Darren Peakes

I'm Darren. My brothers are Joe and Brian, My girlfriend is Prue Pritchard. That's about it for interesting things about me.

[pruethepritchard]

A Plan II Drue

[pruethepritchard]

Prue looked at the hand that was being offered to her. On one hand her feet wanted to run away. To leave this place and never come back. England everything. But the part that had fallen for him, especially the parts of him that infuriated her to the core had a life of their own as she walked back towards him sitting down at the bed. 

"You have to be careful. If you gut tells you something about someone not being trust worthy you run in the other direction. Try to get an auror to help you. Someone who has contacts. Set up a system of check-ins to make sure everyone is safe"

She quickly rattled ideas to keep him safe not looking at him directly but at her lap. 

[theprotectorfailure]

She didn't accept his hand but she did stay, and what's more, she came over and sat, and he followed suit, sitting next to her and nodding along with her ideas even though she couldn't see him. Slowly, and delicately enough that she could pull away if she wanted, he draped an arm around her shoulders. 

He pressed a kiss to her temple, and shook her shoulders a bit, trying to lighten the mood. "We'll be safe, and I'll make sure to keep all of that in mind and establish those precautions. See love, you're helping already, even if you aren't thrilled. I could use that logic." He was trying to make her feel better, but it was still truth. He hadn't thought about the aurors, and that was a good idea, one he'd bring up with the others as soon as possible. "And if you feel I'm not being careful enough, you come to me, or one of my brothers, and you'll knock some sense into me. Agreed?" 

[theprotectorfailure]

Monday || Hogwarts Library

[firebrand-roxanne]

*Some of the hard lines ease out of her face, and when she speaks her voice is quiet, but how dangerous her calm stillness is, is betrayed by her stunned words* Calm my temper?  Seriously? That’s what you want to start out with? Calm my temper? Bad move Peakes. You’re now on your second, second chance *that his first chance had been blown when he ran his mouth to his girlfriend she feels is implied. She crosses her arms and chews on the inside of her cheek, concentrating on breathing through the nose and actually calming her temper and thinking rationally as Darren continues however.*  I assumed that since you mentioned involving your brothers and mine instead of taking it for granted, and since we went as far as to number who was going to be at the first meeting that you would have brought it up if you were going to tell your girlfriend. Are you saying that if I were dating Roger or Colin—*she armors herself in sarcasm* which I sure am glad I didn’t involve any loose canons by the way because who knows how security could have been compromised then—there would be no question whether they were suitable to involve, it would be given I’d tell them our every move, and I wouldn’t need to bother  to let you know? I’ll keep that in mind. Oh, and any other people involved in my life who might wonder what I’m up to or might be effected by this are on an exempt list too. Good to know. 

That’s not the point, though you can bet you will be handling that harpy and keeping her far away from me. The point is that we were supposed to be equal partners. We were supposed to be together every step of the way. All your words. The club is closed right now because you wanted it that way. I limited who I’ve told because you wanted it that way, and there are members of my family I haven’t mentioned it to, and then I discovered you told some girl—could be the love of your life or  someone you’re going to break up with in a week once you realize you have nothing in common now you’ve graduated; I wouldn’t know the difference because I don’t know her and it reminds me that I don’t really know you.  We’re supposed to be able to trust each other, and I did trust you despite not knowing you that well—you know just how much I trusted you with— but being blindsided by Prue after all your talk about secrecy being the first priority …I feel like you deliberately went behind my back and that cuts. Now you’re acting like I have no right to expect an apology and telling me to calm my temper, and you can’t know how close I am to not just telling you off but writing you off completely and forgetting I ever ran into you in Hogsmeade.

[theprotectorfailure]

*It had to be a curse, maybe a punishment from the universe that the women he chose to surround himself with were irrational and prone to overreactions. But he didn't speak until she was finished, and when he spoke, it was the calm tone he'd cultivated over the years of a patient older brother dealing with a freakout.* First of all, there aren't chances. If you decide you want to do the Hogwarts side of it on your own, that's your prerogative. But whatever sort of chances or strikes you assign me will not stop me from handling things on the University side. And as to your other point, you're free to tell whomsoever you choose. Though in all honesty, I'd hope if Roger is someone you wish to tell, you'd at least consider the rumors about him and his general trustworthiness. But if you felt he was trustworthy, I wouldn't tell you no. If you recall, I voiced objections but at no point said you were forbidden from telling people, Roxanne. And had I mentioned telling Prue, before we realized as we do now that she overreacted, what would your objections have been, if you had any?

Name calling, is that where we are now? *He was trying to keep his temper in check, and granted, she was right to be upset, but between the insult to Prue and the childish name calling, he was starting to rethink the partnership himself. He realized he'd taken her passion only as a good, and hadn't taken into account that it could come out in less mature ways as well.* Are you looking for me to repeat myself, that I assumed it went without saying, as incorrect as that apparently turned out to be. You're free to believe what you want and if you choose to see my telling her as a direct attack to our partnership, I can't stop you. But I did apologize for the trouble it caused, another thing you chose to overlook and take as an insult to you, and if you chose to write me off that's again your prerogative. I'm not going to sit here and beg for your forgiveness and approval, we're both adults and we should be able to settle this as such. That Prue overreacted and lashed out inappropriately is not an excuse for you to follow suit. 

[theprotectorfailure]

Monday || Hogwarts Library

[firebrand-roxanne]

*leads the way to some empty room, casts a muffling charm, etc. before rounding on him*

So were you ever planning on telling me you told your girlfriend all our plans or was it always the plan for me to find out when she started yelling at me in the middle of the street in Hogsmeade? Because that was a fun surprise I could have lived without and it makes me wonder what else I should be looking out for.

[theprotectorfailure]

*He lifted an eyebrow at her, but it was quickly followed by his eyebrows furrowing in annoyance.* She what? For the love of Merlin. *He groused, raking a hand through his hair.* Calm your temper, Roxanne. I assumed it would go without saying that I'd tell her. She's going to wonder what's going on and I'm not in the habit of keeping secrets from people closely involved in my life. I expected more from her than yelling in the middle of the street, but I suppose that's something I have to talk to her about. 

I'm sorry you had to deal with it and Ill handle Prue so you won't have to deal with her again, but if you're expecting an apology for my telling someone this is going to effect, you're not going to get it. 

[theprotectorfailure]

Monday || Hogwarts Library

[firebrand-roxanne]

*Without so much preamble as a hello* We need to talk and not here.

[theprotectorfailure]

*He lifted an eyebrow but didn't argue, and collected his books to stand, waving her on with a hand.* Lead the way. 

[theprotectorfailure]

Thursday || Honeydukes

... No, I'm sorry, we don't carry single flavor bags of Bernie Bott's. It's kind of an all-or-none deal there. 

[pruethepritchard]

A Plan II Drue

[pruethepritchard]

"I don’t know Dare. But if you do this you will get yourself more at risk. I can’t predict the future. But I know that you can’t put yourself in more danger." Prue raised her wand again to make the clasps on his hands and feet leave but they barely moved. "Lovely." she muttered leaving his chest as she started unbounding him, first his feet than his hands. 

When she finished she moved away from him, wrapping her arms around herself. “This is wrong. You are barely out of school and you have to worry about this. Roxanne is still in school.. We should be worrying about parties. Not the fact someone can be killed because of their blood status. I am worried Dare.”

[theprotectorfailure]

He didn't respond as she went about untying him, but once she was finished and had moved away, he sat up and slung his legs over the edge of the bed, leaning forward to let his elbows rest on his knees as he idly rubbed at his wrists. The binds hadn't hurt, the rubbing was more just something to do. 

"That's the thing, Prue, I can. And I am. Like I said, I've no problems letting you know what's going on. But this has been decided, and it's in motion. There's no turning back on it now." 

He didn't want to scold her, but he couldn't help the disapprovingly brotherly tone that slipped into his voice. "And it would be nice if that was all we had to worry about. But it's not, and we can't turn the other cheek and hope someone else takes care of this for us. That's how people get hurt, love." He stood and reached a hand out to her, offering comfort if she wanted it but unwilling to press her while she was so withdrawn in on herself. "We're all worried. But we're taking precautions. That's all I can offer you."

[theprotectorfailure]

Monday || Hogwarts Library

[the-storm-macleod]

I do! Shut up Dare that’s definitely not what’s happening

You shouldn’t worry so much. It’s not like anyone’s going to hurt me

[theprotectorfailure]

I didn't say it was. *He chuckled* 

Would you tell me if they did? *He tried to pose the question as rhetorical, but honestly, he couldn't be sure Sam would trust him with that kind of information. It hurt the protector inside him, but he understood it.*

[theprotectorfailure]

Monday || Hogwarts Library

[the-storm-macleod]

What?! No, nooooooo, nope not like that Dare! Her and Ella are best friends, and…well..I…dunno what I am, but I’m not that.

*Winces, resisting for a second before sighing and leaning against Darren’s shoulder* I know..I just don’t like talking about stuff, ok? But thank you

[theprotectorfailure]

*He smirked, having fun with Sam's adamant denials.* If you say so McCloud. 

*He hugged the younger boy to him for a second, before loosening his arm in case he wanted to move.* Anytime, McCloud. You know I worry about you guys. 

[theprotectorfailure]

Monday || Hogwarts Library

[the-storm-macleod]

The infernally bouncy american? Yes. And no! Merlin no! No, noooo, she just likes to drag me to see Ella, and we’re..sort of friends I guess.

Dare…no. I don’t. I just…I had a bit of a rough summer, but it’s ok, and I’d rather not talk about it if I’m honest. *Looks away, not able to meet the older boy’s eyes, hunching his shoulders and ducking his head*

[theprotectorfailure]

*He raised an eyebrow, chuckling a little. That was quite the adamant denial.* Ahh, I see. So it's you, her and Ella. *He added just to be able to laugh at the younger Ravenclaw's response.* 

*He reached- slowly- to loop an arm around Sam's shoulders, like he would his brothers when they were unhappy.* Alright, Sam, I'll drop it. Just, know I'm here if you ever do want to talk, alright? You can't keep bad stuff locked up forever, it'll come out eventually. 

[theprotectorfailure]

Monday || Hogwarts Library

[the-storm-macleod]

Yeah, I’ll let you know if I have a weekend Kinsley hasn’t pre-booked for me, it’d be good to catch up.

*sighs* I am fine Darren, I just ad a rough summer ok? *awkwardly shuffles and winces*

[theprotectorfailure]

Kinsley? The... *how could he word this nicely?* energetic transfer? Are you two-? 

*He closed his book and pushed it away, twisting to sit back in his chair facing Sam, a look of concern that Sam was probably intimately familiar with by now etched across his features.* Want to talk about it? Don't think I'm obtuse enough to miss the wincing McCloud. *He tried to soften the admittedly overly concerned tone into something softer.* You don't have to, 'course, but I'm all ears if you want to. 

[theprotectorfailure]

Monday || Hogwarts Library

[the-storm-macleod]

No I’m…I’m ok. But, ok..*sits down awkwardly* I’m ok, honestly. Just wanted to see how you guys are settling in

[theprotectorfailure]

We're settling in fine, you should come over, see the place. It'll give you someplace to go if you get bored hanging out in the castle on weekends. 

Sam, I like to think we're friends, yes? And I like to think I know you fairly well, so let's skip the false 'I'm ok's and how about you tell me what's wrong? 

[pruethepritchard]

A Plan II Drue

[pruethepritchard]

"Don’t you see how easily hurt you can get? I mean one day you are here talking to me, and the next someone discovered your plan and hunted you down. And than you are dead. That’s what happens Darren. People disappear all the time, your own brother disappeared how can you risk yourself like that when people love you?" she asked looking down at her hands, she was so worried for him. For everyone.

But most of her worries lied with Cora. Who was muggleborn and didn’t know how to protect herself. “I am so worried for Cora. There have been attacks left and right. And I always fear she will be next. She is a Slytherin and a muggleborn. She is such an easy target.. I don’t want to have to worry about the fact you can get hurt everyday.”

[theprotectorfailure]

"And what will happen if we don't do anything Prue?" He asked, his expression furrowing into concern and disapproval despite his still being bound. "You're entirely right, Brian did get attacked. And maybe that would have still happened if we'd been prepared to defend ourselves, but maybe it wouldn't. Maybe learning to defend himself would have given him even the split second he needed to wake the rest of us and sound some alarm." Had he been free, he'd have wrapped his arms around her in a reassuring hug, but as it was he couldn't. 

"I don't understand how you can be worried and yet not want us to do something for ourselves. Especially in Slytherin, and muggleborn, I for one would think you'd want her to be able to protect herself. We're doing this to keep ourselves from being hurt." He looked at his wrist, over the game. "Let me go, Prue." 

[pruethepritchard]

A Plan II Drue

[pruethepritchard]

A frown crossed over her features when he began laughing, why was he laughing? He was supposed to be mad or something! She hit his chest lightly! “You aren’t supposed to be laughing you know. Now look scared and you know.” She should have thought of her plan more throughly. She had him under her. Check. He was scared. Don’t check. He was prepared to hear her. Check. Speech prepared… Sort of check?

"Now listen here Peakes. One you should have talked to me first. I am your girlfriend and the next time you try to risk your life.. and you better not do it again I am one of the first to know, not some little girl you picked up on the streets. Second tell me your plan with more details. Than I will see if it’s that idiotic and don’t expect an apology for what I said the other day. Understood?"

[theprotectorfailure]

He tried to control his urge to chuckle, and nodded with as serious a face as he could manage. But honestly, she looked adorable, pouting from her place on his chest and thinking this would scare him rather then just turn him on. "Better?" He asked, clenching his jaw against another smile. 

His laughter did fade as she spoke though, and an actual serious expression crossed his features. He nodded. "Understood. However, whatever I tell you and however many details I give, in matters like this it will be to let you know what I plan to do. I'm not in the habit of asking permission to help people, and I've no plans to start now. And, for the record, I did tell you as soon as I saw you once it was decided. It was a one afternoon decision, I found someone who wanted what Joe and I have been wanting, and I didn't hesitate to take the opportunity." He was disappointed that she hadn't realized she'd overreacted and was being irrational, but he wouldn't comment on that. It was true, but it wouldn't help anyone. 

[theprotectorfailure]

Monday || Hogwarts Library

[the-storm-macleod]

What? Nothing, nothing’s ‘up’ I’m fine

[theprotectorfailure]

Well now, that was obviously untrue. Sit, talk to me. 

[pruethepritchard]

A Plan II Drue

[pruethepritchard]

Prue entered his bedroom and re-attached his lips to distract him, her hands roaming his chest as she pushed him back so he fell into the bed. Grinning wickedly she joined him straddling his chest, leaning down as if to kiss him. And with ease she only got from practicing over and over today she made got his hands and legs secured. How? Well before leaving she stuffed a few hankerchiefs into her Mary Jane’s, when straddled him she got her wand and made the hankerchiefs leave the shoe to lock him tight.

 Her legs crossed indian style over his chest as she looked down on him, a victorious smirk over her features. “Not that I don’t enjoy seeing you in the bed we have more pressing matters at hand. So now that I made sure you aren’t going to leave we are going to talk. Any questions?”

[theprotectorfailure]

He let himself be pushed back, enjoying the simplicity of kissing her, but then she was straddling him with a devious look, and he wondered if the fight had triggered her to want- nope. Not even close. He was confused at first but once he realized what was happening, he laughed, pulling idly at the bonds that held him down and looking up at her with a smirk as she got comfortable. She was lucky she wasn't very heavy or she'd be impairing his breathing. But as it was, it was actually kind of fun, in a bound sort of way. "I doubt I'd have left either way, but I can't say I'm complaining about your methods." He chuckled. "Talk away, my love. I'm all ears."

[pruethepritchard]

A Plan II Drue

[pruethepritchard]

Prue continued walking guiding them deeper into the apartment, trailing kisses along his jaw. “Not for good.” she said smirking into his skin, her fingers playing with the hem of his shirt. “Do you trust me?” Looking up at him she gave him her best look, if he fell for this her plan would be perfect. All she needed to do was get him a tiny bit deeper into the apartment.

[theprotectorfailure]

A contented murmur rose up in his throat, and he nodded. "Of course I do, love." He wasn't sure where this was going, but the logical side of him was warning that jumping into whatever she was playing at before finding out if she'd either forgiven him for whatever she thought he'd done, or finally realized she'd overreacted, was asking for trouble. 

[theprotectorfailure]

Monday || Hogwarts Library

[the-storm-macleod]

*coughs awkwardly* Hey there..

[theprotectorfailure]

*Looks up* Hey Sam. What's up?