Alex made his way up to the Quidditch pitch, it was quiet there, free from the noisy distractions of the school. The teams wouldn't be practicing so early, it was almost 6 o'clock in the morning. Alex liked to sit and watch the sun rise, he used to do it back home, but here the sun looked a lot different. Dumping his bag on a bench beside him, he occupied the top row of the small stadium Hogwarts had. Taking a deep breath he smiled as the sun began to spread it's rays over the grounds. Alex sat back and just enjoyed the view. Feeling the sun on his skin he reminded himself of home. The mountains, forests, lakes, the people. He sighed, it was the people he missed the most; the people he knew and the teachers. Especially his Dark Arts teacher, he was the only person at that school that seemed to make any sense. Although he was glad he had left, well, been thrown out. He had met some fantastic people at Hogwarts, fallen in love, been bitten by a vampire and managed to get behind on his homework all in one week. Everything moved at such a fast pace, it was nice to go out in the morning for fresh air. He looked around him, the trees from the forest all stood calmly, the lake was still and the mountains in the distance were losing their misty edge. Aleksandr Fyodor Cien leant back and crossed his arms gracefully over his chest just watching the sun rise, gently waking the school.

Nicholas too was waiting for the sun to rise. As a teacher, weekends and early mornings were the only chance he had to take some time for himself, to reflect and to relax. In the evenings he was usually too busy marking work - always late, so his marking schedule was completely thrown - and planning lessons to ever get out of the castle, and when he occasionally did make the short trip to Hogsmeade to unwind his tense and agitated mind, he found himself constantly on the look-out for escaped students. So now he was down at the Quidditch Pitch, waiting to see one of the most wonderful sights in the world - although personally he preferred sunsets. He held his wand out in front of him as he stood at the very edge of the Ravenclaw stand, the breeze at this altitude causing his loose, almost Edwardian shirt to billow out behind him, showing a sharp outline of his slender figure. He flicked his wand through the air, leaving trails of silver and gold dust which, when caught by the wind, formed intricate patterns before him. His stance made him look like a conductor, signalling an invisible orchestra to commence their silent symphony of colour at the beauty of the dawn. The fresh air felt good through his meticulously messy hair and shirt, and it made him feel - for once - almost completely free. Of course, it would have been preferrable for him to be in animagus form, swooping across the pitch, but today was a day for human life, and for invisible colour, and for silent music.

Alex let the wind flow gently around him; pushing his hair delicately away from his eyes. He smiled as he watched one of the teachers stand surreally on the side of the stand. He watched the glitter-like dust form complex patterns across the sky. It was almost mesmerizing, hypnotic, alluring. Alex began to feel like he was invading the Professors 'alone time' and he quietly took his back; slung it gently over his back and tried to descend with as little noise as possible. After all, this wasn't a teacher he had, so neither of them knew each other. Alex supposed he taught a subject Alex hadn't passed at OWL level. He had failed two subjects, Charms and Astronomy. After making it to the front row unnoticed, Alex took one last look at the Professor, who was still conducting his own morning ensemble, he looked so peaceful. Turning back he hadn't noticed his bag was caught on a railing, as he moved forward a horrible ripping filled the air as his books tumbled out. 'Fantastic' Alex thought, rolling his eyes. Bending down he hurriedly picked up his books, he just couldn't seem to find one. A textbook from Durmstrang, Teach Yourself The Dark Arts. He was sure it had been in his bag...

"Might I inquire as to whether you're looking for this?" came Nicholas' low, fluid voice. He was standing over the boy, holding a Dark Arts textbook in his long, spidery fingers. Quite how he had appeared so suddenly was a mystery - he had always had an innate ability to move without moving, so to speak. He flipped the book open and casually flicked through a few pages, his eyes scanning the words in seconds. "My, my - it's been a while since I practiced my Russian," he murmured as he challenged himself to read as much as he possibly could. Quite to his surprise, he managed around three quarters of each page. Then, with a loud snap, he shut the book and handed it back to Alex. "You're not one of my students," he stated. "My name is Nicholas Flitwick - that's Professor Flitwick to you." His dark, hypnotic eyes glanced down at Alex's broken bag. He tutted and shook his head in disapproval, then with one meaningful look from him the bag began to stitch itself back together. There was a smug smile on Nicholas' pale face as he watched this; he was incredibly proud of his wandless, silent magic.

Alex looked at the perfect stitching his bag had newly acquired. It looked better than new, "Thank you...Sir." Alex added, almost forgetting that the man in front of him was a teacher. He was surprised that the professor hadn't commented on the type of book he had been reading. It had been a gift from his Father, one of the only things Alex had received from him. Except a scar on his left arm. Putting his books back in his newly repaired bag. "I'm sorry I interrupted you," He said sheepishly. He had the feeling that the Professor was under a little stress. Smoothing down his shirt, Alex turned to look back at the sun as it rose high up over the mountains. He flung his bag back over his back thanking Merlin it was Saturday. "So...what subject do you teach?" he said, hoping it wasn't Astronomy. At least he had been slightly better at charms. Alex's ears pricked up as he heard more and more early risers were getting up to have a shower. He was about to listen in to what Gary was doing, but he realised he probably looked like he had zoned out a little, and quickly returned his concentration to the slim man in front of him.

"No, no, dear boy, don't think for a moment you have interrupted me! Heavens, no; I ought to have been finishing my exercises anyway - it is nearly time for me to go back to the castle." He flicked his fringe out of his eyes and smiled contentedly down at Alex - Nicholas truly was incredibly tall - as he straightened his old-fashioned shirt. It was a customary style for him; a shirt like this one, pinstriped trousers which fitted tightly to his legs, a matching waistcoat - although this morning he had dispensed with that particular item - and pointed leather shoes, occasionally with an unusual tie, though today he had decided against it. "I teach Charms, as a matter of fact." He pursed his lips in a sour manner, as if something about the scene he was in was bothering him, and he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Ah, yes; he felt trapped. So he allowed his veela magic to roam free, instead of containing it. His body relaxed visibly as he did so, letting out an almost inaudible sigh. It was like removing a tight corset, or coming to the surface after a long dive in icy water. It was the most blissful relief. He could feel that wonderful sensation of the magic emanating from every pore in his body, diffusing in the air around him. Alex wouldn't be able to see this, but to Nicholas the magic was golden, and everything it touched became radiant and beautiful. He could sense it about to touch Alex's pale skin - almost as pale as Nicholas' own - and the excitement rose to a fearful level. For an half veela, there was nothing more exhilarating.

Alex slid his hands slowly into his pockets, and looked up at the Professor. "But it's saturday, don't you get time off?" The Teachers at Durmstrang religiously took the weekend off, refusing to do any work what-so-ever. The moment Professor Flitwick mentioned Charms part of Alex relaxed, he'd only got a 'P' in charms. His father had always told him, that if you learnt to use the dark arts, charms wasn't necessary. Alex wasn't sure that was true, but he wasn't one to stand up to his father. "I was never any good at charms," Alex confessed, looking back up at the Professor. Suddenly he heard the man sigh, blinking, Alex's mind became a little blurred. He bit his lip as his mind started playing tricks on him. Alex felt slightly giddy as he wondered what it would be like to run his hands through the Professors' dark hair, how his lips would feel...'what am I thinking?' Alex thought, shaking his head harshly to get rid of the images. 'I love Gary...not him, I don't like...' Alex returned to biting his lip. The professor was quite good looking, and that body...what was happening? what was making him feel like this? Alex tried to look at the floor, but it didn't help in the slightest.

Nicholas smiled indulgently, glad to have released his magic. "But one can make up for being poor at Charms by being incredibly charming." Pleased with his joke, he flashed Alex one of his usual crooked smiles. "To tell the truth, Charms is not my best subject, however it is my favourite and I have a great...passion for it." His voice was warm and soft, and although his tone was dry and cynical, it was comforting. Nicholas turned to stare out over the pitch, delighting in the impression he could feel himself making on the pretty young lad. He posed apparently casually, although he had chosen his position very carefully to create the best effect. "One must always be charming, regardless of anything else. Remember that, dear boy, and live by it. It is a great philosophy, even if I do say so myself. Also, never be modest. Why be humble and modest when you are deserving of praise?"

Alex sat down on the edge of one of the benches smiling. "What if I'm not charming either?" he grinned, becoming slightly more mesmerized by the Professors voice every time he spoke. Alex hung on to the last snippet of advise he had been given, wondering if it was good advise or not. Surly anyone who wasn't modest some of the time would seem...big-headed? Alex replaced his bag on the floor as the quidditch stadium became suddenly illuminated. He was becoming confused, half of him told him to leave the Professor and go and find Gary and the others. But another part of him was telling him to stay, as if the Professor would suddenly do something completely out of character or something very surprising. He wouldn't want to miss that. Alex looked at Professor Flitwick's back and folded his hand neatly in his lap. "I'm Alex, by the way. I don't think I told you." he said quietly, not wanting to ruin the peaceful atmosphere.

"Are you afraid you're not charming, Alex?" Nicholas asked patronisingly, pouting slightly. He tossed his head in his usual, carefree way, flicking his fringe from his eyes and tilting his head to make a more picturesque pose. Suddenly he turned to face Alex, resting against the railing he had been leaning against before, his legs crossed at the ankles. "Would you care to take lessons from a master? I can teach you how to charm a girl - or boy - in seconds, and be leaving the room a very satisfied man within the hour. I can teach you to be eloquent, mysterious, interesting; I can teach you how to replicate veela magic - as far as replicating it is possible for humans. My mother was a veela, did you know? A French model, by the name Marie Dermateux. Perhaps you have heard of her, although she is not very famous here in Britain, and even less so in Russia, or wherever you are from. It is from her that I have my good looks and, unfortunately, my temper. I'm sure you've heard that veela are, ahem, fiery." He smiled conspiratorially, knowing that 'fiery' was most certainly an understatement for his mother, and indeed for himself. He could fly into a rage at the drop of a hat, but because of his father's human qualities, he didn't express himself quite as most veela did. "Will you accept my offer, and become my protégé, dear Alex? I think we can make quite the man of you yet..."

Alex locked eyes with the man in front of him. It was a strange sensation, as if he was being pulled in. Alex bit his lip, "You'd be able to do that?" he asked, wondering what exactly he was letting himself in for. "But if you wouldn't mind teaching, I'd be grateful to learn." So the Professor was a veela, that was why Alex had had those sudden urges to kiss him. Maybe if the Professor was teaching him, Alex would be able to compose himself a little better, and not fall into his beautiful stare. Although, it hadn't been a bad feeling. But Alex felt a little guilty, as though he had betrayed Gary, even though he hadn't actually done anything. It was quite confusing.

"Yes, my dear boy, and more besides," he replied in his wonderfully mesmerising, drawling voice. "We shall have our first lesson -" he checked his watch "- now. Tell me, Alex," he said, the name sounding odd in his slight 'franglais' accent. He stared at Alex, locking gaze with him and holding it, his dark eyes seemingly reaching into the boy's very soul. His tongue flicked across his top lip as his forehead creased very slightly in thought. After a few moments be relaxed and blinked a few times, then he smiled indulgently. He concentrated his magic solely on the boy in front of him in the most forceful, sudden way. "What are you feeling at this exact moment, dear boy?" he asked, his voice low and seductive.

In truth, Alex felt like his breath had just been stolen from his lungs. But he hardly wanted to admit that, so he tried to think of something else, "I suppose I feel a little light headed. Like I was drunk, or..." 'or like I want to jump you,' Alex though, trying to shake the image from his mind. "or something." He finished. Alex tried to pull his gaze away from the Professor, but he just couldn't. He felt suddenly like the gap between them was closing, but he wasn't sure if he was moving, or the professor was. Taking a deep breath, Alex tried to calm himself, but it didn't seem to make any difference; if anything, it made it a lot worse.

Nicholas smiled, satisfied with the boy's reaction. He took a step towards Alex, moving without seeming to, and placed two of his long fingers under Alex's chin, raising his head to allow their eyes to meet. "Currently you will be feeling what my father would have referred to as, 'hot under the collar'. Your heart rate will have increased, you will have to gulp before younext speak and..." He glanced downwards euphemistically. "...other things besides. That is the power I have. You will be wondering what I look like under these clothes, what my hair feels like against your hand, how soft my lips are. Before we continue, would you like to know the answer to any of those questions, or any others you might have? Only when you are comfortable when immersed in magic of this sort will you be able to understand how it works." He was very close to Alex now, standing over him, looking more mysterious and alluring than ever.

Alex indeed gulped as he tried to find his voice. He wanted to know the answer to all of those questions, but he was to embarrassed to admit it. A red tint spread across his cheeks. He knew that Nicholas would know what he was thinking. He wasn't exactly sure how to react or what to say. The Professor was like a drug and although he hated the cliche, Alex was addicted. His blushed slightly brightened as his own body reacted a little to the looks he was receiving. "P-professor, are you sure...this is a good idea?" he asked quietly. It wasn't the fact he wanted to stop, more the fact Flitwick could get in trouble. He didn't want that to happen.

"A good idea?" Nicholas mocked. "A good idea? Look around you - there is no one else here. Are you going to tell? Dear boy, no - everything is quite acceptable. I am your teacher, and I am teaching you." He cleared his throat softly and took his hand away from Alex's face. "Come now, then, pray tell me, which question would you like the answer to first? You must become comfortable, my boy. Perfectly comfortable..." There was something odd in his tone, as if he was a hypnotist putting Alex into a trance. He sat down next to the boy and crossed his legs, then leaned back and closed his eyes, preparing for a long wait as Alex plucked up the courage to ask anything at all. The magic was growing stronger by the minute - he could feel his own heart rate rising, the blood coursing through his veins, powered by adrenalin at the situation. It had been a while since he'd seduced a student - even longer since he'd seduced another man. He hoped the results would be interesting, at the very least...

Alex bit his lip, he was right, there was no one else around, and he certainly wouldn't tell. Alex knew that he wanted to feel how soft the other man's lips were, how dominant he would be and so much more. But he wasn't sure how to put it into words, especially as he didn't want to dive straight into it. As the Professor leant back, more of whatever it was he was giving off, washed over Alex. He could take it anymore. Taking a deep breath he gently laid his lips on top if his teachers, pulling away almost instantly. "I-I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me." he said quickly. His eye widened with worry, he was scared as to what Nicolas would say next, he didn't want the professor to leave, maybe he'd been to bold.

Nicholas - not at all surprised - laughed heartily at Alex's embarrassment. His youthful laugh rang out, echoing around the empty stand as he flicked the boy on the nose. "You're so cute! Très mignon! Très joli!" He laughed again, but soon calmed himself to his usual, languid self. "My apologies. Were my lips to your liking? Is that all you wanted to know?" he cleared his throat and stretched his arms out in front of him, interlocking the fingers and pushing out to create a most satisfying 'click!' in his knuckles. "That is something we must work on," he murmured, more to himself than to Alex. "Kissing technique must be less...awkward."

Alex blushed even more, "It would have been less awkward if I wasn't so terrified," he smiled. It wasn't exactly all he wanted to know, but there would be a time and place for the other things, "For now, I'm okay, I can wait." he said. He, too, stretched out. But his legs instead of his arms, replacing them neatly together. He hadn't learnt french, so the sudden outburst of a language he didn't know was a little disconcerting. But he let it pass, making a mental note to ask Nicholas if one day he could teach him french. He had heard it was a beautiful language.

"Good," he said, seemingly pleased by Alex's restraint and his self control. After all, he thought, I wouldn't be able to control myself were I sitting next to me. "You're already making progress. And for that, you must be rewarded." With a smug smile on his face he turned and suddenly pressed his lips to Alex's, brushing them against the boy's before running his tongue between their top lips. How exqusite the boy tasted! How delightful he looked! What a perfect young protégé! Such a charming creature! In a few moments, however, the kiss was over and the brief bond between their moths was broken. Nicholas sat back in his seat and folded his arms, incredibly pleased with himself.