Danielle and James.

[sillymoose]

Danielle sat in the common room, the table she was at scattered and overflowing with textbooks and spare bits of parchment. She looked in the direction of the window with a sigh, listening to the snow fall heavily to the ground. She couldn't believe people were out at Hogsmead in that blizzard. She shook the thought from her head, running a slender finger down the page in her textbook, her finger touching the raised bumps ever so lightly, trying to write her 4 foot Potions essay, but failed miserably.

She found a fact to use and her quill flew furiously across her parchment as she bit her bottom lip gently, her shiny black hair falling in front of her face, her eyes not even directed in the direction of her book. She gazed out towards where the window was, her empty gold eyes sparkling slightly. Funny thing, she was rather popular with people and most of them had no clue that she was blind.

How’s the possible, you ask? Who knows..

“Arrrgghhh,” she groaned and slammed her potions book shut, slightly frustrated. No one would ever want to change the texture of their tongue. Nobody. She felt bad for the poor bloke that spent all his life studying how to do so-- a 6 month potion to change yo-- .. She couldn’t even fathom it.

She shoved all her things into her book bag and decided to march down with all the other conformists into the wintery wonderland that had consumed the grounds. She’s never been to Hogsmead, actually. This was going to be an adventure, that’s for sure. She stood up, pulling on her bright yellow jacket, buttoning up the front before slinging her book bag over her shoulder.

Maybe they’d have books on brail?

She stuck out her hand and felt the cold brick wall practically reach out and grasp her hand to guide her along down the corridor. She walked and gripped the door handle that led to the outside world. She took a deep breath and opened it, her silky black hair being blown behind her shoulders, a violent shiver attacking her small frame as she stepped out into the snow, hearing it crunch underneath her shoes. She took a deep breath, counting the steps in her head as she walked down them, landing on the gravel path. She took yet another deep breath and made her way slowly down to the small village everyone was oh, so fond of.

Obviously she didn’t know where anything was.. Or what any store was so she picked one-- being shuffled about by her fellow classmates was starting to get annoying. She grasped that handle with her numb fingers and whipped it open. The laughing and conversing of students flushed her ears as she walked in, hearing people discussing textbooks and such. What were the chances, eh? But alas, she instantly plowed right into some poor unexpected boy, her small frame flying hard to the ground. Ugh, how stupid could she get?


[It doesn‘t have to be your charrie that she ran into if you don‘t want. This was a response to a different topic that I loved..]

[loekie]

James had gone to Hogmead for the day. It was fucking freezing, but there were just a few things he needed to collect. It was almost Christmas time and he was going to have to go ‘home’ for the holidays. He sighed. Great… That meant pain, humiliation and well, he just needed to be prepared if he was even going to survive, besides, he needed to pick up some new books to pass the time, since he’d just finished his last. One would have guessed, but the young teen had always loved reading, escaping to a world of fairytales and make-believe. Most teachers were well aware of it though, since during class, in stead of paying attention, he always brought a book. Most didn’t care anymore. He had aced all his tests so far, so they just let him be. That was except for Snape who really seemed to hate his guts… and well, the feeling was mutual.

Back home even social services had classes him as a trouble maker. A rebel with authority issues, but hell could you really blame him? he’d just wanted to have some control over his life, was that really to much to ask? Apparently it was, but that didn’t stop him from trying now could it?

The blonde boy lit a cigarette as he walked the snowy streets of the small town and he sighed remembering the Christmases back home in Tennessee, hot and sunny. How quick things could change. He shook his head … willing the memories out of his mind… unsuccessful.

-flashback-

There was pounding on the door and someone shaking him. An eight year old blonde boy slowly opened his eyes to be greeted by a pair of kind blue ones. “Come on sweetie wake up, he’s here, get under the bed, he’ll think you’re still with your grandparents…” she told him. Still sleep drunken, the boy obeyed getting up out of bed “I love you” she whispered softly. The boy looked up “I love you too mommy” he responded. “Let’s go, down you go..” she ushered her son under the bed. The blonde quickly nodded and headed under the bed as shouts now could be heard from outside.

“Open this door!”

The woman now moved down the stairs towards the front-door “Stop it, please stop it… Go away” she pleaded “Stop it! What the hell is wrong with you? I’m calling the police, get out of here…” the sound of a door being broken down “What are you doing? What the hell are you doing with a g….” she didn’t have time to finish as there was a loud pang, and the sound of a body slumping to the floor and heavy footsteps heading up the stairs. The door to his room was pushed open and boots made their way to the bed where the blonde had completely pressed himself against the far wall as another loud PANG sounded…

Now something brought him out of his little trip down memory-lane and he narrowed his eyes “Watch it” he grumbled narrowing his stormy sea-colored eyes as something hit the floor. Hmm.. she looked rather familiar… he sighed holding out his hand to help her up “everything alright sweetheart?” he asked his Southern accent filling the silence between them. The years spent in the UK hadn’t been able to completely get rid of it. Yes, after his uncle had gotten a few to many hard questions from one of his teachers he had found it time to leave and start over. James hadn’t really cared. He’d simply accepted that it was how things went, besides, there was nothing he could do about it now was there?

He turned his attention back to the girl on the floor raising an eyebrow. She’d hit the ground rather hard and even though he didn’t really care, he hoped she hadn’t hurt herself to badly. He blew out some smoke waiting for her to either take his hand or get up herself. The blonde boy looked around seeing his class-mates. He smirked inwardly. Fools, the lot of them. He didn’t really have any friends, and that was just perfectly fine with him. He had always been a loner, and well, it suited him. He just wanted to be left alone.

[sillymoose]

Danielle groaned, her slender fingers fumbling over the back of her head where she smacked the cold, hard ground. A small bump was starting to form underneath her sleek black hair. She scrunched up her face, feeling and smelling the blood upon her hand and tried to hid in. Her book bag had gone flying when she fell to the ground and her books had scattered everywhere.

She groaned. "I'm sorryyyyy!" she said, the words slipping from her cherry red lips as she gazxed up in the direction of the boy or wall she ran into. Her gold eyes flickered slightly in the dim lantern light of the bookstore. She blinked, looking up at him, so to speak, through a fringe of long lashes. She tilted her head to the side, biting her bottom lip a look of pure concern plastered across her tan face. Her eyes darted around, feeling the eyes upon her. Her empty eyes looked down at where her books would be.

"I'm sorry," she repeated, obviously unable to see his hand in front of her face. "Are you alright?" she asked before letting her hands start fumbling over the floor, trying to gather up all her books before she could get any more embarassed-- if that was possible.

[sorry. shortness.]

[loekie]

James frowned slightly as the girl apologized “don’t sweat it sweetness” he smiled slightly as he crouched down beside her “are you sure you’re alright?” he repeated his question as he saw the blond on her fingers. She might want to have it checked out. When she didn’t take his hand and started fumbling around for the books that had now scattered around her. He caught a glimpse of her eyes and something dawned on him. She was blind… He shook his head slightly before starting to help her retrieve her books, then gently taking her hand helping her back to her feet putting the books he had retrieved back in he bag.

“I’m fine sweetheart” he answered her question “maybe you should have that bump checked out” he suggested while throwing away his cigarette-but, once again thinking about the upcoming holiday. The blonde teen sighed inwardly. well, there was one upside. He could restock the stash he always brought, and he’d be able to meet up with some friends. He smiled slightly remembering last summer. It had been amazing even if…

A young teen woke to pounding on his door.

“JAMES” came the low growl from outside his bedroom door giggled “JAMES you open this door now!”

“Whadda you want?” the blonde boy groaned out as he slowly opened his eyes to greet a new day.

“You unlock this door now boy, or I’ll break it down” came the threat “Leave me alone!” the boy sighed annoyed. “James Ford, if you don’t come out now, I swear ta God, you’ll regret it.”. The blonde groaned sitting up swinging his legs out from under the blankets and headed to the door unlocking it. Before he could open it though, the door swung open against his wrist, snapping it. The blonde however showed nothing as he simply glared at the big guy before him “Yeah?” the boy questioned raising an eyebrow. The only answer was a hard smack in the face his had swinging to the side with the impact. The blonde narrowed his eyes as he slowly turned his head back “Ya done?” he bit out. He might be acting all tough, but make no mistake, his uncle scared the shit out of him. He just couldn’t let the older man see that, cause the day he did, might just be the day he died. He just was so tired of the man’s anger. James had his own Ford-temper to deal with, and that was more then enough.
Then he was grabbed by his arm and dragged to the living-room “Trust me Jamie, we ain’t done by a long shot” Sean growled shoving his nephew against the wall.
“You mind telling me what this is all about?” the youngster asked his eyes blazing, but mentally searching for escape-routes for if things really got out of hand.
“The police called me this morning” he started meaningfully and when the boy stayed quiet he narrowed his eyes “Well boy, ain’t ya gonna tell me what ya did?” he asked, but the blonde stayed quiet again until he was punched in the face again “well??” he demanded.
“Whadda ya want me to say?” he asked ignoring the pain that had shot through him at the hit. It wasn’t as if he wasn’t used to it all.
“Tell me what ya did” his uncle ordered and the blonde bit back a ‘what’s the point if you already know?’ and broke eye contact for a split second. This was a mistake. It showed his uncle that his tactics were working, and that James was intimidated…as much as he often refused to show it.
The boy found himself being grabbed by the collar and he was pulled forward threateningly “Don’t you make me ask again” the older man hissed.
“I didn’t do nothin’” the boy insisted.
This earned him another punch in the face. Blood was dripping down his chin and he just wiped it away.
“They said you and yer friends were out joyridin last night, you in particular all liquored up” his uncle clarified.

The blonde shrugged “and?” the boy asked.

“And they’re chargin me a fine! Look at where we live! Ya think I have money ta spend on you and your foolishness? I didn’t ask ta be yer daddy, but since yours up and blew his head off, I ain’t got a choice. For all I know, yer gonna end up like him anyway” his uncle hissed once again.

The blondes face contorted in anger “Shutup!” he growled almost spitting fire taking a threatening step forward about to punch the bastard in the gut. He arm was grabbed though and before James could even register what was happening, a fist connected with his stomach, knocking the wind out of him, and then another with the side of his head. After a few more blows, darkness seemed to pass over his vision and he fell unconscious. He woke up a few minutes later, lying on his bed in his room. His whole body ached, as he painfully sat up and assessed his most recent injuries. Suddenly, his anger was gone and a sense of despair and hopelessness washed over him. He absolutely refused to let the tears that burned behind his eyes fall and he rummaged through one of his bag to take out a package of his ‘magic’ powder that just made everything seem less bad..
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((hope this isn't toooo bad or too long... sorry it too me a while to post...))

[sillymoose]

[it's fine. i wish i could match that length, but i just can't at the moment. don't hate me!]

Danielle blinked. Sweetness Sweetheart? Hmm, she thought. She bit at the inside of her cheek. She hoped that was just a general pet name, but at the same time, she didn't. She knew guys like that-- and she didn't like them. If she didn't get taken advantage of enough as it was-- being blind and all, she didn't need guys treating her like a piece of meet. She had rather feminist point of views at times, but could you blame her? Being taken advantage of her entire life, mostly by men and boys. This gave her tougher skin, though. Considering. She looked like she was 13, but she knew how to take care of herself, that's for sure. She was independent for the most part. Well, as independent as a blind person could be.

Did he know she was blind? She hoped not. It always made thigns awkward. Everyone treated her like a child or a porceline doll that was going to break. Or they pitied her. That was even worse. She didn't need pity. She was obviosuly doing just fine.

She felt her bookbag shift as he placed the booys in there. Yup, he knew she was blind. Great, just fucking great. She was mad at herself now. She felt his hand in hers as he pulled her up and she stood up to her full height-- a whole 5 foot 1. She looked up at him-- for lack of a better phrase and smiled softly, biting at her bottom lip gently. Her gold eyes flickered as she gazed up at him through a fringe of long lashes. "I'm terribly sorry," she said softly, apologizing again. She couldn't help it. She didfeel guilty really easily. "And I'm fine. It's just a bump. Don't worry," she said with a slow nod, feeling rather light headed now that she was on her feet. She swaggered slightly.

[loekie]

James sighed as she apologized again. What was this girl’s problem? “don’t worry about it” he repeated once more as she was now to her feet biting her bottom lip. “I’m fine. It’s just a bump. Don’t worry” she told him. The blonde rolled his eyes but obliged letting her go. He had noticed her swagger though and he grabbed her arm again when she was about to bump into someone else. “Uhuh…” he smirked “if you say so…”. It wasn’t his problem now was it? He leant back against a nearby wall keeping an eye on the dark-haired girl as he mind wondered back once more…
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How long had he been under that bed? He didn’t know, but the room was beginning to become lighter as the new morning made her way through the windows. The blonde swallowed but finally had mustered up enough courage to make his way from under the bed. He stood next to his bed glancing to the body on the bed his fists clenched at his side. The man was covered in blood, as was the bed. The young boy moved to the door and headed down the stairs. His mother lay near the stairs also in a pool of blood. He moved over letting himself fall to his knees “mommy?” he whispered reaching out “mommy?” he tried again shaking her. She felt so cold… he rushed back up the stairs returning with one of the spare blankets wrapping it around his mother’s body hoping it would make her warm again. Then the small child wrapped his arms around his mother holding her hand willing warmth and life back in her. It wasn’t until a neighbor walked by a few hours later and saw something through the window and call the police.

The police did arrive not to long later. One of the officer put a hand on the small shoulders while an other checked for a pulse giving his colleague a sad shake of the head. The blonde boy’s head snapped up as he felt a hand on his shoulder. The policeman tried to pull him away from the woman on the floor, but the blonde refused to budge “NO!” the boy exclaimed “she needs warmth for when she wakes up!”

“I’m sorry son…” the officer sighed “she’s not going to wake up” he gently told the distressed boy. James looked up at the guy for a moment nodding slowly. Okay so yeah, he had known… he’d just… what? had hope? Who knew?

One of the other policeman came down the stairs “there’s another body up-stairs” he informed and James closed his eyes “Dad…” he whispered.

“Son, can you tell us what happened tonight?” the older of the men asked. The blonde took a deep breath, but eventually he nodded and so the blonde had ended up at the police station where he’s told them what he knew. Then someone had taken him to what he would later know to be the office of DCF who had arranged for his uncle to come pick him up and ruined his life even further. At the moment however the blonde hadn’t cared. When his uncle had come he had simply followed. If he had known what it would mean though, he wouldn’t have been so gullible. Ah well.. the beauty of hindsight eh?
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The blonde boy now simply stood casually leant against a wall waiting for the inevitable. He’d had his fair share of concussions and the fall might have caused her one. He could understand how she wouldn’t want help. It was hard to be treated different than the rest. Okay so his might be slightly different, but ever since his parents died everybody had been ‘oh so sorry’ for his loss and they had all looked at him with this… pity. Ugh, even thinking about it made him angry. Okay, so the whole ‘slave’ and ‘asskicking’ of his uncle wasn’t exactly what he wanted… but yes, pity was worse by a long shot. The boy again shook himself out of this dangerous trail of thought. this was going to be one long day… and then there would soon be exams to get through… they were just soo boring since he usually finished well before time and still had to wait till the rest was finished as well.
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((I’m soo sorry this is so crap… but I’m just soo tired… I think I’m going to head to bed… I will be on tomorrow though so I will reply then!))