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Post by illwaitrocker on Mar 25, 2008 17:50:02 GMT -6
The sound of the rocking Whomping Willow rang loudly tonight as a boy walked not too far away from its branches. The boy would be quite foolish to be walking around at this time and this close to Whomping Willow. This boy was Jude. He had sent an owl to carry a message to Chris Asher, the boy whom he needed to speak to. He paced around, his hands in his pockets. He was certain that he would not be recognized as he looked so different right now.
He went through quite a large change since he had been away. No one had seen him in several months. He stopped going to Hogwarts and eventually went back home. While he was there, his mother passed away. It was obvious there was a large change in him now ever since that incident. He lost one of the two most important people in his life and now as he thought of Clover, he couldn’t lose the second important person.
He needed to speak to Clover’s older brother about her and how she felt. Jude wanted to rebuild the ties they had with one another because he still loved her. The reason why he really wanted to speak to him was to see if Clover still actually loved him.
He finally sat down on the grass and laid down, looking up at the stars. It was late at night right now and he had just returned to Hogwarts. He hoped that all of his belongings were still in the dormitory. Now that he thought of it, he was worried that they might have gotten rid of everything. He never really told anyone that he was leaving. In fact, he didn’t even think he was going to bother coming back.
It wasn’t until he really started thinking about what he wanted was when he decided to come back. Some would say that he simply grew up. He knew what he wanted and needed in life now and that was Clover. He was living for her and it was as simple as that.
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Post by Stockmon on Mar 29, 2008 15:09:58 GMT -6
Chris wasn’t having a good day, how often did he ever have a good day? He had already snapped at his best friend for talking to him, and he was fairly certain the only reason he hasn’t snapped at anyone else was because they were to afraid to approach him. Except that one kid, Chris might have to apologize to him later, once he was having a good day. It wasn’t that something especially horrible had happened, it was just that sort of a day. The kind where you wake up and wish you felt ill so you’d have an excuse to lay back down. The sort where your eyes only open when your feet hit cold floor. It had been going pretty badly for Chris up until lunch, then it hit downright annoying. He had been snapping at his friend about how there wasn’t a reason he was annoyed, he just was… when he missed the corner step and fell down the stairs. Casey hadn’t offered him any help, informing him briefly that at least now he had an excuse to be “tetchy.” He followed this up towards the end of the day by attempting to get a high book for a very short third year, and falling down and bruising his shin in the process. By now he’d decided that something was out to get him, and if Casey told him one more time that he might want to get something for his sprained ankle he was going to strangle the boy. So he’d grabbed a book and hid, until a note found him, and it was from Chris’ favorite person in the world. Jude.
Chris knew why Jude wanted to speak to him, and he didn’t really want to deal with that at the moment. He spent all his time making sure things were good for his sister, and today he just wanted to stay off his legs before something, the Whomping Willow especially, finally just knocked them off. But Chris couldn’t get out of his instincts and after all…. Jude wasn’t as unbearable as he had been a few years ago, plus Chris hadn’t seen him lately.
So with his mind made up, Chris left the book he’d been reading where he hoped to be returning after only a short talk, even though he wasn’t that optimistic about the length. He grumpily pulled on a light jacket and strolled down the corridors to the designated meeting location. Once he reached the grounds he looked up. The moon. He hated that thing, especially right now. He scowled and looked back to the grass, hands in his jeans pockets. Once he got close enough to notice Jude lying on the grass he walked a bit slower, less determined to get to his destination.
“Jude.” Chris said once he got about ten feet away, he sat Indian style on the ground, his voice portrayed only as much of his mood as he wanted it to, which wasn’t very much. He kept his eyes on Jude, avoiding the light coming from the moon.
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Post by illwaitrocker on Apr 1, 2008 17:31:05 GMT -6
“Jude.” He turned as soon as he heard the familiar voice. It had been such a long time since he had spoken to this voice or even heard it for that matter. He stood up and stood a few feet away from Chris.
"You recognized me?" He asked. "Not many recognize me anymore. Maybe that's a good thing." He said. He noticed how Chris seemed to be keeping his eyes freakishly on him and not looking away. When Chris sat down, so did he, but very slowly and calmly.
He wasn't as jittery as he usually was and he wasn't a voiding Chris' gaze. "I know it is late at night so I'll get this conversation over as quickly as possible." He said. "I know you're probably want to go to sleep." He said. "I just need to know..." He paused a bit, trying to figure out the best way to say these words. He didn't realize how hard it would be to simply talk.
He had this planned through his mind and figured everything out that he was going to say. "How is Clover doing?" He asked him. He did not know anything about Clover being severely depressed ever since she had last spoken to Jude. And unknown as well was Clover's sad attempt to end her life. It is quite fortunate that Dane had been there to stop her.
He stared at the older Asher for an answer. It was not an akward or frightening stare, it was simply a focused stare. It was still quite amazing how much Jude had changed. He was the same guy except he looked so different and was much more calm. He seemed to know what he wanted now and kept focus on it.
The light on the moon shone down brightly onto them as they were a giant light. It made Jude feel as though he was being interrogated at first but he calmed himself, grabbing a few pieces of grass between his fingers.
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Post by Stockmon on Apr 11, 2008 22:00:08 GMT -6
“You recognized me?” Well didn’t Jude sound surprised. Chris made no reply. He was going to be polite right now, despite his mood, if he could help it. And of course he recognized Jude, context clues help. The right location, and the only person around. It all added up. “Not many recognize me anymore. Maybe that’s a good thing.” He finished with. Chris shrugged, perhaps it was.
“I know it is late at night so I’ll get this conversation over as quickly as possible. I know you’ probably want to go to sleep.” That was always an option. Sleep. Today if he tried that no doubt his bed would break. Chris said nothing. “I just need to know…”
Jude seemed a bit less at east when he was speaking, but more so that usual. Though that could have just been time and Chris’ memory failing him. But he had always recalled people he’d had something against, and for long enough that was Jude. He remembered Jude.
“How is Clover doing?” Jude finally asked. So that was it? That was always it, Chris had expected as much.
“Clover’s alive. Healthy as not. She’s… been depressed.” Chris admitted. It wasn’t as if Clover was so apt to express her sadness to Chris, but he wasn’t an idiot. And people did tell him things. Chris caught Jude’s eye. He did seem different. Attitude, appearance, all that. But Chris was still having a bad day, and didn’t care to notice a lot.
The moonlight was bright and Chris let out a vague groan. He hated moonlight, and mumbled something about hating it under his breath. Jude was grabbing at grass, but Chris merely looked at the ground, or at Jude. Anywhere but up, he disliked up.
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Post by illwaitrocker on Apr 17, 2008 17:06:15 GMT -6
He stared up at the moon for a moment then looked back at Chris once he had finished talking. “Depressed?” Jude asked, looking up at Chris and matching his eyes for a moment. “Why has she been depressed?” He asked worriedly. He began to think and he was hoping that she did not fall depress because of what he had done and how he had left. He was quiet for a while, thinking of what could cause Clover’s depression. It had to be more than Jude’s disappearance.
“Has she moved on...from me?” He asked, looking down now. He wasn’t really looking forward to an answer from this. He remembered what he had called Clover before leaving her and Hogwarts behind. It was as though he ripped her heart out, crushed it and placed it back into her chest.
“I am really going to cut this to the chase...We are both tired. I’m tired from travelling.” He explained. “I want to date Clover...and...I want to marry her.” He finally said, looking up at Chris. He didn’t know personally how he would react if some guy went to him and said he wanted to marry his younger sister. Jude couldn’t really compare to this since he did not have a younger sister.
A small smile crept onto his face as he pictured what it would be like to be with Clover forever and all eternity. To join their souls together as one. Feeling the awkward smile on his face in this awkward situation, he quickly stopped the smile on his face and kept his calm. He was practically asking for Chris’ blessing in this situation.
He did not really know how much he truly did hurt Clover...
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Post by Stockmon on Apr 22, 2008 21:15:22 GMT -6
Chris noticed Jude looking at him and they made eye contact, “Depressed?” Chris made no motion to respond. Yeah, she’d been depressed, it was evident, but Jude hadn’t been around to enjoy it for himself. Chris was a bit glad that Jude hadn’t been around for it, but of course he knew it was about Jude, so he couldn’t have enjoyed it, since it wouldn’t have happened if he’d been around. “Why has she been depressed?” He asked, pushing the issue a bit more overtly.
“I could only assume things… but since ‘assumptions get you shot.’..” Chris mumbled to himself, repeating the phrase he had heard a few times from a child he had endured at one point in his life.
“Has she moved on… from me?” Jude asked now. Chris scoffed, so now they were approaching the point? Clover acted as if she were fine, but Chris didn’t really buy it. She had been so wrapped up in Jude that Chris figured she probably still was. But Jude had done something totally unforgivable. Broken her heart. Chris had a level of respect for Jude, but he cared about Clover a whole lot more. He waited in silence, looking at the grounds.
“I am really going to cut this to the chase… we are both tired. I’m tired from traveling.” Jude said. Chris was tired over everything, from everything, that didn’t mean he wasn’t willing to spend energy on Clover, he was willing to be miserable if she remained happy. He didn’t know why Jude was in such a rush, but he was certainly willing to get to the point. “I want to date Clover…” Oh great. This topic, Chris never enjoyed this topic.
“You just got back; I don’t think you should be…”
“And…. I want to marry her.[/b]” Say what?! Was he crazy? Chris might have to ask him that. But before Chris could shoot to his feet and start yelling he dropped one hand to the grass and gripped. His fist was pulling up a chunk of grass, but his face reflected a calm he had not fully obtained. At least Jude had come to him. He noticed Jude’s smile appear and disappear. Chris wasn’t sure how he was going to take care of this, but he had no intention of giving his blessing to anything at all.
“What are you asking me?” Chris asked, his voice was deeper than usual because of the strain he was putting forth to remain calm. “You, Jude, are a child. Not just as far as I’m concerned, just in general. You are a child. And Clover? She is certainly a child. It is one thing to want to date someone, a different thing to want to marry them, and even more so to plan on it. I will tell you right now, you are too young to get married, engaged is pushing it, married is too much.” He made no reference to the state of his very stiff fist, “And finally… if you think Clover is happy with you right now, especially enough to agree to any of the things you have just mentioned… you might want to check your actions over the past few months, and if that doesn’t clear it up, I’ll be glad to explain it to you. So what are you asking me?”
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Post by illwaitrocker on Apr 27, 2008 20:36:55 GMT -6
Jude listened intently to Chris’ words and he swallowed tiredly. “What are you asking me? You, Jude, are a child. Not just as far as I’m concerned, just in general. You are a child. And Clover? She is certainly a child. It is one thing to want to date someone, a different thing to want to marry them, and even more so to plan on it. I will tell you right now, you are too young to get married, engaged is pushing it, married is too much. And finally… if you think Clover is happy with you right now, especially enough to agree to any of the things you have just mentioned… you might want to check your actions over the past few months, and if that doesn’t clear it up, I’ll be glad to explain it to you. So what are you asking me?”
Jude’s hands clenched into a fist as well and he swallowed. He too was doing his best to keep his calm as well. “...I’m asking you for your blessing...I am either going to ask her with your blessing or without it...I won’t ask her right away, perhaps next year...” He said softly. “Remember Chris...you’re a child as well, so don’t speak down to me and this matter.”
He was thinking carefully of his words, he didn’t think that things would be spoken of so sharply. “Please explain to me why Clover would not be happy to see me. I left so that things could work out and clear themselves. I learned now more than ever that I need her...Chris, I NEED her.” He said, with a little more enthusiasm.
“Because of her, she makes me want to wake up in the morning and live life as full as I can.” He said softly. “She makes me want to dance yet I’ve never danced in my life. She makes me want to sing even if I don’t have a voice. Now if those are the thoughts from a uncertain child, than call me a child. Don't call Clover a child though...you know very well that would hurt her to hear. You know very well that's an insult for her. I would think you of all people would not insult Clover behind her back...”
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Post by Stockmon on May 11, 2008 1:15:19 GMT -6
Chris could tell he had spoken a bit quickly, Jude looked tense and it was easy to guess that he was angry with Chris. But Chris was having a bad day, as previously mentioned, and he was in no mood to baby Jude in any way. He was still sore, physically and apparently emotionally too. This was proven because when Jude spoke, in his best fake calm tone, Chris slowly pulled a chunk of grass out of the ground,
“…I’m asking you for your blessing…” Chris felt the grass fall from his fingers as he listening to Jude talk, “I am either going to ask her with your blessing or without it…” Chris clenched his fist around the remaining grass. Was Jude naïve or something? Because he was acting stupid as far as Chris was concerned. “I won’t ask her right away, perhaps next year…” Well it was going well until he said next year. She was a sixth year now, seventh year wasn’t that much better!
“Remember Chris… you’re a child as well, so don’t speak down to me and this matter.”
Step back, what? Chris resisted the urge, much as it killed him, to speak. He had self control, but this was pushing him.
“Please explain to me why Clover would not be happy to see me. I left so that things could work out and clear themselves. I learned now more than ever that I need her...Chris, I NEED her.” Normally Chris would have been sympathetic about needs, even social ones. But Jude had crossed some lines, especially lines in reality, as far as Chris could tell.
“Because of her, she makes me want to wake up in the morning and live life as full as I can. She makes me want to dance yet I’ve never danced in my life. She makes me want to sing even if I don’t have a voice. Now if those are the thoughts from a uncertain child, than call me a child. Don't call Clover a child though...you know very well that would hurt her to hear. You know very well that's an insult for her. I would think you of all people would not insult Clover behind her back...”
“Do Not say that.” Chris snapped quickly. He had been angry before, and that had pushed him again. “Need Clover if you will, that is respectable enough. But do not for one moment think that I would insult my sister! I would have thought,” Chris was sitting totally upright now, “that you would have been smart enough to realize that, since I would not insult my sister behind her back, that what I said was a fact, not an insult. I am not a child, or did you forget I’m eighteen? The fact of the matter is that seventeen is a child, sixteen is even more so, and eighteen is not. I was simply starting that you, being under eighteen, are a child, and I am not. And Clover is especially a child, being sixteen. I did not make any implications to maturity, and since you apparently thought I did, you are wrong. Had I been talking about maturity, I would have given Clover more credit. I’d say I’m mature, and although you are oblivious,” Chris stopped to take a breath, “I would give you the credit of being mature.”
Chris glanced up at the moon for the first time, distain filling his eyes. Had it not been for that perhaps he would still have parents, and perhaps he would not need to be having this conversation. “Just because I am her older brother, and therefore the most influential man in her life…” He sighed perhaps the comment would irritate Jude, but oh well. “Next year she will still be a child. She had gone through too much to commit to anything like that. I respect her too much to ask her something like that. Obviously I would never ask her that, but you would. You hurt her; you insulted her, betrayed her, and then left her alone. Things like that do not clear up, they fester and become grudges in most cases. She has been miserable, and honestly you would know that if you had not gone home, for whatever reason you might have.”
Chris felt that he had calmed down after ranting. But unless Jude was agreeable, Chris would probably be right back where he was, emotionally.
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Post by illwaitrocker on May 27, 2008 21:19:38 GMT -6
“Next year she will still be a child. She had gone through too much to commit to anything like that. I respect her too much to ask her something like that. Obviously I would never ask her that, but you would. You hurt her; you insulted her, betrayed her, and then left her alone. Things like that do not clear up, they fester and become grudges in most cases. She has been miserable, and honestly you would know that if you had not gone home, for whatever reason you might have.”
Jude's hands were still clenched in fists. He wasn't going to fight or anything, he simply had his hands clenched in fists as a way to try to keep himself down and take out the tension on something else. No, he was not going to do anything to hurt Chris in any way. He just wanted Clover so badly.
"You think I don't know that I hurt her? I'd take that back in a heart beat but I can't. And don't make me feel like a sleeze bag for what I did when I felt that it was in her best interest; just as many of things you do. She may not like it but it ends up being the best decision for her." He sighed, breathing heavily to keep himself calm still.
He didn't really know what else he could say to Chris. "She couldn't have been too depressed...I heard she's moved onto that Lucas fellow. She sure gets over men quickly, even if she claims to them that she loves them eternally. She couldn't have been hurting too hard. She wasn't hurting nearly the way I was."
Sadly though, Jude did not know the sad fact that Clover had nearly taken her life had it not been for Dane Tigerthorn. She had nearly done...because of Jude. It was all, because of Jude. Clover would never love anyone again as deeply as she felt for Jude. Perhaps with Lucas it would grow but it would take a long time.
"Not meaning to be rude...but I'm not the sleeze bag...your sister is..." Jude said to Chris. His anger was starting to come out now, over powering his calm emotions. Of course, he had heard of Clover and Lucas that very morning and he was hoping in some way that Chris would say that was not true and that Clover still loved him. "I bet they've probably already slept together..." He muttered under his breath. He trusted Clover but not Lucas.
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