A Tale of Paramount Persuasion [Zeke]

Zeke walked out of the common room with his quidditch gear slung over his shoulder in a duffle bag, his broom was still in the locker room at the pitch, but he had taken his actual gear with him when he had threatened to quit. He headed down the hall at a quick pace, he didn't want to be late to practice; after all he hadn't been to one all year. Zeke had promised Bellatrix that he would come back and practice for her, he'd never realized that him not coming to practice would hurt her the way that it had. So he vowed to himself that he would not only start coming to practice; but he would be early, he's stay late, and he would give everything he had at every practice. Zeke might not have the captain's badge but he was going to lead by example for Bellatrix and make her job easier for her; he would show her that he had her back and that he cared about her.

He saw a woman heading down the hall towards him, Zeke recongnized her slightly, but couldn't quite put his finger on who she was. He was pretty sure that he'd seen her in Hogsmeade a couple of times, so he assumed she was a local, or she possibly owned a shop there and was simply dropping off supplies. Zeke smiled and nodded his head as a greeting, "Good Evening Ma'am" he said with a polite tone.

Zeke stopped in his tracks as he looked at the woman, "Zeke, please. Mr. Maxwell is my Father, and I am not my Father." Zeke corrected the woman, he hated it when people called him Mr. Maxwell; it reminded him of his Father. Zeke knew that people would forever call him by his last name, after all, he was not only a quidditch star, he was also looking to get into politics which meant people would use his last name in that as well. Zeke looked at the woman, trying to figure out who she was, "Yes, I skipped a couple of practices and I want to make up the time. I'm very devoted to my craft, I want to ensure that we repeat as Quidditch cup champions."

Zeke smiled politely, "I'm sorry, but who are you exactly? You know me, however, I don't believe we've ever met." Zeke tried to be polite, however, he was sure he'd never met this woman; he remembered faces extremely well, in fact, he never forgot a face.

Zeke suddenly remembered Morgana from the quill shop in Hogsmeade,
although they had never actually been introduced he’d seen her before;
he was pretty sure she was a Slytherin Alumni and therefore Zeke had
probably seen her at all sorts of formal events. He gave her a polite
smile, wondering if she was going to be like most of the Alumni and
try to find some way to pry her way into Zeke’s life so she could
relive her glory days of being in Slytherin. It was something common
with the male alumni who want to live vicariously through the
quidditch stars. She tucked a lock of her firey red hair behind her
ear and Zeke couldn’t help but notice exactly how beautiful she was;
he was taken a little off guard by it actually and simply stared at
her hand for a moment before he reached out and gave it a formal
handshake. “Well, it’s a pleasure to make your
acquaintance, Mrs.? Scrivenshift.” His voice rang out
a slightly informal question on the topic of her marital status.

Zeke nodded politely as she asked about him escorting her to the
courtyards, “Of course I will, it’d be my
pleasure.” Zeke motioned for her to lead the way as they
began to set off towards the courtyards. “What brings
you to Hogwarts tonight? It seems a little late to be just
visiting.” Zeke asked politely, hoping that he wasn’t
overstepping his boundaries when it came to his questions.

Zeke flashed a calm and cool smile, one of his best politician expressions, as she corrected him to Miss, which was of course the non-married title. "Of course Morgana, although I'm sure that you are much too young to be worried about your age." Zeke said with a playful smirk that carried over to his voice. Zeke found Morgana to be interesting, part of him was curious as to why she was here this late at night talking to him. She had been walking towards the common room, but as soon as she had ran into him she had asked for him to escort her out, almost as if she had been lost. Zeke pushed the thought out from his mind, perhaps she had got turned around, or perhaps she had wanted to spend a little time with Zeke. She wasn't that much older than him, and even shop keepers wanted companionship on some nights too; Zeke thought to himself, his smirk continuing to grow.

"Oh, it's my pleasure Miss-" Zeke caught himself and smiled softly, "My apologies, Morgana." He corrected himself before continuing, "Besides, it's not everynight I get to escort a beautiful woman through the corridors. It might be good for my reputation around the school" Zeke teased, letting out a slight laugh as they continued to walk down the halls. She explained her reasoning for being at Hogwarts this late and he nodded, acknowledging what she was saying, "Perhaps I should take time to thank Professor Riddle tomorrow, if he is who I have to thank for the wonderful company tonight?" Zeke knew that he was flirting shamelessly, but based off of Morgana's reaction… she didn't seem to mind, which made Zeke's smirk turn into one of his most charming and heart melting smiles. "Professor Riddle is ok. He's got that normal new-professor attitude, thinking that he's going to whip us all into shape, and open our eyes to a whole new world. His knowledge of the Dark Arts however, is mind boggling; I don't think I've been that excited to go to class since I was in first year." Zeke replied honestly, he found Riddle's classes to be intriguing and very up front. He wasn't sure if it was because he was in Seventh year or because Riddle was that type of teacher. But regardless, Riddle was teaching them the things that they would actually need in the real world; how to duel effectively, the pros and cons of the different stances, how to react when faced with a variety of different creatures. It was the first time he'd found Defense against the Dark Arts to be an effective class. "I'm curious to ask, and I do apologize if I'm over stepping my bounds, but Professor Riddle…" Zeke's cool exterior hestitated for a second, "Is he…you know… boyfriend?"

Zeke smiled politely as he did the math in his head, if she’d only been out of Hogwarts for four years, that would mean she was between 21 and 23; “You’re quite young to own your own business; especially a successful one in Hogsmeade. That’s quite the accomplishment, Morgana.” Zeke kept his warm and charming smile on as he talked with Morgana, she was interesting and her presence seemed to have a calming effect on Zeke. “I assure you, my lady, that my intent was never to make you blush; I only speak the truth.” Zeke opted to go to more of a formal speech pattern, picking up on her formal speaking technique. It was a small trick he’d learnt from reading books on muggle politicians, people felt more comfortable with people that spoke like they spoke. Zeke feigned a blush with a small smirk and shook his head in response to her compliment “You’re much too kind, Morgana.” He offered her a smile, “I only hope that I’m resplendent enough to uphold your reputation for you.”

“I hardly think that getting to escort such a beautiful witch could ever be considered miniscule. No matter what Professor Riddle is able to teach me in his class.” Zeke furrowed his brow at Morgana, slightly confused as to what she was talking about. Why would Zeke need to thank Professor Riddle for more than just ordering quills? And what had Morgana been learning from Professor Riddle? He went through a list of potential subjects before she mentioned the tutoring sessions. Zeke had started to hear rumblings that Riddle was picking out his favorite Slytherins, but he just assumed that it was nothing more than the typical rumor mill. Besides it wouldn’t be all that uncommon for a Head of House to have private meetings with members of his house, especially some of the stronger members of their house. But, Morgana was talking about classes for the unsavory arts… Which led Zeke to believe that all of the rumors surrounding Tom Riddle might in fact be true? Zeke stopped, lightly putting his hand inside of Morgana’s elbow, he looked around and pulled her into a dark corner. It was heavily secluded, in fact, Zeke it was one of Zeke’s favorite places to meet up with a girl and snog. The tight quarters required Zeke to be fairly close to Morgana, closer than a gentleman should be without asking, however, given the circumstances; Zeke figured that Morgana would understand. “So it’s true, Professor Riddle… he’s… you know who?” Zeke’s voice was barely audible as he asked the question. “Because, if so. I’m in.” Zeke said with an enthusiastic grin on his face. Having Lord Voldemort on his side would boast his political ambitions through the roof, who could possibly touch Zeke Maxwell with the backing of Lord Voldemort? If he had a political rival that was giving him a hard time, he could just ensure that they were never heard from again. Zeke smiled wickedly to Morgana, anxiously hoping that he was right in his guess.

Zeke gave Morgana a slightly baffled look, “No significant other?” Zeke gave her a playful smile, “A lady like you? I’m sure you’re probably hexing them off to prevent them from breaking down the door at your store.” His smile dropped slightly as she talked about having an affection for Professor Riddle, she was right in that he didn’t understand what she meant. Were they intimate? Had they been intimate? When she mentioned that perhaps in time he would. “I’m not sure I understand, because if it’s an intimate affection… pardon my blunt response, but I don’t think I’d share those feelings towards Professor Riddle. Actually, I’m quite certain I wouldn’t…ever.” Zeke laughed nervously, hoping that he hadn’t crossed some imaginary line with Morgana.

Zeke laughed nervously, it was true that he wanted to enter politics; but the goal seemed so childish, like a muggle boy wanting to grow up to be President. “You probably think it’s childish, but ever since I can remember I’ve always wanted to be Minister of Magic.” He looked down slightly embarrassed, “My Father even helped teach me different techniques that politicians use; how to hide my emotions, how to read people, how to charm people…” Zeke gave a shrug, still looking away from Morgana, “I know it’s childish to think that I could be Minister someday, but… Zeke ventured a look over at Morgana, concealing a blush; “Somebody has to grow up to be the Minister, why not me?”

The close proximity was intoxicating with Morgana, Zeke couldn’t help but let his mind wander slightly; he was absolutely certain that she had just smelt him, and he was suddenly relieved that he had eaten his peppermint after his last smoke break so his breath wouldn’t be too harsh. As she whispered, it was almost too soft to be audible; he could hear what she was saying, but was barely able to understand it. Zeke inched closer, his body now all but pressed against Morgana’s as he leaned in to hear her. Zeke could smell her fragrance now with every breath, an intoxicating aroma of lavender, herbal tea, and… ink? Zeke remembered that she owned a quill shop and suddenly the last scent made sense. Zeke inhaled deeply through his nose, exhaling slowly through his lips, letting his breath graze the bare skin on Morgana’s neck in way that would give Zeke complete deniability if she took offense to the gesture. He smirked devilishly as she talked about the sessions, “I think I’m up to the challenge, Morgana. I can be quite…physical” Zeke let the word roll off his tongue, full of implications that he left for Morgana to decipher, “when the situation calls for it; and I’ve always felt that I excel at being, hands on. ” They were so close that Zeke could practically feel the rise and fall of Morgana’s chest with her every breath; the proximity was so intoxicating that it was hard for him to keep focused, “But, since you guys obviously want me for your team; I know that I might have a slight upper hand in these negotiation process; so there is something in particular that I want to learn.” Zeke knew that this might be his best chance to learn the one spell that he wanted to learn more than anything at this current juncture in his life; “The Killing Curse.” The words were barely a whisper, and were hardly audible; but given the closeness of her ear to his lips, he was certain that she would be able to understand him.

“Such a shame.” Zeke whispered playfully, in response to her comment about being too busy for relationships; although a relationship was not exactly what Zeke had in mind. “Relationships are a bother anyway.” he continued, trying to hint at his actual intentions. He was a little taken back by her description of Professor Riddle, and it caused him to inch back slightly so he could examine her face while she spoke, her description of him had Zeke almost in awe; Zeke already wanted to know Tom Riddle on a personal level, he wanted to be able to cut through the Professor/Student barriers and learn from him without the restrictions that Dumbledore and the Ministry put on Hogwarts. “When can we start my sessions, Morgana?”

Zeke gave a relieved smile as Morgana complimented him on his ambition, her voice intoxicating him more and more with each syllable. "I'm very grateful that you don't find me to be childish, Morgana." Zeke dropped his voice to mimic Morgana's taking note that she was examining him, he wasn't exactly sure what her intentions might be; But Zeke took the opportunity to run his eyes over her own body, and gave her a sly smile. There was no arguing about how beautiful Morgana was, the way that her fiery red hair framed her picturesque face, the curve of her frame, everything about Morgana was screaming out to Zeke; telling him to touch her, to run his hands and fingers over her body.

Zeke thought that all of his nerve endings had exploded as he felt her touch go from his hip, trailing up to his shoulder and then down his arms; He closed his eyes and just savored the moment, letting the tingling and warmth spread throughout his body. He felt like he had just taken a double shot of fire-whiskey and he could feel the warmth and tingling sensation spread throughout his entire body as if her touch had entered his blood stream. Zeke decided to risk a moment of bravery and reached up delicately as he ran a fingertip across her the tip of her eyebrow, working back and tucking a tendril of her hair behind one of her ears and then following the edge of her jawline down to her chin; using his fingertip he tilted her head towards his own, leaving their lips millimeters from each others. Zeke could taste her breath on his tongue, and he was utterly intoxicated by it. “I’m a very quick learner, and I’m exceptionally talented… I usually prefer to start at the top and…”Zeke trailed his fingertip down her neck slowly, “work my way down.” He offered her a playful grin as he stared into her eyes with his own liquid blue eyes, giving her a playful flick of his eyebrows. “However, I don’t mind be obedient and listening to someone with enough…experience.”

He could feel her breath on his neck and for a brief moment Zeke thought he was about to lose his self control as he struggled to keep his composure; “I’m very glad to hear that you are not opposed to physical companionship… it would be such a shame for beauty, such as yours, to go unappreciated.” Zeke whispered into her ear, his lips just slightly grazing against her skin, sending an almost electric charge through Zeke’s own body. “My heart has many desires, Morgana.” He practically purred into her ear, “Not the least of which, is for me to find a way to extended our night together. If that is for me to start tonight, then yes… that is what I desire.”