Year/Job
Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor
I had been lost to you, sunlight. And flew like a moth to you, sunlight. |
Animagus
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Post by Iola Walker on Jan 24, 2024 21:22:23 GMT -8
The inn was crowded, packed with muggles looking for a nice pint after work. The noise was deafening, voices rising as the alcohol settled in their rounded bellies. Iola adjusted her hood, sitting in a dark corner on the far side of the room, quietly eating her bread. It was all she could afford at the moment, running from Death Eaters didn’t exactly pad her wallet. Her startling gaze scanned the crowd, searching for anyone paying her any mind. There have been far too many close calls for the brunette and it was risky enough being out without a disguise. But she recently ran out of polyjuice potion and couldn’t afford the ingredients to brew more. Letting out a sigh, she reached forward to grasp her own mug, filled with tea. She hasn’t touched alcohol in years, preferring to keep her wits about her.
Soon the crowd started to dissipate, some leaving to go home to their families while others went to their rooms at the inn. It wasn’t long until the only patrons were Iola and a rather good-looking man in the opposite corner. Her eyes raked over him, admiring the way his auburn hair shined in the dim lighting. It reminded her starkly of a certain Gryffindor and she felt a tug of longing pull at her heart. The man must have felt her gaze on him because he lifted his own to meet hers. Slowly, she pulled down her hood to reveal her face and a smile touched his lips. After a few moments of consideration, the man stood from his seat and strode over to her table. She watched him closely, her hand slipping into her pocket to grasp her wand.
“Sorry, I hope you don’t mind, but I couldn’t help but notice you sitting by your lonesome,” the man said with a thick irish accent. Up close she could see the freckles dusting his handsome features and thick lashes framing bright blue eyes. Iola simply nodded, still fixed intently on the man’s face. He seemed harmless enough, but she knew to keep her guard up. “Thought you might like some company.”
He sat down across from her, an easy smile spread across full lips. For the first time in a long time, Iola felt a sense of calm in his presence. “Name’s Sullivan,” he said before waving down the barkeep. “Annie,” she responded matter-of-factly, sipping once more on her tea. Sullivan grinned at her. “Nice to meet you, Annie.”
The barkeep reached their table and Sullivan glanced at Iola before turning to the burly man. “I’ll take a pint and whatever the lady’s having,” his gaze fixated on the bread in her hands. “And can we get some real food?” Iola opened her mouth to object - she didn’t want anyone’s charity, but he raised a hand to stop her before she could even begin. “It’s my treat, really.” The brunette felt the heat crawl up her neck and she averted her gaze, choosing to inspect the handle on her mug. “What’s a beautiful girl like you sitting by yourself?” Her eyes snapped back to him. “I like being on my own,” she replied, feeling the blood rush to her cheeks at his compliment. Sullivan nodded solemnly, casting his gaze about the room before focusing his attention back to Iola.
The food and drinks arrived in record time and, feeling grateful for the first meal in weeks, Iola dug in. Sullivan watched her eat with an amused and almost fond look on his face. Feeling a little self-conscious, Iola slowed her pace taking sips of tea instead. “Would it be too forward to ask you out on a date?” Iola nearly spit out her tea. “What?” She stared at him with wide eyes, her brain trying to process what he just asked of her. “A date?” she repeated. Sullivan nodded, another grin pulling at his lips. She eyed him carefully for several moments before she relaxed her grip on her wand, bringing her hand back to her mug. “I suppose you can take me out for a date.” She hadn’t planned on staying very long, usually choosing to keep on the move to throw anyone off her scent. But it’s been four years since she left the Death Eaters. Surely they weren’t still looking for her, right?
For the next couple hours the pair chatted away. She learned he was a woodworker and made furniture and statues among other things. He was twenty-eight and graduated with a business degree. Obviously a muggle. He spoke of his hobbies; football and cross-country running. Sullivan, or Sully as he liked to be called, also rode bikes competitively. Iola was somewhat intrigued by this stranger, finding the conversation between them to be refreshing compared to the loneliness of the last four years.
A few weeks later
Dawn had broken across the village, the warm orange and yellow tones shining through the open window. Iola woke from a restful slumber, turning to see the sleeping face of a handsome, auburn haired man. Smiling softly, she leaned forward to press a kiss to his lips. “Good morning,” she murmured. Sully groaned, rubbing his face into the pillow. “It’s too early,” he complained and a light laugh flowed out of her. Iola pushed his shoulder until he was lying on his back, moving to straddle him with her hands against his chest. “It’s never too early,” her voice was purr and he groaned again, only this time it was a little more feral. They spent the morning wrapped in each other’s arms, kissing everywhere and tangling in the sheets. All too soon, however, it was time to get out of bed and start the day.
Things were going great for Iola. She was living with Sully, had a job as a waitress at a nearby restaurant, and was thinking about staying here permanently. They were still in that honeymoon phase where everything was sunshine and rainbows, which was fine for Iola. She never got to experience a real relationship before. So many things she missed out on by being someone she wasn’t. It was hard for her to let go of her past, but she kept herself busy enough to keep those thoughts behind her.
Work was busy and Iola ended up having to stay late. She tried calling Sullivan on his cell phone, but was sent straight to voicemail. That’s strange, he normally picks up when she calls. She left him a message telling him she’d be home late, but she’d bring food home with her. A nice juicy burger to make up for her missing out on their date.
The restaurant closed and she was free to head home. Iola took her goody bag with her and started to walk the few blocks back to their small cottage. It was a warm, summer night. The stars were out in full force, constellations scattered across the sky and the sound of crickets in the air. As she got closer to the house, a sense of dread suddenly washed over her. Something didn’t feel right. First of all, as she rounded the corner and the house was in view, she noticed the door was ajar and his car was still parked in the driveway.
That sense of dread was growing larger with each passing moment. Pulling out her wand, Iola crept to the door, pushing it open with an ominous creak. “Sully?” she called out, stepping into the foyer.
The bag of food fell from her hands as she took in the grotesque scene before her. Hovering above the dining room table was Sullivan, his body broken and grey, those blue eyes unseeing and a look of fear etched on his features. His body was spinning like a pig on the spit. Her eyes flicked to the cloaked figures surrounding the table, masks covering their faces and wands raised. One of them moved to launch a spell in her direction and Iola recovered from her shock long enough to turn on the spot, disappearing with a crack as the stunner soar past.
A few uncomfortable moments later and Iola landed softly on a bed of grass. The brunette hadn’t had time to focus on a location and felt curious as to where she was. Slowly, she rose to her feet, her gaze casting about to get her bearings. She was in some kind of forest, and it looked familiar in a way. Feeling a sort of draw to the right, she started to follow a path. It wasn’t long until a large manor came into view. She came home. Iola felt her heart break as she gazed upon her old home. Maybe just a short visit…
The woman morphed, shrinking down until there was only a small black cat where she was. The feline padded toward a large oak tree, leaping onto the branches until she was on level with a large bay window looking into the study. There she saw a sleeping figure with a mop of blonde hair resting on the futon. For several hours the cat stayed in the tree, watching as the man slept.
Her heart was shattered. There was no hope for a happily ever after for her, was there? They’d always end up finding her. She could never stay in one place for too long. Not if she wanted to keep others safe. With a heavy heart, Iola turned and leapt down to the ground, making her way back into the forest. It was back on the run for her. And if she cared for her family she’d stay as far away from them as possible.
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