Home Is Where The Violin Is ((Juliet))

[Faith Ellison S7]

If there was one thing in Hogsmeade that she loved, it would have to be her house. It connected her to her family, her closest friends, and to her Uncle James. Although Faith had picked out the house and the furniture to go inside, everything had been paid for with her parents’ money. Not that she could expect anything less of something that had been one of her sixteenth birthday presents. If she was to be an unwanted, unloved only child then, whether they liked it or not, she would be one with style and security. Lindsay and Stephen – they weren’t worth the titles ‘Mother’ and ‘Father’, Faith sneered bitterly – had, upon her demand, faithfully promised not to set one foot inside the house without her permission. Not that they would anyway, but it was always better to cover all possible angles when dealing with her parents. Her very closest friends had received a key to the front door and a bedroom on their birthday, or they would if their birthdays hadn’t yet come around. The house could serve as a safe haven or, more likely in Juliet’s case, a place to sleep off a hangover after a night of partying.

In the whole house, there was only one room that Faith preferred her own company in. It had two entrances into it, one door from the corridor and another directly from her own bedroom. Her music room housed three of Faith’s four greatest treasures: a photograph of herself with her uncle, taken when she had been only eight, her first violin, something that she and James had meticulously designed together with Damon, the violin-maker, pointing out anything that was too outlandish, and the piano that had once belonged to her uncle. She had learned to play her first notes on that piano, a great honour since she knew now that it had been precious to James. Her fourth treasure was currently in her hands, producing a light-hearted melody as Faith and the violin worked in harmony to produce a wonderful sound that echoed around the room and bounced off the walls. Faith hadn’t been able to leave her violin behind, even when she had started Hogwarts for the first time, and so it had lived in her trunk and she had lovingly kept it in mint condition. It had survived six years of careful handling and she intended to see it last a whole lot longer.

Speaking of which, it was time to change the strings. Faith sighed patiently, lowering her violin and bow. There was the problem, she spotted instantly. One of the strings had started to fray. Rummaging through the second drawer of her desk, she picked out a new set of strings before starting to wind them in, one at a time. Thread, tighten, test. Her uncle’s method of making sure a violin was always rightly tuned after changing the strings worked once more, bringing a nostalgic smile to her face as her hands got to work, breaking in the strings gently.

Eager to play once more, Faith quickly ran through a few scale exercises before launching into one of her favourite tunes to play, switching to another as the end of the tune drew near with barely a flaw. Nearly ten years of playing the violin and the tough lessons from her Uncle, which she had kept up even after his death, meant that moving from one song to another smoothly wasn’t much of a problem for her, as long as she had practiced the tune so much she knew it off by heart. Feeling suddenly uneasy, Faith shivered and turned towards the door, her eyes widening as she saw Juliet in the doorway, the one that led to the corridor. Her arms dropped, the violin and the bow hanging by her sides for an instant before instinct took over and she absent-mindedly started to clean the strings, as her eyebrow raised curiously. “How long have you been watching? Spying on me again, I presume,” Faith smiled lightly, placing her violin back in its case before turning to face Juliet again. “Did I forget that we were supposed to meet up or is this just a coincidence?” She asked thoughtfully. It wasn’t unusual for her to get so wrapped up in her violin and piano that she forgot about everything else, as her friend well knew.

[juliet]

“C’mon Jolie.” Juliet said while picking up her Persian cat. She smiled as she closed the door to her room. “Bye Danny.” Juliet called as she made her way to the Floo Network in the mansion. No response. Juliet wasn’t surprised really. All Christmas Josef had distanced himself from his daughter. Juliet didn’t’ care why. She just wanted her dad. Oh well. He could do what he pleased. Juliet just needed to get away. So, a trip to visit Faith was the perfect idea. Juliet knew that the other girls wouldn’t be at the house. Juliet liked her group of friends, but she was closest with Faith. But, it was easier to be close with someone that you had known for a while. Besides, Juliet needed a Hogsmeade vacation if you will. True, the village wasn’t glamorous, but it was brilliant in its smallness. Plus, Juliet couldn’t resist going out to the pubs for a couple of nights. Partying was her weakness even if it wasn’t really a secret. When she went out and drank and danced, she felt strong. She didn’t have to worry about her dad or becoming a healer. She only had to have fun. Juliet knew this couldn’t last forever. But she was young. It could last for awhile longer.

Juliet’s metallic kitten heals clicked the ground as she walked to Faith’s house. Hey, she couldn’t help that she loved fashion. She loved her tight, small clothes and so did a lot of guys. But, Juliet really did this for herself and to embarrass her mum, but she would never admit to that. Juliet rolled her eyes at the annoying guys that eyed her as she passed. Really, she was used to it, but she didn’t want them to know that. After a while, she got tired of holding Jolie in her arms. “C’mon baby.” She said placing her cat on her ground. Jolie meowed and followed Juliet to Faith’s. Juliet sighed. Faith was probably cooped up in the house playing her violin. Faith was great at her instruments, but that Juliet liked to get her friends out of the house. Faith needed a party break every now and then or at least Juliet thought she did. And Juliet loved to pull Faith along with her on her little outings. Tonight would be no different.

Juliet felt the silence as she walked into the house. Well, it wouldn’t take long to find Faith. Juliet knew exactly where she was. Juliet walked the hall until she opened the door to her mint her bedroom. She smiled and Jolie on her bed. “There girl.” She said before leaving and closing the door behind her. Juliet made her way to Faith’s music room through the entrance across from Faith’s bedroom. She could already hear the music leaving the room. She smiled as she walked down the hall. Faith was gifted at music. Her music was beautiful and it always had a way of making Juliet smile. Juliet wished that she could be this good at something. Well, she was good with fashion and Potions, but that was about it really. Juliet knew that Faith could play any instrument if she really tried. She smiled as she walked to the doorsteps. Sometimes Juliet wondered it Faith knew how over-all talented she really was.

Juliet smiled. “Five minutes.” She told Faith. “You’re obsessed.” She said the obvious. “But it sounded really good.” She shrugged. “Hey it’s my job to spy. I have the outfit and everything. But of course it’s hotter than any other spy’s outfit.” Well that was true. Juliet liked designing clothes and stuff. Her mother wanted her to be a model, but Juliet preferred designing the clothes and sketching. But who knew. Maybe one day she would be that model. Juliet eyed Faith as she put her violin back in the case. “Don’t worry. You didn’t forget. Surprise visit.” She grinned. “So, come on. We need to get you out of this house.” She said grabbing her friend’s hand and dragging her into Faith’s bedroom. “There is an awesome party tonight two streets over. And you’re going.” She told Faith. Yep, no doubt about it.

[Faith Ellison S7]

It was times like these, when she was lost in the peaceful music emanating from the instrument in her hands, with her chin resting against the polished wood and the bow a snug fit in her hand, that Faith most expected Juliet, Olivia or one of her other friends to knock on the door and call her out for something. But her ears strained for a noise beyond that of her violin and nothing but silence answered. It probably wouldn’t stay that way for long, or at least she hoped so. As much as she loved her silence and the chance to practise for days on end – one of the main reasons she had remained in her own house for the Winter Break rather than returning to her parents’ house – Faith got lonely easily and craved the chatter and laughter of her friends. She missed Juliet ordering her to change into something tight-fitting so that they could party for the night, missed the silent company of someone nearby while she played her violin or the piano. She even missed smelling the smoke that was a sure sign of Olivia’s arrival or sometimes, not often, filching the packet from the younger girl and lighting up her own cigarette.

Who would be the first to visit her? Probably Juliet. That girl couldn’t stay away for long, not if the alternative was partying by herself. Faith mused with a smile, closing her eyes once more in sheer contentment. If this calm feeling was what Juliet and Olivia experienced when they partied and smoked then she certainly couldn’t blame them for indulging. After all, Faith couldn’t imagine not having her instruments there to fall back on whenever she felt stressed or worried or upset or...anything really. Music was her sanctuary whenever anything got too much for her to handle. Something that her Uncle used to say fit perfectly for those situations. Faith, my dear girl, music is, and always will be, cheaper than any successful therapy. She hadn’t known what he meant then – a seven year old girl knew little, if anything, of stress or therapy – but she certainly understood it now. The proof had been in the way James had appeared so much younger and less like he had the worries of the world on his mind when he had taken a seat by his, now her, beloved piano. The proof was in the way Faith herself relaxed when she had her violin in her hands. If things had been different – if James hadn’t died when he had – then maybe she would have loved the piano as her uncle had. But anything loved by her beloved uncle had been pushed away frantically by her ten year old self. It had been too painful and it would be a lie to say that she could, even now, look at the piano in the corner of the room without remembering her only father-figure.

Faith paused in her playing for a minute, gazing at the picture of herself and her uncle. “I’ll try to love the piano better,” she promised his smiling face impulsively, “and I’ll even think about getting another tutor to continue the flute lessons you started.” It was a hard promise to make. James Ellison had been her only music teacher and, after his death, Faith had not thought of replacing him with someone else. She had continued her own studies in the violin, using lesson plans that had been found in his music room. James had written up comprehensive notes for every lesson of every instrument he had planned to show to his young niece. Unsurprising, considering how prepared her uncle had been. And there was also the suspicion deep in her mind that he had known that he was going to die. How could he not know? For a young girl to not notice, that was acceptable. But James had to have known. Looking back at her childhood memories, Faith could recall her uncle looking older and weaker in the last year before his death. The only day of that year she couldn’t recall clearly was the day a house elf had discovered his dead body only seconds before Faith had walked into the music room, ready to begin the days lessons. It didn’t bother her. The memories of that day were ones that she would be happy to never recall.

“I’m not obsessed,” Faith retorted instantly before thinking over the idea carefully. “Well...maybe a little,” she admitted. “But it’s all his fault and we both know it,” she smiled lightly, tilting her head towards the photo on the desk pointedly. “You always have to be better than everyone else when it comes to clothes.” Faith complained jokingly. Well, it was true, to her at least. But she didn’t mind, oddly enough. Juliet Moreau was her closest friend and had been since first year. She’d had plenty of time to get used to her friend and liked knowing that there was someone there who would pull her out of her music room and into a party every once in a while. “Glad as I am that I haven’t forgotten about you, why do you know about a party in my neighbourhood when I don’t?” Faith waited a beat before grinning wryly. “Stupid question. These boots okay, Juliet?” It was a good thing that Faith didn’t mind Juliet rifling through her wardrobe since she was absolutely hopeless at picking out clothes to wear when partying and they both knew it.

[juliet]

Juliet raised en eye-brow when Faith said she wasn’t upset. She smiled slightly and nodded as Faith admitted that she was. Yep, a night out was exactly what Faith needed or at least Juliet thought so. She didn’t understand that everyone else might not have the same idea for relaxing that she did. Nope, Juliet thought that everyone liked partying. She was a bit naïve in that way. But she really thought that getting Faith out was best for the girl. Yes, Faith needed her music and Juliet understood this, but Juliet felt like Faith needed some non-music therapy every now and then. Or maybe she just didn’t understand that, that was the opposite of what Faith needed. Whatever. Juliet was too stubborn to notice the difference. She often convinced herself that she knew the best for her friends. And once Juliet got in that state of mind, there was no turning around. Well, she couldn’t help it. She got it from her mother. Juliet got more from her than she was willing to admit. But maybe, just maybe one day Juliet could be friends with the women. Yea right.

Juliet nodded as she looked at the photo of James. “Not his fault. His gift. To you.” She said thinking for a moment. Juliet knew that James was a great man and she knew how much Faith had cared for him. Juliet could understand loss in a way, but not fully. She could understand when someone didn’t want her anymore, but that was a very different sort of loss from the sort that Faith felt. Juliet sighed lightly and shook her head. She didn’t like to dwell on the past. Any past. Juliet nodded and smiled her usual sly smile that she could never control. “Well of course I have to be. Why be second best when you can be the best.” Really, Juliet’s obsession with clothes came from her mum. Josephine wanted her daughter to be a model. So to totally defy her mum, Juliet decided that she didn’t want to be wearing the clothes. She wanted to be designing them. Well, she wasn’t a designer. She just liked to put outfits together.

Juliet raised an eye-brow and smile. “Because I’m all knowing.” She joked. Really, Juliet knew where tons of parties were. People knew that she would want to go so they would always make a note to tell her. Plus, people wanted Juliet at their parties. Sometimes, the party got extremely cooler if Juliet would show up. She was a bit of a legend but only in that way. Juliet looked at the boots. “Hmm. Well for me, hell no. But I think they will be cute on you if you wear..” A light bulb lit up in her head. She grabbed Faith and let her to Juliet’s own room down the hall. Juliet opened the door and patted Jolie lightly on the head before heading over to her closest. “This shirt with them.” She said handing Faith one of Juliet’s favorite shirts. It was very stylish and cute. It was mostly black with one inch straps. The top portion of the shirt was silver with a black bow. It was slightly girly, but the whole look of it was sort of edgy so the outfit worked. “That, the boots and a pair of jeans and your ready to go. Now go get dressed.” She ordered and smiled as she pushed Faith out of her room and began to get dressed herself.

Juliet finally picked out a short, chic, purple dress. She it was only the sort of things that Juliet could pull of. The silky fabric looked perfect on her. Really, she could make anything look edgy and not too girly. She liked more edge the girlyness. Juliet eyed her black pumps as she but the final touch on her neck which was a black pendent necklace. She smiled at her look in the mirror as she tugged on her black jacket. Her hair was as she normally wore it out, long and wavy. Juliet nodded to herself. “Be good Jolie.” She said to her cat before leaving the room. “Faithy!” Juliet said pounding on the door. “You ready?” She asked. Then, Juliet opened the door and smiled. “Perfect.” She told her friend before grabbing her hand and leading her out the house. This was certainly going to be a good party.

[Faith Ellison S7]

It wasn’t hard to read into Juliet’s actions. Not for Faith. And she imagined that her friend felt somewhat similarly about Faith herself. They had known each other for too long to not know odd little quirks about the other, and Faith had studied Juliet too often and too thoroughly to not know at least some of the motive behind her insistence that Faith go out with her and party. She cared. It was, to her, as simple and as complicated as that. Nothing less, nothing more. It was no different than when Faith kept a sharp eye on Juliet when they were out partying together or when she waited up in the common room if she wasn’t in the mood to go along. She looked after Juliet, rather carelessly and with great leniency and secrecy, because...Juliet was like the sister Faith had never got to have. Perhaps it was just as well she had never had any siblings, all things considered. James would never have taken in more than one child. His sense of duty would never have stretched to such limits and he would have explained his guilt away by saying that the siblings would look after each other, if the emotion had plagued him. Was it a sign of blind devotion that Faith couldn’t even say that she would have blamed him for turning her away?

“He did more for me than my own parents.” Faith commented flatly, her eyes icing over as she smiled coolly. She had never told Juliet, or any of her friends for that matter, the full story concerning her parents or the reasons behind her living first with James and now by herself. She didn’t tell them and they didn’t ask. Why tell anyone that her own parents had found her so lacking that they hadn’t even wanted to take a day off work to look after her? How could anyone understand that? Okay, so Juliet’s parents had gotten a divorce, and that had hit her friend hard and Faith would never dismiss that, but at least she had felt loved by her own parents. Faith couldn’t even say that her parents even hated her. It wasn’t even dislike. It was simple indifference. If she died, they wouldn’t smile at her funeral but they wouldn’t cry either.

“Omniscient.” Faith rolled her eyes lightly as she corrected her friend, poking Juliet in the side pointedly. “You’re old enough to start using big words now, dear. Let’s not start sounding like a Hufflepuff, stumbling over words with more than three syllables.” Her eyes gleamed with good humour, despite her insulting remark. It was just her way, and if she got to poke fun at some bumbling Hufflepuffs or Gryffindors then all the better. Oh, she knew that not all of the people in those houses were the stereotypical examples of them but why spoil her own fun with such trivial specifics? “Oi, no dragging the violinist,” Faith protested with a pout. “I feel so insulted. You don’t even trust me to walk on my own. It’s like you expect me to escape at any moment, ignoring the fact that I was considering throwing myself out of the window to escape your wild plans for my night.” She joked lightly, eyeing the shirt with approval and not even voicing a protest as she was pushed out of the bedroom.

“Doesn’t even trust me to pick out my own clothes,” Faith grumbled to herself with a smile. “But she makes me look good,” she had to admit as she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror. The only time she actually felt like partying was after seeing herself in the clothes Juliet tossed her way. Maybe it was just seeing herself in clothes that were generally more Juliet’s style than her own – mostly because she didn’t have a particular style; if it looked alright, then Faith would wear it – but it even changed her mood. “Don’t call me Faithy!” Faith snapped with annoyance, clasping the silver choker around her neck before turning to face her friend, rolling her eyes but submitting to the idea of being dragged to yet another place.

[juliet]

Juliet eyed Faith almost sadly. Juliet knew that Faith and her parents had never been on the best of terms. Juliet just didn’t know why Faith and her parents were the way they were and she didn’t know why Faith had been so close with her uncle and not her parents, but Juliet didn’t ask. She didn’t want to pry and there was no need to ask. Everyone knew about Juliet’s parents. She didn’t have too much of a problem with it. But, Faith was different. Juliet knew that her parents weren’t like Faith’s, but that was all Juliet wanted to know. If she knew anymore, it would probably make things weird with Faith and Juliet didn’t want that. She liked things just the way they were. She didn’t mind the stepping around subjects and the occasional lie. Nope. Juliet was used to all of that. After all, it was a very high-class world that they lived in. The elite pure-bloods lied and did whatever they had to do to get what they wanted and so did Juliet. Juliet knew this world backwards and forwards. It never confused her; it never saddened. Those were the plain facts. Juliet just had to stay in that crazy little world, plaster on a fake smile, and pretend like she liked those generic high-class boys. Well, at least until she turned seventeen.

Juliet nodded. “Yep, parents suck.” She said brushing the subject off in a nearly-childish sort of way. But, she didn’t care. Juliet didn’t want to linger on the subject of parents for another moment. Some things were off limits with Juliet, Faith, and their friends. For Faith, the off-limits thing was parents. For Juliet, well let’s just say you shouldn’t badger her about her partying or get her to stop. That wouldn’t go over very well. Juliet shook her head slightly and looked to Faith. She smiled a bit. “Shut up. I’ve never been great at vocabulary or any of that. I’d rather have a Potions Book in my hand any day.” That was the thing about Juliet. She looked totally shallow and maybe in a way she was, but she was smart as a whip in Potions and even Transfigurations. She never looked smart nor did she talk intelligent usually, but when you asked her a Potions question, she was right on point. That was the weird thing about Juliet. For some reason, she dummed herself down or didn’t try hard to sound smart. She could make people cry was her blank cruelness from time to time, but that wasn’t intelligence. Juliet sighed. She didn’t care about any of that anyways. She would be who she wanted to be no matter what. And that was that.

Juliet smiled as Faith protested as she was dragged down the hall. “Of course that’s what I think dear. I’m omniscient, remember?” She joked lightly. Juliet got dressed, eyed herself in the mirror and then patted Jolie on the head. “Watch the house, kitten.” She said playfully before she marched over to Faith’s room and pounded on the door. Juliet smiled a bit as Faith said not to call her Faithy. Juliet rolled her eyes and ignored that little comment. Just as she usually did. Then, Juliet dragged Faith out of the house. Yep, Juliet trusted her friends, but it was much more fun this way. Besides, Juliet knew that Faith would have a fun time. How could she not? The party would be awesome, the people would be cool, and the air would be cold. For some weird reason, those three things added up to be a perfect party for Juliet. She loved parties in winter. Then, she could dance up a storm and still feel a bit cold. Unlike summer where she just felt got and sweaty. Lucky for her, Juliet knew cooling charms and heating charms. Juliet trodded her way through the thin blanket of snow as she and Faith walked to the party. “Okay one rule Faithy. Do not, I repeat, do not say the word ‘violin’ once tonight. Got it?” She asked almost like a mother that was slamming down a rule for her daughter. But, Juliet didn’t think of it that way. No. She simply saw it as a friend that was trying to help a friend.

A smile was seen on Juliet face as they finally reached the party house. A few older Slytherins were holding it and Juliet knew that only Slytherins and some Ravenclaws would be present. So, Juliet knew that this party would be awesome for those reasons already. Juliet looked at the house. It was much larger than Faith’s and the area was bit pricier. But not by much because after all, this was Hogsmeade. It couldn’t get very pricy. Juliet noticed a few boys outside drinking at chatting. “Oi.” She heard one of them say as the two girls walked up. Juliet knew that she and Faith looked great. And Juliet was hoping to find the perfect boy for Faith to share the evening with. “Hi boys.” She said to the two older students. One was in Slytherin, the other in Ravenclaw, but they were both very cute and very single. Juliet shook her head slightly. Nope, they weren’t right for Faith. The loud music pounded on the walls and the smell of alcohol was in the air. Juliet smiled. This would be a great party. She made her way over to the make-shift bar and grabbed a couple of cocktails. She began to drink one and handed the other to Faith. Juliet again stared down the room for a boy for Faith. Bingo. He was tall, blonde, and gorgeous. Juliet wasn’t sure if he went to Hogwarts but she didn’t care. “Wait here.” Juliet said to Faith before she walked over to the boy. “Hey.” Juliet said pretending to be sweet. “Hey yourself.” She smiled and surprised a giggle. “See that girl?” She asked as she pointed to Faith. He nodded and grinned. “Her name is Faith. She’s gorgeous as you can see and she’s smart and very sweet.” Juliet paused. “So go talk to her.” And she gave the boy a push. Juliet giggled and walked to the other side of the room where Faith couldn’t see her and protest, but Juliet could see them. “Hey.” The guy said as he walked over to Faith. “I’m Leo.” He said smiling. “Your beautiful.” He said simply. Juliet giggled from across the room. She had no idea how Faith would react. But, she was going to find out soon.

[Faith Ellison S7]

Would James have been proud of her, if he had lived to see her now? It was something that Faith asked herself every day, unable to stop herself reverting back to the seven year old who had practically worshipped him. She drank, lied, smoked, kept secrets. Then there were times that she felt he might have been proud of her – she was smart, talented, dedicated and she had never forgotten him. The part of her mind that was still a little girl knew what her more adult mind refused to admit. Almost everything she did was in the hopes that she would make someone proud of her. The drinking and the smoking and the lying...that was just a part of life. It wasn’t anything important. She had learned that from Juliet. They were part of the elite and so they indulged in elite pastimes. That just so happened to include lying and manipulating people to get what you wanted. And Faith liked that world. She liked knowing that, if she wanted to, she could get involved in the power plays of the elite. And with Juliet backing her, because surely her best friend would never abandon her, then they’d be sure to win.

Faith laughed at Juliet’s comment, for once not rolling her eyes at one of her friends more childish moments. There were times when she felt like she might be able to share her past with one of her friends, when she had a moment when they had a deep understanding between them. But then the moment passed and she’d find herself laughing at her own naivety. Not even she remembered all of her past – yes, there was only one or two days missing from her memory but it was enough. She could share the good times with her uncle and the bad times with her parents but there was one important day that was absent from her mind. If she didn’t remember something, she couldn’t tell other people about it. Therefore, her past was off-limits unless she brought it up first and she appreciated her friends for respecting that. “Vocabulary is important,” Faith scolded her friend chidingly. “You can’t go far in the world if you can’t express yourself properly. And it’s not like I’ll always be with you to provide words that don’t sound like they’ve come from a Hufflepuff’s mouth.” It was a sad thought, but completely true. They’d be seventh years next year, and then it was graduation. Oh, they wouldn’t drift apart, none of their group would. Bonds of friendship ran too deep for that to happen, Faith was sure. They probably just wouldn’t spend as much time together.

“Yes, yes, omniscient. At least I was able to teach you one thing tonight before you drag me out to get drunk. You know, you’re kind of a bad influence on me. I was sweet and innocent and cute before I met you. Look at me now.” Faith grinned to herself as Juliet started dragging her once more, taking advantage of Juliet not being able to see her amusement. It wouldn’t do for her to see it and have Faith’s history of complaints ruined by Juliet realising that she didn’t mind it as much as she claimed. Partying was fun, especially after she’d had a few drinks to relax her. It wasn’t like Juliet wasn’t there to watch out for her; when she remembered to, at least. Faith was never quite sure if Juliet would actually remember to find her at the end of the night if she didn’t hunt the other girl down first. “Yes, Mummy,” Faith smirked cheekily. “Can I at least say ‘piano’ instead? Don’t deprive me of all my musical excitement tonight.”

“I know this house,” Faith realised slowly, struggling to remember the name of the guy who owned it. “A Slytherin guy, right? Graduated last year? The flirty one? Yeah, I hate him already. I wanted this house before he bought it, damn it.” She eyed the two boys loitering outside thoughtfully before letting her lip curl into a sneer. They were cute, yes, but she would never even kiss them unless she was completely drunk. The loud music made her grimace, part of her wanting to just go back to her violin. After a few gulps of the cocktail Juliet handed to her, that part of her receded. Sometime between finishing that drink and starting another one, Faith registered Juliet’s disappearance and acknowledged it with a slow blink. It wouldn’t take a lot more to get her drunk, she was already tipsy. She didn’t go drinking with Juliet often enough to acquire a better tolerance for alcohol – perhaps why she more often than not refused the offers to go partying. At least she rarely woke up with hangovers because then she’d probably just flat-out refuse Juliet every single time she asked - more like demanded - Faith to go out with her. A tall blonde headed her way and Faith eyed him appreciatively, her eyes widening with surprise when he stopped next to her. That was something she hadn’t expected. It was probably Juliet’s fault, Faith thought good-humouredly. It was rare for a guy, especially a good-looking one, to approach her without Juliet being behind it in some way. “Faith,” she acknowledged him with a slow smile. His statement made her smile slightly, a smile she hid by taking another sip of her drink, slower this time because she wanted to be sober enough to remember to scold Juliet for meddling. Actually, she would take her annoyance out on the guy in front of her first. Then she could deal with Juliet in the morning. “Let me guess,” Faith started caustically, “a beautiful brunette sent you over here. So just go back over to her and give your compliments to her. I haven’t drunk enough to not be annoyed by her meddling and your idiocy, Leo.”

[juliet]

“No, not important.” Juliet said about vocabulary. Juliet never really cared about those sorts of things. Nope. She only thought about her friends and what she wanted in life. That was the way Juliet had been raised and she was going to stick to it. Juliet had certain things about school she liked and certain things she hated. She was instantly glad that Hogwarts didn’t teach Language classes like muggle schools. They could all read and write, yes? They didn’t need seven years of classes to teach them how to do it any better. Besides, that sort of stuff bored Juliet. She was much more fascinated while standing next to a cauldron and brewing up the exact spell that Professor Snape wanted or she experimented with her own spells, but they weren’t anything complicated really. Just things that she thought of or just had the certain urge to make. Juliet twirled a piece of dark hair mindlessly. She was ready to go already! It was no shocker than Juliet loved parties and it was no shocker that Juliet liked to party her fears away. But, she hid it very well and she was determined to keep things hidden.

Juliet faked a shocked expression. “Why Faithy Ellison I did not corrupt you. Besides, I was an adorable little first year too remembering?” She sighed and shook her head. “Okay so only for the first semester of first year, but I was cute, huh?” That was before everything unraveled. When Juliet returned for school the January of that year, she had changed completely. Her perfect little curls were gone and replaced with more mature looking messy-like waves. Her clothes got shorter and she no longer felt the need to match her shoes to her hair ribbon as the ribbons were burned the night the divorce papers were filled. Juliet may have been cute, but those days were long gone. Juliet shook her head. “Tonight classic music is not your friend. If you mention music at all, make it a good band, huh?” She smiled at her joke. Yes, party time. Juliet couldn’t help it. She simply was a party girl and that seemed like it would never change.

Juliet laughed at Faith as they arrived at the house. “Yea I think so.” She said not remembering too well. Juliet didn’t have to know whose house it was. She simply had to know if they had alcohol and a dance floor. Juliet nodded and smiled as Faith took a sip of the drink. That always loosened Faithy up. But, it didn’t matter. Faith was fun no matter what, but Juliet didn’t see that all the time. As Juliet sent the boy over to flirt with Faith, she giggled immensely. She couldn’t help it. She loved trying to find a boy for Faith. It was fun. Leo grinned as she told him her name was Faith. “Now I know the name to match the beautiful face.” He grinned. Leo was the flirty type, but the brunette girl was right, Faith was beautiful. Leo smiled at Faith’s ways. “So what if she did? She was right, you’re beautiful.” He smiled genuinely and then shook his head. “Whatever. I don’t need this.” He said before turning to an even cuter blonde and walking away.

Juliet frowned when Leo walked away. “What did you do, heart-less one?” She said half-jokingly. “He seemed kinda sweet until he left you without even a second glance, okay so maybe he was all wrong for you, but one of these days I’ll get you the right guy.” She laughed. And one day she would, Juliet was certain of it. She took another sip of her cocktail and eyed Faith. “C’mon Faithy. Have a little fun. It isn’t against the law to flirt with a boy. It’s quite fun, I promise.” Her usual, weird smile was plastered to her face. “So if you’re not going to be sweet and act dumb with the guys, that what are we to do all night?” She asked eyeing the dance floor. Juliet had been better lately when it came to guys. She already had one in mind. It was weird, Juliet usually never gave a guy a second glanced, but Jack was different. He made her feel like she didn’t need the others guys. He made her feel find the way she was. Juliet looked back to Faith. She was already getting bored and she wanted to do something quick before the fun in the air wore off.

[Faith Ellison S7]

Faith just shook her head at her friend, grinning as she dropped the subject. They were so different, her and Juliet. They were different enough that they suited each other well enough to last through six years of friendship. Yes, so Potions was interesting but Faith didn’t find the same fascination in a cauldron that she had seen Juliet did. Neither did Juliet find the same interest – not obsession! – in music that Faith did. They were different enough that sometimes Faith wondered how they had stayed friends for so long. Even their appearances were polar opposite. By all rights, they shouldn’t even talk beyond a casual greeting. But once upon a time they hadn’t been so different and it was that time that made them able to work around their differences. Faith rolled her eyes as Juliet invoked that insufferable nickname yet again. “Call me Faithy one more time and I’ll ruffle your hair and then burn your make-up when we get back to the house,” Faith threatened with a triumphant smirk.

“You were always adorable, Juliet.” Faith nodded assertively. “In January you just...became more like me, that’s all. You lost a little bit of your innocence and naivety. It didn’t change you more than time would have. At least you had me to help you out.” Faith finished with an impish wink. She remembered seeing her friend for the first time after the divorce. She remembered the shock that came from the complete change in attitude and clothing and, even though she’d deny it to the last, she also remembered the fear that Juliet had changed enough that she wouldn’t want to be Faith’s friend anymore. She had feared being left alone yet again but, for once, it hadn’t happened. “Classic music is always my friend. Euterpe – the Greek muse of music,” Faith clarified for her friends benefit, “will strike you down for that. So beware of anyone holding a flute and glaring at you.”

The house really was impressive, a fact that nearly made Faith scowl. She really had wanted this house for her own and it annoyed her that someone had gotten there before her. Okay so it meant that someone had at least had the taste to admire the house and want it for their own but couldn’t they have found another one? Or at least asked her to move in with them? Leo started to walk away and Faith grimaced. Yet another boy who turned away from her because they couldn’t see past her initial annoyance; great. Her hand shot out before he could walk away, turning him around and pulling him into a kiss. “Something to remember me by.” Faith informed him nonchalantly before taking another sip of her drink. She wasn’t proud of using such a cheesy line, but he had started it. Besides, she was pretty sure that she would have shocked Juliet and that was always a good thing. Her brunette friend generally thought that she knew what was best for Faith better than Faith herself did. Maybe Juliet was right sometimes, since Faith was already feeling more relaxed, but she wasn’t right all the time.

“I did nothing to him, and, yes, he was sweet. Not a bad kisser either. I just don’t want a guy who is only interested in me because you pointed me out to him. That just makes me wonder if he’s actually interested in me or hoping to get closer to you. It has happened before, you know.” Faith rolled her eyes and shook her head. Of course Juliet wouldn’t know. Faith had never told her anything like that before. Alcohol had loosened her tongue and was threatening to do the same to her temper if anyone tried to rile her up. “Sweet and dumb isn’t my kinda thing. I prefer sharp-tongued and mysterious. Let me get guys in my own way. For once Juliet, stop trying to set me up with guys who are more your type than mine.” Faith sighed and drained her drink in one gulp, setting the empty glass on the bar before disappearing into the crowd. “I’m going to have some fun. You can either join me or go home. Don’t wait up.” she informed her friend without turning around. She was acting more like Juliet than herself but she really couldn’t help it. Maybe someone had slipped something into her drink or maybe she had just reached the end of her patience. It happened sometimes, but never when she was around her friends. Well, everything had to happen at least once, right? The small part of her mind that didn’t feel completely intoxicated quietly wondered if Juliet would just leave her. In the back of her mind, Faith registered that she sounded like the first year who had feared being alone again.