Sticks and Stones can Break your Bones.. Finished

Flash just so happened to be in the vicinity when he heard voices raised in anger. Perhaps someone else would have kept their head down and minded their own business, but without even considering why, Flash went to investigate. Any time there were heightened emotions, there was something to learn, something someone felt strongly about. Perhaps it was also partly schadenfreude, or his natural feeling of entitlement to knowing everything about everyone, but he witnessed a good deal of an argument between some students. There were a few who were condoning a young blond about being a dog-- no, a werewolf, it seemed.

Flash knew werewolf students had been allowed into Hogwarts for a few years, as well as dhampirs and a few other previously excluded members of the part-human races. It was only natural that it would come up against a tidal wave of ignorant backlash. Not that its inevitability was any comfort to the students who actually had to endure it. Flash grew up mostly in the muggle world, so he was learning about things like werewolves at his own pace, but his family had always been champions of the disenfranchised. His oldest brother was a politician fighting for the rights of squibs despite the recent demonizing of them, and his mother and sister put on charity balls all the time to raise money to help with social reform. Because of that, he was taught early on the meaning of being responsible for harmony in one’s community, and to not simply let injustice happen while pretending nothing could be done about it.

It did, after all, seem particularly one-sided. The girl was a first year like himself, and by all appearances, seemed to have not actually ‘done’ anything besides be a werewolf. If Flash wasn’t mistaken, it wasn’t exactly something that was a great joy or benefit to the person. He was certain he had read it described as a curse. Little kids didn’t understand nuanced situations like that, it was easier to put down easy targets to feel some sense of superiority. It was rare for someone to get as rich an education in world politics as Flash had, and even more rare that they would internalize it. Because of that though, bullying was unhappily common for children their age, and there wasn’t much professors could do or say to change the mind of a child who stubbornly thinks they understand how the world works already.

When the girl fled, looking on the brink of tears, Flash could no longer simply digest information-- he had to do something. He could try to lecture the bullies, though despite his often convincing words, he doubted they were the first or last people who would corner the wolf and offer their unwanted opinions. It was better to follow after her instead, though he didn’t know what comfort a complete stranger would bring. Well, it wasn’t going to stop him from trying. People who actually knew Flash wouldn’t have been surprised to see him entering an empty class room that had just been slammed shut, with a crying girl inside. Those same people might have told him he was being an idiot, though. Too bad for them that they couldn’t always be around to stop him from doing what he thought was right.

He didn’t enter quietly, he didn’t want to startle her by sneaking in after what had happened. If he was unlucky enough, she might even draw her wand thinking that the bullies had given chase, but he was quick to draw attention to his presence, even though she had awkwardly already started lamenting and crying. His face wouldn’t be awkward though, it would be quite normal looking, as if nothing going on around him was out of place. Calm, collected.

”I’m sorry to bother you miss.” He shut the door behind him again. It could be seen as threatening, but he didn’t want any more eavesdroppers. One benevolent eavesdropper was enough. ”I wanted to make sure you were alright.”

There were a lot more things he could say, excuses for why he followed her, but it was best to keep things brief and let her fill in her own details. Since he knew literally nothing about her besides the fact that she was a werewolf, it was best to listen and learn first, before he started stepping on toes. Only if his words were welcome would he actually start to release them from their prison in his mind.

@Miranda Everest

Things had seemed to start off on a good foot that morning. She'd found her way to all of her pre-noon classes without getting lost or running into any trouble, but things had soured when she'd been stopped in the hallways by a group of students that were several years older than her. They'd seemed pleasant enough at first, asking what her name was and what house she belonged to, but when she'd answered, their faces had turned angry. What followed was a bit blurry in Miranda's mind, but she remembered wincing away from every accusation like it was a blow. She'd tried to defend herself, but her voice had given out and she'd simply ran. Ran from the harsh words. From the angry glares and hate-filled expressions.

Now she was here, alone with her thoughts and worries. It would almost be comforting, in a way, if it weren't for the words that scrolled through her mind like an audio clip on rerun. The anger was bad enough, but what really haunted her were the expressions of fear on several of the faces. Fear of her, and what she could do. Which was hardly deserved, but understandable. If Miranda didn't take the proper precautions, she would probably be scared of herself as well.

The sounds of the school carried on around her, but she tuned them out, lost in her own thoughts. The sounds of footsteps and voices, even the sound of a door being opened, all faded. Wait, what?

Miranda looked up in surprise, her gaze snagging on a blue-eyed boy that looked to be around her age. He hadn't been one of the ones who'd cornered him, but maybe he'd heard the fight and had come to continue it? She didn't know, but after the confrontation, her nerves were still quite frayed.

Luckily, she didn't say anything she might later regret, and listened as he started talking. After he spoke, she almost replied with her usual "I'm fine," but somehow figured he'd be able to tell she most certainly wasn't. Whoever he was, he seemed nice - kind enough to come after a stranger to see if they were alright. Miranda was of course worried it was all a front, but she quickly stamped those thoughts down. It would take a lot to hurt her any more than she was already, at least mentally.

"I'll be okay," she said instead, her voice quavering slightly. "I-I was just taken off guard by the, uh..." Miranda trailed off, gesturing at the air in a general motion.

@Flash Holmwood

Flash watched the girl’s actions carefully, but his shoulders relaxed when she seemed to accept his presence. That was all he needed, really. Permission to be there. Now that he had been let in, he walked up to be closer. Common procedure when a girl was crying was to embrace them, pat them on the back and let them cry on his shoulder, but Flash was not about to presume that amount of acceptance. His shoulder would still be there later if need be. For the moment, it seemed she was still surprised.

Frankly, if someone had walked in on him crying, he might have made a scene. Then again, he wouldn’t be caught dead crying in public. He only cried on runs or tucked far away in nature where no one could find him. Lately he was starting to think that maybe that was a bit unhealthy. It only seemed to make things worse later on, when the feelings ended up bubbling up no matter how far he pushed them down.

She asserted that she would be okay, gesturing to the kids from before with a noncommittal hand wave. Taken off guard by…

”... the discrimination?” Flash completed her sentence. He didn’t mince words. ”They didn’t raise any valid points from my standpoint. It seemed like pure cruelty.”

Flash’s language was commonly overflowing with vivid description, sometimes to the point where it was too much. Still, it was part of who he was. A bit intense.

”To be quite honest, I don’t know much about werewolves, but I at least know you are still a person.” Flash sat down on a nearby chair, a sign that he didn’t intend to merely say a few pretty words and leave, glad to have fulfilled his white knight duty for the day. ”You say you’ll be fine, but I hope you aren’t internalizing anything they said.”

In the end, that was why Flash had given chase. Not for these bullies, but for every bully likely to follow in their footsteps.

@Miranda Everest

At first, Miranda didn't answer. She just gaze off into space, thinking about the confusing flurry of words she'd just endured, trying to remember all the separate accusations. "But some of them are right," she finally replied, her voice almost a whisper. As much as it pained her say that, she couldn't deny the truthfulness of the words. "I could hurt someone so easily if I weren't careful. All it takes is one mistake...then someone else's life will revolve around this curse as well. Or worse." Her face contorted into a grimace as she imagined the night she'd been turned. The snarling, the screaming...it had been terrifying. She would never wish that on anyone else, not even her worst enemy.

Unconsciously, Miranda rubbed at her scarred shoulder, but quickly stopped. She didn't need another reminder of that night. Best to just ignore the scars, or at least, the physical ones. The emotional and mental ones could never be forgotten.

She glanced up at the boy, who'd sat down on a chair. It looked like he wasn't leaving anytime soon. And maybe she was fine with that. It would be nice to have someone to talk to, because otherwise she might just end up wallowing in her thoughts and doubts and worries. But no matter what he said, she still couldn't stop thinking over every word that had been thrown at her, and trying to see if they were valid. Many weren't, but a few were. The ones that said she was a danger to others stuck out the most prominently, because she could only come up with the flimsiest excuses to brush them off. Miranda remembered the nights she'd spent in a cage before coming to Hogwarts. Throwing herself against the bars over and over, watching her parents with eyes clouded by hate as they stared back unflinchingly. And then to remember it all the next morning, in her own mind. It was horrible.

@Flash Holmwood

Flash’s words seemed to be of little comfort to the girl, he needed to pull back and see things more clearly. She wouldn’t be happy with general placation, like someone who perhaps had been bullied for having a funny nose or a ripped skirt. She had her own conflicted feelings, her own sordid past that Flash had no connection to.

That was all there was to it, he needed to know more. He put folded hands on his knees, leaning forward with interest.

”Is that true? You have no control at all?” Flash’s face was nearly expressionless, simply attentive. ”If it’s not too much of a burden, I would like to hear about it, in your words.”

He was doubtful she wanted to give an impromptu lecture in the state she was in, but similarly, it might be useful as a distraction. The opposite of blind derision-- honest curiosity. Of course, it wasn’t neccesarily being deployed as some kind of tactic to cure her woes. It was linked to Flash’s investment from the start. Certainly, even if she was genuinely dangerous, she didn’t deserve to be hounded by naysayers. If they actually cared about the threat she posed, they would be helping her instead of ostracizing her.

”That is... instead of being afraid of it, I would rather try to understand it.” Flash hoped this made his intentions clear. "Seems more productive."

With what little she had said already, she seemed rather open and friendly. She accepted his intrusion, allowed for his questioning. He got the feeling that despite her last interaction, and despite the rejection she faced from her peers, that she liked people.

@Miranda Everest

When the boy spoke again, Miranda heard his words, but couldn't make any sense of them. She spent a moment thinking them over and over, not comprehending, then smiled weakly. "No control whatsoever, unless I drink a Wolfsbane potion ahead of time. That lets me keep my proper mind...but back when I lived at home, I didn't have those. It's...not something you forget. The transformations, and the thoughts you have when you change." She laughed bitterly. "Actually, make that the thoughts you don't have. From the moment the moon rises, there is no thinking - only mindless rage and blood lust." Miranda couldn't help but shiver at the thoughts. The horror of those many, many nights still haunted her, as they would forevermore, she suspected.

With an internal wince, she realized it probably might not be the best idea to tell him these things. Who knew, he might end up using it against her at a later date. But she couldn't hide her real self from everyone, so she might as well not even start. Miranda still felt strongly that anyone who persecuted her for her true nature wasn't worth knowing. But maybe she should keep it a bit quieter, especially if it only led to this heartache...she had no idea. And who could she ask for advice? The only other werewolf she knew was Henry Knight, and he probably didn't know much more than she did. Either way, it might be better to talk to him about it...if she could find him again.

With a small sigh, Miranda pushed the thought to the back of her mind. She'd pull it out later and think over her option again...when she was feeling less emotional and more calm. Which might take a while.

@Flash Holmwood

Flash was always watching people’s expressions carefully when they talked, and the blond seemed continually unhappy. Flash thought his interest would spark a discussion, focus on fact rather than rumor. He had, perhaps, only been thinking of himself. An unusual, new thing for him. It was a bit embarrassing.

Through an uncomfortable face, she described the curse in her own words, but there seemed to be nothing but sorrow within. Flash hadn’t been aware of the potion, nor the difference of the condition with or without it. Dire indeed, she described a world where she lost her conscious thought-- ‘only mindless rage and bloodlust’.

Frankly, Flash couldn’t think of much worse than losing one's thoughts. Though sometimes his endlessly inane thoughts drove him mad, his blood ran cold to think of being robbed of them. Inadvertently, he had allowed the remorseful girl to plunge even deeper into misery by being made to describe her trauma. I’m such an idiot...

She was shivering, abjectly unhappy. Flash clinched his teeth at the awkwardness he introduced-- he hadn’t quite realized just how dire the werewolf’s curse was. All curses were bad of course, but he was still new to dark charms. In fact, he somewhat avoided their study altogether.

”I’m sorry… perhaps you don’t want to talk about it.” Flash’s head sank to look at the floor for a moment, before returning to her. ”Actually, I don’t even know your name. Mine is Flash.”

Flash stood from his seated position and put his hand out for a handshake. Perhaps once a physical connection was made, she would start to feel more open. That, or his formal upbringing would make an insurmountable rift between them. Flash never was very good at ‘talking normally’.

"I hope I haven't made you feel worse." He gave her a sad smile.

@Miranda Everest

"Maybe not, but it's better to get it out than let it stay trapped inside. I'll survive, and it would be nice to have someone else understand...what it's like. Sorta." She shrugged, her gaze wandering around the classroom. Miranda still looked sad, but her expression was a bit more determined now. When Flash introduced himself, she reached over to shake his hand and replied with, "I'm Miranda."

She then backed up a bit and sat down as well, her legs tired from remaining standing so long after the running she'd had to do earlier. Also, it was a bit awkward to talk to someone when you're standing and they're sitting.

When Flash spoke up again, she did her best to smile, but it was only a weak attempt at best. Her usually happy and curious nature was buried deep at the moment. Hopefully it would return when she had other things on her mind, because being dismal was not enjoyable in the least. But she couldn't help it. Not yet, anyways. Maybe once the shock faded...she still hadn't gotten over the suddenness of the confrontation. It was odd that something that hadn't even lasted a minute had succeeded in shaking her so badly.

"I'll be fine," she repeated, her weak smile fading to be replaced with a more drawn expression. "Like I said: It's feels good to talk about it to a non-werewolf that actually...understands. Or wants to, anyways." Miranda wasn't sure she was making the utmost sense, since even she herself didn't fully grasp why it felt better. The notion was there, at the edge of her conscious, but she couldn't quite get a hold on it.

@Flash Holmwood

Flash could feel the small itch of anxiety cooling off as their hands touched. Her hand was still human, warm to the touch. When he thought about it, what must it take to turn a human hand into a werewolf’s claw? Was it painful every time, whether one took the potion or not? Better not to ask that question, he wasn’t sure if he was ready for the answer.

”Miss Miranda, it’s good to make your acquaintance.”

Once he sat back down, she sat with him, her words still confused. Flash was starting to think that no amount of words would make the situation she was in less confusing, especially given that he was personally out of his depth. At least the atmosphere in the room had grown less tense. Even though things were far from perfect, the distant muffled chatter of students walking down the nearby halls were far enough away to give a sense of privacy. And safety, hopefully.

When instead of agreeing that the topic was too morose, Miranda instead said that talking about it felt good. Another relief, Flash could even be heard sighing, as though he had been keeping his breath back. His smile returned, glad that his invasive curiosity hadn’t gone too far this time. At least, not yet.

”If that’s true, would you mind telling me some more? I know you aren’t the only werewolf in the school… I feel like I should know these things.” The two of them were sitting in simple school chairs that had been tucked into the last rows of desks for whatever use this classroom used to have. Flash adjusted his so that he was facing Miranda directly. ”You say that the Wolfsbane Potion lets you keep your proper mind. That means you still transform, though? Is it…”

Flash simply didn’t know what was alright to ask, he didn’t know what might be too personal, or too painful. When she said she didn’t have the potion growing up, it made him wonder just how long she had been a werewolf. Honestly, he was more fascinated the more he thought about it.

”Is it better, then? I know you say it’s safer for others, but what is it like for you?”

@Miranda Everest