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| House Points | |||
 Gryffindor has 100 points |
 Slytherin has 100 points |
 Hufflepuff has 105 points |
 Ravenclaw has 100 points |
| Rainy Days | |
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| Topic Started: Jul 17 2008, 03:11 PM (309 Views) | |
| Donnan Lachlan-Kentigern | Jul 17 2008, 03:11 PM Post #1 |
 
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Donnan was skipping class... It sounded worse than it really was, he was sure. He was just too tired to make it all the way through Potions Class. That was one class he could not afford to fall asleep during; if he did, his cauldron might explode or something, which would be dangerous for everyone. No, it was better off if he took off this class, knowing as he did that he wouldn't be able to manage it. It had been this way since he had begun this term. Last year he'd had about twice as much energy as he did now. He knew that it was due to the fact that he hadn't eaten much over the summer. Malnutrition sapped a person's energy faster than anything else. Worse, now that he was in an environment where food was readily available, he couldn't keep anything down. He'd read up on the subject a bit and discovered that a starving person's stomach became too weak for normal food, but he hadn't figured out what to do about it. He couldn't go to the nurse about it, either, because then he would have to tell why he hadn't eaten all summer... He couldn't admit that he'd lived on the street for those few months, which had seemed to drag by. The teacher wouldn't understand. Donnan couldn't go to his dorm rooms, nor anywhere else he would typically haunt, because if for some reason his Potions professor chose to look for him, he couldn't be available. That was why he had selected this abandoned classroom. If he sat at the desks off to the side, he wouldn't be visible from the hallway, and nobody would think of looking for him here. He'd brought his potions text with him. After all, it wasn't as though he didn't want to learn the material. He just didn't trust that it would be safe for him to be in the classroom right now. He brought out the text and flipped to his current chapter. A weird sight, if anyone was paying attention. Donnan had skipped Potions class so he could study Potions. |
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| Cade Browen | Jul 17 2008, 05:18 PM Post #2 |
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Walking across Hogwarts, Cade could see that rain wouldn't be too far behind. Looking around for the nearest shelter, Cade entered the main building. As soon as he entered into the confines of the school, Cade could hear the fall of rain with an increasing rate. Cade stretched out his arm with his palm out to catch a few raindrops. With a soft smile, Cade considered going back outside just to feel the impact of the rain against his body and splash into as many puddles he could find, but Cade had other commitments to attend to. . . Walking across the hallways, Cade searched for any movement or sound. While he was on his way to his classroom, Cade saw a young student separated from his comrades. Being a teacher for awhile now, Cade could pinpoint a class-skipper when he saw one. Releasing a pent up breath, Cade became frustrated with himself when he couldn't find the whereabouts of the young boy. Spying a faint light streaming from beneath one of the unoccupied classroom, Cade retrieved his wand from the inner pocket of his robes. With stealthy steps, Cade reached the door and began to twist the knob open. After two seconds, his eyes became accustomed to the dimness of the classroom. Entering into the abandoned classroom, Cade looked directly at the boy with the wide-eyed stare. With his wand at the ready, Cade spoke with gentle command, "Who are you, and what are you doing out of class?" |
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| Donnan Lachlan-Kentigern | Jul 17 2008, 06:01 PM Post #3 |
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Donnan felt himself growing red when he realized that he was no longer alone. Not only had he been found, but it was by a teacher... Of all the bloody ridiculous people... He let out a little moan, barely audible. He supposed it might not be a good idea to ignore the man, however. "I'm Donnan, sir," he said, his voice incredibly weak. He wondered vaguely when that had happened... Frowning, he rubbed absently at his eyes. His vision seemed to be going a bit spotty. He'd probably been staring at his book too long. He frowned when he was asked why he was out of class. He didn't have a particularly good answer for that... Well, he did, but it wasn't one he could give a teacher. He couldn't tell a teacher that he was sick, because that would lead to questions... Questions he couldn't afford to give answers to. "I'm studying, sir," he mumbled, barely managing to get the words out. It was hard to talk, though he couldn't see why it should be. He just felt so weak... He rubbed at his eyes again, trying to concentrate. Why couldn't he concentrate? |
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| Cade Browen | Jul 17 2008, 08:25 PM Post #4 |
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Shock was the only feeling Cade could comprehend at that moment. Relaxing his rigid stance, Cade forced himself to walk leisurely to the frightened boy. At first glance from the doorway, Cade could have sworn that one of the house elves had taken a break to sit and read in the dimly lit room, but he was completely wrong. As he entered through the doorway, Cade was surprised to see that the student had a Potion's textbook. He would have assumed that whenever a student at Hogwart's decided to skip a class, they would normally stay away from the textbooks and stick to more entertaining things such as a reading a comicbook or feasting on sweets. Cade was definitely perplexed by this student. The embarrassed child was barely audible when he gave out his name as Donnan. Cade offered a sheepish glance toward the student to somehow alleviate the tension, but Cade could easily see that he was still shaking. For some reason, Cade couldn't shake off the feeling that he should know Donnan. . . With sudden revelation, Cade shook his head disgustedly as he realized that Donnan was a student from his house. Since Cade was the newly appointed Head of House for Hufflepuff, he still hadn't been able to get to know all of the members of his house. Still, there was no excuse! After a few moments, Cade heard the young boy explain that he was studying. Crouching down to Donnan's level, Cade became unsettled when he saw Donnan's demeanor. The student could barely keep eye contact, and his face looked pale and gaunt. Cade gently grasped Donnan's wrist to check his pulse. Compassion filled Cade as he asked the young lad, "Donnan, when was the last time you ate?" |
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| Donnan Lachlan-Kentigern | Jul 17 2008, 08:34 PM Post #5 |
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Donnan flushed again when the teacher grabbed his wrist. Checking his pulse? It felt the same as when the doctor had done it back home, but he didn't know that wizards did that kind of thing. He almost felt more embarrassed at that. Shouldn't he know what wizards did? Both his parents were wizards! Then again, his father rarely felt well enough to explain things to him. Still, he couldn't believe it when the teacher asked him about food. Was it that obvious? Donnan shifted uneasily in his chair, casting is eyes about for something to look at other than his teacher's concerned face. That was just too embarrassing... Too close to pity, which Donnan avoided if at all possible. "I tried some food at breakfast," he muttered honestly, "but my stomach didn't like it." He didn't add on why his stomach didn't like it. Let the teacher think he had the flu or something. There was no need to exploit the fact that he'd hardly had a bite to eat the entire summer. He knew that the teacher wouldn't like that, would ask more questions... Donnan didn't know what the next step would be, but he knew it wouldn't be good. |
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| Cade Browen | Jul 17 2008, 10:52 PM Post #6 |
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As Donnan continued to avert his gaze, Cade smiled at himself as he realized that Donnan wouldn't confide in him about anything . . .at least, not yet. Keeping his index and middle fingers on the pulse, Cade watched his wrist watch for a minute. At least Donnan seemed to be alright for the moment, but Cade knew that circumstances could easily change for the worse. A hundred questions screamed inside his head, but Cade forced himself to silence his curiosity. The most important thing right now was the welfare of the young man. Even in his weakened state, Cade could see the inner strength that continued to fight against all odds. Cade remembered a time when he had that inner strength, but for a long time he had lost that part of himself. His heart clenched as Donnan explained how his stomach was too sensitive to eating breakfast. Looking at his watch, Cade realized that it was nearly lunch time. Instinctively, Cade knew that the student would probably refuse to eat an entire meal with him, but Cade was too stubborn to quit. "I should be reprimanding you about skipping class or, at the least, take you to the nurse, but I think you need some food. Wouldn't you agree?" Without waiting for a comment from Donnan, Cade whipped out his wand with a flourish with one hand as the other hand took out a compact box. Pointing the wand at the box, Cade said an incantation causing the box to expand into a lunch box filled with food. Taking out a red apple, Cade wiped the apple with his clean handkerchief. With a satisfied grin, Cade offered the apple to the young lad, "Well, I don't plan on eating this meal alone." |
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| Donnan Lachlan-Kentigern | Jul 17 2008, 11:01 PM Post #7 |
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Donnan gave the teacher a curious look as he summoned forth an incredible amount of food. He had been sure that he was going to get a detention for skipping potions, and that he was going to be carted off toward the nurse. How had he managed to dodge that bullet? He shook his head. He knew better than to look a gift hippogriff in the mouth. He certainly wasn't going to complain that he was being fed instead of punished... Well, his stomach was complaining a little, but he told it to be quiet. He knew that he needed the nourishment. If only he could keep it down... Donnan grabbed some crackers, which should be light enough for even his weakened stomach. After all, he'd had at least that much in a day even when he was living on the streets. These ones had the added benefit of not being dug out of a dumpster before going into his mouth. "Thank you, sir," Donnan whispered. With that, he began to slowly nibble on the crackers. He was trying to feed himself, he really was, but he didn't want to get sick like he had every other time he'd attempted an actual meal. He was sure that it only made him more ill when he did, and at this point he couldn't afford to be in a worse situation. His body could only take so much, after all. |
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| Cade Browen | Jul 19 2008, 10:15 PM Post #8 |
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Cade barely heard the soft words of gratitude from Donnan, but Cade made sure to acknowledge the young boy by nodding his head in welcome. Placing the red apple onto the handkerchief, Cade grabbed the ever-handy dagger from inside of his coat. Even though he saw Donnan's eyes go wide at the sight of the lethal dagger, Cade simply grabbed the apple and began slicing it into pieces. Risking a side glance at the student, Cade saw that he was just nibbling at his crackers. Judging by the appearance of the boy's nails, Cade could tell that Donnan was suffering from malnutrition to say the least. Although the last thing he wanted to do was frighten away Donnan by prying, Cade still felt compelled to help the poor boy somehow. Taking one of the slices of the apple, Cade thought about gobbling the slice in one bite, but he decided that taking small bites similar to Donnan would be prudent . . .as well as mannerly. Because Cade had become accustomed to staying to himself and living a solitary life in his cozy cottage, he forgot his manners sometimes. He could already hear the scolding voice of his grandmother from his childhood. A ghost of a smile remained on his lips even as grief threatened to takeover Cade's being. Strange how the loss of loved ones could still affect a person. Even though years had passed since his grandparents' deaths, Cade could still feel the sharp pain in his heart every once in awhile. Looking down at the quiet boy, Cade wondered how Donnan's life was like growing up. Was his childhood filled with love? Did he have parents' who loved and cherished him? These thoughts continued to plague Cade as he finished off his slice of apple. After he cleared his throat, Cade finally one of his questions, "So Donnan, care to explain why you weren't in class?" |
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| Donnan Lachlan-Kentigern | Jul 19 2008, 11:17 PM Post #9 |
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Donnan felt himself wince at the teacher's question. He knew they would get to this eventually. Getting let off was just too good to be true. He couldn't feel too bitter about it, though. The crackers were actually settling well in his stomach- the first food to do so in almost a week- and that in itself made the threat of detention pale in comparison. He thought about lying to the teacher, about making up some cock and bull excuse off the top of his head. But aside from the fact that he was a terrible liar, Donnan couldn't bring himself to lie. Not to this teacher, anyway. It seemed as though it would be a poor repayment for the man's hospitality. Free food wasn't something Donnan would take for granted, after all. Not anymore. "I didn't think it would be safe for me to go to Potions class," he said slowly, trying to phrase it carefully. He was afraid of what would happen if the teacher found out about his living situation. Afraid... But also curious. He knew that he couldn't go through another summer like the last. He wouldn't survive another summer like the last. And this teacher seemed nice. Maybe it would be safe? He just didn't know anymore. His mind was all a jumble. "I was dizzy," he said at last, "From not eating and drinking enough, I know, but I can't keep food down anymore. My stomach doesn't like food. Or drinks, really. And I've blacked out a couple of times, and I was afraid of what would happen if I blacked out in Potions class... Any other class and I would have gone, I swear, but if I blacked out in Potions..." There. He hadn't said anything about his situation, but neither had he hid it. He was through hiding things. It took too much energy, which he frankly didn't have any longer. No, he'd wait it out and see what happened. Play it by ear, so to speak. |
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| Cade Browen | Aug 4 2008, 12:02 PM Post #10 |
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Cade released a frustrated sigh. Although he knew that the boy was in some kind of trouble, Cade hadn't yet figured out a way to help Donnan for the long run. After years of being a spy, Cade knew deceit when he saw it, but all he saw before him was a fragile yet brave child putting his trust in Cade of all people. Cade personally knew how hard it was to put one's trust in someone else especially from his own experiences with cruelty. Cade examined the words Donnan had said in his own head. The poor guy had blackouts! Well, this was definitely quite the conundrum. New concern waved through Cade as he realized that Donnan was in the classroom alone which meant that if he had a blackout or worse . . .no one would ever have known. The mere truth of it all left a hollow feeling inside Cade. The feelings of frustration and despair was soon replaced by fury. Fury coursed through Cade's veins for everyone who ignored the Donnan's deprivation. Clearly no one bothered to intervene on this poor boy's behalf. How could his parents ignore this? Where were his friends and professors? Lastly, Cade felt most angry at himself. For crying out loud, he was Donnan's Head of House! With sudden revelation, Cade began to wonder how many other students were going through similar circumstances as Donnan while Cade remained completely in the dark. Suddenly at a loss of any appetite, Cade placed the remnant of food in the middle of the magical cloth and said a different incantation causing everthing to disappear. Taking a quick glance toward Donnan, Cade smiled at the boy's innocent gaze. Through the shades of the windows, rays of sunlight began to illuminate the small contours of the abandoned classroom. Turning to Donnan, Cade leaned in conspiratorally. "Looks like the rain has stopped. Why don't we leave this dingy room and take a walk before the rain starts to pour again?" |
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| Donnan Lachlan-Kentigern | Aug 4 2008, 02:57 PM Post #11 |
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Donnan gave the man a curious look, cocking his head a little to the side. The professor wanted to go on a walk? It was so incredibly random that Donnan almost laughed, and at the same time, he felt a tightness in his throat as though he was about to cry. But that was riddiculous. He never cried, hadn't for years. He couldn't afford to. Donnan brushed the feeling aside and instead stood up, sliding his book from the desk to his bag in one smooth motion, anything to avoid the way he was feeling right now. Especially since he couldn't explain how he was feeling... Confused, and scared, and hopeful all at once. And at recognizing those feelings, he felt angry at himself for behaving like a little kid, fearing rejection and hoping he would be saved. That was just stupid. He was too old for such things, by far. "A walk would be nice," he said to the teacher, zipping his bag and tossing it carelessly over his shoulder. Acting like he could care less about the bag was all part of the show, of course. That one bag had every measly thing he owned in it, which, though it was precious little, was still important to him. It was why he never went anywhere without the bag, but that hardly mattered. Nobody needed to know that he was always prepared, ready to flee if the going got tough. He reached under his desk and picked up his cane, the smooth wood he'd whittled himself feeling cool in his hand, and the safety he got from that having an immediate calming effect on his body. He still didn't know what kind of trouble he was going to get into for skipping class. He didn't know what the professor would do with the information Donnan had given him, if anything. He didn't even know the professor's name, though he realized sheepishly that it had been told to him his first day here. He didn't know anything, really, but, gripping his cane tightly in his hand, Donnan decided that he'd be brave, no matter what. He'd be brave and he'd take things as they came, because really, how could anything possibly get worse for him? |
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| Cade Browen | Aug 8 2008, 11:53 AM Post #12 |
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What an interesting day! Cade wasn't exactly sure why he suggested a walk outside. All he knew was that he didn't want to stay put in the stifling room. The abandoned classroom was dingy to say the least, and who knows what vermin could still be living there. Cade wasn't a clean freak or anything, but he could not handle knowing that children such as Donnan were risking their health by staying in areas with filth and bacteria. Since Cade left most of his things in his classroom, Cade didn't have much to gather together for the short trek across the courtyard. Watching Donnan get his things together was absolutely heart-wrenching. Cade had no idea how his fragile looking form could carry anything let alone a backpack. Forcing himself not to reach down and help, Cade merely walked across the dust infested floor and held open the door as Donnan crossed over the threshold. Hearing the gentle tap of the wooden cane, Cade made sure not to walk too fast for Donnan's sake. Walking through the short hallway in silence, Cade couldn't help but smile as Donnan matched his every step with surprising ease. For all Cade knew, Donnan could just be putting up a brave front for Cade's sake, but Cade realized that he would have done the same exact thing in Donnan's place. Donnan would make any parent proud. Once upon a time, Cade wanted children of his own, but that dream was shatterd when his young wife died. No matter how much time had passed, Cade could never get over her death . . .especially since it was all his fault. Cade didn't have to fight too hard to fight off his memories since his mind was still preoccupied with Donnan's situation. Cade still hadn't made up his mind yet about whether or not he should take Donnan to the school nurse, but for the moment Cade would just wait to see if Donnan would be more forthcoming about his story. Breaking the companionable silence, Cade looked up briefly and cast a sideglance at Donnan, "I hate it when people call me Professor Browen or even Mr. Browen . . . so if you would prefer, you can just call me Cade." Seeing the shocked look on Donnan's face, Cade had to bite the inside of his mouth to keep from grinning. Oh yeah, today was definitely an interesting day. |
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| Donnan Lachlan-Kentigern | Aug 8 2008, 02:26 PM Post #13 |
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Donnan looked up with a mixture of emotions playing across his gaunt face; happiness at learning his professor's name as well as shock at being asked to be on a first name basis with the man. He didn't know which of the emotions was going to win out, though he supposed he'd rather the later. He didn't want the man to know that he hadn't remembered his name, since he seemed to like Donnan- as well as any adult could like a kid like Donnan. "Cade..." he heard himself repeating absently. In truth, though, his mind was reeling, and he found himself starting out loud, "Even Cessford never..." He stopped, realizing what he'd been about to say. He was, by now, more than used to keeping such thoughts to himself, and he wondered at how easily he'd let his guard down... And then he thought about what the teacher had said. The man was being more than generous with Donnan. He supposed it was time to return the favor. "Cessford never let me say his first name... I didn't learn it, even, until I was old enough to read the addresses on the post. It's Arnold..." The teacher probably wouldn't know how large an admission that was, but he couldn't help it. Saying such a thing... It was hard to him. His private life was more than private to him. He always made sure to put a stone wall around anything to do with his home life, before or after coming to school, and bringing down even a part of that wall... It was hard. And at the same time, it felt good, like he was finally breaking free... Stupid sentimentality, he chided himself... Somehow, the feelings didn't go away. |
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| Cade Browen | Aug 8 2008, 03:19 PM Post #14 |
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Letting Donnan call Cade on a first name basis was definitely the right course of action. He could see the mixed emotions play across Donnan's innocent face. Smiling to himself as he heard the young boy finally voice his name. As they continued to walk amiably, Cade crossed his arms over his chest contemplating whether or not he should approach the subject concerning Donnan's history. If someone tried to nose their way around his own history, Cade would be furious to say the least. Let's just say that things would end up quite ugly . . .to whoever couldn't understand the concept of the word "no." With each step they took, the click of the cane continued to haunt Cade. There was once a time when he was dependent on a cane among other things. The past memories left a sour taste in his mouth. Finally taking a peak at the cane, Cade was surprised to see that the wooden cane looked like it was carved by hand. Sure the work was rudimentary, but there was much potential in that simple piece of work. The silence was once again broken by Donnan's simple admission that he was never allowed to call Cessford by his first name. Cade cast Donnan a quick glance as he saw and heard how much courage Donnan must have used to tell Cade that private piece of information. Cade barely heard the second name mentioned, but he understood that this Arnold character was as much part of Donnan's past as Cessford was. Now, Cade just needed to figure out what role these two people played in Donnan's life. Releasing a pent up breath, Cade relented to the fact that he couldn't find out more information unless Donnan wanted to tell him more. Looking once more at Donnan, Cade thought hard and long before he finally made his decision. Cade didn't feel comfortable opening up his past and his emotions, but there was no way out of it. "How about we tell each other more about ourselves? I'll go first, but you might want to brace yourself. . .Ok, I was once a spy." Now, the ball was in Donnan's court. |
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| Donnan Lachlan-Kentigern | Aug 8 2008, 09:55 PM Post #15 |
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"Holy -" Donnan stopped himself just in time, remembering who he was speaking to. A teacher... An adult... Someone who definitely wouldn't condone his swearing, even if it was justified- which, in this case, it was. If any situation allowed swearing, this was it. Donnan couldn't understand this man, who spilled his darkest secrets to a twelve year old boy he didn't even know. Donnan had to fight himself to let out any secrets, even minor ones, to an adult he should trust with his life, and this man was saying something that could probably get him killed to a little kid- because Donnan didn't try to fool himself, he knew that's how people perceived him. A little kid... Except for Cade. Cade, who fed him instead of giving him a detention for skipping class, who wanted to be on a first name basis with him, who spilled his secret... No more bull crap, Donnan decided. He'd tell Cade the full story. Because if he couldn't tell him, who could he tell? He had no one, and he had to let it out eventually... Cade was the only person who had ever even attempted to gain his trust, if that was what the man was doing. Donnan was pretty sure that was the case... and that meant he was concerned, didn't it? Well, if he was willing to share stuff like that with Donnan, he must be concerned. It was the most Donnan had ever gotten from anyone, much less an adult. "Tell about ourselves?" Donnan repeated, after having let the bit about the spy sink in, "You jumped into it, didn't you?" He have a half hearted snort, though there was really nothing funny about it. Cade had once been a spy. He probably knew how to manipulate people, to use them... And he hadn't used those techniques on Donnan. Yeah, he was trustworthy. "I won't ask you about it... You probably can't tell me anything..." and he didn't want to sound like an over eager child, trying to find out the glories of spying. It was dangerous work and he knew it. He would never have the guts to do it, that was for sure. Now, the moment of truth... Donnan was tempted to back out, to say that there wasn't anything interesting to know about him. Of course, in comparison to Cade being a spy, there wasn't, really, but Donnan was sure that wasn't what was wanted. Cade suspected something, Donnan figured. He wasn't pushing Donnan for information- yet- but he definitely suspected something. He was giving Donnan a chance to trust him, on his own terms... And he deserved that much, Donnan realized. "Just, don't... Don't put me in an orphanage or a foster home or... I couldn't do an orphanage. Okay?" Donnan asked, though he wasn't really expecting a promise of any sort. His voice sounded desperate, even to him. It wasn't like Cade had a choice in the matter. Once he knew, he practically had to do something about it. Donnan understood that, even if he didn't like the idea of total strangers gawking at him and ordering him about on a regular basis. "I was disowned," Donnan said, suddenly, very quickly. Like ripping off a band-aid, he thought to himself. Hurts less if you say it quick... "Because I didn't want to come home for the holidays. First year... Cessford said that it meant that I didn't love my dad, that I was abandoning them and using them for money... I spent last summer living in Knockturn Alley..." He allowed his voice to trail off. Oh, he could have explained more about his home life, and he would probably have to, at some point, but that seemed like so much to get off his chest at once. He stopped for a second, one hand trailing absently over his cane as he tried to regain his breath before he looked up at Cade through his fringe, trying to figure out what the man was thinking. |
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