Connor Manning
Head Boy
Slytherin Seventh Year Quidditch Captain
something in the way
Posts: 737
|
Post by Connor Manning on Sept 1, 2008 0:27:36 GMT -5
She was right, though, how could he know? He didn't have any idea what really happened a year ago, because he only knew what he saw... and looks could be deceiving. He had been just another student that day, another face among the crowd. He didn't know, it was as simple as that.
He was slightly taken aback by Celina's question, pausing before preparing anything to say. " To me? No, I don't. " He trailed off into his thoughts, trying to reorganize them. He didn't find him threatening but at the same time he was wary of how much Celina adored him. He guessed if anything, he was afraid of fighting for Celina's attention with the man. Her next question paused him to think back and remember his words as he stared into the dark brown eyes of Alfonz Jedynak. And you, you tell your sister to be quiet and to go with you, but you won't let her talk.
Maybe there was a good reason that Alfonz had wanted to keep Celina quiet. The Slytherin let his now empty hand fall back to his side as he tried to answer her questions. And it wasn't a matter of just answering her questions, he wanted so desperately to have the right answer. Connor wasn't even sure if there was a right answer.
" Because... I didn't like what you were saying, but.. I thought he was preventing you from saying it even though he wants what's best for you. " He guessed that had been it... Alfonz had wanted Celina to go quietly while Connor wanted to hear what she had, even if it was against the points he was trying to make. It was hard to explain to himself let alone to her why he had said what he did. Connor looked out towards the lake, feeling like he was falling because he didn't know how to sort things out properly.
' Connor, ' He looked back up to her, " Yes? " He waited for her to continue before sighing slightly. He could only go by what he saw, and he winced slightly at just the memory of seeing what had happened. He couldn't imagine being Celina or Felicity and having to relive it... " No... " He whispered back to her after a moment had passed by. He didn't think it was possible that she could... not without either a damn good reason, or not without something else... just another thing he didn't know.
|
|
Celina Jedynak
Ravenclaw
Seventh year
Because it just took time, before a bird's wings could heal again.
Posts: 6
|
Post by Celina Jedynak on Sept 1, 2008 1:01:30 GMT -5
Celina studied Connor's expressions as he answered her questions and contemplated his answers carefully. She could tell that he was nervous about saying the wrong thing, and at the same time, she was nervous that he'd say something that wasn't necessarily wrong, but just like everyone else. Again, she was hoping his differences would prevail. The differences that she had always liked the Slytherin boy for... the reasons why she never classified him in the same category of friend as she did with Drew and Felicity.
A breath of relief, Celina had been holding her breath unknowingly as she waited for Connor's answer about whether or not he found Alfonz threatening. She was glad that he did not, for that's not what Alfonz was. Celina adored her brother, and knew that even though he was rough around the edges, he wasn't one to ever hurt anyone intentionally. But, that didn't mean that if she told Connor, about the Deva and her brother's involvement, that he wouldn't think him threatening then.... he was a good brother, and knew what was right... she just wished someone other than her understood that.
Celina hugged herself a little tighter. Because... I didn't like what you were saying, but.. I thought he was preventing you from saying it even though he wants what's best for you. A few moments passed, the wind blew gently, rustling the leaves in the nearby trees. Celina was thinking to herself about her next statement... Connor was different, and he said he wanted things to be better between them... but at the same time, Celina knew that she'd never be able to be too close to anyone. Not if they didn't know... "Have you ever held the power to destroy lives?" Celina asked sheepishly... what kind of a question was that? What would he think of her if he knew she could have ruined her entire family that night and almost didn't care if she did? What would he think if he knew how close she actually was to that of the Deva... or how close she was to losing her best friend, because she'd run to her brother for help?
No...
Celina couldn't help but smile. He didn't believe she was weak, for he'd said that before to her, and just as he believed that, he didn't believe that she could have ever given up her friend without reason. A small laugh escaped her, but it was one that was followed by a few tears of relief, all of which she wiped away quickly. She didn't want to cry, but hearing someone say that they didn't believe she'd just give up, was enough to make the Ravengirl want to celebrate. She couldn't talk about this kind of stuff with her friends... they'd all kind of agreed never to talk about things again. Drew and her could hardly be seen alone, for if they were, Felicity started acting weird.... Felicity would have told Drew if Celina had told her, she was sure of it.. and over all, though Celina was sure Drew knew that Alfonz was there, he would have thought of her as selfish to choose her brother's life over her best friend, or rather, his girlfriend.
For Connor to say no, he had no idea how much weight was lifted off of Celina's shoulders. He couldn't believe that she was bad... weak.... or anything of the sort. The differences were outstanding, from that of Celina's friends. "I wish we were friends a year ago..." she said, still wiping her eyes and trying to laugh and joke all of the heart ache and the frustration away. "You could have told Drew this when he said I was in need of toughening up, and such..." she laughed, trying to make it sound like what Drew had said to her was now like a distant memory and joke... but to Celina, it wasn't. It was still there, haunting her, almost as if she knew that if something happened like that again....
...her friends would never be able to bring themselves to forgive her and come back to her.
|
|
Connor Manning
Head Boy
Slytherin Seventh Year Quidditch Captain
something in the way
Posts: 737
|
Post by Connor Manning on Sept 1, 2008 1:53:32 GMT -5
Connor didn't know how he was doing in regards to his answers, it would appear that she didn't disagree with him entirely, as he was pretty sure that she would let him know one way or another if he was messing up entirely. It was like taking an exam, only worse because at least with tests, there was always a definite right answer and a definite wrong answer. This wasn't as easy.
The teenager slid his hands into his pockets as he stared out to the lake, feeling jumpy but also somewhat calm, his thoughts and feelings contradicting one another despite his efforts otherwise. He didn't turn back to look at Celina as he heard her slightly eerie question put forth, letting himself look out once again over the lake for another few seconds. " Just my own. " He began to wonder why she would ask, and the only reasonable explanation he could come up with would be that she had had that power before. The obvious instance that came to mind was with Felicity and Shaw. Connor turned back to look at her, quirking his head to the side just slightly as he caught her gaze.
" Have you? " He assumed that he already knew the answer, but he wanted to hear it from her. He had gotten something out of all of the events of the last few months, and that was to never completely assume something about someone unless you hear it from them directly.
Her smile seemed to melt away some of the coldness that he had been previously been feeling, and it was his instinct to take a small step towards her as he saw several tears fall from her eyes. He didn't make a move to touch her in any way, though, as he let a small smile of his own appear on his face. " In need of toughening up, huh? Not so sure about that one... " He said with a small laugh, thinking that Celina was tough enough as she was. He didn't mean to change the topic, but bringing up Drew into the conversation only reminded Connor of the fight the two had gotten into.
" Hm... Did I mention to you I actually got into a fight with Drew? " He didn't know if Celina had heard or knew from Felicity or just from seeing the collective scars and bruises, but it was kind of amusing to reflect on now. He hadn't told Celina after it had happened just because they had been kind of fighting or whatever it was the had been doing. " Nothing happened, of course, but... we weren't friends for a while there. " He wasn't even sure if they could be called friends now, but still... it was progress.
|
|
Celina Jedynak
Ravenclaw
Seventh year
Because it just took time, before a bird's wings could heal again.
Posts: 6
|
Post by Celina Jedynak on Sept 2, 2008 23:30:37 GMT -5
Have you?
A whisper, so lethal it was like poison in her ear... Shaw may have been smaller, but he had held everyone's lives in his hands when he had led the Deva into Hogwarts, and into an atmosphere where it looked like he really held no control. Wasn't that the reason why he needed to make examples out of anyone? The truth of the matter was, Shaw had no control. Not as much as he needed to portray the message he was trying to get across... it was why he hadn't just sent Celina and Felicity to the dungeons... of course, realizing whom Celina was probably didn't help her best friend, brother, or even her own well being much, either.
Had she power to destroy lives? Absolutely. "I never wanted... I didn't mean..." Celina covered her mouth and shut her eyes tightly, Felicity's screams echoing in her mind as she was slowly allowing all of everything to rush forward. "Al...Alfonz... " Celina couldn't stop the tears from flowing from her eyes as she started to cry to herself, the arm not connected to the hand covering her mouth, now wrapping around her even tighter.
Controlling herself, Celina opened her eyes and forced herself to stop crying as she lifted her red eyes to meet up with Connor's. "He was going to kill Alfonz, Connor," she whispered harshly, remembering how Brady had called out her brother's name exposing him to whomever had caught it. "If I didn't tell him what was going on...." Celina shook her head and looked away. How could he understand that she made the choice that kept them all alive? Shaw had made it clear he wasn't going to kill anyone... anyone except her traitorous brother...
Alfonz had joined the Deva to get into the school to be closer to Celina. Alfonz had told Celina that. Of course, he'd also told her that he wanted nothing to do with the Deva... and yet, was still associated with them last she knew. Alfonz pretty much had stopped talking about it... what was she to really know anymore?
"Felicity and Drew..." Celina shook her head. "...they were better off not talking to me after, but..." Celina continued to shake her head, for she hated to say what she felt. So much was confusing her, but she knew one thing. "I made a choice I knew would save us all..." she paused, tilting her head and sniffling... not able to look at Connor anymore. "Even though I wish I'd said nothing..." Shaw might not have gone after Alfonz after all... maybe he would have gone after her? She'd wondered so many times since then if that would have ever been the case...
Celina walked a few steps away from Connor, finally kneeling on the ground and sighing. Did I mention to you I actually got into a fight with Drew? Celina had caught what Connor said about the fact that she didn't need toughening up, but disregarded it. She'd always taken everything Drew said to heart... and though he had apologized for everything he said, she still believed that maybe he was right. "Fight? No..." Celina had not heard anything about a fight. Felicity never mentioned anything and Drew was pretty much on a touch and go base with her, busy with his last year and such of school, so everything had flown by without the Raven girl pretty much.
"Are you friends now?" Celina asked looking over her shoulder at Connor. There was apart of her that wanted him to say no... for she wished she could keep him separate from that part of her life, but at the same time, she knew how selfish that made her. He wasn't hers to keep all to herself... Connor was his own person. "I've fought many times with Drew..." Celina shrugged, remembering some of the worst times...
"Though, he makes up for it well usually..." Celina smirked looking back out at the lake, remembering how he had helped her with her dancing when the began to talk again. As much as she hated him to be so good at everything, Celina was grateful for everything Drew had ever done for her... Celina just wished she could come clean to him. Unfortunately, she never believed he'd ever understand her.
|
|
Connor Manning
Head Boy
Slytherin Seventh Year Quidditch Captain
something in the way
Posts: 737
|
Post by Connor Manning on Sept 3, 2008 17:52:49 GMT -5
Connor barely breathed as he waited for Celina's answer, both his voice and his air caught in his throat. He could feel a slight trickle of sweat creep down his neck as he tried hard not to move, he wanted to hear what Celina had to say. As she started to talk, though, it was somewhat hard to piece together what she meant and who she was referring to. His gaze dropped to the lake, feeling torn between wanting to hold her, and wanting to just listen. It had been a while since he had done that to anyone, just listened and stopped talking for a while. Maybe now it could do him some good.
' He was going to kill Alfonz, Connor. ' Him meaning Shaw, he understood that. He breathed in sharply as he heard her softly spoken words, though, knowing that she wasn't quite done yet he tried to even his breathing more. ' If I didn't tell him what was going on.... ' He could fill in the blanks, and he nodded grimly. If she didn't tell him what was going on... someone could have ended up dead. Someone could have ended up with a fate that was worse than Felicity's had been. He stole a glance up at Celina, who was now looking away from him and he noticed a few tears glistening in the soft light.
She had made a decision to save them all, he could understand that. But what had she lost because of it? Celina had said so herself that Felicity and Drew were better off not associating themselves with her after everything had happened. She had lost her friends. Her brother, perhaps? He could only ask if he wanted answers. He took a small step towards her although refrained from reaching out to her just yet. " You were brave, Celina... " He stated as he looked back out to the water on the lake. Maybe she wasn't the person he thought she was, but he guessed he might be getting some sort of idea now. How much did it take to break a person? Connor didn't know...
He remained where he was as she walked away and knelt down on the ground. If she wanted space he would give it to her. He shrugged at her question, then shook his head. " Not really... I don't feel like punching him in the nose every time I see him, though, so that's an improvement. " His lips curled up into a small smile as he planted himself on the ground several feet away from Celina, letting his legs stretch out before him he leaned back on his arms and looked up to the still darkening sky.
|
|
Celina Jedynak
Ravenclaw
Seventh year
Because it just took time, before a bird's wings could heal again.
Posts: 6
|
Post by Celina Jedynak on Sept 3, 2008 18:24:43 GMT -5
Celina shook her head, more at herself than at what Connor said. Was she brave? Not according to any of the Ravens... not according to any of the friends she thought she had, and yet lost... not according to Jax whom had barely spoken or looked at her without glaring since then... No, Celina wasn't sure if it was bravery, or just choosing who was more worthy to save. Had her family's ideals set in that much? Drew had even said he wouldn't have given anyone up... "...but the right decision," Celina started, every word getting more pronounced as she spoke. "Wouldn't that have been to give up my own life?" she looked at Connor. "Drew and Jax said..." Celina shrugged, not knowing if Connor knew any of the Ravens other than Drew. What they said was something Celina could have never done. Was she weak because of that?
She'd questioned that many times.
Connor, seated beside her now, smiled slightly as he spoke about Drew, but it was more out of encouragement for Celina she felt than anything else. Celina couldn't smile though... she wanted so badly for things to go back to the way they were before the Deva came, and her brother came... "I wish I didn't make friends..." her eyes looked up out at the lake as she no longer cried or sniffled. It was probably the most sincere and serious sounding thing she'd said all night. "I've done this all to everyone..." she blamed herself.
Wasn't that the reason Alfonz felt the need to protect her, ultimately joining into a group that would get him closer to her? Isn't that why Felicity and she were singled out? Because they were friends singled out, trying to escape? And what about her friendship with both Felicity and Drew just in general? It had been problematic since the very start... making friends was what had gotten her into such messes... and ultimately, that was her own doing. Her bottom lip quivered as she looked at her now folded hands in her lap.
"Everything's my fault..." she said mostly to herself. It sounded childish... selfish.... even self pitying, but when it came to her life, before she started making friends and becoming known at all at Hogwarts, there had been no problems. But she listened to her mother...
"It's amazing how big a boulder actually gets when it rolls down a hill uncontrollably...." Celina said, snorting slightly as she shook her head.
|
|
Connor Manning
Head Boy
Slytherin Seventh Year Quidditch Captain
something in the way
Posts: 737
|
Post by Connor Manning on Sept 3, 2008 19:08:46 GMT -5
Connor bit down lightly on the inside of his cheek, sure that by now the inside of his mouth was scarred from all the times he bit down to stop himself from saying something or doing something that he didn't think would be too much of a good idea. He glanced over to Celina every so often, wondering what it was like to have the weight of the world on your shoulders. She held it well, he could say that much. There were also other conflicting feelings as well as Celina went on. What would he have done in the situation? It was unfair to ask that to himself, he hadn't been in the same situation, and if he had been, the circumstances probably would have been different. No, he couldn't imagine for a second what it was like to have to choose, really honestly choose, for once.
If anything, he looked at her in awe. Of her decision, of the fact that, despite all of what she was currently saying, she was still here. Still living, still breathing. Sure, she was damaged, but who wasn't? ' Wouldn't that have been to give up my own life? ' Connor stopped himself from shrugging his shoulders, opting to say something instead. All he could really come up with, though was, " I don't know, Celina... " How could he answer that? He didn't even know how to react to this new information, or if he should be reacting at all. Was it in his right to judge her because of what she had done, because of the choices she had made? He didn't think it was in his place for the main reason that he couldn't honestly say that he would have chosen another option.
Connor leaned forward slightly, draping his arms against his knees as he continued to look at the lake, the light reflecting off of it. He looked back at Celina as she mentioned that she wished she hadn't ever made friends.
" Don't say that... " He said quietly to her, shaking his head just slightly as he spoke. " You haven't done anything to me. " He protested, his tone still quiet and even as he talked to her. That wasn't exactly true, but he did believe that things happened for a reason. He shook his head at her next comment, not wanting to hear a word of it. It was stupid to put all of the blame on any one person, and for Celina to load herself with everything wasn't fair to her or the people around her.
" Look, it's nothing... you can't fix. " He knew it was never that simple, of course, but everything could be helped. He hoped.
|
|
Celina Jedynak
Ravenclaw
Seventh year
Because it just took time, before a bird's wings could heal again.
Posts: 6
|
Post by Celina Jedynak on Sept 3, 2008 19:34:03 GMT -5
Connor didn't know, but that was alright with Celina. Frankly, him not freaking out or doing anything was the best reaction that Celina could have ever hoped for... of course, he still wasn't asking the right question. How Shaw knew who her brother even was... Connor never asked, and though she knew she shouldn't, she needed to tell him. Needed to tell anyone. Confirming her brother's second life could get him into Azkaban for sure... but who would believe a student at the school over a quidditch pro? And if the family denied even knowing anything... Alfonz would be safe, just as he was when the aurors had questioned him before when Brady pointed him out. Alfonz would be safe... as long as she didn't tell anyone she didn't trust.
But could she trust him? Could Celina Jedynak truly trust Connor Manning, even after everything they'd gone through?
"Can... can I trust you... Co..Connor?" Celina's voice cracked. She couldn't trust Felicity to the extent she needed, and Drew... he could be trusted to do the exact opposite of what Celina wanted, or felt that she needed. All the Raven girl had ever had was her brother... now that she only somewhat had even him, where could she really turn?
Don't say that.... you haven't done anything to me.
Celina gulped and looked at her friend... sitting back on her bum, rather than kneeling on her knees she moved a few inches closer to where Connor sat and looked around to make sure that they were really alone where they were. Night was soon approaching and though there were others on the grounds, no one seemed to be taking much notice of the two sixth years. "Not yet..." she whispered, sheepishly focusing her glances on the prefect.
Fixing it? Well, that was a weird statement, but Celina only tilted her head and nodded. "If only such things could be truly fixed..." Celina knew that fixing the break between her friends was already done. Felicity thought no more about it, and her and Drew would never be as close as they once were. Not to mention, if they were, it would only have started problems between her and Felicity again. No, there was no fixing it, for everything that could have been fixed already was.
All except for Alfonz, that was. So, how did one fix getting into the wrong crowd of people? "Connor..." Celina started. "...remember when I said I knew things I shouldn't...?" Celina asked him softly, her eyes darting guiltily away from his once more.
|
|
Connor Manning
Head Boy
Slytherin Seventh Year Quidditch Captain
something in the way
Posts: 737
|
Post by Connor Manning on Sept 3, 2008 20:02:37 GMT -5
' Can... can I trust you... Co..Connor? ' He didn't think he'd ever have to think twice about a question like that, but once it was asked, Connor had to reflect back on it. Could she trust him? " Yes, you can. " He wanted her to trust him, he needed her to trust him so he could trust her back. In any relationship, romantic or friends, trust was needed. So yes, she could trust him.
He had a hard time not holding his breath as he waited for what else was to be told to him. He trusted Celina, cared for her deeply, but couldn't help the second thoughts that flitted through his brain in the small silence that followed. He had to wonder if he wanted to know, if he really wanted to know. His eyes slowly scanned up to Celina's as she sat down next to him. He moved to sit a bit closer to her, whispering back, " Not ever. " He didn't really know what she had been trying to say in the first place, just that she did this to all of her friends. Disappoint? She hadn't disappointed him yet. Hurt him, maybe, surprise him, yes. But disappoint? No, she hadn't.
He didn't know what to say really. He agreed but also disagreed with her. It couldn't be fixed entirely maybe, but things could be better. It was his optimism that kept him on this train of thought and kept him from thinking too harshly upon anything that was being said to him. " Yes. " He answered simply, knowing that now wasn't the time for him to ask too much questions. He had yelled at Alfonz months ago about not allowing Celina to talk, when in reality, he too had been doing the same thing ever since he had known her.
" I remember. " He nodded his head slightly, allowing her time to go on when she was ready to go on.
|
|
Celina Jedynak
Ravenclaw
Seventh year
Because it just took time, before a bird's wings could heal again.
Posts: 6
|
Post by Celina Jedynak on Sept 3, 2008 20:44:32 GMT -5
Could she? Celina kept asking herself over and over but as he said she could, she almost double backed on her thoughts. She couldn't, but what other option did she have if she gave him no chance at all? But hadn't she given him plenty of chances? Celina shook her head, telling herself it didn't matter... what could he do if she couldn't any ways? Celina leaned her head on Connor's shoulder and sighed, not really knowing what she aimed at doing any of what she was thinking. Redemption? Was that possible any longer? The day she decided to do anything, and it just happened to be her birthday. Was this her confessing her old ways to turn over a new and improved leaf?
Celina's hand found it's way edging on Connor's, beckoning for any kind of human comfort as she shut her eyes and listened to his answer. He remembered... and now Celina was preparing herself to tell him why exactly she was asking to remember in the first place. "Alfonz... he was here when the Deva were..." it seemed so fluid, like a breath of air. A whisper, a sigh, an exhalation of breath that she'd been holding to herself for so long. Drew already knew he was... but did nothing because of her, and yet, now couldn't even talk to her about it. They'd made their amends for what? Felicity? Probably.
Alfonz was at the invasion. Not as a Quidditch ref.... not as a brother... but as a member of the Deva. He walked in second after Shaw.... to anyone knowing, it would have looked as if her brother and Shaw were closer than what Alfonz told her. Alfonz used Shaw as a game piece, and over all, was stuck with his own bad choice. Now, as he tried to get out... Celina didn't know what was happening, but with her brother not talking, Celina could only imagine that he wasn't out of the Deva. Was there a fix? Did the Deva understand something she didn't?...
And the question that haunted Celina the most....
Was Alfonz really trying to get out of the Deva, or was he telling her that just to ease her mind...?
|
|
Connor Manning
Head Boy
Slytherin Seventh Year Quidditch Captain
something in the way
Posts: 737
|
Post by Connor Manning on Sept 4, 2008 17:52:48 GMT -5
As he neared the girl he let his arm closest to her fall around her back, pulling her in a little closer to him slightly. He was filled with a great sense of anticipation as he waited for her to keep talking, knowing that whatever she said would be worth the wait. He waited, though, thinking about how he had missed their closeness in the months they had spent not talking and attempting to avoid one another. He didn't know what she was going to say, and he was kind of afraid of it. Would it be enough to scare him off again? Would he let himself be scared off again? He made a promise that said no, but he couldn't quite guess what she was actually going to tell him.
Once again he found himself just about holding his breath until he heard Celina speaking once again as he looked over and caught her brown eyes with his hazel ones. He squeezed her hand that was now located in his own, hoping that whatever she revealed to him wouldn't be too much, too soon.
' Alfonz... he was here when the Deva were... '
Wait... what? Connor was sure a look of confusion crossed over his facial features as he made his attempts to think about what she said. Alfonz, the brother that Celina so loved and adored, was a member of the Deva? He could barely process it because it didn't add up. " But... why? " He asked, still perplexed. He wondered if Alfonz was still in the Deva, and for how long he had been... He probably knew all about the invasion beforehand, a thought that caused Connor's face to darken slightly. He was in a group that was responsible for his own sister's pain and anguish? It just didn't... make sense.
" Is he still...? " He questioned, his eyes falling to the ground. He began to wonder just how much Celina knew and how much of it she could really help.
|
|
Celina Jedynak
Ravenclaw
Seventh year
Because it just took time, before a bird's wings could heal again.
Posts: 6
|
Post by Celina Jedynak on Sept 4, 2008 18:47:16 GMT -5
Confusion, dumbfounded-ness, and then anger... all emotions Celina had expected, and yet, as they were all shown on Connor's face, one after another, she was overwhelmed and more nervous than she had been that entire time. Maybe he wasn't ready? Maybe he would tell... But... why? Connor's tone was almost in awe, but slightly disgusted at the same time. Celina's hand fell from Connor's as she moved them slowly to the edge of his shirt, hanging on slightly as if he were to jump and leave her at any minute. He said she could trust him...
Looking away from Connor, Celina focused on her hands as they fidgeted with his shirt. "He said... he... he heard about what was going to happen," Celina whispered trying to explain. Gulping she shrugged. "Alfonz wanted to protect me..." She stood still, looking up with only her eyes to glance up to see what was going on in Connor's mind. She couldn't know. There was too much that was unexpected now...
Is he still... ?
"I don't know," she whispered in response, leaning more into Connor than she ever had before.
|
|
Connor Manning
Head Boy
Slytherin Seventh Year Quidditch Captain
something in the way
Posts: 737
|
Post by Connor Manning on Sept 4, 2008 19:16:53 GMT -5
He was slowly coming to terms with what she said, but her response didn't really supply the answers he was looking for. Connor didn't even know what he should be asking now. He was struggling to keep up with her words with the many thoughts that kept making their way through his mind. ' He said... he... he heard about what was going to happen. ' He tilted his head to the side, not wanting to look at Celina in case he let on something he shouldn't.
His free hand moved up to ruffle through his hair slightly, flattening it down in a nervous sort of way. " Okay... " He said as he nodded his head. He didn't understand it, and he didn't know if he ever would. ' Alfonz wanted to protect me... ' He wanted to protect her by joining the Deva? " But it hurt you - " He sputtered before he realized what he was saying. He stopped short, though, not knowing what else was bound to come out of his mouth if he let it. Connor glanced back over to Celina, feeling the light tugging on the bottom of his shirt, distracting him from his thoughts just enough to meet her eyes with his.
His heart beat faster, partially because of the information he had just received, and partially because he could feel Celina leaning against him more now. She didn't know... He nodded his head one or two times, pondering what was in his place to ask. " Is he safe? " He didn't think the answer would be too simple, but he felt the need to ask regardless of that.
|
|
Celina Jedynak
Ravenclaw
Seventh year
Because it just took time, before a bird's wings could heal again.
Posts: 6
|
Post by Celina Jedynak on Sept 4, 2008 19:46:30 GMT -5
But it hurt you -
"That was my fault!" Celina exclaimed, her eyes opened wide and now looking up directly at Connor and shaking her head. Sniffling, another tear ran down Celina's face and she shook her head and closed her eyes. "Shaw... I went to Alfonz when Felicity was being stupid! She was so rash, but I couldn't let her do anything... not by herself..." Celina turned her entire body forward letting go of Connor, and bunching her own clothing in her hands, clutching tightly.
She could see the scene playing out in her mind... Felicity, crouched over in the bathroom. Between her monthly, and the horrible conditions they had to live in for a few days, not to mention, Felicity's obsession with Drew and him not being their to feed her.... she'd gone absolutely nutters. Celina had to pick up pieces... she had to bend to the Gryffindor, and do as she said because if she didn't, Felicity would have been worse off. "Felicity wanted to go it alone!" Celina angrily snorted and shook her head. "She was planning an escape and wanted me to do it with her... when I told her it was silly, she wouldn't listen. I couldn't let her, Connor.... not by herself...."
Celina knew that Connor probably wouldn't know what this had to do with Alfonz, so quickly she filled in the blank as every word she spoke only sounded more angry. "So, I had to go to Alfonz... he would help us...." she stopped short. "He would have...." Celina whispered. "....helped us..."
Celina looked up at Connor, her eyes now deep voids. She was empty, letting out horrible secrets about how she knew Felicity never thought about anything before they did something... how finally, it caught up with them and it could have been her brother this time! Her brows furrowed... Felicity deserved what happend.... just as much as she had.
"He's safer than I am..." Celina said emotionlessly, tilting her head allowing her dark hair to fall to the side. Alfonz could never hurt anyone... and once all the fighting had broken out after Felicity was tortured by Shaw, he was the one who had pulled the two friends out of the line of fire and under the high table.
"I'm the reason why Shaw found out anything was going on...." Celina finally admitted, her bottom lip quivering. She'd never said anything to anyone about how Shaw knew. Only Alfonz knew.... "...he caught Alfonz and I together when I went to my brother for help..." her head sunk and she buried herself within her knees, wishing then that lightning would just strike her where she sat.
|
|
Connor Manning
Head Boy
Slytherin Seventh Year Quidditch Captain
something in the way
Posts: 737
|
Post by Connor Manning on Sept 4, 2008 20:21:15 GMT -5
He didn't know how to handle her anger, but his first instinct was to pull away from their closeness and give her some room to continue talking. He didn't have to go through the trouble to do so, though, because Celina took care of that by all but pushed him aside, leaving Connor to scootch a couple inches away to give her the space she appeared to want. He only listened now, letting Celina talk and have her bit. He was glad for the sound of her voice to fill the area surrounding them up with noise, even if that noise was angry and hurt. Connor didn't want to give himself too much time to think about anything for too long, so he focused on her words as she said them, moving on to what she said next rather quickly.
He didn't know what Felicity had to do with Alfonz and his connections with the Deva. Felicity had been made an example of by Shaw... maybe that was what the two held in common, Shaw? Connor shook his head slightly as Celina continued on, telling him that Alfonz would have helped them.
' He's safer than I am... ' Connor paused in his thinking, a new question making it's way to the front of the queue of forming questions in his mind. " What do you mean? " His hand instinctively reached up and brushed Celina's hair out of her face, behind her ear as the girl so often did herself. Again, he was unsure if he really wanted to know what she meant... It was all too much, he felt like he might throw up from uneasiness of the secret he now held. He took a few deep breaths, having to remind himself that what he was feeling must be nothing compared to what Celina had gone through. His hand fell back down to the ground, lacing his fingers through the grass he gripped hard, wanting something sturdy to hold on to.
He just... didn't know what to say. Speechlessness was not something that struck Connor often, but now he couldn't think of the right words as he watched Celina sink into herself, further away from him. He heard what she said, but at that moment in time, he just didn't think he could process it. " Oh, Celina... " He trailed off, his already whispered voice feeling as if it had lodged itself into his throat and was not willing to give itself up quite yet. He turned in towards her, not knowing what else to do but place his hand lightly on her arm in what he hoped would be perceived as a comforting motion.
|
|