A Graas Breakfast (Reserved)

[Rister Graas S6]

((The only 2 people, NOT wearing the name Graas allowed in this thread are Lita and Ashlyn, if they so wish.))


Rister finished picking out pieces of small branches from the vixen’s fur and then carefully smoothed the fur until it looked silky, long, and undisturbed. Smiling gently at the small creature purring in his lap, unaware of how his father had once looked the same and offered the same help to an other small vixen, he set her down and rose to his feet. He had been out for quite a few hours it seemed, judging by the light. He had came out at 3AM, when it was still pitch black and by now dawn had passed and it was morning. And, as he noted while turning his wrist to glance at the watch there, it was most certainly time for breakfast. His rumbling stomach could have told him that even without the watch. Brushing his pants off the small pieces of debris that might have stuck tot hem while he was crouching he began his trek back towards the Hogwarts castle.

He would probably look presentable enough to go straight to the Great Hall for breakfast. He didn’t have any wounds, no new scars, no rips in his clothes. Not even a single leaf in his hair, which would have yet again infuriated McGonagall! Besides he looked classy enough in his pair of simple black pants – he was one of the few who could afford romping in a forest in silk – and dark-green shirt. Slipping through the forest, he moved quickly. He had learned this movement form his father as a child already. Knees loose, slightly bent, the lope of the wolf would carry you swiftly for hours without tiring you out. Besides considering the time he spent outside with a mixture of different activities kept him in a good enough shape to not be tired out easily anyway. Shoving the castle doors open carelessly he strolled in with a thingyy spring to his walk and an arrogant smirk on his face. Smirk that only widened at the sight of a familiar head pouncing along towards the Great Hall. A few quick strides caught Rister up to his sister as he snaked an arm around her waist, lifting her up and holding her against his side carried her along.

“Morning, fire-spark,” Rister murmured gently to Leandra, feeling familiar warmth flood him as he listened to her laughter while relaxing. He loved his family. He truly, utterly, desperately loved them. Especially as his sisters. Leandra, with her childhood memories wiped from her due to the kidnapping. Morgana, with her painful werewolf transformations. “Breakfast I presume? I could use a couple of fried eggs, some toast, sausages, muffins, pancakes, the whole deal as you can presume.” Placing Leandra on the ground against Rister paused and crouching slightly turned his back to her, letting her little sister climb onto his back for a piggy-back ride. Leandra enjoyed it and she wasn’t too heavy, so Rister didn’t see a reason to deny the small joy for her. “The weather’s good today. Sunny, enough wind to keep it from being sweltering. Quite sure I’ll be out again later on,” Rister elaborated in a carelessly phrased invitation. Not enough said to incriminate him, enough said for Leandra to understand.

Shoving the Great Hall doors open Rister sauntered it, turning towards he Ravenclaw table at Leandra’s request. Not that he had far to go. Damon always chose to seat at the end of the Ravenclaw table, furthest from the professors. It was no surprise to see him there too, looking as moody as he always did in mornings behind his newspaper and coffee. “About time we cheered our grumpy little brother up with our fabulous company,” Rister commented merrily watching as the two nearest boys to Damon – second or third years by the look of it – went scampering away. Few people stuck around when the Graas family sat down together. And seeing that there was 3 of them here already, the rest of the band was bound to join them soon as well. Throwing one leg over the bench Rister leaned backwards, letting Leandra climb off his back before straightening up again on the help of his stomach muscles only - showing off a bit never hurt anyone - and lifting his other leg over the bench seated himself properly.

“Breakfast’s more important than bourse news, Damon,” Rister greeted merrily as he poured himself a cup of coffee as well as accepting a glance of orange juice from Leandra. Smirking Rister reached out his hand clearly aiming to steal Damon’s plate, only to have his hand slapped away harshly, before Damon turned the page not even bothering to glance at him. Clicking his tongue at this, Rister merely started piling food on his plate.

[Leandra Graas R3]

Leandra resurfaced from the Hogwarts lake and floating on spot pushed her hair away from her face. She liked swimming and the Hogwarts lake was perfect for this purpose. She didn’t care much for pools, even though she swam in those too in winter at times. But there was something far more wicked and fun in swimming in the ocean or at the worst case a river or a lake. Blowing a kiss at the Giant Squid – she never could understand why Damon didn’t like him! – Leandra turned and started swimming towards the shore with strong powerful strokes of her arms. Reaching the shore took no time as Leandra climbed out of the lake and walked towards her small pile of clothes while wiping excess water off herself. A couple of quick charms made sure she was dry as well as her light-blue swimming-suit, before Leandra pulled on a pair of white shorts and an emerald-green top that matched both her eyes and the small emerald dots gleaming in her eyes. Sitting down on a near-by rock Leandra brushed sand and a few specks of grass off her feet before pulling on white tennis-shoes and heading back towards the castle, feeling refreshed after her hour and a half swim.

Racing up the stairs leading to the castle, Leandra smiled brightly at some older boy who held the door open for her as he slipped in. A definite pounce in her step se headed towards the Great Hall, but hadn’t got too far from the castle doors before an arm slipped around his waist. Giggling at the nickname her oldest brother titulated her with, Leandra wrapped one arm around Rister’s neck as she whooped and bent her knees letting herself be carried. Smiling at the sight her brother in his silk outfit presented, even though he was accustomed to expecting the finest from his brothers, and didn’t loose any time in wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist, crossing her ankles on his stomach. “I could use a bite to eat as well. I was out swimming just now. Surprised I didn’t see you,” Leandra chirped merrily, shifting her weight in a way that would make it easier for Rister to carry, “Won’t join you later on either though. Going shopping with Morgana, we planned to do it last week already.”

Leandra tugged gently on Rister’s ear: “Look. Damon’s there. Let’s go over as well.” Leandra waved merrily at Damon as well as they approached him, beaming happily as she caught Damon’s eyes and a quick flash of smile from him. Jumping in surprise as Rister sat, Leandra quickly untangled herself and curled her legs under her, so that she was kneeling on the bench. Laughing at Rister Leandra reached for the pitcher of orange juice and glasses: “Damon always reads boring news. And fabulous company? As dashing as you are, dear brother of mine, I do believe Damon would prefer different company currently. The company of a blonde Gryffindor? What was her name again?” Leandra handed one of the glasses with juice to Rister before grabbing a piece of toast and nibbling on it’s edge while looking around the table to decide what she would want that morning.

[Jared Graas R4]

Jared frowned and leaned over his guitar to make a few quick changes in the notes. Letting the melody go through his head, he frowned and erased two of the notes he had just written and noted them down half a tone higher. Dropping the pencil – muggle pencils far more useful for this sort of work – on the table Jared picked up his guitar again and played through the whole song again, allowing himself a self-satisfied smirk only after the last note faded. The song was finally done. It had been sitting at the edges of his consciousness and slowly driving him crazy for a couple of weeks already. Yet it had refused to come out and let itself be written down. Rolling the notes down Jared left his guitar on the armchair for a moment before trekking up to his dormitory for a moment to leave them in the safety of his trunk. Glancing to the mirror quickly, he also took a moment to tuck his white button-up silk blouse into his hand-made designer jeans before racing back down. It was morning and it was time for breakfast. Jared adored his music, but he was also sane. A song didn’t need a face, a love didn’t need a body, but doing music and writing it required a healthy body. He would enjoy a healthy breakfast and then return to the song to finish the lyrics.

Packing his guitar into it’s case, Jared threw it over his shoulder, smirking as he passed a trio of girls from his own years, gossiping. About Leandra’s swimming habits even. Quick feet carried him down the hallways, as he glided down the railing of stair-cases, not bothering to talk nor greet anyone on the way, even if some people greeted him. He was a Graas. And that meant both money and connections. The doors to the Great Hall opened easily and seeing half of his family gathered at the end of Ravenclaw table set his own way towards there as well. He’d not only get his breakfast, he’d also get some good company. Reaching the others just in time to hear Leandra’s question Jared interjected swiftly: “Ashlyn Swallow. Fifth year Gryffindor. Pureblooded. Sitting right… there.” Jared pointed towards the girl even as both Rister and Leandra turned to look.

“Pretty one at least. Quite sure she likes me more than you, Damon,” Rister stated with a wide grin as the girl, who having obviously noticed the attention, glared at him sharply. “Mmmm. I’m quite sure I might have the upper hand here,” Jared countered as he shifted the guitar-case on his shoulder before blowing a kiss to Ashlyn Swallow. “Ow, that was hardly necessary!” rubbing his head that Damon had slapped quite sharply without really reserving strength, Jared wandered around both Rister – sitting opposite Damon – and Leandra on Rister’s right hand and plopped down on Leandra’s right. “Perhaps I should truly go and offer the girl a taste of something better?” Jared questioned with a smirk at Damon, as two swift movements brought the guitar to his lap as his fingers already took accords. Tilting his head back Jared let his voice carry:
“Gently try it, scarcely taste it,
until contact has been made.
Don’t forget that kisses have their
correct pace and rightful tact.
But who wants to be a master,
still has lot to qualify.”
And amidst Leandra’s laughter Jared and Rister sang the final line of the verse together: “Come to me girls, I will give a proper kiss!” Throwing a cheeky grin at Damon, Jared tilted his head, as he pushed his guitar to hang on his back again: “Why, Damon, I never did take you for the jealous sort.” Snickering quietly at Damon, Jared piled a couple of pancakes and chocolate on his plate as well as getting a glass of apple juice before digging in.

[Morgana Graas S2]

Morgana finished brushing her long hair and laid her brush on her night stand, before standing up to pick up today’s outfit. It seemed to be warm outside – windows could be charmed just the same way the Great Halls ceiling – and sunny. She was going shopping with Leandra later today so she wanted to look polished and classy, but at the same time casual and comfortable. A minute of thoughtful perusing of her wardrobe was all it took for Morgana to make up her mind. A simple dark-blue skirt with some white ruffles at the bottom that ended just above her knees and a white belt. A white blouse that left her shoulders bare and had short a bit puffy sleeves. And a vest, from the same material as the skirt – they both reminded the material of jeans, but were cloth in reality – that was hooked up the front and dark boots. Both the vest and the skirt had complicated flower embroidery sewn onto them, adding a gentler touch to the outfit. Classy, cool, simple, down to earth. Very suitable, Morgana decided as she twirled before the full-length mirror.

Deeming herself ready, Morgana grabbed a small white over-the shoulder bag, slipping some money and her wand, a colourless lipstick and some other similar necessities in it before making her way out of the dormitory and through the common room, with some polite greeting nods to those people milling around, either not having made it to breakfast or already having returned from there. She heard the voices she unmistakably identified as her brothers already before entering the Great Hall. Smiling fondly as she entered through the doors she made her way over to her family, timing it just correctly to as the rest ended. “He wasn’t the jealous type… before he met the Swallow girl. When are you introducing her?” Morgana questioned as she let her hand slip through Damon’s hair, accepting his already absent-mindedly offered hand as she took a seat on Damon’s left opposite of Leandra.

Sending a contemplating glance over the table, Morgana opted for a glass of orange juice as well, before helping her to some omlette. Taking a bite Morgana nodded appreciatively and took one more bite, before sending a smile at Damon: “So. In order to make our over-rational politician jealous and protective she has to be quite some girl. I’m quite intrigued and by the looks of it, all of us are. You do have to tell us more, Damon. And thanks for the tips, Jared. Correct pace and rightful tact? I’ll keep it in mind. And I’ll surely be coming to you two, when I want more tips on how to make my kisses with different guys more memorable,” Morgana said, not at all phased as all four of his brothers – as Gabriel had finally reached the Great Hall as well – suddenly turned their full-blown glares at her. Glares that even separately had sent guys flying for freedom before. Smiling innocently, she merely helped herself to an other bite of her breakfast.

[Gabriel Graas S4]

Gabriel enjoyed the thorough kiss that he was receiving as he let the girl pin him to the wall. It was a pleasant kiss, quite passionate enough. And she was a pretty girl, quite smart too. But right now? He just wasn’t interested as the loud rumble from his stomach told them both. Gabriel smiled pleasantly at the girl as she withdrew from her, reaching her hand out to wipe away a smudge of lipstick from his cheek. A gesture Gabriel truly appreciated, which was why he placed his hand around her waist and smiled disarmingly: “What a wonderful surprise. I’ll be on the lookout for some more interaction with you. It’ll have to take place in the peaceful slumbering time after a meal however.” The girl smiled and together they continued through the relatively empty hallways until they reached the larger hallways that were the straightest passageways from the different common rooms to the Great Hall. There was a definite trickle of hungry students heading towards the Great Hall here. Gabriel did see Morgana enter the Great Hall but didn’t run to catch up. He’d have plenty of time to do so in the Great Hall itself.

Entering the Great Hall himself – letting the girl politely enter before him, as was a gentleman’s duty – Gabriel smiled at the girl. “I’ll be sure to see you again later on,” he told the girl, playfully swatting her behind as the girl headed towards the Slytherin table and he towards Ravenclaw’s. With the rest of his family – excluding his parents who were in Italy – were eating there, then where else should he be? And apparently he hadn’t gotten there a moment too early. Gabriel fixed a firm glare on Morgana along with the rest of his brothers. “You aren’t to be kissed. You’re our little sister,” Gabriel correct her firmly as he took a seat on Morgana’s left, completing the picture, as he nodded lazily at everyone else as he grabbed some sausages and toast, as well as a mug of coffee. “And in the light of these words – I’m sure I don’t have to tell you, you two will be tossed in a gorge after the poor sod who’d have the gall to kiss our baby sisters,” he calimed firmly as he fixed his glare on both Jared and Rister.

“But,” Gabriel paused to take a bite out of his meal and to wash it down with his coffee, before continuing, “I believe you were talking about Damon being jealous? Ashlyn Swallow? My timing is quite perfect then I’d say. Been itching to hear more. I was kissing some Gryff yesterday at the pillar in third floor that looks like a mole eating a witch’s head. I’m sure you know which one I mean, Rister. And she said that she has quite the man-hater reputation. Behind her back of course. But I didn’t dedicate much time to talking. My girl was a bit eager to prove she was worth my attention more,” Gabriel shrugged at knowing smirks from his brothers, “So, elaborate, Damon. Don't worry, you know we don't poach.” Gabriel grinned, as he turned slightly sideways, as 5 sets of waiting eyes turned to Damon.

[Damon Graas R5]

Damon stepped into the Great Hall and sauntered towards his regular seat. Usually such regularity was a mistake and made you far too predictable. At times? It was a bonus and absorbed the seat with your reputation and power and made sure that it was always reserved for him. Taking his seat in the furthest end of the professors table at the Ravenclaw house table, Damon smiled at seeing his owl, with the Daily Prophet already waiting next to his plate. “Thank you, Pluto,” Damon murmured letting his finger-tips skim over the eagle-owls head before the bird hooted softly and took off flying. But first things first. Pouring himself a cup of coffee Damon drank it black and bitter as it was as he opened the newspaper. The sudden quieting of the two kids opposite him and then the shuffling feet alerted him first to the fact that he was going to have company. A brief glance up was enough to only affirm that knowledge as he smiled quickly at Leandra, getting a piggy-back ride from Rister, before retreating to his newspaper. “I’m not reading bourse news,” Damon stated while sharply slapping Rister’s and away form his plate, “Mariela’s dressed was ripped, leaving her in her knickers at the Ministry’s ball.”

Damon supposed that he should be thankful blushing wasn’t something he did. He knew he would have been teased mercilessly, but he would at least attempt to let it blow over without much of a fuss as he ignored Leandra’s question even if he paid some attention to listening now. Not that he had much hope as Jared pronounced the name out right next to his ear. Raising his eyes just in time to see the antics his brothers sent towards Ashlyn, Damon smacked Jared over the head and not too kindly, even if he didn’t entirely manage to hide his amusement upon catching sight of the look on Ashlyn’s face. “Jealous? I’d rather say it was simple knowledge of how to behave in public,” Damon muttered as he folded his newspaper and exasperatedly turned his eyes heavenwards, knowing he wasn’t likely to get a change to read any more of it for now.

“Et tu, Morgana. The new Brutus,” Damon said with a sad shake of his head as Morgana continued on the topic, even as he held his hand out to help Morgana step over the bench and take a seat. Only to glower at the girl darkly at the kissing comment. His sisters were not to be kissed! Sure, other girls were kissed and they had brothers too… but those brothers weren’t him and his brothers, which made all the difference. “And after the poor sod who dares to kiss our girls has been brutally tortured to death, so will you two be killed before thrown into the gorge,” Damon added to Gabriel’s words as he helped himself for some fried eggs and hams, preparing to enjoy a full English breakfast. “I didn’t think you used your ‘masculine viles’ on Gryffindors that often?” Damon commented before surrendering with a sigh at the expectant eyes turned towards him.

“What?” Damon sighed and took a bite as he pondered what to tell, “Ashlyn Swallow, Gryffindor 5th years as Jared said. I met him in the library before the last poker night after that Gryffindor encounter, Leandra. She fell, broke her wrist, I helped her to the Hospital Wing and she mad me curious. Saw her again while returning from COMC and she awoke me once in a god forsaken hour. All the history there is,” Damon smiled as innocently as he could at his family. He hadn’t lied at all… he just hadn’t told the whole truth. Wondering – but slightly doubting – if his siblings would fall for it, he continued to eat.

[Lita Hollows R6]

It was far too early for this. Lita just barely resisted the urge to rub her temples, instead forcing a sweet smile for the panicky looking first year. “You’ll be just fine,” she soothed, pretending to a patience that she didn’t feel. She was a morning person but some things were better dealt with after breakfast or, in this kids case, not at all. Maybe it was time to start owling parents, requesting a tutoring fee. Because going over the harder topics was one thing but teaching them the syllabus for the whole year? And if one more first year came to her about Transfiguration then she was going to collect them all and deliver them to Rister or Damon. Damon would be best, Lita decided with a wicked smirk, not at all apologetic upon realising that she had made the poor kid scramble away in a hurry. All she had to do was wake him up early and the kids would never bother her again. Maybe he would do it as a favour if she asked nicely.

With the last of the worried first years gone, Lita stretched and started to make her way to breakfast. If this was going to carry on then she was going to demand to be made a prefect, Lita grumbled under her breath. The prefects should be dealing with idiotic youngsters, not her. What was it that Hawthorne had told her after noticing that she wasn’t a prefect? She was too troublesome even if she was a good student. A good student. Hmph. Lita scowled bad-temperedly. She was an excellent student, thank you very much. Rister had often tried to tempt her into skipping class – one that wasn’t History of Magic – but she had never agreed to it.

Lita arrived at the Ravenclaw table just in time to see Rister and Jared serenade the Gryffindor table. She wasn’t exactly sure why she was there since she rarely ate breakfast and she certainly wasn’t going to start today after such a stressful start to the day but Lita took a seat next to Rister, smacking him on the head lightly as she did so as punishment for trying to embarrass someone without her being present for the whole of it. Especially since the someone was apparently a Gryffindor. “Since when do you provide entertainment with breakfast? Is this something I’ve missed over the past six years or for someone in particular?” Ah. Jared provided some more information, as did Morgana and Lita’s lips curved into a smile.

“Forgive me,” Lita smiled at Damon apologetically before he opened his mouth to answer Gabriel’s demand. The spell she used on Gabriel was a simple but not very well known one that mimicked the feeling of a smack to the head. “There’s just one thing wrong with that sentence about poaching, Gabriel, because I’m not even going to start talking about how girls have their own minds. It would take too long to get you to comprehend and you’d forget it in five seconds anyway. So let me address the real problem. Damon is the best option out of you four boys. Gabriel, you would drive any girl insane after a while simply because you look in the mirror twenty times a day and your ego is roughly the size of Wales. Rister...well, he’s just Rister. Do I really need to elaborate? No, I didn’t think so. Jared is smart and talented and he and Ashlyn Swallow would probably have a lot in common since they’re both musicians but, for Jared, music comes before girls and that will continue for a while, I believe. Damon is smart and adorable and cute. He’s the winner. But Damon?” Lita sighed and raised an eyebrow. “Did it have to be a Gryffindor?”

[Jared Graas R4]

Jared grimaced and groaned at the despicable mental image of some shameful excuse for a human being nearing his lips to his sisters. “Don’t worry, you two wouldn’t have much tossing left to do. We’d throw ourselves into the gorge ourselves,” Jared muttered moodily with a glare at Morgana and – just for good measure – to Leandra as well. Not that either of his sisters seemed overly phased as Leandra giggled next to him, “Pass the powdered sugar, Gabriel. And if anyone minds the way we behave they can easily come and complain to us. Not that anyone will dare,” Jared inserted as he shoveled three spoonfuls of powdered sugar onto his pile of pancakes and chocolate before digging into the food merrily while he listened to the conversation around him. There were enough of them for someone always to be talking. And while he had known Ashlyn Swallow – the name itself, the others did add a couple of details he didn’t know.

“Since it makes Damon here jealous and edgy, Lita. That’s a better cause than most to entertain,” Jared quipped at the girl as she joined. Even if he had sang in the Great Hall before as well. He had a good voice, he knew his guitar, and he had no problems with being shy either, “And I’m quite sure girls don’t give Gabriel here enough time between kisses for him to notice that they have minds with other thoughts as well.” Snickering at Lita’s words and the rounds of protest it brought from all of his brothers – Rister claiming that being him was great; Gabriel comparing the egos of his brothers to other lands, Jared was quite he caught his name in connection to Ireland; and Damon wondering why girls thought him cute – even as he remained silent himself. Music was an important part of life to him. Possibly the most important part. But while he also liked girls, Jared admittedly didn’t want a girlfriend currently. Or rather, not a girlfriend but a more permanent dating partner. Having a girlfriend was a tad too much of a commitment.

Passing a bowl of strawberries to Leandra as she jabbed his side with her elbow to bring attention to herself Jared snickered at Damon: “COMC? The time you brought my book back after I forgot it? And flew into the dormitory dripping wet and grinning like a mad-man? There is more to your story, old fella!” Jared waved his fork threateningly at Damon, a wide grin on his own face currently: “Come on, politician. Your voters want to hear more! And I need preparation time if I have to give you a song to serenade the girl with.”

[Morgana Graas S2]

“I’m hardly Brutus. I, if I may remind you, look far better than Brutus. And my clothes are far more stylish,” Morgana corrected Damon sharply, throwing her head back arrogantly as she sneered down her nose at him for a moment, before adverting her attention to the rest of the group, cheering long with Leandra as Lita smacked both Rister and Gabriel. She loved his brothers as they were, but that didn’t mean she had given up all hope on their improvement. “He frolicked with her in the Hogwarts Lake? I thought Damon didn’t like the lake due to the Giant Squid?” Morgana questioned with some surprise at Jared’s story, smacking the back of Gabriel’s head herself, to hear better. Damon wasn’t one to play around in water really. At least not in Hogwarts lake. Not that he was one to play around much in Hogwarts anyway, especially not as it meant destroying a perfectly good outfit. Cause he wouldn’t have been out in the first place in anything but proper clothes and, of course, no Graas would have ever even thought of wearing such an outfit for the second time. It would never look just the same again.

“Why did it have to be a Gryffindor?” Morgana pensively repeated Lita’s words, “Why, I do believe that you – all of us for that matter – might be underestimating this girl due to her house. It would take quite some character to shift Damon, after all. Let’s see what she can do under pressure. I’ll bring her over.” Morgana swallowed one more bite of her omlette before standing with a smile playing on her lips, as he paused smiling at the group, “After all. If she’s that good, then she can handle the whole of us as well. Apparently we can come across especially threatening while together.” The ruffles of her skirt flaring around her legs Morgana set off towards the Gryffindro table. She had only had time to take a few steps before Damon called. Turning around, Morgana caught the folded Daily Prophet her brother had been reading earlier. “Tell her she might be interested on lower right half of page 3,” Damon said, even as Rister lifted himself to sit on the table corner to keep an eye on her with his wand out, as Morgana continued on her way towards the Gryffindors.

She wasn’t afraid. The hard feelings between the houses weren’t that sharp. But it was still rare for a Slytherin to approach the Gryffindor table or vice versa. Which is why she had quite expected silence and curious glances following her after she reached the table and started walking down it’s length towards Ashlyn. “Morgana, aren’t you? I’m a friend of your brother. Gabriel,” some older girl start telling her. “I do know who my brother is. I’m sure he doesn’t even have a clue who you are though, even if he might have been patient enough to let you kiss him once. The pleasure of meeting me was quite surely yours,” Morgana told the girl quite coldly, as she sidestepped around her and came to a stop before her aim, brushing the other girl aside as if an unimportant fly. “Ashlyn Swallow. I'm Morgana Graas. Damon said you might enjoy page 3, lower right corner,” Morgana recited dutifully as she handed the newspaper to Ashlyn. Leaving the girl a moment to open the newspaper and glance at the article, Morgana looked around. Gryffindors, as expected. Same food as on other tables. Also expected, even if a bit disappointing. It would be much more satisfactory is Gryffindors were given worse food.

“You’re hereby cordially invited over,” Morgana stated with a polite tilt of her head as she gestured towards her family, “It offers far better company than the current surroundings, I dare to presume, we’re curious enough who could have interested our rational brother.” Eyeing the quite soppy food Ashlyn had been playing with on her plate, Morgana curled her lip in slight distaste: “And the food there looks more appetizing.” Smiling lightly at Ashlyn Morgana turned and had already taken two steps, before she discovered that Ashlyn wasn’t following. Half-turning back, Morgana arched a shapely eye-brow at Ashlyn. “Well?” she prompted the older girl, making it obvious that she wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

[Ashlyn Swallow G5]

If she wasn’t bonded to Damon then she would have killed him by now simply to save herself from being hassled by people who had, up until now, openly despised her. Rumours had been flying around Hogwarts faster than owls but Ashlyn had forced herself to stay patient, tried her best to stay away from Damon at all times to avoid fuelling the gossip-hungry girls and hidden her exasperated anger before it could flow through the bond. As a result, she had become more adept at manipulating the bond, something that reassured her that she would have her privacy for a bit longer. “Do you think you could get me a date with Rister?” A redhead girl chirped excitedly, poking Ashlyn’s arm to hold her attention. Ashlyn turned her head slowly, eyebrow already raised as her eyes flickered to the girls hand on her arm coolly. “First of all, remove your hand before I try to separate it from your arm with a knife. Secondly, I don’t know you and, even if I cared who you were and why you feel the need to get someone else to find a date for you, I wouldn’t ask someone out for you. How old are you, eight? Besides, he’s a male. He’ll date you once, see what he can get from you and then break your heart. Maybe he’ll date your best friend too. Then you can compare notes!” Ashlyn finished with a wide smile, evidently mocking the girls clustered around her hopefully.

The girls seemed to subside gloomily after Ashlyn made herself quite clear and Ashlyn permitted herself a sharp smile as she bit into a slice of toast. It was quite amusing actually, she admitted to herself reluctantly. Most of these girls had, at some time or another over the past five years, mocked, ridiculed and occasionally tried to pick a fight with her. She had never been welcome among them and that had been just fine for her. But now, now that she was talking to and spending time with Damon she was suddenly their best friend. Oh no. Not her. Ashlyn had no use for these love-struck girls who reminded her of Leda to such an extent that she wanted to feel the reassuring weight of her wand in her hand. But she wanted it too much, and that was exactly why she denied herself. No longer was she the scared little child who had suffered at her cousins hands.

Just when Ashlyn had started to actually believe that she would be left in peace for the remainder of her breakfast, the redheaded girl started giggling again. “They’re looking at you,” she was informed through high-pitched giggles. Resisting the urge to rub her temples, Ashlyn abruptly turned and glared irritably at Jared and Rister Graas, looking disgusted when Jared blew her a kiss. “My breakfast is ruined,” Ashlyn looked down at her plate mournfully, feeling her appetite disappear just before the sound of singing came to her ears. Quite determinedly, she refused to turn around though she did grudgingly admit that they had passable singing voices. “Ruined is it?” The redhead girl asked sweetly, earning a suspicious glance from Ashlyn in the process. No one was sweet unless they wanted something and she had made it clear that she wasn’t playing matchmaker. “Then you won’t mind if I do this then, will you?” In one fluid movement, the girl knocked her glass of orange juice over deliberately and stormed away. Ashlyn scowled, using a spell to remove the splashes of juice from her white blouse. Jealous fan-girls were extremely irritating. The rumours weren’t even about her and Rister, for Merlin’s sake! It would have been somewhat more pardonable if the girl had been one of Damon’s fan-girls.

Ashlyn blinked at the younger girl as she came over but accepted the newspaper and flicked to the correct page. A small, almost fond, smile flickered into existence for a few seconds. Damon would have been the only one to think of sending it over to her, if only because he was the only person she had told about Castor, Leda and Pollux. She would have been slightly more satisfied if it had been Pollux in the article since he had been crueller than his brother but some of her need for vengeance was sated as she closed the newspaper. Morgana turned away while Ashlyn contemplated her options. There was nothing left for her at the Gryffindor table except a now soggy breakfast and more demands to be introduced to people that Ashlyn didn’t even know. Even if Ashlyn had been inclined to refuse, Morgana didn’t seem willing to accept a negative answer so Ashlyn merely lifted one shoulder in a shrug before rising to her feet and following the younger girl over to the Ravenclaw table.

Taking a seat wasn’t an option since Ashlyn had no intentions of staying for longer than she needed to so she simply stood, her arms folded across her chest and radiating irritation through her body language. Her expression didn’t flicker even as she lifted the hastily-erected emotional block that she had scrambled to create as she made her way over to the table to allow Damon to feel her mixed appreciation and irritation for a moment before rebuilding her shield and hiding her emotions behind it. She handed the newspaper back to Damon silently before adjusting the way the violin case hung over her shoulder. “Am I going to receive another song or are you just going to ogle at me?” Ashlyn questioned bitingly.

[Rister Graas S6]

Rister smirked wickedly around his mouthful, before swallowing. The statue? Of course he knew. It looked like a cross-breeding between a mole, an owl and a centaur really. It was the ugliest thing he had ever seen really, and he saw it quite often. There was a charming little nook behind it. Far enough to be out of the way, close enough to dropped by for a quick snogging session between classes. He had frequented there. Passed Gabriel there a couple of times as well. Even though they were both classy and smart enough to find better and more comfortable locations for the escapades after the classes. He laughed along with the rest of his family, talked, sniped, snickered. Did all that was expected of him. But he kept a constant eye on Damon. They were all protective of their sisters and each other. But Rister, being the oldest, felt the responsibility to watch after the others most.

“I didn’t deserve that,” Rister told Lita with a mock-scowl at the smack, even as he placed a plate before the girl. He knew as well as she did that she didn’t usually eat much. But now was a better chance than usual to make sure she ate for once. “Eat,” Rister ordered with a tone that didn’t leave any room for arguments. “And I don’t need to provide entertaining. Seeing me is enough to cheer up just about anyone. Except McGonagall. But an exception only shows how correct the fact is. And being me is just fantastic!” Sending one more firm glance towards Lita, nodding pointedly towards food, Rister rose and leaned against the table corner. His wand appearing from his sleeve, Rister toyed with the smooth wood lazily, demanding enough attention with his presence to let the Gryffindors know that Morgana did have someone covering her back. And one gesture would have the whole group on their feet firing of hexes and curses without asking any questions until later.

He observed the brief conversation between Morgana and Ashlyn and looked a thte girl as she approached. After Morgana, Rister noted. Modest. She had a good enough walk, blonde hair, blue eyes, a nice figure, tall and slim body. She’d look good next to Damon’s darkness and she wouldn’t shame the family. If it ever came that far. Damon was most hardest to read out of his siblings. Maybe he was hard too, but that didn’t count when he was the one doing the reading. Aware of the silence around the Great Hall – how would the Graas’s known for their arrogance, dry wit, distance – meet the not too popular Gryffindor? “I can assure you that we’ll do a whole lot more than ogle. We’re protective of our brother too. Odes can be negotiated with Jared,” Rister replied easily, pushing himself off the corner of the table. An arm around Ashlyn’s shoulder Rister ignored the girl tensing next to his side as he walked her around the corner and helped her to sit between Damon and Morgana, his actions simply not leaving an other choice for Ashlyn to reply.

“Everyone eats with the Graas’s, breakfast is important,” Rister claimed handing a plate to Ashlyn after he had returned to his own seat, Food’s important and most of us are still growing children. Or take it this way – chewing will give you a moment to think how to reply to an embarrassing comment.” Arching his eye-brows Rister glanced at Damon, his eyes wordlessly demanding to heaer what he didn’t tell, after a moment shifting his chin just a fraction ins silent accepting gesture when Damon raised a finger – a sign that he would tell later on when they were alone.

[Leandra Graas R3]

“Hei Lita,” Leandra greeted with a grin, scooting over to make space for the older girl. She liked Lita and sometimes she also felt like part of a family. She wasn’t blood relative. But she was close. Almost like an… adopted sister. Deciding that she liked that explanation Leandra merrily dug into her toast and strawberries. An odd choice of food for some perhaps but she liked it. Besides there was nothing wrong with standing out and being noticed. “Well, guys aren’t allowed to kiss us… but if we jump into the arms of some poor sod and kiss him senseless?” Leandra asked with a wicked grin decorating her lips as she giggled at his brothers.

Observing along with others out of the corner of her eyes how Morgana came back along with Ashlyn, Leandra giggled as Rister too the first words to himself. There were people watching the whole group, they all knew it and they could all feel the eyes. Probably didn’t make Ashlyn feel any better, if she really didn’t like socializing as much. “Rister, don’t scare our guest away before she even properly settled down!”, Leandra admonished, pushing the plate of toasts closer to Ashlyn, being a firm believer of breakfast herself as well. Taking mercy on the girl, Leandra smiled at her widely: “We will ask embarrassing questions – it’s the first time one of our brothers has shown any sort of more serious interest of dealing with a girl. We’re curious. But I’ll introduce the bunch to you first. If you feel like sending howlers later on. Those would be appreciated. Especially to arrive in the Great Hall. It’s fun.”

Popping a strawberry in her mouth, Leandra smiled and started speaking, point to the persons in question: “You just saw Rister. He’s oldest and generally feels far to responsible for all of us. Perhaps the world too. Slytherin sixth year. Not that I believe houses define who you are, but they give a hint and might be easier to help classify us at first. If you ever have a wounded bird or a kitten, then Rister’s the one you should turn to for help. This is Lita. Lita Hollows. Ravenclaw sixth year. A very close family friend. Not blood, but she sometimes feels like an adopted sister.” Smoothing Lita’s hair absent-mindedly, Leandra pounced to her feet, curtsying swiftly towards Ashlyn, “I’m Leandra. Ravenclaw third year. The only red-head in the family and the cutest of them all.” Giggling Leandra waited for the wave of protest from everyone else to die down before continuing. “And this guy is Jared. Ravenclaw fourth year. He’s the only one who’ll stare at you wordlessly until you feel uncomfortable and ready to blab about anything just so there wouldn’t be silent. He’s a quite neat musician though.”

Finishing her side of the table, Leandra took a quick sip before continuing: “Then this one is Gabriel. The ‘Fallen Angel’. He’s a Slytherin fourth year so not much of an angel though. And even though they’re both fourth years, Jared is older than Gabriel. You’ve probably seen Gabriel sending girls into seizures by just scowling on his posters. You saw Morgana next to you. Slytherin second year. She’s the youngest. Only one who seems impeccable after waking up or rolling around in mud. Not that she does the last bit. Then there’s you, and you already know our very own Damon Chyren Graas. I left out our own middle names or it would get too confusing for you. There’s quite a lot of us. But now it’s your turn. Who are you, how come you ended up casting an eye on our brother here? Is that a violin case? Do you play classics or write your own like Jared? And I’m sure others have questions too. But we’re willing to answer if you ask us. A fair trade.” Leandra finished her quite long speech, grinning widely at Ashlyn, as she dug into her breakfast with renewed vigor.

[Ashlyn Swallow G5]

Males. Ashlyn bit back an irritated sigh as she surveyed the Graas siblings. There were too many males. And one even had the gall to put his arm around her shoulder. But he was Damon’s brother and even though relatives meant nothing to her but pain and unhappiness, she knew that Damon felt differently, which was why she didn’t repeat the threat that she had offered to the red-headed Rister fan-girl at the Gryffindor table. Though that would have been quite poetic, Ashlyn mused with a hint of a smile. Two strangers, connected by a threat of amputation.

At least she was seated next to Damon and a girl, Ashlyn conceded good-naturedly. Being seated between two of the brothers would have made her instinct to be antagonistic come out and that wouldn’t do any good since it really was too early to indulge in any arguments. She was being pushed to eat, Ashlyn observed wryly. Maybe they were going to fatten her up before eating her. As she listened to the younger girl, Ashlyn frowned slightly, sending a half-curious, half-accusing look at Damon, wondering exactly what he had told his family. “I’ll be sure to send Howlers to your brothers. Especially since I’ve been continuously harassed by their fan-girls even though I’ve only actually spoken to Damon.” Ashlyn assured Leandra light-heartedly, even though the idea was starting to sound appealing.

Wonderful. A close family and even an almost adopted sister. Ashlyn stomped down the insistent urge to grimace and run away before it was too late. What did she know about families? This wasn’t so much of a lets-meet-the-family kind of thing as a lets-remind-Ashlyn-of-what-she-never-had sort of thing, she thought uneasily. “Ah yes, the model.” Ashlyn turned her gaze to Gabriel. “You, or rather your posters, have provided me with many excuses to hex my dorm-mates. I’d thank you if I didn’t blame you for their irritating squeals.” Wow. Ashlyn blinked in surprise as the questions came at her quickly. “Who am I? I thought you already knew since I was invited over here. But since you insist on a proper introduction; Ashlyn Swallow. No middle name,” she clarified helpfully. It no longer bothered her that her parents had never been interested enough to give her a middle name. Nothing her parents did bothered her any longer. “How did I cast an eye on your brother?” Ashlyn’s eyebrow rose slowly as she formed an answer that shouldn’t go against anything that Damon might have already told them. It was difficult since she wasn’t quite sure exactly what they knew but she could do it. “He angered me into breaking my wrist and a few days later he threw me into the lake. I got my revenge by sending an owl to wake him up at 4AM. Yes, that’s a violin case. I play classics but I also write my own and sometimes I’ll play compositions that other people have written for me if they’re good enough. Any more questions to add to the interrogation?”

[Lita Hollows R6]

“You deserve every smack I give you and then some more,” Lita answered, staring down at the plate in front of her distastefully. Rister knew quite well that she detested the thought of eating in the morning – it just wasn’t right! – and that was exactly why she tried to avoid him before first period. “The only people who cheer up when they see you are the people who don’t know you like we do,” Lita commented good-naturedly as she placed a piece of toast on her plate and absent-mindedly starting tearing it into pieces. Even though Rister sent her a glance warning her to eat, Lita pushed the plate away with a grimace and made sure that she could see Morgana out of the corner of her eye. Slytherins might be cunning and widely seen as the people to be wary around but it was always the Gryffindors that Lita kept an eye on most sharply. Those with good reputations simply got away with more than those with bad ones did. Why else would Lita be so careful about keeping herself from getting caught when she had run-ins with the Gryffindors?

“Stop tormenting your brothers during breakfast, Leandra,” Lita admonished indulgently. “At least wait until they aren’t sitting by sharp knives that they could use to castrate any boy that looks at you or Morgana for more than five seconds.” Ashlyn made her way over and Lita hid a smile. Really, the girl was practically asking for a smart comment about her body to be made by one of the boys. But the blonde girl didn’t seem happy with Rister’s arm around her and Lita sent him a warning look, tilting her head to his empty seat to indicate that he should back off and reclaim his place. Sure, Lita didn’t like Gryffindors but she had stopped thinking of Ashlyn as a Gryffindor. She had to otherwise she would never have been able to give the girl a chance. And that wasn’t acceptable; not when Damon seemed to have a genuine interest in her.

For all of her good intentions, Lita couldn’t stop herself eyeing Ashlyn warily. Despite what she and her brother allowed, and indeed encouraged, everyone to think, Lita’s hatred of Gryffindors had nothing to do with Adrian. He had never whispered horror stories about Gryffindors into her ears and, even if he had, Lita only made her mind up about people after meeting them. Or rather, she had. But being targeted by a group of Gryffindors with a grudge against her brother and the patience to wait until he had graduated so that they could strike his weakest spot – Adrian’s little sister, her – had made her both fear and hate the House as a whole. It had been her most fervently guarded secret for years, with only her, Adrian and the group of Gryffindors involved knowing about it.

“Don’t worry about it,” Lita smiled at Ashlyn lightly, seeing her look down at the plate Rister had given her helplessly. Either the blonde girl had already eaten or was like herself and found the idea of eating in the morning completely unnatural. Probably the first option since Lita seemed to be the only one who disliked the very idea of breakfast. “Rister tries to make everyone eat in the morning, even if they’re not that way inclined. Just wait until he’s not looking and banish it,” she suggested, trying not to shudder at the fact that she was offering a Gryffindor advice on how to deal with her closest friend and his breakfasting habits.

[Gabriel Graas S4]

“Girls are girls. She seemed desperate and was more than willing to help me spend an hour or so. Doubt I’ll be seeing her again. She was far too interested in the colour schemes our house colours would make together,” Gabriel shuddered at the though, grimacing towards Lita at the smacking spell, “Poaching? Sure. Except not all girls I see are ladies, don’t forget that.” But he didn’t argue. He and Lita usually bantered about girls and truth be told Gabriel was a heartbreaker. He never promised anything, but he went through girls swiftly enough. It would be hard not to, seeing how willing her choices of attention were. Until he would find his one and only, he would browse and enjoy the selection. But it was something he and Lita would probably never compromise on so he let the topic pass.

He watched with everyone else as Morgana fetched Damon’s girl and when she returned reached over and snatched the newspaper. Flipping the paper open, he averted his eyes to the lower right corner of page 3, skimming the paper swiftly, before sharing the gist of the story with the rest: “Italian ambassador assaulted in the Ministry. Mariala Careia – we’re mentioned to study in Hogwarts – had her dress ripped and ended up in her underwear. Doubt she minded, there’s too much veela in her to be ashamed of her body. Poor sod, he probably didn’t stand a chance. Since when are we interested in such news?” Gabriel questioned, folding the paper again and tossing it back to Damon.

“You’re fully welcomed. The more posters you destroy, the more replacements are bought, the more I earn. You have my blessing to continue your wicked ways, as long as your wand isn’t pointed at me,” Gabriel told Ashlyn quite easily, as he nodded towards Lita, “Lita, think you find someone who thinks the way you do. Maybe with Ashlyn’s help you can add Gryffindors posters to your bonfire next time you.” Gabriel listened intently at Ashlyn’s words, literally choking and gasping for air with most of the table at Ashlyn’s simple statement. Spluttering, Gabriel downed half of his glass, before turning to stare at Ashlyn: “You woke him at 4 AM and you’re still alive? Damon set dad’s hair on fire, last time he attempted to wake him before 7. Damon, I think I just fell in love with your girl!” Reaching around Morgana, Gabriel merrily took hold of Ashlyn’s mouth, and bowing slightly in his seat, kissed it lightly, “You’re among my new personal heroes now.”

Throwing a patronizing glance at Lita, Gabriel pointed his finger at the older girl: “Whereas, Lita, stop smacking me. I have a photoshoot in two weeks with some newbie. Something abuot sin-series and original sin. Guess I'll be seducing someone with an apple. And you stop corrupting the new kid. Breakfast should be eaten, Rister is completely correct about that. And we wouldn’t use knives. It would be far more satisfying to castrate them with the help of a spoon and afterwards gouge out their eye-balls. Our sisters are not to be ogled, kissed, touched, or any of that nonsense. If I trusted the priests any more, I’d suggest making Leandra and Morgana join a convent.”