Don't *Look* Back, You're *Safe* Now (Open)

Ben walked through the hallways of the school undetected. Clearly the defense of Hogwarts was lacking. Anybody with a third grade education could have made it through. There was no point in him actually being here, but he felt the need to prove to himself that he could break in. Some useful information for Voldemort in the future. But as he walked around he couldn't shake the feeling that someone in the school had purposely let him in. His ego crushed this thought, yet the theory sat in the back of his head. A large group of students could be heard turning the corner. Ben's attention snapped his attention back into this world. He opened the nearest door and shut it quickly behind him.

His luck. Of course it happened to be the RoR. Ben chuckled and shook his head, someone was definitely playing with him. He walked into the middle of the room when he heard the door open. Ben slid into the shadows and pulled his wand out.

((Oh right. Just testing you ))

Ben glanced back at the door...or where the door had been. He swore under his breath and quickly scanned the room for any other signs of an exit. Great. Just perfect. He watched the girl seated by the flames. As the flames got higher, their tendrils dlcikered light further and further into the room. There was no place to hide now. His shadow clearly danced along the wall. Ben gripped his wand tightly and waited for the girl to notice his presence. Maybe by some stroke of luck she wouldn't freak and help him get out of here.

Ben smirked when she turned around. There was no doubt, a beautiful face like that, veela. He could taste no fear from her. The confidence in her voice was unmistakeable. Ben took a step into the light, the flames reflected in his grey eyes. The devilish twinkle in his eye was illuminated by the flickers. He debated telling her his name. Probably wasn't a good idea. "Nobody. Just a...passerby."

Ben was actually rather disappointed at her reaction. Not even a angry curse or scream of terror. But her lack of enthusiasm piqued his interest. She was different. The unique color of her eyes captured his full attention. "A way out of here would be nice. You look like you need the company though." Ben grinned. Yeah he never was one for thinking his words through. That last part was supposed to be a thought.

Ben found her attitude towards him terribly depressing. He seated himself next to her without a word. The silence was unbearable for him. "Benjamin Kanst." He said suddenly. Something had to be said to break the tension. "So what's your story? Lovely and lonely, not a combination you see everyday."

"Pretty name. It fits you." Ben met her gaze with a grin. This close he could see the pain reflected in those stunning eyes. A familiar look he had once seen staring back at him in the mirror. The Veela charm was hard to resist, but Ben knew his self control.

"Friends don't get you anywhere in life." He muttered with sudden bitterness. "They all abandon you eventually. Who cares what people think? It won't matter when they're dead now will it? They're loss if they can't find a friend in you." Ben flashed her a grin. "You can't hide behind that smile forever."

"I'm only saying the truth. There are no thanks necessary when one merely speaks the truth." Ben gave her another rare smile of his. The light sensation of her breath was enough to raise the hairs on the back on his neck.

He chuckled lightly at the quote. Shakespeare. A curious choice. He flinched at her warm touch. It felt hot and alive against his cold skin. He could nearly feel the blood pulsing through her veins. Ben closed his eyes briefly before snapping the wide open to meet her sapphire blue stare. Her question didn't even register with him. "Just Ben. I never liked the formalness of Benjamin."

Ben couldn't help but keep his smile while he was around her. A part of him longed to know more about her. The other part of him told himself to keep quiet. After years of being alone, he had set up a barrier. Still he couldn't shake the feeling that Catalina knew too much of loneliness. Her warm touch left a tingling sensation behind. He titled his head at her question. "Years. But you can never fully take control." He paused for a second. "Like now. Mere luck that I've stayed in control for so long."

"Maybe so." Ben laughed softly and shook his head. "True, wasn't my initial intention to find you. Actually I was just erm..well breaking into the school. Just to see if I could do it. What about you Catalina? Hiding from something?"

Ben returned her stare, he wondered what she was looking for. He raised an eyebrow slightly as if to ask her. Her question didn't come as a surprise to him. After all, he hadn't even bothered trying to hide the Dark Mark. "Yes. I am." Ben nodded and unconsciously traced the skull on his arm. He watched her and could she the loneliness she felt. Cautiously, Ben reached out and brushed a loose strand of her hair out of her face. "Hiding never works well. It will still catch up to you eventually Catalina."

Ben smiled at her sudden interest. "No one is close to the Dark Lord, just loyal. He offers a way out. Something you want and need." He looked down and flexed his fingers. "I've only known war. So that's what he gives me. The Order thinks that the good in people will be enough for them to win. How wrong they are. No one cares about anyone but themselves. They can deny it all they want, we know the truth."

The tears were expected. He wiped one tear away before conjuring a handkerchief and handed it to her. "Don't be sorry." Ben smiled softly. "Being a Death Eater doesn't mean I have to be cold and unfeeling. You haven't done anything to wrong me. I'm not a kind person. I'm like the rest of them, the only difference is I don't condemn those like you. I understand what it's like."

He shifted slightly and kept his unwavering focus on her. "Then tell me. What can save you?"

"Favorites, yes. But I wouldn't know. He doesn't trust me too much." Ben laughed and smiled softly. The smile was quickly erased and replaced with a frown. He felt a deep pang in his chest when Catalina spoke of sacrifice. He ran his hand through his hair. "That someone...is long gone. I would have given my life for her. Now it's just me though." Ben gave her a half-hearted smirk.

Memories that he had long forgotten were starting to return. The laughter. He looked into the fire and could almost feel her at his side again. Ben shook his head as if the motion would shake the memories out. He stood up to hide the pain and anger. "Death Eaters. We're the cowards who run because we can't stand to fight. We're the ones that no one wants. The rejects." He spat with sudden anger. "That's why we're condemned. Because we're different."


He turned back to look at Catalina. "I'm not the person to ask."