Under a Starry Sky | Francis and Gen

[Francis Eric Thorne]

Francis had skipped his last lesson in order to get back to the Hufflepuff dorm and make sure he was presentable. Once he was sure his hair was ruffled in an attractive, not messy, way and he didn't smell like he'd been attacked by a skunk, he made his way up to the entrance hall and out into the grounds, glad that no teachers were around to see him go. That would give him a few hours as least before anyone noticed he was gone.

Francis hurried across the grounds towards the lake, keeping to the lengthening shadows so the chances of being seen from the windows would be lessened. He slowed down when he got far enough away, shoving his hands in his pockets as he walked.

It didn't take too long to reach the big willow tree where he normally hung out. He'd been sneaking out long before meeting Gen, and this was the perfect place.

[Genevieve Stark]

Gen made her way surreptitiously across the grounds toward the lake, wrapping her robes around herself against the chilly evening breeze. A snicker left her lips as she thought back on how she almost wasn't able to escape her friends this afternoon. They had wanted to get together for games in the common room this evening, but she was definitely not interested tonight. She thought she would have to come up with a barrage of excuses, like how she wasn't feeling well or that she still had an essay to write and owls to send. But it actually didn't take much persuading really, her friends were pretty quick to shrug their shoulders and say "Your loss.." in typical Slytherin fashion. But did this bother Gen in the least? Not at all. It just meant that they wouldn't be giving her a thought for the rest of the evening and she could stay gone without any questioning later.

She slowed her pace once she reached the shadows in the north end of the lake, where Francis said he would meet her. As she neared the willow tree she looked around for any sign of him but could not see him. "Did I make it here before him?" she wondered. She actually thought she was going to be late. Because although she had planned on skipping her last lesson of the day she had not been able to get away. And of course, she had to go down to the dungeons afterward to freshen up and change. So now here she was, alone by the lake with the sun going down and no trace of... And that's when she saw movement over behind the tree. She called out in a whisper then, an excited smile upon her lips. "Francis? Is that you?"

[Francis Eric Thorne]

Francis had settled himself behind the willow tree, sitting on a root that protruded from the slightly damp ground to save the seat of his grey school trousers. He'd been there for about ten minutes or so, and he was just thinking about getting out a cigarette to smoke while he waited, when he heard someone coming. He froze, trying to work out if it was Gen or some teacher out checking no students were lurking around out here after curfew. Still, he felt himself relax, although not a lot, when he heard her voice. The smile spreading across his face, he stood up and looked around the side of the willow trunk, peering through the bare hanging fronds as she came closer. His hands still in his pockets against the cold, he leaned against the tree trunk. He had chanced wearing his leather jacket, hoping he wouldn't be caught by anyone or get it confiscated. It was too cold to wander around in just his school jumper, and he really resented being made to wear robes.

"I thought you weren't coming?" he said when she was close enough for him not to have to shout. He tried to sound jokey, and not let on that that thought actually had been running through his mind, despite what she'd said in the library about being his one special girl.

[Genevieve Stark]

Gen stopped in her tracks and tilted her head ever so slightly, her expression one of curiosity at his words. "Really?" She started toward him again, one slow step at at time, her arms crossed over her chest. "Hmm. So you thought I'd snake my way out of meeting you out here because it's after hours, and cold, and damp, and dark? Or...is it that you're not sure enough about me yet?" When she finally reached him she stood to his side, shoulder to shoulder, and slipped her hand in his, their fingers threading together. She leaned into him and whispered softly, seductively, into his ear. "Tell me Francis. Have I disappointed you at all so far?"

[Francis Eric Thorne]

"Well, you know," he said. "Snakes can't change their scales." He smirked, watching her as she came closer. He looked out over the lake as she arrived at his shoulder, his eyes flickering as she spoke. Her voice was so seductive. He wanted to just grab her and....

He licked his lips, trying to compose himself. He looked down at her, raising an eyebrow. "Not so far," he confirmed, slipping his arms around her waist as he turned to face her, his lips only an inch from hers. She had been far from anything that resembled a disappointment. She was wonderful, and she made his heart feel like it was humming it was beating so fast.

He let his forehead rest against hers for a moment before placing a soft kiss on the tip of her nose. Letting go of her waist, he reached down and took her hand, entwining his fingers with hers. Her hands were tiny compared to his, but somehow they managed to fit together perfectly.

He led her past the willow tree and along the shore of the lake a little way to where the edge of the Forbidden Forest touched the softly rippling water. If it had been spring or summer he would have suggested sitting in the cover created by the fronds of the willow, but he knew at this time of year, someone with a keep eye or a telescope up at the castle would be able to spot them, then they'd both be in trouble. The thicker trees of the outskirts of the forest would provide better cover, as he had learned over the years of sneaking out for cigarettes. There was a rather nice rock that jutted out over the lake, hidden from the castle by a massive tree trunk. It would be more than big enough for them both to lounge around on for a while.

[Genevieve Stark]

Gen smiled warmly when he kissed her nose, a simple yet tender gesture that set her heart racing. As he led her into the edge of the forest, where the dark trees would provide better cover, her thoughts wandered back to his snake comment, making her snicker softly. "You know, snakes may not be able to change their scales but they do shed their skins. Revealing a shiny new snake within." She gave his hand a squeeze and looked up at him, smirking. "That's kind of how I feel when I'm with you." Shaking her head with another snicker she added. "I know, I know. It sounds silly. But it's hard to explain. And even harder to understand. I'm still trying to make sense of it all."

She smiled warmly once more, raising a hand and running it through his soft hair. "What you and I have goes against everything we were taught. Yet somehow...it feels right." Suddenly thinking about what her family might think, she couldn't help but let a laugh escape her lips. "If my parents were to see me right now, they would drop dead in horror." Her laugh diminished into a snicker, then a smile and finally a lip nibble, followed by a shy whisper. "I couldn't care less, though."

[Francis Eric Thorne]

Francis listened to her speak. She was right, of course. He knew what she meant. Being with her was like becoming a completely new, better person. He loved how she made him feel.

Grinning, he pulled her down onto the stone, slipping his arms around her as he sat beside her, holding her close. "If your parents could see us now, one or both of us would have been hexed by now," he said pointedly, smirking slightly as he looked down at her. Her parents definitely would not approve of him. Not in any way shape or form, but like Gen, he didn't care. All that mattered was her.

Francis pressed a soft kiss to her lips, before lying back on the large, flat rock, resting up on his elbows. "Do you, er, mind if I smoke?" Francis said, looking a bit awkward. He'd been dying for a cigarette all day, but he'd been worried about what she'd make of his habit. He didn't want to put her off him, but he figured out that she'd find out sooner or later, so it was probably best it was sooner. He pulled the crumpled cigarette packet out of his pocket, showing her.

[Genevieve Stark]

Gen turned and watched him pull the battered pack of cigarettes out of his jacket pocket, her nose wrinkled but no figment of anger or disappointment shone on her face. She rolled her eyes and shook her head lightly. "Not you too!" She sniggered and adjusted her body to face him, crossing her legs indian style and slipping her cold hands in her warm robe pockets. "My father smokes. Like a damn chimney!" She had to laugh at that. Her father's habit was a constant annoyance to her mother who eventually restricted his smoking to only outside or in his study. "So no, I don't mind. Although your kisses will not taste as good." She leaned her head to the side and smirked. "I guess we all develop bad habits at some point."

[Francis Eric Thorne]

Francis watched her reaction for a moment before pulling out a cigarette and placing it between his lips. He routed around in his pocket for his silver zippo lighter and took a few times to get it to spark before lighting the cigarette. He took a deep draw on it, feeling the nicotine hitting his blood stream almost instantantly. He let his head drop back as he breathed out, smoke spiralling off into the sky. "That is so much better," he said with a happy sigh before looking back up at her. He pushed the packet back in his pocket as he looked over at her.

"Sorry," he said with a small shrug. "It's just one habit I can't kick..." He gave her a smile before reaching out with his spare hand to take hers. "At least I have one thing in common with your father though," he said. "Might be less inclined to curse me on sight?"

[Genevieve Stark]

Gen burst out in somewhat subdued laughter, immediately remembering that they're breaking curfew and she's supposed to keep quiet. "Are you kidding? If he considered it at all he would take your daring to do something like him as an insult." She giggled, giving his hand a squeeze, then lied down next to him, turning on her side and propping herself up on one elbow. She looked pensive for a moment then smirked. "I know what my bad habit is now." She tucked her moonlit hair behind her ear and gave him a playful poke. "It's you. Francis Eric Thorne, my drug of choice." She sniggered, and watched as he took another draw of his cigarette and slowly released the smoke. The gray cloud dispersing and finally disappearing over their heads. She had always considered smoking a nasty habit, but watching Francis do it made it seem almost...sexy.

[Francis Eric Thorne]

Francis rolled his eyes but smiled at her laugh. "Bloody Slytherins," he said. It was something he'd said many times before, but never with that hint of laughter that tainted his tone now. He didn't care what any Slytherin but her thought.

Taking another drag on the cigarette, Francis blew the smoke away from her before turning his head to look at her. He bit his lip to hide the grin that threatened to take over his face at her comment. "Addictive yet bad for you?" he asked, amused. He was a grumpy, irritable Hufflepuff with an attitude problem; hardly great boyfriend material for the most gorgeous Slytherin pure-blood in the school, but he knew if she felt anything like the way he did, she couldn't even think about trying to walk away. She made him feel like everything finally made sense. She made him smile.

Francis let himself lay back, his head resting on the rock, and gazed up at the stars. They were bright, despite the light pollution from the windows at the castle. He could see the plough a little off to the left. He let his gaze follow the line made by the stars across to where the North Star twinkled brightly. He raised his cigarette to his lips and after a moment, let the smoke out of his lungs so he could watch it twist away upwards.

"You should tell me about yourself," he said casually, not looking at her although his free hand was snaking down to finger her cool fingers and entwine them with his own. "Like, about your life before me. All the small unimportant stuff." He let his head drop to the side so he could look at her. "Who are your best friends? Are there any ex boyfriends in the picture? Stuff like that."

[Genevieve Stark]

Gen couldn't help but snicker when he cursed her house. She could understand why he would feel that way. It's not like Slytherins are the easiest people to get along with. They are the most judgmental and hateful house in the school. She's always been quite aware of this, even though she is one of them. She watched again as he let out another puff of smoke, letting herself lie back on the rock just as he did, her eyes looking up at the bright stars as well.

"I doubt you know any of my friends. All but one are Slytherins and the fact that they even bother to associate with Angelo, who is a Ravenclaw by the way, is still amazing to me. My best friend Mabel and he are really close. I had a crush on him for a little while, but I think it was because he was new blood." She shrugged at this. "You know....different...like me." She went quiet after this, thinking about just how different she was from her friends. After a long silence, she finally spoke again. "I've never been completely at ease with my housemates. Because I don't share their strict pureblood views, I guess." She gave his hand a squeeze and smiled. "My grandmother was a huge influence on me...may she rest in peace." She whispered the latter part of her statement, paying homage to the most amazing person she had ever known. "She was Ravenclaw, you see. And she always did her best to make sure I understood that judging people based on their houses or magical ability is petty and wrong. So you can imagine how confused I was given how strict my Slytherin parents are with their pureblood views." She sniggered again. "It certainly hasn't been easy. But I figured that the sorting hat put me in Slytherin for a reason. I guess I'll find out what that reason is one day." She took a deep breath and let it out real slow. This could easily be the first time she had opened up to anyone about her inner conflict. But she felt like she could tell Francis anything and never be judged. Unlike her friends....or even her parents.

"And I never said you were bad for me! You are perfect. Is there such a thing as a drug that's good for you?" She smiled again, leaning in and placing a gentle kiss on his lips.

[Francis Eric Thorne]

Francis lay, listening to her speak, taking drags on his cigarette from time to time before tossing it into the lake when it had burnt down to the butt. He tightened his hand around hers, giving her fingers a small squeeze.

"I learned a lot from my grandfather," Francis said, letting his now cigarette free hand rest over his stomach, the leather of his jacket squeeking slightly as he moved. "He was a muggle. He was brilliant. You'd have loved him. A real charmer, and a great laugh too. He taught me that the best parts of my life were the muggle parts, and that I should cherish them just as much as I loved doing magic. He had a garage too, like I want. He taught me everything he knew about engines. My motorbike used to be his." He smiled, his eyes still directed up at the sky. He didn't talk to anyone at Hogwarts about his grandad. People liked to tease because he idolised a muggle and he couldn't stand anyone badmouthing his grandad. But Gen had a similar situation with her grandmother, so he thought if he could talk to anyone about this it would be her. Besides, he trusted her. He didn't know quite why. But he did.

He smiled as she leaned over to kiss him, pulling her to lie on top if him, his arms around her waist. "And you're perfect for me..." He replied before kissing her again.

[Genevieve Stark]

Gen straddled his body when he pulled her on top of him, her hands and elbows resting on the cold rock each side of his head and her long red locks cascading over to one side. "I would have loved to meet him...and thank him." She whispered with a smile before leaning down and kissing him once more.

The soft innocent kiss soon turned intensely hungry. Her body pressing down on his as that feeling of want and the yearn for his touch infused her senses....the world around them completely forgotten.

[Francis Eric Thorne]

Francis grinned, looking up at her, as she kissed him. He couldn't fathom how she liked him, but he was bloody glad she did.

His arms still around her, he kissed her deeply, letting himself become absorbed in the feel of her lips. He could stay like this forever, quite happily. After a moment, he rolled her over on the rock so he was holding himself above her. He could feel the cold of the rock through his leather jacket elbows, where the skin was thinning, but that didn't matter now. Slowly, he ran a hand up her side, sliding under the material of her sweatshirt. There was only the thin material of her shirt between skin on skin. It made him shudder with anticipation. "Gen," he murmured against her lips.