wilhelmina carstairs

The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting. ravenclaw | 20 | twin healing major

[finestra-memories]

The Carstairs twins enjoying a peaceful moment at home during the Summer Holiday. 

Summer ‘75, taken by Mathias Carstairs moments before sneaking up and startling them. 

@samxcarstairs, @willaxcarstairs

[willaxcarstairs]

d-abbott‌:

“Partially,” he admitted. There was so much more behind his passion for becoming a healer, but it wasn’t a story that he shared with just anyone. “There was this incident when I was younger. Long story short, our family was attacked and we lost some of them. I just wonder if one of us had been a healer if they would have still been with us.” It was the first time anyone had asked about his motivations, so he didn’t see why he had to lie to her about it. But Declan did wonder if his admission would change anything about how she treated him. He wasn’t looking for pity at all, but stories like that typically garnered it. “It’s also why I was so awkward. I was mostly preoccupied with my studies and taking care of my sister in those early years that it didn’t attract the best type of attention.”

For a moment as Willa heard his story her eyes darkened and she had to look down at the tabletop to conceal the storm of emotions that would have been visible on her face. He had lost family members -- she understood that pain, losing her brother -- she pushed the thought away. She didn’t want to think about it, she refused to think about how maybe if her brother had been a better healer, if maybe if she had been with him rather then at home, things would have ended differently. She gave him a weak smile, she didn’t pity him, not really -- she understood him, in ways she couldn’t even tell him. “Focusing on your studies tends to do that,” she finally remarked, taking another sip of her beer, more for courage then anything else, “My brother -- I don’t know if you remember him he graduated a few years ago, but he always looked after Samara and myself, more Sam -- she needed it more.” She chuckled softly at the memory.

[willaxcarstairs]

d-abbott‌:

Declan nodded. He was extremely proud of his sister, even if it did mean that she had to work with two of her exes. “You are incorrigible,” he laughed, taking another drink. “She is my favorite teacher, just not in that way. I actually was an awkward chap in my younger years. Spent a lot of time hiding out in the hospital wing and she told me I could either help or get out. I wouldn’t be the healer I am today without her guidance and recommendations.”

“I usually am.” Willa took pride in her logic and her brain, and she strode to be right, in her actions and her intelligence, it was sometimes her downfall, but she didn’t see it that way. She couldn’t imagine him being awkward, or anything beyond this confident. “I can’t imagine you awkward.” She stated truthfully, “Is that why you got into healing? Madam Pomfrey? I suppose she’s a better one to have a crush on then Binns.”

[willaxcarstairs]

inimitable-augustus‌:

“Well, you know what they say. The early bird catches the worm and all that,” Augustus said, although he gave her a wry smile as he spoke and took a bite of his own toast that he had on a plate. “Hogsmeade, hmm? Looking to do anything specific?” he asked her and then glanced back down at the abandoned newspaper when she asked about it. “Nothing of interesting to most. Some small scale politics. Though perhaps it’s something you would be interested in, due to your mother?”

Willa shrugged at his question, “I was hoping to pick up some more books for an assignment, the library is missing the ones I want.” She explained looking at his newspaper seeing if any headlines caught her attention, before looking up at him. “Politics are my mother's expertise, I enjoy them well enough though. Do you enjoy politics?”

[willaxcarstairs]

clairexxfawley‌:

“I know but doesn’t mean I have to like it.” she huffed before chuckling at her suggestion. “That’s a great idea, that’s what we’ll do every time. Well, except at quidditch. I had tryouts and.. she’d our new seeker.” she added, almost regretting her decision to do the try out fairly.

Willa was visibly surprised as Claire shared the news of her newest seeker, “You made her your seeker?” She questioned, eyebrow raised, Claire was definitely not going to be able to avoid her now. “I didn’t realize she was any good -- but I’ve seen her practicing with Potter.”

[willaxcarstairs]

d-abbott‌:

“We can’t talk about Quidditch? Well then, this is clearly over before it began,” he teased as he feigned getting out of his chair. Declan took his seat again and grabbed his own drink. He would have never imagined that she would entertain having a casual drink with him. So far, things weren’t quite as tense as they typically were when they were in a more professional environment. He took a sip of his beer and set it down between them. “Okay then. What’s a safe topic to discuss while drinking? Politics? Love lives? Crushes on professors?”

“Well we can talk about Quidditch, I just don’t want to intimidate you -- my family and myself take Quidditch quite seriously.” She responded with a soft smile as she took a sip of the first beer from the flight, mulling over if she actually enjoyed the flavor. She took another sip as she listened to him, nearly choking as he mentioned crushes on professors. She coughed, covering her face as it reddened at the thought of him and his love life and crushes, finally after a moment she looked at him, “Do you have crushes on professors? I thought our love lives weren’t supposed to involve them, but I would not be one to judge.” That was a lie, she would definitely have judged. “Well maybe I would.”

[willaxcarstairs]

d-abbott‌:

“No, I don’t. But I thought by now that I had a pretty decent track record when it comes to the things I’ve told you and have done. Have I ever steered you wrong or lied to you before?” he challenged. Declan always had doubts about people on principle, even if he didn’t show them that he did. It was easier to stay skeptical and play things off casual. But with Willa, things seemed different. She hadn’t given him any reason to distrust her. He had always focused in on what he could teach her rather than what she might be after. That was the nature of their relationship if they could even call it that. “You’re the one who suggested it. And who knows. You might need it to deal with me.”

He was right, and Willa hated it for a brief moment before realizing how silly that was. She was hating the fact that he was right that he had never steered her wrong or lied to her, sometimes she really was too stubborn for her own good. “Okay, fine -- you win this time. You have not steered me wrong, and I hope you haven’t lied to me.” As the butterbeer arrived along with the flight of beer she reached for one bringing it to her side of the table, “We have this rule, my sister, brother and I, that when we drink we can’t talk about Quidditch, we get a bit hostile. So that’s your warning to steer clear of that topic.” It was her little moment of opening up to him, and it brought a smile to her face. She rarely drank, but when she did it seemed her siblings were with her.

[willaxcarstairs]

d-abbott‌:

Declan couldn’t help but frown at her admission. Did she really think so little of him? That he would just leave her less than half an hour from setting their meeting place? Something about it pulled at him to start arguing, but he bit his tongue. They were supposed to not be fighting. “Well, I did. So you should trust me from now on,” he said waving over a server. “Can we get a couple of butterbeers and one of your beer flights?” Turning back to Willa, he tried to discard his frown and have a more friendly demeanor. “Well at the very least, we can see if the alcohol will actually make it more bearable.” 

Willa shook her head at him softly, looking up at him and catching his gaze, “Do you trust people that easily Declan?” It wasn’t that she distrusted him, it was that she rarely trusted, relying far more on logic than her intuition, something that got her into trouble at times. She bit her bottom lip at his comment, hoping that he didn’t mean that the alcohol would make sitting with her more bearable, she didn’t think she was that bad. “You think you need alcohol to deal with me? I warn you, my sister tells me I am much worse when I’m drinking.”

[willaxcarstairs]

bartyxjr‌:

“Why?” He asked, quite amused at her tone. Sure, he knew he wasn’t everyone’s type, but he knew that even by the way Willa was looking at him, she did notice that he was attractive. That was enough for him. “Are you afraid I might say something you might like? Something you might accidentally agree to? Now, now, why live in a world that is full of fear and uncertainty? Surely you would want something more from this life? Or?” he picked up one of the books she must have been reading. “ You’re going to forever end up with your nose in a book? It’s sad, isn’t it? What would your brother say?” He was testing her. There were rumors he had heard from his father, but no one was sure. maybe this was his shining moment to find out what he needed. 

“You are so sure you know what my father is like.” He smirked, pushing himself off the chair. “What does that say about you? Are you thirsty for your father’s attention? But no, you Carstairs have a sickly good relationship. So what are you missing?” His smile grew wide. “No, I think there is a bigger plan. But… I am not going to share. I think I know what it is…” Barty stood up and walked directly towards her, taking in a lock of her hair between his fingers. “Of you’re going to enjoy it.” 

How dare he? How dare this stupid boy speak about her brother. Wilhelmina wore her mask too well, something she had learned from her mother, something she had mastered better than anyone in the family who were all heart, her father, brother, Samara, but not Willa, Willa always placed her logic before her feelings, that’s why when he baited her, she simply looked bored. Inside she was a storm, furious, filled with anger and sadness and hurt, but on the outside, she simply batted her long eyelashes and looked at him without a trace of indifference. “First off, I highly doubt you could say anything to entice me, and secondly, maybe if you could actually read you would know that one does not need to go around attempting to scare people in their own bedrooms to enjoy life.”  

She faltered a step back as he approached her and her grip tightened on her wand as he took a lock of her hair between his fingers. She swore she was going to cut it off the moment she got rid of him, “I don’t care what your father is like, or what you are talking about. What I would enjoy is you getting the hell out of my room. I won’t ask again.” She was attempting to be brave, drawing from the strength and the way she felt on a broom, powerful, fearless, indestructible which was entirely different than how she felt off of a broom, but right now at this moment as she felt the heat off of his body on hers she needed every ounce of strength. God where was Sam when she needed her?

[willaxcarstairs]

d-abbott‌:

He shook his head. “Not really. I usually just bring my food with me to work or wait to get back to the castle to eat. I don’t mind the food, but with all the company here, it’s practically like being in the Great Hall, but with alcohol available,” he chuckled. Declan, while a sociable person, did have his preferences when it came to activities. Coming out here with friends was not one of them. He preferred one-on-one activities over large group settings, and there were oftentimes when he remained holed up in his dorm room just to get away from the noise of the castle. “Have you ordered yet or can I grab you something from the bar?”

She let out a soft chuckle as she heard his, turning her head to look out at the people in agreement, “But isn’t the alcohol supposed to make this more bearable?” Willa wasn’t much of a partier, the only time she ever went was when Samara and Claire had dragged her to go, and she did more so out of duty than desire. Her gaze returned to him, and she had to admit she would be surprised if he didn’t party, he was a Slytherin and handsome, and she wasn’t sure she had ever met a Slytherin who didn’t like to have a bit of fun, though that was a particularly wide judgment call. “Um -- no, I haven’t ordered anything, I didn’t think you would actually show. What do you recommend?”

[willaxcarstairs]

samxcarstairs‌:

Sam rolled her eyes at her sister, taking a pillow and wrapping her arms around it -  a security blanket from what was coming from Willa. “I miss him okay. I am tired of being angry at him. It’s fucking exhausting. With the games coming up as well? Like we’re a team with Blaise.” She was making excuses for herself and she knew it. She knew that Willa would know as well. “Just… I need to tell him that it’s okay. You know.. The whole thing that happened.” 

Willa listened to her sister patiently, trying to process all of what her twin was telling her. She wasn’t sure where this was coming from, but she did have to admit that it would probably make their Quidditch team a lot more unified if Sam actually acknowledged Blaise and wasn’t angry with him. It would be easier for Willa as well, even though she was still upset with Blaise for what he did to Sam, she hid it much better then her twin did. “Where is this coming from?” She questioned softly, crossing her legs as she sat in front of her sister, similarly hugging a pillow to her chest, “Is it okay, are you okay? It’s okay not to be okay Sam, you don’t have to forgive him until you are ready.”

[willaxcarstairs]

clairexxfawley‌:

“No.” she huffed. “I mean I almost did but didn’t actually so that doesn’t count.” She poured herself some pumpkin juice and took a sip. “Okay, so maybe I started the argument but that’s beside the point, right? She’s my ex. Wasn’t the point of breaking up not having to have to see her?” 

Willa looked at her best friend, raising an eyebrow at her question, “Claire, I think dating someone at Hogwarts kind of equals running into them and seeing her. But if it makes you feel better we can walk the other way whenever we see her?”

[willaxcarstairs]

opheliarowle‌:

closed starter for @willaxcarstairs​

ophelia quite enjoyed talking to the older girl. she was nice and the two of them had a lot in common which was nice. “willa, i have some snacks and free time. would you like to hand out?” she asked. it had been a while since the girls had talked and the last time they’d both been very stressed and upset. “i think it’s about time we had another girl talk.” she said, a small smile on her face. 

Willa hadn’t seen Ophelia since they had both been kicked out of the hospital wing, so it was nice to see her when both of them were a little less stressed and high strung. She smiled at the younger girl, patting the seat next to her as an invitation to join her, “I guess that entirely depends what type of snacks you have?” She joked playfully.

[willaxcarstairs]

d-abbott‌:

He was taken aback by her sudden coldness. Weren’t they just getting along? For a moment, he thought that they could have a civil conversation as colleagues, but it appeared that she decided to withdraw from that route. Declan frowned and led them back to the front of the bookshop ringing up the books. “Three galleons even,” he said as he pulled out a bag to put her books in. 

“Who said that you were bothering me? Certainly wasn’t me,” Declan clarified. “I was actually enjoying talking to you, but if you have places to go and people to see, don’t feel the mean to burn time in a dusty old bookshop talking to me.”

Wilhelmina searched her purse, pulling out exactly three galleons and placing them on the counter as payment when she was suddenly yet again surprised by him. She studied him for a moment, her eyes searching him, wondering if maybe this was all some sort of joke to him, and when he was going to start being rude to her again, even if she was the only one that was being rude -- she refused to see it as such.

“I like this dusty old bookshop --” she finally stated quietly, and it was true that she did, she had enjoyed quite a few evenings in here rummaging through the books and seeing what she could find and what piqued her curiosity. What she didn’t add was that she had actually been enjoying speaking with him, he wasn’t nearly as horrid of a Slytherin as some of his housemates, particularly Barty. Gathering up some courage she finally looked at him sternly before her gaze softened, “Maybe when you have a break we could get some lunch, and you can tell me more about muggle medicine.”

[scraap]

[finestra-secrets]

what's up with declan and willa?

It’s hard to say exactly. They’re usually bickering whenever I float past, but they had a moment in the hospital wing. Do I detect sexual tension? Definitely. Will they act on it? Only time can tell. 

@willaxcarstairs @d-abbott

[willaxcarstairs]

d-abbott‌:

Plenty of people, especially those within his house, tended to underestimate Declan’s abilities. Some thought that his blood status placed him automatically below them in intelligence and capability. Other’s counted him out due to some of his reckless behavior and inability to take some subjects seriously. None of that mattered. He only bothered being serious about the subjects that did matter and held importance to him. “I think that we would be remiss to count them out. There are always gaps in knowledge for both sides. I think that we might find that their approaches might be more helpful than our own in some cases. Of course that works both ways,” he mused as he placed his hands in his jacket pockets.

There was a lull in conversation and for a moment, he wasn’t entirely sure if there was another task that she needed him to attend to. Before he could make a quip about it, she surprised him with gratitude. “Yea… of course. It comes with the job title,” he said looking down at his shoes. “Since the start of the school year. I’ve been picking up extra shifts in the last month. Holiday season’s coming up and all that.”

Willa nodded as he explained to her his ideology about it working both ways and even though she didn’t voice it, she agreed. She was sure she could learn from muggle ways and they would learn from witches way if they didn’t burn her at the stake or experiment on her, which was exactly the reason that she would never have the opportunity to study from muggles -- her mom would go mad if she even asked. 

“Oh --” For a moment she had thought he was being nice and they were getting along, and she felt stupid suddenly to assume that. Of course, he was being polite to her only because he was working and she was the customer. “Well, you do your job well enough.” Though her tone wasn’t as kind as she had been earlier, showing the hurt she felt though she hoped he didn’t pick up on it. “How much for these books then? I don’t want to bother you any longer when you have work.”