Unusual.

Being by herself was something Az found happened a lot. Her tears and the blood from her hands were mixing together on a rock as she cried. Her hands had cuts covering them from a fight, she'd blocked some spell with her hands and now didn't know what she was going to do. Azra was really sick of being so alone, and really sick of her self. Her personality on the outside, and personality on the inside differed so much she was constantly torn. Her hands burned so badly but there was nothing she could do.

"Why..." She hissed. She felt so stupid for blocking a spell with her hands. What the hell was her problem? She continued to cry, watching her hands drip blood onto a rock. She looked up and out at the water, contemplating jumping into the raging water, but from where she was it probably wouldn't do anything to kill her.

"Seth, what am I supposed to do?!" She whined up at the sky, hoping that by some miracle her dead best friend would show up.

It dropped silently from the sky, to all appearances a bird that took on a human body before it touched the ground. Its wings remained, though, as did feathers along its neck and forearms.

Purposefully, it moved over to the girl. Taking one of her wrists, it waved its hand over her bleeding palm, the wounds instantly sealing. Then, it did the same with the other hand. Releasing her arm, it looked her in the eye.

"You will come with me."

Azra stared at her healed hands. They didn't burn or bleed anymore. He hadn't even used a spell. She looked to him. Her eyes taking in his wings and feathers. I thought... Crow was just... a rumor she thought. Her heart pounded but she showed no emotion other than wonder. Surprise. Azra was a strong girl, but this ... man? was stronger than her.

She'd almost forgotten He'd spoken, "Why?" She asked curiously, "Where?" All traces of tears gone from her eyes and voice. She wasn't going to be defiant, at least, not yet. Fear was intertwining with blood in her veins, but adrenaline was there as well.

It tilted its head. Again, the same questions. It would have thought it would be obvious, by now. Why the questions? Why struggle? Did they not realize they must be safeguarded?

"My purpose must be served," it explained in raspy monotone. "You will come with me." It reached out a hand. Perhaps, this one would come willingly.

Azra stared at the hand for a moment. Her mind wandered as she looked at it. He'd healed her. If he did have horrible intentions... he would've just grabbed her and left. She looked back at her hands. No scars, no pain. Slowly, she raised her hand and slipped it into his. What did she have to lose? Nothing.

"Are you going to kill me?" The question almost seemed too simple. Why would he if he healed her? Her thumb ran over one of his feathers on his forearm. "What purpose?" She whispered.

Her will had almost been killed to fight. She couldn't fight back... but part of her told her it wasn't necessary.

It regarded her motions. Curious. Thoughtful.

She asked it a question. A new question. So it answered.

"Protect the children," it stated simply. Stooping slightly, it lifted her up in its arms, rather than hoisting her over its shoulder. Then, it took to the air, powerful wings beating the wind.

Azra loved flying, the motion of being in the air, in someone's arms caused her almost excitement. She buried her face in it's neck, taking in the smell of the feathers. "You're protecting us?" She asked, slightly loudly to be heard over the wind, "Are you really? Do you promise?" Something about it... maybe the fact she had always adored birds... comforted her.

"Will you bring me my pet?" She asked him. Argos was the only thing she had worth living for, her wolf. He was her life.

This one was talkative. Others had yelled, but this was different. It glanced down at her, blinking slowly. Not knowing how to respond to her queries, it remained silent.

Pet..? It knew nothing of this 'pet'. Only the children needed protection. That was its purpose.

So it answered in accordance with the knowledge it had. "It will be safe."

Reaching the edge of the lake surrounding the isle they departed, it continued southwest; towards safety.


http://www.hogwartsregenerated.com/t2974-lair-kidnapped-only

Azra nodded at his statement, praying that he was right. "Argos is a picky wolf. He won't let others be near him." She whispered. As he flew she took in her surroundings. She could tell they were going Southwest, but didn't understand where. She didn't think there was anything in this direction to be concerned about.

"Are you staying?" She asked as they reached there.

It glanced about the cavern at the others already there, then back at the girl. "More supplies will be brought," it responded. "You will remain here."

Regarding them all fleetingly, it flew away again, retaking full bird form between one flap of its wings and the other.