These are not dark days [open.]

[Aria Jane Bailey]

”Be brave, Aria.”

The sound of her brother’s voice filled her head with almost every waking breath when she was not focusing on other activities. Perhaps that is why Aria rarely found herself with any free time. She worked herself to the point of exhaustion just so she could forget for a little bit that her best friend was taken from her three years ago. In a fifteen-minute encounter, some stranger made himself known. He imprinted himself in Aria’s life, marking her with his knife, taking her brother from this world, and punishing her for all of eternity. Of course, Aria was unaware what she would be punished for, but nonetheless, it felt like a gruesome and murderous hell.

She shook her head slightly, running her fingers through her tangled brunette mane. Aria pulled her hair up into a ponytail, her palms sweating from the thought of her brother. She blinked a couple of times to make sure she was not going to cry. How embarrassing would it be to cry in front of her fellow students who were out about the grounds? Painstakingly embarrassing seemed to fit that feeling pretty well. It just would not do for Aria. She spent most of her time lately trying to blend in, attempting to keep herself out of people’s attention and under the radar. She would much rather be invisible, but being flesh and blood she could not exactly ask for that – unless she wanted to invest in an invisibility cloak. If blending in was the best she could do, then by all means Aria would do it.

Aria’s eyes danced across the grounds, not focusing on anything but taking in everything. When she acted invisible she felt as though she saw all. It was different from how she use to be. The outgoing Aria would be with her girlfriends on this afternoon, gossiping about boys and giggling about cute professors. At the ripe age of fifteen Aria Bailey was no longer a child. She had grown up, and she was focused. Focused on keeping that night and her brother out of her head. Focused on perfecting her pointe and modern dances. Focused on school and focused on her friends – the few she had left anyway.

She took a deep breath and exhaled. All she had to do was run now. She checked her watch for the time and waited for it to hit the minute. Her legs glided effortlessly and her mind melted into the run. This was what she was focusing on – the burn in her muscles, the breeze in her face, the air ripping at her lungs. Aria hated running. It never felt good. But she supposed the pain helped her feel more human. It helped her remember she had a life to live and not to dwell. After three years, she was beginning to believe that.

Upon reaching the lake, she slowed her pace. She checked her watch, satisfied. She had cut nearly ten seconds from her earlier time that week. Perhaps it was a lucky day, but Aria liked to chalk it up to her training. She sat down, bringing her knees to her chest. She looked at her reflection in the water, a pretty brunette she barely recognized staring back at her. She smiled, seeing a happy girl. That must be her. After all she was sitting right there. Yet Aria could not bring herself to feel like she was staring at her own reflection.

[Ashlyn Caeley]

Ash popped out from under the water, feeling the cool wind brush across her wet cheeks. Her heart was pounding from the wonderful swim and she felt as alive as ever. Ash loved swimming, especially in the cool, murkly lake at Hogwarts. She glided back to shore with quick easy strokes, in no hurry to get there. Upon reaching the shore, she made a mad dash for land and the warmth of her towel.
Drying herself off and glancind around Ash noticed a girl sitting a little ways away next to the lake. She looked familiar, maybe she was in the same year? Something also seemed to be bothering her. Ash always seemed to know when someone was upset. She had had enough experience herself with bullies and emotions to know. Making up her mind, Ash threw on her clothes and scrunched up her long curls before heading over to the girl.
At fist glance, Ashlyn noticed she was very pretty. Jealousy filled her for a moment, but then she noticed the sad look on her face and it was forgotten almost immediately. She sat down next to the girl, pulling out a water bottle to quench the roaring lion that was her stomach. There was an awkward silence for a moment while Ash mustered up the courage to talk, but finally she did.
"Is everything ok? You seemed, upset. I'm not trying to be nosey, but I did want to see if you were ok," Ash asked quietly, smiling happily at her.

[Aria Jane Bailey]

Aria was oblivious to the swimming girl. It was no surprise that she startled Aria after drying off and approaching her. Aria's eyes widened as her heart rate increased upon the girl speaking. Her gaze snapped up to the girl and she was greeted by a smile. Aria shook her head, attempting to calm herself internally before speaking. The last thing she wanted was to stutter or cry in front of this girl who was honestly just being kind.

"Oh no, I'm sorry," Aria said quite hoarsely, "I was just thinking about my family. I'm quite alright." She looked down, nibbling her lip. She hadn't sounded convincing and was afraid this girl would be concerned. She took a deep breath, looking back up at the warm and welcoming smile.

"I'm Aria - I don't think we have met," Aria flashed one of her most dazzling smiles in attempt to make up for her shakey voice. She giggled a bit before speaking again, "I think my natural disposition might look a bit sad." She crinkled her nose, standing up. She offered the girl her hand to shake and made sure to keep her smile lively. "You're in Gryffindor, aren't you? I'm in Hufflepuff, but I think you look so familiar because I've seen you at dinner a few times."

[Ashlyn Caeley]

Ashlyn realized she had startled the girl, and a little bit of guilt consumed her. She honestly hated when people scared her, and felt bad doing it to this girl. At least she had only been thinking of her family. Ash hated it when people were upset. She remembered days where there was nothing she wanted to do but curl up in a ball and cry out of misery. She had sworn to herself that she would never do that to anyone else. Ashlyn listened, smiling the whole time, as Aria told her what house she was in. Hufflepuff. It definetly suited Aria with her bright smile and happy complextion.

"Yeah, you look really familiar to me too!" Ash said, recalling seeing her with a couple other Hufflepuffs during meals. "I'm Ashlyn by the way, but you can call me Ash, or whatever you want. I don't really mind nicknames," She said, flashing Aria another smile. She laid out on her back and placed her feet in the water, feeling a cool breeze run across her face. It was nice out with the sun baking on her pale skin and the gentle winds.

"I'm glad classes are starting, I'm ready for something to do," Ash said, closing her eyes to the sun. "They just started making time turners again, and one of the profesors might get me one. I really should be in Ravenclaw you know," Ash said, droning on about herself. "It took the old hat almost a minute to decide, but I got Gryffindor. What about you? Did the hat know right off you were a Hufflepuff?" She asked cheerfully. There was something about Aria that just made Ashlyn want to talk. Maybe it was because she listened, but Ash felt comfortable around her. Relaxing in the sun, she waited for her answer.

[Aria Jane Bailey]

Aria looked at the girl who had just introduced herself as Ashlyn thoughtfully, listening to everything she was saying. After all, Ashlyn had been genuinely kind enough to walk over and ask if she was okay. Now of course that was not what Aria wanted or expected anyone to come over originally, but it certainly was not something to disregard now that the girl was here. Normally Aria would excuse herself from any unsolicited conversations, but Ashlyn had been far too sweet for her to just walk away rudely. "Ashlyn is a very pretty name, but I certainly do like Ash as a nickname. It's cute!" Aria giggled a little, continuing to listen as Aria laid on her back.

Aria, sitting next her, curled up bringing her knees to her chest while wrapping her arms around them. She rested her chin on her knees, grinning. "I'm really excited for classes actually. It keeps me busy and my mind thinking about other thing," Aria smiled. "Time turners again? Really? This is news to me, but that is super exciting if you get one. Your professor must think highly of you and that's great news!" She closed her eyes hearing Ashlyn's voice chattering next to her. It was oddly calming.

"Hufflepuff through and through. If I had to say I could be any other house it would be Ravenclaw because I love to learn, but the hat saw right past that and acknowledged my loyalty, I guess. I happen to love my house and I think it suites me well, though," Aria's gaze danced across the grounds, her voice feeling almost lost in the breeze. She eventually looked back to the girl next to her, a grin tugging at the corner of her lips. "My favorite class is Defense Against the Dark Arts. I think it has to do with my desire to be loyal - you have to know how to protect the ones you love. What's your favorite class?"

[Ashlyn Caeley]

Ashlyn smiled as Aria complemented her on getting a time turner. "Thank you," Ashlyn said, smiling brightly at her. She really was a very sweet girl, and Hufflepuff truely did suit her. It wasn't just her loyalty as she put it, but she was very cheerful, as it seemed to Ashlyn from the few minutes she had talked to her. Sitting up, Ash listened to Aria's honey sweet voice talk about her favorite class. Ash grinned and laughed inwardly, picturing Aria hexing someone in a Defense Against the Dark Arts class.

"Although I really like all of my classes, my favorite would have to be Transfiguration. I'm an animagus, so it's just something I find easy and interesting. Of course, I'm not an animagus because I find it interesting but because I needed it at times, but it doesn't matter," Ashlyn said quickly, mentally telling herself to shut up. Glancing over at Aria, she smiled and hoped she hadn't noticed. Ash admired Aria's long dark hair and gentle round face. She really was very pretty, and Ashlyn was filled with jealousy again for a moment. Ash had never been one for looks. She supposed she was pretty enough, but nothing beautiful like Aria.

"So on to more important things, Aria," Ashlyn said, grinning mischievously at her, "is there a special someone in your life? I'm sure the boys chase after you, so it must be hard to chose, but I'd find it hard to believe if you said you don't have a boyfriend!" Ash said laughing. She knew guys could be an awkward topic for some people, but she was really comfortable around Aria and found that it wasn't hard to talk to her. Hopefully, Aria felt the same way about talking to Ashlyn. As she waited for Aria's answer, Ash skipped rocks on the water, thinking of her one failed relationship. It wasn't that she didn't want to date, it was more that she had never met the right guy. Throwing another rock, she watched it dance across the water, skipping four times before sinking.

[Aria Jane Bailey]

Aria listened, her eyes alive with alert as Ashlyn spoke. She knew better than to zone out or she would seem rude. She smiled politely, actually interested in what Ash had to say. Aria had known one animagus and he was no where near as pretty or kind as Ashlyn. Aria gave her a thoughtful smile, trying to imagine what animal she would be. Something small…Ashlyn was by no means a giant. Something gentle…the girl was too kind and sweet to be anything but. Something beautiful…Ash was attractive. Aria imagined animals from a bunny to a dove, yet nothing seemed to fit her quite right. Perhaps she would ask her later.

As soon as Ashlyn changed the subject abruptly, Aria’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. Aria went to open her mouth, but mentally scolded herself, knowing that it was not polite, nor was it her place at this point to ask a personal question. She took a mental note in her head of the instance in case it ever came up again. Ashlyn spoke again, her grin turning playful. Aria’s eyes widened, knowing that a question she would be embarrassed to answer would come up.

There it was – the fateful question. Boys. Aria’s eyes danced to the water where Ashlyn had skipped a rock. She did not know how to properly answer Ash’s question. There were not any boys. Nor had there been since the night Charlie died. She did not connect well with people and boys genuinely found her either weird or scary…at least she thought they did. Aria tried to smile. It was a rather nervous smile, actually, as she spoke, “Well, the thing is I don’t think boys like me very much. I just…I’m really quiet and I barely talk when they try to strike up a conversation. I suppose they think I’m being cruel and blowing them off or they just think I’m strange. “

She tried to read Ash’s face, unable to get a glimpse of what she was thinking. “I mean, I haven’t really met anyone who I thought could handle me. I know that sounds bad, but I promise I’m normal!” Aria mentally smacked herself. She sounded crazy. “I’m sure you have a boyfriend…or a dozen after your heart. No one can be that friendly or pretty and not be attracting flocks of the opposite gender.” She giggled, blushing a little, hoping she had not come off to weird.

[Ashlyn Caeley]

Ashlyn smiled reassuringly at Aria as she stuttered on about boys. It took all of Ash's self control not to let her mouth fall open when Aria told her she was awkward around boys. This girl with her good looks and easy laugh found it hard to talk to guys? That must be impossible. Ash shook her head. "If you can't talk to guys, than i must be deaf and mute or something," Ash said, trying to comfort her. She knew boys could be difficult for people to talk about. Ash didn't have a problem with it, but maybe that was because she had to brothers that were always talking about the girls they fancied around her.

"Do I have flocks of boys following me around? Sometimes," Ash said through bursts of laughter, "I like to think that they are, but not a chance!" Ashlyn said, blushing a little. "Honestly, I think most people are just afraid of my older brother, which is a terrible reason not to talk to me. Actually, a lot of people are afraid of my brother," Ash said thoughtfully. However, realizing what she just said, she quickly added. "Don't worry, he's not a bully, but how do I put this? He's...very....popular I guess. Thank goodness he's in Ravenclaw so I don't have to put up with him all the time," She said, grimicing a little bit.

Ash noticed Aria's blush and realized she was still a bit embarassed. Guilt pooled up inside Ashlyn, and she quickly changed the subject. "So what's your family like? I mean, do you have any siblings, you know, all that stuff!" Ash said, hoping that Aria would notice she was done with guys.

[Aria Jane Bailey]

Aria could feel her blood turn cooler in her body on the mention of an older brother. Her heart longed for Charlie, who buried in the ground, would not be back to ‘bully’ any boy that tried for Aria’s fragile heart. She put on her most convincing smile and managed a chuckle at the statement, but said nothing more on the topic. As soon as Ashlyn changed the subject, no doubt to appease Aria, her smile widened – at least it did until she said the word siblings. Aria managed to maintain her composure.

“My parents are both muggles. They teach at Edinburgh College. I assume they love it or they would not continue to do so. My Uncle is magical on my dad’s side, so my parents weren’t shocked when the baby of the family turned out to be a witch,” Aria crinkled her nose a little. “As for siblings, I had an older brother, Charlie. He passed away my second year. If you didn't know I was that girl, then you do now.” Aria did not let her voice falter, and she remained calm and collected. Ash did not need the details – or at least Aria would not offer them unless explicitly asked, as she did with anyone. She pulled at the grass next to her.

“Anyway, you said you had an older brother? Any more siblings? What about your parents?” Aria smiled and looked genuinely interested. “Clearly you’re not a squib, so were your parents both magical? I always wondered what it would be like growing up with a family of wizards. I saw glimpses of it when visiting my Uncle, but I am the only one in my family. Not even Charlie could cast a spell.”

Aria gave a light-hearted giggle even though her insides felt miserable. Her eyes flashed up to Ashlyn’s waiting patiently. She did not want Ash to think that family was a bad topic, as the girl was being far too kind to little Aria in the first place. It would be cruel to let her feel guilty for asking normal questions.

[Ashlyn Caeley]

Ash felt as if a cold band was closing around her chest. The warmth was sucked out of her and her lungs didn't seem to want to work. Her heart stopped thumping and she felt dizzy. Gone? Her brother was dead. Aria's brother had been dead for almost four years and Ashlyn had no idea. She heard the hard edge in Aria's voice and the finality in it. There would be no more talking about Charlie. Glancing over at Aria's face, she recognized the hard yet calm expression that rested there, for Ash had seen it many times on her own face. She knew on the inside she must be mentally disoriented and Ash knew Aria probably wouldn't want her sympathy, however she offered it anyways. "I'm truelly sorry, just let me know if I can help you with anything, or if you just want to talk," Ash murmered softly.

She saw the flash in Aria's eyes and quickly moved on to answer her question. "Well Benson is my older brother, he's a 7th year Ravenclaw, and I have a younger brother named Percival, but I just call him Percy. He's also in Ravenclaw. In fact, my whole family was in Ravenclaw, I was the first Gryffindor in over a century. My parents wouldn't say it, but I think they were a bit disappointed in me, almost as if I had gotten put in slytherin or something," I said bitterly.

"As for growing up in a wizarding household, I wouldn't really know how it compares to other homes. My dad sells racing brooms and racing horses so he's not really home a lot. My mom's a bit uptight, so generally I just try and aviod her at all costs. Benson takes after her, and he didn't really want anything to do with me anyways, so me and Percy hung out a lot. We would race on brooms and go for horseback rides together, but I didn't really hang out with other kids," Ash said quietly. "But I guess it was pretty cool growing up pureblood, not that blood really matters." She sat restlessly, her hands aching for something to do. Taking her wand, she tapped some rocks, turning them into shells then buttons then all sorts of different objects. "So what do you do in your spare time Aria?" Ash asked, wondering what the girl was like.

[Aria Jane Bailey]

Aria nodded her eyes not showing the pain she felt as Ashlyn gave heartfelt sympathy. Aria had not desired it, but now that it was said, she felt slightly comforted. It was a nice feeling to have someone not look at her as if she were insane for still being terribly upset still after nearly four years. Her brown eyes scanned Ash’s face as she spoke, noting that this girl was quite sincere and sweet. Aria smiled, shaking her head.

“Your brothers sound great – smart too,” Aria nibbled her lower lip. “Your parents on the other hand are off their rockers if they think that Gryffindor is something to look down upon. Chivalry, braveness, honor. And I highly doubt you’re any less intelligent then Benson and Percy.”

Aria felt her hands tense into fists in anticipation as Ash spoke of her childhood. It sounded stressful, yet fascinating at the same time. She nodded, blinking, but had no response to Ash other than the grin on her face. Aria loved her parents, but she wished they had been magical so that she would not have felt so alone. Aria noted that the topic was not one to be revisited and listened to Ash change the subject. Aria had been given the courtesy of Ashlyn responding pleasantly and quickly to Aria’s wishes to move from a topic, so Aria did the same.

“Growing up with muggle parents gave me the opportunity to pursue the art of dance,” Aria’s voice was dramatic but her expression was playful. “I love dancing actually. I don’t know what I’d do without it. And I like quidditch. Seeker is my favorite position. I draw a lot and write.” Aria paused, thinking what else she liked to do. “I enjoy reading and I go for a lot of runs though I secretly hate running.”

She giggled, “I guess I do a lot on my own. What about you? What are your favorite things? Any interesting passions?”

[Ashlyn Caeley]

Ash listened intently to Aria speak. She was glad that this girl had trusted her so completely, and felt a bit honored to have earned it so quickly. She was an interesting girl with a wide variety of interests. As Aria talked, Ash worked on transfiguring the stone if front of her into different kinds of flowers. She started with a daisy, but worked her way up to a rose, making sure every petal was perfect.

"I wish I could dance. I'm just horrible. No coordination what so ever. I bet you're a beautiful dancer," Ash said wistfully."You seem like a dancer, if that makes any sense." Ashlyn paused, trying to think of what she liked to do in her free time. Well, there wasn't much free time honestly with schoolwork and quidditch. "I like to play quidditch too, I'm a chaser on the Gryffindor team. That's amazing that you want to be seeker, it's extremely hard I think," Ash said smiling. "I also love to read, and I like to listen to music. When I have free days, I sometimes help out with the animals in Care of Magical Creatures," Ash replied.

She had just finished perfecting her rose and was prodding it with the tip of her wand. The color was shifting from a pale pink to a deep, majestic purple. "Have you tried out for quidditch yet? I'm sure you will make the team though!" Ash said hopefully.