Live Through This & You Won't Look Back. [Closed; Julian Greyson]

When there's nothing left to burn, you have to set yourself on fire.


Amara needed an escape. It was ironic how someone who travelled around regularly would feel the need for an escape. She was finally home. Or at least, the closest form of home she had ever known. London. It had been a very long past two months. She had travelled to America for her first big fashion campaign overseas. It had been about two years since she was "found". Before then, the half-veela had been living in London, as a bartender taking care of her infant son. One day while shopping for under garments in a boutique, she was discovered by a modeling agency. After her first photograph hit the magazines, Amara Cast's beauty took over the fashion industry in the wizarding AND muggle world. She became the muse for almost every designer. She could be found gliding down the runway, in commercials selling new fragrances, modeling the newest and most fashionable witches robes. She had consecutively won "Hit Witch" the past two years, and her career was not slowing down at all.

It felt good to be back home. She was back with her son, who was now five years old, and her father. Her father had agreed to help raise her son, because Amara was constantly traveling for work. Also, Liam's father, Mikhail's whereabouts were a complete mystery. She spent most of her few days back in London, only with her son. She enjoyed just watching him for hours while he played with his toys, or while he slept. Although being a mother at such a young age was extremely challenging for the girl, just being able to spend time with her son was the biggest reward for her. She loved him more than anything.

On this night, Amara decided she had wanted to disappear for a little. Away from the papparazzi, away form the celebrity parties and photoshoots. Amara just wanted to hear herself think. Throwing on one of her cloaks, she kissed Liam on the forehead and left for the night. It was just after dusk, the sky was a brilliant shade of violet and the streetlights were just starting to flicker on. She made her way to Diagon Alley. Amara had no destination, really. The sounds of her boots clicked and echoed loudly on the cobblestone as she made her way through the streets, letting her feet guide her. She made sure to keep her cloak up, it was hard for her to go anywhere without people stopping and gawking, or asking for her autograph. Although she could not deny that she loved to be loved this much by the public, sometimes it was tiring having to constantly deal with being in front of the lens. Glancing up once, she caught glimpse of one of her most recent advertisements. It was a giant display of her eating magical chocolate candies, that were proven to put you in a good mood. The advertisement is her giggling, winking and seductively eating little chocolates. Amara tightened her hood closer to her face and scurried forward, away from her own photo.

As she continued down Diagon Alley, she felt pretty good with the fact that no one had spotted her yet. It was a quiet night, not too many people were out and about. She let her hood loosen slightly. That was when one shop caught her eye. "TATTOO PARLOR" and paintings of bright vibrant colors made Amara stop in her tracks. She edged slowly toward the front display window. Her hood fell down and her jaw opened as she looked at all of the flash art that was on display. Amara did not have a single tattoo (her father, and agent, would probably murder her), yet she always thought they were completely badass and sexy.

Amara stood outside of the tattoo parlor for a long while, just staring at the artwork. As she looked closer to one of the most amazing paintings of a skull, and then at the signature...

Julian Greyson.

Her heart began to race, and without even thinking, the impulsive witch threw open the door and walked into the tattoo shop.

Julian was working that evening at the shop. It was a slow day; he’d only had a few customers for piercings and a couple of tattoo consultations and some postponed appointments. It was always frustrating when that happened because of the money situation and he had to figure out what to do with his time. The wizard had just finished taking inventory for the night and setting up some new pieces on the walls and in the window, including one of his own pieces that he’d finally gotten around to finishing. It was a nice way to earn some extra money as show off his talent a bit since it helped with customers. There was nothing more to clean and nothing more to do than wait around until there was either a walk-in or a phone call. So while he half sat half stood on a stool in the back where his tattoo room was at; Julian drew his own idea of his next tattoo he would get, to pass the time. The bell to the shop rung and Julian took a second to finish his last line before getting up and making his way to the front of the shop.

“Sorry about that. Can I help you with some...thing…” Julian’s voice trailed off slightly as he raised a wondering eyebrow. He stood behind the front desk as he surveyed the walk-in brunette. Something was oddly familiar about the way she was looking about. Petite, dark hair, she was too much of his type. She looked too lovely in comparison to the atmosphere around her, all the concrete, art, and paint drippings seemed dull and uneventful now. Like she'd just stolen the beauty from the room. His heart beat sped up as she got closer to the front desk...is it? Blue eyes met his brown ones, light freckles scattered across her olive tinted cheeks, small perfect nose, full pink lips. Julian felt the blood leave his face. His stomach dropped. It was her. And his thoughts were inwardly going insane. He grabbed onto the front desk slowly with both hands, trying to have his outside remain as calm as possible. His breathing become faster and a little heavier.

He couldn't make out too much of what she was saying, if she was saying anything, as his blood pumped feverishly in his veins. Impossible. He had to be dreaming, that would be the only way any of this would make sense. Did he finally crack? He’d seen images of her plastered everywhere he went, careful to avoid lingering on any of them for too long for the fear of more returning memories. Just recently, on his way to work, he was forced to come into contact with a giant advertisement of the same witch before him. Laughing and just as sexy as he last remembered her, perhaps even more now than ever, but his mind told him that the poster was laughing at him. He would gaze at it drunkenly, thinking she knew this would bother him, like she put it there on purpose. He was use to seeing her everywhere but…not like this. She was really here and looking at him, all dressed in black looking like his own gorgeous and living dream. But she was giving him the impression like she had no clue who he was...what the fuck was this? Julian looked much different compared to his younger self, people often didn't recognize him at first but... for her not to it was cruel, twisted, and just wrong that she was here...or perhaps he was just hurt/scared she didn't remember him?

He thought all this is just a few fleeting seconds. But maybe he was forcing himself to feel that way. Julian’s heart was beating so hard, he was sure she could hear it. His mouth was dry. His hands were sweating and he couldn’t move his mouth. What would he say to her? What could he say? It’s like his body was moving for him as he smoothly stepped from behind the counter and stood a couple a feet in front of her. Julian felt the longing in his loins. Not something sexual, not something lustful, it was like everything came together in this instant. The way he felt for other girls came from this one woman standing before him. Blue eyes, wild spirit, hidden sadness, the petite brunette, the sweet sexiness, he’d been looking for someone to fill the void in his heart…but no one could. She had in all in one tiny gorgeous and exotic looing package. He was ecstatic and pissed off at the same time as nostalgia spread through him.

It was obvious that the witch had no idea who she was talking to, let alone the effect that she was having on him. Well, that wasn't entirely true, Amara knew the physical power she had on men. He swallowed hard, feeling like his old sixteen year old self. His mind, his heart, completely smitten with her in just a few moments. “Amara...” He cleared his throat, buying time to figure out what to say. What the fuck do I do with my hands? He laughed nervously and rubbed his face once and shaking his head, completely at a loss for something charming and funny to say as he looked down at her again and took a deep breath, “It’s me...” He smiled slightly, taking his bottom lip in with his teeth to keep from...what? Yelling and punching the wall? Picking her up and kissing her? Walking away? It was hard to call it but he knew he had to keep his composure, he was at his job after all, "...what's up?" What's up? Really? So many years that passed and that was the best thing he had. It was pathetic but it was all his mouth could manage. He was still in shock.

A small bell rang as the witch stepped into the tattoo parlor. Her heart was still racing, as she took a few more steps into the room. Could it be possible that Julian was really here? This entire situation had completely thrown the witch off. So many years had passed since she had seen Julian. They had been sweethearts in their young teenage years, on and off, until Amara mysteriously disappeared and dropped out of Hogwarts before the end of their sixth year. When she had gotten pregnant with their mutual friend, Mikhail Paul, she had completely cut ties off with Julian and the rest of her peers and moved to Neroli. She had returned to Hogwarts for a brief time following the birth of her son, yet it was short lived due to the war. By that time Julian was gone from Hogwarts. Amara often wondered about her mysterious dark haired lover. Although she had many boyfriends during her time at Hogwarts, Julian was the only true connection she had ever believed she had. They had been very close friends since their first year, before anything romantic ever happened. This was perhaps why she had trusted him with her heart. She knew that he wasn't only after her good looks. He always took her back no matter how many times they broke up, after all of Amara's impulsive decisions that ended up hurting the both of them. Julian Greyson was one of the only people she had said “I love you” to, and meant it. She would never dare to mutter those words to another boy; the rest of her boyfriends were mostly play things, flirtatious endeavors before Amara got bored.

Amara looked at the walls, all covered with prints and artwork. Pinup girls, pirate ships, eagles, all of the classic imagery, as well as a new contemporary style interweaved throughout the designs. Amara had a little bit of an artistic flare, but never took it to the level Julian had. She was quite good at drawing, and she cold recall a few times sketching with him late at night in the Slytherin Common Room, but he was always much more creative and accurate than she was. She also remembered watching him draw the landscape when they would have picnics on the school grounds, then he would draw her napping underneath the trees, or in his lap. A small smile graced her full lips, as she felt the warmth of these memories take over. It had been a very long time she she had even allowed herself to think of Julian. He was the boy she had let go, for his own sake. When she had found out she was pregnant with Mikhaul Paul's baby, she knew it would kill him, so she decided to remove herself from his life completely. She did not want to hurt him anymore. It also hurt her so much to know what a great guy he was to her, she had him all to herself but messed it up. She finally had to pay the ultimate price for her careless actions, and losing Julian was also a part of that.

The sound of his voice snapped Amara out of it immediately and returned her back to reality. Back to the tattoo shop. She jumped a little bit in surprise and spun on her heels to look at the source of the voice. That was when her brilliant crystal blue eyes found the depths of his dark brown ones. She did not say a word, just staring up at him. He was still tall and mysterious as ever, if not more so. As he took a few steps closer to her, Amara's breath got shorter and her face suddenly felt really hot. Was she blushing?!? Men never had this effect on her, it was always the other way around. She needed to get a grip on herself. She straightened her posture, she stood at a dainty four feet tall and eleven and a half inches. Although she was just a tiny little thing, she never let her height get in her way. And who was laughing now, all of these years later? Who knew someone so short could be a famous fashion model?

Julian seemed just as shocked as she was. She had no idea what he could possibly be thinking... She couldn't even recall the last time she had really been alone with him. As Julian laughed nervously and composed himself, Amara just looked at him, her pale eyes sparkling. The lights in the room seemed to dim, and Amara literally began to glow. Her Veela powers always seemed to shine the most when she was emotional (you would never want to see her angry...) This time, however, she was positively glowing. Her dark auburn, almost black, hair flowed around her as if it were blowing by a breeze, although there was absolutely no draft in the room. She was radiating. Amara did not hold back, she let her eyes completely take in the man standing in front of her. Her gaze went from his eyes down his arms, anywhere his skin was exposed, that was now covered in artwork. Who knew it was possible for Julian to be ever more hot than she remembered?

Shaking her head, she giggled a little bit, not able to help it. She had to stop herself from undressing him with her eyes and she forced herself to look back at his handsome face. He was biting his lip. “Julian,” she said, her voice was soft, and she was still blushing. “I know it's you!” She giggled again, and stepped even closer to him. She wanted bad to just throw her arms around him and embrace him, but she did not allow herself. Truth be told, Amara had not been seriously involved with man since Liam was born five years ago. She had gone on a few dates and was constantly pursued by other male celebrities, yet she was so damaged emotionally that she couldn't let her guard down or truly get close to a man. She got all of the attention she needed from the public, so she was finally able to be alone and mend her broken heart. After all of these years, Amara finally figured out the true key to happiness was to be happy with yourself first.

Amara cleared her voice, still trying to get a hold of herself. “I was just... I saw your painting....” she motioned to the front of the tattoo parlor. “I had to see if you were really here.”

Seeing Amara again brought back a lot of things. In retrospect it was like…one small and seemingly uneventful thing happened, he met a girl in his first year. He'd spent time with her as friends, seeing the real her, and in one instant it hit him so hard and completely unexpectedly.  Realizing what she meant to him…he'd loved her before they became more. He couldn’t count the days he’d spent or remember every detail of things that had happened, but everything was her.  Every memory leaked into each other.  Every minute of the day was her, every season, rain, sunshine, it was all her somehow. He could now remember feeling strong every time she grabbed his arm when he walked, feeling blessed when she held his hand.  Love was not a word, it was a person.  She was what music sounded like.  She was laughing and crying at the same time. And through all the chaos, all the sad moments, arguing, throwing shit, yelling, fighting, Julian realized he would probably take it all back if it meant she would stay. 

Sometimes she felt like a dream in his mind, like he’d made it all up in his head and it drove him crazy. And even though so much time had passed and the memories dimmed, his feelings didn’t when he would see her name or face somewhere. Seeing her pictures in high fashion magazines and things, Julian wondered if he’d known her at all. But his memories felt real enough some days, much like today. Blurred and unclear as they might have been, they were strung together with intense emotion.  Her hair sprawled out around her in the most angelic way when she’d lay down, her sitting near the lake lost in thought, her face while she laughed, her special heartbreaking smile after they'd skip class, the way she looked up at him…just like she was doing now. Amara's freckled splashed cheeks reddened the most beautiful shade of pink and Julian felt with this action alone, he could break. There was no denying the fact that he was still taken by her even after all these years. The tattooed man towered over her small frame but the way she looked up at him could make him easily fall to his knees. Possibly because of her half veela traits being produced but mostly because the way he’d held onto her memory so tightly. It was like seeing a ghost of a long lost loved one. He was both scared and elated; he had a million things to say but couldn’t say them out of fear.

Everything around him seemed nonexistent as the woman in front of him outshined the entire shop. She laughed and Julian could literally feel his heart squeeze with adoring recognition. His name on her lips allowed his fears to be put to rest. His brown eyes watched her, soaking in the moment as if in awe of how much more beautiful she’d become. But there was something making him keep his distance from her. Those few small steps were like a personal force field and with this he was able to observe the situation outwardly. He’d never seen her so hesitant before. This was the girl that everyone wanted and who everyone wanted to be. She never really blushed or became smitten and she definitely had a dark side. Yet she stood there…almost like she was feeling everything he was. Was it possible? Most likely wishful thinking on his part, but he didn’t care, he wanted to touch her. If this was real, he wanted to be close to her as much as possible before she slipped through his fingers again. She spoke again and Julian still had no idea what to say. He could feel his body shaking a bit from his rollercoaster of emotions and he definitely needed a cigarette. Julian grabbed the back of his neck and squeezed as if to relax himself, “Er…yeah.”

He practically peeled his gaze to follow the motioning to the front of the shop and dropped his arm as he looked back at her, “I’m here...yeah. Been here for a month or so...” Julian shrugged and smiled lightly even though he was terrified beyond belief. Scared to say the wrong thing, afraid to say what he wanted, but he had to put his fear to the side. What if he never had another chance? He licked his lips quickly to replace the dryness, “But yeah...wow...I can’t believe you’re here...you look…” He racked his brain but nothing good came to mind, “...great...” He nodded agreeably, trying to show that he really meant what he said but internally hating himself. He could kick himself since great was nowhere near what he thought. Phenomenal, beautiful, stunning, gorgeous...and he went with great. Fucking idiot. He silenced his thoughts by blinking once slowly, “I um...” He put both of his palms together as if he was praying and placed them in front of his mouth as he assessed his thoughts. Looking to her eyes, one then the other, it had been so long since he’d gotten to look into them. Had she changed? What was her life like? Was she happy? Had she ever thought about him? He wanted to know so much but there were more important things to say.

Julian let his hands fall, his palms turned up wards towards her as he exhaled. It was almost like he'd waited a thousand years year to say it but he was exhausted and a little delirious from holding it back for so long, “I’ve really fucking missed you.” As a friend, as a lover, and as a person in general, this was Julian completely unguarded and open to a girl who had all the power to break him.

It was so incredibly surreal, all of what Amara had been feeling at this moment. It was as if time had frozen while the two just stared at one another for the first time in years. What had Julian's life been like since she had last seen him at Hogwarts? Amara's life had gone through so many changes, she did not even know where to begin. It did not seem to matter at this moment. The moment she looked up at him, craning her neck ever so slightly made all of the old nostalgic feelings she had been repressing all of these years come to the surface. The two of them had definitely grown into adults, and matured much since they dated in school. Despite this fact, just standing this close to him and hearing his voice again, it felt as though it had only been yesterday. Skipping classes, confiding all of their secrets to each other, sneaking away to snog at parties; the golden times of love the two shared. The darker memories of jealousy and distancing towards the end of their relationship were far from her mind. It was a new beginning.

Listening to Julian nervously explain himself, Amara watched him intently. She could not get over the fact about how different, yet the same he was. He had matured so handsomely, and his body was now covered in tattoos. Amara's blue eyes sparkled with excitement, as the thought of what the rest of his canvas looked like that she could not see. Bad girl. She had to cool it and keep her composure. Sure, she was still a fiery little flirtatious thing, much like in her school days, but she definitely more careful with her affairs and giving her love away. She led men on more than actually getting involved or attached. She liked the attention and gifts that men offered her, but never did she feel this instant attraction just talking to a man. But then again it was Julian after all - The one who got away. Or was it she that got away? Either way... It had been an extremely long time since she had been in such close contact with the One she had ever, truly, cared about.

At his compliment, Amara flashed him a brilliant smile. She couldn't help herself. She felt giddy for some reason, it was almost silly how she couldn't control her girly emotions. “Why thank you,” she replied to his 'great' compliment. She bit into her lower lip ever so slightly, still smiling at him. A golden warmth was emanating from the witch, nearly swallowing up the entire shop. Time seemed to be moving in slow motion. As he brought up his hands to his face, Amara felt slightly nervous.... She wondered if he was still on the fence about her. They had gone through quite a few issues, mostly because Amara was constantly being pursued by other boys and she didn't know how to handle it. She was too young and too stupid to be in a serious relationship, and made a lot of mistakes. Her heart sank a little bit, knowing that it was possible that Julian hated her guts. She would have to accept it.

Just then, as Julian let his hands fall to his sides, the moment of truth was about to reveal itself. “I've really fucking missed you.” YES! The short witch nearly sprang up from where she was standing, her cloak falling off behind her as she threw her arms around his neck. She was on the very tips of her tippy toes just to reach around him. She nuzzled her face into his shoulder, taking in his familiar scent. This was really happening. She let her lips press against his tattooed neck with a pleasant kiss before releasing him from her embrace. “I've missed you too! So much.”

Amara. Standing in the same room with her, finally, it was quite a lot for the wizard to take in. There were too many times when he denied her, telling himself that she meant nothing, but…seeing her, hearing her, Julian knew he had been telling himself the biggest lie. Jumbled thoughts ran through his head and his heartbeat was still racing as he watched the love of his life standing as silent as he was. So much time gone by for the pair, so much was different, yet there were qualities that hadn’t changed. Amara looked the same but…she had a look to her like she had come into her own just as much as he had. Perhaps even more, she seemed sweeter somehow. But the fact that he still loved her was heavy on his heart but now he was much more guarded with his emotions as a result of their time together. Although, one thing was for certain and unchanging, he could love Amara with a fierceness. Even after all the years, he’d never stopped no matter how much he wanted to. He was happy to say the least, maybe this was another time to do it right. Perhaps there would be a rekindling of an old flame, one that wavered for him but never went out. Don't, he stopped there, realizing he had no idea what her life was like now.

He could feel her eyes on him, a playfully brilliant smile on her so perfect lips that he had to keep redirecting his own eyes to back hers. But was she checking him out just there? Julian never attempted a back flip but he almost knew he would be able to with the adrenaline that was coursing through him after that. Could he really hold onto grudges from so many years ago? Was he really resentful from it all? Looking at her face, her petite and well curved body, where the material from her clothing hung onto in all the right places...it was insanely hard for him to think clearly. Between her veela magic and his love for her and her natural beauty it was hard for him to remember why he'd been so upset with her. It was so long ago, she wasn't in the right state of mind. He let his gaze graze yearningly over her body again. Surely, his primal instincts would get the best of him if he succumbed to them now.

He confessed his thoughts to the dazzling witch before him with open and unapologetic honesty and time seemed to move at an alarmingly slow state. He held his breath in his throat; his heartbeat was drowning out any sound around him as he stood there with open arms. He starred down at her and before he had time to really regret his words, he was now starring at a cloak floating slowly to the ground. Amara threw her arms around his neck and Julian was stunned into unexpected bliss by the sudden contact. One foot leaned back slightly from the embrace but she was just a little thing he quickly regained his momentum and scooped her up with both arms tightly. His body almost acting out of sheer impulse, as he lifted her off of her feet just barely; the smell of her natural scent and perfume seduced his senses as he kissed whatever spot he could find out of brilliant and internal ecstasy. “I. missed. You. So. Much.”

The feel of her lips to his neck didn’t even give the wizard a normal reaction of lust. He was too consumed in the thought of her and her pleasure emotionally. He set her down, grinning and unable to wipe any evidence of the exclamation off his features. He wanted to kiss her, especially hearing the next words coming from her mouth. There was nothing more he wanted to do at that moment. But...she was use to men throwing themselves at her and he was pretty positive that much had stayed the same. Julian was torn between acting on instinct and playing it cool. He looked down at her intently, the emotion emitting from him was almost impossible to miss. He calmed himself down but letting out an intense breath and letting a hard laugh escape him, “Well…now that that’s out of the way.”

It was almost like he’d spent time with her just yesterday and he was feeling playful and a little deviant. He looked down at her tilting his head and biting his bottom lip as if he was debating some mischievous plan, “You should come to the back of the store with me…” Julian raised one suggestive eyebrow as he gestured his head towards where he was talking about. He held open his large tattooed hand for her to grab as he sent her a sly smile, "I want to show you something..."

The golden glow surrounded the pair, completely swallowing them. The rest of the shop's lights dimmed as not only Amara, but Julian, glowed as he wrapped his long arms around her tiny frame. Puzzle pieces. Even as first years, Amara and Julian had always been extremely close. Before Amara got romantically or physically involved with any boys in school, she could be found holding hands with Julian in the corridors when professors weren't around. Sitting next to each other in class, passing notes, a kiss on the cheek. There was a history and bond between them that was undeniable. She freely allowed Julian pick her up off of the ground for a brief moment, her eyes closed in bliss as he kissed the nape of her neck. She could not recall the last time a man had made her feel this way. Amara Cast was completely breathless, as Julian set her back down. She took a moment to compose herself, opening her bright blue eyes once more and looked right back up at him.

He was grinning at her, and she couldn't help but mirror the same exact, genuine toothy smile. As she got herself together, the glow had evened out. The shop was unsuspectful, and gave no evidence of what had just occurred. Although Amara had no idea of her Veela heritage, she had always suspected something was different about her. Sure, she knew that she was pretty, there was no denying that. Over the years however, handfuls of men had thrown themselves at her, it was pretty obnoxious or ridiculous at times. Her beauty came with a price, and it had made her cold in a way. As she grew older it was hard for her to trust men, knowing that their intentions were purely physical. There had been one incident at Hogwarts in Amara's fourth year when a seventh year completely took advantage of her, under a dark magic spell. Julian had been one of the only people, other than Dumbledore, that knew about this incident. Amara did not have many women friends either, and this was mostly her own fault. Although she could have any guy she desired, she still felt threatened whenever a beautiful woman (inside or out) came near her. There was no doubt that Amara was an attention whore, which gave her a pretty bad reputation at times.

All that aside, the wall she had came crumbling down with a simple embrace by Julian Greyson. She felt fearless for the first time in years. He had always managed to make her feel this way. She was able to just let go. Let go of all the darkness that clouded her consciousness and just be herself. Warm in his arms. Amara yearned to be in his arms again already. She picked up her cloak from the floor and folded it over her arm. Underneath the cloak Amara was dressed in a simple black layered dress with sheer long sleeves. Black tights with black high top suede shoes; her dark auburn, almost black hair cascaded down just below her collarbone in lovely waves. She wore a long silver chain with a crescent moon pendant. At Julian's comment about getting their embrace out of the way, Amara let out a small little snort, giggling once more. It felt good to be around him again.

"You should come back into the store with me..." Amara raised a dark eyebrow. Whaatttt? Where they going to relive some of their old Hogwarts memories of snogging in the closet? This was all happening very fast, but Amara felt daring and impulsive. She suddenly wanted to see how far this was going to go. "Yes," Amara nodded in agreement at his suggestion. She reached out and slipped one of her small soft hands into his.

She slipped her soft hand into his, it was so small in comparison, Julian knew he could easily wrap his whole hand around hers. A small twitch of a smile danced on his lips to this fact as they walked down the hallway. The tattoo covered man lead Amara in front of him so she could enter first, he spoke softly as his deep voice could manage when he lowered his mouth near her ear, "After you." There was no doubt that Julian was using the full extent of his charm for the witch, she brought that kind of behavior out of him just by being present. There was a soft warm glow in the grungy paint splattered space and more art hung from the walls of different talents. His tattoo station was in another corner of the room and held a higher sign of organization and thorough cleanliness than his desk where his lamp was still on. His desk was scattered with various small stacks of sketchbooks and portfolios of his tattoos and photography along with varied quills, inks, and brushes. It was hog heaven for any artist.

Julian offered Amara the chair at his desk and pulled another chair over for him like he did with most of his clients when sitting down for a consultation. But this was not a meeting with strangers, no. Julian watched Amara a moment before speaking, his eyes full of childlike curiosity and adoration, he smirked slightly as he spoke, “Grab that sketchbook off the desk, will you…the old one...I think you’ll recognize it when you see it…” He watched her coolly as she searched, his insides boiling with excitement. Once Amara found the old sketch book, she would have to recognize some of the pictures. They were all of her or sketches she gave him, dating back to their Hogwarts years and even recently. His charcoal sketches showed the improvement in his hand and eye, but also showed the fading of a memory. Where Amara was his live model in Hogwarts, she was just a fading memory in more recent sketches, some more haunting than beautiful.

Amara lead Julian down the hallway to the back studio. There was something so familiar in this movement, an action they had repeated in their younger years running down the corridors in Hogwarts. Her heart was beating rapidly, an old feeling stirring butterflies in her stomach. The model felt like a teenager again, when the world was new. Before they both experienced heartbreak and disappointment. When they were more or less "innocent" and not jaded and untrusting. Julian and Amara were each other's first true loves. Lost for seven years. Seven long years... so much had changed. Was this a second chance? Or was it too late? For some reason the witch had herself convinced that she would never see Julian Greyson ever again. This was certainly not an ordinary evening. With her free hand, Amara reached down and opened the door.

She took a step into the room, her crystal blue eyes wide-eyed taking in all of the colors and images on the walls. Before Julian even had to point out where his station was, Amara could pick it out immediately just from the style of paintings and sketches that were surrounding it. She continued to hold his hand as she guided them over to his station. Amara plopped down on his desk chair, still wide eyed, looking right back at him as he sat down in front of her. His eyes mirrored her same curiosity and adoration, Amara's freckled cheeks were still hot. At his suggestion, Amara turned around so she was now twisted slightly, rummaging through his sketchbooks. "Ahh..." she said softly, picking up the old sketchbook. It was black leatherbound, the pages slightly yellowed and faded. A small smile graced her full lips. "Oh, Julian... you still have it." She opened up the sketchbook and started paging through it slowly.

"I remember this day," she stopped after a while of looking in silence. She continued to look down at the sketch book. It was a lovely sketch of the lake, the forbidden forest on the side of the composition. It was a beautiful sunny day, Amara remembered it clearly. It was one of the first lovely days of Spring, when it was warm enough to go outside without wearing a heavy cloak. The two had taken the opprotunity to skip their afternoon class that day and spend it together on the grounds, hiding away and sketching. The witch let out a small little sigh, images flowing through her minds eye of such simpler times. She tore her eyes off the pages and looked at him.

"How have you been, Julian?" Her voice was soft, very uncharacteristic of her... but she felt nervous. Excited. It was hard to even explain what types of emotions she was experiencing. Mostly shock. She did not even know where to start, but it seemed like a good question to start with. She was still having trouble breathing evenly. She was almost tempted to pinch herself to make sure this was really happening.

The tattoo covered man smiled widely as she found what he wanted…you still have it…Julian laughed, more to himself than anything. He thought about the countless times he came close to disposing of the damned thing, but it was always bittersweet. On one hand it was the only way of keeping her memory as a great friend and a lover fresh in his brain- and on the other- her being 'real' to him by a material object from years ago drove him crazy, he felt pathetic. Needless to say, the book held more death threats than a live living being… “Yeah...couldn’t seem to get myself to get rid of it,” he said with casual sarcasm that only he would recognize. Julilan rubbed his chin slowly with a small lingering smile as he watched her in sentimental silence. The way she was leaning over the sketchbook, just slightly and scanning the pages with lively eyes, every seemingly pointless flip of the page with her delicate hands was a memory coming back to life from long ago for Julian. Like putting pieces of a puzzle back together of a pubescent dream.

I remember this day... Julian peered at the sketch of the lake with mild interest to see what she'd been referring to; he nodded slowly though only half listening as a memory made it's way into his mind. He smirked before he spoke, “I skipped class without you once...I wanted to write you letter...Or poem? I don't know something equally pathetic..." He rolled his eyes, amused by his younger self, "Anyway- I remember that I had liked you and I was writing to confess to you…And just before I was done...you came right up behind me- I mean- right over my shoulder,” the wizard let out a light laugh as he thought about it, “It scared me half to death...I swore you saw what I was writing...I was bloody mortified…I almost pissed my trousers when you asked me what I was doing…ha-ha...” He shook his head slightly, his laughter trailing off as he remembering the innocence of it all, while simultaneously thanking merlin that he’d grown out of his emotionally awkward teenage years, "Ahhh…good times..." His sarcasm was obvious.

His lure to her was evident even then, at such a young age. And even though his hormones were at work 95% of the time during his teens, it wasn't purely based on fact that she was gorgeous beyond a doubt. It was something about the way she moved, something so lost to the women of his generation, which enticed him. She was radiant but something else...a sort of sensuous elegance, a woman before her time, she was sexy without even trying to be. How've you been, Julian? The tattoo covered man was caught off guard as she pulled him from his thoughts, he was not expecting her question. The witches inquiry was not out of the ordinary or difficult in any way he only thought the drawings would crack a levee of memories, like ‘do you remember the time’ questions and perhaps a few laughs, not his wellbeing. He grazed his tongue across his bottom lip before he spoke, “How’ve I been?” Julian leaned back, relaxing in his chair as he let out the air from his closed lips.  “Uhh…,” He smoothed the back of his hair for a moment, giving himself time to think.

There were so many ways to answer her question…so much time had passed....it was in that instant that the stretch of time seemed to dawn on him so clearly. Amara had been gone for years. The image of her in the Slytherin common room came to the forefront of his mind. Where there was once beautiful, sad, broken little girl; looking for love in all the wrong places was now a confident, successful woman sitting across from him. Seven years, he thought again, ...she's a whole new person, so much time had gone by. They’d been wiped clean from each other’s lives like an insignificant smudge on a mirror…well...almost. Julian was the smudge on her mirror, she never had to see him again but Amara...Amara was Julian’s reflection, she was there everywhere he went. Magazines, newspapers, shopping stores, buses, trains, right outside his work; he couldn’t get away from her.

The wizard tried to move on, he’d been with numerous women and even traveled abroad, but his guard would allow himself to feel anything remotely close like he did with the blue-eyed bombshell. But…if he was honest, he didn’t put up much of a fight either, he couldn’t let go and a small part of him didn’t want to. It was as if Julian was convinced that Amara was it for him, he couldn’t think about another girl in ways he did with her. How could he replace the irreplaceable?

All the back and forth nonsense only went on a moment in his head as he sat up straight and cleared his throat to speak, “I’m good, you know? Living in London, not too far from here…” What else was there to say? He wasn’t about to explain the process of emotions he had experienced since the last time he saw her so, he decided to give the ‘after school’ speech, “Uh, well, after I dropped out I kind of moved around…job to job…I started tattooing and traveling a bit,” He wanted a life as far as possible from his previous but decided, smartly, to leave that out of his explanation, “Dabbled in photography- with local models,” He clarified, “mostly for fun, you know. Make collections’ for the girls and that, some side gigs…”  He shrugged, giving himself some time to think.

“Let’s see…then I came back to London when my sister was born- I didn't want her to grow up without me, you know? ...And…now I’m here,” He gestured around the room acknowledging his place of work, “Yeah…not too bad, honestly,” He added with a small shrug. It was a simple life for a simple man he thought as he relaxed in his seat now that he was done explaining.  “I know that I am glad to see you...well, the real you...not the massive billboard version of you,” His lip twitched a smile before he continued, "More importantly, How have you been, Ms. Amara Cast? Has all the fame gotten to your head yet?” He smirked crookedly accompanied by a wink, signifying that he was harmlessly poking fun at the marvel before him.

Julian explained his memory of the same sketch, and Amara couldn't help but let out a rather loud short laugh. “HA!” She reached across the small space that separated them and slapped him on the knee playfully. Amara has... and probably always will be a very physical and rather aggressive person in her own way. Her forwardness usually threw most people off and surprised them because of how lovely and graceful she appears. Most people (men) find it incredibly endearing. Her blunt nature and confidence were probably her strongest assets, and what had gotten her this far in life. She was not afraid to pursue what she wanted. The witch was not ashamed of her sexuality or romantic history. She was a wild child and had a roller coaster of a life because of her impulsive and flirtatious nature. She wouldn't have it any other way. She scooted ever so slightly closer to Julian, whom even sitting down towered over her. She looked up at him through her thick black lashes. Bedroom eyes. She was laying it on hard. It's been seven years!

“I wish you would have kept the poem...” Amara trailed off, dark plush lips parting revealing some of her pearly white teeth in a smile. She looked back down at the sketch book and started to page through it slowly. A few of her long dark locks fell in front of her face as she would linger on certain drawings longer than others. “Those were the good old days, weren't they?” She agreed. A very hard lesson she had to learn over and over again was that she never knew what she had until it was gone. She spent so many times wondering about Julian over the past seven years. She never had gotten the courage to track him down however. It took a long time for their paths to cross again but Amara had always hoped that this day would come. 

As soon as her question left her lips, she almost regretted asking it. Of course she was interested in what Julian had been up to these many years they've been apart. On the other hand, she knew that he would most likely turn the question around back on her. Her heart raced for a moment, thinking of all of what had changed in her life. She had a son, to one of their old mutual friends from Hogwarts. She had left right before she started showing, living in Neroli. She had completely stopped talking to Julian and avoided him without any explanation what  so ever. Amara did a pretty good job at keeping her personal life out of the gossip magazines. Since her son lived with her father most of the time when she was away working, no one really knew about his existence. As much as Amara loved the limelight, she did not want to bring her young and impressionable son into fame. He deserved a normal life, and now that Amara was making a good living for herself she tried her best to give him everything she didn't have when she was growing up; she didn't want to mess him up emotionally in any way. It was enough that his father was not in the picture.

“I'm good, you know?...” Amara let out a small breath of relief. She looked around the studio room. He did seem to be doing very well for himself. His talent for the arts really shined now, and she was glad that he found a career that help fulfill those desires that he exhibited even when they were young lovers. Who knew how history would pan out, she could have never imaged this future for them. It truly made her so incredibly happy and thankful. An eyebrow perked up as soon as Julian mentioned photography. “Photography, eh?” Amara stood up and struck a very dramatic pose. Both of her arms up, bent so she was running them through her dark hair. She looked down at him with her very best haute couture expression. She kept the pose, her body creating an S-shape, her feminine curves looking slightly exaggerated. “Think you can work with a professional?” She winked at him, her mouth open in a playful smile. She burst into laughter, relaxing her pose. After her giggles subsided, she nudged him lightly with her elbow. “I want you to take myyy photo,” she whined, teasingly.

“Has the fame gotten to my head? Hmmmm,...” Amara laughed again, her laugh was beautiful like chimes in the wind. “Yeah, probably.” She shrugged, still smiling. It was true, she felt a little spoiled at times, but she didn't give a damn. As far as the witch was concerned she earned all of her fame. She climbed the social latter all on her own. Not much has changed with her though, except that she is much richer than she used to be. Even now as she sat sitting in front of Julian, Amara was adorned in different magical crystal jewelry, all of them harvesting their own luck and fortune charms. Although Amara struggled in school, she was actually pretty smart and a great witch when she wanted to be. A love for crystals and magical objects was inherited directly from her father, who collected and sold them as his career.

After a moment of laughter, she cleared her throat and became a little more serious. “It's great to see you, as well Julian, it really is...” She reached over and touched his hand lightly, giving it a small squeeze. “A lot has changed for the both of us.” At his mention of his little sister being born, her stomach gave a slight jolt, thinking of her own young son at home again. “I didn't want her growing up without me.” Amara nodded. “I know what you mean,” she spoke, quietly now. She looked up at him from her hands on her lap. “The only reason why I continue to return to London and stay here is for Liam.” Her lips formed a very small smile, she couldn't help it, thinking of her little boy. “My son.”

I wish you would have kept the poem…he let his eyes cast down to her lips when she’d finished, noting the urge that pulsed through him as he watched them part into a smile. She was breathtaking, with all her beauty and confidence and it took up all of Julian’s concentration just to focus his mind on the discussion instead of other…fleshly subjects. The poem, riight, he thought trying to keep himself on track. He suddenly wished he had kept it as well when he looked to her brilliant blue eyes but refrained from saying so and laughed hard instead, “Yeah, right. I don’t. Can you imagine the absolute horror…?” The tattooed wizard’s eyes got big at the idea and he shook his head playfully as if the thought was foolishly mortifying.

She then asked the wizard about his wellbeing and he replied by giving her bullet points to the last seven years of his life easily concentrating his mind on normal conversation and then Amara, like she was always capable of doing, threw a wrench into his whole focus. You think you can work with a professional...she then contoured her body so naturally, so flawlessly, it was a whole other level of sexiness that Julian had ever been around. Oh. My. Dear. Sweet. Moses. Yes, yes he could. He never had worked with someone so up the social ladder but regardless he knew he wanted to in that exact second. After taking in his whole bottom lip with his teeth to keep from saying rather inappropriate things, he laughed a hearty laugh with her. Shaking his head lightly once the laughter subsided he looked to her earnestly, there was still that part of her that hadn’t changed and he appreciated the familiarity more than words could express.

I want you to take my photo. It was teasing and everything about her was erotic, her voice was his favorite noise in that second and Julian couldn’t help himself. It did him in and he felt there was just too much space between the two. He placed both of his large hands on either side of her chair and while gripping lightly, pulled himself and her closer together, closing any and all space between them. He watched her facial expressions, a playful curiosity on his own features as he leaned in close the move in itself was not forceful or meant to be rude in any way, but it was bold. He gave Amara a once over, just with his eyes before resting them on her lips, then to her eyes. When he decided to speak it was with mock solemnity and replied, “I dunno love…I’d have to check my schedule.” He could just barely contain the smirk peeking from behind his contrasting disposition and didn’t hold it in much longer.

His frame relaxed back into a friendly nature, “Honestly, Amara, need you even ask?” He said this like the answer was obvious. He would never turn down a chance to work with his old flame, “It would be my absolute honor.” He continued telling her of his travels and what have you and finally turned the question on her. Julian shared her humor in her response, before replying with, “Well done, then love. I’m glad to hear it. I know we haven’t talked but…there was always a part of me that was proud of you. You deserve to be happy.” Regardless to the fact that she left without any explanation and the rest of the trivial incidents that happened between them when they were so young, Amara remained to be one person in his life that he held into high account. He’d continually wonder how she was, remembering all the terrible things that had happened to her in school, and he hoped she would continue to grow. And she had, more than he ever could have imagined.

He told the witch how he enjoyed seeing her and she responded with a small squeeze of his hand. She rested her hand on his lap and Julian placed his over it, lightly stoking his thumb over hers, he wanted some part of him to be touching her at all times and he wasn’t sure why. Julian assumed there would be loads of talk about her journeys, maybe a general explanation of the finer things in life she’d experienced, perhaps other celebrities that she may have met along the way...but that wasn’t what he heard at all. Instead she responded with words that took Julian a few moments to register...for Liam, my son. The wizard froze and his stomach hit the floor. Things seemed to move in slow motion as he processed what she said. It was as if a bomb had exploded in the room and Julian was the only to notice. It took every ounce of the wizard’s strength not to show his internal reactions through his expression, so at first his review came off emotionless and a bit insincere, “I’m sorry…did you say son as in child? As in…you gave birth…to a child…” How weird of a question to ask but Julian’s thoughts were everywhere at once it was hard for him to get a handle on it all.

“I mean…when? When did…that happen?” Julian’s thoughts were a bit disheveled that much was apparent. As soon as the questions left Julian’s lips he could feel all the adrenaline pulsing through him and he was sure, if he tried, he could lift a bus without any use of magic. At first glance it seemed the witch still had her own little spell on him. Once he let his guard down and forgot about all the past nonsense between them, there she was bringing all his worst fears to the surface…but…was he really in the same position he was in seven years ago? Did she really still hold that power over him? The answer to his own question surprised him. The tattooed man still had a lot of his own struggles to work out but ultimately he was a confident and capable man now. There was no one that could take away his accomplishments…or make him feel like less of a man unless he let them…a mentality that he recently had to come to terms with. He finally understood. He recognized that her inform was something that deserved to be confronted with joy and acceptance, not his own self-doubt.

Of course if he was honest  it was indeed a little disappointing at most but, Amara had a life to live the seven years they were absent from each other. He couldn’t really expect to be the only lover she’d known. Though the idea was appealing, he noted territorially, he couldn’t expect that of such to be truth and it wasn’t. She had a son. She contributed to something beautiful and full of life in this world like he always knew she would. He seemed to snap out of his revere and brought himself back to the present, “That’s...that is...wow...I mean...,” He grabbed the back of his neck and stretched a little before relaxing again, “...Liam did you say?” The bittersweet his voice was apparent but it didn’t take away from his happiness for her. But something clicked after she told him how old the boy was. He knew they had both been in Hogwarts at the time. Julian looked to her with a pained expression, “Who’s the kid’s father?”

The witch could not help herself when it came to her antics this evening. She was much more mature than seven years ago, yet the tattooed wizard somehow brought the fire out of her. Amara was well aware of how to please a man and certain trigger points that set them off. She was testing Julian, seeing how far she could push the envelope before one of them couldn't handle it anymore. And to think only yesterday Julian Greyson's whereabouts were a complete mystery. She found him again, in her home of a city that was London. The fliratious exchanges between the two was beginning to make Amara's veela powers shine again. Her hair began to float ever so slightly around her, her bright blue eyes glittering.

It felt almost like old times, the two so close in proximity and flirting shamelessly. She wanted Julian. Amara was used to getting everything she wanted, and that matured tattooed wizard sitting in front of her was the apple of her eye. She didn't want to screw up her second chance...Which is why she decided to opt for complete honesty, instead of trying to hide the truth that would eventually reveal itself at some point. May as well get all of the awkward parts over with so they could either move on, or perhaps Julian wouldn't want anything to do with Amara anymore, anyway. It seemed that the witch really had no control over her impulses as usual. This was both a good and a bad thing...

At his comment of having a busy schedule, Amara let out a small snort. “Oh! WELL then, I certainly hope you can pencil me in,” she purred, giving him a wink.

Amara's breath became short when Julian closed the gap between the two. There was nothing more the witch wanted to do but snog him senseless at that point when his lips came close to hers. She inhaled quickly, her bright eyes widening. She looked deep into his brown eyes. Why on earth was she so stupid at Hogwarts? The witch wished she could go back in time and slap some sense into her younger self. Why oh WHY did she decide to screw up her affair with Julian so long ago? At least she was close to him again now. Merlin knew that she paid for all of her careless actions and horrible behavior in one way or another. It was about time she had some good karma.

... And then she let the bomb go off. Amara quietly remarked on the existence of her son in London after he had asked her about her welfare. It was really only a matter of time before he would find out anyway, if Amara truly were to get close to him somehow. Her stomach sank and the gold in the room that was emanating from her disappeared. She felt Julian pull away from her; she could not imagine what sort of feelings he was experiencing. They had loved each other so strongly in their teenage years. It was such a long time ago, but Amara knew that Julian was feeling the same type of way she was right now. They just clicked. It had always been this way since the day they met their first year.

She quietly watched him react to her statement, her hands now folded neatly on her lap. "Yes...." she answered him, almost in a whisper. "I gave birth to a child...." she nodded, assertively although she looked a little dazed as well. Her heart began racing again and she felt very nervous. "Who's the kids father?"

Amara pulled out a very tiny chain from underneath her dress. She unbuckled it and handed the necklace to Julian. On the end of the silver necklace was a little oval locket. Inside of the locket was a moving portrait of a six year old boy. He had messy thick dark hair that stuck out in almost every direction, his mother's freckles splattered across his perfect little nose and cheeks. The photo of Liam was looking around the frame; every once in a while showing a toothy grin, exposing a gap-tooth smile. His eyes, huge saucers that are almost white they are such a bright blue. Just by looking at the photo, Amara was sure that Julian could see determine who the father was. They had the same trademark big full moon eyes that almost appeared too big for his head. He was an extremely handsome and cute little boy. Liam the Leo - devious and bright.

"As soon as I had found out I was pregnant I stopped talking to you," Amara replied at first ignoring his question. The veela was not looking at Julian anymore, but at the portrait of her son. She couldn't help but smile a bit, although admitting to the truth pained her. "It was a cowardly thing to do, I know." Her voice was no longer a whisper, and she was becoming a bit more confident in her speech. She looked up from the portrait of Liam and back into Julian's eyes. "I was so afraid Julian," Amara said, her expression was earnest and she as laying herself clean in front of him. Exactly as she had done time and time again when they loved each other.

She let out a small breath and pushed some of her dark locks behind her ear. "I didn't want to hurt you anymore. I didn't want anyone to know. I dropped out of Hogwarts and lived in Neroli with Professor Firepillar until I had Liam. When I came back to Hogwarts a long time after, you were gone." Now, after explaining herself as much as she could, she finally answered Julian's question. "Liam may never know his real father," Amara began. "He disappeared from my life halfway through the pregnancy, and no one knows his whereabouts." She sighed, and shrugged a little.

Truth be told, Amara never really loved Mikhail as a romantic partner, he was in the same mutual group of friends Julian had in the Slytherin house when they were growing up. Mikhail also was a werewolf who only confided this secret with his closest friends, and Dumbledore had made sure to take care of him so he could get a quality education at Hogwarts without harming himself or other students. Liam's existence was a complete and utter drunken accident made by irresponsible teenagers drinking fire whisky. Amara was not exactly sure if Julian knew about Mikhail's werewolvism, but he may have. They definitely knew each other though.nMikhail was only a year ahead of Julian and Amara. "Mikhail Paul is Liam's father."

Her confirmation didn't make the situation any more justified in his mind, it might as well have been sand seeping through the open fingers of his hand. The idea of her with child was something he couldn’t grasp on to, let alone envision, but it became all the more real once he saw the way her smile turned instantly blissful at the mention of her son. This and this alone made Julian more...accepting to the situation but he still found himself of edge, anticipating the name of the father. But Amara, who seemed to have no end to his misery, kept him waiting as always. Instead of answering him she pulled out a locket, outstretching it for Julian to take. The quiet tattooed wizard let the necklace rest in his large palm as he watched the picture for a moment. While looking at the boy’s face, Julian felt like he’d seen her son before.

It wasn’t just because he had his mother’s freckles etched over the same shaped nose and cheeks, it was the way his eyes were shaped… No matter how hard Julian tried to remember where he had seen those eyes, the blurry flashes of memories made him unable to get a hold anything long enough to figure it out thus he soon became distracted by the picture itself. It was hard not to be moved by the boy as he was a handsome child who happened to have his mothers features. And Julian had always loved Amara, anything that the dark haired woman produced he was most likely to feel this way about. He'd momentarily forgot his question about the father as he kept his eyes on the necklace. “This is way you left.” It was a fact coming from his lips, there was a part of him that was now able to understand the why she had avoided him at all cost in the corridors of Hogwarts and the reason for her leaving.

But there were also parts of him that still had questions, the part of him that was still hurting after all these years. Why hadn’t she told him? What made her think that he wouldn't have helped her out regardless? He seriously felt as though learning of her pregnancy wouldn’t have thrown him enough to be done with her. Romantically put off, undoubtedly, but he couldn’t help but feel like with learning the information that he wouldn’t have left in such a broken hearted state. The closure, saying it aloud would have left a sweet taste on his tongue, it could have been wonderful. The tattooed wizard would have been able to move past his love affair with the witch in no time. But she took that from him like she always took things from him. Her speech brought him back to eight years ago to the times when she’d confess her wrongdoings. It was maddening to hear and it essentially took him back to a place of vulnerability.

She went on but Julian continued to stare at the locket absentmindedly, the very reason he and Amara had been apart from one another. And even though looking at the picture of someone else’s child made him jealous, it was not at all the child’s fault. With that thought he closed the locket in his fist as he looked to her critically as he thought. He hadn't grown up with any real guidance yet he held it together without hurting someone else...why was it so hard for her to do the same? I was so afraid…Julian scoffed before he could stop himself, this wasn't the first time she'd used that excuse. His thoughts turning negative as his unspoken emotions started to rumble through him like a ready volcano. The tattooed wizard held out the locket for her to grab before looking at her darkly, “Afraid of what exactly, Amara? Me finding out you got pregnant? You didn't think that was worth a mention regardless to your fear?”

Once she took back the locket Julian pushed himself back into his chair ultimately succumbing to his weaknesses and pushing her away with his words. I didn’t want to hurt you anymore He was frustrated but he kept his demeanor cool, distant, “You would have saved me a lot of time and energy...” He got up from his seat then, lightly shaking his head at the nerve of this woman and trying to keep his temper under control. A smarter part of Julian knew it was irrational for him to feel this way about something that happened so long ago but he just couldn’t be next to her anymore. Listening to what he felt was complete and utter bullshit. How many times had he asked the professor about her whereabouts without any solid answer to now learn she was staying at his house the entire time? Would it have been so horrible to inform him that she was safe, not to mention with child? And more importantly, was everyone involved in a ploy to make his youth miserable somehow?

It wasn’t until she’d mentioned the father’s absence that Julian tuned into the object of his affection. There was a fleeting part of him that grew sorry for the boy. He had to grow up without a father for what seemed to be because of his mother's careless choices. It hit close to home for the tattooed man, being raised by a mother who'd chose impulse before her child's needs. Of course, Julian couldn't have been more wrong in his thinking. Liam may never know his father...his tone was smug and sarcastic as he addressed her, “Now there's a surprise. You've alway chosen real winners.” Insensitive as it seemed, Julian was merely using his remarks as a defense mechanism and it wasn't without fight either. He was still able to bite back the worst of what he'd wanted to say since current Julian wanted to remain calm and unaffected while young Julian very much wanted to hurt the beauty still sitting graciously in her chair.

He'd almost apologized until she revealed the identity of the father as Mikhail Paul. Almost suddenly it was there, bright and clear and just as though Julian had seen the full moon eyed boy yesterday. Turning his full attention to the witch he sent a narrow eyed gaze to Amara that, if able, would have burned a whole right through her, “What?” The T was cut and curt as it echoed through the room. Mikhail Paul had been a mutual friend of the pair, sneaking about Hogwarts and skipping classes with them. Never did Julian think for a second the mention of Mikhail would be a part of this conversation since he was one of the few people Julian had trusted. The sudden news threw Julian in a series of moods mad, sad, betrayed, confused, relieved, depressed, panicked...but then finally...then there was laughter.

It was bizarre.

Julian let out a hearty laugh, doubling over a bit moment and placing his hand on his abs before her looked back to the witch, a sort of darkly amused gleam in his eyes, "Wooo. Now, that is funny. I'm glad that worked out for you two then." His words were dripping with sarcasm but it was obvious that the wizard was having a bit of a crisis in dealing with what was inside him.

Amara watched with a held breath as Julian observed her own son's portrait. She could not imagine what on earth was going on in his mind. Rage? He seemed to be keeping himself together as he quietly looked at Liam's photo. Liam was so darn cute, Amara couldn't help but smile every time she saw his beaming little face. He was an immaculate blend of Amara and Mikhail. So far, Liam had showed no symptoms of werewolvism, which kept her mind at ease. She was pretty positive that gene was not passed down. Yet she could not help but notice that Liam did get exceptionally rowdy on the nights of a full moon...

Julian's voice cut her out of her train of thought. "This is why you left." Amara nodded slowly and bit into her bottom lip nervously. It was hard to watch Julian as he just sat there silently as she had tried to explain herself to him. This situation was all too familiar, Amara knew it. The circumstances were completely different than when they were younger. Having her son was pretty much the last of her careless days. Having her son saved her from herself in a way. If she had not grown up sooner, who knows who else's life she could have ruined, who's heart she would break. She couldn't help but feel the same familiar sense of guilt from the days when she would confess her sins to Julian. She was such a careless girl in her Hogwarts days. She cheated on Julian, and all of her boyfriends, all of the time. She was notorious, even to this day, for being a temptress. Maybe she deserved Julian's hate.

At Julian's question of asking about her fear, Amara could hear his anger in the tone of his voice. It was suddenly darker, lower. She did not like it, but she knew that she had struck a very sensitive nerve for Julian. She tried to put herself in his shoes. It had been so long, though. At his venomous questions, Amara cleared her throat, maintaining her composure and confidence. "I was afraid of anyone finding out I was pregnant, Julian...." she began, her face flushed a little. She felt slightly ashamed. "I didn't tell anyone. Most people still do not know this, because I do everything to keep Liam out of the press." She let out a sigh, and added quietly. "I just figured you deserved to know, now. I wanted to be honest." You would have saved me a lot of time and energy. This statement made Amara perk an inquisitive dark eyebrow. What exactly did that mean? Amara had figured that he would have just moved on. She had no idea that he had tried to track her down. She just assumed that he was done with her when they broke up the last time.

At his remark about her picking winners, Amara was beginning to lose her optimistic outlook. Julian seemed to be taking this extremely hard. "Well I choose you at one point," she remarked, matching his dark tone and narrowing her eyes at him. She knew that he was right, though. Julian had seen Amara go through some pretty horrible relationships, yet he still always took her back for some reason. Amara was always so oblivious and self-absorbed to realize how wonderful Julian was for her.

And then Amara revealed the father of Liam to be Mikhail Paul. It was completely true that Mikhail had been good friends with both Amara and Julian. She did not want to get into details about how they had ended up together, but she was willing to be honest with Julian from that point forward. She took the necklace back from Julian's fist and placed it around her neck. Liam's little portrait was looking back and forth between them as they spoke, looking a little frightened. Amara could sense the sarcasm in Julian's laughter and remarks as she reacted to the news of their mutual friend being Amara's estranged lover. As soon as he made the sly remark about "how that worked out", Amara's temper immediately changed.

The short half veela sprang out of her chair and stood up straight. The room darkened as her features suddenly seemed to sharpen. Her eyes glowed an icy white hot, and her ears became pointed as well as her nose. Her hair began to flow around her and the papers on Julian's desk began to react by shuffling around and falling onto the floor. A photo of Amara fell out of out of his own sketchbooks - a portrait of her topless, but covering herself, captioned "HIT WITCH 1999" from earlier in the year. She held up the photo for a brief moment, emphasizing her success despite her hard journeys through life.

"My life worked out wonderfully," Amara said, her voice booming loudly all of a sudden, yet still somehow completely beautiful and song-like. The anger was evident in her tone. She threw the photo of herself at Julian, which smacked him lightly in the face. "I am not a perfect person, but I have given my son a blessed life. I wouldn't trade him for the world," she hissed. "Not even for you. Deal with it, or I will leave this tiny establishment and continue my life without you."

A little dramatic, yes, but that was Amara Casts's way of life.