The eyes of Winter

Chapter 11...Outside

The day dawned dark and cloudy. Sunday at Hogwart\'s was usually a quiet day spent
being lazy or finishing homework for the next days classes. Today was no different.

Winter didn\'t know what time it was but she could not hear any rustling noises
coming from above. All was silent. She had to get out, to leave this fortress. She
felt confined, almost chained, and she had to break free.

She dressed quickly in riding breeches and a hoodie that was heavily adorned with
safety pins and patches sewn on wildly here and there. The metal buttons jingling
softly as she zipped up her boots. She stuffed her wand in one and her riding crop
down the other, they made good hiding spots. She opened her small drawer and pulled
out a pack of Marlboro lights and some matches.

\'Fucking finally,\'she thought bitterly. She needed one more than anytime in her
life. She stuffed them deep in the hoodies\' pocket and headed for the door. Trying not
to make too much noise. Listening at the portrait door, nothing. Only Silence.

Winter looked, bending her neck around the picture frame. The hallway
was clear, only the flames burning flickering the shadows back and forth on the
wall. So she made her move.

She walked quickly, making her way to the dungeon exit. Stopping suddenly
before she stepped out into the actual hallway that everyone used, pulling
up her hood, and stuffing her hair in. Trying to hide her face as much as
possible.

Sounds were now audible as she moved into the main hallway. She passed
Professor Flitwick going into the Great Hall, and he was about to say
something but she darted out the huge doors before he could catch her.

The sky was gray and dreary, but no storm clouds threatened.

\'Good,\' she laughed to herself. \'Then I won\'t get blamed for it.\'

Only a couple other Slytherins were on the steps, rubbing their sleepy
eyes, and yawning widely. Dressed in green robes with some kind of
arm and leg protection. She vaguely remembered some wizarding sport
that was played. Had a weird name though, and it escaped her.

They spotted her, and stood open mouthed and the tall one began
to rub his eyes again. Maybe thinking he was still dreaming.

She smiled under her hood, it was kind of funny. Before she knew it
a giggle had come out, just before she passed them. It had felt good
to laugh, but she didn\'t want them to think she was crazy, but they
already probably did. To her amazement though, the two smiled at
her.

\'What the fuck?\' Her heart jumped into her throat. \'Why are they smiling,
is this some sort of gag?\'

She pulled back her hood and the wind whipped her hair loose, but their
smiles turned to looks of not fear, but amazement.

\"Woh!,\" the tall boy exclaimed. His eyes wide with what looked like shock,
but his eyes sparkled with wonder. \"Can I touch that thing?\"

Winter was taken aback for a moment. \'What is he talking about?\'
Then realization hit her. He was staring at her septum ring.

It was larger than most, shiny silver and it hung down between her
nostrils with a ball in the middle holding it together. She was
used to this, people always curious. Some having the balls to ask,
others just stared. It had never bugged her. Why be mean to someone
who only wants to look into something new and exciting? It obviously wasn\'t
any different in the wizarding community.

She half-smiled and gave in. Stepping closer to the boy in the green
robes. He was good looking with jet black hair and his eyes matched his
robes.

\"Alright man, whatever mows your lawn.\"

He laughed, and outstretched his hand, tentively at first, acting like it
or maybe her would bite him. His touch was a little shaky until his finger
made full contact. His friend was close too, right next to him. Watching
intently. He was shorter, with Chinese features and his eyes were nearly
black.

\"Wow! It\'s warm.\" He smiled again as he took his hand back. Still looking
at the other piercings.

Winter turned her eyes to the shorter one, still looking at her septum.

\"You too, huh?\" She laughed again. He nodded slowly and touched just like
his buddy had. His lips forming a huge smile, \"Wicked!\", he exclaimed.

\"Your Winter, right?\"

The tall boy had stepped back a little and was looking at her normally,
not staring now. He leaned on his broomstick, \"You know, we Slytherins
think what you did was bloody brilliant.\"

His friend chimed in, \"Talk about an entrance! Fucking incredible!\"
He looked down at the ground now, embarrassed by his lack of emotional
control.

\'So they think I did it on purpose! Fucking incredible indeed.\' She
could only smile to herself as it became clear what the others thought.

The tall one wiped his hand on his robe, and introduced himself.
\"I\'m Calub Flint,\" He stuck his hand out,\"and this is DJ Liu.\"

He motioned at DJ, who put out his hand and shook hers rather
excitedly.

\"I\'m Winter, but I guess you already knew that.\"

\"Yeah\", he laughed again. The two seventh year boys had heard all
about her. Only the Slytherin population wasn\'t tearing her down, and
talking badly. They were simply curious about their new house member.

They all had witnessed the incident in the Great Hall, but they didn\'t
fear her. She was one of theirs, and defiantly someone you needed on your
side. They all thought it was some sort of horrid trick to prove her power,
that had gotten out of hand. Even if it wasn\'t, it didn\'t take away from
what she had done. Not one of them had ever seen anything remotely close
to what had happened, and they all were curious if she could use it to
Slytherin House advantage.

\"Well guys, it was a pleasure I assure you.\"

After all these were her fellow Slytherins, and unless she wanted to spend
all her time alone in her private tomb, she needed to be at least half-way
decent to them. Besides she was out of there, and the wind tasted like it
was waiting for her.

\"I\'ll catch you guys later, I have some urgent business to attend to.\"

She waved to Calub, and turned to DJ giving him a traditional Chinese one
handed salute, bowing slightly. He was really caught off guard at this, but
recovered quickly and returned the gesture. Never taking his eyes off her until
she was at the end of the steps, turning right and disappearing behind the
castle wall.

DJ let a whistle escape his lips, looking back up to his friend. \"Damn, if that\'s
not hot, I don\'t know what is.\"

\"Hah,\" Calub scoffed at him.

\"Hey man! Even Cho wouldn\'t do that. It\'s a great show of respect, you know.
Bloody British git!\"

Calub was still chuckling as he started down the steps, with DJ in tow. He was
still trying to explain what just happened, but Calub not being the pillar of culture
just didn\'t get it. They were heading for the Quidditch pitch. Malfoy would be sure
to be along soon, after all he was their Captain. Not to mention it was all his idea
to train like crazy before the first match. Even if it was barely seven o\'clock in the
morning.

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