|
|
|
last online Mar 29, 2024 6:39:22 GMT -7
|
|
|
Jul 25, 2016 16:35:32 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2016 16:35:32 GMT -7
There were a few great things about this year at Hogwarts. First, Grey was becoming close with Addilyn. And, of course there was the Triwizard Tournament. And Addilyn now had a boyfriend, Edmund. And the best thing? Her sister Claire was stationed at Hogwarts with the rest of the Aurors for the year. All of these things make Addi ecstatic to be back at school, and she was sure that her sixth year was going to be the best possible one yet.
That was, until a few bad things happened. The fight with Theodosia caused conflict with her and Edmund, and then with her and Grey. However, the one thing that had been bugging her constantly for the past few days, was her last meeting with her elder sister. Having not seen her for awhile, she figured she'd be excited and they'd be talking up a storm. But, Claire didn't talk.
She left Addilyn standing in the entrance hall by herself.
That wasn't normal. Since that day, Addi had been trying to spend her free time looking for Claire; unfortunately she hadn't been able to find her once. What was going on? Why was she so upset and sad? What had happened? Did Addilyn do something to hurt her? There were so many unanswered questions Addilyn had. Her and Claire used to be so close, they were always together, always whispering secrets, always telling each other everything. And after this summer, it was like they had done a complete 360 degree turn and hardly knew one another.
Addi had searched high and low. Claire Slater was no where to be found. Slightly angry, she went up to the highest tower of Hogwarts. Dinner wasn't for a little while longer, but the breeze felt nice. Addilyn stood at the edge of the tower, her elbows on the rest, her head in her hands. She let her eyes glance down to the grounds, searching for a blond bobbing head.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
last online Mar 29, 2024 6:39:22 GMT -7
|
|
|
Jul 25, 2016 16:52:28 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2016 16:52:28 GMT -7
Claire hadn't wanted Addilyn to see that side of her. The side that was drowning. The side that didn't know how to function, or cope with life a a whole. That wasn't Claire. That wasn't the side of her that her family needed to see. They needed the Claire they expected, and depended on. The one that took everything in stride. That made the hardest of challenges seem like a complete breeze. The Claire that could handle anything. Only problem was, Claire hadn't seen that side of her in a while. It used to be easy being that girl. Now, she didn't know if she could manage it.
So, after that first meeting, she'd came a little distance from Addilyn, until she was sure she could stay composed. That didn't mean she wasn't aware of Addi, or what Addi was doing. She knew Addilyn had gone to Calex. She also knew that Calex wouldn't have told Addi anything.... that incriminating. And she also knew that Addi was trying to find her. She wasn't about to let her sister catch her off guard, so she knew she had to catch Addilyn before then. One of the towers wasn't where she expected her sister to lead her though. "Addi? What are you doing up here alone?" Claire asked softly as she approached her sister, stepping out of the safety of the shadows and into full view of her sister.
@jill2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
last online Mar 29, 2024 6:39:22 GMT -7
|
|
|
Jul 25, 2016 17:21:10 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2016 17:21:10 GMT -7
Footsteps were heard behind her, and Addilyn stood up, twisting her body around slightly. Well! There was Claire. She had been looking around for no reason. Claire still seemed very wary, though. Now that Addi had a feeling that something was wrong with her sister, she could see it in her face. Her eyes looked swollen and gray, from being tired and probably crying. She seemed a lot more paler than their family usually was, and her whole persona just seemed exhausted.
Addi smiled softly at her sister. "Well, I was up here looking for you. Much easier than trying to walk around this huge castle." She laughed, hoping Claire would find it somewhat amusing that she'd go so high up just to find her. And yet, Addilyn hadn't found Claire, Claire had found Addilyn.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
last online Mar 29, 2024 6:39:22 GMT -7
|
|
|
Jul 25, 2016 18:04:32 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2016 18:04:32 GMT -7
"I know." Claire responded without a second thought. She hadn't meant to respond that quickly. At all. But she didn't take it back once she realized her mistake. Nor did she smile immediately. it taking a few moments for her to smile in response. "I've been busy." she offered as way of explanation. It was only half true. Enough of the truth to mask the fact that it was partially a lie.
Claire stepped closer to her sister, but didn't really.. approach her. Instead she took up the spot next to her in front of the window. and stared down at the grounds, not daring to look at her sister. "I'm sorry I took off so quickly last time. I.... things have been busy." There was that word again. Busy. She couldn't say what it'd really been, so busy was a good substitute.
@jill2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
last online Mar 29, 2024 6:39:22 GMT -7
|
|
|
Jul 26, 2016 3:24:24 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2016 3:24:24 GMT -7
Claire had responded quite fast, but Addilyn tried to pay no mind to it. She had hoped she'd get an explanation of something at least, especially after what she had heard in the hallway as well as her sister's actions. Addi wasn't sure why Claire hadn't told her anything in the first place, but then again, there had been a few things Addilyn had been keeping secret herself so she supposed she couldn't be too upset about it...right?
Claire walked over to her and stood next to her, watching the grounds as she had just previously been. Addilyn rose an eyebrow, but then smiled, trying to keep up her happy persona. "Busy with what?" She figured if she wanted an answer to her sister's recent actions, she'd just have to ask.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
last online Mar 29, 2024 6:39:22 GMT -7
|
|
|
Jul 27, 2016 15:12:12 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2016 15:12:12 GMT -7
Addiln didn't react or respond with her usual enthusiasm. While it was a little odd, Claire also appreciated it. It was exhausting trying to put up a front with the same amount of energy as her sister. It took Addi some time to finally respond to everything Claire had said. By that point, she was already at the windowsill, staring down at the familiar grounds. She could tell which students went to which school from here. The pops of light blue and dark red a strong contrast against the Hogwarts uniform.
Busy with what. That was the question her sister finally asked. Claire swallowed. that was a difficult question to answer. Life. Work. Romance. Grieving. What would be a suitable answer, yet not bring up any of those emotions? "It's complicated, Addi. Adult stuff." She finally managed to speak. It was a vague, non answer. Not only that, Claire never pulled the 'adult' card on Addi. Ever. She'd never treated Addilyn like.... well, a child! As if she couldn't handle what was going on. Claire knew it was unfair to act that way now even, and yet... She still said it. Said it and didn't take it back. "You don't need to worry about it, okay?"
@jill2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
last online Mar 29, 2024 6:39:22 GMT -7
|
|
|
Jul 27, 2016 15:45:31 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2016 15:45:31 GMT -7
She saw her sister swallow and Addilyn became concerned. She definitely didn't look okay...or happy. And Addi wanted to find out what exactly was wrong. However, Claire hadn't been speaking to her lately. She hadn't been sending her owls, she hadn't even really said much to Addilyn since she has been at Hogwarts. Her sister's personality had done a complete change, and Addi didn't know what to do about it.
Adult stuff.
Anger rose in her. Her cheeks burned a light pink. She took a deep breath, calming herself down. Something was definitely wrong with Claire. Never in her sixteen years of life had Claire told her that something was too 'adult' for her to share with her younger sister. Addilyn turned and looked directly into her eyes sister, her face stone-like. "Adult stuff, Claire? Like what exactly? Your job? Mom and dad? Grey? What exactly is too 'adult' for me to know about? Because as far as I'm concerned, I'm not a child."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
last online Mar 29, 2024 6:39:22 GMT -7
|
|
|
Jul 27, 2016 16:04:04 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2016 16:04:04 GMT -7
Claire pursed her lips at her sister's rather direct and blunt response. She should have expected it. Should have at least been prepared for her sister's reaction. Claire didn't dare look at her sister, even when she sensed that spark of anger. She took a long, deep breath, before finally look at her sister out of the corner of her eyes. She was quite a bit taller, which in this moment she was thankful for. As bad as it sounded, she felt stronger knowing she was taller then her sister. "Addilyn..." She started. To give some sort of fantastic reason and excuse for everything. To come up with an elaborate but believable lie. Only problem? No words followed her sister's name. No lies. No excuses. Just silence.
Claire kept her gaze on her sister for several more moments, until it finally grew to be to much, and she looked away, back at the grounds. "But you're not an adult either. You should be focused on school, and homework." She paused, and absent mindedly touched the silver chain around her neck. She wasn't wearing her engagement ring on her finger, not since Casey died. Instead, she wore it on the chain. Some days it felt like a fifty pound weight around her neck, pressing against her chest and making it hard to breath. "You don't need to worry about me."
@jill2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
last online Mar 29, 2024 6:39:22 GMT -7
|
|
|
Jul 27, 2016 16:23:28 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2016 16:23:28 GMT -7
Addilyn watched her sister's reaction. There wasn't much to it, other than the fact that she wouldn't look at her. Her lips were pursed, and she stared down the edge of the tower. Her own eyes narrowed slightly as she watched Claire. She didn't want to be angry at her sister, but he words had made her angry. She wanted to be the caring little sister she always had been, the one who always made Claire feel better, but the longer this conversation was going, it didn't seem like that is how it would end up.
"Claire, my age does not make me an adult. My maturity level and actions make me an adult. And I think you know more than anyone else that whatever you won't tell me, I'd handle fine." Addilyn didn't know what else to say. Claire had literally shocked her into silence. Is this what growing up was like? Becoming more and more distant from your sister? There were so many things Addi wanted to tell Claire, but she wasn't going to if this was how her sister was reacting to her. Addi scoffed, her eyes wide. "I don't need to worry about you? Is that why you haven't owl'd me in months? Is that why you look like you haven't slept in a week? Or that you've become extremely pale and sad?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
last online Mar 29, 2024 6:39:22 GMT -7
|
|
|
Jul 28, 2016 3:30:55 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2016 3:30:55 GMT -7
Claire couldn't help but feel a pang of her own frustration and anger. She shouldn't get angry. She knew that. And yet the feeling was still there. It wasn't that Addilyn couldn't 'handle' it. It was that Claire didn't want to see the look. The initial misunderstanding. Then the pain that Claire hadn't told her sooner. Then the sympathy snd attempt to understand Claire's pain. Claire didn't want that. At all. She didn't want her look that weak and vulnerable. She wasn't supposed to need any help.
Now Addi was listing off all the physical differences in her, and that anger flared even more. Claire let go of the necklace around her neck and turned back to her sister. This time fully facing her and not just turning her head. "Just drop it, okay? I'm fine." her voice almost cracked on the word fine. As if not wanting to come out.
@jill2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
last online Mar 29, 2024 6:39:22 GMT -7
|
|
|
Jul 28, 2016 9:04:02 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2016 9:04:02 GMT -7
Addilyn was shocked at her older sister. She couldn't believe she was acting this way. What could have possibly happened that had turned her attitude upside down? She saw the anger in Claire's face, but it didn't phase her. With everything that had been going on with Addilyn, she was on a very short circuit. Addi scoffed at her sister, shaking her head. "Yes, forgive me Claire. You seem real fine."
And then suddenly, Addilyn remembered something. She herself had only been at Hogwarts with Claire for two years. So when she thought of Claire being here, and of how Grey had explained his relationship with Claire, it was making sense to her. Did her parents not think she was doing well? Did they want Claire to come here and tell her to buckle down on school work? Because that's exactly what Claire had just said to her.
Addilyn shook her head at her sister. "If mum and dad are trying to make you tell me to do better in school, I won't have it. I'm not letting our relationship get ruined." Like yours and Grey's. The only reason she didn't say that, is because Grey told her this in private and in trust. And Addi wasn't going to ruin that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
last online Mar 29, 2024 6:39:22 GMT -7
|
|
|
Jul 28, 2016 21:32:45 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2016 21:32:45 GMT -7
This was wrong. This whole thing. The way Claire was acting and treating her sister. Her words. Withholding information for no logical reason other then her own fear of what Addi might think. IT was insane, Addi was her little sister! She was the most understanding of the Slater's, and she'd been the closest to Claire. If anyone should know, it should be Addi. Claire pursed her lips together as her sister's sarcasm, refusing to respond immediately. That is, until Addilyn jumped to conclusions. A good conclusion, but not true. Her eyes widened. "No, that.... that's not.." Wait, what was she doing? She could use this to her advantage. It'd get Addilyn off of her case if she thought it was something to do with their parents.
So, she lied. She lied big time.
Letting out a sigh, Claire turned back to the window. "Mum and dad just want you to do well, Addi. You and Grey. Your schooling.... it's important. Grey's about to graduate, and you're only a year away. A lot is riding on these years."
@jill2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
last online Mar 29, 2024 6:39:22 GMT -7
|
|
|
Jul 31, 2016 8:34:05 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2016 8:34:05 GMT -7
Addilyn could not believe the words that were coming out of her sister's mouth. What was this? A joke? Her grades were fine. She had so many things going for her; Quidditch, Frog Choir, and school. She seemed to be doing fine. Addi studied different things constantly, trying to figure out what she wanted to do before her seventh year at Hogwarts. And here was Claire...telling her she wasn't doing enough. Was this how Grey felt, all the time?
"I am doing well, Claire. I'm doing great. And so is Grey. He's incredibly smart, and he's doing his own thing." Her voice was very stern and adamant. Addilyn couldn't even think about what to say. Claire wasn't even looking at her. She took a deep breath, staring at the side of her sister's face. "Our relationship will not turn out like yours and Grey's. It won't happen. And I know for whatever reason, you and mum and dad think Grey is some degenerate. But you know what? He's probably the best person out of all of us. I will not be told to do better with my grades."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
last online Mar 29, 2024 6:39:22 GMT -7
|
|
|
Aug 10, 2016 22:09:53 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2016 22:09:53 GMT -7
Claire gaped. Degenerate? Is that what they thought? Claire would never, never think that about either of her siblings. She looked back at her younger sister, shock written all over her expression. "I've never thought that about Grey. Neither do mum and dad. Why would either of you think anything like that?" It was their parents, she knew it. Grey didn't give into their pressure. Their demands. So they'd left him be. And Addi? Well, she was the baby. She got away with everything. And Claire? Well, she had to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders. She was the one expected to meet all her parents high expectations. She was expected to be successful. She was expected to be bloody perfect, and show an ounce of weakness.
Letting out a sigh, she took a step away from the window, turning away from her sister. "Addi, mum and dad just want what's best for you. You only get once chance at all this." This was wrong, she knew it. Coming up with an excuse for her behavior. Making it seem like their parents wanted her to push Grey and Addi. Just an excuse to keep her secrets, and pretend to be strong. Like nothing could hurt her, even though she already felt broken...
@jill2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
last online Mar 29, 2024 6:39:22 GMT -7
|
|
|
Aug 11, 2016 12:40:24 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2016 12:40:24 GMT -7
Addilyn glared at her sister. Why would they think like that? Because that's how they damn well acted! Addi didn't like the way Claire was so shocked. Why else did she think Grey was always on his own, never speaking to them? "If you want to know, you'll have to ask Grey. Because of you, mum, and dad, I've hardly had a relationship with him!" Addi didn't want to be angry at her sister, but she couldn't help it. The way she was acting was childish, and Addilyn didn't want to have to deal with all that.
Claire turned away from her again, not looking her in the face. She had hardly even glanced at her this entire conversation. Sighing loudly, Addi shook her head. "Yeah, and the one chance I've got at it is going pretty well, incase you haven't noticed. As is Grey's." Addilyn turned back around to look over the side of the castle, trying to spot Grey down below, wanting to just hug him. Addilyn was incredibly disappointed in her older sister.
|
|
|
|