*Kiley sat alone in her kitchen. She sighed and looked around. It was her Birthday. She was 17. It didn't feel all that special because she couldn't find anyone anywhere and she had been doing magic outside of school recently since it wasn't like arrest was something that she was afraid of now. She figured she would be arrested anyway. Plus, there was no one to teach her to apparate. And she figured she wasn't going to get any presents since it wasn't like anyone could go out and shop for her. And best of all, tonight was a full moon, so as an extra special birthday present she would have to hide from dorien so she ouldn't have her head literally detatched from her shoulders. That wouldn't be all that fun.But at leat Rogue would be there with her. But thinking of her fireind erminded her that this would be the first birthday that she had spent without mel since she had turned 6. Kily sighed again and got up, but she didn't make it far. She stubbed her bare foot on one of Milo's steel-toed boots. She sat down and curled up her toes, cringing in pain. Obviously, this was also a painful reminder about her current situation with Milo and Jake. She had fought with Jake the other night and she felt bad about it but...she really wanted to talk to Milo. And he wasn't here. She groaned in frusteration and crossed her arms across her chest, semi-pouting and spoke outloud to no one in particular* "So far, this is turning out to be my worst birthday ever."

Coldstone Harshing walked through a nearby wall and sat down. He smiled and winked at her mockingly. He took out his wand and a card appeared from Milo along with a present (which was a cloak charmed with strong disillusionment charms).

"Happy Birthday," he sneered at her, rising. "One year closer to death."

He laughed at his own pessimistic joke. "Milo is out doing something with the aurors. He told me to send these." He spat on the card.

*Kiley smiled a little when he mentioned Milo's name.She reached foward and picked up the present and the card. She set her card aside and ripped open the paper to reveal the cloak. She stood and let it unfold to it's full length. Kiley's grin widened as she put it on.* "Is the assignment dangerous that he's on?" *She asked, trying to sound indifferent.*

*Ian walked into the kitchen after Kiley had spoken, and, because she was under the disillusioning cloak and all, he thought that only Harshing was in the room. Like most people, he didn't like being alone with Harshing, which was reasonable because no one would want to be around a sadistic madman with no one to save them. At the same time, he knew that it would be extremely offensive if he walked out of the room right after coming in, and offending Harshing meant possible death and dismemberment, which he really didn't want to risk. What would he do, though? He had come down to talk to people, and Harshing really wasn't one of the people he had had in mind. *

Ian:"Hi, Professor." *he greeted Harshing awkwardly as he walked to the table and sat down in one of the chairs. He'd look like a bit of an a*s if he didn't come up with something to do relatively soon....*



~Mel

"No, Ian, don't say hi or happy birthday or anything." *Kiley tossed back her hood, grinning. Kiley now looked like a floating disembodied head. She loved the cloak and doubted that much else anyone got her would top it. It was so well charmed, and very comfortable, and it was silent when she moved. Thinking about Milo just set her off again. She struggled to keep from grinning and worrying and asking harshing a million questions as she pushed milo from her mind for what seemed like the millionth time, glad to finally have a propper distraction*

Harshing pulled a face of disdain when she put on the cloak. "Dont expect it to last more than a year," he snapped, just to ruin a happy moment. He raised an eyebrow when she asked about the assignment. "We can all hope it is, but I do not know. THe auror office is under the control of the Family now."

*Kiley sighed and looked over to Harshing. He just had to ruin things. She knew the cloaks didn't last long but it didn't matter. It would be helpful for as long as it did last.* "He's in the subdepartment looking for us though, isn't he?" *She was having trouble hiding her worry and keeping it from showing in her voice.* "And he's leading them in the wrong direction, right? So he could be in trouble if they figure out that he's lying...." *Kiley took off her cloak and sat back down* "I wish he'd just come into hiding with us..." *she murmered*

rogue walked into the room quietly. it was one of those days she was looking for a fight and on top of it it had to be on kileys birthday. rogue had taken her time pulling together kileys present. she had carefully sketched a picture of a cozy carribean paradise just for her imagined up from the depths of her mind. she had also gotten kiley a crystal globe with a floating fairy. rogue had this for a long time. it was specially made for her by her mother and she had kept it through everything. she wasn't going to tell kiley anything of it because she wouldn't except it if she did. rogue took a look at the people in the room for now she would bite her tounge she would be a 'happy' person for now.
"happy birthday ki ki."
she said putting on a smile and giving her friend a hug.

*As Rogue walked in the room, Kiley faultered for a minute. She put on a huge fake smile, pretending as if nothing was wrong. It was the wall that naturally went up when she was thinking about something that scared her and she was inturrupted* "Hi....thank you...." *She hugged her friend back, determined not to ruin Rogue's obviously happy mood.*


ooc: how ironic that they're both just pretending.*

"sorry i couldn't get you more ki..."
rogue trailed off letting a bit of edge run in her voice by accident. she sat down beside kiley and picked up a napkin. she smiled at ian.
"hey ian. i don't think we've been really introduced yet."
she said him. she knew of him but had never met him officially. he looked a bit off being in the room.

"Rogue, Ian, Ian Rogue." *She said, not even looking at them.* "Don't worry...I didn't even expect anything at all." *Kiley took the presents and carefully ripped off the paper. She came to the drawing first and smiled as she pulled it out and eld it so she could see.* "If i could be one place other than thins, this would probably be it." *She grinned at Rogue and reached in to pull out the globe* "Oh, Rogue, it's so beautiful..." *She held it up to catch the light and look at the fairy. It looked like it had cost her a lot and she felt guilty* "I hope you didn't spend too much on this..."

rogue smiled at kiley and noticed kiley didn't even look at them.she wondered what that was about and made note to talk to kiley later.
"no i didn't spend to much ki...."
she leaned over to kiley and whispered.
"theres a secret compartment with a special gift on the bottom. i'll show you it later."

A few hours passed (sorry for the godding)....

Milo opened the door, his travelling cloak clinging to his raw chest and leg muscle. He looked as if he had been on some swashbuckling adventure - his hair abreast, his shirt torn and his wand out and lit with a lumos charm. He took a moment to get his breath before walking over to Kiley, stroking her on the side of her cheek, "happy birthday," he whispered.

*Kiley had been alone by then. It was almost dusk and the house was dark. She knew she would have to leave for the barn soon, seeing as it was a full moon that night and she would have to hide out there for the rest of the evening. However all of that was pushed from her mind as she heard the door open and saw Milo walk in. Kiley couldn't help but smile. She had been so worried. As he touched her cheek, Kiley felt goosebumps on her arm. She stood and sighed, ignoring his comment about her birthday.* "Are you alright?...I was so worried.....Harshing wwouldn't tell me what you were doing......" *Kiley wanted to hug him and kiss him, but she couldn't risk it in the house with everyone home. She hated the idea of having to leave and go to the barn, but she knew she only could spare a few more minutes*

Milo held up a hand to silence her. "I have resigned from the Auror office," he pronounced, ripping off his shirt and cleaning his wounds with his wand. He sat down, sighed and magicked himself a glass of water. He drank and drank as it refilled. "Or rather I was asked to leave, by Sentinus himself. He has given me a new position."

Milo was breathing with adrenaline.

*Kiley walked through the living room into the connecting kitchen, grabbed a clean dish towel and ran it under cold water. Kiley brought it back to Milo, offering it to him. Her eyes lingered momentarily on the neglected wounds on his chest before looking back up to his eyes* "What's the new position?" *She asked quietly, sitting in a chair across from him, pulling it close. Kiley could feel her heart pounding*

"He suspects me of working against him. He has placed me as Potions teacher at Hogwarts where he can keep an eye on me." Milo had calmed - the chill of the cloth was soothing and gratifying. "Of course, a few of his brutes hurt me before hand - I was forced to resign, the Sentinus possesses dark powers..."

He went off and stared into nothingness.

*Kiley stood and knelt don next to his chair* "I'm so sorry Milo." *She said softly, looking up at him. Kiley knew how much he loved his job and would hate to give it up. She was terrified that Sentinus suspected him of going against the family, espically because he was.* "Maybe this is better....we'll have an inside view of hogwarts now..." *She offered, knowing full well that having eyes inside the auror department was more useful. Kiley reached up and gently placed her hand on his forehead. He felt warm, but she was warm too, so she sighed and let her hand fall, figuring that it didn't mean anything.*

Milo drank some more then spat it out and punched the wall in anger. He cursed several times at the top of his voice. "I'm going to kill the Grand," he said, his eyes wide now, so full of hate and loathing. Breathing heavily, his eyes filled with tears. He wiped them aside and looked at Kiley straight in the eye.

"We need to find Potter. We need more knowledge of the Elder Wand."

"Jacke's been working on that, but he hasn't found anything out." *She sat back on her feet, looking down at her hands in her lap.* "He's been looking everywhere, but we can't figure out where he's hiding......he thinks that Sentinus got to him." *Kiley spoke quietly, in fear of provoking his temper again*



ooc: I think he should react to her mentioning Jake. Like...give her some insentive to break up with him lol

OOC: ok
BIC:

"Jakes nothing more than an idiotic little boy that cant use his head or his wand - and I don't mean the wooden one!" Milo cursed in anger. "Why entrust a foolish little brat with such a vital task. Hes a cur, a juvenile. How could he have the mind for what the Grand has in store?"

Milo calmed down slightly. "I shall find Potter."

*Kiley sighed and leaned back* "I think he and I are breaking up." *She muttered, looking down at the ground. Kiley looked up after a moment to see his reaction.* "Sorry." *She mumbled. It was obvious he wanted to talk about potter and she was dragging her personal life into it*

"Good!" He found himself saying, a silence followed - a glint of delight formed in his eyes. he would pursue this later - Kiley would be his, he would touch her, kiss her, bed her. Love her.

Love her. The idea went through his mind. He had loved once before, he had been tricked. He swept the thought aside and returned to matters.

"Potter is still alive. I know it," he whispered.

*Kiley nodded and stood up* "I hope he is....." *She glanced out the window* "I have to go...it's getting late." *She wondered if Milo knew she was a werewolf.* "I'm sorry..." *She really didn't want to leave him but she had to* "I loved my cloak, Milo...thank you...."

Milo said nothing but stared into nothingness, fractured, in awe and confused. He gulped his water, cold and icy. It was no refreshment. He sipped some more - bitter cold on his tongue. He threw the glass at the wall and watched the glass shatter. Some hit his skin causing red to rise and spill over his skin. Agony, and not from the cold or the cuts - from inside, deep inside. The Sentinus was winning and there was nothing he could do to stop him. The realisation of war and terror had begun.

*Kiley jumped when he broke the glass against the wall. She took a step back, frightened by his actions. Se glanced at the cuts on his hand, decided that she better not and turned to leave for the barn, her head down*

Milo waited until she had gone then took a piece of glass from the table, admiring his reflection in it. His face marred the pristine crystal. Its sharp edges, glaciers bordering a stormy sea. He brought it to his wrist and cut slightly, watching as the thick liqueur ran out, fragments of glass fell into the wound. Peace.