Flashback *Closed*

[Ashley Lovegood]

"Grellantis"

With that, the fifth year stepped up to the statue of Marvous the Magnificent and used the port-key to travel to the ROR on the seventh floor. It probably would have been much easier to just enter The Room of Requirements by the usual magical door with two statues standing guard, but her location at the time was closer to the less known passage.

With a sigh, she lifted her eyelids to reveal shining blue eyes. She had just returned from her trip back home and her mind was no more relieved than it had been when she left. If nothing else it was even more maze-like than before. The Hufflpuff had needed a place to think, or maybe not to think at all. Something to take her mind away from her troubles is more what she needed. Who knew what she needed anymore? Apparently, the ROR knew. She looked around the previous bland, round, stone room to find it plied with many cushions and a few rather large chairs scattered about the room. A large fire crackled at the far end of the room, providing light to the dim room.

As she eyes swept the room, she noticed a guitar at the end of the large room. Well, that would defiantly block out unwanted thoughts, but did she really feel like practicing? No, not really really. With another sigh, she walked over to a pile of large bean bags and plopped down upon them. She was out of it. She moved her arm so that it rested over her tired eyes. So much for wandering around to clear her head. It was evening by now and most people would be up in their dorms doing some last minute studying, but thats about the last thing she wished to do tonight. Her meeting with her brother had been a awkward one, neither of them speaking much and when they did, unkind words exited there mouths.... ok, it was more like only Ashley doing such things, but she could not help it.

She pushed off the cushions and made her way over to the couch. She found a blanket thrown across the back of the couch. She picked it up and wrapped it around her shoulders. Even with the fire burning, she was chilly in her t-shirt and her Adidas pants. She had not felt like dressing up, but also had lacked the strength to remove her makeup. So she looked somewhat nice in a very casual way. She sank into the chair and pulled her feet up onto it. She rested her head against it's back, sinking low into it's comfort and allowing her mind to wonder where it pleased.

((Sucky beginning sowwy))

[morgan]

For hours he'd been looking for her, but everywhere Morgan had gone to check, it was the same story. 'Oh, Ashley? Ashley Lovegood? Yeah, she went a couple of minutes ago, At the thought, a worrying feeling hit his gut, as he wondered if he was the thing Ashley was avoiding. But there'd been no rainy-throwin-in-lake days lately, so there wasn't a whole lot he could have done to upset her!

He raced round room after room after room in search of her. From what he'd found out, she hadn't spoken to anyone all day and he wanted to be there for her in anyway he could after her (no doubt) eventful brother trip.

This is getting me nowhere, Morgan said to himself, bending with his hands on his knees, breathing heavy. He rose, with his eyes closed. Come on Ashley, where are you?

Surely she'd want to be somewhere quiet after her brother, to take things in... particularly after she had barely said a word all day. The common room was noisy at the moment, it was between meals so a no-go for the great hall or kitches... and as much as she loved the rain, he doubted she'd be out now. Where was quiet? Where was warm and comforting?

His eyes snapped open and he rushed off, reaching the mysterious room in seconds, with a focused objective in mind. I need a quiet place to spend time with Ashley.

Morgan barged in, as if she was going to vanish if he left it a few seconds later. For a moment, he didn't see her, until he noticed her face emerge from the chair at the noise. Still breathing heavy, his worry lessened and he broke out into a warm smile, the first he'd made today... the first real smile he'd made since Ashley had left the castle, days aga.

[Ashley Lovegood]

Her eyes slid closed once more. It had been a long ride back to the castle. Switching time zones was not the best thing for the girl it seemed. She watched as the fire danced behind her eyelids for a moment, not really in the ROR at he moment, but somewhere far off. She felt bad. She had been avoiding everyone since she had returned, probably annoying some people and maybe even worrying a few of them. This was not her intentions. She never was the talking type so she did what she usually does when she had a full mind and wanders off by herself.

Bang.

The door suddenly flew open and her eyes snapped back open in response. Who could that be? The only way they could have found her was if they had intentionally been searching for the fifth year. Who was looking for her? Her eyes widened slightly as a surprised expression appeared across her face at the answer. "Morgan..." She whispered. He looked tired. Had he been looking for her all day? It seemed so. She straightened up and let the blanked fall from her shoulders.

Even in her down mood, she could not help but feel a sudden warmth that flooded through her. She smiled a bright smile at he sight of him. The first smile in who knows how long. "Hey.... how did you find me?" She asked softly. Not the first question she should have asked, but it was a random question that popped into her head.

[morgan]

"Ashley," he said in return. His breathing widened his smile, "I guess... when you've looked in nearly every room in the castle, there's only so many places left to check," replied Morgan, walking slowly forwards as he did so, leaving a couple of meters between them. All the air had gone to his head, making it feel like a dream. It had been a week since she'd left, but it had felt like months. He just wasn't the same without Ashley around.

His eyes latched onto hers, and as his did so, his smile widened even more, just as beautiful as when she'd left. But then it suddenly fell. Looking deeper, they looked tired. Ever so tired... and almost worn. Her face was pale... and, well, everything about her, every vibe she was giving off..... just didn't seem right.
"Are you okay?" he asked, seriously. He never expected the meeting with her brother to go spectacularly well, but even so... this look to her. Well, it made him feel almost exactly the same.

[Ashley Lovegood]

Her eyes widened at his reply. She had caused him that much trouble? If she had payed attention she probably would have figured out that he was looking for her. She felt bad now. "I'm sorry. I wasn't really in the mood to be found when I got back." She explained, her smile falling. She knew he would understand why. "I'm glad you found me though," She added, a faint smile reappearing. She got up from her warm spot and walked around to the back of the couch, the smile still lit on her face. She was really glad that he had found her. Even if solitude is what she forced herself into wanting, she really could not deny the happiness and security he brought to her when he was with the fifth year.

Seeing his wide smile brought on a stronger one of her own. She really had missed that smile a lot. "Are you okay?" The vanishing smile and the question caught her off guard. "Yeah....I'm fine." She replied, her smile fading completely from her features. The light which had begun to warm her suddenly extinguishing. Did she really look that bad after her meeting with her brother? She had hoped she would have been in a better state, but it seemed that she could not fool anyone, especially Morgan. "Just a bit tired," She added, forcing a smile. She didn't want to worry him anymore than she already had today.

[morgan]

Although the smile still gave him a warm feeling himself, just like any other smile from her did... it couldn't replace what he was feeling. Crossing a time zone and meeting a family member who you thought was dead for years results in more than a 'bit of tiredness'.

His eyes squinted, and he forced a slight smile, as best he could, along with a pause. Fine was hardly the word he'd use. "I'll leave you alone Ashley," he said to her, softly. "I know you wanted to be alone for a while today." He turned to the door.

[Ashley Lovegood]

"I'll leave you alone Ashley,"

This was the last thing she wanted. She didn't want him to leave and she was sorry if she had given that impression. As he turned to leave she crossed the room quickly and threw her arms around him from behind, hugging him tightly. "Don't go..." She whispered. In the past, that probably would have been what she would have liked, but now.... She had just gotten used to the fact that she could trust someone, could talk to them if needed. She was not about to throw that away.

His sent filled her senses, calming her. She wanted him there, she wanted to be able to talk to him if he wanted to listen. She promised herself that she would quit pushing people away and she didn't want to break that promise now. "Please..." She added, her voice quiet as she buried her face against his back.

[morgan]

Morgan stood there are a moment hesitating, But, as much as his instincts were telling him to leave, his heart couldn't ignore her voice. He turned to her hugging her back, a hand holding her head, as she buried herself.

"Hey," he said, ever so softly, lifting her chin up to face him, his head close to her own. "It's okay to be alone from time to time Ashley. I've always known that's the type of person you are... and sometimes you need to be alone, even I need to be alone. I think a part of you wanted it today, by not coming to find me... and you should never be scared of doing it." His voice was as kind and understanding as he could possibly make it. "Because I'll always be here when you get back," he finished, his hand resting on the side of her cheek now.

[Ashley Lovegood]

She felt the hesitation as she stopped him. If he really wanted to leave then she would not stop him. She just really wished that he didn't want to leave, for whatever reason that may be. He knew her too well. She looked up at him as he lifted her chin, her eyes slightly warmer since he had entered the room.

Now she was really unsure of what she wanted. She wanted Morgan around right then, but as he spoke on, his words broke through her wishing and into her common sense. She sighed and lowered her gaze for a moment. She knew he was telling the truth, he had always been there for her whenever she had needed him. "I'm not scared...." She murmured, unsure of what to say next. As he felt his warm hand against her cheek, she looked back up into his eyes, memorized by his kindness and understanding. After searching for her all day, he was willing to leave to give her what he thought was best. He really was too kind at times.

She smiled weakly, not a forced smile, but a real smile. "Thank you... But I I'm pretty sure the last few days of being alone have been enough for me." Oh yeah, she forgot to mention that she could have come home earlier. She felt stupid from running from her brother so she stayed in the U.S. for a few extra days, not willing to face anyone yet. She lowered her gaze, a small flicker of shame being lit inside of her, the smile fading once again.

[morgan]

Morgan watched her response. She was a good listener, he could see the cogs going round in her mind. He, himself, wasn't completely sure if he was giving her the right advice, as he didn't know what exactly had happened with her brother, he had no idea.

'But I'm pretty sure the last few days of being alone have been enough for me.'
He almost gave a grin, as she'd just contradicted the 'I'm not scared' comment, in a way. "If that's what you needed, then you were right to do it," he said with a nod. "And if being with someone is what you need now," he continued, wrapping his arms around her waist, "then I'll stay." He smiled warmly and genuinely, "I've missed you so much Ash."

[Ashley Lovegood]

Ashley felt the knot in her stomach loosen at his words. So he didn't mind her staying away for a bit longer than was planned. A smile burst across her face in relief that he had decided to stay. Her eyes, which had become watery over the last few minutes, suddenly lit up. They were still not to their full potential, but it was a start. She was more than glad to see him again, to hug him again. She could not even begin describe in words how much she had missed him.

"I've missed you so much Ash."

"Meet too... I've missed you a lot too." She replied, sudden stretching up onto her tippy-toes and giving him a loving kiss on the lips. She lowered herself with a small smile still set upon her lips. Even after just minutes of being with him, she could feel some color returning to her face. Even if the difference was little, it was a big improvement compared to how bad she was feeling before. She took his hand and lead him back over to the couch slowly. She sat down and motioned an invitation for him to join her if he wished so. "How have you been since.... since I left?" She asked, her voice still quiet, but a new softness replaced it's rough edge from before.