely.
"Wait," he suddenly said, grabbing ahold of her arm.
Quickly she turned around and wrenched her arm free of him. His touch was like fire on her skin.
"I do not presume to know you," he said calmly. "Would it be so awful that if I did?"
"Do you want to get to know me?" She asked tonelessly.
"Maybe I do," he challenged.
His gaze lingered to her mouth for a brief moment and she found herself quite unsettled by it. It didn't make any sense. She was boring.
"Why?"
Suddenly he stepped forward, his eyes changed from unwavering determination to something else. It seemed as if he was wrestling with something.
"With all due respect Miss Black," he began. "I have just lost everything that ever mattered. The person I was raised to be is not the person standing before you. People say my family died with honor, but that's bullshit. They just died." He finished his tone cold.
"Forgive me, but I fail to see how that has anything to do with me," she replied.
And wasn't a lie. His family loss had absolutely nothing to do with her.
"I'm not stupid nor unobservant either Miss Black," he said calmly. "I can tell that despite that family you have, you are just like me. Completely and unavoidably alone," he finished.
His words sent chills down her spine. He was right, she was alone. Her family hardly understood her at all and while Tom certainly seemed to know her better even he seemed to toss her aside when school would start. Tom always did a have a way of making her breathing hitch slightly, but it seemed Evans need merely look at her to pick her apart piece by piece.
"Perhaps you are right Evans," she began. "But as it stands, I prefer to be left alone," she finished before turning on her heels and leaving him by himself.
Something in the way he looked at her, the way his gaze seemed to penetrate her, the way every nerve ending in her body lit when he touched her, it all began to blur together and despite how much she wished she could deny it, she couldn't help but want to pick him apart in the very same way he seemed to have done to her.
Hadrian Evans was a mystery. And she was bound and determined to unearth him completely piece by piece until she knew exactly who he was.
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Reviews greatly appreciated!