Don't Laugh. ((Seth))

[Lori Leigh R6]

“Lori?” A voice asked as the pale blond figure walked down the corridor and passed the corner. “Lori?” Another one of the girl’s called. The group continued to call her name but Lori only sped up her pace. For the past couple of months Lori had tried her best to avoid the gossiping group of sixth years that loved to include her in their group. But, lately they had tried their best to real Lori in. It wasn’t just the gossipers that Lori was avoiding. It was everyone. She stayed clear of Scott, Oscar and of course Theo. She stayed away from the casual friends she used to spend time with when she wasn’t with Theo. Florence was the only one that Lori really felt connected with and even the second year was currently doing better than Lori. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Life was supposed to be easy for her. She was supposed to just fly by and have a fun life with Theo. But that plan had backfired so Lori had to figure out life on her own. And for the time being, life consisted of school work, playing the violin, and avoiding anyone and everyone that wasn’t her little sister.

Lori had tried her best to camouflage herself. Her beautiful light blond hair was tied back in a neat pony-tail. Well, even if she was trying to blend in Lori of course couldn’t have messy hair. She wore dark jeans and a tightly fitted white zip-up hoodie. Even when Lori tried to blend in, it didn’t work very well. The tiny, tall, blond was easily recognized. The lack of pink made her less flashy to spot but still, spending the day alone and avoiding the crowd was bound to be difficult for the sixth year, but it wasn’t impossible. “Lori!’ Someone called again just as Lori neared the door to the castle. This time Lori looked around. Her eyes bugged out as she saw a male blond figure staring at her, but then breathed a sigh of relief when she realized it wasn’t Theo. “Want to come to Hogsmeade with us?” Lance, a Gryffindor Seventh year asked. He had his normal group of buds smiling at Lori behind him. Lori couldn’t do this yet. The whole ‘nothing is wrong, I don’t love my gay friend’ thing. Because people knew. Everyone knew Theo was gay and something was wrong with Theo and Lori. And by the looks of the obvious tears in her eyes that day in December, people were beginning to piece the pieces together. Lori backed up a few steps as the group neared her. “I, I..” She had never been this nervous around guys before. She could usually command them even in her gentle, docile way. Not anymore. Not since she had her heart ripped out. “I have to go.” She said turning and rushing from the castle. Coward. She told herself.

Lori ran from the castle seeking an escape from the walls. She wasn’t exactly sure where she was going. Hogsmeade probably would have been a decent idea, but that was a bust. Now she had to figure out her own way to spend the Saturday. Something that didn’t have to do with guys she cared about, used to care about, or those who cared about her. She just needed to get away, unwind somehow. But how? Lori jogged to the lake. She walked along the shore not really sure where she was going. The only time Lori really ventured outside was for classes or to sit by the lake. She never really walked the grounds, especially alone. Before her fifth year, Lori was never alone. She was always with someone, usually Theo. But when Theo revealed to Lori that he was gay, she learned that she needed the alone time. She had to figure out a way to keep her secret a secret and alone time was the key. It was the only thing that worked.

After a few minutes, Lori made her way to the Quidditch Pitch. She wasn’t really sure why. She only came there for games and sometimes to watch Theo practice, but never just to go. Lori wasn’t one for sports least of all Quidditch. By looking at Lori she looked as if she could be a ballerina or a gymnast, defiantly not a Quidditch Player, but she did love to watch the games. As she entered the pitch, Lori noticed a slender figure flying above her. He was obviously practicing, the end of the season was coming up and all the teams wanted to win the Quidditch Cup. He looked graceful flying which did match his looks really. He was handsome in Lori’s eyes, but in a weird way. It took a minute before Lori matched a face with a name. This was Seth Wright. A Seventh Year Hufflepuff. Lori and Seth didn’t exactly mingle in the same circles but they had classes together. Plus he was best-friends with one of the Coxens, a family Lori knew of pretty well. She wasn’t sure if Seth knew her except for classes. Then again, a good amount of gossip about the golden pair like to spread around the school. Lori never knew what people were saying about her but it was probably better that way. Seth never noticed Lori which was probably a good thing. When he finally landed, he landed facing away from her. Lori took a few steps toward him. “You’re a great flyer.” She commented smiling. “I wish I could do that.” She said hoping that she wouldn’t surprise him too bad. “But I’d probably just end up crashing into something.” She said letting the thought run through her head. She finally flashed her brilliant white smile. “Hi.” She said some-what brightly.

[Seth Wright]

Seth rose into the air with a feeling of euphoria washing over him. He loved the sensation of flying: the ascent, with the air pressing down on you, rushing past your ears like a seashell with a secret to tell; and the descent, the coil of fear in the pit of your stomach, the fluttering butterflies. When he was on the broom, Seth felt at his freest. It was like nothing could bring him down - unless he fell off his broom which was, of course, dangerous. Somehow, though, despite the dangers of flying, Seth was not at all afraid of mounting his broom and leaving land. To some extent, he felt safer actually. He was more elegant on a broomstick than on his own two gangly legs, after all. However, when subjected to an audience, or placed under pressure, or handed a Quaffle or an opponent flying towards you at top speed with intent to hurt, Seth lost all gracefulness and tended to become so nervous he lost control all over again. However, he was so used to it he had let it become a part of his nature; he accepted he was a klutz, and he always would be.

Seth had asked permission from Chace to practice on the pitch. They had a match coming up soon with Gryffindor, and he had some free time. Well, actually, he had quite a few essays to complete, but Seth didn't really want to do them. He'd procrastinate until the last hour, likely, or until Chace sat him down and forced him to write them all in record time. Seth would rather, though, be ready for the match, which Chace could not complain about, of course, being the Vice Captain. Seth needed the practice, since his best friend had hinted that he and Ivy would likely substitute him into the game as Keeper. The thought both worried and pleased him. He was capable, but he was scared too. He just had to conquer his fears. Seth grinned as he looped around the spacious pitch, admiring the view it gave too. Hogwarts was a beautiful place, especially at this time of year. The perfect scenery for flying practice.

Without a team, Seth resorted to zooming about on his broom. Without an audience, he felt confident and free. And, without pressure, his handling of his broom increased tenfold. He adeptly turned the corners, threw himself into dives with little fear. Eventually, after about half an hour of flying, Seth decided to land. It wasn't cold on the ground, but the atmosphere in the clouds was quite chilly, and Seth wasn't wearing anything but his usual school robes, which weren't very warm. His fingers were beginning to turn white as they held his broom and it was then he decided that was enough practice for now; perhaps he would continue after a rest. He flew towards the grass and landed, stumbling only a step as he dismounted from his broom. He patted himself down, feeling pleased with him, when a voice behind him caused Seth to jump in surprise, shrieking, "AH!"

Seth whipped around to see a girl smiling at him, and then his shoulders ceased their tensing and he returned the grin. "Oh, sorry," he apologised sheepishly, scratching his head and looking down at the shorter girl. "I didn't see you there..." Hearing her words, Seth flushed bright red with pleasure. "Oh... thanks," he said earnestly. "I'm not that great really..." He didn't recognise the girl... Oh wait. Blonde hair; blue eyes; pretty and Ravenclaw robes. Seth was sure he had heard about this girl. He probably had some classes with her? He was at least sure she was in Fifth or Sixth Year... not his year, he was sure of that. When she continued to talk about flying, Seth cracked a friendly smile. "You don't know until you try," he told her confidently. "I didn't. I thought I was awful, but it turns out I'm okay at it," he admitted modestly. "Flying is amazing, honestly. It's so great to be up there. It's like freedom," he continued to enthuse, until he shushed and looked embarrassed. "Sorry. I, uh, I like flying. A lot."

The girl's odd greeting reminded Seth of himself, sort of. He grinned immediately and returned the smile. "Hi." Then Seth laughed. "Um, I uh... I don't know your name," he told her honestly, sheepishly turning pink once more. He switched his broom from one hand to another, then realised he hadn't introduced himself either. "Oh, I'm um, I'm Seth. Seth Wright. It's nice to meet you." Remembering his manners, he stretched out a hand meekly. He didn't know if it was too formal of him, but spending so much time with Chace and his family had, in the last few years, certainly rubbed off on him. "Hey, uh, if you want, you can have a go on my broomstick?" Seth then said, motioning at his 'ride'. "Have you ever tried it? It's great fun. I can, uh... try and teach you if you don't know." He grinned at the girl reassuringly and offered her his broom.

[Lori Leigh R6]

Lori clasped her hand over her mouth and took a step back at Seth’s reaction. Her face immediately turned a light pink. “Oops. I’m sorry.” She said sincerely. Lori took another quick step back before letting her hand drop. She giggled as she looked to the ground and then back to Seth. “I didn’t mean to..” She looked back to the ground again. Lori had forgotten how to do this..talk. She had only really talked for Florence for months. Had she forgotten how to chit-chat? Was that even possible? Oh Lori. Lighten up! She told herself. She was just talking, nothing more. Still, Lori couldn’t help but feel awkward and out of place. The past couple of months had done that to her. She had changed a bit. Before, Lori had a real presence. She was more sure of herself even in her meek way. She could command attention and not just frighten people. But Lori had found that the past few months had made her silent in presence as well as attitude. Was it too late to change it and just go back to how she used to be? Maybe it was, but Lori wasn’t sure if she wanted to repeat the past. In fact, maybe it was better that it stayed there.

Lori smiled at the flush on his cheeks when he complimented him. It was cute in a funny way. Lori smiled when he said he wasn’t that great. She liked modest people. Well, Lori was open to everyone, but she liked when people didn’t see the strength they possessed. To Lori, that quality made them stronger than everyone else. “Well, I’m no expert on Quidditch or any sport, actually.” She grinned. “But you looked pretty good to me, not that, that means anything.” She said shyly looking to the ground again. Yep, she was no good at this. Then again, Lori had always been shy in front of new people especially when Theo wasn’t around. Lori looked back up when he said that she wouldn’t know unless she tried. “Oh, I’ve tried.” She said remembering the days of Flying Lessons. “I barely passed Flying Classes as a first year.” Her smiled widened when she remembered a particular memory. “In fact I nearly landed in the lake during class one day. Luckily, I feel off short of the water, broke my wrist.” She made a funny face thinking about that particular moment. It had hurt so bad, but luckily Theo was there to comfort her..Theo. Stop that. She told herself.

Lori snapped out of her memory at his explanation of flying. “Freedom sounds good these days..” She said meekly. She then shook her head slightly. She smiled when he began to get embarrassed. “Oh it’s fine. I talk about a lot of things that way umm..music mainly, but I can relate to how someone makes you feel free.” For a while Lori thought that love made you feel free. That love could make you feel like anything was possible. Lori didn’t believe that anymore. A part of her still believed in love, but her heart was too bruised to believe it fully. Maybe love just something that could happen, not that would happen. Maybe Lori would never find love with one person. She wasn’t okay with that, but she was beginning to find that feeling in life rather than in a single person. Lori hugged her arms to her waste. She would have to get used to this again. The casual conversations almost felt new to her again, but maybe that was a good thing. It was time for some change.

Lori giggled lightly. “Good.” She giggled again. “I mean..I’m Lori. Lori Leigh. Hi.” She said cheerfully. It wasn’t often that someone didn’t know Lori’s name. It almost made her feel..relieved. Finally, there was someone who didn’t know about her and Theo. Finally, she could just feel normal with someone. That was just what she needed. “Nice to meet you too.” She said shaking his hand with her small one. It was a bit formal, but Lori didn’t mind. Lori already knew his name of course. She was actually quite good with names. Lori knew all the Ravenclaws and most of the students from other houses especially Gryffindor because of Scott. Plus, Lori liked to know a person’s name to be respectful. Of course she couldn’t know every student at the school, but she liked to know most of them. Lori liked meeting new people. She liked the differences in people and how they differed from herself. That was simply an odd Lori Leigh trait.

Lori’s face turned pink when Seth offered her his broomstick. “Umm..I..” She said frazzled. The last time she was on a broom went horribly. Her wrist was mended in minutes but still Lori hadn’t gotten on a broomstick since. Maybe she was jinxed. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.” She said shaking her head. “I’ll probably get hurt or break your broomstick. I’m barely coordinated in heels, much less on a broomstick.” Lori smiled shyly. It did seem like fun. She took a step to Seth. “I don’t..” She muttered. But she did. Come one Lori. Give it a go. Do you always have to play it safe? Take a chance. Get on the broom! She told herself. Lori grinned. It almost felt like Theo was saying that, but it was her. Lori was maturing, that was for sure. Lori took two more steps to Seth and reached for his broom. “Okay. But you have to tell me what to do. And don’t let me kill anyone.” She added with a serious look and then a smile. “What do I do first?” She asked.

[Seth Wright]

"It's okay," Seth smiled brightly to reassure the girl that he had only been surprised by her sudden presence. He looked her up and down curiously - not at all in a flirtatious way, for it was a totally innocent gesture - and then said honestly, "You don't look like a sporty person either." He laughed and hoped she would not mind him saying so. Seth's lack of tact had often left him in trouble, but this girl exuded a gentle and peaceful aura, so he was not afraid so much to be himself; he was merely worried about acting like a fool. "You're so small and fragile, a Bludger would probably break you in half," he joked. Seth couldn't envisage such a girl playing Quidditch; it would probably scar her pretty face, which would be a shame. "Thanks," Seth repeated again and scratched head, still flustered from her compliment.

Seth grinned at the girl's anecdote about her flying lessons and nodded. "Mine weren't much better," he gushed with understanding. "Madam Hooch thought I was really useless because I was shy and clumsy. She couldn't believe it when I made it onto the Quidditch team. I just kept falling off my broom all the time and crashing into things. I've broken all sorts, not just from Quidditch." Seth's free hand began to point at his various body parts. "Both my arms, my left wrist, my collarbone, a few ribs, my left leg and a toe." He looked up at the girl and grinned in amusement. "Hurt like hell." Seth chuckled to himself and stared down at his own wrist with fond memories swimming in his mind. "Madam Hooch hated me, but I got to know Madam Pomfrey pretty well. I was her most frequent patient!" Seth grinned as though it were something to be proud of. "She's very good, though, right? I bet your bones snapped back together like that." He clicked his fingers, then lapsed into brief silence at the realisation that he had gone off on one again.

"Hi Lori," Seth quipped, somewhat over his initial shyness now and feeling more comfortable. The handshake was brief and when extracted, Seth gave an awkward, apologetic smile, still blushing a little because he could never quite control the rush of blood to his head when he was put on the spot. "Sorry, I'm used to being really formal and stuff... My best friend comes from a really posh family and it's rubbed off on me... I used to be terrified of being yelled at by his dad for being 'uncouth'." Seth grinned, but it quickly faded; remembering the now deceased Bruce Coxen was an odd feeling that he had so far avoided well. Seth was glad when the topic of broomsticks came round and he had soon forgotten Chace's father, focusing instead on his favourite pastime - flying. "C'mon," Seth encouraged with undiluted enthusiasm. "It'll be fun. I promise you won't get hurt. Just a bit, once round the pitch." He didn't want to force Lori, but he really didn't understand why anyone wouldn't enjoy flying. Quidditch wasn't everyone's cup of tea, but flying was just glorious; Seth wouldn't like Quidditch so much if he didn't love flying.

Seth beamed from ear to ear at Lori's agreement and immediately thrust his broomstick into her hands. "Great! Well, first, get on it... You know how to do that, right? What am I saying, of course you do." Shaking his head to himself, he continued. "I won't!" He laughed at Lori's fear of killing someone. "Dude, even I'm not lethal on a broom, so you can't possibly be..." Actually, now that Seth thought about it, he probably could be lethal on a broom... but he wouldn't say that out loud to Lori. "After you've mounted it, hold it tightly with her hands..." Seth tapped the length of his wooden broom with a fond smile. "That's it. That's good. Then, when you're ready, push your feet off the ground with some force. Not too much, because you'll shoot off... which is what happened to me in one of my flying lessons," he confessed to Lori, laughing. "Once you're hovering in the air, you can steer your broom the way you want it to go. Use your body weight to change the speed and stuff..." Seth watched as Lori made her first attempt. "How does that feel?"

[Lori Leigh R6]

Lori giggled. The scarlet blush of her cheeks started fading slightly, leaving her natural peach-like shimmer in its place. Lori was surprised that this wasn’t awkward or hard for her to do. She was usually shy around people at first. She had always been more confident with Theo by her side. But Lori had craved the distance from him. This was her fault, or at least that was what she was telling herself. It hurt less to blame everything on herself for some reason. Lori couldn’t surpress her giggle and let another one slip out. “Oh I’m not.” She said shaking her head, feeling no shame by his words. It was true. Lori’s parents had raised her to be whatever she wanted to be and try whatever she wanted to try. But like her mother, Lori had always been musically inclined, playing the violin and singing just for her own pleasure. She was quite a good actress too. But there was one thing Lori was not: an athlete. And that was a good thing because if she was it is quite possible that a lot of people would get hit in the face with a football or a quaffle.

Lori laughed when Seth commented that a bludger could break her in half. “Hey now.” She threatened jokingly in her always pleasant sounding voice. “Maybe you’re right.” She surrendered finally with a laugh. Lori couldn’t help but giggle lightly when Seth explained how useless Madame Hooch thought he was. “Oh sorry.” She said realizing her actions could possibly be mistaken for rude. “Wow.” She said stunned when he pointed out all his injuries. “And I thought I was a klutz. Well she didn’t feel like that all of the time. Everyone thought Lori was so graceful and bubbly, like a model. And sometimes she was. But Lori had another side that was quiet and klutzy. Sometimes, she preferred that side. It felt more real to her. Especially now a days. Lori smiled as they spoke about Madam Hooch. “I healed quickly.” She nodded. “But the memory, well that will never fade, especially with Theo..” Never letting me live it down. That is what she going to say. She forgot reality for a second. That happened a lot. Lori shook her head. She had to say something though. “Never letting me forget it.” She muttered out with a sigh.

Lori shook her head to keep from thinking from Theo. Then smiled back to Seth. She wasn’t sure if he would see the fake emotion or not, but she was willing to take that chance if it meant that she could move past it. Lori couldn’t help but keep her smile on her face. Now it had turned from fake to genuine. Seth was awkward in a way, but not in a bad way. It was a way that Lori could almost understand. Again, Seth was like that other side of Lori, the one that no one really saw. Seth didn’t remind Lori anything of Theo and this was something she was thankful of. She need new friends, new acquaintances. She didn’t know if Theo would ever want to talk to her again or even if she wanted to talk to him. It was time to move on. What better time than the future. Lori nodded and smiled. “It’s okay. I’m sort of around people like that a lot so I get it.” Lori herself didn’t really belong in that world, but many Hogwarts students did so she was exposed to it a lot. The Leighs and the Darkes for that matter were both really warm, open families. They weren’t so formal, but still very dignified and very polite.Lori grinned fully this time. Why not? What harm could this do? It wasn’t like she was playing Quidditch. It was just flying: plain and simple. Okay so maybe it wouldn’t be that easy. Lori tried to hold her nerves in the best she could, but she couldn’t stop her fingers from shaking. She giggled nervously. Lori flinched. “Okay.” She nodded.

Seth was pretty enthusiastic about this and Lori couldn’t help but giggle slightly as he pushed the broomstick into her hands. “I think I can manage.” She murmured jokingly. Lori mounted the broom after she muttering the ‘up’ command. Luckily, that was something she had managed to master back in fourth year. Lori was fine at mounting a broom. She ever knew how to clean them spotless. It was riding that didn’t agree with her. Lori then looked to Seth. She nodded when he told her to hold it tightly in her hands. Lori nodded. “Umm..” She said out loud, not wanting to continue. But her feet were not listening to her thoughts. The hit the ground forcefully, not too much though. “Hey.” She commented. “I didn’t shoot off.” She giggled. Seth then told her that she could steer the broom where she wanted it to go. “I don’t know if..” But at that moment, Lori lost her grip and fell forward before she retained it causing the broom to speed away from the ground and then straight forward. Lori squealed out of fear as she flew a ways away from Seth, off to one of the hoops. She actually flew inside it, not able to control her location. Now, she flew back toward Seth, still going too fast to land. She shrieked again. “How do I stop?” She called as she speed past them. Lori knew this was a bad idea.

[Seth Wright]

"I'm the King of Klutz," Seth grinned proudly. "And I look it and act it. You don't seem like a klutz at all." He eyed Lori again; she was much too dainty to be clumsy, right? Seth, as usual unobservant to most things, didn't catch the wistfulness that flickered across Lori's face, and asked, "Theo? As in Theo Darke? He's the Vice of Ravenclaw, right? He's really good, and he only joined a while before me. He plays the same positions as me. Dude, I'm really envious of his skills. I didn't know you were friends. Well, I probably should've guessed. You're in the same year and house, right?" As usual Seth had not an inkling of his surrounding peers' lives; he had no idea what and who the 'Golden Pair' were.

Seth laughed. "Not if you're careful with how you handle the broom. It can be quite sensitive, but you just need to adapt to it and it becomes like second nature--" He was interrupted by Lori's slight misaction, causing her to shoot off on his broomstick. "Like that!" he yelped in surprise, taking off after it in vain. "Lori, steer it back to me! Like... like a car!" he yelled helplessly, completely forgetting that purebloods - and he had no idea if Lori was a pureblood or not - had little knowledge of muggle technology, and in fact, a broomstick was the muggle equivalent to a car. He watched as his broomstick soared, taking the light load that was Lori with it, and had it been a different situation, Seth would have laughed at how Lori flew through one of the goalpost hoops.

As though his broom had heard Seth's plea, it rounded back again to zoom towards him. Eyes wide, Seth began to retrace his steps backwards. He heard Lori's cry and shouted out flounderingly, "Uh, pull up, pull the handle up a bit and well, uh, you've got to kinda will it to stop!" Seth didn't know how to explain it; broomstick-flying was almost innate, which must be why he collided so often and made so many accidents on the pitch. Luckily for both him and Lori, his broom decided to stall to a juddering halt about a metre away from him, the air pressure and shock causing Seth's feet to fall under him. He crashed to the floor to look dazedly up at Lori to see if she had been flung off and if she was injured. Quickly he got to his feet, a little breathless, and ran to Lori. "Hey, are you all right?" he asked worriedly, examining her with thorough concern.

After making sure Lori was fine, Seth smiled... then grinned... and then burst out laughing in all hilarity. "Man, that was brilliant," he choked through his laughter. "Just awesome!"