smile the worst is yet to come

|| benjy fenwick || 7th year || ravenclaw || if you don't have anything nice to say that's unfortunate but i understand

[benjyfriendwix]

amycus-bryton‌:

“Didn’t think you’d actually show.” Amycus said before he could help himself. All the nervous energy had drained from his body and straight out his mouth apparently. Fucking hell, now Fenwick would think he was some needy charity case. He scowled to make up for it and pulled a chair out besides him.

“Doesn’t matter how long I waited, you’re here and the sooner we get things done, the sooner we can both scarper off to whatever the fuck else, yeah?” He asked, fidgeting in his chair. Gruffness had always worked as a defense in the past. No one wanted to get to know an asshole, and Amycus didn’t want to get to know anyone else anyways. “Where were you? It’s not like you’re the type to skip. All eager and earnest and whatnot.”

“Of course I showed,” They agreed to meet this time after all, and even though he was late he still had to show up. Still wanted to show up. Amycus deserved someone who showed up. Benjy didn’t know a whole lot about his situation, but from the rumors, and the way Amycus acted last time he couldn’t have had things easy. 

“Er, alright,” He shrugged. This wasn’t that much of a chore, gave him time to do his own work and help someone else out. Win-win. At the question he flushed, glancing down at the books in his arms, “Sort of... Forgot my notes,” He admitted, then set down them down on the table, “So, er, where did you want to start?” 

[benjyfriendwix]

amycus-bryton‌:

For once in his life, Amycus had actually prepared for a tutoring session. Not in depth, and probably nowhere near what he ought to have done, but it was better than nothing. Now he just had to see if Fenwick would actually show up again. Sometimes they didn’t, sometimes they did. Fenwick seemed like the sort to care about follow-through and integrity and all that bullshit.

Amycus sat at the same table as before, listless and edgy all at once, trying to pretend like he had anywhere else to be. It didn’t matter if Fenwick never showed. He’d figure out some way to get through all of this himself probably. Nothing he’d not somehow managed before.

@benjyfriendwix

Arriving at his tutoring session to find Amycus already there surprised Benjy a little. Their last session hadn’t been a complete disaster, honestly it had gone as smoothly as he could have hoped for, but it hadn’t gone fantastically either. Not fantastically enough for him to think Amycus actually really wanted to be there, and he was early no less. 

Benjy himself was running slightly late, halfway there he realized that he had forgotten his class notes and had to run all the way back up to the Tower to get them. When he arrived at the classroom he was more than a little flustered, only compounded by the fact that Amycus was already there. Not upset, it was a pleasant enough surprise, but still flustered. 

“Oh! Hey, sorry I’m--I’m really sorry I’m late. I didn’t keep you waiting too long did I?”

[benjyfriendwix]

amycus-bryton‌:

Something about the way that Benjy actually wanted to help him made his skin prickle. He had absolutely no intention of seeking out this kind-faced Hufflepuff nobody before next week, not even if he actually needed the help. The boy was just a tutor, after all. Amycus shrugged as he carefully packed up his own supplies. “I’ve a Prefect meeting this time next week, and Al’s got Quidditch on the weekend. Thursday?”

Right, he had genuinely forgotten Amycus was actually a Prefect, at least that probably meant that no one was going to get a detention or anything when they were out past curfew. Or at least not for this, “Okay, makes sense. I’m pretty much free whenever so Thursday or just let me know,” He didn’t exactly have a lot of set plans at any given time. 

[benjyfriendwix]

amycus-bryton‌:

Amycus knew they’d gone long. He could practically hear his sister giving him shit for missing their dinner. She usually didn’t when it came to school things like this shit but it had been a while.

He shrugged as he rolled his head on his neck. God he fucking needed to move. “Better than earlier, ‘suppose. The outline’ll help.” He admitted grudgingly.

Benjy offered Amycus a genuine smile, “Hopefully. If you need anything else you can let me know, yeah?” Part of him did want to stick around and make sure everything got finished but he was fairly certain that they had passed curfew and he didn’t fancy getting a detention out of this. He started packing away his books then looked up again, “Same time next week work for you? Or would something else work better?” 

[benjyfriendwix]

amycus-bryton‌:

At least this one knew how to get back in his place, didn’t immediately want to start a fight. Amycus supposed that counted for something no matter how badly he wanted even a minuscule excuse to punch something senseless. This was stupid. He felt stupid. Why did his father insist on making him put in all this fucking effort?

Amycus let the seconds hang and stretch as he worked up a good raging sulk before letting it drop. Alecto would murder him if they had to find another tutor all over again. This was probably the last one left.

“Fuck the theory.” He muttered, still feeling insolent. Then after another pause, “Outlines. Outlines help. I can usually to fucking work better if I can get some structure out there first. Al’s roommate always fucking color codes things, some times that makes it less goddamn awful.”

The sessions usually were only supposed to be an hour, but it was nearly three before Benjy felt like they were at a place where they could leave. At least in that time he had managed to finish his own essay, and if things all went according to plan Amycus would be alright as well. And on top of that he hadn’t actually gotten hexed yet, an accomplishment in its own right when it came to the Carrows. 

“Alright,” Benjy yawned and rumpled his hair, “How’re you feeling? ‘Bout the essay I mean.” 

[benjyfriendwix]

amycus-bryton‌:

Oh yes, they’d definitely picked some fresh-face idiot for the job. Not a fucking clue what fucked up Hex-trap he’d just walked into. Great, really looking forward to trying to explain the simplest concepts of how his life (and thus his academic… situation) worked to some peon with ideals.

“It doesn’t have to make sense, it’s not your fucking life is it?” He snapped, pinching the bridge of his nose and forcing himself to take a long breath. Alecto would get so disappointed if he scared another one off before he at least got something started.

“No, I haven’t, because as I’ve explained, I can’t fucking write correctly can I?” He had tried to start the damn thing several times but everything always ended up in the fire. “I can make the damn Potion just fine, why do I have to write about it?”

Amycus snapped at him Benjy automatically put up his hands in a gesture of submission, “No, no it isn’t, you’re right,” It was part of his life now though, if they were going to be working together from now on, but he didn’t have the experience dealing with it. He sighed and rubbed his jaw, looking at his own notes. 

“Okay, okay. What can I do to help you start it?” Benjy asked. There was a part of him that wondered if this would just end in him writing two essays, “Dunno. Guess we’ve gotta learn the theory, yeah?” As a boy who had grown up without any of this, the actual workings of magic fascinated Benjy. However, he rather doubted Amycus would agree. 

[benjyfriendwix]

pamycus-bryton‌:

At that, Amycus laughed low and bitter. He couldn’t help it. Obviously they really had gone through all the other possible options for tutors, because this boy didn’t even know who he was dealing with here. Did Hector still send money to the school every month, to try and keep his idiot son a secret? Amycus knew that he had. One of his tutors had told him so back in Third Year, had flaunted it right in his face and then acted stunted when Amycus had punched him.

“You very clearly have never heard of my father.” He said. “Heirs are only allowed to dictate when they can write the note without needing to dictate.” Amycus parroted, his father’s voice already echoing in his head.

Are you an idiot, boy? Do I need to beat the words into that skull? It’s reading, this isn’t even hard. Just read the damn sentence, Amycus. I do not have an idiot for an heir, I won’t allow it.

Amycus wasn’t wrong, Benjy knew very little about the patriarch of the Carrow family. He hadn’t really met any of the parents of the Sacred 28, their children yes, but parents no. Sure, from what he understood the Shacklebolts were an immensely kind family, the Bones and Prewetts too. However, the way Sirius told it, the Blacks were an absolute nightmare, and Alwyn spoke darkly of a few other families as well. Assumedly, Amycus’ family fell into this second category of more severe, or just downright nasty people. 

“That... Really doesn’t make any sense,” Benjy said. That may have come off as rude, but it was baffling, “But, okay, er... Well we don’t have any of that now any way. Have you started the essay?” 

[benjyfriendwix]

amycus-bryton‌:

One glance at Benjy’s notebook told Amycus he’d have no luck at all deciphering that handwriting without help. Granted it wasn’t worse than his but fuck it was all so close together. Best just to stick to Lu’s notes when he could, then.

He nodded, fishing the pristine schedule Al had made him out of his bag. She’s spelled it so it would update, keep itself clean, and not wrinkle. Plus, her handwriting was spaced out and even. He’d always been able to read it.

At the mention of Quick Quotes, he soured and went stony. “According to my father, that’s cheating. Which he only approves of if you actually know how to do the thing without cheating. Since I can’t read and my writing’s shit… No, I’ve not.”

“Thanks,” Benjy accepted the calendar, giving it a look over to figure out what they would need to get to first. Slughorn essay was the next due. Well, after the Ancient Runes, but he couldn’t help with that. At the comment he looked up, realizing he apparently spoke out of turn when he saw Amycus’ clear look of displeasure. 

“That’s... It’s not cheating is it? If you’re using it to dictate for you? Or get notes from the professors.” Amycus’ family could probably afford a whole secretary or someone to dictate why wouldn’t they try?

[benjyfriendwix]

amycus-bryton‌:

Amycus could almost appreciate the fact that this new one actually seemed to want to try. After all it wasn’t like Amycus wanted to fail his classes. Getting stuck in Hogwarts forever wouldn’t be horrible, though. Even if it meant having more dumbass tutors.

At Benjy’s question Amycus paused and gave himself a moment to think. “It helps when it’s all broken down, when it’s not just… One giant wall of shit I don’t know and can’t read. Al made me a chart, of when everything’s due, because we’ve got all the same classes. And she’ll tell me what I’ve got to do, for essays and shit.” He was almost certain his sister had done that on purpose, had passed up classes she’d like for ones that suited him. He’d never be able to thank her enough. “But it just all fucking takes ages, and the letters never fucking stay still, and I can’t spell for shit.”

“That’s what makes the notes helpful, yeah? Being all broken up not together and all,” Benjy nodded. That made sense, looking over at his own notebook. His own notes probably wouldn’t be particularly helpful, the system didn’t really make sense to anyone besides him, and even he didn’t always remember. But still, that was a start at least, “That’s very kind of her. Do you have a copy on you or anything?” Would be useful to see. 

“Have you tried a Quick Quotes Quill? They spell for you, yeah?” He had never actually tried one (couldn’t afford it) but it sounded like Amycus could use one. 

[benjyfriendwix]

amycus-bryton‌:

This was why he hated tutors. He had to fucking start from the very goddamn beginning every time, and when he eventually did blow up and start a fight the whole goddamn cycle reset. It made the whole awful situation even more infuriating. At least this one seemed to take it in stride well enough.

Amycus shook his head, “Won’t work, can’t take notes and listen at the same time for shit. I’ve got to focus on the writing or the listening. Usually I just steal Lucius’s notes. I can make out Lu’s handwriting normally because he writes like a prissy girl, but books are impossible.”

This was going to be difficult, Amycus already seemed to have it set that nothing was going to work. And to be fair to him, it sounded like it was all based from experience, and Benjy wasn’t sure he would be able to overcome that. Still, he had to try, he had agreed to do this, and  it would be shitty to just give up at the first sign of resistance. It wouldn’t be fair to Amycus for a start. Benjy ran a hand through his hair, trying to figure out a better way to approach this. 

“Could read just a little at a time? Then take the notes during breaks or something?” Then after another brief pause, “Has there ever been anything that helped? Besides, er, Lucius’ prissy girl notes.” 

[benjyfriendwix]

amycus-bryton‌:

“They obviously didn’t.” Amycus said, already ready to be done with this whole bloody process. He wished that Slughorn had just told the damn boy beforehand just to save him the agony of having to admit his faults to this Mudblood with his wide eyes and stupid face. Fuck he hated this moment. It always came and it always stung.

“I can’t fucking read. I’ve never been able to fucking read correctly, so whatever you’re going to try to get me to do it, it won’t work.”

Benjy hadn’t been expecting that, and to be honest he wasn’t entirely sure what that meant exactly. What happened when he tried? It felt like an awfully sensitive subject though, and he wasn’t foolish enough to press on that. He studied Amycus, worrying at his lip with his teeth. Whatever the reason, whatever the specifics of the issue it did make studying books, working on assignments, and school in general more complicated. 

“Okay... Do you want me to read it to you?” Seemed a little over-simplified, but it was the first idea that came to him. 

[benjyfriendwix]

amycus-bryton‌:

Amycus squinted at the boy across from him. Apparently the newest tactic in convincing people to tutor him was just to drop them in blind. Though the first person who had shown up aware he was stupid enough not to read properly had gotten their nose broken for being insufferable.

“Slughorn’s not told you what’s wrong with me, then? Just left you to flounder it out? Figures.”

Benjy cocked his head, frowning, “Er, what are you talking about?” What was that even supposed to mean? Apart from the Pureblood Supremacy stuff, and the violence he couldn’t really think of anything he knew of that was wrong with Amycus. Not that those were small things, to be fair. Benjy had assumed that was why he was taking over the tutoring. Surely he had to be the last resort in this situation, being muggle born and all that. 

[benjyfriendwix]

amycus-bryton‌:

Maybe Amycus needed a tutor– definitely Amycus needed a tutor– but he didn’t fucking want one. Not like his father had ever considered what his only son wanted when making decisions about Am’s life. Things had been fine just getting help from his roommates, he didn’t want a tutor. So he’d dragged his feet as much as he could. Maybe if he just pissed this tutor off enough they’d give up. It had always worked in the past.

“Let’s not pretend we actually have to like each other, shall we? It’s fucking exhausting and my goal’s to get rid of you as soon as possible.” Amycus said as he threw himself down on the other side of the table.

Well... At least he was up front. Benjy faltered slightly, hand on the back of his chair, “Okay...” He slid back into his seat. This wasn’t entirely unexpected, they had been in the same class for the last six years, the Slytherin never seemed at all academically inclined. Benjy wasn’t completely sure where to go from here, they had been here for 30 seconds and Amycus was already throwing up walls. Still, at least he was here to try, and he could at least put in the effort. 

“Okay well, d’you want to at least give Slughorn’s assignment a try? Don’t have to like each other for that, do we?” 

[benjyfriendwix]

Benjy tapped his pencil against the desk, chewing on his lip, and looking over his notes and occasionally glancing at the door. Tutoring normally didn’t make him this nervous, but tutoring Amycus Carrow seemed a rather daunting task and not only because he was already ten minutes late. And the table was covered in Benjy’s muggle spiral notebooks. And Carrow had a bit of a temper. At this point Benjy was even starting to question whether asking him to meet outside of the Library had been a mistake, but Pince didn’t like people talking too loud, and the Great Hall was full of distractions. 

The door opened and he stood up, “Hey! Hey--Er....How’s it--” 

[benjyfriendwix]

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