With the capture of Verandi Farley and several high-ranking Trossach members, the British wizarding world has finally caught a break. The rate of rogue werewolf attacks have started dropping at a steady rate and, hopefully, things will stay that way. The Ministry is starting to loosen some restrictions, like not arresting werewolves standing on the street for loitering, however there’s still an obvious power imbalance between wizardfolk and werewolves.
The Cotswolds pack are continuing to advocate for the rights of werewolves and petitioning to change the legislation that has been set in motion by the current Minister for Magic, whilst the remaining Trossachs members are trying to stay out of the spotlight and keep a low profile… for now.
Whilst the British wizarding world seems to have calmed down, the same cannot be said for over in Northern Europe where a rebellion of magical creatures has risen. The state of things has gotten so bad that the European Ministry has enacted protocols to protect those under eighteen whilst their adult witches and wizards fight to keep control of their countries.
Students from Durmstrang have been sent to Hogwarts to keep them safe and those not old enough to attend school have been sent to live with relatives or designated British Ministry officials outside of Europe for the time being.
Will the low rates of werewolf attacks in Britain continue? How long will Durmstrang students stay at Hogwarts? Will the creatures usurp the wizardfolk in Northern Europe? Only time will tell.
SEPTEMBER 2019 It's been a very long, eventful summer in the wizarding world. A baby was stolen, several high ranking Trossach members were imprisoned, and werewolf attacks have drastically dropped as a result. What will happen now school has returned?
MAY 2019 An attempt to capture the beta of the Trossachs has been launched. Were the Aurors successful in their mission? Go read more here!
Post by ALEXANDER GREENAWAY on Nov 12, 2019 7:02:46 GMT
Walking out into the sunny courtyard, Alex blinked because he hated nature and yes, that 100% included the sun. It was hot, it gave him a sunburn despite how much sunscreen he lathered on, and it made him sneeze. There were a lot of negatives to the sun, but people were just so happy that it wasn't winter and freezing any more that they completely ignored them.
Why had he come out here? Oh, right. He'd thought maybe he'd find someone he actually considered to be a friend - yes, he did have mates these days... a stark contrast to every other year of his schooling - but there wasn't a soul in sight. Turning on his heel and catching a face full of sun in the process, Alex tried to feebly block it out with his arm as he took a step towards the shade. Of course, doing this meant he couldn't actually see and he ended up colliding chest first into...
Oh shit. "Erm, hello," he said, a deer in the headlights expression drawing on his face. It was Skylar A.K.A. the boy he had been actively avoiding for literal months, even going as far as trying to hide behind statues that lined the corridors, was standing right in front of him. "I... uh... great weather we're having, hey?" The words sounded as fake as anything leaving his mouth and Alex tried to cover it with a... pained, not-very-casual laugh - one that moved more into the high-pitched territory than anything. Shit.
when there's nowhere else to run/is there room for one more son?
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Post by SKYLAR REID on Nov 15, 2019 3:23:47 GMT
Finally, the days were becoming lighter again, just in time for the Hufflepuff team to get lots of practice in before the championship game. That was much of what was on Skylar's mind lately, in an attempt to block out all the background worries he always had. He was coming back from the pitch that afternoon in the best mood he'd been in for a while, even if the sunshine threatened to burn his freckled skin--that was how life was as a redhead.
So he wasn't looking where he was going, and ran directly into someone right when he was walking through the courtyard. "Alex! Sorry." He took a step back, wondering if he should just keep going toward the common room, or do something about the way Alex was staring at him, eyes wide. The last time he'd seen the Ravenclaw was at the spin-the-bottle party, and the last time he'd properly talked to him--he'd been crying, and Alex had kissed him.
That, in Skylar's mind, explained everything about the staring.
"Uh, yeah, it's nice. Good for Quidditch." Yeah, they were going to be playing Ravenclaw, but Alex didn't strike Skylar as the kind of person who cared too much about sports. He could be wrong, but he'd never seen his classmate out on the pitch, so he was going to go with it. "Sorry again for running into you, I wasn't looking. I didn't hurt you, did I?"
Post by ALEXANDER GREENAWAY on Nov 16, 2019 5:19:54 GMT
Shit. Quidditch. Right. "Er, yeah, good day to be riding around on broomsticks," Alex said, words sounding foreign leaving his mouth because what. the. fuck. was he talking about. He didn't know a thing about Quidditch, he had attended maybe... two games since starting at Hogwarts four years ago? He just didn't care enough about watching people chase after balls on broomsticks. "You, um... you play for the team, right? The Quidditch team, I mean. Not the same - that's... inappropriate. I'm sorry. I just..." God, he hoped he played for the same team Alex did though, otherwise the whole... kissing thing was even more awkward.
Alex shook his head at Skylar's question of whether he was hurt. "No, I - the sun blinded me. I couldn't see because it was in my eyes. I should have brought... glasses or something," he tried to explained before he reached out, scratching the back of his neck which was heating up rapidly. "Er, how've you been though? You been good? I'm sorry I haven't..."
It was weird, trying to talk to Skylar without addressing the great big elephant in the room, and after a moment's pause, he just decided to rip the bandaid off. He needed to apologise, sooner rather than later. "I'm... you know, uh... the... when I accidentally..." Kissed you. "... it was really stupid, like... Vibe from Justice League levels of stupid... and I shouldn't have done it. I don't even know if you're... and I shouldn't have just... without your permission anyway, and not when you were all crying and..." Alex's eyes averted to the ground, mouth twisted into a frown. He meant he was saying, he really did, but it was a bit too overwhelming to look Skylar in the eyes for too long. The thought that the boy might punch him for even bringing this up in the first place... well, it was one that definitely lingered in his mind.
when there's nowhere else to run/is there room for one more son?
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Post by SKYLAR REID on Nov 25, 2019 3:52:02 GMT
"Yeah, the Quidditch team. Well, the Hufflepuff one. Not yours. I'm the Seeker." Alex seemed really nervous, and Skylar was totally sure it was because Alex liked him. What other explanation could there be? Being nervous was usually what happened to him every time he liked a boy, and it was the influence of underage drinking that had made him brave enough to approach Evan that one time. "I've been okay."
He hadn't been okay, because he felt like he never was, but he didn't want Alex to see him cry again. It was supposed to be a good day today, and he didn't want to think about Dallas or his parents or anything like that. He scratched his head, feeling baffled by Alex's words about vibes and justice or whatever. That didn't seem like it had much to do with that day in the library at all.
"Don't worry about it." It had been one of the weirder moments for Skylar that year, sure, but he'd been a lot more upset that Alex had seen him cry than about the Ravenclaw kissing him. "I didn't exactly expect it, but--" What was he supposed to say? "As long as you didn't tell anyone that I was crying or anything." That was something he was determined to hide from even his roommates. "It was actually sort of nice. I guess," he added, hoping he wasn't blushing. Maybe he would've enjoyed it more if he hadn't been thinking about his parents' death at that moment, because he really did remember Alex being all warm and surprisingly comforting.
Post by ALEXANDER GREENAWAY on Nov 29, 2019 7:59:02 GMT
For one bizarre moment, Alex thought that Skylar was saying that no, he did not play for the same team as Alex himself did and shit, that made the kiss really awkward then. Luckily, logic came flooding back to him a moment later as Skylar mentioned he played seeker. Right. Okay. They were still talking about Quidditch. "Ah... ah, yeah. Suppose it'd be a bit weird if you played for Ravenclaw when you're a Hufflepuff," he said, hand flying up to rub the back of his neck as he shuffled on the spot. God, this conversation felt so stilted and weird. Normally most of the conversations Alex had felt awkward, but this felt like it more so than usual.
As Skylar said that he'd been okay, Alex wondered... he wondered if that was the same 'okay' that he said he was when people asked, the type where he actually wasn't okay in the slightest and he felt like each day things were becoming more and more bleak. He hoped for Skylar that if things weren't actually going well for him... then he could speak to someone about it. "Right, uh... well, if you ever need anyone to... to talk to? I'm not really good at talking - I mean, obviously - but... I'm good at listening," he said with a small twist of his lips.
As long as you didn't tell anyone that I was crying. Immediately, guilt furled in Alex's stomach because he had told somebody. He'd told Xander, that night in the dorms when he'd... he'd come out to him, a moment that still felt surreal to him. Before he try and gather the nerve to admit that to Skylar though, the redhead was saying that it was actually sort of nice. Alex blinked at him because... really? "I've never - that was the first time I've... I mean, before the Spin the Bottle game and everything," he said, cheeks turning a soft shade of pink. "I was worried that... I, uh, slobbered all over you." Oh, that was a great thing to say. "Not that - I mean, you know in the movies where the kids who've never kissed before are really awful at it and drown the other person in saliva and..." Shit.He was making this worse. He needed to stop.
when there's nowhere else to run/is there room for one more son?
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Post by SKYLAR REID on Dec 1, 2019 5:01:46 GMT
Merlin, this was awkward. And Skylar had thought that trying to work together on Defense Against the Dark Arts was awkward enough. But Alex was still--still offering to be a person to talk to if he needed, and was it really that obvious that he was still struggling even on a good day like today? His shoulders slumped a little, the end of his broom falling to the ground. "Sure, yeah, if I need to talk about something." If it ever became so much that he didn't want to burden Morgan with it. "And--same to you." That was the nice thing to say, even if he feared that hearing about the same thing from Alex would make him cry again.
But then-- "Wait, that was your first kiss?" Skylar supposed he shouldn't be too surprised; after all, they were both only fourth years. It had been only his second kiss. And his first hadn't exactly been graceful, either--okay, it had involved a sausage and a lot of teasing words that had made him feel very hot in the moment but now made him blush. "I'm sorry it wasn't better. I only kissed one guy before that, so I--well, I didn't really know how to kiss back." There'd probably been snot and tears and everything involved and--if Alex still liked him after that, Skylar felt like he should be amazed. He hadn't figured out how to kiss properly until Dio, and--oh, those memories were still almost as vivid in his mind as they had been in reality at the party. His face must be incredibly red now, he thought. Why did he have to be an Irish redhead?
Post by ALEXANDER GREENAWAY on Dec 2, 2019 4:00:15 GMT
"I - yeah. Okay. We'll both be there just... in case. For each other," Alex said, brow furrowing as he watched Skylar's broom fall to the ground with a thump. Were brooms really that hardy, to just be thrown around like that? "Do you, uh... do you get scared when you ride your broom sometimes? 'Cause... I remember first year, I could barely get two inches of the ground before I wanted to -" Cry. But he didn't said out loud, it didn't sound very cool at all. "You must be pretty brave like... shit, like... a superhero or something. I always used to wonder how they never got nervous being so high up. I mean, I stood on the window of the owlery once and -" Alex cut himself abruptly because no. No, that was not a good story to share.
Skylar sounded shocked that it was his first kiss, but... it had been so short-lived, so quickly over and done with, that Alex supposed the Hufflepuff hadn't had the chance to tell just how inexperienced he was. "Yeah, I... I've never - and beside that, I've only kissed Liam at... at that party." Alex shook his head automatically at Skylar's apology because he had no reason to apology, though he had to admit he was curious who the other person Skylar kissed was. Did they go to Hogwarts too? "I've... I don't really know what got into me that day, I just... I've never had the nerve to kiss anyone - to kiss a guy before, and it's not - I'm... where I'm from... people aren't supposed to be gay, and that's why I ran away because..." I was fucking terrified. "Sorry, you don't - I shouldn't be telling you all this."
when there's nowhere else to run/is there room for one more son?
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Post by SKYLAR REID on Dec 10, 2019 3:42:19 GMT
"Well--not really, no." Skylar had grown up on toy broomsticks and had been one of the kids who took to flying right away in first year, already half-knowing how to do it from years of casual yard Quidditch. "It makes me feel better when I'm flying really high, like I could do anything. I guess when you do it all the time, it stops being scary." He hadn't really reflected on why he loved Quidditch so much in a while, but that was the truth. There was something about the hard hours of practice, leading to the thrill of the game, leading to the sheer excitement of catching the Snitch, that made him feel better even when things were really tough.
His brows knitted together in worry when Alex mentioned the situation where he was from, and he had the sudden thought that he really would like to hug him again, just to make sure he was okay. Skylar hadn't had any reason to be afraid anyone would treat him badly for being gay. His sister had been dating a girl for a while; it wasn't really going to shock anyone if Skylar was into guys. And here at Hogwarts--they had parties like that one, where everyone kissed each other and didn't really care what gender they were. "Well, at school I think it's a lot better. I haven't had anyone insult me or anything. So you probably don't have to worry about people knowing here. I don't really worry about it." He hoped that was reassuring enough. At this point, he had no idea how to figure out if Alex really did want to kiss him again.
Post by ALEXANDER GREENAWAY on Dec 15, 2019 10:10:53 GMT
"Oh," Alex said quietly, glancing down at his feet at the realisation that no, it was just him who was an absolute wuss when it came to flying. It made sense, given that Skylar was on the Quidditch team that he wouldn't be scared of flying but... "Maybe you should have been a Gryffindor then, being such a thrill seeker and - I mean, I bet you'd fit in well there. You don't seem like you're afraid of anything." As he spoke, Alex's gaze slowly raised to meet Skylar's once more, and he swallowed hard against the nervousness building in his throat. "The... the superheroes I'm talking about - I know you're not from the muggle world, or anything, but... they're like... they're people with all sorts of powers and they're really cool and - sorry, that's really lame to be... talking about... nevermind." No wonder he never spoke to anyone usually because all of this garbage usually came tumbling out and it made him sound like such a loser.
The expression that dawned on Skylar's face, the one that seemed to be pity, had Alex shuffling uncomfortably on his feet. "I - yeah, but you play on the Quidditch team. I mean, you're cool and shit. People don't care if you're..." Was Skylar gay? Or did he like girls too? Alex didn't know, and he found himself shaking his head. "I get picked on enough without people knowing that I... that I'm..." He'd said it aloud a few times now and closing his eyes, Alex steeled himself and said it once more, "That I'm gay." Skylar had probably figured it out by now - it was pretty obvious by the way Alex had kissed him, and then been so into that kiss with Liam, but... each time he dared to say those words aloud, it felt like he was gaining courage. Like he was becoming more and more brave to just be himself.
when there's nowhere else to run/is there room for one more son?
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Post by SKYLAR REID on Dec 30, 2019 3:53:20 GMT
A Gryffindor? Skylar wasn't too sure about that. Being brave about one thing didn't mean he was brave about everything. Besides... "No, I should've been a Slytherin," he admitted quietly. "That's what everyone else in my family is." It was just one more thing separating him from Morgan and Dallas. He was sure they were happy for him when he'd caught the Snitch in the last game, but he also knew they'd be happier if it wasn't against Slytherin. But the truth was, he wasn't clever like that. Not like them... not like their parents.
He shook his head, refusing to let his mind go down paths he didn't want outside, where there were far fewer places to hide. "I don't know anything about superheroes. Is that like the Batman you were telling me about?" Despite the panic he'd experienced, the whole encounter still seemed like a vivid memory to Skylar, but that didn't make him any more certain what someone who sounded like a regular Animagus had to do with anything.
"But if they don't know you're gay, then that's not what they're picking on you for, right? They have other reasons." Very helpful, Skylar. "I told you, I'm gay and I haven't had anyone pick on me. Not for that, anyway." His social life was a lot different than Alex's, he knew, but he could give that as reassurance. How to deal with bullies for good, he didn't know, but he really didn't want Alex to start crying like he had the last time they'd met up.
Post by ALEXANDER GREENAWAY on Jan 3, 2020 4:08:25 GMT
Skylar's admittance that he should have been a Slytherin were quiet and soft between them, and Alex's lips drew into a frown. He'd never thought about the fact that being sorted into a house different than the rest of your family was considered a let down for some, but... it made sense. Nobody liked being the outsider, the one who was different because it was lonely being that person. "I think Hufflepuffs are cool," he said, at a loss for what else he could truly say. "Everyone gives you guys shit but... being sorted into a house for being loyal and hard work is more valuable than people realise." Besides, if Skylar had been a Slytherin... Alex probably would have been even more intimidated to talk to him in the first place. It wasn't that he thought all Slytherins were nasty, they were just... majority of them were intense.
"Yeah, they're - so they're like... they have these powers that make them better than regular humans, so some of them can fly or turn invisible or shrink to the size of an ant with their powers," Alex said, his eyes lighting up as he spoke. It wasn't often that people asked to know more about heroes, usually palming it off as 'just a muggle thing,' and talking about them... it was exciting for him because he didn't often get the opportunity. "When... when I was little and used to read about them, I always used to want to be like them because how cool would it be to have powers? To have superhuman strength or fly without being in an aeroplane and..." A small smile tugged at Alex's lips as he recalled, "The day I got my Hogwarts letter, it - I thought it was a joke, at first, but... finding out I had magic, it was awesome. It felt like for the first time in a long time something good had happened, kinda like my dreams of having a super power came true."
Alex's eyes flickered towards Skylar, and he blinked because he knew he wasn't being picked on for being gay - not at the moment - and, "Yeah, I... I know but what I'm saying is if they find out then... then that's another thing... it's... don't worry about it." Skylar didn't get it. He didn't get how every little thing that bullies found out about you... it was ammunition, another thing to taunt you with.
when there's nowhere else to run/is there room for one more son?
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Post by SKYLAR REID on Jan 12, 2020 19:03:21 GMT
"I guess," Skylar said, shrugging. It wasn't like he was clever or brave or smart, anyway. He was already just scraping by in classes, as Alex unfortunately knew from their ill-fated attempt at working on a project together. But hard work? That hadn't been happening since--since everything had happened. No part of Skylar wanted to focus on textbooks when he had other responsibilities--making sure Dallas was safe, making sure Morgan wasn't spending too much time worrying over him.
And it clearly wasn't like he was doing any sort of a good job at comforting Alex now. He had half a thought that he didn't want it to be Alex that suddenly burst into tears this time. The only thing that he'd ever heard the Ravenclaw talk about without stuttering with nervousness was superheroes, and Skylar hoped it wasn't the only thing that was holding him together. "That sounds really cool. Like Aurors, except special. And you're a Ravenclaw, so I bet you're good at all that stuff." If he got good enough at Quidditch to be a pro, Skylar thought, he wouldn't have to be as good as the Ravenclaws at magic--but that was still a distant hope.
At a loss for exactly what to say to Alex next that wouldn't involve putting his foot in his mouth, Skylar decided on the only thing that had been able to help him last time. "Uh--how about a hug?" He wondered briefly if Alex wanted another kiss, but decided it was probably best not to mention that.
Post by ALEXANDER GREENAWAY on Jan 14, 2020 1:23:04 GMT
An Auror was a job that Alex had never considered for himself, always too thoughtful about getting through the day instead of thinking years ahead of himself for the future. It was one he was pretty sure he'd be shit at, given his extreme lack of nerve and just general bravery, but he didn't say that out loud. Instead, he just nodded vaguely because arguing with Skylar about why he wouldn't be suited for the job seemed... exhausting, if he was being honest.
The prospect of a hug was one that had Alex swallowing thickly because it did seem... it seemed like an appealing thought, one that he definitely wasn't against and he was feeling pretty shit at the moment, if he was being honest. Maybe a hug would make him feel better, and he knew from experience that Skylar definitely wasn't going to hurt him. "I - yeah, okay," he agreed tentatively before eyeing Skylar, wondering whether the other boy was going to make the first move or not. Promise not to kiss you this time, was on the tip of his tongue, but he didn't say that aloud because it felt far too... awkward. "Do you want - I know I'm taller, but do you, uh... want me to go on the bottom? You can go on top, around my shoulders, if you want."
when there's nowhere else to run/is there room for one more son?
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Post by SKYLAR REID on Jan 19, 2020 5:49:57 GMT
"Yeah, sure, I'll be on top, let me--" Skylar moved closer to the taller boy, reaching up to wrap his arms around Alex's shoulders. The broomstick banged awkwardly against Alex's back, and Skylar winced, hoping it didn't hurt him. That was the last thing they needed--things were already weird enough. Although Alex was just as warm as the last time, which Skylar didn't think he could complain about. Usually the only person who ever hugged him was Morgan, and he always forgot how nice it was when nobody did it for months on end.
Stepping back, he found the hand that wasn't holding the broom with nothing to do, but he didn't think he could leave without saying or doing anything. Instead, he patted Alex's shoulder, hoping it imparted some measure of comfort. "Thanks for the hug. And--everything." Making friends, or, really, more acquaintances who'd shared a very strange kiss at this point, with Alex Greenaway hadn't been exactly what he'd expected for his fourth year, but then again, nothing ever seemed quite right anymore.
"But yeah, if you do need to talk about anything, let me know." Skylar didn't think giving any more advice right now was a good idea, seeing as he had no idea what would fix Alex's bullies. With one last pat on the shoulder, he headed off for the castle door.