I've built up my walls; I won't see them crumble

Liz Queen, 6th year, Ravenclaw; Quidditch Captain and Beater

[iamthequeenofmywalls]

Christmas Comes To Hogwarts || QTK

[max-a-knight]

"Yeah… I don’t think she’d want to be bothered right now she looks… Uhm preoccupied with… things…" He frowned a little but shook his head looking away and back to Liz as she settled in his arms hugging her back tightly as they sat there. "Yes you have everything I have to give you."

He’d taken a lot of thought into what to put on the bracelet and it seemed like a nice idea after all it was Christmas. He watched her put it on his own smile widening. “Yes. Definitely. Totally a hundred percent sure.” He lightly pressed a kiss to her lips. “Stop worrying. You’re astounding as ever.”

[iamthequeenofmywalls]

Her particular favorite was the snowflake. Even though Liz didn't particularly like being out in the snow, she still enjoyed the look of it, especially when the snowflakes were big enough to almost be able to see all the unique patterns in it. It jingled slightly on her wrist because of the bell charm. "Alright, I just wanted to make sure." She smiled into her response to the kiss, placing a hand on his cheek tenderly. "It's hard to stop worrying. But this is really beautiful."

"I see there might be another early Christmas present for both of us," she said, looking over at the crutches. "I'm glad you are up on your feet and away from that awful chair. And I'm sorry that I didn't make it to the hospital wing but I needed to make up that potion that I missed because I was sick.... How's it like to be back on your feet, kind of."

[iamthequeenofmywalls]

Christmas Comes To Hogwarts || QTK

[max-a-knight]

"Of course I’ll fix that." At the mention of Emma his brows furrowed a little and his gaze went across the hall to where she was surrounded by rather questionable characters. "Yeah…" He trailed of shaking his head letting her move to settle right beside him so he could settle his arm around her gently.

He was grinning like a child as she tore the paper away to reveal the bracelet within to go with her other one. “You’re welcome.” As her smile faltered and she spoke again he shook his head .”I have you that’s the only gift I’ll ever want. Nothing you could ever give me would equate to you just being here.” Max spoke confidently obviously totally assured that this was the complete truth.

[iamthequeenofmywalls]

"I just thought it would be best to leave her to her business for now," Liz said softly, leaning her head against his shoulder as his arm came to settle around her. "I'll just talk to her later. Right now, I have you." She smiled up at him, her arms going around him briefly for a hug.

The bracelet was beautiful, silver like her other one, though this time full of Christmas themed charms: a tree, a wreath, a bauble, some holly. Liz loved it, immediately putting it on. But she also felt conscious of the fact that she didn't have anything for him. "Are you sure? I just feel bad that you got me this and I don't have anything to give to you." 

[iamthequeenofmywalls]

Christmas Comes To Hogwarts || QTK

[max-a-knight]

He’d been surprised when she hadn’t turned up but he knew that she had other things still to attend to around the school and potions was one of those things. So Max had gone alone to the Hospital Wing and he’d decided today would be the first day he’d try to get around school without his chair. Sure it hurt but he felt good for it and that’s what counted. With the war fast approaching he was well aware of the dangers posed inside of Hogwarts aswell as those outside of it and so he’d tried to keep his head low - not too difficult when most of his time was spent with Liz in his rooms or in the grounds.

He approached slowly though when she turned his eyes gazed at her brightly. Seeing her smile turn into a radiant grin he felt his heart beat that little bit faster like every time he set eyes upon her. “A shame. Though one to be remedied.” He said as he seated himself down beside her setting his crutches down before bringing his backpack off of his shoulders taking out a small wrapped Christmas present inside being a new charm bracelet with a silver Christmas tree on it and other Christmasy charms. “I got you something.” He said with a bright look in his eyes. “Merry early Christmas.”

[iamthequeenofmywalls]

She couldn't help it. Any time she saw Max now, she had to smile, it was her first instinct. The fact that he was alive was still a blessing for her and to see him without that chair was even better. "I was hoping you would fix it. I would have gone to see Emma but..." she gazed over at her best friend, surround by a gang of people, most of whom Liz didn't particularly want to converse with. As he sat down she moved closer to him, just enough to be right by his side.

When he brought out the present, Liz's face lit up again. Her hands reached out for the present carefully, tearing into the packaging slowly before she reached the box with the bracelet. She beamed at Max as she put it on, the same wrist with the other charm bracelet she had from him. "Thank you," she murmured, the bright smile still on her face, though it faltered slightly. "But I don't have anything for you.. I'm sorry Max," she murmured, staring down at the bracelet before looking him in the eye again.

[iamthequeenofmywalls]

Christmas Comes To Hogwarts || QTK

[max-a-knight]

Max had been working as hard as he could to try and get himself back on track. For Liz’s sake more than his own he knew how much they’d both been through and he felt guilty for making her wait longer. Though at least they didn’t have the concern of her father looming over their heads now which felt like one weight lifted off of his chest. Christmas was only a short time away and with the help of Madam Pomfrey combined with his stubbornness today would be the first surprise for Christmas. He was fed up with that wheelchair and for the past few months he’d been working endlessly to get rid of it.

The progress down to the Great Hall was slow but he was feeling better about himself, instead of being bound to the chair he had crutches settled under his arms using them to aid his progress through the castle until he made it to the Great Hall. He paused upon arriving his eyes scanning until he found Liz gazing up at the tree being decorated by Flitwick. Taking up his journey again he slowly approached his smile warm and festive. “My what a beautiful lady, though why is she sat alone? Might I keep my dear lady company?” He said to catch her attention as he approached the table.

[iamthequeenofmywalls]

Though typically Liz would have accompanied him to his therapy with Madame Pomfrey, today she had a grading concern she had to bring up to Slughorn, and so she had let Max go alone, feeling slightly guilty. And while she was out and about she had decided to visit the Great Hall, get some breakfast and maybe talk to some students. Except for the fact that she could no longer tell who she should talk to. The upcoming war, as she had always heard about from.. well everyone.. was splitting the school in two and it was almost easier to not talk to anyone. Which is what Liz had decided to do, and instead ate her toast in solitude.

She was too enthralled by Flitwick's decorating that she didn't hear the familiar sound of Max's crutches, but when she heard his voice she turned to look at him. Her smile turned into a bright grin as she noticed that  he was in crutches, that damned chair no where in sight. "She couldn't find anyone to sit with," she reply with a slight shrug. "I would love it if you kept me company. I was just admiring Flitwick's decorating."

[iamthequeenofmywalls]

Christmas Comes To Hogwarts || QTK

Liz couldn't help but stare as Professor Flitwick started to levitate the shiny baubles onto the branches of the tree. It was odd to think that they had done this every year without fail, decorated Hogwarts with a festive spirit, where it was a miracle if even the slightest of decorations had found it's way up in the Queen manor. That was another odd thing to think about; home. Or what was the only thing she could ever even slightly consider home. Her father was dead now, according to Jac, but that didn't stop the man from haunting her. Even with Max's constant assurances it was still difficult for her not to imagine him still alive, still a threat. And where all of her fellow students were getting in the Christmas spirit, she just.. couldn't.

And so she just sat there and watched; watched students walk around singing carols, Hagrid dragging in new trees to put in the hall, professors hanging garland and tinsel around the Great Hall. Spreading jam onto her slice of toast she sighed, wishing that she could find the Christmas spirit too, but if it existed it was buried down deep inside her. She just wanted Max to get done with his therapy today (He was finally able to walk in a way, though most of his strength still came from his arm and it was still recommended he used his chair. Once Max was back by her side, maybe she wouldn't feel so alone.

[the-lost-monarch]

Business Proposal : Jac and Liz

[the-lost-monarch]

"It will, you just need some patience too and I know that it isn’t a typical trait of the Queens to have that but you’re going to need to find it and implement it if you’re going to get him better." He sighed his eyes drifting away from her. "He just needs time remind him why he’s doing this… Keep the determination he had at the beginning going. Don’t let that fire go out even if it’s down to a cinder."

A chuckle escaped his lips at this teasing. “We might be. That we might.” He was well aware where her heart lay though for a moment he pursed his lips. “Gods it’s probably terrible that I used to have a crush on you.” He shook his head a little holding her against his chest. “I’ll try not to.” He murmured. “It’s easier said than done but I’ll try.” He could read between the lines enough to know what she’d meant and he carefully broke away. “You should probably be getting back to Knightboy.”

[iamthequeenofmywalls]

"I know I'm going to have to..." she trailed off again, lost in thought. She knew for this, she was going to have to be the strong, supportive one, and she was trying. But sometimes she would be struck with the thought that one of these days she could wake up with a knife to her throat and a dead Max besides her... and it disheartened her, until she realized that they were at Hogwarts and would be safe. But it would be a relief if Jac was really able to get rid of this looming figure of a man. "I just want him better.. and realize I have to do whatever it takes to get him there."

She arched an eyebrow at him. the only faintest smirk playing at her lips. "You had a crush on me? Jac Dupont, now Queen, actually had a crush on someone? I'm shocked." Liz nodded as he carefully pulled himself away. "Yes, I probably should." She looked down at the watch she was starting to get used to attached to her wrist. "He should be almost done this session." She looked back up at him and faintly smiled again. "I guess I'll see you later. Good luck planning.." She nodded towards him and turned starting back up towards the castle. 

[the-lost-monarch]

Business Proposal : Jac and Liz

[the-lost-monarch]

"Give him time. He’ll get there. If there’s one thing I haven’t seen in that lad is that he’s a fighter… If anyone can do anything it’s him. You’ve just got to show him that you’ve got faith in him and it’ll work miracles." And he believed that one to be true, he’d seen some amazing feats occur by a simple act of faith in another person. "I’ll be missed that’s all that matters."

"They may not be, good thing we are." He kept a light grip on her shoulder as he stood there returning her smile faintly. "Yet another thing we have in common… Survival’s in our blood and you’ll survive. No matter what obstacle you face." He paused and shrugged slightly. "The universal taboo. I won’t dwell on it if you don’t. But I’ll give you that you were good." He chuckled along with her before he found himself hugging her. He knew that he’d miss her, after their summer he’d become more attached than he’d care to admit to Liz.

[iamthequeenofmywalls]

"I know he is. If he wasn't, he simple wouldn't be here," she said, her voice edging on melancholy. Then she sighed and nodded. "I know. And I do. I just hope my giving him hope that this is going to work and my constant support is actually going to produce... something. It would hurt to see him disappointed at himself for not being able to.. I just don't to see him hurt again."

"See we may actually be twins after all," she teased lightly, knowing that it was still odd to think about. But slowly the idea had grown on them in the summer. "No dwelling at all. Not that it wasn't a good time." But now her heart and mind and soul belonged to Max and herself. She rested against him, sighing, though it was one of relief. "Don't get yourself killed. Not only because that would mean that he would gloat in his victory. I'd rather not go to another funeral in such a short timespan. I think two was enough." Which was her own way to say that she was going to miss him and that she didn't want him to die because, after all this time, she finally cared about him.

[the-lost-monarch]

Business Proposal : Jac and Liz

[the-lost-monarch]

"I’m sure you’ll have your Knight back on his feet to look after you if I fall. I’ll just be a lost monarch." He nodded his head. "I will, for both our sakes and remind the world what a family like ours should be." He shrugged his shoulders. "They’ll be compensated either way. I’ll look after those who help me.

"No one in their right mind would envy me." Jac sighed to himself lightly raising a hand to rest on her shoulder. "You know for the record, if I got to choose anyone for a sister…  I’m glad it was you. Not many would’ve gotten through that hell for nearly seventeen years." And for once in his life he pulled her into a hug not saying anything just a sign of gratitude.

[iamthequeenofmywalls]

She frowned. "I hope to... but he's still not progressing near enough as we'd like him to.. and Madame Pomfrey's still unsure of whether the little strength that is left in his legs... It's still unclear whether he'll walk again. But there's always time..." Liz shook her head, obviously still worrying about it, as she would until Max showed a great amount of progress. "You will be missed though. Maybe not by many... only a few people ever are missed by many. But I would miss you and so would Heist."

"Sadly, there are people who are not in their right mind." She seemed about to flinch away from his hand, but stilled herself and lightly smiled up at him. "I was either live through it or die.. and I'm not one for death. I'm glad that out of everyone it might have been it was you too, even if that makes our history a bit fucked up." Oddly she found it in herself to chuckle faintly. But soon that was cut off by the shock that played around her features at him pulling her into a hug. But all she did was wrap her arms around him and hug her back, surprising even herself.

[the-lost-monarch]

Business Proposal : Jac and Liz

[the-lost-monarch]

"Exactly… I’ll be careful. I’m well aware that he doesn’t trust me but that doesn’t particularly matter. All I need is to be in the same room as him for no longer than two minutes." He said simply he let her free her arm. "He can try but I’m moving in with checkmate." He murmured more to himself his eyes flickering to a point far over the lake. "I want to be rid of this. Prove to the world what being a Queen means. Properly." He listened to her list off the few people in the manor who would help him out. "I’ll keep that in mind, I’ll be sure to compensate them all for their help…" He made a mental note of that one.

He noticed the look on her face as he looked back to her and smiled faintly. “Don’t worry, you won’t be rid of me for too long.” He nodded a little. “Super useful. Especially for remembering escape routes and textbook pages.”

[iamthequeenofmywalls]

"As long as your careful.. if you die... I 'm fucked," she said simply. There was also the fact that it would be sad if he died, but plain and simple is that if he died, she was the only one left, making it impossible for her to escape. "Then get rid of him. He deserves to be dead... much worse than dead. And then teach the world that the Queens aren't a family ruled by their fury and cruelness, but their cunning and intelligence, like it always should have been." She shook her head. "I doubt they'll need compensation, just continued work. I only say them, because I am sure of their loyalty... they hate him as much as we do, only stayed on for my sake, even if they could do little than treat my wounds.."

"It's just that no one here understands.. you finally do. Max knows, but only from a prisoner's viewpoint. But to live in what you are supposed to be able to call a home, but not be able to sleep easy for the fact that he  might enter the room at any moment. You witnessed that." She nodded, her face cold and steely, not looking anywhere in particular: an effect of the aftermath was that Liz was unable to sorely concentrate on anything unless with extreme effort. "I don't envy you, with the job you are about you undertake... but you'll do good at it."

[the-lost-monarch]

Business Proposal : Jac and Liz

[the-lost-monarch]

The difference between then was that Jac had all the energy and anger in his life to fuel this. Only now he’d been claimed and then kicked down? There was no way that the fury that had built inside of him was just going to go away. Jac was a person of action and this required action he knew he could and was going to take. He’d fought and he’d fought hard and he would keep on fighting whatever system was in place until he was in a position that he wasn’t being manipulated - he was the manipulator.

He was being plain for once and it was evident, it was a take it or leave it but you’ll profit either way type deal that he’d extend only to her. “I have a feeling I’ll need it…” He turned to face her for a moment seeming to contemplate something. “I’ll have it organised that I’ll finish off studies at home - I’ll blame business as the guise it’s not as if I need much effort in tests anyway.” He lightly tapped his head. “Eidetic memory.”

[iamthequeenofmywalls]

"Oh you will. But if anyone can do this, it would be you. and no one else. But be careful.. I know he doesn't particularly trust you, he told me when he was trying to brainwash me over the summer." She shuddered at the thought of that, freeing her arm from his and rubbing the other with it. "So he might be trying his own countermove, you can never be sure with him." She seemed to think about something for the movement, then nodded. "There's two guards in the manor, Cook and Damien. They are the only two who don't belong to him; they were our mother's men before she died and they've only stayed on to protect her offspring, meaning me.. and now you. Just tell them I sent you and they'll most likely guard your door as well as a loyal wolf."

She was slightly sad that Jac wouldn't be staying at Hogwarts, oddly enough. But it was a smart decision. "Nor do you really need the tests with the job you'll have now." A faint smile passed her lips as he tapped his head. "Oh yes. There is that. That must be useful."

[the-lost-monarch]

Business Proposal : Jac and Liz

[the-lost-monarch]

He’d end up giving her money anyway even if she didn’t give him the help he needed in return. He’d do it out of the fact he now understood the life she’d been put through. All that time left with that hellish creature that pretended to be a father. He was set on removing that particular problem though - from both of their lives and sooner rather than later. It was true that he was determined and that nearly always meant success for Jac whenever he set out on one task or another.

As she stopped so did he, though his eyes never left her awaiting her verdict on the idea he’d thrown down. “I’m set, it was more of a proposal that if I succeed I’ll give you everything and more than you’ve ever had just for some infrequent advice on thing.” He was speaking matter of factly. He nodded his head. “Great. I go back in a few weeks. So I have time to get a plan together.”

[iamthequeenofmywalls]

She felt partially angry with herself but it was foolish anger. As much as she wanted fight back for herself, be like Jac who was even going as far as to kill their father, there was just no way she could. Even before she had too physically weak to do it, it was the matter that her will was weak. Stabbing her father had only been a act of fury, and Liz had no fury stored up.

At one point in time, she may have been skeptical. Asked him whether she had to sell her soul to actually receive what he was offering her. But now there was an understanding between them and she just nodded gently. "I can do that. Thank you. And I wish you luck." She closed her eyes, as if she needed to rest them, but it was clear that she was still paying attention. "I supposed you wont be back after he's dead. With all of the responsibility."

[the-lost-monarch]

Business Proposal : Jac and Liz

[the-lost-monarch]

He’d never managed to have long enough with the other man in order to do any real damage but he’d noticed that during their meetings when it was just the pair of them alone their father took a habit of leaving the guards outside or dismissing them entirely. He knew that he could manage this and if he did he probably wouldn’t benefit but at least he’d be doing one honourable thing.

He knew that the money would always be a thing would want to keep some tab on and so it seemed like a good solution. “I’m planning on killing him once everything is in order. I’ll write you an owl from the manor once it’s done and if you don’t hear anything… Well you know what’ll have happened.” He smiled a little sadly but eventually shrugged. “I’d need your opinion from time to time, you know how it’s run from the top I know how it is through and through. But I could always use a different perspective on this… Nothing that’d put you in danger just the occasional meeting. So your thoughts?”

[iamthequeenofmywalls]

Money would be a thing she would always need and she had always though that it was something was assured even if Jac was the one to inherit the business, as if it was type of reward for living through her pathetic excuse for a life. But once the idea swirled in her head, it was not the money that made Jac's idea seem good to her. Her father would be dead, if everything went as planned. The monster that had towered over her for her entire life gone. The nightmare that didn't lurk in the shadows but out in public, able to take her away from anywhere she might have been. She knew Max had said that he would never like anyone take her away from him, but there wasn't much that he could really do if her father fancied taking back his favorite toy...

Liz stopped walking, musing over his idea quietly, her eyes locked on some point in the distance until she broke from her reverie. "I can't do anything if you are already set on killing him... but nor would I try to stop you if I could. Everything would be better off if he was dead...." She nodded her head thoughtfully. Max might not like the thought of her even occasionally going back to help out now and again, but Liz also knew what she was good at. There was no point putting those skills to waste. "And I don't see a problem about giving you occasional help... it would put those lessons to good use I suppose."

[the-lost-monarch]

Business Proposal : Jac and Liz

[the-lost-monarch]

He knew just what their father was attempting to do, he was trying to mould Jac into what Liz had become whenever he was around. But being obedient and conforming to set rules just wasn’t Jac’s fashion. The only rules he lived by was that nothing is true and that everything is permitted, Then there were the tenants of the Court itself. Of course he abided by those but to be subserviant to a man he didn’t deem worthy as a leader? That was never going to happen. So the first time their father had went to beat him he’d fought - and he’d fought well. He’d broken two of the man’s fingers before he’d been wrestled by guards to get his real beating. It had taken five other men in total to subdue him completely before any punishment could be given.

He didn’t look content or discontent with what he’d just told her. He knew she’d be angry of course she would but he was willing to extend some what of an olive branch to her. “I could do it easily. If there’s any one thing I learnt on those streets it’s how to kill and get away with it. It was kill or be killed and I don’t intend on letting the latter occur any time soon…” He was quiet again. “If I took control I could restructure it… I know it inside out - having gone from the bottom to the top I know more about the actual function of things… But it would leave me with the finances.” He looked at her as they walked. “Which would mean that I could reinstate your inheritance if not for a little help now and then.” And that was the branch he was offering.

[iamthequeenofmywalls]

Liz was proud of Jac whenever he stood up to their father, whenever he fought back, even if he never won the fight. In Liz's mind it proved that other people could fight back, would fight back, even if she didn't. Couldn't. She didn't even mind the fact that whenever Jac fought back and actually did some damage, that her father would still be so angry after Jac that he would come after her. That was just life, something that she had to make the best of.

Soon her mind cleared and she realized that this had been what she wanted. She cared about the money, but the money went with being Queen and if she was Queen... well that and having Max didn't go hand in hand in her mind. "So, your planning to kill him," she said quietly, not a question, just a statement. The man who seemed so invincible to her.. dead. It was.. a thought, neither lovely nor bad. "You would have it in your power to reconstruct it, yes, and you would have the skills you picked up in the underworld to aid you." When he extended his offer, she looked at him. IN matters of this her voice would, should have taken a business-like edge, especially with Jac. But the summer had changed them and her tone was just vaguely curious. "What would a little help now and then mean? Just so that it's clear."

[the-lost-monarch]

Business Proposal : Jac and Liz

[the-lost-monarch]

His attempts to get out of the mansion were the reasons for the first few beatings, but it was when he’d been caught trying to contact some of his other friends that the last one had come. That had been the last straw and it had set him down a war path and he wasn’t turning back any particular time soon. It’d ended up pushing him (surprisingly) closer to Liz. In such a way that whenever something occurred the pair often sought out the other.

He walked alongside her in silence letting her mull over the idea he’d put up for discussion. His eyes studied her thoughtfully for a few moments as though anticipating what she was going to say. He was fed up of the rules and regulations and the only way he could see it changing was if they changed just who was in charge of it all. “No we wouldn’t.” He shook his head. “That’s why I’m bringing this up. He’s summoned me back to the mansion… He’s cutting you out and making me the next heir… If he dies. I get everything.” He didn’t seem happy about it but he didn’t seem opposed to it either. “My proposition. Call it what you will. Is that when I go back.” He glanced around quietly before looking back to her. “Is that I kill him and take control.” He went quiet again knowing she’d understand what that would entail for her future.

[iamthequeenofmywalls]

Their father was just trying to do exactly what he had done to Liz to Jac, thinking that it would work. Beating him into submission, where he was afraid of what would happen if he opposed he. But what he hadn't realized was that Jac and Liz were very different. Liz had grown up with his beating, twelve years of being his punching bag when he was angry with her had almost brainwashed her into thinking, not that the beating were good, but that she deserved them and it was normal. So where he was often used to Liz crumpling into broken silence for a while after each beating, Jac had frustrated him.

She looked at him in surprise at his words. A flash of anger went through at the revelation that she was being written out, that Jac was getting everything. All those years of preparation, of lessons, of having to leave with her father and she was getting nothing. But that was only an instant of anger before her brain corrected itself. That meant that she wouldn't have to worry about being Queen. All she'd have to worry about was getting Max better. But that didn't mean she couldn't feel cheated. But she continued to listen quietly, to his idea, a look of thoughtfulness passing across her face. "You are going to... Really? Do you think you can do it?" 

[the-lost-monarch]

Business Proposal : Jac and Liz

[the-lost-monarch]

He’d learnt his lesson but it had taken three beatings for him to finally come to understand that this was the life he’d been dragged in to and he didn’t appreciate it. He’d drag himself up though, bloodied and bruised he’d force himself to walk back with his head held high though with each day another piece of him had been chipped away. Slowly wearing thin the mask he wore away.

He didn’t want to impose himself on to her, he was still finding it strange that she was his sister the idea in itself was still unfamiliar and strange. His jaw was set slightly as they walked he nodded his head. “I know how powerful he is… But what if he were gone?” He let the sentence hang in the air.

[iamthequeenofmywalls]

The beating were lessons, that was what father had always said. And she thought, naively thought that after his niceness when she had been locked in the the cells was going to stay. But she had been wrong.. it had lasted a week and the change wasn’t even subtle or slow, it was instantaneously. The accidental shattering of wedding china of her parents and the world of pain and beating she had been raised in returned. She had picked up the shards of china until her hands bleed and even then her punishment had only begun… But Liz was already damaged, already broken and scared for so long. She had always been punished. Always had been meant to be punished. But Jac… It was different to see Jac being punished as well.

The fact that he was her brother was a hard one to really grip, still being odd to think that she had one, really. It had always just been her, always alone, everything being her responsibility and her fault. She hadn’t wished her family upon anyone.. even Jac. “If he was gone…” she echoed thinking about it. If he was gone, she could go to sleep at night not worrying whether or there was going to be a knife at her throat and Max dead again at her side. There would be no threat to her happiness.. but.. She shook her head as if trying to clear it. “It he was gone, we’d have to divide out responsibilities that we have to the company between us… But he would have to be dead for that to happen. He's still perfectly healthy; he isn't going to die like grand-pere did."

[the-lost-monarch]

Business Proposal : Jac and Liz

[the-lost-monarch]

After spending nearly all of his life outside and on the streets being confined within the walls of a house for extended amounts of time just didn’t do wonders for Jac. But he knew that if he acted out it would just end up worse on his behalf. He’d learnt that lesson quickly enough after the first beating he’d been given when he’d tried to sneak out via the woods near to the manor. Ever since he’d been more alert and a lot more on edge. Being a thief he’d learnt to sleep lightly and even the slightest sound had woken him in the manor and it wasn’t appreciated.

He craved his freedom and now that he was out and at Hogwarts he was making every use that he could of it. He’d sleep outside, study outside anything and everything had to be done outside. He waited until she took his arm before starting away from the castle. “Both… I know you want freedom as much as I do. But you’re still worried about him.” He still refused to refer to the man as his father even now. “True?” He was making a statement he knew was right but he just needed to know she’d listen to what he had to say rather than wasting breath.

[iamthequeenofmywalls]

Liz had heard the sounds of his first beating, had scurried away from them in fear that their father would came after her next. It never did stop him from coming after her. At a point in life she could have laughed at Jac, would have commented how it wasn't funny now, not something to make light of, but that was when her entire life was fueled by hate. By then, she wouldn't have wished that kind of treatment on anyone else. 

She had seen Jac rarely, though that wasn't of itself odd. Liz spent most of her time out of classes in Max's chambers or by his side, if she wasn't she was typically doing something to better herself, whether it be mentally or physically. When he said him, she understood who he had meant, and a slight shudder passed through her body but she pressed on. He still haunted her in nightmares, chasing her, cornering her; he was still a pennant figure. "You know how powerful he is.. whatever he wants he can get." She looked over at him. "But why bring him up. What does it have to do with your idea?"

[the-lost-monarch]

Business Proposal : Jac and Liz

[the-lost-monarch]

He could tell simply by looking at her that she was slowly becoming more herself and he knew that was down to Max. He’d go over to the infirmary when he built up the courage but for now he needed to deal with Liz. His shoulders were tense and his features drawn but the slight smile made him resemble the boy he used to be - a lot more outgoing and wayward. The one that had charmed her on their very first meeting.

"Yes… I did." He mused but glanced up at the castle warily. Turning slightly he proffered her his arm. "Walk with me? I have an idea you might be interested in hearing about." He wasn’t going to speak in the castle where anyone could overhear. This was meant for Liz’s ears only.

[iamthequeenofmywalls]

Liz and Max weren't the only ones that the summer had affected, Liz noticing the differences in Jac not for the first time. He hadn't adjusted well at being stuck in that house... It was a certain thing that you never got used to unless you were born into it. His ease and aloofness had faded, leaving him slightly tense, but, as Liz had appreciated during the summer, the lack of his aloofness had made him more tolerable to be around.

When he proffered his arm, she stared at it for a few moments before talking it. "Sure," she said, starting walking away from the castle, picking up his hints that this was to be private and unheard of by other ears. "So, is this an idea.. or a proposition?"