Come {BREAK} *me* {DOWN}, bUrY *me*, bUrY *me*

((OOC: What can I say? I was bored >=D))

"Protego," the boy quickly cast aside her attacks, his eyes flashing with anger, but turning back to indifference as the screaming witch made a run for it. That was ok. They were in London. It just takes an easy push into the crowds to dissappear. Disapparating was just as easy. "Sorry if you wanted to fight her," he hissed, as he finished the counter-curse. "SHE is going to need plenty of rest, food and energy. I suggest you take as far away from here as you possibly can."

"Who was that, anyway?"

Sterling wanted to hold Cat close... to tell her it would be okay, but he knew to move her in the delicate position she was in now would be more detrimental than helpful. "I'm sorry... it was my fault... I couldn't stop her last time in Hogsmeade...." he said, desperate for her to forgive him. She wouldn't, of course. He had just endangered her life.

He turned to their savior, that he still envied for obtaining the honor of saving the most perfect person ever to be born. He would have killed for that honor. "That, was Nerezza Talbot. The darkest, most evil witch on the face of the planet." He said. There was much more he would have liked to say on the topic, but didn't think he was able without breaking into tears.

Sterling couldn't help but thinking that even inches from death, Catalina Williams was the most beautiful person he had ever laid eyes on...

Sterling took Catalina's hand and held it firmly. "Don't worry... I won't let you go..." he said, fighting back tears. He wouldn't... ever ever ever let her go.

He saw the pain in Catalina's eyes.... she had saved him on countless occasions, and the one opportunity he may have had to return the favor was foiled. He had failed her. He never seemed to be good enough for her...

Sterling continued to hold her hand, warm throbs of happiness permeating to his very soul. He couldn't lose her... he wouldn't lose her. She was here with him, and she would stay.

Sterling leaned down and kissed Catalina on the cheek. The salty taste of her tears lingered on his lips as he pulled away, ever so slowly. It was more painful than the Cruciatus Curse to see her in pain... he wished more than anything else that he could placate it, just a little... he would gladly take on ten times the suffering she had if only it would make her feel only a little better...

"How about you take her home? Some muggle pain medications may help. In fact, my place is two blocks away. I can get something for you..." James felt like an intruder. Sure, he'd saved these people's lives, but he felt like an unwanted presence, a person who had come in, done his job, and now had only to leave. They had a strong relationship. VERY strong. James had never seen kids his age kiss, unless it was due to a cruel prank. Seeing them kiss made him feel... envious. He knew he never really TRIED to get a girlfriend, and at one point the endeavor seemed pointless to him.

"Nerezza Talbot, huh? First time I've heard of her." James let the comment fly out like it was a regular conversation. He kept an eye out for anybody or anything that seemed out of place. "I'll assume that she is a Death Eater." My Uncle's going to want a good explanation for this break-out.

Sterling frowned at the newcomer. "Muggle pain medicine wouldn't help a curse," he said. There was a fact recitation that didn't take much effort to recall... Muggle remedies had little effect on much of anything magical.

"Yes, Nerezza's a Death Eater, although I can hardly believe she couldn't overthrow Voldemort himself if she tried," he said, using the name casually due to the fact that he didn't really fear him, for he had never encountered him.

"You'd be surprised. Back in Durmstrang, all the kids brought extra Tylenol to deal with all the curses. They might not affect the wound, but they diminish the pain."
When the boy used the name "Voldemo- DON'T THINK OF IT! so casually, James' face flickered slightly. Of course, his memories of Voldemort were nothing compared to the memories that flooded his mind at the SLIGHTEST mention of Pot-DON'T TEST ME NOW!

James Wake rubbed the back of his head, hoping that the voice that constantly interrupted his thoughts would just SHUT UP.

Sterling looked at the boy again with increasing dislike. He usually didn't like people that disagreed with him... but he couldn't deny Catalina the possible relief from pain. So, he turned to her. "Do you want some medicine?" he asked, as gently as he could, brow knit in concern.