Gates of Heaven will not Open pv closed

The younger Gryffindor boy was watching, stuck as a bystander, yet having to hear this rather absurd topic of conversation. Opeila, on the other hand, knew more than the average acquaintance about Aurelia - the betrothal which was kept well down low. On how she felt about it, Aurelia wouldn't know. This was another conversation that was sure to make another indent of an impression.

They should have had this conversation a long time ago. It had been years since the incident, yet its aftermath was still fresh in her mind and permanent on her skin. "Of course. Wasn't I the reason why you two broke up in the first place? You know, if only Fal actually read the article before following you blindly to wreck the Headliner and create a stunt in the great hall." Aurelia was vicious. With injuries and physical vulnerabilities, it only made sense that her words carried more bite in her defence. "Falentra was my friend, and I absolutely hated having to worry about her - to see someone you care about in love with someone dangerous. "

"It's because I'm terrified! That the same monster who did this -" She'd exasperate, tugging at her hair to reveal the ugly scar. Nicholas had a glance once, something which Aurelia denied, but this would confirm what the second year saw that day. "-would do it again if I didn't remain in its good graces. Or worse, towards another unfortunate soul." She finally admitted, after all these years. In a way, this trauma bonded her to Howard, an unhealthy bond that needed to be severed for her own sake.

"At that time, I hid the attack, I didn't really know what to do. I knew you since the first train ride to Hogwarts, Howard, you weren't bad, not to me. But after years when they discovered, it was about you - how you weren't a bad person for losing control, how you became a revolutionary figure for half-breeds alike. But it was never about the girl who suffered tremendously under your wrath. Had it ever occurred to you how I felt? Having protected you even after what you did to me, yet being shunned by the school for blood baiting!" She was upset clearly, with the emotions ultimately getting the best of her, she needed to leave.

"Kaegen Deathmote. Like you, he hurt me badly. Like you, he never ever apologised when confronted. And like you, he never suffered any repercussions. I was young and upset especially after being bitten by one of his kind. I wanted to show the school who he truly was and drew my blood in the middle of a ball. Professor Equinox intervened right before he pounced, there were actions taken for what I did, but never his. The blood rations were introduced months after. You're welcome, by the way." Admitting her own fault. Of course, she knew better now, matured. She also knew this conversation was over. She stood, likely not the best call given her recent injuries. But there was absolutely no reason for her to spend another minute in the presence of this dhampir. "While the majority of Hogwarts appraises you and ignorantly sees past your crimes, you should know that you don't deserve it. Stay away from me, Howard. You've done enough damage." Same could eb said for her, she'd inflicted enough emotional damage for one day. She'd turn towards the door, brushing past Nicholas. "Sorry for the delay." she'd make her exit.

Opeila was left almost speechless at the scenario that was happening in front of her. Two fifth year students, one of them injured by the other, who claimed that it had been offered to him, slowly turning their discussion into a true lover's quarrel. What was even happening here? Opeila understood it less and less the longer she listened. Who loved who?

One name stood out- Kaegen Deathmote. Hadn't she met him once in what felt like it was a different life? After curfew in the Trophy Room? She had been bleeding then, she remembered her fear of the red-eyed creepy boy.
And then Howard snapped at her, making her flinch ever so slightly. "It became my concern the moment you brought an injured girl in here while I was on duty.", she responded, somehow keeping a straight face.

"Those stories are clashing just a bit.", Opeila commented, stepping a little closer to Nicholas. The more and longer Aurelia talked, the more scared she felt. She had to report this, right? But what did she do now, like... send Howard away and talk to Aurelia alone? She seemed quite disturbed. Send Nicholas to get Nurse Brumby?

And then Aurelia got up instead, brushed past Nicholas and left the two of them alone with the boy who had supposedly hurt her more than once. Opeila did not take her eyes of Howard, as she took another step closer to Nicholas. "I think it would be best if you leave to.", she told the Hufflepuff. She didn't feel comfortable with him in this room without an adult who could interfere if something was to happen.

"Sorry, so what is wrong here?", she asked, halfway turning to Nicholas.

The dhampir, in spite of his somewhat intimidating appearance, was actually somewhat charming, Nicholas noted through the fog of confusion that had overtaken his mind throughout the altercation. Of course, that was before Leia began to speak. The second year could only look on dully as her tirade began, but his mind raced, as if suddenly jolted out of its pained state. She spoke quickly and angrily, and Nicholas could not help but be reminded of his trepidation with dealing with the girl, but a few words struck him like lightning. Falentra, love, blood-baiting, an attack. Pieces slid into place, Howard, the dhampir, had dated Falentra, hell he may have hurt her in the same way that he’d hurt Leia. Sure, Nicholas didn’t trust Leia as far as he could throw her, but the boy had admitted to hurting her, had he not? Granted, he’d said it had been an accident, but who could know with these things. Frustration with waiting turned into a much deeper seated anger. Anger born out of a sense of impotence in the face of danger.

The students at the school, at least those of Howard and Leia’s ilk, were dangerous, and most likely violent. He worried for Fal, even though he knew logically that the girl was far older and stronger than he. There was nothing he could do, especially not when all he managed to do was stand their dumbly holding an injured hand whilst the others debated and discussed matters that seemed to approach life and death.

He didn’t react as Leia brushed past him, his ground held steady, but he did not return the friendly overture of peace that Howard had so offered him. No, his attention was merely on the healing assistant.

There was little he wanted to do with this situation, that he understood more than ever now.

He spoke almost too quickly, interrupting the last bit of her sentence, “Oh, uh, shite. Just a couple of broken fingers, ache like hell but nothing serious I don’t think.”

Yet, even as his attention focused on the healer, he could not help but shoot a glance from the corner of his eye at the Hufflepuff.

Tags: @Aurelia Notresvace, @Howard White & @Opeila Winters