a r c h i b a l d

WALKING DOWN the long corridor from the kitchens, kingslley balanced a plate full of sweets on each hand. As he passed the large still life that formed the entrance to the kitchen, he heard a chuckle behind him. ❝ what? getting any food you can ask for is the only reason i come back every year. ❞ he grinned at the other.

         Archibald was hungry and so obviously, he made his way to the kitchens at Hogwarts. He loved all the food there was and he loved not having to make it. As he entered, he came upon Kingsley, having the same plan as he has. “Great minds think alike, man. Look, you can’t eat all of that, how about I take over one of your plates and we go have us a feast?” he asked with an exciting grin.

Archibald is annoyed by people prone to rearranging things. He knows he is messy, but there is structure in his mess. Do not go rearranging things, he will not be pleased.

Archie grew up on a sheep farm and played in the fields. He was also clumsy, so his legs and arms are full of little, and bigger, faded scars.

Archibald is not a player, as in he doesn’t go out to seduce people, but through his relationships and them being short as well as frequent, he has sort of earned that reputation, though he didn’t mean to do that.

“Why do you need a model? Do you not know what the female form looks like?” She wanted to joke further about showing him, but thought that would cross the carefully laid boundary of their friendship. So she held her tongue and kept her eyes on the blank paper. They were in a good place now and she wouldn’t be the one to jeopardize that. “I missed you too. My dad taught me a cute duet and I’ve had no one to share it with.”

         Archibald laughed. “I sure knows what it looks like, it was a joke. I don’t need a nude model, I don’t think that anyone would want to do that for me anyway but even if I know what a body looks like, drawing it always goes easier with a model.” he admitted. “But tell me more about this cute duet? I totally want in on that.”

“Oi, have you heard my newest summer hit yet? It’s called Voldemort’s got a stinky bum. It’s topping all the charts, too, and, if I say so myself, the bridge is a work of genius.” It wasn’t, really; this was hardly his best work thus far, but it was an iconic song, for sure. Besides, protest songs were the best ones, weren’t they?

         Archie laughed as he heard the title of the song. “awesome, dude. you gotta play it for me, i’ll totally harmonize.” he jokingly said and ran his fingers through his hair. “and we need to have a jam session, potter. you know, compose some songs like... i don’t know, about mcgonnagal. or if we’re daring, dumbledore and his obvious innocence. dude, we could make a protest song. dope, no?” he asked, already seeing their song played at a peaceful march.

A huge part of Caradoc fought to keep from yelling out YOU DON’T GET IT but instead he kept his lips relaxed. “This is not a story, Archibald. This s a poem, an expression of ones grief and emotional process. How exactly is one to grow if they suppress the darkness of ones mind? That is not balance, and I did not ask for your advice.” He added sharply, not realizing the effect of his words could hurt the feelings of someone just trying to help. “Besides, you and Daisy were not Wendy and I. Just because you two can be friends, does not mean that we can.”

         Archibald raised his hands at the sharp tone in caradoc’s voice. “whoa, i didn’t mean to make you feel worse; quite the opposite. i just figured... poems, like songs, are expressions of feelings and through them we want to tell stories. everything, in a sense, is a story. whether fiction or reality. i am not good with just poetry, but i consider some of my songs to be so... i know a little about like, creative proces and stuff.” he said, lowering his hands. “but if you want to sit here all depressed and stuff, that’s alright. i won’t stop you...” he told him and sighed. “daisy and i were also pretty serious, you know, and we struggled too in the beginning... and maybe friends isn’t where you’ll end up but like, things have a way of sorting themself out. whatever that may be.” he said, meaning every word. “and again, sorry if i made you feel bad. not my intention.”

“A hair cut and color is all it takes for you not to recognize me. My feelings are very hurt, Archi, but I suppose I should forgive you since there was a compliment wrapped in there.” Daisy wasn’t that bothered. She assumed he had just been teasing her. Plopping down beside him, she rested her head on his shoulder. It was nice to be back. “Do I get to see what you’re drawing?”

         He was surprised to see it was daisy he’d spoken to and he got up, still a big grin on his face and went over to give her a one arm hug. “daze! i missed you so much.” he said, in a friendly way. he then sat down again, as she sat down next to him. “i totally didn’t recognize you from the back. you look great.” he said and had to stop himself from reaching out to move a strand of hair back. they were friends now, that would be totally inappropriate, he knew that. he chuckled at her question and just turned the blank page towards her. “nothing yet. that’s why i need a muse. you know, i could totally use a model for this female nude i want to draw;” he said, his face void of any humour, though inside he was already laughing. he obviously didn’t mean it but he just wanted to see her reaction.

Caradoc raised an eyebrow to the boy. “It doesn’t need help really, just time.” He noted in a monotone lull. “Dark.” Dark was the night he spent outside Wendy’s window, throwing pebbles and pleading. That’s one I need to remember– pebbles and pleading. “Have you met my fuckin’ ex man? I’m sure you have.” He murmured, nearly positive that he did. Everyone knew CaradocandWendy.

         Archibald raised his eyebrows and shook his head. “dude, if you want to have this story like, grow and stuff do what i do. take some distance, do something that’ll inspire you like nature walks, music, dancing... you know, free your mind, man.” he told him, not sure that sulking and being all serious would help him one bit. “and of course i know wendy but like... daisy is my ex and we are great friends now. it just takes some time, again... distance, man. breathing, relaxing. you need that.” he remarked, not sure if he did or not but well, who didn’t enjoy a good time? exactly. everyone, he thought.

“This? This piece is not yet finished. The pacing is wrong. All wrong. But if you do want to read something I wrote on the train this one is titled ‘black void of the heart.”

archibald sat down next to caradoc and looked at the paper. “i mean, i don’t ever write anything other than songs but like... i mean... songs need pacing, rhythm... if you want, i can try to help.” he said, looking back up at the other guy. “also, that other story, sounds kind of dark, man.”