I Would Walk A Thousand Miles
Warnings: Violence. Gore. Rape. Torture. Child Abuse (Physical, Emotional and Sexual). Character Death. Slash. Femslash. Het. Sexual Situations. Language. Racial Slurs. Religion (bashing and praising).Improper Use of Drugs, Alcohol and Potions. Eating Disorders. Depression. AU (slightly) but DH compliant.
Chapter 11 'Suspicions, Lunches, Majors and Letters'
Monday September 8, 1997
By the time Monday morning came, Skye was completely exhausted. She woke early, took a nice, calm shower, and decided that it would be a good day, her hair was cooperating and her simple make-up looked nice, she even decided that her uniform looked unusually fashionable. However, once she entered the Great Hall with Rachel at her side, her good mood was ruined. Because the thing that had her exhausted wasn't school work, or the late nights, or even personal issues like family or boyfriends (mostly because the former were never involved in anything which would be worrying, and the latter she didn't have). What was really bothering her, what was making her dread every moment of the day, what was making her so completely tired was sitting at the table next to Leonard in a consuming conversation about Quidditch.
Jeremy Claverdon. He had been acquaintances with Leonard, Rachel and Skye since they were kids, when they all began to attend the same social gatherings. What both Rachel and Skye had apparently failed to notice was that Leonard and Claverdon spent more time together playing on a League Quidditch team during the Summers ever since they were nine years old.
So Claverdon had spent the entire last week with the triad, and the tension between him and Skye was intensely palpable. Rachel had pulled her aside and asked her about the situation after spending less than an hour with them. And apparently, Leonard had heard all he needed to from Claverdon, though Skye did get to tell him her version of the story.
Because apparently, Claverdon was entirely insulted that she hadn't considered him a friend. So they behaved politely around each other, but when out of his company Skye did little more than complain about him and insult him. According to Leonard, Claverdon was on the same page. It was exhausting trying to keep up pretence in public, for the sake of others around them, as well as in order to be dutiful members of Society. Skye had to be kind to him, polite and civilized. When all she wanted to do was slap him across the face and ask what on earth his problem was. It's not like most people in Society were friends. Most where they came from smiled and engaged in conversation in public and stabbed each other's backs behind closed doors. Not that Skye had planned on stabbing his back, but he was certainly not someone she trusted, or considered anything more than a mere acquaintance.
It was confusing and exhausting trying to understand and keep up with Master Claverdon.
"I think it's kind of funny," Leonard said as they took seats in Muggle Studies.
She looked over at him with raised brows. "What's funny?"
"All the sexual tension between you and Jeremy."
Her mouth dropped as she stared at him with shock. How did he come up with that? She quickly recovered, clearing her throat and hissing "Excuse me?" looking around to make sure no one had heard him.
Leonard smirked. "Well obviously something's going on. He wants to be your friend…"
"Did he say that? Is he… is he…interested?" Skye was beyond confused. No way in Salazar's Chamber could Jeremy Claverdon be interested in her. That was just so wrong. He was a dolt for acting the way he was, for thinking what he did… had she missed this somehow because she was too busy looking at the situation at face value only?
But then Leonard chuckled, and she realized it was just Leonard looking for any excuse to bring up sex, like usual. "Not in so many words…"
"Oh for Merlin's sake, Leonard. Stop thinking about sex and pay attention to what's going on. He's mad because we're not friends, where he got the idea we were friends from is beyond me, but either way there it is. And I'm upset because your friend is a moron."
Leonard laughed, shaking his head as he pulled out his quill. "Ok, Skye. Whatever you say."
At lunch, Skye sat with Rachel a few seats down from Leonard and Claverdon who were staring intently at a Wizard's Chessboard in front of them, with a few younger students sitting around them watching. Skye narrowed her eyes as she looked over and saw the smug grin on Claverdon's face as one of Leonard's bishops was attacked by a pawn. What an amateur.
"You don't think it's a little childish to keep this up?" Rachel asked as she sipped from a teacup she had conjured. "Why don't you just tell him he can be your friend, and then-"
"I don't want him as a friend. After this entire week…" Skye shook her head, looking away from the cheering crowd of students around the sixth years, and straight at her blonde friend. "He's acting childish, to even expect that we were friends…"
Rachel arched a brow in her direction. "So just lie to him. Tell him he's your friend, and pretend he's-"
"Oh that'd be even more exhausting than the situation already is!" Skye hissed, waving her arms in the air. "No. Claverdon is nothing. Not a friend. Hardly an ally. And I won't pretend otherwise. I'm so tired of this all."
She gathered her things, and walked from the Great Hall annoyed. Why didn't her friends understand? She did not want to be friends with him, and she didn't want to pretend to be friends with him, and they did not have any sexual tension between them! This was getting ridiculous.
As she reached the top of the stairs in the Entrance Hall, she turned quickly to round a corner and ran into someone, sending her stumbling back until someone's hands closed around her wrists, keeping her from falling onto her back.
"Lookout!"
She looked up in a huff, and glared daggers at the young Gryffindor holding onto her. She yanked her arms from his hold and sneered at him. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Oh. Well, I was- uh…" he was confused. That much was obvious.
Skye continued to glare at him as she did a mental self-evaluation. She was fine, nothing hurt and her things were still in her arms. She needed to get out of here. "Watch where the bloody hell you're going, you moron!" she hissed, walking around him and ignoring his slacked jaw and shocked expression.
"Now hang on!"
Her arm was suddenly being pulled, and she found herself circling around to come face to face with him.
"Let go of me!" she tried to pull her arm away, but the damned fool wouldn't let go.
"I didn't do anything wrong. It was an accident, and you don't have the right to act like some Pureblood Princess-"
"How dare you!" she yanked on her arm again, but his hold only tightened.
"I don't need you to act like I'm just dirt on the underside of your expensive heels , and nothing but an inconvenience-"
"Oh, but you're a Mudblood aren't you? So you are an inconvenience-" She didn't know a thing about the boy gripping her arm and glaring dangerously at her, but she was just so tired of being a nice polite person in public and who was this boy to demand she treat him like an equal when he clearly wasn't; for crying out loud he's wearing red-lined robes! She tried in vain to remove her arm from his vice-like grip, and continued to insult him.
"You don't know a thing-"
"I don't care!" she yelled shrilly, finally yanking her arm free and stumbling back a bit. "You foolish boy! I don't give a damn about you! Just leave me alone!" She shoved at his thin chest, and he staggered back a few steps.
"What's this?"
She looked up to see that Blood Traitor, Longbottom approaching them, and she sneered at him as well.
"I was just trying-"
Skye twisted back to glare at the mousy haired boy who had tried to explain himself to the seventh year. "Shut up!" she turned from his disbelief and glared at Longbottom, who was now standing right beside her with Weasley at his side, a curious and cautious expression on his face. "Keep your filth away from me!"
And with that, she stalked down the corridor and rounded a corner. What had just happened she wasn't sure, but she was sure that she was losing it. Her sanity, her composure, all of it. She was losing it. And it was mostly the fault of that dim-witted Claverdon and his ridiculous, tiring antics.
"Hey, are you alright?"
Oh, if she wasn't just the most unfortunate person in the entire world. That voice, that stupid voice was calling to her still as it neared, and then there was a gentle hand on her shoulder and she was being forced to stop as the owner of the voice came around to look down at her with –how dare he!- concern.
"Are you ok? What just happened back there-"
"It's none of your business, Claverdon!" She hissed, jerking her shoulder away from him. "I'm fine."
He furrowed his brows as he opened his mouth and said "But there was yelling, and Gryffindors and-"
"And what? Why do you care? Merlin, I'm so tired of this," she shook her head tiredly as she looked away. "We're not friends, Claverdon. Why you didn't understand that the first time is beyond me. In Society we tolerate each other, and make polite conversation, but we do not even know each other," Had she been a lesser human being, she'd be gripping the roots of her hair now, but as it was she kept her poise and turned to look up into his confused brown eyes. "So here, at Hogwarts, you're lucky I stepped in and kept Malfoy and the others from harming you, but that is it. You can be friends with Leonard, but that doesn't mean you're my friend."
Skye had thought when, and if this conversation ever took place, there'd be a lot of shouting. He was so frustrating. But she'd kept her cool, and hadn't said any of it unkindly. Her words and her tone were different. Her words said 'we're not friends'. Her tone said 'I may be a little sorry this is so'. She surprised herself with that, but decided to just go with it. What could be the harm of befriending him, anyway? Other than the fact that he was currently on Malfoy and Mackenzie's shit list. That just wouldn't do.
"Are… do you mean…" he was at a loss for words, which didn't endear him to her, but it did cause something to settle into her mind, and she had to realize it was entirely the truth.
You've chalked him down to nothing more than the average Slytherin, she told herself. When you don't even know a thing about him. You thought he'd be a proper Socialite, and yet he'd gone and said those things to Malfoy and Mackenzie, and he'd opened his mouth about things he knew little about. He was seriously offended when you said you weren't his friend, and he was driven speechless by your little rant. You don't know a damn thing about Jeremy Claverdon.
He was staring down at her with furrowed brows, then he relaxed his face, taking a breath and adjusting his posture. He loomed over her as he said in a formally polite voice. "Fine. I understand, I really have all along, but I just hoped you'd change your mind… We're not friends. But this isn't Society. It's Hogwarts. So I just thought that maybe, because that was so, you'd see it differently here." He gazed down at her silently, probably expecting her to say something, but Skye found she didn't know what to say. "Just think about it," he said, before turning and walking down the corridor.
But what was she supposed to think about? Being his friend? Why was he so intent upon being friends with her? Maybe Leonard had been right, and he liked her… but then maybe not. Maybe he just wanted more allies in Society. Her Father had taught her that one should have many allies, but friends were different, weren't they? She was sure they were. Maybe-
She stopped dead and frozen in the hall as though a Body Binding curse had been thrown at her. A thought so impossible crept its way into her head when she thought of her Father, and his need for allies, as well as when she remembered something which had been promised to her at her seventeenth birthday, and as she thought of Leonard and his ridiculous ideas. But it couldn't be, could it? Claverdon would never agree- or would he? She didn't even know him, after all. He just might agree to…
A Marriage Contract.
!*!*!*!
Ginny threw herself into her seat in the Ancient Runes classroom, letting out a dramatic sigh which everyone around laughed at. She had to crack a small smile as she looked around at them. She'd just got another detention from Carrow. For what? Nothing. She had seriously just been sitting there, staring off into space while Carrow lectured about something she was blocking out, and then suddenly a shadow fell over her seat and Carrow was in her face, yelling about disrespectful Gryffindors and issuing her another detention. It took a lot for her not to laugh when Carrow had stumbled over what the detention would be for. 'Nothing' wasn't a good enough reason. In the end, she'd chalked it down to 'Insolence'.
The bad part, though, was that Friday had been her last detention from Tuesday's 'insubordination', and she looked down at the nasty scarred skin on the back of her left hand, her thumb running softly over the skin where the words 'Blood Traitor' were hardly discernible. This detention would, hopefully, only be for one night, and if all turned out like she hoped, the term would never truly materialize into her skin like Harry's 'I must not tell lies'.
"Oh, playing like a Drama Queen, today are you?"
Ginny looked up and smiled at Colin as he took the seat next to her, Kendell sitting directly in front of him.
"Careful, Colin." Kendell said, turning in her seat to wag a finger at the boy. "She may not be listening to you, but if she isn't… please don't be a Drama Queen yourself, and start screaming in her face."
They all started laughing.
"Did she really call me a Drama Queen?" Ginny asked them.
They all nodded their heads. "What were you thinking about, anyway?" Laura asked, leaning forward from her seat behind Ginny. "You gave a rather dreamy sigh. That's the only reason she even noticed."
"Probably Potter, eh Ginny?" Kendell asked, winking at her.
Ginny blushed, and looked away. She had been thinking about Harry, but she'd also been thinking about Hermione and Ron. Neville had told her all about the Ministry break-in, and that they'd got away, and she'd just been wondering where they were all night. Sitting in Carrow's classroom, she'd thought about it further, but then decided she wasn't ever going to figure it out, and so she needed to stop. That was about the time Carrow swooped down on her, so that must have been when she sighed loudly, without even realizing.
The others were laughing. "I take that as a 'yes'." Colin said, as he dropped a quill and some parchment down onto his desk.
"Oh. Colin. You'll be sitting here today?"
They each looked up to see Luna standing, clutching a roll of parchment in one hand, her book bag slung over her shoulder and staring down at Colin with seemingly vacant eyes, her head tilted.
"Uh- I mean… did you wanna sit here?" Colin asked sheepishly.
Luna shook her head. "That's alright." and began to walk away.
"Luna," Ginny called, and when the girl turned back to her she smiled softly. "Sorry."
Luna nodded, smiling softly as well, and then she turned and took a seat on the other side of the room, beside Hayden Sinclair. Ginny watched as he slowly turned to look at the girl who was busily removing things from her bag with a blank expression. His lips moved, and then Luna's did, though she didn't look away from her things. Then Sinclair looked up at the form of his fellow Ravenclaw Beater who had stopped in his tracks as he saw Luna sitting in what was normally his seat.
The Gryffindors all watched as the Beaters shared a look, and then Bailey turned and looked around for another seat, finding the empty seat beside Kendell satisfying and approaching them quietly.
"Hello, Doll. May I sit next to you?" He asked her with a smile.
She smiled back, and nodded enthusiastically. "How could I say no to such a charming, and…" her eyes traveled up and down his body, "strong man?" She winked at him.
He gave her an amused look as he sat in the desk, placing his bag atop the table. Ginny just shook her head as Kendell turned to grin at her, and she caught sight of Colin, who was looking at Bailey with a frown.
"Hey," Ginny quietly nudged him as Kendell started to flirt with Bailey, and the blonde shifted his frown over to Ginny.
"Does she have to be such a flirt?" He whispered sadly.
She smiled softly as she placed a comforting hand on his arm. "It's just how she is…"
He nodded grimly, as his gaze returned to the two in front of them. Kendell was laughing at something Bailey had said, and the Ravenclaw was smiling widely down at her.
"I think I understand her brother's worries, now…" Colin muttered.
Ginny laughed. "Maybe you should team up with him, protect her from all the bad boys, Colin." He turned wide eyes back to her, and her laughter stopped immediately. "Oh, no, Colin, I was kidding-"
"No," he whispered, "That's a great idea."
Ginny bit her lip as he returned to watch the flirting. This was probably not going to end well. Just as Colin opened his mouth to say something at a lull in the conversation, Professor Babbling entered the room, her golden robes fluttering behind her as she strode to the front of the class.
"Alright, class, let's see that homework, shall we?" she asked cheerfully.
Ginny sighed silently. Only Professor Babbling could be so excited about Ancient Runes.
"I've actually translated about four texts, over the last two years. It's a side project of mine, and Professor Babbling is just amazing at making time for me to come in. I mean, there are Translation Spells for this kind of thing, but I prefer the experience and stimulation from doing it on my own. It takes a long time, sure, but it's so worth it. Ancient texts are just so much more enlightening than modern ones."
And Ravenclaws, Ginny silently amended as Bailey chattered on about how awesome Ancient Runes were as he handed up his homework.
Colin looked over with a scrunched nose, and Ginny giggled quietly at him, nodding her head in agreement as she whispered "I know, right?"
Apparently, Kendell was in over her head, because she turned back to look at Ginny with a 'help me, NOW' look. Ginny just laughed, shaking her head. The girl had got herself into that situation.
"Colin to the rescue," the boy beside her murmured before clearing his throat loudly, getting nearly half the class' attention. "Bailey," he said, with so much more confidence than Ginny ever thought the boy was capable. "I think it's great that you're a Ravenclaw, and all, but you don't have to shove it in our faces. I think the lady is trying to listen to the Professor. So you should probably shut it with your translation stories." At Bailey's dangerously raised eyebrow, Colin seemed to remember himself, and he stuttered "Uh, like-you-you know. Because this is class. Class time. Uh-pl-please?" He smiled sheepishly, and Bailey just looked around, confused for a moment, before shaking his head indifferently and returning his attention to the front of the room.
"Well, alright then…" As Babbling called everyone's attention back to her, Kendell turned and mouthed 'Thank you' to Colin, before turning in her seat to face the front.
When Ginny looked over at the boy, Colin was smiling goofily at the back of Kendell's head. She rolled her eyes as she tuned into what the Professor was talking about.
! ! ! !
"Creevy, ya crazy son o' a gun."
Ginny laughed as Patrick Kelly came up and slung an arm around Colin's shoulders as they exited the Ancient Runes classroom.
"Uh, ye-yeah, Patrick?" Colin asked, looking uncomfortable as he slightly crouched down under the hold of the shorter boy.
"Ya just told off the biggest lad on the Ravenclaw Quidditch Team," he said in slight awe. "No'un's done that in all six years the bloke's been 'round. I mean… he's the school's Preppy Prince, ya know?"
Colin nodded as he concentrated on not stumbling over his own feet as they walked down the hall. "I- I mean, I know he's the most popular guy in our year-"
"Nah, Pat's the most popular guy in our year." Ritchie Coote said, coming up on Colin's other side, slightly pushing Ginny over. "They've just got reputations for different things."
"Yeah," Ginny said. "Bailey's popular for his smile and charm, and Kelly's famous for his loud mouth and fists."
The boys all laughed at her comment.
"Well, jus' wanted ta say I respect ya for it, Creevy." Kelly said, removing his arm from the taller boy's shoulders.
"Uh- thanks." Colin said.
"Hey, Captain," Ritchie turned to Ginny, and slung an arm over her shoulders, causing her to roll her eyes. The Gryffindor boys all liked to do that, didn't they? "When are try-outs?"
Ginny raised a brow at him. "You're already on the team, Ritchie."
He nodded. "Yes, but we've all gotta be there, don't we?"
"An' anyway, it's me who's int'r'sted." Kelly said, looking over at her. "I wanna try out."
"Oh? For what position?" she asked.
"Keeper."
Ginny took a good look at the Irish boy, and decided that his small, slightly muscular body could do well in front of the posts. "Well, we'll just have to see what you're made of on the twelfth."
He smiled at her. "Alrigh' then."
"Quidditch try-outs are on the twelfth?" Kendell asked, as she came to Ginny's side with Laura.
"Yeah." She nodded. "Can you play?"
Kendell smiled, nodding her head. "I've played on some league teams as a Chaser."
"That's Gin's position." Ritchie commented.
Ginny nodded. "Well, come to the try-outs if you wanna play."
The blonde girl smiled. "Will do."
"What's the other position we need?" Laura asked.
At once, Ginny, Kendell, Kelly, Colin and Ritchie responded "Seeker."
They all laughed at the jinks, and then Ginny's smile faded as she remembered why they were in need of a Seeker, and she couldn't help but feel terrible, because Harry deserved to play his last season here. He was the rightful Captain of the team, but he'd passed it to her in his absence… she sighed aloud.
"It's alright, Gin." Ritchie said, leaning down to rest his head atop hers. "Potter'll be really proud of what you're gonna do for the team."
She smiled as she placed her arm around his skinny back. "Thanks, Ritchie."
"Hey, ya know sum'thin'?" Kelly asked. "I think it should be the team's job ta cheer up their Cap'un."
Ritchie removed his head from its resting spot, as he nodded, pulling Ginny closer to him. "I agree. We should have a party."
"A party? No." Ginny said, shaking her head. "But you can do something else."
"Well, it doesn't just have to be the team," Colin said. "We're all her friends. And we should all cheer her up. So we'll plan something."
"When she's not around!" Laura interjected excitedly.
"Yeah," Kendell said. "In private."
Ginny rolled her eyes. "So I should expect a surprise sometime in the near future?"
"Well, now Ginny if ya did that, then it wouldn't be a surprise, would it?" Ritchie asked, laughing.
Ginny just shook her head and leaned into the boy's side as they walked. Did she have great friends, or what?
!*!*!*!
Seth was walking casually down the stairs in the Entrance Hall, looking around for someone to talk to. He spotted his sister strolling along with that Creevy kid, and picked up his pace as he practically jumped the last couple of steps, calling out her name to get her attention. She twirled around and smiled brightly at him, clutching her books against her chest.
"Seth, what ya doin'?" she asked.
"Wanna have lunch with me?" he came to a stop in front of her, and looked over her shoulder at the mousy haired boy who was nervously glancing in his direction. He inclined his head to the boy, "Creevy,"
"Ellis," he responded in a small voice, causing Seth to smirk on the inside. The kid knew where he stood with Seth, and that was good.
"Lunch with you? At your table?" Ell asked, clearly not liking the idea too much.
Seth shrugged, placing his hands into his trousers' pockets. "Or somewhere by the lake? It's nice out, today," he glanced in the direction of the open doors leading to the grounds, the crisp cool breeze refreshing him, the blue sky and green grass calling to him. He smiled, refreshed, as he turned back to Ell, who was also smiling.
"Sure," she nodded. "Let's grab some food,"
"And Lizzy," Seth added as he began to follow his twin who was now walking toward the Great Hall's entrance, Creevy at her side. "Have you seen her today?"
"No…." she trailed off in thought, then shook her head decidedly. "No, not today."
"Oh." Seth looked around as they entered the large room, and easily spotted their younger sister sitting at the Ravenclaw table with a few friends. "I see her. I'll get her, you get the food. Meet you back here in a sec," he said, and at Kendell's swift nod, he wandered in the direction of his sister.
"Lizzy," as he approached he called her name, and each of her friends turned their heads in his direction, though one didn't quite find him. His gut did a little twisty thing as he saw Lawrence Fairview's blank gaze pointed somewhere off to the right, and sighed deeply as he came upon the small group.
"Hello, young Ravenclaws," he said, mostly because he didn't remember all their names. He knew Fairview, but the other boy and the girl just weren't coming up on his register. They smiled in greeting to him though, and he decided his sister had some dorky looking friends. The boy had ugly square glasses, which Fairview also had (round though, not square), and the girl's teeth were kind of crooked. They were cute though, in a geeky sort of way. He found them endearing. But that didn't mean he'd let his guard down around them. Experience taught him boys were no good as far as his sisters were concerned.
"Hey, Seth." Lizzy said, smiling up at him. "What do you need?"
"Wanna have lunch with me and Ell?" he asked. "On the grounds…"
"Oh," she bit her lip, looking around at her friends, then down at an empty plate in front of her, then back to him. "I was gonna eat with them… here…I'm sorry. Have fun with Ell, though."
"Oh, ok." He nodded, before leaning down and giving a quick kiss to her cheek. As he was standing straight, he placed a hand on Fairview's shoulder and delivered a knowing glance to the boy across from him as he said "Have a nice lunch guys."
As he was walking away, he heard Fairview say "He scares me, kinda." He was still chuckling and smiling smugly when he came upon Kendell waiting by the doors.
"What?" she asked suspiciously.
He shook his head. "Come on, let's eat." He said, steering her back into the Entrance Hall.
Seth was content to walk silently until they found a suitable place to settle at, but that just wasn't Kendell's style. She turned to him within a few moments of descending the steps just outside the Entrance Hall, and asked "So why'd you wanna have lunch with me?"
He glanced at her from the corner of his eyes, then reached out and took a few of the food items she was struggling to hold onto as he answered. "Haven't seen you in a while."
She nodded as she adjusted to the lighter load in her arms. "You've been following Hopkins around like a lost puppy all week," she laughed.
He rolled his eyes. "I just… ok. Don't laugh," he warned her, turning to glare at her. She nodded her head, struggling to keep in a smile, Seth could easily tell. He sighed, knowing it was useless as she'd be laughing at him soon, anyway. "I just thought if I spent enough time with him… well I mean, I like him, he's a cool guy-"
"And hot." When Seth turned narrowed eyes at her she just giggled. "He is. Totally buff and has a handsome face... but that's not why you were hanging out with him, right?" she asked sarcastically.
"No," he answered, rolling his eyes as he looked around for a spot to sit. "It's not. I figured the Lieutenant and the General should be like a Unit, ya know? We should appear as a single entity, maybe we'd be taken more seriously that way."
From the corner of his eye he saw Kendell's blonde head bob up and down quickly. "I know you well enough to know when there's a 'but' coming…"
Seth sighed. "But I'm starting to think it wouldn't be too bad to be seen as two individuals with different things to offer and help with as well."
"Over here," Seth turned to see that Kendell had changed course, and was now approaching a tree just a few feet from the shore of the lake. ""It's shady, and cool." She explained.
He followed, and once they were both seated with crossed legs, facing each other across the layout of all the food Kendell had gathered sitting atop her robe, Seth's stomach roared.
Kendell laughed, reaching out for a piece of bread. "Eat," she shoved it at him, and he took it and bit into it immediately.
"You grabbed a lot of stuff, Ell," he said once he'd swallowed, looking at all the fruit, sliced meat, bread, crisps, crackers and pastries. "And nothing to drink," he groaned once he realized her error, glancing up to her with a helpless look.
She smiled sheepishly at him. "Sorry, I thought Lizzy was coming with us. And… I guess I forgot about something to drink… but the Lake's just right there. You could-"
"Oh, shut up." He grumbled, reaching out and taking a bite from an apple.
"It's understandable," she said a few moments later as she peeled a banana. "To appear as a Unit of two entities," she said, eyeing him meaningfully.
"Yeah, like Finnigan and Kirke," he said thoughtfully.
"What do you mean?" his sister asked as she bit into her mushy fruit.
"Well, Finnigan's loud, and opinionated. Always has something to say. Kirke though… he's quiet. He listens more than anything; you know there's a difference between the two."
Kendell nodded in thought. "And I don't see Kirke trailing after Finnigan everywhere."
"Yeah…" the crisps in his mouth crunched loudly in his ears as he chewed.
"I don't think anyone else sees it like I do, that you're some lost puppy," Kendell said, and Seth knew she was trying to reassure him. "I'm your sister, I'm supposed to scoff at everything you do."
He smiled kindly at her. "When did you start saying the word 'scoff'?"
"Shut up!" She laughed, throwing a piece of her banana at his chest. "I was being serious."
"I know." He sighed as he picked the banana off his leg and tossed it into his mouth. "And thanks."
She smiled at him. "Of course."
She watched him as he grabbed a slice of bread and the sandwich meat, sticking them together as he made a turkey sandwich. Once he bit into it he looked up at her, waiting because he knew she had something to say.
"I'm trying out for the Quidditch team."
He swallowed his food, nodding his head as he furrowed his brows at her. "You don't have a broom."
She shook her head. "Yeah, but the school does-"
"I hear those suck." Was his answer.
She scowled at him, crossing her arms over her chest. "Well what other choice do I have?"
He shrugged. "Write home and ask Mum for an early Christmas present."
She just shook her head, looking away. "I wanna play."
"I know, Ell. But without a broom-oh no! Wait, Aliza's got a broom."
She just stared at him blankly. "So… your girlfriend's got a broom. Good for her."
"No," he shook his head. "She's not trying out for a team, she's just got a broom. It's a Nimbus, I'm not sure the model-"
"The newest one?" She asked excitedly, leaning forward.
He shrugged. "I have no idea. I just know she's got it, but no use for it. I could ask her, if you want-"
"No, Seth. I don't need a charity broom."
He sighed as he found himself butting heads with his sister's pride. "Ell, if she'll let you, why not? She's my friend, I'm sure she wouldn't mind."
She just shook her head. "No one in their right mind would let someone else use their broom for an entire year, especially if it's the Nimbus 2003. That's the latest broom produced, Seth; just last quarter. It's rumored that Cleansweep is coming out with a Twelve, but that hasn't been confirmed, and anyway-"
"I get it, Ell. She'd be barking mad to lend you her broom," Seth interrupted, knowing where this could go if he didn't stop her now. Kendell was obsessed with Quidditch Brooms. It's what she wanted to do after school. Go to University and study Business Marketing, and then work for Nimbus Racing Broom Company.
"Yes, she would." She said dejectedly. She glanced up at him, then, and gave him a small smile. "Thanks, anyway."
He nodded to her, and they entered another few minutes of silence, and Seth started thinking about their friends from back home, and the rather loud lunches they would share. Most of them were studying for A-Levels, now. Seth and Kendell would have been too, had Magical Education not suddenly become mandatory. He missed his friends, he missed the laughter, and the foolishness, and the fun. He missed Kendell's smile.
Sure enough, his sister always had a reason to smile, but he'd not seen her true, bright and large, unadulterated smile since they'd left home. He wondered if he'd ever see it again, seeing as now they were entering war. He wondered if they'd make it, if they'd live to see an easier time, a time where Kendell was free to smile genuinely and Lizzy could breathe freely without wondering if her friends would be hurt that day; if she'd be hurt that day. It was what he wanted for them, and he was reminded now why he'd taken that oath in the first place, why he'd stepped forward in the Common Room in front of his entire House and promised to be dignified and strong, protector and counselor, faithful and responsible. Because of his sisters, and their beautiful smiles.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Kendell asked, reaching out and snagging a crisp from in front of him.
He blinked a few times as his eyes settled on her face, and he smiled at her. "Just thinking about home."
"Home," she said, looking over his shoulder distantly. "Yeah, I miss it."
"Me too." He said earnestly, getting up from his spot and folding his legs under him as he sat beside her, pulling her into him as she layed her head on his shoulder, his arm around her shoulders. "Christmas break, we can go back," he said.
He felt her nod against him. "Yeah, can't wait to tell Trish all about Hogwarts."
Seth shook his head, "You never should have told her."
"She's my best friend, I can tell her anything I want," she disagreed, reaching out for another banana.
"Will you tell her about the war? The DA?" he asked, knowing the answer already.
Kendell was a smart girl, kind and optimistic. She was also protective, she liked to tell Trish about Magic, but she only ever told her about the tickling charms, healing spells and other kinds of simple, nice magic. She'd never even mentioned a tripping hex. She never wanted to taint her friend's view of her magic, and she wouldn't do it now.
"No," she sighed. "I don't think I will."
Seth sighed as he pulled her closer, still, resting his chin atop her soft hair. "Never should have told her," he repeated softly.
!*!*!*!
"I just think you'd be better off as Neville's Advisor," Terry said, smiling kindly at Luna. "And he specifically asked for you."
She nodded her head thoughtfully. To be honest, she wasn't sure whether The General was just being nice, and if he and Neville had come up with the position so she didn't feel bad, or if her friend truly needed her as his 'Advisor', and thought she'd serve the Army better there than as Ravenclaw Lieutenant. She needed to speak to Neville.
"I think you should speak with The Marshall, Luna," Terry said, echoing her thoughts.
"Yes," she said in her normal, semi-thoughtful and light voice. "I think I will."
When she saw Hayden that night in Ravenclaw Tower, it was with no small amount of bitterness that she congratulated him on the appointment, though her voice conveyed no such thing, and he smiled widely at her.
"Thank you," he inclined his head to her. "And I heard about your own appointment; I have to say, had it been offered to me, I'd be quite honored. Congratulations."
She nodded her head as she gave him a tight smile, bobbing her head. "Thank you."
! ! ! !
Tuesday September 9, 1997
"He's just trying way too hard-" Neville was speaking with Ginny when she saw him between her second and third morning classes the next morning, smiling as they discussed something seemingly of no importance, as Neville chuckled freely, and lightly, at what the red head was saying.
"Well, that's Colin for you," he replied, looking up just in time to spot Luna coming toward him, his smile remaining in place the closer she got. "Hey, Luna. Did you hear-"
"Advisors!" Ginny said in an excited hushed voice once Luna was standing directly in front of them. "He actually asked us to be his personal Advisors, how awesome is that, right?"
Well, Luna thought, tipping her head to the side thoughtfully as she stared at Ginny, With Ginny involved, the position seems a tad more legitimate. None-the-less…
"Neville," Luna turned her silver gaze to the smiling boy. "Is the position, real?" his smile faded as she continued to speak, his brows knitting together. "Or did you just make it up? Because I can see that being a rather cruel joke…"
He shook his head with furrowed brows. "Wh- No, Luna. Not at all. I-I-" he looked around, and gestured toward the door of a nearby classroom. "Let's talk in here," he said, walking forward and opening the door to an empty room.
Luna and Ginny walked in, and turned waiting for him to speak. Once the door was closed, Neville turned to them with concern.
"I would never do that to you, or Ginny. It is real, I spoke with Boot, and I just…I need you two. I need help, and I figured the Generals would have their hands full, and I could use someone else…" he sighed, dragging a hand through his hair. "See, the thing is that I've been doing some research. And… well there haven't really been any Wizarding Wars, and my History grade isn't good, so I don't know jack about the Goblin Wars, but the Muggles… well there's an entire section in the Library about their wars, and most good Leaders have a Council, their own Advisors… And while the Generals could be that for me…" his eyes traveled to the floor for a moment, as he released a heavy breath. Then he looked up and locked gazes with Luna. "The truth of the matter is, I just don't know them very well right now, and they me. We three have real experience in this stuff, in fighting, and we'll understand each other a lot better. From what I've heard, Hopkins may know a bit, the gossip is his Dad's a Hit Wizard or something, and maybe he's taught him some stuff. But other than that, Boot and Seamus haven't got too much experience. And while I trust them… you two are like my sisters."
Luna's eyes widened slightly. Sisters. Did he truly think that? Her eyes quickly shot over to see that Ginny was smiling at Neville. She steadied herself as she looked back into the sincere face of her friend as he continued to speak to her.
"I'd put my life in either of your hands, and in fact I have actually done that. I trust you with everything in me, and I know you'd not lead me astray. I also know that you'd bonk me over the head if I tried to do anything stupid."
"So true. So true," Ginny said, smiling at him.
He smiled back at her, before turning to Luna again. "I trust you guys more than anything, and I'd really appreciate it if you could be my Major. It's not that you couldn't do well as Ravenclaw Lieutenant. It's just that you're more valuable to me as my Major."
Luna struggled to find words that would come out her mouth around the lump of sudden emotion sitting in her throat. No one had ever said that before… that she was so close to them, that they considered her a sister. She was an only child, and she'd not had the blessing of friends until her fourth year. She had considered The Golden Trio as well as Ginny and Neville to be her friends, but none of them had ever expressed what she meant to them. This was new, and it was incredible. That Neville cared so much about her, and trusted her enough to ask that she be his personal Advisor… Well.
She couldn't find words, so soundlessly, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her friend. He was surprised at first, letting out a small "Oh!" but then he returned the hug, and she smiled as she felt Ginny behind her, wrapping her arms around them both as well.
"Thank you, Neville." Luna said, pulling away. She smiled up at him, and he smiled back down at her.
"I'd never make something like that up just to-"
"Yes," She said, nodding her head. "I understand. I know. And I would be honored to be your Major."
! ! ! !
"Are we going to sit by each other in every class, now?"
Luna smiled at Hayden as she placed her bag atop the desk, fiddling with the strap as she turned to him. "Don't you think you should start to be more sociable with others, aside from Wade? You are Lieutenant now. Other students should see you as approachable, don't you agree?"
He eyed her warily for a moment, before raising his eyes and giving a pitiful look. "Do you think she's right?"
Luna turned to see that he was speaking to Wade, who was standing behind her. He shrugged, smiling at the pair. "Sure, she's got a point." He looked down at Luna, and said "It's not a big deal if you sit here. I can sit by Ellis." And then walked to the other side of the room and settled into the seat beside Ginny's new roommate, Kendell Ellis.
She turned back to see Hayden shaking his head, smiling as he twirled his quill in his hand. "By your argument, I should sit with someone else, not you. Because people know we're friends."
Luna tilted her head to the side, as she thought of what he'd just said. "Do you not want to sit with me?"
"No! that's not it," he rushed to explain, staring at her with wide eyes. "I just-"
"Always sit with Wade."She finished for him.
"Yeah." He said, sighing. "But we can sit with each other. It doesn't bother me."
"Well good." She said, turning to watch as Carrow stepped forth from his desk, and began to speak.
"I have something I'd like to say before we start class, today." He said, looking out at the class with a vicious twist of his lips. "What happened last week was…unfortunate."
Luna knew he was speaking of the many uses of the Unforgiveable Curse, as well as the blinding of the fourth year, Lawrence Fairview. It upset her thinking back on it, but she tried to remain calm. There was nothing to be done now, just to move forward. Next to her, she saw Hayden's grip on his quill tighten slightly.
"We do not want this to be a difficult year," he paused, giving a small chuckle. "Well, we are not trying to make it so hard. You all need only cooperate, and be good and you will have no hardships this year." Luna felt a skeptical look coming over her face, but quickly stopped it, tilting her head to the side as she gazed emptily at her Professor. "We want this to be an educational experience, a chance to instruct you in the proper way true witches and wizards should be taught. And we want you to want this as well." He stopped, looking around the room between the Gryffindors and the Ravenclaws. Then, he took a deep breath, raising his shoulders and clapping his hands together. "Now then, let's get started."
Luna watched as Amycus began to lecture, enthusiastically speaking about N.E.W.T's and theory versus practical uses of Spells. The hardest thing about being in his class was that he was so… enthralled by the subject. If he were a history teacher, and he was as enthusiastic, the class might not be so boring. If he were a proper Defense teacher, she could find herself liking his teaching methods. But as it stood, he was a Death Eater, teaching the Dark Arts, and so he disgusted her. And he was so consumed by it, so adamant that it was right, so eager and bright about the subject. It made her stomach turn. And as she turned to look around at the rest of the class, she knew this held true for the others as well.
She was nudged in her arm, and she turned to see that Hayden had scooted his parchment over toward her, turned so that she could read something he had written in the corner.
He doesn't want us to cause trouble? Isn't he in for a hell of a year.
She couldn't help the small smile that appeared on her face, then. Indeed, if Carrow expected them to stop, if he expected last week to be a warning and enough to scare them into submission… Well he was in for a rude awakening.
!*!*!*!
Hey Munchkin.
I hope all's goin' good back home. You're making sure Pop's taking his pills, right? It's on you, now. So you better be. So, I'm doing ok. School's…normal. Learning stuff, you know. So, want the spell of the week? It's Obscuro Coisa. Practice the pronunciation. How's your Dad and Mum? Tell 'em hi for me, alright? Have you been helping my Mum out at work? I need you to send me that care package from her, now. You know what all goes into it, from Mum's pharmacy as well as from my room. And I forgot some Potions ingredients as well, I need them, they're in my room, so send it soon. Thanks. Lance and Jack say hello. Jack sends a kiss and a 'gracias', which means 'Thank you'. So tell me about school. What are you learning? And home. How's everyone doing? Your parents are better, right? And Mark's been going to those meetings we signed him up for? I really hope you're doing well. Sorry this letter's kind of short. But next time I'll write more. I love you Munchkin.
-Drew.
Andrew folded the parchment in three, then carefully placed it in the envelope he had already labeled with his thin messy writing as 'Martina'. Once he had it sealed, he stood from his desk and approached where his owl, Mercury, was perched atop his trunk.
"Alright, boy. This goes to Marty. Wait for her reply. It'll be a little large." He said, as he tied the letter to the owl's leg, petting him as he hooted in reply.
He watched the brown bird fly off through the window of the dorm, knowing he'd be intercepted soon, and his letter would be read. It was aggravating, that their mail was being checked. Their packages were always checked, but their letters? No. It shouldn't be necessary. It's ridiculous.
"Think it'll work?" Lance asked from his spot lying on his stomach, his pillow squeezed between his arms as he rested his head at the foot of his bed.
Andrew turned to him and smiled. He took a seat at the edge of his friend's bed and nodded. "She's been getting better. So long as she gets her hands on Pop's or Mark's wand then she should be fine."
"Good," Jack said, as he flung himself back onto Lance's bed, his head landing on Lance's back and the blonde let out an 'oof'. "I'm practically going through withdrawals, here."
Lance raised his brow as he turned his head to look over his shoulder at his friend while Andrew laughed. "It's only been about a day since you last had anything."
Jack shook his head. "No. It's only been a day since we've had Drew's painkillers. You know how I feel about that shit. I need me some good stuff."
"Hey," Andrew said, cocking his head to the side. "Don't you still have that phial of Romilda's?"
The brunette's eyes widened dramatically as he tilted his head back to look at Andrew. "Oh yeah!" he jumped up from the bed, rushing over to his trunk, digging through it until he stood up straight with the phial of blue, gold specked liquid in his hand. "Aha!"
Lance shook his head, digging his face into his pillow. His muffled voice came to them, saying "You guys go ahead, I'm gonna stay in tonight."
"What's wrong?" Jack asked, coming over and placing a hand between his shoulder blades. "You feeling alright?"
"'M fine." He said, sounding agitated as he shook Jack's hand away. "Just go."
Jack looked over at Andrew with a worried look, before turning back to look at the blonde's back. "You've been eating, right? So you should be ok-"
"I said I'm fine, Jack." Lance lifted his head from the pillow, turning to glare at the worried brunette. "Stop hovering."
"I'm not hovering," he said defensively.
Andrew shook his head. "You're kinda hovering." He said, which only earned him a hurt look from Jack.
"'M not." He mumbled, turning away and approaching his own bed across the room.
Andrew looked down at Lance, who was watching Jack's back for a moment, before he buried his head in his pillow again. Andrew sighed, getting up from the bed and going over to his own trunk. He fished out his bag of pills, setting one in his mouth before tossing the bag back into his trunk, closing the lid and then going into the bathroom. He approached a sink, turning on the water and then cupped his hand beneath it. He brought the water up to his mouth, swallowing it with his pill.
He turned off the running water as he looked up into the mirror and watched himself run the back of his hand across his mouth. He looked into his own hazel eyes, and brought his hand up to pat down his messy brown hair. It felt kind of greasy. "I need new shampoo." He told himself.
"What kind of shampoo?"
Andrew turned, startled, to look at the brunette boy standing at the door leading to the fourth year's dorm. He tried to remember the boy's name, but couldn't place it. He was new this year.
"I didn't know anyone else was in here…" Andrew said.
The boy shrugged. "Just walked in." He walked over to the wall which was lined with full shelves, and grabbed a bottle of orange liquid. He walked over and placed it at the lip of the sink Andrew was in front of. "It works well for me," he shrugged. "Maybe it'll work for you, Lieutenant."
Andrew watched the boy with a raised brow as he turned around and approached the urinals along the opposite wall. He looked down at the bottle in front of him, and read the label which said 'for dry hair'. When he heard the flush, and the boy walked over to a sink and washed his hands, Andrew picked up the bottle and put it down in front of the boy.
"Thanks, but my hair's not dry. It's the opposite," he said, turning and walking toward his dorm.
"Jimmy's got greasy hair…" the boy said thoughtfully, and when Andrew turned around he saw him already walking over to the shelves again. He replaced his bottle, before grabbing another with red liquid, and bringing it over to him.
Andrew was amused. "And Peakes won't be pissed you just handed me his shampoo?"
The boy shrugged. "I don't think so…"
Andrew chuckled. "Well, here's to hoping he doesn't take his Beater's bat to you." he inclined the bottle to the boy, before turning and re entering his dorm. "What's the name of that new fourth year?"
He asked his friends as he approached his bed.
Lance didn't look up from his pillow, and Jack was sulking at the edge of his trunk. The thin brunette looked up at Andrew with a bored face. "What?" he asked.
"That new kid," Andrew said, standing over his open trunk, gesturing toward the bathroom with the shampoo in his hand. "What's his name?"
"Parkes." Was the muffled response from Lance.
Jack nodded, eyeing Lance from the corner of his eye. "Hilton Parkes."
Andrew smiled a bit as he leaned down and pulled out a phial from his Potions set, uncorking it and pouring some of the shampoo into it. "Hilton Parkes. Well, Parkes just gave me some of Peakes' shampoo."
Jack snorted from his spot atop his trunk, eyeing the phial Andrew had just corked and carefully placed on his bed while he closed the shampoo bottle. "What the hell?"
Lance had lifted his head from his pillow and was staring at Andrew with confusion etched on his face. "That's kind of random, Drew…"
Andrew just shrugged. "I'm a random guy."
"Don't we know it." Jack muttered, earning him a laugh from Lance.
"Piss off," Andrew said, smiling as he reentered the bathroom and returned the bottle to its original spot on the shelf. Walking back into the room, he eyed Jack who was looking over at Lance with a hesitant smile. Upon looking over at the blonde, Andrew saw him roll his eyes, nod his head and give a small smile in return. Andrew rolled his eyes, himself. "So now that you two have made up, get the kissing part done and I'll meet you downstairs."
He quickly snatched the phial of gold-specked blue liquid from Jack, and rushed out the door, a shout of protest following him. He chuckled as he flew down the stairs of the boys' dormitory, and looked around once he was in the Common Room. There was no sign of Alyssa or Romilda. But he did see Towler sitting in front of the fire with a book in her lap. Quickly debating the pros and cons of such a move, he decided to suck it up and approached the bitch.
"Hey Towler, can ya do me a favor?"
She looked up at him with narrowed eyes. "And why would I do that, Kirke?"
He drew himself up, narrowing his eyes right back at her as he did his best to pull off a haughty attitude. "It's Lieutenant."
He almost laughed at the reaction, which was pure surprise. Her mouth dropped, and her eyes widened comically. She was shocked that he'd use this against her, and even Andrew himself thought it was a tad bold of him, especially when they hadn't even had a proper meeting of the DA yet, and he had no real authority as yet. But it was entertaining, her reaction. So he figured it was justified. Then she narrowed her eyes and set her jaw as she glared at him.
"Right. Lieutenant," she mocked. "Why on this green green earth would I do you a favor, Lieutenant?"
He smirked. " 'Cause you've nothing better to do."
"Wrong." She said, glaring at him. She returned her attention to her book, noisily turning the page.
He sighed, rolling his eyes. "Come on Towler, I just need you to tell Alyssa and Rom I'm looking for them. They're in your dorm, right?" She didn't look up at him, nor answer. "Towler, it's not too difficult-"
"Leave me be, Krike!" She hissed, slamming her book shut and rising from her seat. "If you want them, go get them yourself." And with that she turned and exited through the portrait hole.
Well that just wouldn't do. He couldn't get up the stairs. He turned to look at them with a defeated look. Then he brightened, pulling his wand from his pocket and murmuring "Accio Rom's necklace," a sneaky smile on his face. A moment later, he saw the silver chain with the small flower charm on it floating through the air, and he reached up and grabbed it. He was waiting for the girls when he saw Jack come down the other set of steps.
"He still doesn't wanna come," his brunette friend informed him as he came to a halt in front of him.
"Ok," Andrew nodded thoughtfully.
"Do you think he's eating, Drew? I mean… have you seen him eat recently?" Jack asked, all seriousness and concern.
"I… I thought he was…" Andrew trailed off as he thought about sitting at the Gryffindor table with his friends, but couldn't really decide on an answer. "I'm not sure anymore…"
"We gave him the diary… he's been writing in it-"
"Then that's good, right? He's eating. He's good."
Jack shook his head as he looked away. "I hope so…"
"Here they are," Andrew nudged Jack with his elbow as he saw Alyssa and Romilda coming down the stairs, Romilda with a glare.
"Was that you?" she asked.
He smiled, nodding his head and holding her necklace out to her.
Jack looked on, confused. "What happened?"
"I needed to get them down here," Andrew replied, as Romilda turned, shaking her head and pulling her hair up so he could return the necklace to around her neck.
"Very interesting way to go about calling us," Alyssa said as she gave Jack a greeting hug.
Andrew smiled widely. "What? No, nothing interesting or strange about it," he said mischievously, which got him some giggles from the girls and an amused-slash-confused glance from Jack. He shook his head as he chuckled. "Come on," he pulled the phial of Romilda's potion from his pocket and showed it to the girls. "Let's go out."
A/N: Sorry I've been away for so long! But here's the next installment. Hope you liked it! :) I, myself, am really really really looking forward to the next chapter... seeing what people think of it. It's my favorite so far. hehe. Wondering what happens? Well, you'll just have to wait 'til next week to see! haha. Review, please!