Joy

Kendall was really starting to question how he and Darius had even gotten along.. ever. He managed to ignore what Athena said about him as a kisser. She probably wasn't bluffing completely, but he knew she was doing it to get to him. And obviously, so was Darius. He was touching Athena excessively to gauge Kendall's reaction- thing was, Kendall had an amazing p-p-p-poker face. he ignored it, instead remaining blank. "I'm not suggesting anything more than your lack of brain power."

Athena began to speak and Darius cut her off. Before Kendall could help himself, he snapped, eyes flashing, "Hey-" but Darius not only had a bigger body, but a larger, louder voice. He was so frustrated- did Darius' muscles reach so far they covered his ears?! Kendall was saying if it had to come down to it, he might, but he was saying he did not want to. Athena did not want a fight, Kendall would not fight. He could explain that until he was blue in the face, and no one would seem to get it.

Why he was so stubbornly defending his 'friend's' wants, he could not explain.

"The old saying is when you assume you make an ass out of you and me. There's only one ass I see though. Are you listening to yourself. 'She'll be screaming my name'? Why suddenly the great urge to bed our friend, eh? Why the sudden urge to sound like a total dick and objectifying the girl we've known since first year. I thought we were supposed to respect them, no matter how rude we were to others, huh?" Kendall was proud to say he never appeared less than a gentleman, even if he had bad intentions. Darius was more more insensitive.

"The real difference between you and me is that I'm not a psychopath with no regard for the whims of others. You indulge yourself to satisfy your needs. I do so to satisfy others- even if I get something out of it. Girls are happy to see me when we pass in the halls. That's the difference between you and me."

From then on, it was a silent battle, the two boys staring at each other, hostility feeling their gazes. Suddenly Pricilla broke the silence and slowly the realization dawned on the group. Sh!tf*ckballs. Sh!tf*ckballs. Sh!tf*ckballs. Kendall kept a cool demeanor, though his eyes glanced at Athena for a cue, not about to do anything to displease her anymore.

"I don't want to fight you, Darius," Kendall reminded. "And while it sends shivers down my spine to hear you admit you think about my balls, you're wrong there." He smirked at Darius, knowing that would get to him- guys like him clung to their heterosexuality. "The way I think of Athena matters to no one but her. If she cares to know what that is, she may ask, I will not discuss it with an oversized hamburger on legs. As to whether or not I deserve a beating, I would not be the best opinion to ask, now would I? I'm a little biased. You could always ask Athena. Hear her opinion for the first time this evening." He turned towards her, ticking his head. "Well?" he asked, waiting for Darius to ask her for Kendall's fate.

Athena sheepishly met Pricilla’s mirth filled gaze and she looked curiously at the girl, baffled by the look on her face. Athena mouthed a few words to her friend and Pricilla returned, accompanying her words with a few gestures. Athena swore at her and lifted her eyes to the boys who were battling it out again. She gave a heavy sigh and slapped Darius’ hand away, her patience with him waning considerably as his words became more offensive to her than they did to Kendall. As fun as it was to wind each other up and as quick as Athena was willing to get involved, she wasn’t completely heartless no matter how hard she tried to dress herself up this way. First and foremost, she was embarrassed and though she tried not to show it, her ears were suitably read and that blush was quickly moving across her cheeks and onto her neck. She found that her shoes were incredibly interesting...and certainly something safer to look at.

“Yours is barely higher than mine, Kendall,” Darius retorted. Athena rolled her eyes, knowing the likelihood of that wasn’t very high. She crossed her arms over her chest and caught her bottom lip between her teeth again, stifling the words that she knew Darius would take little notice of anyway. “It doesn’t take a genius to work out some things...or decide things...especially when they’re right in front of you.”

Athena’s eyes snapped up to Kendall’s when his clipped protest added to the tension. She’d learned how to block out Darius and so she didn’t miss it. Athena swallowed and tugged on a curl of her hair before glancing up at Darius who was wearing that self-satisfied smirk again. Athena sighed heavily and rubbed her arm before dropping her arms back down to her sides. As much as she disliked the situation, she couldn’t bring herself to walk away. She wanted to see it play out and, though she’d never admit it, she wanted to see Kendall trump Darius; the bastard.

Screaming anyone’s name wasn’t something Athena did as a rule...unless said person had a stroke of luck. Darius could make someone writhe but he wasn’t as good as he thought he was. He could tide anyone over for a suitable amount of time but he couldn’t even make the screamers scream – if that made any sense.

“Why would I wish to objectify someone who is already objectified?” Darius replied easily, making Athena freeze up. “She’s a Pureblood woman, Rookwood – they’re there to be traded like cattle. Or did you forget? Bedding all of those Halfies must have riddled you with something other than crabs.” Darius sneered. “Daddy Goyle will find little Thea a nice man and she’ll be the good little broodmare she is...won’t she?” He squeezed Athena to him and she closed her eyes, honestly wishing a black hole would swallow her up right there. She pushed against him and let out a small sound that was mixed with embarrassment, indignation, struggle and hurt.

A strangled cry died in Pricilla’s throat and she looked at Tobias with wide eyes, searching his face to see if he thought the same. Tobias looked over at Kendall, imploring silently for the fool to do something. Pricilla’s hand came down on Tobias’s should and he looked down at her to see her eyes glistening with tears. The Pureblood girls...they knew they were cattle...they’d known it from the day they were born. That didn’t make it any easier to hear though did it?

“Darius,” Tobias spoke, his voice gruff. “Stop. Now.” He took Pricilla’s hand in his and laced his fingers with his. He squeezed her hand and pulled her to him. She folded into his chest easily and tried to hide herself in his dinner jacket.

“Why should I?” Darius responded. “I’m trying to prove a point here...he’s just making it difficult.”

No, Tobias thought scathingly as he watched Athena continue to struggle against him. You are.

“Oh yes, Rookwood, I think about your bollocks all day – every day. As does this little minx I don’t doubt.” He smirked down at Athena and barely flinched as she hit her fist against him. “Calm down there, pet...anyone would think you didn’t want me.”

Darius raised an eyebrow at Kendall and forced Athena away from him, placing her in the middle of their little circle. She stumbled a little but managed to keep her footing in the sky-scrapers – something Pricilla was immensely grateful for. Athena rounded on Darius and flung her hand out. It connected with his cheek, making a loud CLAP and she watched gleefully as his cheek instantly reddened.

“You bastard,” she spat. Darius had a quick reaction time but not nearly as quick as Athena who, as her father had once joked, should have been a Keeper. As he started towards her, her other hand came out and connected with his other cheek. She placed her hands on his shoulders and brought her knee up between his legs, this time not missing. Athena brought her lips to his ear and hissed as her eyes began to overflow with salty tears, “That’s for the Mudblood.”

She pushed Darius away from her with all of the strength she possessed and broke out into a run that was slightly muted by the heels. She ran past Tobias and Pricilla and disappeared through the back door. Pricilla lifted her head from Tobias’ chest and she turned, slapping Darius herself. Tobias put his hands on her shoulders and grabbed their friend by the scruff of the neck. He looked at him with obvious distaste and pushed Darius towards the front door.

“Let’s not have a repeat of this shall we? Cilla...Obliviate the Ravenclaw. Sorry Kendall...I know she’s your shag but she can’t remember something like that. I’ll deal with this piece of shit.” He leaned down to Darius and patted him on the cheek before smiling sadistically at him. “Shall we go and pay a visit to ‘Daddy Goyle’, buddy?” Darius groaned. “Yeah, yeah I know...It hurts doesn’t it? A few rounds of the Cruciatus will set you straight I don’t doubt. Let’s just hope Polly loves you enough not to let him kill you. But then again...I’d be more worried about her if I were you.” He pushed Darius out of the door and quirked an eyebrow at him as he collapsed on the ground. “Pathetic.” He muttered.

Pricilla hopped over to him and he kissed her soundlessly before breaking the kiss and blowing a piece of her hair out of her eyes. “Mine tonight?” He murmured, rubbing his thumb across her cheekbone. She nodded with a coy smile and Tobias smiled before kissing her again. “Alright. I’ll pick you up in a couple of hours. I love you. Someone go and check on Thea please – or at least find her? I’ll deal with the scumbag.”

And with that, Tobias departed with Darius in hand. Pricilla looked at Kendall sheepishly and took her wand from her pocket. “Sorry, sweetie.” She apologised sheepishly. “If you want to go and see Thea then I will modify this one's memory so she thinks she got lucky with you. It should improve the rumour mill spectacularly. Go! It’s freezing out there!” She waved him away with her wand and smiled brightly at Jeanine. “So sorry about this – well, not really. I never really liked you. Come on..let’s go and find you a bed to wake up in.”

Kendall could not stand to see the way Darius kept yanking Athena around. He may have looked to women to satisfy him, but he adored them for it. Women were not cattle to him- they were wonders. He could devote his life to the study of women- the way their minds work, their anatomy, the way they spoke, their anatomy, their gentleness, their anatomy. He might even study their anatomy a little.

Darius was sick- he had always known his friend was off, but all purebloods were- it was all the inbreeding that did them in. However, Darius was on impeccable game tonight. The breeding comment was too much, and the noise she released was close enough to send him into a flurry of fists and screams. Athena had made it clear she did not want to see their friends dissolve into.. whatever Darius was forcing them to. He could not help jerking forward, but someone walking by knocked into him and delayed him.

"Darius, you're crossing a line we don't cross," Kendall warned. "I don't know what someone slipped in your drink to make you so dreadful, but you'd better quit while your ahead." He pushed Athena and Kendall darted, forward, reaching out to catch her, but she had caught herself and she smacked him. Kendall felt a grin break out onto his face and she smacked him again. This was what he had missed in Athena. She kneed him and he tipped his head to the heavens, mouthing a thank you.

The next events happened so fast, Kendall had no choice but to watch. At Tobi's words, he growled back, "Do you think I care about a shag right now?" He turned to Jeanine, "Sorry about this. Let yourself forget and find a more suitable partner- or at least, try." He grinned and kissed her on the forehead. He turned to see Darius get pushed out the door.

Kendall turned and strode after, pausing next to Darius before crouch, idly twirling Darius' hair with a finger. "Y'see, Dari, it's not just the hair that I've got better than you. It's also the whole thing about me having a heart, and a brain, and functional bullocks that really are scream-inducing." He paused. "And the pureblood woman thing. Sure, that may be how it works, but the difference is whoever I end up with will actually like me." He crouched lower, bringing his lips to his friends ear. "And that just might be Athena." Darius groaned something and Kendall smiled. "Didn't tell you, did she... Her dad is picking suitors.. And I'm considered. Didn't hear your name. Maybe because he wants a real man for his daughter."

He turend and strode back in to hear the rest of the plans. He waved a hand. "Don't bother making her think we shagged. Find someone else for her. I'm getting sick of the rumor mill, really." He paused. "I'm going to go find Athena."

He bit his lip, knowing his friends would come up with all sorts of thoughts on this, but he just made his way through the dance floor and outside. He saw her, throwing stones towards the woods, frustrated noises escaping her lips. He came and stood next to her, his eyes straying towards her face. "Thea," he said quietly. "I'm sorry."

That bastard. Athena would have eaten him for breakfast if he’d let go for a second. That was probably what he was trying to make sure of – that she didn’t murder him. As fulfilling as it had been to rough him up a bit, Athena didn’t feel better for it. She knew how the Wizarding World worked and she didn’t need him reminding her that she was a broodmare; that she was only there so she could carry some poor sod’s heir. Two and she’d be done – she knew that just as Pricilla did. The difference was that Tobias adored her and the feeling was mutual. Athena wasn’t about to admit it but she wouldn’t have minded that. Pricilla would have had eighteen children if it meant that Tobias was happy and he’d give them to her if she wanted them. For the rest of them who weren’t in love with their suitors or, in Athena’s case, had nothing but dogs lined up for her as far as she could gather...she’d have to put up with him – whoever he was – until she gave him a son. Home free was the phrase one of her cousins had used.

As soon as Athena was outside, she picked up a handful of stones and lobbed them as far as she could manage. She screamed, gripping her hair and jumping up and down on the spot, trying to let out her frustration – all it did let out though were tears. They streamed down her cheeks and nothing Athena could do could make them stop. She settled for picking up another handful of stones, this time throwing them one by one and turning it into a game for her mind to enjoy. She was tricking herself, or at least trying to, but it most certainly wasn’t working. She hoped her father gave him hell when he found out. She hoped he’d castrate the little mistake the Flints had made. She just hoped against hope he wouldn’t be indifferent. It would melt and destroy her heart if he acted as if it was something she deserved. The idea brought fresh tears to her eyes and they soon joined the waterfall.

Athena heard Kendall’s footsteps approaching. She knew his pattern of step. He didn’t need to announce himself and she was glad he didn’t. That didn’t mean she was happy to see him. Athena threw another stone and watched as it sailed through the air before gravity made it fall. She shook her head and exhaled shakily before spitting,

“Like hell you are. You just...you just stood there...and you let him...” Athena threw another stone. She whipped out her wand and sent a silent blasting curse towards it, adoring the feeling of satisfaction that rolled through her. “He scares me, Kendall.” She cried sharply, looking at him. “I’ll admit that, fine – if that’s what you want to hear. He terrifies me. He always has. He’s just...I can play games with him and he’ll push back but he doesn’t know when to stop and I just..” She covered her mouth with her hands and closed her eyes. Salty tears escaped and ran across her cheeks once more. She tossed the stones to the floor and threw her wand with it, not caring where it fell. She’d been through three – she could soon get another. “Surely you care...or am I just being presumptuous? How could you just let him do that he’s awful when he’s like that, Kendall. Nothing stops him and you know that! Why-” Athena’s words died in her throat and she wrapped he arms around herself as sobs began to shake her tiny frame.

She laughed after a moment, the sound dry and unyielding. The tears still came though.

“Could you imagine if my father made me marry him? Could you imagine if he decided he hated me that much and wanted to see me married off to that son of a b!tch? He’d kill me. He’d kill me then he’d f-ck off somewhere – Merlin knows where. I pity the poor girl who ends up with him and I hope to Merlin it’s not me because I think I’d turn my wand on myself before he’d get to me.” Athena sank to the floor, her legs barely able to support her anymore. She let out a strangled sob and buried her face in her hands. “Don’t let him hurt me anymore...” She whispered though, she couldn’t be sure if her mind had intended for him to hear or not. “Please...”

Kendall closed his eyes against her accusations, unable to defend himself. Had he wanted to, he would have pointed out she said she did not want a fight. He would have said that fighting for her was just proving Darius' point, that she was just good to be bartered rather than a person to be treasured. He had so many reasons, but he had not been the victim. He should have been her hero. He was no better than the villain.

He opened his eyes. "You push back because you're strong, Athena. We all love Cilla, but do you think she could handle him? Do you think any girl here could hold for a second against him? Hell no. You're so much better than him, Thea." He shook his head. "You're miles ahead of all of them." He had to look away. What the hell was wrong with him?

She asked if he cared and he wet his lips. "Yeah, I do." She continued to question him and he shakily ran a hand through his hair, saying, "I dunno. I thought you liked him at first, I didn't want to displease you, and then he got too out of hand and I-" He sighed. He really wasn't getting anywhere. He just could not explain what he wanted to explain.

She began venting fears and was suddenly sinking to the ground. He immediately dropped beside her and without thinking, wrapped his arms around her shoulder pulling her close to him and tucking her head under his chin as his thumbs rubbed circles on her back. "That will never happen, Athena. I would kill your father and Darius before that happened- cold blooded murder. He's never going to look at you again. Not while I'm around." He paused. "Even when you get tired of me, he won't get near you. I swear."

Miles ahead of them, he’d said, miles ahead of all of them. At this precise moment in time, Athena felt as if she were miles behind. She felt like a child; weak and breakable. Darius always knew which buttons to push in a person. He always knew which buttons to push in Tobias, he knew how to make Pricilla cry and he knew how to scare Athena. The Yaxley brothers were the worst and it didn’t matter how many times they were told not to retaliate, one crack about their girlfriends and Darius would be sporting a black eye and antlers the next day. Darius was never put off by that though. He’d always be satisfied because he’d gotten a rise out of them. It was all a game to him and some days, Athena felt as victimised as the rest of them. Some days, her resolve would weaken a little and her forked tongue would not be able to produce any of that barbed wit that was usually so easy for her to produce. He was deceptive and manipulative, more so than the rest of them. Most Slytherins had a sense of honour – especially when it came to their own – but Darius was unfeeling.

“I don’t feel strong.” She admitted, rubbing her face with her hands. “Pricilla would sooner denounce her family and marry a Muggle than try and deal with him. I don’t feel like I’m miles ahead, Kendall. He...He makes it his life goal to unhinge people and he does it well! He’s like a Dementor-Poltergeist-Boggart cross masquerading as a human, as a wizard. He’s so good at what he does it’s a wonder anyone can last through his barrage.”

Athena didn’t know whether Kendall thought she was an idiot but that was certainly the opinion she had of herself. Apolline would have scolded her for it but that wouldn’t have made her opinion change. Athena hated feeling the way she did but she couldn’t stop it. She had been put out of control and she didn’t know how to collect herself. She’d been at Darius’ mercy and he’d taken little notice of what she’d wanted. He was capable of atrocities – she’d seen it in his eyes many times. Kendall had been right in his description of Darius – psychopath.

Athena didn’t protest when Kendall enveloped her in his arms. Her hand came up and rested against her chest. Her eyes continued to stream with tears and her breathing was shaky as she fought to gain control of herself once more. Darius had succeeded in doing one thing: he’d unhinged her.

“Thank you,” she whispered. And she meant it, too. “Not that I particularly condone you murdering my father.” She murmured, smoothing a wrinkle in his shirt with her thumb. She felt as if she’d overreacted but deep down she hadn’t reacted quickly enough. She should have hexed him the minute he started getting out hand. “Can I...” Athena sucked in a shaky breath. “Can I stay at yours? Just for tonight I...I don’t want to be home when he’s there. I’d stay with Pricilla but she’s going to be indisposed. I wouldn’t ask I just...I don’t really want to chance having to see him...or my father really.”

Kendall knew there was little hope of assuring Athena she was not what she thought she was. But if he had learned one thing about women it was this- they were always right. Once they had made up a decisive opinion- especially of themselves- there was no telling them otherwise. Kendall only wished Athena could see herself the way all the people who cared about her saw her- she was brilliant.

Sometimes, though, the strong had to allow themselves to be weak, and if that was what Athena needed, then he would sit here and be strong for the both of them. He bulled her closer, feeling tears fall onto his shirt. He slipped away one of his hands and reached up, using the heel of his palm to gently wipe one of her cheeks, before the other.

"It's okay, Thea," he murmured. "I'm here. He's gone. And I don't think you have to worry about him ever reproducing. I think you took care of that." He rested his cheek against her head and sighed, inhaling the scent of her hair- her shampoo smelled really good. He took in a deep breath and sighed again.

At her question, he paused before nodding. "That's fine. I'm always here for you. My dad won't mind, he's probably already asleep." His mum, well if she was awake, she'd fuss and ask all sorts of questions. If that was the case, they'd have to climb the vines up to his room. "Of course you can."

When the opportunity arose, Athena would make use of Sectumsempra and direct it at Darius’ bollocks. She was not finished there yet. She was going to make him regret the day he ever chose to have Y-Chromosomes. If his mother wasn’t too old then she could soon have him replaced but, if Athena remembered rightly, she was old and so she’d have a job of getting a replacement; it was either that or his father took a Mistress and then he’d be without his balls also. The idea of both of them without means of reproduction was more than pleasing for Athena. The Flints extinct in the male line in one hit – what a glorious concept that was.

Athena felt her lips twitch upwards and she gave a breathy laugh at Kendall’s words. She licked her lips and smoothed her thumb over the wrinkle in his shirt again. Silence fell between them after that but it was far from awkward. Athena truly felt safe in his arms; though that wasn’t an ego boost he needed. She was warm and content and slowly but surely she was getting to grips with herself again. The tears were drying up and her breathing was levelling out once more. She reached up and wiped away the tears Kendall missed and managed to send him a small, sad little smile before leaning up and kissing his cheek.

“You’re a life saver,” she murmured before blowing a lock of her out of her eyes. She watched it fly up and pursed her lips, keeping her eyes on it as it floated back down. Athena batted the piece of hair away and looked at Kendall. “What happened to Jeanine?” She asked curiously.

There was silence and Kendall closed his eyes, slowly breathing in her scent, repositioning his arms so he drew her closer. He felt like he had so much to apologize for, but he could not bring himself to overcome years of conditioning to be the type of person who never had to apologize. So he said each apology silently. I'm sorry I let him hurt you. I'm sorry if I hurt Jeanine. I'm sorry I wasn't braver. I'm sorry he said what didn't need to be spoken. And I'm sorry if my caring made me act out..

She called him a life saver and he could not help but smirk slightly, though his eyes opened and they slid down to look at her, his mouth twitching into a more genuine expression. Still, he said, "Thanks... I try." He chuckled slightly. His arm found her bare arm and he began to rub it, to keep her warm, though the summer air was warm, and to comfort her.

She asked about Jeanine and he paused. Typically, he would have said 'she's not important' but that sounded a tad insensitive after the night's events. Even if it was true. Instead, he said, "Cilla is modifying her memory so she doesn't have this hanging over her head. They're going to find her someone to shag. Someone who isn't so distracted by someo- who isn't so distracted."

It wasn’t just his hair that was soft. The writing on the bathroom walls scraped a layer of him. It was probably the most important layer for the hysterical Hufflepuffs and raging Ravenclaws but really, there was so much more to discuss about Kendall Rookwood than who he’d slept with an exactly how well-endowed he was. She’d listened to and read enough debates concerning that subject to last her a life time, thank-you-very-much. As she sat there, curled into Kendall’s chest she could feel her eyes begin to droop. She was warm, she was comfortable and she was safe. She would have been quite content to have just fallen asleep on him but she knew she couldn’t, no matter how warm and soft he was. She didn’t know whether it was because she was rapidly becoming drowsy or not but her opinion of him was swiftly changing.

“Mmm...” She mumbled, letting her eyes ‘rest’ for a few moments. “Very trying...” She smiled a little to herself and moved a little closer to Kendall. She managed to stifle a yawn but her eyes continued to droop. “You can only do but try.” She reopened her eyes and looked at their surroundings. The music was still booming from the house and she could hear the laughter of people both inside and outside the house. Athena’s hand fell to Kendall’s arm and her fingers began to draw patterns into his skin; nothing sentimental, just patterns, pretty patterns.

In reality, Athena didn’t care about Jeanine. She was conscious of what the Ravenclaw had heard and seeing as she had Ancient Runes when Jeanine and Pricilla had Arithmancy, she didn’t exactly know if she was one to blabber and gossip. Athena, like many Slytherins, liked to hear rumours that she created. Rumours about something that may or may not be true and most definitely weren’t of her design bothered her and she certainly did her best to try and combat them. She hoped Pricilla didn’t muck up the spell too badly, for everyone’s sake. “Lucky old her then,” Athena smirked. “Sort of convenient that we’re at a party – plenty of people to find for her to shag.” Athena looked up at him. “Are you alright? You seem, I don’t know, off – not that I blame you. Shall we head home?"