Early Morning Bells

The ringing of the giant bell inside the clocktower reverberated through the walls, vibrating the stairs and railings. The sound was thunderous inside the thin tower, echoing over and over until it seemed there were hundreds of bells instead of just one. A shaft of early morning sun was shining through a window far above and falling onto the gold bell. It's metallic surface reflected the light and sent sparkles racing along the walls. Numerous carvings adorned the bells surface, twinkling in the sun.

Jett, his hands clasped firmly over his ears, counted the loud bongs of the bell. Four...Five...one more to go...Six. The tongue of the bell stopped its movement and stood still, a pendulum awaiting the next hour. Slowly the echoes faded from the tower leaving a silence so pure it itself was deafening. Jett hesitantly uncovered his ears and waited for his legs to stop shaking. He wouldn't usually be up this early and he definitely wouldn't usually be in such a lonely place as the clock tower, but he had heard rumors of ancient runes spanning the width of the bell. He had mapped out the best time for natural light to be hitting the bell and unfortunately it was at six in the morning. However, Jett was nothing if not dedicated in his endeavors. So what if it was a little early and he hadn't showered yet. It wouldn't matter if he discovered what he was seeking.

Running a hand through his sleep mussed hair, Jett turned his gaze to the carvings on the bell. The light was reflecting right back into his eyes making the light green color sparkle as bright as the metal. If anyone happened to wander in the tower at that moment their breath might be caught at the sight of Jett standing on the stairs, the sun in his eyes and a tired flush on his skin. His half veela blood was certain to enchant any passerby at times like this.

Jett would never have noticed, though. He was staring intently at the carvings, his eyes scanning each one in order looking for that special rune he had only seen in books. It was something of a rush for Jett to find new runes outside of text books. He could take in their meaning better this way, understand the feeling and intention in their carving. To him it was utterly fascinating. He had to find each rune he studied, needed to know exactly how they were meant to be. If he couldn't understand what he read about what kind of person was he? Definitely not the kind he wanted to be.

(I'm debating on jumping in as either Mystery Grace, a 6th year Ravenclaw vampire and practically a mute, or as my Ravenclaw Gang playing Ella, who is kindasorta a slutty socialite but really nice and relaxed. If you'd like me to jump in, do you have an preferences?)

(No preference, both sound interesting!)

(Can I join in too?)

(Go for it!)

(This may be a bit confusing, but when you enter the clocktower there is a first floor and stairs to the top floor that contain the bell. Immediately below the bell there is a hole in the ground that you can use to see through to the first floor and all the floor in between. Ella is standing on the first floor, looking up under that hole.)

Ella stood at the bottom floor of Hogwart's Clock tower. Just above her, she could see the perfection of the square, cut and sanded, that had allowed for her to see the beautiful gold that hung above her, ringing a tune that vibrated throughout her soft ears. She had enjoyed the clock tower, of the many places that there were to enjoy, for it's sense of spirit. The lives had danced in the clock tower of those who had lived, and those who had come and gone. Many didn't feel as she did, for after all it had only been a clock tower, but Ella believed it was more. A bell, a time, a keeper of the thing that all had to go through. Here, below the bell, she felt relaxed.

A breeze carried itself in from behind Ella, crashing into her like waves in the ocean. Her long hair flew forward, engulfing her vision so that she could only see bits of the window in front of her that led to the grounds, and beyond the grounds the forbidden forest. Ella could only catch the soft greens and yellows of the grasses in snaps shops, and the deep and dark greens and blacks of the forest between her blowing wisps of her. Ella took a deep a deep breath, allowing for the only chill of the hot day to fill her lung, dancing inside of her before falling into a deep sleep. She smiled, her eyes closed, loving the feeling of the air inside her lungs.

Time was passing slowly, unmarked by the ringing of the bell. It was sure to be near time for another chime and Jett was determined to find what he was seeking before thunderous echoes filled the chamber again. He wished he could reach out and touch the curve of the bell, run his hands along its surface. With the sense of touch finding his secret rune would be easier. He would be able to feel the groves of it underneath his fingertips and the slight warmth of the metal sitting in the sun. He sighed, knowing that it was just out of reach. But maybe....

Jett shuffled closer to the edge of the stairs, leaning far over the railing. If he could just stretch a little farther he might be able to graze the bells surface. He extended his arm and arched up onto this toes, precariously balanced. It was then that he looked down curious to see how far he would fall if he lost control. Instead of seeing just levels of stairs his eyes stopped on a figure down below.

“Oh!” He exclaimed, surprised. It was a girl about his age standing with her face upturned and eyes closed. The wind blew through her long hair fanning it out in front of her. With the morning glow of sun and the quiet atmosphere of the clock tower Jett was momentarily mesmerized. He forgot his task and slipped back onto his heels, watching the girl from up above.

(This'll be my last post, in case others still want to join in)

Ella giggled a little bit, but she'd have never called it a giggle. A small laugh, perhaps, as the wind evaporated from her body. Not that she found it funny, for such an overwhelming calm to have left her was practically devastating. But she laughed at herself, in a way, for how the wind could have made her felt so much more. An inanimate, making her feel as though she were alive. It was the contradictory of the thing, the irony, that made the very short and quiet laugh leave her body, following after the wind.

It was the exclamation, however, that caught her attention. Ella didn't jump, she felt no need to when she felt safe in her environment. People jumped out of fright, and Ella hadn't been frightful of much. What come may come, she'd have said, and let it be as it may. Her body curved half way, her head gently looking over her shoulder. Nothing appeared immediately behind her, though as her soft gaze slowly followed the stairs, her attention was drawn to a boy. A tall boy, as many of them were, with sharp features and deep hair. Even from the distance, Ella could see that the boy was quite handsome, though she knew many handsome boys. He seemed...almost different, to her. From the rest of the boys that she had known and partied with.

She gave a smile, looking up toward the stairs. It wasn't as though he didn't deserve a smile, he hadn't done anything wrong. And so, Ella began to speak, her gaze falling toward the boy's eyes, and locking, as though she had finally found herself the perfect key to fit in the lock, with a quiet clamp as it was slipped into the unique maze that laid within the unforgiving lock.

"Hello! Am I disrupting you?"

The serenity of the clock tower filled Jett with a peace that was unbroken even by the sweet tones of the girl far below him. Her voice drifted up to his ears on currents of swirling air full of the dust of the often empty room. It was music to him after the loud chimes of the bell so close. He watched as her eyes locked with his and he felt the familiar spark ignite. It started first in the eyes, catching glimpses of beauty, then traveled to the lungs making breath quicken. The heart was it's target. There it took hold and burned until the warmth of the fire spread everywhere. Jett could feel it beginning as her eyes remained trapped on his.

“You are far from disturbing me,” Jett grinned down at the girl, letting the raising sun wash over his face. “I was simply not expecting to meet any one at this hour, let alone someone who looks so fresh and awake.”

His search for the rune pushed far back into his mind, Jett began to descend the stairs. His hand brushed lightly on the railing as he felt the cool wood slide under his palm. There would be other days to find his mystery piece of knowledge but this would be the only chance for a first impression on this girl. He was not about to let it pass him by while he carried on his work. He was new to the school and needed to meet as many people as he could and it was just his luck that today his target happened to be stunning.

"That's what a morning breeze will do to you, after all, fresh and awake."

Ella nearly repeated his words as she spoke, and another gust of wind entered into the clocktower, through the door that she had left open. Once more her long hair flew, mimicking the waves of a beach on the sandy color of her skin, surrounding her for moments when the tide rose, and then falling, her hair falling like the waves as the wind began to die.

Her soft hand flew up, light as the air around her, and pushed her hair behind her ears. Her long nails outlined her ear as she did so, the pointed tips of her ears stopping her until her hand fell back down. She looked up at the boy, his body descending the stairs, and felt something. It was a strange feeling, bubbling up in the pits of her stomach, and she had never felt a thing like it. It had been Jett's veela affect, though Ella hadn't recognized it, not yet. And although it made her insides bubbling, like a warm bath with the water flowing, only making the bubbles build higher and higher, she had never let her exterior falter to the feeling. Ella would remain herself on the outside, calm and relaxed, even though her insides felt so funny. It was more of an effort to remain herself then she had ever recognized before.

"It's early, I'm surprised anybody else is awake at this hour. Most miss the beauty of the early morning dew and sun, and even the different wind that blows at this time."

She smiled, both entranced by the thoughts of the early morning that she so loved, and by the boy, though she'd never admit to being entranced by him. Not yet, that was something she'd have to wait for, and something that he would, too.

The wind blowing through the open doors and windows was picking up around the two, cocooning them inside and seeming to gently push them ever closer. It smelled faintly of the growing grass and changing leaves, a mixture of the dust and timelessness of the tower. The scent of the moving air was more intoxicating than a glass of wine, its bouquet of sharp grapes paling in comparison.

As Jett reached the bottom of the stairs the girls hair rose up in the breeze almost as if it was a living being and possessing its own soul. It fluttered and danced, catching the light and reflecting it just as the bell had. Jett was filled with the urge to reach up and feel it fall through his fingers. He extended his arm slowly and let it flow around his hand as it swayed with the wind. It felt like water, smooth and powerful rushing between over his skin. The sun played on its light color causing it to look like liquid sand, undulating around his hand as he tried to memorize the feeling.

The wind stopped and the spell was broken, her hair falling back to lay on her shoulders and Jett returned his hand to his side. Now that he was thinking more clearly he was worried his sudden move would bother the girl. He smiled at her again, their eyes still locked. “I can't say I was looking for beauty in the sun and dew this morning but I certainly found it.” He took a step nearer the girl, his feet stirring up the dust in small clouds on the floor. “I'm Jett, I don't think I have had the pleasure of meeting you yet?”

"A belief is a little less than fact, I'd say."

She smiled as she teased him a bit. She didn't admit to it, but she was often complimented, by boys and girls alike. Ella was an intelligent girl, and she was nice to everyone around her. Not overly nice, but nice; plainly nice. She respected everyone's opinions, and that's how she hadn't gained a reputation. Although she's an intellect, Ella was social. And with being social came parties, alcohol, boys, and hook ups. She fell hard for the spell of the night, but because of her forwardness, Ella's ability to move on from her nights and not take anything to heart, she was able to avoid a reputation of a slut, or as the girl who sleeps around. She respected those around her, and she respected herself. Ella didn't allow herself to hold onto the little strings of the heart that claimed love, because it was only one night after all, and it usually meant nothing more then what the night brought. The night was to stay dark, as the days would move and carry on. Just like Ella.

"I don't believe that you have, but it's a pleasure to meet you, Jett."

Intentionally, Ella hadn't mentioned her name, but her speech was so smooth that Jett may not have noticed. Of course, that wasn't up to her what he had or had not noticed, but Ella had a smooth and soothing speech, and she knew how to work her words around quite well. Not well enough to be a Slytherin, though, they had always caught her rather quickly, and even she had trouble catching them at times. But it was only a conversation, after all. A conversation with a pretty face, a boy of tall stature and dark locks. Just a conversation...was it not?

Her heart pumped hard, but she did what she could to ignore it. She told herself he was only a boy, and that these feelings weren't right. It was only then that she questioned herself. Perhaps it was a spell? Perhaps of his, perhaps of a friend having fun, on either her or him. It could have been in her coffee this morning, she wouldn't have known. But Ella's face never matched her questioning thoughts, she remained cool and calm in the morning, not hinting toward Jett of her conflicting questions that ran through her mind.

Jett's features remained locked in a perpetual dreamy smile as the girl spoke. Her voice ran through his ears and into his mind, flitting into his thoughts and taking hold. It was so smoothing to listen, to watch her face as it changed in miniscule ways she herself may not have been aware of. Jett never knew if it was the veela blood coursing through his veins or something else entirely but moments like this had the power to render him incapable of thinking of much else. There had been many times in his life when he was struck speechless by something as simple as a carving in wood or a blanket of fresh snow. Beauty was all around him and he had no choice but to stop and marvel at it.

It was all he could do restrain himself from touching the girls hair again as she finished her sentence. Jett had caught that she had not introduced herself by name but had slyly remained anonymous. That simply wouldn't do.

“The pleasure is all mine, of course. But I would be even more in awe if I was to learn your name. A lady such as you must have a befitting name.” Jett's voice dripped with charm. It was an unconscious act, something that was as natural as breathing. There were few in his life that he had not managed to charm into becoming friends, or more. Jett never thought of it as a malicious act or something to be ashamed of. He was merely speaking in the manner he had been brought up with. Everyone appreciated a kind word said toward them or a gentle touch to their skin. Jett was more than happy to provide that to others and because of such a situation like this was common to him. Or perhaps it was common due to his indescribable veela magnetism but Jett liked to think it was more the former. He was more than a pretty face inherited from his mother.

He hadn't fallen for her trickery, as it had appeared, but such a thing like that didn't upset Ella. In fact, it made her smile a little. The boy was quite smart, and cunning, and yet he remained so polite and courteous. It was a strange combination, but still a combination that could not be gripped so tightly. Blood was blood, after all.

"Quite the gentleman, you are. And if I so choose to remain anonymous?"

A smile trickled her face as she teased him, playing a small game. She wasn't being sassy as she spoke, or negative in anyway. Ella was simply having what little fun she could as she spoke with the boy. He was polite, and forward, as Ella was with many of her views and opinions. In fact, she wasn't quite sure why she was acting the way she was. Normally, she'd have no problem at all giving her name. Not that she had one now, which confused her even more. She was playing a game that she usually didn't play with strangers, but among close friends that knew she was teasing, and would end within the next sentence. For some reason, this was different.

Once more the bell rang. A loud sense of it, as it vibrated off the walls and throughout the clock tower. It moved her, emotionally, as the bell stood alone, and yet so strong it cried at every hour. Like many things, that bell had a soul, and it would continue to live in solitude for many years of its life. The ring of the bell fought with the walls to reach the outdoors, and Ella could feel, physically now, the fight and the struggle of the sound to penetrate through the walls. It took some time, but slowly it made it's way, clumsily, through the doors and windows left open in the clock tower.

The corners of her lips curved into a small smile, bringing a mischievous twinkle to her eyes. She was playing with him, stringing him along with her words and actions. She must believe she was in control of the conversation and had him hanging on to her every word. It was not far from the truth, but Jett knew down on a baser level he had her invested in his responses. He let himself be carried farther into her game knowing full well he could turn the tables at any time. For now, though, he was content to follow suit and see what would come of this meeting.

Jett opened his mouth to respond just as the bells rang once more. His voice was swallowed by the booming bass of metal hitting metal with tremendous force. Again the wood beneath his feet shuddered as vibrations shook the tower. He felt them raise from his soles up his body, shivering at the exquisite feeling and the power behind it. A group of owls that had taken refuge in the rafters high above startled and rushed through the top windows, their feathers raining down in time with the bell.

Counting the chimes in his head Jett waited until the seventh and final echo had escaped the tower and was speeding along the grounds. It would soon hit the castle and awaken many who were previously lost in their dreams. Tearing his gaze from the suddenly still bell, Jett brought his eyes to rest on the girls. They studied hers intently, watching flecks of color bounce and weave in the light.

“It is your choice to give away your name to me as you will. I would just have you know that if you do I will treasure it and never do it any disservice or harm. I will treat it as a delicate being and should you wish for me one day to forget it I will, with sorrow, let it go from my memory.” Jett was really laying it on thick but it was something he would never have noticed. His words were all truth.

"Oh, a poet as well? You have quite the charm in you."

As he spoke her eyes lit up, in both her will, and not. She had willed herself to light up, similar to that of the first lighting of the christmas tree, for he appeared to be quite the poet, whether he meant to or not. Ella, as intelligent as she was, often lost herself in poetry over large novels. The words were so sensitive and focused, yet blurred and filtered to the individual mind that reads it off the page. Every poem could seem seen with different meanings, depending on both the reader's mood and the reader's mind. She and Jett, for one, or perhaps for two, could see the same poem to read two very different, intricate meanings. It was that which created a sort of maze, one that Ella found beautiful and intriguing. The idea captivated her, and she had tried to analyze poems to the brim in order to see all the different, hidden meanings that they could possibly hold.

And then her eyes lit up for another reason. Though for this she hadn't known why, but it was seeming more and more like a spell. As Jett spoke, complimenting her in that smooth and refreshing voice of his, she could feel herself growing lighter, as though she were now floating with the bubbles that rose in her stomach. It was a strange feeling, for she usually took compliments with grace, and so easily returned them, but now the compliments seemed to be more than just words for her to reply to. They were making her feel something inside. Perhaps her coffee did have something in it.

Ella made her way over to the window in which she had been staring out of before, leaning over. Her back smoothed out and her body curved in all the right places. Nothing seemed decrepit about Ella, nothing was too thin nor thick. Her smooth elbows touched the hold rock of the window cut, and Ella closed her eyes, breathing in the cool air, speaking with it as she blew out.

"Ella. My name is Ella."

Jett followed her figure as she moved gracefully to the window. The curves and hollows of her body were pronounced by the way she leaned forward, gazing out the window. Her skin was smooth as it brushed the windowsill and Jett found himself wanting nothing more than to trace the delicate line of her arm with his fingertips. He stepped closer, standing over her by the window. The sun was raising higher in the sky and the nightly mist was disappearing over the forest. Soon it would be time to return to the castle, to leave the beauty and serenity of the tower behind. Jett was loath to end this magical encounter, unwilling to submit to another day without the beauty and grace he had happened upon this morning.

“Ella,” He let the name whisper from his mouth, testing how it sounded. The way it rolled from his tongue through his lips was divine. It tasted of flowers and sweet wine, it sounded like waves crashing on high cliffs and the whisper of falling snow. “If I were a poet, I would write an epic detailing your elegance. Wars would be fought for your hand and the gods would smile down on footsteps you leave behind.”

He was close to her now, nearly touching in the small windowsill. He looked down onto her face, awash in the raising sun. Jett could hardly recall his reasons for being in the clock tower before she arrived. Maybe it was fate, a destined meeting. He prized his intelligence above all but Jett had a very soft spot for all things dramatic and romantic. It was instilled in him all this life while watching his parents fall deeper and deeper into love. He recalled their stories of meeting often and knew someday something similar would happen to him. This was why when any chance such as now presented itself he gave in completely.  He left his mind relax and his body and instincts take over. It was no matter to him that it may all fade in an instant. What mattered was now, the beauty and magic of the moment.

Ella's gaze had been lost in the distance as Jett spoke, though she heard every beautiful word that escaped his mouth. She had felt the air of his body move as he stood next to her, and she could feel the warm breath of his speech. His words flowed just as the wind outside had moved the trees, taking to each other in perfect sync. Not even the birds had cried out in this moment, the peace and serenity of the forest beyond caressing Jett's gentle words. God's had no smile for Ella, however, for she did things they may not so please them.

After Jett had finished his speech, Ella slowly looked up at him, her arms still at rest on the window, her head just peeking over her shoulder. He had towered her in the moment, but he never gave an aura that said such. His clothes looked warm against the raising wind, and his lips looked so soft in the hue of the sun. And then there were his eyes, which looked so deep to Ella. Not quite like that of the oceans, but something more...intriguing. Something that demanded her attention, like that of a deep forest, full of a mystery that lies just in reach to those who dared to enter. This feeling, had Ella finally figured it out?

Slowly regaining her posture, Ella hadn't broken contact with Jett, her eyes still finding themselves lost in the depths of his. It was as though something was pulling on her, drawing her in slowly. Inch by inch, she could feel herself pull back, but her strength was beyond that of the chains that kept her. She couldn't resist. On her toes, Ella's body made for a kiss, though her mind was a bit stronger than she had previously willed. Rather than kissing Jett passionately, as her body so told her, her mind was able to compromise, and pushed her for a peck on the cheek. It was an awkward moment, a weird thing for her to have done, but Ella was never concerned about such a thing, even in a moment like this, Ella was able to remain composed.

Not a word left her mouth as she stood there, staring almost blankly at Jett, still entranced by his sharp and yet beautifully smooth features.

Watching with anticipation of her next move Jett's eyes were focused on Ella. He watched as she stretched her body up vertebrae by vertebrae until she was standing tall. She was so slight and delicate next to him he felt as if a wisp of air would shatter the moment. Her eyes found his and he felt her search them, looking deep into their depths. He had nothing to hide, all was borne for her to do with as she pleased. He did the same to her, the electricity passing between their irises nearly tangible. Jett's breath was held as she arched her feet and stood on her toes, leaning forward. With his eyes still her beautiful face, so close now, he felt her silken lips graze his cheek.

The skin where Ella's lips had graced tingled, a perfect outline left soft and moist. Jett could feel the sensation spread spanning outward like the shocks of an earthquake. A warmth engulfed him, smoldering from the farthest point of his skin to the deepest point of his heart. His breath was deep and calm but inside his heart paced like the wings of a hummingbird. As Ella's feet returned fully to the ground Jett reached his hands out and placed them gently onto her shoulders. He didn't grip or pull but simply let them rest on her delicate frame. The fire her kiss had brought to him seeped from him onto her, warming her skin beneath his hands. He wanted to pull her in to him, to feel her body embraced in his arms. The desire to feel her heartbeat race against his was overwhelming.

Instead he lifted a hand to brush her hair back, feeling again its liquid like quality. All of his senses were full of Ella. She was all the he could see and feel. The clock tower had disappeared around them, the floor and walls forgotten. He was floating in an empty world held onto reality by the sparks in Ella's eyes. So lost was he that he was barely aware of himself speaking.

“I would love for nothing more in this moment than for you to allow me kiss you, Ella.”

His hands rested onto her shoulders, and she could feel a shiver run up and down her spine. Not only once, but many times, as though he were the current that continued to charge her body. It was a form of electricity, of sorts, though not the same kind as that found in a muggle outlet or that of the static shock from a carpet. No, this was much more like a jolt from lightening itself, strong and powerful, and overwhelming. It was so good to feel it, yet she knew that it was bad, because once lightening struck, it struck hard. It was nearly impossible to come back from.

The strands of hair soon were pushed back, by the same hand that sent the vibrations throughout her body. There was something about this moment, something about it that made Ella feel so...lost. She wasn't nearly as much of herself as she had wished she was. Her body reacted to things that she hadn't asked it too, and even now her thoughts would drift out of place. She could feel herself losing control of the only thing that she had once been assured of owning. She, herself, could no longer control that which had always belonged to her, and only her. What was this feeling?

Ella stared at him, his words too far off for her to fully comprehend. She wasn't even sure that she heard him before she wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him. Had she become a puppet? She wasn't sure. Was this what love felt like? But that was way too fast, only stories could possibly be like that. And yet...Ella continued to kiss him, and every moment of it she could feel the bubbles inside of her pop with a delicious burst in her body. Something had been going on, and Ella felt as though she were only watching herself, that it wasn't her who had been kissing Jett, a boy she had only just met, but someone completely different. So where, in all of this, was she?

The cool breeze from the window fluttered Ella's hair as Jett waited with bated breath for her response. It came quickly, with the movement of her body closer to his. He felt the ethereal weight of her arms reaching up and resting on his shoulders, her hands behind his neck. His hands moved carefully to her waist, drawing her to him. The next moment she was kissing him, their lips together. He could feel her vitality pulsing through her lips and into his.  A kiss like this was worth losing himself in, letting his mind let go of the nagging fear it was only because of his blood she was doing this. He would let that thought rest and hope it was untrue, that after the moment had passed she would still remain.

Had he really only noticed her moments before? It felt like he had always known how her presence felt besides his and how her hair smelled of faint book pages. Their intertwined bodies fit together like the last two pieces of the puzzle, long lost but suddenly emerging in order to complete the picture.

Their passionate kiss seemed to last hours, days. Jett's whole self was lost in the subtle movements of Ella's lips. Every dream must end upon waking, though. As their faces moved ever so slightly apart Jett looked down into her eyes. A warm smile spread over his face, etching lines of tenderness. Her arms still around him and his around her they stood silently, savoring what had just passed between them.

Sensations other than Ella slowly edged their way back into Jett's consciousness. Again the solid wood beneath his feet held him in place. He could just make out the murmurs of life from the grounds and castle. Students were waking up, beginning to bustle about and populate the day with noise and movement. The day was starting in earnest and the illusion of solitude and peace was fading with it. Jett had never noticed how mournful the loss of the morning stillness could be. He had never stopped so completely to notice it before and now that he had he didn't want it to ever end. Would it return when the sun rose tomorrow? Would it spread its serenity over the grounds for a short time before the world awoke again?

Letting his body move with fluid grace Jett parted embraces with Ella and gently grasped her hand in his. “May I walk you back to the Castle?”

A string had seemed to have been cut, if only by the fates, as their kiss had broken. Ella stood, staring just below Jett's eyes as he had stared at her, and she had felt lost. For a moment, the magic had snapped within her. Why had she kissed this boy, who she hadn't known long enough to love? How was she so entranced in the moment, when she wasn't sure what that moment was meant to be? A sense of confusion overwhelmed Ella as she stood there, shocked. Her eyes drifted up to Jett's, and snap, just like that, she had felt fully what she had seconds before. Everything inside her began to race once more.

She noticed now every detail of his face, and every detail of his hair, his eyes, his lips...She could see how smooth his skin was, placed perfectly over the bones of his face. His hair looked like silk in this light, so cool to the touch, and soft...

Ella had no intention of leaving the clock tower, not until Jett had asked, at least. A smile plastered over her lips, so hard set in place, yet so soft to the touch. She could feel her heart fluttering, no flying. With large wings, pounding the air forcefully into the ground. Her heart was no butterfly, nor was it a hummingbird. Her heart felt as though it were the eagle that ruled the sky. And she had no intention of landing in the fields anytime soon. The feeling was one to last inside of her, or so that was what her heart told her.

"You may do whatever you please to do."

She smiled as she spoke, the words leaving her lips. Jett had full power over his own being, and what he chose to do and not to do. Ella, at this moment, didn't have much power over herself, if any at all. But it was such a thin line that hooked itself to Ella, that she couldn't even see that she were only a puppet to the moment. It was not she who was in control, not any longer, even though she think that it may be.

With his hand held gently to the small of her back, Jett lead Ella towards the large open doors. The way she walked besides him, her body swaying in time with his, lulled  him into day dreams of sunny strolls and moonlit picnics. The light pouring into the archway was brighter than the shadows of the tower and caused Jett's eyes to water from the change. The air currents sucked them closer to the open grounds, closer to a place where they would continue their days, alone. Jett wanted to keep his arm around her as long as he could, wanted to reach out and stroke her hair at very opportunity.

He knew after the short walk to the school entrance everything could change. She could clear her head, wonder at her actions. Maybe she would regret letting Jett get close to her. The ghost of a frown crossed his face at the thought. It had happened too many times to him to count. His hopes would be raised only to come falling back around him like leaves of a tree. It was times like these he disliked his veela ancestry. Still, he couldn't help but dream that this time would be different. It could be that he would see her and be able to feel the pressure of her lips once again.

“Ella,” he waited until her face looked up into his. “I would like to get to know you, more than what your lips have divulged. Please, meet me again after today.” He ran his hand through her hair one last time and kissed her forehead softly. “You are so beautiful,” Jett mused, still struck by her as they started the walk back into the castle and reality.

(I think this will be my last post on this thread unless Ella comes up with a question. Seems like a good place to end.)

(I agree! You did really, REALLY fantastically RPing out all of those scenes!)

Ella could feel the chains on her body begin to loosen, though they didn't break hold. Strong, like valerian steel, they gripped her hard, even if there had been slack in the line. She was not free, not yet. Even as the castle came into view, with it's tall beauty and hard, old stone. Even the stone, she knew, was not as strong as led on to be. The castle had been broken many times, torn down only to be rebuilt. But it really wasn't the stones that mattered, was it? For the soul of Hogwarts had never died, and lived on throughout the decades.

Silently, she stared into Jett's eyes as he complimented her, though now she felt that her eyes could wander. The chain had loosened, after all, but she hadn't known much else to do with herself, aside from what her body had just experienced. That was what she could repeat, out of familiarity. Not out of pattern, nor habit, it was just the most familiar at the moment. Fresh in her mind, she could still see the chapters of her morning, just like the water that was left behind as the waves retreated back into the ocean. She could feel the retreating, though not the disappearance.

All that she could do was smile at Jett's words. Whether or not it was a veela charm, the moment would have still charmed her. His sweet words left his lips, like the juices of a perfect plum. So sweet, he complimented her being, and he caught her all over again. This time, however, she was herself, with only memories of who she was moments before.

"I'd love to. We shall see eachother again, if only for once more."

She hadn't been very direct in what she had meant by once more. If she had meant that she'd only be entranced by his charm once more, if it would only take one more time for her to figure it out and push him away. It could have been once more as acquaintances, to then burst into lovers. She wasn't direct, because even she hadn't known what could become of her words. That's why words were there, and they were gone. Their imprint didn't last, for it was something that could be so easily changed.

"Goodbye, Jett."

She smiled, turning around and making her way through the castle. Ella allowed herself to gain some distance, before peeking over her shoulder, seeing if Jett was still in her view, though already he had become a blur in her eyes, just a little too soon.