Shadow and Flame

Propositions and Secrets

Hunkering on a dingy sofa, dust sprayed around her. Something banged inside a storage cupboard. With a white-knuckled hold on her wand, she braced herself for whatever might escape.

The room's door opened, a jinx on the tip of her tongue.

"Heaven and earth, Carrow!" Wes locked them in. "You were supposed to come when no one might follow you. Especially Bennett."

"Pretty sure he was occupied with a new lady friend."

"Is that why he was ten seconds away from bursting in here? I had to spin some story about Snape summoning him."

"Then I suspect we better move before he comes back."

They hurried along, sneaking out by the womping willow.

"You should be more careful. To be alone with him. I can't imagine it."

"I'm alone with you. How is that any different?" Leaning against a tree, Wes smirked.

"Maybe it's not."

She shifted, rubbing her arms.

"So what did you need to talk about?"

His words were laced with puffy smoke. "I want to share a secret with you. In exchange for one of yours."

"We haven't been in the business of sharing secrets since we were children sneaking around."

"And look at us now. Adults. Sneaking around."

"A lot has changed."

"Yes." Sadness fell briefly across his face, his  jaw tightening. "So what do you say?"

"This is ridiculous."

"Come on, say you'll do it."

"Very well. Get on with it."

He spied over his shoulder.

"Mufliato." The charm spread around them.

"My, this must be serious."

"I'm an unregistered animagus."

"And now I understand." She felt as if the very dementors of Azcaban were coming down upon her with the knowledge. "How long?"

"Just this summer." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I heard you expressed an interest in the process as well, for studying purposes."

"I did. But as I informed Professor Mcgonnagal, I didn't complete the spell."

"Did you now? And here I thought you were smarter than to lie to a professor."

"What would you know of it?"

He gave a flash. "More than you realize."

His body changed before her, morphing into something else entirely. Legs turned to talons. Nose to beak. Skin to feathers. Arms to wings. He darted above her, flying to a low hanging branch. The falcon stalked her with those same green eyes she'd known all her life.

And it came back to her. The night after the great fire. She laid in moss, sobbing. Lightning rained down around her, for the first time in a full month. Gathering her hidden potion in the thicket, she drank and spoke the cursed words.

Amato Animo Animato Animagus

Wes turned back, towering over her in his approach.

"You know what I'm about to ask."

"No."

"No you don't know? Or no you won't answer?"

She started walking off. He caught her and she swiveled right into him.

"A deal's a deal."

"Perhaps you should have started with the unbreakable vow. I owe you nothing." She pushed off of him.

"You're not that callous."

"You know nothing of me."

"I know it wasn't your fault."

She paused.

"I watched you that night. And more importantly the night after." He stepped before her, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "I know. And it's okay."

Her voice crackled with a weak whisper. "If you already know, why push me to tell you?"

He lowered his arm, brows furrowing. "I was hoping you'd tell me why you rejected Bennett?"

"Why?"

"Because," He rubbed one of her loosened tendrils between his fingers. She looked up at him, perplexed.

Something crackled in the wood. Jumping apart, they listened. Determining the coast clear, they headed back.

"Forget the question. Honestly, I don't know what I was thinking."

"You were always too impulsive for your own good." Approaching the castle walls, she sighed. "He never asked if I was okay. Never came to see me. None of them did. It's like, I'm supposed to pretend it never happened because they are. And yet," She shook her head.

"I meant what I said, Eden. If you need anything."

"Maybe before I'd have considered it all. But now? I find myself wanting more."

Wes contemplated this, ending with a mischievous smile.

"Perhaps you'll find it sooner then you think."