B R O K E N

there was something familiar about the way the other spoke, but it was off. alecto pinned it much to the soothing nature of celia, but she wasn’t celia and as much as her care and concern may have come across as sweet– alecto never knew how to deal with sweetness outside of the form of celia. 

“I’m fine though?” it wasn’t so much a question, but it was, the confusion evident across her features. “– thanks? but– I know? I have friends that care… ? is there something you know that I don’t? have you been speaking to trewlawny?”

“Right, yeah, of course you are-” she was fumbling, oh *God* she was fumbling. “It’s just, you know, if you didn’t for, whatever reason, I’m, I’m here, yeah?” this was so, so bad. But hopefully Alecto would buy it. She had to buy it.

she wasn’t exactly sure what was happening here. she’d never been anywhere near close to the other girl and yet… there was care for alecto held within that small frame? her brows knotted together in clear confusion over the rise in concern the other held. how was she supposed to react to this? care and concern wasn’t something she was used to getting from other souls besides celia and perhaps even sirius in this case. bella cared, of course she did, but she wasn’t one to show her concern outside of harming whoever was at fault. 

“you’re worried?” she repeated as if cementing the words in her own mind. the carrow couldn’t help but stare back at the other, a few moments of puzzled silence filling the space between them like static. “– what were you hoping to be the outcome of this? Have you ever known me as someone who tells others she doesn’t associate with her inner most turmoil? if that was your goal, it was a pretty stupid one.”

She, honestly wasn’t sure what she hoped the outcome of this would be. Well, that wasn’t strictly true - she knew what she wanted the outcome to be in the long run. What it needed to be. But this one interaction? It was a rocky start, at best. But Alecto had always been somewhat of an enigma, so a part of her hoped that if she just showed her a little kindness, here and there, that she might start to trust her. Then she would have to break that trust, which would break her heart, because she knew it would. Bertha was a Hufflepuff for a reason, she wasn’t cut out for this. But she didn’t have a choice, either.

    𝑎𝑛𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟  𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒  𝑛𝑜𝑑 ,        and  barty  follows  it  with  a  shrug .    he  remains   jovial   enough ,    but  he’s   prone   to   saving   face  when  it  comes  to  school  work  and  all .       ❛    it   might .    especially  the  ones  students  did  rather  poorly  on ,    you  know ?     it  gives  a  taste  for  what  professors  like  to  ask ,   ❜      he  offers ,    finishing  up  his  plate .     ❛    i’m  sure   slughorn’s   gonna  give  us  another  of  those  write - through  instructions ,    for  example .    i  already  know  i’ll  have  to  get  used  to  writing  them  more  clearly .    i  cannot  believe  i  got  docked  for   that .   ❜       except  he   can   —   it’s  one  of  the  smaller   quirks   he  knows  would  make  sense  for  him to  get   caught   on ,    but  he  still  finds  it  a   ludicrous   practice . 

it was big – all she could do was sit there eyes wide and bright, filled with childlike wonder as she stared at the elephant. it was the first time she did it RIGHT.

a corporeal patronus – she had tried so much before break, tried and tried again before she vowed to not have another go till her mind was clear and she wasn’t so consumed by worry, “i did it –” she breathed out, not even aware that someone had stepped into the empty transfiguration classroom – 

@petrificusstarter​

Bertha loved a good chat as much as anyone, but with everything going on in her life at that point in time, sometimes she just needed a break. Was that so much to ask for? Apparently so, according to the rest of the student body of Hogwarts. She swore, there was nowhere you could go where you would be 100% left alone. Wel, except for one place - classrooms, specifically when they weren’t in use. Which was exactly what her plan had been, had someone clearly not beaten her to it.

Wait, was that a patronus?

the carrow paused for a moment, eyes lifting from the pages of her book but not quite to the other as she wondered what exactly the other wanted. a sigh left the clearly disgruntled witch as she closed her book and let her eyes finally meet the other without a smile reaching them. “fine.” the only word to be offered, alecto practically forced the following from her throat. she never normally had this much trouble talking to anyone, but there was cloud within her at the moment, and it threatened a storm at the slightest inconvenience. “are we chatting about our holidays, Jorkin? a wee catch up? or is there something I can help you with? If it’s potions notes, you’ll have to get in line. the potter kid needs them first.”

Well, that certainly didn’t bode well. “Good, good...” Unsure of exactly how to continue the conversation from a single word, she let the tense silence hang over the pair for a moment. Maybe ‘let’ was the wrong word. Forced to allow might be more accurate. The moment she did think of something to say, Alecto apparently had a few choice words of her own. And, well, Bertha just hoped her poker face was a lot better than it felt. Although, a little help in potions certainly couldn’t hurt... No, that was off topic.

nose firmly stuck in her alchemy book, alecto didn’t care much for the chatter around her in the courtyard. it was warm enough for her to be sitting in the archway, and she had since taken her friends advice by getting more sunlight. a shadow moved across her, darkening her pages and causing a light, but evidently frustrated sigh to leave her chest. “you’re in my light.” she hummed in almost a sing song tune as she turned the page, not looking up to who it was. “move.”

@petrificusstarter​

“Sorry, right,” quickly shuffling along to take a place on the ground besides the Carrow. She was tense, perhaps obviously, although she was trying her best not to show it. It could probably just be passed off as fear rather easily, anyhow, so even if it was obvious, it might not be a dead giveaway? Besides, this shouldn’t be too hard. She just had to remember to breathe, and pay attention, and breathe. “So, um, how was your holiday?”

      𝑏𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑦  𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑠  𝑡ℎ𝑒  𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛  𝑓𝑎𝑙𝑙         with  a  careful  silence ,    keeping  his  expression  low  and  his  lips  at  a   nervous   tug .    he’s  glad  to  be  rid  of  it  ,    though  entirely   unlike   how  bertha  seems  to  be .    instead  he   knows   it’s  now  found  itself  in  a  good  place  of   tabboo  ,    such  that  they  don’t  have  to  address  it  again  anytime  soon .    right  where  he  needs  it  to  be .    barty  plays  around  with  the  fuits  on  his  plate  a  bit  before  he  starts  eating ,    sensing    (  and  selectively  ignoring  )     the  thickness  by  which  bertha  layers  on  the   pleasantries ,    matching  it  ostensibly .       ❛    yeah ,    i’ll  pay  more  attention  for  the  N.E.W.T.s ,    of  course .    but  really ,    same  with  you ,   ❜      he  nudges  her  with  his  elbow ,    the  smile  on  him   warmer   with  his  eyes  crinkling  just  enough  to  come  off   genuine .     ❛    you  already  did  so  well  and  you   know   what  to  look  out  for  now ,   right ?   ❜ 

      𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒'𝑠  𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑙  𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑡           underlying  the  topic’s  dismissal   —   unmissed  by  nearly  all  students  as  the  disappearances ,    well ,    disappear .     it’s  a   shoddy   effort  and  the  growing  irritation  barty  feels  over  its  happenstance  makes  him   all  the  more  prone  to  quick  conclusions  and  snubs .    his  hands   freeze   over  his  plate  a  moment  to  give  a  sigh ,    as  if  hesitating  before  he  succumbs  to  a  particular  devastation .     ❛    it’s …    yeah ,    i  don’t  know .    i  wish  this …   none  of  this  was  even  needed  …   ❜    he  adds ,    the  half - lie   swallowed   by  his   quiet . his  plate  makes  its  way  over  their  table  quick  enough ,    and  it’s  easy  enough  to   meet   bertha  when  her   mask   hardens  as  well  as  his .       ❛   thank you ,   ❜      he  responds  with  a  hand  on  his  neck  and  a  small  shrug .     ❛    could’ve  gone   better ,    but  i’m  pleased .   ❜

Not wanting to discuss the topic anymore - more because of the topic itself than where they were, but the latter certainly helped - Bertha simply nodded. It was nice to have some support, though. So many of the people their age who were a part of the same, thing, seemed just so into it, so while she couldn’t quite tell whether he was just comforting her, or was a bit unsure himself, or was having as big of doubts as she was, that small reassurance that she wasn’t entirely alone was nice either way. Even with the chances of it being anything other than the former, she didn’t particularly feel like pushing it either. Because if she was wrong... Well, she didn’t want to think about the consquences of if she was wrong.

    𝑏𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑦   𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑛𝑠  ℎ𝑖𝑚𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓  𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ            a   knowing   hum ,    brows  shot  up  to  give  bertha  a   look   that  says  she’s  simply  looking  too  much  into  it .       ❛    aye ,   to  fill  time  and   avoid   mocks .    i’m  positive  only  two  or  three  of  the  gryffindors  actually   studied .    the  library   event   could  be  what  happens  when  central  brains   leave   the  group ,   ❜    he  shakes  his  head  with  a  laugh ,   adding  a  teasing   lilt   to  his  tone .       ❛   it’s  guarded  by   pince   —    and  she’s  got  the  whole  library  to  worry  about .   ❜   seeing  bertha  take  the  bait ,    barty  shone  a   beaming   smile  in  response ,   elbow  nudging  her  arm  before  he  starts  for  the  hufflepuff  table ,    plate  in  hand .       ❛   ah ,   well  done  !    they  should  be  proud  you’re  passing   newt - level   to  begin  with ,    but  we’ve  got  time  before  the  real  thing .   i  mostly  got   exceeds .       ❜

Bertha still had this gut feeling that there had to be more to it, but she also didn’t want to make herself look like an idiot in front of Barty, so she decided to drop it. For now. “Yeah, you’re probably right. I think I’m just looking for something else to focus on, considering everything else that’s been going on,” She wasn’t sure exactly how he’d react to that, either. They were both, well, involved with the Death Eaters, at this point. And as much as Bertha hated admitting any weakness, things were getting serious, and a lot scarier in the process.

    ❛     𝑖𝑠   𝑎𝑛𝑦𝑜𝑛𝑒   𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟   𝑛𝑜𝑡   𝑑𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑔          something   weird   around  here ?   ❜     barty  comments  noncommittally ,    adding  a  brisket  to  his  plate .   the  reorganisation  was   abnormally   petty  in  his  eyes   —   but  none  the  matter .    it  wasn't   his   idea .       ❛    waste  of  time ,   that’s  what .    did  i  not  say  it’d  all  be  forgotten  in  a  week ?   ❜     he  turns  back  to  bertha ,    quick  to  drop  the  subject .       ❛    how’d  your  mocks  go ?   ❜

“Well, no, but that’s besides the point,” trust Barty to come in with his common sense and ruin all her fun. “Ok, yes, yes you did. But someone had to be doing it for some kind of reason, right? And it’s weird that they haven’t been caught, too. Isn’t the restricted section, like, heavily guarded or something?”

“Well, my dear, you know what they say. All publicity is good publicity, just make sure they remember your name.” He laughed as his own joke. “Not to mention, I resent the implication this is the wrong kind of attention. I’m am displaying an excellent competency in charms and a meticulous attention to detail.” 

“Oh calm down. I know perfectly well I’m in for plenty of trouble, no doubt. But, I’m almost done so just pull up a chair or something.” He waved vaguely into the distance. “If nothing else, I’m sure being able to say you witnessed my masterpiece being crafted will give you some glory by association. Certainly, people will want to know the details of the whole thing. Honestly, you’ve been rather the bland wallflower up until now B…. Be… I want to say Bessie? This might be your golden opportunity to revamp your image.” 

“What you’re displaying is an immaculate talent for lawn mowing. But please, spare no detail.” Having decided to play along, at least for now, she took perch on a nearby bench. He did have a point - he was clearly getting into trouble either way, and while quidditch certainly wasn’t losing any popularity, the occasional publicity stunt didn’t hurt. Plus, it would be a shame if she didn’t let him finish. He really did have good penmanship.

“Bertha, and I highly doubt me being present for your self-love letter is going to do much for my ‘bland wallflower reputation’.” Which she thought was a harsh reduction of her status at this school. Sure, she wasn’t exactly James Potter levels of popular, but she’d been involved in her fair share of scandals. Not directly - never directly - but the people who wanted gossip knew where to come for it. Evidently, he did not. “Besides, shouldn’t you be studying? Because I highly doubt that your mocks went well if this is how you’re spending your time.”

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* Gilderoy stopped to catch his breath. The grass of the Quidditch pitch was uneven, with huge gashes torn into the lawn. It was hard work trying to dig up the sheer volume of it, even with magic, but he was determined to see through his plan. Ravenclaw hadn’t lost a match this year and yet their star seeker was et to be scouted. I mean sure he hadn’t caught the snitch in their match against Hufflepuff but they’d won, hadn’t they? So, he decided if the scout wasn’t paying attention to his skills in the air, they’d at least have his name fresh in their mind when he carved it into the pitch. Everyone would.

He was about to get to work when he hard the soft sound of footsteps behind him. “I know my butt looks great from back there,” he called behind him, “but I have a lot of work to do so I would appreciate a hand if it’s not too much trouble. Make sure you get the letters large enough too, they need to be twenty foot long to stand out I reckon.” 

“You know, there are better ways to get the attention of talent scouts than vandalism?” It wasn’t uncommon for students to turn up on the field without booking it. Desperate qudditch teams, mostly. Or the occasional student who could never quite make the team but was ‘sure they would next year’. Those people, she would usually let stay. It wasn’t like they were about to go out of their way to snitch on her for doing it, after all. But this was very, very different. “They might actually get you the right kind of attention too.”

She had to admit, even from up close she couldn’t fault his penmanship. She didn’t know the Ravenclaw incredibly well, but she knew that most things weren’t exactly his strong suit. Seeking, for one. But he clearly had, pride, if nothing else. Made her surpised he wasn’t a Gryffindor, but she couldn’t claim to understand the Sorting Hat’s process. “But unless your butt wants detention, I’m going to need one hell of an explanation.”

@petrificusstarter​ “ I HATE TO BE THAT BLOKE ── “ ted said, turning the book over in his hand. the plastic dust sleeve stuck awkwardly to his fingers and he grimaced as he peeled it off his right hand with his left, “ but who even reads this stuff ? i mean, wizeacre’s potent wand tricks for ageing wix. i’m fairly certain they aren’t talking about the type from ollivander’s if you get me… “

“The teachers?” Bertha shrugged, the grin she was wearing too sweet for the topic at hand. “I’m sure there are a few who might need it.” Dumbledore, for a start. Not that she would ever say that aloud, even if she would be more surprised if he didn’t, considering his apparent age. Picking out her own book - equally as dusty, which wasn’t too surprising considering the section -, she sat next to the boy and opened it to the first page. “I’d say the better question is, why are you reading it?”

“If better means your beater got hit with his own bludger and it was a delightfully entertaining moment…” Marlene replied in her mock serious tone. Quidditch was important to her, almost so that she would nearly show up to try outs every year and find herself too competitive to play fairly. “But we’ll see then. As long as no one releases another stink bomb into the seats again.” The girl had a good mind to who did it, but the accusation may be a little to extreme and so the credit would lay with Peeves for now. “I’m sure your happy to to take a break from announcing, but I wouldn’t be mad if you took the time to make a little accusation about Slytherins last choice that seems just…a little too well planned for me.”

“I don’t know, I’d say that losing by 20 points without a beater is a better outcome than losing by 60 with one, wouldn’t you?” Okay, that might have been a bit snide, but bringing up what was honestly a horrific accident of a fellow student seemed worse, so Bertha was willing to get a bit snide. Besides, she wasn’t lying, she was just stating facts.

“I’m sorry but you have to pick one.” Marlene withheld the muffin from her opponent. “No, no. I’m sorry being neutral is not an option here.” Her eyes glistened as she aptly switched the delicious snack in her hand behind her back, avoiding her challenger’s grabs. “Pick a team...HEY, hey! I said pick a team. One of them is going to win at quidditch so you better pick correctly.” 

A shy smile broke into a full giggle and bright grin across her face. “All right fine. I concede thy muffin.” She held out the snack. “Sorry if it’s been a little squished.”

“That correct answer had better been Hufflepuff,” Bertha grinned, stopping as she was passing by. It wasn’t often that she got to take sides during quidditch games, since she was typically announcing them. But she had never been allowed to announce for Hufflepuff games for, well, obvious reasons, so it was one of the few times that she actually got to relax a bit and really show some house pride.