B R A V A D O

stuck in a glass box

Helen admitted she didn’t know a lot about the Goodes. Just what most Pure-blooded families knew about them– that they were large with strange traditions. But for the most part, it couldn’t be something Helen couldn’t handle. “If it’s a decent job with a decent wage, I’ll take it.” She said certainly.

Calla wasn’t sure if she wanted to bring Helen into her world. In contact with her mother, especially. Partially because she was jealous, and partially because...she didn’t have a sufficient denial. “I shall write to her and see what she says. More than anything, I’m sure it will be a relief.”

stuck in a glass box

“Well, I’m not the best at Transfiguration, so actually, I’d might be a little impressed.” Helen nodded at Calla’s comment before sitting straighter, surprised with the offer. “The Infamous Goode Gardens?” Helen repeated. “That’d be a privilege.” Thinking about the extra hands, Calla mentioned, Helen hesitated before asking, “You don’t think your mother’s looking for a full-time gardener, is she?”

“Well, that’s something to look into, then. Probably better than sitting and worrying about...everything else.” Smoothing her skirt, Calla picked at the material. Then, looking at Helen, a small smile spread across her face. “...Well, she did say she was getting tired of teaching old Mister Wickham how to tend to roses. But really Helen...my mother isn’t the most reasonable employer. Are you...are you sure?”

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“I don’t think there’s any possible way you could fail the year at this point. Maybe if you showed up for NEWTs and turned all the examiners into…I don’t know, fruits?” Helen offered an encouraging smile. “Oh? That does sound really nice. My mother used to have a garden and I used to help her with that. Now, I just tend to the Greenhouses. I have a lot of experience working with them anyways.”

Calla looked at Helen. “Fruits? Well, would I be scaring them or impressing them? Because I could try. How hard can it be to transfigure a full wizard right?” Dropping the subject had no effect on Calla’s grasp of Transfiguration. A corner of her mouth lifted in half of a smile, nodding. “Sounds pleasant. I never liked working outdoors, I’m afraid. But...you should come visit the manor. Mother could always use extra hands in her gardens.” The suggestion was offered with a shrug; surely Helen would have better things to do than that.

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“It typically is more polite,” Helen said of the method. “It’s more of a ring-around and complex, but still polite.” She listened quietly as Calla vented to her, nodding when appropriately. “Happiness does come at a cost. I suppose it’s whether you’re willing to pay it.” Helen herself had felt robbed, but was coming to terms with accepting it. “I’m doing alright, I think. I have to study for NEWTs, I think I might be falling behind.” Although, falling behind for Helen meant not being ahead. “And I’m looking for a job after graduation so that’s a little stressful. I’d love to work with plants or something, but I don’t think I have much room to be picky.” She laughed quietly.

“I’m not even sure what I’m doing in class anymore. Potions was a mess and Charms was a disaster. Not to mention, I might have messed up my Ancient Runes assignment. My academic career might be coming to a grinding halt as we speak.” Calla lamented, a rueful smile across her face. Raking fingers through her hair, the Head Girl took a breath and paused. She would pick up again; if she could find herself in a better mental space, that was. Future. It was a scary word, and Calla found herself gazing ahead. “Plants? It’s an...interesting choice. I mean, mother has a very nice rose garden that she mostly keeps to one up our neighbours. And there’s our garden, and all the shrubs and topiary...It sounds so peaceful.”

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“I agree.” Helen stated, mostly staring at her own fingers as she fumbled, tugging at the ends of her hair. “I imagine any way someone says things that aren’t going to be good, well, there’s no pleasant way to say it.” She wasn’t exactly sure if Puri talk was anything Calla wanted to really talk about, so Helen offered her a way out if she wanted. “How are you– Everything else aside?”

“What is the point of that, anyway? It’s a more polite approach to breaking the bad news. It’s how all the good girls do it. As if.” Calla imitated her mother, scoffing at the end. It felt good to vent; she didn’t worship their mother like everyone thought. Pursing her lips and shrugging, a brief blur of everything that happened rushed through her head. “...everything is a mess and I’m barely holding on. It could be better. I could have my sister talk to me again, without having to fight with her. I could actually imagine a life without my family name, and pride in our traditions. I could be happier.” The Head Girl sighed, and then she shook her head. “How are you? It’s a been a long time since we talked.”