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Post by kumainpink on Aug 10, 2012 10:30:15 GMT -5
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Post by kumainpink on Aug 10, 2012 11:45:34 GMT -5
Timmy stared up into the bleak, starry sky, thinking back to a much simpler time. There was a slight chill in the air, but it didn't bother him. He was used to the cold. His stomach growled, which meant that he had to do more jobs. Otherwise, he'd starve.
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Post by G. Novella on Aug 10, 2012 12:02:44 GMT -5
Arthur sighed as he woke up to the familiar sunrise. He got out of bed, yawned and went to wipe his face. He stared at himself miserably in the mirror. His new, pink scar on his neck stood out brightly. The last full moon's surprise. His grey eyes stared coldly at him, and his pale blone hair stood up on all ends. He changed into a red button down shirt, and khaki brown shorts.
He headed downstairs, to see his grandmother awake and trying to put her coat on. Except she kept trying to pull it on over her head, and getting frustrated when it came on backwards, or fell because she forgot to put her arms through the sleeves.
"Grandma, where are you going?" he asked, cautiously.
"Who are you calling grandma?!" she yelled back at him, "And it's none of your business, how did you get into my house?"
"Grandma, it's me, Arthur, Geoffrey's son," he said hopefully. Today wasn't looking to be her good day.
"I have no son! I'm not even married! Am I?" she asked nervously.
"Grandma, why don't you come in side," he said softly.
"But there aren't any eggs! Daddy needs eggs!" she said nervously.
"I'll get the eggs, Daddy won't know," said Arthur kindly, moving closer to her.
"But-
"Come on inside," said Arthur, coaxing her inside.
His grandmother came to Arthur nervously, and he lead her to the living room. He sat her on the couch. She looked tired. She'd probably been up all night. He was lucky hr'd changed the locks, otherwise she could have gotten out. She fell asleep without much prompting, leaving Arthur alone.
With a sigh, he went off to grab some breakfast. After grabbing some toast, he went out into the garden. Arlow arrived with a letter. It was from his family. His parents talked on for a while about Amelia and Alison, his genius sisters at Hogwarts. They asked Grandma how she was. No mention of him again. They'd never mention him. He was as good as dead.
With a sigh, he leaned back against the fence, tossing the letter to the ground. He'd fake a reply for Grandma in the evening. What would today bring?
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Post by kumainpink on Aug 11, 2012 3:29:34 GMT -5
Timmy woke up the next morning, feeling tired and sore - the telltale sign that a transformation would be coming soon. From the safety of the fields, just outside his secret hidey-hole, he watched the people as they went about their daily business. As he had done for years.
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Post by G. Novella on Aug 11, 2012 3:35:45 GMT -5
Arthur watched the sun lazily for a bit. He'd be eighteen this year. Most kids his age would be graduating from Hogwarts. He'd never even been inside the school. His grandmother had bought him a wand earlier, when her memory hadn't been so bad. He'd practiced a few spells through the books she had. But he could never reach the same level as other kids. All because he was a werewolf.
He sighed as he stood up, and stretched. Grandma wouldn't be up for another few hours, and he needed to get away somewhere. His bones felt sore and he knew a transformation would be coming up. He'd need to head to the shelter down in the town for a cup of Wolfsbane. Without a second thought, he moved the loose plank in the garden fence, and stepped out into the fields. He'd take them to the town.
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Post by kumainpink on Aug 11, 2012 3:44:11 GMT -5
A ways from him, four little kids played a simple game of tag. Their voices and laughter carried over from the fields. Timmy watched them with a bitter smile on his face. He knew he would have to go get wolfsbane soon, in order to keep from rampaging in the town. He pulled up his old, warn cloak, as the first hints of an autumn wind started to come. Summer was nearly over.
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Post by G. Novella on Aug 11, 2012 3:47:19 GMT -5
As Arthur moved down the winding path, he saw a few kids playing tag. He stared right through them. He'd never played anything as a kid. His parents had always been so concerned with their reputations, that he'd never been allowed to go outside without one of them. Even at picnics he'd had to be a good boy.
Ignoring the kids, he saw a smaller teenager moving down the path ahead of him. The boy's coat was worn, and he looked rather poor. Arthur felt a twinge of pity, but shrugged it off. The kid probably had his own home anyways.
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Post by kumainpink on Aug 11, 2012 4:00:03 GMT -5
Timmy barely noticed the slightly older man, as he made his way to town. His thoughts were elsewhere as he walked down down the winding, dirt path.
"It's for the best, you know." Rosebane had said, his tone coldly sympathetic. "He's not human anymore. And laws are not the same as they used to be."
"Because you saw to it!" Timmy's father shouted. "You've gone too far this time, Maxwell!"
There was long, drawn out pause.
"Xenon, all I want is for the rest of us to be safe. Surely, what do you think will happen if Timothy is allowed to run free? You claim that you watch him every month, but it is only a matter of time before he slips away. What would happen if he were to hurt someone? The Ministry would have him killed."
There were sobs coming from the kitchen - his mother's.
"Come now, Lunabelle, everything will be alright." Rosebane said again, a little less coldly. "The aurors will take him to a special retreat, where he can live and frolic with the rest of his kind. Sending him away will be a blessing for all of you."
Timmy shivered. Even then, he had seen the signs. It was quite clear that no, it wouldn't have been a blessing. At least, not for him.
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Post by G. Novella on Aug 11, 2012 4:05:36 GMT -5
Arthur continued down the path, until he was just a few feet behind the boy. Awkwardly, he continued walking. He didn't want to frighten the boy, but he hoped that the kid would just move on to a different path. Then he'd continue to the shelter. He rubbed his scarred neck again, and moved his hand to his pocket, hoping he had enough cash for the wolfs-bane.
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Post by kumainpink on Aug 11, 2012 4:10:35 GMT -5
Timmy shook himself from the memory, not wanting to dwell on it anymore. He was alone now, and that was fine. It was better this way - his parents could be happy, and their names wouldn't be dragged into the mud. Besides, it wasn't so bad. Most days, he could scrounge up enough food to eat, and enough money for wolfsbane - the citizens here were really nice to poor street urchins.
He looked behind him to see that he was being followed. His insides lurched. The last time he had been followed, it was by the wolf that transformed him.
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Post by G. Novella on Aug 11, 2012 4:15:37 GMT -5
Arthur saw the kid flinch at seeing him, and he tried his best to give a kind smile, which ended up looking like a grimace. How could he smile when he was off to collect wolfsbane? He moved to the side, hoping to pass the kid and not have any altercations of the sort. Today was Thursday, and Mary-Ann, the receptionist would be around. He'd have to concentrate on dodging her nastiness rather than worrying about scaring some kid.
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Post by kumainpink on Aug 11, 2012 4:19:21 GMT -5
Timmy's heart hammered, as the man moved to the side. The man's grimace could only mean one thing. He knows my secret! Oh man! He knows and he's going to kill me! Timmy kept very rigid as he walked toward the shelter's path. They were far from kind, but at least he'd safe there.
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Post by G. Novella on Aug 11, 2012 4:25:58 GMT -5
The shelter was just a few feet away. Arthur glanced nervously at the kid. If he saw him going into the shelter, he might freak out. Then again, it wasn't no secret that he was a werewolf. Most of his benefactors liked him for that reason. Especially since he'd recently come of age. This kid, however, looked new. He might freak out. Arthur moved his hand from the galleons to his wand, just in case. He knew how to stun and run if necessary.
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Post by kumainpink on Aug 11, 2012 4:31:55 GMT -5
Timmy saw the movement for what it was, and grasped his own wand. Arms trembling, he said, "Look, I don't want any trouble. I just want some wolfsbane, okay?" He gulped. "I won't hurt anyone, I promise!"
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Post by G. Novella on Aug 11, 2012 4:37:33 GMT -5
Arthur stopped, and stared at the kid. He wanted wolfsbane? He eyed the kid for a few moments, seeing no scars, but a thinness that he familiarized with illness, and possible malnutrition. Sighing, he put the wand away.
"Alright kid," he said, "There won't be any need for trouble. I'm on my way to get some too. And I suggest you keep quiet, new wolves aren't considered welcome just because a shelter's around."
He tried to smile a friendly smile again, but he knew it wouldn't reach his eyes. His smiles never did.
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Post by kumainpink on Aug 11, 2012 4:46:04 GMT -5
Timmy warily put his wand back and tried to relax. "Oh, I see. Thanks." he murmured. "Sorry about that." He looked away from the older man, embarrassed for his outburst.
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Post by G. Novella on Aug 11, 2012 4:52:58 GMT -5
"Your welcome," said Arthur awkwardly, and then he looked to the shelter, and back at the kid. "So, er, I'm going to get some wolfsbane. Coming?"
He began to move forward, not wanting to embarrass the kid further. Maybe he could just move forward and not worry about him.
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Post by kumainpink on Aug 11, 2012 4:58:58 GMT -5
"Um, sure." he replied awkwardly, walking behind him. He had only been around here for a few months, and didn't know anyone. But this guy didn't seem like he wanted to talk...so he wouldn't disturb him.
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Post by G. Novella on Aug 11, 2012 5:02:16 GMT -5
They reached the shelter in silence, and sure enough, Mary-Ann was seated at the desk, glaring at the Witch Weekly magazine. He sighed and moved forward.
"One wolfsbane please," he said, placing his money on the counter. Mary Ann glared up at him, as though he was scum.
"Hold up right there," she began, "There's a line, boy!"
"What line?" he asked through gritted teeth.
"Take a number, and wait your turn," she snapped back at him.
Arthur glared at her, before taking a number and sitting down. Mary-Ann continued flipping through the magazine, almost ignoring him on purpose. He sighed, and turned to see what the kid was doing.
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Post by kumainpink on Aug 11, 2012 5:09:08 GMT -5
Having never met the woman before, Timmy found himself stepping back from the sheer amount of hatred she exuded. It reminded him too much of Rosebane. When Arthur picked up his number, Timmy did the same as well, without a word. Feeling unsure of what to do now, he looked to the man for guidance.
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Post by G. Novella on Aug 11, 2012 5:15:03 GMT -5
Arthur sighed when the kid sat down and stared at him. He was like a lost puppy, unsure for guidance. He watched as Mary-Ann reached the end of the magazine, before she turned to grab the wolfsbane. She glanced at the numbers, which were now at 24. She glared over at Arthur.
"22," she said, handing out the smoking cup, "and 23."
Arthur moved and downed the foul smelling potion, keeping his glare trained on Mary-Ann, who immediately whisked the potion away. He grabbed the second cup and moved back to the kid.
"Here, drink it and leave your money on the counter," he said, knowing Mary-Ann would just give the kid grief for being a werewolf.
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Post by kumainpink on Aug 11, 2012 5:23:31 GMT -5
"Okay." Timmy said, placing his money on the counter. It should be enough. He drank down the vile potion as quickly as he could, grateful that he had a couple water bottles at his hole. He offered the man a small smile. Even if he wanted nothing to do with him, it was still nice to have someone offer advice. "Thanks. I'm Timmy. Timmy Lovegood." he held out his hand.
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Post by G. Novella on Aug 11, 2012 5:27:51 GMT -5
"Arthur Madden," replied Arthur politely, shaking the boy's hand, "Let's get out of here before Mary-Ann get's back, she can be a right bitch to people like us."
With a small smile, he moved out the door.
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Post by kumainpink on Aug 11, 2012 5:31:03 GMT -5
Timmy quickly followed him, smiling back. "Nice to meet you." he said lamely. "So...you live around here?"
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Post by G. Novella on Aug 11, 2012 5:35:45 GMT -5
"Up the field," replied Arthur, not feeling threatened by the kid, "How about you?"
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Post by kumainpink on Aug 11, 2012 5:43:14 GMT -5
"I live in the other side of the hill over there!" Timmy said proudly, pointing to a hill not too far off. "It's not much, but it's a comfortable hole." And indeed, it was something to be proud of. He had spent days blasting the hill until it was deep and wide enough to stay comfortably in. He grinned in at the memory of all that hard work. It felt good to know that he had done it without help.
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Post by G. Novella on Aug 11, 2012 5:46:51 GMT -5
Arthur froze at the kid's words. The kid was homeless! At least his parents had been kind enough to offer him a place at his grandma's house! He wasn't sure how to proceed, since the kid seemed pleased with his home.
"That sounds great kid. But, er, winter's coming up, and it's going to get cold there, and lonely, isn't there someone else you can stay with?" asked Arthur, worried.
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Post by kumainpink on Aug 11, 2012 5:50:40 GMT -5
Timmy's good mood vanished at the reminder, but he still smiled. No sense in worrying the kind stranger. "No, not really. But, it's alright! I've been alone for three years now. Winters are hard, but I always manage."
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Post by G. Novella on Aug 11, 2012 6:01:36 GMT -5
I'm not doing it, thought Arthur. He's all alone! argued his conscience back. You were too, remember?. Grandma barely likes me around, how's she going to deal with another kid? argued Arthur. He's living in a hole! argued his conscience.
Arthur scrambled his head for a solution, until deciding he could possibly find a home for the kid in the village.
"Timmy," he began, "I have a few friends down in the village who wouldn't mind helping you out, if you need anything. Place to stay even. I'm running some chores anyway, so if you want, I can help you find some place to stay for the winter."
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Post by kumainpink on Aug 11, 2012 6:11:11 GMT -5
Timmy's eyes went wide. No, he must have heard wrong! This man didn't know him, so why would he help? He felt a mix of emotions swell up inside him - awe at such a kind deed, fear that he had been mistaken, hopeful that he hadn't been, and a bit of disgust for being so weak. "You would do that for me?"
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