Regret -Hayden-

[Serenity Faywood]

&& I wish I can travel back in time.

She ran, she ran non-stop and didn't care where she ended up, she just wanted to get away from it all. What was she trying to get away she hadn't known, it was a mystery to her. Serenity had panted as she ran all sorts of directions along the dark and damp corridors, sometimes she even had ran into dead ends and had to run back and go another direction. Something in her mind just wanted to keep her running. It was strange for her, she was usually happy and now she was in a complete wreck, she woke up early in the morning and the sun hadn't gone up to brighten up the dark yet and there was one focus the she had intended to do.

Another dead end and it wasn't like all the dead ends she faced. This one had a dusty mirror hanging on the wall, or possibly floating, she hadn't known. Serenity raised her lit wand higher to look at the person that looked like a twin to her. She frowned at her reflection, her messy tangled hair that hadn't been brushed yet and the yellow tank top that was just above her striped yellow pajama pants. What upset her the most was the tear stained face of hers, there was only one thing in her mind and it had changed, she knew she was a fool. She was lost in a endless dungeon and didn't want to proceed any further until somebody actually knew the way to get out.

"Help! Is anyone here?! Help me! Please!" She cried in desperation as her voice bounced off the walls. What was the use, there was no one to come to this pathway this early, and if someone did, then that person was bound to be be a slytherin and she was in no mood to duel one right now. Besides the only thing she could do right now is sob. Serenity had finally felt weak and sat on the cold floor shivering and rubbing her arms. She closed her eyes tight not wanting to experience this nightmare of reality.

Oh where, oh where was her knight in shining armor when she needed him, even though she didn't have one. Serenity had tried to stop herself from shedding anymore tears that wanted to come down from her reddish eyes. She guessed now was the time to get herself in order and to figure out what or who on earth was she trying to hide from. There was only two things in her mind. One, was the fact she barely even had a family and wanted one. Two, was that she hadn't found her Romeo yet. But weren't they idiotic things to even be terrified of?

[Hayden Logan]

&& i'll save you when the world ends...

His footsteps seemed so distant in that fleeting moment. He'd woken too early for his usual taste. But he couldn't get those thoughts out of his mind. They were screaming in his telepathic ears. Hayden Logan couldn't sleep when those words seemed to claim him wholly. The worst part yet? The words came from the one voice he'd never heard before. Hayden knew his abilities. Only one person was blocked from his telepathic power and that was Serenity Faywood. The only times her shield went away was when she was in some sort of danger. Now had to be one of those moments.

So, he'd jumped out of bed, thrown on a pair of jeans and a navy t-shirt. His feet were clad in black converse which now screeched down the halls of the Hogwarts dungeons. Something was wrong and he just couldn't stand aside and let it. Especially in regards to Serenity!

That was when he saw her up ahead. She was beautiful, even in this upset state. Perhaps she hadn't seen him coming? Hayden's feet carried him forward, "Serenity! Are you ok? What are you doing down here?" Hayden's voice called out to her. He knew he shouldn't have called her by her first-name. Serenity and Hayden hardly knew each other. But, Alice was Hayden's sister so, he did know her a bit. It was all very complicated though. He and Serenity had spent very little time together ever. Yet, he had a little crush on her and had ever since they were in their second year at Hogwarts.

He had to help her now, she looked much too frightened to be alone. So, he came to a stop in front of her and suddenly felt the desire to give her a hug and tell her it was ok. Nothing bad was going to happen.

[Serenity Faywood]

&& Im ok just by being beside you...

Serenity opened her eyes when she heard someone coming nearer and nearer and at once some hope of joy leaped inside of her. Somebody knew she was in here, now all she had to worry about is if that person wasn't a slytherin or not or maybe even worse.. a teacher. Just in case it was one of those sly people she despised she kept her lit wand at the ready. At least this kept her mind distracted of being frozen to death in this place. She could feel her heart thump faster and faster and her breathing turned uneven as the seconds ticked by, for one of those moments she felt the need to faint.

At last she could see a figure in the dark hallway... but the voice whose was it? It sounded somewhat familiar but her brain just couldn't respond. The figure was now closer to her and Serenity could see his face, she knew she saw him before, for Hayden was Alice's brother and he was a hufflepuff. She didn't know him quite that well, Alice talked about him from time to time and she was his classmate several times and not to mention he is the hufflepuff quidditch captain, so how could she not at least heard of him? Sighing in relief, she relaxed her wand arm on her knee. Truthfully she hadn't actually expected anyone to be down in this nasty place, but what can she do except for yelling just in case?

Serenity could feel her eyes water once more, but this time not from fear and confusion, but with happiness. The next thing she found was that she was standing and noticed tears were going down her face, what really surprised her is that her hands were wrapped around his neck, she was hugging him. She felt embarrassed and had blushed almost the color of crimson then let go of him. "S-sorry about that, a-and thank you. Truthfully, I don't even know why Im here, it's just so confusing. But.... why are you down here and up so early?" Serenity stared into his eyes and she just couldn't help but feel that something about him made her attracted to him.

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[Hayden Logan]

&& it's ok, don't worry now..

Hayden let a small smile creep onto his lips as she hugged him. He hugged her back, just lightly enough for it to not be too affectionate, but caring. He didn't want to scare her away now. He took in the warmth of her, she was so beautiful. Did Serenity even know it? Did people tell her every day how amazing she was? He began to really wonder about it. Surely Ace and Lily were good enough of friends to tell Serenity how amazing she was.

He let her go carefully and reluctantly. Something felt much too right about the way she felt in his arms. Was there something new coming into their lives? Hayden let the smile go. "You're more than welcome. And it's alright. No need to be confused anymore. You're safe." He murmured with a welcoming tone. He felt this wave of warmth wash over him to realize that she didn't look nearly as frightened anymore. No, she looked happy. It was beautiful to watch. Serenity's happiness suddenly meant the world to Hayden.

"Uhm, I just knew..." Now came the hard part for Hayden. Not too many people knew he was a mind-reader. He felt like he could trust Serenity though. There was something about her that just made Hayden feel as though she was his life. He could keep nothing from her in a moment like that. "Well, this is going to sound abnormal, but I can read minds. I heard your cries and I came because, well, it's what I do." He tried not to sound too dorky or overly heroic. He couldn't help it. He'd done this for five first-years in the past month because people were getting lost beneath the Hufflepuff commons. Hayden looked down at her, wondering if she thought he was insane.

[Serenity Faywood]

Asmuch as the fact of Hayden being able to read minds was abnormal, she didn't think it was. In fact she heard more bizarre things in life. "Doesn't sound abnormal.... well it is but, compared through what I have heard this is normal. So you came all the way here, because you basically read my mind and you came to help me.... I really am sorry." And that led to another hug from her, but unlike the first one it stayed. She was really grateful about that, but it came with being guilty. But then again, it was worth it, she might have actually found a guy whom she would love.

It already felt like ten minutes passed and she was still hugging him. Her head on his shoulder, Serenity hoped he wouldn't mind. " So, did you read my mind before? And does it matter on the distance of the person when your reading minds?" Even if it was strange to her, she was still curious, he was the only person she has ever met who could read minds.

Yet after wondering, she thought of Alice, she could make predictions. And it came to her that Hayden and Alice was so different and yet they were so alike. Except she couldn't see how Rosalie was alike to them, not after the many times Serenity got sent to the hospital wing by her. It also came to her that they were all in different houses, all of those facts interested her a lot. What more can she learn?

[Hayden Logan]

&& let's tell stories til there aren't anymore to tell...

Hayden loved that she'd came in for another hug. It made him feel like maybe, just maybe, she felt the same way as he did. Hayden had had a crush on Serenity Faywood for as long as he'd been going to Hogwarts. At least, that was how it seemed. Was it really possible that she liked him back now? She wanted to know about his mind-reading. he was almost as curious as her on this subject. "Well, don't get creeped out by this or anything, but I normally can't hear you." He began to tell her. Hopefully, she wouldn't feel offended by it because the truth was what it was. "From the moment I first met you, I found it very strange that I couldn't hear your thoughts the way I could hear everyone else. The only times I have every been able to hear you was when you were very afraid or in danger."

Hayden sincerely hope Serenity didn't think he was a freak. He really liked her and it felt good to just talk to her, to hug her, to be with her. "I figured out the danger thing when you came to our house for a week over summer. Remember? Rose and Ace and Lily and you were all out playing and Rose chased after you with that old baseball bat? She was mad as a hatter, I swear!" Hayden recalled. They had to have been at least thirteen when that had happened. He'd liked Serenity then too.

"And don't be sorry. It was my pleasure, really." He laughed as though it was his job to come rescue anyone in the dungeons. He really had liked the fact that he'd gotten to come save Serenity in a way. The fact that he was so calm and cool made him feel very good. He wondered if Serenity was at all impressed? He wanted to make her happy, to make her feel safe, to make her feel like everything was okay now. He let go of their very long hug and hung an arm around her shoulder. "So, what were you doing down here at this hour then?" He asked her warmly.

[Serenity Faywood]

&& Tell me your secrets and ask me your questions...

"Then you must have heard me too many times if you can only hear me when im upset... sorry if it bothers you. Actually I think it does bother you doesn't it? Sadly, I can't even last a day without getting hurt, so you can pretty much say im the crazy one... and lady luck is surely not on my side, not always anyways" She laughed a little on the mention of it. It always seemed to her that somehow she manages a way to get into danger.

Serenity proceeded to the topic of Rosalie in remembrance of that day, " Hm... she did a lot of things to me that week and I clearly remember how she hit me with the bat and I ended up falling into the pond because of it. I still think she is still crazy though... no offense, but it does seem like she has a huge grudge on me or something, then again... which slytherin doesn't hate me?"

As they talked Serenity felt like she was falling in love with him and she was nervous, how would she say it to him? Serenity felt him let go of their warm hug, and replied to his new question. " Well I don't really know... but I just want to be with you right now." Serenity started to think of something interesting to say but it turned out to be a question instead. " If you could have anything in the world what would it be? Just one though." She knew it was pretty random of her to ask a question out of nowhere, but she was curious on the different answers people can have.

[Hayden Logan]

&& i'd tell you the truth till the truth turned to lies...

"You're not crazy. And no worries. It's not like I'm listening in all the time or anything, I just keep track of when people need my help. If you ever need my help, don't hesitate to panic." The joke was lame, but his words were real. He didn't mind helping Serenity. It felt like second-nature to him, like he was meant to be there, meant to be with her in that very moment. Was that how it worked? Could abstract beings like Hayden really ever be meant for people? It made sense, Alice was abnormal also and she was meant for Frank, right? How come Hayden couldn't find his someone out there too?

"Oh, never take Rosalie's threats personally. I've gotten her down more than once in arguments, but she really is quite mad. She fits the Slytherin persona quite well if I do say so myself." He had a laugh at his sister. It was an odd situation. He, Ace, and Rose were all adopted. He and Alice were both rather strange as well. Alice saw into the future. Most people did not see how much it was, but Hayden could see it in her mind and sometimes, the future could be terrifying. What would happen to them all exactly?

The saddest part yet? Hayden knew the things that they did not. He took what Alice saw and made more sense of it. He knew the things that humanity told him he should not ever know. The fact that he could read minds was a powerful thing. Hayden knew that within a matter of years, he would either be killed or would have to move to another country. His abilities would endanger him and anyone whom he loved or cared for. He was more frightened for Alice though, her sight would make her something both sides of the war wanted. Alice was powerful and she would take the right side, Hayden knew it and he feared for her life daily.

Serenity said something that pulled Hayden from his own thoughts. She wanted to be with him. He smiled to himself, glad she wanted to be near him, with him. It made him feel needed. Hayden wanted Serenity to need him. And then her question took him by surprise. "Hm, that's an odd question." He murmured to himself. "Anything in the whole world? Right now, I think I'd just like to have your company for the rest of night. What about you Miss Faywood? What would you like to have most?" He asked in turn, genuinely interested in her response.

[Serenity Faywood]

Quiet laughter filled the silent corridors, to her, his little joke was funny but serious at the same time. "You amuse me, but... I really don't want to worry you with my trouble, that's why I won't. I'll promise i'll be careful from now on.. even though there is always a way for me to get hurt. I'll try though, I promise."

"As mad as Rosalie is, she is really pretty, i'm kind of jealous of that fact. I wouldn't even be surprised if she was popular in Slytherin." As much as she did hate Rosalie she did envy her a tiny bit. She began to wonder, what did Rosalie think of her? What caused rivalry to begin, other then the fact of them being in two opposite houses.

It surprised Serenity when he said what he would want most and it made her smile, "Then I will stay with you for the rest of the night, it is what we both want anyways. Though I have to ask, aren't you tired?" It also surprised Serenity when Hayden had asked the same question to her. Truthfully, she had never even thought about it, nobody asked her and she never asked herself. It was a long silence, and she searched through her brain, what did she want most? "At the moment... I want to be loved by someone in particular... as I love him... with all my heart."

Fear was running through her, she guessed now was the time to tell him that she loved him, but what would he say, thats what was on her mind and that's the main thing she was scared about. "Hayden, the guy I fell in love with is.... you.....", a faint color of red appeared on her cheeks as she confessed her love for him. Now was where she was beginning to be more fearful then she had ever been but tried to smile for him, to disguise her fear just for him. Serenity didn't want to worry him, not after all these recent events.

Gently, Serenity with her two hands took his cold hand and held it for quite a while, staring it in amusement. But let it go and gazed up at him, looking at his warm eyes. Once again she was lost in thought she had so much questions to ask him, "What does life mean to you?" She was so much interested in his answers, plus she did want to learn more about him.

[Hayden Logan]

&& if the moon could smile, it would grin down at us...

"Well, I'm glad I amuse someone." Hayden grinned. Hayden watched her fiddle with words until they told him off for caring. He smiled a more secretive smile now. As if he could stop caring! Hayden cared about the strangest things in the world! He really was quite an abstract young man. How could he explain such things to her without sounding foolish? How could he say something so simple as, "I don't merely read minds, I take the mind a part from within and pull out the tiny slivers of beauty, of life. I make sense of them. I make them something to cherish. I make them something that will never be forgotten or taken for granted." No, that sounded too out-pf-character for him. Yes, he was odd, but people never saw those little inner-workings of his, the things that gave him the power to carry millions of voices within his mind each waking moment.

"Rose is pretty. But you're beautiful. Popularity is nothing when everyone knows she's manipulated her way into it. I would know better than anyone else, wouldn't I?" He winked at her. He wanted her to feel beautiful. He wanted Serenity to know that Rosalie, the beauty, had nothing on Serenity Faywood. "You have inner beauty to boot. Rose has none of that now, does she?" He asked teasingly.

"Tired? Never. Don't worry about that." Hayden smiled hesitantly. There was something about the Logan family that no one at Hogwarts knew or understood. They did not need sleep, they never would. Hayden had assumed that Serenity had figured this out because of Alice by now. Maybe not. Ace was good at covering tracks, it was her specialty. Rosalie too, was very good at keeping up an act, it was her life. Hadn't Serenity ever wondered? Hadn't she ever guessed about the others like the Logans? Only the Longbottoms matched their strange lives which was why the pairings began so long ago. How else did Frank end up with Alice? How else did Christopher end up with Rosalie? Hayden was the only one alone. He never minded though. It was as it was supposed to be. Serenity would not find out so easily the reasons the two families were the way they were. It was too complicated for a moment such as that.

And then Serenity's little speech began. It was too good to be true! No, really, it was too good to be true. Hayden offered a slight frown. "I'm sorry Serenity. I think you may be a bit confused. It's just, people don't fall in love in hallways over night. It's more, complicated than just that. I'm sorry if I've bothered you in some way, but I don't want your feelings mixed from a moment of fear. It's alright now." He offered uncomfortably. Hayden looked down at that sweet, beautiful thing. He wanted to utter the same words in response, but was convinced that she was merely confused and would forget all of this by tomorrow. Then, in fear of ruining it all, Hayden forced himself to do something he knew he would forevermore regret. "I'm sorry, I had better head back to the Hufflepuff Commonroom. I have a quidditch practice first thing in the morning and I just might have to get a moment's sleep." The last word held a hint of sarcasm. He didn't need sleep. That was something that would not be forgotten easily. So, he left her, without another word. Hayden slipped down the halls at an astounding speed, the type that seemed so inhuman. And he was gone, wondering if he would ever see Serenity on such terms again.