Disempowered Finished PV Ross Stephens

Ross seemed to accept the apology, even putting on a small smile and saying encouraging words. Flash didn’t know if he would have been as gracious in Ross’ position, but he was glad to be the recipient of graciousness, especially in the emotional state he was in.

Even in the short time since they had started talking, Flash already felt better. Before he felt suspended, as though surrounded on all sides by the embrace of pitch black water, threatening to enter his mouth and end his suffering. Now, he almost felt normal. It was strange how meaningful words were, when spoken to the right person at the right time. Flash himself was not immune. Arguably, they meant more to him than most.

There was a bit of silence, Ross awkwardly looking at his notes. They had become scores more legible, Flash could tell from across the table that he was completely prepared for the lesson. He was watching Ross’ development over the last few weeks, and it seemed he had tried his best. Flash felt ashamed for having diminished his hard work during their conversation in the trophy room. For where he had started, the improvement was remarkable.

Then, Ross added one more thing. Another surprise. He offered to help get Willow back. One feeling after another flitted through Flash’s mind, a feeling of whiplash as they tossed back and forth between elation and dread.

”That’s kind of you to offer… but she would never take me back. Willow shouldn’t be associating with people like me anyway. She has better friends.” Flash spoke relatively quickly, as if needing to defend his insecurities. Still, he envisioned it. Selfishly, he wanted it anyway. ”She… could never forgive me… right?”

He didn’t know why he was asking Ross, he knew it was a leading question. One where the only answer could be more placation. Not many people would turn around and tell someone they’re hopeless after offering hope.

”Don’t answer that… if you want to help me, I would like to accept it. Even if it fails, I owe you a great debt. For…” Flash looked back into Ross’ eyes again. What was it Ross was doing, anyway? Did it benefit him to get on Flash’s good side? He already got his journal back, yet he was offering to do even more, increasing the time he would be expected to spend around Flash. He couldn’t seriously be enjoying his company, but perhaps there was more to the transaction than enjoyment. Perhaps he just wanted to do what he saw as the right thing. Flash could sympathize. ”For being the better man.”

@Ross Stephens

Ross shrugged, not looking at the boy but instead continuing to maintain eye contact with his notes. He swept up the dry quill feather next to him and dipped it in ink.He began to pretend to write down things that he remembered, though it was obvious his quill was not not even maintaining contact with the paper and only making small dots on an empty page next to the one with genuine notes in it.

"Well, I hope ya know no matter what ya said i'd do it anyways. She cared 'bout you a lot." he remarked, half joking around and half not.

He did not look back at Flash until he felt his eyes on him, and Ross looked up from what he was doing and right back at him. Ross absolutely would have done it either way. The boy had a knack for getting himself into something, feeling bad, then impulsively doing an action to fix his own actions. Unluckily and unsurprisingly, this usually resulted in an infinite loop in which he would proceed to mess up more and more. While this had only happened a couple times in his life, if it continued going the way it did normally he would absolutely have found himself in hot water eventually.

Ross was about to open his mouth and respond to the second half of the question, but quickly shut himself up once he heard the rest of the sentence. It was not as if he had a decent response anyways. He would have just ignored the question. As the boy brought up that he owed a debt to Ross, he was once again confused. He tilted his head to the side once more, a common habit of his that he had not seemed to notice yet. It was not until he finished, that that ridiculous grin he had found its way back onto his face once more.

"I'll see what I can do for ya." Is all he said, speaking with empathy in his voice.

As he looked back to the board, he realized more notes had already been scrabbled onto. The words were going fast, and it hit Ross like a brick how behind he actually was. Snapping back down to his work and ignoring the Slytherin next to him, he felt perhaps snake boy would be a new friend.


Perhaps they should be paying attention. If not, they would have to accept the consequences.

Finishing interacting with @Flash Holmwood