Hospital Wing

[Alecto Carrow]

Alecto looked at him for a long time, before suddenly laughing. "I'm interested to see what you come up with then…"

[Alexander Chevalier]

Her behavior was so...odd, Alex mused as she laughed. Unlike pervious outbursts of laughter though, it wasn't laced with that maniacal edge. Just when he thought he was beginning to understand her, she surprised him again. "Well," he answered, "I'm admittedly a little interested myself in what you'll decide on for me."

[Alecto Carrow]

"Of cours you are, since I'll be deciding it so you don't know." Alecto commented reasonably. "It'd be stupid for you to be more interested in what you decide to call me since the instant you decide you'll already know. Come now, when I give you credit for intelligence, you always seem to do something that requires me to take some of it back."

The woman gave a small sigh, a sound came from Pomfrey's office her her gaze flicked that way. Alecto tilted her head, her hair falling over her shoulder as she waited to see if she heard it again. When it remained silent she shrugged "I guess she's still out…"

Though the word out was a rather open word wasn't it? Had Pomfrey left, or was she simply knocked out...

[Alexander Chevalier]

"Just another challenge you're setting up for me then, I suppose," Alex replied before following the direction of her gaze and the brief, muffled sound. He then returned his focus to Alecto, momentarily distracted by the way her hair was cascading over her shoulder. He blinked and lifted his eyes, "out, huh? Did you happen to have something to do with that?"

[Alecto Carrow]

"Yes well I thought Ravenclaws liked challenges," Alecto replied with a smile. At his next question she blinked innocently "Now am I the type that would have something to do with a thing like that?"

[Alexander Chevalier]

"Well," Alex replied, "you did say that she was annoying you, and annoyance is certainly an unpleasant feeling." He then smiled a little, it was tentative but again genuine. "And I can't speak for everyone in my house but, yes, I do particularly enjoy them. I suppose it is sweet of you to consider my interests like that though." In the back of his mind, he silently hoped that Alecto had taken it easy on Madame Pomfrey. There was no telling but, from the sound of it, the woman had merely knocked her out. Hopefully...

[Alecto Carrow]

"Not as unpleasant as anxiety I believe," Alecto said with a subtle amused smile.

[Alexander Chevalier]

"No," Alex responded then, a certain amusement within his own gaze as he continued to consider the woman before him. "But anxiety is a little different. I find it helps keep me guarded. Which is something I absolutely have to be around you." He tilted his head, "so, in retrospect, perhaps I don't really mind feeling that way at all, unpleasant as it is."

[Alecto Carrow]

"Are you still feeling anxious?" Alecto added with a frown "Too bad, and here I thought we were bonding… you know, past the whole -war, fighting, painful cutting side of things."

[Alexander Chevalier]

"Well, past of all that," Alex continued, considering. "Then I'd have to say that the anxiety just isn't as prominent. You're still very intimidating to me and so it's still lingering there, but..." he hesitated before deciding to reveal a portion of his thoughts to her. "You're starting to intrigue me a little bit. That's sort of taking precedence."

[Alecto Carrow]

"Yes well I am an enigma," Alecto said with an amused smile, there was a crash in the back and she looked over. "Well, if you'll give me a moment."

The woman moved to the location of Pomfrey's office, her movements a bit lazy and unhurried as she went. Upon reaching it she shot him a grin before heading into the room and closing the door behind herself.

[Alexander Chevalier]

Alex watched her go, that excited and playful grin on her face engraved in his mind a moment. He sighed as he stared at the door, not knowing exactly what was going on behind it but resigning himself to simply, once again, hope she was taking it easy. There was no use really dwelling on it though as there was nothing he could really do about it.

At the forefront of his thoughts though, and serving as a distraction for the momentary lull, he wondered how the rest of this was going to play out with the woman. He had absolutely no idea what to expect. She had said she liked him, that he was fun, and had agreed that perhaps they weren't entirely different. She also voiced that she thought they were bonding. What he didn't know was how much of that to take seriously. How much of that to trust. He wanted to believe her, he really did, if only to try and continue unraveling the mystery that comprised who she was. There was undeniably something different in the way she regarded him though, and he held onto that.

As far as that anxiety too, it seemed prolonged interaction with her had actually served to help reduce it. Her saying that it was a good idea to continue interacting like this caused him to consider that he did perhaps agree with that. He had only touched upon the surface of her nature. There was a lot more to discover still.

He remained somewhat cautious, but he also resolved to take a risk. He wanted to know more about this woman. It was such a dangerous direction of interest and he felt foolish for even entertaining it. Still...he envisioned that changed demeanor of hers and felt a little more assured of himself. He was also surprised by his continued amusement at her expense. Especially when she was describing her decision to try her hand at healing. Something about that was just oddly and a little...endearing. It was the strangest thing to consider.

[Alecto Carrow]

There was a loud sound from the back, the clatter of things falling and some other indistinct sounds before the door opened. Alecto stepped out closing it gently behind her, resheathing her wand and dusting off her hands "There, that's better."

Smiling she headed back over to Alex's location picking up a stethoscope along the way and throwing it around her neck and clapping her hands together, "Now! Where were we?"

[Alexander Chevalier]

Alex quirked a brow as Alecto made her exit from the back room, casually slinging the stethoscope around her neck along the way. Just another random idea of hers in passing he imagined. A random idea she simply decided to go with. He glanced to the closed door she had left and again decided against dwelling on what might've transpired beyond it. He had noticed her sheath her wand though.

"You're an enigma," he responded.

[Alecto Carrow]

Her gaze flicked over him "Ahh, is that where we were? Either way Dear Boy I realize we are suppose to be at war right now, but I'm far more interested in learning a bit more about you. After all, I can hurt you anytime." The comment was said matter-of-factly as though discussing lunch options. "How long have you been friends with my Pet?"

[Alexander Chevalier]

"Yes, that's certainly true," Alex responded, suppressing the urge to tense in response to her offhanded tone and the implications behind it. It was just back and forth with her. "Though, as I said, the best strategy is to try and know your enemy." As he said this, he followed her example in slowly returning his wand to his pocket. He looked to her then and replied, "awhile. Since we were first years here."

[Alecto Carrow]

"Really? And what do you think you can gain or get to know about me?" Alecto asked raising a curious brow.

"First year? That would explain how you two are so close, but opposites in terms of your personalities- at least publicly," the woman said taking a seat on a vacant bed and crossing her legs. She leaned back on her hands and awaited his response.

[Alexander Chevalier]

"Yes," Alex turned to face the woman as she made herself comfortable. "Publicly." He then tilted his head and considered her prior question. This one required a bit more thought. "I'm not sure how much I'll gain," he answered truthfully, "aside from somewhat satiating my own curiosity. As far as what I'll come to know about you, well, I suppose that's up to you and how much you wish to share about yourself. Of course, there are certain things I can infer simply from familiarity, personality-wise, but nothing factual."

[Alecto Carrow]

She tiled her head, a look of curiosity on her face a smile on her lips "Really? And what is it you can infer about me?"

[Alexander Chevalier]

"Well, so far," Alex responded. "Only a few things." He watched that curious smile of hers and decided to simply continue with the honesty. "You're playful, quick-tempered, have a somewhat...sadistic side, from which you derive a certain enjoyment. You are also very sharp as you miss absolutely nothing when it comes to details." He paused before continuing a little more carefully, "and you're devoted. To your cause, I mean. That passionate drive of yours, is something which I find I can somewhat relate to."

[Alecto Carrow]

"Hmm… not bad," Alecto commented simply, swinging her leg back and forth. "Though I do find myself to be curious. How devoted are you to your cause?"

[Alexander Chevalier]

Alex tilted his head, observing her seemingly carefree manner. Was there something specific she was trying to obtain from him? Again, he reaffirmed his caution. "Well, I've only just now decided. But, the more I consider it, the more devoted I honestly feel."

[Alecto Carrow]

"Now, define Devotion? For it varies or the depths of it varies from person to person. You have a cause, new one- true, but you say you're becoming devote it to it. Are you devoted enough to fight?" she held up a finger before he could reply "Not defend. Fight." Alecto tilted her head "Are you devoted enough to do whatever it takes to see that cause succeed? Or just … committed to the cause but not so much, devoted?"

[Alexander Chevalier]

Now that was a good question, wasn't it? He hadn't really fully considered that very defining difference between commitment and devotion. He thought about it carefully. Up until recently, he had simply relented to silent disagreement with the ideals being enforced since the start of the school year. All he had wanted to do was finally return home once he graduated. He didn't want any part of it. He was more comfortable away from the forefront of the resistance.

But then he had been challenged. Ginny, Caden and even the woman before him had challenged him. They challenged his courage, resolve and ultimate goal. He was committed to fighting on his side when it came down to that, as he had a feeling it would. He was prepared to protect what was being taken from them. Above even that though, he was prepared to protect those he cared for. He wanted to do whatever he could to support them.

But that was defense, wasn't it? Rather than fighting? He actually hoped it wouldn't come down to a fight, as vain a hope as that seemed. The reason being that he was beginning to even care for those who might stand on the opposite side, such as Pansy Parkinson. But how were people like her treated from those on his side? Caden excluded, the rest all seemed extremely harsh in their judgments. Ginny included. They didn't try and understand what it was like from the opposite perspective, as far as he knew. As he had already stated to Alecto, everyone had a different way of viewing things. The divisions between houses was where he was torn. Could he really stand against those who felt they had no escape? Those who had been his classmates, no matter their house?

He had always been fairly reserved in his own judgment, but he couldn't deny having resorted to stereotyping before. He was just now beginning to understand how skewed the different perspective were. You couldn't take anyone for face value. Not even Miss Alecto Carrow, someone he had solely observed as being harsh, cruel and heartless. She was primarily, but she had something more to her. Something he was still trying to glimpse. There was a reason she was this way.

"Well," he answered finally, meeting her gaze. "Now that you're putting it that way, I'm not entirely sure. Perhaps commitment is more accurate. Above anything, I really want to stand by what I feel is the right thing to do."

[Alecto Carrow]

"Correct wording," Alecto declared. "What *you* feel is the right thing. After all, right and wrong are matters of perception are they not? I am sure that our cause is right, it will lead to the betterment of our people. It will stop us from having to hide in plain sight, hold our heads down in shame over our powers for fear of being persecuted and murdered by the muggles- because regardless of what you've been told *that* is the main reason for our existence being kept secret."

She allowed her head to fall back, her gaze on the ceiling her hair falling down her back "War. Mr. Commitment. It always comes down to it…" she tilted her head to the side looking at him. "Do you know of muggles? Of their texts? Books? … They have something called -Comics… I found them when researching for my class. And one of these comics is called X-Men, have you ever heard of them?"

[Alexander Chevalier]

"True," Alex responded, "right and wrong is a matter of perception." Again, he was subconsciously resorting to his fundamental assumptions. Still, in his mind, there was nothing right about forcing someone to embrace a certain viewpoint or torture those who couldn't defend themselves. Her cause was understandable, but he couldn't condone the actions of her and the others.

Sure, the Muggles had done the same, and he didn't find that right either. However, what the Death Eaters were doing now was no different. It was a vicious cycle. "I know that's why our existence has to be a secret," he continued carefully. Why, even his own mother had been a little frightened of what he was before sending him to his estranged father. That was only a fraction of what most of the others felt and how they would react if confronted with magic.

He tilted his head at her last question though, somewhat surprised. Again, contrary to assumption, she had actually taken the time to research the Muggles. He had previously presumed wrongly again. But should he answer her honestly? Yes...he supposed he should. With a nod, he met her gaze. Rather than solely cold calculation, there was depth there. The depth of her firm resolve. "I vaguely remember something about that," he answered truthfully. "The comics, that is."

[Alecto Carrow]

"Then you're aware of the premise? A group of gifted muggles who have been called mutants- two factions, one fighting for the right to be free and open -the other fighting to protect the non-special muggles and deny their heritage- at least publicly to placate them? The similarities are interesting- it makes me wonder if perhaps this man who wrote them was not a squib," Alecto pondered aloud.

"Either way, you may not feel it is right- the methods used, but what is right? Muggles would never- EVER accept those of us with magical abilities. It's not possible, hell they won't even accept one another if someone is the wrong skin color, religion or sexual orientation. The Salem Witch Trials we discussed in class, were primitive muggles reacting primitively- now they have extended their arsenal. They have bombs built that can wipe out whole societies on a whim that they're prepared to use against one another for monetary purposes. Do you honestly think we'd be allowed to just exist if they were all aware?"

The woman scoffed lightly, swinging her leg again "Never. I do what I have to to live how I need to-which is freely, out in the open. Not a dirty secret or some hidden *myth* of muggle society. THAT is my devotion to my cause. I will fight in a war- I will start one, and believe it or not, I will do it for our children. And if our children stand in the way of this progress well.." she smirked a bit. "We can always make new ones."

[Alexander Chevalier]

Alex smiled slightly as he listened to Alecto's explanation. She was so very devoted. He could see the difference. The difference between her own resolve and his own. Her comparison to the comic story was strikingly relative and he couldn't help but agree, it was a sad fact that people could not be more accepting. Both Muggles and wizards alike. Still...

He dared to walk over to where she sat and simply stared down at her a moment before slowly and tentatively taking a seat beside her, eyes still focused on her face. The person he could most compare her strength to was Ginny, as ironic as that was. Entirely different spectrum of beliefs, but still so similar. It struck him every bit as prominently as the Gryffindor's fervent explanation had.

"Alright," he nodded. "I understand. I really do. And I also believe you. However," he paused and inhaled before continuing carefully. "Why so harshly enforce them? I'm asking only out of curiosity. Personally, I see nothing wrong with you trying to challenge this life, rebelling against the oppression and everything. You don't like to live in fear. No one does."

He looked to her pointedly, "but that's what's happening here isn't it? At this school? We're...afraid. Oppressed in turn. I mean, in my case, I can't speak for everyone...this is far more effective. I don't want to follow anyone who would force me to do anything. I would want to follow due to a completely uncontrolled decision, because I was entirely loyal without being afraid. And I would want to enforce it like this. Through explanation. I would follow you...your cause if not for the way you go about it. I don't agree with living in secret either. We should all have the freedom to be who we are." He smiled again, "you're very persuasive with words alone, professor, I mean...you've certainly persuaded me into viewing your cause this way."

[Alecto Carrow]

Alecto watched the boy come closer and have a seat next to her. Lifting her head she looked over at him, allowing him to speak his piece before responding "Why wouldn't we do it this way? The fact is that the other way has been tried and failed. Thousands of years we've been oppressed, do you honestly think us the first generation who has wanted to be unhidden? However, the Ministry forces us to follow their rules every day- it's just the oppression has gone on for so long they now have the luxury of calling them," she made quotations with her hands "Laws."

The woman pulled her hair over a shoulder and looked at the boy "Drastic times, drastic measures, Mr. Commitment. Attempting to come to an agreement with not only our supposed leaders but the muggle leaders as well, each one in each country who can't even agree with one another- well, we wouldn't see preverbal daylight for another thousand years if that. So yes- heavier methods are being used to push our cause. And yes, we will annihilate anyone who tries to stop it, force is used every day, just because I don't wear a fancy Auror pin or robe set doesn't mean I'm automatically wrong."

[Alexander Chevalier]

There it was again, that cascading hair over her shoulder. Did she do that on purpose? He hardly knew but, once he had recovered from the momentary distraction, he analyzed what she had said again. She was right. He was sure many had tried and failed before.

"I don't think you're wrong," he explained. "I'm just trying to understand it. I have absolutely no respect for the ministry or their laws either. Our government is corrupt, definitely. They use the dementors to suck the souls out of people as a form of punishment. It's a terrible form of 'execution' or whatever they want to call it. Professor Umbridge in our sixth year oppressed us too. She used the law to justify her actions. I admittedly hated that woman. I can't really say that about many people but, about her, yes."

He then tilted his head, "but don't you think you could be better than that? By all means, use force against her and all those like her in order to stand for what you believe in. By being so close-minded about this, they've driven you to these drastic measures. However, there are people who would listen. People like myself, who would choose to follow you. Torture though...fear enforced on those who can't defend themselves. More than anything else, I just personally don't see the right in it. The students here, most of them at least, haven't been completely tainted by the lies of the ministry or their parents. They can be reached like this, through explanation and example. You could inspire them to want to follow you and do something about this."