Eyes Don't Lie | Nalia Snaps

[Nabih Al-Azma]

Friday, September 14th, 1973
During Dinner

Nabih did not have dinner duties tonight and usually he would avoid the noise and chaos that was dinner on a Friday night. The smell of food and him missing lunch had brought him to the Great Hall after all though. The Hall was packed with students, but it was surprisingly quiet. Nabih walked towards the Staff table from one of the side entrances,  his eyes sweeping over the sea of students. Did anyone put a silencing charm on all of them?

The Staff table was manned with only a handful of Professors. Fuchs was sitting there, minding his own business and shoveling food into his mouth, Proud was eyeing the student population like a hawk, her food untouched. And Julia Laurence sat a little bit further down, having what looked like a charming conversation with Maddox Barlowe. She was never alone. Never just there.

"Professor Al-Azma!" Proud had spotted him, standing next to the staff table, and patted the chair next to her. His dark eyes rested on Julia for a moment, noticing how her eyes smiled while she talked and he lost his appetite. Still he sat down next to Proud (refusing that old woman was just rude!) and she started drowning him in words. "Benji tried to Accio my teeth. Out of my mouth! You wanted me to report to you, remember." She continued with all the boy's offenses, but Nabih wasn't listening anymore. The food on his plate remained untouched and after a good 15 minutes, he excused himself and left the table.

Wednesday September 19th, 1973
Apothecary, HW

That Tala Bellestorm had joined the ranks of the Hogwarts staff had been more than surprising to Nabih. She had seemed very happy back at St. Mungos and every time they had spent time together, she had talked about her work without much regret or loathing - aside from some her coworkers. It had been her father's work no doubt, placing her here under Karina's nose.

Now that she was here, Nabih had to deal with her and while they had not parted on unfriendly terms, their previous unregular situationship made it slightly awkward. They had both agreed not to continue and that was that.

Nabih came into the Hospital Wing to get some ingredients he needed for Nael's tea. The boy didn't sleep and if he did, the nightmares haunting him were making him scream loud enough to wake all of Hufflepuff. His mother's tea made them better and less frequent. Tala took him to the apothecary and they talked a little about the ingredients. "No, I need those exact amounts, Tala," he was just saying to her leaning closer to see what she was packing for him, when the door opened and Julia came into the apothecary, words hanging and dying on her lips when she saw them standing this close together. His dark eyes briefly caught Julia's before she excused herself again.

Monday September 24th, 1973
The Library

Nabih was roaming the Restricted Section of the library for the last hour or so. He'd picked up a few books, actually sat down to examine one, and was about ready to leave again. While there was almost no communication happening between Julia Laurence and him, she had not resorted to having him sign a log book for his books. Nabih was well aware that she could have, just to mess with him, but apparently she was done doing that.

As he left the restricted section, his eyes briefly fell on Julia's office. The door was open, but he could not see her anywhere. When he took a few steps, he could hear her voice from a bit further to the side of the library. From the door, Nabih could finally see her, and she was standing between the shelves with none other than Indigo Amberghast. Both of them looked his way as if he had announced his presence in some way. He watched as Indigo winked at him and leaned closer to her, his hand sneaking onto her hip, as his mouth reached her ear to whisper something. Julia held Nabih's gaze, until he turned his head away and walked out.

Indigo fucking Amberghast.

Saturday September 29th, 1973
Bramble's Dinner Party, London

The Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation and Magical Justice, Dorian Bramble, had invited to his annual dinner party at his estate on the outskirts of London. Nabih tried to avoid these endless dinner parties, but since he worked in exactly that department, his attendance was of course mandatory. Celine Thoreau had made very clear that she wanted to see each and everyone at this dinner.

Nabih had not expected to see Julia Laurence there, and yet there she was, hanging on the arm of Alden Boulstridge - Head of Domestic Magical Law Office, no doubt Edward's work. For a good half hour, Nabih observed the two of them, the older man much too close for comfort as they danced, and seeing Julia's fake smile, while obviously searching the crowd for a way out.

It was enough.

A well placed and entirely hidden hex later, Julia Laurence stood on the dancefloor by herself, Boulstridge making a run for the bathroom. Before anyone else could swoop in, Nabih appeared in front of her, a very small smile on his lips. "Oh my, what did you do to him, Julia?" Without asking, he took her into his arms as the music started up again. They danced, although he received the worst death stares from her brother Edward, and now that he was close to her again, he wasn't sure why he had been so distant from her these past few weeks. It felt so right like this.

Wednesday October 3rd, 1973
After morning class, a hallway

Class was done, and Nabih on his way to his office. His eyes were peeled on the parchment in his hand, reading what Nael had come up with after reading about cursed objects, and he did not pay attention to his surroundings.

Until he bumped into someone.

Dark eyes met light brown ones and before he could stop himself, he pushed her into the next classroom, his lips catching hers without any words to explain himself.

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[Julia Laurence]

Friday, September 14th, 1973
During Dinner

It didn't matter that it was Friday night and anyone with a social life would be out in Hogsmeade or somewhere in London enjoying the nightlife. Julia's life was completely occupied by books, organization, the enormous library catalog, and the endless patrols Karina continued to assign her. Julia had, on average, four extra patrols a week than anyone else, for reasons she couldn't decipher. There simply wasn't time for anything other than work.

Meal times were a nice reprieve - three opportunities a day she had to unwind and talk to other adults without the library being a focus. This evening, she had sat herself next to Maddox. As she poked at her chicken, they discussed the day's events, focusing heavily on the usual troublemakers and their antics.

She smiled at the man who was becoming a closer friend by the day, enjoying their back and forth, and it was only a brief flash of movement at the end of the table that drew her attention as Nabih Al-Azma stalked away from the table and back out the large double-doors.

Wednesday September 19th, 1973
Apothecary, HW

Julia unraveled the piece of parchment that Sable had just delivered. A nondescript piece of parchment, but with the familiar alias scribbled at the bottom. Her eyes read over the message briefly, her face remaining expressionless. Exhaling slightly, Julia grabbed her wand, tucking it into the pocket of her dress and headed for the door, tossing the parchment into her fireplace as she went.

She arrived at the Hospital Wing ten minutes later, searching the large open space for Tala Bellestorm. Seeing only the volunteers around, she stopped an older Ravenclaw who pointed her to the door of the Apothecary.

As she entered, her eyes immediately fell on Nabih, standing next to Tala, almost no distance between them. Something lurched in Julia's stomach, and she willed it down, refusing to react. Her eyes hardened as Nabih glanced up, meeting her gaze briefly before her eyes shifted to Tala.

Tala was already watching her, her expression calm yet unreadable. Julia held her gaze for a moment, steady and composed, before blinking and exhaling softly. Her shoulders eased slightly as she turned and walked back out, her movements deliberate and measured, the door clicking shut behind her. 

She'd come back later.

Monday September 24th, 1973
The Library

Julia had long stopped believing the lies of men. When they tried to assure her of anything, be it their loyalty, their love, their intentions, their best interests for her, or their reassurances that they were interested in her, it always came to naught anyway. Men did exactly what they wanted to do, when they wanted to do it, and they'd say what they needed to to get it.

She wasn't a fool, though she had behaved foolishly. It wouldn't happen again.

Indigo stood over her, as she looked up at him, her sweet gaze darkening upon his, the two caught in their usual flirtatious banter. She raised her eyebrows and smirked at him, "If you want an exception for the logbook, all you have to do is ask. Nicely." Her doorway darkened and she snapped her head quickly in its direction. A wayward student who hadn't announced their presence would find themselves quickly cast out with a few sharp words.

Nabih.

The sight of him hit her harder than she expected, but she masked it instantly, her body still except for the slightest inhale. She didn’t notice Indigo’s wink, but the heat of his hand on her hip was impossible to ignore. When Indigo leaned in, his breath brushing her ear as he whispered something low and smooth, she merely held her composure.

All the while, her eyes stayed locked on Nabih’s. She didn’t waver, even as something else flickered just behind her gaze — a quiet vulnerability hidden beneath the surface. It lingered there, unspoken and unresolved, as she held the moment with a calm that betrayed the storm within.

As he left, Julia turned her eyes back to Indigo, a smile playing on her lips.

Saturday September 29th, 1973
Bramble's Dinner Party, London

Alden Boulstridge was the epitome of the word 'bore'. In many ways, he was not unlike almost every other man her father and brothers had saddled her with over the years. Much older than her, no real personality outside of his job, and the distinct lingering smell of old coffee grounds.

Julia had long-grown tired of these pairings, but there was no use in arguing or going against the grain when it came to Edward. As the Head of Domestic Magical Law, it was her job to get him in her good graces and delicately guide him to her family's estate at some point within the next week for a meeting with her brothers. James especially needed this man in his pocket due to some trouble one of his close connections had suddenly found themselves in, and James needed to ensure he was steering clear of the mess.

She smiled politely, her left hand on the man's chest and the other wrapped around his shoulder as they danced. When Boulstridge pulled her in closer to him, she tried not to visibly recoil and immediately began searching the room for any reason to excuse herself. Suddenly, the man released her, saying something about the bathroom, and as she watched him hurry away, another set of arms immediately wrapped around her.

Confusion washed over her and she went to pull away when her face suddenly softened, her eyes darted across the face of her new dance partner, and her lips parted slightly.

"Oh my, what did you do to him, Julia?"

Nabih.

Instantly, there was a gnawing in her chest as he gave her a small smile, but she didn't return it, still confused about what he was doing. Her eyebrows came together, flustered on how several weeks of silence and refusing to even look at her half the time had suddenly transitioned to him taking her in his arms. Slowly and tentatively, her arms went around his neck and she watched him, her eyes searching his for what exactly he thought he was doing.

The familiar warmth of him against her threatened to relax her body, and she refused it, pushing every instinct that she had to let herself give in to him. At this moment, she didn't even want to play her games with him. What would be the point? So he could go back to ignoring her again tomorrow?

They danced, through several songs, neither of them speaking, before her eyes suddenly caught Edward's. Her brother's eyes were trained on Nabih, murderous and darker than she had ever seen them. She felt her shoulders suddenly raise and stiffen and she turned back to Nabih and merely said, "I don't need you to rescue me."

She pulled away from him quietly and made her way back across the room to her brothers, without looking at him again.

Wednesday October 3rd, 1973
After Morning Class, A Random Hallway

The first classes of the day were over, and Julia had only a few moments to get in front of Ivansko to inquire about when the newest group of texts she had requested for the library would be delivered. She looked back over her shoulder as she heard a few shouts from some first years she had just passed.

When she ran right into someone.

His gorgeous dark eyes peered into hers and her breath caught in her throat. Feelings that she had, until this moment, successfully pushed down exploded through her, caught off guard by his sudden presence and their proximity. Without a word, her hands were on his shirt, pulling him as he pushed her into the nearest classroom, his lips on hers faster than she could have asked them to be.

She pushed him back against the closed door, her hands cupping his face as they kissed, her lips drawing his in over and over again. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her in tightly and her hands moved to his hair, her fingers curling through his dark locks.

She broke their kiss for a moment, her eyes smiling at him, even though her lips didn't. She pushed her hands forcefully against his chest, not to hurt him but to get his attention. "Do you always make things this complicated?"

Without waiting for a reply, she caught his lips in hers again.

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[Nabih Al-Azma]

There were no thoughts at the moment. After having danced with her at the Dinner, Julia had been on his mind again. More so than the weeks before, and even though he had not allowed himself to interact more with her, bumping into her like this had somehow short-circuited him. Her lips tasted like he remembered them from their date, the cafe, the wedding - so very good against his own. Like tasting something heavenly again after having been deprived of it for a while.

She pushed against his chest with her hands when their kiss broke, but those eyes looking at him were not vicious or angry. No, they were happy - so very happy. At the Dinner, she had given him more of a inquisitive look as they danced in silence. As if she wasn't sure what exactly he wanted from her. She knew what he wanted from her. She knew it very well.

"Do you always make things this complicated?"

Before he could even think of an answer, her lips were on his again, and he lost himself in the kiss once more. It was unreal how good this felt and how so very right and meant to be it seemed to be. The hunger in his kiss only grew with every second it lasted, and it only got stopped by the door rattling against the weight of his body.

She had pushed him against it, and apparently someone was trying to get in. It was a classroom after all. Nabih did not let go of Julia right away, but enjoyed her body against his for a moment longer, before releasing her. The rattling had increased and he could hear several student voices outside. "We better let them in," he said with a small smile for her.

Nabih turned and opened the door, facing a bunch of confused faces. Most of the students automatically took a step back from him, but he stepped aside and let Julia go through the door first. Some of the older students' mouth dropped open, but his expression gave nothing away as he followed after her.

A little further down the hallway, he caught up with her again, and walked by her side, glancing at her every now and then. "We can make it less complicated, if you want?"

Thursday October 4th, 1973
East Bailey, 11:30pm

This patrol was the first they actually did together. Together as in walking through the corridor side by side, talking in hushed voices. "Did Boulstridge ever made it back to you that night?" Nabih had to surpress a small chuckle thinking of how that man had run for the bathroom. Hexes were a beautiful thing sometimes. Actually most of the time. "Edward was not happy at all." While it was not smart to anger the oldest Laurence more, it had been amusing to Nabih. That death stare. Priceless.

"I hope he did not give you a hard time for it though. I received a rather nasty owl the next day." It did not concern Nabih and he had burnt it in his fireplace without bothering with an answer. It had been a threat, which could cause a lot of disruption between both families, but Nabih would make sure that James understood what was at stake here. Those trades in Kenia going wrong would wake the middle brother up enough. He was the smart one. He would deal with Edward.

[Julia Laurence]

Against her better judgment, against every rational thought in her mind, Julia couldn't let Nabih go. She should be running, far from this man, but as his mouth claimed hers again, all she felt was a hypnotic pull, binding her to him. She swore she wouldn't be foolish again.

It was a lie.

The door rattled at Nabih's back, but he didn't move right away, both of them ignoring it until the voices grew louder. Their kiss broke again, leaving her halfway breathless. She finally met his smile with one of her own, it finally reaching her eyes and her dimples, that he loved so much peeking out of her cheeks. "Yes, and we should go."

Nabih opened the door, and Julia dropped her smile to her colder, stiffer facade she had more recently adopted around these unruly children. Her hardened gaze looked down at every one of them as they quickly backed away from Nabih and averted their eyes as she moved past them. "Line up outside the door, quietly, until your professor arrives," Julia barked, not caring at all what they did or didn't do. Obediently, the majority of them did just that, shuffling quickly out of her way.

When Nabih caught up to her a few swift paces later, she caught his gaze again, some sense of logic beginning to return to her brain.

"We can make it less complicated, if you want?"

She was quiet for a moment as they walked, side by side, and she averted her eyes forward, trying not to let him read the emotion and hurt that still swam behind them. What would less complicated look like for him? She knew what it looked like for her, but she didn't trust his intentions. Not in the way she needed to.

Still...

She didn't answer, but slowly, Julia's hand brushed the back of Nabih's, and remained there.

Thursday October 4th, 1973
East Bailey, 11:30pm

"He did unfortunately," Julia said with a small laugh. "Only took him a good forty-five minutes in the loo, but yes." She looked at Nabih sideways with an amused smirk and she shook her head. "I should have known it was you. But in any case, he will also find his way to dinner at the estate tomorrow evening. They want me there. I'm trying to find a way out of it." She sighed as they walked alongside, chatting as though no time had passed at all, and they were simply old friends having a catch-up. It felt nice in a way, to have him around again, free of the cold, harsh stares she had caught from him the past month.

She shrugged, "You know Eddie." Nabih did, as well as he could anyway, without knowing him deeply. What he did know of her brother was enough, and she doubted that a drink or an invite to dinner with the family would ever change the dynamic between the men. Edward had threatened Nabih's life, and Julia knew, without it ever being need to be said, that there simply was no coming back from that. For anyone.

Much less a man like Nabih Al-Azma who handled any perceived slight as the ultimate grievance, and who gave the impression that killing a man would just be another Tuesday afternoon for him. "Flew off the handle the moment we were out of the public eye. James talked him down and convinced him that it was obvious I was confused by your arrival." She looked at him again, raising her eyebrow at him in almost exasperation. "It didn't save me from not having stepped away from you immediately."

She glanced behind them, ensuring there was no one behind them.

"So," she started, thinking back to their conversation the night before. "What does 'less complicated' mean to you, Trouble? Because I have the feeling it means very different things to both of us, and I'd rather not do this whole 'silent treatment' thing again when one of us is hurt."

[Nabih Al-Azma]

"I have no idea what you are talking about, Julia. I just saw this pretty woman abandoned on the dancefloor and seized the opportunity," Nabih said with a smile. Hexing a ministry official - how scandalous. His smile froze hearing her next words though. She would have to meet him again. Nabih knew these kind of men. They pulled women into their laps against their will and while Boulstridge would probably not dare do this in the Laurence home, it left a bitter taste in Nabih’s mouth.

It was not uncommon that women were used the way Julia’s brothers and father used her, but when it came to Julia it made his insides almost burn with rage. She didn't need him to save her, she had told him, and yet that's exactly what he wanted to do. Save her from being forced to spend her time with disgusting men like Boulstridge.

Nabih could not tell her what to do. Not at this time anyway. If Edward was angry with her as well, refusing him now would be a risky move, unless Nabih meddled a but more than he had initially wanted to. If he had one of the big trade negotiations in Nairobi go horribly wrong tomorrow, James and Edward would have bigger problems than a dinner with Boulstridge. Nabih was well aware that the Laurences were struggling down there at the moment and that those negotiations were a way for them to regain power. If people were to die - people doing the negotiations for James Laurence - the whole thing would fall apart. Probably permanently.

That too, was a risky move. It was going to solve two problems at the same time. No dinner for Julia, which already made it worth it and Edward fully aware to better stay the hell away from him. While it would not be done directly by Azma men, their influence there was well known and it was going to be easy to sway the Kenians against these negotiations. The message would be very clear. At least for James and Edward Laurence.

Death threats were not received in kind.

"Hmm, I hate to say it, but if he is that angry with you, it would be wise to show up tomorrow. James cannot always protect you, especially not if Edward becomes Duke." It was the diplomatic answer, but Nabih had already decided to go through with his plan. That dinner tomorrow would not happen. Julia did not need to know that it was because of something he had done.

"What does 'less complicated' mean to you, Trouble? Because I have the feeling it means very different things to both of us, and I'd rather not do this whole 'silent treatment' thing again when one of us is hurt."

She steered the conversation away from her family and back to them. To whatever they even were. It did not need a name really. At least not at the moment. "It already is less complicated right now. With us talking, spending time together." It was less complicated, not seeing her and feeling lost, but seeing her and feeling like the day had just gotten better. "I admit my reaction to you being here was not fair to you. I am a private man, and mixing professional and personal is very unusual for me. What does it mean to you then?"

[Julia Laurence]

A man like Nabih Al-Azma was difficult to read, even for Julia, who prided herself on being able to gauge people with ease. But if anything came to light from his month of silence, it was that Julia had no true grasp on who he really was, how he operated and what he thought. It had shaken her slightly, especially considering how strange and comfortable an ease they had fallen into together during the last weeks of August.

It had recemented in Julia's mind that the only people she could truly trust were her father and brothers. It wasn't that she trusted them or their intentions implicitly either, but at least she understood them, their methods of operation and why they did the things they did.

Nabih - she couldn't pin him down.

"Hmm, I hate to say it, but if he is that angry with you, it would be wise to show up tomorrow. James cannot always protect you, especially not if Edward becomes Duke."

Julia nodded as they turned a corner, and she waved her wand quickly over the corridor, briefly illuminating it in the search of any wayward teenagers. They Slytherins seemed to take a special liking to this area for their encounters, and she preferred to catch them quickly before things got out of hand. Seeing no one, she lowered her wand again. "Yes, I'll be there of course. I can't turn them down, even if I wanted to." There was no resignation in her voice. Rather it was a rather apathetic matter-of-factness that she spouted.

Spending another evening sitting beside Boulstridge sounded as exciting and enjoyable as having her toenails forcibly removed with tweezers, but James would be there, and he would ensure nothing got out of hand or that anyone (meaning Boulstridge) got too handsy with his sister. She looked at Nabih who, of course, was again unreadable and she looked ahead again. "Don't go getting all jealous on me now," Julia teased, that old familiar sweetness dripping off her lips. "I'm sure while I'm busy charming Boulstridge into leaving my brother alone, you'll find someone to keep you company." She looked at him, a small smirk crawling up the side of her lips, but left it at that.

Julia stopped walking and turned to Nabih as he talked about them talking and spending time together - things she did with all of her friends. Julia recognized that there was a hardness within her towards Nabih that she couldn't push past at the moment. She glanced away from him, folding her hands in front of her as nodded, listening.

"I admit my reaction to you being here was not fair to you. I am a private man, and mixing professional and personal is very unusual for me. What does it mean to you then?"

Julia figured that was about as good an apology as she was going to get. She looked at him again and turned to continue walking. "I think 'less complicated' means being honest from the start," she said quietly, a tall order for two people who held so many secrets between them. She waited for a beat, surprised at how calm and collected she was remaining. "You said you weren't going anywhere, and the first time I made you angry, you ran."

She knew she wasn't innocent in this but she had apologized to him that day in her office, and even given him what he wanted as a peace offering. And he had repaid it with silence, cold stares and standing too close to the twenty-three-year-old nurse. "I don't need empty promises or being built up only to be torn down. If you want to just remain friends, then let's do that."

She smiled cheekily at him, but it would take time for her to let her walls down around him again. "I did have our second date all planned out too," she mused, pursing her lips and giving him a little nudge with her elbow. "But I suppose if we're keeping things uncomplicated and friendly, then it's not really necessary anyway."

Her eyes caught his again. "Don't you agree?"

[Nabih Al-Azma]

No, she could not turn them down. Even if she tried, they would make her. Nabih was well aware of how these dynamics worked and how trapped she was in there. However, she did not seem all that unhappy playing those games, so maybe he was wrong about it all. Sometimes it was difficult to see as a man, especially as a man in his position, and all he could relate to was his own family and the things he observed in others.

"Don't go getting all jealous on me now,"

Nabih Al-Azma jealous? Never. At least that's what he wanted to think. It wasn't true of course. While Boulstridge certainly wasn't competition to be worried over, he simply disliked seeing her this close with other men. It felt wrong and violating, without Nabih even able to pinpoint why he felt that way. She was not his woman. He'd never felt like that about other women. In fact, had never given a damn about it.

"I like solitude just fine, amira. No need for someone's company." Whatever she was insinuating, he was not going to bite and kick off the next misunderstanding. It had been her all close and cuddled up with Barlowe and Amberghast. It looked more like she needed the company.

"I think 'less complicated' means being honest from the start. You said you weren't going anywhere, and the first time I made you angry, you ran."

That was indeed a very tall order. Nabih did like honesty, although he wasn't big on sharing information. But then she had not been honest at all. About her motives and intentions, her games, why she was here now and not doing another brilliant exhibition at the museum.

"I am here, am I not?" Nabih had never truly left. No, he had struggled coming to terms with her being here, with being in his space - a space he had control over to some degree. "I never left, Julia. Did you really think you would be rid of me that easy?" For a moment a few weeks ago, he had thought that it would be better to just let her go and not persue this further. The headache, the feelings it was all too much, too raw and too uncontrollable amd yet he had caught himself looking for her all the time.

"If you want to just remain friends, then let's do that."

Is that was he was? A friend? Like the other men she surrounded herself with. Did she kiss those like she kissed him? This time it was Nabih who stopped to look at her critically. "It did not feel like you wanted to be just friends yesterday in that classroom. And you know exactly that this is not what I want from you." Even if he had never really said it, she knew. She could tell from the way he kissed her, or had pushed her against that wall at the wedding, or had shoved her into that classroom yesterday that being friends was not on the top of his list.

Now she brought up the date again. Their first had been good after starting a little bumpy and he had told her that the next one was all on her. Nabih usually did not do second dates. But with Julia, he had been so curious about what she would consider a good date. It had not come, due to their silent break, but now that she brought it up, his curiosity came back right away.

Her little nudge made smile a little, but then he moved closer to her. "Julia Laurence, trying to get out of a date with me. Tsk, tsk tsk. You better put that back on your schedule, amira, because I absolutely do not agree with keeping it friendly." Nabih moved forward on her without touching her, and Julia took little steps backwards. He was a bit taller than her and he had every intention of crowding her back to the wall. "I really wonder, habibati, do your friends get to kiss you like I do?"

[Julia Laurence]

Jealousy was an interesting thing, and Julia had never considered herself such. Everyone was free to do as they pleased. Yet she was a woman who didn't like sharing what was hers. Nabih was not hers, and therefore he was free to do whatever he liked. Still, seeing that strange look Tala had given him in their first staff meeting and then seeing him stand so close to her in the Apothecary had made her feel in a way that she couldn't place. It was a hardness, almost like a boulder sitting in the pit of her stomach.

She didn't smile at his words. It wasn't that Julia didn't enjoy solitude, but she was a social creature and enjoyed the company of her friends. She thought back to the day in the library when she and Nabih held each other's gaze while Indigo touched her and whispered in her ear. She wanted to tell him that it wasn't what he thought, but she couldn't. Not in any honest way.

And so she said nothing. If he asked, she would tell him the truth. But until then, there was no point. They weren't a couple and so it didn't matter. Just like it didn't matter if something was going on with him and Tala.

"I never left, Julia. Did you really think you would be rid of me that easy?"

Julia shrugged nonchalantly. "It felt easy," she said quietly. In fact, it had felt like it was incredibly easy for him to forget about her and go about his business. He had left her feeling vulnerable and confused - things she hated feeling and seldom did. It was strange to her how easily he revealed these emotions in her that she kept so securely locked away.

But she looked at him again, a tight smile crossing her lips. "It doesn't matter now," she said, more upbeat and she sighed, as though resigned to let it all go and let it be. "We're both here now, and that means something."

Nabih stopped and looked at her, his gorgeous dark eyes taking on a more intense look. She cocked her chin softly at him and her dimples appeared, flirting with him and egging him on. Yes, she knew Nabih didn't want to be friends. They never had been. From their first meeting in the Ministry he had been very clear about that. The way his eyes roamed all over her without shame, the way he smiled at her in that dark way that almost encouraged her to run from him. The way he kissed her, as though he never wanted to kiss anyone else again.

Did he?

He moved closer to her and she looked him up and down slowly before meeting his eyes again.

"Julia Laurence, trying to get out of a date with me. Tsk, tsk tsk. You better put that back on your schedule, amira, because I absolutely do not agree with keeping it friendly."

Another step towards her and she stepped back. That intensity in his eyes was growing, and she met it with her own. Another step towards her, another step back. "When you ask so nicely, how can I refuse?" her smooth, soft voice carried up towards him, her honey eyes darkening behind her black eyelashes. Another step towards her, and another step back. "So...not friends then?" she teased with a slight shake of her head.

"I really wonder, habibati, do your friends get to kiss you like I do?"

Her back ran into the wall, and her eyes were trained on his lips now, her heart picking up speed. "No, mon bel homme," she murmured and she looped a finger into the collar of his shirt, and pulled his lips to hers. She smiled against them, but didn't kiss, "Only you."

[Nabih Al-Azma]

"Not friends," Nabih hummed with a slight shake of his head as she finally reached the wall. The distance between them melted away, and he was in her space, just as he had intended. Her fingers pulling him down by the collar, brought his lips close to hers and he smiled against them.

Only him.

For tonight that was all he needed to hear. His lips came down hard on hers as his hand found its way into her face and hair. Forgotten was the fact that they were on patrol and that someone might walk by and see this. She would be his. Perhaps not tonight, but she would be.

3rd week in October
The Forbidden Forest, 11pm

"I don't want to hear it, Nael. Drink the damn tea and get the sleep you need." Nabih's voice cut through the forest even though he was not yelling at the boy next to him. The treeline thinned as they approached the edge of the forest and the castle became visible. "It's just a patrol," the boy replied with a defiant tone, that made Nabih's skin crawl and his wand hand itch. He took the boy by the arm and spun him so he would face Nabih. "You know how much I hate lies. I had to hear from a portrait that you hexed Dankworth into a wall even though I specifically asked you about that detention Proud gave you. I keep asking you if you take that potion, and yet I keep hearing about you roaming the castle at night and see how tired you are." Nael just stared at him, but did not react otherwise.

A figure appeared not far from them and Nabih recognized her immediately despite it being dark. She approached them and Nabih let go of Nael's arm. "Go back to the castle. No detours. I'll have an elf waiting in your dorm with your potion, so I'll know if you don't show up. Is that understood?" Nael finally lowered his eyes, the defiance dropping away and the boy nodded. They would talk about this some more, but not at night, at the edge of the forest and with Julia Laurence basically standing next to them.

Nael briefly looked at the woman, but said nothing before almost sprinting away from them and up to the castle. "Julia," Nabih said in greeting, his eyes following the boy until he couldn't see him anymore. "Evening stroll? Or ingredient hunting?" She had a little bag with her, and for all he knew she had just come out of the forest herself. Had she heard the conversation?

"Were you going to tell me about what happened in the dungeons?"

[Julia Laurence]

Julia didn't make it a habit to hike through forests at night. She preferred the daylight, even if it was marred by the canopy of leaves and branches above her. Even so, practicality negated preference, and she needed Moonflowers, a delicate little flora that only bloomed at night. They were abundant in the forest, and with one of her little baubles floating above her, she'd be well aware of any potential dangers before they became a real problem.

Coat on and bag ready she made her way quietly over the path from the castle to the forest, watching out for any nocturnal creatures that might run across her path. It was quiet out, with the exception of crickets and bullfrogs in the distance. Soon, she thought, with the weather getting as cold as it was, there'd be nothing but the howl of the wind.

As she came to the end of the path she heard Nabih's voice, firm and irritated. She made out a few of the words here and there, and as she came closer to the treeline, she watched as he and Nael stepped out of the forest. Nabih looked up, seeing her immediately, and she headed towards them. What was Nael doing out so late?

"Go back to the castle. No detours. I'll have an elf waiting in your dorm with your potion, so I'll know if you don't show up. Is that understood?"

Nael's eyes met her own for a moment, before he turned and ran back towards the castle. Julia turned her head, watching him go, but she said nothing. Nael was one of those kids that tugged on her heart more than the others, and after their talk in her office she wanted nothing more than to help him in any way she could.

She turned back to Nabih, her face expressionless. "Moonflower harvesting," she said quietly holding up her bag slightly and beckoned towards the forest where she was headed. "Great anti-poison ingredients." Her lips parted slowly as she looked back over her shoulder where Nael had now disappeared to ask about him, but Nabih's voice broke the tension.

"Were you going to tell me about what happened in the dungeons?"

She looked down and then slowly turned her head back to Nabih, bringing her eyes to his. "No." Her answer was simple, accompanied by a shrug and a little shake of her head. She moved past him, heading for the trees, small twigs and leaves already crunching under her boots. She didn't turn her head but called back over her shoulder, "Coming? Or contemplating the nature of eventide?" Her voice was flowery and teasing, suggesting she cared not one way or another if he accompanied her.

He did of course. With an audible sigh that she heard even from several feet away.

Nabih caught up to her and they walked side by side for a moment, Julia steadying herself on the path with a branch here and there. "Just as I don't share my disciplinary actions with any other professor, I don't feel the need to share them with you either, Professor Al-Azma," a little smile played at the corner of her lips.

"Or do you not trust my judgment when it comes to my students?"

[Nabih Al-Azma]

Anti-poison ingredients. Interesting. If anything, he now knew who to turn to, if he found himself poisoned. Although Tala would be a good option as well. Or Winchester. Still, it intrigued him that Julia took the time to harvest her own ingredients instead of just buying them from the very good potions store in Hogsmeade or asking Tala Bellestorm if she had any spare. Perhaps Julia just liked being outside at night, taking in the fresh air and enjoying the calm of the night.

Jingle, jingle.

Apparently she wasn't done for the night, but had just started. And apparently his question did not seem to bother her at all. A simple no and she moved past him towards the forest. She was just great at communicating, wasn't she? Even her asking him to come was not meant serious. She had that tease in her voice that she liked to use and he disliked in a way. It always meant she was playing one of her games with him. It drew him in, this teasing voice, and it also made him mad. Nothing was easy with her.

Jingle, jingle.

He audibly exhaled, but then moved his feet in the direction of the forest. After the woman who was going to be the death of him for sure. After the jingle of her little glass orb that kept floating around her.

Jingle, jingle.

"Just as I don't share my disciplinary actions with any other professor, I don't feel the need to share them with you either, Professor Al-Azma. Or do you not trust my judgment when it comes to my students?"

He'd caught up with her easily, and walked next to her on the path between the trees. Not much could be heard but the damn jingle following them, and Nabih looked up at it a little irritated. Was she trying to alert every living creature to their presence?

Jingle, jingle.

Looking back at her in the darkness, he shook his head. "I did not ask about your disciplinary actions, did I? Nor am I merely another Professor to Nael. I am his father." He paused for a moment before continuing. "Would you not have reported this back to a parent if it had been another student? That is part of the job, Julia. So if I catch Rosalie hexing Prothero bad enough to land him in the Wing, I should not tell you? Would you rather have the old Prothero bring this up to James or Edward at their next meeting?" It was just an example and they both knew that Rosalie probably would not do such a thing but that was besides the point. It was her duty to let parents know if their kids did something like this. It was serious enough, especially if it happened to those pureblood brats. The last thing he needed was Daddy Dankworth complaining to him about his son being unhinged.

Jingle, jingle.

"I trust your judgement with your students just fine, and whatever detention or punishment you gave to Nael was yours to give and his to handle. This I won't ever interfere with. I do expect you to tell me something like this though, if only so I can take appropriate actions regarding it." Like pulling Nael out of the duelling tournament before it even started. Again things had to be complicated, but not because he made them complicated but because she did. Was she trying to protect the boy from him? She must have known that this would reach him after all. So why again keep it from him?

Jingle, jingle.

"Depulso!" The little glass orb crashed into the nearest tree trunk almost instantly.

Silence.

Finally.

[Julia Laurence]

Julia could be the picture of casual and unbothered when she wanted to be. She knew that certain behaviors and mannerisms of hers got under Nabih's skin and this cavalier attitude she fixated herself with at the moment was one of them. She wasn't doing it specifically to get under his skin, but it did, and it was fine with her.

She noticed him looking at her bauble with an irritated expression, and she gave a little laugh. "Relax, it's just here to warn me of anything and ward off things I don't prefer to interact with." She glanced at him and a small twinkle flickered through her eyes. "Obviously, I'm more than happy to interact with you." Her bauble bobbed and weaved gently over and under branches, and occasionally floated just an inch off her shoulder, jingling softly the entire way.

"I did not ask about your disciplinary actions, did I? Nor am I merely another Professor to Nael. I am his father."

Julia's face fell into a neutral expression, and she drew her lips into her mouth as she pressed forward into the forest. "That you are," she agreed quietly, giving no sense of an argument or sarcasm. Her eyes scanned the forest floor, and seeing a sore lack of openings where the moonlight shone, she hummed to herself and continued her walk, Nabih keeping pace right beside her.

"Would you not have reported this back to a parent if it had been another student?"

"No," Julia answered, the word falling off her lips simply again, and she tore her eyes away from the forest floor for a moment, to meet his eyes as he continued. She slowed her walk until she finally stopped, turning to face him. She kept her features soft, but there was clear annoyance behind her eyes, though in the dark it would likely be hard to decipher. It was interesting that he felt the need to explain to her what her job was. Especially when she had knowledge from simple research that he didn't follow the same rules he was spouting.

"I trust your judgement with your students just fine, and whatever detention or punishment you gave to Nael was yours to give and his to handle. This I won't ever interfere with. I do expect you to tell me something like this though, if only so I can take appropriate actions regarding it."

She nodded, taking in his words, before turning and continuing her walk into the forest. "Noted," she said her eyes watching him for only a second, before turning upwards to the forest canopy, looking for an opening. Moonflowers grew and flourished in the moonlight, so as soon as she found a good beam, she'd likely find a healthy patch.

"It's interesting to hear you say this, Nabih. Considering Benji Cuddrun's disciplinary file is easily accessed. Tell me, how many times last term did you contact his parents? Considering the rather impressive amount of detentions he had between you and Proud, I would think his parents would have been contacted numerous times a day."

She didn't look at him, but continued. "Gaining the trust of a child takes finesse and a certain level of discretion. It involves proving yourself over and over again to that child, that you're someone they can rely on. That they know they are safe with you - not just physically." Her eyes caught a sudden strong beam of light in the near distance, through another patch of trees, and she changed directions.

"If we are comparing apples to oranges, of course I'd want you to tell me if Rosalie did something like that. Because Rosalie," Julia stopped and looked at Nabih pointedly, her tone growing darker, "is not a girl that flinches and overreacts the moment someone unexpectedly touches her shoulders or says something triggering." Her eyes bore into his. "It would be uncharacteristic of her. What is happening with Nael is something that continues to happen, Nabih. These outbursts he has. It's not a one-off."

She sighed and turned to start walking again, her gaze straight ahead. "I already know what you're thinking and what you're going to say. The same thing you said on our date. It's not my business." They came upon the opening in the canopy and indeed, a large patch of Moonflowers lay in wait.

Suddenly, Nabih's wand was out and her sweet little bauble went flying into the nearest tree, its delicate glass smashing into countless pieces. Silence fell between them and she pursed her lips. She closed her eyes and calmed herself with a quick breath in and out before looking at him again. "A simple summoning would have quieted it if it bothered you that much." She shook her head and bent down to inspect the flowers for the ones that would do best in the potion she was planning.

"Nael needs someone he can trust, Nabih. Whatever dynamic you have between the two of you..." she trailed off, truly hesitating at her next words, but finally deciding to say them, "He needs more."

Gathering the few flowers that would work, she stored them in her bag and stood back up, facing him again. "You don't have to agree. But I'm not going to tell you if I catch him doing something he shouldn't, or if he confides something to me. I've already done that once when I told you about the robes. I won't do it again." She watched him for a moment. "I'm not a parent, but maybe if you try something different with him, he'll come to you about these things. Willingly."

She spotted another beam of light further down the path, and she turned her back to Nabih to head towards it. "Any other grievances with me you wanted to discuss?" she called back over her shoulder.

[Nabih Al-Azma]

Nabih did not pay a lot of attention to the things she looked for on the forest ground. It really was not his kind of thing - herbology, plants, anything green really. Back in school he had studied it, got the grades he needed and had remembered the basics. His mother had taught him a lot as well, but Nabih rarely used that knowledge. His interests and strengths lay elsewhere.

There was annoyance in her eyes. Even in the dark Nabih was able to see it, and he knew that he had hit a nerve with her. It wasn't meant to annoy her even. Nabih had fallen into his usual behaviour when it came to work and he expected people to know the rules and the things they needed to do. Of course, he knew that Julia did her job well, but what he said had never put that into question.

"It's interesting to hear you say this, Nabih. Considering Benji Cuddrun's disciplinary file is easily accessed. Tell me, how many times last term did you contact his parents? Considering the rather impressive amount of detentions he had between you and Proud, I would think his parents would have been contacted numerous times a day."

Her first reaction had been subdued, making him think for a smallest of seconds that she was going to listen and not start another fight. Alas, that was just wishful thinking on his part. Julia Laurence had to show him her claws, as women tended to do around here. It was also downright insulting. His lips pressed into a thin line as he looked down at her, annoyed and irritated.

"Are you comparing me to the abusive and negletful people that call themselves Benji Cuddrun's parents? That boy could fall off a roof and they wouldn't give a shit!" He had contacted them in the beginning of term, and he knew that Proud had as well. Once he had looked into Benji's file a little deeper though, he had stopped. They did not care for the boy or what he did or didn't do. "If you do your research, then at least do it right, Julia." The comparison was a bad one, unless she thought him a crappy parent.

"Gaining the trust of a child takes finesse and a certain level of discretion. It involves proving yourself over and over again to that child, that you're someone they can rely on. That they know they are safe with you - not just physically."

"Is that what you're trying to do with Nael? Gaining his trust by not sharing vital information with me?" His voice had dropped down to a low growl, as he glanced at her. Nael hexing Dankworth had been quite uncharacteristic for him. Nabih had expected some difficulties, but the boy going off like that had even surprised him. "The fact that it keeps happening is even more reason to let me know about it. And if you think that it should be your business, then it would be wise to talk to me about it!" The exasperation in his voice reached a new high. Comparing apple with oranges indeed! If she wanted to be involved so badly, then she had to discuss this with him and not go behind his back and try her hand at parenting Nael.

She wasn't done though.

"Nael needs someone he can trust, Nabih. Whatever dynamic you have between the two of you...He needs more....I'm not a parent, but maybe if you try something different with him, he'll come to you about these things. Willingly.""

This was getting better and better. Nabih felt the heat inside his chest rise, but he remained cold and collected on the outside. Yes, he actually let her see his irritation, but not is anger. So she was not going to tell him anything if something happened with Nael, because she wanted the boy to trust her. It was good to know. "True, you're not a parent. Especially not his parent . You know nothing about this boy. How can you possibly know what he needs!"

She had turned away from him now, heading towards another patch of flowers. Nabih did not move to follow her at first. His dark eyes followed her movements, and once again he felt like this was all wrong and twisted. Why was it this complicated?

"Any other grievances with me you wanted to discuss?"

Finally his feet started moving in her direction, but he did not hurry to catch up with her. Part of him wanted to turn and leave the forest, just like he had left the library that day. However, this time, he did not give into the urge, but strolled behind her, hands in his pocket. "Benji told me about your cat visitor in the library and that you seem to like petting him. Is it who I think it is?" If they were getting things off their chest, this was definitely the right time to bring that up.

[Julia Laurence]

What a 'good parent' was, was subjective, she imagined depending on the person observing said parenting. She had no reason to believe Nabih wasn't a good father to Nael, and she didn't think she had implied that by bringing up Benji's family. It was obviously a sore spot for him though, the way he immediately jumped on the defensive. Was it because of his perception of whatever implication he felt, or was it because it was Benji? Julia hadn't quite figured out the dynamic between the two, except that the younger boy was Nael's very good friend, and he spent personal time with Nabih.

"I did do it right, and my point still stands. You're arguing with me about what I should have done when you did not do the same. You make exceptions for yourself because of the circumstances, as I do." It was simple enough wasn't it? One size did not fit all. Nabih would know this better than anyone. Julia simply didn't feel it was necessary to inform him. He found out anyway. What did it matter? "And I never implied you were the same as Benji's parents. Don't put words in my mouth."

Her tone remained calm and even, but as his changed, she realized this conversation was about to go off the rails, quickly. Nabih held lots of little irritants that would set him off, and Julia was quickly making a list in her head of all of them. Nael seemed to be the number one subject that would ignite a foul mood in him, especially if she questioned or challenged him in anyway about the boy. Their first date and this moment being prime evidence of that.

"Is that what you're trying to do with Nael? Gaining his trust by not sharing vital information with me? The fact that it keeps happening is even more reason to let me know about it. And if you think that it should be your business, then it would be wise to talk to me about it!"

"I don't think it should be my business!" Julia's voice suddenly raised as she whirled on him, her bag clutched tightly in one hand, and a pile of Moonflowers in the other. Her eyes were wider now, her face more expressive as she spoke. "But like it or not, Nabih, if this," she indicated between the two of them with her handful of flowers, "is to go anywhere, then it's in everyone's best interest if he trusts me. And he never will, if every single time he tells me something difficult or I witness him do something you wouldn't like, I come running to you to tell on him." She shoved the flowers into her bag and shook her head, her voice lowering slightly, but irritation still marking her every word. "There is nothing nefarious here. This isn't some plot to wield your own son against you."

Julia was not Nabih's partner, his girlfriend or his wife. She was not Nael's mother. It wasn't her job to ensure everyone was in the know with all the goings-on. She cared about Nabih and she cared about Nael. But until something was solidified here, and she knew that was still a long ways off, she wasn't obligated to play this role of informant-slash-peacemaker.

"True, you're not a parent. Especially not his parent. You know nothing about this boy."

Julia nodded and rolled her eyes, her hand waving at him in exasperation. There it was, exactly what she knew was coming. She turned and continued walking, content if he wanted to stay behind or go back to the castle without her. Let another week or two of silence between them commence.

"How can you possibly know what he needs!"

That was it. "Do you?!" Julia asked quickly, spinning on her heels, but remaining stationary and leaving the distance between them. "I know that he's triggered easily. I know that he's struggling internally with whatever has happened to him. I know that he feels something dark was forced upon him..." She listed these things in rapid succession, to show Nabih that she did in fact know a little more about the boy than Nabih thought she did.

"I know he likes comic books - specifically Spiderman," her voice dropped and became slightly softer, and her eyes widened a little as she kept them on Nabih's. "I know he loves Quidditch - and he was excited to go out for captain, even if he tried to act like it was no big deal." She took a few steps towards Nabih. "I know that he's respectful and sweet. He wouldn't even call me 'Julia' when I asked him to. I know he melted his cauldron last term. Very impressive. I know he's as stubborn as a mule, and if he doesn't want to do something, you have to all but force the issue." She left out the part where an invisible hand dragged Nael from her door to the chair by his ear. She paused for a moment and looked the man over once. "And I know how protective he is of you. Whether that's because he's afraid of getting in trouble with you or because he loves you, he is."

As she turned to continue walking down the path she shook her head. "I don't know what he needs, Nabih. But I'm willing to listen until he tells me. Just like I'm willing for all of my students." She gave a great flourish of her arm for emphasis, almost waving him goodbye, but she could hear his footsteps still traipsing along behind her.

"Benji told me about your cat visitor in the library and that you seem to like petting him. Is it who I think it is?"

"Of course it's Maddox," Julia answered casually and without hesitation, "Wouldn't it bother you more if it was a man I didn't know?" She had absolutely nothing to hide when it came to her friendship with Maddox Barlowe. It was platonic, fun, and he reminded her of her brothers in a way. She felt a smirk curl at the corner of her lips and she shrugged as she stopped in front of the new patch of florals. She looked at him, her eyes narrowing, wondering where he was going with this. She raised her eyebrows a little as she stooped down to inspect this patch, content to return to the castle if she could harvest enough.

"Since we're bringing up things that children have told us, I hear you and Karina were having quite the experience the other night in the hallways," her tone was full of faux surprise and interest, taking on a strangely higher octave than usual. "What was it...something about licking faces?"

Her eyes rose to meet his again, the laugh hiding behind her lips apparent. "I suppose I'm not the only one you've been pushing into classrooms, hmm?"

[Nabih Al-Azma]

She was impossibe to deal with like this. She had absolutely no point and still tried to make him believe that she had. Circumstances? What circumstances was she talking about? It served her better to keep quiet about something Nael had done, so she could gain his trust. Or what circumstances did she even mean? "I did inform his parents. Only when I realized they don't care did I stop! So your point does not stand." As for putting words in her mouth, she had done the comparison not him. She had brought Benji up as an example. "Right." Any more words would have been wasted on this really.

"I don't think it should be my business!"

It sure sounded like she thought it was though. His lips formed a thin line as he listened to her. Her reasoning did not make any sense to him. What did their relationship, whatever it was even, have to do with Nael? She wasn't his mother, and he didn't look for her to be his mother. The boy was his to raise and if she was a part of Nabih's life, it did not mean she had to be a parent to Nael. Why did she not understand that he respected her not telling him every little thing, like the comic book stuff or if he acted up in the library, or anything else minor? Nabih had no problem with letting her deal with those things all by herself. But Nael hexing someone, hurting another student - it wasn't a little thing.

Nabih noticed her irritation, the way she shoved the flowers in her bag, and it annoyed him more. She had no right to be upset with him now.

"Do you?!"

Oh, she was very upset now, listing all the things she actually knew about the boy to him, which, Nabih had to admit, were quite numerous. Nabih had not realized that Nael had shared so much with Julia already or how much she had observed his son from a distance to know all these things. He remained standing, watching her talk, coming closer. She was beautiful, even when she was furious. So very beautiful. This whole argument, it made him want to shove her against the next tree. Whatever came after that would definitely shut her up. But...

"And I know how protective he is of you. Whether that's because he's afraid of getting in trouble with you or because he loves you, he is."

His eyes briefly flashed in anger, and he felt his patience with her evaporating into the air. "Yes Julia, I know what he needs." He spoke quietly, but his words carried his anger and frustration with her over this topic. It needed to end, even if this remained unresolved. Julia did what Julia wanted to do, so there was not much he could do to make her change his mind. He would have a talk with Nael about this though, to make sure he understood that certain things were not meant for other people's ears. ,Judging by what she had just told him, Nael was already sticking to that rule though. It would just be a gentle reminder.

"Of course it's Maddox. Wouldn't it bother you more if it was a man I didn't know?"

Another sigh escaped him. Why was he even following her, trying to keep this conversation, or whatever it was, going? She'd complained that he had walked out last time, and yet, she was pushing every button to make him do the same again. She wanted him to leave her alone. She even waved him off as if he was some house elf. Her answer made him glare at her. "No, if you have to pet something, I'd rather have it be a real cat. Not a man pretending to be one. What is wrong with you? And him!" His words were laced with venom now, his frustration with her having reached its boiling point. She acted like it was the most normal thing in the world to have a grown man, disguised as a cat sleeping on her desk and getting his daily pettings. "Are you seeing him?"

"Since we're bringing up things that children have told us, I hear you and Karina were having quite the experience the other night in the hallways. What was it...something about licking faces? I suppose I'm not the only one you've been pushing into classrooms, hmm?"

"Excuse me?" His glare intensified at her words, and his thoughts began racing for a moment. What on earth was she even talking about? "Are you trying to piss me off like this?" He had done nothing with Karina in any hallway, especially not lick her face. However Julia thought it apparently quite funny. Another comparison that did not make any sense. His had been true. There was a damn cat bed on her desk and he'd seen the black cat around the library a few times himself. "Once again it's all a joke and a game for you. Fuck this." Nabih turned and walked away, disappearing between the trees into the darkness.

[Julia Laurence]

Nabih ended the conversation about Nael abruptly, and she was glad for it. She had never wanted to have it in the first place, and it all seemed over the top and ridiculous to her. She had only wanted to come out here to gather her flowers, and now, the man she had just made up with a couple of weeks ago, was arguing with her again.

It was almost as though he enjoyed it.

He sighed and glared at her, and she stared right back at him. If he had a real question, he was welcome to ask it, but getting angry over something so stupid was beyond her. What did he care if she pet a cat or allowed a cat to sleep on her desk? Maddox was a cat when he was in cat form - not a man. But if it bothered Nabih so much, all he had to say was as much, and she wouldn't pet anyone anymore.

Merlin. After this, she'd send Maddox off to sleep in Roisin's office. Save herself the trouble.

"No, if you have to pet something, I'd rather have it be a real cat. Not a man pretending to be one. What is wrong with you? And him!"

"What is wrong with me?" Julia repeated, standing up straight, her face absent of any of the amusement that had just been there a moment ago. He was so damn audacious sometimes, so haughty. The man felt like he could say whatever he wanted to her, however he wanted and she would just take it. "He is my friend," she answered firmly, when he asked if she and Maddox were seeing each other. "And as I already told you, you are the only one."

It was true. Nabih was the only one she was seeing—the only one she wanted to see. Ever since they’d resumed talking, that much had been undeniable.

But, apparently, when she brought up anything remotely similar to him, all bets were off.

"Are you trying to piss me off like this?"

Julia shook her head, this conversation was completely off the rails now. She absolutely regretted inviting him accompany her into the woods. It was interesting that he wasn't answering the question immediately, as she had answered his. Was it because she had asked it in a more amused way than he had? Was it because she gave him an answer he didn't like and then immediately followed it with a question he didn't like? Was it because it was true and he didn't want to admit it?

Who knew? Because now he was insulting her, cursing and walking off through the forests. Walking away from her again, as he always did when he got angry. There were several things she could have yelled after him. Biting, angry words meant to hurt him. But what difference would it have made?

They weren't compatible. This wasn't going to work.

Julia held out her palm as she swished her wand in a small circle over it. A glass bauble appeared, and she blew gently on it. The bauble floated to life, only this one, instead of being the normal soft muted pastels was a darker green, and no sound came from it. It floated from her hand, hovering above her, helping her keep an eye out, silent. Reserved.

If anyone were looking at the woman as she stooped down again to gather the last of her flowers, they'd see, even in the dark, the red sting in her eyes.

Saturday, November 3, 1973
The Hospital Wing
4:30 PM

It had been an incredibly long day, though it had only felt like moments.

Benji had not stirred or made any progress since he'd arrived in the Hospital Wing. It was bad, they had been told. Serious head injuries like this could be catastrophic. The healers and nurses had done everything they could for the moment, and now they had to wait. If things took a turn for the worse, Benji would be sent to St. Mungo's, but for now, he was stable.

Nael had already left once, to clean up and eat and was back, sitting with his friend, talking to him, refusing to leave his side. It was incredible to watch in a way, the devotion and dedication that children showed to those that they loved. So uncomplicated and simple. In true moments that tried the very fabric of one's character, children always seemed to rise to the occasion where adults floundered.

"If you're both alright, I'm going back to my room," Julia told Nabih quietly. Since the night in the forest, they hadn't spoke a word to one another, a silent agreement, Julia interpreted, that things were over between them. Nabih was much closer to Benji than she was, and Nael was well-cared for by his father. There was no reason for her to remain any longer. She'd stop by early tomorrow morning before she opened the library, just to check in on the boy, but hanging around would not be part of it.

She stood from her chair to leave. "If Nael needs anything, just send a message."

[Nabih Al-Azma]

Saturday, November 3, 1973
The Hospital Wing
4:30 PM

The silence between them was deafening. Aside from him thanking her and asking her if she could talk with Tala for him about Benji's injuries while he took care of Nael, they had not talked at all since that night in the forest. She had just briefly summed up what Tala had said and fallen silent again and Nabih had not picked up the conversation.

It had felt final, that night in the forest. Like she wanted to be done with him. Her ridiculous accusation that he had anything going with Ivansko had just been the tip of the iceberg. By now he had found out that it was a rumor going around, whoever had brought it to life. Kids! Julia using it to deflect her own wrong-doing had just been a low blow though. Who cuddled with a friend of the opposite sex, and what kind of man let a woman, he was not interested in, scratch his belly?

She spoke, saying she was going to leave and he didn't know what to say in return. She had stayed longer than he thought she would and he could not blame her for going back to her work. She'd done all she could. More than he expected her to even.

"If Nael needs anything, just send a message."

Julia got up and he raised his eyes to her, serious, worried, slightly vulnerable. Now that she stood, he realized that it had felt more comfortable with her sitting there next to him. The emptiness of her chair already weighing on him more than he was prepared for. His hand shot out, instinctively, and his finger wrapped around her wrist. "Don't go." It was a quiet request, his eyes on hers.

There was something different in the way she looked at him. Hurt? Disappointment? Exhaustion? Nabih's mind was not clear enough to read them correctly. She turned her face away from him and he released her wrist again, letting her walk away from him without another word.

Sunday, November 4th
7:30pm

Benji had not woken. Nabih had almost fought with Tala over the boy's care. Perhaps the boy would be better off going to St Mungos. Head injuries were serious, life threatening and Nabih did not trust most of these students around here to take care of Benji properly. One of them had already almost killed him after all. He did trust Tala to do her job though and so in the end he had relented.

Around noon, Nabih had forced Nael out for lunch. The boy had the habit of not eating when stressed. Last term Nael had lost so much weight, it had become worrying. So now Nabih made sure the boy got his food and had taken him out of the wing for a little while.

Afterwards Nael had returned to Benji's side and Nabih had returned to his work. The day had crawled by and after he'd checked on Benji around dinner, Nabih retreated to his private rooms. Settling on his little couch with some tea and his notebook, he continued his work on some spells he had tried to create. The magic behind it was there, but it needed refinement, details. His notebook was already full of different incantation combinations, effects written, attempts logged and as he took another sip of his tea, his other hand moved across the next page, writing down his latest results.

Knock. Knock.

At first he ignored it, too deep into his thoughts and research. No one knocked on his door besides Nael and he had a special kind of knock to let him know it was him.

Knock. Knock.

With a wave of his wand, he undid the ward. "It's open," he called, while writing down the next set of thoughts and idea he had about this spell.

[Julia Laurence]

She felt his hand around her wrist, and she moved her eyes to his with apprehension.

"Don't go."

For a moment, Julia considered sitting back down, taking his hand in hers and staying with him, as long as he wanted her to. As he looked at her, his eyes dark and full of worry, she felt her walls re-solidifying, and she realized she didn't have the capacity to be whatever it was he needed. What was the point?

She'd come for Benji and stayed for Nael.

Julia dropped her gaze and pulled away from Nabih as he let go of her wrist, and turned to go.

She'd be back in the morning.

Sunday, November 4th
7:30pm

Julia sat at the small table she'd set up in the corner of her private living room, untying the twine around the several bundles of dried Moonflowers. After letting them hang around her rooms for over a week, they were ready for storage. The petals she would grind up into a powder and the pistils she would infuse in bottles of oil.

She sat quietly as Sable chirped and tapped her beak at her, wanting a treat. She looked up and gave the owl a little smile, before reaching into her pocket and pulling out a dried grasshopper and offering it to her. Julia learned long ago if one was to own an owl, one couldn't be squeamish. As the bird took the insect she gave her a little scratch on the head and pursed her lips in thought.

She stood up from the table, leaving her project as it was and grabbed her wand as she headed for her door. As she stepped out, she warded it behind her and walked three doors down and one over. She hesitated, not quite sure what she was doing, but took a deep breath and knocked.

No answer. She waited a moment and decided no, she was being impulsive and this was obviously a sign to leave things be. Why was she doing this? Why was she still trying with this man, when it was obvious neither of them knew what they were doing here? Julia shook her head and closed her eyes, before knocking again.

"It's open."

At the sound of his voice, Julia held her breath and reached for the handle, pushing the door open quickly and entering before shutting the door quietly behind her. When she turned, she met his eyes immediately as he sat on his couch, a notepad in his hand. He was surprised - just as much as she was - that she was here. She leaned back against his door, waiting a moment, not sure what to say. A long silence passed between them as she tried to decide why it was she was here. Finally, she pushed herself off the door and walked closer to him, before sitting in a chair opposite him, not waiting for an invitation.

"I owe it to you to be very honest about some things," she said quietly, raising her eyes to meet his. "No jokes, no games. And when we've both said whatever it is that needs to be said, we can decide if this is over or not." She folded her hands together in her lap and leaned forward on her elbows. She didn't know how any of this was going to go, but she was prepared either way, and hopefully Nabih would see this for what it was.

An attempt - a want to try.

"Maddox and I are just friends. Strictly friends. We will never be more than that."

Her voice was quiet and soft and she pulled her lips into her mouth for a moment before she looked down at her hands and then back up at him with a sigh.

"I was with Indigo back in June after a ministry party. And again in September, when you and I weren't speaking," she paused to give him a moment to soak all of it in. "We're not seeing each other, and it was never anything more than that, but since we all work together, you deserve to know."

She waited quietly, making no attempt to read him or figure out what he was thinking. She needed to let him tell her, let him take it from here and then they could figure things out or let things remain where they were.

[Nabih Al-Azma]

Nabih was not just surprised by who came through his door. He was downright confused by her presence in his private rooms. It was not something they did, or something he did with any of his colleagues. That's what their offices were for, and he was not friends with any of them. Most he tolerated just because he had to, and some he did not even give that curtesy. So once he was in here, Nabih could be all himself and feel comfortable. He could wear a short sleeved shirt like he was right now that showed his tattoo with gleaming eyes, and his hair could be slightly tousled, because he'd run his hand through it a couple of times thinking.

It was his space. Nabih valued his private space very much.

She didn't say anything, standing there leaning against his door, and neither did he. Asking her what she was doing here was on his mind, but his mouth was too dry to speak. He'd thought about it all last night, after she'd left the hospital wing. It was time to stop chasing her, even though he rarely gave up anything he set his mind to. In Paris he had decided to chase her until she was his - she made him feel unlike anyone else. She had to be worth chasing.

He'd been wrong though and it was time to admit that. His mother had sent him two more potential brides the other day, and he had to face reality. Eventually he had to pick one. One that was not Julia Laurence.

"I owe it to you to be very honest about some things. No jokes, no games. And when we've both said whatever it is that needs to be said, we can decide if this is over or not."

Julia had finally moved and now sat across from him in a chair. She'd brought up honesty before - something that seemed important to her but had trouble applying to herself at the same time. So they could decide whether this was over or not. It had felt over already. Actually, it had never really been anything to begin with, or had it? Did one date count for anything? A dance, a few kisses? But those feelings...

Nabih put the quill aside, but kept the notebook in his lap and the tea cup in his hand. He remained silent, but his eyes were on her, attentive, inquisitive even. She had come to him, so he would let her talk.

"Maddox and I are just friends. Strictly friends. We will never be more than that."

Yes, she had said as much in the forest. They were friends, good friends, which still seemed wild to Nabih. In his world there were no friendships between men and women who were not related to each other. It didn't exist, and if it did, it was very much frowned upon and especially the woman's family would do everything to stop it. Of course, here there were men who also liked the company of other men, which was even wilder to Nabih. If Maddox was one of those, he would have perhaps been okay with this. The man clearly was not though. He had a daughter, and a second one on the way. Not even with the same woman.

Nabih gave a slight nod, to show her he understood. If she said friends, then friends it was. What else was there for him to do about it? It looked like she was going to say more, so he continued to remain silent.

"I was with Indigo back in June after a ministry party."

It felt like his heart stumbled for a moment, and he swallowed. It was a tough to hear that the Auror had actually managed to get her into bed with him. It was one time though, and everybody made mistakes.

"And again in September, when you and I weren't speaking."

This time his eyes actually narrowed at her and his mouth dropped open a little bit. It was that easy then? She apparently wasn't difficult with other men. Just with him. Wasn't that just great to know. Honesty sucked. It was no wonder the damn Auror had that smug face every time they came across each other. If Julia had also been honest with Indigo Amberghast, the man knew. Bloody brilliant.

"We're not seeing each other, and it was never anything more than that, but since we all work together, you deserve to know."

Nabih drank his tea and summoned another cup to the small table on the side. The tea pot rose into the air and poured fresh tea into the cup before landing back on the table. Nabih took the full cup and leaned forward, offering it to Julia. She might as well drink tea with him, if they were confessing their bedroom sins.

"This will take some time to process, but thank you for telling me." She had fallen silent, so it was probably his turn to speak. His voice was calm, despite the thoughts that were running through his head. It would take time to wrap his head around Julia Laurence together with Indigo Amberghast. When he'd seen them in the library together, it had made him want to burn the man's office. Preferably with Amberghast in it. The memory alone made the mountain lion's eyes of his tattoo burn a deep crimson.

"I assume you do want to know, if there is any truth to Ivansko and me?" As stupid as the whole rumor was, it only came from that one evening he had taken Karina out and the woman ogling him in front of all the other Professors. "There is not and there never will be." Nabih had no interest in the headmistress and he did not lick anyone's face.

"I have been with Tala though. Not recently, mind you. Last time was well before Syria. We were not in a relationship, nor were there any feelings attached to this. We get along now, as colleagues, nothing more." That was all there was to say about this. Julia probably did not like it all that much, but there was no problem there. Tala and him had not gone out with a fight, but respected each other. Nabih was sure the woman had other men that would keep her bed warm.

"Other than that, I have not slept with any other woman that roams this castle, nor do I plan on doing that. You being the exception to the latter." She had wanted honesty, and despite his earlier thoughts about facing reality, he still very much wanted to be with Julia.

"Is there anything else you want us to be honest about?" He leaned back into the couch, draped his arm over the back of it, while his other went through his hair. There was no smile on his lips, but his eyes were not as hard and serious as they had been before. "Is it over for you or not?"

[Julia Laurence]

Silence. Julia could feel the tension in the room amplify the moment she uttered the other man's name. She had no real insight into the dynamics that were at play between the two men, but it was easy to see that there was no love lost there. Nabih's eyes narrowed at her, and every part of her wanted to get up and leave and abandon this horrific idea. Never, had she ever confessed bed partners to anyone. It was her business and no one else's as far as she was concerned.

For some reason though, she felt differently when she considered Nabih. As though he deserved to know every aspect of her - her past, her present. Though for the life of her, she couldn't distinguish why.

Up until this point, she had not given in to Nabih, and it wasn't because she didn't want to. Julia wanted Nabih more than she had ever wanted anyone else. But she didn't trust him with her heart yet. The feelings that she had coursing through her whenever she was around him, thought about him, or fought with him were feelings she didn't want to acknowledge or give life to, and yet they were there, whether she wanted them to be or not. And things had been so rocky between them from the get-go. She was terrified that if she gave into him - slept with him - and then he pulled away -

"This will take some time to process, but thank you for telling me."

That was it. No thoughts on the matter, no discussion, no questions. He handed her a cup of tea, and Julia took it, almost robotically. He was calm - emotionless almost, and it unnerved her. Either he didn't care, and she wondered what part he didn't care about, or...was she waiting for him to explode? Nabih had a way of doing that. Remaining calm and collected until he couldn't take it anymore and then said something hurtful or brash.

She had just been incredibly vulnerable with him and let him in on a part of her life that she kept incredibly private. And...nothing.

"I assume you do want to know, if there is any truth to Ivansko and me?"

Not particularly, but yes, it seemed necessary at this point. Julia didn't answer, choosing instead to sip the tea he had offered her. Black. He never drank it any other way that she knew of.

"There is not and there never will be."

To be honest, Julia had never truly suspected otherwise. Karina Ivansko was flighty, drank cheap wine out of juice cartons, antagonized her staff and sobbed wildly over her Hufflepuff child. Nabih seemed to like women a little more polished with just a few rough edges. Intelligent, a woman who could hold a conversation. A woman like -

"I have been with Tala though."

Julia's eyes didn't move, didn't blink. It was as though something inside of her had frozen or short-circuited, and yet she wasn't surprised or even a little impressed. The Bellestorm daughter was a pretty twenty-three-year-old nurse. Fresh out of university, Julia would assume, had she attended one. What man wouldn't be interested?

"Not recently, mind you. Last time was well before Syria. We were not in a relationship, nor were there any feelings attached to this. We get along now, as colleagues, nothing more."

She had seen the strange look Tala had given Nabih at the staff meeting and had chosen never to think much of it or ask Nabih about it - even after they resumed talking. She could have lived without this information for the rest of her life. She sat up straight, her expression unchanging, but she gave a slight exhale. Men. Always after the youngest woman they could manage. Tala was little more than a teenager in Julia's eyes, though she had to admit she was an incredibly talented healer.

"I think I knew that," her quiet reply came, finally, but she didn't elaborate or offer anything else. Call it a gut feeling or women's intuition. She finally dropped her eyes from his and into her teacup, choosing to fixate on the steam rising from the hot liquid rather than the sick feeling in her stomach.

"Other than that, I have not slept with any other woman that roams this castle, nor do I plan on doing that. You being the exception to the latter."

Julia didn't look up, didn't smile or offer anything that she normally would. Nabih had made it clear he didn't like when he perceived her to be joking or playing her games, and she had promised she wouldn't this time. He still wanted to be with her though, in the very least in that way. "I can't be that for you, until I know that you won't hurt me." It was the most honest thing she had ever said to him, and she couldn't even look at him when she said it. Her words were thoughtful, quiet and reserved and she ran her thumb around the rim of the teacup, her mind still racing. "And I don't trust that you won't yet." She didn't know what else to say.

He asked if there was anything else she wanted to be honest about. She finally raised her eyes to his and she raised her shoulders slightly. "What do you want to know, Nabih? I'm an open book at this point." She had already shared an incredibly intimate part of herself without prompting. She could answer whatever else he wanted to know.

He sat back in the couch and ran his hand through his hair. In any other instance, Julia would have found this incredibly attractive, probably flirted with him a little, enticed him to come closer, kiss her, run those hands through her hair. But all she could focus on was the strange heaviness that she felt in her chest and she didn't know how to let it go.

"Is it over for you or not?"

Such an easy question with such a complicated answer. "Is it over for you?" she asked him, "If not, then I need to know where you see this going." She set her teacup on the table and leaned forward on her knees again. "Right now we're just going in circles and we'll end up right back here again."