A dangerous pep talk [Aries]

It was dark in the high tower that night, no fires shone in the sconces on the wall nor was there the light of the moon to shine silver in the windows. Clouds covered the sky, churning and black. A cold wind accompanied them and forced its way in between the window cracks. It was quite a view from the Astronomy tower. The grounds sprawled out below with the forest looming menacingly in the distance.

It was ominous, the dark and quiet that surrounded him. But it suited Adalrik just fine. He had been wandering the castle after hours, finding to more to his liking. No other students were running around like lemmings, all too worried about getting trouble for being out after curfew. That didn't matter to Adalrik. He didn't have a bed time set for him, and even if he did he wouldn't be paying attention to it. He had found his way ever upward to this tower, where little sign of recent activity was spotted

Adalrik stood stoically by the window, eyes glazed over. It was better up here away from the Durmstrang ship. He could even see it floating lazily in the lake below. If he could avoid going there tonight he would be happy. There was no part of him that was happy to his schools headmistress when she had so rudely entered the Yule Ball. In fact right after the dance had finished he had disappeared from the room, eager to avoid her notice. That was what he was doing now, trying to stay as far from her as possible.

During his years at Durmstrang Adalrik was often in trouble. He had a temper, everyone knew. So his dealings with the Headmistress had been numerous and harsh. Adalrik loathed her and everything she did; that false front of sultry politeness she put out made him sick. If she were to be her wicked vile self all of the time he would not have anything against her. To mask it though and then spring it on people, that was what made her truly evil.

He continued to stare out the window, his thoughts now treading to the first task that would begin tomorrow. He would be prepared and he would win. It was that simple. Now just to get through tonight without any problems. He was safe here, away from the everyone. If Aries couldn't find him to impart some of her 'wisdom and advice' onto him for the task then all would be fine.

*Aries was on the prowl even at this late evening. The shadows clung to her, bathed her in its riches. Even the light of the ever present moon shun away from shining it’s reflection onto Aries as she ascended up the flight of stairs to the largest tower.  The air, which seemed always stale down these long corridors, seemed devoid of life. Not even the critters stirred, sensing something sinister in the shadows.

Aries made no sound. Even the door to the Astronomy tower, which opened by itself, did not make a squeak. What greeted Aries at the rampart of the tower, with his back turn, was the one and only Adalrik Eklof, one of her less bright students. He like so many others had the talent to cast various charms, spells and enchantments, but not the insight to use them when appropriate or use one of their best tools in their arsenal, which brought down more civilizations than weapons and wands: their words.

Aries was now directly behind Adalrik; so close to him that her breath tantalized his neck and his amber wood musk salted the air.*

“My Champion,” Aries said ever so sweetly.

*Her ruby red lips grazed Adalrik’s ear as she spoke. The spell she cloaked herself with, trickled away like flowing water down stain glass, but the seduction of darkness still remain. Perfection was darkness of the purest form, and she was the embodiment of perfection. Even in the loose but still sensual black dress she wore, and the shawl she wrapped herself in; they all had an elegant perfection to them.*

The darkness in the high tower seemed to grow blacker yet and a stillness overtook the air. Adarlik could feel the hairs on his neck stand up and the cold fingers of doubt caress his spine. There was no noise, no movement he noticed. Still a feeling lingered that something was making its way towards him and was ready to devour.

A warm breath in his ear was the first Adalrik sensed of his headmistress. His body then became aware of hers, so close to his that he could feel her heat radiating in the cold night. He was always surprised with the way she hid herself in the darkness, like she was nothing more than shadow herself. It was disquieting the way he never could tell when she would strike. He still did not know, not even with her standing behind him.

Her lips brushed his ear and Adalrik could not suppress the shudder it caused. He could feel his body tense as the tingle from her lips spread. He was trapped now. All the hours he had spent under her care for various acts of violence whipped through his mind as he stood with his back to her. What more could she possibly do to him? In fact, he was in a position now where it would be beneficial for her to be kind to him. He was after all, like she mentioned, her school's champion. Him winning the tournament would be doing her a favor.

Adalrik turned, his eyes searching the darkness for her. What he found was her body wrapped in black clothing that somehow did little to hide her form even with so much fabric. It was another trick of hers, he had figured out. Never had he seen her in anything that was not alluringly flattering. It didn't affect him though and he moved his eyes back to hers. He was not going to let her see his concern at her sudden presence and so Adalrik placed an impartial look on his face as he addressed her.

“It's nice to see you finally made it here, Headmistress.” Perhaps Adalrik shouldn't have let his voice drip with sarcasm, perhaps he should have been more polite. But that wasn't him at all and she knew it.