Ballad of Fallen Angels((Hayley))

[Woodrow Winchester R4]

The thoughts of the boy walking through the corridors were full of emotions. They swirled about trying to find some way to get a grasp of the letter he had just read......the very letter that shook in his hands. It seemed his parents were having trouble, and that his father was living somewhere than the house that he had been raised in. It was such an usual thought, his own father not staying in the house that he helped to build.....maybe he was on a trip for work, or things had gotten worse at home. Woodrow couldn't let this effect him at this moment, everything would be fine.....wouldn't it be? What if his father left indefinitely, leaving his own namesake behind? That wouldn't happen thought Woodrow sharply, he wouldn't just walk out. Everything would be OK!

Looking around slightly to see where he was, he vaguely recognized the third floor corridor that was infamous for the girls bathroom haunted by Moaning Myrtle. He felt that he needed fresh air, to clear his thoughts and so headed downstairs. He passed through the next two floors in a daze, reaching the grounds in what seemed to him almost instantly. It was only two o'clock, and yet the sky was dark and the clouds looked dangerously close to bringing on an over bearing series of showers. Let it rain he thought, a walk in the rain would feel great. Besides storms were only the ballads of fallen angels, always lamenting and wreaking havoc with their misery. Thinking of this brought a smile to the lips of the young jokester, but it didn't stay there long.

As he walked around the grounds, the wind swirled around him, causing him to look like someone in control of the wind. His robes billowed out in every which way as the wind would pick up, and go back to rest when the wind decided to quit. He was half way around the lake when he felt the first few sprinkles land lightly on his skin, the feeling like that of a tear on ones face, as if there really were fallen angels concealed in the cloudy nether-lands of the sky above. He stopped and raised his head up, pointing his face toward the sky to feel the rain, oblivious to the world around him.

[Hayley Blake S5]

Hayley walked instead of her usual strut out of the Slytherin common room today. She sighed. Ever since Christmas break when she found out about her ill mother, Hayley never knew what to do with herself. This morning, horrid thoughts took over her mind.

What'll happen if Mum dies? What will we do? Why don't the people at St. Mungo's cure her already? Can't they?... For a moment, Hayley gave up. On everything; St. Mungo's, her family, friends. Life. Don't look gloomy, it's not good for your reputation! What will people think of you? shot a little voice in the back of her head. Ugh, what am I saying? Who cares! Hayley was stunned for a moment and stopped in her tracks. Never in her life had she thought reputation didn't matter.. She shook her head to clear her thoughts. Mum will be fine.

It took her a second to realize that she climbed a few too many staircases; she was on the 6th floor. Hayley sighed again and reversed her direction. I swear I'm going crazy, she thought to herself. A nearby window revealed a dark sky, but no rain. Yet. I might as well enjoy outdoors before it gets too terribly muddy, she decided.

Hayley looked around. She saw all the students laughing and talking with friends. How she envied them! It was something she rarely did, but she couldn't help it this time. Look at them, they have no worries. Nothing to lose faith in.

She went through the five floors slowly, as if deliberating every step taken. At last, she reached the large oak doors leading to her destination. The moment she set foot outside the castle, she was swept up in a wind that nearly knocked her over. Hayley regained balance, shook the hair out of her eyes, and held her head high. Carefully and hugging her cloak the whole way, she made her way over to the lake, where she sat when she need to be calmed down.

Hayley took out her wand, 9 and half inches, oak and dragon heartstring. She took turns lighting a small bit of grass on fire, and then extinguishing it. Just as the first sprinkles of rain began to fall, the Slytherin fourth year was aware that she wasn't alone. Across the lake from where she was, someone was walking. It alarmed her at first but then she quickly realized it was another student. Hayley only hoped they wouldn't disturb her. She wouldn't be surprised if the figure did. After all, nothing was going her way today.

[Woodrow Winchester R4]

((Sorry for taking so long, was visiting my hometown and getting into all kinds of hoopla! Hoopla is such a fun word))


The rain came down with the force of the mist spraying off of rocks from a wave that had just collided with it. In truth it was a little more forceful than that, but for now it would be a good summary of it's strength. He grinned in spite of himself at the feeling that the rain seemed to give him, washing away all his worries for the time being. It seemed to take the burden of the world out of his reaches so that he could enjoy the ballad that was being sung as he was meant to enjoy it. With this in his mind, he continued his walking around the lake.

He was halfway to where he had begun his walking when he noticed that he wasn't as alone out here as he had thought he would have been. There maybe twenty feet in front of him was girl he had never met before, but from the looks of her she was maybe a year older and in as much pain as he was. He wondered vaguely whether he should talk to her, for he was very shy around girls, but today he felt that he wouldn't be shy around anyone. Taking a chance, he headed torward the girl in a relaxed manner.

He reached her shortly, and simply stood next to her. He began to feel that this was what he actually needed, just a presence, anyones presence, someone he could feel next to him. Turning his head to the girl, he wondered if he ought to speak first, but it was obvious that he should he soon figured out. He was the invader of her possible pain, and therefore ought to be the one who initiated contact. Trying to look as much like his usual self as he could, he tried to regain the usual look of amusement that was on his face, but it only halfway showed. Smiling sheepishly he said, " Hello, I'm Woodrow Winchester." He paused momentarily, his shyness trying to catch up with him, but he perseveered saying, " I was wondering if you would like some company?" His smile was tentative now instead of sheepish, but his blue eyes still held that same spark they always did, if somewhat dulled.

[Hayley Blake S5]

((That's fine. And hoopla is fun!))

To Hayley's dismay, the figure approached her. She could tell it was a boy, but she had never seen him before. Hayley inhaled sharply, choking back tears. No, no, no...not now, said the annoyingly arrogant voice in the back of her head. She ignored it as usual.

Maybe this isn't so bad, Hayley thought. Maybe all I need is some company...but this boy does not look like a Slytherin... That could be a problem. Hayley didn't cope well with people outside her own house and often found herself automatically being cold... Perhaps it was time to change her ways. Give other people a chance. Nahh.

The figure hesitated above Hayley for a moment. Hayley pretended not to see him and torched the grass some more. She didn't bother to put it out, the pounding rain took care of that for her.

The figure spoke at last, introducing himself as Woodrow... something or other, Hayley wasn't paying close attention. She looked up at him, her tears mixing with the water running down her cheeks from her hair. Hayley hoped he couldn't tell she was crying...No one ever saw Hayley Blake crying, and that's how it would stay.

The boy named Woodrow looked hollow; his smile did not reach his eyes. Ah, here's someone I could maybe relate to, Hayley thought, remembering all those happy people in the halls. When Woodrow asked if she would like some company, Hayley knew it was obvious; the pain must show on her face. She replied, "Sure, but I probably won't be much company." Hayley smiled. This was someone who could understand. "I'm Hayley. Hayley Blake."

[Woodrow Winchester R4]

(( Sorry it's so short, my next one will be better, promise.))

He kind of regretted invading her privacy when she didn't reply at first. Almost turning around to leave, he saw her look up at him, and his perceptive eyes could discern the tears that mingled with the rain. Her face was very appealing to his eyes, but he wouldn't focus on that, for his shy side would begin an counter attack on his brain. When she said sure, he sat down next to her, pulling his knees up and placed his arms on them resting his chin on top. So her name was Hayley Blake, hadn't he heard about her, she was an...Slytherin? Oh well, she seemed not to be like any Slytherin he had met. " Pleased to meet you Hayley." he said, turning his head to look at her, his voice sincere.

He didn't have a lot of experience with situations such as these, but he figured he could try and wing it. With this thought in mind, he asked her, " So what brings you out on this day when the Fallen Angels sing their ballad?" Why had he said that, he had thought up that explanation for the rain in his own mind and had never shared that with anyone before. He awaited her response on tenterhooks, oblivious to the fact that his spirits were slightly rising.

[Hayley Blake S5]

Hayley watched as Woodrow sat down next to her. When she got a better look at his face, she recognized him as a Ravenclaw. Probably younger than me, she thought. Oh, don't be mean, said the annoyingly considerate part of her brain. That was the worst part about being Hayley Blake: she had two parts of her brain that thought totally different things...One side wanted what was best for others, while the other was extremely selfish and wanted what was best for Hayley.

Hayley tried to smile. "It's nice to meet you, too." But that wasn't entirely true. Hayley welcomed Woodrow as company, but wanted to be alone at the same time. Maybe its better to be with someone, Hayley thought. After all, you're only sad when you're alone...

There was silence for a moment. Hayley was wondering if she should break it when Woodrow asked what brought her here while the Fallen Angels are singing their ballad. Hayley smiled, genuine this time. He must mean the storm, Hayley thought. What a...beautiful and creative way to put it. Yet, somehow oddly depressing.

"Just came out to think." Hayley looked down at the grass. "This is where I come when I need to...think." She thought that was a stupid way to say that, but then again, she couldn't think clearly at all today...That might have been the explanation for her being so kind.

"And what about you?" Hayley looked at him. His eyes were sincere. Even though Hayley was a year older than him, he was still taller. Usually Hayley didn't like that, but under the current circumstances, she let it slide.

[Woodrow Winchester R4]

Woodrow actually managed to don his genuine, heart-breaker smile, when Hayley told him that she had come out to think. Wasn't that why he too had come outside? He had to think about what was happening to his family, his once peaceful and loving family. It all had seemed to fall apart when his parents had received the letter explaining that Woodrow was an wizard. He couldn't help but feel that somehow, someway, this was his fault. He had done something so irrevocably wrong, that he had caused trouble in his parents lives. Maybe the strain of finding out about the past that his mother had forgotten had caused his father to feel quite distant from her. Was that love? If so, love was an extremely foolhardy concept.

When Hayley asked why he had come outside, he reciprocated her answer, simply saying, " I came out here to think as well." She had turned her head to him, and his eyes caught hers yet again. He didn't know if she was as good at seeing people's emotions as he was, but he couldn't stand the thought of someone seeing his pain. Tearing his eyes away from hers, he decided that the rain would be a safe refuge for his eyes. He lifted his head and closed his eyes to feel the rain against his face, and continued on, " I find that rain is peaceful and lets the brain work freely." This was true, at least for him it was. The rain had one of the most calming effects on him that he could knowingly acknowledge. It was not like flying, which both energized and calmed him, but just calming.

Calm once more, he lowered his head and opened his eyes, to gaze once more upon the intriguing girl that was Hayley Blake. Oh sure he had not talked to her long, but he was intrigued by the fact that she was out here in the rain. That in it's own right was something to think about; not to mention the fact that she seemed to have just experienced an emotional jolt as well. His eyes placid and light, he said, " You didn't run away screaming when I started talking about the rain being the ballad of fallen angels, so that must mean you don't think I'm crazy." He was trying to lighten the mood slightly, with that little attempt at an joke.

[Hayley Blake S5]

So Woodrow had come out to think as well. Hayley was not one to be curious about other's business, but she couldn't help it. The way he approached her so easily wasn't something she was used to. And then there was the look in his eyes. When he had first joined her, Hayley could tell (even as bad as she is at reading peoples faces) he was in pain. The more the two talked, the more lively his eyes appeared. Woodrow was something she couldn't explain, and the unknown practically screamed at Hayley, begging for acknowledgment.

Hayley shook the wet hair out of her face--there was no longer any need to hide her brilliant green eyes anymore. They may be a duller shade then usual, but the absence of tears made Hayley feel ecstatic. But that feeling didn't last for long. The moment she realized she was somewhat back to her old self, the questions she had asked herself while walking to corridors flooded back to her, only this time with that horrifying picture of her mother...The one that seemed to be imprinted in Hayley's mind, coming back to haunt her whenever she was a little bit happy...

Cold, yellow skin replaced her mother's usual rosy skin colour. Her eyes were closed. If it wasn't for the uneven breathing coming from the still figure lying in the bed at St. Mungo's, Hayley would have thought her mother was dead. The words or the Healers echoed in Hayley's head.. "We're doing all we can for your mother." Not a 'she'll be out of here in no time.'

Hayley quickly pushed the image out of her mind by remembering she wasn't alone. For once, Hayley was glad she had so many mood swings. Sometimes they came in handy for getting in control of yourself.

Hayley smiled when Woodrow when he mentioned the ballad of the fallen angels again. "No, I don't think you're crazy," she said, laughing a little. She was surprised the way her voice sounded; it was no longer the hollow, disembodied voice that had to belong to someone else. The laugh that sounded like tinkling china came back to her. She was becoming herself again. "I actually think that that was a beautiful way of putting it." Somewhere deep in Hayley's mind, past her current phase of insecurity and kindness, she was yelling at herself to get out of the rain. "And I'm surprised you haven't run away screaming from me. I probably look like a freak, with my mascara running all over the place."

[Woodrow Winchester R4]

Woodrow was surprised when the girl replied to him with laughter ringing in her voice. He hadn't expected her to laugh at the small joke, but he was pleased none-the-less. He smiled inwardly at himself. Here he was actually having a conversation and not stammering over his every word. On normal circumstances he would be nervous as an balloon in a room full of needles, bit he felt somewhat comfortable with this intriguing Slytherin girl named Hayley. He didn't even notice that his lips were in the form of a smile to. It took him but a moment to realize that perhaps the reason he was comfortable around her was the reason that she had seemed to be in the same predicament as him emotionally.

His eyes were dancing with joyous laughter when she commented on her own appearance. Her mascara was running, but he really hadn't noticed that at all; not that he cared that it was running at all. In fact now that he noticed it, he thought that it made her look all the more cute. Shaking his head, he replied, " Ah, you see, I'm to lazy to run from someone." He smiled at her and continued, " But why would I run from you, then again I might once my shyness kicks in." With those words, he fell backwards, folding his hands behind his head.

He stared up at the sky, watching the dark ominous clouds overhead swirl and roam about. The sky was the only place where he was totally sure of himself, the only place where he was confident every moment of the day. Boyish happiness etched on his face, he turned his head to Hayley and said, " Your very pretty even with your mascara running, so don't worry about it." He felt his cheeks burning, and knew that he was blushing. Trying to keep his head cool and composed, he said, " Thanks, for complementing the way I grasp the rain's reasons for pouring, even if it was only a poets view."

[Hayley Blake S5]

((Sorry it took so long. Busy, busy, busy me ))

Hayley smiled, but wasn't sure what to reply to Woodrow's comment about his shyness. Hayley wouldn't have guessed that he was shy; he certainly didn't act it. After all, he was the one who had approached Hayley in the first place.

"Thanks," Hayley said, smiling a bit wider to herself. Looking at Woodrow lying on the wet ground, Hayley really saw him for the first time. Outgoing and quiet. Smart and a troublemaker. Poetic and sincere. And then cute, of course. All at the same time... That was the impression Hayley got, and she was excellent at capturing peoples' personalities based on first impressions. But then again, she wasn't entirely sure about Woodrow.

Hayley looked up at the sky again. It reminded her of her life, in a way. Rolling black clouds of the unknown, waiting to reveal either a sparkling sun, or a heavy downpour. Right now, the rain was starting to let up a little, and that boosted Hayley's mood. When Woodrow spoke again, Hayley jumped a little, for she forgot about her company. She absentmindedly scolded herself for being so..well.. absentminded.

"Oh, no problem." Hayley shrugged off his thanks with a wave of her hand and her award winning smile. "That kind of stuff is really neat, only I'm not that talented when it comes to writing. I prefer singing, actually." Hayley regretted saying that as soon as it came out of her mouth. Yes, she was very talented when it came to music and acting, but she felt more comfortable keeping it to herself. Why do I have to blurt out everything that comes to my mind? she asked herself. Hayley pulled a piece of imaginary lint of her cashmere sweater in a sad attempt of brushing off the subject.