Letters from Home

[vas]

Vas,

Good lord you can’t imagine how long I’ve been waiting for you to reply! I suddenly understand why you were so happy to see me every time summer rolled around – the house is awfully quiet without you here, and riding alone hasn’t done much for me either. I can tell Rein misses you – I’ve told him I’d send you along his love. Was Ace like that with me? I can only imagine. I almost feel bad about having to leave you when the school year started now; I never did quite understand what you meant when you said silence could be so loud. We all miss you!

Mum and Dad are fine – they’ve told me to wish you well. And, while Mum doesn’t want to me to tell you this part, I’m going to anyways: Dad’s been called out of London for something. I’ve heard rumors about a loose dragon somewhere off in the Americas; I think that’s what he’s up to. Mum wasn’t very specific. But you know Dad – of course he’d take the job. Or I guess call himself to it. He never was fond of that office of his. Being able to order yourself to go do something much more exciting would definitely have its perks.

I’ve found a job down at Gringotts by the way – it’s fair earnings, although I don’t do much. Mostly sort out papers and whatnot. Work hard to keep those grades up – you’ll be able to get something more exciting then this. I don’t care if I’m a newly graduated student – I think I should get the same rights as the adults working around here. Wanna start a protest with me?

I wish you well princess! Don’t let anything get you down – you’re smile is much to beautiful to keep to yourself. Don’t be selfish! Love you!

- Leon

Vas started at her brother’s handwriting with a new wave of homesickness, still not yet used to having Hogwarts all to herself. Before this year, there had always been two Schwartz siblings wandering the halls. Now that Leon had left it suddenly felt so much bigger, almost foreign to her. Carefully she refolded the letter and put it back into its envelope, gulping back a small dose of tears.

The young Ravenclaw sat out on the shores of the lake, Fez purring at her side. She hadn’t meant to take the slender black cat with her, but he’d followed her out into the Common Room and Vas hadn’t wanted to leave him. He was having as much trouble with homesickness as she was, this being his first year at Hogwarts. Vas had only gotten him over the past summer, a gift from Leon although he’d been the one graduating. She relished in being the spoiled sister in the family. A bad tendency, but one with its perks. “We’ll get used to things again, don’t worry boy,” Vas whispered to her cat, rubbing behind his ears. Fez tilted his head into her palm, purring little a little motorboat. Vas smiled and looked back out across the lake. “We will Fez, we will.”

[Reserved for Bella & Regulus]

[brett]

((can I just say that was a really awesome letter. I'm not sure why I'm surprised since your posts are generally awesome, but just felt I should mention that))

Regulus walked quickly out of the castle headed towards the lake knowing it would only be a matter of time before someone found out what he had done. Anxious to put all his book work into practice Regulus had been practicing spells in an empty classroom. Which one it was he could hardly remember at the moment, but he had made a fair mess of the place. Reg had been practicing some more destructive spells that he had learned from a book he had snuck out of the restricted section.

Actually it hadn't really been him at all, at least not consciously. It had all seemed like a dream sitting in the library with a lamp, somehow knowing exactly which book to chose, making note of specific spells, when Reg woke with a start in his bed he figured it was nothing more than the result of spending too much time in the library earlier that day, but then he found the parchment from his dream with the spells still written there. Of course Regulus needed to try these dream spells see what they could do. Suffice it to say he now knew why that book had been in the restricted section.

In any case at least he was at the lake now. He was going to head for his usual spot and lay down, claim he had been napping and therefore couldn't have destroyed a classroom in any way. But then the clever snake spotted a girl sitting by the shore with her cat, can you say alibi? "Hello," Regulus said greeting the girl as he took a seat beside her. "I'm going to ask you a favor, and I promise I will return it," A bit of an odd way to start a conversation, but you do what you need. "If anybody comes by to ask me where I've been I just need you to agree when I say I've been out here with you, deal?" Regulus asked flashing his charming 'how could you say no to this face' smile.

[vas]

OOC: *Blushes* Oh, why thank you. ^^ You’re too kind. :]


Fez shoved his little head more forcefully into her hand as she began to withdraw, but he knew exactly how to win her over, nudging his nose into her palm and licking her fingertips. Vas giggled and resumed her petting, unable to deny the spoiled cat anything. It seemed her homesickness was easing, able to cope knowing Fez was having just as much trouble. She didn’t want to be away from her pet, because he was the only motion of home love she had. And the feline seemed to hold more then that, like in some way a little part of Leon would always be around if she had Fez around. After all, he had been a gift from her brother.

“Hello.” Vas was ready to turn around and snap at whoever was intruding on her privacy when her threats were suddenly caught in her throat. God, he’s gorgeous! Such a girlish thought, but it was the first thing that came to mind as none other then Regulus Black sat down beside her. She’d forever had a schoolgirl crush on the boy. Every time he walked by she desperately wished he would just glance her way, and every time she was greatly disappointed. And now he was talking to her! Suddenly her home seemed far off and her sole focus was the boy beside her. “I'm going to ask you a favor, and I promise I will return it.” He couldn’t possibly know she was going to hold him to that, or how much by simply just looking at her the wave of emotions running through her. “Anything,” she replied instantly, willing to do anything for the Slytherin who she believed hadn’t even know she’d existed. “If anybody comes by to ask me where I've been I just need you to agree when I say I've been out here with you, deal?” Vas nodded, wishing what he said had actually happened. What she wouldn’t give for a day alone with him.

But how do you say hello to someone when you’ve never spoken to them your entire life, yet at the same time have such a maddening crush on them that you feel you have? Well, she might as well get introductions out of the way. “Alright, well, seeing how you’ve been with me this entire time,” she offered, easily going along with the ploy, “you should know by now that my name is Vivienne Alexandra Schwartz, but you can just call me Vas.” She smiled pleasantly, too over eager to hear him speak again. His voice made her melt every time, even if up until now she’d only heard it from afar. “You’re one of the Blacks, right? Regulus?” Oh of course he is! But she had to act like she was uncertain…like she hadn’t dreamed of him at night.

[bellbell]

It was a quiet day by the lake, Bella walked around looking for someone though she couldn't remember who exactly she was looking for. Then she who she was looking for, "Vas!" she said happily running over to her friend. But for some reason Vivienne couldn't hear her or see her. Bella waved her hands in front of her friends face, "Vas??" she cried, taking her hands face in her hands 'Hello' said a voice, sending a chill down Bella's back. She recognized that voice. She turned around and saw Regulus Black. What did he want with them? "What, Black?" Bella said rudely. But, like Vivienne, he couldn't hear or see her. 'I'm going to ask you a favor, and I promise I will return it. If anybody comes by to ask me where I've been I just need you to agree when I say I've been out here with you, deal?' he said, flashing a smile. He was trying to charm her. Vivienne couldn't possibly be...'Anything' her friend had said. Bella turned to look at her friend in horror...

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!" screamed Bella at the top of her lungs, she looked around to see amused faces "Whaa-" she managed to say, people began to laugh as she realized that she had fallen asleep in class. Worried that the teacher would be angry, Bella turned to tell hims he was sorry. However, the teacher wasn't angry. Instead of being angry he laughed along with the students and told them that class was dismissed. Bright red with embarassment, Bella hastily took her books in hand and ran out the door, not really wanting to run into any of her classmates.

Still a bit confused, Bella headed towards the lake. From afar she could see her friend, Vivienne, sitting down by the shore of the lake. She was just about to call out to her when she saw someone else sitting by her. Regulus Black. Bella's eyes flashed olive green, what was he doing? The vision came quickly to mind......he wouldn't dare. Bella swiftly ran over to them, "Black!!! What the hell are you doing?? Why are you charming my friend??" she shouted angrily, pointing her wand at his face.

If the vision was accurate, he was asking a favor from her friend. Bella turned to her friend,"Vas...? Are you okay?" she asked worriedly. If he had done anything to her, she would murder him right here and now.

[brett]

“You’re one of the Blacks, right? Regulus?”

"My reputation precedes me," Regulus smirked. "You can call me Reg, and it's nice to me--" the rest of Regulus' comment was cut off by a very angry Bella Evangeline. "Black!!! What the hell are you doing?? Why are you charming my friend??" Regulus sighed, "It's nice to see you too Bella," he said sarcastically. Reg wondered if Bella knew about the classroom, in any case she would rat him out in an instant so he better start using the alibi he had worked out with Vas now.

"Me and Vas were just talking, she's really a very interesting person," Regulus said lying easily as this was something he assumed to be true even if he didn't know it yet. "I mean I wasn't to sure at first, but we really hit it off didn't we?" Regulus smiled looked to Vas for confirmation. It was time for her to earn that favor. Reg considered adding something about the cat at Vas side, but it seemed an unnecessary risk. He was kind of hit or miss when it came to cats.

Satisfied that he had once again managed to lie through his teeth without a single indication that he was telling anything, but the truth he waited for Vas to do her part and calm the angry Bella. He thought about what Vas might ask for in return, seeing as he had promised a favor in return. However it was proving rather hard to guess when he knew nothing, but her name and the fact that she had a cat...and even that cat could belong to somebody else

[vas]

Vas hung off of every short lived word Regulus uttered to her, beaming until Bella shouted at him so loud that she practically winced at the noise. Clearly her friend had issues with Regulus…with Reg. She wanted to melt thinking she was already allowed to call him by a nickname. And then Bella had to come and ruin a perfectly good opportunity to finally talk to him. She tried to laugh it off, but she could tell it sounded off. “Oh come on Bells, we were just talking.” But oh how I wished he had been charming me…or rather, purposefully charming me. She was certain Regulus had no idea the effect he had on her.

“I mean I wasn't to sure at first, but we really hit it off didn't we?” He couldn’t possibly know his words brought near torture to her – she really wanted it all to be true, but they both knew it was a dead set lie. Well, we’re just going to have to make it true. Now that she knew he actually was aware of her existence, she wasn’t going to easily let herself be forgotten. “Yeah, it was all in good fun. He’s been here this whole time, what on earth could you be angry at him for?” Vas could see no reason to ever get mad at such a marvelous piece of work. Something about that knowledge made her lie sounds believable, not that she needed work on lying – a good expertise of hers.

A forceful shove up against her palm made her realize Fez was competing for her attention now – Regulus had claimed her attention for too long in Fez’s opinion. He meowed whiningly and curled around her, rubbing up against her leg. Perhaps Fez was aware of the ploy she and Regulus were leading on, moving over to him and budding his head up against Regulus’s leg. “See, even Fez likes him.” Her cat meowed loudly again, trying to make himself known. Vas smiled and stole him away, placing him in her lap and petting him repeatedly. “No harm done, Bells, really.”

[bellbell]

Her anger didn't melt away. Bella stood there fuming and glaring angrily at Regulus,'Yeah, it was all in good fun. He’s been here this whole time, what on earth could you be angry at him for?' Bella stared disbelievingly at her friend and then back at Regulus. Why was she protecting this pile of dung? Then she remembered....Vas liked Regulus. Just then Vivienne's cat moved to Regulus and rubbed his head against his leg. 'See even Fez likes him.' her friend said, her cat meowing loudly. Clearly he was only looking for Viviennes attention.

A master and its pet always had a close relationship. "Looks can be deceiving..." she whispered through gritted teeth "Ah, talking about Vas..hmm? And what exactly did she tell you?" Bella was definitely in no mood to be lied to, and she hoped that she was making that fact obvious. In a single movement of her hand she could easily hex Regulus.

"So....Regulus, what were you trying to charm my friend into doing?" said Bella, staring at him with her unstable forest green eyes. He didn't have to tell her, she could easily find out if she concentrated her visions on Regulus. If he lied......she would slug him. No matter how she looked at it, Bella couldn't understand how her friend had come to actually like Regulus....he was such a schmuck!

[brett]

"Ah, talking about Vas..hmm? And what exactly did she tell you?"

"Surely you don't want me to recount the entire conversation, we've been out here for hours Regulus said laughing slightly at the thought. It was funny, even Regulus now believed that he had been out here all afternoon. It was pretty much impossible to catch a liar who took his own lies as fact, but Bella probably wouldn't be satisfied with the response he had given so far.

"But if you must know we were just discussing her brother's new job...you never did tell me where he was working," Regulus said turning to Vas as if to continue the imaginary situation. Lucky for Reg he was a quick thinker, and always a step ahead. In the short time he'd had to talk to Vas he picked up one fact, her last name was Schwartz. From this Regulus remembered a boy who had just graduated the previous year with the same last name, Reg didn't know the guy all that well, they may have had a run in or something he couldn't quite recall. Judging from the fact that he was a new graduate and they were only a few months into the new year, he couldn't have had a job for all that long. The only whole would be if her brother was unemployed, but even if he was he was sure Vas could create an imaginary job for him.

"What makes you think I was charming her? If anything she's been charming me," Regulus smiled blushing just slightly for effect. Of course the actual conversation hadn't gone far enough for either to charm the other, but she was cute and that was charming enough to make Regulus believe his own story. Not to mention the observant Regulus still hadn't forgotten a rather longing response of 'anything' when he asked the young Ravenclaw for a favor. In short she would probably jump at the chance to agree that she had been charming the fork-tounged Prince.

[vas]

“Seriously Bells, that would take an awfully long time. We’ve been at this basically all morning. I came out here after Breakfast; Regulus caught up with me not too long afterwards.” It wasn’t a complete lie – Vas had been out here since Breakfast…it was just, Regulus hadn’t been here the entire time. Not that Bella really needed to know that. She tried to think of something that they could have talked about, when suddenly Regulus offered “But if you must know we were just discussing her brother's new job...you never did tell me where he was working.” Vas was careful not to let her shock ruin her alibi, but how on earth could Regulus have known about Leon’s new job? She had placed his letter in her pockets before Regulus had gotten there…or at least, she thought she had… And even if he had seen the letter, how on earth would he know it was from Leon?

“He’s actually working at Gringotts,” she explained as though picking up where she’d left off. “He isn’t too happy about what he’s been put up to though; says he’s just doing a lot of paperwork and whatnot… See, look.” Quickly Vas pulled out her letter again and unfolded it, quoting “ ‘I’ve found a job down at Gringotts by the way – it’s fair earnings, although I don’t do much. Mostly sort out papers and whatnot.” Vas skipped a few lines, and then added “ I don’t care if I’m a newly graduated student – I think I should get the same rights as the adults working around here. Wanna start a protest with me? ” She laughed slightly for effect, “He’s always been a rebel.” She flipped the paper around to show Bella her brother’s neat, slanted handwriting, “He likes the pay though, so amends that it’s worth it.” Vas tucked the letter back into its envelope and put it back in her pocket.
“What makes you think I was charming her? If anything she's been charming me.” Regulus effective blush only made her blush in response, a rosy red lining her cheeks. He was too good of a liar – she couldn’t tell if he’d really noticed her fascination with him or if he was just adding it for effect. “What can I say? I charm most that I meet.” Nonchalantly she flipped her long hair with one swift hand. Her quick movements startled Fez, making him glance up at her in annoyance. “Sorry,” she muttered with a smile, rubbing his head. Looking back up at Bella, she continued to play innocent, “You look like you’re ready to hit Reg any minute Bells; did something happen between you two?” She glanced at Regulus questioningly, eyeing the pair.

[bellbell]

Now this was becoming fustrating, Regulus was lying and so was Vivienne. But what really ticked her off was the fact that he was charming her so easily. She was like a puppet working under a spell. She was going along with the lie and she was protecting him from her wrath. Obviously they didn't like the fact that she was angry, and were only trying to lie so she'd calm down. But she wouldn't calm down. Bella would not calm down and watch her friend be played like a puppet on strings.

'You look like you’re ready to hit Reg any minute Bells; did something happen between you two?' said Vas. "There is nothing between us. We just happened to encounter each other at the same place and time," she answered icily. Bella kept her wand pointed, "I am about to hit him......or hex him, either way works for me" she growled, her other hand that wasn't holding her wand already in a fist.

"...Regulus...you did something didn't you?" said Bella, snickering "What did you do this time? Flush a first year down a toilet?....read a book in the restricted section?..trash a room without cleaning it?.. Bella stared at Regulus. He wouldn't get away charming her friend, why wouldn't he just tell her the truth? Its not like she'd tell on him. Unless....she got something in return. Thats how equivalent exchange went.

[brett]

"Bella, chill," Regulus said getting a little fed up with this. His lies had been flawless, he had done nothing wrong. Yet still Bella was pissed at him, he didn't get it. Before she bumped into him Reg never picked on Bella, or even knew who she was, but still she had this hatred of him. It was the price of being Slytherins Prince, you were hated by people who didn't even know you. In any case Regulus wasn't about to start hashing it out with Bella in front of his new accomplice, after all appearance was everything.

'all of the above' he thought devilishly. Well the first year being flushed down the toilet was yesterday, and to be fair he didn't go down and Reg had dried the boy off when he was done. "I'm gonna go for D. None of the above," Regulus smiled. "Seriously, Bella I've been out here with Vas all day. Why don't you believe me?...scratch that, there'd be too many reasons, but why don't you believe her?" he asked turning the attack on Bella. If nothing else he could now threaten to tear a friendship apart over matters of trust and have what he did be forgotten.

Why Bella even cared was a mystery. And was it really that hard to believe Reg had spent a day at the lake getting to know a cute girl? After all that and causing mischief were his specialties. Of course considering he now had a girlfriend he shouldn't be spending too much time on the first option....which was actually, probably, why he had decided to go for the other choice and destroy the classroom instead.

[vas]

Vivienne was a…rational person, most of the time. And clearly if she didn’t do something, this whole thing would get very unrational and might just end up with a few broken bones. Part of her wanted to go and cradle her friend from Regulus and insist nothing was going on and she needn’t really worry about it; but then the other half wanted to walk right up and slap her across the face and demand that she mind her own business so Vas could continue pretending that Regulus actually had an interest in her.

“…but why don’t you believe her?” Vas looked up at Bella, almost pleading. Regulus had a point – on what grounds did Bella have to accuse Vas of lying? Well, you are. Vas snapped at her own thoughts; whether or not she was lying wasn’t the point – the point was whether Bella was going to buy it or not. “Bella, Regulus has been here, with me, all day.” She spoke the words slowly and deliberately, trying to remain calm but feeling rather threatened by the wand point aimed at Regulus’s chest. Vas was sure he could take care of himself, but she wanted so badly to swat away Bella’s wand so she could ensure he wouldn’t be harmed. But she was positive Regulus didn’t require that sort of assistance.

Clearly Fez didn’t like being ignored – he hopped out of Vas’s lap and strolled back over to Regulus, pushing his head against his leg again and meowing obnoxiously. Perfect. Just one more reason Vas adored her cat. “Bella, put your wand away. If you fire and hit Fez I promise you I will show you no mercy. You know I don’t want to do that.” Vas silently pleaded with her friend, trying to make her understand without using words. Please Bella, please. You know how much I like Regulus! Why was she ruining this for her? Vas had often confessed her crushes to Bella and now that one of them was actually talking to her she wasn’t going to allow it? Absurd. “Bella?” she asked warningly, using her cover up that she was more concerned about Fez’s safety then Regulus’s.

[bellbell]

Bella closed her eyes, focusing on Regulus. In her mind she saw him in the library reading a book of spells in the restricted section and then he was in a room testing the spells, probably not wanting to clean the room he had ran toward the lake. At the lake, Bella already knew what happened next....he'd ask Vas to not tell anyone she'd seen him. Bella smirked. His lies were flawless but flawless or not Bella knew the truth. Once again Bella knew that Regulus was under the impression that she hated him. Which was true, actually. She did hate him.....but for some odd reason she also seemed to like him. Bella shook the thoughts away, what the hell was she thinking? She, Bella Evangeline, was being charmed by Regulus Black? absurd. However, Bella knew that she did and it was making her mad. To add to Bella's frustration, Regulus had twisted her anger to make seem as though she wasn't trusting her friend. Bella bit her lip, "I trust my friend, but I can tell when people aren't telling the truth. And right now, you are lying, Regulus Black. You trashed a room and were charming Vas into not saying a word." she said, glowering at Regulus.

Bella was about to hex Regulus when Fez jumped onto Regulus's lap. Damn obnoxious cat. She knew what would happen next before it happened, 'Bella, put your wand away. If you fire and hit Fez I promise you I will show you no mercy. You know I don’t want to do that.' said Vivienne. Bella knew that she mostly cared about Regulus's safetey. 'Bella?' said Vas again. Bella lowered her wand, putting it back into her jacket pocket. But in a swift movement she turned to Regulus and had sent her fist straight at his face. Before hitting his face she stopped, "Be thankful that Vas is here to save you. But do anything to her or hurt her anyway...I'll be the first one to whack you in the head " said Bella, backing off.

With an unhappy sigh, Bella settled down next to Vivienne, gazing out at the lake looking anxiously for the giant squid. She hoped the pair wouldn't notice because it would be hard to explain why she adored the squid when everyone else feared it. At last Bella spotted its great shape swimming about. Bella smiled, her eyes turning purple. Such elegance, such beauty. How could anyone fear it?

[brett]

"If you don't wanna believe me that's fine Bella, but you better not start spreading rumors that I destroy classrooms," Regulus said dismissively. He was tired of arguing his case. "I take pride in the fact that I've built my bad reputation without the help of rumors and I wouldn't like to start now," he added with a smirk. In the end what did it matter whether a fourth year Gryffindor believed him or not. Still though he had come to far in his lies to just confess everything now.

Regulus smiled as the cat jumped up onto his lap, this would make it much easier to ignore the still glowering Bella. "Hey there," he smiled stroking the cats soft fur gently. One of Reg's great aunt had a cat, it was different coloring than Vas, but it was the only other cat he really knew of. Regulus scratched behind the cats ears, knowing that they liked that. He began to think about his conversation with the other Bella he knew Isabella Swan and how she had shared her theory that all cats were the reincarnations of people who'd have a tough time in their first life.

Lost in his thoughts Reg barely noticed Bella's attempt to hit him not jerking his head back until it would have been too late. Fortunately Bella's fist had stopped short. Unfortunately Fez wasn't to pleased with the sudden movement and had dug claws into Regs side to keep stable. It was a fleeting pain as the cat then jumped from his lap to return to his masters side. "You scared the cat off me," Regulus said dissappointed ignoring Bella's warning. They had been through this so many times, how did she not get that he wasn't afraid of her?

[vas]

Vas listened to Regulus talk with that aching sense of longing again – it had to be unhealthy, liking someone so much when you’ve only just talked to them for the first time that day. But she couldn’t help it – for whatever reason, she was enticed by him. She was enjoying glancing between him and Bella until Bella took aim with not her wand, but her fist. Vas involuntarily gasped for both Regulus and Fez’s safety. “Bella!” she scoffed, more alarmed then Regulus was. “You scared the cat off me.” That was all he had to say to her? Vas wanted to jump up and hit her friend for even daring to threaten his perfection. Fez trampled out of Regulus’s lap and ran back over to her, leaping into her lap and ducking his furry head into the crease of her knee. His fur stood on end as he looked back up and hissed menacingly. Vas flicked him on the nose, “No!” she told him, even if she fully agreed with her pet. Bella deserved to be hissed at. But it shut Fez up, curling up and beginning to purr.

Vas sighed and resumed stroking his fur, suddenly hyper aware that Regulus had been petting that exact same spot only moments ago. Vas, you’re becoming obsessed. But as she glanced up towards Regulus, she justified that she had good reason to be. He was gorgeous – and yet he wasn’t hers. She silently cursed their age difference, wondering if it meant all that much to him. But annoyingly enough she’d heard rumors, something about a Gryffindor girl. Even if Regulus didn’t care for her age, he wasn’t about to so willing open up to her if he was in a relationship. Whoever the girl was, she cursed them too.

If there was one thing Vas hated it was awkward silences. And right now definitely fell into that category. She was in a complex position, Bella sitting on one side, Regulus on the other. The tension in the air was enough to tear her apart…until Fez meowed obnoxiously loud again. Vas flicked his nose once more to shush him, and then sighed. “So…” She stared down at Fez, ruffling his fur. “What’s been up with you Bella?” She wanted to ask Regulus that same question instead, but if she’d supposedly just been sitting out here with him all day, she would already know what he’d been up to. Vas bit her lip from asking him too, knowing it would arise unnecessary questions from Bella.