All in All (Eleonora)

The evening air started to take over as the daylight was slowly starting to fade. It was just the hour when the lamps had flickered on, too light for them to do much, but too dark for them to not be on at all. Hogsmeade was very quiet, the bustle of the streets having dispersed after the afternoon hours started to fade away. It was time for the shops to begin closing, and for customers to leave for home, or find a place to stay.

Adeon sat on the outskirts of Hogsmeade, in the leaf covered grounds of old pathways, rarely used. There was little for him to keep busy with at this hour as he waited for his work to begin. Once the lights went out, all but the moon, he'd have a job to do. As for now, he waited, his back casually rested against one of the fading light posts, his breath heavy and an old cigarette in hand, smoke floating up and disappearing into the darkening air. Silently, Adeon awaited for the silence that would engulf the earth.

(I would say roughly 7/8PM type of lighting)

Hogsmeade was a picture from a story book during the lingering evening hours. The streets cleared and left tidy sidewalks free of passerbys. The lamps adorning the corners gave a soft glow that mixed with the setting sun, creating a golden hue to the air. Lights in shop windows went out as lights in house windows twinkled into being. A breeze picked up the red and yellow fallen leaves and twirled them down alleys and around empty flower pots.

Eleonora tugged her jacket closer to her body, nestled her chin into her scarf. As the light faded so did it's warmth, leaving behind a frosty chill chasing the sun over the horizon.  Her booted feet crunched on the gravel roads, a small sound in a quieting world. She looked around her as she walked, taking in the quaint beauty. Her cheeks and tip of her nose were rosy with cold, her fingers wrapped tightly around a cup of hot chocolate. Extra chocolate, extra whipped cream, a nice treat from Honeydukes for her walk back to Hogwarts.

Her face was aglow with pleasure, her mind content and calm. She had spent the evening in Hogsmeade gathering some supplies for her creatures and some much needed alone time. It was getting dark now and Eleonora noted she had stayed longer than she had planned. By now she should have been sitting comfortably in her office, curled up with a warm blanket and the glow of the fire. She was not  worried though, walking back in the dark was not a problem. She was used to being alone and night was nothing to be afraid of.

As she left the glowing lights behind her Eleonora walked on, serene in her own mind. Her feet trod off the well maintained path and onto an old side trail, one she remembered using as a student to bring her back the long way to Hogwarts.

Everything was quiet. Almost quiet. There were the creatures in the night, not too far away that chirped and called out, hopped from one tree to another, or ran through the forest floor to find themselves a place to borrow for the cold night. It was a moment of chaos, between night and day, when a few creatures went away, and the others came out, waking to the night life. It didn't take long for the creatures to hush, as the chaos had only lasted for a few minutes. Now, everything was silent.

Adeon had closed his eyes as he took a deep, chilling breath that iced his lungs. He breathed out, the air becoming colder around him, his breath mingling with the smoke that drifted up from his cigarette. And then there was a crunch. Footsteps. Adeon opened his eyes to see a shadow, making their way toward him.

There wasn't much for him to make out, but by the tension in their muscles and their hands firmly placed out in front of them, Adeon knew that this person was no one to fear. Just a civilian, traveling home a little too late at night. Not drunk, because their movements were precise, but not particularly fluid, as the layers of the cold often prevented such a motion. Probably a woman, as women had a way about them when they walked, while men were almost all heavy footed, heel digging into the virgin soil beneath their boots.

The cigarette that Adeon held dropped to the floor, Adeon now standing up straight so that he would no longer be leaning on the light poll. It was almost a sign of respect, or that's how Adeon knew it was viewed. He simply could not hold any respect for anyone who he had not met, he just knew how to act like he did. Plus, this way, he'd seem less like a sketchy threat, and he didn't need to be running into anyone right now, he didn't need a fight before he went into the real match. Once this person passed by, on their way to wherever they belong, the streets of Hogsmeade would be dead. And so would another life. His work was always his priority.

Darkness was quick to descend with it's shadows and secrets. The path grew dark under Eleonora's feet, the circles of light from lamp posts becoming fewer and far between as she made her way farther down the abandoned trail. As her eyes adjusted to the dim light she noticed a shadow more solid than the others leaning against the nearest post. It was human shaped, probably another patron of Hogsmeade on their way home.

As Eleonora drew near the figure straightened, the long shadows of the lamp post casting over him. A tingle started at the base of her spine, traveling haltingly upwards. Vertebrae by vertebrae it climbed, chilling her more than the cold air. She felt the ice like sensation of fear start to prickle at her skin and raise the downy red hair at the nape of her neck. Her steps quickened, eyes snapped forward. The fingers wrapped around her drink stiffened, turning white beneath her gloves.

Eleonora had developed a strong awareness of danger over the years. If she hadn't she would have been dead many times over, a battered and eviscerated corpse being feasted upon. While this sense didn't often overlap with threats from her own kind, she could pick up on cues around her that betrayed a perilous situation. Her ears were quick to notice the unnatural quiet. Even at this time of night creatures should be out, scurrying around and making the tiniest of noises. Most would not hear them but Eleonora had been trained to listen for their sounds and at this place, this moment, they were silent.

Something was out of place here and the casual figure on the deserted path was the only noticeable intruder. Eleonora wanted nothing to do with it beside leaving it behind. She wished fervently that she had taken the main road, left earlier, not come at all.  Now all she was focused on was getting by the stranger without incident.

Her boots continued to crunch the gravel and her hair cascaded out behind her as she struggled to maintain a pace that was brisk but did not look panicked. Eleonora let her eyes dart over to the shadowed figure as she passed, curiosity getting the better of her. After a few steps past, she slowed, came to a stop. Something was oddly familiar about what she had just seen. A sense of deja vu overwhelmed her, causing her to slowly pivot  on her heels to face the post and the stranger. Her eyes searched for any sign of recognition but came up empty. Still, the feeling lingered.

She took a cautious step closer to the light, cursing herself as she did. What had gotten into her? New found confidence gained by her promotion was causing her to do things she would never have been brave enough to manage before.

“Do I know you?” Her voice rang out in the hushed night air, quiet by daytime standards but now strong.

The girl had walked his way, and he could feel every shiver of doubt in her body. She was scared, he thought, and alone, and in clear view of a man shrouded in shadow and silence, himself. Adeon couldn't help but allow for a small smirk to travel up onto his features, not that she would be able to see them in the shadow that he hid his face him. He enjoyed the unease that he sent through strangers' spines, not that he wanted them to be scared of him, but that it meant he was doing his job well.

It was always confusing and difficult to explain. Not that Adeon ever had to explain it, but if he were too. And it wasn't ever that he felt conflicted with what he was doing versus how he felt, it was just how things were. He lived a life that was his work. He didn't have the time for preferences of how his character was displayed. His job was the only thing that he cared about, and it was the only thing he worked toward. That part was easy to explain, but what would be difficult to explain would be the thousands of little questions. Why he liked knowing that people were scared of him, for the sake of his job, but not because he wanted them to be scared of him. Why he liked to stay in solitude because it made his job easier, but not because he necessarily preferred solitude.

He didn't know any other way of life. He learned to like the things that came with his job, but he had never experienced others to compare them with. He didn't know if he'd prefer to be social with the community, rather than hidden, because he had never tried it. There was no reason to, and his job required of him not to test those waters. Sure, he was his own boss, he could do what he wanted, but what he wanted was to be successful in his work. Adeon, in a way, was lost. Lost in his work, confusing it for his life.

The girl had walked by, her pace what Adeon would called a pained one as she tried to act normal. The smirk hadn't left his face, or so it hadn't until something glittered in the light, catching his eye. He could see the red hair of hers fly out from behind her, catching the wind and also catching his immediate attention. A name immediately came to his mind, his head lifting no longer with a smirk on his face, catching what glimpses he could of the girl's pale face. No, it wasn't her.

But he still knew her face.

He could remember the day, packed of people scrambling through the alleys, and one girl with some off creatures on her shoulder. He had already forgotten what they were, but they were strange looking to him. As everything flew back to him, Adeon began to turn his back on the girl, a few slow steps making it toward the village before, he could feel, her own steps slow down. She was second guessing herself, and Adeon knew he'd have to get out of there a little quicker if he wanted to avoid the encounter. And just as he was about to, her body turned, and her voice rang clearly throughout the night air.

"No."

His voice was hard, like a stone, with his body stopped in the snow, and his hands stuffed into his pockets. If she would just drop it after that...maybe he could get away. He had work to do.

When Eleonora turned she noticed the figure a few paces away, farther towards town. His back was turned to her, his voice muffled by the wind and distance between them. A curt answer to her question furthered her confusion. She had heard his voice before. She was sure of it. Her mind reeled, trying to making a connection. It should have been easy, Eleonora was not prone to conversation, but still it eluded her. He was not someone from Hogwarts, she had been around them often enough now to place their voices easily. That left someone from her life before a few months ago.

Her days not not been filled with light chats or intimate meetings. In fact she mostly avoided such interactions, instead spending her time working or in solitude. She had no one she considered a friend at this point in her life, and hadn't for some time. It was easy to rule out this man as being someone she had been friendly with for that reason.

That left little else to go on. An accidental meeting, perhaps? As the darkness started to swallow the retreating man Eleonora watched his movements. He blended in the with dim light, at ease in the night. Suddenly a scene flashed in her mind, one not unlike this. A dark figure in a dark alley, harsh words followed by a helpful hand. Could it be the same person? Eleonora was fairly certain now that she recalled, but why would he be lying to her?

In fact, why would he be sulking around the outskirts of Hogsmeade at this time of night, shrouded in dark clothing and eyes averted?

There was still silence in the night air but it had turned sharp, electric. Eleonora could feel the tension stretch the gap between them. She had already started walking towards him before she realized what she was doing. Her boots echoed off the trees and lamp posts as she drew closer. It was as if her body was moving on its own, her mind yelling at it to turn and flee. She would not. He may have something to hide, she didn't care nor wish to find out what is was, but she would know why he was lying.

“You're lying to me, why?” She stopped a few paces from him, biting her lip to stop her voice from shaking. It was innocent, quietly pleading. Her big eyes absorbed all the light left around her, the effect making her appear almost like a deer drawn to the barrel of a hunters rifle.

As Adeon moved, swiftfully through the dark night, he could still feel the presence of the girl, only now she was carefully watching him. He continued to move toward the town that he was meant to prowl, like an animal in the night, searching for his prey. He was supposed to be uninterrupted, for in this place he was meant to be the only nocturnal creature that moved about the earth. It was his territory, after all, and all others should have been asleep. The day was their time to live and move, but the night belonged to him.

His feet came down onto the hard floor, stiffening with the night, and so did another. Eleonora had been following him, and he knew all too well just what she was trying to find out. He was the dark figure, then and now, passing through her life. He meant nothing but a grain of dirt to her, or so he was meant to be, and it was what he chose to believe. So why would she pursue him? She had a life to move on to, someplace that was not here, not in this hour. She was supposed to let him go, that's what anybody else would do, whether they recognized him or not. He was a dark figure, stalking the night, not something that anyone would come on to. Not a mystery that anyone would so willingly wish to solve. She should have been like any other, running home to feel the safety of a locked door and soothing candlelight. So why wouldn't she?

A voice rung out through the wind, the seizing of her steps following shortly after. She questioned him, a man shrouded in darkness, in the night on a silent road where no souls were awake. Was she stupid? Some may of thought her to be willing, to have a strong sense of respectable dignity and directness. Adeon saw none of it. This woman was anything but strong to have spoken to him. It was stupid to show such vulnerability. To so many, Eleonora would have been asking to be killed.

It took only a moment for Adeon to apparate, as he so loved to do, but what was weird is what brought him back. He wasn't sure why, but normally he would have taken himself miles away. He could have come back to finish his job in an hour, when the girl was surely gone. He would have left her with her question hanging in the open air, unacknowledged and unanswered. But he didn't. Adeon appeared only a few feet behind Eleonora, where the lamp even further behind him could shine behind his head, creating a darker shadow over his features and more light onto Eleonora's face. He would have never turned around from where he was before, so easily seen to be recognized in the future.

"You don't know me, so I am not lying."

A smirk scribbled itself on his face as he played around with her. Adeon loved to tease and confused, and he just liked to feel like he was better than those he was surrounded by.

"Go home. This is not a good hour."

Eleonora was left staring into empty air as the figure disapperated into the night. Not a word had he said but whisked himself off into the unknown. Did that mean she was right? She shook her head, trying to dismiss her growing sense of confusion when she heard the familiar pop of a body displacing space. A haughty voice spoke from close behind her, a voice growing uncomfortably familiar. Eleonora whipped around, a jolt coursing through her and the cup in her hands falling to the hard ground.

They stood facing each other, him covered in shadows and her in the stark light of the lamp. His behavior was verging on taunting, now. There had been no need to scare her like that, she was plenty worried as it was. Her heart was hammering in her chest after his sudden appearance and her hands were trembling where the cup once rested.

What could she do in a situation like this? Eleonora was uncertain. She knew this was the same man, that he continued to lie...but perhaps it was for the best. Pretending she had been mistaken, rushing back to Hogwarts, it seemed like the safest plan. It was a plan Eleonora was all too happy to commence. Thinking back the few minutes to her words and actions she was in shock. It was like she was looking at someone else's memories. Eleonora had never been so bold in her life and she couldn't figure out why she had acted as such. To anyone else it would be seen as an improvement, a growth in character, but to her the act was reckless. People were not things meant to be bold towards; they were too unpredictable.

A blush crept up Eleonora's cold cheeks and she lowered her eyes from the figure. Her hair, shining in the artificial light, cascaded over her shoulders and around her face. She wanted it hidden as she lied, for she knew she would be much worse at it than the man. Her quiet voice drifted across the path and was barely a whisper by the time it made the distance to the only other listener.

“You must be right...I'm sorry to have disturbed you.”

Eleonora had every intention of shuffling past the man, her eyes on the ground ahead of her. She even got to his side before a noise caused her head to snap towards the trees beyond them. A low growl, a breaking of twigs, little night noises that would have been common place ordinarily. However in the unnatural silence that seemed to tail the man beside her the noises were menacing. Eleonora's eyes scanned the brush by the trees, intent and focused. She had forgotten all about the man and her fear, instead only thinking of what could be lurking just out of sight.

(Hope this isn't too much of a shift, I had to think of something or else Eleonora would have just left!)

(Haha no worries! Adeon would to, he's a jerk like that <3)

Every motion of her's told Adeon of her character. She knew well that he had reappeared behind her, which displayed her intelligence or intuition. The shock of his reappearance, and the dropping of her cup told him that she was demur. The way that she used her hair to hide her face told him that as well, not bold enough to cover her lies with her hands. People always covered their mouths when they lied, he knew that extremely well. And he was about to call her out on it, too, just as she was next to him. But there was something else that drew his attention, and hers as well.

Something beyond them had been causing a lot of disturbances. The trees and the ferns were moving in the distance. Apparently, there was something else out there, as much of a nocturnal predator as he was. He could help but smirk a little bit at the idea, see life and treating it like everyone were animals. But they all were, every single one of them. Even himself.

Eleonora was looking in that direction as well, he could see her out of the corner of his eyes doing so. Her eyes were bright, even facing away from the lamp, and her hair had a shimmer to it that was almost taunting, making it look as soft as feathers, and creating the urge to touch it, if only to confirm his suspicions. She, actually, had creatures with her the last time they had met. A lot of them, and not any normal ones. Maybe she had a thing for them, and maybe she knew just what was lurking around the corner. Either way though, she didn't act. She just watched.

"Well...that can't be good. You might want to just head home."

He didn't want to say 'I can handle it' because that just sounded dumb to him. Of course he could handle it, and he didn't care about that. The only problem he had was he watching him handle it. She'd catch on to all of his tricks and his job, and he had plenty of other things to do tonight then to be followed around or interrogated by some chick. Speaking of which, she seemed like the type to love all creatures, good and bad. If he killed that thing, and if she watched...that would just be an annoyance that Adeon didn't want to have to deal with. If she could just leave...

The rustling and snarling was increasing in the trees beyond the path. A muted thump hinted at a falling branch or root being torn. The cold air no longer bit into Eleonora's exposed skin or stung her eyes. She was too intent and concerned to notice. Judging by the movements of the brush she could judge the size of the creature to be roughly the same as a wild boar. It's noises and size didn't fit any creature she could point at right away; she needed more information.

Beside her she felt the man move slightly, his lips push out his words. They were not hushed nor cautious, but spoken as if nothing were amiss. Did he have no sense? Clearly he noticed the disturbance and judging from what he said found it a threat, but he seemed to think he could handle it himself and she, little frail girl she was, should run off home and let the big strong man take care of it.

Now was no time to get agitated, though, so Eleonora simply turned her head a fraction to face him. A determined glare overtook her face as she looked at him and mouthed a silent 'shhh'. The scene around them had turned into one that Eleonora was comfortable in, one she knew how to handle. No longer was her heart beating in fear but racing in anticipation. This is what she was made for and she would not let a stranger get in harms way, not matter how highly he thought of his abilities. Her eyes glittered as she brought them back to the the underbrush.

It was just in time, too. The bushes and grass parted and the gravel crumbled as a creature emerged. It was the size of a boar and covered in thick gray hide that seemed to absorb the darkness. A sharp horn made a point at its tip, coming from the forehead of the beast. It lowered its head, snuffling at the ground and growling menacingly.

Eleonora was momentarily thrown off guard. A confused look flashed across her features before she regained her composure and quickly stepped in front the man, pulling her wand from her coat pocket.

The creature was definitely a juvenile erumpent, but what was it doing here? They belonged out in the savannahs and plains, not a snowy English village. Luckily it was still young and Eleonora was fairly certain she could handle it, but if it had been full grown she would have had a lot on her hands.

Now the last thing she needed was the man behind her to get any rash ideas. She tilted her head towards him but kept her eyes on the erumpent. “Do not make any sudden movement or any loud noises. Just stay there.”

Bracing herself, Eleonora took a cautious step nearer the creature, in her element and forgetting how scared she had been of a mere man seconds prior.

The creature rustled around more, growing closer and closer. He could feel the small vibrations in the ground, and instantly knew roughly how large the animal was, which was pretty big. It was only when the creature emerged from the brush that he was shocked at its appearance. The creature simply didn't look like it came from this area, not with the giant horn and all. Of course, Adeon knew nothing about creatures, just that most of them left him alone, and with good reason. This was starting to become more and more of a nuisance.

On top of which, Eleonora decided to try and play hero and step in front of him. Adeon couldn't resist a scuff, but it was definitely a shot to his dignity. He simply wasn't going to let some girl out show him, even if she knew the creature more than he did. Adeon was strong, faster, and he was the killer in this group of three. There was no way that he was, now or ever, going to let someone else outshine him. Adeon had to be the best, and if someone tried to take that away from him...well...there really aren't any of those people around. At least not anymore.

"Stay here? As an angry creature with a giant horn goes rampant? Like hell am I staying here."

Adeon reached under his cloak, and out her pulled a very long, very sharp knife. All of his weapons were sharpened after every use. He never let a detail go, and he never risked something not being in it's prime condition. This knife could cut through just about anything, as did many of his other weapons. He had planned to take it to the animals throat, give it a quick and clean death. The knife would cut through quick and smoothly, Adeon was positive that it wouldn't even let out a scream.

Stepping forward, Adeon made sure that he ended up closer to the creature than Eleonora. His blade reflected the light of the lamp post as it rested at his side, ready to do its work. It would only take him a few seconds to take the creature down, as long as he could get a hand on the horn, the rest was just a shift of his body weight, and the deed would be done. He just needed to wait for the perfect moment...

The air around them was filled with the sound of the erumpent, growing more irritable as the seconds passed. Something needed to be done soon or they would be facing a charging creature intent on goring them.

Just as she was about to use the spell she knew would be the first step in subduing the erumpent the man stepped in front of her and drew a knife from his pocket. A knife? Was he insane? Eleonora wanted to scream at him to put it away and step back but she knew it would be of no use. He was clearly set on being the hero and showing her how a macho man would take care of everything for her. She doubted he even knew what this creature was, and he definitely did not know what it was capable of if he was pulling out a knife instead of a wand.

If she had had time to think it through Eleonora would have been terrified to know he had been carrying around that deadly sharp weapon this whole time. She would have also wondered why. But in her adrenaline soaked mind the only thing she thought of was getting him out of the way before he did something he shouldn't.

Eleonora watched his eyes study the creature, probably looking for weak points. She saw his eyes flick to his horn and she had the sinking feeling he was going to try to use it as leverage to stab the poor thing. Panic edged its way into her as she imagined the explosion his touch would cause. They would all be gone if he was allowed to reach the creature.

With a rush of anxiety Eleonora did the only thing she could think of to do. Her raised wand turned to point not at the erumpent but at the figure now standing in front of her.

“Expellimellius,” she whispered with a flick of her wrist. Her spell was not as effective as she hoped, she had never quite got the hang of it. The knife in the mans hand fell to the ground only a few inches from his legs instead of the farther distance she had intended.

(just looked up Erumpent and realized that the horn would explode XD)

Adeon studied the creatures movements, because practically everything had a pattern. Humans did, Witches and Wizards did, and so did most creatures. But, in the rage that it was, Adeon was realizing that there was no thought to this animal's movements. It was instinctively moving, full of rage and just nothing but anger in the beast's mind. Adeon was frustrated at his, but he knew that he'd find a way. He always did in the end.

As he readied the knife in his hand, something odd began to happen, and he could feel everything slowly tipping out of his plan.

His wand dipped out of his hand, and after standing in the air for a few seconds, Adeon was quick enough to catch it before it hit the cold mud below. His grip was too tight to have simply let the blade slip, and his hands were covered in meshed gloves. The knife was pulled from his hands, by a spell that was so commonly used amongst wizards and witches. His gaze now turned onto Eleonora, a slight glare in his eyes where his face was now more easily seen, though not distinct.

"Seriously? You expect to win with that when you can't even cast a decent spell?"

He was blunt and cruel, but that's how Adeon was. He would say what needed to be said until his point was across. He didn't care if anyone agreed with him or not in the end, as long as they shut up, he'd prove that he was right. But this was completely ridiculous. The girl, Eleonora, just stood there, as if that was going to accomplish anything. She just proved to him that he spell casting was poor, or maybe she was too scare or nervous or distracted, but it didn't matter! If she couldn't cast a simple spell, then there was no way that he could see her casting anything that would get rid of that creature, even if she knew exactly what spell to cast.

Adeon had little faith in her, and was ready to turn back, his body cloaked in black, to fight the creature. He'd kill it and be done with it. He had a paying job to do.

Eleonora shot the man a sharp look as he blatantly insulted her. So, she wasn't good at that spell, so what? At least she wasn't about to blow herself up due to stupidity.

She was back in a mode she hadn't been in for the past few months, since leaving the ministry. Her job at in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures had been very similar to this. A call would come in with some worry or complaint of a creature wrecking havoc or being a nuisance. She would then be dispatched to deal with it. Most of the time the creatures were harmless and there wasn't much to do except calm them down and relocate them. On rare occasions though a raging beast such as this was uncovered. Eleonora had much practice with spells that would be useful to her now, and intended to use the quickest means to get the situation under control.

Ignoring the man in front of her's movements, Eleonora raised her wand and pointed it at the creature. With all the power she could muster she pictured the rolling plains of the savannah. The sun was setting in her mind over the horizon, painting the tall grass shades of gold and pink. A singular tree was silhouetted in the distance and a low call of grazing animals filled the air. She kept the image firm in her mind as her voice rang clear into the cold night.

“Depulso.”

The erumpent shimmered before her eyes and began to lose its material substance. For a brief moment it was incorporeal, a mere outline of glimmering air. Then, with no fireworks or blasts, it was gone. Eleonora sighed, proud that her skill with the banishing charm had not waned. She had worked hard to become so proficient at it and for a second, while the creature was in between worlds, she feared she had lost her mastery.

With the creature now safely back where it belonged and no longer in danger of being killed, Eleonora angrily took a step towards the man. She was not generally an angry person. In fact Eleonora could count on her hands the number of times she recalled being so angry. It just did not come naturally to her as she was one who would rather run than fight. She was so unused to the feeling that the words she wanted to scream into the man's face would not come as she stood trembling next to him. Only her flushed face and glaring eyes gave way her feelings.

The sharp look that was sent Adeon's way was clearly felt by him, even with his back turned, but her really didn't care. He didn't care what she thought of him, and he didn't care about, well, much of anything but himself. The girl was practically transforming before his eyes, though. Only moments ago she was timid, scared, and everything that Adeon mocked. Now she was seemingly more confident, holding a firm stance and acted as though she knew what she was doing. Adeon would never admit that she may have known, so he just made due with what he thought.

He was now charging toward the animal, quickly and smoothly. He was ready to go in for the kill, knife in hand and doing what he could to get behind the creature. Adeon's motions were fast and silent, or so they were until his prey was suddenly gone. He watched as a shimmering light developed around the wild thing, and after a few seconds it was gone. Just like that, and in it's place Adeon was facing Eleonora, her wand out from the spell she had casted. Well, at least that one worked. Not that she couldn't have gotten the job done himself.

He shrugged, spinning the knife around his fingers before putting it into his cloak, around his back where there was a loop empty and waiting for the return of the knife. Next to it were many, many other weapons, but Adeon had no need to take any of them out at the moment. He was saving them for later, where he was requested to take a head. It was probably one of the more gruesome parts of the job, and completely ridiculous. There was no need to take someone's head off. If the person was dead, they were dead, but apparently many of his customers have a, false, preconceived notion of what dead really was. Whatever, he'd do whatever brought in the galleons.

Adeon scuffed at the girl, now angrily putting on a show. He smirked at the fire in her eyes, the glare headed toward his way and the smoke that was seemingly pouring out of her ears. Her lips were pulled tightly over her pale skin, and even then Adeon didn't give a single damn. She could be mad all she wanted, but he did not and would not care. He had his way of doing things, and she had hers. You can't just get mad at someone for something like that. It was ridiculous and self centered, really. (everything that Adeon is himself...)

"Piss off, it's done with now. You're a little late to be angry."

Eleonora watched as the man now facing her swung his knife around in his hand, expertly controlling its motions. His hands were adept and trained in this, that much as obvious. Her eyes widened and her face paled as she caught sight of numerous sharp edges glinting in the lamp light as he placed his knife in his belt. Each metal instrument there was a deadly weapon that he no doubt handed with ease.

His harsh words would have bothered Eleonora any other time but now they were lost in the space between then. Her anger was already failing, turning tail and running back the the dark place where it slept. The sight of all the weapons had sobered her, reminding her that the danger was not yet gone. This man perhaps posed more of a threat to her than the erumpent.

“If you see one of these again don't touch the horn...it-it'll explode. You'll die.” She was backing away as she spoke, her feet finding their place on the gravel. Now that the adrenaline of the fight was leaving her system she has shaking, falling apart. This man was more dangerous that she had first suspected. While she had just potentially saved his life it did not mean he would offer the same to her. His movements were foreign to her; he could do anything next and she would never expect it.

It was time to leave. She only hoped the man would let her go on her way after this ordeal or if one of those glinting weapons had her name on it. Eleonora knew if it came to a fight with him she would surely lose. He was quick and precise and probably skilled with his wand as well. At least more than she was, and that was enough. Any spell that would come to her mind for a situation like this would fail her, she was certain.

So she just continued to step infinitesimally back, unwilling to turn her back on the danger the man presented. She was waiting for him to leave, to move on. Once he was out of her sight she would rush away down the path and not slow until she reached the safety of the castle.

Most people didn't know, but swinging your knife wasn't just a move to show off anything. It helped to clean the blade of the easy stuff, the hard stuff would come off when put back into it's holder. Adeon had nothing to wipe off of his blade when he twirled it, but it was a habit that he couldn't get rid of, nor would he ever. In that moment Adeon looked at the girl, practically sensing her fright, before rolling his eyes and approaching her.

"If I were to kill you, you'd have been dead already."

He didn't even listen to her advice, he was paying more attention the the town in the distance, calculating what he was going to do, and recalculating seeing that some of his plan was already askew, just because of the change in lighting. It was much later now, and his plans included everything. Adeon never let a thing go unseen or unnoticed. He was going to get a job done, and he would get it done right.

By the time that he was done thinking, turning his head back to the girl, who was continuously backing away from him, never turning around. Adeon didn't understand why people did that. Sure, you could see him, but he was already established as a danger, so why would you put your body facing him. He could easily grab a throat, stab a heart, and rip a stomach from the front. Every death move was easier that way. Sure, the back seems more terrifying, but if you're going to die, and you know enough of Adeon to be scared of him, why make it easy? He always thought that it was dumb.

"I have no business with you, go home."

He didn't even look at Eleonora as he spoke, facing Hogsmeade and taking a few steps forward, shoving his hands deep into his pockets. His cloak was back to covering many of his features, his body unseen and his face shielded by the shadow that his hood provided for him. He was running into this girl too much now. He was memorable, and he didn't like it.

Eleonora did not doubt what the man said was true. His movements with his weapon and his ease in the dark street all added credibility to his words. He could kill her in moment if he chose and she would never know what happened. He was not some one to let her guard down around, no matter that he had helped her during their last interaction. When he spoke to her he had looked into her eyes and yet all she could make out of him was his stern glare, all at once mocking and deadly.

She did not need to be told to leave twice. When the man walked past her and faced the town she gave him once last look. He was no doubt up to something, now. There was one unlucky person in Hogsmeade tonight if her suspicions were correct. What else would he be doing in the dark with so many weapons strung on his belt. Eleonora tried to let the thought leave her mind. She did not want to dwell on the possible fate of others. There was really nothing she could do now, anyway. Maybe whoever those knives were for was quicker and smarter than her; maybe they would get away.

As for Eleonora, she wanted to leave while the offer was still there. She spun around, her hair whipping her face with the momentum. One step and then another and she was on her way back towards the safely of Hogwarts. It had gotten too late, the path was too dark. She pulled out her wand and watched as the end cast out a pale silver light. Her pace was much quicker than usual and nearly a brisk jog. Afraid to turn back and see the man close behind her she rushed off towards her warm room, clearly still shaken from her second encounter with the dangerous stranger. They say third time is the charm, but Eleonora dreaded ever coming across the man a third time, knowing that if she did it would not end so easily.