InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Don't Panic!"

Helena Morgaine Ravenclaw (helenaraven) wrote in houseofgaunt,
@ 2008-08-22 22:25:00

Who: Helena Ravenclaw and Regulus Black (the 1st)
When: August 22nd, 3000, evening
Where: Hogwarts Grounds
Summary: The daughter of Rowena returns
Rating: PG for angst and blood
Status: Incomplete

Her life had ended in fear, surprise, stubbornness, and betrayal. Helena was a thief and a runaway. But it was her life. IT had ended with her intended finding her, asking her to come to her dying mother's side, Helena's refusal, and then her death - stabbed by her fiancé.

Crimson blackened her deep blue dress. Her already pale skin went white and soon she was gone.

But now she felt again. Soft grass and firm earth. Helena breathed in deeply, wincing at what she thought was her abdomen ripped and slashed. Fresh air and natural scents filled her nose. Opening her dark eyes, she gazed up at the darkening sky.

Oh dear...Merlin Helena thought as she slowly brought trembling fingers to her shivering lips. Turning her head, she caught sight of the castle. Home. She was so afraid, so unprepared.

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reggieblack
2008-08-24 10:40 pm UTC (link)

Another dreadful day of exploring the cities he was once so familiar with had failed to turn up any work Regulus felt was worth doing. He knew the sooner or later he would have to settle for anything that would put money in his pocket, something that would help him on his way to becoming an independent man in this strange and dangerous time. Like any other day he had spent in this new life, he took the later part of the day to stroll across the grounds of Hogwarts. To contemplate his many shortcomings, the failures of his past life. A small part of him knew that it was not wise, that he was falling to quickly into depression, but he chose not to listen to that reasonable part of himself. He chose instead to feed into his own self-pity. He was becoming quite talented at it, actually.

He was about to take up his usual seat on the sloping ground from where he could gaze at the lake and plan the following day when his senses were suddenly piqued. He turned his head sharply to spot a woman looking up at the castle. His first thought was that it was probably Merope Gaunt since he had run into her out here before, but realised the shape of her was different. The hair, as well. Someone new.

He approached her cautiously, worried he might startle her, unsure of what to say. Finally he settled on, "The castle is a welcome sight after a long day away," as if speaking to someone who had been expecting him.

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helenaraven
2008-08-24 10:49 pm UTC (link)

Helena's centuries of ghostly existence were a blur. The moments before and of her death were burned into the back of her mind. Her once royal blue dress was blackened at her abdomen from dried blood.

She sat there with her legs folded her herself. The young woman didn't hear Regulus' footfalls. Helena turned her head and jumped at the man's words and presence. Her eyes were as wide as saucers as she gazed up at him.

"I do not remember how I came to be here," Helena replied, first as a rasp but soon filled out.

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reggieblack
2008-08-24 11:17 pm UTC (link)

His eyes widened slightly as he saw he face. There was something familiar about it, but he couldn't place her. He pushed the recognition away, deciding she must simply resemble someone he had known in the past. She certainly didn't seem to recognise him, after all.

"I'm not sure any of us are familiar with how we came here," he sighed, unsure of how to phrase things. Of what to tell her. From her confusions and presence at Hogwarts he concluded she was probably like him and so many others. Another person brought back from the dead. He wondered how much she already knew, if she had already been told anything, if she had figured anything out yet.

"Personally, I died over a thousand years ago, yet here I am. Good as new, living and breathing and young," He tried his best to give her a sympathetic smile, "It's all a bit confusing, really. The most difficult part is no one seems to know why."

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helenaraven
2008-08-25 08:47 am UTC (link)

Helena breathed deeply as she dropped her hand to her abdomen. Twinges of memory radiated. Sitting on the castle's grounds were bringing back soft echoes of her afterlife. It was so unsettling to someone who was always learning and very knowledgeable.

She blinked up at Regulus, not sure if she had seen him before. She may or may not have. Dying, being dead, being a ghost, finding peace of non-existence was a murky roller coaster. She was now alive again and she had no clue.

"I...died...in Albania," Helena offered as she lowered her head. "I was eighteen." She smoothed her free hand over her face. Yes, still eighteen.

She looked back up at Regulus with a hint of the old Helena - smart, proper, and a tiny bit proud. "...Must have taken a very powerful wizard, I think, to bring people back from the dead."

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reggieblack
2008-08-26 12:51 am UTC (link)

"Too young," Regulus shook his head with a sigh, before putting on a more cheerful expression, "Albania, though? I've never been, personally. And to think I only died over soup in my dining room. How very dull."

He kept his smile firmly in place as best he could, trying to look reassuring. Feeling a bit reassured when she looked at him with a touch more confidence. He figured it was her own personality shining through rather than his own weak attempt to help her, but it made him feel better all the same.

"We can only assume, obviously," He shrugged in reply, "I really don't know much myself, but I'm attempting to learn what I can. Everything is very different from when I knew it. Probably from when you knew it as well."

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	helenaraven 2008-08-26 01:44 pm UTC (link)
	"Albania is beautiful...," she commented and sighed. Helena took another look at the castle and then the lake. It looked the same, but for a few differences in the parapets. Something had happened in her absence. Blinking, Helena looked back up at Regulus and held out her right hand for help in standing. "The castle has suffered damage in my time gone." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	reggieblack 2008-08-26 01:52 pm UTC (link)
	"No one has used it as a school in nealy a thousand years. It's suffered some neglect in that time, I'm afraid," Regulus explained, "In the United Kingdom, at least, people haven't taught the children as they should." Regulus paused for a moment and then held offered his hand to help her up, "We can go inside if you would like." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	helenaraven 2008-08-26 03:38 pm UTC (link)
	"A thousand years?" Helena asked as she gripped Regulus's hand and stood up. She felt slightly heavy. That was odd. "I am not sure. Are the wards still maintaining the structure? I mean...is it still safe?" she asked. The young woman fought to hide the bit of dread to enter Hogwarts again. It was like coming home. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

reggieblack
2008-08-26 07:01 pm UTC (link)

He nodded stiffly, "The year is 3000 now and much as changed, but I believe the wards are intact. Others brought back from death have sought temporary refuge here, so I figure it must still be a place of some safety. The castle still stands, at least, although the lack of care means its age has finally started to show despite the old magic that protects it."

He glanced up at the castle, its state of disrepair more obvious each time he studied the structure. Perhaps the wards had weakened in the time it went without caretakers, but they still held strong. The castle could be brought back to it's former glory. Perhaps it could even serve as a school once more.

A frowned briefly darkened his face, "I'm sorry. I'm telling you all of this as a stranger. I didn't mean to seem rude, approaching you like that. My name is Regulus Black, and I'm more than willing to answer any question you may have and help you in any way I can. This is a strange situation, and I think it would be useful if we...well, you know. Birds of a feather should stick together."

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helenaraven
2008-08-26 08:31 pm UTC (link)

Her eyes widened once more at the year. Nearly 2,000 years since she was alive. "Do you know who resides there presently?" Helena asked as she gently let go of Regulus's hand.

Being on the grounds was starting to stir other memories in Helena's mind. It was frightening and disconcerting. She was direction-less.

Inhaling deeply, Helena raised her chin slightly and curtsied slightly at Regulus's introduction. "My name is Helena Ravenclaw. Thank you, Lord Regulus." Manners, politeness. She was not without poise even with the curiosity and fear of the situation. The young woman smiled at the "birds of a feather" comment.

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reggieblack
2008-08-27 02:15 am UTC (link)

"Well I, for one, am living there for now. I've run into a girl I used to know and I've heard the name Slytherin, but overall I tend to stick to my own company while in the castle," He shrugged apologetically, sorry he had not been more alert to who else may be housed within the castle.

His eyes widened slightly at her name, but even so he was quick to return her curtsy with a bow. He had manners, after all. However scarcely he may use them. His lips twitched at the title, "No need for all that Miss - or I suppose it is Lady? - Ravenclaw. As important as my family may have been, I was never made a lord. Nothing more than a master of my own home, so please feel free to call me Regulus."

He offered her his arm even as he turned towards the castle where the main entrance would be, deciding not to comment on her name. He believe he knew who she was, although he had never studied much on the school founders.

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helenaraven
2008-08-27 08:24 am UTC (link)

Slytherin...Salazar. Helena thought to herself as Regulus spoke. It still felt so surreal to be here again. Maybe...just maybe her mother had not returned. Yet, she wished that things could have been different.

She nodded her head at "Lady". "Regulus," she smiled softly. "Respect where politeness is," Helena added.

Graciously, Helena took his arm and turned towards the castle. "I do hope the library is still well."

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reggieblack
2008-08-27 11:53 pm UTC (link)

"It is quite well, dear Lady, although now all of it's tomes are a touch outdated. No one has bothered stocking it with newer books since the castle was abandoned, but these stone walls have done well in protecting what knowledge it held," Regulus answered honestly, walking towards the castle's front entrance.

"I'm sure you will want to explore the castle as it is now, freshen up, and, perhaps, eat," He began, hoping those were thing she would actually want to do and that he wasn't putting words in his mouth, "And you are welcome to do all those things and more, but when you are comfortable I can escort you to the Ministry if you would like. I am sure they could explain better than I the changes that have taken place in the last millennium."

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helenaraven
2008-08-28 06:51 pm UTC (link)

"No tome is outdated," Helena smirked. "All knowledge will lend to that not written." She blinked and looked at the castle's front entrance. Tendrils of memory were finding their way back. They were of feeling so light and alone. But she had been content over the centuries.

"Yes, freshen up and eat. I do not know about exploring the castle just yet. I do not want to disturb anyone, she replied as she looked over at Regulus. Nodding, she fought the urge to bite her lip. Would the Ministry, after all of these centuries, want to bring her to justice for stealing....her mother's diadem?

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reggieblack
2008-08-28 07:52 pm UTC (link)

"Touché," Regulus exclaimed with a crack of laughter following, "I suppose what I meant, then, is that there are no books from recent years that build upon known knowledge and take it even further."

"I'll take you to the wing of the castle I've been staying in. I believe there are other empty rooms there, set up for guests," They had approached the stone steps that lead up to the door, and he stepped up them easily to hold the door open for her. Glimpsing the briefest flash of worry on her face, "Is there something bothering you, Lady Ravenclaw?"

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helenaraven
2008-08-29 08:27 pm UTC (link)

She smirked at his laughter. "Pardon one of my rare moments at humour."

"Good," Helena answered and paused as she stood before the door. Shaking her head and blinking, she replied, "No...probably just adjusting to being...you know...alive again." It was a lie, but she didn't want to be pitied or overly protected. Yet, the worry and disorientation despite the familiar surroundings.

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reggieblack
2008-08-30 05:59 am UTC (link)

"It's a terribly drastic change, and the world is very different from how we remember it," Regulus nodded solemnly, "But I'm sure we'll all find a way to survive here. Some of us might even find ways to be useful and make up for our pasts."

Regulus felt himself shrugged again, clearing thoughts of is own past from his head. That was certainly one thing he disliked about being alive again and not having much to do. He had far too much time to reflect on his mistakes and shortcomings, "The rooms are upstairs. First floor, second corridor."

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	helenaraven 2008-09-02 08:50 am UTC (link)
	Helena grinned softly at Regulus' words, using that to distract her from the odd sensations that being inside the castle again was producing. She turned her head and looked about, mentally seeing the location he described. Good. Not the tower. Helena nodded, "I do not know if either resting or eating would be more beneficial at the moment." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	reggieblack 2008-09-03 05:31 pm UTC (link)
	"Well, thinking of my own first evening back, I would have to say eating. My mind was buzzing with so many questions that I couldn't rest no matter how much I wanted to," Regulus offered, "Even if you don't want to eat, I'm sure a warm drink would be helpful." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	helenaraven 2008-09-04 04:32 pm UTC (link)
	She nodded, there were so many questions and fears buzzing her head that she was sure that she'd not sleep for perhaps more than one night. "A warm drink sounds lovely." (Reply to this) (Parent)