Aggrieved Athletes PV Howard White Closed

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It was truly a surreal moment for the both of them. After their vulnerable embrace, the air was quiet. You could hear a pin drop. All that graced the ears were the sounds of smooth winds and the rustling of winter leaves. Alma couldn’t even express how lucky she was to have met Howard. She had never had any siblings, much less any older ones, but if she did, she could only imagine this is what it would feel like.

Luckily, he didn’t find her question too invasive, and they were able to share a personal moment when Howard opened up about his family and past. She listened intently, nodding along to everything he explained with care. She shook her head enthusiastically when he asked if his story so far made any sense.

For so long, she had no clue life was this difficult for Howard. She tended to see the world through rose-colored glasses, look at everything on the bright side. Well, sometimes there wasn’t a bright side, and she’d have to face that someday. Unfortunately this came in the form of knowing a good friend was struggling and not adjusting well to something she herself had so easily slipped into. And there really was nothing she could do about it.

Questions. What questions did she have? Lots. Piles upon piles of questions sat in her mind but she couldn’t choke out even one without losing the words used to ask them. So, she stayed silent. Until, that is, he asked about her background. Really?

She looked up at him with big doe eyes, completely unaware of what to say. Whats her background? Nothing, really. She lived the good life. She had loving parents, a decent house, got to go to one of the top magic schools. What could she possibly tell him that could make up for anything he had said about his own family?

She took a deep breath. “Well…I’m an only child, born in Scotland. Mum’s a witch, but dad doesn’t like magic. Other than that we get along just fine. I crashed my bike into a tree once and that’s how my mom found out I was magical, which..uhh, my dad didn’t like very much.” She took another deep breath. Well, I guess not everything was perfect about her life.

“Life was just fine though before I came to Hogwarts. We have a little house up in Cumbernauld - not the nicest, but it’s homey! We don’t have any pets, but I want one. I want a goldfish so him and Ekko can be friends. Maybe I can name him Sebastian, after that one crab in that muggle mermaid movie!”

She stopped for a second, only now realizing she was smiling from ear to ear. For a moment now, she was a kid again. Not worrying about the stress of sports, or school, or family; just a normal twelve year old girl, talking about her pet toad and future pet goldfish. “Sorry, got off-topic there…”

It was silent again. Or at least, to her it was. Nothing but peaceful listening of wind and the chill January air. It made a cool contrast with the forgotten dried tear streaks lining her cheeks, but she had not a care for it at the moment. “Yknow Howard,” she started. “There are some people that I just really appreciate. Everyone, really, but some are special. You’re pretty special to me.”

She smiled up at him. A soft smile, albeit, but a genuine one. There was nowhere else she’d rather be right now than here with her friend; no, her family.

@Alma Stoll

As hard as it was to remember such painful memories, it was always such a relief to further process the pain and trauma of his past. Though he had people in his life that he could discuss these matters with, something about this experience with Alma felt different. Howard had his girlfriend, Bloom, who he loved very much, but their time together was always filled with all things romance. Talks of the future, shared passions, the occasional snog fest. They had such busy lives and the few chances they got to spend together were best spent cherishing one another, not dredging up his dark past. Then there were the few professors he had become close with. They were always so good at listening to his worries and encouraging his future, but those relationships would only ever go so far. However, here in this moment with Alma, something different, something special was happening. As his crimson eyes reconnected with hers a feeling would begin to grow in his heart that was entirely new.

Howard smiled as Alma almost seemed shocked that he asked about her upbringing. It was the polite thing to do, but there was also genuine interest to get to know this girl better. His smile would only double when she spoke of her father not approving of magic. "Bet our fathers would get along great." He joked with a wink. "My dad had such a hard time accepting magic. Still does, really, but that's on them, ya know?" Howard hoped to encourage her to not let her father's disapproval of magic weigh on her as it had with him. "Magic is a part of who we are. I hated it at first, but I wouldn't change it now. It's a gift, remember that."

"Your home sounds nice though. Reminds me of our place in Manchester. My folks own a bakery and we lived in the apartment above. Like you said, not much, but definitely homey." It was a small detail, but a similar upbringing was just another thing for them to bond over. Howard had nothing against those that came from pure magical families, but the lavish lives some of them lived left very little common ground. "A goldfish, eh? Sebastian would surely be a fitting name, but who is Ekko? Speaking of I'll have to introduce to my Pygmy Puff, Gary. He's a cutie." Was she an animal lover too?! Where had this friend been his whole life.

"Yeah, we did stray didn't we. At least we've both stopped..." Howard's voice trailed off just as he was about to say "crying" as Alma's words brought that tightness right back to his throat. That feeling that was growing in his heart was fully represented by what she said. There were people in his life that he was very, very close with, but he had never had a little sister to look after.

"You're very special to me too, Alma." Howard's voice was thick with emotion. If she allowed it he would throw an arm around her shoulder and offer another squeeze. "Alright!" He cleared his throat and wiped at his eyes. "Another round of passes before we pack it in? You got catchin' up to do, sis."

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Alma gasped and stared, mouth-agape at Howard as he asked who Ekko was. ”Who is Ekko?! Why, he’s my frog! You mean you haven’t met him?” She was still completely oblivious to the fact that he was a toad, not a frog, but no one had told her otherwise so far, so her childlike obliviousness could prosper a little longer.

”Gee, I’ve never met a pygmy puff before. They sound super cute and fluffy, i’d love to meet him someday!” Gary seemed like a good name for a pet, she thought. Normal names were definitely the way to go when naming - perfect mix of funny and cute!

Ah, getting off topic again. Alma knew exactly what Howard was going to finish his sentence with. They had both stopped crying. She sighed sadly, thinking of how many times she’s cried in front of someone she loves. But that was what loved ones were for, right? They’re there for you when you really need it. She squeezed her eyes shut and savored one last hug from Howard, wrapping her arms once again around him to return the favor.

Alright. Now that the quick therapy session was over, it was time to get back to practice. She took a deep breath and stood up. Staring at her helmet for a second, she thought back to the moment she joined the team - she was so nervous since George had signed her up without asking, thinking she’d be no good, and they wouldn’t even want her there. She looked back up to Howard, the person that got her to where she was right now. The person that trained her and guided her every step of the way - her mentor, her friend, her family.

Throwing her helmet on, grabbed the quaffle and took to the skies. She stole a glance at the hoops. Deep breath.

She tossed it over - she was farther away than she had been all practice, it was the hardest shot she’d ever taken.

She smiled. Nothing but air, straight through the hoop. I guess that small therapy session really helped.