1 Mar 2021, 15:26
We're Good, Right?
Rose reached forward, taking the pictures from Henry's hands. She would put them down on the table, taking the top one into her hands. The first one, on top, was- Ivy Knight. That's what it said on the back. The first thought that came into her mind was-
Henry's mother.
The redhead froze. Rose had thought many times about her father being replaced with Luke, but she hadn't stopped to consider that Henry's mother was being replaced as well. She felt so insensitive not thinking of it before, but she was definitely thinking of it now. She looked up at Henry, asking, "Is this your... your mum?" She used the English way of saying it, as he would have called her that instead of his "mom" like Rose did.
She looked back down at the picture. She was beautiful, and she could see the resemblance between Henry and his mother. Her hair was even a little messy, like Henry's was sometimes.
Onto the next one. The next one's label said that Scarlett was the other girl in the picture. "Aw, it's little Scarlett. I didn't know you guys knew each other when you were little." They had been eight years old in that picture. That's what it had said on the back. She wondered what their backstory was, and knew that if Henry or Scarlett wanted to tell her, they would. She didn't want to butt into their private business or relationship. But she did know that Henry used to live in Godric's Hollow and then moved, but Scarlett had lived there for a while. Maybe they had met each other in Godric's Hollow then?
Eight of them, the rest of them, seemed like happy times, with less weight than the first two had seemed to carry, at least to Rose. It was mostly full of Henry and his siblings, but there were a few pictures that featured Logan, as well. "These are so cool," Rose said. She gave them back to him. "Thanks for showing them to me." She really appreciated seeing them. It felt like... well, it felt like it had felt when Eyre had shown her his sketchbook, or when Aldor had explained his journal. Henry's family, and the most important people to him were here. In these pictures. His siblings, his best friends. And he was showing the pictures (which was related to photography, his talent and one of the things he loved doing) to Rose. She had held them like gold when they were in her hands. And maybe... it felt like Henry really trusted her to show her those pictures. "Really, I mean it," she said.
"Thank you," she said at his comment that her voice was probably beautiful, too. She didn't believe him when he told her this, of course. She didn't think her voice was anything special, and certainly not beautiful. But she accepted the compliment anyway. Henry voiced his concerns about maybe asking someone else, because he could mess it up for her.
But Rose could mess it up just as much as Henry could mess it up. Her voice could crack, her mind could blank, her stage fright could take over. She could fail to hit a note that she needed to hit, or sang the wrong part. She was just as terrified of failure as Henry was. "I could mess you up, too, you know." That's when doubts started to crawl into her mind, contagious from Henry's own. What if she did mess him up and ruin his chances? He would act like it was okay, but he wouldn't really mean it, would he?
And what if he was hesitant about her suggestion because he knew that he didn't want her messing him up when the time came to audition? What if his hesitation that looked like his own, was really hesitation about her and her abilities? What if when they practiced he thought that they would never get into the Frog Choir because of Rose? What if she was the one who ruined his chances? And, even worse, what if he let her because he wanted to make her more comfortable when the audition came along? Rose couldn't think about that, now, though. She had to make sure that Henry really wanted to do the duet before they made the final descision, but first-
Her voice was firm as she said, "No, there's nobody else I would rather do it with. And, frankly, I doubt I could find anybody better or anyone else I trust more. I'm not kidding when I say that." Her voice was sincere and she looked him in the eye. "If one of us does end up messing up, that means that the other one can help get them back on track, instead of just being stuck if we were doing solos." She didn't want to force him into it, though, so she added a little bashfully, "But it is your decision. I get it if you'd rather do yours alone."
3 Mar 2021, 19:41
We're Good, Right?
Interacting: @Rose Moon
Mentioning: N/A
When Henry passed the ten photos to Rose, the twelve year old felt a little panicky and his anxiety was definitely on the rise but it wasn't that bad since it was only ten and wasn't technically his whole photo album which is something that the second year has never showed anyone before. Only a couple photos like he's doing with Rose however what the boy didn't know what the picture of his mum was in the pile.
A picture that Henry would have never took out of his photo album in the first place and definitely not have given it to anyone no matter how close he is to someone. His mum was someone that Henry didn't like talking about and typically tried to avoid in conversations so hearing Rose's question about the photo, not being too rude Henry would teach over and carefully take the single photo back from Rose as he spoke quietly, " yes, that's my mum," however after the reply the second year old directed his eyes to the spines of the books sitting on the shelves around him and Rose.
After a moment and once in control of his emotions again, Henry moved his eyes to his lap where he held the photo of his mum.
It was funny how similar he was to his mum but not to his father. His mum had blue eyes and tan skin with brown hair characteristics that both him, Annabeth, and Arthur inherited from her except Arthur inherited their father's brown eyes.
The one part of his mum that Henry couldn't see in himself was his mum had a carefree spirit and took risks, she believe that you have to live everyday like it's your last. All things Henry hasn't master yet mainly because of his anxiety and also because of something else as the boy looked at the photo.
Snapping him from his thoughts, the twelve year old looked up at Rose and with a smile spoke" yeah, we knew each other when we were younger," deciding to leave our them being childhood best friends in godric hollow since even if their wasn't any awkwardness present between the to anymore Henry still didn't think it was all up to him to Rose that they were once best friends as children but perhaps one day he will.
Henry placed the photo of his mum hidden on his lap as he reach across the table and took the photos back from Rose while he nodded before speaking" it's nothing, I must have forgot the photos were there so why not have you look at them," before adding the one of his mum to the pile and placing them neatly back in his massager type bag as he gave Rose a small nod before speaking" really it's nothing Rose we're close friends and soon to be step siblings so," Henry wouldn't have shown them to a stranger or acquaintance but a close friend or future step sibling was someone that he would show them to.
Now the sun rusted pendant that laid on his chest underneath his shirt from his mum with the fox necklace from Logan would remain hidden and kept a secret as least for the time being.
As the conversation changed to the frog choir and auditioning together. Henry's mind only filled with thoughts in messing Rose up and ruining her chance as his anxiety rose the second year didn't even know that because of him worrying and second guessing himself that he was causing Rose to become nervous as well.
Upon hearing her comment only multiple possibilities of how Henry could mess her up floated in his mind.
I could sing off key, my voice could crack, I could forget a line, I could freeze, I could bail, I could... I could... there's to much that could go wrong! There's to much that I could go that would ruin Rose's chance! I can't do that to her.. she deserves the best possible chance and doing a duet with me isn't that because I child easily mess up or... or ... or... I can ruin the whole audition for her and it will be my fault that she won't get it! I can't do that to her... she deserves better, she deserves to do a duet with someone better... that won't mess up... that isn't me...
However when he heard her voice and made eye contact with her, blue into green. Gryffindor to slytherin. Second Year to Second Year. Dueler to Dueler. Friend to Friend. The twelve year old heard her voice and for one of the rare times at Hogwarts felt courageous and wasn't listening to his anxiety as the second year slowly nodded with no emotions present on his face but a small smile as he spoke" alright, so what song are we doing?"
That was it. They were doing a duet. Anxiety was still fueling the boy's mind but for one of the first times while at schoo the twelve year old didn't care. He couldn't. Because all he could hear was his friend soon to be step sister's voice with the idea of doing a duet for the frog choir audition together.
"There's no such thing as strange creatures, only blinked people" - Newt Scamander
11 Mar 2021, 12:37
We're Good, Right?
Henry was quick to take back the picture of his mother, and though Rose had no reason at all to, she felt bad for looking at it and for asking about it. Maybe he hadn't known it had been in there? Or maybe he didn't want her to look at it that long? He said it quietly, but almost too quietly. Too quiet for it just to be because they were in the library. She would let him take it, looking up at him a moment and wondering if she had crossed a line or something. "She's really beautiful," she murmured. Rose wondered if she should ask further about the woman, but didn't want to force anything out from Henry.
Rose did probe any further about Scarlett, either, as he would go into more detail only if he wanted to. She did smile at him, though, when he said it was nothing. She felt good that he considered her a close friend. It made her feel like maybe, just a little bit, she might have deserved that title. No. It was just because they had known each other for that long. It definitely wasn't because she was a kind person and made an effort to preserve their relationship even when it meant draining her mentally and emotionally. It wasn't because of her dedication or the way they both just went with each other. It was not for any of those reasons in Rose's mind because she didn't let herself think highly of herself.
They really had come a long way. From barely knowing each other's names to reassuring each other they would always be there for each other to now, about to live in the same house together. He was soon to be one of her new siblings. She was going to get two older brothers and an older sister.
Gosh, she wasn't going to be the middle child anymore. If you counted her new step-siblings. Then Faith and Frankie were going to be the two middle children. It would be weird. Rose wasn't aware of this, but she was pretty much the glue that held the whole family together most of the time. Now, sometimes, others would have to step up, but it was mostly her and her mother that kept the entire family from falling apart. And she had gotten comfortable in that role. It would be weird to not be labeled as the middle child anymore. Of course, she would always be the middle child of her own family, her family by blood and not by law, but come the summer, it would be one of the many things to change.
And then, after Rose told him firmly they were going to do fine, that's when Henry seemed to gain just a little more confidence, though it was hard to tell. It was always hard to tell with Henry, honestly. Some people she could read their faces in a minute with a page-long list of what could be causing that emotion in order from most likely to least likely in the blink of an eye. Henry was always so guarded with his emotions and his facial expressions, and Rose found it harder to read him than she could other people. But little did she know that she had successfully reassured him, something that happened barely ever. If she knew that she had done so, it would be something that she was proud of succeeding in, which is saying something. His question that he posed to her was very direct, as if whatever she was going to say they could go with. "Unless you have another idea, I thought maybe we could sing 'A Million Dreams,' which is from a Muggle movie called 'The Greatest Showman. I can teach it to you if you don't know it already, and I think there are some places it would be cool to add some harmony or trade off..." she suggested. She paused, then kept suggesting, as she had another idea. "We could go practice now, maybe. In the Rehearsal Room. Practice makes perfect, after all." There was something that her grandmother had once said to her- that practice did not, in fact, make perfect. Practice makes permanent. Because not everything can be perfect. Because you can practice things wrong. But whatever you practice, it will be permanent and will show in your end result. But she didn't want to say this out loud to Henry because it sounded not only needing of an explanation that she didn't really want to provide but also sounded extremely foreboding.
11 Mar 2021, 15:18
We're Good, Right?
Permission given to godmode Rose Moon by the writer
Interacting:@Rose Moon
Mentioning: N/A
Languages: English | French | Italian | Arabic | Russian
Henry didn't mean to come off rude or defensive, it was just technically the twelve year old hadn't spoke much about his mother in around five or so years which us something the boy intended to keep. Even if he did want to talk about her and show Rose that photo, there was a part of him holding him back. A part of him that he couldn't technically explain that couldn't bring hinself to visit old memories and times since even after his mother died especially that year alone there were more than enough notable days that were memorable for the wrong reasons.
Henry offered Rose a smile with a nod when she commented about his mother, talking about her was something the twelve year old hadn't master yet so he tended to push those thoughts away as the boy pushed a few strands of hair from his face.
His anxiety would usually get the better of him even if he had control over his emotions and could hide them through facial expressions and words from others. That didn't mean his anxiety wasn't present because at most times it was and occasionally it would manipulate his certain thoughts or words or actions even which means after they happened then the second year would feel guilty and awful about them afterward.
Which is what he was feeling at the current moment, Henry could tell something was off with Rose either by his actions or words which allowed the second year to feel awful and terrible. In a moment the boy wanted to leave, having thought that he did something to the red head but also thinking what if that just hurts her more.
Contrasting thoughts battled in his mind as he hated the thought of saying something or doing something harmful to the girl that sat in front of him but also didn't want to make matters worse so leaving would be a good optional but wasn't sure what to do in the current moment.
Staring at the red head with green eyes, even if Alexa's was brighter and more vibrant according to Henry, Rose's was nice to. But he was staring at her remembering how they didn't even know each other at the start of the year only having one rather short run in during their first year.
After that they officially met at the quidditch pitch in their second year then earned detention together for something they hadn't done. There have been classes and hangouts but majority has been during their second year that they grew close as friends and now come the summer they would be only growing closer since they would ecome step siblings.
Step siblings a odd word to describe two people bond together by the marriage of their parents.
His mind flicker to Rose's and her four other siblings. Four which means counting both blood and law the boy will have seven siblings and probably the roles within his family will change.
Before Hogwarts there were certain rules within his family after his mother died, their father Luke hardly wasn't around so the three children each took on a role of their own.
Arthur took on the role as mentor, role model, and the father position almost. As he would care for his younger siblings and help them with school work and take then out around the town probably because he was the eldest, smartest, and maturest of the three.
Henry then would fill that position when his brother was at school and quite quickly grew into a independent and mature child that would look up to his brother for guidance.
While his sister filled the position as the rebel and would go out late staying out all night not to mention pranking every chance she got almost as a way to get attention from their father.
But now their roles would change... Arthur would remain Henry's role model and mentor but his older brother lived with his auror buddies how so the position of eldest sibling would probably go down to Faith Moon.
Then from what Henry remembered from the dinner and saw how well Franklin and Annabeth got along those two will probably fill the roles of pranksters or rebels.
Then Jessica/Jess would take the role as younger siblings with Gabe leaving only Rose and Henry left.
Of course both of them could hold the role of middle child but that really isn't role or is it...
Pulling away from his thoughts and listening to Rose before the boy spoke" I'm afraid I don't know 'Million Dreams' but I'm more than willing to learn it," smiling a bit at Rose as he placed his messager type bag over his shoulder and got up as he spoke" brilliant then, lets go," his accent lingering in each word as the boy would follow Rose Moon to the rehearsal room where they would practice their duet for the rest of the day.
Thread Finished
"There's no such thing as strange creatures, only blinked people" - Newt Scamander