Professional Disaster

Kieran Darlington / 17 / 7th year / Ravenclaw / Muggleborn / Banshee / Library Volunteer / Still figuring out this ace thing / Cake Enthusiast / Hobby Gardener

[herbologistdevereux-deactivated]

“I’m not sure about clairvoyant. I just have a good feeling is all.” She smiled broadly. “Ah, well, I’m afraid i don’t have much control over that, only being an Assistant. I do like the curriculum set up so far, however.”

[deweydecimaldarling-blog]

“I f-figured, but the joke had to be made.  We’ve, ah, g-got some real psychics, though.”  And one lived on the floor below Kieran, actually.  “Oh?  A-anything you can give away to a c-curious student?”

[deweydecimaldarling-blog]

So when are you going to deflower our virgin queen?

T-t-that’s entirely uncalled for!  A-and not your business!

[deweydecimaldarling-blog]

Looks like Daddy Dearest approves of the harlot. But she didn't exactly run to introduce you to her parents, now did she?

H-her mum was absolutely sloshed...  I-it’s entirely understandable.

[deweydecimaldarling-blog]

Good luck keeping the tart. She'll probably move on in a week to someone else in your dorm. Your best friend's available again. Maybe they'll be King and Queen Slut.

C-Charlie would never!  And Odette, s-she wouldn’t either...

[tooyoungtobecharlie-deactivated]

“You lobbying for Aiden Devine doesn’t sway my confidence.”he deadpanned, because of all the people he didn’t much care for it was him. That blonde rat managed to get in his way on more than one occasion, and while he had been civil - well he just didn’t feel that way anymore apparently. Kieran explaining to him what he knew already just felt cold and icy in his ears. The boy clenched and unclenched his fists, and huffed out a breath. “That’s not remotely fair considering he chose Nikolai Korolenko whose now abandoned him twice and Declan Bouchard who broke his heart. There’s a reason I didn’t settle down… I just thought he’d be worth it if I was worth it to him.”he admitted in a small voice, his gaze now trained on his hands and how his thumb smoothed into his opposing palm.

“He seemed more scared of me and he was the first person I went to.”he uttered after pause from his side.

“Thirteen year olds think they know everything strictly because they research it. Knowledge and action are two very different things.”he chastised. Not necessarily toward Kieran, but it was true. There were times Charlie thought of death and pondered who’d care and who wouldn’t. He imagined death being a heaven. It wasn’t. It was very much the opposite. Those effected and those not were a strange mix. Some expected and some unexpected. It made him feel a tinge dull and numb. 

“I need a drink.”he baited on the conversion, missing the smooth burn of alcohol, but it wasn’t time for leisures.

“Disappointed? Hmmm, I’m sure I can rectify your disappointment by the end of the week.”he proposed confidently.  

[deweydecimaldarling-blog]

“O-okay, so you hate him, b-but he’s Marcus’s best friend.  And Marcus... I-I guess he snapped, or something, b-because he tried to break up Aiden and Declan, a-and now Peter’s got it in his head that Marcus is j-just lonely or something, and acting out, a-and it’s not that.  It’s... It’s more, it’s Sanctus, and you, a-and, er, i-it’s the sickness.”  Kieran knew he’d struck a nerve and reached over to rub Charlie’s arm in what he hoped was a soothing gesture.  “I-I know, I know, h-he has the worst taste.  Korolenko, h-he messed with his head, I’d swear it.  Y-you’re better than Marcus deserves,” Kieran said bluntly.  “I-if he can’t see you’d s-settle down if you got enough back, h-he’s blind.”

“Char, I...”  He didn’t know what to say.  Part of him wanted to defend Marcus, to say that it had to be unsettling for a presumably dead friend to turn up naked in the middle of the night, but Charlie came first.  “...come here.”  Kieran pulled Charlie in for another hug.  He hated seeing Charlie look so defeated.

If Charlie was right, he was all action and Kieran was all book knowledge.  That’s how it had always been.  He hoped these kids having secret meetings in the library would fall somewhere between the two sides.  “I-I think I can get you one,” Kieran said with a smirk.  “Still got some F-Firewhisky under the bed...  M-maybe we could share, hm?  I’ve s-sworn off drinking alone, but hey, I-I’m not alone now.”

[odette--belcourt-deactivated201]

Even at the Turning O’ the Tide // Kieran/Odette

[odette--belcourt-deactivated201]

Odette giggled when Kieran leaned on her. “I know people,” she said simply. “I know people who would love nothing better than to make plaid socks just because I tell them to.” She petted Pyglet. “No more, okay? Not that there are any more blueberries for you now that you’ve eaten them all. I’ll have to get some from the house elves. I forgot what it was like, having to protect my blueberries from a little long tongued thief.”

“Well, there wasn’t much to do in the manor when none of my boys were there.” She picked at the blanket. “I wish I could show you the library there. It’s absolutely beautiful. You’d love it. So many books and cozy little corners to read in on a rainy day.” She shrugged. She had just wanted to help out Scorpius. She hadn’t really thought about joining Belcourt Potions. “I don’t know. I still have to get out of the engagement, remember? And it’s most likely just going to be grading exams and making sure the younger students don’t blow up their cauldrons. Maybe I’ll get to be in your class.” She smiled. “Actually, I’m doing an independent study with Scorpius as well. I’ll show you later in the year.”

[deweydecimaldarling-blog]

“O-of course, Kate.”  Kieran slipped his arm around Odette’s waist and pulled her a little closer, now that Pyglet was safely out of the way.  He took a moment to hug her and rest his chin on top of her head, to breathe in the faint scent of lavender and something citrusy and Sleekeazy’s hair potion.  There was something calming about watching her banter with a pet.  Maybe because it brought out a less polished side of Odette.

He followed the motion of her fingers with his eyes, watching as she dug her nails into the cloth.  “S-sounds lovely,” he murmured.  “I-I’ve always liked rain, but m-most people think it’s depressing because we g-get so much of it.”  Kieran didn’t really want to think too much about the engagement.  Not on his first date.  “S-speaking of exploding cauldrons, y-you’ll be teaching Peter’s brother, a-and Declan’s...”  And Quinn, if things hadn’t gone how they did.  “Oh?  T-top secret, I assume?”

[herbologistdevereux-deactivated]

“Thank you! I am rather excited, after all. But yes, this should be a good semester for the plants. I can feel it.” She said happily.

[deweydecimaldarling-blog]

“A c-clairvoyant green thumb?”  Kieran chuckled and looked out at the neat rows of plants.  “I think I agree.  D-do you have any plans for w-what you want to add to the curriculum?”

[tooyoungtobecharlie-deactivated]

“Define old Marcus, because while he was an insufferable twat, he was a cute one at least.”He offered lightly and then let out a gust of air. What had gone on with Marcus? He remembered the boy saying he had a bunch of people wanting to punch him. “I don’t think I meant that much to him.”he dismissed. “I’m almost ninety-five percent sure he matters more to me than I to him.”he murmured a bit more quietly. “Oh, he wouldn’t sleep with me. If only.”he chuckled darkly.

“I’m a teenage boy. Okay? I like sex. And realistically I only just lost my virginity. Blow jobs don’t count. Or fingering. Or hand jobs. Or rutting.”he listed off, before giggling off and then sighing. “Man it’s good to be back.”

“Drunk Owen isn’t so straight.”he shrugged and then ran a hand through his hair. Charlie looked at a couple of curious stares, remembering they were in the library, before making a brushing motion to the younger years eavesdropping. “I haven’t hooked up with anyone. I maybe made out with Owen this morning.”he hummed.

“We can only hope.”

[deweydecimaldarling-blog]

“T-the old Marcus w-wouldn’t hurt Aiden.”  He’d heard about what Marcus did, and frankly, it disgusted him.  He was glad he hadn’t gone to that party.  “You’d be s-surprised.  I-I think he might’ve, y-you know, really fancied you.  But... n-no offense, he thought you c-couldn’t settle down with one person.  D-do you still love him?”  Was love the right word?  It always seemed like a combination of competitiveness and physical attraction, but it had to run deeper than that if Charlie was so hurt by Marcus not feeling the same.  “H-he might feel differently n-now that he’s lost you...  A-and none of us really got c-closure except Dean, b-because your parents r-refused to let any of us come to your funeral.”

Kieran snorted and rolled his eyes.  “P-Peter’s little brother would fight you.  H-he has a v-very broad definition of what s-strips someone of their virginity.  But, er, h-he's thirteen, so...”

“Huh, f-funny what alcohol does...”  Kieran looked over at the kids and shooed them away as well.  “I thought you’d be m-making up for lost time.  I-I’m a little disappointed in you.”  He jokingly crossed his arms and frowned, but actually, he was quite impressed that Charlie had already hopped beds twice.

[deweydecimaldarling-blog]

T-to be honest, I-I think I might have more questions than answers...

[odette--belcourt-deactivated201]

Even at the Turning O’ the Tide // Kieran/Odette

[odette--belcourt-deactivated201]

“I think they think it’ll get them girls,” Odette said. “I hate to break it to them, but that doesn’t work out exactly as they hope.” She nodded. “And some cozy socks too. Do you think he’d like plaid socks?” She held out another blueberry. “Fine, Pyg. You can have one more but that’s it for now, okay? And don’t give me those big eyes.”

“Perhaps. Also all the books I see on the shelves that fascinate me and I simply have to pick them up.” She blushed and looked down at the sandwich in her hand. “Are you asking me to stop by more, Mr. Darlington? I have to get ready for school, you know. I’m going to be TA for Professor Malfoy. I’m so excited.”

[deweydecimaldarling-blog]

“Plaid socks?!”  Kieran burst out laughing and leaned on Odette’s shoulder.  It was far too easy to see Peter running around in those, slipping and sliding his way around the common room.  “M-my god, I can see it, a-and it’s amazing.  But w-where would you find them?”  He rolled his eyes as Pyglet snatched up the last blueberry.

“Ah, n-now I see why I like you.  K-kindred spirits when it comes to books.”  He immediately grabbed another strawberry and shoved it in his mouth to avoid answering too quickly.  “M-maybe,” he said after swallowing.  “Really?  T-that sounds fascinating!  A-are you planning on g-going into the family business?”

[herbologistdevereux-deactivated]

“Ah, well, I did apply. I would, to be quite honest, have preferred to have stayed there. However, this was where I could find work. But I do like it here, don’t get me wrong. This us a lovely place.”

[deweydecimaldarling-blog]

“Hm, well, w-we’re very fortunate to have you here.  T-the greenhouses look v-very well-organized this semester, a-and I think the teaching assistants will be a w-welcome addition.”

[tooyoungtobecharlie-deactivated]

Charlie snatched the paper and read what those twat twins had dished out this time. Biting his lip he read it twice over, because altogether they were twats they were hardly ever wrong. They just managed to gloss things. The boy then gave a slow and steady look up at Kieran, because the boy he was mentioning didn’t sound like Marcus at all. “That can’t be right. I was with him last night.”he reasoned in a whisper.

“You did?”he asked with wide eyes, sniffing the hair, and then pulling the boy into a hug and messing up his already outrageous curly hair. “Did you finger her yet?”he inquired with waggled brows.

“I kissed Marcus and that resulted in an existential crisis and I lost my virginity to Owen Belcourt. He has bagged without sticking his prick in me Kier. Then I got sick. And they both acted stupid. Now… Now I’m risen from the dead and things are… fucked.”he ranted out, his hands thrown into the air with added dramatic flair.

“I can’t sleep anymore. I didn’t even sleep last night. And for that matter I don’t feel tired… I mean exhausted, as in strained, but not like irritable.”

[deweydecimaldarling-blog]

“Y-you were?”  Kieran tilted his head.  “D-don’t laugh, but maybe... y-you’re bringing out the old Marcus?  Maybe he s-started acting this way b-because he couldn’t, er... c-cope with losing you.”  That sounded terribly sentimental, and Kieran was sure that it had more to do with Sanctus, but if Charlie brought the old Marcus back, that was good for everyone.  “W-wait!  With him, or, erm, w-with him?”

Kieran grumbled in protest as Charlie ruffled his hair, but did the same to his friend.  “Already?  W-who am I, you?  Y-you’ve got enough sex drive for b-both of us, a-and maybe a third.”

Well, that was a surprise.  Kieran let out another shrill noise of shock, a bit like a seagull hitting a window, and blinked at Charlie.  “O-Owen?  T-terrifying, straight Owen?!  A-and you actually g-got to kiss Marcus?  A-after all those nights where you w-wouldn’t stop going on and on about his p-perfect eyes and t-terrible messy hair?”  He finally regained his composure and gave Charlie an enthusiastic pat on the arm, trying to lighten the mood with some banter.  “A-and how many people have you h-hooked up with since you got back, huh?  T-things are probably fucked because y-you’re back to fuck them, and/or f-fuck them up.”

“Huh, well, erm... m-maybe it’s a side effect of n-not being alive for w-weeks?”

[herbologistdevereux-deactivated]

“Yeah, well, you know how things have been lately, I’m sure.” Lucy said. She beamed at him, flattered. “That’s very sweet, thank you. Le Blanc. It’s in the heart of France.”

[deweydecimaldarling-blog]

“Unfortunately,” Kieran sighed.  “L-Le Blanc?  Hm.  W-what brings you here, r-rather than Beauxbatons?”

[odette--belcourt-deactivated201]

Deal. -hears angry French in the distance- Sounds like Maman’s on the move. I’ll see you around?

[deweydecimaldarling-blog]

R-right...  Go forth, Kate.  [gives her another quick kiss on the cheek]  I-I’ll see you later!

[tooyoungtobecharlie-deactivated]

Charlie’s eyes widen instantly as his chest began to drum out a rhythm with gusto. “Why the bloody fuck is Marcus with him? He’s… He’s not…. He’s dangerous.”he reasoned all at once as his gaze trained on Kieran’s fingers pinching at his robes. The trained look only lasted a moment before the boy began pacing. 

“Watching you two is like watching two turtles have sex on a rocky canoe.”he stuttered his pace to a stop, slumped his shoulders, and then immediately tensed them up. “Well. Yes. I don’t know. Being back is quite a revelation and I forgot how much baggage I left in my wake.”he murmured as he began to pace again.

“Well at least him and I have one thing in common now.”

[deweydecimaldarling-blog]

Kieran sighed heavily and dug a crumpled piece of paper out of his pocket.  After smoothing it out, he handed it to Charlie.  The gossip paper from that morning said everything pretty succinctly.  “Marcus, um... h-he hasn’t been himself.  He’s been, well, uh, p-pretty disturbed, honestly.  P-picking fights, lying, g-going after Declan...  He’s changed, Char.”

“Ugh, h-how rude!  I-I’ll have you know I made the first move!”  Okay, so his father had to tip him off that Odette was single again, and he’d only confessed because he jumped the gun and assumed his father had told Odette about his crush, but at least he’d made a move.  “Baggage?  Now c-come on, t-that’s no way to talk about exes.  Or, um, w-whatever those two are,” he said, catching Charlie’s arm.

He pulled Charlie around to face him and held both of his arms, gently bracketing him and holding him still.  “What?  W-what do you mean?”

[herbologistdevereux-deactivated]

“I see. Well, should you ever find a spare moment that you’d like to contribute to Herbology, you know where to find Professor longbottom and I.” She noticed his nervous movement but didn’t comment. She wondered if she was somehow intimidating him. “Yes, that’s where I went to school.”

[deweydecimaldarling-blog]

“R-right, um, of course.  E-everyone seems to be, um, s-short-handed lately.”  Probably the residual strain from the quarantine and not enough time to plan lessons.  He noticed Lucy watching him and put the seed packet down before stuffing his hands in his pockets.  “Y-your accent is lovely.  W-what part of France are you from?”

[herbologistdevereux-deactivated]

“Oh? Are you planning on continuing that habit this year? We’d love to see some more faces around the greenhouse.” She told him with a smile. “Oh, it’s lovely. Very different than what I’m used to, but I quite like it.”

[deweydecimaldarling-blog]

“Erm, it, uh, d-depends on my course load.  I-I’m also spending more time w-working in the library,” Kieran said, nervously fiddling with a packet of Fanged Geranium seeds.  “G-good to hear.  Er, you’re from... Beauxbatons?”