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Post by ajmong5020 on Aug 19, 2005 18:06:28 GMT
Clenching his side, Talan ran down the busy street. He was sweating as he ran in the blazing sun. In his attempt to get away, he ran into a few pedestrians, but continued sprinting. He was being chased by a boy about his age. Noticing a small alleyway that was hidden in the shadows of a nearby building, Talan ran in that direction. He jumped behind a pile of wooden crates and hid himself from view.
His heart was beating rapidly and he tried to muffle his loud gasps for air. He felt a small trickle of blood running down his left shin where he had ran into a post. His legs ached, and his temples were throbbing. He looked down at his clothes which were soaked with sweat and now had some brown stains from the dirty crates. Closing his eyes, he leaned his head back and rested for a moment.
A few minutes passed, and he decided to retreat from his hiding place. He pushed the crates aside and brushed some of the excess dirt from his khaki shorts as he stood up. A bolt of pain shot up his leg and he bent down and began to massage it in an attempt to alleviate some of the pain.
As Talan was about to leave the alley, he heard somebody approaching. Taking caution, he ducked behind a dumpster and observed as the person walked by. To his relief, it wasn't the boy who was chasing him, but instead it was somebody he though he had seen before although he didn't remember where. Trying to get a better look, he accidentally kicked an aluminum can and it made a loud clanking noise as it rolled across the pavement. Good one, he thought sarcastically, and he tried hiding himself again.
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Post by pandora on Aug 19, 2005 18:34:25 GMT
The soft patter of footfalls stopped abruptly just at the end of the alley where Talan was hiding. Sharp grey eyes peered into the gloom and Pandora raised one slim pale hand to block out the glare of the sun. Sighing and shaking her head she began to walk away when the clatter of a tin can caught her attention again. Wheeling around, Pandora stared into the gllom of the alley. She glanced around at the busy street behind her checking to see if anyone was watching before squaring her shoulders and marching boldly into the alley.
“He..Hello?” He voice was small and trembled just a bit. She took a deep breath and then declared loudly, “I know someone’s in here. Announce yourself.” Her tone was haughty and easlity belied her nervousness.
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Post by ajmong5020 on Aug 19, 2005 18:47:58 GMT
His back against the wall, Talan peered through the small opening by the dumpster. He saw a small girl enter the alley and approach him. Then, he remembered that he had seen her at Hogwarts. Figuring that she couldn't be much harm, he stepped out from behind the dumpster and looked at her.
She seemed a little nervous, but he gave her credit for entering the dark alley by herself and calling out to a hidden stranger that she had no clue about. "What are you doing here," Talan asked as he checked to make sure his wand was still where he had left it- in his side pocket of his shorts. "Aren't you a little young to be wondering dark alleys all by yourself?"
Talan watched the girl, curiously, wondering exactly why she was there. He wasn't sure if she recognized him from Hogwarts, but he decided that he would keep the matter silent unless she brought it up. He didn't want her to know he recognized her as a witch, and preferred that she thought of him as a muggle for the moment. He finished brushing the dirt from his blue and green striped polo shirt while waiting for her to respond.
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Post by pandora on Aug 19, 2005 19:04:36 GMT
Pandora started a bit when Talan stepped out from behind the dumpster. Releasing the breath she didn’t know she’d been holding, Pandora shifted her weight easily onto one leg. She glanced him up and down looking for all the world like she was watching the world’s biggest cockroach and snorted softly at his comment about her age. “And aren’t you a little old to be hiding behind rubbish bins?” she commented sarcastically. “As for why I’m here, I’m just passing time in the area till Mum gets done shopping. Though I admit,” she said, leaning casually against the corner of the alley, “that I’m rather intrigued as to why you’re back here.” She shifted slightly and a thoughtful look came across her face as she watched him.
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Post by pandora on Aug 19, 2005 20:34:55 GMT
Pandora’s thoughtful look grew into a slight frown as she watched Talan. “You look familiar,” she said softly, “I’ve seen you before, haven’t I?” She took a single step in his direction as if to get a better look at his face.
Pandora was small for her age but didn’t seem too put off by Talan’s imposing 6’0” frame. She was dressed a little oddly to fit in with the muggles, looking more like she was headed to a funeral than shopping. She was wearing a little black dress that ended at her knees and small black dress shoes. An ornate little purse hung off one shoulder…..just large enough for a wand, and clutched in her arms was a tattered black book which she clung to like a life vest. Her skin was the sickly pale of someone who didn’t see much of the sun and her hair was strikingly dark by contrast. Several muggles walking by glanced at her as she stood in the entrance to the alley but she seemed too enthralled by the young man she was suddenly confronted with to pay them much attention. “What’s your name?” she asked.
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Post by ajmong5020 on Aug 20, 2005 15:29:13 GMT
Talan simply ignored Pandora's retort about the age thing. He had a very valid reason to be hiding in the alley, and he didn't feel he needed to explain it to her. He watched as Pandora took a step closer and asked his name. "Talan," he replied coolly.
He wasn't really interested to get to know her, for had much more important things to do. Also, he figured if his memory served him correct, and the girl was a Hogwarts student, that she most likely was in Slytherin, judging by her dark, mysterious appearance. As a Gryffindor, it was Talan's second nature to assume the worst of all Slytherins unless they provided reason not too. So far, all this girl had done was invade his hiding place and offer some attitude, neither of which made Talan like her any more.
"So if you'll excuse me," he said rather arrogantly, "I'll be on my way then, being that I'm not getting paid to do any babysitting here." He smirked at his last statement. Well at least if she is a Hogwarts student and in Slytherin, we're off to a fine start, he thought to himself, and let out a small chuckle.
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Post by pandora on Aug 20, 2005 17:30:49 GMT
Pandora’s eyes went wide for a brief moment then narrowed to slits when Talan talked about being her babysitter. “I don’t NEED a babysitter,” she practically growled at him, “I take care of myself.” She lingered there in the alley looking reluctant to leave despite the obvious animosity between them. The anger in her small form seemed to melt away to be replaced by something a little sadder. She shot him a look that was half resentment and half something that looked like a kicked puppy. She turned away and walked back to the end of the alley. She stood there and looked around like she was at a loss as to where to run next. She walked over to a nearby bench, plopped down, and dejectedly began picking at a tatty corner of the book she was clinging to.
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Post by ajmong5020 on Aug 20, 2005 21:09:47 GMT
Realizing he may have let his hostility get the best of him, Talan frowned. What if this girl isn't even a Slytherin or a Hogwarts student at that, he thought. He knew he may have been a little of a prat and he felt kind of bad about it. It wasn't like him to act as he was, but he was still flustered from his narrow getaway.
He was about to apologize to the young girl, but she walked out of the alley and sat on a nearby bench. She looked depressed, and this made Talan feel even more guilty. Aren't you a kind one- picking on a girl that is about half your size and a few years younger, he scolded himself.
Careful to avoid the plethora of garbage that lined the alley, Talan walked toward the street. Before exiting the alley completely, he took a look around to make sure the coast was clear and that his pursuer was no longer around.
Satisfied with the surroundings, Talan walked out of the alley and over to the bench where Pandora was slumped down on. He noticed she was holding a worn, black book which he assumed was a diary. "Hey, I didn't mean what I said," he apologized. "I was just a little livid and you were there for me to push my anger on." Pausing, he looked at Pandora, waiting to see if she would respond. "That was pretty selfish of me, as I don't even know you, or your name."
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Post by pandora on Aug 20, 2005 21:39:29 GMT
“Pandora,” she grumbled softly, “and it’s ok I’m used to it. Besides, it wasn’t really selfish, you’re bigger and older than me anyway. Should’ve minded my own business.” She continued to pick at the corner of her book and seemed surprised when he didn’t move away immediately. Pandora glanced up at him and watched him curiously. Seeming at a bit of a loss, she scooted down the bench just a little in a non-verbal offer to sit down. “You never did answer my question,” she said as once again her small fingers found their way to the corner of her book. “Why were you hiding…” she stopped as if worried her words would scare him off, “…sitting in the alleyway? Do you live around here?”
Her tone and posture spoke of a dog that had been kicked one too many times. She kept her voice even and soft and her form was hunched up on the bench. She dared small glances up at him fro time to time. Casual conversations were obviously not her forte’. The soft notes of her voice carried an undertone of mistrust as if she was not only daring him, but fully expecting him to snap at her. She seemed honestly confused that he was standing there apologizing. Apologies were obviously not something she was used to.
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Post by ajmong5020 on Aug 21, 2005 2:50:37 GMT
Pandora softly muttered her name to Talan, and he looked down at her sullen appearance. He sat down on the bench after she slightly slid to one side.
Again, she asked why Talan was in the alley to begin with. He didn't really want to answer, but saw no harm in giving minor details, at least for now. "I was being chased," he replied, and almost instantly realized that this would lead to more questions. His plan to leak small details seemed impossible now, as he figured Pandora would be curious.
He noticed that she seemed so depressed and in a sense... dead. Not dead as in death, but just dead to the world. For a second, Talan became depressed, almost as if her presence let off an aura of sadness.
In an attempt to change the subject, Talan asked "So what is that book you're carrying." He felt a little nosy, but preferred that he was the one asking questions instead of Pandora.
Talan shifted his position and looked around; once more checking the scene to be sure he wasn't about to be ambushed. He looked back at Pandora and silently waited for her to speak.
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Post by pandora on Aug 21, 2005 16:56:22 GMT
Doubt registered on Pandora’s face and her eyes scanned Talan’s six-foot frame when he mentioned being chased. It seemed impossible to her that anyone as big as him was being harassed by anything short of a Death Eater, and the lack of mayhem in the area told her that was not a possibility. She opened her mouth as if to speak but shut it immediately when Talan mentioned her book. Pandora’s ghostly pallor went a few shades whiter than normal and she cinched her arms tighter around the book. “N..Nothing,” she stammered, “just a book.” She glanced about nervously before adding lamely, “You know, school stuff.” She eyed Talan again and, seeming to have decided on solid footing for a conversation, she asked “So where do you go to school?” Her death grip on the book eased a little as it seemed safe that the conversation would not come back to it now, and instead she focused her attention on Talan’s reaction to her question.
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Post by ajmong5020 on Aug 22, 2005 13:28:12 GMT
Pandora seemed a little startled at the mention of her book, but Talan didn't press the matter. He figured that he had his secrets and she had hers, and as long as she he didn't have to try and explain anything to her, then he wouldn't force her to either.
When Pandora asked where Talan went to school, without thought, he began to reply, "Hog-..." he stopped. He suddenly realized he that he wasn't completely sure if Pandora was a muggle or not, so he quickly made something up. "... Hogginsville Academy," he lied. An inward burst of laughter erupted as he knew that was a ridiculous name, but his face remained serious, for he didn't want Pandora to realize he was lying.
"What about you?" he asked instantly, in an attempt to get her mind off of his response. Talan wasn't sure of how well he covered up his mistake, but he sat and watched Pandora, hoping she didn't suspect anything.
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Post by pandora on Aug 22, 2005 15:05:42 GMT
One dark eyebrow rose when Talan blurted out the fake school’s name. “Hogginsville?” Pandora asked skeptically. “I’ve lived in Canterbury my whole life and I’ve never heard of Hogginsville.” One corner of her mouth quirked up in a lopsided half-smile and she shot him a knowing look. “I’m going to a new school this year. HOGwarts. Have you heard of it?” She asked. Without waiting for his answer, she continued on, “Mum says they divide the school into different houses and you get placed in a house for your time there. I’m hoping for the noble house of Slytherin. All my family has been in that house for generations.” She raised her head proudly looking off into the distance as if acknowledging some invisible line of ancestors only she could see. “Mum would stand for nothing less and I’d be shamed right out of the family if I didn’t get placed there.” Pandora glanced back down at her tattered book. “I don’t know what I’ll do if I don’t get placed there….” She said with a note of fear in her voice. Throwing that knowing smirk back at Talan again, Pandora asked “What about HOGinsville? Do THEY have different houses?” For a brief moment she seemed like a normal friendly 11 year old as she sat there half-smirking at Talan and waiting for his answer.
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Post by ajmong5020 on Aug 23, 2005 4:42:35 GMT
Talan couldn't help but smirk when Pandora explained she was going to be a first year student at Hogwarts. His initial intuition was correct, although he thought he had seen her at Hogwarts before. Oddly enough, he even had assumed she was Slytherin, and that is exactly what she wanted to be. He already knew about the four house division at Hogwarts, so he half listened when Pandora explained it. Instead, he just watched her. She was so concerned about being sorted.
He could understand that she would want to follow in the line of her ancestors, and be sorted into Slytherin, but he never imagined himself wishing that. He didn't let this make him think any less of Pandora though for some reason. At first, it wasn't so true, but in just a few minutes, Pandora had really grown on him. There weren't even many words shared between the two, but Talan felt something for her. Almost like he was her older brother or something. He felt like she needed somebody and he was willing to be there for her.
"You caught me," he said with a grin. "I just didn't want to get into the whole magic thing if you were a muggle. To be truthful though, I could somehow tell that you weren't." He looked down at Pandora's small figure. She was so tiny and seemed so alone.
Thinking back to the house sorting, Talan added, "You know though, I'm in Gryffindor. They don't exactly have the best relationship with Slytherin." Deep down, he hoped Pandora could overlook this difference, because he knew he was willing to overlook it this once. If she was willing, Talan was ready to accept her as a friend.
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Post by pandora on Aug 24, 2005 2:36:32 GMT
Pandora sneered derisively when Talan said he wasn’t sure if she was a muggle. “I should certainly hope I don’t seem like a muggle,” she snorted. The idea seemed downright scandalous to her. When Talan spoke of being a Gryffindor and about the animosity between their houses, Pandora’s face fell with dismay. “You’re a GRYFFINDOR?” she asked sullenly as if hoping she’d simply heard him wrong. She stared at her shoes intently for a few moments as if trying to digest this new information. Hesitantly she asked, “Have…have you ever seen…you know…HIM?” She looked up at Talan and seemed somewhere torn between uncertainty and curiosity. “I mean…well…..,” she glanced around furtively and lowered her voice a notch as if passing on a great secret. “Potter.” she whispered. Once more she glanced about as if by uttering his name she would bring him into this very street to strike her down. “You’re in his house right?”
Pandora suddenly looked at Talan with a hint of suspicion. “If you’re a Gryffindor, why are you talking to ME? Shouldn’t you be drawing your wand and trying to destroy me or something?” She pulled away from him ever so slightly, as waiting for the inevitable fight that was about to happen. She was going to be Slytherin, and Gryffindors hate Slytherins right? One slim hand reached tentatively for her purse and within it, her wand. If he was going to try to trick her into giving him some secret information or use her to further his own ends, he’d have to think again. She’d fight.
It had been too good. Had felt too nice to just sit and talk with someone who wasn’t judging her. She should have known better. Should have known it wasn’t real, should have remembered rule one.
Everything comes at a price and no one cares unless they want something.
Mum taught her that.
So she waited, watching Talan’s next moves carefully, trying to judge by what means he’d strike her down when he realized she wouldn’t make an easy pawn.
Let it be quick. Her heart was aching.
It had been too good……
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Post by ajmong5020 on Aug 24, 2005 3:34:01 GMT
Pandora seemed a little agitated when Talan explained that he was taking precaution by assuming the possibility that she was a muggle before revealing he was a wizard, but he knew it better to be careful.
Additionally, Talan wasn't surprised that he being Gryffindor made Pandora a little uneasy. It was expected, being that she aspired to be Slytherin. Since he knew she wasn't to experienced with the whole Gryffindor-Slytherin conflict, and he figured she only knew the basics (the two houses most often didn't get along), he felt obligated to explain it to her. "Well," he muttered, "it's a little more complicated than just the two houses hating each other. It may seem like that, but it goes much deeper." He continued to explain. "Not that I want to point fingers," he said cautiously, "but a main reason the hoses don't get along is because it's obvious that Slytherin think they are better than everybody else because they are pure-blood. Another thing is the conflict between Potter and that Draco Malfoy from Slytherin. They despise each other so much that it somewhat causes the houses to do the same." He paused for a second to collect his thoughts.
"Now this doesn't mean that all Slytherins must hate all Gryffindors and vice-versa. There are few who get along decently, but that is rare. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if Slytherin wouldn't put so much concentration on blood, then there may be more of a peace between the houses. I mean look at me; I'm a pure-blood, yet I still accept those who aren't." Talan stopped again, and realizing he had been criticizing Slytherin a little more than Gryffindor, he went on. "Now I know it's not just Slytherin either," he added. "Some Gryffindor students think almost the same way, but instead of judging by blood, they judge by house and consider all Slytherin to be horrible, arrogant people. I myself am sometimes guilty of this, but I try not to be, and I like to give everybody a fair chance when I first meet them- even if they are in Slytherin."
"So you see," he said, in conclusion, "I guess it all depends on your view of the whole situation. If you just do what most do, then you can just hate all Gryffindor students and fit right in, but I think you are smarter than that. Choose to give everybody a fair chance before you judge them. And then if they prove to be some washed up twit, by all means turn them into a toad or something." Talan ended his long-winded explanation and smiled at Pandora. He hoped he had gotten through to her, for he really did mean what he said, and he even meant to do as they say, "Practice what you Preach."
"So what do you say?" he asked. "Going to curse me because I'm in Gryffindor, or are you going to give me a chance before you decide anything?"
"Oh and by the way," he added quickly. "About Potter- never really met the guy, but he seems okay to me. A little cocky, but what do you expect from somebody who has done and seen as much as him."
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Post by pandora on Aug 25, 2005 12:07:07 GMT
Pandora sat quietly while Talan explained his view points on the inter-house feud. She continued to stare at him pensively long after he had finished and even began chewing on her bottom lip as if trying to reach a decision. “Well…I don’t agree with EVERYTHING you’ve said,” She began softly, then she nodded as if she reached her conclusion on the whole matter and continued, “but you ARE pure blood and I don’t dislike you so far…so I guess we can forgo killing each other for the time being.” She gave him a nervous smile and eased her hand off of her purse. She continued to watch him for a few minutes, completely unsure of what to say next. Opting that continued discussion about blood was not a safe subject, Pandora quickly fished about for something else to talk about. She liked Talan and though the suspicious part of her that had always been alone and hurt was screaming not to trust him, Pandora couldn’t quell the little voice in her heart that was whispering she’d made a friend. She’d been alone so much and for so long that she found herself willing to believe almost anything just to keep talking to him.
“So have you been to Diagon Alley yet? I still need to get a few school supplies. Mum and I are headed there next….after she’s done with her shopping.” Pandora glanced over one shoulder, checking for her mother’s slender but imposing form before relaxing a bit back onto the bench. Pandora turned those big grey eyes back to Talan and waited for him to reply.
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Post by ajmong5020 on Aug 28, 2005 19:55:19 GMT
((Sorry it's been a few days since I posted. I didn't have my computer because it was being scanned and updated for my new school, but it's back now, so I should be able to post regularly again.))
Pandora seemed to take Talan's long-winded speech well. She explained that she didn't completely agree, but knew what he was trying to say. Quickly however, she changed the subject.
"Well," Talan replied, "I didn't get to make it to Diagon Alley before the attack, so I had to do all of my shopping at Hogsmeade Village. Have you ever been there?" he asked, unsure if Pandora's parents would have ever taken her there. "If not, you will have the chance to go there when you are in your third year at Hogwarts," he explained.
Glad that the topic had changed to something less controversial, Talan sat back and relaxed a little on the bench. He was still a little tired and sore from the chase he had been in earlier, but he tried not to show his exhaustion too much. He didn't want Pandora to have any reason to ask him about it.
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Post by pandora on Aug 30, 2005 18:52:11 GMT
Pandora shook her head and said, “No, never been to Hogsmeade. I suppose it’ll have to wait till my third year. Mum won’t go there. Said it’s full of rabble. She prefers us to shop in Diagon Alley. We’d already done our shopping before the attack.” Pandora sighed thoughtfully. “I can’t wait to get to school and be sorted already. It’s nerve-wracking you know. Not knowing. I’m very good at potions though. I can’t wait to meet Professor Snape.” She sighed dreamily. “Mum says I’m fairly advanced for someone my age. I love potions. They fascinate me. You don’t have to be big or burly to do them but they’re just a powerful as any spell.” Pandora’s voice lowered a little, “It evens the playing field a bit.” A note of cold slipped into her voice as she stared off into the alley. “So what classes are you taking this..”
“Pandora.” A shadow fell over Pandora’s shoulder as a tall, lithe woman dressed in a magnificent maroon dress stepped up behind her. The woman’s face was thin and pinched and her eyes were the same shade of gray as Pandora’s. Her long black hair was swept up into a cascade of flowing curls and expensive rings and bracelets adorned her thin wrists. Pandora’s hands were small and delicate whereas this woman had thin bony hands with long fingers that seemed more akin to talons. A man stood behind her, bowed by the weight of many bags and trying hard to keep his eyes averted. He was dressed in a fine gray uniform edged in maroon. For all his fine attire though, his face held a haunted look when he glanced up at Talan. The man quickly looked away though as the stern woman before him began to speak.
“I see you’ve made a friend,” she said icily, “How lovely.” Pandora blanched a bit and looked back at Talan. Quickly she stood up as if Talan were about to bite her. “Mum, this is Talan. He’s at Hogwarts as well,” quickly she added, “He’s a pure blood.” Pandora shot Talan a pleading look that spoke of her fear of this woman. Pandora’s mother stretched out one claw-like hand, “Clarissa Munio, of the Italian Munios. And you are?” She stared at Talan with a gaze that could cut through metal. She had an unpleasant way of making every one she looked at feel like a mouse in front of a very hungry cat. Pandora looked away and suddenly decided there was something terribly interesting about her shoes while her mother waited for Talan’s reply.
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