Flying and Music

Theodore grabbed his Firebolt, which he had recently polished, though it was far from needing it. He hated having to take it through the Floo Network, but didn't have much choice. He stepped into the fire and flooed over to the Greengrass manor. He was hoping Ana would be there, waiting, as he would feel uncomfortable looking for her.

At the floo a house elf is waiting - dressed in a black towel. "Missus Daphne is waiting in the gardens. Follow Tissy and do not touch anything." And it is unfriendly and curt, turning and rushing away and not looking back to see that you are keeping up.

Theodore sighed in relief. He followed the house elf, sometimes jogging to keep sight. He spots you and resumes a normal pace. "Ana," he says.

Ana is standing in the gardens in a thin green robe, her hair ruffled behind her softly. At your voice, she obviously tenses slightly. But she offers a small tight smile when she looks up, and you notice her broom - A Nimbus 2002 - in her hand.

Theodore gives you an odd glance. He noted the tone on your journal, and knows that you're probably meeting him just for the sake of being social, but he doesn't mind. He is concerned with how you're doing, but doesn't know how to ask. He doubts you'd tell him anyway. Openness is not traditionally a Slytherin trait.

Noting your broom, he asks, "Ready to fly?"

Ana nods, still not speaking, but her smile relaxing just slightly. She looks out over the long expanse of garden and then mounts her broom and hovers a few feet from the ground.

Theodore does the same, and then looks at you, grinning. "Race you out there?" He asks, looking at the horizon.

Ana looks to the far end of the garden, considering it, and when she turns back looks just a bit less guarded. "I'll win." And her tone may be lightly teasing, but before you can consider it she's racing - flying with speed and a good deal of agility and grace - toward the goal.

Theodore is not surprised that you took off without a warning. He easily gains on you, until you're both flying at the same pace. He looks over at you, still grinning, and shouts, "Sure about that, Miss Greengrass?" He then takes the lead.

And Ana's smile then is fierce, the one she reserves for Quidditch matches or anything else that she feels she can do without protecting herself all the time. Competitive. And she takes the lead again, flying underneath you and then back into line.

Theodore relaxes a bit, just watching your competitive nature take over, and your pretenses drop. He hasn't had his broom long, but he knows exactly how to maneuver it. He weaves in front of you, way in front of you, and then turns around backward. You get the feeling that he's only toying with you, and that he could have finished the race already. Unfortunately for him, he's not paying attention, and as he's flying backward in front of you, a rather silly grin on his face, he loses control of the broom, and doesn't regain it until he's nearly fallen to the ground.

Ana's eyes widen in shock for a moment as you fall, and she stops. Midair. Surprising even herself at that. Why do I care if he's hurt himself?! Why? This is dangerous.

Theodore pulls himself up onto his broom and meets you. Looking straight into your eyes he says, "You should have kept going. You would have won."

And she looks worried for you, still unguarded in her happiness at flying, but then that sours as you speak. And her expression closes again. She shivers, and would wrap her arms around herself if she could, but instead just tenses. "I should have."

He hovers for a bit more, and then takes off again, not saying a word. There's not too much longer until the goal.

Ana glares at your back as you turn, and then takes off again, bumping your shoulder hard as she does and almost hoping that you fall again. She spurns herself as fast as her broom can carry her. Fully intent on the edge of the garden's now.

Theodore doesn't fall, but the hit knocks him off course enough that you're able to pull ahead. Still a bit shaky from the earlier dive, he almost catches up, but not in time. As you cross the edge of the garden he pulls himself to a halt, and waits for you to turn around. He imagines you'll be gloating when you do.

The victory seems.. oddly hollow. She stops after the line and stares ahead, then turns around slowly and gives a tight shrug before she begins flying - slowly - back toward the house.

Theodore gives you a long sideways glance as you pass him. He flies fast enough to meet you, and then drops down to your pace. He figures you won't answer, but he's got to ask, it's driving him crazy. "Ana, are you upset about something?" His voice is soft, and genuine.

Ana shakes her head automatically, dropping to the ground as she nears the Manor and sitting on a stone bench there, her broom beside her. "Did you hurt yourself?" And her voice is shivering just slightly, but businesslike.

Theodore sits down next to her, but still giving her space. He shrugs. "Almost, bloody fool that I am."

"You.. weren't foolish.. just.. not paying attention." And her tone softens slightly, but she doesn't look over at you as you sit. "I should have kept flying."

Theodore looks at you, gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you for making sure I was ok," he says. He was kind of surprised that you did, but not upset about it in the least.

She shakes her head quickly. "No. I should have kept flying." And I have no idea why I cared.. care... why? Damn it,. She turns to look at you. "But, it's good that you're...alright." And her face is guarded again. Not trusting the gratitude in yours.

Theodore stands and walks forward a bit. He sighs, but it is barely audible. Looking outward, not daring to turn around to ask you this, he questions, "Ana, why did you ask me to come over?" His tone is relaxed, although inwardly he is frustrated. He almost feels that you are playing with him. He trusts you, well at least as much as is possible for him, which isn't saying a lot. But you could hurt him with your answer, and he is unguarded.

"Because you're my housemate and you said that you would like to fly sometime..." And she trails off, something in the tone of your voice catching her and for some reason that she doesn't understand and is completely terrified of, she is honest. "Because my parents ordered me to be social, with acceptable boys especially... and... you were the first I thought to invite." She wraps her arms tight around her chest. "You're... the only one that I ... am more comfortable with." Hoping, to her surprise, that that doesn't sound too cruel.

Theodore has never heard you speak this openly. Cautiously he turns around. Looking at the ground, he doesn't move any closer. This partially for you, but also for him. He has never conversed with any of his housemates this way, and doesn't expect that it will become a habit. But he trusts you. He doesn't know why, and he suspects that in the end it will only work against him, but at the moment he's not really thinking of that.

Still staring at his feet, he manages to say, "I know what it's like in our house Ana. Always being suspicious of other's motives. Never trusting anyone. Never allowing your guard to come down. I don't blame you for being uncomfortable with the other guys, or even with me. Everyone seems to have hidden motivations. But... well... I don't Ana." There's no way she would realize it, and neither does he, but he sounds very much like his father right then.

Ana doesn't believe him. Or more, she doesn't let herself believe him no matter how much she really does want to. But that look in his eyes - He looks serious... and as quick as she thinks that she thinks that it's possible, even probable, that you're manipulating her. But she can't stop her expression from softening. "Okay..." Is all she says, and it isn't really an answer, but she can't think of a reply.

His voice is soft, and quiet, barely audible. "I'll prove that to you. You don't have to trust me now." He's spent five years in Slytherin with you, noticed how you tried to blend into the crowd. He's never been intrigued by someone so much before. If it weren't for the journals, he probably would have left Hogwarts never knowing you, at least not as much as he does now. And I barely know her at all, he thinks. He's watched the other blokes comment on your journals, and he doesn't trust them. He doesn't even know why he cares so much, but he's come to realize that he does in fact care, and there's no changing that. He shrugs lightly, and then turns around again, facing the edge of the garden, staring out at the expanse.

She catches the words, thinking that she must have heard you wrong at first, but then realising she hasn't. He certainly sounds like he means it... and she stands, suddenly overcome by the tension in the air and feeling the need to be anywhere but here. She bites her lip. What she's about to do is very odd for her, very hard. If he knew how much it really did mean to her.... "Would you... would you like to come and listen to... to some music?"

He knows very well that your musical tastes consist of Muggle music. He has never listened to any, nor did he ever plan to. But he will, tonight, for you. He's noticed your tone soften, your voice isn't so much on edge. And for this moment, anyway, he's willing to sacrifice his pureblood ideals. He's not sure he even believes in that anyway. His mother always drilled them into him, but his father was strangely silent on the matter.

He smiles slightly, and offers a simple "Sure," as a response.

Ana resists a stupid urge to take your hand to lead you inside. Instead she puts a hand softly on your shoulder for just a moment to get you turn to face her, and then turns and heads inside, walking up the short flight of stairs and opening the doors to her study. It's a richly done room, with floor to ceiling bookshelves full of both Muggle and Wizard literature, and a small desk with her computer, which she goes to - and after typing something music begins and she sinks into one of two green plush chairs, curling her legs under herself and watching you - almost worried. This is too close. Now he'll hurt you.

Theodore takes a seat in the other green chair. He's never heard music like this before, and it's too early for him to form an opinion. He simply asks, "Who is this?"

"His name is John Mayer... it's called A Love Song for Noone. I.. like his voice." And she wraps her arms tighter around herself, and gives you an apprehensive smile.

"It's... interesting," Theodore says. "Much different than wizarding music. Interesting lyrics..." He doesn't look at you while he says this, but he almost finds the song ironic.

Ana hadn't considered the lyrics of the song when she turned it on, but now she has the oddest sensation that she's blushing - thought it's very faint and you certainly might not notice. She hopes at least. "Yes, very different from wizarding music... and... " She searches her mind for something that will make it more acceptable for you. "Just because you listen to them sing, doesn't mean you have to actually.. associate... with them, or anything."

Theodore smiles. He thinks he might have caught a glimpse of your blush, but he's not sure. To his surprise he's enjoying the music, and he doesn't know what to think about that. Your words seem rational enough. "I like it," he says.

"You do?" And her tone is softly incredulous, arms drawn tight around her but relaxing just a fraction. "Really?"

"Yeah," he says, almost in disbelief himself. "Does it all sound like this?"

"No..not all of it." Then she shrugs, more relaxed than her usual tight shoulder. "But... most of what I like does. You... you really like it?"

"Yeah, I do. His voice is really mellow." Theodore says. And he realizes that he's not carefully thinking out all of his responses. He's relaxed, talking easily with you.

"Yeah... that's...that's why I like it. I guess." And the next song begins to play. Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car" - her deep and low voice soothing thru the room.

As the song plays, Theodore gets a puzzled expression on his face. Noticing you looking at him quizzically, he asks, rather sheepishly, "Um... Is that a girl or a bloke singing?"

It takes a second for Ana to register that question. So... so, honest a question, for a Slytherin, and you're admitting that you don't know? But it's funny, and she smiles softly without consciously realising she's going to. "Um... it's a girl." And she laughs, very quietly and very shortly, surprising herself. "I... I didn't know at first, either."

When you laugh, it catches him by surprise. He doesn't think he's heard you actually laugh before. "Um, she's got kind of a low voice." He smiles, almost embarrassed, but trying not to show it.

She stops laughing immediately, but for some reason that inwardly terrifies her she can't wipe the small smile from her mouth. "She does." I can't believe he's actually listening.

Theodore has this feeling the song will be stuck in his head for a few days. "You know," he says, "I don't know that I've ever seen a muggle car. Not a real one, anyway. Just the pictures in our books..." His voice trails off. "I guess I don't have to understand all of the lyrics to enjoy the music." His words are decisive. He's allowing himself to enjoy this time, and not worry about what anyone else would think of him actually listening to muggle music.

Ana is quiet as the playlist goes thru a few more songs. Each as soft and resonating, most about love or heartbreak. She finds herself relaxing into the chair, actually enjoying your company, which confuses her - and she bites her lips slightly when she realises that her arms are slack now, just resting in her lap. Not feeling the instinctive urge to protect herself from you anymore.

The song "Don't Know Why" by Nora Jones comes on, and Theodore is entranced. "Wow..." he says, his surprise showing, "she's got a beautiful voice." He listens, hanging on to every lyric. He wonders briefly, if his father has ever listened to muggle music. He's got a sneaking suspicion that his dad might like this female vocalist. But then again, his dad is a Death Eater after all... He pushes those thoughts out of his head, and leans back into the chair, taking in the calm, relaxing music.

That song is one of her favorites, and your reaction to it causes her to smile just a bit wider. She closes her eyes, listening to music - and for a brief moment her expression is completely unguarded as she loses herself in it.

Theodore catches a glimpse of Ana relaxed, and smiles. He knows he's never seen that happen before. He wonders, and thought catches him off guard, if they might actually become friends, and not just housemates or acquaintances.

Ana opens her eyes as the last song on the playlist finishes. "I... thank you, I guess... for listening with me." And she tries to tense, and tries to be defensive, but can't - and it worries her but she pushes that aside for now. "No one ever has.. before."

Theodore notes the time, and can't believe it's as late as it is. "It was really enjoyable, Ana," he says softly. "It's also really late now. I need to go. But... we should do this again, sometime." And his last sentence is more of a question.

Ana bites her lip before she answers, weighing her apprehension against the feeling that she can... let some of those barriers down, with you, perhaps. "Yes...Again." And her voice is soft, but not forced.

"Thank you for inviting me over," Theodore says, and he starts making his way to the fireplace.

"The..." She stops, wondering if she really wants to say this, but then decides that she can. You'll probably just think it's something cordial anyway, and that would be fine. "The... floo, will be open to you. From now on. So.. whenever you want."

Theodore smiles at you. "Thank you, Ana. I'll of course let you know before I come over, rather than just stopping by randomly and catching you off guard."

Ana nods, wrapping her arms around herself again out of habit. "Yes.. Just... on the computer, I suppose. Or something."

Theodore nods. "Have a good night," he says softly, and then steps into the floo and travels home. He can't help but grinning as he does.