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eames/kagero hogwarts au
The first time she smiles (actually smiles, not just that politely civil tilt of her mouth while her eyes still remain perfectly blank) is in the middle of Defense Against the Dark Arts. They're practicing Patronus Charms and a chorus of expecto protonum echoes around him as he grasps at fleeting memories, warm and dusty ones from his childhood, when someone suddenly cries out.
"Bloody hell? Is that an octopus?"
He opens his eyes and it is indeed an octopus he sees in front of him, large and shimmering in the sunlight filtering in from the wide windows. It curls in on itself languidly, tentacles slithering along the floor amidst the whispers of the other students. He hears someone say something like "has to be the tentacle porn he reads" and he bites his lip to swallow down the remark. Instead, he looks up at her across the classroom, a shining doberman sitting next to her. He looks at her long enough for her to meet his gaze, tilting her head at him. His octopus makes a smart little salute with one of its tentacles and she looks down, but not quick enough to hide the amused grin on her face.
And in that moment, in that universe, Eames feels himself falling a little bit in love.
--
It's after dinner by the time Kagero leaves the library, cursing herself for losing track of time. She quietly mutters a prayer that Kaze managed to save her something as she hurries down the hallway, hearing a familiar voice when she rounds the corner.
"Look, why don't you just let me in? Save us both the trouble, wouldn't it?"
Of course it's Eames, she thinks, fighting the amused smile that threatens to make itself known. She clutches the books closer to her chest, slowing her approach as the portrait speaks again,
"You heard me before, yet you hear me again. Then I die, 'till you call me again. What am I?"
"An echo."
Eames turns around the second she speaks, squinting bloodshot eyes at her. His cheeks are flushed, hair deliciously disheveled and Kagero shoves down the weird flutter in her chest. The portrait swings open behind Eames and she slants a small smile at him before continuing on her way, ponytail fluttering in her wake.
"Bloody hell? Is that an octopus?"
He opens his eyes and it is indeed an octopus he sees in front of him, large and shimmering in the sunlight filtering in from the wide windows. It curls in on itself languidly, tentacles slithering along the floor amidst the whispers of the other students. He hears someone say something like "has to be the tentacle porn he reads" and he bites his lip to swallow down the remark. Instead, he looks up at her across the classroom, a shining doberman sitting next to her. He looks at her long enough for her to meet his gaze, tilting her head at him. His octopus makes a smart little salute with one of its tentacles and she looks down, but not quick enough to hide the amused grin on her face.
And in that moment, in that universe, Eames feels himself falling a little bit in love.
--
It's after dinner by the time Kagero leaves the library, cursing herself for losing track of time. She quietly mutters a prayer that Kaze managed to save her something as she hurries down the hallway, hearing a familiar voice when she rounds the corner.
"Look, why don't you just let me in? Save us both the trouble, wouldn't it?"
Of course it's Eames, she thinks, fighting the amused smile that threatens to make itself known. She clutches the books closer to her chest, slowing her approach as the portrait speaks again,
"You heard me before, yet you hear me again. Then I die, 'till you call me again. What am I?"
"An echo."
Eames turns around the second she speaks, squinting bloodshot eyes at her. His cheeks are flushed, hair deliciously disheveled and Kagero shoves down the weird flutter in her chest. The portrait swings open behind Eames and she slants a small smile at him before continuing on her way, ponytail fluttering in her wake.