Year/Job
FIFTH YEAR
SEEKER (6)
There's fear in letting go |
BLAKE
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Post by Jazmina Evans on Apr 25, 2024 8:43:19 GMT -8
Hogsmeade weekend used to be a lot of fun, but the magic of it all had dulled since her third year. More often than not she spent these previous weekends nestled under some tree with a book in her hand, or the Hog's Head silently questioning the filth while chatting with her older brother Ben. Today she'd opted for spending her time with Campion and Finnick, as suffocating as they might be at times. It all worked out in the end. Ben was off duty today, which was odd considering he'd often made it a point to work on the weekends he knew the three youngest would be in the village. Donovan had dropped in on his lunch break to deliver a pie from their mother. It was a kind gesture considering they rarely saw the eldest of the Evans children these days. Donny was all work and no play. Jazzy thought him a bore for it, but she avoided giving him a hard time for being productive. There were worse options.
She had set up a picnic blanket and the three of them shared pie, sandwiches, and fruit while discussing matters on this topic or the next. It didn't take long for Thalia to find them and join their little group. Jazmina had taken to calling the Hufflepuff her honorary sister-in-law, considering she was always wrapped around her brother. Still, she was polite and chatted with the older girl, laughing at her jokes and then discussing a few different brands of makeup. When Thalia got bored with the group, she dragged Finnick off to do Merlin knew what. Probably snog behind some building or buy her a new outfit from Gladrags.
Jazmina waved goodbye and turned to Campion. "You know, Mum wouldn't approve of all the drinking you do," she told him offhandedly, glancing at her nails.
Campion Evans
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Year/Job
Sixth Year
Blake
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Post by Campion Evans on Apr 25, 2024 10:57:52 GMT -8
Campion relished the feel of the sun after so many days locked inside the castle as the cold seeped into every nook and crevice. It was a good day for a Hogsmeade weekend. He'd met up with Finnick and Jazmina as planned, and the three of them had gone to see Donavan. Their eldest brother had delivered a gift from their mother, along with some individual messages she hadn't felt the need to write in an owl. Now the three of them sat near the Shrieking Shack, lazing about and enjoying the company of their siblings. Campion was sprawled out on the edge of the blanket, one arm draped over his face to block the sun from his eyes. He was half listening to whatever it was Jazzy and Finn were going on about. He just wanted to relax a little.
That peace was interrupted when Thalia made her grand entrance. He raised his arm and looked at her for a heartbeat, wondering if she had some sort of tracker on Finn. As the Hufflepuff and Jazzy started talking about makeup, Campion fished a bottle from the basket, taking none-too-generous gulps. By the time Finn and Thalia dismissed themselves, Campion was halfway through the bottle. "See you at dinner," he called after them, waving goodbye.
Green eyes slowly turned to look at Jazzy as she pointed out their mother would not approve of his drinking. Campion stretched out his arm and poured the remaining contents of the bottle into the grass. "Is that better, Jazmina?" He cocked his head to the side for emphasis. "I doubt she'd approve of all that secret reading you've been doing. You're not as sly as you think."
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Year/Job
FIFTH YEAR
SEEKER (6)
There's fear in letting go |
BLAKE
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Post by Jazmina Evans on Apr 25, 2024 14:29:04 GMT -8
Jazmina huffed as he poured out the remains of the bottle. "Quite better, Campion." She hadn't liked the way he said her name. Her only called her Jazmina when he was attempting to get under her skin. He was doing a bloody good job at it. She stiffened as he brought up her readings. How much did he know? Of course she should have known he knew something was up. He was always watching her like a hawk. She was sure her only peace of mind was in her dorm and the bathroom. "Don't ruin a good day," she told him pointedly. She was evading his statement, but that wasn't her problem. Secret was the name of the game, and she intended to keep it that way. She picked up a slice of pie and bit into it so she wouldn't have to carry on this absurd conversation. She'd only brought up his drinking because he'd finished half a bottle in such a short period of time. Wasn't that how Benjamin had started? She couldn't remember all the details. She just remembered the smell of alcohol and vomit and cigarettes. At least Campion hadn't started that nonsense.
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Year/Job
Sixth Year
Blake
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Post by Campion Evans on Apr 25, 2024 14:40:39 GMT -8
"Always happy to please, Sister Dearest," he responded as he dropped the empty bottle into the basket. He sighed heavily as she told him not to ruin a good day. "Was it not you who started this," he asked. He gave a dismissive wave. "Forget it. Do what you want Jaz, just know people are worried about you." He was silent for a moment. He'd been wondering about her sneaking around for a while now. He'd never actually caught her doing anything wrong, but he knew something was up. She'd asked him not to ruin a good day, but if he didn't ask what was up now, he'd probably be too late when she truly went astray. "I'm sorry Jazzy," he apologized. "I really am worried about you. You spend way too much time with your head in a book. I know you're studious, but I've been told you've been paying people to get books out of the restricted section for you." He wasn't going to give any names, but it was clear her friends were worried too. If they would not ask, it had to be him. "What's going on with you? It's just you and me, you know you can tell me anything, right?"
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Year/Job
FIFTH YEAR
SEEKER (6)
There's fear in letting go |
BLAKE
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Post by Jazmina Evans on Apr 25, 2024 15:00:40 GMT -8
His sarcasm was unbearable at times. Then again, would he really be her brother if he didn't irritate her at times? Jazzy rolled her eyes when he claimed she started it. "Did I," she asked innocently. "I don't recall." She nodded when he told her to forget it, but then went on to tell her that people cared about her. The Slytherin girl blinked in surprise. "I know that," she told him lightly. They may have fought and argued quite a bit, but she knew her brothers loved her, and she loved them. They were a big happy family. They just needed that one final piece to make them all whole again. Then Benjamin would stop drinking. Then Mom would stop crying in her bedroom when she thought no one was listening. Dad wouldn't put in so many hours at work. Donny might come home to visit more. She could do it. She could fix everything, she just needed time.
Jazmina was ready to switch the subject to something less eerie when Campion informed her that there was a rat in her midst. Blue eyes stared into his green ones. How easy would it be to share her plans? She dreamed of what it would feel like to have such a weight off her shoulders, but she knew Campion. She knew Finnick. Neither of them would allow her to go through with something so heinous as necromancy. How could she get them to understand that it was not to be feared? How could she inform them that with this dark magic their family could be whole again!? She was capable! She steeled her gaze and her heart as she spoke.
"Nothing is going on with me," she told him. "If you'd take half a moment to mind your own business and let me have some privacy, you wouldn't be such a worrywart. I don't need your protection, Campion. In fact, I think you're the one who needs protecting. You've always been closer with Finn, but the moment he and Thalia start dating, you focus all your attention on me because you have nowhere else to direct it. I'm fifteen and I can't even talk to a boy without you threatening to curse him. Finnick is older and in charge and he clearly doesn't care. It's just you. You're not being protective, you're being suffocating." She stood up, glaring at him. Merlin, it was taking everything she had not to burst into tears. She hated herself for this, but Campion was getting too close. If he discovered what she was doing, everything would fall apart. She had to hurt him in order to protect him. Life was cruel. "Stop butting in where you're not wanted. Do us all a favor and go find some girl to snog like the rest of the boys your age so you can stop glowering at Thalia like she took your best friend. So you can stop hovering over me as if I need you to hold my hand. I don't!"
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Year/Job
Sixth Year
Blake
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Post by Campion Evans on Apr 26, 2024 8:50:59 GMT -8
This was his typical little sister, and he'd give her yet another freebie as she claimed she couldn't recall who started the fight. He thought things might have mellowed out, but he was mistaken. Jazmina turned ugly, losing whatever mask she'd been delicately holding on to. Her words cut deeper than any blade, and he stared up at her, confused and utterly caught off guard by her hostility. What exactly had he said to tick her off? Yes, he was known for being the one who was always cool, calm, and collected, but Jazmina was too far from being the same. She was often level-headed, but her sudden change in attitude had him even more concerned. Still, he remained silent, letting her words sink in.
Did he really not like Thalia because she had robbed him of time with Finnick? Was he being overbearing with Jazzy because he had no other way to spend his time? He considered it for a moment and decided it was plausible. He didn't dislike Thalia because she was dating his brother. He disliked her because she always popped up at the most inconvenient times. What about Jazzy though? She was his only little sister. He wasn't trying to suffocate her, but he was worried. Her words kept repeating in his head. 'You're a worrywart....I don't need you...Do us all a favor and stop butting in....'
"...." He didn't even know how to respond without her driving the blade deeper. Sometimes people did things without realizing it. The truth was ugly, but a mirror was often needed to reveal it. He wasn't upset with her about it. He just wished she'd gone about telling him in a different way. Or maybe she'd tried and he hadn't listened. Shit, he was a terrible brother.
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Year/Job
FIFTH YEAR
SEEKER (6)
There's fear in letting go |
BLAKE
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Post by Jazmina Evans on Apr 26, 2024 11:57:10 GMT -8
She watched the hurt fill his eyes; the shock plastered so clearly on his face. It made her want to curl up and disappear into nothingness. Why did he have to look at her like that? Why did he have to stare at her in utter silence? Why didn't he argue back so she didn't feel like such lowly scum for treating him so poorly? Of all her family, Campion was the one who stood by her. Everyone else acted like Leo had never existed, but not Campion. He would go with her to the lake on the anniversary of Leo's passing. He would help her make cakes to place on Leo's grave on his birthday. He would make small comments like, 'Leo would have liked this place,' or 'We should get this and take it to Leo.' He was always there because he knew that losing Leo had been like losing a part of herself.
She silently willed him to get mad. She silently will him to be angry. To snap. To call her a spoiled brat. He wouldn't do it though. That was the thing about Campion. He genuinely had her best interest at heart. That's what made this so much harder. She clenched her fist, eyes darkening. "I'll take your silence as compliance." She knelt to pick up the items from the picnic. Her face felt hot and her eyes stung. She wanted him to go away before she lost her composure. I'm sorry, Campion. I don't mean any of it, but I can't afford to lose Leo forever either.
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Year/Job
Sixth Year
Blake
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Post by Campion Evans on Apr 29, 2024 17:15:46 GMT -8
Jazmina was right. Campion wouldn't retaliate with harsh words. She was his little sister. He had vowed to protect her, but it was clear she didn't need protecting. She could stand just fine on her own. Part of him was proud that she was able to stand on her own two feet. She was just as fierce as every other Evans child. The other part was feeling foolish. She stood up, and he stayed put. He didn't think Jazmina would physically harm him, but he didn't want to test her anger. If he got too close, she might shove him away. He didn't need that extra knife through the heart. He watched her gather her things, his mouth feeling dry as she spoke. This wasn't the Jazmina he knew. His little sister had always been carefree and kind. She was fierce but never cruel. It was worrisome, and try as he might, he couldn't ignore his gut feelings. Something bad was going on with Jaz. Why was she being so irritable, and over something that seemed so small? He stood up slowly, keeping his distance. He was still trying to process it all. "I'm sorry, Mina." He hadn't called her by that nickname in forever. He wanted to say more, but he wasn't willing to go another round of insults. He considered talking to Finnick about this. It felt like their sister was Icarus. She was flying too close to the sun, and no matter what approach he took, she was going to come crashing down. The worst part, he wouldn't be able to save her. Eyes downcast, he started back towards the village without so much as a goodbye. The thought of losing his sister was too heavy.
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