Magic At Nevermore

“So I told him, 'Why don't you piss off and pick on someone your own year.'”

“Shut up you did not!”

“I did…kicked his ass and was just about to turn him into a pig before his mates jumped in…Spent a good while in the hospital wing. No one respects a good 1 on 1 duel these days.”

Caspian dug around in the large bag of Skittles. It was a shame both he and Enid preferred the green ones. A true gentleman would probably concede the sweets to the lady who purchased the snacks.

But Caspian was no gentleman and Enid was no lady.

They fought tooth and nail (claws and canines on her part) for the green apple flavour. She often won given her enhanced strength, but his quickness netted him a couple of pieces.

“Wow OK, tough guy. You must've been one of the popular kids.” Enid snatched the bag from him.

“Oh, I wish.”

“Hmmm, I smell cap.”

“I beg your pardon? You smell- Whatever…I could say the same for you too, drunken Enid at The Bash was a sight.” Caspian grinned as she froze, taking the opportunity to snatch the bag back. Drunken Enid was a sight indeed. He didn't think it possible she could get any more lively to be around. Even when he was tasked with looking after her he had fun. He's never felt that way about responsibility before. He'd usually run from it.

The werewolf turned the same shade of pink as her highlights. She reached for her coconut milk. “I'll be honest with you, I don't remember a thing from that night.”

“Eh, probably for the best.”

“How come?” Enid frowned, taking a sip.

Caspian grimaced. The Bash was nice and all but the real reason he loved it so much was the quality time they shared.

For a night he allowed himself to imagine what it would be like to be with her.

He knew it was wrong to even allow himself that fantasy, but he couldn't help it. A part of him was glad she didn't remember, but another part wish she did. “Wasn't that eventful, why would you want to remember a boring night?”

Enid polished off her drink. “I'm starting to think we didn't need a whole night to go through your phone.”

They were in the greenhouse way past curfew. The soft yellow lights of the desk lamps contrasted with the cool navy night filtering through the skylight. The large canopies of the plants provided the perfect amount of privacy in the otherwise spacious room. They were seated at his table, Enid where Wednesday usually occupied. Sitting here now, brushing elbows with her, he never noticed how little space they really had. It made sense considering he spent most of his time here ignoring his desk mates' very existence.

But that was neither here nor there, Caspian was more concerned about the potential 'noise' that could emanate from behind the greenhouse. However, it seemed the cold deterred any students from staying out too long. He was glad he chose to secure the empty classroom. He knew it would be a nice shelter from the elements.

But it was doing too good a job it would seem.

The climate-controlled space created a humid atmosphere, and both he and Enid were down to their shirts. He dawned a simple black tee while she had on a purple fluttery one. It was a rather romantic setting he'd have to admit. It would seem the universe did have a sense of humour after all. So much for keeping things low-key.But if Enid sensed the romantic vibes, she didn't show it.

“What can I say, I'm a fast learner.” Caspian shrugged.

“I guess you also wanted to stretch your legs too?”

“You know me so well,” Caspian grinned, grabbing her empty drink. He practically danced over to the trashcan, electing a small giggle from the girl. “I did miss being able to walk rather than hobble!”

Caspian was proud to announce he got his cast off earlier that day.

He followed all of Nurse Abner's instructions (even the tedious ones like covering it when he had to bathe) and it paid off. Nurse Abner did tell him to take it easy, but naturally, he galloped to each one of his classes. You never really know the value of something till you lose it.

He shuffled back awkwardly, Enid's blush only growing deeper as he danced to the imaginary song in his head.

Caspian was many things but a dancer he was not.

He'd rather be caught dead than dance without the aid of a few butter bears. But something about the girl made him leave all his inhibitions at the door. With her, he could be free to just be himself no matter how ridicules it made him look. Being someone who was naturally closed off, it was a refreshing feeling. He hoped she felt the same around him.

“Look at you go!” Enid whistled, as he slipped back into his seat. “Y'know…” She began slyly. “You didn't have to make up a story just to hang out with me.”

Caspian blinked. “Oh, I wasn't joking about my phone, I really did need a step-by-step guide…it's just…I rather talk with you instead.”

It was true. They spent the first hour going through the technical aspects of the device. How to navigate between apps, the various gestures, and what the notifications meant. So many uses for such a small tool. Caspian had more trouble remembering what it couldn't do rather than what it could.

The second hour was spent on internet etiquette. Basic rules like not sharing passwords, addresses, real names, and yes, opening sketchy links. Even if they did come from 'trusted' sources (Ajax).

She set up his various social media but not before taking dozens of photos for his profile picture. Back home, a photographer only took multiple photos if one was a celebrity author or famous wizard. But here, seemingly everyone was. After his photo shoot, Enid gave him a run down on meme culture, fake news, and 'gen-z talk'. It was a lot to take in, Caspian lost her at 'snap streaks' a while back.

But it wasn't long until his phone was cast to the side as they focused the conversation on each other.

Enid blushed, absentmindedly picking at his favourite notch on the table. “Y'know, If you just joined the fashion committee…”

Caspian bristled. “I said no Sinclair-”

“Oh pretty please with sprinkles on top!” She clasps her hands, leaning closer. Her sweet vanilla scent made him forget where he was for a second. “We need more male representation and you're just the guy! Divina's practically begging me to ask you to reconsider! You're like the perfect model for our future plans!”

Caspian eyed her. He already had this conversation with her before. Did he like fashion? Probably more than the next bloke. But was he about to strut on a catwalk in front of the entire school wearing Merlin knows what made by a group of girls he barely spoke to?

Not a chance in hell.

But what scared him more, was the fact Enid might actually get what she wanted if she kept this up. He already found it near impossible to say no to her. Now add pouty lips and puppy eyes to the mix.

Well, let's just say if she asked him to give her the world he'd deliver it in a handbasket.

Caspian needed to think of a way to curve her advances. His fragile masculinity was on the line after all. So as a natural Slytherin, he deflected with narcissism.

“All I'm hearing is that you girls think about me often.”

It worked like a charm. Enid instantly withdrew, her face twisting sour. “Don't let it get to your head.”

He flashed a cocky smirk, one he's seen so often from his upperclassmen. “Too late, It's already there.”

She huffed. “Y'know, Yoko actually says you're too short to be a mod-”

“Alright alright, we don't need to go there.” Of course, Yoko would be the one to point out the negative in everything. She's the type to never let a good thing just be good.

“Ugh!” Caspian jumped when the girl suddenly face-planted onto the desk. “I don't even wanna think about any of those clubs right now. I feel tired already- And DON'T, take that as an invitation to put me to sleep like Snow White. I still don't forgive you for that.” She eyed him defensively.

Caspian sighed. He was right, the second she woke up after being bitten by Gerald, he was blessed with the angry silent treatment. But not before receiving an earful on the ethics of putting someone to sleep against their will. No matter how many times he told her he cast no such spell, she still refused to believe him.

Suddenly, a thought came to his mind. He bit his lip, debating silently, before throwing caution to the wind. He slowly placed his head on the table.

Enid's lips parted slightly, but she didn't budge. They stayed like that for a moment, just staring at each other. They were impossibly close yet it was like there was this thin veil between them.

An unspoken line that both refused to be the first to cross, but both wanted to.

“May I ask you a rather…personal question?” Caspian whispered after some time. Enid stiffened a bit before nodding nervously. “Why did you join so many clubs if you so obviously despise them?”

Enid blinked before flashing a tired grin. “It's not that I hate them or anything, it's just… a lot that's all. And why I signed up in the first place? Well because they seemed fun!”

Caspian eyed her more closely. He conceded the girl was telling the truth. “But there had to come a point where the sheer stress of it outweighed the fun.”

Enid suddenly sat upright. “Well, my friends asked me to join and I promised I would.” She began tapping and humming along to an imaginary tune. It was one of her many ticks he's come to associate with Enid Sinclair.

Along with how she'd dart her tongue out randomly to either wet her lips or run along her teeth. Or how she'd extend and retract her nails when she was bored. Or the way she skips instead of walks, letting her arms swing when she wasn't carrying books.

Or the funny way she would sometimes go silent mid-conversation to stare off into space. Or how she'd run her hands through her hair only to whine about how messy it gets. Or the fact she literally can't sit still. Even now as she's sitting right beside him, she's shifting trying to find the perfect position. Like a puppy circling its bed.

“If they were truly your friends I'm sure they'd understand you need to pull back a little.”

“Ok well, what do you want me to say then?” Enid suddenly shot back. “Since none of my answers are good enough apparently.”

At her sudden change in tone, Caspian sat upright. “My apologies…. I just want the truth…”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “You don't think I'm telling the truth?”

“I-I'm not saying you're lying per se, It's just….Perhaps It's not the full truth.”

“….So you think I'm lying?”

“Wha- No…No. It's just I-…I'm” He floundered underneath her gaze before running a hand through his hair. “I'm worried about you…”

Enid stared at him strangely, the defining silence begged to be filled.

Caspian clear his throat. “I mean it's just, you don't sleep, you skip meals. You're consuming enough caffeine to kill a cow. In fact, if it weren't for your lycanthropic genes, you'd probably be dead.”

The Girl softened softened a bit, looking away almost guiltily.

He took this as his invitation to push further. “If you don't feel comfortable telling me, that's alright… I just wanted you to know that I….”

She was silent for a moment before she turned back to him. She opened her mouth, then closed it, then opened it again. “I…It's…Never mind it's stupid.”

“No, it's not.”

“It kinda is.”

“No…It's not.” He chided softly.

Enid locked eyes with him. If he couldn't muster up the courage to grab her hands, at least he could grab her attention.

The girl swallowed thickly. “All my life…I…I never belonged anywhere before…”

He waited patiently as she broke eye contact. “As you know…I was a late bloomer. For a good time, I genuinely thought I was going to be disowned by my family and forced to live a life of utter loneliness.”

“Sounds harsh.” He slid over his unfinished coconut drink like it was a pint of beer. Come to think of it, he probably should have brought some of the extra booze he had from The Bash.

“Well…that's wolf life for ya.” She chuckled heartlessly, taking a swig. “It scared me you know? The idea of being forever alone…Not even my own family would want me.” She leaned on her hand, biting her bottom lip. “I figured, if I was kicked out of my pack live, I should try joining others…. So I started doing clubs…I started my blog.”

“You were trying to find your own people.”

“Yeah…I'll be the first to admit, I was probably super annoying, but at least they knew me.” She smiled wryly. “Rather be the black sheep of the family than not be a part of one at all.”

Caspian wasn't sure what his heart broke at first. Her sullen face or the fact she truly was content that people just knew of her existence. In his mind, it should be reversed.

“But surprise surprise, I did end up turning. Suddenly, I had nothing to fear anymore. I wasn't going to be kicked out, my family….” Her voice cracked before letting out a cruel un-Enid-like chuckle that sent a shiver down his spine. “Ahem sorry, my 'family'….wasn't going to turn their backs on me. I was safe, I had a home to go back to. I was secure…”

Enid stared off, melancholy written all over her face. The hair that slowly cascaded down her petite face, had his fingers twitching to pull it back.

Blast that.

He wanted to simply hold her. To assure her with every rise of his chest and beat of his heart that she was enough for this world. For anyone. More than enough. He may not be able to tell her how much he cared, but he wanted to show her.

Wanted her to feel it.

Caspian clenched his jaw, leaning on his hand. “But you didn't feel...secure, did you?”

Enid suddenly glanced back at him, a flicker of pleasant surprise in her star-like eyes. “ Exactly….I'm still in social survival mode. Still, tryna…bolster my odds of not dying alone one day.”

“So that's why you're a part of so many clubs.”

She nodded. “And you know what? I still feel…I feel just as alone as ever.” She admitted softly.

Caspian bit his bottom lip “How so?”

“I mean, I'm splitting my time across all these different groups of people, I never feel like I can fully…” Enid puffed her cheeks, motioning with her hands. “Commit to one. Really give my all. Jesus! I'm technically a part of the Vamps even though I'm a werewolf! I have a foot in both worlds but…not a heart in any.”

She slumped her shoulders. “I feel like…I just feel…I feel like-”

“An outsider.”

She locked eyes with him. “Y-yeah…Yeah like an outsider, exactly….”

It was his turn to smile sadly, thumbing at his bottom lip. “An outsider….both within and without. I know what you mean.”

He never liked dwelling on the fact that he was the only wizard on the planet. It was a rather depressing thought.

Like that one article about the 52htz whale, Xavier showed him. The animal's matting call was at a frequency that no other member of his species responded to. So that poor beast just floats around the oceans, calling out fruitlessly into the void.

There was no one he could duel with, no one he could talk to about his life without explaining everything from scratch. Even then, there was a way they could understand. There was no one he could share a butter beer with. Hell, there was no butter beer here at all. Caspian almost forgot the taste of it. Did he really just take his last sip without even knowing?

He was an outsider, the only one of his kind, the loneliest whale.

He looked up at Enid, who also seemed to come to the same realization. “Yeah…no yeah of course you know what am I saying, I'm preaching to the choir.”

Caspian chuckled, grabbing the drink from her. “It refreshing to know you're not alone.”

“At least we can be outsiders together.” Enid sighed.

He nearly choked on his drink.

She smiled warmly at him and he returned the gesture the best he could. He was sure his cheeks were as red as a Gryffindor after-party. His skin bubbled like a freshly cracked bottle of fizzing whiz beer.

He had to remind himself that this was nothing more than two friends bonding and helping each other. That was all it was and all it will ever be as long as she was taken. So until further notice, they'll continue being just that. Friends.

Just friends.

“Anyways,” Enid cleared her throat. “I almost wet myself in the Quad.”

Caspian shook his thoughts away. “Are you talking about the battle or the Heat talk?”

She rolled her eyes, a slight blush creeping on her cheeks. “Both, but I was referring to the battle.”

“Oh? Any…” He couldn't help but chuckle at the odd subject change. “Life-changing revelations you wanna share with me there?”

Enid shrugged, sitting back upright. The warm light made her skin appear impossibly soft. “Nope, I just thought I'd actually thank you for being there. I don't think I ever did.”

Caspian brushed it off. “C'mon, I wasn't just gonna let you lot bite the dust without me.”

Enid let out a genuine laugh. “Always with the jokes ey?… But still, thank you.”

“Don't mention it.”

“Hey…” Enid pouted softly, touching his arm. “I mean it…thank you.”

He forgot how to nod for a second. “You're very welcome Sinclair.”

They both turned back around, gazing at the empty blackboard. They basked in the comfortable silence, each of them lost in their own world. He never knew that Enid had all this on her mind. It only served to make him feel more like a wanker for not picking up on it sooner.

Perhaps he could've helped her? He replayed each of their interactions through this new lens.

The way she was so friendly and accepting of him at the start.

Or how she'd always make an effort to include him in conversations.

Or how she went out of her way to physically find him when he didn't have a phone.

How she'd make an effort to learn about him and genuinely ask how his day was going.

Caspian couldn't help but recall an aside from one of the poems he was forced to dissect in third-year muggle studies.

The loneliest people are the kindest,

The saddest people smile the brightest,

The most damaged people are the wisest,

All because they do not wish to see anyone else suffer the way they do,

He always assumed, rather immaturely that she was just that. A bubbly, carefree happy person. But there was so, so much more. She's strong-willed, pragmatic, patient, and kind. Yet she was nervous, emotional, and unsure of herself. She was all of that and more. So much more than what was on the surface.

And if he hadn't dug, he would never have known the real Enid Sinclair. Would he have been content going through his life, only knowing one side of her?

Can he go through life, only knowing the surface level of a person?

“Y'know I haven't told that to anyone…Like anyone… not even my emotional support stuffies.” Enid chuckled.

Caspian, still lost in his own train of thought, murmured the first thing that came to mind. “Not even Ajax?”

The instant the words slipped his mouth he regretted it, whipping around to gauge her reaction. As expected, she was pale as a ghost, fidgeting awkwardly.

“I-I'm sorry I don't mean to pry-”

“Yeah, you do,” She shot back calmly.

Whatever excuse he had lodged in his throat

She studied him, her once expressive eyes eerily blank. He didn't know what she was thinking. Was he being as discreet as he initially thought? How much did she know?. Before his panic can fully take over, she sighed, tearing her gaze away.

“Ajax…Well…He…He says I have nothing to worry about. That I should know that my family won't leave me, that I have great friends. But-”

“You know that already.” He managed to finish, swallowing the swell of emotions.

A sad smile appeared on her lips. “It doesn't help. No. Also doesn't help that he said that right after he quite literally left me, in the quad.” She huffed. There was a slightly bitter undertone in her voice but it was quickly replaced by something else. Something sadder.

Caspian was suddenly overwhelmed. By the brightness of her stare, her smile, her scent, all of it. He pulled back, chuckling nervously. “I'll cut him a bit of slack for that. I did tell you all to run, at least he had half the mind to listen.”

She looked back at him fondly. “But you didn't,” If possible her gaze grew more intense.

“Well,” He shrugged, suddenly very curious about the pattern of the desktop. Like who designed fake wood lines? Was it an artist or a company? Did they collect royalties for every cheaply made student desk? Did that make them unbelievably rich? Perhaps he should get into the desk-making business. “I don't consider relentless optimism a particularly desirable trait in the face of overwhelming odds.”

Enid was silent for a while. A second longer and Caspian was just about ready to make an excuse to head to the washroom to splash some cold water on her face. “Y'know…you talk funny when you're flustered.”

Caspian froze. Throughout his entire life, he has been called many things. Reckless, easily distracted, lazy even, but flustered was not one of them. “Wha-who? Said I…F-Flustered? Me? Nooo haha,…Listen…y-…you haven't seen me fluster-”

Enid giggled, bringing a hand to his shoulder. “I'm messing with you. Don't choke on your words geez…Yeah, you totally aren't flustered.”

Caspian wiped the sweat off his brow, letting out a bemused chuckle. “Hold on, since when were you the cheeky one of the group?”

“I've learned from the best.”

“Well, I wasn't aware I was teaching.”

“It's so you to assume I was talking about you.”

“Well, who else does your little fashion committee talk about?”Caspian winked, flashing his signature half-grin.

Enid punched him in the arm lightly, grinning from ear to ear. “I hate you.”

“You love me.”

“Shut up.”

“Make me.”

“Maybe I will.”

“Well, perhaps I-wait…what?” Caspian's mind froze, too stunned to even raise a brow.

Enid's mouth dropped, her eyes instantly going wide. “I meant like! Figuratively!”

She didn't even give him time to respond. “L-like in the metaphoric sense not physically Oh nonnono not like that hahaha. I was….It's just-it was banter y'know? We banter a lot, I was 'yes and-ing' Have you ever taken improv classes? Nevermind, I got caught up in the moment and I'm a bit tired and stressed from all the club stuff-”

“Sinclai-”

“And like this atmosphere, c'mon are we in a bad 90s romcom? 100 degrees for no reason and we're all sweaty and it's late and I'm tired we're sitting so close I dunno if you know but pheromone and sweat I can sense all your pheromones and it dialed to 57 right now so I'm a bit overwhelmed - And the lights and the fluorescents make you look so SO delicious…”

“Excuse me?”

“I MEANT not the weird kind of delicious where I'd eat you HAHAHA. I meant like in the *oh wow you kinda look strangely hot type way'….*NOT saying you aren't hot usually or anything- WAIT I DIDN'T MEAN IT LIKE THAT! I just-I-I you see. I drank too much coconut milk and when I drink too much milk my tongue becomes numb. Like physically numb I think I actually might be having an allergic reaction-“

“Enid-”

“So that's probably why I'm acting weird and you're shirts like 2 sizes too small and GOD I don't know if you know but you have this vein on your forearm that I just can not NOT look at and I know you work out so it's not your fault but-”

Caspian crashed his lips into hers.

Silence. For a moment, everything went still. The greenhouse, Nevermore, the world suddenly faded away.

He often heard that the greatest feeling life had to offer was the feeling of letting go. Utterly, unrestricted, freedom. A free fall.

A man only felt that a couple of times in his life. Caspian was positive this was one of those rare moments.

Every inhibition, every thought, worry, and feeling…melted away the second he melted into her. Suddenly, everything made sense. Everything was going to be alright. He wasn't thinking about how lonely felt or how he was breaking every rule in his book.

All he could think about was her. She invaded every one of his senses.

Her sweet musk, the sound of her muffled mewls against his lips. The feel of her small hand threading cautiously through his hair, only to draw him in deeper. Deeper into her. The way she tasted. Coconut milk and peaches, with a hint of green apple.

He brought a hand up to her small face, sighing into her mouth.

All of those questions plaguing his daydreams ever since she first uttered his name. Were her lips that soft? Were her cheeks that smooth to caress? Did she taste as sweet as her words?

It all suddenly had an answer now.

The moment lasted both a millisecond and a lifetime. He tentatively swiped at her bottom lip. If she accepted his offer, then he knew there was no going back. The fallout was a mere drizzle in his mind, far away and out of sight. He'll deal with the consequence later. They'd deal with it later. They'd deal with it together.

He spoke too soon.

She jumped free of him, breaking the warm cocoon they'd fostered. Suddenly, the once welcoming greenhouse was too cold, the lights too harsh.

They gaped at each other, both of them breathing heavily, their hearts racing for 1st place.

Enid’s eyes were so wide the green surrounding her iris was the only colour left. Her cheeks were tinged a dark magenta, her hair a mess even though he never recalled running his hand through it. Was her hair as silky as it looked?

A new question and a new answer he now longed for.

None of them spoke as they came back down to earth from their heavenly bliss. Lust stabilizing and pupils contracting.

A slow, cold, creeping sensation crawled up his spine. By the flighty-ness of Enid, he could tell she felt it too. The rose-tinted sheen of the moment was fading away as fast, making room for the inevitable.

The frigid, cruel slap of reality.

“I-uh…” Enid clambered out of her seat, eyes looking anywhere but at him. She grasped blindly for her sweater. “I-I got…gotta-.”

“E-Enid just hold on-”

“I'm sorry…This was a mistake everything was a mistake…” She whispered, her voice trembling.

Caspian heart dropped. He only had time to question if he saw tears well up in her eyes before she bolted away.

The sound of the door slamming reverberated around the room, shaking him to his core.

But he barely flinched. He didn't even get to look into her eyes. He wanted to see, needed to see if what he felt was shared with her. If she too fell just the same.

Caspian sat there, motionless, staring at the empty chair.

He expected a thud after the fall. His body shattering into a million pieces, his limbs contorted every which way.

But not this.

Not this emptiness.

The end of his fall was a slow, drawn-out one. Like he was tethered to a sinking ship as it slowly sank deeper and deeper into the murky abyss below.

Perhaps he'd drown long before it reach the bottom. Perhaps he'd get eaten alive before then, or crushed under the immense pressure.

Or maybe, just maybe, he'd manage to free himself.

But even then, he was still lost at sea.

Well beyond the surface.

Just out of reach of any lifesaver or raft.

Challenging the 52htz whale for its spot as the loneliest creature in the ocean.