When The World is Tumbling Down [Tia]

[Deleted]

He tried to be brave, he tried to not be afraid. But as the jinxes were cast and they hit their mark - he struggled. He tried to remember what his mothers said, what others had told him. But when he was faced with those people who had been pushing him around and bothering him since he started at Hogwarts. Well it was a whole lot harder to remember not to be afraid. He was still a kid really, his body was awkward and he still had that childish curiousity - he was still getting used to being away from home - his sisters were here, but neither of them were in the same house as him. While that was okay, for Oliver it made things harder - and he didn't really have any friends. He felt more alone than he had in a long while as he struggled to get away - people were cruel. The freckled faced boy struggled as he stumbled down the hall - still able to hear the boys laughing as he tripped over and quickly got back to his feet.

His face was red as he struggled to not show how upset he was - there was at least one place he could go. The library had been in many ways a refuge for him. Of course he could go to his sisters but as he struggled to stand let alone walk, he knew he'd have to go somewhere closer that wasn't a place those boys would go. The library was quiet and safe.

With a shaking hand he pulled open the doors, almost tripping as he stumbled again inside - barely grabbing onto a chair not too far away - he didn't even notice anyone else nearby as he finally dropped into the chair - his body was shaking. He hadn't told his mothers - or his sisters how bad it was. He loved school - he loved learning. But those close to his age could be down right nasty sometimes. He was different - weird even. He didn't mind being . With a small sniff and a hand reaching to his face to scrub at his cheek he drops his head to the table, quickly tucking his arms under his head.

[@tia ]

[Deleted]

i am my own

AS ALWAYS, THE LIBRARY HAD BECOME TIA'S REFUGE THAT DAY. When she wasn't reading books for particular classes, she was reading for pleasure. And when she wasn't doing that, she would often wander the great shelves, picking up abandoned books from forgotten tables and replacing them on their respective shelves.

Ever since her brother RJ- no, Tia wouldn't dare think of him. Because when she did she saw that stupid locket on her self-serving sisters neck. She saw her brother's face the last time she'd seen him alive. Furious and then... disappointed. And that was a whole 'nother can of worms. Tia didn't like thinking about them in the library because it was untainted. It already had enough books filled with enough tragedy. They didn't need hers too. 

As she turned a worn page in a great old book about forgotten Herbalism in History, Tia heard shuffling from beyond the shelves. A shifting of heavy, rushed feet and her head twitched but she didn't lift it. None of her business. This was her corner, they could find another! Her silence was cold and unfriendly.

But then she heard it, the sniffling through the stacks. Very close, if she leaned back in her chair she might glimpse them around the edge. Standing with a frown, she was, after all, a Prefect now. Tia used an old quill feather to keep her place in her book and wandered a step or two back in to the corridor between aisles. And sure enough, a small blonde head was slumped against a table, shoulders hunched. His colours called him a Ravenclaw and with a great sigh Tia thought, 'my responsibility, I guess.'

Clearing her throat, Tia leaned against the shelf at the boys back. "Hey, kid... you crying?" She asked bluntly, a frown on her face. "Sad book..?" She tried to joke, but it fell a bit flat on her monotone tongue and her face scrunched. 

Oliver Russell Blishwick

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[Deleted]

Oliver had never really understood the point of bullying, it never made sense to him and he doubted that it ever would. But making sense or not - it didn't help the pain it caused him when others picked on him. For silly things, things that didn't seem important or worthy even of messing with him, he couldn't help it if he enjoyed classes, he couldn't help that his hair was 'strange' - and he didn't have a father - he had two mothers. He certainly couldn't help if his blood was 'pure' or not. It wasn't fair, it wasn't right - but he had been doing his best to deal with what he was dealt and he didn't want to fight - why couldn't they just get along?

Usually he'd do his best to not show that it upset him, but today had just been too much and after stumbling and tripping his way towards the library, he had enough and his shoulders were shaking as he almost tripped when he sat down. The jinx on his legs had made things even worse. He was stronger, he could handle this - but it was hard. He tried to stiffle himself - struggling to not let his sniffling heard. But apparently he hadn't done all that well as he heard someone moving around before he heard a throat clearing.

His shoulders stiffened and he struggled to rub at his face, not wanting someone to see him cry even as he peered up, freckled cheeks were still flushed as he pressed his lips together, shaking his head. He didnt want to admit to having been crying. Although.. as he noticed the badge stating her as a prefect he debated asking if she could help reverse the jinx on his legs, "N-No.. just... l-looking to h-hide in h-here for a bit." He cringed at his stuttering. Yet another thing he had been picked on for.

@tia

[Deleted]

i am my own

TIA DIDN'T HAVE MANY FRIENDS. And even with the ones she did have, she still kept to herself mostly. Keeping her head down, blending in to the background so often that for the most part, she went unnoticed. She hadn't ever really dealt with other kid's cruelty because of this, but that didn't mean she couldn't see when it was happening right in front of her.

The kid seemed surprised that he'd been found, looking up with saucer-wide eyes, like he'd been expecting someone else there and not her. She cleared her throat awkwardly, shifting in place as he stuttered out a reply. "Hmm." She hummed, nipping on her bottom lip as she thought. Eventually, she approached the table he was sitting it. "Is it cool if I sit?" She asked, but was already pulling out a seat one down from where he was slumped.

Drumming her fingers on the wooden tabletop, she gave her words some thought before filling the silence. "Do you want me to report them?" She asked in a carefully casual tone, her gaze pointedly across the room, not looking in case he didn't want her to see him cry. She knew it would bother her. "Is there anything I can do at all?" She was just trying to be a good Prefect. That was it. 

Oliver Russell Blishwick

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[Deleted]

Other than his sisters, Oliver didn't have a whole lot of friends himself. Mostly due to those that picked on him making sure the boy didn't have many friends around to stick up for him. It was a lonely thing, a lonely experience for him to have. But sometimes it was better not to have others around - sometimes, it was harder if he had someone to try and protect. But sometimes.. sometimes he wanted to have more friends and people he could count on. That wasn't a bad thing was it? Still it wasn't something he could really help or change, he had tried of course he had - to make more friends. 

He rubbed at his cheeks, frowning slightly as he glanced at the girl who approached, he hated his stutter. He hated it so much. When she asked if she could sit he silently nodded even as the girl was already moving to pull out a chair before he could respond. He was fine with her sitting down regardless of if he was trying to hide that he had actually been crying at least a bit. His eyes dart down, staring at the table as she moves her fingers against the table. "No." He spoke the single word, slightly firm - telling someone, reporting them  - it sounded like a good idea at first but he knew it wouldn't change much. It'd just make them more careful - it'd make them retaliate worse and that.. well that would be a whole lot more of the bad.

At the follow up question she asked, asking if there was anything she could do - he gave a slight cringe but nodded in the positive this time. "Ma-Maybe you can... d-do you know how to fix t-this..?" He nodded under the table, "M-My legs.." He muttered, refering to the jelly leg jinx that had been cast on him. "I-I can't remember..." He muttered and sighed, slightly ashamed, he had been so upset and flustered he couldn't remember the counter spell.

@tia

[Deleted]

i am my own

IT CAME AS NO SURPRISE TO TIA THAT THE BOY HAD NO DESIRE TO REPORT HIS TORMENTORS. It was a process she was familiar with. A cycle of silence, bar points being taken off and detentions handed out, there was little done. In her experience anyways. Or, that was the going story. Plus, bullies thrived on reputation. It didn't stop Tia from being frustrated, though. Features pulled downward.

"Okay." She said tersely, disliking the fact, but honouring it nonetheless. Though not always the most patient individual, Tia listened carefully as the boy stuttered out a request. Piecing together his sentences and quirking her brows as she bent to peek under the table. Jelly Legs. "Bastards..." She cursed, nostrils flaring as she pushed her chair out with an irritating scrape.

Reaching under her robes, Tia pulled out her wand from where it was situated near her hip. She'd read a fair amount on jinx's and counter-jinx's. Had even played around with an anti-jinx potion, with limited success so far. And while she was angry for the use on a helpless student, she found interest filling her. She'd never had a chance to cast many counter-jinx's before... If there was a single good thing to come out of this interaction, it could be that, she thought selfishly.

With a quite wave, and a mumbled counter-jinx under her breath, the boy's legs stopped wobbling and Tia felt pleased. Straightening, she lay her wand carefully on the table in front of them and flashed a quick and prideful smile at the boy. "There." She said, rolling her wand on the table with the palm of her hand. "Kid's are stupid," She shrugged, not knowing how to make him feel better, but feeling inclined to try all the same. "Especially the ones wasting their time on Jelly Legs. It's so... simpleton." 

Oliver Russell Blishwick

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[Deleted]

For Oliver, actually reporting or telling an adult about the bullying and teasing - it was something he had considered. But from previous experiences, in the end it had never really turned out to actually do much, if anything it had in the past actually made the tormenting worse. It hadn't stopped that tiny part of him that actually wanted to tell someone, to talk to someone about it - to understand why they did it.. why they chose him to pick on. What had he done to deserve it? He wanted to have more friends - he loved Hogwarts, he had always enjoyed learning and being at school but these days, it wasn't as fun as it had been before. 

Still, it was nice to know that someone cared, even if it was only because he ended up catching their attention when he was upset in the library. She seemed nice enough, and she hadn't even pointed out his stutter like most people - including a few professors, had done in the past. His nose scrunched slightly, his freckled cheeks still a faint pink. As she looked and saw the Jelly Legs jinx he had been hit with, he nodded his head slightly - still silently upset with himself. He had been so upset he had managed to forget the counter spell, a tiny part of him was just a little bothered that he had to ask for help instead of being able to fix it himself. 

A rather loud sigh of relief escapes him, his body relaxing slightly as she waved her wand and mumbled the counter spell, a quick but small smile appearing on his face, "T-Thank you." he offered his hand, "I'm O-Oliver by the w-way." His hands pressed against the table, slightly stretching his legs under the table as he smiled. "S-Sometimes, m-mostly they seem mean." Oliver gave a slight shrug, for him it wasn't too much of a new thing. But at her latest comment, a small laugh actually bubbles from his chest, "I-I admit you're r-right there... t-they could have come up with something m-more interesting."

@tia

[Deleted]

i am my own

TIA ONLY HAD ONE NUGGET OF ADVICE, she thought. Keep yourself  to yourself... Which, she realised was  probably unhelpful, but it was the only thing she knew from experience. That ignorance when it came to bullies was better than giving them the satisfaction of anger. But, then again, she hadn't had the displeasure of really being targeted. Beyond petty grievances, she was fairly invisible. Or, so she thought.

Better than advice was her knowledge of the correct counter-jinx. She said it with pride, fairly impressed with her own skill set. She worked hard enough for it, she felt she earned the right to be a little smug. Letting her wand rest, Tia gripped the boy's offered hand and shook is firmly. "Tia Finch," She replied, appreciating a good handshake. Her father had always said 'firm grip, firm mind'. Which she'd always thought was silly, but found she looked for it in other people anyways.

Shrugging, Tia thought about the difference between mean and stupid. "The meaner, the more stupid." She reasoned, lips pulling down at the corners thoughtfully. Her passing comment about the jinx wasn't supposed to be funny, but she found she liked that she'd made him laugh. It was better than crying, certainly.

"Exactly," She said with a small smirk, "I mean, if they were a bit more creative then at the very least I could respect that." She wrinkled her nose at the mere thought, hoping he knew she was joking and not siding with the enemy. "One day they'll run out of steam and regret this." She said with conviction, brows wrinkled in the middle. "And you won't even remember their names." 

Oliver Russell Blishwick

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[Deleted]

Oliver had been told just about everything as far as advice went, he had tried as many as possible as well. Dealing with bullies was never easy though, and for the most part he had just worked out that if he tried to stay out of the way - he was either ignored or the bullies got bored. Either way, it mostly led to them leaving him alone if not right away than sooner than if he reacted. Sometimes though - it wasn't easy. 

Still none of it mattered right now, as he found himself distracted by his being upset. Instead his eyes focused on the older girl, a small smile tugging on his lips as he watched her use the correct counter-jinx. Not only had he been reminded on the correct casting but his legs were already feeling more like they usually did and less 'jelly-like'. His hand shake was firm yet light at the same time, "P-Pleasure to m-meet you T-Tia Finch." He offered another quick smile, silently as always - hoping his stutter would either be simply ignored or at least not made fun of. He hated the thing more than just about anything else.


He found himself holding back another little laugh, actually reaching up to have his hand cover his smile, his freckled cheeks burning a little, "T-That sounds about right." He finally commented, a tiny chuckle escaping even as he fought it. "I-I'm pretty sure I read about a few just the other day," the younger boy speaks up, his stutter not as bad as his eyes light up, eager to speak of something he had read about, "They were far more interesting t-than just a silly old Jelly Legs Jinx!" His nose scrunches a little before giving a fond little smile, "Thats what my Mothers tell me.." he spoke fondly of his parents, nodding his head slowly, "O-One day they won't matter, I'm stronger than they are - when I grow up all the people who tried to hurt me or make me sad, I won't even think about them."

@tia

[Deleted]

i am my own

SHE DIDN'T ACKNOWLEDGE THE STUTTER. Tia had noticed he had one, more so the more his legs settled and it continued. But, she felt no desire to confront it. Cautious that it might upset him. Plus, it was none of her business. She simply waited, allowed him time to taste his words and get them out.

Tia shifted in her seat, pleased that he wasn't as upset any more, talking about jinx's. "Which ones?" She asked curiously, always prepared to learn more. Maybe he had read about a few she hadn't heard of. She almost wanted to reach for a slip of parchment and a quill. "You know perhaps there is a conspiracy at hand," Tia mused, not entirely serious. "Maybe they're all ill with the jelly-brain jinx." Tia wished it were that easy, that silly. But genuinely, people could just be cruel. Especially around their age.

"Your mum's are right," Tia said surely, tugging at the end of her sleeve and sitting up straight. They'd told him exactly what she felt, but in a more eloquent and compassionate manner. She admired that. That he had that support. "But, I know that doesn't really make it better." Licking her lips, Tia averted her gaze, dropping it to the tabletop. "Kind words aren't exactly as effective as a counter-jinx." She gave a dry snort, shrugging her shoulders.

"Are you sure I can't do anything else?" For some reason, Tia felt seized by a desire to make it right for Oliver. It was her job. She didn't want to leave him then only for it to happen again. "It doesn't feel right." She muttered, pulling her lips to one side and puckering them. 

Oliver Russell Blishwick

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[Deleted]

Oliver was glad that the person who had discovered him in the library was actually someone who seemed to be nice, she had been nothing but nice and somewhat comforting. Not even pointing out his stutter, even in a nice way. Or pushing him to talk more than he was ready to talk, she wasn't even seeming to get impatient with how long it sometimes took for certain words to form. It was - honestly it was a relief and a little comforting. It helped calm him down, no longer worried so much about being made fun of - or worse, in his mind at least - his safe spot in the library was still just that... safe.

He wasn't so upset now, while it still stung a little - he was doing better and now his legs weren't a problem, he felt more comfortable as well. Plus talking about things he had learnt or knew, was always a way to get him to open up a little more, "A few i-interesting ones, I c-could show you!" He spoke happily, eyes darting around, "I-I know where the book is." He added on, he was a little eager to share what he knew and it'd be easier than trying to explain what he had read about as well. His head tilted slightly at the girls words, curious what she meant by a conspiracy, but the explaination that followed almost had him falling over in giggles. "M-Maybe that w-would explain quite a bit." He chuckled and shook his head, clearly amused.

Mentioning his mothers, had Oliver relaxing more - his stutter not becoming as noticable, "T-They usually are right." he smiled lightly. Some people found it odd but Oliver adored his mothers, very few people knew that Oliver had been adopted - and those that did, well fewer still knew that - he remembered parts of what life was like before he met his mothers. "It doesn't, b-but it helps a little, I-I'd rather not fight back so there isn't a lot I can d-do.." He gave a small shrug, he wasn't much of a fighter. While he could fight - he didn't like to do so, the idea of hurting others wasn't something he found himself comfortable with at all.

Her question made him think of his older sister and his smile lightened, "N-Not really but we can look at that b-book if you want." His eyes lit up remembering the book he had found and read, he hadn't shared it with another person yet and his curiousity was wanting to have it shared.

@tia

[Deleted]

i am my own

TIA WAS ALWAYS HAPPY TO LEARN. IN FACT, SHE was perhaps at her happiest when challenged intellectually. So, when Oliver offered up his own knowledge of jinx's she nodded. "Sure." Though, perhaps the biggest challenge would be finding one she hadn't read about already. His eagerness stopped her from saying as much. And at least she'd made him laugh.

It surprised her when he did, crumpling her face in a slight frown before a tentative smile of her own pulling a corner of her mouth. "It would..." She said, as seriously as usual, bar of course, her thin quirked lips.

Tia did, however, admire the fond way Oliver spoke of his mother's. It came with a very familiar look on his face. All soft and gooey. Tia thought she hadn't worn a look like that in her life. But she liked seeing it in others. It was better than the upset of before. And yet he still refused any notion of retribution. It baffled Tia a little, mostly because she was bothered by how unnervingly nice Oliver seemed. And undeserving of such treatment. But, she wasn't much of a fighter herself, so she looked down at her hands. "Okay..." She said, leaving it at that.

The mysterious book intrigued Tia. She looked up from staring at her hands, cheeks pulling slightly as she pursed her lips. "Yeah, okay." She said with a nod, shifting in her chair slightly. "Are you okay to walk or..?" Her brow wrinkled. "I can get if...?" She wasn't usually so forthcoming, but Tia figured he'd had a rough enough day as it was. And if she learned a few new jinxes at the end of it. Well, it was a success. 

Oliver Russell Blishwick

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[Deleted]

There were few things in the world that Oliver enjoyed more than he did learning. It was one among several reasons he was positive that being sorted into Ravenclaw had been the best thing for him, while at times it was a bit of a bother - having class mates trying to bug him - even bully him into doing homework that wasnt his. He did desperately love being a Ravenclaw and wore his uniform rather proudly - and the one place other than the library that felt comforting and gave him a sense of 'home' at Hogwarts - happened to be the Ravenclaw Common room.

But in this moment, he had a slightly strange experience as he found himself not only smiling, and even laughing - but he found himself joking a little and feeling a little bit of comfort in the older girls company. Something he rarely felt at all at school. Speaking of his family did certainly help, as his face lit up - eyes crinkling slightly as he spoke of his mothers. Few knew just how important they were in his life - as Oliver and his siblings both kind of kept it a bit hush at school that they had been adopted. He felt comforted though, knowing Tia was willing to help him - even if he didn't wish to do anything as any form of 'payback' it was nice to know that she cared - even if it was simply because she felt responsible as she was clearly a prefect.

He eagerly nodded when she agreed to look over the book with him, moving to get up - he did still feel a little shakey but he could manage, "I-I can g-get it. D-Don't move." He smiled again before disappearing into the stacks of books - knowing exactly where this book was he found no trouble in finding it, soon though he was walking back towards the table - the massive book held in his arms, pressed against his chest, "H-Here it is." He proudly stated before carefully placing it on the table, sliding the book so it would sit between them as he sat back down again, his eyes lit up as he ran a hand over the cover. 

"A-Artillo's C-Compendium of Jinxes a-and Spells." He stated the title, grinning back at Tia as he did so, "H-Have you found this book before?" He was curious about if she had or not, but despite if she had or not, it might be fun to look over it together.

@tia

[Deleted]

i am my own

TIA WATCHED HIM GO, A CRINKLE BETWEEN HER brows. Why she insisted on worrying after him was new to her. Though she prided her skills as a Prefect, it was always just a job for her. Nothing more and nothing less. She did it to the best, but least personal, of her ability. And that worked. But, he'd been so downtrodden, and to see him brighten up. She felt responsible for maintaining that. Even if just for a little while.

Shifting to give him more room when he returned, Tia looked at the large book in his arms. It thwacked down on the table between them and Tia read the title before he read it out for them both. "I've heard of it..." She revealed, brows wrinkling in thought as she twisted her lips. "Never had much use to read it before, though." Which was surprisingly true. She was a bit miffed that she hadn't, actually. But, her interest far outweighed her disappointment. She cracked the lid, that familiar smell of old parchment and aged ink lightening her head.

"What's your favourite?" She asked, running her finger down the index at the very back of the book. She found herself lingering on the page numbers for 'counter-jinxes'. Knowing now that it would be best to brush up on her knowledge of them. What with students getting more and more creative with their punishments. 

Oliver Russell Blishwick

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!