[fic] grey magic [3/?]
Title: Grey Magic
Rating: T/PG
Summary: As a Slytherin Arizona Robbins knows that her crush on a Gryffindor has every chance of causing problems. But with the Triwizard Tournament again at Hogwarts and mysterious things seeming to seek out Alex Karev, her best friend, the Romeo and Juliet thing she has going with Callie Torres is the least of her issues.
{Grey's Hogwarts AU} The gang's all here, somewhere, but the focus is going to be Callie/Arizona.
“And this is the library.” Alex's voice was bored, dull and droning as he guided their guests on a tour of the school. “This is where the books are.” He gestured toward the desk. “Ask the nice ladies to take something and nothing leaves the grounds.” One finger spiraled at the narrow winding staircase. “Restricted section is up there, but is restricted, obviously, unless you get a note from a teacher.”
Trailing the meandering tour group after classes, Arizona was barely listening. A sound from beyond the stacks caught her attention though and she fell back a step and peeked around the end of the row. The book held over her face wasn't enough to hide Callie's identity, dark curls restrained in a low ponytail and rolled sleeves giving her away even before the crimson and gold tie loosely knotted at her throat.
“Calliope,” she greeted her in a pleased hum. That kiss, for all that it had been painfully chaste, hadn't left her mind for long all night. Alex had happily kicked her when she'd zoned out in the morning prefect meeting. If he was paying attention then he was going to be sure she was too. “Getting ahead on your OWLs studying?”
Callie lowered her book with a laugh, her head shaking. Hair tumbled over her shoulder and Arizona swallowed and breathed deep. “Yeah, right.” She shrugged. “Homework with Meredith and Cristina. They're at the table back there.” She hooked her thumb behind them.
“Oh, yeah. Your game is this weekend. Good luck,” Arizona said sincerely. “Ravenclaw is playing well. They've got a few younger players, but -”
“I didn't realize you cared so much how we did,” interjected Callie, still smiling.
Arizona gaped for only a split second before she caught herself, straightening her shoulders and closing her mouth with a click of teeth. “I don't want anyone saying you guys weren't at your best when we kick your ass,” she countered, hoping it was quick enough to cover for her momentary lapse. “We want to win clean, no matter what you hear about us,” joked Arizona without thinking.
Callie's smile didn't fall away but went somehow softer. Arizona found herself drawn in a half step without even realizing she'd moved. “I believe you.” It was soft enough to nearly be a whisper but it was as loud and clear as shouting in Arizona's head.
Eyes locked and the moment extended, quiet stillness beyond even what was surrounding them in the library stacks. “Why do you do that?” Arizona breathed. “Believe me?” Her eyes flicked but didn't falter, jumping across Callie's face in search of answers.
“You're a good person,” stated Callie as if it was obvious, without hesitation. “I saw it a long time ago.” Arizona's brow furrowed but Callie kept going before she could ask. “Your brother talks about you a lot, you know.” Blue eyes rolled and Callie laughed. “What? He's never said a bad word about you. Or Alex.”
As is his name had summoned him Alex called her name from beyond the shelf, earning a disapproving hiss from the librarian for his trouble, and Arizona took an instinctive step back as though she'd been caught at something much less innocent than their conversation. “Coming!” she called back, grinning playfully when it won another admonishment for Alex. “Hey, maybe I could -” She paused to muster her courage. Callie's expression was encouraging though. “Maybe I could meet you after your practice?”
Callie didn't miss a beat. “That would be great.”
Arizona's grin went goofy, dimples framing full lips. “Awesome.” One smooth eyebrow rose but Callie didn't comment, just smiled back at her. “I'll see you later then.”
“Where were you?” Alex asked as soon as she emerged from the aisle. The visiting students were now milling around, searching the shelves for familiar books. “Making out with Torres in the stacks?”
“I hate you,” Arizona answered almost cheerfully. “We're meeting after practice tonight,” she informed him, definitely cheerfully.
Alex was busy picking through a stack of books on the edge of the librarian's desk but laughed. “Ah, so making out on the pitch.”
Blue eyes rolled and she elbowed his side. “You're obsessed with that idea.”
“Like you're not?” he shot back, smirking at the books in front of him.
There was exactly no argument she could make against that statement and he knew it. “Do you think they need a reminder how to find dinner?”
Several of their charges, all in their last two years of school at Durmstrang, had found a few of the older Slytherin students and were making themselves comfortable at one of the tables near the front. “We're not their parents,” Alex reasoned with a shrug, deciding against taking any of the books on the counter. “Want to see if anybody's put their names in yet?”
They stopped by the dorm to put their bags back in their rooms before they started toward the Great Hall. The tables were missing from the room, long benches lining the walls while the Goblet of Fire was in the center of the Hall. Students from all three schools were milling around, cheering as classmates from their respective institutions stepped forward to throw their names into contention.
Alex went still when a group of Slytherins entered from their own year. He was slouched across two benches, leaning on his elbows next to where Arizona was sitting, her posture nearly military in its stiffness. His eyes narrowed at their classmates but he didn't say a word, simply watching. The trio circled the massive cup slowly, watching it as though it would jump off its pedestal and attack them. One of the girls noticed him and elbowed one of her companions, the three talking quickly and quietly before leaving the Hall much more rapidly than they'd entered.
“That was weird,” Arizona noted dryly.
He hummed an agreement, mentally making a note to keep an eye on students too young to compete but with nerve enough to try and enter. A pair of Durmstrangs stared deliberately at anyone who met their eyes. They threw their names in almost defiantly.
Arizona leaned forward when Tim entered with his school counterpart Miranda Bailey, fellow Gryffindor and Hogwarts' Head Girl. She'd assumed they'd both enter. The whole school had probably expected them to be first in line to put their names in. Her brother caught her gaze and winked, stretching up to drop his name in while the diminutive Bailey used her wand to float her own slip of parchment into the Goblet.
“You two look like you're having a blast,” Tim said cheerfully as he joined them, Bailey busy sorting through the school bag over her shoulder.
“Yeah, it's thrilling,” agreed Arizona with a roll of her eyes. Absolutely enthralling watching other people enter a contest they couldn't. It would be fun to watch, no doubt about that, particularly if she was watching her big brother perform the tasks, but right now it wasn't much more than frustrating.
“At least there's Quidditch this weekend,” he reminded her with a shrug. Gryffindor was playing Ravenclaw in the season's opener. “It should be a good game. Grey and Yang are pretty well matched. And I hear Little Grey isn't a bad Chaser.”
Arizona smirked. “So you think Ravenclaw will pull it out?” Alex swung his head toward their conversation, interest piqued by the prospect of a bet.
“I think they could,” Tim said slowly, trying to gauge his sister's intent. “But could you actually bet on Gryffindor to win?”
“Could you bet on them to lose?” Arizona countered. Digging in his pocket, Alex slipped a few sickles out and passed them laterally to her for his share of the bet. Arizona might just be enamored with Gryffindor's female Beater, but he'd played against that squad enough to know he wasn't making a foolish bet. Yang was good, maybe better than Grey, but the influx of new blood on the Ravenclaw team would hurt them before it would help them this season until the rookies got some game experience.
“Bet?” Tim offered, unable to back down.
Arizona shook his hand quickly. “You're on.” She was confident as he followed Bailey out of the Great Hall.
“Your girlfriend better win this game,” Alex noted in a low growl. “I need that money.”
“She's not my girlfriend,” grumbled Arizona, putting an elbow in his side firmly.
Alex just smirked at her in patient disbelief. “I'm just saying, you could mention it tonight while you're making out.”
“You need to get off that topic.” Arizona stood up and stretched. “I think I'm going to go -”
“Go get her,” he interjected, slouching further into the bench as a group of Durmstrangs came into the Hall with a few younger Slytherins on their trail. “I don't need to see that. I'll catch you later.” He wanted to keep watch on the Goblet of Fire. Something wasn't sitting right with him tonight.
The Quidditch pitch was empty in the near dusk, Arizona pacing the grass with her broom while she waited for Callie to return from the locker room. The night was bright under the light of a full moon, more chilly in the air than it had been on the ground. She wasn't competing tonight though, simply floating casually, letting the wind take her where it would with only minor adjustments in steering from her.
Slumped over the handle of her broom, Arizona enjoyed the pleasant chill of the night air. The quiet rustle of someone else taking off didn't disturb her. A slow loop let her see who was coming her way, as well as letting her hang for a moment before she righted herself.
“How was practice?” asked Arizona quietly as Callie reached her altitude, leaning back.
“It was fine.” Callie smiled, gazing up at the spread of stars above them. “Is this your secret? You practice in the dark?”
Arizona laughed. “You caught me. Once you get the hang of dealing with bludgers in the dark it's nothing to handle them in a game.” It was nice and quiet on the pitch at night. No one bothered her up here. Of course, she wasn't sure that was a tidbit of information she wanted to share with Callie Torres. She didn't stop her when Callie reached across to slip her fingers around the handle of Arizona's broom, not doing anything more than putting them in orbit together, their brooms moving at the same rate of speed in the same direction.
“It's nice up here. I can see the appeal,” Callie noted quietly, not disturbing the peaceful feeling that seemed to fill the night air.
“You kissed me,” said Arizona after a long pause.
“You asked me here,” Callie countered evenly.
“This is not a date,” Arizona stated, her tone shorter than she'd intended.
Callie's face fell in the dim moonlight. “Oh.”
“That's not what I - I just meant that when, or if, I take you on a date we'd go to Hogsmeade or fly around the lake, or something.”
Under the rising moon Callie's smile was bright. “Then you should probably ask me out, then,” she noted, trying to sound dry but only barely restraining her joy. “I can't be making the first move all the -”
“I'd like to take you to dinner,” blurted Arizona before either of them could balk. “We can't leave the grounds, but we could -” She couldn't very well just take a seat at the Gryffindor table without hearing about it from the rest of the school. Likewise, Callie joining her at her own house table would be an invitation for suspicion.
“We could come out here,” Callie suggested when she fell into silent dismay.
Arizona's grin was relieved. “So, would you go to dinner with me?”
“Well, my schedule's kind of insane right now. I'll, uh, get back to you,” Callie said, her teasing pause lasting barely half a second. “How's tomorrow?” Arizona laughed, smiling happily. “I'll meet you here after the Ravenclaws are done with the pitch?”
“Awesome.” Arizona could feel her smile it was so wide. Callie leaned toward her, broom moving as she shifted, and caught those grinning lips in a spontaneous kiss. Less off guard then she'd been the night before, Arizona let go of her own broom in favor of moving both hands to Callie's face, catching her jaw, fingers slipping into the midnight silk of her hair.
The first kiss had been a surprise she'd had no time to enjoy properly but Arizona was deliberate now, sucking on Callie's lower lip and making her gasp. Her tongue peeked forward to test the unspoken invitation, Callie swallowing her moan as she was greeted eagerly. Callie held onto the handle of her broom with one hand to keep them from getting lost and drifting away. Though now that Arizona was kissing her, she wasn't sure she'd mind so much, getting swept away. Her other hand found the back of Arizona's neck, pulling her in. She could feel the quick pulse beating under her thumb, soft hair tickling the tips of her fingers.
A breeze sent them spinning slowly and one of them shifting toward the other, though neither could say she wasn't the one who'd moved, made them jerk back upright on their own brooms or risk a crash.
Arizona could feel a flush rising up her neck and found herself grateful for the cool night air. “You - I swear I didn't invite you out here just to kiss you,” she breathed, inhaling deep and holding it.
“That's disappointing,” Callie said, just as breathless. “What were you thinking we'd do out here?”
Still blushing, Arizona shrugged, chewing on her bottom lip. She could still taste Callie's lip and caught her eyes dropping to her companion's mouth. She saw Callie's smile through the dark, though. “I figured we could talk Quidditch, or classes, or whatever.”
Callie's smile went soft, earnest and warm. “I want to get to know you too.”
Blinking, Arizona felt her jaw move without words escaping. She did want to get to know Callie, so much more than just a pretty face, so different from the others in her house. Innate wariness demanded she be cautious but the idea wearied her. Something about the way Callie looked at her, something in her eyes, told her that Callie could be trusted. She was willing to give the Gryffindor a chance if she got the same chance in return.
“I really like kissing you, though,” Callie continued, licking her lips.
There was really nothing Arizona could say to that, a dimple popping in her cheek as she bit back a wide smile. “So, are you ready for the game this weekend?” she asked instead.
Callie smiled and stretched, twisting from side to side on her broom and letting herself drift. “Ready to kick your ass too,” she stated confidently. Inclining sent her in a slow dive toward the grass.
Arizona shot by her in a sudden bursting blur of speed, blonde ponytail whipping behind her. Even caught off guard, Callie was on her tail quickly. Arizona only pulled up when the grass was within arm's reach, slowing her pace and deliberately looping one arm and leg around the broom and letting herself dangle with the grass just barely grazing her robes and hair. From the inverted position she could see the moon overhead, Callie's broom circling slowly above her.
“What are you doing? You're going to break your neck!”
Arizona laughed freely, letting go of the broom and falling the last few feet into the turf of the Quidditch pitch. Her broom she snagged with one hand as momentum carried it over her shoulder. Airborne was one of the few places where she had no worries, only utter confidence in her own abilities.
Callie's dismount was more traditional but she placed her landing jog beside Arizona, breathless as she flopped to the grass next to her. “Don't do that!” she chided her, swatting the Slytherin's arm.
“Aww, did I scare you?” Arizona curled her arms behind her head. “It was just a little fall.”
Callie crossed her arms under her head, facing Arizona and taking a deep breath. “I don't want you getting hurt,” she confessed quietly. Blue eyes found her in the dark, blinking quietly. “I've noticed.”
“Yeah, well...” Arizona cleared her throat gruffly. “Accidents happen sometimes here, you know?” Callie's eyes were focused, dark and intense. “I'm careful,” she promised. One arm unfolded to rest at her side, fingers toying with the blades of grass. The way Callie's eyes searched her face made warmth seep through her. “We should get back inside. We're late for dinner,” she said on an exhale. Callie nodded and she sat up, rising to her feet to offer a hand.
Taking it, Callie let Arizona help her up. Arizona got both of their brooms from the lawn and handed Callie's, a top of the line Nimbus, to her as she shouldered her own. “The gallant thing, it runs in the family, I guess?”
Arizona’s expression quirked in confusion before clearing. “Tim? He's not as perfect as he looks!”
Callie laughed, throwing her head back as they started walking back toward the castle. “Says his little sister, the perfect judge of his character,” she teased.
“Don't fall for it, that's all I’m saying,” Arizona grumbled with a smile on her face.
Bumping into her deliberately, Callie slipped her hand into Arizona’s free hand and squeezed lightly. “He's not really my type.” She dropped Arizona's hand when the Slytherin turned her head to catch her eyes.
Arizona had only started to reach for her hand when they pushed through the front doors. There was a snapping tension in the air that drew her away from Callie unconsciously, the press of people in the Great Hall heavy, the buzz of conversation louder than it should be. There were too many people moving in the Hall, not enough people sitting down for dinner like there should have been.
Frowning, Arizona started to push her way through the crowd. There was a clearing around the Cup and she found Alex crouched over the pained body of a fifth year Hufflepuff girl, Heather Brooks. “What the hell is this?”
“She tried to enter,” Alex growled through clenched teeth.
“Enter what? The tournament?!” Teachers were there then, and Tim and Bailey, their expressions tight with worry.
“Back up and give us some space,” Bailey ordered, dropping to the floor with them and letting Tim use his larger stature to move bystanders away from the gasping, writhing Hufflepuff student.
“What happened?” Arizona asked again anxiously. Heather wasn't in her house but she was a good student, diligent and focused. It was unpleasant to see her in pain. Looking up to scan the crowd, looking for Callie, Arizona caught the gaze of two sixth years from her own house who couldn't hold her eyes, disappearing into the surroundings.
Alex spoke up, the only one who'd been present for the incident, “She just walked right up and threw her name in. I couldn't - there was no time to stop her.”
“This was kids being stupid,” Bailey groused, gesturing with her wand and muttering under her breath.
Arizona knew how to read Alex's eyes though. Whatever this was, it wasn't just stupidity. He looked at her and shook his head imperceptibly, his mouth tight. It wasn't something he was going to talk about here, clearly. His eyes searched the surrounding circle, narrowing at someone behind her. Arizona turned in time to see a group of Durmstangs break away and leave the Hall. Callie was there in the foreground, expression anxious.
“We need to get her to the hospital wing,” Bailey said shortly, standing up and letting Professor Webber and Professor Grey take over. She followed them out with Tim on her heels, the Head Boy sparing a moment to send his sister a worried look.
The good feeling that had lingered in her chest withered like a deflated balloon. She'd let herself get distracted and someone had gotten hurt. “Hey.” Alex's quiet word drew her eyes. “This isn't on us. The teachers should have stopped this.” Together their gazes swung to find Professor Avery. She was already watching them while in tense, heated conversation with Professor Webber as he passed.
Nodding, Arizona blinked and let her eyes fall. A few others in the Hall didn't seem inclined to let them off the hook as easily and she could hear whispers moving like mist through the room. Near the door she spotted Preston Burke, Durmstrang Institute's Headmaster, watching with his arms crossed. His thumb made slow circles on his forearm and he made no move to leave, watching passively but with definite interest in the proceedings. It didn't appear to matter that the accident's victim was already out of the room, his eyes scanning the faces of those still in the Great Hall.
He wasn't the only one looking in their direction in the wake of the Professors' exit. More and more heads were turning toward them, the murmurs growing louder. “We need to get out of here,” Alex muttered, unconsciously taking a step back and pivoting to watch behind them.
“No,” Arizona denied quietly. “We can't go anywhere.” If they retreated to their dark basement it would only feed the whispers they could already hear growing in volume around the room. Her hand found his arm, robes discarded in a heap on the floor where he'd tried to cushion Heather's head from the stone floor. “Let's go sit.”
Anxious to restore normalcy, the long dining tables were moved in as soon as there was space for them and Arizona led Alex toward their table with her hand still on his arm. The other was on the grip of her wand in her pocket. They couldn't hide but she wasn't going to drop her guard or turn her back either.
Dinner was tense and quiet, the crystal Goblet of Fire looming over the room. Normally the chatter would get rather deafening but tonight there were only whispers that never grew above a murmuring hum. Then someone would hiss in warning and the thick silence would fall again.
Arizona knew without hearing what was being said - that Alex (if not her too) was somehow responsible for what had happened to Heather. She'd heard from Alex how he'd been the first one to reach her when everything had happened, the story recounted in their own low whispers. She knew he'd only been attempting to help but that wouldn't be the consensus of the rest of the school.
Neither of the Slytherins were especially hungry but couldn't leave the Great Hall immediately without it looking like they were fleeing. Thankfully there was homework to distract their fellow students from watching them and speculating all night.
Across the room at the Gryffindor table there were a few that were interested in just such speculation rather more than their studies. “He did something!” Mark insisted, not bothering to lower his voice. “I saw how she was jerking and twitching.” He imitated it and Meredith promptly slugged him in the arm. “Ouch,” he deadpanned. “But I'm not kidding. He had a spell on her.”
“Shut up, Mark!” Callie barked when she saw Arizona and Alex rise from their table. “You don't know they did anything!”
“Oh, come on! I know you've got the hots for that traitor, and she is hot but -” The clattering of dishes on the table behind them made Callie turn. The hard hurt in Arizona's eyes was all she could see. Then she blinked and the Slytherins were marching from the Hall.
Callie knew her mouth was open but she couldn't speak. Meredith knew she had a crush, that she was attracted to Arizona, but had no idea that she'd interacted with her one on one. None of her friends had seen anything more than what they wanted to see. Standing up to chase after her though, they'd know. They'd worry and they'd talk about her the way they did about Arizona and Alex.
Making a decision, Callie stood up quickly enough that the bench moved. “Why do you have to be such an ass?!” she demanded from Mark.
“Callie!” Meredith was frowning at her but her expression was unreadable beyond that. “What -?”
“I'm going to - I've got to go,” Callie said, her head shaking from side to side. Meredith would be waiting for her as soon as she got back to their dorm, she knew that without her friend having to say a word more.
The front hall was empty though and she glanced left and right before she turned in the direction she was pretty sure would get her to the Slytherin basement fastest. She'd turned two corners before she nearly ran smack into Arizona.
“Don't bother.” Callie's brows drew down and Arizona took a deep breath. “Whatever you think, you don't have to defend me, or chase after me, or whatever.” Arizona was speaking quickly, quietly, but it felt loud in Callie's ears. They were standing too close together. She had to get away from this, from her. Callie might be different from the rest of her house but they still had to exist at this school that would never change. This was over. It had to be. She continued talking without taking a breath to give Callie no time to speak up. “I won't look for you tomorrow night. This was a bad idea.” Spinning on her toes, Arizona walked away without looking back.