The Nights when I Felt Alive ((Alex))

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

From the looks of it, the couch was extremely comfortable. Cass Blackfire, or Logton as some people liked to refer to her, was slumbering lazily in the living room of her two bedroom flat in London. It was extremely warm outside, and she had gotten sweaty from a long day of shopping. Even though she loved the little avenue of shops called Diagon Alley, it was hard to peruse the outside markets in the heat. She loved seeing old friends, meeting new ones, and being able to just enjoy the Voldemort free world. In fact, the last time before today she had been in Diagon Alley, the Death Eaters had attacked. There she was with Ginny Weasley in her brother's shop looking at the Pygmy Puffs when all hell had broken loose. They both survived the attack, but the stores of Diagon Alley had all but been destroyed. As Cass had been pulled away by a mediwizard on a stretcher, she could only make out the familiar sight of Gringott's towering columns that had just a few moments before welcomed anyone who stepped down the street.

Stretching to the sky, she unfolded herself from the fetal position on the couch. "You got to get up, Cass. You don't have house elves waiting on you hand and foot here." She made her way towards the kitchen. She honestly felt that Pyro kicking her out of the mansion was the best thing that could of happened to her. She had become more independent, and she loved to be able to do things for herself. Fortunately for her, that mysterious package had arrived with all of her family's holdings. If it had not of happened, she never would of been able to survive. Cass had a sizable amount of money put back that would allow her to live comfortably for the rest of her life. Even though she had her small fortune, she was not against taking the allowance her Aunt Lust sent her once a week. Of course, she knew it would be all in due time when that money would stop coming. Lust had made an agreement with Cass for the young Gryffindor's silence. Lust agreed to continue to keep the girl up and pay for her education as long as Cass didn't blab about the way Pyro had asked her to leave.

In the kitchen, Cass began pulling food out of the icebox. "Hmmm? What shall we have for dinner tonight, Ringo?" She spoke to the old cat that now wrapped itself around her legs. "No suggestions. I think we are going to have some broccoli, cabbage, carrots....," she continued to talk to the cat as she devised her all vegetable dinner. She had just recently decided to become a vegetarian. With her animagus lessons, she had found a new appreciation for the animals that wizards killed for food. It absolutely melted her soul to hear about slaughtered animals. "Perfect. I think this is enough." The girl made her way to the stove and began to drop the vegetables into a waiting wok. Enjoying the pleasant smells of the kitchen, Cass jumped when the doorbell rang. Wearing a pair of jeans and a black tank top, she decided she was decent enough for whatever uninvited guest might of decided to show up. The bell rang again. "I'm coming." Cass pattered to the door. Without bothering to look through the peephole, she swung the front door wide open. Her eyes widened in surprise.

"Alex? What are you doing here?"

[alexandra]

The day seemed empty to the young girl. Alexandra Ricci sat at one of the large windows, resting against the glass and staring out at the wondrous grounds of the Blackfire Mansion. A sigh escaped the young girl's lips as her boredom increased. Blankly, she watched as a few of the house elves trimmed and pampered the bushes and flower beds, her fingers playing with a loose strand of short, wavy hair.

Since school had ended and summer began, life was more boring than ever. Alexandra was slowly realizing this as she spent her summer alone at the Blackfire Manor. True, she did have Pyro to keep her company and it wasn't anything short of great when they were together. However, he couldn't be there every minute of the day and there wasn't many people to spend the extra time with. Lust wasn't very keen on her and spent her days out, shopping and whatnot. It wouldn't have been that uneventful if Cassandra had stayed at the manor, either.

Since Pyro's cousin moved, Alexandra had found little to nothing to do. She had nearly read her way through the smaller libraries of the Mansion and time in her room was even more quiet and boring. Her room was now set for one. Her queen sized, canopy bed held black and green transparent drapes while the rest of the room was decorated with the same theme. A small corner of wall was covered in tacked up pictures of her and Pyro, a few with Lust, Charles, and Cassandra.

Alexandra sighed again, the feeling of stir-crazy energy coursing through her. She needed someone to talk to, to be around. Pyro was off doing something. Now that he was owner of the Blackfire assets, he was working hard, alone in his office. Alexandra knew nothing of what he was doing. Not that he didn't tell her, but that she didn't understand it.

An impossible thought crossed Alexandra's mind as she searched for something to do or someone to see. No... she couldn't! But she did. She missed her fiance's cousin. A frustrated look crossed her features, reflected on the window. How could she miss Cassandra? The annoying, infuriating Gryffindor who Alexandra fought with every second they could spare? How could she miss that! But she couldn't lie to herself. She had grown a bit of a soft spot for Pyro's cousin over the time that they shared a room.

Rolling her eyes at herself, Alexandra stood from the window seat and made her way to the fireplace. Floo powder could get her to London, then she would have to walk the rest of the way to Cassandra's small flat. Why the girl lived in Muggle London, Alexandra would never know. Grabbing a handful of powder, Alexandra threw them into the flames.

Less than five minutes later, Alexandra strode down the street, nervously feeling the Muggle Money in her pocket, and trying her best not to touch any of the Muggles she past.

Finally, Alexandra found the building where Cassandra's flat was. She walked inside, finding the door with the right number, and knocked. Even after she knocked, she didn't understand why she had come all this way and why on Earth she missed the Gryffindor.

The door opened and Alexandra knew she was in trouble. What was she going to say?

"Alex? What are you doing here?" Words failed her at Cassandra's surprised look and question. She shrugged, smiling nervously.

"Is 'I don't know' good enough?" She asked

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

I don't know. I don't know!? Is that all you can come up with when you show up on my doorstep unannounced, uninvited, and definetly not wanted?, Cass thought to herself as she stared at the Slytherin who used to be her roommate. The Gryffindor held her tounge. " Alex, come in. I really wasn't expecting company. Have a seat." She gestured to the overstuffed green couch that was in her living room. Observing all the niceties, her mind whirled over this visit. Pyro obviously wanted something bad to send his fiance. "I was just making dinner. You are more than welcome to some of it. Just veggies and stuff." She ran back to the kitchen and turned down the stove so she wouldn't catch the place on fire. "So, what brings you to my neck of the woods? None of the family has seen fit to see me since I moved out of the Manor." She continued to chatter away not waiting on Alex's answer about dinner. Cass was now pulling silverware and dishes out of the cupboard to set the table. "Of course, I didn't figure I was that high on the family's list at the moment anyway."

After a few moments, Cass had the table set. Ushering her guest to the table, she began to dish out the mouthwatering food. "I'm sorry about the lack of meat, but if you haven't heard, I've decided to cut all animal products out of my diet. Pyro absolutely scoffed at me when I told him that last week at dinner. I really didn't care though. He shuffled me in and out of the Manor like I was his dirty little secret. I'm surprised he saw fit to serve me dinner. You really need to talk to him, Alex. I'm very worried about some of the things my cousin has been involved in as of late. Pyro may be of age, but it doesn't necessarily mean he can handle everything he has gotten himself into." Cass shoveled a big bite of greens into her mouth. "Excellent!" She said out loud after she had swallowed her bite.

"I'm sorry I've run off at the mouth. You know, I can't stand a quiet room." She wiped her mouth with a napkin. "How have things been with you? How is the family?"

[alexandra]

Alexandra felt numb as she entered the flat. Her mouth was dry and she wondered if she could speak even if she wanted to. Had she seen a bit of annoyance in Cass's eyes? Alexandra was probably more confused than Cass was as to why she was there. She thought maybe she'd missed the Gryffindor? But maybe she just wanted something to do and this was the only alternative to reading or shopping. She sat down on the green couch when Cass motioned to it, her eyes following her future cousin as she bustled about, rambling.

As she watched Cass finish dinner and talk about nothing, Alexandra wondered what Cass must think. They had never gotten along and even when things seemed to look like they could resolve one of the many issues they had, Cassandra up and moved.

Even when Cass had finished setting the table, Alexandra still hadn't spoken. She was never the type to talk very much, but even this prolonged silence was odd for her. She was nervous and uncomfortable. Why was she here? Cass suddenly ushered Alex to the table, where an all vegetable dinner was presented. Despite Alexandra's hate for vegetarian food, she had to admit, if only to herself, that it did look quite appetizing. Cass apologized for the lack of meat and Alexandra shrugged, trying to smile in a friendly way to show that she didn't mind, however the smile must have come out all wrong, because Cass didn't even notice.

As Alexandra served herself some food, Cass went on a small rant about how Pyro hated her food choice. Alex felt a small smile cross her lips at the memory. Pyro had shaken his head with disappointment, which wouldn't have amused Alexandra so much, but Cassandra had the most self-satisfied look on her face that it made the dinner so much more memorable. It was when Cass mentioned that Alexandra should speak to Pyro about his work that Alex finally spoke. Before Cass could continue, Alexandra chuckled.

"How can I speak to him when I barely ever see him." The sentence that came from her mouth shocked her. She had never planned on telling Cass about that. She covered up her stumble by taking a large bite of green bean just as Cass took a bite of her own.

Then Cass asked how the family was and Alex was greatfull for the change of subject. Taking another bite, Alex shrugged.

"As good as we can be since Charles," Alex took a moment of silence, remembering the man who could have become her father. True, she barely knew him and what she did know, she didn't like too much. But he died in the same house that she had been asleep in.

"I don't see Pyro too much," she confessed, "He's always locked away in his study, working on only God knows what. It's quite boring for me." She laughed a bit, "I've almost read through the smallest library." She smiled. The smallest library had nearly 400 books in it.

"How's life in Muggle London?" She asked, finally, and taking another bite of her dinner.

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cass chattered on and on to fill the uncomfortable silence between her and Alex. The girl continued to stare at her as she went on and on until she mentioned her cousin Pyro. She was surprised by the outburst by Alex. "What do you mean you don't see him much? Surely he comes out of that dank hole he calls a study sometimes. Oh, well, he sure does try to act like he's important with Blackfire affairs. I supposed he is trying to clean up Charles mess. I have an inkling that he didn't live the family in that great a state after his passing." Cass put her fork on her plate and began took a sip out of a nearby glass of water. "I'm sorry your so lonely. I remember what it was like being alone in that house. Heck, I probably went through that same library a couple of times myself. Lust is pretty aloof, and like Pyro, Charles rarely came out of his study. That place can seem like a museum filled with hush whispers if you know what I mean."

The Gryffindor stared at the Slytherin across from her at the table. " Muggle London is okay. I mean, it could be worse. I found a pretty decent place in a nice area of town. There is actually another witch that lives upstairs. She's very sweet. She comes down occasionally and we go shopping in Diagon Alley. It does get a little noisy around here at times, and the plumbing does rattle at night. Unfortunately, I can't fix it with my wand because of my age. Nicey, the witch upstairs, said she would get around to fixing it for me one day." She took the last bite of leafy greens off her plate. "You would be surprised at the amount of witches and wizards who prefer to live their lives among muggles. They never really pick up on it, but every once in a while I will see a little light out of my eye. Maybe even someone carrying an owl in a cage."

[alexandra]

Alexandra watched her soon-to-be cousin with awe. It was almost as if the girl had taken Alexandra's thoughts and turned them into her own words. Alexandra felt a soft smile play on her lips as she recognized her own feelings in Cassandra's words. Surprise mingled with her awe as Cassandra apologized that she is so lonely. Why would Cassandra be sorry for her? The two barely spoke, and if they had it was only words of scorn. Alexandra shrugged at her words and, after a short pause, nodded in aggreement.

"Yes, I know what you mean. It can be so stuffy!" She felt a giggle come to her lips, but she surpressed it. However, the smile on her face was genuine and she knew that Cassandra would notice.

As Cassandra described her life in Muggle London, Alexandra felt herself getting lost in the idea of it. As Cassandra spoke, Alexandra's mind imagined what it would be like. She smiled, again, realizing how nice it must be. Compared to the boring, quiet life at the manor; it must be awfully nice to live here.

"Wow... that actually sounds nice..."