Year/Job
FOURTH YEAR
I dare you to say it again! |
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Post by Poppy Carmichael on Feb 15, 2024 7:37:49 GMT -8
It was no secret that Poppy had been getting into a lot of trouble lately. Within a month of each other, she'd already fought Laurie Greer. Pause, that wasn't even a fight. Laurie had just rolled over after the first two hits and begged her to stop the violence. Then Professor Greer had shown up and dragged her off to the Headmistress. The second fight had been a four way between herself, Laurie Greer, Nathaniel James, and Rose Kelly. That had been an excellent fight until she'd gotten outnumbered. She had gained some insight though. One, Nate was all bark and no bite. She'd hit him in his little swimmers, and he'd folded automatically. Laurie hadn't liked that. Now Poppy knew that she could hurt Laurie in more than one way. Good. What she had also learned about Laurie, was that if she pushed hard enough, the girl would fight. Being tackled to the ground hadn't been fun, but it meant the crybaby Ravenclaw wasn't useless. Then there was Rose Kelly. Poppy marked her as a real threat. No one had ever actively sought to hurt Poppy without provocation, but her housemate had betrayed her to save a bunch of ravens. Yes, Rose was dangerous and she could acknowledge that. She also had to deal with that. Poppy didn't like that news spread through Hogwarts like wildfire. People were talking about how Rose had bested her. How she had needed Professor Walker to come save her. Some snot nose first year had even said Poppy had started crying and screaming for help. Poppy had nearly shoved them into an empty classroom and locked the door, but she was currently drowning in detentions. Not to mention the constant letters that were being sent from here mother. Maeve Carmichael was furious with her daughter. Since the first fight with Laurie, the woman had sent letters every three days to remind Poppy what a miserable child she was. Poppy had started trashing them after a week. If her mother ever figured out how to send a Howler, Poppy might lose it. She entered the kitchens and plopped down at the table, her arms resting on her head. She had asked Parker earlier in the day to have ice cream with her after classes were finished. Okay, so she had sort of demanded it, but that's because she couldn't openly tell Parker she really needed someone in her corner right now. Parker and their dad were all Poppy had left in this world, and to be frank, her dad was hanging on by a thread. She held in a small sigh. At least she had his letters. Parker Carmichael
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Year/Job
Fourth Year
Is kindness too much to ask for? |
Leo
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Post by Parker Carmichael on Feb 15, 2024 9:37:20 GMT -8
When Poppy had demanded that he join her in the kitchens for ice cream, his next action had been to go to tell his homework group that he already had plans and wouldn't be there. Surely if Poppy asked for them to meet, something bad must've happened. Did she accidentally murder someone and needed an alibi? Help hiding the body? He wasn't going to risk it either way and having ice cream seemed to him of utmost importance. Just to be prepared he had packed his cloak into a backpack along with a piece of parchment, ink and quill because who knew what he might need and what she had planned. He had even gone so far as to make sure that nobody saw him go down to the kitchens, just so he could claim to never have been there, regardless of how difficult the lie would be for him when it came to that.
Looking up and down the corridor he tickled the painting and waited impatiently for the entrance to appear before slipping inside. "Hey. All good?" he asked when he saw his sister and sat down next to her.
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Year/Job
FOURTH YEAR
I dare you to say it again! |
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Post by Poppy Carmichael on Feb 15, 2024 10:00:58 GMT -8
Poppy thought back to all the times before their father had been arrested. She missed the warm days of summer when he'd take a break from all of his scheming to treat them to ice cream. She used to giggle endlessly when he'd 'accidentally' get ice cream on his nose and she'd try and tell him how to get it off, but Gareth Carmichael always insisted he could reach the spot with his tongue. She missed when he used to give her piggyback rides through the neighborhood. She missed when he took them to the shores to watch the boats as they came inland. At the end of the day, it all boiled down to one thing. Poppy missed her dad. She just wanted to come home one day and find him there, waiting with that big crooked smile he had.
She raised her head when her brother took a seat next to her. The slightly older twin stuck her tongue out as Parker asked if she was good. "Never better," Poppy huffed. "What flavor do you want," she asked. Poppy was going to get strawberry because it was her favorite. She sat up straight and looked her brother over. "All good," she asked, repeating his question back to him.
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Year/Job
Fourth Year
Is kindness too much to ask for? |
Leo
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Post by Parker Carmichael on Feb 15, 2024 11:28:37 GMT -8
He bumped her shoulder lightly at her huff. "I'll take chocolate I think." He was still debating how to try and get her to spill the reason they were having this all too innocent ice cream meet up when she turned the question around at him. "I mean yeah, sure! I'm good. Can't really complain, you know. I was thinking that we really need to go to Hogsmeade again. I'm running seriously low on sugar quills," he chats idly, wondering where this might go.
(need to get used to this format again)
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Year/Job
FOURTH YEAR
I dare you to say it again! |
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Post by Poppy Carmichael on Feb 15, 2024 12:46:02 GMT -8
Poppy swayed ever so lightly as he bumped her. It made her smile just a smidge. "Chocolate it is," she told him as she got up to get their ice cream cones. Poppy made sure to pile the ice cream high up. They could both use a good sugar rush. The red head handed her brother his cone, and she slid back into the seat beside him. She got started on her ice cream as he spoke of how he'd been. She gave him a thoughtful look when he mentioned Hogsmeade. "Sure, I can manage that." She fished into her pockets with her free hand and tossed a few knuts and sickles onto the table. "That's all I've got." She didn't want anything from Hogsmeade, so she could spare the coins she had. "Big sis has to look out for the little brother," she mused with a wicked grin. Poppy was perfectly fine going to Hogsmeade just to spend a little time with Parker. She was only allowed to go because of his clever thinking.
Notes: Psh, it looks perfectly fine Leo. Whatever suits you best.
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Year/Job
Fourth Year
Is kindness too much to ask for? |
Leo
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Post by Parker Carmichael on Feb 15, 2024 13:07:24 GMT -8
His eyebrows rose as he looked at the considerable amount of ice cream but he grinned. Who needed sugar quills anyway. Happily eating his ice cream, he shakes his head at the money his sister puts on the table though. "You know you don't have to do that, right? I've been saving up a bit for some treats on the next trip. You should get something for yourself. Something nice. And it's not like I'm little," he can't stop himself from adding in an undertone. "Anyway," he says quickly. "There's not... something you need help with... right? Something I can...do for you?"
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Year/Job
FOURTH YEAR
I dare you to say it again! |
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Post by Poppy Carmichael on Feb 15, 2024 13:28:49 GMT -8
Poppy peered at him with a quizzical look. "Fine then, don't take it." She gathered the coins and started to stack them in a tower. "I do what I want, Parker." She stressed his name for the sake of being annoying. "And you'll always be my little brother because you were born second." She flashed him a smile, although internally she was wondering if the money he'd saved had come from an allowance. Their mother never sent her money. Poppy usually had to beat up some kid in secrecy in order to collect some spare change. No, she wasn't beating them up for lunch money or anything like that, she had been hired. Sometimes people wanted to keep their hands clean, and for a few coins, Poppy was happy to do the job for them. The only time Poppy could recall their mother giving her any sort of money had been during the times she'd asked to buy Parker a gift. Even that action had been supervised. Their father couldn't send anything, but sometimes her grandfather sent a little money for their birthday. Poppy was always careful to stretch that money. Last year she'd made sure to save a large chunk to buy something nice and magical for Parker. This year she'd do the same.
She took a moment to ensure her ice cream wouldn't melt all over her hands before she turned to face him with a raised brow. "Not unless you want to write my essay for Potions and Transfiguration." She leaned back with a frown. "Why, who said I need help? You're not believing those stupid rumors about Rose Kelly making me cry are you? I don't even have tear ducts," she grumbled. "I'll make her pay when the time is right, just you wait."
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Year/Job
Fourth Year
Is kindness too much to ask for? |
Leo
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Post by Parker Carmichael on Feb 15, 2024 14:30:20 GMT -8
"Don't need to tell me. I know you always do what you want. I've known you for a couple years now and you're still my annoying sister," he replied with a grin. Though seeing the amount of money she had left, he debated about getting her something with his allowance instead, just so she wouldn't have to spend it. He wasn't going to ask their mother how much allowance Poppy received, and he didn't have to, to know that it was most likely less than what he received. Mother's jabs in her letters to him were more than a slight indication.
"What? No!"he said immediately, almost a little too fast at the accusation that he believed the rumours about her crying. Though to be honest, he hadn't actually believed them. He had worried of course. But he hadn't been sure if the source of the rumour wasn't just someone who wanted to damage his sister further. There were enough people who wanted to see her down to imagine this. "I mean... I can help with your essays. You still need to learn something too though..." he added to placate her quickly. He wasn't looking forward to not having a sister for a week or two if she believed that he wasn't on her side. Because he was!
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Year/Job
FOURTH YEAR
I dare you to say it again! |
BLAKE
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Post by Poppy Carmichael on Feb 15, 2024 15:23:15 GMT -8
Only he could talk to her in such a fashion. Anyone else would have been placed on her list of casualties. Poppy enjoyed moments like this. Whenever she could have a moment with Parker, she didn't have to be nearly as tough. Her brother had known her all her life. They were twins after all. If she could be herself around anyone, it was him. That wasn't to say Poppy wasn't a hurricane in every aspect of the word, but when she was away from watchful eyes, she could smile and laugh and have fun like every other girl on the grounds. "Good of you to remember," she responded with a light laugh. Knocking over the coins, she watched as they scattered across the table. She had started to restack them when Parker answered a little too quickly for her taste. Her frown deepened and she looked at the other Gryffindor closely. "Parker," she said a little too sweetly. "Do you think I need help with something? Did Mom write to you? I've been tossing her letters in the bin, so I've little idea what nasty things she might be saying this time around." Poppy started back into her ice cream. She'd have appreciated it if he just spat out the reason for his concerns. That way she wouldn't have to accuse him of everything under the sun. If Parker wanted to get interrogated, the decision was on him.
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Year/Job
Fourth Year
Is kindness too much to ask for? |
Leo
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Post by Parker Carmichael on Feb 16, 2024 1:51:47 GMT -8
"She didn't, I swear! I mean, she told me to tell you that she wants you to answer her letters, but I didn't tell you because why would I, right? It's not like she's helping and I know you don't want to," he hurried to say. He watched her restack the coins, trying to think quickly of how to not make her mad. "It's just... I think it's nice. This is nice, just having ice cream, you know? Just that we haven't done that in a bit and... My brain just goes places then, you know... I brought a cloak and a bag and all, so you just need to say the word, really..."
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Year/Job
FOURTH YEAR
I dare you to say it again! |
BLAKE
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Post by Poppy Carmichael on Feb 16, 2024 4:04:46 GMT -8
Poppy gave a harsh laugh. Their mother was infuriating on the best days. She had little doubt the woman thought the same of her. "Good on you," was her only response to Parker's hurried explanation. She didn't understand why their mother burdened him with such nonsense. Did she think her favorite child wanted to be the messenger? Maybe Poppy would write to their mother and explain that it was unacceptable behavior. Poppy stopped stacking her coins as Parker explained that this was nice. A smile curved her lips when her brother finally admitted that he thought she needed to dispose of evidence. Poppy carefully placed her ice cream on the table and turned to face her brother. She wrapped her arms around him, giving him a tight squeeze. "It's nice to have someone in my corner." She didn't deserve such a great brother. Never had she ever thanked him, nor would she ever, but there were times she made it known that he was appreciated. She released him and sat quite unbothered with her ice cream back in her hand. "Don't worry, I haven't killed anyone," she told him with a lingering smile. She was silent for a moment. "Hey Parker, do you remember when Papi used to buy us ice cream and take us to the docks and watch the boats? Those were fun times, right?" She stared at her ice cream. "I wish we could have sailed at least once. Closest we ever got was the time we rowed across the Black Lake from the Hogwarts Express. That was a magical moment." Poppy had forgotten her grief the evening she'd arrived at Hogwarts. Time had stood still, but it had since started since. She took a huge bite of ice cream.
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Year/Job
Fourth Year
Is kindness too much to ask for? |
Leo
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Post by Parker Carmichael on Feb 17, 2024 4:20:42 GMT -8
It took Parker a moment to return his sister's hug but once he got over the surprise, he hugged back fiercly, letting go a little hesitantly. It didn't happen every day that his sister let him hug her and pretend that things were fine for a moment. "I never left your corner, silly," he replied teasingly. "You just keep forgetting, I think.".
His shoulders sagged somewhat in relief when she said she hadn't killed anyone. Had he really been apprehensive about that? The reality check sometimes surprised him. He just nodded along when she started reminiscing about better times. Not 'good times', just better than they were now. Even then he felt the tensions among the four of them. Taking the twins out for ice cream was nothing more than a short reprieve, but he was glad that Poppy remembered it with fondness at least. He stored the information away for later. With everything going on and the amount of anger she always seemed to feel, she deserved every fleck of happiness he could wrestle out of life. He was silent for a few moments, not exactly going back to that place, but thinking of boats and where to get them. "Yeah, I remember. Just a few months and we can have ice cream at the lake. When it's not freezing anymore. How is... How's he doing?" he asked hesitantly. It was Poppy who received letters from their father, not him. He had to content himself with mother's letters. But certainly 'good' was no possible answer to his question.
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Year/Job
FOURTH YEAR
I dare you to say it again! |
BLAKE
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Post by Poppy Carmichael on Feb 18, 2024 11:50:25 GMT -8
She appreciated that Parker didn't ask a million questions as to why she'd hugged him. He was good about just letting things be. Even those few small words were enough to remind her that she wouldn't know what to do without Parker. Often times she'd contemplated thoughts of running away from home. She figured that Parker would do just fine without her dragging him down. Poppy knew she was problematic, but Parker was the poster child for obedience. She didn't have it in her. "I'll be sure to not forget again," she told him with a knowing look. For his sake, she could try and be a little nicer to the general population. Long enough to get to Hogsmeade for those sugar quills at least.
She gave an amused snort as she watched the relief wash over him. "If I ever do, I promise to leave you out of it." She leaned against the table. "Nobody around here is worth the energy anyway." She rubbed her nose with the back of her hand. She perked up at the mention of having ice cream by the lake. "Yeah! I'm game." She rolled her eyes. "This cold weather is suffocating. If it ever stops snowing I'll be able to appreciate some fresh air." Poppy had mixed feelings about her father's incarceration. She wholeheartedly blamed their mother, though deep down she was furious with their father for even getting caught. She enjoyed all the letters he sent to her on the daily, but it broke her heart that he'd missed so many meaningful events in her life. She didn't feel welcomed at home. She didn't feel welcome at school. Poppy didn't think she really had a place to call hers anymore. She clung desperately to the idea that when her father was released, things would get better. If she didn't, she was liable to break, because if it even crossed her mind for a second that her father would never see the free world again, Poppy would think he'd abandoned her altogether.
"He's fine," Poppy answered truthfully. "He says the food still sucks, but he'd got a cell all to himself now. His roommate was released, but they'll probably have a replacement soon." She didn't consider the fact that their father didn't write Parker. "He misses us and wants us to come visit during the summer. Think we can convince Grandpa to take us?"
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Year/Job
Fourth Year
Is kindness too much to ask for? |
Leo
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Post by Parker Carmichael on Feb 19, 2024 8:20:20 GMT -8
When his sister promised to leave him out of it should she ever actually commit murder, he shook his head quickly. "I just said I'm always in your corner, right? I'm not that useless. And I mean, who else is going to give you an alibi? I am going to be questioned, I'm quite sure," he said, all in a joking tone but he was being at least half serious.
He looked at the ground processing the information about their father. Sometimes he wished that he could also receive a letter every now and then. But he shouldn't be greedy. It was the price to pay for their mother and his sister being so estranged. Poppy had no support from her, and very little love, so the least he could do is bear the lack of letters from their father gracefully. It wasn't like the man was hostile towards him. He nodded thoughtfully. "I mean, have you ever taken no as an answer? We'll find a way to visit, even if grandpa doesn't take us. Just... a bit more than two years and we can apparate ourselves. Do everything by ourselves really. Will be a lot easier."
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Year/Job
FOURTH YEAR
I dare you to say it again! |
BLAKE
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Post by Poppy Carmichael on Feb 21, 2024 17:58:48 GMT -8
Her brother had a promising future ahead of him. To think he was willing to throw it all away on her behalf was admirable. Stupid, yet admirable all the same. She would have to avoid any serious crimes just to keep him afloat. The entire family couldn't go down at once. She wondered if he was aware of this. Was it all preplanned and rehearsed, or was it a subconscious effort? Poppy was willing to pave the way to her own destruction, and yet the only thing to deter her was the uncanny possibility of her brother getting caught in the crossfire. To think people believed she had no heart. "You've got a squeaky clean record," she said thoughtfully. "I guess I could use you for cover." She grinned. "You're clever when you want to be, baby brother."
"I say we figure out how to brew some polyjuice potion. I bet Professor Gauthier has some on reserve." She was already plotting how she'd break into the office and steal the ingredients, or the potion in general. "That way they can't trace our magic, because we won't be using any." Poppy could be a criminal mastermind if she put some effort into it. She glanced at Parker as he mentioned being able to apparate and do things by themselves. "I can't wait to be free from having to rely on adults." She didn't want to wait two more years, but the moment she was able to apparate, she was going to get her father out of prison.
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