After The Magic Has Faded

"Where will you sleep?"Joey asked. He wasn't about to take her bed... He wasn't comfortable with much of this as it was. How could he just sit here? He was so accustomed to gathering food and running and hiding constantly..

Astoria sat back down on the chair, crossing her legs. "I have an extra cot." She answered. "You'll feel much better after you get a little more rest. Alright?"

"I don't know if I'll ever feel better,"Joey said quietly as he laid back down. He hadn't slept alone in a long time.

Astoria felt her chest ache for the broken man in front of him. She gently patted his arm. "I'll help you." She whispered. She got up and found the other cot, setting it up on the other side of the room. She found another pillow and blanket and laid down, staring up at the ceiling of the tent.

Joey closed his easy, constantly tossing and turning relentlessly. He didn't, eventually drift into a lonely land of slumber. He was so exhausted, his body didn't have time to dream.

(That's my cue to sleep, too! Goodnight dear!)

(Goodnight!)

Astoria didn't sleep much either. She often got up and changed his bandages, adding more magical potion to the wound. By the time morning came, his wounds should be pretty much closed, he'll just be sore. She started her usual fire outside and grabbed her wand. "Accio Salmon!" A few fish zoomed out of nowhere, into her hand. She began to cook them, mostly using magic

Joey watched her with half-dozen eyes, slightly irritated. It was so easy for them. Bread, soup, fish.Fire, tents the size of houses... And his people were dying. They would soon be extinct. He shook off his anger and rose to his feet, walking to stand at her side.

Astoria put a cooked Salmon on a paper plate and handed it to Joey, along with some bread and pumpkin juice. She silently sat down by the fire with her own plate, eating quietly. She hated seafood, but it's food.

Joey was quiet as he picked at his food. He wasn't accustomed to so much food in such little time, and he got full quickly. He stretched his aching muscles and watched Astoria, his guardian angel, if you will.

Astoria could feel his eyes on her, and it made her face automatically heat up. She only met his eyes after she finished eating. "Why are you staring at me?" She asked.

"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.