Endings and Beginnings PV Alina Rosier Closed

At one point in time that silence would have been filled with her questioning him whether or not he would write to her or whether or not they'd actually be going to one another's home over the Summer break, but Clifton had asked her to trust him several times and it finally sunk in. She did trust him and she would so there was no need for such questioning.

There bond was strong now and all she had to do was enjoy it and hope that he did as well. At one point she glanced up to him and her movement caused him to turn his attention from the window to her and she smiled. He smiled.

She did have one question thought. "So after football camp is finished, which comes first...you coming to Surrey or me coming to Rye?" Each scenario made her equally nervous and excited at the same time. It really didn't matter to her, but something the two did need to figure out.

Alina was nervous about meeting his parents though. From what she heard of them, she liked them and didn't know if they'd like her too. A lot depended on that, maybe even Clifton's future at Hogwarts. Still, if somehow it went terribly wrong she would stick by her word and do whatever it was in her eleven year old self to get him back to another year at Hogwarts. Both of them. Their time at the school hadn't been through.

While she waited his response, she lifted her head from his shoulder and rifled through her school bag for her baggie of lemon drops. She took one out and handed him one before putting them back in, moving aside a piece of paper in the process. It was her final marks of her first year of Hogwarts. Mostly As...not so great, some Es, the rare O, and even a scattered T.... Not necessarily something a father would be proud of. Plus it didn't help, scripted at the top of the paper was Alina Rosier | First Year | Hufflepuff.

[center]Remembering to not forget the details - with @Alina Rosier [/center]

"Well," Clifton sucked on the lemon drop thoughtfully, realizing they hadn't really decided on the specifics yet. "My parents said they want to spend some time as a family before I head off to camp. And then, when I get back, for my birthday we always go to that theme park I told you about."

"Maybe you could come during that week so that you can come with us. It would be the last week of June, even though my birthday happens at camp. But my parents said they don't want me overdoing it this summer, so they still want me home for a little bit before heading off to your place. I'd have to find out about that part. But it shouldn't be too long, I think they're glad I've made some friends."

"But what do you think?"

He was going to ask what her family's plans were until, with a lurch of sympathy, he remembered that they probably didn't have any. He looked over at her to see what she was thinking and caught a quick glimpse of her report card before she pushed it back into her bag. It suddenly made him wish he could visit much earlier. If only to be there in case her dad decided he really didn't like his daughter being in Hufflepuff. Not that there was much Clifton could do about any of it, just that he wanted to somehow support her.

"...When are you going to tell him?" he asked somberly, remembering all Bella had said about elite Slytherins.

Sounds good, that way they can set up what we want to with their families before having them come together to figure out the details around it all.

She folded up the report card and placed it back into her bag, ignoring that question for the moment. "I think that sounds great," she answered his first question instead, asking what her thoughts were about his initial timeline for the summer. "I'm rather excited about the theme park. It sounds like nothing I've ever been to before," and it would be nice to get to celebrate his Birthday of sorts.

She went to zip up her bag but knew she couldn't ignore the second question. Not when it came from him. The two had open dialogue and talked when they had problems, not hiding anything. "I'll probably tell him sooner than later..." she said softly. "I guess whenever he asks for it. Belle, she got really good marks this year, almost all Os and Es. She'll be excited to show him hers. I did get up to an E average though," and Alina was proud of herself for that.

Still, she knew once he saw that it would be less about the grades and more about the house. She still didn't know what he would do, what he would say, but she knew what he would think. What would be the repercussions to it all? She was a little timid to find out.

"Many homeless there in Rye?" she half joked. "Actually I guess I could always get a train back to Hogwarts and stay for the Summer...if they allow you without parental consent. Maybe Professor Browne could override that or something." He was very nice and she was glad to have him for Head of House. It seemed like a responsibility that the school might let them overtake. She could hope.

Sometimes she thought about that, being out there so young, homeless, with no where to go. Would he take it that far? She knew she'd find out soon enough. Probably that very night.

Wait, she was serious. He thought she'd been joking at first when she asked about homeless people in Rye, but then her expression changed to something more resigned and she began talking about asking Professor Browne for help.

Clifton was still trying to wrap his head around just how big Hogwarts houses were to magic families. And he knew telling her dad wouldn't be easy from what she had told him before, but...homeless? Staying at Hogwarts by herself all summer?

"Well, if it gets that bad," he said, pulling her closer to him, "Then change of plans. You come directly to my house and we figure it out from there. It's no mansion, but there's definitely room. I'll just tell my Mum and Dad that you might have to come a little earlier. Just in case. They won't mind, I promise. You'll see once you meet them."

"Besides, what was that thing you told me?" The cool thing she'd said that morning after waking him the rest of the way up by snapping at him. "Don't let anyone tell you that...that you're below greatness. Something like that."

For something that had had such an impact on him, he’d definitely butchered it. But he planted a soft kiss in her hair, hoping that communicated at least some of what he was trying to say, and rested his head against hers.

"No matter what he says to you, you are made of tougher stuff than I think you know. Doesn’t sound like it will be easy telling him but it will be okay. You’ll be okay. I’ll make sure of it.”

The last few words surprised even him, but he’d meant them. He’d do all he could—which wasn’t saying much as an eleven-year-old. But he’d do it all the same.

“And who knows? Maybe it won’t be so bad after all.”

"Maybe not," she said and brought herself even closer into him. He was great at providing comfort and saying all the right words, even if he thought he was always doing the wrong thing. He wasn't. "And I promise, I'll write you and keep you informed and if it all goes wrong, I'll be at your door." The thought alone made her smile. "And if you experience any trouble at all over the Summer that you can't endure, you better be at mine." It was a promise. No matter what, they weren't alone.

It wasn't long until the train pulled into the station and students were saying their last goodbyes. When they stood up, she gave Clifton one more hug, squeezing him as tightly as she could before the two exited the compartment, gathered up their luggage, and got off the train.

Alina stepped off the train onto the crowded Platform. Mothers and fathers, younger siblings, a few pets, and even some grandparents were scattered amongst the crowd before her, ready to greet their beloved students home after a full year of learning, friendships, and adventures at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Towards the front was a rather stern looking older woman, standing impatiently.

“That’s our Grandmother. I’m surprised she didn’t send one of the help,” Alina spoke, surprised to see the woman there but also not caring too much because her thoughts were elsewhere. She watched Clifton closely, her eyes looking over that dark golden hair of his as it caught the light, stared into those deep brown eyes just one more time, watched those lips of his that were so terribly soft… That face she loved so much that she wouldn’t see for a little bit although being accustomed to seeing every day.

“Mr. Troublefield, I’m going to miss you…but I’m only a letter away until we see one another. Remember that,” and she took both of his hands, placing hers in each and rose to meet his lips with her own. It would not have lasted long, but regardless there was the sound of a clearing of the throat behind her and she eased back down and looked over her shoulder to see Bella there. Bella sighed as she gave her sister a look.

“Jumelles de Rosier, viens ici maintenant!(/’Rosier twins, come here now’ in French)” the woman snapped at them from the front of the crowd where she still waited but Alina didn’t respond. She was saying farewell (for a short time) to the one person who meant the most to her, the one person who made her feel more confident in herself, the one person who liked her for who she was and helped her like herself. “And when I say I’m going to miss you, I mean…I’m going to miss you terribly, Clive. …I should probably be going. Have fun at camp!” she grinned widely, knowing he would. He always had talked fondly about his football playing days.

Bella took her by the arm, flashed Clifton a smile, and tugged at her and Alina grabbed her school trunk so the girls could make their way over to the stern looking woman who immediately began to nitpick at them. She first looked to Bella with a slight smile and then brought her hand out to fix Alina’s hair but Alina leaned out of the way, not wanting her to do anything. She met Clifton’s gaze one more time and smiled and waved to him, one quick final farewell for now. Her grandmother, not liking the 1) lack of a greeting; 2) disheveled appearance of her granddaughter; 3) being ignored; and 4) the focus on the boy, took out her hand and slapped her supposed ill-mannered granddaughter across the face, not caring who was around to see it.

Alina felt the sting, but it hurt more knowing that Clifton probably just bared witness to that, as probably did her friends and some of their parents. She glanced down, quickly apologized, and the woman barked something at Bella and then grabbed Alina by the wrist and the three headed to the gateway for the Floo Network and quickly disappeared into the bright green flames that would bring her first year of Hogwarts to an end.

“Mr. Troublefield, I’m going to miss you…but I’m only a letter away until we see one another. Remember that."

Clifton savored the kiss that followed, as short as it was before Bella interrupted. It was the only time he'd felt like being annoyed at Alina's twin, but he told himself it was probably for the best. It looked like her family was already here and he needed to find his.

Besides Alina was right. They wouldn't be that far away after all, though a part of him wished he could just text her instead of waiting on letters. But then, in a funny sort of way, that almost made it feel more special. Like all those old timey stories his dad told him.

Clifton smiled and was about to say something, but a sudden whipcrack of foreign words jumbled his thoughts. He noticed Bella immediately turn toward the voice and he followed her gaze to see the older woman that Alina had pointed out before. Their grandmother, who was looking a little like someone who had discovered sour milk in her cereal that morning.

But Alina didn't seem to notice and her steady gaze brought him back. Clifton smiled a little and felt his face warm. He never quite knew what to do when she looked at him like that. Like he was so much taller and stronger and better than he knew he was. It made him hope he never blew his cover.

“And when I say I’m going to miss you, I mean…I’m going to miss you terribly, Clive. …I should probably be going. Have fun at camp!”

"I will," he grinned. "Don't fall out of too many trees without me."

He watched Bella tug her along toward their grandmother and smiled to himself. He still couldn't believe a girl like him could like him so much. His friends would never believe it. Because Clifton Troublefield was never lucky. Especially that lucky.

He saw her turn and wave at him one last time, giving him one of her pretty smiles. Clifton returned the wave and was just deciding to turn and find his own family when he saw Alina's grandmother's scowl deepen.

Before he could even realize what was about to happen, it already did. Alina's grandmother had hit her. Hard. For a second, Clifton just stood there, stunned.

He saw Alina reach a hand up to her face, out of pain or embarrassment, he couldn't tell. All he knew is that he was suddenly pushing through the crowd, unsettling suitcases and knocking over bird cages. No plan in mind, just fury driving his actions. His mind reeled with the reality of someone being so effortlessly cruel to the person he tried so carefully to be gentle with. He wondered if it had anything to do with his waving back to her.

But they were already gone. Probably vanished somehow, stupid magic. Clifton stumbled to a stop in the middle of the bustle, feeling alone and a little pathetic.

"Clifton?"

He turned to see the tall form of his father and the cropped, now-deep-red hair of his mother. His father had his abandoned suitcase and his mother held baby Clover as they hurried towards him.

"Think you left something," his dad grinned, holding up the suitcase. "Where were you running off to?"

Clifton didn't respond. There was too much happening inside him and, at the familiar smiles of his parents, he suddenly wanted nothing more than to just be a kid coming home from school. So without a word, he threw himself into his parent's waiting embrace. Appreciating it more than he probably ever had. And aching for Alina, wishing she could have something similar.

He sensed his parents share concerned glances before their little group hug knit tighter. Clifton was feeling a little better by the time his parents pulled away again and they began making their way out of the train station.

"Was that Alina that I saw when you got off?" his mom's brow rose and she gave him a teasing smile. "Because I think you left out a few details in your letters."

Clifton blushed and rubbed the back of his head. "I...the girlfriend part is new. I thought I should tell you that part in person."

His dad laughed and slapped him heartily on the shoulder. "Not bad for one year, Cliff. You take after your old man."

"Please," his mom rolled her eyes. "I've been to your class reunions. You kept your nose in your books."

They play-argued the rest of the way out and Clifton was content to let them. He didn't care what other kids at Hogwarts said about "Muggles" or whatever. The world needed more of the normal.