Chance Meetings (Open)

Kiera stood on the banks of the Black Lake, watching the water lapping serenely at the shores. She was planning to drop in on the Headmistress sometime later, because currently she was watching the sun set, dark and red over the darker waters.

Like blood......

Humphrey Williams was heading towards the Black Lake at Hogwarts, just because he loved looking at the sun on the water. It calmed him, and reminded him of the beauty in the world. Surprisingly, somebody was standing by the Black Lake already. "Hello." he said.

Then as he got closer to the figure and she came into focus he realized it was Kiera, from the weapons shop. "Oh, hi Miss Auvergne. How are you tonight?" Humphrey asked. She was staring out at the lake, and the almost animal look was in her eyes for some strange reason. What was she thinking about?

Kiera stiffened slightly. Anyone else would have jumped, or made a sound, but Kiera's self-control was too polished for that. Reluctantly, she tore her eyes away from the blood-red sun, and glanced at the person standing behind her. He looked vaguely familiar.

Then she remembered. It was Humphrey, the boy who bought the Boots.

I really need to socialise with people a bit more often, if I forget their faces that easily.

Kiera turned fully and looked at Humphrey with a calm, unsmiling face. "Hello Humphrey."

"Beautiful sunset, isn't it? This is my second favorite spot to come too. My very favorite spot is that old abandoned tower, it has a window that is facing the lake that gives a spectacular view." he told her. He wondered how things had gone with the Headmistress. Assuming it had been a heated exchange knowing both of them.

"So, how was your meeting with the Headmistress? Did you get permission for me to work at your shop on the weekends?" Humphrey asked her. Hopefully, he would be able to go there every weekend and not just Hogsmeade weekends.

"I was planning to meet her after the sunset actually." Kiera cast her eyes back on the great splash of crimson in the sky, reflected in the Lake. "In all the twenty-one years of my life, I have never missed a sunset yet."

"So." Kiera tilted her head towards Humphrey. "Have you used the Boots yet?"

"Wow, that is an impressive feat, never missing a sunset. I try not too, because they are breathtaking here. Sometimes I even try to paint or sketch the sunset over this lake, but it is very difficult to capture the reflection of the setting sun off the lake. Hopefully I will eventually get it though." he told her. Art was one of Humphrey's passions in life. And his work had improved over the past year.

"Yes I have. I wore them when I was leaving Hogwarts to explore. They were fantastic, I've never been so comfortable hiking through the woods. Also, it felt like I was lighter, I moved quicker than I usually did. It also didn't make much noise, which shocked me, because they are boots after all. I absolutely love them, thank you so much for letting me have them. Somehow, I get the feeling they might one day save my life." he told her. It was true, he always managed to get into trouble. But with the boots on his feet, it would be hard for the trouble to catch him.

“I find a curious beauty in sunsets, the way the light of the day fades out into night……red into black……” Kiera’s eyes stared off somewhere far, far into the distance.

Then she suddenly snapped out of it. “You’re an artist? I’m not surprised. In a way, I guess you could even call me an artist. A connoisseur. I admire the intricate art on ancient temples and ruins, from where I get my intricately carved weapons.”

Then Kiera raised an eyebrow. “You were able to sense the difference of the Boots on your first day itself? That is impressive.” Then she paused. “Oh and since you are going to be working at Cruor, do you have any idea what you’re supposed to do?”

"I've always loved sunsets as well, the way the sun's light ends with either red, orange, pink, and sometimes purple as it sets is beautiful. There isn't any other time of day except for sunrise that the lighting is even remotely similar. Each sunset is unique, and that is why I love painting and sketching them. Unique things are what gives a drawing or painting its personality, and sets it apart from other artist's works." Humphrey told her. He had developed a passion for art in his first year at Hogwarts.

"You could definitely consider yourself a bit of an artist, Miss Auvergne. The deadly weapons, particularly that sabre you showed me, have a deadly artistic quality to them. In their own way, they are works of art in and of themselves." he said.

"Yes, I was. Why is that surprising, though?" Humphrey asked her. "I actually don't really know what I am going to be doing. Obviously, I'll be learning more about magical weaponry, but I don't really know what that entails yet. I was hoping you woiuld tell me, or just show me on my first day of work with you."

"It is surprising because very few humans have the senses and instincts sharp enough to sense such subtle differences in their movement and body mass. It takes years of practice." Kiera's eyes sharpened. It does help if the person has creature blood in his veins. Could it be that this boy......

"Anyway, as far as the work in Cruor is concerned, I'm obviously not going to let you handle the weapons right from the start. You'd probably be helping around, attending to the customers. An important thing which you could attend to is advertising. This is war time, and many students in Hogwarts would be interested in added protection in the form of weapons. You could spread the word around about Cruor."

Kiera raised an eyebrow, "As a first assignment, get atleast one customer for Cruor. Can you do that?"

"Oh, well I've played sports since I was a kid, and I've always paid attention to balance and things like that. Maybe that's why I noticed it right away. Normally I know exactly what to do to land correctly after jumping, or to make sharp turns. Just something I've always been good at." Humphrey explained to her. He'd always have a passion for all sports. Especially Quidditch.

"Alright, I could work on advertising at Hogwarts I guess. I'm not sure how many people will be brave enough to go into Knockturn Alley, but I'll spread the word around." he told her. It sounded like a very interesting thing to do. The teenager suspected he would enjoy the job.

"I'll try to round up a customer. Fairly sure I know a couple of people in my year who would be interested. We'll see if I can get them to come."

"Well, sports is always something to be passionate about. Like Quidditch. Especially Quidditch on Hippogryffs." Kiera couldn't quite resist giving Humphrey a small, tiny wink.

"Okay, so next weekend I'll be expecting you at Cruor. Bring a customer along with you if you can. After the sale, I'll teach you about a few more weapons, and how to handle them. Deal?" asked Kiera with something similar to a smile.

"Yea, I love sports. It helps keep me healthy too, which is good. Quidditch on Hippogriffs?!?! Are you serious? That sounds amazing!" Humphrey exclaimed. He could picture it perfectly in his head, it looked awesome. If there was such a thing, he would definitely have to play it sometime.

"Alright, I'll be there. Hopefully with one or two friends with me. Awesome, I'd love to learn more about weaponry. Definitely a good deal. Can't wait for next weekend already." he told her.

"Well, I am going to head back to my dorm now. Before I get caught out here. See you next weekend." Humphrey said. Then he walked back into the castle, making sure to step carefully and conceal himself in shadows.

Kiera watched Humphrey walk off with a smile. The boy was among the first people in ages to leave a good impression on her. Smart, dedicated, passionate about what he did.........Humphrey would definitely make a good addition to Cruor. Especially if he managed to convince customers. Because no matter how good Kiera might be at weapons, she wasn't really the salesperson types.

Kiera smirked and turned to look back at the Lake. She would definitely have to introduce Humphrey to Quidditch on Hippogryffs sometime.