a. carrow

writing in blood on the walls

[redcarrow]

She would mind when she froze to death but he didn’t bother telling her that. A smirk grew on his lips at the other’s shock – he had gained her attention and that’s what he had wanted. “The scarf was fine, I told you I liked it because I didn’t want to hurt your precious feelings.” he sneered. His brows rose when she mentioned a present but pretended not to care. “What would I possibly do without a present from me. My Christmas is ruined.” he deadpanned, the anger about Blackthorn making him more irritable than usual.

“No,” she said absently, looking down to close her books before the wind rustled them even further, “you liked it, I can always tell when I am being lied to. But it doesn’t matter, its just a scarf.” It was a little game she played, feeling out how far she could push things and still keep his favor. Something in the air and his eyes seemed to warn Alecto not to go to far, so instead she stood up and pressed herself against him, wrapping her hand around his tie gently. “Are you angry with me, Eli?” The blonde pouted prettily, nearly purring his name. 

[redcarrow]

He wasn’t shocked when Alecto went from morose and curled up next to him on the couch to standing up furiously-it was instincts and knowing her behaviors well that allowed him to snatch Apollo up from her lap before the niffler could get hurt.  Amycus wasn’t a fool-he was well aware of his sister’s temper, which is why he hadn’t tried to beat around the bush with his news. Had she heard it from someone other than him, the messenger would have paid for it. He was protected, for the most part, because of the fact that they were twins. Allowing someone else to tell her would have just meant another mess for him to clean up. He didn’t fight her as she pulled him into his room, holding in a sigh as she did so.

Amycus was careful not to turn his back towards her as he laid Apollo on his bed, offering the distressed creature a soothing scritch under it’s chin. “Father’s arranged a betrothal for me,” he said, voice even despite the growing rage he saw in his twin. “You knew this was inevitable, Aly,” he pleaded. “You’ve already been betrothed, as have most of our friends. There are worse matches for me than the Nott girl.”

She shouldn’t have stood so quickly, shouldn’t have shouted or put his dear pet in danger. But Alecto was singular minded, and now all that she could think was how close she was to losing him. The blonde had never been a good girl, not the kind people wanted to be around. She was harsh, reckless, manipulative, and often downright cruel. Alecto crafted different versions of herself for those around her, Blaise knew one, her friends likely another, her parents only the shell of who she was. Amycus knew her for who she really, truly was. She’d never lived with out him, and likely would not have survived her early years had he not been there for her. Her twin knew every dark corner of her mind, every cruel thought as well as he knew his own blood. He knew this, and loved her regardless. She could say this about no one else. 

“It’s not the same!” She snapped quickly, trying to control the mounting rage in her chest. But it wasn’t just rage, it was mostly fear. “He's never cared for me he’d give me to anyone who asked. I won’t be happy, you know that!” Her fingers trembled as she roughly tugged at her own curls. “But you, they always cared about you more, and he picked someone absolutely perfect.” That was the trouble, why couldn’t he see it. 

“You don’t understand, you can’t, I know what he’s doing!” It was building now, too much for her to control. Fear was more dangerous than anything else she could conjure. “She’s exactly what you want, easy and quiet and perfect and so so fucking compliant. She’s everything I am not and they want you to turn against me! You are going to love her and hate me. Resent me! And maybe you always have, I’m too much trouble. Father knows that you protect me, and he wants you to turn against me.” She nearly screamed in frustration, clenching her hands into tiny fists so tightly her anger shot out uncontrolled in a burst of magic. The pitcher holding water on his bedside table shattered, shards flying in every direction. She felt the edges pierce her skin, the pain a welcome distraction from her anger which seemed to drip out of her like the blood. Suddenly it was gone, only fear left, and Alecto collapsed to the floor trying to control her sobs. 

[redcarrow]

There was a certain unpredictable predictability to Alecto. There was a time where it drew Rae in, made her eager to learn more. Rae had reveled in the dark arts and let it consume her for a time. But things changed. With Aidan reverted to a shell of the man he once was, she felt utterly alone in her place with the Death Eaters. Rae looked up at Alecto, knowing that there was pain to come. It was inevitable. Alecto was looking at her like she looked at most of her prey. It was a look that Rae herself held in years past.

part of her wanted to scoff at the mention of power and loyalty. no one had power except HIM. the power she was promised, the community of people that would help her become the witch she needed to be never materialized. it was all empty, so loyalty be damned. but now was not the time for her to fight. that could come later.

the pull on her hair was enough to make her wince, but rae knew better. that wasn’t going to be the end of it tonight. times like this were becoming more frequent as of late and she resorted to the best coping mechanism she could scrap up. rae let her mind empty, let herself become numb. the pain would still come, but at least the screaming would be kept at bay. it’s how she survived through every attack, through every interrogation, through every abuse.

“don’t drag amy into this,” she whispered, knowing that nothing she would say would stop what was coming next.

The girl said nothing, and it only irritated Alecto further. She should be begging on her knees for Alecto’s mercy, which was only a shade less uncommon than their Lord’s. She hated them, the lot of these ungrateful hangers on - those not pure enough to merit their own place among his ranks. She was beginning to regret bringing Rae in at all, she should be thanked, not scorned for her trouble.

“Amy is involved, he is my twin, and whatever affection he once held for you pales in comparison to what he and I have.” Her words were like daggers now, harsh and unforgiving. How dare she attempt to tell Alecto how to speak about her twin, her blood. Aurelia was nothing to him, Alecto knew this, but it always hurt her deeply to be reminded of those who Amycus cared for that were not her. She was a deeply insecure girl, and since he was the only person who knew her fully and still loved her, she could not bare any threats that he might leave. 

“Incarcerous,” she muttered and ropes slipped out of her wand binding the girl’s wrists behind her back. “Now, I’ll give you one more chance, beg my forgiveness and I might not throw you from the tower.” 

[eltonhjohn]

[redcarrow]

“I personally have absolutely no issue giving you detention for a week. Clearly, you’re deluded if you think I’d give you special preference.” he said with an amused smirk on his lips, realizing that she wasn’t herself. Was it the effect of alcohol or something more? Not that he truly cared. He would have moved forward to help her had he not felt his mind being invaded, confusion on his face as he looked at the woman, immediately closing off his mind. There were far too many secrets he held which he didn’t wish to share with anybody, least of all, Alecto Carrow. “What did you do just now?” he asked her, his tone having changed from a tease to a much firmer one as he stepped towards her and helped her down. “Do you really think using legilimency on me is a good idea, Carrow?” he said, his tone turning into a more threatening one once the confusion began to wear off. 

“Oh please, you’d get so bored without me around.” She fluttered her eyelashes, unafraid of any sort of consequences of her actions. At school she always had Amycus to look out for her, and rode the power of her name for all its worth. Alecto pulled her face into a tiny pout when he did not move to help her down, but her eyes widened only slightly at the sound of his tone. 

“I didn't do anything?” She stepped down, trying to close the gap between them, to win Stefan over with her charm, but stopped at the second comment. “Use what? What the fuck are you talking about Stef? My wand’s in my pocket I'm not doing anything.” 

[redcarrow]

“I–Do you have a few hours?” Narcissa was glad to the weight shift in the bed as Alecto crawled in, curling against her. While she wasn’t often the needy one in their friendship, it seemed like she would be this afternoon. “Because I’ve been off doing a lot, and I feel like I should explain myself to you, at least.” Alecto, despite her appearances, had proven herself to be a trustworthy friend over the years. While she wasn’t sure she could or would share everything with the fellow blonde, for she was a private woman at heart, she wanted to share something. Anything. “Because these past few months have been a blur, and I just–” With Priscilla seemingly caught in Barty’s web, she needed a friend without complications. “Everything’s a mess.”

“For you? Always.” Alecto had very few people for whom she’d drop everything for, and Narcissa was on that very short list. The smaller blonde curled in closer and gave Cissy her full attention. It was almost nice, to not be the needy one for once, and to be needed. She always feared that Amycus didn’t actually need her as much as she needed him, but no - now was not the time for this particular fear, she was focusing on Narcissa. “You never have to explain yourself to me, but I wanna know what’s going on with you. Why’s everything a mess?” 

[redcarrow]

This was exactly what Aidan needed. Just a night with someone he considered to be a friend and some delicious drinks. He knew that despite her dark side, Alecto was also one to never turn down a good time. Nor did she seem to bring up what had happened, which was a refreshing change of pace.

“If only it were so simple, but we’ll save that conversation for another time, I’m not interested in dwelling on the bad,” Aidan insisted, taking a sip from his glass. “Classes are simple, and most the professors are almost too understanding and worried, it seems. More annoying than anything, really.” He shook his head, grimacing as he recalled his one-on-one session with Pomfrey the other day, downing half of his glass now.

“It is that simple for some of us,” she smirked - a tiny passive aggressive moment doused in sugary sweetness and poisonous smiles to forever remind Aiden that while she may thoroughly enjoy his company, he would always be just a step below her. “But yes, moving on - classes are boring and I’m sure everyone is just fawning all over you. Being the center of attention must be terrible.” Her tiny moment of cruelty from earlier was gone, replaces with good natured teasing while she traced a slim nail around the rim of her glass before taking a sip. 

“This is excellent, I did miss your drinks.” She hummed a bit, something that sounded eerily like God Save the Queen, before turning her head back to look at him. “Are you going home for break?” 

[redcarrow]

Bella tried to keep steady as she put her arms around her friend, trying to keep the other upright. “Oh I’m sure we can, rather easily for a school with underaged students,” she chuckled. “I’m not up to much of anything, I just saw you stumble up here and thought I might prevent a fatal accident. Here, why don’t you have a seat,” she suggested while guiding them to the ledge to sit and lean against. “I can’t believe the holidays are coming so quickly,” she sighed, not wanting to go home.

Alecto wasn't out of control, but she liked to exist right along the boarders, seeing how far she could push it. Girls like her didn’t face consequences so why would she even worry. With a manic sort of laugh, the blonde allowed herself to be lead to the seat by the older witch. “I could never have a fatal accident, I am far too busy to die.” She sighed melodramatically and leaned her head against Bella’s shoulder. “I know, only good part is Cissy and me and Amy’s birthday’s! We shall have to work on a plan to all get together, I doubt Father would let me and Amy out, but that’s never really been an issue before.” Alecto waved on of her hands airily as she spoke, knowing that Bella would listen and appreciate it even if the plans were a bit rambly. “Better idea!” She perked up and clapped her hands together, “Let’s just not go home at all! We can celebrate the solstice in Spain or South Africa or anywhere that’s not here!!” 

[blond-shell]

Eliza Scanlen for The Wrap (2018)

[redcarrow]

Rae winced slightly at the tug of her hair, trying to gently remove Alecto’s hand. “Because I wasn’t doing my job at the ball and because he doesn’t think I can be trusted,” she explained. “I’d feel safer if I wasn’t stepped on.” It was as bold as she was willing to go. Alecto was no idiot even when drunk, so Rae could only push back so far without it going south. “I just want a little peace and quiet. Is that too much to ask for?”

Her lip slipped out into a tiny pout as Rae tried to pull away, Alecto did not like people who turned down her affection. “Well, perhaps had you done what you were supposed to, what you signed up for and what you promised you’d do, you wouldn’t feel stepped on.” She was growing tired of this conversation, and all of the useless excuses. Barty was right to threaten Aurelia, and she was glad that he was taking this. Because it had been Alecto who’d brought Rae into the fold, Alecto who’d whispered promises of power and revenge into her ear. Poor, damaged Aurelia, Alecto could sense her fear, her anger festering behind those pretty eyes and had drawn it out and encouraged her to follow these darker tendencies. And now, the stupid little bitch wasn’t doing what she was told, and it might make Alecto look bad. A flash of anger sparked through grey eyes, and Alecto gave another sharp tug on Rae’s hair then stood up. 

“I do grow tired of these games, Rae. Don’t you know that we have always wanted what is best for you? Amycus has always looked out for you, I brought you in and gave you all this power and prestige.” A manic smile, unnervingly calm as if all traces of her previous intoxication were gone. Alecto’s skin was humming again, singing out for violence as she slipped her hand into her skirt pocket and brought it out twirling her wand between slim fingers. “And this is how you repay me? Is gratitude too much to ask for? What about loyalty?”

[lockhearts]

Spotting the Slytherin girl, Gilderoy swiftly made his way over to where she was. There was a smile on lips, but when he started speaking, his voice was nothing but serious. “I never thought I’d see you again. It has been so long, I was starting to believe I would never gaze upon your beautiful face once more.”

( @redcarrow​ )

[redcarrow]

Alecto glanced up with a start, scowling out of habit at those who disturbed her. Her face softened slightly at the smile on Gilderoy’s face, he was a good amusement, the little blonde liked anyone who flattered her. Alecto craved attention. “Gilderoy,” she fluttered her eyelashes sweetly, “I would never be so cruel as to deprive you of chances to praise me. I prefer other ways of tormenting you.” 

[malfoysluc]

{ @redcarrow​ }

“Carrow,” Lucius said as soon as he spotted Alecto walking into the common room, his voice raised just enough for her to hear him. After a moment, he gestured for her to sit with him. “Join me, won’t you? I’ll have the house elves bring up some tea. I think it’s about time we catch up.”

[redcarrow]

Another boring day, they seemed to drag the closer it was to the end of term, Alecto could literally feel herself becoming less and less as it wore on. The boredom made her skin hum in an almost dangerous way, like she was itching for some excitement. She considered not even stopping in the common room, but heading straight to her room, or Rab’s, looking for something to get into when she heard the drawling voice calling her over. Malfoy, her lips curled up into a nice girl smile and she pranced over to where he sat, sinking gracefully into the chair across from him. 

“Malfoy,” She nodded sweetly, “Tea? Is that all you can muster? I suppose that will be fine. How are you?”

[redcarrow]

Barty was looking for Ally, just because he was bored and the noise in the common room was making him not be able to think. With all the lower years trying to get ready for their exams and tests, it was too much for him, and he wanted a friend to just… Chill the fuck out. He knew where to find her, and as he headed up the astronomy tower, he barged in on her grinning at the look of her. “Wouldn’t have stopped me anyway.”  He grinned, taking steps toward her, reaching for the bottle. “What you doing here anyway? Are you bored out of your mind so you’re choosing to.. Wallow in the tower? How very cliche of you.” 

“BCJ!” Alecto’s face pulled in to a smile, thrilled to see a familiar friendly face. Barty was always fun, he never seemed to want anything from her but a good time. It was nice, and she felt nearly as comfortable around him as she did with her brother or Narcissa. He grabbed the bottle before it could shatter and she laughed carelessly. “I have never been one for wallowing, you know that. The common room was too loud and dreadfully boring.” She twirled slightly, leaning her head back and sighing, “I came to look at the stars, what are you up to?”

[redcarrow]

Corban looked down at the girl, smirk growing as he turned back towards the dummy. Raising his wand, the spell bombarda flashed through his mind and without him actually speaking the words - the dummy exploded. “Non verbal magic, very useful.”

Part of her knew what would happen before it did, maybe she’d sensed the spell running through his mind the way she sometimes could. It wasn’t something Alecto usually tried to indulge, but sometimes she couldn’t help but pry. The blonde nodded approvingly, but cocked her head to the side almost challenging Corban. Incendio, she thought with a slight flick of her own wand, and the remains of the dummy burst into flames. “I’d say so, is that all you’ve got?”

[chalamet]

We need to talk about your daughters. One of them is dangerous and the other is in danger.

[byhalf]

the carrow twins

@finestra-inspo @redcarrow

[aiyh]

“If a woman does something crazy, just write her off as a psycho bitch. That’s a douchebag’s favorite description of a girl who doesn’t do what he wants. She’s crazy, nuts, psychotic. It’s the easiest way to reduce someone to something unworthy of analysis.”

— “The Psycho Bitch, Gone Girl, and What It Should Mean”