Sticks and Stones can Break your Bones.. Finished

A small smile flickered across Miranda's lips at Flash's formal words. "And I, too, am glad to have met you," she replied, clasping her hands in her lap.

As she continued listening to Flash speak, she idly gazed out a nearby window at the grounds beyond. However, she saw nothing of the scenery, and was instead simply thinking. Mostly about whether the majority of the students were like the angry ones that had cornered her, or like Flash and some of the other she'd met. Or maybe the majority had no opinion, except for maybe going out of their way a little to avoid her. The latter, after all, was the treatment her parents had given her...since she was turned. Miranda finally admitted it to herself. Her curse was one of the bigger reasons her parents had turned to seclusion, majorly ignoring even their own children.

"No, I don't mind," she said, her expression becoming clouded again, though not because of Flash's curiosity. "And yes, I'm sure many of the other werewloves would appreciate more knowledgeability on the part of the-" Miranda fumbled for the correct words to use without sounding judgemental. "-normal students."

After Flash posed his first question (Miranda felt quite sure that a long list would soon ensue), she paused for a moment, trying to think of a good way to explain without forgetting anything vital.

"When a werewolf, like me, drinks Wolfsbane before the full moon, they still go through the transformation process. But with the potion, you can keep your full mind - absolutely all of it. Nothing goes missing, which is a huge relief, especially afterwards when you don't have to go through the major freak out that comes with losing all the things that make you, you for a night." She sighed, although her expression was a little bit happier than it had been before. Talking about the benefits of her...condition tended to lift her spirits, no matter how infinitesimally. "After that, being a wolf is actually pretty great. There's so many benefits that humans don't have, like the speed and the improved senses."

At that point, it seemed the stressful flight into seclusion and tears and been successfully diffused into a quiet conversation. It was shaky, emotions could still be felt tensely strung through the air like tripwires, waiting to be pulled and an alarm to fire. With every voiced opinion however, the defenses started to slowly melt away. Miranda started talking in longer sentences, agreeing and accepting Flash further into her confidence. Flash let out a muffled ‘hm’ to mask the laugh he wanted to spurt at being called ‘normal’. Of course it wasn’t an incorrect usage of the term, but he had never once been called ‘normal’ in his life. It was almost nice in some sort of way that he wasn’t currently prepared to start deconstructing.

He was overjoyed when she began to answer his question in detail, about how the potion worked on her mind. It seemed fairly straightforward, that the only effect was to keep one’s mind conscious and in control, rather than giving into this uncontrollable bloodlust that was apparently there without it. She talked about the horrors of her waking consciousness ‘freaking out’ after a night of craving carnage so casually, but at that point it was simply a part of her life. In fact, Flash was relieved when she continued with some positivity. The potion wasn’t just a relief for its carnage-stopping powers, but could allow her to enjoy the transformation as well.

”You can enjoy it too… I’m glad.” Flash put a hand on his heart, he was always overly emotional about things, and showed it through such small gestures, even when he was trying to maintain the veneer of someone whose mood wasn’t as easily affected by others as it truly was. ”When you say speed… I can sort of see it. Do you get to spend the night with other werewolves as well? As a… pack?”

Another question Flash had no idea whether it was insensitive or not. It seemed not to matter, Miranda was being patient with him, and he was ready to take advantage of it. If he didn’t ask her, he would only be making a fool of himself later on. He did, as she might have guessed, have a lot of questions. His mind was always starving for more information.

”Do you have easy access to the potion? There’s no trouble in getting it, is there?” At that point, Flash’s curiosity was burning like a bright flame. ”How long have you been a werewolf at this point, it sounds like it’s been a while?”

@Miranda Everest

Slowly, Miranda found herself growing more comfortable with talking to Flash. It was easier to push the recent incident toward the back of her mind when she was busy with something else, and explaining something new to someone else - something she thought would help if others knew more about, as long as they used the information responsibly - not only helped her forget it, but also improved her general mood very quickly.

"We can, if we'd like. I've met up with some other before, just because sometimes it's more interesting to spend the night awake rather than asleep. Even if you spend the morning classes of the following days snoozing." Miranda had never actually fallen asleep in class before, but she'd seen others who had, so it didn't seem all that uncommon among werewolves too excited or twitchy to spend the night catching forty winks. "As for a pack...well, I've heard some of the older lycanthrops have a sort of unofficial hierarchy of sorts, but I've never really had a straight conversation about it, so I can't really say. We've all heard the fighting that came of it once, though." She winced audibly, remembering that first full moon during her first year when the sound of agonized yelps and the thumping of bodies colliding had echoed through the weak walls. Apparently not everyone seemed able to keep their lupine instincts in check.

Miranda waited patiently for the next question, and answered after almost no consideration. The talking part was definitely getting easier. "The professors make sure we get some before the walk us down to the place we transform. If even one of us didn't drink it, I have no doubt that chaos would ensue immediately. Every werewolf in the building would be in danger, and quite possibly even the people outside, too." She paused, biting her lip as she gazed out the window with a troubled expression. "As for how long I've been cursed... it's been a long time. I was only seven when...when I got bitten."

When Miranda started talking about the positives, Flash could almost forget they were talking about a curse. Flash knew from growing up learning from his older sister, as well as reading far too many books, that things were never as straight-forward as they appeared on the surface. Even a curse could be fun. It seemed right to him that she had found some joy in her own small community at the school, even if it meant staying awake all night. He likely would have done the same in her position, since it was something that would never go away. Better to stay awake and learn how to be who you’ve now become.

He was starting to earn a great deal of respect for her in that regard. It was a healthy way of coping with it, even though it wasn’t perfect. Words still hurt, no matter how much one might try to say they didn’t. The best you could do when faced with an impossible situation is try to adapt, try to learn to do the best you can with what you have. That was an ability Flash admired in his cohorts, something he looked for in people he wanted to keep close.

He was also glad that she was giving him gossip as well, about how the werewolves might be attempting their own chain of command. Whether she realized it or not, that was extremely helpful to keep in mind. Of course, he didn’t accept it was the absolute truth, she even seemed unsure herself, but it could save him in the right situation. The more he knew, the more likely he wouldn’t be making any major mistakes. Still, most students seemed to keep their uniqueness to themselves, for obvious reasons, but it was good to keep in mind.

Flash nodded along diligently as she described the process in place to ensure their adherence to their ‘medicine’, if it could be considered that. He could see why she was nervous talking about it before, the professors tried their best to make sure everyone was in the right place and taken care of, but not much would have to go wrong for things to fall apart completely. Even though it seemed like a simple matter of human rights and dignity to allow werewolf students to attend Hogwarts, it was also a massive risk that couldn’t just be handwaved without thinking. He would hate to have been in the room when they were arguing that with the Ministry. It must have taken an extremely good orator to convince everyone. If they hadn’t, where would Miranda be now?

Flash geared up to ask about this ‘building’ she was talking about, but his last question had made her become a bit more forlorn. Her answer meant she had been living with the curse for four or five years, a third of her life at least. So young. Likely, it wouldn’t be long before she had no practical recollection of the years she spent as a full fledged human. Even though she had professed to being able to enjoy that time of the month despite the fear of it going wrong, he wondered if it was better or worse that she would lose touch with her humanity. Perhaps it was better that she didn’t know about another life, then she couldn’t miss it.

”I see. That’s a long time.” Flash stated the obvious, if only to show that he was paying close attention. He was also stalling, he still had much to learn about Miranda before he could be more bold with his questions. It seemed in bad taste to ask her to relive the moment right then and there by telling him about it. ”That sounds difficult. For what it’s worth, I’m glad you survived.”

From what he understood, one became a werewolf by being bitten by one. That was what Darius told him, though when he talked about werewolves, it was about killing them. Flash preferred Valerius’ measured approach much more to Darius’ ‘better safe than sorry’ one, but he understood why it was necessary. Valerius was a politician, and Darius was almost an Auror. He wondered whether Darius would even care whether a werewolf was under the effects of the Wolfsbane potion before he attacked… probably not. Better it than him, he would say.

”That’s a lot of pressure… to worry about something going wrong, and feeling responsible.” Flash wanted to avoid dwelling on it, but he also didn’t want to gloss over it either. A delicate medium to strike when you didn’t know your audience. ”But you aren’t alone, of course. Someone as easy to talk to as you must have a lot of friends.”

@Miranda Everest

Miranda was doing her best to stop the flashbacks, but even though she tried to ignore them, she could still see the images of snarling teeth lit up by the full moon far overhead every time she closed her eyes. Every time she thought of that night, those same images returned, along with other reminders of her stupidity. Cedar, for once, had been the intelligent one of their duo - he'd gone back for help when he'd realized their mistake. Miranda, on the other hand... well, best not to dwell on it for the moment, or else she'd end up sinking back into her earlier melancholy.

"I"m glad I survived, too," Miranda replied, her drawn expression twitching slightly to reveal a hint of a smile that soon faded. What was her problem with the memories? The past was done - she couldn't change it, so why bother reliving it? Especially if seeing them was nothing but a mental form of torture. "But it was close...I have my brother to thank for me still being alive." Miranda didn't explain further, even though if someone had told her a similar fact, she'd be clamoring for answers as long as the subject wasn't obviously too distressed. If Flash asked, she'd continue with the explanation, but wouldn't bother without prompting.

Miranda winced audibly when Flash brought up feeling responsible, then felt bad right after. It was obvious he was trying to help, but some of the subjects were still a bit touchy with her, especially with the ring of truth she felt from his words. It would be so easy to hurt someone....

"Not alone, maybe, but not widely accepted either. I've...had some delicate encounters before." She paused, her gaze distant. A moment passed, then she shook her head to clear it and continued. "And I do have some friends...that makes it easier to stand, in a way. You know there are at least a few people willing to help you if it comes down to it, and there are always the other werewolves. It's kind of liking being part of a community within a community. United by the common mistrust and suspicion held for... our kind." She wrinkled her nose in amusement, even though there wasn't really much that was amusing at the moment. "Although I've never really thought of myself as 'easy to talk to' before. Quite the opposite, in fact."

It's a bit short compared to your last post, but I hope it'll do @Flash Holmwood

Flash’s eyebrows raised when Miranda began to divulge information herself without any prodding-- her brother had saved her? He felt since she didn’t shy away from saying so, he could safely dig further.

”Your brother? He stopped a werewolf?” He couldn’t help but wonder if he wasn’t similar to Darius, a much older brother with defense against the dark arts skills, but that didn’t seem likely.

What she said about friends was a relief, she did have people to rely on, as well portraying the werewolves as a community where they help each other. Despite the sorrow involved in the process of becoming one, as well as the continued 'othering' she would likely have to face her whole life, she had ways of handling it. Flash had learned the value of talking things out just a few months ago. Before, he thought he was weak if he couldn’t handle things alone, but once he felt the relief of opening up, it was easy to see that pain needed to be shared to lessen the burden. It was all too much to handle alone.

”The opposite?” The edge of Flash’s mouth curled in a laugh he didn’t want to spout. He would hate to make it seem like he was laughing at her, but he had met so many people who were outright aggressive or antisocial in Hogwarts already, that the idea that she was hard to talk to seemed utterly ridiculous. Then again, he had to remember that he spent most of his childhood dedicated to learning how to speak to people properly, so it was likely very different for other students. ”Is that really how it seems? I think I could end up talking to you for hours if you didn’t stop me.”


@Miranda Everest

"No, not like that. It was kind of stupid, actually. We were young then, and we, well, we heard howling out in the woods and went to explore. But my brother didn't like the idea, and turned back to get our parents when I...didn't listen to him." Miranda stared at her feet, but didn't see them. Instead, she saw the dark trees and the cage - the one that hadn't been strong enough in the end. "They drove the werewolf back and kept it bound until the sun rose. Otherwise..." She didn't finished the thought. Better not to think of that at all.

After that night, her parents had...grown colder, if that was even possible. Before they'd at least made an effort to find things for their children to do, but afterwards they'd just ignored the two of them completely. Even Cedar, their perfectly normal child had received the cold shoulder. Seven-year-old Miranda hadn't understood at the time, but she did all too well now. At least she'd had her brother. He'd helped her through the rough months that had followed the attack. It would've been fine, except for the memories of his face whenever he saw her change. But Miranda understood. To see his sister turn into a creature so similar to the one he feared...snarling and snapping in his face...it had to be hard.

Miranda tore her thoughts from the dark track they were on and back into the present. "Maybe now, but I'm not usually so willing to tell stories about myself. You caught me in a rare moment."

When Miranda described the actual event, Flash could see why she might have felt ashamed. Well, he could of course forgive a seven-year-old their curiosity, but when that seven-year-old was you, things weren’t forgiven so easily. You always wish you could have done something a little differently, but chasing after something rather than doing the safe, smart option… well, still, from the outside, it just sounded like a kid being a kid. Really, if anything, they probably shouldn’t have let the two children get to roam so freely at such a young age, but he didn’t have enough information to make that judgement about them.

”I see, your parents came when your brother got them…” Flash nodded along again, taking mental notes. ”Your brother seems like a smart kid. Does he go to Hogwarts as well?”

Flash was a bit surprised to hear Miranda say she wouldn’t normally open up so much. Wouldn’t this situation be the kind she would be more likely to clam up in, right after her feelings were ripped up? Perhaps she was different from those sorts of people, that at her lowest point she needed people more than she needed space. Flash was much the same, though like her, he didn’t realize he needed it until after he ran away to cry. He actually saw a lot in common between the two of them.

”A rare moment? Well, thank you for sharing it with me.” Flash’s smile returned again, having worn something far more concentrated and serious as she talked. ”I like learning about people, so I feel lucky. I hope I continue to keep coming across your rare moments. That is, so long as I haven’t been a nuisance myself.”

@Miranda Everest

Miranda shook her head. "Not yet. He's a year younger than me, so hopefully he'll get an owl over the summer. He himself is certain he'll be invited, and I can't argue - he's had quite a few incidents with accidental magic already." She smiled slightly as she remembered the various ones, most of which included items exploding or combusting. It seemed to run in the family, after all.

When Flash said that he would like to learn more about her, she glanced up in surprise. She would have thought that her embarrassing emotional display might have scared him off, but apparently not. And she couldn't say that she was disappointment, either. Honestly, it was much nicer having someone you knew could talk you out of a depressing mood. Her younger brother had always been the one to do that when Miranda had still lived at home, but now he wasn't always there when she need him most. And even if/when he came to Hogwarts, he almost definitely wouldn't be sorted into Ravenclaw, which meant they still wouldn't have as many chances to see each other. Miranda would have to start relying on others for support. And that was an alien thought in itself. Anyone who spent their whole lives relying on one person, then having to change that would agree.

"You're welcome?" Miranda replied, unsure whether that was the right thing to say in response. "And...no, you haven't made a nuisance of yourself. I'm grateful for the chance to talk, I really am. It helped a lot."

A younger brother who was more responsible… Flash nearly grimaced at the thought of his own little brother. He was the age her brother was when she was saved, but he doubted that he would have the same wherewithal. He was self-centered, whiny, and petulant. Flash regretted to think of him joining Hogwarts at the same time as him. Selfishly, he almost wished he would just turn out to be a squib like Mari so he would have to go to another school. Not that he liked thinking so uncharitably of his brother. He wished he could find it in him to care about him more, but what had he ever done to earn it? If only he was the type of brother Miranda had, instead of the spoiled brat he was.

”That’s nice. It sounds like you two are close. That’s not as common as you might think.” Flash’s smile became a bit weak.

While it had been somewhat turbulent, Flash was glad to hear that he hadn’t been an unwelcome diversion. Not only that, but he had learned more about werewolves from her than he had learned all year from anything else. He already felt a lot more secure in what he expected to be multitudes of interactions with their kind in the future. After all, they were all meant to cohabitate, and if he wanted to be a part of the discussion he needed to know what he was talking about.

That wasn’t the only thing he learned of course, he learned that Miranda was a friendly, bright werewolf with a lot to share. That was far more valuable to him. She was even glad for his help, not something just anyone would accept or admit. He had spent too much time around the proud Slytherins and Gryffindors, it was nice to be around someone humble and open. Perhaps people were right when they joked that he belonged in Ravenclaw instead. Well, he might have agreed with them if he wasn’t privy to his own thoughts. He was a lot more cunning and self-serving than he let on. It just so happened that his ambitions involved making everyone else around him happy. How nice for them.

”I’m glad. If anyone is giving you trouble in that regard, I hope you’ll think to tell me.” Flash stood up again, he hadn't been told that he was overstaying his welcome, but he didn’t want to monopolize her evening either. When he wasn’t directly helping with something, he worried he wasn’t very entertaining company. ”Likewise, you needn’t wait until something goes wrong either. I hope we can become friends.”

@Miranda Everest