❝1 x 1 || kies & tenor sax

[velasco]

As a book swiftly flew past him, Ashton looked for the source of the magic. When his eyes landed on the beholder, he let out a soft exhale, and he couldn't exactly plant why. Standing, staring in awe, Ashton felt himself stumble back a tad, taken aback. Sure, he'd dealt with Slytherin's tricks, even their jinxes, all because of his brother. But for a total stranger to be so bold and upfront, as well as mischievous, shocked the Hufflepuff boy.

Ashton ran his fingers through his curly locks, eyes meeting those of the Slytherin's before they dropped to the ground. Bringing his hand up to wave, Ashton offered a slight smile, "Hufflepuff things happen to be in the library," he said, a giggle begging to escape his lips.

[all_is_lxst]

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jaxon watched the the other's reaction with satisfaction. he'd on more than one occasion had to shock, baffle, wow, or stun others to prove to them he was not one to mess with. not just because he was a slytherin, but because he did not plan to let anyone stand in his way or tell him he could not do something. he relaxed a little though s he lowered the book to his lap and hummed skeptically at the other's explanation, nodding his head once slowly and keeping an eyebrow raised to show he didn't quiet believe the other.

"sure....... and they involve poorly written wizard world fiction, right?" he questioned, subtly calling the other out as the hufflepuff tried to weasel his way out of the stitch he'd gotten himself into. He tilted his head a little though, baffled as the other started giggling about the whole thing. That wasn't a normal reaction that jaxon was used to....

[velasco]

Rubbing the back of his own neck, Ashton nodded, "Yeah," he chuckled, "They've always got poorly written wizard world fiction." His smile grew threw his words, "Do you guys not have to read these? Because we do all the time."

Typically, he'd appear more smooth in every single other scenario. But something about a Slytherin, let alone a Slytherin with his wand drawn, not only terrified the Hufflepuff boy, but flustered him in every way possible. His cheeks growing a light red contrary to his typical fair skin, he smiled softly, "Sorry," he mumbled.

He was just about to excuse himself, but once his brother walked into the library, he felt himself melt away. The boy was tall and frightening, accompanied by his wand already drawn and his Slytherin cloak wrapped tightly around him. He and Ashton had never gotten along, per se, but simply dealt with each other at home. But at Hogwarts? It was a whole different story. Anytime the two crossed paths, they argued.

Obvious distress flashed over his face.

[all_is_lxst]

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jaxon rolled his eyes at the other's response, but..... was that a grin appearing on his lips? he looked almost amused by the other's joking around, and had relaxed enough to lower his wand, though he still had a hand on it. He noticed how red and flustered the other appeared as he apologized and looked like he was about to say something in response when another slytherin walked into the library.

jaxon quickly recognized ethan, though he didn't shift in demeanor in the slightest. he respected the older slytherin, but wasn't scared of him and didn't have a grudge against him. in fact he almost greeted the other before he caught sight of the hufflepuff's expression. ashton looked more flustered and distressed now than he had just moments ago when jaxon had caught him in his little lie. he wondered why, again having not know they were brothers and therefore not really knowing that they fought almost all the time.

[velasco]

Ethan practically strutted over to Ashton, pride in his stride. Ashton wondered why he seemed to be so prideful. He'd never understand the eighth year boy in any way, shape, or form.

As Ethan strides over to Ashton, he could feel himself melting away. "Hey, Ethan," he said, voice shaking as he brought his hand up to wave.

Ethan's grip on his wand tightened as he lifted it up from his side. Without saying a word, Ethan casted a spell, slinging Ashton into the wall behind him. Not wanting to fight back much, Ashton took it, falling to the ground beneath him. After the eighth year Slytherin slung the Hufflepuff around for a few moments, Ashton tried to reach for his wand tucked tightly into his shoe. Chuckling lightly at this, Ethan's blue eyes grew a hazy gray, "You're still awful at this." And with that, he lifted the Hufflepuff's wand out of his shoe before Ashton could get to his own wand, bringing it to his own hand. "Holly wood? You're weak, brother, without your wand."

Rolling the wand back to his younger brother, he let out a smirk. "I'll be on my way," he said. His attention then adverted to the Slytherin boy standing nearby Ashton, "Goodbye, Jaxon."

[all_is_lxst]

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jaxon watched the hufflepuff greet his brother and was even about to greet the other slytherin himself when ethan slung the younger boy back against the wall for no reason and began to toy with him afterwards. he stood as he saw ashton trying to grab for his wand, but before he could do anything ethan had ashton's wand and was mocking him before returning the wand and then leaving. jaxon didn't say a word as the older boy bid him goodbye, just stared after him in disbelief and shock. there had been no reason for any of that and it was exactly that kind of behavior that gave their house a bad name. he scowled at the older boy's retreating back before shaking his head and turning to face ashton.

jaxon bent and held out a hand to help the hufflepuff up, reaching out and picking up the other's wand to hand back to him at the same time. "I-i'm sorry....... are... are you alright...?" he asked, genuine concern on his face as he looked over and lifted the other boy to his feet.

[velasco]

The Hufflepuff took his hand, allowing him to help him up. Taking his wand, he shoved it back into his shoe securely, but not as securely as before, scared that he'd have to be more prepared. As he was tucking it in his shoe, bruises that aligned in circles across his arm became apparent as his cloak's sleeve rode up his arm.

Ashton smiled softly, meeting the eyes of Jaxon's, "I'm fine, it happens anytime I see him. Or anytime he sees me. Sometimes I don't see him coming and it still happens. It's been happening ever since I arrived at Hogwarts, and it's fine. When we're home, we're fine with each other. I guess it's just a thing we do."

Noticing the concern on the Slytherin's face, he smiled, "He's not as bad as he seems. Sometimes he's a good brother. Hogwarts gives him this cocky persona that he feels he needs to uphold."

[all_is_lxst]

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jaxon shook his head as the other tried to brush the incident off. "still...... that doesn't matter. nobody should treat you like that, especially not your own brother," he muttered as he helped the other up. jaxon watched the other tuck his wand back in his shoe and couldn't help but think that wasn't the best place for it. he didn't say a word about it though, especially as his thought were distracted by the bruises he finally noticed on the other's arm. he reached out and carefully took the other's wrist in his hand, holding up the hufflepuff's arm as he silently inspected the marks.

[velasco]

The boy rain his fingers through his hair as Jaxon took his other arm. Scratching the back of his neck, Ashton parted his lips to speak, but quickly closed them, realizing he didn't know the right words to say. Standing and staring aimlessly at the Slytherin boy, he didn't say a singular word. His eyes mindlessly followed the other boy's eyes, inspecting the same thing. In all honesty, Ashton hadn't even noticed the bruises. And in his brother's defense, he bruised easily. All he had to do was simply bump into the corner of a table and it looked as if his entire body had bruised. But as much as he wanted to come up with excuses, he knew this wasn't just a case of him bruising easily.

Scratching the back of his neck, he loosened his arm from Jaxon's grip, "I bruise easily," he hurriedly spoke. "It's nothing, really. A normal wizard wouldn't have bruised."

He offered a gentle smile towards the other boy, small but impactful. Although, it wasn't entirely genuine. He knew as soon as he met up with the other Hufflepuffs, he'd run to his closest friend and cry about it. But crying about it in front of a boy in the same house as Ethan? That seemed weak and illogical, pointless even. His dimples showed through as he smiled, curving in his cheeks, they were so deep water could be held in them if he truly wanted to.

[all_is_lxst]

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jaxon was not easily distracted. not by the other's shuffling. not by his weak excuse, even if it was true. not by the other's surprisingly bright and stunning smile. even he could tell this was more than just bruising easily, after all his mother had a very similar problem, and he frowned as he continued looking over the colored marks. a moment later he lifted his wand that was in his own hand still, but it was to silently gather his things magically.a moment later he turned with a muttered follow me," as he dropped the other's hand and made his way out of the library.

a began heading back the way he'd come earlier and moved down to the dungeon, towards the potions room, though he ducked into a smaller classroom just before they reached the actual potions room. jaxon finally turned to look back at the other as he dropped his things on a table, but he didn't say a word as he moved over to a cupboard in the back of the room.