Closed To See You Again

[Avaria Lockwood]

Ava was covered in paint. On the other hand, her newest project was done. It was a colored galaxy, a large print, and she loved it. She just wasn't sure who to give it to. Feeling upbeat, Ava plopped down at the piano. She started to play one of her favorite songs. She wasn't much for singing. The music washed over her, and she couldn't help but giggle. She was in a great mood today. Maybe she should go find Vader later and make sure he wasn't working too hard. She didn't notice anyone enter the room.

 

[Elio Zephyr]

It was definitely strange to be back. It all get so new all over again even though it had been his home for two years. On his way back from the Great Hall, Elio was in route to the common room when he heard the music playing a little way down. He’s not been big into music beyond whatever seemed popular for the time, but the fourth year was drawn to investigate to see who was playing. “I didn’t know you could play the piano,” he commented, leaning in the door frame with his arms crossed over his chest as he smiled cheekily towards his friend.

 

[Avaria Lockwood]

Ava hardly registered the voice that spoke. "You'd know lots if you didn't run away," She commented offhandedly, still caught up in the music. It took her all of two seconds later to realize why it was that voice was so vaguely familiar. She shot out of her seat, whirling around. In her haste, she tripped over the stool she'd just been sitting on. She hit the floor with a thud. Nose throbbing, Ava scrambled to her feet quickly and bolted for the boy in the door. "ZEPHYR!" She squealed, running at him full speed and launching into a hug. She couldn't help but giggle madly as her arms wrapped around his neck. She might have jumped a bit to get there. She couldn't quite remember how it happened, she just knew that it had.

 

[Elio Zephyr]

Elio was the last person on earth who would have run away from Hogwarts. He was about to protest to her comments when she shot out of her seat and came barreling towards him. He was taller and broader than he was a few years ago, recalling the trip into the lake they'd both had after Avaria was in her arms, or on the floor of the student lounge when the Ravenclaw had jumped on his back as a first year. This time he was stronger, and he was prepared. Even her weight didn't knock him back, and instead he was able to lift her straight up off the floor in a massive bear hug, planting a kiss in her hair and she hugged him back, hoping she hadn't hurt herself too much in the fall. It had been an eternity that he'd been away from the school, and he was overjoyed to be back. "I can see you haven't changed," he joked, returning her feet to the floor. "What are you working on, huh?" he asked her, glancing back to the piano where she'd been sat, moving past her and bounding across to see what she was doing before she could stop him.

 

[Avaria Lockwood]

Ava giggled as Zephyr caught her up in a hug. "We have so much we need to catch up on!" She tried to snuggle in, but he'd already set her down and hurried to the piano. "Ahem," She cleared her throat dramatically, hands on her hips. "Did you miss the paint? Yes, I play," She winked mischievously. "But that was not what I was here for originally." She giggled and skipped over to the large painting on the easel. "Behold!" She declared dramatically, turning it so the painting of the swirling galaxy was visible.

 

[Elio Zephyr]

“Of course we do!” He replied, glad that she thought so too. Ava had been one of his first friends when they had joined the school so he was happy that she hadn’t forgotten him. He looked up when the Ravenclaw dramatically asked if he’d missed her painting, and turned to see the easel with the painting. “What in the world is that meant to be?” He teased, knowing full well it looks like the stars but enjoying playing around with his friend, “Did you sneeze and get the colours mixed up or something?” He asked, trying to keep a serious face as though he couldn’t make out what it was supposed to be.

 

[Avaria Lockwood]

Ava's eyes widened as Zephyr claimed to not know what it was. She looked between the two for a moment, feigning surprise at his words. "You- you don't know?" She tried to sound hurt. "Well, maybe this will help!" She declared, quickly snatching a tube of red paint and rushing closer, squeezing it so red paint went flying at him. "Can you see what color this is?" She teased, giggling madly.

 

[Elio Zephyr]

Elio thought Ava was hurt for a moment, but then before he knew it he had red paint flying towards him. He couldn’t react fast enough to stop her from covering him in it, so just stood there and accepted his red fate with a glum smile. “I cannot believe you just did that,” he said, mocking a serious tone. Wiping his hand across his face he realised there was a lot on there, and there was only one place this was going. Suddenly he rushed out towards the Ravenclaw, waving his hand in front of her and smearing the paint straight across her face before bursting into a fit of giggles. He’d missed messing around with her.

 

[Avaria Lockwood]

Ava giggled as Zephyr stood there, dripping red. "Now you really are a Gryffindor!" She teased, sticking her tongue out at him as he tried to sound serious. She didn't buy it. She squealed as he painted her in turn. She spun, running for the other paints. "Let's see if you'd look good as a Ravenclaw!" She teased, snatching up a tube of darker blue paint before turning and running towards him. This paint war was so on! She giggled madly. Merlin, had she missed her friend.