Phoenix Rising (Elle)

[Alecsander]

February 14, 2039


The Broomsticks was never going to be a romantic date-night destination--not if you were an adult. It was a reasonable enough pub, and students might flock here on weekends but when it came to a drink and a bite to eat they had few choices. Still, they had redecorated slightly in effort to capitalize on Valentine's day. Little flames flickered in jars on the red tablecloths, a few other odds and ends which really didn't interest Alex very much, as he flicked his gaze around the room without pausing to really take in the surroundings, because at that moment Elle walked in.

The auror stood immediately, unable to take his eyes off his date. She was small and dainty, but anyone who mistook that for fragile was in for a rude awakening. She looked gorgeous, he knew he probably looked like a loon, staring at her, but he couldn't believe his luck sometimes. As she finally reached their table Alex reached out to take her hand, leaning down to give her a brief kiss before pulling her chair out, seating first Elle and then himself.

"Hey, y-you look- look great."

[Elle Callahan]

It was 2039 and Hogsmeade still had very few choices when it came to date night options. It was a quite little village, every day like the one before. It probably hadn't changed much since it's creation in the middle ages. Not that Elle minded, it just made it a bit of a challenge to find a nice spot for a romantic date. There was no way in hell she would ever step foot in the tea shop with Alex Kameren. The place was hideous with all of the pretty little china patterns and hundreds of shades of pink. The place even smelled pink. The whole place put Elle on edge and if it did that to her she could imagine what torture it would be for Alex. Then of course there was the dark and dingy Hogshead. It was a little too off the beaten path for Valentines day. Barely more than a room with a bar. It was a good place to get pissed but not much else. That left the broomsticks.


What did one wear to their neighboring watering hole on Valentines day? Elle wanted to look nice but not too fancy. It was Valentines day. She needed to look dressy but it wasn't a dressy place. It was silly. She shouldn't have put so much effort into her outfit but she did. This would be the first time she saw Alex since she took the post at Hogwarts. Well saw him in person. The little image of his face in the two way mirrors didn't count. Taking a deep breath Elle entered the pub. What if he had an emergency and didn't show? What if it all went to shit and they broke up? What... Merlin's beard Alex is hot. Elle's brain just stopped working as she caught sight of Alex. She grinned at him as she took in his appearance. She wasn't the only one who had made an effort at being presentable.

Elle walked over him, trying not to trip in her heeled boots. She had made an effort to be a little taller with three added inches but in reality it didn't make much difference. She could wear stilts and still be shorter than him. The kiss was short and sweet and felt right. It had been a long time since Elle had kissed him. She had been worried about the feel of his lips on hers. Would it be different? Would it freak her out? Would she suddenly go nuts in the middle of the pub and have a flashback? Nope. It was nice kiss that reawakened butterflies.

Elle slid into the offered chair, eyes roaming over Alex. He didn't have any new scars or missing body parts. Must have been a boring month in law enforcement.

"Hey, y-you look- look great."

"Thanks," Elle said with a cheerful grin, "I was going for sweet fairy," She joked. "You clean up good your self. How have you been?" Elle asked a bit nervous. Best to start at the basics.

[Alecsander]

"Thanks," Elle said with a cheerful grin, "I was going for sweet fairy," She joked. "You clean up good your self. How have you been?" Elle asked a bit nervous. Best to start at the basics.

He handed her one of the two menus, opening his own to look at the specials. It had been nice to kiss her again, though there had been a little apprehension in his mind. They might move slowly but they would move past this, they wouldn't allow the kidnapping to wreck them.

"Thank you. The ministry is very busy," he didn't need to go into the problems in depth, not that he wished to. Mostly he wanted to sit and enjoy Elle's company, without the shadow of Ministry or war overhead. "You seem to be settling into Hogwarts alright. I know you've been very busy this last month, right?"

Movement caught his eye as a waitress started making her way over, pad of paper and quill trailing along in her wake.

[Elle Callahan]

It felt good sitting in the pub with Alex. Giddy nerves bubbled up inside of Elle. She fought down the urge to giggle like a school girl. Instead she just stared at him, taking in the sight. He looked good. Tired but good. Elle wondered how many hours was he putting in at the ministry? Probably too many. Elle took the offered menu, her fingers grazing Alex's. A small smile tugged at her lips as a familiar tingle danced up her arm.

"Thank you. The ministry is very busy," he didn't need to go into the problems in depth, not that he wished to. Mostly he wanted to sit and enjoy Elle's company, without the shadow of Ministry or war overhead. "You seem to be settling into Hogwarts alright. I know you've been very busy this last month, right?"


"This month has been crazier than a hippogryff in mating season. I forgot how idiotic teenagers could be," Elle said with a laugh. Despite the challenges she loved her job. In someways it was slower than St. Mungos but challenging in a different way. "There's this new fad going around where the girls are trying to change the color of their eyes. Except its not working and I've had four girls in the wing this week with creature eyes instead of a different color." Elle said with a sigh as she skimmed through the menu.

"Want to do the three course love bird special?" She asked looking at the special for Valentines day. Lovers got an appetizer, two entrees and desert. It sounded like a good deal to Elle.

[Alecsander]

He lifted a brow at her as he handed her a menu, seeing the amusement bubbling across her face. It was good to see, even though he could still see new lines of tiredness. Settling into a new job though, and at Hogwarts. With the War on, he couldn't imagine it was a quiet place to work.

"This month has been crazier than a hippogryff in mating season. I forgot how idiotic teenagers could be," Elle said with a laugh. Despite the challenges she loved her job. In someways it was slower than St. Mungos but challenging in a different way. "There's this new fad going around where the girls are trying to change the color of their eyes. Except its not working and I've had four girls in the wing this week with creature eyes instead of a different color." Elle said with a sigh as she skimmed through the menu.

He couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head over his menu as Elle told her story. He was glad he didn't have any teenagers-- but that wasn't quite right true, was it? He had Jamie, didn't he? It was odd to think about. And Morag was seemingly destabilizing, so he might have a crash course in parenting faster than he thought.

"Want to do the three course love bird special?" She asked looking at the special for Valentines day. Lovers got an appetizer, two entrees and desert. It sounded like a good deal to Elle.

"Hmm?" He was pulled back to the present by Elle, eyes focusing back on his menu. "You want the pasta?" He asked, finally spying the special she'd mentioned. "It looks good." Grilled chicken and Alfredo pasta with spinach.

[Elle Callahan]

"This month has been crazier than a hippogryff in mating season. I forgot how idiotic teenagers could be," Elle said with a laugh. Despite the challenges she loved her job. In someways it was slower than St. Mungos but challenging in a different way. "There's this new fad going around where the girls are trying to change the color of their eyes. Except its not working and I've had four girls in the wing this week with creature eyes instead of a different color." Elle said with a sigh as she skimmed through the menu.


Merlin's beard it was a Valentine's day miracle. Alex-I-Don't-laugh- kameren was chuckling. The deep sound made Elle feel all squishy and a bit of her nerves melted away. They would be okay. She would be okay. Not today and probably not tomorrow but eventually she would be okay. It wasn't hopeless. She could overcome the doubts and the fears that she could never be touched again. She was determined to not let Peter win.


"Want to do the three course love bird special?" She asked looking at the special for Valentines day. Lovers got an appetizer, two entrees and desert. It sounded like a good deal to Elle.

"Hmm?" He was pulled back to the present by Elle, eyes focusing back on his menu. "You want the pasta?" He asked, finally spying the special she'd mentioned. "It looks good." Grilled chicken and Alfredo pasta with spinach.

"Yes! Did you want to share dragon wings for the appetizer?" Elle said with a flash of her old wicked grin. She remembered the last time they had dragon wings. "Don't worry I don't think there is any karaoke tonight. Shame you were quite good,"

[Alecsander]

"Hmm?" He was pulled back to the present by Elle, eyes focusing back on his menu. "You want the pasta?" He asked, finally spying the special she'd mentioned. "It looks good." Grilled chicken and Alfredo pasta with spinach.

"Yes! Did you want to share dragon wings for the appetizer?" Elle said with a flash of her old wicked grin. She remembered the last time they had dragon wings.

"Only if we don't get the dragonfire ones," he countered, while he liked spicy food just as much as the next person, Elle took it to not the next level, but several levels above. Honestly he wasn't sure how she still had tastebuds. They gave their order to the waitress, who disappeared as swiftly as she came. It was a busy night for the Broomsticks.

"Don't worry I don't think there is any karaoke tonight. Shame you were quite good,"

"I'm glad you think so," he smirked, reaching across the table to take her hand in one of his rough, scarred ones. "I was hoping to impress."

[Elle Callahan]

Yes! Did you want to share dragon wings for the appetizer?" Elle said with a flash of her old wicked grin. She remembered the last time they had dragon wings.

"Only if we don't get the dragonfire ones," he countered, while he liked spicy food just as much as the next person, Elle took it to not the next level, but several levels above. Honestly he wasn't sure how she still had tastebuds. They gave their order to the waitress, who disappeared as swiftly as she came. It was a busy night for the Broomsticks.

Elle pouted for a few seconds and then grinned. "Chicken," She said with a laugh. The great Alex Kameren couldn't stand the heat of chicken wings. Thn again not many people could eat things as hot as she could. She liked the burn. It tasted good. But she didn't have to eat fire to enjoy her food. Wings were good at milder levels.

"Don't worry I don't think there is any karaoke tonight. Shame you were quite good,"

"I'm glad you think so," he smirked, reaching across the table to take her hand in one of his rough, scarred ones. "I was hoping to impress."


Elle's breath caught when Alex took her hand. Her first instinct was to pull away. She didn't like anyone touching her wrists. It still freaked her out, plunging her instantly back into the basement. Luckily Alex's fingers clasped hers and didn't encircle her wrist. She could hold hands. She wasn't being restrained. There was no shackles. She wasn't in a basement she was in a pub. About to eat pasta and wings. She was safe. There was no one watching them. No one hiding in the shadows. Nothing bad would happen. Nothing would try to kill her. She wasn't cursed. Nothing bad was going to happen. She was safe.

"You are impressive," Elle said squeezing his hands. "Your singing really hooked me. I can't stop believing," She sang the last bit in her best impression of the hypgriffs.

[Alecsander]

Elle pouted for a few seconds and then grinned. "Chicken,"

"Mmm." He hummed noncommittally, she knew her taste for fiery wings outstripped most mortals.

"Don't worry I don't think there is any karaoke tonight. Shame you were quite good,"

"I'm glad you think so," he smirked, reaching across the table to take her hand in one of his rough, scarred ones. "I was hoping to impress."

He didn't fail to notice the hitch in her shoulders, the catch in her breath. It was like a dagger, like a nova of anger inflamed in his chest. Alex smiled reassuringly at his girlfriend and ran his thumb in small circles over her palm, trying to reassure her. "Alright?" He asked gently.

"You are impressive," Elle said squeezing his hands. "Your singing really hooked me. I can't stop believing," She sang the last bit in her best impression of the hypgriffs

"Your singing, on the other hand..." he trailed off teasing.

[Elle Callahan]

He didn't fail to notice the hitch in her shoulders, the catch in her breath. It was like a dagger, like a nova of anger inflamed in his chest. Alex smiled reassuringly at his girlfriend and ran his thumb in small circles over her palm, trying to reassure her. "Alright?" He asked gently.

The raspy feel of his thumb calmed her a bit. The metal had been smooth and cold different from Alex's roughened warm fingers. Elle nodded, offering him an encouraging smile. They would move past this.

"You are impressive," Elle said squeezing his hands. "Your singing really hooked me. I can't stop believing," She sang the last bit in her best impression of the hypgriffs

"Your singing, on the other hand..." he trailed off teasing.

"Makes a banshee wail sound like angels." Elle said bluntly. Even Elle knew she was a horrible singer. She couldn't find a note if she had a map and magical compass. That didn't stop her from belting out a tune. singing was fun and she just didn't care that she was bad.

"I'm bad to the bone," She said trying to keep a straight face but then lost it and she started laughing, rocking back and forth as she laughed.

[Alecsander]

"You are impressive," Elle said squeezing his hands. "Your singing really hooked me. I can't stop believing," She sang the last bit in her best impression of the hypgriffs

Alex smiled as Elle sang, though he shook his head. "Your singing, on the other hand..." he trailed off teasing. It didn’t need to be said, her singing would go down in infamy. Luckily his girlfriend had a sense of humor about it, as she proved with a characteristically bad imitation of a famous old song.

"Makes a banshee wail sound like angels. I'm bad to the bone,"

Her laughter broke through the quiet atmosphere, (probably the quietest he’d ever seen the Broomsticks) but Alex didn’t care that the sudden noise was drawing attention from other couples. It was just good to see Elle laughing again, she’d been so somber and withdrawn. It seemed being at Hogwarts really was good for her.

“Hey,” Alex said suddenly, leaning across the table. He looked into her eyes, taking her face in his hands, and kissed her. He drew away slowly, looking to see her reaction. “Ok?” He asked.

[Elle Callahan]

The banter helped battle the darkness that threatened. Elle didn't want to remember the feel of Peter's hands on her. She was determined to forget the time she had spent with him but it sneaked in a bit. She wanted to be normal. Wanted to block out everything about those few days. She didn't want to remember every time someone encircled her wrist. She didn't want flashbacks of those nights to darken her days. It was getting better. She was getting a little bit stronger each day. Each touch, her sensation she experienced helped replace a bad one.

"Makes a banshee wail sound like angels. I'm bad to the bone,"

Her laughter broke through the quiet atmosphere, (probably the quietest he’d ever seen the Broomsticks) but Alex didn’t care that the sudden noise was drawing attention from other couples. It was just good to see Elle laughing again, she’d been so somber and withdrawn. It seemed being at Hogwarts really was good for her.

It had felt so good to laugh with Alex. To be normal again. She had missed spending time with him. She had buried herself in her work. She'd reorganized the entire hospital wing and had a marathon potion brewing session. She had pushed herself determined to exhaust herself each night so she wouldn't dream. It sort of worked. She enjoyed the busy work.

“Hey,” Alex said suddenly, leaning across the table. He looked into her eyes, taking her face in his hands, and kissed her. He drew away slowly, looking to see her reaction. “Ok?” He asked.

Elle's eyes widened at the touch of his lips on hers. She hadn't expected the suddenness of the kiss. Alex hadn't been one for public displays of affection. Not in such a public place. She knew they would kiss that night. Was anticipating it. Worried about her reaction. Could she do it? Could she allow him to touch her like that without thinking of Peter? Was it forever changed?

Elle's mind just stopped working as Alex carssed her cheek, as his lips molded against hers. She found herself kissing him back, letting go just a little, melting just a bit.

She smiled at him as he pulled away, staring at her as if she would break.

“Ok?” He asked.

Elle nodded, as she reached for his hand and giving it a squeeze.

"So what have you been up to recently?"

[Alecsander]

"So what have you been up to recently?"

“Oh,” he said nonchalantly, turning over her hand in his and stroking her palm gently with his thumb, “not much. Usual stuff at work,” Alex shifted seats, sliding in next to his girlfriend. He’d missed her, especially the small things, like getting to sit side by side with her, or the small inconsequential moments you shared with a person you lived with.

“I am working on a project at the estate, though,” he leaned back against the book, stretching his legs out fully with a sigh. It had been a long week. It was only Monday. He was very glad for their little moment of peace.

[Elle Callahan]

Elle grinned when Alex sat next to her. Her stomach did a little flutter and she leaned in closer to him. She felt safe with him there. A part of her was still nervous but she took a deep breath and reminded herself that she was loved and safe. No one was after her. She would be fine.

“I am working on a project at the estate, though,” he leaned back against the book, stretching his legs out fully with a sigh. It had been a long week. It was only Monday. He was very glad for their little moment of peace.

Elle's brow furrowed as she listened to Alex, she shifted in her seat so she was a bit more side ways. Alex was doing something around the house? Was he finally cleaning out the museum of an estate? It seemed like no one ever threw anything away in the Kameren household. The old stuff just got shifted to the attatics or spare rooms. There were entire wings of the place that hadn't been touched since the turn of the 20th century.

"What kind of project? Are you finally donating the contents to a museum?"