“Yes, please, tone down the Straight-A student inside of yourself there.” Helga chuckled, bumping her shoulder against Adelger’s amicably. “You’ll see, it’s all a bit different than in theory once you’re on the broom, on the pitch.” Just because she could, she brushed her hands over the protections on Adelger’s ribcage, his shoulders, his elbows, checking if everything was sitting well despite knowing that of course it did. Adelger was more than capable of dressing himself. But still she could not help herself checking and making sure. It was the laugh, this tiny chuckle, that had her pause. She looked at him, her hands hovering in the air still as he turned to get his helmet. “it is.” she then said, shaking her head and smiling to herself as she put on her own helmet. “And we’re not always wearing all of it, but even the nicest ball, the Quaffle, is fucking brutal when you fail to catch it properly, or fail to avoid it.” She did not plan on releasing the Bludgers just yet. “And you’re in the rings first, so that means I get to throw it at you as hard as I can.” She grinned and stood on her tiptoes, knocking on Adelger’s helmet. “Trust me. You don’t want to know how your brother looked like after his first training.”
“I’ll do my best,” Adelger assured her, still smiling even as Helga made sure to check all of his protections. Even as she paused and looked at him over the small laugh that had escaped him. He smiled as his cheeks gained a little colour. He did not let this distract him and still listened attentively—a bit with that straight-As student attitude—as she explained why they had to wear so many protections. “Oh, I see now why you did not object so strongly to teach,” he joked. “Just waiting to throw balls at me. I see, I see...” And in the end it was Adelor’s name to made his smile waver and disappear.
“I do trust you,” he said, letting the corners of his lips tug up again. “So, lead on, oh my captain. I’m ready as I can be. Unless there something else we need..” And he glanced around not really believing they needed more than all the protections he was wearing—helmet included—and the broom he had with him.
Yes, what Adelger said was absolutely right and also very well phrased, but-… Helga laughed. “Yes, right.” she said, but couldn’t hide how amused she was about the way Adelger had said all that. “Remind me to give you a treat for that.” But she didn’t want Adelger think she was mocking him, so after another laugh escaped, she shook her head and explained herself. “I’m sorry. It’s just-, The way you said that. It was so … book-ish. Dutiful, like recited.” Like an adorable student.
Helga snorted out a laugh. She was about to reply when she was reminded of something, and it ha her pause. She looked over her shoulder at Adelger, then shook her head and went back to dressing up. The uniform was easily put on, and so were the protection pieces. Still tightening her knee-caps, she turned back to Adelger. A smile appeared on her face. “Yes. Looks good. But you might want to readjust the wrist one. I think you put them on upside down. Let me see. Yeah. Wait. Look, it’ll be much more comfortable for your thumb if you put them on like this, here.” She fixed the twisted wrist-cap, nodding towards the shelf. And get a helmet. Can’t have your skull bust into pieces.”
Adelger twisted his lips at the promise of a treat—it was just a reflex, because he didn’t mind the idea too much since he trusted Helga not feed him something he wouldn’t like. “Book-ish,” he repeated, trying to sound offended but failing since there was this clear note of mirth in his voice. “I’ll try not to quote my Quidditch books too well,” he joked.
He dared a glance in her direction when she spoke up and smiled at her. “Thank you,” he said, holding his wrist out for her to fix his mistake. He kept his eyes on her movements so he would remember in the future how to do it by himself. “Oh, okay, I can feel why is that.” And there was this tiny sound—small, brief, and clearly close to a giggle—when he finally could bend his thumb. “Yes, Captain.” Adelger went to the shelf and picked a helmet. “Lots of protections.. aren’t they a bit limiting?” He was not used to this and it felt a little weird.
NAME: Adelger Emmerich Graf
Nickname: Ger.
> How did they get it? As a way to shorten his name and avoid confusion with his brother’s, Adelor. Usually used by his siblings and friends.
HOME: München (Munich), Bavaria.
> how do they feel about it? He has come to accept that he is not happy when he is in their family house in Munich, and it has become less and less a home for him.
> future home? He is not sure, but he doesn’t think he’d take residence back to his family house in Munich for a few years.
ABILITIES:
PHYSICAL STRENGTH: Lately his physical strength has diminished because of his lack of proper nutrition.
MAGICAL STRENGTH: Slightly above average.
OTHER SKILLS: He has learned to play Quidditch, has climbed a few trees, and he is considering to learn Apparition.
RELATIONSHIPS:
> Are they a virgin? No.
> Have they been in love? Yes, in the past.
> Do they want to get married? He is not sure any longer. If he finds the right person then yes.
> Are they in love right now? He wouldn’t say that he is in love, right now, but he’s heavily infatuated with Merle Gaunt and believe he could grow to love her deeply.
BEST FRIEND: Helga Bergher.
GOOD FRIEND: Engel Traut, Laura von Stedt, Maya Rosalind, Florenzia Waldhof.
FAVOURITE:
> Place at Schluchtenburg? The woods around Schluchtenburg is the place that Adelger favours the most, he can walk and walk and let his mind clear of all that burdens him.
> Place at home? The greenhouse and the garden are the two places that he feels connected to at home, and where he can escape from the responsibility of his daily life.
> Place in the whole world? He doesn’t have a particular place in mind, and it is part of the reason Adelger wants to travel—see the world, discover new places, and make one his own.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Hair cut: Medium long, well-trimmed, and following modern fashion.
Mannerisms: He tends not to fidget, but every once in awhile he will fix his clothes even if there is no need for it. He is still reluctant to laugh, with his lips pressing down with the corners tugging up when he wants to.
Style: Up to date with modern fashion. He favours neutral, earthy and dark colour.
Usual Body Posture: Back and shoulders kept straight, and a little rigid—though he tends to relax in pleasant company.
Confidence: He shows himself confident, but there is always that feeling of being inadequate—of failing.
GOALS:
Short-term goals for next year: He wishes to travel and continue with his own business venture.
> How will they achieve them? Adelger has in mind to ask Merle Gaunt to allow him to accompany her on her travels to the Americas. He has money of his own and as such he has the liberty to travel without worrying about the costs of it. Even if Merle were to refuse him, Adelger would still set to leave Germany for a little while, either alone or with another friend.
Long-term goals in life: He wishes to figure out what he truly wants to do with his life.
> How will they achieve them? Giving himself the chance to separate himself from his family and all the obligations tied to them, so that if he decided to come back and fulfil them it would be his choice. Financial independence is important for him, as well as trying to keep in contact with his family even if he were not to become the heir his father wishes him to be.
OPINIONS:
On love? He still thinks love is a wonderful thing, and while it is something to desire in a marriage he do not think it necessary for it. Respect and friendship are valued more.
On politics? He feels strongly about politics and wishes to take an active part in it.
On Muggles? He has nothing against them, but he has no particular desire to mingle with them. Though, if it were to happen he would not be against it.
On Squibs? He has nothing against Squibs, and he thinks they are members of the Wizarding Society just as any wizard and witch.
On differences such as sexuality or race or religions? He has learned to respect other people’s sexuality, race and religion without passing judgement on them. He had never hold anything against people of different race or religion or culture, as long as they do not push their own beliefs violently on others. And he has come a long way towards accepting people of different sexuality and different gender identity.
HOW DO THEY DEAL WITH:
> Anger? He tries to repress harsh and violent feelings, which tends to bottle up and cause an increasing in stress.
> Sadness? He keeps to himself, away from prying eyes, but he will still bottle up his feelings.
> Change? Sudden change sometimes can scare him and react rashly, but Adelger can come around to accept it and even embrace it.
What major changes do you see? Did you role go through development? If yes, was it good or bad? If no, why?
Adelger has certainly grown as a character. He had started focused on following the path his father had laid for him, and he is now allowing himself the possibility to step off that very path.
Despite his conflicting feelings about his father, he still sought out his approval. When he received it, it turned out over something he felt no pride. Feeling sick over having chased something like this at the expense of so much made him realise that living his father’s life—or better his dead uncle’s life—was no worth it.
I think he has grown to be more honest, to see a his own fatal flaws, and maybe—hopefully—he can now find a way to grow even more.
Do you think their future is now open, or certain? Will they be happier now?
Adelger’s future is open to be shaped by the people he’ll meet and the things he’ll do. He will be happier, or learn to be—it’s still a long road there, but it is possible.
How do you think will their character arch close after you tell them goodbye?
Adelger won’t be the heir his father had wanted him to be. He either won’t marry, or he’ll take his wife last name. He will continue with his business venture, even get eventually into politics. And I like to think he’ll be the first male teacher at Schluchtenburg—which he’ll fight to better, allowing students from all blood and social status to attend.
“Fine, fine, fine, no explosions. If His Majesty insists.” Sigrun couldn’t help the smile spreading across her face, especially watching Adelger attempt to suppress his own laughter. She paused, thinking about Adelger’s proposal. “No, because I think that sometimes in Wichtlen people focus too much on getting the biggest and most extravagant gifts. I think we should get everyone small gifts, small home-made gifts, that prove that we really know them. Then everyone will want to get to know everyone else, and maybe there won’t be as many conflicts the rest of the year.”
“Thank you,” Adelger replied, with an amused smiled and a bow of his head. “I like it,” he said, in response to her idea. He agreed that some people would aim for an expensive gift—giving more value to how much something had costed in term of money compared to something that may be small and simple but had taken time and care. “But would one be assigned a person, or a few people, or is it open to each one to choose those that will receive their gift?”
Sigrun smiled. “Then I shall have to take you up on that offer.” Do it now, before he changes his mind. “Expect me two or three days into summer then. My father will surely allow me home for a time to pack my bags.” That wasn’t too much to ask of him, she was sure of it. And besides, when he heard that she was staying with the Grafs, he would want her to look her best. Best not to cause the family any more disgrace than she already had, that’s what he would say. But back to reality. She smiled at Adelger again. “Maybe. And maybe the ground will open and swallow the school whole!”
Adelger smiled and nodded. “I will write home so that everything will be ready to receive you.” He knew Adelinde would be thrilled at the news. “And if you allow me to tell Adelinde, please. I’m sure as soon as she hears the news will want to talk to you and express her joy.” His smiled widened at those last words, lips pressed down to keep himself from laughing. “Oh, well, I hope not while we are all still here, at least,” he joked.
Long ago, I was wounded. I lived
to revenge myself
against my father, not
for what he was—
for what I was: from the beginning of time,
in childhood, I thought
that pain meant
I was not loved.
It meant I loved.
Helga huffed out a chuckle. “If only.” She really did admire Maya, though, and there was too much truth in that for it to be spoken in sarcasm. “Groom Weber for the job.” Helga repeated, tasting those words on her tongue, before shaking her head. “You can’t groom someone for the job she’ll have to do. For the job we do, but not the brutality, ugliness and injustice she’ll have to face. That’s something she has to grow into.” Onna would do a good job at keeping Haus Bronze together, he’d unite all pillars easily, but he’d not be strong enough for what was going to roll over Haus Bronze soon. Nor was he in a position to demand peace. Falka, however, as pureblood, she’d manage. “And something she’ll grow into well. She’s a Beater, after all, you know.
“What d’you think am I doing here, you pixie?” Helga said, amused, as she nonchalantly took of her robes. First the rope, then the uniform, then the corset. “By fucking and fucked Merlin. Air.” And she took a deep, deep breath. “Oh, yes, that’s good.” She stretched, rolled her shoulders, tilted her head to all sides then looked at Adelger. “Does the protection fit?”
“I’m familiar with what a Beater does on a Quidditch team… and I guess I can see how her having that particular role could apply in real life. A Beater protects their team-mates, but it also attacks their opponents,” Adelger said, looking at Helga for confirmation.
“Knitting socks?” He joked. “Hmm,” he hummed as he started putting the various things on. “I think they do…? If.. I have put them on correctly, that is..”
Hiltwin smirked sheepishly, “don’t use them as weapons if you don’t want them damaged, and i’m sure we can easily grow new ones!” Hiltwin rolled his eyes “well this is new, and highly inconvenient” he said, shaking his head. He tried for a moment to decide what to do. He tensed, made a clicking noise to communicate with Kevin, and charged towards an Adelger that might or might not be real, drawing a fist back, making intent clear, he threw a silent “stupefy” at another that was close by. He had kevin watching for the one that reacted to him, hopefully with surprise.
Adelger made no comment about the trees. None of the nine different Adelger did, but they all had this smirk about them when they heard Hiltwin’s comment about the inconvenience of the spell.
The silent stupefy hit and one copy of Adelger dissipated. The other tried to dodge the incoming fist, and in the meantime the remaining seven still scattered away. One of them, stopped running and turned around to cast a silent Stupefy towards Hiltwin as he was busy with his doppelgänger.
“Of course not.” Merle scoffed out a soft chuckle, lightly patting Adelger’s hand. “How silly of you. Why should I seek your attention? I already have it, haven’t I?” It was a statement more than a question, a hint of amusement coloring her words.
Merle kept her eyes locked on his, following Adelger’s gaze as it lingered on her lips. She said nothing, she continued to smile, a pink hue filling her cheeks. After several moments of silence, she spoke, her voice soft, with a teasing note to her tone. “Temptation. Hmm. And we don’t want you to fall, do we?”
Adelger parted his lips as to reply to her question—it was a rhetorical one because, indeed, Merle had his attention. All of it, even, in this precise moment. “How could I ever dare to say you are wrong? Especially when it seems to me that it delights you,” he replied, a bit cheeky.
And that teasing not in his voice matched the teasing note in hers. Oh, the temptation was even stronger. Everything about his education told him not let temptation win, not to fall, but everything about his own passion, his own blood, told him to fall. He wanted to fall, to lean in a let his lips touch Merle’s. Taste them. “You don’t?” Adelger whispered, leaning closer—his lips brushing hers, caressing, kissing.
Of course, this was not the story from Max’s perspective. Neither did he think that Adelger knew what he was talking about, because he was doing something about his wish, right at that moment. “What if they’re the kind that don’t come true?”
“Well - yes, although I’m realising now that I’ve just admitted defeat. Call it humility and let me declare the challenge renewed.”
“Do you know for sure?” Adelger asked back, and feel silent for a few moments. “If yes, maybe you should stop letting them stop you from achieving things that are possible. Or maybe you should ask yourself if they are truly impossible or if you wish them so that you can justify never having to put real effort in making them true.” His voice had been a little firm, but there was no harshness in it—just a direct, and maybe a little rigid, kind of honesty.
The corner of his lips tugged up, amused. “I will accept to call it so and let you declare the challenge renewed if you agree to no cruelty. No actual heart-breaking.”
Sigrun laughed again. “Why are you so anti-explosion? One little mishap in the forest and you’re suddenly chief safety inspector or something. Liven up a little, Your Highness.” Sigrun smiled in return at the jab to Adelger’s high status, much higher than hers or anyone else’s in the school. Except the professors of course. “Well, I know I always enjoy the feasts that include lots of food and drinking. So that’s a must for our new tradition.” She brought a finger to her chin, pretending to think of more ideas. “Music, of course. We must have music. And presents.”
“Because they tend to destroy trees,” Adelger replied, and he did so with a playful tone even though it was a simple truth. He smiled at her jab—lips pressing down together to avoid laughing. “I would, but then I risk getting my crown all crooked,” he joked, shaking his head, “I can’t have that.” He nodded to every suggestion Sigrun made—even the one about the food, that still had him feel this mild nauseous feeling in his stomach. “How would we go about presents? Would it be something like Wichtlen? Anyone gets assigned a person to which gifting something in secret?”
Sigrun laughed at Adelger’s offer. “Please don’t misunderstand me, I’m truly grateful for your offer, but I think your brother would hate you for the rest of his natural life if I even stayed in your home for a day.” The fact that her and Adelor got off on the wrong foot and seemed to stay that way for the rest of the year wasn’t a secret, although it was a secret that she wished it hadn’t been. But still, an offer was an offer, especially if the alternative was staying with someone somewhere she didn’t know.
Adelger was surprised by her laugh but not offended. His lips took on a smile that was slightly amused. “You are assuming he doesn’t hate me already,” he said, and it put a lot of humour in his voice. “My brother is graduating… while, as of now, I’m not completely sure of his plans for the Summer, I think he’s old enough to take a couple of weeks off to visit a friend while you visit my sister.” For a moment, he wondered if he should mention how the Grafs had never had much trouble to avoid one another in their own house when they really wanted to—surely Adelor would manage to avoid Sigrun if he wished it so. “And who knows, maybe by the time Summer comes around, you’d have changed opinion of one another.”
That was true. Earth didn’t run away, earth didn’t hold grudges, earth didn’t die. Helga pursed her lips in silence for a moment, then forced a grin on it: “What?” she asked, jokingly, teasingly, “Have you never heard of the piece of land that, one day, just packed its back and emigrated to America?!” But her hand found Adelger’s, and her fingers laced with his. “Trust them.” she said, once again quietly, “And trust yourself. It’ll be okay.” Empty words charged with faith and belief to weave meaning into them.
“There really is only Maya.” Helga nodded, and looked quite like Adelger then, although that expression dissipated when he went on. She said nothing to those words, just letting them pass, hoping they would not leave traces. “Weber would be delighted by that. She’d be good at handling them.” Falka was weird and in a constant state of nervousness, but she had more patience than Helga, and probably more intelligence too.
She chuckled and after rummaging through the cartons to find the right size, she handed him the ankle, elbow, wrist and head protections. Her own were on the shelf, along with the uniform. “Make some light, Graf, I need to close the door.” Because she did not mind Adelger seeing her undressed, but she surely minded people seeing her undressed in a shed with Adelger. Mostly for Adelger’s sake though.
Adelger was taken aback for a moment, wondering if Helga had somehow read his mind and found the idea that had been brewing there. Not emigrating indefinitely, because he did not believe himself capable of abandoning everything and everyone here, but for a summer or a year. He said nothing. Not to that, not to her counsel. He simply let their fingers intertwine and squeezed gently her hand in a silent. I will. I’ll try.
“It’s strange, but I wonder if there was a thing of sarcasm or not there,” he said, with a hint of teasing in his own tone. Adelger was fairly sure he had heard none of it. So, he guessed, that Falka would indeed liking having one of those three. He wasn’t too worried over Haus Bronze—somehow, he felt like there would be someone who would rise to the occasion—be it Falka, or Onna. But he still worried over Haus Gold. He trusted Helga to let those worthy to rise to Haus Silber, but they would need someone to do the same for Haus Gold. “I’m not sure there is much we can do. Maybe try to groom Weber for the job—but then it would mean gamble that she will be picked.. and we can’t completely sure about that.”
He took the body-protections Helga was handing them. “Are you not changing?” He asked, while taking his wand and making some light as requested.
“You sound like you have acquired a considerable experience in the matter. Maybe it’s just the cost to pay for being who you are. Apparently everyone seeks your attention.” Merle replied, glancing only briefly at Adelger, perfectly aware of his gaze lingering on her.
Merle pursed her lips, barely keeping in check the large, amused smile that threatened to spread across her face. Shoulders shrugging slightly, she replied to Adelger after a few moments of quiet study of his expression, a hint of a smirk curling the corner of her mouth. “As not proper as it would be, are you saying that you would kiss me only if I challenged you to do it? See, if I had had expectations of any sort, I’d have been quite disappointed.”
“Everyone?” Adelger asked, gaze lingering on Merle. He couldn’t help but focus on that little detail. “Are you including yourself, too?” He asked, a little teasing with his tone. Only, he knew that her answer mattered to him, even if turned out to be another question, even if it would give no answer to his own.
“No, that would not be the only scenario in which I would kiss you,” he replied, shaking slightly his head. “But it is one of those in which my resolve to be proper would run thin..,” he moved a little closer to her as he spoked, “..and I could be led to fall to temptation.” Adelger’s eyes glanced down to Merle’s lips. He leaned in, not kissing her just yet—his gaze rose again to meet hers.
Sigrun listened thoughtfully to Adelger. She had not considered he would give the answer he gave. But it made sense, that as the most distinguished of the Grafs that he would be taking charge of the estate. She shrugged. “I’m not sure. That depends if my father will let me back in the house. I don’t think I’m on track to rise back to Gold, although I can’t say I didn’t try. I’m not sure though, perhaps my mother will convince him to let me return.” Honestly she’d be surprised if she didn’t.
Adelger wasn’t too shocked by Sigrun’s answer. He knew something of parents’ expectations and their harsh punishments for their children if they failed to rise up to them. Max had been cut off. Engel risked something like that at least once a week. Still, Herr Kaiser seemed too harsh to him, and he would have liked to be able to offer an alternative for Sigrun—he thought that maybe Adelinde would benefit from company, since it was likely that both her brothers would be away. But he didn’t dare speak on Adelinde’s behalf, though he knew his little sister liked Sigrun Kaiser. “I hope you know that if you were in want of a change of place you have friends to reach out to,” he said. I put it on ‘want’ because what if Sigrun didn’t truly wish to go home even if her mother would convince her father?
At first, Tyl was glad to see that Adelger was back in top form. His spellwork was perfect, and so was Tyl’s, and no other school stood a chance. Perfectly timed, perfectly executed, in elegant synchronisation with the rest of the team. However, it did not last long. It started with one, small arrhythmic spell, and the rest followed. Tyl felt his jaw clench. He performed as well as he could, and found himself having to adjust once more. Their performance was still one of, if not the very best, but Adelger’s lapses were tangible, and could not be ignored. The finishing movement would involve them both, would involve a careful, beautiful piece of magic and physicality that had taken months to perfect. High up in the air, it would only take one wrong move for Tyl to fall. And he looked at Adelger, the moment before. Would he preemptively strengthen the spell, to match the offbeat rhythm of Adelger’s? Would the throwback from the strengthening of this spell cause him to be pushed back, perhaps to fall? Or would all the practice kick in, and would Adelger perform the spell perfectly? Or perhaps Tyl would perform it as it was originally, and Adelger would overpower it, and it would push him back? There was not much time to think, as the choreography drew closer to its end, to this final move. He had not trained for a change in power. Three, two, one - a blast, intricate, performed in its perfected, original form. He stuck to what he knew.
Adelger was not looking at Tyl—not more that he needed to ascertain his position—but still felt eyes on himself. He felt the pressure of needing to perform as impeccably as he had done during training. He felt his muscles weak, and the spell that had been cast perfectly—the right power behind it—missed its aim as his hand trembled, its grip lost on Adelger’s wand as it had been on the receiving end of a electrifying jinx.
Adelger’s wand fell on the floor just as the match was declared over and lost by the Schluchtenburg team. Their chance to win the competition gone by—they had only made second place. But none of this registered with Adelger as he kept all his focus on simply breathing. In. Out. Over and over.
