It was an awkward silence.  There were no muffled snores from the other room, no screams, no laboured sighs, nothing.  The silence almost hurt the pale Asian's ears as she tried her best to adjust to it.  She wasn't used to this silence.  It was killing her.

Her father had been gone for nearly 24 hours now.  Left because it was the thirteenth, a cursed day.  He'd left without a beating, a shouting, and she was now completely alone, looking at the moving grey clouds outside.  Maybe he'd never come back.  It would have been what she wanted.  Now that she had someone to look forward to, someone to be her lover, she wouldn't stand for it anymore.  She'd sell her furniture.  She'd give Nathan her piano.  She'd book a one-way ticket to California, or fly to Australia.  She'd run away from it all and never look back.

But now, it seemed, fate would provide.  She was finally alone.  Etais completement sole.  How ironic to be alone, of all days, on a Valentine's Day.  It was the first one she had spent alone in a long time.  There was always something going on, always someone in her midst.  Her father seemed to be human on that one day a year, sending her flowers at school to show everyone what a great father she had.  If only they ever meant anything.  The roses had always hurt to see, so red and full and perfect; The only truth they held for her were the battle scars and bruises, violet and round and imperfect.  The roses were a prediction.

Then there was the celebration with her best friend December.  Though her amusing witch friend had a habit of amassing boy and girlfriends, the pair always spent Valentine's Day together, buying bears and candy for each other, eating them while watching a ridiculous movie like "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure", and telling each other's futures with gorgeous celebrities.  This year was the first year December was too far away from her to spend the day together.  This was the first Valentine's Day she would spend alone.

It was different, however.  There was more to this silence then the lack of her best friend.  There was a different feeling completely.  This Valentine's Day, she had someone she loved.  This was the first Valentine's Day she had someone to be her one, and this was the first time she had been alone.  It was one of those feelings where she knew that everything had changed, that she wasn't the same as she had been before.

Aimee Chen was completely alone, and it filled her and killed her at the same time.

Outside the winds were shifting; grey dust carried upon the air danced outside her window, and she smiled lightly as she watched it with interest.  She glanced around the room at the cleanliness.  The floor was swept, the curtains were clean, the mantle was dusted, and the kitchen was sparkling.  Without her father things had really taken shape.  Cleaning took her mind off her thoughts.  And now the house was bearable.  The only misplaced item was a pink hooded sweatshirt that was draped on the arm of the loveseat.  She picked it up with her delicate fingers and pulled it over her shoulders, leaving the front open and unzipped, revealing the tee shirt underneath.  The black cotton printed with a heart bearing a terrible scar was more than just an image - it was a reminder of him.

Slipping out the door into the chill air of February, she pulled the hood over her auburn hair, trying her best to keep the cold from nipping at her ears.  This was February in Washington DC.  Not beautiful and covered with snow like the beautiful ballads of winter.  This place was cold, dry, and overcast.  Once she had been told that Paris, the beautiful city of lights, was the same way.  Blinding lights - they only seemed beautiful when you didn't realize the cloud cover they had to burn through.  It was all a tradeoff, she considered, and though most wanted to be in her position, it was not worth it.  She would have given anything in that moment to be anywhere but there.

Aimee stepped down and took a seat on the porch steps, taking the cold in completely and allowing it to fill her, blurring her thoughts and ridding her mind of the memories.  She enjoyed this more than anything.  Though her insides felt like ash, she tried to focus on the sky and its churning pseudo-nimbus cover.  It seemed dissatisfied, but how was she to know.

I wish so badly that he was here, she thought to herself dismally as she pulled the hoodie tighter, pretending its warmth was as comforting as a pair of arms supporting her.  After all, it was only any other day.  It wasn't as if Valentine's Day was any more romantic than any other day.  Why should it bother her so much to be alone, for the first time, on a Valentine's Day?

She wasn't shocked when a tall male came beside her without speaking.  He must have felt the same way, she gathered.  His silence remained as he joined her in watching the clouds.  Nathan Reeves, with his cherub face, chestnut curls, and nimble fingers found himself ever alone.  He would have known, of course, what her mind did to her; he knew of Fenrir and how close Aimee and he had become.  It was just another day, but when everyone else had to make it something more, it was hard to brush it aside.

"You okay?" he asked her quietly, slipping an arm around her shoulders and watching her with concern.  She allowed his hand to rest on her, but she didn't look at him.  Right now, there was only one male she really wanted beside her, and Nathan certainly wasn't him.

"It's just another day, you know," she answered him in her soft, light voice.  "It's not like it's any more important than yesterday...or tomorrow..."

"I know..."

"And it's not fair of me to want him to be here...he has so much else he has to do," she continued, looking down at her hands while gently clasping and unclasping them.  Her pink nail polish was chipping, but the red hearts she had painted atop them still were intact.  It was strange how yesterday she had been looking forward to this day.  Everything had changed.

"I suppose."

"You don't think he would celebrate Valentine's Day?  I mean, he's not from around here...his people are different."  She couldn't reveal that he was a wizard to her friend, but part of her wondered if Fenrir was even aware of the 'muggle' ritual.

"You never know."  Nathan spoke very little and allowed Aimee to just speak.  It was what she needed; someone to listen.  When Aimee fell silent, however, he nudged her.  "Hey, can I show you something?"

"I guess," the female replied, finally glancing at her companion.  He smiled at her and she shrugged as he stood, taking her hand and helping her to her feet.  Together they entered the house and closed the door behind them.



There was no physically possible way the day could have gotten any more disgusting.  For being the first Valentine's Day on a Saturday, the students of Tervintasho were taking full advantage of the time.  Candles levitating in the hallways, violin music piped in the dormitories, heart-shaped candies complete with a variety of spoken phrases in sultry male and female voices on each student's pillow...it was all too much.  In fact, it was so disgusting that Fenrir hadn't gotten the initiative to leave his room.  It hurt too much, to see all the couples in the hallways snogging, cuddling, staring into each other's eyes, when all he wanted to was to spend the day with Aimee.  If she would even have him.

His paranoia never seemed to leave him, even when sweet letters filled with love and compassion flooded him from the pale Asian beauty.  Still he managed to concoct bizarre situations that always resulted in his loosing her.  He would say the wrong thing, do the wrong thing, do nothing at all when she needed it most.  Tell me again how someone like me ended up with someone like her.

"Hm hm hm...and I was wrong..." came an overly cheerful voice from the door, singing lightly a familiar tune.  "I never knew what it was like to be...Fenrir?"

The male didn't bother to turn to face her, as it was quite clear that the only person who ever cared enough to come looking for him was obviously December.  She never waited for an invitation, and she always seemed to show up at just the wrong time.  Or perhaps she was more right than he acknowledged.

"Hey now, what's a good-looking chap like you doing alone on a Valentine's Day?" she asked with a smile in her voice.  Though Fenrir wasn't facing her, he could see the twinkle in her eye.  It was usually in her expression somewhere.  It was sickening how cheerful she could be.  But then again, she was more false than he was.  He remembered her breakdown and acknowledged how much he cared for her, despite.  Turning, he nodded to her.

"I will be alone," he answered softly, locking eyes with the cheerful girl and remaining stoic.  He wouldn't even consider the remark about the good-looking chap.  There weren't words for what December's false compliments did to him, so there was no taking it in.  "Aimee is gone."

"You say gone like you're not dating her and you'll never see her again," December mumbled, rolling her eyes and shaking her head so her multi-coloured dreads bounced.  "Seriously, Fen, you'd be doing everyone a favour if you weren't so...depressing..."  She was joking of course, but Fenrir couldn't see how it made any difference.  The girl he loved was far away and he was having trouble coming to terms with it.  "C'mon, Fen, for the love of all things wild and wonderful, have yourself a good valentine's day with me!"

If looks could kill, December probably would have completely burst into flame at that moment.

"I mean it...I don't like you locking yourself up in your room like this.  And besides, I have a surprise for you."  She smiled brightly, clearly excited about something that Fenrir probably could care less about, but falling into her plan was easier than fighting with her, so Fenrir resigned himself to her antics and got up off the four poster, taking himself in stride beside her.  He didn't speak, but it was clear his intentions were to follow her, so December took him by the hand and led him down the hall.  "Trust me...this is so much cooler than locking yourself up in your room all day."

Fenrir doubted as much, but there was no point voicing it.  He'd long since learned that when December got a thought in her head, there was no fighting it.  As they walked through the common room, through the portrait hole and into the main corridor, Fenrir tried his best not to succumb to frustration.  Every five feet another snogging couple, a bouquet of flowering snaps, winged hearts flying through the corridors...his knees buckled once in protest of the scene before him, but December didn't let up her hold and continued until she met a brick wall with unusual colouration.  "Now, you must promise not to tell anyone about this thing, okay?"

Fenrir would have laughed lightly, had it been within his personality to do so.  After all, who would he tell?  But he locked eyes with December in his way of confirmation, and she nodded.

"Alright.  Close your eyes."  Fen did as she commanded and felt her pulling him forward, as he recalled in the direction of the wall.  They slipped through seamlessly into an unknown room where Fenrir could sense others very close.  A male?  He didn't recognize this male, but something about him felt familiar, even though is eyes remained closed.

"Is everything ready?" the male asked.  His voice was light; a smooth tenor, and one Fenrir had never heard.

"Yup.  And hey, thanks for calling me," December answered with the usual smile in her tone.

"No problem.  I know we don't know each other very well, but well...she really needed this."

"So did he."

Fenrir was about to open his eyes when a firm hand came down over them.  "Not yet," spoke the male.  "We have just a few steps left."  Fenrir did not fight this one; he seemed determined as December to get him where he wanted him.

A few moments of silence ensued, before Fenrir felt himself falling.  What was happening?  Where were they?



When Aimee followed Nathan into the house, he led her swiftly to her room where the upright piano sat expectant and sad.  It was such a beautiful thing, and for the briefest moment she thought it might take her mind off her love.  But of course it did little to soothe, for it was only a brief touch of the keys and she remembered how much her playing had touched him.  Why did Nathan bring her here, of all places?

"Sit down."

The slender female went to sit at the piano bench when she felt a strong hand catch her arm and hold her fast.  "Not at the piano, silly.  I want to play you something."

Aimee forced a small smile and instead sat on her beautiful bed, crossing her legs neatly and leaning her chin on her hands.  "Something that'll cheer me up?"

"Hopefully," Nathan replied with a true smile, and he took a seat at the black instrument.  He had to adjust the bench due to the extreme height difference between himself and Aimee, but once he was comfortable with the position, he turned to Aimee and became serious.  "Now...close your eyes...and just listen to the song."

"Okay," Aimee answered in her soft, gentle voice, and she closed her eyes, sighing deeply.  As the lids touched and slid shut, Nathan set his fingers to the keys lightly, pressing them down.  A gentle minor chord floated on the air, and as he began to play, the mournful melody wove with a series of undertones and played upon the ear.  As the female fell into the sound, Nathan removed a wand from his jacket and tapped the keys lightly.  They continued to play, the song building and becoming more moving and incredible, and Nathan closed his eyes and was gone from the room.

Aimee was unaware of the absence of her friend.  She was so wrapped up in the music that she didn't even feel a new presence beside her.  As the song drew to a mournful and beautiful close, she sighed again, a few tears sparkling in her eyes.  "That was beautiful.  What was it called?"

"Valentine's Day," replied two voices, Nathan's and another that could only belong to...

"December?"  As Aimee pried her eyes open, the pair was seated at the piano, both smiling as they watched her.  "What are you..."

"Aimee?"

The girl turned to the voice beside her and her dark, almond eyes locked with a pair she knew all too well.  The scar was something that she wanted to see more than anything.  "Oh, Fenrir!"  She didn't give him a chance to react; she wrapped her arms around him tightly, the tears that had gathered from the song now cascading down her pale cheeks.

Fenrir was taken aback as she threw herself at him, but soon recovered and returned the embrace, holding her firmly and not wanting to let go.  How did December do this?  How did they even get him here for this?

"We'll be leaving you two alone then," December spoke with a laugh in her voice, nudging Nathan in the ribs.  "C'mon.  I'll tell your future for you with any celebrity crush you want."

"Even Jade Puget?" Nathan was sounding excited as he followed her into the hallway.

"Sure," December answered, her voice growing fainter.  "Just promise you'll tell me a good future with Angelina Jolie."

As the pair disappeared, Aimee turned her attention back to Fenrir.  She suddenly became very shy and reserved, her eyes watching him closely.  "I missed you."

Fenrir allowed a small smile to return hers.  "I missed you too."  And before the silence had time to settle, Aimee bridged the distance between them and brought her lips to his.

My insides all turned to ash, so slow
And blew away as I collapsed, so cold
A black wind took them away, from sight
And held the darkness over day, that night

And the clouds above move closer
Looking so dissatisfied
But the heartless wind kept blowing, blowing
I used to be my own protection, but not now
Cause my path had lost direction, somehow
A black wind took you away, from sight
And held the darkness over day, that night

And the clouds above move closer
Looking so dissatisfied
And the ground below grew colder
As they put you down inside
But the heartless wind kept blowing, blowing

So now you're gone, and I was wrong
I never knew what it was like, to be alone

On a Valentine's Day, on a Valentine's Day
On a Valentine's Day, on a Valentine's Day
On a Valentine's Day, on a Valentine's Day
(I used to be my own protection, but not now)
On a Valentine's Day, on a Valentine's Day
(Cause my mind has lost direction, somehow)
On a Valentine's Day, on a Valentine's Day
(I used to be my own protection, but not now)
On a Valentine's Day, on a Valentine's Day
(Cause my mind has lost direction, somehow)