[open] Same Stuff Different Day

[Gin]

Amedeus leaned back in his chair, feeling the creak of the parts as the back rest worked to hold him in place. The wheeled chair wasn't meant to be used as a recliner but that was how the man was using it. His feet were propped up on the desk, a book open in his lap. He'd actually already read this book many times before. The cover sported a thick level of runes, spiraled together, all moving as if to distract you from translating the message. It was really only a mess of random words like sky and death and love. The title was etched on the spine, Advanced Rune Translation, with no listed author. The corners and edges of the book were quite sharp, daring Amedeus to move else he get the paper cut of a lifetime. Luckily, that was no problem for a vampire.

The man sighed and closed the book with a hearty thud and lay it on the table. He leaned back a bit more and let his head fall back, eyes toward the ceiling where the Ravenclaws bustled about getting ready for bed. Theoretically none of the students should be out of bed now, as it was after 10 o'clock but the Ravenclaw students often found ways to sneak down a hidden stairwell and spend the night in the library. Any students the librarian had a problem with, he made known early, the first time they tried it that he would not allow it. Others that were responsible and could be trusted with the texts, he would allow access at any time of day or night. After all, it wasn't as though he slept. Students didn't dare try to test a vampire's threats.

But tonight, all was quiet. The term was coming to an end. The students had taken their last exams today. Tomorrow, the majority of them would be loading up on the Hogwarts Express and head home for the holiday. A month of quiet, boring, nothing. He would be spending most of the time at the Ministry, helping them deal with non-human magical beings. Typically they only used him to mediate with the vampires but recently that have begun giving him assignments with werewolves and giants. He'd dealt with the werewolves before working for the Ministry. He rolled his dark eyes thinking of meeting up with the pack alpha again. Calvin James was quite a formiddable opponent, even for a vampire. And the rest of his pack followed suit.

But tonight... What to do tonight. Amie thought silently, looking around the room without much interest. He had read nearly every book in this library, if not all, at least twice. There was only so much one could learn. He could go practice with his wand. He had bought it a few hundred years ago, hoping he could teach himself the abilities of a wizard but to no avail. The wand, while mildly obliging at times, was stubborn and vendictive most of the time. It recognized the talent but not the ability in Amie and thus, does not cooperate. But, Amedeus was determined to achieve wizarding powers. However, the thought of walking through the hallways where he might encounter the chipper students or faculty didn't appeal to him. Perhaps he'd just go back to reading... again.

[MessyVictory]

Ruana didn't spend much time in the castle anymore. It had been months since she walked through the huge doors. Yet there she was, meandering through the corridors, humming softly. She'd just spent the evening babysitting for Katharine and Michael, who had been out at a Christmas party. They returned later than expected, Katharine a little on the tipsy side and Michael taking care of her, like always. Ruana didn't mind, though. She'd gotten to spend the evening with Mel, who was always a delight. She was smart for a five-year-old, yet was always getting into some sort of mischief. This particular evening, she'd managed to set some curtains on fire. It didn't last long or spread very far, so Ruana was able to put out the flames. She made a mental note to suggest that Katharine fireproof the place.

But Ruana wasn't leaving just yet. She had a bit of research to do. Flourish & Blott's didn't have the books she needed. She'd likely have to go into the restricted section to find what she was looking for, but she doubted that would be a problem this time of night. No one was ever there this late. She hoped. Her dream was to open her own Apothecary in Hogsmeade village. The one at Diagon Alley was way behind the times. It was nearly impossible to find anything in there. Plus the place looked like it hadn't been cleaned since Merlin was alive. She had read every single book in the store about potions and ingredients, but she knew there was more to it than that. Forget opening a business, she'd read all of that too.

She needed to know the secrets. And there were secrets.

And when else was she going to be in Hogwarts? Hogwarts had the largest magical library she knew of, and she was getting quite impatient with her current bookstore position. A change was in store and she needed resources.

She opened the library door as quietly as possible and slipped in by way of the smallest crack through which she could fit. It was lighter inside than she'd expected it to be. All the torches toward the front were lit. She frowned for a moment and then continued down the main stairs.

Though the past nine years had been kind to Ruana, they had not eliminated her clumsiness, and she promptly kicked herself in the ankle, causing her to lose balance and fall foward, diving down approximately eight steps and landing with scream and a thud on the stone floor.

[Gin]

"You know, you could always talk to me, Ami."

Amadeus looked around for the sweet voice at the first syllable. His eyes found her sitting in the chair a fair distance away from his desk. She was sitting sideways in the chair, legs drapped over one arm and back resting against the other. Her feet kicked back and forth slightly, inviting him to play. She was smiling at him like she use to. A light tease, playful, happy. And it was contagious. Amadeus smiled, getting up and walking toward her. "I've missed you, mon amor." She looked up, exposing her neck, turning with him as he neared. Ami wrapped his arms around her shoulders and kissed her neck, resisting the faint urge to bite.

"I missed you too, ma cherie."

"Tell me how you've been," she whispered. He nodded, starting to speak, to tell her how bored he'd been but a loud crash broke his concentration. Deserae disappeared and Ami turned toward the sound with annoyance. He stomped toward the stairs, ready to give hell to whomever had interupted his time with Deserae.

A young woman was laying face down on the stone floor at the bottom of the stairs. She had a couple scrapes. There was a faint scent of blood but Ami could control himself. This woman was not a student, not was she part of the faculty. He glared at her, not about to help until he knew who she was and why she was here.

"What do you want?" he snapped.

"Love, there is no need to be rude. The woman is hurt. Surely you're gentleman enough to help her." Deserae faded in behind the fallen woman and held her hands on her hips, staring expectantly at the librarian. "Whatever you wish, my dove," Ami sighed in return. He strode forward and knelt to the girl, offering a hand.

"I apologize, ma'am. Please. Let me help you up."