After The Magic Has Faded

"Just curious,"Joey said quietly before advertising his eyes to the flames of the morning fire,"You are a curious creature."

Astoria watched him for a moment before looking down, watching a worm nearby. "That's an odd thing to say." She said tensely, poking at the snow with a stick.

"But it's true... I don't quite understand you. You smile and laugh, and it makes the entire world a bit brighter, and then just like that,"he snapped his fingers,"You are dark and ready to kill."

Astoria glanced up at him and sighed, shaking her head. "Well.. I can't be full of rainbows and sunshine all the time." She answered, feeling slightly defensive.

"Now, I never said anything about rainbows or sunshine,"Joey said with a smile, forcing himself to his feat and adjusting his shirt, stepping closer to the fire.

Seeing him smile calmed him down slightly and she watched him closely. ".... How are you feeling?" She asked, finishing off her pumpkin juice.

"I'm fine," Joey said softly, sighing. He was always fine, even if he was cold or sore or tired. He looked at Astoria and smiled softly,"I'm always fine."

"That's good to hear." Astoria answered, her voice soft, lacking it's usual harshness. She looked back into the fire and threw a stick in there. She hated Muggles. That hasn't changed. But Joey is different. Somehow. He's the first Muggle she hasn't tried to kill.

"I can leave if you'd like me to,"Joey said quietly, reluctantly. He didn't want to go, there was something in Astoria that he was drawn to... But they were two very different people.

Astoria glanced up and felt her chest tighten almost painfully. She didn't want to admit that she wanted him to stay. That it is his company that's keeping her from going insane with loneliness. She took a deep breath and averted her eyes. "You can stay however long you think you need to be."

The fact that she didn't jump the gun gave a small warmth in his stomach Christmas and Joey nodded,"Well, I will pull my weight, if you need anything done just tell me."

"Alright." Astoria answered, a slight smile tugging at her lips. She turned her head to hide it. They sat in silence for a few moments, then she got up and went back inside of the tent to escape the icy wind.

Joey, though he was cold, ventured around their sanctuary. He could touch the edges of the shield, like a glass wall. He collected some wood and built up the fire. It was odd for him, being so warm... Old sneakers, a thick, long-sleeved shirt and jeans, a hat...

Astoria cleaned up around the tent and even found some books to read. She got bored from them soon though. She sat on her cot and took out an old photo album she keeps with her. She opened a page that was folded down and looked at the picture of her and her little sister from a few years back. The picture was moving, like wizard pictures do. They were hugging and waving at the camera, their eyes bright and unknowing of the damage that would happen only months after this picture was taken.

Joey remained outside until it began to snow again, and he stepped in, watching Astoria for a moment before sitting.ok his own cot,"What is that?"

Astoria jumped, slamming the photo album shut in the process. "Scrapbook." She answered, setting it to the side and wrapping her arms around her knees. He's a curious one isn't he?

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you.. I can go back out if you'd like,"Joey got to his feet and clenched his jaw as his muscles ached.

"No, it's okay. You can sit." She said quickly, now particularly enjoying the look of pain on his face.

Joey slowly lowered himself back onto the cot and watched her,"So, what all did you do to me?"

Astoria tucked the photo album back inside of her bag, not looking up at him. "Well, I put dittany on you. That's a sort of wound closing potion. And I had a few more that eases pain." She sighed. It's hard explaining this kind of stuff to a Muggle.

Joey nodded,"How bad was I?"

Astoria threw the bag under her cot and then sat indian style on the cot, her eyes finally meeting his. "You were pretty bad. I was afraid that you weren't going to make it."

"If only,"Joey said quietly,sighing as he rested his head in his hands, his elbows on his knees. It would have been so much easier to die.

Hearing him say that stirred something inside of her. Astoria stood up and walked over to his cot, bending slightly so that she was eye level with him. "If you wanted to die, then why were you banging the stick against the tree?" She asked, her voice quiet.

"Because I didn't want to die alone,"Joey said softly, looking up at her, feeling pathetic. He looked away,"Being alone is the worst thing you can be."

Astoria sighed and sat on the chair, resting her cheek on her hand. "I disagree." She whispered. "I'd rather be alone then dead."

Joey nodded,"That all depends on where you come from... When I saw you I thought I was dying."

Astoria glanced up at him. "Well.. Lucky I saved you then." She got up and went back to her cot, grabbing her brush. She brushed through her long hair, getting the knots and tangles out.

Joey watched her before laying down, staring at the top of the tent. He slowly fell asleep, yawning.

Astoria sat next to him as he slept, watching the slow rise and fall of his chest. She decided to take the opportunity to bathe. She grabbed the large bucket and took it outside, but this time to the back of the tent. She filled it with water and then boiled it with her wand. She grabbed the soaps she had and slowly undressed, shivering. She started a small fire to keep close to as she ran the soap and water over her skin and hair. She didn't enjoy being dirty. She longed for a real shower, but this is the best she can do.

Joey groaned is his sleep, beginning to dream, or rather have nightmares. He was quiet, but was tossing and turning, whining quietly.

Astoria finished her washing session and put out the fire and dumped out the water. She slipped some clean clothes on and ran back inside of the tent, shivering. She grabbed her wand and did a drying charm on her hair. She was brushing it out when she heard a strange whining noise. She looked over and noticed that it was Joey, tossing and turning. She put her brush down and sat on the chair next to his cot, gently touching his forehead with her cool fingertips. Is he having nightmares?

The cold sensation on his forehead caused Joey to spring awake with a scream, panting breathlessly. His eyes were wide and fearful, his mouth dry.

Astoria gasped in surprise and grabbed his shoulders, keeping him still. "Joey, Joey it's okay! It was just a dream." She said, gently brushing his hair from his face, trying to calm him.

Joey took a few deeps breaths, nodding,"Okay... Okay. I'm okay. "

Astoria nodded and breathed a sigh of relief. She fixed him a glass of water and sat back down, handing it to him.

Joey sipped the water softly,"Thank you... I'm sorry,I don't mean to be so much trouble."

"You're not." Astoria said firmly, watching him. "Everyone has bad dreams. Even me." She gave him a small smile. Smiling felt so strange. She's not used to it.

Joey nodded and ran his fingers through his hair, feeling the dirt and and grime in his hair. He sighed and looked up at her,"You smell nice."

Astoria felt herself blushing and she looked away from him, watching the light peek in through the flap of the tent. "As well as I can smell with a bucket of water and some soap." She looked back at him after her cheeks settled down. "You need some cleaning up, though."