An Utter Fail of Family PV Scarlett Aden Finished

SEPTEMBER 5TH
@Lindsey Springhall

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It was a new year. A new year that held plenty of adventures and opportunities. Second-year, in Scarlett's opinion, was not so much of a fresh beginning, but rather a continuation of that beginning, with some change thrown into the mix.

Scarlett did not like change.

The young Gryffindor hadn't figured this fact out until it started happening, too late to prevent. First, her childhood friends were gone. Then, her aunt started dating someone else - Wade? William? - trying to get over her ex-boyfriend, some suave Italian guy who dumped her years ago. Scarlett naturally hated all of this, so tried to stay the same, being the energetic, bold redhead she normally was. She was determined to not think about anything happening at home so she banished all thoughts of boyfriends, friends and anything that ended with friends, throwing them into a mental box marked: 'Deal with later'.

It was a few days after the Sorting and the feast. The traditional back-to-Hogwarts event had been alright. She had met a few students - some new, some old - and talked a bit with her classmates. All in all, not a bad start to the year, but certainly not a good one. Then, only around today, a fellow second-year of hers, Lindsey Springhall, had sent her a letter. It had said something about needing to meet in the courtyard. To talk about something important, the letter said. Or confusing.

Scarlett's curiosity was ignited like a flame, and she couldn't stamp it out. Besides, she knew Lindsey. The fair badger had been at Lucia's birthday sleepover, and had seemed incredibly nice. Why would she bail on the girl? Scarlett wasn't that mean.

So, after lessons had finished yet before dinner, Scarlett ventured into the courtyard, still wearing her robes. It was getting dark, and the humidity of the summer was waning. She could feel a slight chill in the air - literally and metaphorically. The girl clutched the piece of parchment in her hand, the one that was Lindsey's note. She could practically smell the dinner, and she thought rather wistfully about the early supper she could've been having. But no. Lindsey's interesting information, and Lindsey herself, was more important than early dinner.

The girl saw Hufflepuff leaning against a tree once she had arrived. Her hand was in her pocket. Maybe clutching her wand. Scarlett was slightly on edge - why would she need to hold her wand? - but quickly hurried forward towards the badger, who smiled and waved. Scarlett grinned and did the same in return.

Lindsey had a piece of folded paper in her hands. She offered it to Scarlett with another friendly smile.

"Scarlett?" said Lindsey. "Maybe you'd like to read this first."

"Alright, I guess," said Scarlett, smiling and curiously taking the piece of paper. She opened it. It was a letter. "Why are we -"

But the letter had already caught her attention. Her dark-brown eyes scanned the parchment, narrowing as she read along.

Finally, the girl looked up at her accomplice.

"Why?" asked Scarlett, incredulously. "I mean, I don't blame you, of course, and I know family is sometimes...tricky, but why? Is there some sort of feud we don't know about? Again, just saying, I don't blame you."

Scarlett could barely believe it. She had never even met this 'Hebert Springhall' man and he was already accusing her of being dangerous, reckless and impetuous? Okay, maybe she was a tad reckless, but really?

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[font=Times New Romans] “I…I’m sorry…” she muttered. “I don’t really know why…”

She gazed towards the horizon. How could she explain all these? Her beloved, friendly, kind, intelligent grandfather told her to keep away from a friend. Which was ridiculous. And the point was, she did not know why. Definitely what her grandfather said wasn’t true. But that was her grandfather. Thinking disobeying him and disapproving him made her head ached.

“I know it’s ridiculous, Scarlett. I…I know you are definitely not like that…” Lindsey struggled, and started. She hoped @Scarlett Aden could feel not that bad…though she knew the words were quite mean. But her explanation now was just plain. Too plain for giving a reason.

Her eyes still did not leave the horizon, where the sun slowly disappeared. It was so beautiful…just so amazing. Lindsey left a small sigh out, and looked back. Her eyes landed on the bright red fire-like hair. The Gryffindor in front of her was pretty. And…and yeah, her heart was just as good as her looks. Such a good friend should not be disappointed. Never.

She could just tell Scarlett that this Herbert Springhall was a distant relative of hers. And that perfectly avoided the question of her grandfather, so that he could still be as good and kind as he used to be in everyone’s hearts. But that was simply called lying. And she didn’t want the Gryffindor to be disappointed.

What…should she do?

The Hufflepuff’s eyes jumped away towards the Great Lake. Again, she didn’t know what to do. She perceived that Scarlett might have noticed her uneasiness, and she tried to keep calm. Always, she was strategic. However apparently, not today.

When it came to the question of her own family——her dearest people, how could she say even a word bad about them? However it’s the truth that her grandfather was wrong this time. She couldn’t be partial now. Yes, she couldn’t.

Face it, or not. That’s a question.

Slowly letting her gaze back to the girl, Lindsey gave a small and nervous smile. “He’s my grandfather. And I really don’t know why. I like you very very very much Scarlett…and I just know that we could be friends. Now there comes a thing like that…I know my grandfather is always good. Everybody likes him, and he liked them back. I’m quite confused why…”

Her voice faded in the air. It was difficult…to say all these. Maybe others wouldn’t feel, but she knew it indeed was herself. Sometimes showing disapproval of a person you loved dearly was difficult. Really, cause you would never want to do it unless something indeed happened.

Now, the “something” indeed happened.

Taking a deep breath, she started again. “I am wondering, maybe our families had something happened before we were born? Or even, before centuries? Since, he said you are like other Adens——and we are both from large wizard families. That’s quite intriguing, in my opinion.”[/font]

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SEPTEMBER 5TH
@Lindsey Springhall

Reckless. Impetuous. Dangerous.

The words echoed through her mind. Scarlett didn't know how much of an effect these three simple adjectives would have on her life later on. She knew, she knew, that yes, she was reckless, and she was impetuous, and she was even a tad dangerous. But knowing these facts and keeping them to yourself was so much more different than hearing it being said - or addressed - to you by a complete stranger.

"It's alright," said Scarlett firmly, at the struggling words of her friend. Lindsey shouldn't feel bad about whoever this Herbert guy was. It was odd, because it appeared Lindsey felt the same. "And-"

She cut off for a second, sighing quietly.

"-maybe I am reckless. And all the other stuff the Herbert man said. But I promise, I'm trying my best Lindsey." Scarlett smiled at the Hufflepuff, suddenly glad that she was a kind and caring spirit, unlike Scarlett most of the time. The redhead let out a small laugh, appreciating the power of friendship in that small moment. Merlin - that sounded incredibly babyish. What had Scarlett come to? "Thanks for being a good friend."

Lindsey appeared to be watching the horizon, contemplating and musing. The occasional sigh was let out, and she glanced at Scarlett a couple of times. Her chocolate-brown eyes, the ones that were so often large and warm, seemed to hastily dart from landmark to landmark. Lindsey looked...nervous. Scarlett's own eyes, sparkling with worry and confusion, attempted to see if she could figure out what was wrong simply from Lindsey's body language. But the Gryffindor had never been a good 'reader' of people, and gave up. She was about to just ask her friend - what was wrong? Why are you nervous? Are you alright? - when Lindsey spoke up.

She listened intently to what the Hufflepuff had to say. This Herbert man - he was Lindsey's grandfather. He was always nice. And Lindsey was confused. She thought that maybe the Adens and Springhalls had a deeper history.

Scarlett thought about this. When her father, the piece of scum, had left them, her mother had gone into her 'manic days' where she gradually turned herself into a stressed-out, aristocratic, pure-blooded mother, just like the typical ones from a snobby pure-blood family, like say, the Becketts, or the Bellamys. Reading about the noble pure-blood families under the watch of her mother, Scarlett had memorised quite a few, and was rather shocked to learn she was going to school with the heirs and descendants of these families. Of course, the Adens and the Fultons were included in the books about the prestigious lineages. Evelyn had read the description with pride, with a darker tone of hysteria creeping in.

A realization struck Scarlett at that moment - a bolt of lightning flaring through her mind.

"I - Lindsey - you're a genius!" exclaimed Scarlett suddenly. "I just realized that my aunt Fiona never told me a lot about Aden history! And it wasn't like I was going to read it anyway. But, onto the point, about your point, I think I could owl Fiona and ask her to spill the tea..."

Excitement quivered in her tone.

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Interacting with @Scarlett Aden

She gazed. She waited. She chuckled.

Lindsey was overjoyed to hear that Scarlett offered she could ask her aunt about it. She had never knew about the Springhall history, since her grandfather had never talked about it. She lack the information of her great grandfather, aka her father’s grandfather. Actually, it was weird to see that her own father knew nothing about the upper generation — he was simply born in Kensington, just like herself. Apparently they knew nothing. If she really wished to know, she had to ask her grandfather. Though she believed he would smile and tell her something she already knew — he grew up in London, attended Hogwarts, graduated…

Damn. Though she would get to the point somehow. Nothing could hold her back.

“I — I agree!” she smirked. “Asking your aunt about the thing seems great. Though I don’t dare to ask my grandfather about it. You see what he had written…gonna expect a howler, maybe.” she ended with a delighted grin. “However, inquiring my cousins — specifically, my eldest cousin — is indeed a choice. He studies in Beauxbatons. And I guess he knows a lot. He’s…a far much better student than I am.”

For that, she meant Enjolras. She knew he wouldn’t let her down, since he had successfully persuaded her mother to let her go to the summer camp this June. The blond French boy was serious, but really, he knew a lot. Especially when he loved history. She admired him, and she relied on him — in this and many other unexpected events.

She fancied Edmund knew nothing as well, so she didn’t count on him. This was weird. The second weird thing this year, after the incident during summer, though that’s about her aunt, her mother’s side, the Linfield family. Now Springhalls have something to do with Adens…fun, huh?

She suddenly got something. She knew that her family was all from Ravenclaw and Slytherin, and it would be possible if they disliked the roaring lions. Though Edmund was not a typical Gryffindor, he was always her grandfather’s least favorite child — adventurous, rule breaker…so maybe there’s something between houses. Scarlett, on the other hand, was definitely born to be a little lioness. Maybe her parents and her grandparents were like that as well?

“By the way,” she started again. “Are your family all Gryffindors? I mean, I know that mine are all Ravenclaw and Slytherin graduates, so maybe there’s something wrong because of the house traits. Snakes and lions didn’t get along that well before…”

Sincerely she hoped it would take them to an answer. Though the badger had already decided, nothing could hold her back on being friends with Scarlett. Family could never be a thing when making new friends.

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interacting with @Lindsey Springhall
mentioning fiona aden

Yes, it could work. Scarlett was incredibly persuasive when she wanted to be, and if worse came to worse, she could simply...threaten the person she was trying to get information out of. Threatening her aunt Fiona, a skilled, powerful, adult witch working as an Auror whilst she was a second-year student wasn't the best of ideas though. Scarlett would simply have to keep asking if Fiona didn't hand over the information at first go. Annoying people was her speciality.

Thinking of it, Scarlett didn't know much about her family history. She knew that the Fultons were rich and snobby, but not galactically wealthy or anything. She knew that the Adens were adventurous and brave but she had no clue of their economic status. Wow. She would have to dig through the library to find something on pure-blooded wizarding families, see if she could find anything on there about her family. Maybe go look up the Springhalls as well, whilst she was at it.

"A Howler?" cracked Scarlett. "Ooh Merlin. Cousins sounds good. It seems like none of us dare to ask our direct family line, our mothers and fathers. If you have one, of course."

The last sentence was added on in case Lindsey didn't live with her mother and father. Scarlett knew that plenty of students at Hogwarts were traumatized in some way, and many were missing parents. Scarlett herself had no clue as to the whereabouts of her own mother and father, and to be honest, she didn't really care. If they both left her, then they didn't care, so why should she?

Scarlett paused at Lindsey's next question, already anticipating Lindsey's answer. Were most of her family Gryffindors? As a matter of fact - yes. The Fultons were mainly Ravenclaws and Slytherins, being the typical pure-blood family, but the Adens literally had a reputation for being in Gryffindor. Her aunt had broken that, and became the first one of their family to be sorted in Slytherin. But the majority was - oh god - Gryffindor.

Scarlett nodded carefully, cautiously. "As a matter of fact, yes. That could be why your grandfather sent the - um - letter. Okay, I feel like we've got a plan. I ask my aunt, you ask your cousin?"

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Interacting with @Scarlett Aden

Probably family was a thing that always tripped Lindsey’s heart. Every time she wished to let go of it, she was tripped. They had never failed it, with the loving acts they showed to her and letters they kept sending. Family was always her priority. But maybe not this time. Scarlett was a friend that had done no harm to her, and Lindsey especially loved this young lion’s personality. Her grandfather’s proposal didn’t make any sense, so Lindsey decided that she would ignore it.

“Cousins are indeed good.” she agreed. “And siblings are nice as well. Though I perceive my brother know nothing too. And I fear that he’d bring the thing to the public, you know.” she grimaced, and smirked. Edmund would definitely tell all his friends about it, and that would make thins worse. Whenever it came to a secret, she still most trust Enjolras.

“Agreed.” she answered. “Hopefully we may both get some useful information…you know, I’m quite interested in the things behind, actually. I’ve never learned my family history. Purebloods are weird sometimes, don’t you think?”

Yes, weird. They objected to accept whom you’ve chosen as a friend. They denied if you were not going on the path they’d chosen for you. They wouldn’t approve if you’ve gotten yourself a girlfriend or boyfriend that wasn’t chosen by them…in the past times Lindsey was thankfull of not borned in a typical pureblood family like that, but now, she felt she’s nearly living in one — someone actually interrogated her about her friend. Her grandfather was acting weird.

“Anyways…” she started again, with a delighted grin. “Let’s keep in touch. I don’t really care what others say about you. I trust my own eyes and heart.” it was true. No one was able to stop them being friends, even if it was Merlin himself. Being friends with whom was her own choice, and no one was able to change her heart. She could spend her time digging in the library for the grudge held between the Springhalls and Adens, but whatever she found couldn’t make her change.

Maybe that was just whom she was built like. Extremely stubborn and always sticked to her own opinions. Lindsey Florence Evanthe Springhall was born like this, and no one was able to change it. No one would gonna do it, too — they’d get hexed or tripped in a trap she built if they dared do so.

@Lindsey Springhall
banner by juniper yu

"Can't imagine siblings," laughed Scarlett. "From what I've heard, they either seem to be angelic, cherubic cuties or wild, annoying brats. As an only child, I have absolutely no idea about all the fuss. Are your siblings nice?"

To be honest, Lindsey seemed like the type of person that wouldn't turn on someone who hadn't made a bad impression on her. She was loyal and kind and friendly - a hard-worker striving to get the best in life. And that was every thing a badger should be, which was why Lindsey was rather great in Scarlett's eyes. She was lucky to know and have someone like Lindsey - anyone else might've turned on her but the young Hufflepuff had actually stuck by her and agreed to investigate. What a legend.

"Yeah, that's very true," agreed Scarlett, after a moment of musing. "I've never asked my aunt about our family history, now I think about it. Never really wanted to anyway-"

Though she didn't blame Lindsey, her mind kept circulating back to the things this 'Herbert' dude had called her. Honestly, what a maniac. A geezer, if you may. She kept her thoughts secret because no one appreciated people hating on their grandparents, but Scarlett couldn't help but feel annoyed. Who was he to judge who she was? He had never even met her for goodness sake! And he had no right to accuse her of those qualities, though she did possess them. So what?

And Scarlett had recently started slipping into a traitorous insecure mindset, but there would be more on that later. For now, she was glad Lindsey was still her friend, ally and fellow investigator in this department.

"Course we will!" said Scarlett, smiling at Lindsey's next statement. Keeping in touch was a given now that they were allies, wasn't it? "Feel free to owl me at any time." Then she stuck out her hand for Lindsey to shake, a true physical action to seal the deal.

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@Scarlett Aden

She couldn’t help chuckling a bit, as Scarlett described the “siblings” in her mind. Angelic? Annoying? Maybe Edmund’s annoying, but he’s probably not a brat. Only, that de Fostoncy kid was a little brat, who accidentally (this word had a bitterness in it) spilt his milk, then orange juice, then a series of things, on her clothes. She didn’t know how to describe Edmund, but at least he had the figure of a responsible big brother in front of her — alright, probably in his book bickering with his sister was part of his responsibilities too. Ed was wilder than her, but probably not as wild as Ferre, the latter a mischievous bookish playful nerd. Nice…? Probably, nicer than a younger sibling.

“Guess so,” she nodded with a smirk. “My brother’s good enough…though I know I cannot bear another sibling. Two children are harmony, while three are disaster.” that’s not her words, but Edmund’s. Indeed, except some playfully bickers, her life so far was great. Like a paradise. She had enjoyed her brother and cousins’ company, so yeah, you could say that she was pleased with her own life. She had loving parents, a not-that-bad brother, nice aunt and uncle, great cousins, and why should she ask more? But though, speaking of her family…there’s something about her grandfather.

Scarlett was nice. Scarlett was fun. Scarlett was a friend of hers. Even if her grandfather’s words were true, Lindsey still had a strong likeness for Scarlett. Probably this baby lion’s traits were exactly the ones she didn’t possess. So far, she always found herself strangely attracted by Gryffindors and Slytherins, although she didn’t know why. Her grandfather’s words were harsh, probably too harsh to speak out, but why, couldn’t the traits be good ones…? She herself valued them at least…

Taking Scarlett’s hand and shaking it enthusiastically, she smirked. Alright, maybe she wouldn’t be the “good child” this time…she knew that, deep in her heart, she disliked obedience, and never wanted to be an obedient puppet of others, and maybe this was the right time to show. Family would fail utterly this time, and she would achieve the eventual win. She let go of Scarlett’s hand, feeling a bit hungry, she silently watched the sun sinking down below the horizon. Dinner time, probably…

“Let’s head back for the castle. Bet they’d serve dinner soon.” she offered, turning towards the young Gryffindor. “It’s good talking with you, Scarlett…so, friends?” she smiled a bit, while throwing some curls to her back. She couldn’t wait to have dinner, probably, as Hogwarts food was always tempting. She’d gonna drink some orange juice first…and eat a piece of apple pie. Yes, and probably some beef…licking her lips a little bit, she turned, and led the way towards the castle.

Exits Lindsey Florence Evanthe Springhall

@Lindsey Springhall
banner by juniper yu

"I can't even imagine one sibling," said Scarlett, laughing. "And - ooh - I think I've heard that phrase before...something about two's company and three's a crowd? But it was something about third wheels and romantic stuff and bleh." Scarlett herself had never understood the whole big deal about finding your soulmate, someone you'll love for the rest of your life and make babies with; first of all, ew, and second, Scarlett just couldn't imagine herself in some sort of romantic relationship. She could love, obviously, but romance was just...not her thing. Her Muggle friends (she had told them she was homeschooled) had told her that people actually dated other people at age 11. Shocking really.

The deal was settled - the Gryffindor and the Hufflepuff shook hands as the sun slowly sank into a blazing horizon. Scarlett would send owls home, asking Fiona about Aden history. If Fiona didn't co-operate, Scarlett could always research. The library might offer some answers. Meanwhile Lindsey would be questioning her cousin on the matter. The plan seemed good and Scarlett was confident they would get some answers out of it. After all, Scarlett and Lindsey were practically unstoppable working together; Lindsey being the experienced, loyal and friendly badger and Scarlett being the whirlwind, daring lion.

"We've got ourselves a decent deal," said Scarlett, smiling at Lindsey amiably. She heard chatter coming from Hogwarts and caught a small whiff of shephard's pie - mmm. Glad that Lindsey agreed with her on the food matter, Scarlett cast another grin her way. "A decent deal, and hopefully a decent meal along with it. And yes, definitely friends."

The two of them sauntered to dinner, Scarlett rocking on her heals and bounding to the Great Hall. They parted ways with a wave and a smile and Scarlett sat down, turning to her Gryffindor friend beside her and diving into the conversation easily. The shepherd's pie caught her eye immediately. Perhaps chatter could wait.

scarlett has left the thread, thread finished

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