` moonlight .
@crxariel
moonlight stretches across the stone floor, bathing his slippered feet in an ivory glow. he stops, leant against the cool wall near one of the secret passageways, his eyes trained on the starry sky beyond the panes of glass. he tugs his hoodie tighter around his frame with a shiver and once again longs for the central heating his childhood home had - he’d give anything for some toasty feet in that moment.
his ears perk up at the distinct shuffle of light footsteps sounding from around the corner, and his head turns to train his eyes on the opening of the corridor leading off the one he’d been stood in for the last five minutes, admiring the night sky. it’s definitely not the footsteps that usually send him slipping into the nearest hide-out or hidden passageway, but seemingly the footsteps of someone small and light.
for a moment he wonders if it’s a house elf from the kitchens, but he’s given his answer as the familiar figure turns the corner and he instinctively frowns in concern. ariel. what’s he doing up so late? he wonders. he’s reminded though, as the younger boy stops walking when he spots gus, that ariel doesn’t know him really. he knows only his animagus form (but gus can only blame himself for that really).
pushing himself off from the wall he tilts his head as his gaze remains glued to ariel. “you’re up late.”
his heart is thudding gently as he sets one foot after the other and out of the dark corners of cold walls. this part never chances. no matter how often ariel would sneak out of bed and creep the halls of the deserted castle, there was always a sense of nervousness bubbling just beneath his skin and spreading to the tips of his fingers in an uncomfortable tingle. he shouldn’t be here. not late at night; but the outside and the darkness is saver than what could be awaiting him in the false comforts of his own bed. the stars always had a soothing quality on his tense and fried nerves and the solitude allowed him to finally relax. it’s solitude what ariel expected to find again once he reached the same spot he always fled to late at night, but as soon as he had stepped into the pale, milky light of the moon, he caught a movement from the corner of his eye and immediately froze on the spot. almond shaped eyes widened for the friction of a moment, ariel’s hand immediately reaching for his wand beneath the stifling, winter cloak, ready to throw a jinx if one would be needed. anguls lee was quite well known around school. handsome and outgoing. a slytherin. someone who was not to be trusted. “i could say the same about you.” the ravenclaw fired back, immediately, his accent thicker due to the late hour and nervousness. he sounded defensive and he was all too aware of it, but all of the previous tension seemed to increase tenfold and ariel was teetering on the edge of panic. angus was two whole years above him, however, and ariel’s upbringing didn’t allow it for him to be disrespectful. “if you don’t tell on me, i won’t tell on you either.” his words lose the sharp edges, become more smooth; a melodic beckoning. ariel knows some people liked to hear an invitation in it, a purr to come closer and chase and the potential of a confrontation is what holds him back from immediately apologising for his behaviour.
