Casual Meeting PV Dennis Tumberton Closed

How could he have focus on school now? After a whirlwind trip to France, his very first out side of the country, they expected them to go back to classes? Dennis was indignant. There wasn’t even any croissants here! At least, not like the buttery goodness of the ones in France. However, ever the faithful Ravenclaw, Dennis went about his day doing his due diligence in all of his classes, save Potions. Dennis’ head was filled with all the various revelations he made during his trip and all the many people he met as well. By contrast, the same old Hogwarts felt…well…the same. When he graduated, Dennis swore to himself to travel the world!

Classes finally finished and the redhead did as he normally did and headed out to the grounds for some fresh air and perspective. He just wandered aimlessly though, his thought swirling around certain people and thoughts and what he was going to do about it now. So busy was he with his thoughts he walked right into a girl standing in his way holding a piece of parchment.

“Woah!” Dennis exclaimed, startled by being awakened from his near dreamlike trance. Dennis shook his head and collected himself. “Sorry about that. Just thinking about stuff, you know?”

He finally took not of the girl in his way. It was Avery! They had met only a week or so ago by the lake! His mood instantly improved and he flashed his trademark grin, “Oh! Hello, Avery!” The smile didn’t last long because it seemed Avery was mulling over a letter. The same letter about her grandfather or a different one? “Are you alright?” He asked gently.

@Avery Gray

Interacting with: @Dennis Tumberton Mentioning: N/A Date: 02/19/25

Word Count: 204

✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽

Avery was surprised. When she looked up, a familiar face that she had met only a week ago smiled at her. She smiled back. Not wanting to be rude. "Hi Dennis. Yeah. I'm okay. Still nothing about my grandpa yet though." Avery sighed. A full week of waiting and still nothing. This was going to be an interesting time if she didn't get news soon. Avery smiled weakly as she stuffed the letter deeper into her bag. Not wanting to have a single thought about it. Today was going to be a good day. Maybe they could actually hang out instead of just talking about her life problems? She always felt bad telling others her problems when she knew they also had problems to deal with themselves. "What brings you out to the grounds this fine day?" Avery said. Trying to mask the fact that she wasn't in the best headspace. She hoped Dennis hadn't noticed, but she knew she wasn't that lucky. She was terrible at lying when it came to things like this. She just hoped that he knew she was still excited to see a familiar face around. She really wanted someone to hang out with that she could talk to.

✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽

Dennis watched as Avery slipped the letter yet again back into her bag. This was the second time in as many weeks that she not only was worried about her grandfather but also wanted to avoid talking about it. He was always one to give people their privacy, less messy than interfering with things he knew nothing about and had no business knowing. However, he did pause and put a gentle handle on her elbow in a reassuring way, “Avery, if you’d like to talk about it, we can. You don’t have to keep pushing it away.” He gave a gentle smile and then stuffed his hands into the pockets of his robes.

He too a long slow inhale with his eyes closed as she asked what brought him out here. He exhaled and said, in his usual cheery manner, “Just enjoying some fresh air and looking for some company. If you are free, let’s take a walk.” He shrugged and started back down the path motioning for her to follow him. If she did not, he’d turn and wait for her. If she followed he would continue to say,”It must be really hard to be here and not know what is happening to family. Will you go visit during the spring break?” His voice was soft and earnest.

@Avery Gray

Interacting with: @Dennis Tumberton Mentioning: N/A Date: 02/19/25

Word Count: 202

✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽

Avery was surprised when he laid a gentle hand on her arm and said that he was willing to listen. He was the first person to ever actually care enough to say he would listen. A weight lifted off of Avery's chest. Maybe she could actually tell him what was happening and how her life was pulling her down to her breaking point. Avery managed to get a small smile out when he offered her to go on a walk. A walk sounded nice. It would also probably give her the courage to finally tell him the full truth. A thing she had not done before. The only other person that knew what she was going through was Dylan, but he was across the ocean in a whole other country. Unreachable unless by owl, and owls would take too long. Avery nodded and said, "A walk sounds. . . nice, actually." Avery stepped away from the tree. Ready to follow Dennis. She was also ready to tell him the truth. He deserved to know since he was there when she had first gotten the letter. "I guess I really need to get this off my chest. Though, it's a bit of a long story."

✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽

Dennis was pleasantly surprised when Avery accepted both his gesture and his offer for a walk. He wasn’t really the talking type. He was more of the blow stuff up and see how much toilet water fills up the room type. However, France gave him a new appreciation for listening to other people’s stories. Life and friendships didn’t have to just be about doing crazy things and hoping for even crazier results! He could listen and sometimes that was all that was needed to help.

Avery joined him at his side and they started to make their way down the path together. She took a moment before finally deciding it was worth telling him what was happening. Dennis looked down at the path in front of him as he listened to carefully to her start to open up. “Good thing we have a long walk,” Dennis said comfortingly. He continued, “What’s happening?”

Dennis kept a leisurely pace once he realized this might take awhile, and stepped back a bit to let her lead the pace. He might not be able to relate to parental or familial struggles but the least he could do is listen and that’s what she really seemed to need now.

@Avery Gray

Interacting with: @Dennis Tumberton Mentioning: N/A Date: 02/19/25

Word Count: 519

✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽

Avery took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Finally ready to say what had been haunting her for the past few years. Now was a better time than ever. Especially since Dennis was actually willing to listen to her crazy story. "It all started three years ago. For context, my family always spent most of the summer and holidays at my grandparent's house in Wales. It was a really nice day and everything was going great. Dylan, my cousin, and I had just left for the woods to explore before lunch. We usually did this, so it wasn't out of the ordinary." Avery took another breath. Preparing for the hardest part to tell. The truth about what had really happened. "When we got back, we could hear shouting coming from the house. We stood there for a few minutes before my mother came storming out of the house with my aunt and grandfather in tow. She was so angry. . . I had never seen her like that. They continued fighting until she forced me inside to pack my bags since we were leaving. That was the last time I saw my family since then." Avery held back tears. Now was the time to explain the current situation. She just hoped she could keep a straight face and not cry. Not again. "The letter. . . the one that you found me on the beach reading. . . it had bad news." Avery reached into her bag and began to read it aloud. Not willing to use her voice for anything else at the moment. It read: Dear Avery, It has been a long past two days. I wish I could have told you sooner, but we were so worried and trying all we could to keep him awake. To spare you the suspense, I will just cut to the chase. Your grandfather is sick. Possibly even dying. We are trying to get him to St. Mungo's to be treated, but he is refusing to go so far. He is very weak and can barely eat on his own now. We are trying everything we can, but I am afraid it may be too late. I unfortunately can not take you from school until Spring Break. You need to focus on your studies. Don't worry too much. Your grandfather is in good hands. I love you, Dad Avery gripped the letter tightly in her clenched hand. After three years of not seeing her grandfather, this is what she gets? Him on his deathbed? He was supposed to take her and Dylan to some places they had never been before since it would be the first time in three years that they would all be somewhat together. Minus the fact that Avery's mom had no idea about their arrangements for good reason. "Sorry you had to hear that. I just had to get it off my chest. You're the first person I've ever told about this." Avery sighed and put the letter back into her bag. Maybe their walk would be better now that she had gotten the crushing weight off her chest.

✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽

Dennis looked off in the distance, jaw clenched as he listened to Avery. It was clear she cared deeply for her family and that the circumstances were so difficult. From playing with her cousin one moment, to being forced out, never to see her grandfather again. This kind of family dynamic was so foreign to Dennis. It was hard to listen to but he was glad she trusted someone enough to let it all out. It wasn’t healthy for someone so young to bottle all that up for so long. “Thank you for telling me, Avery,” he said gently, putting a hand on her shoulder in solidarity. She then reached out and gave him the letter. Dennis took it instinctively, letting go of her shoulder.

He gave it a read through, and then another and one more for good measure. As they walked he remained silent, carefully considering how such a thing might be possible. “Avery…” Dennis started, his heart heavy, not really used to having to listen to other people’s problems. He held on to the letter for a moment longer before he stopped in his tracks. He carefully rolled it up and handed it back to her. “I’m so sorry you’ve been holding on to this.” He said, his emerald eyes locking with hers, sadness and empathy filling them.

He wanted to give her a hug, this was so heartbreaking, but…hugging a girl? Yeah…ok. She confided he was the first person she told and he smiled and said, genuinely, “Thank you, Avery, for your trust.” He then step forward down the path to continue their walk once more.

@Avery Gray

Interacting with: @Dennis Tumberton Mentioning: N/A Date: 02/19/25

Word Count: 239

✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽

Avery smiled a little. Dennis actually cared. Even though he had probably never gone through what she was going through, he was still willing to listen. Avery admired that. He didn't have to listen to her problems, but he did anyway. Avery couldn't express her gratitude towards him for just listening to the story she had kept hidden for so long. Maybe she could tell people what was really going on. Dennis was obviously willing to listen, so maybe other people would be willing to? "Thanks again for listening. I know you probably have never gone through this, and I know this was probably not what you expected to hear today, but I really needed to get that off my chest. I feel a lot freer now." Avery said as she wiped the tears that were welling up in her eyes as she told her story. It was never easy to say what really happened that day. Avery knew her mother was hiding something from Avery about that day. Especially about why they left and why she was arguing when it looked like her grandfather and aunt were just trying to help. "So many. . . secrets. . . in my family. It's hard to keep up with reality. Especially around my mother. Ever since that day she has been. . . distant. I rarely see her anymore." Avery sighed and wiped her eyes again. Trying not to break down sobbing. That would be embarrassing.

✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽

Dennis looked on sadden by his friend’s continued misery. Having such a family was such a burden and he wished he could lift it but all he could do was listen. The path twisted and turned as they continued to discuss things. She thanked him for listening and now that he had some distance from the initial shock he nodded and said, “This has been eating at you for awhile. Sometimes a nice talk is all that’s needed.”

He looked away politely as she wiped away her tears. The redhead didn’t really want to bring any more notice to her strong emotions than was necessary. “I can’t imagine that kind of stress or that kind of fear. I am sorry you are going through all that,” he said at length, trying to find some way to lighten the mood but so far his trademark goofy demeanor didn’t seem like it would cut it at the moment. She mentioned not seeing her mother often and that reminded Dennis that, in the letter, her father said they’d see her at Spring break. He got an idea, but he wasn’t sure if it would be that helpful in this situation.

“You know…” he started thoughtfully, “Hogwarts allow us to leave on the weekends with a permission slip from our folks. As long as they arrange for it, I don’t see why you couldn’t pay your grandfather a visit. It definitely sounds like a family emergency. Have you considered at least spending a weekend or at least a Saturday with them? This seems really important to you.”

@Avery Gray