Homesick ((Dylan & Skyler))

[Williard Thoth R4]

Williard opened the door to the Owlery, and slipped inside, closing the door behind him. He was right in his assumption to put on his hat, scarf, and gloves. It was freezing. Turning around, he was shocked to see the the Owlery floor clean. Well, clean as he had ever seen it. There were feathers and droppings here and there, but it was a nice change. He wouldn't have to hop around, trying to avoid getting unwanted mess on his shoes. He would hate to have to deal with Filtch.

It was unnaturally quiet up here. Williard never understood why Winter brought such a still silence, but that was one of the reasons why Winter was his favorite season, besides Spring. He walked over to the bannister and rested his forearms on the railing, looking out over the grounds. As much as he loved it here, he couldn't wait to get home. To see his parents. To be in his room, with all his old things. He couldn't wait to show his parents how much he changed.

He felt different. He was so much more confident in himself. He was more outspoken. Williard loved, and was proud of the person he was turning into. Of course, Skyler was a huge part of that. Skyler helped Williard to loosen up, and have a little fun sometimes. He couldn't wait to see what his Dad had bought them. It would be something cool, no doubt. He wished he could invite Skyler over to his house sometime, but didn't know if he would want to. Skyler and Williard were so different, yet Williard couldn't think of anyone else he got on with more perfectly. Except maybe Elizabeth.

But, Williard did miss his parents. Especially his father. He had so much fun with him. He missed going to work with him, he missed cooking with him, drawing and painting with him. Before now, Williards father was his best friend. He was equally close to his mother, but their relationship was a bit more oral. It was easy for him to talk to her about rather personal things and his feelings, and go to her for advice and her opinions. He couldn't wait to be with them again. Williard smiled.

Just then, he heard a low hoot, and looked up to find a rather large, menacing looking Black Owl staring at him, perched. Williard was frozen. The owl hooted again and flapped it's wings. This time Williard pulled out his wand and stepped back a little. The bird looked like it was going to attack. All the spells he learned, and not one seemed to find their way to the front of his head. Just then the owl shot off towards Williard, and suddenly, Williard found himself on the ground. He scrambled up to his feet and pointed his wand at the bird perched on the railing, it's bright yellow eyes fixed on Williard.

Williards breathing was suddenly fast and short. He didn't know what to do. The owl looked like it was getting ready to attack him again. He racked his brains trying to think of something. but it was too late. The bird launched itself again, and Williard fell onto the floor again, his wand flying from his hand. He tried to get up, but the bird perched itself on Williards chest, it's talons slightly gripping the front of his robes. He let out a scream as the bird leaned in a bit closer. It was looking Williard dead in the eyes. He fully expected it to bite him at any moment, but the owl hooted again, and began rubbing it's beak against Willard's cheek.

[Dylan Caoimhe]

Dylan sighed as he folded his letter, slid it into an envelope, and sealed it. He didn't know why he had to do this every year. Hannah knew he wasn't coming back. He never went back to the orphanage on holiday's and breaks, but she still asked him to write her anyways. She was so annoying and frustrating sometimes. No, all the time. Ever since Alanah died she's been sugary sweet to Dylan. Surely she didn't think that they would ever bond, or that they would have the same relationship he had with Alanah? That was just completely not going to happen. The only thing that kept him from biting her head off was the fact that she was Alanah's sister.

He got up from his usual table in the Library, put on his hat, scarf, and gloves, and shoved the letter into his pocket, not caring about ruffling it. She was lucky he was even sending the bloody thing. For the past few weeks Dylan listened to kids all over the castle complaining because they were homesick, and missed their parents and families. It made Dylan sick. Well, of course he too would probably feel the same way, if he had a home and a family. Merlin knows he didn't consider the orphanage to be such a place. The only time it even remotely felt like it was when Alanah was there. She was home to Dylan. She was his family.

Walking through the castle took less time than he thought. Apparently people didn't want to roam the castle because it was so drafty, but Dylan loved Winter. It was his favorite season. He found himself in front of the Owlery, and stopped only to pull out the wrinkled letter from his pocket before opening the door. Dylan froze when he saw his owl, Tynan, perched on top of a Ravenclaw boy who looked thoroughly terrified. Not again, he thought. Tynan was a vicious Black Owl. Dylan almost got in trouble his second year because Tynan attacked a Gryffindor girl who was sending a letter off to her grandmother. Of course they couldn't blame him, but urged him to be more mindful of his birds behavior.

"Hold on," he said walking torwards the boy. Suddenly, Dylan slipped and fell into the side wall. "Damnit." He looked down to see he slipped on a wand. He kicked it, and it hit the bannister, bouncing back across the floor. "Stupid thing." He focused back on the boy, and couldn't believe his eyes. Tynan wasn't clawing or pecking the boy, but embracing him. Much like he did Dylan. "Tynan," he spoke. The bird turned at once and looked at Dylan. He turned back around to the boy, moving it's eyes over the boys face before turning back to Dylan, and then taking off into the sky. "Stupid bird," he muttered after it. He extended his hand to the boy. "You okay?" He really didn't care, but it was only polite. Polite?

The boy didn't answer. He was staring after Tynan, soaring away. "Ah, do you need help getting up," he said a little louder.

[Williard Thoth R4]

Williard looked at the older boy extending his hand to him. "Um, thanks." He said taking it. He swallowed hard. Nothing like that had ever happened to Williard before. He had a new admiration for all those wizards and witches he read about that were heroes, and faced all types of evils and dangers. Here he was, faced with an owl and he could barely breathe or think. After being pulled to his feet, Williard searched the floor for his wand and when he found it, hastily picked it up and returned it to his pocket. He turned back to look at the guy who helped him. He was a Slytherin.

Williard didn't know what to say. He had only encountered Slytherins one time, and that was in the beginning of the year, when a particularly mean boy criticized his sketching ability. But that Slytherin was a bit younger. This guy was definantly a few years older. Settling his gaze on the guy's face, Williard slightly frowned. This guy had a definant air of familiarity about him. He looked alot like someone Williard knew, but he just couldn't put his finger on it. There was something about his eyes that made Williard feel comfortable, and warm. "Whats your name?" The words were out of Williards mouth before he could stop them. That probably wasn't the best question to ask, but he couldn't help it.

[Dylan Caoimhe]

Dylan smiled at the boys question. "I don't think thats important, given that I most likely won't talk to you again after this, so there's no need for introductions," he said staring up at the few owls that were in the Owlery. He wanted to mail off the letter to Hannah today, but using another bird was out of the question. He would use no other owl. He wanted Tynan. He wanted to use his owl, but the bloody idiot flew off. "Sorry about the bird, he's never done that before. Ever. To anyone. Except maybe me."

Dylan didn't know why, but he was suddenly angry at Tynan. He was always mean and abusive to everyone except Dylan, which Dylan loved. He was the only one Tynan embraced. So why was he showing affection to this little git? Dylan sighed, and looked down at the boy, who was staring at him curiously. "Can I ask exactly what your looking at? I would offer a picture but unfortunately I don't like taking them, and it would make me very uncomfortable to know that you had one in your posession." He probably said it a little more forcefully than intended, but he was really annoyed. He hated it when people stared at him. He hated it when people looked at him, actually. If it were up to Dylan, he'd have it where his existence wasn't even ackknowledged. This kid was acting as though he saw Dylan rob a bank or something. He had urge to shoot a jinx at the boys face.

He's only a kid, Dylan thought. A first year no doubt. No need to be rude. Control yourself.

[Williard Thoth R4]

"Sorry," Williard said hastily. He knew it wasn't polite to stare, but he couldn't help it. "It's just you look like someone I know, but I can't think of who." He felt his cheeks go red. He turned around and looked up at the owls. He couldn't believe how he was acting. The guy thought he was some loser first year no doubt. But he really did remind Williard of someone. He pulled his letter to his parents out of his pocket, and whistled at a brown Barn Owl, that was perched near him. The owl swooped down. Williard backed up slightly. After all, he did just kind of get attacked. But the bird landed gracefully on the bannister, and held it's leg out.

"This letter's for my Mum and Dad," he said to the owl, tying the letter to the owls extended leg. My Dad, Williard thought. Thats who the guy looked like, Williards father. He has the same eyes. The same nose. Come to think of it, he looked like a younger version of his father. Williard frowned. He turned back around to look at the guy. He really did look a lot like his father. He opened his mouth to say something, but decided against it. He appeared to be in a bad mood, and considering he was a good ways older, not to mention being a Slytherin, Williard decided he had bothered him long enough, probably past his limits.

Sure he only asked him a question, but he also gazed at him like he was some interesting specimen or something. That may not have been much, but Williard guessed some people just had short fuses. After sending the owl off, he turned to leave. "Thanks again. For helping me I mean." He got to the door, and turned to face the guy again. "Sorry if I offended you. I didn't really mean to stare at you like that." Williard bit his lower lip. Oh, just hush up and leave already, he thought.

[Dylan Caoimhe]

"Wait," Dylan sighed, "come back." Oh no, he thought. He took a deep breath and continued speaking, though he felt sick at what he was about to do. "You weren't bothering me. It was just my owl. He's not, 'friendly' to everyone. Well, anyone really, except me, which I happen to like." Dylan didn't know why he felt bad about scaring the kid. This was one of the things Dylan hated about himself. He had a right fine attitude on him and was often very offensive and rude, even when he didn't mean to be. But, he would turn around and then feel bad about whatever he did, or said. He had a conscience, which really bothered him. In this case, it was just a, ''harmless'' little kid who asked a ''harmless'' question. Was it really necessary to be so forceful?

The kid still stood at the door. Dylan walked over to the bannister and leaned on it. Before he turned around, he closed his eyes and managed as friendly of a smile as he could. "The names Dylan," he said lazily, shoving his letter back into his pocket. Hannah wasn't important. Besideds she knew he wasn't coming. It wasn't that big of a deal. Why not be nice and talk to him? This was just a temporary moment of, courteousy, for lack of a better word. After a few minutes of "polite conversation," he would never have to deal or talk with this kid again. There. Simple. Make the little git's day, and then leave. Through gritted teeth he asked, "And you are?"

[Williard Thoth R4]

"Um," he hesitated, "my names Williard." He didn't know what to do. Dylan seemed like he was trying to be nice. Actually, it seemed like his new found willingness to talk to Williard was an apology, in a wierd sort of way, but he was still a Slytherin. A much older Slytherin. But at the same time, Williard longed to talk to an older student. He still hadn't met his Big Brother from the BBBS, and really wanted to speak with someone. Dylan seemed honest enough. But still, he was a Slytherin. But, he looked so much like his father that that didn't even matter. Williard slowly walked over to the bannister, and leaned on the rail a few feet away from Dylan.

He had so many questions, and here was a source of information that he was looking for, but he figured that wouldn't be the best way to start a conversation. Bombarding him with questions about classes, and school. This was an upperclassman, so he needed to sound smart. Mature? Here he was doing it again. Why was socializing such a pain? Williard adjusted his scarf, and looked up at Dylan. "So, are you going home for the Holiday's?" What a stupid question.

[Dylan Caoimhe]

Yeah, this was a mistake, Dylan thought. Here he was, trying to be nice, and once again reality just couldn't resist the temptation to remind him that he had no home. No family. Rubbing his tongue against the back of his teeth, he stiffened up a bit, and took a deep breath. He couldn't be mad. The kid didn't know him. He had no idea. "Actually, I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying here for the Holiday's, like I do every year." Dylan hesitated, but decided whats the harm. Why not give the kid a dose of reality. "But, if I had a home to go to, I'd probably consider it. But only consider. I doubt I'd go."

It never really bothered Dylan that he never had a real family or a home. He always had Alanah. That was enough. Now that she was gone, he felt so, alone. Abandoned. Like he had lost every and anything he held dear. Now, it was like nothing mattered, nothing was worth caring about anymore. He really didn't have anyone to talk to. He had no one to go to for advice. No one to rely, or lean on. He had no one.

But, Dylan was older now. He didn't need anyone. He was self reliant. Self dependant. It was his nature. This was just a test. He'd come out stronger in the end. But, he couldn't help but think that once again life was targeting him. He understood that life itself was unpredictable and unfair, but it seemed to have a fondness for causing Dylan as much misery as possible. "So, your going," he hesitated, mustering up his nerve, "home, are you?" Dylan felt suddenly sick. But, he was just making pleasant conversation. Williard was a first year. He may be in Ravenclaw, but Dylan seriously doubted he could have a mentally stimulating discussion with him.

[Williard Thoth R4]

Williard stared at Dylan with his mouth slightly gaped. "I'm sorry. I didn't know. Well, there's no way I could've known to begin with, but I'm sorry. That was such a stupid question." It didn't really occur to Williard that everyone here didn't have parents, or a home. He never really thought about stuff like that period. Maybe it was his age, or maybe he was just so taken by everything else. It was his first year here. With all his new discoveries and completely being immersed in a world that he spent a lot of time preparing for. He looked at the ground. "Yes, um, I am going home for the Holidays, to answer your question, that is." He bit his lip again. This wasn't going good at all.

But should he feel bad? After all, he did say that even if he had a home to go to, he probably wouldn't have gone. Well, maybe he was just saying that, Williard thought. He knew if it were him he wouldn't want people to feel bad for him, or give him their pity. But, he said it so confidently. Well, maybe he was just good at hiding his emotions. Williard hesitated, but decided to ask another question. It was probably a little intrusive, and he was probably testing new waters, but decided to go ahead anyway. "So, where do you live?"

[Dylan Caoimhe]

Dylan worked his jaw. He was annoyed. He would have been really pissed off if someone older had asked him this question. Dylan hated it when people questioned where he was from, or where he lived, because it was usually an attempt to find some sort of window into Dylan's personal life to try and "understand" him better, or "figure him out." Dylan could barely stand taking trips into his own mind and thoughts; everything was so jumbled, confused and messed up. Lately, it felt like everyday he'd discovered something new about himself, and it was usually something he didn't like. Things would surface in his mind that he had had no problems stifling. It had been so easy to do so before. He hated it when people tried to offer him their sympathy, or told him they were sorry for everything that had happened to him.

But, this was just a kid, once again, he thought. Kids are usually genuine when it comes to showing emotion. Well, maybe he believed in the innocence of a child a little too much? But he was positive the little squirt wasn't trying to be nosey. He could tell from his reaction, and the way he was speaking to him. It was refreshing, actually. Just seeing how the kid cared. It was nice to talk to someone who authentically cared. Dylan swallowed before speaking. "I live in Bristol," he said hesitantly. It was at the tip of his tongue, but decided that was way too much information. This kid was not about to become his human journal. "And....that's all you need to know. Or, all I would mind telling you rather. Believe me, no one's ever gotten that much out of me before," he said with the faintest of smiles.

It was true. Dylan was always so guarded. So protective of himself. No one ever got invitations to get to know him, or ask questions. So why was he granting the squirt? Well, he had to admit. There was something about him that was, different, for lack of a better word. A sense of familiarity, though Dylan never met this kid in his life. He smiled brighter. He didn't know what was so funny. Something just, was.

[Williard Thoth R4]

"But why? Do you not talk to people, I mean. It helps a lot." Williard stopped fidgeting with his scarf and openly stared at Dylan full in the face. He didn't understand how someone could be so guarded and secretive of themselves. Williard was the same way when he firsrt got to Hogwarts. He didn't really want to talk to anyone because he only trusted his parents. They were the only ones he talked to. But now he had Skyler. Williard didn't know what he'd do if he didn't have people in his life that he could talk to.

Yet, here Dylan was. Acting as if everything was alright with him. Like, he didn't need anyone. Williard could tell there was something going on. It was in his eyes. Even behind his smile. "There has to be someone that you trust, and don't mind talking to about personal stuff."

[phantomlynx]

Skyler and Will were on their way to the Owlery. Well, Will was going to the Owlery and Skyler was following. They were best friends now and so they wanted to spend a lot of time together. Williard had to mail a letter to his family and Skyler had decided to tag along. He had watched Will write it and even had put in his own input so he thought he might as well watch him do the whole project. One would think that they would get tired of each other. Having classes together, sharing a room, eating at the same table, and getting sick off of candy. But no. That was the beauty of new friendship. Nothing could spoil it. They seemed to be joined at the hip as the expression goes. Which was nice. Skyler had trouble making good friends growing up. Much less friends at all. It was nice to have someone who wanted to be his friend.

Walking through the corridors toward the tower that belonged to the owls, Skyler stuck close to Will. Skyler had an annoying habit of getting lost. As if he could not memorize simple routes to and from the Ravenclaw Tower and his classes. He had asked Alex about that shortly after arriving at Hogwarts. Alex was a prefect and told Skyler that things were always difficult in the beginning but they were bound to get better. Skyler was still waiting for that to happen. He thought he would never be used to this new wizarding world. For example, if Will had not been with him, Skyler would never find his way to the Owlery and back again. He would probably be lost for days. Unfortunately, on their way to the Owlery, mother nature decided to call out to Skyler. It must've been all that pumpkin juice he had with lunch.

He told Will to go ahead of him and he would catch up. He was confident that he would be able to find his way from the toilets to the Owlery. Fairly certain. He hoped. Coming out of the toilets he continued to walk the way that he saw Will was headed. Certainly a stairwell or an incline of some sort would shortly appear. Sure enough it did. Skyler breathed a sigh of relief as he headed up the spiral staircase to the tower full of owls. Luckily, the stairs of this tower didn't even compare to going up and down the Ravenclaw Tower every single day. Skyler finally reached the door of the Owlery and pushed it open. He saw Williard and smiled. But then Will spoke to someone who Skyler did not see at first. The boy he saw surprised Skyler. He was obviously a few years older than they were and he had a green coloring to his robes. Why would Will be talking with an older Slytherin? Skyler gave the older Slytherin boy an uneasy look and turned to Will. "What's going on, Will?"

[Williard Thoth R4]

Williard turned and looked at Skyler standing in the doorway. "Oh, hey,'' he said quietly, fidgeting with his scarf again. He didn't know why, but Skyler's appearance made him feel, uneasy, even a bit annoyed. ''Um, nothing going on, just..... talking.'' Williard focused his gaze on the ground. He wasn't sure if he was happy to see Skyler, which was a rare occurrence. He had a weird look on his face, but he supposed it was understandable. It must've been an interesting scene to walk in on. Even though his conversation so far with Dylan was, interesting, to say the least, he liked it. Or, he liked the fact he was speaking with an older student. He wasn't ready for it to end, no matter how, uncomfortable it was.

Suddenly, Williard came to a realization as to where he was, and who was in the room with him. ''Oh,'' he said turning back to Dylan, ''This is Skyler, by the way. He's my best friend.'' Williard bit his lip, and glanced at Skyler. The way he said what he just said, he could've been showing Dylan an old toy he used to play with. He wanted to apologize, but found he couldn't speak. Why was he acting like this?

[Dylan Caoimhe]

"But why? Do you not talk to people, I mean. It helps a lot."

''Your digging a little to deep, don't you think?'' Dylan's smile faded, but he kept it faint on his face. After the boy's question, thoughts of Mary and Theo forcefully surfaced in his head. He looked at the ground for a bit. He didn't want to think it, but he couldn't help it. Maybe he would, maybe he wouldn't talk to them at some point. He certainly felt comfortable around Mary, but their relationship wasn't like that. They relationship was more of a, ''Lets hang out and joke around,'' type. He felt comfortable around Theo, but somehow, talking to him about personal matters didn't feel right. At least, not yet anyway.

Dylan came back to his senses and wrinkled his nose. Was this kid actually making him think? Williard spoke up again and pursued it even further. He sighed, and put his gaze back on Williard. This had gone on long enough. Entirely too long. ''You know-,'' Dylan began, ready to end it, but the door opened, and another rather small boy stood in the doorway looking puzzled. ''Oh great,'' Dylan said standing up straight and fixing his hat an scarf. The boy addressed Williard, and Williard looked disconcerted, to say the least, but Dylan busied himself with repositioning his gloves. It was definantly time to go. But before he started moving to the door, Williard, ''introduced'' him to the unknown boy, who's name was Skyler. That was definantly a step to far. He introduced them like he was introducing two of his friends that had never met. He looked at Williard a little surprised.

Dylan sighed heavily. ''Well Will, that was some intro if he's supposed to be your best friend. But that doesn't matter. It was, 'nice' talking to you, but I'm afraid this is where it ends. I'll see you around, but I wouldn't suggest speaking to me if you see me because I will probably ignore you and act as if you don't exist. So, yeah. Apologies about the bird, and, goodbye.'' Dylan strode towards the door and somewhat pushed passed Skooter, or whatever his name was, but only slightly. He wasn't that mean. What a waste of time, he thought. A good twenty minutes, gone down the drain. Flushed away by some weirdo Ravenclaw first year. But he had to admit. There was something about the kid. Dylan shook his head. He had other, more important things to focus on, and proceeded to head back to the library and start on his homework.

[phantomlynx]

Will's expression was one that Skyler was not used to. He almost seemed annoyed that Skyler had stumbled into this conversation between Will and this older boy. Usually Will was always pleased to see Skyler. They were best friends! And it wasn't as if Skyler had just walked into this conversation on purpose. He was just joining Will in the Owlery. Was it his fault if he got lost on his way from the restroom to here? Yes, yes it was. But it wasn't as if Skyler kept losing his way on purpose. Granted it had been almost a half a year since school had started and Skyler still found it difficult to find his way from the common room to the Great Hall, but that wasn't his fault! The castle itself was against him. Every where he went it seemed as if the corridors would twist and turn just for him. No one else seemed to notice the changes to the seemingly stone walls, but Skyler did.

Skyler opened his mouth to say something but the older student said something first. Skyler closed his mouth as he didn't want it to appear as though he had forgotten to breathe through his nose. Suddenly the older student was sweeping past him. Skyler braced himself for the full impact of an older Slytherin but it never came. The older boy brushed past him to make his presence known but not hard like other Slytherins. Skyler had soon learned after entering Hogwarts that Slytherin was the House where the professors had put all the bullies. Skyler still did not believe in the "four houses" aspect of the school but he could certainly see why it would be important to keep all the snobs and mean people in one place. Although, if the school didn't people all the hot-blooded people together they probably wouldn't be like that. Just another flaw in the system.

Skyler's eyes followed the older boy's frame as he left the tower. His gray eyes swung back to the room filled with birds and found Will. "What was that all about?" he asked his friend.