[performs Cups song with teacup]

Peter Wood / 16 / Ravenclaw / rising sixth year / half-blood / pansexual / artist / now starring in That's So Ravenclaw / talk Dickens to me / brother to a wannabe Quidditch star / biscuit smuggler / not a rabbit / Schrodinger's Virgin / Fair Isle jumper enthusiast / sleepless wreck / prone to outbursts of song lyrics

[woods-canvas]

I'm sure he'll be found. Cold and hard on the forest floor, that is.

...t-that would mean... the vision...

[woods-canvas]

Excited for the new year? I guess you'll be starting it without a boyfriend, like you do every year.

N-Noah’s coming back, he’s just... missing...  Why don’t do you something useful with your time and help find him?

[woods-canvas]

Seems like he finally figured out that a vision-faking freak wasn't worth his time. Or maybe you're just that bad of a snogger.

I don’t fake them!  A-and he wouldn’t just abandon me like that!

[woods-canvas]

Then Burn The Ashes

AFTERMATH

Yuri should be in class.

But he isn’t.  He’s sitting on his bed, sobbing into Gabe’s shoulder and rocking the younger boy as he cries too.  Peter knows what happened without asking.  It’s a simple deduction—Charlie is back, Quinn isn’t.  And Quinn isn’t going to come home.

Peter climbs onto Yuri’s bed and hugs both of the boys.  Yuri is shaking, and his knuckles are white where he clings to Gabe’s shirt.  He looks at Peter with such a haunted expression that the Ravenclaw can’t suppress a shudder and whispers, his voice breaking, “It’s my fault he’s gone.”

Gabe shakes his head and holds tighter to Yuri’s sweater-vest.

“N-no, don’t be ridiculous,” Peter says.  He tries to stroke Yuri’s hair to reassure him, but his hands are shaking too much to offer any comfort.  “What could you possibly blame yourself for?”

Carefully, so as not to disturb the distraught Slytherin clinging desperately to him, Yuri shifts to look more easily at his brother.  “I-I should have been with him.  He was out alone at night, and… and you always said…”  Yuri dissolves into sobs, unable to finish.

Peter knows what he means. Don’t practice alone.  Don’t wander the halls at night.  Things he said out of fear, because of his visions.  Because he worried that Yuri would slip from his broom and fall, like Icarus, into the frozen waters of the lake, tarred and feathered by his own ambition.

If Yuri had been with Quinn, would he still be here?  Would the string bracelets around Yuri’s wrist be two Slytherin green-and-silver and one Gryffindor red-and-gold instead of two Houses and a white band?

Gabe makes a thin wailing noise, and Yuri jars himself from his misery to go back to stroking Gabe’s hair and rocking him.  Yuri mumbles, almost too quietly for Peter to hear, “I’m a year older, I was s’posed to take care of you guys…”

Tears begin to well in Peter’s eyes, and he offers an abrupt goodbye and leaves.

--

DAWNING

At lunch, Peter almost doesn’t recognize his own brother.  Yuri is pale and exhausted-looking and still trembling, clutching Gabe’s hand like a lifeline and rubbing at red, watery eyes in between sniffs and hiccups. Yuri always talked like he knew Quinn was gone, but Peter realizes that beneath all the pessimism, Yuri carried fragile hopes on a fishing line, invisible yet strong.  And with one confirmation from Charlie, the line was cut.

He sits in silence next to Gabe, staring at his plate with a look of defeat.  His gaze lifts to the Slytherin table, and abruptly, he breaks down sobbing again.  Beside him, Gabe’s lip quivers, and moments later his head is bowed and his shoulders are shaking.

Peter starts to come over, to try and comfort both of them, but Yuri bolts from the room and Gabe follows suit.

--

HAUNTED

Peter finds the boys in the Slytherin common room, curled under Gabe’s blanket and whimpering softly. He stays in the shadows where he won’t be seen, quietly watching.  Eventually, Yuri starts to pull away, but Gabe latches onto him and begs, “Please, don’t leave, I can’t be alone down here!”

He looks at Gabe’s hand on his wrist, at the flashes of colored string peeking between Gabe’s fingers. The determination in his expression falters, and he slips back under the blanket.

“I miss him,” Gabe whispers. “Everything down here reminds me of him.”

Yuri nods in agreement and sniffles.

“A-and now I have to sleep down here, knowing he should be in the next bed…”

Peter can all too easily imagine Gabe, early in first year, rolling over and reaching across the gap between the beds to prod at Quinn.  He never even knew Quinn, but he can still hear an oddly familiar voice snapping, “Go to sleep, Bouchard.  We have Potions in the morning.”

It doesn’t matter that Quinn’s bed is being taken out.  Whether his actual ghost is present or not, the hollow space where he should be will follow Gabe for the rest of his time at Hogwarts.

--

RITES

Late that night, Peter goes up to Gryffindor Tower to see if Yuri is actually alone in bed, but he finds the bed empty.  No note, no clue at all as to where he might be.

Peter hurries down to Slytherin, but Gabe is missing and Quinn’s bed is stripped bare.

So he heads for the Forbidden Forest.  The Sight tells him to, and it’s the best lead he has.

Past the last Care of Magical Creatures paddocks, he finds the boys sitting on either side of a hole in the ground filled with blankets.  He hangs back and observes, curious about what they might do.  Gabe is still crying, Peter can tell by the way his tiny figure seems to quiver in the light of a Lumos spell.  Yuri is frighteningly blank-faced and still.

Then, Yuri takes the white bracelet between his teeth and tugs sharply, snapping it off.  He holds it tightly in his hand, and Peter sees the strings darken.  Flames leak out from Yuri’s clenched fist.  He drops the bracelet onto the pile of blankets in the hole and watches as smoke curls up into the night, his face upturned and tears shining on his cheeks. Gabe curls into a ball, hugging his knees to his chest, and stares into the fire.

The two of them sit in complete silence as the blankets burn away, and when all that remains is a heap of ashes, Yuri draws his wand and conjures up a jet of water—more like a leaky tap at first, the way his voice shakes and interferes with his incantation.  He scrapes the dug-out earth back into the hole and pats it down, then whispers another charm to smooth it back out.

Gabe shudders and removes a small object from his robes.  He takes a length of twine and binds it to the trunk of a nearby tree before taking Yuri’s hand and shuffling back toward the castle.

When Peter thinks the boys are far enough away, he creeps forward to see what Gabe left behind. There, watching over the makeshift grave, is a little stone carving of a bony, bat-winged horse.

A thestral.

[herbologistdevereux-deactivated]

Lucy nodded sympathetically. “I understand. Though if something you can’t help, that’s a part of who you are, is something that would change how people see you… Then I’m not sure they’re the kind of people you’d want in your life anyway.” She told him bluntly. “But if there’s anything I can do to help, be sure to let me know.”

[woods-canvas]

“I think the problem is keeping out people who would want me because of it,” Peter said, shrugging his shoulders.  “I might need some ingredients here and there for potions, to be honest.”

[tooyoungtobecharlie-deactivated]

“Are you saying elves are terrible and ugly? House elves are naturally not nice to look at, but rarely have I seen any with hair… So…?”he trailed off a bit confused and then smirked at how Peter reacted. A curious thought came to him as he closed in on his personal space with Peter’s. “What? Zero to Sixty is fun. Imagine. Your dick in my mouth, and my fingers inside you hitting that spot.”he whispered as he sniffed right behind Peter’s ear and then all at once turned the opposite way. 

“But you’ve got a boyfriend now.”he sighed. “How is that blonde bimbo of yours?”

“I don’t honestly believe that. But, maybe I will, I am feeling restless after all.”he pondered as he tapped his nose with his finger and then looked back at Peter. As he did he was hugged again and embraced the boy. “I caused more drama than good. You sure you want me back?”

“Gossipers are built that way.”

[woods-canvas]

“N-no, um, you know how muggles think of elves?  Androgynous and long-haired?”  Peter scrunched his nose and thought about half a dozen tragic elf-like Christmas outfits when he was too young to dress himself.  Peter’s breath caught in his throat as Charlie stepped closer, and he found himself unable to back away.  “W-what?  Charlie, I--”  He shivered, blushing deeply, and then Charlie was gone, a safe distance away again.  “I-I could barely give you what you wanted.  And now...”  Peter clenched his hand into a fist as though he was crumbling something.  “I want something slow, where I have time to figure things out.  Much as I liked being pinned up against the wall and snogged senseless, I know you can’t give me what I want, either.”

Peter tensed up and flashed a glare at Charlie.  “D-don’t talk that way about him!”

“Of course I want you back,” he said, reaching up to brush a lock of Charlie’s hair back into place.  “Kieran and I missed you, and Declan wanted to make things right, and Odette was so upset...  And the castle’s been boring without you, Charlie.  I missed hearing you singing, and I even kinda missed the obnoxious upstairs noises of your bed moving around.”

[woods-canvas]

I heard your bf ran off to be a prostitute couldn't deal with the fact that he's a shit wizard. Any thoughts?

I’m… pretty sure that’s the last thing Noah would do.  And he’s actually a very talented wizard, judging by his grades.

[woods-canvas]

...don’t ask me about Noah.

[woods-canvas]

[owl with Ravenclaw plaid socks] I got you a present for the new year. I hope you like them! -O

“TACKY SOCKS!”

[herbologistdevereux-deactivated]

“Oh, I see. Well, they’d only do it because they care, I’m sure.” She told him. “Oh, goodness. Are tou sure you don’t have a more severe medical condition than night terrors? PTSD perhaps?” She said the first thing that came to mind.

[woods-canvas]

Peter flinched.  He’d heard that term before, mostly from his father.  “I... It’s severe, alright,” he muttered, shaking his head.  “Not that, though.  Something worse.  But... I’ve been told not to tell people.  Might affect how they see me, y’know?”

[lovelace-girl-deactivated201609]

“No,” Ada whimpered. “I haven’t seen him since he and Mama and Papa were in the tower. Where do you think he went? Is he okay?” She sat next to him and clung to him. “I want Noah back.”

[woods-canvas]

“I was with him, and then he went out to the kitchens, a-and he never came back...  I thought he was mad at me for something I said, but he’s really missing.”  Peter rocked from side to side, trying to let out some of his nervous energy.  “Ada, what do we do?  H-he’s out there alone, who knows where...”

[odette--belcourt-deactivated201]

Odette crouched down next to Peter. “No, I’m afraid I haven’t seen him since Parents’ Weekend,” she said softly. She reached out to touch his shoulder. “Are you okay? Let’s get you in the common room, okay?”

[woods-canvas]

“H-he’s gone,” Peter whimpered.  “I was staying over with him on Sunday night, and he went out, and he never came back...”  He clung to Odette and wobbled to his feet, babbling near-incoherently about tequila and snogging and something about jumpers.

[tooyoungtobecharlie-deactivated]

“Sometimes I feel if you grew out your hair you’d be a perfect androgynous person.”he thoughtful wondered out loud as the boy explained the metaphors to different intimate acts. Charlie never really did them in bases. He was more of a roller coaster. A ride that happened all at once and sent him spiralling out of control or at least into a moment’s version of ecstasy. “I should have probably fingered you when I blew you.”he continued on beneath Peter’s berating and comparison to Yuri.

“Don’t bloody cry.”he groaned as he closed his eyes, the pygmy puff crawling down his back and plopping back into his pocket. “I already had Odette cry.”he reasoned with a since of annoyed urgency.

“I missed a party? No, no, no. Peter. Party’s aren’t good unless I’m there, and I guess that means I’ll have to throw a welcome home party.”he shook his head, not wanting to feel as left out as he felt, and further biting his tongue at how envious he was that he didn’t see the roaring lion in nothing but golden spandex. 

“Remus and Romulus are creative, just not in the way that benefits us…”he murmured.

[woods-canvas]

“I’d look like a bloody elf,” Peter deadpanned, combing through his hair with his fingers.  He stopped short and looked at Charlie in shock, blushing all the way out to his ears.  “W-what?  Oh, bloody hell, don’t just say things like that!  I think I would have spontaneously combusted or something.”  He hadn’t really become any less awkward since then, but jumping from zero to sixty might scramble his brain.

“Sorry, Charlie,” he said softly, blinking away the tears.  “You know me, I cry easily.  I’m trying to be braver, but...”

Peter nodded.  “Definitely not any good without you.  Everyone was so sad...  You should throw a party!  I can make vodka jelly candies, or rum ‘n cola bottles, and Ada’s mum brought over a bunch of sweets...”  He realized that something sounded sad in Charlie’s tone, and he hugged the older boy again.  “Really, nothing was the same without you.”

“It’s a pity they use their powers for evil.  Otherwise, they could overthrow Olivia and Atticus as the party royalty.”

[declanbouchard-blog]

[She smiles and shakes Yuri’s hand.] I figured as much. I did my fair share of sneaking out when I was your age, too. Just don’t get caught. But I draw the line at the Shrieking Shack. Don’t take him there, all right? [She pats him on the shoulder.] You don’t have to act any special way with me, and I don’t need any monologues, but I appreciate the thought. But I should go find Gabriel, anyway. [She looks at Anya and nods before walking past her and down the corridor.] You’ve got a lovely pair of sons, you know that?

[woods-canvas]

Don’t get caught?  I like you already, Miss.  I promise, no trips to the Shrieking Shack.  Say hello to him for me.  [pauses and looks down, fiddling with a string bracelet]  I’ve missed him terribly this weekend.

[Anya smiles sadly and hugs Yuri closer]  Y-you do too, Estela.  Be careful out there.

[herbologistdevereux-deactivated]

“Well, unless you have a history of being there a lot, I don’t think they could hold you, anyway. Also, if I remember correctly, your parents would have to check you in for them to be able to hold you.” Lucy told him, trying to offer a comforting smile for his sake.

[woods-canvas]

“To be honest, my parents might do it.  I know they worry about how little I sleep, and I’ve... I’ve always been frail.”  Understatement of the year.  Peter was like glass and his brother was like titanium.  “I’ve got a problem with fainting, too.”

[tooyoungtobecharlie-deactivated]

Charlie let out a gasp as the boy buried himself into him. Everyone had reacted so differently. Marcus scared. Owen in shock. Odette with a slap and Kieran with a scream. He wasn’t expected the closeness of Peter so quickly. It took him by surprise but the boy seemed so thankful. Charlie smiled as he wrapped his arms around Peter and kissed the boy’s head. “Real as ever too.”he assured as he squeezed the boy. 

“Everyone seems to have information to tell me.”he chuckled.

As the boy hopped up and down an unimpressed expression fell on his features as if like clockwork. “Oh wow.”he managed to say as his brows creased. “Second…?”he murmured, because there were so many types of bases, and Charlie hated the metaphor of muggle baseball to sexual activity. It seemed so benign. “I have Pyglet.”he added after the gusto of words barrelled out. The little pygmy puff popped out of Charlie’s back pocket and gave the smaller boy a lick.

[woods-canvas]

Peter couldn’t hold in a giggle when he felt Charlie kiss the top of his head and squeeze him tighter.  It was good to know that Charlie was glad to see him, too, and not annoyed by him.  He stopped bouncing as he realized how confused Charlie looked.  “Second, you know, um, sort of feeling each other up?”  Peter blushed.  Did wizards not use these metaphors?  “I know, um, sports metaphors from me, right?  How unexpected.  But basically, it’s the four F’s.  French, Feel, Finger, Fuck.  At least, uh, that’s what Yuri says.  And now I’ve just outed myself as knowing less than my brother.  Great.”

He let out a yelp of surprise as Pyglet licked him and gently batted at the little puffball’s long tongue.  “Aww, gross, Pyg.  It’s good to see you back with your person, though.”  He looked back up at Charlie, still grinning, though now with tears in his eyes as it dawned on him that this was real, that he wouldn’t wake up tomorrow and find Charlie gone again.  He rubbed at his eyes and kept on rambling.

“Oh, man, Charlie, you missed a hell of a party...  Marcus in a little gold speedo, the gossip boys charging entry fees, Odette snogging one of your old dorm-mates in a pool... but by the end, it was a hot mess.  Maybe it’s a good thing you weren’t there, because R&R are flat-out cruel with their dares."

[woods-canvas]

“Have you seen Noah anywhere?  Anyone?  Please?”

Peter sank down against the wall and hid his face against his knees.  Sobs began to shake his thin frame, and he didn’t even notice the person approaching him until they were right beside him.  He looked up and asked in a hoarse voice, “H-have you seen Noah?”