you are invited to the other side of sanity [edmund]

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There was one thing that Theodosia didn’t understand about Slytherin: Mudbloods were allowed. She was distressed enough about the fact that they let in purebloods who didn’t believe in blood purity (like the dope Albus Potter). Half-bloods were stretching it, but Mudbloods were crossing a line. Theodosia didn’t like Mudbloods at the best of times, but she liked them even less when they were in her space and her house. All she asked for was a safe space where she could express how she really felt, but even the Slytherin common room wasn’t that place! One of the Mudbloods that she particularly hated was Edmund Windsor. She didn’t know what about the kid was so off-putting, but Theodosia hadn’t liked him since the day that they had met, even before she had discovered his blood status. Seeing Edmund had actually become a happy experience for Theodosia when she realized that teasing Edmund was…fun. She was still learning the best way to insult people from the rest of the Slytherin girls whom she called her friends, but Theodosia could hold her own, especially against a Mudblood like Edmund Windsor.

@edmund

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Edmund was walking down Diagon Alley, not really going anywhere in particular when he saw her. Ugh. Theodosia. He hated her. She was his tormentor, one of the people who clearly hated him and the weirdest thing was, he didn't know why. He'd never done anything to her, never even spoken to her before she started bullying him. She was a whole year younger than him, but she seemed to find particular joy- or at least some kind of twisted satisfaction- in making his life miserable.

Now Ed was normally pretty good at holding his own, but when it came to her, things were different. He had a temper, that was true, but it wasn't often that someone who was not a member of his family could frustrate him enough that he let his temper show. With her, anything was possible. Over the last few years, thought, Edmund has decided that the best way to react to her was no reaction. Sometimes it was impossible, but it was always his goal. 

He moved to the other side of the street, hoping she hadn't seen him. He'd rather avoid a confrontation in the middle of Diagon Alley but he knew that if she saw him, there would be one. Once on the other side, he glanced around to find her again, a sinking feeling in his gut signifying that she probably saw him. Great. He took a deep breath, preparing himself for the inevitable. Ugh.

@theodosia

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One particular fault of Mudbloods was that they always seemed to underestimate the intelligence of purebloods. Theodosia had seen Edmund as soon as he had entered the alley, practically, and now here he was, thinking that by crossing the street she’d somehow go blind and not notice him. Well, he’d have something else coming to him, because Theodosia needed a little fun that day, and Edmund was obviously one of her favorite targets. The fact that she hadn’t seen him in a while made it even better!

“Hey, Eddiebear!” Theodosia called, skipping across the street. To the untrained eye, it probably looked like a girl greeting one of her friends with a nickname that was a little overzealous. To anyone who knew Theodosia, though, there was a definite malignant undertone, a promise of something to come. It didn’t take her long to cross the alley, and then she slowed her skips into hopping steps towards Edmund. “How are you on this wonderful day? And how’s daddy dearest doing?” Theo gave Ed a saccharine smile, knowing full well that the answer to the question would be ‘not well’. This was already shaping up to be a wonderful day – a shining sun and torturing Edmund Windsor.

@edmund

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Edmund held back the urge to groan. He wouldn't give her the satisfaction. Not only had she seen him, but she was now approaching her. Fabulous. You know, he had a meeting with his siblings in a little while, so he'd come to Diagon Alley to try and keep himself calm and composed before that meeting. Apparently that was not going to happen. Which meant he'd probably end up fighting with Will. This day couldn't get any worse, could it.

"Hey," he answered without any enthusiasm, keeping his eyes on the street in front of him. His jaw clenched at her questions. Anyone who didn't know them would think that Edmund and Theodosia were friends, but that was dead wrong. He faked a smile at her, fighting to keep his composure in place. "It's definitely a day, and Dad's doing the same as always," he answered, refusing to give her the satisfaction of an argument. He was keeping it vague and seemingly-friendly just in case anyone was paying attention to them. There had to be some way he could escape from her. His eyes skimmed the crowd.

@theodosia

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Theodosia could see how hard Edmund was trying not to be riled by her. Excellent. That meant that when he did blow his top – and she was determined that he was going to – he’d be angry at himself as well as her. It was like Christmas had come four months early, and Theo was going to delight in unwrapping the shiny package in front of her. “Eddie,” she said with a pout, “You know that it’s rude not to look at the person you’re speaking with.” She sighed, shaking her head dramatically. “Didn’t your filthy Muggle parents teach you anything about manners? I’d expect not, since they have such a pathetic excuse for a son.” Theodosia’s speech, though vitriolic in words, was said with a honey-sweet voice and a huge grin painted across the Slytherin’s face. Going for the parents was the easiest way to rile anyone up, and Theodosia was not beneath a low blow. She was a Slytherin, after all. “Oh, I would’ve thought that by now the worms would have gotten to him.” Theodosia said breezily. “Or maybe a scavenger. Then again, even vultures know not to eat trash.”

@edmund

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Edmund shrugged when she started whining at him. He had no intention of giving her the pleasure of him doing as she asked. "You know, I've never really been one for manners, though they always tried," he answered rather curtly. Then she started talking about his parents and it took a great deal of effort for him to keep his tongue. His teeth were clenched and his heart pounding furiously. She knew how to push his buttons all right. He wondered if it would be better to just let her win now, but he didn't want to. He refused to look at her and started walking away. He knew she wouldn't let him get away so easily, but maybe if he could find somewhere crowded, he'd be able to disappear. He didn't care if she called him a coward, he didn't want to cause a scene.

@theodosia

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Edmund was trying harder to get away from her, and that made Theodosia confident that she was nearing his breaking point. Excellent. She loved then people made fools of themselves by making a scene; it was always embarrassing for them, but amazing for her. Even as Edmund dodged through the crowd, Theo kept up with him easily. She was light on her feet and the alley was definitely not at full capacity, so there was space to move. “You should know that trying isn’t good enough, Eddiebear.” Theodosia said as they twisted and turned through the crowd. “I mean, your grades are proof enough of that.” She continued. “Then again, I don’t even know if someone as stupid as you should try. You’re just a lost cause.” Theo sighed dramatically. “Even Professor Malfoy knows that.” In truth, Theodosia didn’t know what their Head of House thought about Edmund, but it was a nice touch.

@edmund

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Strange. What she said was no longer making him angry. It was one of her less-effective attacks, surprisingly enough. When it came to school, trying was enough. He generally got very good marks, so she obviously didn't know what she was talking about. If he was a lost cause, he wouldn't be in Hogwarts. He didn't particularly like what she said about Professor Malfoy, but he was fairly sure she was wrong, so he decided to ignore that. In fact, maybe ignoring her was the best move to make. Edmund had never actually done that before, so he wasn't sure how she'd respond but he liked the idea. He decided to give it a go, saying nothing to Theodosia as he looked around the street for someone he knew. Then he might be able to end this before she said something that really would make him mad.

@theodosia
(OOC: Sorry it's not so good!)

[Deleted]

Whoever said that not talking to the person who was harassing you would make them stop was a liar. Anyone who was anyone in the pureblood world knew that letting someone off just because they gave you the cold shoulder was the best way to lose any respect people had for you. Theodosia wasn't going to stop - couldn't stop, really - just because Edmund wasn't speaking to her. She was pretty sure that it meant he was getting closer to breaking. If he was switching tactics...Yes, he was certainly close to breaking. "You know, Edmund, for being a member of the royal family, you don't look very regal at all." Theodosia asked, gently prodding for a topic that would aggravate him without seeming desperate. "Your family must be so disappointed."

@edmund

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This was perfect. Without even realizing it, Theodosia had finally chosen something to taunt Edmund about that he honestly couldn't care less about. He didn't care about being royal or regal or appearances at all, most of the time. And yes, his family was disappointed in him- from his point of view anyway- but he'd accepted that a long time ago to the point where he really couldn't care less anymore. He wanted to turn and laugh at Theodosia to show her how ineffective she was becoming, but he knew that would just encourage her. He held his amusement inside, using it to help cool down his temper. "That's me, the constant disappointment," he agreed monotonously. He wasn't giving her any clues to his true emotions.



@theodosia

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Theodosia opened her mouth to speak again when an owl flew over her head, dropping a note into her waiting hands. It was from her father, saying that they had to leave the alley to get home for dinner. Theodosia didn’t understand why they needed to leave for dinner when it was just after noon, but the Slytherin girl never pretended to understand her mother. Maybe it was an American thing. “Sorry, Eddiebear, but I have to get going. Dinner party with the family, you know.” She said. Before Edmund could respond, Theodosia had already disappeared into the crowd.

@edmund

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Edmund was waiting for the next jab, trying to anticipate it, but then an owl swooped down and -miracle of miracles- Theodosia had to leave! He shrugged when she turned to leave, though he felt like celebrating inside. He walked down the street, a new spring in his step. He'd won. Somehow, he'd made it through a conversation with Theodosia without losing his temper. A new first. Apparently it was possible. 

---the end--- 

@theodosia