After Glow

Winnie breathed in the night air, closed her eyes and tilted her head back. It wasn't very windy as you would expect a the sky to be during the winter. When she opened her eyes, she saw thousands of stars looking back at her. The logical side of her wanted to say that they were all dead, anyways, so what was the point of gazing at dead things? But she always had a soft spot for pretty things and they were all calling her name, begging to be admired. Who was she to deny them?

It had been far too long since she'd been able to relax like this outside of her common room and the library. With all the extra studying and extra credit she was doing, Winnie hardly had time to talk to other people let alone walk around for leisure. There was a part of her that knew she didn't need to do so much extra work, what with her grades being so high already, but her need to please outweighed free-time.

She looked back up at the stars let her mind wander aimlessly, not really focusing on one topic, just going with the flow of her head. It was nice to be able to do this, she thought to herself.

Lucas opened the door to the astronomy classroom and walked in, looking for his coat. He had left it here. Typical. He saw it, draped across his chair, he quickly walked over to it and slung it over his shoulder. He was just turning to leave when he saw someone out on the balcony.

"Um. There's no class tonight" He called out to the student, before turning back to his desk. He saw his wand sitting on it and picked it up, pocketing it. He leafed through a stack of papers, and quickly organized some scrolls before looking back up at the girl.

"Oh, I know," Winnie said, to what she assumed to be the Astronomy professor. She turned around, only to find him looking back at her. She sighed, tearing herself away from the balcony and stepping into the Astronomy classroom. Well, it was lovely while it lasted. "I'm guessing you want me out of here, now."

"Oh no, it's fine. Just wanted to let you know" he said and sighed, "was Alastair up here when you got here?" He asked, turning towards the girl. He stopped and grinned "Winnie?" he asked. He'd know that face anywhere "I didn't know you went here! God I'm out of the loop" He ran a hand though his hair and smiled at her. "How old are you now? 15? 16?"

Winnie raised an eyebrow at the professor - wasn't he a little young to be teaching? - "I don't recall an Alastair. Maybe the person you're looking for left to look for you?" she suggested.

Her nose scrunched up as the professor continued to talk to her like she was an old friend. Normally, she would've felt bad about forgetting someone, but a man that was at least six years older than her? "I'm turning sixteen in a month, sir. Sorry, but who are you exactly?"

"Just like her" He said. "You don't remember me? Stab in the heart. I babysat until you were eight or nine years old. I needed money and I got you're parent's to believe I was a pureblood. It worked for about three years" He said, sitting down at his desk and turning the chair to face her. He motioned for her to sit down. "Lucas Grey? Come on" he smiled

Winnie's eyes widened a fraction at the new information given to her. "Lu-lukey?" she took one hesitant step towards Lucas, staring into his eyes and just willing him to be wrong. Without missing a step, she flung herself into his arms and buried her head in his shoulder. This was probably awkward for him, but she couldn't bring herself to care. It was Lukey, for Merlin's sake.

"I thought you abandoned me. I thought you didn't want to see me anymore," Winnie said, her voice muffled into Lucas' shirt.

He grinned and wrapped his arms around the younger girl "That's right. What other Lucas Grey is there?" He laughed, patting her back. "My god you're so old" He said with a grin.

He pulled away from her and looked her in the eye, "Winnie, I wouldn't do that. You're parents found out I wasn't a pureblood and kindly escorted me from the Smythe Manor. You were still asleep that day. I left you a note, but I guess it never got to you. Shame." He hugged her again. "Sit. Tell me about the last 7 years"