Strangers [Slater family]

[Deleted]

Claire really hadn't been meaning to avoid her siblings. She'd just been on duty. And with her siblings being in separate houses, it made it a little tricky to find time for them. But she knew she owed it to them. To... try. She hadn't been trying that hard, and it was about time she fixed that.

It was near the end of breakfast, around the time when her siblings should be leaving. Their first classes would be starting not to long after that. But... if she was lucky she'd get at least a few minutes with one, or even both of her siblings. That was worth something, right? She was leaning against the wall, just outside the Great hall when she spotted a familiar head leaving the room. Pushing off the wall, she quickly approached her younger sibling, putting on that normal smile of hers. The one that meant everything was alright. As far as they knew. "Hey. How are you?" Great greeting. So formal. But she didn't seem able to manage anything else while 'on duty'.


@jill2
grey xavier slater
(both are welcome Or if only one of you want to join, that works too. Figured we need a sibling thread!)

[Deleted]

Claire Evangeline Slater , grey xavier slater
<3

Addilyn had gone down to breakfast late, so she tried to eat fast. Probably wasn't the best idea as her stomach now hurt, but hey, she was hungry! The other day, Grey and Edmund had finally met. In the beginning, it was a little weird. Especially since Edmund was slightly shy. Grey had acted normally, thank goodness; Addilyn wasn't sure what she would have done if he had acted like a super protective older brother. She actually probably would have broke out laughing.

She was exhausted, she had a long night with Edmund and having woken up late, her day was off to a rough start. So as she walked out of the Great Hall and into the entrance way, hearing a voice next to her made her jump slightly. But, the voice itself was one she hadn't heard in awhile. Addilyn turned around, eyes wide and smile big. "Claire!" What a shocker! She gave her a big hug and then stepped back. "How are you? I haven't seen you in so long! What are you doing at Hogwarts? Are you working here for the year?"

[Deleted]

Claire's smile grew a little more genuine as Addilyn realized that she was being addressed by her oldest sibling, and quickly hugged her. Claire returned the hug instantly, giving her only sister a tight squeeze before she pulled away. That did wonders to crack that formal attitude she'd had just moments ago. It was always hard to stay to formal and withdrawn around Addilyn. She had always been so sweet and bubbly. You couldn't not return the energy she put out. Taking a deep breath, she felt her own unease melt away.

The first question almost made Claire hesitate. How was she? She hadn't answered that question honestly in months. "You know, usual. Work." Safe answer, basically avoid actually answering it. The other questions were safer, and the bombardment made Claire laugh softly. "Of course I am! Someone needs to keep an eye on you and Grey! What about you though?" She asked again. She felt like she didn't know anything about her sister's life anymore, especially her school life. And heaven knew, Grey wouldn't keep Claire up to date on the youngest Slater's life.

grey xavier slater
@jill2

[Deleted]

Claire Evangeline Slater , grey xavier slater
<3

Addilyn felt Claire squeeze her back, and she finally felt at home. Finally, she had both her brother and sister with her again, and to top it off, Grey and Addi were starting to get closer. It was unusual, how close they had gotten within the past few weeks. Grey went from wanting absolutely nothing to do with Addi, to helping her, hugging her and being a great brother. Her sixth year was starting off to be great, other than a few mishaps she has already had.

Addi smiled. "I bet, work seems like it's getting harder. Now you have to deal with children." She let out a small laugh. "Oh we don't need to be looked out for! Well, maybe...but we're doing good! He's actually gotten happier. And, I'm doing okay. A lot of crazy stuff going on, but I'm okay." Addi smiled. She couldn't tell Claire about Edmund, yes she had already told Grey but they had decided together to keep it on the down low for a while...

[Deleted]

"Oh, this is nothing. Guarding Hogwarts will be a breeze." Good, Claire sounded totally confident in that statement. She did believe it, to a point. But she couldn't let her sister see the doubt. Couldn't let Addilyn even see that Claire could struggle. That wasn't what her parents wanted. Claire was supposed to be the perfect child, the example to Addilyn and Grey. She couldn't afford to be anything but that. As Addilyn continued, Claire raised an eyebrow. Grey? happier? Crazy stuff? Grey was just as distant with Addilyn as he was with Claire, so hearing Addi say that he was happier was strange. "Happier? How so?" Just over all happy? Girlfriend happy? Wait, why was she suddenly concerned about that? "And what do you mean 'crazy'? Like what? Did something happen?" For some reason, Claire knew Addi wasn't referring to the Tri-Wizard tournament and the visiting seventh years. She wouldn't have used 'crazy' to describe that.

"Have you met any of the visiting seventh years? From what I've seen, they've brought some good candidates for the tournament. Do you know if Grey is entering?" if he was, she knew she'd have to tell their parents. And she knew what they'd say back. Keep an eye on him, Claire. Go help him prepare, Claire. You're a natural at all this, you could help him win. Ah, the joys of being the child that couldn't afford to make any mistakes...

@jill2

[Deleted]

Claire Evangeline Slater
Fast Car by Boyce Avenue
<3

Addilyn laughed. A breeze? Yeah right. Addi knew the other students here didn't care about a couple of Aurors; they'd do their best to make their lives horrible while they're here. Ugh, especially little Theodosia. She'll love this year even more now, she'll get more attention. Claire then continued the conversation about Grey and Addilyn nodded her head. "He's just happier. He's been talking to me a lot, and helping me out, and, well, being a real brother. It's nice." Addilyn wasn't sure how happy Grey would be if he knew she was saying this to Claire, but she'd find out eventually. Addi bit her lip and shrugged at her sister, her eyes scrunched a bit. "Well, sort of, yeah. It's bad, but...nothing too bad! Promise!" It was already hard to explain to Grey and Edmund, Addilyn couldn't imagine what her sister's reaction would be to Theodosia.

"I have! I met a boy from Beauxbatons a few days ago on the Quidditch Pitch. He seemed nice." His name was Emile, and he was about a foot taller than Addilyn, and extremely handsome. They got along well, so it gave Addi a good mind set about speaking with other students from the visiting schools. "Uh, I believe so? I haven't actually asked him...I don't really want to know the answer." She had been extremely worried about Grey entering the tournament and risking anything happening to him.

[Deleted]

"Just happier?' Descriptive explanation. Claire's eyebrows raised raised as she went on to explain that they were talking more and.... well, being siblings. Shortly after and she started to smile. "I think you're happier too." She observed. Though that smile didn't last long as Addilyn said something had, indeed, happened. Something bad. "Sort of? Too bad?" That left a lot of room for interpretation. But Addilyn was making it sound like it wasn't a big deal, whatever it was. If Claire had been more focused she might have been concerned. As it was, she wasn't in the right state of mind to hone into her sisterly instincts.

That smile came back though when Addilyn went on, as if back to normal. "That's great, Addi." She muttered, as if praising the youngest Slater. "Well, I think he'd have a chance of winning, if he enters." Yes, now she was praising her brother. Despite his constant need to prove his parents 'wrong', to go against whatever they tried to plan for him. But she knew he was a good kid. Strong. He just didn't trust her, for some reason....

@jill2

[Deleted]

Claire Evangeline Slater
<3

Addilyn shrugged. "Not just happier, he's, he's Grey. I don't know how to explain it, but I'm glad we're getting closer. It's what I've always wanted, so I guess I am happier as well." She smiled at Claire. It was hard to explain Grey, whether he's happy or whether he's keeping to himself. Grey was his own person, and he was hard to interpret no matter what. Addilyn didn't want Claire to worry too much, but she knew she would have to tell her something. "Well, there's just this girl. We had a bad run in, she made fun of a close friend of mine and we had a big argument. It got kind of physical...but, I'm sure Grey could fill you in." Addi forced a smile, not really enjoying conversing about Theodosia, but knowing Claire, it would come out eventually.

"Oh, I'm sure he'd come close to winning, and have a great chance! But, I still don't like thinking about it. Especially with what happened the last time the tournament was around..." Losing Grey would be the end of Addilyn Slater's happiness. She didn't even want to imagine life without him. And even though he was an incredibly strong man, and knew what he wanted, and was intelligent, there was always that chance. A chance she didn't want him to have to go up against.

[Deleted]

"I know what you mean." Addilyn understood what Addilyn was having a hard time to explain. Grey was Grey, simple as that. Claire smiled. "I'm glad. That both of you are happier." She didn't include herself. It wasn't intentional, a subconscious slip up. Only after saying it did she realize the mistake and swallow, to hide the emotion that had made her exclude herself. "I mean. You and Grey can help each other in ways I can't. Since I already graduated." It was a poor recovery, and she knew it. Thankfully Addilyn gave her a welcome distraction. Well, not really welcome. But it was a distraction. Her eyebrows raised in surprise and concern. "Someone is bullying you?" And Grey had allowed it? He was Addilyn's older brother! It was his job to protect Addi, just like it was Claire's job to protect both of them. "Grey knows about it? What did he do?"

Ah, yes. Previous tournaments. "There weren't any deaths at the last one. Durmstrang won." It was the year Harry Potter competed, the year the tournament was reinstated that there'd been deaths. The last tournament, Durmstrang had, indeed won. In fact, she was pretty sure that new Divination teacher was that winner. From what she remembered about that tournament, the Durmstrang champion had been called 'Delov'. "Don't worry. whoever competes will have plenty of Aurors protecting them." He may not want it, but she'd be there. Claire would make sure her brother didn't get hurt.

@jill2

[Deleted]

Claire Evangeline Slater
<3

Addilyn listened to her sister, but she still rose an eyebrow at her. "Well I hope you're happy as well, Claire. You deserve happiness just as much as we do! And yeah, Grey and I are actually together, but you always were there to help me, sending owls all the time." And recently she hadn't been. Addi wasn't positive as to why, but she was sure she'd find out soon enough. "I wouldn't really call it bullying... More like attacking. But he said he'd talk to her. I haven't seen him since, though, so I don't know if he has yet or not."

Addilyn tilted her head at her sister, confusion blatant on her face. She didn't remember reading about that tournament; she'd have to go look it up as soon as she got back to her common room or at the library. "I know they'll all be protected. It's just me being a worried sister, is all." Addi smiled gently at Claire, shrugging her shoulders.

[Deleted]

You deserve happiness.

That's what Addilyn said. And it felt like the wind had been knocked out of her. The mask she was trying so desperately to wear, this strong front, was cracking. She could feel each break as it came. She drew a shaky breath, staring at her sister with an emotion that Addilyn had probably never seen in her sister. An emotion she might not even recognize immediately. Heck, Claire didn't even recognize it for a moment, but it came quickly. Broken. That's right, she felt broken. Not happy. "You don't need to worry about me, Addi. I'm fine." She finally manged to say, her voice barely above a whisper, and forced herself to smile. It didn't help that expression at all, if anything it made her own sorrow even more prominent. Claire needed to get away, before Addilyn saw her completely break down. "I need to go, Addi. I just wanted to stop and see... how you were doing." She added after a moment. She moved, as if to hug her sister, but immediately had second thoughts. No, she'd really break if she did that. Instead she took a few steps back. "Tell Grey I said hi." Good, that sounded more.. normal. Well, not really. At least more normal then those other comments.

She didn't hesitate again, quickly turning and leaving without another word to her sister.

@jill2
(fin? You can post once more if you want )