Like wildfire PV Colin

Colin was stunned. He felt like he'd just been hit by a super strong knockback jinx. Clair raised her eyebrow. Colin blinked lamely. Who would have thought that a girl raising her eyebrow at you could literally stop every motion in your body and every thought in your mind? Well Colin felt just that way! She had given him The Look. That would be seared into his memory for ever. And before he could even recover himself, she launched into a lecture.

"Let me explain."

Three simple words. The Ravenclaw girl may very well have meant them to be just that, an introduction to a simple explanation. Much like how she could explain the properties and workings of the general antidote potion. But Colin felt the words much deeper. Her speech was logical, well reasoned. Her words were clear, and though Colin squirmed a bit hearing them, he knew she was right.

Colin skipped over the bit about the creatures that lived in the deep, but really had to raise his hand when she got to the cold bit. I mean really, he wanted to say; it's not all that cold! Wait high pow whatsia? What does that even mean? Then she hit him with her worst. Oh bloody hell! The guilt trip! Oh man! Colin groaned inwardly. She was like a duelist using two wands at once! She brought in he Ma and Da on the one hand; and then his siblings and his seanmamó on the other.

Oh, Colin was going down in flames! And then she gave him the concerned eyes! Colin could stand no more! He thought surely Clair was going to end up being a good influence on him! And then sealed the deal --- the expelliarmus of the girl lecture. What about me? Oh man, Clair was good! She appealed to Colin's every weakness! His love for his parents, his family, and for the girl herself. If she went on any further, Colin felt like he would just give up every kind of rule breaking altogether and become a good little Hufflepuff!

Yeah, that was no mere 'explanation' of the difference between racing and swimming. Colin knew better. Didn't Ma do the same thing to Da? Didn't she tell her children that this was how you knew someone loved you? By wanting what's good for you? Colin sighed. There was nothing for it, but to accept. Of course, she was right. Hadn't he seen some pretty big eels and things swimming in the murky waters? Even a mergirl, once! Oof. Yeah, she was right. Swimming down to where he could see into the common room was probably not the smartest thing he could do. And he knew that he couldn't hurt her by trying it and maybe getting eaten by something.

But she did make him laugh again with his idea to quiz each other! That would actually be fun, Colin was sure! He loved studying, and Clair seemed like an ideal study partner! And his heart skipped a beat when she asked about the new classes they'd be taking next year!

"Right!? Like four new classes! My seanmamó doesn't hold with a lot of divination --- well, she would know, she's got the Seeing gift, you know. I think muggle studies is going to be sooo interesting! I mean, I know a lot about muggles now. Er." Colin remembered that Clair came from a muggle family. "But I reckon nowhere near as much as you do! Maybe you can help me with that?" Colin thought back to his adventures into Muggledom last summer with Monica. How magical the muggle world really was! "Oh! I think my favourite is going to be care of magical creatures! I think I'd like to work with them somehow. Maybe like a creature healer or something?"

Colin thought about that for a bit. Studying with Clair. Maybe they could even sit together in class? That would be brilliant! She said that he'd always be welcome to visit her place, and that sounded brilliant too! He knew she lived on a farm in Cumbria, and that was beautiful country to be sure! He'd have to invite her to his place too. Colin blushed deeply at the thought of introducing his girl to his parents. Colin groaned. He knew very well what they would say. His Da would ask them when he was going to pop the question; and his Ma would say that a Ravenclaw is a wise choice indeed! And that their kids would certainly be smart! And of course, seanmamó would gush over her, especially when she found out she comes from a muggle family!

Colin sat up when Clair thrust a piece of parchment into his hand. What had she said? Giving him something... He looked at the parchment. At first he thought it was going to be a note. What did she call it? An address? It didn't look like a speech at all. In fact, Colin couldn't make heads or tails of it. "Clair. Is this some kind of secret code?" It had her name on it, that was plain enough. But the rest was just gibberish. Like letters and numbers and random names. "Wh---What is an --- address lassie?"

She was still lying on her back, looking up into the trees. Colin laid back down too. They remained quiet for a long while. He'd have to ask her again about the speech thing. This address. He wondered if it was somehow directions to get to her house? Could that be it? How odd, he thought. Whenever he sent a letter home, all he had to do was write was the person's name! Uhuu knew exactly where to take the letter!

After a moment, Clair utterly gobsmacked Colin. Again. She said: "You know, I think I might have found the perfect boy." Her words sunk straight into Colin's heart. He spoke no words in return. What could he possibly say in response anyway? His heart felt so full! He closed his eyes, remembering every detail of tree and leaf, of sky, of breeze and scent and sound. This was how love starts. He knew that in his heart, even if he couldn't say it in words.

Colin reached over and gently took Clair by the hand.

@Clair Fernandez

Colin laughed merrily as Clair and he talked about next year's classes. It certainly was going to be exciting! It kind of hit him, just then, that they were almost a quarter of the way through their time at Hogwarts. It would soon be almost two years since he was turned into a Werewolf. Since he found that letter. He'd been meaning to talk to AngelFyre about earlier in the year, but classes and the whole ruckus at the ball got in the way. He knew it sounded kind of like a lame excuse, but that was how it was!

"Divination is also really cool because it means I get to see into the futureeeee!" Clair said, in kind of a sing-song voice. Colin started!

"Wait." He blinked. The future. That great undiscovered country of the rest of his life --- and hers. And maybe theirs together? Wait. Was Clair thinking about ---? His eyes widened. Were they both thinking the same thing? But she continued and they got into a talk about care of magical creatures! Whoa. Colin's heart began to thump again! He wondered what they'd be like, together, like a whole ten years from now!

He was so proud of her when she said she was going to do the internship next year. Colin hadn't really thought about much, but perhaps he'd find something like that too! He was impressed by her, yet again. She was far more serious about her studies than he knew himself to be, and he knew he was no mean scholar himself! "That's great Clair! I know you're going to brilliant in the internship," he declared. He smirked at the girl. She was going to be challenge! She didn't say it outright, but but he knew that he'd soon have to step up his game if he was going to keep up with her!

Colin liked that kind of challenge.

"Internship, internship," he said thoughtfully. "An interesting challenge for you! But! I have a thought about that." His thought, of course, was a cunning and crafty plan! "So, Miss Clair Fernandez," he said, trying to imitate he school master voice; "You and me are not going to be spending the rest of our lives inside the library! No. Way. As much as we both love it in there, I have another challenge for you." And this one would be from him to Clair!

Ravenclaws were already quite concerned with academics, and he knew well that they could become extremely anal about school. It was a wonder more bird brains didn't explode from all that studying! "First, I promise you this: I shall do everything I can to help you during your internship, and any of our studies henceforth. Second, and if you'll let me, I'm going to challenge you to come out into the wild! Away from greenhouses, and horses and --- and --- GOATS! I'm going to bring you into the wild country, the high and desolate places. Where the hare and wolf run! Where herbs and beasts alike grow free." He emphasised goats, knowing that she loved the creatures dearly and also hoping that he would intrigue her enough to take interest.

Her laughter rang out and she called him silly when he asked about address. He couldn't help but laugh along. He knew she didn't intend to be mean or anything. She explained it to him. "Oh! That makes sense! Well, everything but what geeps are. Anyway, I'm really glad you'd welcome me to your place any time!"

Images of old dreams, of Colin being chased by huge werewolves and dark wizards played before his mind's eye. The letter came back to mind. It had lost some of its importance since he'd found it; but he knew in his heart that he had to talk about it. AngelFyre already knew. Clair had to know too. And it was time. Maybe she could help too?

He sighed, still holding her hand. "Clair. I really do love that about you. You just opened yourself and you home to me. You already know I'm a Wolf." He smiled, recalling how she had asked if his fur was soft. He was determined that she would find out one day soon. "You also need to know that I am, well, in danger. And also, perhaps, a danger." He paused, searching for how to tell the girl he loved that he could pose a danger to her.

Part of Colin didn't want to tell her. What if she dumped him? What if she shut that part of him away? But most of him wanted to tell her. Fyre Angel, of course, had taken it in stride; but she was very wise. He'd come to know that Clair had her particular gifts too. She was strong, not just racing strong, but heart strong. Colin reckoned she could face any danger, and if she liked him and thought him to be the perfect boy, then, well, his perfect girl would have to face that danger at his side.

He reached over for his satchel. He knew exactly what pocket it was in. The letter. He'd shown her the one that told of Liam's death. But this one --- this was the letter that was supposed to tell of his own death. "Clair," he said softly. "Read this." He put the parchment into her hands so she could read. Colin knew Clair well enough that she would either lecture him or ask him a bajillion questions about it! He'd take either, but this was something they had to do together.

The letter was short, and Colin had its every word memorised. He could probably forge it if wanted to. It read: McCoire Castle: that's the place. Find the black haired boy & kill him. Eat him if you desire. He is marked and must not survive. S______ make sure those idiotic Wolves of yours get the right brat. Even they should be able to smell the difference between black hair and blond hair. And don't forget, they must do it before he gets to Hogwarts. No point in even trying once he's there. A. A.

@Clair Fernandez || Mentions @AngelFyre McCubbin

Colin moaned! "Aaagghhh! Touché! I walked right into that one!" Of course, she would have to pivot to the Ravenclaw house library! "Wait! Do you lot have libraries everywhere or something? I'm not sure if we have one or not!"

He smiled and shook his head slightly. Of course their house library would be too small! His eyes widened as she said she'd cut out an hour of library time. Then she smiled, and Colin's heart skipped a beat! What a beautiful and real smile she had! A curious thought filled his mind as he watched her eyes light up: one day soon I'm going to kiss that beautiful smile!

It was Colin's turn to smile next. Goats! Gotcha Clair! he thought. "Boars!? Whoa! Those are mean beasties Clair! I've never seen one myself, but I've heard stories about them. There's spells that can be used to keep them away from gardens and fields." Colin laughed. "They'll eat everything they see, including us if we're not careful!"

He smirked at Clair. "I'm gonna have to remember that bit about the goats! Like: 'hey Clair! Look at this goat I've got! Oh, by the way, I splinched myself!'" He laughed. Hmmm. Might have to try that next time we race! he thought.

Clair sat up suddenly as the talk grew serious. She spoke frankly. As she talked, he knew there was nothing he could ever say to her that would scare her or turn her away from him. So long as he hadn't done anything stupid to hurt her. The girl had a heart of iron! "I know lassie. That's another thing I love about you. Right. You're not afraid. You probably know about being a werewolf than I do!" he said.

Here she was, willing to risk herself to be with him. Her heart felt it, and her mind knew it. That combination, Colin was unlikely to find anywhere else! And she also had a heart of tenderness. Somehow she knew his worries, too. Of being alone. Of being caught by the wrong people. He knew he had good friends --- solid mates. He felt, too, that Clair would be the center of that defense surrounding him.

As she read the letter to herself, he really did wonder if God hadn't perhaps put him and this girl together for a reason. He knew that no one was really perfect perfect, but Clair had said herself that she had found the perfect boy. His heart knew, too, that he had found the perfect girl! Colin watched her beautiful blue eyes as they picked apart every letter that was written on the parchment. It was like watching the sky!

Such a blue he --- and suddenly those eyes flicked up to his. She handed the letter back. His heart both leapt for joy and sank at her first question! That one was the kicker! His parents.

"I---I wish I knew who they were! The only thing I can fathom is that they must know my Da or Ma. I mean, I don't know any A. A., and why would they want me dead? Pfft. Anyway, it didn't work! Me and Liam and my sister Ciarán took care of that werewolf! Knocked him out anyway." He touched the wolf fang necklace he'd gotten as a remembrance of the attack. "We've been trying to figure it out! I never showed it to Ma or Da."

Here Colin faltered. He had a bad feeling about what Clair was going to say next.

"You see, at first, I thought that Ma would send me to Azkaban." Or worse, he thought. Now that he said it aloud, it sounded kind of lame. "You know she works for the Ministry. And there's always folks from around badgering her about werewolves roaming the Highlands. And, well, she's always telling them aye, the Ministry should do more to round them up or kill em off."

He let out a puff of breath. "And to be honest, Ciarán found some things out that she sent me, but really, being here at Hoggys I just kind of forgot about it. None of my mates ever turned against me or anything. I just felt like the threat was over, I guess. Well, until this last summer. I know I've got to figure this out now, what with Liam being attacked and all. And he's gone. I owe it to him to find out who started all this!"

He looked back into her eyes as she thought the matter over. He wondered what she would think of his actions. Would she think he was stupid for not saying anything? He knew he'd been putting this off for too long. One way or the other, his eyes pled with Clair to help him see this more clearly!

@Clair Fernandez

Colin groaned. Ravenclaw humour! What really drew his attention, though, was Clair talking about her dad's adventures with a wild boar! Now that sounded wicked! "Sleeping in a hammock doesn't sound all that bad in comparison, Clair. But whoa. Anything beats being gored by a boar. Or being eaten by a pig!"

"Ow!" Colin cried out --- not really hurt by Clair's slap. He gave her a meek expression to counter her twinkling eyes. "Okay! Okay! I won't do that to you! koff!koff! Yeah right," he added under his breath. He was so going to try that on her some time! Maybe with his arm dangling off or something!

It was just as Colin both feared and hoped. Clair stared at him. Instinctively, his boy brain knew exactly what that stare meant. The girl was going to explain to the boy what's what. She looked into his eyes, searched his face for every clue. Then Clair lit right into him! Oh man, it was like being hit by the biggest incendio ever! The voice from his knew, though, and reminded him: this is why I need Clair so much, why I love her! I just have to say something, and she can see it all so clearly! He winced a little, though, as tore into his thinking and what he'd done. Ouch!

Colin could hardly get a word in edgewise!

"You've not showed them this letter?"

"Um---!" Well, that was the whole point, right?

"Don't you think it could help them to keep them safe?"

"Er---" Oh my God! Colin hadn't even considered that angle!

"What if A.A is their friend and they don't realize this dude is trying to kill their second son?"

"Wh--- wait." Where did Clair's brain come up with this stuff!? Colin thought he'd considered everything, but --- whoa.

"I doubt your Mum would have you sent to a prison for the darkest wizards, did you choose this, I should think not."

Colin sat with his mouth agape. Memories of how his Ma had always talked with locals about hunting down werewolves and disposing of them flooded his mind so that he could hardly think! Colin could only shake his head, no. No, he hadn't chosen to be a werewolf. He reckoned not many would, really.

Clair thought about things for a bit, but Colin could hardly keep up! "You mum knows your a werewolf, correct?"

Colin finally found his voice, even though it didn't say much! "Yeah. She knows. And that's ---"

"And you're still not being sent away, so I doubt she would y'know take you to the biggest prison in the UK for the darkest Wizards, your her child---"

Her logic was relentless. When Clair said the words, it all made so much sense! Why couldn't he think this way? A strange and uncomfortable thought popped into his head. He narrowed his eyes a bit. She was making him look like a fool! He resented that. It was a dark thought! Colin's heart skipped a beat! It reminded Colin why Clair was saying these things.

The darkness sneered and told Colin that he wasn't special. She'd do this for anyone. But his heart countered that of course she would do this for anyone! She has a golden heart! But she's here by your side. She's saying she loves you, and you know that!

"She'd do anything to protect you, that's what Mums do."

The darkness snarled and departed. The feeling of resentment dissipated. Colin nodded. "Yeah. I reckon that's so."

Clair cocked her head and continued: "You thought the threat was over? Not to freak you out or anything, but, um. Have you ever thought that during the summer you won't be here at Hogwarts?"

"Er---" Well, that one Colin did know! But, as always, Clair put it in context for him.

"This is just the time for whoever A.A is to lay low and plan a better attack. It'll be summer break that'll be the dangers, and spring break and every other break."

Colin was defeated. He knew it. She must have known it too, but possibly wouldn't have thought of it terms of victory or defeat. She'd gone just far enough knocking down his grandiose plans and crazy thinking, and she knew just when to stop. Just at the point where Colin himself could see the problem clearly too.

He looked into her beautiful blue eyes. There was nothing to resent there! Nothing to be jealous of! She didn't do or say anything to be hurtful.

"Honestly, I think you should tell your parents about the letter." The sternness had left her face. Colin felt as if he stood on a high place with Clair at his side. Together, they could see everything so clearly. Still, he felt like a silly little boy who'd tried to climb a tree and was now stuck on a low limb, neither able to touch the ground or to get himself unstuck.

"I---I reckon I was being stupid. Selfish. I thought I could do this myself, right? I mean, just find out who they are and that's that. I didn't even think of that other stuff." Colin sighed deeply. It wasn't just about him. What if this A. A. decided to go after his parents? Or even his other siblings? Even though Angus and Argus being total gits, he still wouldn't want anyone to hurt them.

@Clair Fernandez

Clair gave Colin a lot to think about. Or rather gave him new ways to think about the things that were already sloshing around in his head. He felt like he was sitting in a chair in a classroom, staring at this huge blackboard full of notes and diagrammes about trees and then Clair walks in smiling, turns his chair towards the window and lets Colin see the trees just outside!

It was the most amazing feeling! Liberating in a way.

Colin's brain was now churning over everything she'd said, trying to reprocess and recomprehend. Clair reached out her finger towards him and closed his mouth. He'd quite forgotten than his jaw was slung open. "You're cute, you know that?" Colin's brain heard words. Clair's voice. Some part of him tried to fit them into what she'd just said about the letter and everything. But...

THUNK!

Wait.

Colin's brain was thrown into neutral.

Wait! No this is serious!

Colin replayed the last couple seconds. C---Cute? Did Clair just say Colin is cute!?

Colin blinked. At least his jaw didn't dangle precariously open again. He stared at Clair. She said he was cute!

THUNK!!

And then Clair launched back into the whole letter thing again!

W---Colin's brain felt momentarily splunch. W---The part that wanted to focus on the words "you're cute" got rolled over by the part that still working on the letter and how it could affect his family and how Clair was making too much sense! How could she come to know him so well and so quickly? Yeah, he really did want to protect his family. He was the oldest brother after all --- well, older than Liam by a whole two minutes! --- but he'd always felt the need to watch over the younger ones.

But maybe there was something to be said about taking on this thing all by himself that really wasn't working. What if he'd tried working with Liam last year? Surely with Ciarán's help they could have solved this whole thing in a jiffy! "Many hands make light work."

She was right. Of course! He had Clair. Hearing her say that made his heart soar. And AngelFyre too. And he did have friends that would stand with him. He thought immediately of Loops and Luci and Rina and all the others. Colin watched as Clair finished up her breakfast.

Clair smiled at him.

"Thanks for bringing me here Clair. Y---I didn't know what you were going to say when I showed you that letter. But. Well, you're right about it. And --- I will remember what you said."

Colin couldn't help but smile back.

@Clair Fernandez