A moments Reprieve[Open]

[aiden kieran moore]

Finally Aiden thought to himself, a moment of peace. Climbing the stairs to the owlery with his favorite guitar always seemed to be the best part of his day. It had been a long one, but then so was every other day, class, dealing with people, school work, but it was all worth it for the steady climb to the top of that tower to see the one who could make everything go away. Doctor was a small owl given his breed, his snowy white feathers so bright they practically glowed. Ever since he was little Aiden would sit alone in the dark playing guitar, or whatever other instrument suited his mood, sometimes even sing softly but always for Doctor, because the Doctor had the cure.

Aiden laughed to himself softly at the old joke. It was his mothers idea really, she bought him the bird after his dad passed away, she told him the owl would be like a doctor for him, that he would make everything "all better". Looking back now she was right Doctor had helped him through everything, Doctor was the one he could trust, he was his everything, and he would help him through this too.

By the time Aiden reached the top he had barely broken a sweat, though being a vampire probably helps with that. It was nearly 7 o'clock but already the sun was setting, it was odd to think just a few weeks ago standing to close to a window at this time of day would have nearly killed him.

"Doctor!" He called aloud as he reached the peak, "who?" came the soft coo from behind him as Doctor rushed to greet him. "Hey buddy!" Aiden laughed as Doctor landed on his shoulder and nuzzled him with the top of his head. "How's it going?" Aiden asked quietly with a smile as he sat on the bench in the corner.

Aiden loved talking to Doctor, he was the only one who would understand. So Aiden told Doctor everything, down to the last detail, and then he would play. He would play the fear, the anxiety, and the hunger that came with being a vampire, he played the hurt and the pain, he played the happiness and the bliss of being with Doctor, He played the loss of his father, the love of his mother, he played everything that was inside him. Aiden poured his heart out to Doctor, then together they would shape it into melody.

This was life for Aiden at Hogwarts. There was day, there was night, and there was Doctor.

[harlow christine knight]

Harlow had gotten everything that she had needed and grabbed her violin, Dalila, early, and was planning on heading to the Owlery to play. Normally, the tower was empty, and she was looking forward to getting the chance to play. It had been a difficult year in regards to bullying, and she had to get away some how. Headed to seclusion to play her violin seemed to be like a beautiful way to get away from everything and simply relax. Smiling happily, she slung her violin case over her shoulder and made her way towards the Owlery.

Life had been exceptionally difficult for the fifth year, for whatever reason. Harlow had experienced bullying for the longest time, since she was little. Even in Muggle primary school, she'd been bullied. Harlow didn't mind it, she understood it. She was unique, and that painted an exceptionally large target on her back. However, she knew what bullying normally entailed, and it was driving her crazy. This year, things had become different. Normally, she was simply taunted, treated to cruel nicknames and teasing chants. Now, however, things had gotten almost physical. It wasn't there yet, but it was close.

Then there was Jack to think about. Harlow knew that she had made him angry with her non-flirtatiousness, and she was a bit afraid as to what was going to happen as a result of it. Harlow had read into his little act fairly quickly, and he hadn't taken kindly to it. There wasn't anything she could have done other than told him the truth, but she regretted doing so. She hadn't known what else to do. Being honest was in her blood, and he'd been bothering her, it was the natural thing - and the right thing - to do.

Still, people like Jack were scary to deal with. She didn't know what she was going to do with everything. He'd become her biggest tormentor and it was painful to watch and go through. It was only a matter of time before his little comments and his snide behavior turned physical and crude. Harlow shook these terrible thoughts from her mind as she skipped up the steps to the owlery, the long back of her high-low skirt lightly skimming the ground. She shoved open the door, humming openly, not expecting anyone to be in her hideaway.

Harlow stopped short when she saw an unusual boy talking to his owl, guitar in hand. She smiled awkwardly at him. She recognized him, since he was in her year at school and in Ravenclaw as well, but his name was unknown to her. She waved a little, taking her violin case off of her shoulder and setting it down on the stone bench next to the window. "Hello,"

[/color] she said. She nodded towards his guitar. "It's beautiful,"[/color] she commented. For whatever reason, talking to other instrumentalists was easier than talking to everyone else.

Harlow's Outfit[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[aiden kieran moore]

Aiden hadn't heard the door creak as the girl walked in. He heard a soft Hello and nearly dropped his guitar. Doctor teetered on his shoulder precariously and pecked Aiden in annoyance. There wasn't supposed to be anyone up here, there was never anyone up here, Why is she here? he wondered, then he saw the violin, guess she had the same idea he concluded.

It's beautiful She murmured with a nod Um... thank you Aiden stammered awkwardly. I'm sorry I wasn't expecting to see anyone up here he remarked, he knew her of course, well sort of, he knew most people most people just didn't know him, he liked to keep it that way, it saved him from people learning too much. He remembered her, a lot of people gave her a hard time, but he never really knew why, she seemed nice enough, but then people don't seem to need a reason anymore.

Just keep it brief he told himself she's harmless enough so he said the least personal thing he could possibly think of: I don't mean to pry but what was with that guy? Smooth Aiden now ask her about her life story, religion, sex, politics, and maybe, since I'm at it, her musical taste Aiden always had to say exactly what he didn't want to, he should be being polite and getting out of there as fast as he could. This wasn't the plan, if got talking to people, if people took notice of him at all, they might begin to notice how pale he was, or his aversion to sunlight, his garlic allergy, there were to many things at stake to be taking risks like this, better to keep to himself. Better find a way out of this fast He thought nervously.

I'm sorry don't answer that, I've been up here a while I'll get out of your way He stumbled as he stood up. Doctor fell from his shoulder and shrieked as he took to the skies.

[harlow christine knight]

Harlow could see that she startled the boy, judging from the way that he'd jumped when she'd spoke. She watched his wide-eyed owl stumbled a bit, gracefully extending his wings and balancing himself on the boy's shoulder. She smiled at him apologetically, reaching up to tuck a stray piece of hair behind her ear. Her hair was so thick and heavy that it often escaped her messy updos, but it didn't bother her much. It was so much a distraction as it was something to keep her occupied, especially in uncomfortable situations.

"Um.. thank you. I'm sorry I wasn't expecting to see anyone up here."

Harlow laughed slightly, shrugging. For whatever reason, talking to this stranger was much easier than talking to other people. She attributed it to the guitar resting on his lap. Music made it easier to talk to people, and she found it very relaxing and liberating, getting to talk with someone who so obviously enjoyed creating melodies as much as she did. "Me neither. But, at least you're not someone awful,"

[/color] she replied, immediately blushing slightly. That was as close to a compliment she got with people she didn't know, and she was a bit embarrassed with that fact.

"I don't mean to pry but what was with that guy?"

Harlow looked at him, eyes wide. It took her a moment to remember that this boy was both in her year and in her house and, judging from the fact that he'd been expecting the Owlery to be empty, he probably had the same favorite haunts that she had. Before she could say anything, the boy was up, teetering towards the door as his owl fell from his shoulder. Harlow blushed deeply, watching him, waiting for a response, time seeming to stop.

"I'm sorry don't answer that, I've been up here a while I'll get out of your way."

Harlow took a split second to respond. "Wait!"[/color] she cried. Harlow realized that she really wanted to talk to this boy. She didn't have very many people to confide in, and, given the fact that this stranger seemed to have a lot in common with her, she wanted to get to know him a little. Harlow set down her violin case on a bench and sat down, gesturing for the boy to join her. "You don't have to go, and don't worry about the question. That boy was Jack, he was just trying to be a bully... he'll probably get more terrible, seeing as how I rebuffed his advances..."[/color] she replied, smiling dryly.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[aiden kieran moore]

Aiden could help but laugh, good for her, but there was something about her that wasn't quite as complacent as she led on. Aiden sighed, he hated these situations, he hated talking to people, it made him anxious, he was afraid someone would learn too much, always just so afraid. What if he started talking to her and all of a sudden he said something stupid and she found out he was a vampire. What would he do then?

No, he thought it was better to keep silent. Like the old saying goes, better to keep his mouth shut and let everyone think him stupid than to open it and remove all doubt that he wasn't a vampire, or something like that.

But that look in her eye told him she needed someone, almost as bad as he did, not that he would ever tell anyone that, if he had someone to tell that is. Maybe if he just listened? Dare he risk it? What if she asked him a question though? What if she looked for a reply? What then? Was the risk worth talking to some girl he had never really met before? What if she's like me though? Aiden thought eyeing the violin case.

Good for you, he said aloud with a smile It's about time someone put him in his place. Aiden sat back down on the bench slowly. Doctor landed next to him and looked to Aiden inquisitively, he wasn't accustom to Aiden interacting with humans, or even vampires, werewolves, any bi-pedals really, other animals sure but humans? Doctor didn't know what to think.

So.... Aiden sighed What's up?