Brian Finkley (thefink) wrote in caged, @ 2013-09-13 22:36:00 |
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Tilly was well aware of the fact that she needed to make up her mind about the wizarding world right now. Who was right and who was wrong, however, seemed to be a far bigger stretch than she had imagined, so naturally, she had settled for caring about things that would have seemed superficial to an ordinary person. But if there was one thing Tilly Dawlish was, it was that she didn't care how superficial she seemed. She hated thinking about the war. She hated thinking about what it would eventually result in (and yes, she had been morbid enough to think that her father wouldn't live to see another day… everyday). Still, she was intrigued by the various responses to the Muggle Studies' journal assignments. Each post brought up a good point, and she found herself agreeing with all of them. (Though she would have to admit that she felt personally victimized by one Toby Lawson's post; it was truly horrendous. And possibly even blinding.) So how was she supposed to choose a side? These thoughts were revolving around her brain as Tilly sat down next to Brian, on the steps to the greenhouse. She smoothened out her skirt, crossing her arms across her stomach, looking up at him. "This is about as private as you can get at Hogwarts. I don't know how people manage to shag on school grounds," Tilly spoke, shuddering in the process. “It’s a big school, but there aren’t a ton of people. I’m sure they do it fast and ugly, keeps them from getting caught. People might be shagging at school, but that doesn’t mean they’re doing a good job of it,” he teased, lips curled up in a lazy smile. Brian couldn’t help help but wonder for the countless time how most of his friends ended up being females half his size. His legs were sprawled out over three steps as she sat daintily perched over one. Her hair made up for her lack of height, but he was smart enough to keep that thought to himself. “It’s smart of you to want to keep your questions private. There are people who might not take too kindly to you siding one way or the other. I can’t pull off the neutral card as well as you, but I’m also not about to kiss arse like a certain group I could name.” Brian leaned back on his elbows, turning his head to look at her. “So what questions do you have for me?” An instant look of disgust took over her face from Brian's words -- the mere thought of horny teenagers doing it 'fast and ugly' made her want to vomit. Tilly may never have bumped uglies with another person, but she certainly wouldn't degrade herself for a 30-second shag in the nearest broom closet. Talk about having no decorum! "Let's never talk about people having sex on school grounds ever again, Brian," Tilly said, shaking her head. She tucked her hair behind her ear, clearing her throat a little. "Tell me why you think what you do," Tilly spoke softly. "I know politics is a touchy subject, so thank you for sharing whatever it is that you want to share." “Pity, I was hoping we could get to the real juicy gossip.” He couldn’t help but laugh at her reaction. While her disgust might be a little extreme, he couldn’t help but agree. Then again, class was sorely lacking in general when it came to their classmates. Better they tumble with themselves in private than spew more garbage over the journals. “I guess that depends on what you’re specifically wondering about my politics. Guessing by my essay, I assume you mean my thoughts on Muggleborns.” He couldn’t help but pause for a moment, running a hand through his hair causing it to stick out in every direction. “My father is a--well, you know,” he added quickly, clearly not wanting to say the word. Squibs was a topic Brian rarely indulged in, but he had offered. “He comes from a long line of witches and wizards. You don’t simply use that up. Magic doesn’t just disappear. Do I think children stole it? No, not necessarily, but I think they possess something that doesn’t belong to them. Something that should have been my father’s.” She pondered over his words after he spoke, not wanting to interrupt his train of thought. Yes, Tilly had known about Brian's father's condition, but it was a topic that was not brought up so much and it certainly was not a topic that Tilly wanted to have epic conversations about. Having a Squib for a father would have been plain awful. Tilly couldn't imagine how Brian had got through it. "How do you think they would have gotten it, though?" she questioned. She had sincerely hoped that she wasn't sounding condescending, because she was truly and honestly interested in the subject. If anything perked her interest in this war, it was the theory of how Muggle-borns stole magic, and only because she didn't understand anything about it. "Is the ratio of wizards to Squibs to Muggle-borns always equal or something?" “I can’t even fathom. Maybe they figured out a way. Maybe they had someone with magical abilities help them. Muggleborns helping Muggles, it isn’t so hard to fathom.” His father had certainly gone on about it throughout the years. There were times he thought he was simply a jealous old man, but there were times he couldn’t help wonder if he was right. These days it was easier to accept that his power had been stolen, that way he didn’t have to believe his family was simply inept. “We all pretend that Muggles are completely oblivious about us, but you can’t tell me they simply guessed about so many things. They might be mostly ignorant, but they know enough to cause damage. Besides, one fat mouthed Muggleborn telling their mates is enough to spread the information.” “I don’t know the exact figures. No one knows. Squibs aren’t always kept around, you know. I’ve heard stories of squibs being sent away or simply taken care of. How many eleven year olds have had fatal accidents after their parents found out the truth? These things aren’t usually talked about. Could all be rumor, but it could also be true.” Everything Brian said made sense. Muggles couldn't have possibly guessed so many things about the wizarding world, when they didn't even know that such a world existed… unless, of course, they were aided by Muggle-borns. So maybe that was how they were able to steal the magic, after all. Tilly furrowed her brows together in concentration, biting her bottom lip in the process. She shivered slightly at the thought of some children mysteriously but fatally dying at the age of eleven, but she knew it was true. It wasn't something that was talked about, but there were always stories that popped up every now and again. "Those poor children," she spoke, in a barely audible voice, as she shivered again. It wasn't even cold, but it was enough to hug herself tighter. "I'm so sorry about your father, Brian," Tilly said, glancing over at Brian, almost apologetically. “Guess my brother was lucky my father was already one,” he said bitterly, no longer looking at Tilly. While these weren’t things he usually talked about, he knew better than to think others hadn’t talked about it when he wasn’t around. “They might have had it easier. Life isn’t exactly easy when you’re a squib.” Trapped between two worlds and not belonging in either one. Brian certainly didn’t think squibs should be killed, but he knew living with that condition was a torture unto itself. “So that’s why I think what I do, or in part anyways. I don’t trust muggles, but I’m not dumb enough to brush them aside as incompetent fools. Look at what they’ve created in their search for power. They’re constantly looking to get stronger, it makes sense they’d go after magic. Everyone wants to pretend like it’s an idiotic theory, but it wouldn’t be the first time they harnessed something they didn’t understand. Electricity is a perfect example.” “Yeah, well, it is what it is, but my sons won’t suffer the same. Not if I can help it.” Tilly attempted to throw an arm around Brian -- and she promptly failed at it. If she wasn't so tiny compared to him, it may have worked, but she settled for leaving her hand on his back, and giving him a gentle pat. She wasn't even certain that he could have felt her comforting hand through the layers he was wearing, but she was being supportive. "Not everyone thinks it's an idiotic theory," she said, shrugging a little, scooting closer to him and closing the gap between them. She awkwardly pulled him into a side hug, not sure what she could say to make him feel better. "It'll be alright," Tilly spoke, though she wasn't entirely sure she believed that. "You'll just have to believe it, too." Brian snorted as she attempted to comfort him. Rolling his eyes he wrapped an arm around her, giving a little squeeze as his only acknowledgment to what she was clearly trying to do. He didn’t need her sympathy, but better a sympathetic ear than scorn. “No, some think it’s propaganda. Some think it’s not enough. There’s something to it, whether people want to believe it or not.” Brian sighed as she continued to try and comfort him. “They’ve already lost their power, I can’t fix that. I can support people who are willing to try and prevent it from happening again. Or at least holding those involved responsible. I’m not telling you what you should believe, but before you go over to the bleeding hearts remember there are two sides to this story.” Tilly settled into his hold, her head now laying on his shoulder, though her hair was probably tickling the side of his cheek. She didn't even care. "Of course there are two sides to the story, Brian. I wouldn't be so confused about it, if I didn't think there were valid points on both sides. But I think," she paused, her hands now coming down to rest on her legs. "I think that what you said is much more persuasive than others. Not that you were trying to persuade me, but I understand this a lot better now." Brian was thankful her hair was there to hide his smile, even if it was tickling him under his nose. She might change her mind down the road, or she might only be saying this to appease him, but it was nice to have someone on his side. The school was becoming more divided, and while he knew which side he leaned towards, he didn’t feel completely comfortable with them either. “I’m glad. There’s a lot to it, more than I know or could explain. The point is that while I’m sure muggles have done very nice things, they are dangerous. We have to stick together or risk losing everything. It’s easy to ignore that risk when you haven’t lost anything, but I’ve lived with the effects of magic stealing. It isn’t pretty.” Tilly took a moment to consider the Muggle-borns that were no longer in school -- Colin Creevey, Hermione Granger, Liam Connolly, Imogen Carmichael, Caroline Wilson, Justin Finch-Fletchley. None of them had ever seemed particularly dangerous, but what if things weren't as black and white as they were once portrayed? What if they really were dangerous criminals? She sighed some, and relaxed against Brian, considering it. "I really don't want to lose to them. Muggle-lovers probably have no idea what they're supporting." She considered Ginny and her family, all of whom were vehement supporters of Muggles yet they had no Squibs in their family. It was unfair. “No, they don’t. Look, do I think You-Know-Who,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper, “has all the answers? Of course not. No one does. But I think turning your back on what you are and your society is foolish and disrespectful. They have done nothing but complain about how those magic stealers should be at school and yet they throw away their education like a joke in the same breath. We’re really supposed to sympathize with a group of students who throw petulant temper tantrums at every little thing? Who vandalize school property? Who are openly disrespectful at every turn and brag about it like it makes them big shots?They’re a self-righteous menace who don’t deserve the opportunity that has been given them.” Brian wasn’t sure he had ever said so much in one breath. He could feel his shoulders tensing in frustration, taking a deep breath to relax himself. “One day they’ll figure out everything isn’t always black and white.” Brian had a lot of say, Tilly deduced. But it wasn't like it was without merit. She understood him, she really did. She couldn't help but snort at the tantrums bit, because she knew it was true; some of their peers were so hell bent on refusing to do their assignments, just because they didn't like the Carrows. Even Tilly thought it was stupid, and her ambition had nothing to do with getting good marks in class. "If I must be honest," Tilly started, though she could feel his shoulders tensing slightly. She pulled back from him, looking at his face. "I honestly don't think the Carrows are so bad. They've given me no reason to dislike them, and they seem like they're trying, at least? I don't know if they're," she paused, lowering her voice, "Death Eaters, but I don't want to assume the worst, either." “They’re certainly…unique, but that could be said about most of the teaching staff here. That these people think they have any right to be so disrespectful, no hostile to them is beyond me. Sooner or later the Carrows are going to retaliate and I can’t say I blame them. They can’t very well teach if they’re being walked all over.” Brian didn’t know if they were Death Eaters. The truth was he didn’t want to know. While Death Eaters hadn’t spoken out against squibs, he didn’t imagine they would be too fond of them either. No, Brian had no interest in the Death Eater’s cause, he simply wanted to make it out of school. “Some people still need to learn that there are people in life they’re going to disagree with, that doesn’t mean you should be horrible to them. Don’t worry, Tilly, you’re a smart girl. They’ll have no reason to bother you.” Tilly couldn't help but snort at the last part, even if it was highly unlady-like. She shrugged and licked her lips, looking off into the distance. "Clearly you weren't paying attention to me in Dark Arts, then. I could swear that Professor Carrow was ready to give me a detention for being inept." She wrinkled her nose, and crossed her arms across her stomach once more. "Samson offered to help," she added, as an afterthought. "I'm not sure I should take him up on his offer." “You don’t have aim, that doesn’t mean you’re a troublemaker. At least you were trying.” He ruffled her hair a bit, mostly because he wanted to. He was always curious about how high he could get it, even if he rarely had the opportunity to test it out. “If you need help there is no shame in getting some. He’s smart enough,” he added with a shrug, unable to give anyone too high of a compliment. “If he starts telling you to write ‘I heart Muggles’ or ignore assignments then find another tutor, until then it’s worth a shot.” "BRIAN!" she yelled, a little louder than necessary, as her hair was now ruffled up. Tilly swatted at his hand, wrinkling her nose again. "You can't mess up my hair!" If there was one thing Tilly was truly proud of, it was her hair, and not just anyone could touch it, unless of course, they were in a compromising position. Settling down, she shrugged, and quirked a brow. "Yeah, sure, he is smart, but. I don't know, I've gone and made things all awkward with him. Max offered to help too, but I'm sure we'd be snogging faster than we could pull our buddies out of her bags," she spoke truthfully. "And I sincerely doubt Samson is going to write something like that!" A giggle followed that statement, because that thought was hilarious. “I believe I already did,” he pointed out, laughing as he tried to do it again. It was amazing how up in arms girls got when he tried to do that. It was an easy fix and completely worth all the slams to his arm he usually got. “You know, I actually like it better that way. It suits you. You should really let me style it in the mornings. I think you’d be amazed with the results.” “Oh Merlin, please don’t tell me you’re coming to me with boy issues. I adore you, I do, but I don’t adore you that much,” he groaned, obviously making a show of it. “Samson will get over it, if he hasn’t already. Boys don’t hang onto things for that long, especially if a pretty girl is involved. Maybe you need a female tutor. In fact, I would highly recommend one. If you snog a female tutor in the library I’m all out of ideas.” Tilly glared at him, as though that was the most ridiculous thing to come out of Brian's mouth. "No, you should not style my hair in the mornings. You know nothing about it," she scoffed, trying to fix her hair in the process. "Please, they are not boy issues. I mean, they are, a little, but it wasn't intentional, I swear!" Tilly exclaimed, shaking her head. But she simply tilted her head and stared at him for a moment. "Really, Brian? Really? Are you really fantasizing about me and .. I don't know, Ursula, getting it on in the library?" “I wasn’t, but now I am,” he said honestly, a wolfish grin spreading across his face. “Although you’re both the size of first years so it’s a little creepy, but you’re also both fit so I can get over it. Go on, talk about your boy problems. I’m just going to think about this scenario for a little bit longer.” His comment was only followed by a proper smack to the arm, but Tilly was so damn petite that she was certain that Brian the Giant didn't feel it anyway. She looked away, huffing in the process as she crossed her arms. "Just for that, I'm going to snog Samson in your bed one day. You watch." “I don’t think snogging is going to do too much damage to my sheets, not unless you both have a rather unfortunate drool problem.” He wrapped his arm around her again, squeezing her into his side tightly. “Don’t be mad, I’m only teasing. I can’t help it if all my friends are attractive. Let me have my dreams, they’re all a poor boy like me has.” "You lucked out on your friend pool, love," Tilly smirked, relaxing now against his body. Smiling, Tilly kissed his cheek and pulled back slightly. "I mean, anyone that I consider a friend is lucky, and …," she trailed off, laughing a moment later. "You could dream all you want, but wouldn't you rather find someone to snog like -- in real life?" “Worried about my love life? It’s not all tragic, I assure you.” Brian had no real desire to get into anything serious. He was fine with something simple, but that was easier said than done. He had very little tolerance for jealousy or foolishness and that cut out half of his options. He’d had girlfriends before, and while he found certain girls fit he wasn’t inclined to go after anyone in particular at the moment. “Why, want to snog me? I knew you couldn’t resist.” Tilly couldn't help but roll her eyes, but she did decide to play along, just to see how long she could keep it up and possibly freak Brian out. "How did you know?" she asked, batting her eyelashes as flirtatiously as she possibly could. To reiterate the point, Tilly moved her hand to his arm, curling her fingers around his bicep, and smirking. "I mean, I had always hoped I was subtle, but maybe I'm not as good at it like I think I am…" Tilly was messing with him, but he could also play this game. He turned so he could face her, bringing up his hand so he could cup her cheek with his palm. Leaning in closer to her, he ran his thumb along her cheekbone. “Or maybe I wasn’t ready to see what was right in front of me.” His voice was low, barely above a whisper as he looked straight into her eyes. “But I’m ready now. I’m ready for you.” He leaned in closer, closer, even closer until his lips were a breath away from her’s. In a flash he darted his face to the side, placing a sloppy kiss on her cheek as he moved to ruffle her hair once more. “Sorry love, you’ll have to hope a little bit longer.” For one brief moment, Tilly wondered whether he was being serious. What if he was? What if she was the one blind enough for this? What if -- oh, he was getting closer and closer. She gulped, nervously, but didn't break eye contact … until he kissed her cheek and ruffled her hair once more. "Hey, stop doing that!" she pouted, her hands coming up to fix her hair. Finally satisfied with how she looked, Tilly got up on her feet and looked down at him. "I'm going to the Ravenclaw Quidditch try-outs. Are you coming?" “Yes, fine, I promised your girlfriend I would be there anyway.” He rose to his feet, still amused by his own joke. “You can tell me what is happening and I’ll pretend to care.” Brian couldn’t help but feel a little bit relieved. He didn’t want Tilly getting mixed up with the wrong crowd and he was leaving this conversation she had some idea of where he was coming from. He held out his arm to her, giving a real smile free of mockery. “Will you allow me the honor of escorting you?” "As if I have any idea about Quidditch," she muttered, even though Oliver and Ruby had both tried to teach her about the sport so many times. Still, Tilly didn't really care for it. She rolled her eyes again, but this time, it was followed by an amused smile as she linked her hand with Brian's. "You're going to have to bend down, if this is going to be kept up all the way to the pitch." Tilly stuck out her tongue at him, but began walking in the general direction of the Quidditch pitch, anyway. “You know more than me and I plan on keeping it that way.” He knew Ursula cared about it, so he hoped she got a spot, but the was full extent of his feelings toward the sport. “Or you could finally start growing. I’m not hobbling all the way down to the pitch. Tell you what, if you get tired I’ll just carry you down. I can look manly and you’ll get a free ride. Everyone is happy.” "Anything to attract the ladies, eh?" Tilly giggled, but let go of his arm, moments later. "I think I can walk. I'm not completely weak, as much as you'd like to think." With that, Tilly walked a few paces in front of Brian, and towards the pitch. It was time to support organised sports. |