Black Beauty

[Professor Starr Kimaki]

The spell hit the panther between the ears and Starr flinched slightly as her body liquefied and swelled back to her original form. When Ericus had his wand on her, she was completely ready to explode into a fit of angry cursing regarding his little suicidal spell, but something distracted her anger from Ericus. It was her husband. Rage exploded within her like one of those muggle bombs and, not really caring about Ericus anymore, she pushed him aside.

"You are a selfish bastard," Starr hissed, stalking up to Syn and glowering down at him. "You are the most putrid thing I have ever laid eyes on! 'Mr. Sympathetic'?! You have to be kidding me! Ericus almost killed himself and all you can do is sit there and jeer at him like it was the funniest thing in the world?! What the hell is wrong with you?! You are a sick, twisted, vile, disgusting man and I cannot believe I plucked up enough courage to bloody marry you! You sit behind your desk all day, whimpering about how Voldemort wants to track you down and kill you. Boo freaking hoo for you! ALL YOU DO IS SIT BEHIND THAT WIMPY DESK AND WHINE ABOUT YOUR MISFORTUNE!"

Lashing out in her anger, Starr slapped Syn aggressively across the left cheek. When his head turned back, she slapped him again. "You're so freaking selfish too! I helped a friend stay alive, you stupid man! I wasn't 'picking sides'! I WAS PREVENTING A MAN FROM LOSING HIS BLOODY LIFE! All you can do is sit there, like some horrid beast! All you care about is yourself! I am SICK of you! I am SICK of the way you treat people! You insist on being waited on, hand and foot! I'M SICK OF YOU!"

Starr's screaming, angry voice continued to echo around the room long after she quit yelling at him. She stood there for a few seconds, her face red and her wand pointed at his throat. There was so much more she wanted to say to him. He pushed her over the edge. She just wanted to slash out and hit him again, but she knew it wouldn't do anything. Leaning close to him, she let out a slow, malicious whisper: "I don't want to love you anymore."

[Professor Syn Kimaki]

Syn wasn't exactly surprised when they both started to go off on him. Infact, he found it rather funny.

"You know what Syn? Why don't you just shut the hell up. You keep criticizing me and saying I'm not brave enough to do anything. What about you? Huh? You're afraid to do anything by yourself anymore. You don't even think for yourself anymore, do you?"

Well, Mr.Black, I obviously do think for myself. I think me choosing not to save you would make it pretty obvious.

"You are a selfish bastard, You are the most putrid thing I have ever laid eyes on! 'Mr. Sympathetic'?! You have to be kidding me! Ericus almost killed himself and all you can do is sit there and jeer at him like it was the funniest thing in the world?! What the hell is wrong with you?! You are a sick, twisted, vile, disgusting man and I cannot believe I plucked up enough courage to bloody marry you! You sit behind your desk all day, whimpering about how Voldemort wants to track you down and kill you. Boo freaking hoo for you! ALL YOU DO IS SIT BEHIND THAT WIMPY DESK AND WHINE ABOUT YOUR MISFORTUNE!"

Syn laughed at that comment. He actually laughed. Starr. You must be pretty stupid. I never get the chance to sit at my desk anymore. You, of all people, should have realized that. Who was it who I found in my office a few weeks ago depressed because I was never around anymore. I've been to Romania, England, Half of Europe, Hell I've been to a few places in Asia too. And I'm sorry Starr, but Ericus was going to kill you earlier too. Infact, I had just gotten back from a quick trip to france when I found him trying to "avoir" you. I bet you didn't know that now, did you?

He crossed his arms, and was surprised when she slapped him. It hurt a little, but He knew nothing he could say could change what she thought of him now, so he was going to have some fun.

"You're so freaking selfish too! I helped a friend stay alive, you stupid man! I wasn't 'picking sides'! I WAS PREVENTING A MAN FROM LOSING HIS BLOODY LIFE! All you can do is sit there, like some horrid beast! All you care about is yourself! I am SICK of you! I am SICK of the way you treat people! You insist on being waited on, hand and foot! I'M SICK OF YOU!"

Selfish? You idiot, if I was selfish I would've closed this school the second You-Know-Who passed that law. I didn't. These kids need to learn, I was thinking of them when I defied him. You think I like watching someone die? No, It hurts Starr, but he's dangerous. He could hurt us. And I'm sick of you too Starr. Sick of how you never tell me what your feeling, never tell me about your past. What the hell did you do that whole year you were traveling around Europe? Party?

He felt her wand start to poke his throat and waited for her next statement.

"I don't want to love you anymore."

You don't want to... but you don't know what to do with the fact that you still do.

[Professor Starr Kimaki]

His words were like fire. They licked at her heart and set flame to the hate swirling around her insides. The entire office seemed to disappear. It was just the two of them. Both wanting to tear each other apart. Neither of them willing to do it. What she was feeling couldn't possibly be hate. Hate was too strong of an emotion. No, she could loathe him, but hate him wasn't something she could bring herself to do. When his final words were spat out, Starr could only stagger backward half a step. A mere shift in weight. Like an invisible slap.

"You... cowardly... monster!" Her wand transfered from the right hand to the left. The fingers of her right hand curled into a deadly fist and she slammed it unforgivingly against his jaw. Rearing back, she hit him again. "Is that what you're so pissed off about?! My past?!" Her knuckles made contact with more skin. "I didn't party in Europe, you pea-brained oaf! Do you really want to know what I did all that year? Why I suddenly lost contact with everyone? Why I came back different? Do you really want to know?!" She punched him one last time before removing herself from him.

"In that year you obsess about so greatly, I was raped, taught, abused, forgotten, abandoned and left to fend for myself. I went to James Singer, you stupid ass. He taught me Occlumency, introduced me to Drake White. I learned such magic that you couldn't even DREAM of learning. Your narrow mind wouldn't let you even comprehend the things I can accomplish. James Singer was my friend. More than a friend you could ever be."

Her voice lowered to a harsh whisper and she leaned close to him. "He trained me to be what I am today. The woman you so blindly married. I'm glad he molded me. I'm glad he showed me how to reject men like you. Men that are cowardly creatures that roam the Earth, seeking to survive off of other's weaknesses." She paused and a hand curled around Syn's neck, roughly jerking him closer to her. Her lips curled into a sneer.

"You're exactly like Voldemort. The two of you could be brothers."

[Professor Ericus Black]

Ericus felt himself pushed away by Starr. She was now going off on Syn. Ericus couldn't help but feel like he was increasingly right about their marriage. It wasn't right. It wasn't meant to be. Ericus stepped forward behind Starr, his wand still raised at Syn. He figured he'd give Starr her moment to rip Syn a new one. It was her right as his wife to do so. Ericus didn't change his expression when Starr slapped Syn. He did get angry when Syn began to yell at Starr. He didn't know what he was saying. At any time. He was just a git to them.

Ericus stepped forward as Starr began punching at Syn. So maybe he did have to stop her now. She was still yelling at him. But the line about Voldemort caused him to jump a little. As Starr's hand closed around Syn's throat, Ericus grabbed her wrist and pulled it away. He stared into her eyes and spoke, "Starr....James Singer was a friend to none...He was a killer....You must accept that. Starr...Syn.....Syn deserved you more than anyone. Out of me, Jayak and Syn he deserved you. He wouldn't have put your life in danger like the two of us would have." Ericus said quietly.

He turned his wand to Syn's chest and spoke, "Flagrante." As Ericus flicked his wand wildly, words began to appear in burnt skin on Syn's chest. I Still Love You, Starr. It flared for a moment before glowing a burnt red. Ericus turned his wand away from Syn and tucked it back in his robes. "Starr....I don't think you could've done any worse than Syn. But I know you could've done much better. I just need you to know that." Ericus let go of her wrist and turned to Syn.

"Syn...You mindless idiot. You are so stubborn. I wouldn't be surprised if you were actually associated with 'Him'. You sure seem to think that you're much more important than you're making yourself seem. Try to come back to the real world for once."

[Professor Syn Kimaki]

Syn awaited for everyone's response's. Starr's came first.

"You... cowardly... monster! He felt his jaw tense up as her flesh touched his. This felt different then the slap, not exactly physically, but emotionally. When her hand met his jaw, his heart was ripped in half. It was to far to turn back now. He smiled. He was tired of frowning, tired of crying. He wasn't really happy, but it felt good to smile.

"Is that what you're so pissed off about?! My past?!"

Her flesh met his again. Now the pain had come...

"I didn't party in Europe, you pea-brained oaf! Do you really want to know what I did all that year? Why I suddenly lost contact with everyone? Why I came back different? Do you really want to know?!"

Syn nodded, still smiling.

"In that year you obsess about so greatly, I was raped, taught, abused, forgotten, abandoned and left to fend for myself. I went to James Singer, you stupid ass. He taught me Occlumency, introduced me to Drake White. I learned such magic that you couldn't even DREAM of learning. Your narrow mind wouldn't let you even comprehend the things I can accomplish. James Singer was my friend. More than a friend you could ever be."

Wow... Starr.. He sure sounds like an awesome friend. I mean letting you get raped, abused, hell sure sounds like you had alot of fun! And your right, I am narrow minded. I've never been good at spells or any of this magic stuff. Why do you think I teach MUGGLE studies idiot.

He trained me to be what I am today. The woman you so blindly married. I'm glad he molded me. I'm glad he showed me how to reject men like you. Men that are cowardly creatures that roam the Earth, seeking to survive off of other's weaknesses."

"seeking to survive off of other's weaknesses." Boy, doesn't that sound like a certain group? you may have heard of them Starr. The Death Eaters. I can't help it if my past is finally catching up to me and what I was taught for 11 years before I started to attend Hogwarts shows in me. My Parents were Death Eaters Starr. They taught me to survive, taught me to fend for myself and myself only. They started leaving me alone for days at a time when I was FIVE. I learned to find flaws in people. They tried to shape me into one of them. When I told them no, they pretended they didn't know me. I've fought for years trying to clear the Kimaki name. I don't survive off others weaknesses, well, except for mine, which I had alot of, I don't deny that.


"You're exactly like Voldemort. The two of you could be brothers."

No. We couldn't. I don't kill innocent people. Sure, I kill, I admit that, and you know what, I don't have a problem with it. I kill people who deserve it, people who kill the innocent. I'm a damn Hero. You should be thanking me He said, under his breath since he was being choked.

He suddenly felt himself being released from her grasp, and realized Ericus had pulled her away. He listened to him.

"Starr....James Singer was a friend to none...He was a killer....You must accept that. Starr...Syn.....Syn deserved you more than anyone. Out of me, Jayak and Syn he deserved you. He wouldn't have put your life in danger like the two of us would have."

Syn thought for a second... with all the crap that had happened in the past hour, Ericus was still defending him. Syn focused his attention to the poster from earlier and replied to Ericus' comment in a low voice, almost a whisper.

That's not true. I put her in more danger than anyone could. By her having my last name, she's right next to me on You-Know-Who's most wanted list. She's in more danger being with me than she would be with you or Akaji. Sure, I've tried protecting her, but I can only do that for so long...

He then heard a spell come out of nowhere, which hit him. Ericus was writing a message on his chest. Syn gritted his teeth, it was kind of painful. Not as painful as the spell that had met his chest earlier, far from it actually, but it still hurt. When he was done, Syn took a glance at the message. I still Love You, Starr.

I do Ericus, I don't deny it, but she doesn't want to love me anymore. You heard her yourself.

"Starr....I don't think you could've done any worse than Syn. But I know you could've done much better. I just need you to know that."

Syn didn't know what to say, because he sort of agreed, even if he didn't want to.

"Syn...You mindless idiot. You are so stubborn. I wouldn't be surprised if you were actually associated with 'Him'. You sure seem to think that you're much more important than you're making yourself seem. Try to come back to the real world for once."

Technically Ericus, by name alone, I am associated with Him. I don't try to make it seem like I'm important, infact, I've always hated the spotlight, but the fate of this school rests on my hands. And why don't you come back to the real world? Both of you. This castle shouldn't be open right now. Every second your in here, your breaking the law. He wants to make sure he can kill those who know enough to teach, so that in the future, the kids can't harm him if they didn't learn how to defend themselves. Thats the real world. I'm going to do all I can to stop that from happening...

[Professor Ericus Black]

Ericus kept his gaze on Syn. Ericus had learned about Syn's parents while he was 'in the service.' It had been quite a story about them. Two fools who were treated as though they mattered. Ericus found it humorous. "Syn...You are such an idiot. To the death eaters, your parents were a joke. Its no wonder you're as weak as they were said to be. Its good to see you are carrying on their magical abilities." Ericus said, smirking. His wand was still stowed in his robes. He didn't want to take out just yet. He knew he would have to though.

Ericus looked back at Starr and gave her a weak smile. BUt he was annoyed when Syn spoke again. Ericus had disregarded everything Syn had said up until the part about the words on his chest. He wasn't going to say anything yet. He was going to mention something about it soon though. "Yes Syn, you put her in more danger by protecting her. Whereas I spent 3 years prior to this night trying to stop all the efforts to find you two. And to think you would forget it all. You will be glad that I was a death eater someday. Especially if he shows up. You'll need someone to argue for you."

Ericus stared at Syn once more before stepping in front of Starr again and swinging a left fist at Syn's face. "Once again, foolish. The Dark Lord does not wish to close this place. He wishes to take control and train the students to become his servants. You are so narrow minded, you know that. Why don't you open your eyes to everything around you for once." Ericus shouted at him and swung a knee towards Syn's stomach. Ericus turned back to Starr and looked a little disappointed.

"Syn...That wasn't meant to be from you to Starr. It was from me."

[Professor Starr Kimaki]

She stopped paying attention. Her anger had been spent. The rage once fueling her actions sizzled out and left her with a numb sense of being lost. Her body was still present in the room, standing next to Ericus, eyes flicking from one man to the other as they spoke to each other. But her mind... Her mind was a different story. It was drifting down one memory lane to the next. The men's voices reached her ears as a muffled, humming static. A sound she wasn't too keen on tuning into.

She knew Syn had spent a lot of his latest ranting talking to her. She had no plan to respond. She wouldn't even look at his face. Her eyes would only settle on him for a split second before retreating back to Ericus. She didn't like the way Syn's voice was starting to sound. It was cold and cruel. Like the hiss of a snake. Absent minded, she shifted closer to Ericus. His voice soothed her anxious mind. Even if it was tainted with anger. The anger wasn't directed toward her, so she found refuge in its tones.

And then, all of the sudden, the voices stopped. The last being Ericus'. The conversation came back to her like a whirlwind. His final words echoed like thunder in her ears. "Syn...That wasn't meant to be from you to Starr. It was from me." She wouldn't meet his eyes. Instead, her wavering gaze shifted to Syn. Words burned like live coals across his chest. She blinked. Her head turned and tilted upward, facing Ericus with a confused expression. "That is from you?"

Her question was half murmured, half whispered. A hint toward her current state of shock. Murky eyes widened slightly and slowly transfered back to Syn. "They're from him," she mumbled to her husband, still partially unaware of what words were coming from her lips.

"It sounds better coming from him."

[Professor Syn Kimaki]

"Syn...You are such an idiot. To the death eaters, your parents were a joke. Its no wonder you're as weak as they were said to be. Its good to see you are carrying on their magical abilities."
I'm not like my parents Ericus. Maybe they were crappy death eaters, but you obviously were to. Couldn't take the death part huh? When they started closing in on your friends, you became scared and backed out.

"Yes Syn, you put her in more danger by protecting her. Whereas I spent 3 years prior to this night trying to stop all the efforts to find you two. And to think you would forget it all. You will be glad that I was a death eater someday. Especially if he shows up. You'll need someone to argue for you."

Oh! So he's just going to save two of his most wanted victims, just because a former death eater tells him to? You left the Death Eaters Ericus. And he knows where were at, so your efforts failed. I mean, I'm HEADMASTER of the damn school, I wonder where I'd be. America? No, I'd be here, making sure my school wasn't going to be shut down. He's not stupid Ericus. He knew where I was.

"Once again, foolish. The Dark Lord does not wish to close this place. He wishes to take control and train the students to become his servants. You are so narrow minded, you know that. Why don't you open your eyes to everything around you for once."

OH! So You-Know-Who just wanted to turn every kid at the school into senseless killing machines, boy! That's fine, as long as he stop there education all together, because I'd take killing machines over idiots any day.

Syn hunched over as out of nowhere, Ericus slammed his knee into his stomach. Syn's breath accelerated to speeds he had never experienced before, and then came the statement. Ericus' next statement extinguished what little hope Syn still had. It was over with Starr. He didn't know what else to do.


"Syn...That wasn't meant to be from you to Starr. It was from me."

You know that whole friendship thing you were preaching about a few minutes ago? Its over Black. If you think I'll just hand over my wife and not have a problem with it, then you have another thing coming... Starr... You still love me.. right?


"It sounds better coming from him."

Syn looked at the ground and shook his head. A tear came out of his left eye. Its Over. Its Over...

Leave Me then... Everyone does. Why should I have thought you would be any different?

He grabbed a vase that was near where he was sitting, and threw it against the wall, watching it shatter in a million pieces, just like his relationship just had.

I'm always here if you ever need me again Ms...Ms.Manning. I hope someday you'll see your mistake...

[Professor Ericus Black]

Ericus smiled a little more to Starr. And he nodded. It was, truly, from him. He still felt it. There was no way he could deny his actually feelings. And he felt a little happier when Starr told Syn that, "It sounds better coming from him." Ericus gazed at Starr a little longer. She had averted his gaze a couple of times. Maybe she still felt it too? Maybe she was lying to herself about Syn.

Ericus turned back to look at Syn. Another shouting match. What does that make? Twelve so far. Probably more. "I never wanted you to hand over your wife. Why are you treating her like an object? I was just telling her what I felt. And you know that it scares you, because you knew that she had almost fallen completely for me. But you had to convince her, and I don't know how, that it was you she loved. That is a very interesting type of magic, Mr Kimaki." Ericus said angrily.

"Yes Syn, killing machines. Just like what a death eater is. But I believe we covered that already. You think I was afraid to leave because they were going to kill people. I left because I wanted to protect Her." He said, pointing to Starr. "Also to protect you, because I knew it would devastate Starr to see you dead. But now I see that maybe I should've let Singer go after you." He shouted at Syn. Ericus wasn't thinking straight. Just white hot rage.

Ericus almost completely lost it when Syn broke his vase. Why was his stuff getting trashed? Maybe Ericus should go fire a few Reducto's into Syn's office. He didn't even feeling like fixing it. "Syn...Not only do you have no respect for me. You have no respect for your wife. And you have no respect for other people's items. I should kill you right now...But then....The school would be unprotected, and the Dark Lord would swoop down on this place faster than a Snitch."

[Professor Syn Kimaki]

"I never wanted you to hand over your wife. Why are you treating her like an object? I was just telling her what I felt. And you know that it scares you, because you knew that she had almost fallen completely for me. But you had to convince her, and I don't know how, that it was you she loved. That is a very interesting type of magic, Mr Kimaki."

It does scare me, you know why? I'm scared she'll get hurt again. Look what the last death eater she got close to allowed someone to do to her. Yeah, I had to convince her. So? I worked TEN years to convince her.

"Yes Syn, killing machines. Just like what a death eater is. But I believe we covered that already. You think I was afraid to leave because they were going to kill people. I left because I wanted to protect Her. Also to protect you, because I knew it would devastate Starr to see you dead. But now I see that maybe I should've let Singer go after you."


You know what, Maybe you should have. That way I could die and not have to worry about what the hell happens after I die. If you think you know how to "save the world", then maybe it should be your job. It would make my life a little easier, and I would feel sosafe that you can save us.

"Syn...Not only do you have no respect for me. You have no respect for your wife. And you have no respect for other people's items. I should kill you right now...But then....The school would be unprotected, and the Dark Lord would swoop down on this place faster than a Snitch."

Hey, kill me then, I don't have a problem with death. I've been to heaven, its awesome. And I told you, If I died, I wouldn't have to worry about what happens after I'm dead. End the Misery for Me. I dare you. I bet Manning over there doesn't have a problem with it either.

He looked at Starr and grinned. Am I right?

[Professor Starr Kimaki]

"You're selfish." Her voice was ghostly quiet. Her gaze was locked to her husband's face. A look of misery and despair was sewn across her face. It was like a mask. A suffocating mask that she was desperate to tear off. "Dying is not the way to end your misery. You can't leave these students behind. They'll be unprotected and vulnerable. You may be ready to die, Syn, but their lives are too innocent and pure to spare." There was no more yelling anymore. She was done with anger. She just wanted this night to stop. She wanted the normal to come back and play. "Losing your life would permit Voldemort entry into the castle and parents will lose their children."

Unintentionally, a hand nestled against her lower abdomen. The movement was too much of a natural action to be noticed. She didn't even realize it. "No parent should have to bury their child." Her other hand met the other and her fingers laced together to rest against her front while she studied her husband. "Nothing is worth the pain that would cause those families."

As if unable to bare the sight of him anymore, Starr's eyes closed and her body shifted to the side, closer to Ericus. "You speak about me as if you think I've only been pretending to love you all these years, husband." Her eyes flicked open and slid to Syn. "You speak wrongly. I've loved you from the day you and I started dating. I had no plan to leave you and I regret having to do so even now after you've made such of a fool of yourself. But it seems to be the only thing that'll knock some sense into you, even if it smashes your heart along the way."

Starr blinked slowly and her gaze flickered to Ericus, letting him know she would be speaking to both of them. "I'm starting to tire of you two talking about me like I'm some thing you can pass between each other. In case you haven't noticed, I can protect myself. I've been doing so ever since I was born. I don't care if you both claim you've been the ones to 'keep me safe' all these years, because that's a load of crap. You were too busy clawing at each other's throats to even begin to think about my safety."

Gritting her teeth slightly, she turned her back on Syn to face Ericus. Her expression softened and she smiled lightly. "I forgive you, though." She hated having to treat her husband like this, but it looked like that'd be the only thing to keep his mind clear enough to act without being stupid. Revealing nothing of her thoughts about Syn, Starr rose to her tiptoes and kissed Ericus on the cheek. "Now, if you'd be so kind..." Her fingers slid into Ericus' hand and she lifted his arm and pointed it toward the door, looking hopeful. "Open Sesame?"

[Professor Syn Kimaki]

"You're selfish. Dying is not the way to end your misery. You can't leave these students behind. They'll be unprotected and vulnerable. You may be ready to die, Syn, but their lives are too innocent and pure to spare. Losing your life would permit Voldemort entry into the castle and parents will lose their children."

Syn nodded.

Yeah, so? I've been to Heaven Starr. You know that. Trust me, its perfect. If they died, they would be in a place where they wouldn't have to worry about death lurking right around the corner. A place where they could do what they want, when they want. Besides, I got this for the money Starr. I could care less about those little twerps.

"No parent should have to bury their child. Nothing is worth the pain that would cause those families."

Oh, and you know what if feels like Starr?

He listened to Starr get closer to Ericus. His stomach felt like it did a little flip again.

"You speak about me as if you think I've only been pretending to love you all these years, husband. You speak wrongly. I've loved you from the day you and I started dating. I had no plan to leave you and I regret having to do so even now after you've made such of a fool of yourself. But it seems to be the only thing that'll knock some sense into you, even if it smashes your heart along the way."

Well Starr, if my heart smashes, I'll be dead, so were back to the death thing again. So, Starr, when he get killed my Mr. Death Eater over there, be sure to visit me as a ghost so I can rub in your face that I was right. I can live without you. I did so for 22 years.

I'm starting to tire of you two talking about me like I'm some thing you can pass between each other. In case you haven't noticed, I can protect myself. I've been doing so ever since I was born. I don't care if you both claim you've been the ones to 'keep me safe' all these years, because that's a load of crap. You were too busy clawing at each other's throats to even begin to think about my safety."


Right. Because we clawed at each other all the time before tonight. Syn replied, rolling his eyes.

"I forgive you, though."

Right. Last time I checked, I didn't ask you for forgiveness.

He observed her as she moved closer to Ericus and finally grabbed his hand and asked him to open the door Again.

[Professor Ericus Black]

Ericus glared at Syn and noticed Starr moving her hands out of the corner of his eye. But he shrugged it off. "Parents would not lose their children.....children will lose their teachers....children will lose their freedom." Ericus said slowly. The Dark Lord had use for students. Ericus had heard it once. 'He' would use them as the next generation of death eaters. What the Dark Lord didn't need was extra teachers. Ericus looked back up to meet Starr's gaze.

She was talking to both of them now. She somehow believed Ericus saw her as an object. This was not true. It had been a while, but Ericus did not feel as much for Starr as he used to. It was confusing to him. Only a moment ago he'd just told her that he still loved her. Maybe he did. Ericus wasn't entirely sure on anything he felt anymore. "Syn does have a point. We've never had it out with each other before this night. Something must've caused us to reach the melting point. And now...well....You know what has happened."

Ericus turned his gaze back up to Syn. His friend was talking about the life of being a ghost. Or afterlife. But Syn seemed to be embracing death. And that would not allow him to become a ghost. Ericus knew this. "Syn...there are quite a few things wrong with that statement....But I feel explaining them would only seem to make you angrier...And I don't believe you need to ask for forgiveness from your own wife...The woman who, although I'm still against it....married you because she truly felt the most for you in her heart.....And you, whom she had chosen, seem to be so willing to give it away." Ericus spoke solemnly.

Ericus had resisted the temptation to reach his free hand up to his cheek. It felt so warm, yet he felt nothing. If I'd be so kind as to what? Ericus thought and felt something slide into his hands. He looked down to see Starr raising her arm, and with it his towards the door. For a moment he was going to let it open. He could see it shaking slightly. But Ericus stopped it. "No....I'm still not going to open it." He said quietly.

Ericus released Starr's hand from his and walked back to his desk. Ericus swept around the side and slowly sat in the chair. "I believe.....that although you two won't admit it, like before....there is something deeply important that you have hidden from each other. And I'm not letting you go until you tell each other, right here, right now.

[Professor Starr Kimaki]

The anger that had once drained from her veins returned with crushing force. Her heart beat violently against her rib cage, threatening to break free. Very slowly, she closed her eyes. She had no desire to see either man in the room anymore. There was no chance either of them would walk away from this night without a missing limb if she did. So, while Ericus' all-too-wise words pounded in her head, she stared at her own private blanket of red.

She never should have married the idiot sitting a couple feet to her left. Perhaps he had convinced her that she loved him. Maybe both morons were right and she was still swimming in the past just for her memories. Or maybe she was the moron. A disgruntled smile subconsciously stretched the corners of her pursed lips. That wouldn't be very surprising to her at all. In fact, it was most likely true. She always had a taste for men who turned out to be Death Eaters. Jayak was probably just too young to have discovered his path yet.

No, screw it, she corrected herself with a light shake of the head. It's them.

As she slowly drew herself from her thoughtful world, she realized the room had gone completely silent. Her eyelids lifted a fraction, letting her peer through her long eyelashes at the motionless room. Ericus was still sitting behind his desk, staring at her. Syn continued to slouch on the chest, his expression not as kind. His was full of the rage she had felt only seconds ago. The expression, she realized, opening her eyes completely, did not suit his face. It distorted his features, twisting him into an ugly, unfamiliar stranger.

She took a step away. Her fear of him was a jolting surprise.

"No." Starr stalked stiffly over to Ericus' desk, looking down at him, a frown furrowing in her brow. She bent toward him, their faces just inches apart. When she spoke, her voice was low, quiet, a whisper no louder than meant solely for Ericus' ears. "The knowledge would destroy him." Her tone melted, pleading, "He's barely holding on now, Ericus. I know he's contorted into an evil, heartless bastard right now, but it'll fade. And the knowledge, Ericus, won't. Leave it be..."

[Professor Ericus Black]

Ericus, now lost inside of all that had just happened now began to lift the sleeve up his arm. He could see the faint black ink still in his skin. It no longer burned or reacted, but it was still a painful reminder of what he had done. He placed his wand on top of his desk. It was starting to feel heavy, as if a small piece of wood could be heavy. His life as a Death Eater had been, well, suprisingly good. Especially when he had joined the inner circle. Ericus shook his head. He didn't want to keep thinking about it. It was the past. A past he wanted gone from his mind.

A noise echoed in his head. It tore him from his thoughts and he looked up to see Starr beginning to lean over the desk. Ericus quickly dropped his sleeve back over his wrist. She didn't seem happy, and by all rights she shouldn't have been. Ericus could see that she was now in his face. Her voice low and soft, it sounded almost like pleading. She was trying to explain why Syn didn't need to know. As if trying to hide this from him was the right answer. Her pleading almost made Ericus feel sorry for them. But it wasn't going to change his mind.

Even though Ericus had asked them both to reveal to each other, he himself knew nothing. And now Starr was only making him that much more interested in what it was. "No.." Ericus spoke. "I won't let this go. You two don't have anywhere to go or have the chance to leave for distant countries. We're going to do this right here right now. Besides," He said, a smirk appearing on his face as he leaned back away from Starr and lowering his voice. "I'm interested."