[you could be the hero in me]

[Avery Blake]

TAGGED FOR LEAH

The fresh air was a welcome respite from the muggy, crowded room - Avery’s hearing still buzzing slightly from the heavy music. Candles & lamps decorated the outdoor balcony, and had he been in touch with his heart he might have acknowledged what a gloriously romantic setting it was. He was, however, not remotely in touch with his heart. Infact, he wasn’t quite sure if it even beat anymore. He leant forward, resting his arms on the balcony . His first Dorm Party was coming to an end, and much to his own disgust, he was feeling rather proud of himself. He’d been attending Beauxbatons for some time now, and hadn’t seen fit to involve himself socially having been convinced his mentor would see sense and remove him within a matter of weeks. The weeks had turned into months, and so tonight he’d given in and decided to sample student life.

Avery had felt a little like a wolf amongst the sheep. He’d been invited by his evening hunting companion, Charlton. He’d relented in keeping entirely to himself, primarily because they seemed unable to avoid one another in the evenings despite their best efforts - and he supposed a werewolf as an associate wasn’t descending quite a low as befriending a mortal. No, he hadn’t sunk quite that low…although he didn’t doubt his mentor was hoping he’d come around. Avery didn’t know where this sudden blast of humanity had come from but he felt it was rather inappropriate that his mentor felt the need to inflict at upon him too. He had been quite happy living life as it was…without having to be part of the ‘mortals aren’t meals, they’re mates’ revolution. Avery had fangs for a reason, and once out of Beauxbatons, he fully intended to install mortal back on the main menu. He’d yet to meet a mortal he didn’t want eat, if only to shut their endless happy chatter up. Perhaps their impossibly short lives meant they had to do everything on the double and over the top…it gave him a headache (and yes, he had conveniently declined to admit he had once been one of this irritating mortals, until he’d had a higher calling.)

He didn’t know what the wolf had been thinking, inviting him tonight. It had been like an open buffet…chicken drumsticks walking around the room with their excitable beating hearts. The unfortunate thing about buffet food was that no matter how full you were, you couldn’t help but stuff a little more in, or have just one more nibble. Particularly when pulses were pounding. Avery sniffed disdainfully to himself as he recalled being told he was to on no occasion touch another student with his fangs. He licked them ruefully, remembering the days when it had been model on the menu…and not rabbit, or whatever it was they had grubbing around in the forest. How times had changed. Admittedly he’d become a little self destructive in his ways, perhaps a little chilly in his disposition…and possibly even a little lax in his managing of mortal health and safety (ok, extremely lax), but seriously? Attending here was like being put on a figurative naughty step. And the worst bit was, there wasn’t even a ‘figurative’ ice cream van waiting after if he sat quietly. He wasn’t about to admit that he was slightly enjoying it. Only slightly, mind.

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[leah marie gore]

you could be the hero in me---}

❂ ❂ ❂ ❂ ❂

They had actually pulled it off. The slender blonde was walking on air as her blue eyes scanned the Room of Requirement and she saw all the people they had invited laughing and enjoying themselves. The room was already starting to clear, the clock ticking later and later and the people getting drunker and drunker. Charlton was off doing Lord knows what with God knows who, but he had been taking care of Leah enough tonight that she had let him go and be with whoever he sought for company that evening. He had been nothing but a good friend to her, that Charlton Glashtyn. This entire party had been his idea in the first place; a sort of “going out” party for Leah who had just gotten over a really bad break-up with her ex, Rue Ribbery. It was funny, actually. Not once this evening had his name even come up. Not once had a single thought of him popped into little Leah’s mind. It was wonderful and, truthfully, she had the most fun she probably had ever had. She had to admit that, when Charlton had first brought up the idea of throwing a dorm party, she had been excited and totally turned onto the idea. As the planning and stuff grew closer, she grew wearier. What if all of Charlton’s other friends didn’t like her and they made her life a living hell? What if all the guys she met were complete and total douche bags and just further ruined her idea of men?

That had not been the case. Everyone was rather nice, but no boys had really caught her eye. If it wasn’t for the fact that Asahria was her closest friend, Leah almost thought she could have made the moves on Charlton with as much alcohol had been in her system. But no, she didn’t and now her friend was off having his fun while Leah was alone with no companion. The slender blonde sat down on the edge of a couch to remove her tan heels, rubbing her sore feet with her hands for a few minutes before tossing the heels to a corner of the room. The way she saw it, there was no need to torture her feet any longer. By now, all the guys had found their mate’s for the evening and Leah was alone to clean up the mess they had all left behind. More and more people began to leave while others made themselves comfortable on the couches and chairs and passed out from the tired feeling alcohol often induced on an individual. She stood and let out a sigh, grabbing a hair tie from her purse quickly and tying her hair into a high ponytail.

The night had been wild and, while she knew the room of requirement would magically clean up the mess everyone had left behind, the Muggle part of her felt the need to clean up anyway. It wasn’t like she was doing anything anyway. Cups and bottles were tossed everywhere and, as the room often did, a trash can appeared in the center of the room for her to use. One by one, her feet padded around the room, picking up what she could and tossing it away into the trash can. The further she got into the room, the colder she felt and it wasn’t long before her eyes noticed a balcony with the French doors leading to it thrown open into the night. Damn, this room had everything, didn’t it? Curiosity got the best of her and it wasn’t long before she was outside to, staring at the back of a tall male staring out into the night. She swallowed hard, unsure of whether she should leave him in peace or try and make small talk with the guy. She had seen him earlier, a friend of Charlton’s she presumed, and it didn’t seem like he spoke to very many people. Being the friendly person she was, Leah decided to introduce herself and seek out his company. But first, her hand went up to her hair and removed it from the ponytail it was in on the top of her head, her straight blonde hair cascading back down to her shoulders. She didn’t want to risk him being really good-looking and her hair looking a mess.

A deep exhale escaped her pink colored lips and she stepped out into the cool night, wrapping her arms around her for warmth. ”Hey,”

[/b] she greeted quietly, flashing the guy a smile and hoping he wasn’t rude or piss drunk.
[/color][/size][/div] ❂ ❂ ❂ ❂ ❂
[/font]

and one man in his time plays many parts

[/center]words:765
note:I hope this is okay! sorry if there are mistakes and stuff. i kind of rushed to get something up for you (:
outfit:xoxo
tag:avery
credit:jacksome111@caution 2.0!
[/size]

[Avery Blake]

He’d heard the girl coming long before she’d stopped in the doorway, swallowing self consciously as she no doubt dithered over whether to come out and keep him company. It was always a problem for Avery, his striking good looks. Women seemed to think that his chilly beauty meant he’d automatically be interested…when in fact, it was quite the opposite. He deliberately sought his own company. The words immediately jarred in his head, a wash of untruth temporarily rising up. Rephrase that then…he needed his own company. What was the point of a mortal? It was like buying a bouquet of flowers. Sure they looked pretty for the first week, but then they withered and died and you were left in the same colourless void you had been before. You were better off not having it in the first place…save yourself the trouble of missing it later on. Did everyone a favour really. Avery scowled inwardly, irritated that the simple act of someone standing in the doorway could make him evaluate his actions so thoroughly. Beauxbatons was making him soft.

“Hey”

He half turned, fully intending to cast a disinterested glance over his shoulder before returning to his own bitter thoughts - which, for anyone who was asking, he did thoroughly enjoy he’d have you know. Instead, he was struck by how incredibly lovely the blonde stood in the door way was. She looked like some ethereal maenad stood there in her brilliant blue green dress and bare feet. He’d seen beautiful mortals in his time, so many he’d become sick of them. But this one? He couldn’t quite put his finger on it. It was more than just her slight, fragile figure, the glossy sweep of her blonde hair that cried out to have fingers run through it, or the shy curve of her pink lips. Perhaps it was the underlying sadness in her eyes that she hadn’t quite managed to hide...or maybe it was the hope that hung around her face after this evening - she looked like she’d found something Avery himself had missed.

More than slightly perturbed by his own reaction to her, Avery forced himself into lockdown - his clear grey blue grey eyes darkening. He dropped his gaze pointedly to her feet. “Sorry - no shoes left out here.”

[/color] He ground out tersely, his tone finalising the conversation.

Throwing her another glance through his lashes - he realised this was the one his hunting companion had been unconsciously warning everyone away from for the better part of the night. By this stage in his immortal life, Avery had well and truly established that he was not a people person - and at his age, it was unlikely he would ever break that habit completely. However, he was a rather incorrigible people watcher…and had noted the way the werewolf had watched her with a well veiled, protective intensity. It had practically rolled off of him in waves, and had ensured any that any with untoward intentions toward the pretty blonde were on their best behaviour. Avery was most definitely the child in the playground that wanted the toy that someone else had hold of….so naturally he had been intrigued by the werewolf’s unusually possessive behaviour, particularly when he realised the pair weren’t dating. He rather liked his brutish werewolf companion though, admittedly against his better judgement, so it was for that reason he had avoided sating his curiosity with regards to the blonde.

As luck would have it though, she’d been played right into his hands….and she smelled amazing. Now most mortals smelt good, particularly when you classed them exclusively as food with no emotional attachment. But she was different…he literally wanted to catch hold of her and bury his face in her neck. Which was precisely why she should leave. Right now.


[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[leah marie gore]

you could be the hero in me---}

❂ ❂ ❂ ❂ ❂

It was odd to think, but the small blonde couldn’t help but find the male standing before her rather good-looking, even though he was not yet facing her direction. He has a great build, similar to that of Daniel only not nearly as tall and lanky. If anything, it was quite easy to find the contours of his muscles beneath his shirt. Maybe there was a reason Charlton let him do his own thing and didn’t bother introducing his small blonde friend. Maybe he was bad and Charlton didn’t want her to get hurt. Leah nervously tugged at the front of her dress, quickly smoothing it out and making sure she looked decent. She didn’t know why, but she kind of felt worried about what this guy would think of her. Charlton would probably kill her if he saw her trying to talk to him now…

At first, she seemed quite shocked at the male’s response to her---a half turn with his eyes looking her up and down as she stood in the doorway. A part of her wondered where the hell this guy got off staring at her the way he did even though he didn't know who she was. But judging by the way his eyes had darkened over soon after, she came to the conclusion he pissed himself off by looking at her that way. Then that kind of pissed her off because she thought she was perfectly decent looking to afford a few glances from male students. Where did this guy get off looking at her expectantly and then disdainfully like that? Immediately, she almost regretted her decision to come out here and seek his company. Maybe he was happy being alone and she should just leave him to it.

Sorry—no shoes left out here

Leah laughed nervously, taking a small step forward and looking down at her feet after he had done the same. ”Oh, I’m not looking for my shoes. I just saw you alone out here and um…I don’t know why I really came out here actually…

[/b] she admitted, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks and hating herself for blushing in front of this guy. He was a lot better looking than his back gave him credit for. He had an aura about him and he almost seemed a little too good-looking. She felt her heart beat a little faster as he glanced at her once more, instantly not liking the devilish look behind his eyes. It was almost as though he wanted to eat her. Like literally eat her. She took a step back towards the door, her blue eyes glancing over her shoulder to see if anyone would be able to help her if things took a turn for the worst. She wasn’t sure why, but she had a feeling this guy was not human. s**t, she thought when she saw that no one was there. Thanks a lot for ditching me, Charlton.

The blonde stopped moving and stood, instead, right between the doorway and the balcony. What if, for some weird twisted reason, she was meant to meet this guy? I mean, she wanted to move on right? Meet new people, get interested in new things? For far too long, she had been playing it safe with Rue. He was so nice and, while it was a good thing, sometimes she missed how mysterious and rugged Daniel was. He was a vampire, created to kill and hate every mortal that existed. And yet, she had changed his life forever, although he still had that vampire passion that only intrigued her more. What could she say, Leah liked bad boys sometimes.

She decided in that moment to stay, regardless of whether or not he wanted her too. She would probably drive this guy insane, but she didn’t care to be honest. She wanted to know his name and, well, it was his fault he was so intriguing to her in the first place. Maybe he should have been kinder with his words when she first arrived. ”I’m Leah. I’m a friend of Charlton’s,”[/b] she said, moving closer to him once more until she was standing beside him. Naturally, he towered over her. Stupid tall people. She wearily stuck out a small hand for him to shake. Hopefully, he wouldn’t try to rip her arm off.

[/color][/size][/div] ❂ ❂ ❂ ❂ ❂
[/font]

and one man in his time plays many parts

[/center]words:727
note:have i mentioned how incredibly excited i am?!
outfit:xoxo
tag:avery
credit:jacksome111@caution 2.0!
[/size]

[Avery Blake]

”Oh, I’m not looking for my shoes. I just saw you alone out here and um…I don’t know why I really came out here actually… “

No neither did he. That would have ordinarily been his response. Infact it still was - but it remained unsaid. He half smiled to himself, having seen her bridle slightly at the way he looked at her. Avery felt almost certain that she wasn’t quite sure what she was doing her, judging by the quick mixture of reactions and emotions that flitted across her face. Poor girl, she couldn’t help herself. She wasn’t to know he was Vampire. She was confused over what she saw…her mind said she was interested - of course, who wouldn‘t be if it was purely based on aesthetics, but her intuition, her gut instinct told her she needed to avoid him. Sadly, she’d probably ignore her instinct.

Avery chose not to respond to her, instead half turning to face her - propping himself up on the balcony with the easy elegance of a big cat. She flushed under his unflinching gaze, prompting a wry half smile to flicker about his mouth. She was more intelligent than most, he’d give her that. She still hung in the doorway, taking a few steps back after what appeared to be a moments inner debate. Panic flooded her face for the barest moment, and Avery congratulated her quietly. Most mortals would have flung themselves at him, limbs heavy from alcohol and brain far too fogged to recognise danger until it stared them in the face…quite literally in his case. Some of them didn’t even see it then. It seemed he’d been wrong…she would follow her instinct. He felt the strangest pang of disappointment - feeling certain she’d now take her leave. It was of course the best decision for her, he’d destroy her without a thought. That didn’t lessen the gnawing feeling at the bottom of his stomach that felt as though he’d missed a chance. She was far too lovely.

”I’m Leah. I’m a friend of Charlton’s,”

Surprise ricocheted throughout him. Her eyes had taken on the soft steel of someone who had made a decision. Unfortunately for the silly girl, it was the wrong bloody one. Inwardly he raged at her, furious that she’d been so close to stepping out of the frying pan, but had been stupid enough to jump straight back in. ”I apologise if my face looked like I was interested. I wasn’t.” His response was cool and clipped, his expression sliding into one of practised bored disinterest. If she had any sense she’d take this generous response of his and run with it. Avery was being unusually generous, for reasons he wasn’t entirely clear on himself. She might not see it that way, but he was. He was offering her a final get out clause. With Avery, much like signing your soul away to the devil, you were lucky to get one in a lifetime.

[leah marie gore]

you could be the hero in me---}

❂ ❂ ❂ ❂ ❂

I apologise if my face looked like I was interested. I wasn’t.

Cool, calm, and collected---that was how Leah was going to play this. For some unfathomable reason, she felt the need to stay here with him, find out who he was and why he was such an *sshole. She greeted and introduced herself and he ignored her, acting as though he hadn’t taken notice of the hand she extended out to him. Instead, he replied with a cool response, trying so hard to sound bored with her company. Leah leaned on the railing of the balcony beside him, turning her piercing blue eyes up to look at him and raising a perfectly shaped eyebrow. ”Ouch. No need to be rude,”

[/b] she replied, shaking her head and letting out a sigh. Honestly, she didn’t know why she would subject herself to this. Her heart and mind had gone through enough pain these past few years. Happiness in getting married, heartbreak in being widowed, joy at finding someone to love her again and then agony as she lost the only person she really had left. This guy was obviously putting up a front---despite his best efforts to act disinterested, Leah could tell when she got under someone’s skin and made them feel something they never had before. It had been the same sort of front Daniel put up for her until she made him fall in love with her, unintentionally of course. Regardless, she had a way of changing people, she supposed, without even really trying.

She had a theory about what he might be. He was far too different to be a werewolf; Charlton never mentioned having other werewolf friends. No, there was something about the way his lips covered his teeth that told her he was something else. It was the same shape as Daniel’s. There was also no way he could look as good as he did naturally. He almost looked like those statues of the gods in Rome or Greece. Liking to take risks, Leah decided to try and test out her theory. The blonde turned around, leaning her elbows along the rail and stretching out her back. She normally wasn’t the type to flirt and try and get a guy to notice her, but she wanted him too. It had to be the allure and mystery of the unexpected that turned her on to him. The grayness of his eyes held a story she wanted to know and she was going to get it out of him someday. It may not be tonight, but she would eventually. Oh no, she was not planning on letting tonight be their only meeting. She was also not going to let tonight end as quickly as he wanted it to. She was going to figure out what kind of creature this impossibly handsome guy was. He sure as hell was not a human.

Leah closed her eyes as a gentle breeze blew through her blonde hair, causing it to fall gently around her shoulders. She opened her eyes quickly, turning to face the boy and see if his face gave away any signs that he may be a Vampire. Her scent had been heroine to her late husband. Surely he wouldn’t be able to resist her scent as it hovered around him. ”I don’t buy this act your playing,”[/b] she told him, giving him a small smirk before she turned away from him to look into the Room of Requirement. People were passed out everywhere from the absurd amounts of alcohol they had consumed. Leah was proud to say she hadn’t drunk anything remotely alcoholic this evening, not even once. She was perfectly sober and aware of what was going on. If he thought he was going to get some sort of “drunk girl” to fawn over him, he was 100% wrong. She was standing here next to him, probing him to speak to her, not because she was a drunken girl looking to get laid, but because she was genuinely interested. Maybe once he knew that, he would soften up to her a little. Just maybe.

”Are you really not going to tell me your name?”[/b] She was probably pissing him the hell off now. He wanted her to leave and yet she refused. She wasn’t one to really give up easily. Even when Rue showed little interest in her return, she fought to try and get him to notice her until Charlton suggested she move on. If it wasn’t for him, who knows how she could have been? She was finally back in shape, her bones no longer prominent beneath her clothes. If it was even possible, her shape was better than ever, her cures now complimented by slight muscle definition. It may sound conceited, but she knew was beautiful and any guy would want her. This guy had to want her, get to know her. He just had to…

[/color][/size][/div] ❂ ❂ ❂ ❂ ❂
[/font]

and one man in his time plays many parts

[/center]words:824
note:
outfit:xoxo
tag:avery
credit:jacksome111@caution 2.0!
[/size]

[Avery Blake]

Oh hell, she was coming over.

”Ouch. No need to be rude,”

There was a need to be rude. A dire one in fact, except she was far too idiotic to see it. He rolled his eyes and turned away from her, pointedly staring out into the darkness. He got it, this had gone beyond simply him being tall,blondish and brooding…though he really hadn’t been able to fathom why on earth females felt the need to select the guys who literally had ’bad news’ stamped on their forehead. Was their need to meddle that great? This one however, was serving up good intentions with a side dish of pity. She thought his rudeness was down simply a mask to cover some inner turmoil and pain. He paused his sarcastic inner monologue momentarily to acknowledge that his rudeness was to cover inner turmoil and pain…he didn’t want to b here. He already had a life. It was car crash, it was heading for his ultimate demise but that was how he wanted. Brennan, his mentor, seemed to think there was some deeper meaning behind his destructive attitude toward living, but Avery refused to even consider the notion. And he didn’t need anyone to help him live it. But back to Leah…she’d seen him out here, and now she was here to provide a shoulder to cry on. That was the last thing he wanted to do to her shoulder, particularly when it was attached to such a slender, pretty neck. He threw her a sidelong glance, scowl flitting across his features.

As if knowing he’d glance at her, Leah arched out her back, her elbows leant on the railing and her blonde hair tossed back. As if on cue, a breeze leapt up. Avery’s posture stiffened slightly as the scent hit him, his fingers gripping the railing tight enough to make his pale knuckles go white. He couldn’t help but run an appraising eye over her figure, particularly when she offered it up so seductively - it would be far to easy to take what he wanted….
His eyes settled on her face, the elegant curve of her jaw and the dark crescent moon of her eyelashes against her cheekbones. She was stunning…gorgeous. And her scent was a drug to him. If he hadn’t fed earlier in the night purely for the purposes of attending a mortal filled party (admittedly Charlton’s rather forceful suggestion) there wasn’t a doubt in his mind that he wouldn’t have been able to resist her.

”I don’t buy this act your playing,”

Avery’s scowled deepened and he forced his eyes away. “It’s perhaps a little hard for someone like you to believe…but we’re not all play acting to get attention,” He turned and watched her walk away for a long moment, before following her to the door way and leaning against it. ”It can be dangerous when you can’t be sure of the type of attention you’re gonna get.” He finished softly.

”Are you really not going to tell me your name?”

He had to laugh a little, she was trying her best. Even he couldn’t tell if his laugh was one of exasperation, or genuine. It couldn’t hurt to give her his name. Maybe it would make her go away. “Avery.” He responded, shortly and as the words left his lips, he knew it was far too late for beautiful Leah. He didn’t intend to allow her to go away one bit.

[leah marie gore]

you could be the hero in me---}

❂ ❂ ❂ ❂ ❂

He said nothing, the same pissed off look on his face as he rolled his eyes and turned away from her. Leah smiled a little to herself, knowing that she was getting to him by now. This was most definitely an act; the inner battle he was fighting within himself was written blatantly on his perfectly chiseled face. Leah was good at reading people and, boy, was this kid like an open book. He was struggling to fit into a life he didn’t want, forced to interact with humans in a way he’d rather not. It was the same old story from the novels she read only this guy was more like a Greek god than your average immortal stuck in a teenager’s body for the rest of eternity. This guy was fascinating. She just had to get his story if he ever decided to open up to her and let her in. Judging by the glance he threw at her as she continued to stand there beside him, he was struggling with the idea of doing so…

Normally, she would have given up by now. If a guy ever showed the slightest bit of disinterest, she would have let it go and walked away the moment he greeted her with a comment about not having her shoes. However, her insides were stirring with the thrill of possible danger, probably the worst thing her body could possibly want for her. Charlton would probably have killed her if he had spotted her out here talking to a brooding however impeccably beautiful vampire. But, as the young blonde’s luck would have it, her protective, werewolf friend was nowhere to be found. Adrenaline was rushing through Leah’s veins and she couldn’t wait to find out if he really was an undead vampire and not just a really angry human. Why was this girl always attracted to vampires? It probably had something to do with just how passionate they could be when they gave themselves over to a human they truly cared about. There had certainly been times when Daniel scared the living daylight’s out of Leah, particularly when his eyes darkened over and he looked primed and ready to attack. In the end, what came out of that was nothing but pure bliss for the young blonde. Maybe that was why her relationship with Rue didn’t work out; Rue was a boring old mortal... xD

Her speculation about him being a vampire was confirmed when his fingers gripped tighter on the railing as the breeze stirred up her scent. Called it… she thought cockily, loving her intuition and just how on point it was 99.9% of the time. The intensity of his gaze followed every part of her figure, he body shivering with just how strongly he was staring. It was like his eyes were trying to see through her into the depths of her soul. She tried to not let it show, not wanting the boy to mistake her heartbreak for desperation. Leah was not at all desperate for companionship. Trust me, she had lived this long without someone to call her own and she was doing perfectly well on her own. This guy just really got to her, sucked her in somehow and she didn’t intend to leave, not unless he truly wanted her to.

It’s perhaps a little hard for someone like you to believe…but we’re not all play acting to get attention. It can be dangerous when you can’t be sure of the type of attention you’re gonna get

The way he had scowled as he spoke those words and the way they dripped off his tongue like venom made her walking away a little more difficult. What did he mean ‘someone like her’? A mortal, yes, but something told her there was more to his words than him trying to point out how weak and utterly vulnerable she was. He walked to where she was standing, leaning against the doorway as she stood there. There was something about how his words softly trickled off into the night air that made her turn around, her blue eyes shining as she looked up to his face. ”I’m not as naïve as I look, you know? I know exactly what you are, Avery,” she said softly, turning away from him to stare into the room once more. ”And if there is one thing I can handle, it’s brooding vampires,”

[/b] she finished. She stood firmly with her feet planted to the ground, a look of seriousness written on her delicate features as she turned to look at Avery once more. She needed him to know she wasn’t going to leave and she knew…she just knew…that he didn’t want her to go either.

[/color][/size][/div] ❂ ❂ ❂ ❂ ❂
[/font]

and one man in his time plays many parts

[/center]words:790
note:if I had to take a self-control test…I would have failed miserably…
outfit:xoxo
tag:avery
credit:jacksome111@caution 2.0!
[/size]

[Avery Blake]

“I’m not as naïve as I look, you know? I know exactly what you are, Avery,”

Avery cocked his head, full mouth curving into a beautifully cruel smile. “Oh is that so…” What a clever little mortal. It was inevitable really, her discovery. He didn’t doubt she knew he was a vampire. He shifted slightly, his posture still languorous, but without the support of the doorframe. He kept his hands firmly in his pockets, a casual pretence that hid his desire to cup her chin which was turned up to look at him so appealingly. She wielded her knowledge triumphantly, satisfaction gleaming in the depths of her maya blue eyes. Bless her, she had the air of someone who was finally cracking on with a particularly difficult crossword, she actually thought she was breaking him and his chinked coat of gloomy, self absorbed brooding mystery. He wanted to laugh out loud. Avery clearly wasn’t her breed, lovely as she was. Anyone could see he was a cut above the rest. He would have been offended if she’d thought he was anything but. He’d made no attempt to hide what he was since arriving at Beauxbatons, he enjoyed what he was, relished it. Perhaps a little too much.


“And if there is one thing I can handle, it’s brooding vampires,”

She turned to face him, little feet planted to the ground - beautiful face serious. And he did laugh then, until he was bent over with it. This little bit of blonde fluff thought she could, what was the wording again…‘handle’ - him. Oh she didn’t know what she was getting into. He wasn’t one of these friendly vegan types who ate fluffy bunnies to avoid hurting their weak, mortal counterparts…he wasn’t one of these soulful, brooding anti-heroes who stood on balconies alone, mourning because they were torn apart by love but were afraid of their animal instincts. Oh Leah. What a delight. As abruptly as he’d laughed, he straightened - the ghost of a smile playing about his mouth still.

“Wow…Leah…what can I say, you got me there…” he mocked her, spreading his hands out in front of him innocently. ”Let me guess, - a past boyfriend?” He queried slyly, throwing her a sidelong glance. “No doubt you caused his unbeating heart to feel again, like he never thought it would. Aww. ” He took a few slow steps towards her, blue grey eyes darkening, his smile sharp as a dagger. “Tell me…what did you plan to do once you’d blown my cover, Leah the human?” Avery asked, voice dangerously soft as he circled her. The room was empty aside from the remains of the party, an abandoned pair of shoes in the corner and a few unconscious party goers - who were in no state to be waking up…let alone helping a tiny blonde, no matter how beautiful she was. ”I’m intrigued how you ‘deal’ with brooding vampires. I mean brooding…so they’re undoubtedly emotional, irrational even…unable to control themselves and their superior strength…speed. Then there’s the hunger. Now let’s not forget that little elephant in the room.”

Avery paused in his slow circle of her, back in front of her. He met her gaze and tapped his chin mock-thoughtfully. Admittedly, he hadn’t wanted to get involved with the pretty little mortal. He’d initially tried to fight his desire for her, because he sensed she wasn’t like some of those shallow minded girls. Her werewolf guardian was something he’d have preferred to avoid…but she was definitely worth breaking the rules for. He flared his nostrils slightly, smelling that enthralling scent again. Oh yes, she definitely was. And she surprised him…a little fire in the blood was always welcome, he liked a touch of spice in his food. Unfortunately for most mortals, Avery was happiest when he gave into his vampiric side. It was his version of a wall. He didn’t have to think, he didn’t hurt, he didn’t feel and he just didn’t care. It was a shame she was so lovely. It really was. But she should have known better.

”Yes, the hunger…” He mused again. ”You do smell delightful…mouthwatering. And I have to say, I am famished …” He drawled out, flashing her a sharp toothed smile.

[leah marie gore]

you could be the hero in me---}

❂ ❂ ❂ ❂ ❂

Oh, is that so…

The beautiful and perfect curve of his lips opened into a taunting smile and left Leah breathless. Perhaps the fact that he was pretty much trying to break her down should have been enough to convince her to try and leave, but that was definitely not the case. She had a strong head on her shoulders and had the ability to withstand a lot of things most people could not (although it seemed broken relationships affected her mental health a lot more than a scary vampire did. Try and figure that one out, eh?). It really took everything she had not to take the soft padded surface of her fingers and rub them over the curve of his lips. They looked smooth, almost like marble, which seemed to be a common feature among the vampire breed. His lips were full though, perfect for kissing, but also perfect for attracting young little things like Leah to come closer so he could feed. Leah could feel herself being pulled into him, wanting to be ever closer. And she was almost pretty damn sure she wouldn’t even put up a fight. If Daniel were to see her right now, he’d think she was suicidal…

He laughed then, which had caught Leah a little off guard. She quickly brought herself back, though, knowing that he wanted to get under her skin. That was why he was talking the way he was to her, taunting her with his laugh. He wanted her to become weak and paralyzed with fear so that she could see just how scary he was supposed to be to her. For some unfathomable reason, Leah did not think he was scary in even the slightest. Rather, she felt sorry for him. How tiring must it be to constantly have to prove just how strong you are? How pathetic is it that when someone actually looks brave in confronting you and not fearful for their life, you feel the need to make them feel scared and rub in their face that you have the ability to end their life in a second? Leah had wanted to laugh back in his face, but his next few words pierced through her heart like a knife.

Wow…Leah…what can I say, you got me there…Let me guess---a past boyfriend? No doubt you caused his unbeating heart to feel again, like he never thought it would. Awww. Tell me…what did you plan to do once you’d blown my cover, Leah the human? I’m intrigued how you ‘deal’ with brooding vampires. I mean brooding….so they’re undoubtedly emotional, irrational even…unable to control themselves and their superior strength…speed. Then there’s the hunger. Now let’s not forget that little elephant in the room.

He circled about her, like a lion stalking it’s prey, and all the while, she stood firm, her fingers playing with the ruby ring on her left hand, the ring Daniel had given to her when he proposed. It had reappeared suddenly just when things seemed to be going wrong with Rue. It was the only thing that brought her comfort and reminded her that she had once had someone who loved her more than his own immortal life. Leah’s blue eyes flickered down to her finger, the sight of it bringing her a little more strength. She wasn’t going to let this vampire break her. She was only a mortal, but she had a gift of her own. As silly as it sounded, she wanted to stick around, make Avery feel something. He put on a façade that he was happy being the way that he was, but no one is truly happy being alone. No one…not even vampires.

”Oh I see what you’re doing here. I played a game and guessed what you are so now you want to play the game with me,”

[/b] she laughed, clapping her hands together once. ”Well, you’re partially wrong. It wasn’t a past boyfriend, but my late husband,”[/b] she flashed him the ring, knowing he may not care but feeling the need to do so anyway. ”I made him feel enough to marry me---a 100 year old vampire marrying a 16 year old Muggle. Hunters got to him...left me widowed just 6 months after our wedding. ”[/b] Leah put her hand down at her side before continuing. She could feel his dark eyes staring deep into her, trying to intimidate her. She saw his eyes flicker over to the Room of Requirement. No one was around to help her, not even the friend who swore to protect her tonight. She would have to defend herself, which was perfectly fine with the young blonde. Leah thought she was doing well going up solo against a dangerous vampire.

”As for what I was going do, I honestly wasn’t planning on doing anything at all. You see that’s the thing with you vampires. You act all big and bad and when someone like me comes around; a tiny, weak human that you can easily kill, you think that’s all I am? Well, Avery my dear, I don’t do anything to deal with you vampires. My husband fell in love with me because of how little I cared about the vampire side of him. How I didn’t try to change him or control him and make him feed off of dumb little animals. You’re a vampire…real vampires drink human blood, am I right?[/b] Avery stood in front of her now, so close she could reach out and touch him. She turned her blue eyed to him once more, never backing down and never feeling frightened. This vampire was not going to get to her. Not today anyway.

Yes, the hunger…You do smell delightgul…mouthwatering. And I have to say, I’m famished.

A beautiful smile formed on her lips and she took a step closer to him. She reached her hands up to his face, resting her hand on his smooth cheek for a second. She wanted to get to him, more than she knew she was already. He surely would have been caught off guard that someone like her would touch him. She allowed her hand to fall from his face and she moved it to her hair, gathering her silky blonde locks and securing them in a ponytail at the nape of her neck. She arched her neck up to him, her fingers running over the soft skin of her throat and feeling her pulse, steady and strong, as she did so. ”Feed then,”[/b] she told him, looking at him with her piercing blue eyes. ”You wanted to the moment you smelled me. So feed.[/b] Yeah. She had to be suicidal.

[/color][/size][/div] ❂ ❂ ❂ ❂ ❂
[/font]

and one man in his time plays many parts

[/center]words:1113
note: xDDDDDDD
outfit:xoxo
tag:avery
credit:jacksome111@caution 2.0!
[/size]

[Avery Blake]

”Oh I see what you’re doing here. I played a game and guessed what you are so now you want to play the game with me…Well, you’re partially wrong. It wasn’t a past boyfriend, but my late husband, I made him feel enough to marry me---a 100 year old vampire marrying a 16 year old Muggle. Hunters got to him...left me widowed just 6 months after our wedding. As for what I was going do, I honestly wasn’t planning on doing anything at all. You see that’s the thing with you vampires. You act all big and bad and when someone like me comes around; a tiny, weak human that you can easily kill, you think that’s all I am? Well, Avery my dear, I don’t do anything to deal with you vampires. My husband fell in love with me because of how little I cared about the vampire side of him. How I didn’t try to change him or control him and make him feed off of dumb little animals. You’re a vampire…real vampires drink human blood, am I right? ”

Avery openly yawned, he hadn’t asked for a bedtime story. So that’s what the little trinket was. He’d noticed her toying with it before her little outburst…for a second he thought he’d managed to put her off, but having focused on that it seemed to have given her further cause to antagonise him. It looked old, treasured - the vampire possibly would have had it for a long time. Although he found her words distasteful, he inwardly acknowledge that the vampire probably had cared for her, just a tad. He sniffed delicately. Well it wasn’t his cup of tea, and seemed a rather obvious colour choice for a vampire. Blood red.

“Blah blah blah…Yeah, cheers for that. Didn’t really need a history lesson - don’t care. “ He shrugged, pulling a face. She really had him down wrong, he wasn’t here masquerading as an agony aunt - and she really was prettier when she kept her trap shut. He didn’t need to scare her to get his kicks, he found when they screamed too much it made his head ring, and had a rather adverse effect on his appetite. He liked to eat in peace, and only cared if what she had to say affected his decision on whether he chose to take a bite or not. ”However - now you bring it up, fantastic romantic tragedy as it is and all that - might want to consider how a 100 year old vampire managed to go get himself killed. They tend to get us when we’re young and clumsy. If it wasn’t suicide after realising he’d tied himself to a sixteen year old muggle - then perhaps he was picke out, and murdered for being involved with you, a mortal. Not trying to say you should feel guilty or anything, you did make him feel sooo much. Probably most of all when the stake was driving right through his heart…”

Avery examined his nails, angelic features innocent despite the needlessly cruel statement he’d responded with. Leah had responded with such a passion and determination, she really had been asking for it. If she was only just getting started on her great Avery break in, he was only just getting warmed up on the great Leah break down. It seemed a shame, she was so feisty. He liked a feisty girl - he couldn’t bear the whimpering, tearful types. He sighed, they all ended up that way though. Something about wanting to live, not being ready to die - usual pointless jibberish.

Avery flinched as she touched him, shocked out of his thoughts by the sudden contact that he hadn’t been expecting. He was taken aback by the beautiful smile curving her mouth as she looked up at him. He was transfixed by her, caught completely unawares - her skin so close and glorious. He wanted to catch her face in his hands, and run a thumb along her cheekbone. He wanted to know what those perfectly pink lips felt like pressed against his. Avery’s eyes followed her hand as she secured her hair back from her neck…arching it toward him. Hang on. Wait a minute. He blinked momentarily, a frown leaping to crumple his forehead. What the hell was she doing? She’d said it herself, she knew all about Vampires, what was she playing at?

”Feed then, You wanted to the moment you smelled me. So feed.”

He couldn’t bring himself to step back, even once. Without even thinking, his arms had come up around her - one circling her slender waist, the other hand resting on her shoulder. For the first time since she’d arrived, he found himself lost for words, no clever remark or cruel backhander to ward her off with. He stared into her eyes intensely, as if they would give him the answer to her actions…wondering if perhaps she was like him, the desire to live no longer as appealing as it once was.
It would be so easy, it would only take a second to drop his head. Her scent rose up around them, and Avery could feel his mouth begin to salivate. This had never been about winning for him - he had just wanted her to go. She had found the checkmate for their chess game though. She was offering him a get out. All he had to do was bite her. There was no down side - he’d get to taste her, she would no longer be a bother, he would be removed from Beaux batons - life would return to normal. So why was he even thinking about it?

Avery’s face softened as he looked at her - suddenly devoid of all the iciness that had been there before as he made his decision. He skimmed his hand up her bare arm, stopping when he cupped the back of her neck - fingers sliding through her ponytail just as he’d imagined doing. He lightly tightened his arm about her waist, drawing her far closer and he dropped his head to her neck. His fangs were out already, ready, waiting. Avery licked her neck and went in for the bite. She didn’t have a death wish. She just thought he was better than this. The though ricocheted through him and settled in his stomach heavily, and he stopped mid bite. His teeth were grazing her neck, indenting her skin to the point it may have been broken, poised for the bite he so desperately wanted, his breath hot on her skin. He’d never had someone expect more of him. They always thought the worst. Never had someone trust him like this.

He jerked his head back, face white with fury and fingers clenching abruptly on her hair. How dare she. Avery was all but growling, livid that he’d cared enough to stop, furious that the tiniest bubble of pleasure had uncurled in his stomach when he realised why she was doing this. “I am giving you one last chance…” He snarled through gritted teeth, face almost touching hers. He released her from their close embrace with needless force designed to make her stumble back and away from him. Happy, you got what you came for.“ He hissed as he turned away. He hoped it had made her bloody evening. Without waiting to see if had stumbled, he stalked back to the balcony. ”Get the f*ck out of here. I swear to God if I see you again tonight I’ll rip your throat out.”

He needed space. He didn’t turn down meals. The volatile whirlwind of emotion that roared around his head was making it hard to think, and he longed for his icy clarity. What the hell just happened to him.

[leah marie gore]

you could be the hero in me---}

❂ ❂ ❂ ❂ ❂

Blah blah blah…yeah, cheers for that. didn’t really need a history lesson- don’t care. However- now you bring it up, fantastic romantic tragedy as it is and all that – might want to consider how a 100 year old vampire managed to go and get himself killed. They tend to get us when we’re young and clumsy. If it wasn’t suicide after realizing he’d tied himself to a sixteen year old muggle- then perhaps he was picked out, and murdered for being involved with you, a mortal. Not trying to say you should feel guilty or anything, you did make him feel sooo much. Probably most of all when the stake was driving right through his heart.

So this was how he was going to treat her. Her once strong, stable composure was now gone, her blue eyes transfixed on her feet as she came to terms with everything Avery just said to her. As if she didn’t feel horrible about Daniel’s death enough, now all Leah could wonder was if it was a suicide or if it was her fault that he was killed. All this time, she told herself that he loved her more than anything in the world and what had happened had simply been a tragedy. But now, almost a year later, now she had the thought of it being on purpose in her mind because of this rude, hateful vampire she had just met. Her entire world was crashing down around her, and she no longer knew what to say. Any wanting she once had for wanting to get to know Avery was now gone, overshadowed by the darkness of her past and the guilt this creature had just placed on her heart. Leah removed the ring from her finger then, clenching it in her closed fist, no longer wanting to look at the beautiful ruby heirloom her late husband had given her. No, it hurt way too much…

”I didn’t know you wanted me to leave so badly that you felt the need to say those things, Avery,”

[/b] she said softly, turning her blue eyes up to face him for one last time before she took her leave. Yes, she was so over this and all she wanted to do was run off and find Charlton and tell him everything. He would know what to do and how to help the deep, dark hole she slowly began her soul sinking into. She didn’t want to go back there, be that way ever again. Tonight was supposed to be the night she moved on for good and had a great time, which she had been until she felt compelled to talk to this horrendous beast. This horrible vampire who felt the need to make her feel miserable when all she wanted to do was to help him feel

As she felt herself turning to go, her hand reaching up to let her hair down once more, she felt his cool arms circling her tiny body. She would give him this, the possibility of killing her, if it meant she didn’t have to live with the words he just spoke to her. Think of it as an assisted suicide in which the assistant was way to willing to come to her aid and give her what she wanted. She kept her neck arch up to him, her eyes baring into his as he stared at her intensely, those gray eyes searching deep within her for something she was not too sure of. Leah noticed how Avery’s hardened features became soft as he ran his hand up her arm and cupped the back of her neck, sending a small shiver down her spine. She had forgotten just how cold vampires were and it sort of surprised her. She wished she knew what was running through his mind as he bared his fangs and slowly dropped his face into the crook of her neck. Leah only wished he was regretting what he was about to do, maybe feeling something about the blonde he hardly thought he was capable of. At least then her dying would have been for something, right? A cool tongue flicked against her skin and she closed her eyes, entranced by the touch and shuddering as she felt his fangs pressing to her skin. So this was it…after everyone had desperately tried to bring Leah back her old self, she was going to allow herself to be killed by a vampire.

I am giving you one last chance…Happy, you got what you came for. Get the f*ck out of here. I swear to God if I see you again tonight I’ll rip your throat out.

His features hardened again, this time his teeth clenched in anger and his finger no longer softly combing her hair. No, he hair was in a ball underneath his fist and he released her small body with such force, that she struggled to not fall on the floor. Avery walked back over to the balcony, Leah watching him as he did so. He was angry, and she was unsure if she should even say anything to him. She turned into the Room of Requirement, giving up on the angry vampire and everything she had thought could be. She stopped midstride, turning around once more to say one last thing to Avery before taking her leave into the dead party. ”I guess I did make you feel something, Avery. I’m sorry it took that to do it. Maybe I’ll see you around.[/b] With that, she walked back into the Room of Requirement and resumed her cleaning.

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[/font]

and one man in his time plays many parts

[/center]words:934
note: SUCKS. Im sorry ):
outfit:xoxo
tag:avery
credit:jacksome111@caution 2.0!
[/size]

[Avery Blake]

”I guess I did make you feel something, Avery. I’m sorry it took that to do it. Maybe I’ll see you around.

He didn’t watch her walk away, he’d said one last chance and that was exactly what he was giving her. After that little performance, he wasn’t sure how he’d behave…or what he’d do. His rage died as quickly as it had risen, leaving him feeling detached and contemplative. Avery generally was not a creature of passion or impulse. He’d learnt over time to box that side of himself away, along with love, hate and any other emotion. When living meant you needed to take life with every meal, whether it be human or bunny - you started to lose your perspective on things. He revelled in what he was these days, perhaps a little more than was healthy, but Avery dully acknowledged that it hadn’t always been this way. Like most of his kind, he hadn’t asked for this dark gift - but he had quickly learnt there was no going back. There had to be an element of detachment to survive what he had become. No Vampire could continue without it. To be in touch with empathy was to let go of your sanity, for certain. Did the tiger mourn the gazelle each time it hunted? No.

Avery enjoyed hurting people. It was almost like giving his own pain away, inflicting it on others little by little, until one day - perhaps he wouldn’t have any left for himself . His mouth quirked in a mirthless smile as he considered this. It seemed a perfectly plausible plan when one thought it out…why, it worked for most other things in life. Unfortunately, the things it seemed to work for were only material. Brennan had once lectured him on the philosophy of it all, advising that with emotion - what you gave out was what you got back in return. The problem was, whether it be happiness or hate - Avery didn’t want to give anything. He was entirely selfish, yet people still seemed to want to give to him., to help him, to love him. And he just couldn’t give it back. He didn’t know how.

With Leah, he found he was left wanting. He hadn’t gotten the satisfaction he usually felt from being inexcusably cruel to most others - in fact he felt slightly odd about it. What was that…guilt? Shame? Embarrassment? He gripped the balcony, frown crumpling his forehead as he tried to work it out. There had been something in her face, perhaps the way she’d dropped those long lashes to hide her pain, or the way she’d subtly slid the ring she’d worn with such pride from her finger. It had made it unbearable to bite her. And that had made him mad. Avery supposed he should feel proud…because in their battle, he’d been left holding the trophy so to speak. Unfortunately, he was feeling rather like a loser. He scowled and turned back to survey the party room. He knew she was in there - her misery was practically rolling out of the door in waves, accentuated by the soft clinking of bottles.

He took a few reluctant steps to stand in the door way, digging his hands into his pockets and leaning against the frame again. Now, what was the correct etiquette for the situation….apology? Perhaps a joke. No…he didn’t really know any jokes. Well there was that one about the blonde and her dead husband, but he didn’t suppose that would really go down too well. A scowl tightened his mouth. What the hell was he thinking? He wasn’t about to apologise. She was the one who’d stuck her nose where it wasn’t wanted, lord only knew he’d given her more than enough signals to back off, so could she really blame him when it got put out of joint? You stick your hand in the fire, you’re gonna get burnt, Avery reminded himself self righteously. Heaving a heavy sigh, he begrudgingly joined her in collecting bottles and cleaning, working alongside her in silence.

[leah marie gore]

you could be the hero in me---}

❂ ❂ ❂ ❂ ❂

A million and one thoughts were running through the little blonde’s head as she picked up bottles and threw them into the trashcan in the center of the room, not caring if the loud clinking of the bottles woke up the passed out party attendees. Why did she go outside and talk to Avery? She had provoked him, unintentionally but nonetheless. Honestly, she should have just left him alone, but as she so often did, Leah felt the need to fix someone who seemed broken and lost. Perhaps that wasn’t a bad thing if the person was a human, but he was a vampire. She had put her life on the line to reach out to a broken and lost vampire and almost lost her life because of it. Charlton would kill her if he knew, which was why she wasn’t going to tell him. He was incredibly protective of the little blonde for whatever reason and she didn’t want his companionship with Avery to be ruined. See that? Beat her down, and she still cared about you. She stopped for a moment to look up at the doorway towards the balcony. Avery was leaning against the doorframe, his eyes turned down at the ground and a scowl on his face. What was going through his mind now?

How could she still care about this vampire’s feelings and thoughts after his teeth were indenting the skin on her neck, his senses running wild for the kill? She reached her hand up to her neck where she could still feel the slight impressions of his teeth. Leah sat on the chair by her shoes, two empty bottles still in her hands. She closed her blue eyes tightly, trying to concentrate on her thoughts and why she was feeling so compassionate towards the cruel creature that shattered her world in the five minutes she knew him. She could still feel the ruby ring in her pocket, almost like it was burning a hole through the fabric into the skin of her thigh. It seemed wrong to be there; it belonged on her left hand where it had been since he gave it to her. The blonde felt tears begin to well up in her eyes and she let them fall silently. She would never wear a ring on that finger besides the one Daniel presented her with because no one else would ever want her. She was damaged and bruised mentally and still not over Daniel when she was with Rue and not over Rue now that she was alone.

She reached her free hand into her pocket and pulled out the antique ring, placing back on the hand it called home. She opened her eyes to stare at it, tears still falling from her cheeks. She heard a clinked bottle beside her and snapped out of her thoughts, dropping the two bottles she held on the ground. Luckily for her, the floor of the Room of Requirement was carpeted and the bottles did not shatter. Helping her to clean up was Avery, who must have stalked into the room when she was absorbed in her thoughts. Leah jumped up from her chair, quickly rubbing the tears from her cheeks. With it came some of her mascara, which was only proven by the black streaks on her hand after she wiped her cheeks. Great, now she looked a mess, weak, and pathetic and he would know he had gotten to her. She picked up the bottles quickly and reached out her hand to him. ”I may only be a weak human, but I’m perfectly capable of cleaning up myself,”

[/b] she told him, trying to sound tough but hearing her own voice crack as she spoke. She sniffed once and walked towards the trashcan to toss the bottles she still held in her right hand. As funny as it may sound, he had gotten to her enough that she wanted to shatter them on his head even though it would cause more pain to the bottles than to Avery. Leah crossed her arms across her chest, trying to look as tough as a girl of her stature could. ”Why are you here? I thought you pushed me away because you didn’t want to be near me.”[/b] Deep down, she was curious. Had she gotten through to him a little bit? Maybe he was warming up to her? Nah, not likely. He probably just decided to kill her anyway. This was turning into an awesome night, huh?

[/color][/size][/div] ❂ ❂ ❂ ❂ ❂
[/font]

and one man in his time plays many parts

[/center]words:753
note:
outfit:xoxo
tag:avery
credit:jacksome111@caution 2.0!
[/size]

[Avery Blake]

She’d put the ring back on, he’d noticed. He mulled over the significance of this as he collected bottles and discard plastic cups in a bin bag. He didn’t need to look at her to tell he’d hurt her deeply, reawoken old wounds that tonight had almost helped her forget. With a few spoken words, he’d undone all the progress she’d made in finding the old Leah. And despite everything he’d said, she was still proud to wear that ring. Now that was loyalty.

Avery heard the bottles hit the floor, his eyes flicking over in time to see her jump up from the chair she’d been curled up in, looking so fragile and forlorn. Even now Leah tried to pretend like she wasn’t affected by him, small hands roughly scrubbing the tears from her face - though the mascara remained, determined and accusing beneath her eyes. She had been beautiful before, but he was enraptured by the strength of her personality. He’d all but ripped out her heart, and she had willingly given him her throat, her life, and yet she continued to clear up. Unusual to say the least. By this stage his usual company would either be dead or….well, they’d be dead. What was it about her?

”I may only be a weak human, but I’m perfectly capable of cleaning up myself, Why are you here? I thought you pushed me away because you didn’t want to be near me.”

Avery half smiled to himself, acknowledging the emotional crack of her voice but choosing not to view it as a weakness. His little blonde Valkyrie. He frowned for the briefest moment, pausing in his collecting as he realised that her display of human emotion had actually caused him to warm to her, rather than reject her. Emotion was usually something he despised, and had prided himself on being able to lock down on his own. Yet here he was, admiring it. “ I don’t actually know.” He responded slowly, punctuating it with an elegant shrug. ”I don’t want to be near you. Avery could hear the confusion in his own statement, the unanswered question suspended in the air.

”Why are you here?” Avery stopped what he was doing to fully face her. The Room of Requirement would clean itself, neither of them had to be doing such a menial task. He rubbed the tips of his fingers together surreptitiously, feeling them stick together from the residue of whatever had been on the bottles. Disgusting. Despite the obvious downside of the cleaning, it was ridiculously late (or early dependant on how you wanted to view it) and most students not unconscious would be seeking the comfort of their own bed, or a free couch. Not spending the early hours playing House Elf.