Free Time for Thinking (For Miles Raleigh)

With her hair in a loose braid, Lucy grabbed her jacket and headed out to the entrance gates. They were closed, of course, but she had never felt more ensalved at Hogwarts than before. Recently, it was as if everyone she knew was turning into violent animals, and she was falling behind. Ella's return didn't make anything better, as she had lost touch with her and with the girl's new alliance Lucy found it hard to like her friend again. With the trip to France, she had hoped to make things better with herself, but Wade's presemce had ruined the trip. She mentally cursed Ryland for inviting him.

Taking a seat on the entrance steps, she let out a sigh. How can I talk to them again? After all they've done? she thought until she heard footsteps near the entrance hall.

Miles was walking through the corridors quietly; hands in pockets and thoughts running wild. The full moon was in a few days and everytime it was close he would get worried. The first time he had turned he had almost killed someone. He had to refrain himself so bad from it. He hated was he was and it killed him inside. It was a constant reminder of his brothers. If only he hadn't taken them camping then they would still be alive and he would just be an average wizard. But that wasn't what happened. He had watched as his brothers were eaten by the creature. He had survived but barely. Just barely he thought as his head looked down at his abdomen. You could not see it when he was dressed but underneath the clothes there was a terrible scar there. It was one the healers could not heal. It was where the foul venom of the creature had entered him. Slowly turning him into what he was now. A Werewolf.

Nothing would change the past but he was forever haunted by it. He glanced back up as he was going down the stairs to outside when he just about stumbled over a girl sitting there. She seemed like she was deep in thought and after walking by her Miles stared at her. A Slytherin by the color of her robes. "You know sitting on the steps isn't the greatest of ideas you know. There are better places to think. Like the library for one." he said smiling.

He had just gotten this job at the library and was enjoying it quite well already. He didn't run it but at least it was a way to get extra money in his pocket. It also let him have a bit of peace and quite so he could write like he wanted or read anything that sparked his interest.

Lucy huffed at whoever the man in front of her was. "Thank you for the life advice." she snapped, feeling like she knew this person but couldn't exactly tell from where. Suddenly she felt guilty about her rudeness, all he had done was tell her of a better place to think, which she needed badly. Sighing, she softened her voice and gave him a smile. "Sorry, it's been a rough few weeks. I'll definitely go by the library next time." she said.

For a few seconds, she stared at him, probably enough to make him feel uncomfortable, but the fact that he looked too familiar was strange. His face was too...known to her, as if she could point out where everything was and how it looked even with her eyes closed. It finally hit her, that this man had an uncanny resemblance to Peter; her muggle best friend, and ex-boyfriend. "I'm sorry, but what's your name?" she asked in disbelief, shaking her head at the thought.

Miles shifted the bag he had on his arms as he watched the girl. She started talking and the first thing that came to his mind was that she was feisty and a bit quick to anger. She acted like he did something wrong when all he did was try and give her some advice.

He was about to say something back when she apologized. "Anything you care to talk about? I know I am not much but I will certainly listen to you. My advice is sound but you don't have to take it and my name is Miles Raleigh. I help out at the library." he said smiling. He was a good person and he may not always say something but he was always willing to listen.

"Anything I care to talk about?" Lucy repeated out loud, more to herself than to him. "For one, you remind me very much of someone. The resemblance is...strange." she said, letting her eyes glance at Miles' face for a second. "I used to date a boy who looked a lot like you, that's why it startled me to see you." She admitted, looking down at her hands. "I'm Lucy Malfoy, and I don't have anything in specific I want to tell you, but there's a spot if you want to stay." She motioned to the emptiness beside her.

Miles was surprised when she said he looked like someone that she had known and shocked that it was her ex-boyfriend the he looked like. He felt bad that he looked like her ex. He decided to take a seat next to her and sat quietly. If she wanted to talk then it would come in due time. No need to make her talk before she wanted.

Lucy grinned when he sat down, much more relieved now that she had found out he wasn't at all related to Peter. "So you're just going to sit next to me and not say a word?" She asked him playfully.

Miles looked towards the girl and smiled. "Well I figured that if you wanted to talk you would. I won't push you into anything but I can tell you have something that you want to get off of your chest. I will be here until you either do that or you leave. It is all up to you though. As I said there is no pressure. Take your time." he said and then turned back to his books that he had pulled out. He wasn't really reading it to be honest. He was doing more thinking then was healthy for him.

Lucy rolled her eyes, No pressure? But without thinking, she began spilling out her secrets and worries. "I do have something I want to get off my chest. It's stupid, maybe, but I can't get over the fact that my cousin is such an idiot." She took a deep breath, "He went and got himself marked because he thinks he's doing something good for him and his family but his family is me and Phoenix, and Ryland. Not Kellin. And I don't understand how he can be this idiotic because, in my opinion, he could do better." She closed her eyes in frustration, happy that this man was only somewhat familiar. He didn't know Wade, or Ryland.

Miles sat there for a moment. She did have a lot on her chest and he was at a loss of words. "Ok slow down a bit. You have to remember I know nothing about you and have no clue what you are talking about. Why don't you take some time and explain it a bit better for me." he said kindly. If he had to sit here for awhile he would do it as long as the girl felt better afterwords.