Happy to see us?

[Rister Graas S6]

They practically ran into Ashlyn when Gabriel opened the Hogwarts door. Rister greeted Ashlyn with a friendly half-smile and went to side-stepped the rosy-cheeked girl, but Gabriel had other plans. Rister observed with mild surprise as Gabriel slapped his palm against the door, effectively blocking Ashlyn’s way. It was only after he caught the wicked gleam shining in his brother’s eyes that he started to catch on however. His eyes narrowed thoughtfully as he peered at Gabriel, who was currently turning Ashlyn around and wrapping an arm around her waist. Turning her around… well, Gabriel did have something there. “Now, don’t frown, Ashlen. It makes it seem as if you aren’t happy for our company!” Rister purred out as he fell into step on the other side of Ashlyn and lightly leaned his palm on her shoulder. “Which is of course silly as we’re young, dashing, charming, bright and witty. Why, I do believe I’m going to be a mighty fine companion,” Gabriel added in a mock-simpering voice that made Ashlyn stare at him with a slightly shell-shocked expression.

With Ashlyn’s attention so clearly elsewhere, Rister bowed and stated right next to her ear: “Yes, he’s flirting with himself.” Snickering quietly as Ashlyn jumped upon suddenly realising that Rister had shifted so close, Rister simply shrugged his shoulders calmly at the look Ashlyn gave him. “What? He couldn’t flirt with me, as I’m his brother, not to mention the fact I don’t swing that way. We know you would never leave Damon and as he isn’t around currently, there’s not much point in flirting with you to ruffle him,” Rister explained the workings of Gabriel’s mind to Ashlyn. She was slowly starting to become closer to all of them, but occasionally their logic and ways of thinking still went over her head. Stepping forward swiftly, Rister placed his own body directly in front of Ashlyn as she tried to make a break for it still. He had been prepared for the impact of Ashlyn colliding head-first into him so he didn’t even waver as Gabriel’s hand on Ashlyn’s back steadied the girl. ”Play nice, Ashlyn, or I’ll leave you alone with Gabriel,” Rister warned jokingly. But there was something serious in Gabriel’s eyes as he spoke up: “It will be poker-night soon so Rister and I were about to head out to Hogsmeade where we would have hopefully figured out something drastic enough to be reported in Rumour Has It. If you’ll be along it will be enough to catch attention, you are seen with us and you're always welcomed to torture whoever is getting on your nerves with information about us and the possibility that you could set up a date with us, if you felt like it.” Ashlyn seemed about to argue, so Rister lifted an arm soothingly: “If you go back in Rumour Has It articles, you’ll see that one of us - my brothers or I, occasionally Lita or other relatives too – have always pulled our most extravagant public stunts just before full moon. It assures that the poker-nights aren’t nearly interesting enough for anyone to start thinking about them,” Rister explained quietly. They wouldn’t bother Ashlyn for themselves, but they wouldn’t budge when it came to the peace and security of their little sister. Ashlyn must have seen something in that line in their eyes as well as she finally gave a reluctant nod.

Both of them gave Ashlyn a beaming smile as they settled back to either side of her. But they gave her the freedom of not leaving their arms around her anymore in the brotherly gesture they would use when it came to Lita or their sisters. Ashlyn didn’t seem to trust them or like the gesture enough to enjoy the familiar support just yet. “It’s just a dinner. Gabriel’s paying. I’ll snitch on him to dad, if he doesn’t pay for a girl wile taking him out to dinner. And I’ll just be a pretty little innocent rose-bud next to you,” Rister confided in Ashlyn, ignoring Gabriel’s huff. “But it is a good thing you decided to wear light tones. You’ll contrast with us nicely, pretty girl,” Gabriel added as he measured all three of them. Both Gabriel and Rister were completely dressed in black. Gabriel dressed in tight designer jeans with black embroidery, a classically simple silk-shirt and a long black cloak over his shoulders, his pitch-black hair currently being messed up by the wind. And Rister himself wearing silk trousers with a black pullover and his black dragon-scale jacket to keep away the chill had his similarly pitch-black hair pulled into a low pony-tail at the nape of his neck. Ashlyn with her blonde hair and delicate features and today’s light clothes did rise forth between the two of them. Ashlyn was a pretty girl – a beautiful woman – but Rister was still amused to see a blush rise to her cheeks at Gabriel’s comment. It was only natural for Rister to immediately call on it, so the road to Hogsmeade was filled with snickering and playful banter.

They didn’t have a reservation in the relative fancy restaurant in Hogsmeade. But Rister had discreetly slipped on his heir’s ring and Gabriel’s face was known enough as well for the lack of reservation to be a problem. They were directed to a table immediately and a waiter held out Ashlyn’s chair for her to take a seat first. Menus were handed to them nearly a minute later and Rister absently peered at it. Most of these places basically served the same foods, just titled them differently. But he was in the mood for grilled red fish today, so he simply told the waiter that much and answered the obligatory questions about what he would like to the side of the fish and then waited for Ashlyn and Gabriel to place their orders. They were brought warmed mugs of hot toddy while they waited for the dishes, so Rister absently took a sip, stretched out his legs and picked up the light conversation they had been in the middle of again. Even though Ashlyn didn’t seem entirely willing - or used to – figuring out what she wanted for Christmas and then demanding it. Well, if she hadn’t had a family before, this Christmas might be a nice surprise for her then. She and Layla would be getting presents from all of the Graas children and their parents and Lita. Keegan and Alexis would most surely receive gifts from everyone too, but the twins still weres lightly distanced so their presents would hardly be overly personal. But it kept the conversation going and was fun and Ashlyn herself seemed to relax as their orders were bought. It was only after the desserts were brought that Gabriel murmured a warning of a photographer from behind his drink. For a moment the brothers glanced each other, before Rister calmly wiped the glaze of his soufflé he had just tasted from his mouth. “Say cheese, Ashlyn,” Rister murmured as he and Gabriel half-rose and with a smile pressed their lips to Ashlyn’s cheeks a mere moment before a flash of light announced that a picture of the three had been taken.

[Ashlyn Swallow G5]

Humming the dark funeral march to herself, and secretly snickering at the cautious looks aimed at her by other students, Ashlyn cheerfully bounced up the steps leading to the castle doors. Yes, bounced. Lita had graciously introduced her to the delights of acting completely unlike herself whenever she felt the need to alarm people. It worked quite well. It probably helped that the Ravenclaw had coaxed her into eating several packs of candy beforehand but was that really relevant? It did, however, explain why her fingernails were the garish shade of green that Ashlyn had only ever seen in that little room Lita had led them to when she had wanted to snarl at Rister for being irresponsible. Gabriel and Rister nearly walked straight into her as one of them pulled the door open and Ashlyn frowned at them momentarily before grinning cheerfully at Rister when he smiled at her. Gabriel turned her around with an arm wrapped around her waist, evoking a raised eyebrow from her. “I don’t want to go out with you,” Ashlyn almost whined. “I want to go to my common room and scare away whoever is sitting in front of the fireplace so that I can claim that chair. It’s cold and it’s going to rain and I want coffee.”

Looking at Gabriel doubtfully, Ashlyn didn’t notice Rister moving closer until he spoke into her ear. “Of course I wouldn’t leave Damon,” Ashlyn stated plainly, slightly exasperated. “I’m not dating him so it’s quite impossible to leave him in that way, and the bond is too fully formed for it to be broken. Any other idiotic comments that you’d like to make?” Ashlyn asked irritably, vengefully shoving the sugar-induced cheerfulness through the bond. If she had to deal with Rister and Gabriel then Damon could damn well deal with the sugar that Lita had given her. And she rather hoped that he was in the middle of talking to Snape or Hawthorne or someone else who would take an immediate dislike and distrust of his sudden hyperactivity. He deserved it for having annoying brothers and a Ravenclaw friend who never seemed to cease teasing and tormenting her. But she could almost feel Damon’s disapproving eyes boring into her, silently telling her to behave and making her sigh in defeat. Fine. She would play nice. The boys wouldn’t accept any other answer anyway, especially if it involved their little sister.

How did she end up bonded to an annoying Ravenclaw and being plagued by his brothers? Sometimes Ashlyn really did have to wonder. From the very beginning, that first meeting in the library, Damon had been able to get under her skin with such an ease that it unnerved Ashlyn. That had also been the first time she had met Rister, Ashlyn remembered with surprise. She had never really realised that before, but Rister had offered his help after she had broken her wrist. There had been a lot of bickering between her and Damon that day. She still didn’t understand his obsession with cheese cookies though. “You’ve never been innocent,” Ashlyn scoffed disbelievingly. “If you were innocent then Lita wouldn’t always be complaining about you skipping Potions and Transfiguration and Charms.” Then again, the Ravenclaw was unnaturally fond of Potions. Gabriel’s comment made her cheeks flush hotly as Ashlyn ducked her head in embarrassment. She wasn’t used to compliments and it sometimes seemed that the boys took advantage of that just to see her embarrassment.

Talk of Christmas made her uncomfortable, which was why Ashlyn was glad to reach the restaurant so that the conversation would be temporarily ended. This was the first time in years that she would have to buy presents. Was she expected to buy them all presents? What were they expecting? What did one buy for two sixth years, two fourth years, a third year, a second year and the person she was eternally bonded to? Not to mention Layla and the twins. And what about Kris and Cleo? Lita would help her out if she asked but that would mean surrendering her pride. Was it worth it? Did she have any choice? Did it matter? After all, Ashlyn had no intention of joining the Graas’ for Christmas. It was a family event, and her own duty was to make sure that the twins and Layla were able to cope with their first Christmas without their parents. So even if she did completely fail with her present-giving attempts, she wouldn’t be there to witness it. Even as her mind worried over the growing closeness of Christmas, Ashlyn automatically finished with her food and looked up questioningly as Rister’s odd comment. Say cheese? Why? The two boys kissing her cheeks and the light that flashed over them all offered the answer to her questions, and Ashlyn couldn’t refrain from the exasperated look she shot at both Slytherins. “If I get pestered by your fan-girls then I am going to brutally murder both of you,” she threatened calmly.