O.W.L. Lesson 2nd

Ruby looked from the paper to Elijah and back again. She read what he had written and didn't know what to think. 'Me?' She repeated disbelievingly.

She searched his face for any sign that he was lying. It was a great compliment, and Ruby wasn't sure it was one she deserved. Sure, she had used her ability to enhance her beauty at times, and reduce it at others, but that had stopped when she moved here.

Ruby's eyes turned amber as she looked at Elijah and she wondered if maybe, just maybe, he actually meant what he said.

"Yes, you!" Elijah said happily. "I don't see anyone else sitting opposite me. You were born to be painted, Ruby. Believe me, I'm an artist."

Elijah took her hand in his own and pressed the back of her hand flush against the palm of his. He delicately ran his fingers along the contours of her palm. He dragged his fingers back and forth, creating sweet patterns in her palm.

"Every little piece of the jigsaw that makes you, you are an artist's dream and nightmare. You are a beauty indescribable, I do not even think a painting could do you justice, Ruby."

Elijah let his fingers trail into the spaces between her own and he entwined his hand with hers. Elijah lifted his eyes to meet her own and looked at her determinedly.

"Never doubt for one minute that I do not mean what I say, Ruby... ever."

Ruby slowly looked down at their entwined hands and glanced back at Elijah. Well, he looks like he means it, she thought.

'Gosh. You know how to flatter a girl, don't you?' She smiled and thought over his words, trying to come to terms with what he was saying. 'So what are you suggesting? That I pose while you paint?' She asked, looking at him questioningly. She liked the thought of being an artist's model. And if she got to go with him to Paris then that was just an added bonus.

"I try." Elijah chuckled. "If you want to be my model .. my muse, then that is up to you, mademoiselle. I think a trip to France would do you good. Mm.. I can taste the coffee and croissants now."

Elijah could only just remember the last time he had sunk his teeth into a croissant. He was going to paint a Jewish girl from Lille and they had gone to a cafe for breakfast. He had never seen a woman eat as much as she but he had also never had so much fun with food. Three food-eating contests later they were both feeling very sick but also very happy.

"A model must see the wonders that France has to offer and one such as yourself will cause a stir within their circles. I think you'd definitely show up the fully fledged Veela's that hang about the courtyards. Most definitely." Eli mused. "Perhaps you would like to come with me at some point.." he offered.

Eli was figuring it out in his head as he went. They could leave on a Friday at five via a Portkey and appear in Paris. It would be about 6pm there so he could take her to dinner and then try and rent a studio for a while. Eli had a friend in the 'business' so he could probably either get a studio or a stupidly large apartment quite easily. They could have a long weekend just wandering around France and go home Monday at 9am which would make it 8am at Hogwarts - then they'd just make it to classes. Done.

"I think I have just mentally planned our impending trip to Paris, m'lady." he chuckled

'What, unchaperoned?' Ruby asked, shaking her head in mock disapproval. 'Are you sure that would be appropriate?' She laughed and pulled her hand out of his to tie her hair back in a ponytail.

'Actually, I think a trip to Paris would be fun. But the I'm not so sure about being called a model. The term 'artistic volunteer' sounds much better, don't you think?' She said, smiling.

"Of course! The artists do not take outsiders with... uh how should I say it? No, they do not get along with people that frown upon their work. In this case, an adult accompanying us."

Elijah sat back in his chair and smiled thoughtfully. Artists were hesitant of those superior to them, in Paris especially. most of them had overly large egos and didn't take kindly to people pushing them around or telling them what to do and when to do it.

"Artistic volunteer it is but you will be a model as soon as a Paris artist sketches you. However, a model is shallow and only in the business for personal gain. But you are different, Cherie. Much, much more different. Perhaps we should indeed find a more befitting name for you.."

Gabrielle looked as 3 students walked into the classroom. "That's 5 points from Gryffindor,Slytherin and Huffelpuff and if you don't stop talking i can raise the number." she said looking at Ruby and Elijah who were talking.

"On last class we started the Stupefy charm.Now can anyone repeat what's its effect before we procseed?" added Professor quickly as she took some fast notes.

"Stupefy is a charm the renders the victim unconscious and halts moving objects. It is commonly used in duels and can be a quick and easy way to dispose of your opponant unless you use Avada Kedavra which cancels out any chance of your opponent coming back for more." Elijah said lazily. "The effects of the spell differ from what it is intended to do. Those hit are supposed to be knocked unconscious but some are knocked down, get frozen in their place of get sent flying backwards through the air but this depends on the skill and intent of the caster. So really, the spell is useless unless it has the desired effect of the caster. I suppose if the caster didn't know what he or she wanted to do then the spell would pick one of the four reactions and send the victim elsewhere or render the victim unable to function."

Elijah took a breath and continued. He felt like earning the points back that he had lost and he wanted to prove to the Professor that he was capeable of doing more than converting oxygen into carbon dioxide.

"The spell's effects can be counteracted by Rennervate but it will wear off in time because it isn't designed to do a Sleeping Beauty on the victim as it A. Does not knock you out for long and B. it unfortunately does not make you beautiful. It can be deflected by a shield charm and is also useless against dragons, trolls, giants and half-giants."

Elijah exhaled and raised an eyebrow at the Professor, wondering if she had caught everything he he had said but he ignored it and began to draw again.

Gabrielle listened carefully to Mister Krum's speech. "That's correct in precise words Mister Krum." she said glad he repaired the bad impression. "That would be 5 points for Slytherin.And now i would like you to make pairs and practise this spell for the rest of class.Demonstrations aren't needed since i already did them on the last class." she said as she flicked with her wand and room was again all in pillows over floor,walls and ceiling.

"And like i said on the previous class aim your spell at legs. ONLY AT LEGS!" she said putting the clear mark on the last part as she sat down and waited for students to start.

James stood outside the door, fingering the pass he'd been given when his Grand-uncle dropped him off. It could get him into class, no problem, but did James really want to go back? Defense against the Dark Arts was his least favorite class, par none. It was a class for close-minded brats that did not want to consider the possibilities that entered... what was the point of thinking about it? He did not enjoy this class, he did not feel comfortable, so what?

Mental dilemmas aside, he could not simply enter class and tell them that he had left due to some "unforeseen circumstances." What would he say? Did he have to offer an explanation? He missed Durmstrang for the upteenth time in his considerably short life. He entered the classroom, opening the door slowly, and slipping in to provide the least intrusion. He quickly waved the pass towards the teacher, but did not interrupt with a "sorry I'm late," or some excuse. He took the closest seat he could find and settled in, taking out his notebook, and copying everything on the board.