& -- benjy fenwick.

age nineteen. healer-in-training at st mungo's hospital for magical maladies and injuries. order of the phoenix. low level.

[benjyfenwiick]

Date: May 2nd, 1982 Location: Ministry of Magic, middle of battle @untamedmeadowes​ @properpureblood-emma​

After Benjy lost Sirius in the fray, he felt sort of lost, unsure of what he was supposed to do next. For all intents and purposes, this was his first real battle - and maybe deciding to join in on one at a juncture like this wasn’t a very good idea, but he couldn’t stop thinking about trying to get to Maddy.

The last time he’d fought at all had been an accident. The Death Eaters had come to him - had hurt Emmeline to the point that, for a while, she hadn’t even know who she was. But this time... this time, he’d joined on purpose. He’d wanted this. He was ready to fight - even though his body was protesting, his spells off kilter.

He moved through the corridors of the Ministry without spotting many others. People were fleeing, but this area wasn’t yet overrun by Death Eaters, which meant not many Order were here, either. As he turned a corner, he spotted a familiar streak of hair and shouted out for her. “Emma!” He raced over the best his leg would allow. “Have you seen Dorcas?” he asked her, knowing that their friend would be here. While he hadn’t come looking for Dorcas, seeing Emma was a relief - and making sure Dorcas didn’t get herself killed now seemed just as important as finding Maddy for the same reason.

[benjyfenwiick]

starbrightblack​:

Sirius watched something shift in Benjy’s eyes, and he wondered if he’d misstepped somehow. Before he had time to really think about out, Benjy yelled. Sirius ducked on instinct. He turned around just in time to see a fireball of paper burst in the air.

“What was that?” he yelled as he stumbled toward Benjy and away from the Death Eater. If it was a diversion technique, Benjy needed a better one. “Keep with me.” Sirius took a few steps back. A mask wasn’t much to stare in the eyes of, but if they couldn’t see him, they might as well remove his ability to chat too.

“Langlock!” Sirius flicked his wand. The Death Eater stumbled momentarily before raising their wand in return. They couldn’t speak aloud, but that didn’t make their spells less deadly. Sirius quickly raised his own for a shield in front of Benjy and himself. 

.

What was that? Sirius clearly didn’t think much of Benjy’s “skills” on the battlefield and Benjy felt himself blush at the thought. “Er...” he began awkwardly, trying to answer the question that might’ve been hypothetical. “Dueling?” It came out as a question, which probably wouldn’t instill much more confidence from Sirius.

But the older wizard told Benjy to stay with him and Benjy listened. He was pretty good at listening - when he wasn’t distracted or Dorcas wasn’t around. Those often were one in the same. But really, he just wanted to get to Maddy, who had told him outright that she wasn’t afraid to die. And if sticking with Sirius Black got him there in one piece, he would do it gladly.

Sirius was impressive in a battle. Benjy had seen it while sitting on the sidelines at the Dueling Club, ready to heal any injuries - but it was different on the field. He showed a grace in his movements that reminded Benjy of the way that, once, he was on the Quidditch Pitch.

“Furnunculus!” Benjy shouted at the now-silent Death Eater and, unlike the last time, it hit the wix. He’d been aiming for the face, but it hit the Death Eater’s hand. The wand hand, however - which made large boil sprout from the skin and forced the Death Eater to drop his wand. “Yes!” he said, almost excitedly, but sobered a moment later because Sirius Black was standing right next to him and getting happy over a hex wouldn’t help Benjy’s case.

[benjyfenwiick]

starbrightblack​:

Antici-

Sirius pulled his arm back, satisfaction burning at the back of his brain as he watched the Death Eater drop. Sirius hadn’t killed him. At least probably not. Then again, getting hit that hard in the chest with a pressure charm could have some nasty effects even if he did manage to get up. Not Sirius’ problem.

He hurried along down the hall and realized he was back near the atrium again. Sirius hadn’t been there long, but he knew most of the action was happening elsewhere; he just wanted to get to it. As he rounded the corner, a body in front of him had Sirius immediately whipping his wand back up. He didn’t fire. He paused. A face, not a mask, and once he’d had a split second to process, Sirius lowered his wand again. “Benjy,” he said, already looking over the boy’s shoulder in case anyone else joined him. “What are you doing here? I haven’t seen anyone who needs a healer yet, but I can give you a heads up by patronus if I do.”

He didn’t expect that Benjy would be here for anything else. Sirius had only ever seen him in the capacity of a healer. He wouldn’t have expected anything more with that experience. He didn’t have time to take in Benjy’s appearance, to see that little extra something in his eye, that glint of something to prove.

.

Benjy had been in the infirmary at the House of Bones when Amelia’s patronus came - an attack on the Ministry. His first thought wasn’t, as he thought it might be, Dorcas. But instead another girl came to his mind. While he couldn’t be sure Maddy would just willingly jump into battle as he knew Dorcas would, the memory of Maddy talking about her dad’s death in a whole other kind of war came to mind. She would die, if she had to. 

So he Apparated.

It was into the Atrium of the Ministry, which might’ve been surprising had he had much time to think about it. But there was no time to think about it because, almost immediately, a wand was in his face. Sirius Black’s wand. The leader of the advanced dueling club. Someone who could easily kill him, if he wanted to. But Sirius evidently didn’t want to because he lowered the wand and asked about healing. 

The thought soured Benjy’s insides. It was all people thought of him - all he was good for. He narrowed his eyes so slightly that Sirius might’ve not been able to tell. He ignored the older wix’s question. “Have you seen - “ Just then, a Death Eater approached from behind Sirius. “ - Look out!” Benjy yelled and shot a curse towards the Death Eater.

It hit way above the masked person’s head, exploding a lantern flying in the sky as twenty little memos that were obviously sent before the destruction bursts into flame. “Uh...” Benjy said to Sirius. The explosion, luckily, was enough to distract the Death Eater, though they recovered quickly and continued the approach. 

[benjyfenwiick]

After the battle where he’d nearly lost Emmeline, Benjy’s identity crisis moved to the forefront of his life. He’d broken down, only to be calmed by Maddy, their friendship rekindling quicker than fire. She’d reminded him that they have to fight now, but can be selfish later, and it had helped to push him forward.

He moved in with Dorcas and conveniently took a few weeks to tell her that he and Maddy were back in each other’s good graces - that they were talking and getting coffee and eating lunch together. That she was admitting soft secrets to him, helping him understand her motivations in the war. The more time he spent with Maddy, the more guilty he felt at keeping his two friends apart. He eventually told Dorcas about seeing Maddy, though didn’t describe in what way, to which she showed extreme melodrama for about a week before getting it over it and letting him do whatever he wanted.

As he wondered what he wanted from his life, he grew more and more disenchanted with his healing training, but felt as though he couldn’t back out now. Selfless now, selfish later.

And perhaps the crisis stirring inside him caused him to change his appearance as well. He grew out his hair without even realizing it, the colors of his clothing becoming a bit darker and more Sirius-esque, who he’d always admired in a way. He finally found the courage to pull out that leather jacket and even got a nod of approval from the man who had inspired it.

Now, he’s growing weary. That fight inside of him still there - deeper, even, now that he’s found himself within the Order, learned what true loyalty is. But he sees what everyone had warned him of. James Potter was young and excitable once, just like Benjy had been when first entering into the organization, with Dorcas speaking of changing the world in his ear... and, look at Potter’s friends now that he’s gone. Benjy has settled into something more himself. Something more mature.

But the spark that grazed his eyes once only flickers now. 

And perhaps that’s war. 

[benjyfenwiick]

benjyfenwiick​:

Something crossed Benjy’s face when Annalise mentioned his career, as though he’d entered into it on purpose, but didn’t correct her. She was right, in a way. He did help the Order more than he might’ve had he joined without the skill. He couldn’t duel or go into battle like the others. And, if he’d be able to go his original route and play Quidditch, he doubted he’d even be here at all.

“Yeah,” he said instead of the rest of his thoughts. “Working with Emmeline is good, too. She’s a great mentor. I’ve learned a lot from her.” He tilted his head at the mention of the dressmaking. 

“You make dresses and robes? That’s cool!”  It wasn’t - not to him, anyway. It was seriously not something he was interested in, but he could pretend - Annalise was really pretty, after all!

.

SUMMARY TO CLOSE:

Benjy and Annalise talk for a few minutes about their various reasons for being in the Order and how they got to this point before Benjy ends up having to go back to work. Annalise agrees it was good to meet him, Benjy not realizing just how much help he’s been to her secret cause.

[benjyfenwiick]

moaningmaddy​:

Maddy helped Benjy pack until the sun went down and she had to go back home. They talked about everything important that had happened to them in the past few years since she’d walked out of the hospital wing, and about all the nothingness that had made life enjoyable despite it all. There was anger and frustration at the situation they were in, as well as belly laughter at the moments in between that helped that helped them to go on anyway.

Over the next few weeks, they met regularly, for hot cocoas and tea and walks and just to talk, and after a while it didn’t feel like much time had passed at all. They had changed, both of them, but somehow their friendship managed to bring back the parts of them they’d tried to bury, helped to keep it alive.

Whether Benjy ever told @untamedmeadowes​ that he’d reacquainted himself with Maddy, she never learnt, but she also never asked. In a way it didn’t matter, or perhaps it mattered too much, and so it was fine. She never went to his new place, but she listened to his stories about it, and this too was fine. Dorcas and her never talked, and their rivalry was reduced to eye-rolls and tusks at Order meetings whenever one said something the other disagreed with.

It was already late April, early May, when Maddy finally admitted something to Benjy that she’d never admitted to anyone else: the case of her father’s death. She couldn’t even remember how they’d gotten there, but suddenly she was talking about it, about how there was a war, in the Muggle World, that had cost already many lives, and that her father had not just died like she’d always told everyone, but that he’d been killed, alongside many other men, for fighting in this war. She told him she’d seen what wars could do since she was little, and that was why she was in this war the way she was, unwilling to kill or demonize the other side, too well aware that bloodshed only led to more bloodshed, and that compromise and friendship, education and fraternity were the only way to erect and maintain peace for a long time. But that all this was also the reason why she wasn’t afraid to die. To fight until the very end, because she could not bear the idea to one day lose a husband and the father to her kids to a conflict that could’ve been ended years ago if people had only understood all this.

She’d felt lighter, afterwards, and she’d felt closer to Benjy. Perhaps even closer than she’d felt to anyone else in a long time. Perhaps because she’d finally allowed it. Finally allowed someone to really see her motivations behind her ceaseless enthusiasm to fix and build and work.

FIN.

[benjyfenwiick]

benjyfenwiick​:

Benjy shook his head. “It’s my job,” he said simply because, in reality, Remus wasn’t being a bother. The guy was kind and that was more than some of Benjy’s patients he’d had at the hospital. People always acted differently while in pain. But, even now, Remus was thinking of him, despite having saved Benjy’s life earlier. 

Benjy raised his wand to Remus’ shoulder, but didn’t tap it yet, just listened to the story. Incarcerus. It made a chill run down Benjy’s spine. It had been the spell which killed James - or so Emmeline had told him. He tried not to let his discomfort at hearing it again show, but he was fairly certain Remus would be able to tell on his face.

When Remus mentioned the second spell, however, Benjy sighed. That would make healing harder. “Yeah, I get it,” he said anyway. They saw it in battle all the time - using quick heals to push forward, but messing things up for the actual healers more. “Emmeline had a potion to combat that - it’s not pleasant, but it would be better than re-breaking it and starting over. I dunno if we have any here, though. And… if not… then they would’ve been destroyed in the battle.”

He lowered his wand, deciding not to do the analysis just yet. He looked at Remus. “If we don’t have it, you know what I gotta do, right? I won’t have to use the same spell, but I’ll have to find the crack and sorta… unseal what you healed. It’s not really re-breaking, but it feels like it.” 

.

SUMMARIZE TO CLOSE:

Remus’ injuries turn out to be fairly easy to mend, though the re-breaking is painful for Remus to experience. Benjy and Remus don’t get to talk for very long, as another patient walks into the infirmary, injured from the battle.

[benjyfenwiick]

emmeoutofline​:

dearborncaradoc​:​

Benjy’s letter found itself in Caradoc’s hands quickly, despite the late hour. There was no response back because Caradoc decided not to waste any time and instead made haste for the McKinnon Farm. What he had read troubled him, inevitably thinking of the curse he had cast on Mrs Avery not even a day before. Then the woman’s memories had coiled around his fingers like vines, and he had tugged them away as one would do with wild weeds. Nothing could restore them. It was a cruel spell, and the mere thought that something akin to that could’ve happened to Emmeline made him uneasy. As he readied himself to make the journey to the farm, he had to remind himself to not jump to any conclusions just yet. 

But still, he hoped this was simply shock on Emmeline’s part upon witnessing something traumatic, or the temporary side effect of another kind of spell. Because—and that was the true mercenary thought that came his way—they could not afford to lose their most expert healer. 

Thus, time was of the essence and Caradoc did not lose any on his way to the infirmary. Not long after the letter had been sent and received, he was walking through its doors.

“I’m here,” he said, as he approached the two. Knowing about Emmeline’s loss of memory, he made sure not to make sudden movements as to not scare her. “I’m Caradoc,” he introduced himself to her, once he came to stand near her bed. “How do you feel?” The question a simple one, not wanting to bombard her with too many informations or requests.

But he eyed Benjy in the meantime, “for what have you treat her so far?” he asked, wondering if her loss of memory was the only sign of something being wrong.

@emmeoutofline​

Emmeline was momentarily alone, but when Benjy returned, she frowned, eyes lighting on his leg. His limp on it seemed more pronounced, like something had caused it stress. She hoped it hadn’t been on her behalf. She hoped she was imagining that it was worse.

Caradoc. The name didn’t immediately bring anything to mind, but she thought hard, trying to put a picture together in her mind. By the time a man walked through them, Emmeline hadn’t conjured a face exactly, but his didn’t seem unfamiliar. She trusted him. Not quite the same level as Benjy, and that was a trust she couldn’t explain, but trust nonetheless. Caradoc was someone to believe.

“I’m… confused,” she admitted. “I don’t really know why I’m here, and I can’t… Things aren’t coming to my mind very easily. Benjy told me a little, and I think I’ve picked up a couple bits, but it’s… It’s so fuzzy.”

For some reason, it rankled her to have Caradoc ask Benjy instead of her. She was supposed to answer questions like that. With a certainty that surprised her, Emmeline knew she’d answered it more times than she could count.

SUMMARIZE TO CLOSE:

With Caradoc’s help, they are able to figure out that Emmeline’s memory loss shouldn't have any lasting impact, but that trying to force it back early through magic could have consequences. Caradoc recommends Benjy working with Emmeline and being patient as she regains her memories.

[benjyfenwiick]

benjyfenwiick​:

She looked mad at him, but Benjy tried not taking any offense. Patients at St. Mungo’s did this sometimes - get angry at their healer out of pain. If Emmeline were awake, this would be a lot easier. She might be able to diagnose Efa’s shoulder more quickly, see what they needed. But Benjy has never seen a wound like that. It looked like it came from dark magic.

She told him it was fine, but Benjy didn’t believe her - and he wouldn’t let her leave. Not that he could physically make her stay, but he would tell about her case to the Inner Circle, if he had to. Not that he really believed in snitching on people, but he didn’t want her to die, either. He figured Dorcas would be more mad about one of those things - Benjy being a narc or Benjy allowing Efa to go off and get worse.

“Well, it depends on what it is. If it’s more simple than it looks, you’ll be out of here in no time. If we need to call Severus…” Benjy shrugged because he didn’t know how much time that would take. “I’ve barely gotten a chance to look, so I can’t really say. But I can’t let you just walk outta here, Efa. I don’t really care if you’re mad at me ‘cause of it.” 

It had been a long time since he could say something like that and mean it. What other people thought of him was usually pretty important to Benjy, but he’s been learning - doing better - evolving. Maybe he was okay at this job after all. 

SUMMARIZE TO CLOSE:

Efa’s injury is more intricate than a simple healing charm could do, but the potion they need had been destroyed in the crossfire of the attack, as Benjy had suspected. They call in Severus Snape to help brew them another and, after a few days, Efa is back to new.

[benjyfenwiick]

untamedmeadowes​:

“You want me to move out…to the flat above my parents’ flat?” Dorcas laughed, then thought it over and shrugged. “Then again, it would make moving easy… Yeah, all right, let’s start there and see what we think!” She squeezed Benjy’s arm. “You’re the master of good ideas, Benj. What would I do without you?”

END.

[benjyfenwiick]

arabellafiggaf​:

For some reason, Arabella found his surprise terribly amusing and for a moment, she struggled to hide her wry smile. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I just assumed you’d tell her about this anyway. And since you’ll probably see her before I do, I thought it might be quicker that way.” Not that she minded talking to Dorcas herself; in fact, she very much intended to do so. But she also thought it might be better if Dorcas already knew what to expect when Arabella approached her. She didn’t want her to be as apprehensive as Benjy had been about this little meeting, for example. “You don’t have to. I’ll be sure to talk to her either way. And I don’t want you to think I only care about her point of view too, so if there’s any other thoughts or concerns you yourself have about the Order I’m all ears.”

Benjy nodded, but made no move to promise to tell Dorcas. He probably would, of course - he pretty much told her everything - but it might not be in the way Arabella wanted him to. It would be warning of the conversation coming, not a warning of what they’d been doing. “Yeah,” he said. “Yeah, I know. If I, uh, if I think of anything, I’ll let you know.”

FIN.

[benjyfenwiick]

untamedmeadowes​:

After the Fire

The thought that the housing market might be favorable to their purposes due to the cowardly flight of far too many of their fellows had Dorcas’s nose wrinkling, but Benjy was doubtless correct – and at least the two of them were deserving of the results, given that they were two of them few actually fighting. Dorcas nodded firmly, the intention cementing itself so firmly in her mind that it almost felt like something already accomplished. They had made-up their minds; now all that remained was carrying it out.

And remembering to ignore places that had too many stairs.

The conversation turned back to the unceasing, pointless conflicts with the people who were supposed to be some of the few who were on their side, but Dorcas’s thoughts didn’t feel as bitter as before; having Benjy on her side made it easier to deal with everyone was wasn’t. “I wish you had been,” she assured him, and flopped sideways across the bed with a grin. “Put us together, we’re unstoppable.” It was almost a shame that Benjy’s skills at Healing magic made him more valuable off the battlefield; Dorcas would have loved to charge into a fight with him and Emma both beside her. Maybe someday…

She shook off her daydreams of bright, shining victory and nodded at Benjy’s proposition. “I’m sure I can get Newton to cover my shift,” she said. Dorcas would need to start actually paying more attention to her hours at work if she had rent to pay, yes, but that hadn’t started yet. She could duck-out of a few more hours before she had to start being responsible. “Thursday’ll be perfect.” Her grin broadened. “This is a great idea, Benj. I can’t wait.”

She called them unstoppable and it made Benjy smile, even if, for just a moment, he didn’t believe her. Maybe she was unstoppable, but he wouldn’t even be here without her. “Yeah,” he agreed anyway and his hand came out to touch her hand gently after she layed back on the bed. He squeezed it, holding it for a bit, and grinned down at her. 

They did this sometimes - Dorcas was a person who spoke with her body just as much as her words. An enthusiastic hug here, a kiss on the cheek there. It was no wonder why a lot of people assumed they were dating, but that was just Dorcas being Dorcas. She did that with people she loved and Benjy was just glad to be included in that category.

“Speaking of shifts... did that place above your shoppe ever get rented?” Benjy shrugged. “Might be a good place to start.” She couldn’t wait - he couldn’t wait. 

They were unstoppable.

FIN.

[benjyfenwiick]

moaningmaddy​:

When the door opened, Maddy couldn’t quite help it, this smile on her lips, small yet bright. It was part the sheer politeness (to smile when you greeted someone, whoever they were) part actual happiness to see him. Happiness and relief, that he was, well, at least better than the last times she’d seen him. “Hi,” she replied. “I’m sorry if this is very sudden, I just thought since you sent me your address right away-…” But Benjy didn’t seem to mind her being here. He just opened the door wider and let her in. “Thank you.”

Her gaze was wondering around the foyer, taking in the sight of what she knew was at least one half of Benjy’s home. Strange to think that to her, everything around her was perfectly new, but to him so familiar that it was all a part of who he was. “Oh?” she asked, looking back at him when he spoke, and found herself confused by the guilty look on his face. The explanation followed soon. “Oh.” She felt her shoulders slump, ever so slightly, without knowing why. Was it for the same reason that Benjy felt guilty? She almost wanted to ask, then. Be her blunt and fearless self, but something held her back. Maybe it was the thought that, well, if she didn’t know the answer to her disappointment, maybe Benjy didn’t know the answer to his guilt either. So, instead, she tried to focus on the information at hand. An information which, in any other case, was a great source of joy: “Congratulations!” she therefore grinned, because it did call for that. No matter how it made her feel personally, it was a big step for Benjy, and she had no right to put a downer on it. “Is that your first apartment away from your old ones? Your first real man … cave … place..? I’m sure there’s better words for it but you know what I mean. Are you excited?”

And with a nod she accepted the offer and hopped ahead, up the stairs, partly because it was proper etiquette to have the girl go first, partly because in the past few days she’d seen Benjy and his leg, and the last thing she wanted was to walk behind him and make him feel like he was being too slow and making her wait, and then end up straining his leg for nothing. Like this, she could walk at a comfortable pace and pretend like it was all her own decision. “Are you packing up your whole room or just what you need?” When Maddy had left, her mother had instantly cleared her room for Maddy’s younger siblings, but Benjy came from very different circumstances. For all she knew, he was one of those people who kept their childhood bedroom all their life, simply because their parents never found a better use for the room.

Her smile could brighten a room. He remembered that about her - from before. It was something that had drawn him to her in the first place, despite being in separate houses. She was so damn kind and, for a long time, she’d been one of the first to believe in him. He hadn’t seen her smile in a while, though. Not the real one - this one, the drew him in. “No, no,” he tried reassuring her when she stumbled over an apology for coming so soon. “I’m glad you’re here!”

She looked disappointed, for just a moment, after she realized what he was saying, though. But then she put on another smile for him. It wasn’t the smile, however. He could tell the difference. Still, she was trying - so he could try, too. “Yeah, it’s always been Hogwarts, here, or my mom’s place, ya know?” he said. “I dunno about it being a man cave place, though.” He laughed at the joke. “Since it’s her place, too. But, yeah, I guess I’m excited. I was more... before. But...” He trailed off, shrugging.

“I’m glad I won’t have to keep makin’ excuses to my parents. That’s the biggest reason I wanted to move out, really. That and... well... privacy.” She bounded up the stairs before him and he followed at a slower pace behind. From her position, her backside was right in his line of vision and he tried averting his eyes the best he could as they talked. 

“Well, I’ve got two rooms, right?” he said. “One here and one at Mom’s. My sister has her own room in both houses, too, so I’m just sort of taking what I need. I’ll probably take more from here just ‘cause it’s smaller and then my dads might be able to have some extra room. But I’ll keep the bed at my mom’s in case I wanna go over there or something. She might wanna clean it out eventually, I don’t really care either way.” 

As they get to his room, he moves forward as quick as possible to open the door for her, allowing her in. “The place we got in Diagon isn’t very big. It’s right above Dorcas’ parents shoppe.”

[benjyfenwiick]

annalisefawley​:

So he had followed Dorcas right into the Order? Annalise rather wanted to meet this girl who seemed so prone to destruction, and the fact that she was able to create this kind of loyalty was interesting. If she could find some way to subtly encourage the girl’s destructive impulses— but she would think on that later. “That is not a bad reason for joining,” she said with a smile, though she did quietly think it a bit daft.

She tilted her head slightly as Benjy rambled about life changing. She got his meaning, but wasn’t sure she could identify with it. Her life right now— her sister’s murder, her decision to join the Order— was certainly ‘things turning out differently’ for her, but that was certainly not what Benjy meant.

“I see,” she said. “I’m glad it was the right choice for you. It’s a relief when things work out that way. And fortunate that you were in a profession where your skills were going to be so in demand,” she added. “I have not quite figured out how I am going to truly contribute to the Order, personally,” she admitted with a rueful smile. “I do not imagine there is great need for a dressmaker.”

.

Something crossed Benjy’s face when Annalise mentioned his career, as though he’d entered into it on purpose, but didn’t correct her. She was right, in a way. He did help the Order more than he might’ve had he joined without the skill. He couldn’t duel or go into battle like the others. And, if he’d be able to go his original route and play Quidditch, he doubted he’d even be here at all.

“Yeah,” he said instead of the rest of his thoughts. “Working with Emmeline is good, too. She’s a great mentor. I’ve learned a lot from her.” He tilted his head at the mention of the dressmaking. 

“You make dresses and robes? That’s cool!”  It wasn’t - not to him, anyway. It was seriously not something he was interested in, but he could pretend - Annalise was really pretty, after all!

[benjyfenwiick]

arabellafiggaf​:

“Okay. And I do mean it when I say that we’ll try to listen more. I can’t speak for everyone, of course, but I do speak for myself.” As she paused to take another sip of her tea, Arabella decided this was the moment where she would also start acting on Edgar’s little request. Keep an eye on Dorcas’ trio, try to channel their energy into less… dangerous and destructive ideas. Not that it would go down well if she just told them that, naturally. “Why don’t you also tell her I’d like to talk to her too? Maybe hear out some of her ideas?”

Benjy nodded and took a bite of the cake, which was much easier to enjoy now that he knew he wasn’t going to be chewed out anymore than he already had. But, when Arabella mentioned talking to Dorcas, Benjy froze and looked up. “Why do I gotta tell her?” he asked. It was almost enough to make him nervous. Not because saying something to Dorcas was the problem - but he also didn’t want her thinking they were just talking about her being her back. “I mean... I can mention it, I guess. But don’t you think it would be just as good comin’ from you?”

[benjyfenwiick]

efachittock​:

Efa couldn’t consciously explain it, but she felt a surge of misplaced anger as Benjy explained himself and insisted she couldn’t go home like this. Perhaps it was just that anytime she felt like she wasn’t understanding something, she liked to resort to anger.

At least the way he so easily vanished the blisters on her hand made her feel less like lashing out. Her eyes peered at the newly smooth skin – smoother than it ever was, even –, with interest, fingers flexing open and closed to test out the feeling. Painless. 

The mention of stealing from St. Mungo’s didn’t offend her in any particular moral level, she wasn’t naive or righteous enough to be against it, but it still made her brows furrow. They would be taking potions from people who probably needed it more. Efa wasn’t one to be blindly selfless so often, but when it came to this war, when it came to seeing one of her best friends barely make it out, she’d been putting things into perspective. And she’d be damn fucking pissed if some random girl stole potions for a shoulder booboo, when people like Dorcas needed it so much more. And she could imagine a lot of civilians were crowding Mungo’s by now. Likely a lot of innocent people who had it way worse than her.

“It’s fine,” she insisted through gritted teeth, shifting uncomfortably where she sat. “How long? To brew something like this?” She could ask Snape, probably. If it was something easy, he could work it out. And most potions were easy for Snape, right? She could ask nicely. “And how long before I get worse? Are we talking hours or days?”

She looked mad at him, but Benjy tried not taking any offense. Patients at St. Mungo’s did this sometimes - get angry at their healer out of pain. If Emmeline were awake, this would be a lot easier. She might be able to diagnose Efa’s shoulder more quickly, see what they needed. But Benjy has never seen a wound like that. It looked like it came from dark magic.

She told him it was fine, but Benjy didn’t believe her - and he wouldn’t let her leave. Not that he could physically make her stay, but he would tell about her case to the Inner Circle, if he had to. Not that he really believed in snitching on people, but he didn’t want her to die, either. He figured Dorcas would be more mad about one of those things - Benjy being a narc or Benjy allowing Efa to go off and get worse.

“Well, it depends on what it is. If it’s more simple than it looks, you’ll be out of here in no time. If we need to call Severus...” Benjy shrugged because he didn’t know how much time that would take. “I’ve barely gotten a chance to look, so I can’t really say. But I can’t let you just walk outta here, Efa. I don’t really care if you’re mad at me ‘cause of it.” 

It had been a long time since he could say something like that and mean it. What other people thought of him was usually pretty important to Benjy, but he’s been learning - doing better - evolving. Maybe he was okay at this job after all. 

[benjyfenwiick]

moaningmaddy​:

can we be selfish?

Time: 27th of March Place: Benjy’s house Status: Closed, for @benjyfenwiick

We can be selfless for now. I’ll help you. But then, when it’s over, we’ll have to be a bit selfish, okay? We’ll have to.

That’s what Maddy had told Benjy Fenwick on the 21st of March, not long before the first injured fighter had walked into the make-shift infirmary and asked for help. And then? Then ‘it’s over’ hadn’t come. Not for a long while.

First the worst injuries and curses were treated, all through the night, and then in the morning the minor injuries. As promised, Maddy stood by Benjy’s side and helped. Those who had been able to wait, had waited, but eventually they came in, too, and between waiting for Emmeline to wake up and realising that once she did, she was still not ready to resume her work, there was the task of recuperating anything they could from the Potter Estate and moving it over to the House of Bones. And as promised,Maddy stood by Benjy’s side and helped. There were a couple of other people who sometimes took over, just long enough for them to take a nap or go home and notify everyone that they were doing okay. To shower. To eat. And as promised, Maddy stood by Benjy’s side and helped. 

Eventually all had ebbed down a little, and she asked if she could go take a look at Diagon Alley, see how bad it was, and she had asked when they’d see each other again, where, and if that would be because it was finally all over or because it wasn’t, and she had asked if he was okay. And Benjy had said yes, he was okay, and Maddy hadn’t believed him and left anyway. No longer by his side, no longer of help.

She’d done that a long time ago already, and in a way she’d never forgiven herself for it. The anger she felt towards Benjy and Dorcas was in so many parts anger meant for herself, wasn’t it? She’d slept eerily well, the whole week through, perhaps out of exhaustion, perhaps because she knew she was finally doing something, but that night, the night after Benjy said he no longer needed her help, she couldn’t find rest. The moment the morning greyed, she sent an Owl. It came back with an address. Maddy recognised it vaguely as being where Benjy and his dads lived and didn’t hesitate. She was dressed in no time and out of the door in even less.

By 10 o’clock, she arrived at the address. “Benjy?” she asked, the moment the door opened.

Benjy was packing. He knew Maddy would be coming, though he didn’t exactly know when, but that didn’t stop him from needing to get things done. Since he and Dorcas had decided to find a place together, it wasn’t as though it was a top priority. But, if he’d learned anything in the past week, it was that he needed the space. Needed to get out from under the roof of his parents, who it felt were trusting him less and less with his secrets.

Knowing Maddy would see him packing and realize that he was, once again, pushing himself even closer to Dorcas filled him with his overarching sense of anxiety that had been returning to his bones on and off since he pulled a bleeding Emmeline from the wreckage. But she would learn eventually and it was better sooner than later - better coming from him than Dorcas. It would be hard, trying to maintain a relationship with them both when the two witches practically hated one another, but he’d vowed to try. He didn’t want to lose Dorcas. And he wouldn’t lose Maddy.

Not again.

When there was a knock at the door, he bustled down the steps as quickly as his leg allowed. He was, thankfully, home alone. He didn’t want to try and explain to either of his dads why his former best friend was showing up at their home again - because the reasoning behind his and Maddy’s reconciliation would be a lie. And he’d done enough lying in the past week.

“Hey,” he said with a breathless smile as he opened the door and saw her standing, windswept curls, on the other side. “Come on in.” He scuffed his toe against the ground, a bit shy, and looked at her, trying to decide if he should come right out and tell her what he’d been doing before she got here or not. In the end, he decided that, yes, he should be honest during the times he could. They couldn’t move forward with anything less than that. 

“I, uh, I’ve been packing,” he started, looking almost guilty at her. “Dorcas and I got a flat together. We decided this before the attack,” he added the ending quickly, as though trying to justify it, even though he shouldn’t have to. “You can come upstairs with me, if you want.”