King of the Forest

WHERE: The Great Hall  WHEN: Lunchtime, March 20th

Flo placed a hand on her back, and another on her stomach. The recent news had shocked her, though she should have seen it coming, what with the lack of protection she and Amos had used. She assumed that her belly would start growing soon - but Flo had plans for this year, and it would be difficult to follow through with a baby developing inside her. She figured, she had to get started right away. Flo clambered up onto the long table, those sitting beside her staring up at her, aghast. “Sonorus,” she tapped the side of her mouth with her wand. “HOGWARTS - I HAVE DECIDED TO CREATE A QUIDDITCH DANCE TEAM TO UPLIFT OUR SPIRITS! PLEASE COME FIND ME IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO AUDITION.” She patted the sides of her skirt and stepped off the table, sitting back down. 

The moment Flo stepped onto the table Amos eyes widened in immediate fear. Not because he was afraid of what it was that she might say, everyone would know sooner or later, but because he was fearful that she may fall and hurt both herself and their baby. A dance team had been the farthest thing from his mind. Would that really be okay? Was she still going to be able to dance in a few months time when her belly was big? Amos truly had no clue how this baby thing worked. Maybe girls had some kind of instinct or something that let them know what would and would not be okay in this sort of circumstance. Either way he had no intentions of ever squashing Flo’s spirit so as she sat back down he turned to her, “Flo....I can’t dance but do you think you could maybe teach me?’

It was not at all like Amos to approach anyone of his own accord but Alice stood there at the very edge of the room looking so very alone and so very, very gorgeous. He just had to talk to her. He had to. Amos grinned shyly as he made his way through the crowd and towards her, looking to his feet when he finally made it to her, “Um....A - A pretty girl shouldn’t have to be alone. Do you maybe...would you like to dance?”

“Hey —” Gideon looked indignant. “I was playing with that!”

“Yeah. Sorry...sticks make me nervous”

Imogen supposed the forest was a peaceful place now that she had a friend by her side. Clinging to his arm, Imogen was glad for his warmth, the sound of his footsteps crunching leaves on the ground, and his soft voice reminding her that she wasn’t alone. She was perfectly safe. The forest was never truly quiet, alive with all sorts of sounds, but they weren’t necessarily a comfort in the way a sound of a friend walking next to you was. “Is that why you were out here in the first place?” Imogen asked, eager to keep the conversation going.

Amos had been so quiet over the years. This entire time he and Imogen had been in the same year and house but he had made no effort to even try to be close to her. Talking about himself was a scary topic because he had no idea who he was, just who the person his father wanted him to be. His friendship with Charity was based upon the fact that neither dug too far into the other’s past, focusing entirely on the present and how they felt safe and not alone when they were together. Soon though she would be leaving him and he’d be alone again. More friends probably wouldn’t hurt. He definitely realized that he needed that bright spot in his life. “Yeah” he said with a nod, “My house in the woods so I guess I just kind of grew up surrounded by trees”

Flo blinked. She hadn’t really ever asked for permission before kissing someone, and she wasn’t quite sure how to go about asking Amos if he was alright with it. “If you don’t mind, could I give you a kiss?” She paused, tip-toeing to reach his face as they faced one another. The cupcake shook in her hands – how strange, Flo had never felt nervous before. She had always been a confident girl but Amos made her knees go wobbly. 

Amos eyes widened in surprise at the question. The two of them had kissed before, but then again everyone had been kissing on Valentine’s Day. Things had even gone quite a bit farther than he had ever thought they actually would. He’d expected things to be awkward or to just revert to the way they had always been not her wanting to kiss him again and definitely not asking before she did it. In the slight darkness of the closet his hand reached for hers both to steady their shaking and to calm his own nerves a little. “You don’t have to ask” he replied, giving her hands a gentle but reassuring squeeze. 

Imogen felt a warm sense of relief flood her and she smiled up at Amos. “I’m glad.” She confessed honestly, reaching for his arm to pull him along beside her.”I don’t know why I thought it would be a good idea to walk in the woods alone.” Imogen rattled on quickly. “It’s a bit spooky out here.” Today that was true, but Imogen had often wandered through the woods on her own and had never before been so frightened. It was nothing but an easy out, a way to avoid explaining her sudden fear of the outdoors. Besides, now that Amos was with her, it hardly mattered and she was happy to have his company.

“I’ve always thought it was really peaceful” Amos admitted, looking down towards the girl beside him. The forest had always been his safe place, not that that was something that he had ever really talked about with someone. At least within the confines of the forest one knew that there was danger and could expect it. There was also a perfect balance of beauty to danger. Everything thrummed with life even if it was just birds chittering in the higher branches or squirrels playing in the fallen leaves. 

Flo lightly tugged on Amos’ hand as they exited the Great Hall. “Anything sweet, as usual.” She shrugged, not having a specific food in mind. What she had really wanted was to get away with Amos for a bit. She had a strange sensation in the pit of her stomach every time they were near each other, and Flo wanted to explore that feeling. It was unlike anything she’d ever felt before. So she tickled the pear on the painting and crouched down into the kitchen entrance, her tall frame barely fitting inside. Inside the kitchen, she waved to the house elves - who seemed alarmed by her presence, but Flo paid them no mind. She spotted a tray of cupcakes and handed one to Amos, “We’ll split it!” Flo beamed. 

Initially, Flo had every intention of bringing Amos back to the common room, but now… She quickly pulled him into a broom closet. “I have to ask you something.” 

As soon as they reached the kitchens a wave of nervousness washed over Amos. In spite of his early mornings and how beneficial it would have been for him to get breakfast almost immediately after his runs he had never actually been inside the kitchens. Seeing her crouch to get through the entrance Amos feared that his much larger frame might actually get stuck. When he finally did make it he hoped that his relief wasn’t too terribly obvious. He couldn’t imagine how terribly embarrassing that would have been. 

His eyes widened as she grabbed a cupcake. Amos didn’t eat sweets. He never really had and when he did now he usually got sick because his body wasn’t used to it. Before he could say anything though she had pulled him into a broom closet. “Uh....sure. What is it?” he asked, curious at the reason for the sudden closed quarters - though he definitely didn’t mind it. 

Flo enjoyed the company of most – even Amycus, who had once eaten a handpicked flower in front of her, couldn’t escape Flo’s genuine attraction towards everyone. Those who were nice to her caught her eye even more, and she went out of her way to show affection to them. But with Amos, it felt different – much more different than it had ever felt with Pinky, or with anyone else she had kissed. She wanted to kiss him over and over again. She squealed internally as he squeezed her hand, but attempted to keep her calm. Brightly, Florence let go of Amos’ hand and ducked under the table. 

She popped her head out the other side and slid her body out onto the bench, then stood up on her feet, quickly putting her hair back in place. Flo stretched her hand out, beaming at Amos. “Come on, we can stop by the kitchens on the way.” 

@imperfectamos​

Amos looked on in surprise as she slipped beneath the table. Things like this was another reason that he admired her so much. She saw the world so differently and approached situation in a way he might not even have thought to. As she rose he beamed back at her taking her outstretched hand in his. Usually he was weary of the touch of others. There was always exceptions though and with her it was nice that it wasn’t even something that he had to think about it. He felt secure with her. “Craving anything in particular?” Amos asked, stepping away from the table. 

“Would you?” She asked before she could think better of it. The thought of walking with a friend through the woods was a welcome one. After being so startled, Imogen was sure she’d jump at every snap of a twig or scuttle of an animal through the leaves underfoot. “You don’t have to.” She added quickly, “I don’t want to interrupt- whatever you were doing before.” Imogen wasn’t sure what it was Amos had been doing exactly, and she didn’t want to be rude, but she hoped he would prefer walking with her. “I would appreciate the company.”

“I’d like to” Amos told her softly, smiling warmly. In all his time at Hogwarts he had only made one friend. He would never say that Charity wasn’t enough because he was far more than he ever could have hoped for. The love and support of all those in his house astounded him every single day, even if they weren’t particularly close. Whenever a chance arose for him to repay the kindness that they showed him each and every day he was happy to try his best. Maybe this time he’d even make a friend - after all, that’s probably what his best friend would want him to do. 

Imogen didn’t hug Amos all too often, which at the moment she couldn’t quite remember why. As his arms engulfed her she felt safe, warm, and secure after the panic of moments ago. She was reluctant to let him go when he pulled away, but his smile only further steadied her nerves. Imogen glanced over her shoulder at the mention of Benito, as if he might be right behind her somewhere amongst the trees. “I don’t know where he is.” She answered softly, turning back to face him. “I just- I was out here a few days ago and I feel like I forgot something. Left something behind maybe.” She explained, though she wasn’t quite sure herself. “I was hoping that I might remember.”

They had been going to school together for six years now and she had dated his roommate for what felt like the entire time, but Amos still didn’t know Imogen all that well. Something seemed a bit off. Her voice was softer and to him she was acting as if she was somehow lost. “I could help you look?” Amos suggested, resisting the urge to pull her back in for the hug that she looked like she so greatly needed. 

AMOS DIGGORY

You were never a precocious boy. Your father would say that, tell you that repeatedly in more profane vernacular, and you would nod quietly. Meanwhile you spent hours in the trees, in the forest, thinking of a reality that can never be. In your childhood fantasies you were King of the Forest, reigning monarch of all nature. Many tried to crush you, many a time; like a phoenix you have risen, more than once. Because you will show them all that Amos Diggory is more than a reserved soul, more than a stubborn root in the ground.

Flo grinned as Amos reached for her hand, squeezing his tightly as they made contact. She felt a little jolt of energy rush up her arm, making her head feel slightly dizzy – a good kind of dizzy, the kind Flo ran after when she was a child. She excitedly sucked in air, thinking of how fun it would be to just spend time with Amos. But there was some story behind that sigh of his. “I know, fighting can get quite ugly. Did you know that people actually enjoy duelling? Mind-boggling.” 

She wasn’t one to keep secrets, considering she wasn’t good at staying tight-lipped, but Flo kept her hiding spots very private. She took it seriously. It was her alone time that kept her going through the school year, for the most part. “Only if you go first.” She decided, wrinkling her nose. 

There had been many days during his time at Hogwarts where his world had been completely darkened by the chaos of the world around him, especially on days where he was utterly downtrodden by the newest bout of verbal lashing from his father or sunken into a depressive state as yet another letter when unanswered by his mother. Part of him wondered if Professor Sprout had seen that and had paired him and Flo together on purpose. Being around her was like basking in a ray of sunshine, brightening even the darkest corners of his mind without her even intending to do so. Of course he had developed feeling for her along the way and he was absolutely terrified to explore them but for her he really wanted to give it a chance. 

Gently he squeezed her hand, smiling lightly at the way she wrinkled her nose, “I can do that”. Around them the Great Hall really had began clearing out, and not just of those in Hufflepuff house. “Do you want to walk back to the common room together?”

It was easy for Flo to feel shy around people she found attractive - but otherwise she would be flinging comments at them left and right. With Amos, she found herself almost as quiet as him. She looked up from the table abruptly,  watching as his eyes focused on the table. Flo exhaled and nodded. Her eyebrows flew up as she reached her hands forward, hoping their palms would meet. “I know what you mean.” 

She was a perky girl - and perky was putting it lightly. Flo found joy in bringing smiles to others’, but how was she supposed to do that when they were constantly surrounded by torture? She gulped at the thought of someone immediately close to her getting hurt - or worse, killed. “I think we’ll both make it through this - did I tell you I hid in a cauldron during the Hogsmeade attack? I’ll have to help you with your hiding skills after Herbology some time… Unless you’d rather fight?” Violence and Flo never went well together, so this was her “subtle” way of asking how Amos felt about it.

Amos couldn’t help the quirky grin that crossed his face at the image of Flo huddled inside a cauldron. Not that he was remotely happy about the circumstances that surrounded it, but it did seem a rather interesting thing to do. He hadn’t actually been present during the attack on Hogsmeade. His father had forbade him from going and doing anything remotely enjoyable when he had brought home an E on the last Charms exam rather than the O he was always being pushed for. Reflexively, his hand reached out for hers - towards comfort. 

“I’m good at hiding” Amos admitted, immediately thinking of the Forbidden Forest or the trees that surrounded his childhood home, “I hate fighting. Everything about it. The yelling, the screaming....” he paused, releasing a heavy sigh, “ Maybe - if you want to - we could show one another our hiding places?”

Flo widened her eyes at the comment - was she really a wonderful kisser? Flo thought she might be a bit too toothy for anyone to truly enjoy her kissing. She smiled wide with her teeth showing, then quickly pressed her lips together, suddenly feeling self-conscious. Amos was very nice to her, almost too nice – but there was nothing Flo liked more than the company of nice, genuine people. She shyly glanced at him and kicked her foot forward, accidentally brushing her ankle against his. 

Flo waited for him to continue speaking, but she’d never been too good with patience. He seemed to have trouble coming up with something to say, Flo noticed, and she felt as if she should say something. Because she wanted him to keep talking to her. But not about the attacks - blimey, they were all anyone could talk about lately. Flo made a face. “It’s horrible. I’m alright, but everything… Everything is horrible. People keep dying.”

A small smile lifted the corner of his lips at the widening of her eyes. There was something incredibly sweet about how she seemed to be surprised by something that he didn’t even deem as a compliment, but as an absolute fact. He felt his smile widen and falter alongside hers. Flo had such a beautiful smile, why would she suddenly feel shy around him? Slowly, Amos smile broadened as her ankle brushed against his. He’d love if somehow he could see that lovely grin again, but he wasn’t sure of what he could say that might bring it back. 

Amos took in a deep breath at the mention of the death and destruction that had raged around them, “I’m really glad you’re okay” he admitted softly before he could stop the words. Immediately he felt embarrassed by the admission. She had no clue how he felt about her and they weren’t exactly friends or anything. Was it weird to let her know that he cared? Or was it okay after they had spent a night together? “I can’t really imagine going to herbology and sitting next to anyone else” he continued, eyes trained on the table. 

Desiring to protect, but wanting to let live. 

To have more freedoms than I had, but with the safety I give. 

To guide them, not shape them into who they will be. 

To love them, not push them to be something for me. 

Encouraging their decisions while helping along the way. 

Being there at the beginning and end of each day. 

It is my duty to be all of these things and through it all experience all the joy it brings.

- Cole Bradburn

Happy Father’s Day Morsmordre! 

@t-edwardtonks @edgxrbxnxs @dadwardbones @bennet-zonko