|
|
Post by Brian Garrett on Jan 1, 2011 4:42:10 GMT -5
"Finally, a bit of peace." Brian had been cooped up in the Ministry of Magic for an extended period of time, to put it lightly, and he finally gave the building the slip after about 120 hours. He strolled the grounds, thinking about the good ol' days. Abba and Arri had left. Brian was sure of this. No one had the gusto to tell him themselves, because he didn't have a hand in running the school. He had been on the outside of the conversation for quite some time now. But he knew when something wasn't right. The two had been missing for awhile, and his knocks went unanswered. Hogwarts was dying a slow and painful death, a death caused by starvation. Students had been gone for ages. Many had probably given up and enrolled in different schools. Durmstrang and Beauxbatons were probably experiencing record growth this year. He sat down on the ground and sighed. Perhaps others could leave Hogwarts for another school, but to Brian that would be considered adultery, in a figurative sense, of course.
He had grown up in this school. The only friends he had ever known had been students here with him, and had since left the school. But he still lingered, awaiting the day when strength would return to the battered place. Strong forces were needed to rehabilitate it, but who could ever doubt a team comprised of the elder students? Alumni who cared enough about this school could return it to it's glory days. Power would have to be distributed down from the Heads of the school, including Arri and Abba. The glimmer of hope inside of him sank, as he knew the two would never give enough power to any others. Even a distribution of power to Emma could ignite a spark.
His eyes narrowed and his lip trembled. This school was suffering not because there was a lack of potential or determination from the students and staff, but because there was a lack of trust coming from the ones in charge; a lack of trust and a lack of willpower. Brian stood up, still trembling in frustration. "ABBA! ARRI!" he yelled, as loud as he could. Birds flew from the trees and the water quieted. "WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME?" Brian let his voice be heard once again. This school would rise again, with or without the consent of the heads. Brian could run a school. He had enough will and could drum up enough support.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jadeian DuPree on Jan 3, 2011 2:34:09 GMT -5
Jadeian ventured from her old apartment late this afternoon, and she did so quite hesitantly due to the fact that Hogwarts was like a ghost town. If she were to guess at the amount of individuals on campus she would guess about less than five. Less than five people at anytime at Hogwarts? The thought alone would have been considered madness a couple years ago. Record breaking attendance to complete withdrawl of all students, professors and grounds keepers. Who was left but a few straggler alumni that just could not let this place go. Jadeian continued her little journey, slowly walking down the steps from her apartment and heading towards Hogwarts castle. Ultimately, she had no destination but she had come to stay in her old apartment to get away from her currently hectic lifestyle and reflect. Of course running away was not the best option, Jadeian had never been one to face her problems head on, however. A nice walk on memory lane seemed like the best way to accomplish that "refecting".
Before Jadeian knew it she had arrived at the grounds. The green slopes reminded her of home. Hogwarts castle was her home, or was, what is a home without a family? As she continued towalk onward, she stumbled upon a figure, yelling and trembling. Well, might as well see who the psycho is. Wondering closer Jadeian realized who it was. It was an older, messier looking Brian.. oh goodness. "Brian? What are you yelling at?" Jadeian giggled, curious to see what had the crazy man's undies in a bunch this time.
|
|
|
|
Post by Brian Garrett on Jan 3, 2011 5:29:39 GMT -5
Brian continued to yell aimlessly at the sky. His home was becoming a wasteland. It was bound for seclusion and, ultimately, disrepair. A few seconds later he heard a voice. The voice was familiar and it was followed by a giggle. He would have known the giggle anywhere. Before he turned around, he wondered why Jadeian had come back. She had been back off and on. He wondered what her intentions were this time around. He turned slowly around, hesitant at first. When he had made it the full 180 degrees, he let his shoulders slump and he looked up into her eyes. "Jadeian...look at me." He looked at her through bloodshot eyes. The bags hinted that he hadn't slept in days. His hair was messier than it had ever been. He was a wreck. "I'm yelling at someone who can't hear me." Brian sat down on a log, put his head in his hands and turned away from her. He turned away from the woman he had known for almost fifteen years, and he cried.
Jadeian wouldn't take him seriously. It wasn't much like her to take Brian too seriously. This trait had probably kept their friendship going so strongly throughout the years. It was what he loved most about her. "Please don't think I'm crazy. The hair, my face, my clothes, my state..." he started. "I know I'm a mess. I'm a mess because I have nothing left, Jadeian." The tone of his voice shocked even him. For the first time in his life, he felt...afraid. "Everything has been taken from me." Brian wiped his eyes with his shirt. He looked up, facing the lake. "Which leaves me wondering why you've come back" he said, his voice shaking. Brian let his head fall to his chest and he ran his hands through his hair. This hadn't been the way he had pictured his life back during his years at a student.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jadeian DuPree on Jan 4, 2011 1:15:16 GMT -5
Jadeian watched the train wreck that was Brian Garrett play out before her. She looked him up and down and sighed; his current state was atrocious. Almost getting drawn into the sorrow that Brian was feeling, she frowned a little, but caught herself. Jadeian lifted her hand and rested it on his slumped shoulders. "Brian, how about you come back to my apartment with me and we'll get you cleaned up?" She figured that at least if she could help him get cleaned up, fed, and rested then maybe the screaming at the sky would stop. Brian had always been extremely weird, but yelling at no one? He was weird but usually somewhat rational. "I think you might be suffering from malnutrition and exhaustion." At this point, she dropped her hand from his shoulder and looked around. It was a chilly, dark day. The gray skies made Hogwarts castle look ominous rather than the warm, welcoming home she remembered.
"I'm here because I'm trying to avoid some trouble in Romania, trouble that my mother left behind for me." The details of Jadeian's adventures through Romania the past couple of years weren't necessary at the moment. "Wait, why are you still here? You know that there is nothing left her for anyone. You worked at the Ministry, why haven't you moved onto some other job? You have the skills, and experience of course." Jadeian had held a job her or there. but nothing that would set her up for a real career in the wizarding world. She was mainly living off of the small fortune she had made at the Three Broomsticks and working as a librarian. Her funds were starting to run low, however, it was urgent that she find a way of raising some money to continue her running.
|
|
|
|
Post by Brian Garrett on Jan 4, 2011 1:42:37 GMT -5
He stared out into the lake and took everything that she was saying in. He knew that the way he was acting wouldn't help anything. Hogwarts would probably continue to decline until it was just a historic tourist attraction. But he couldn't let himself believe that there was nothing he could do for it. Hogwarts had provided him with the best years of his life, and the best people he'd met over the course of his life. To sit and watch it flutter away seemed like abuse. He turned around and forced a smile, shaking his head. "I have my own apartment, you know." Brian ran his fingers through his hair again. "Unfortunately, I haven't been there in a very long time by choice." In fact, it had been probably two months since he'd seen the inside of his apartment. They had probably kicked him out by now. He hadn't been paying rent.
"But, you know what, I'll come with you. It'll help...get my mind off of things." He wiped away one last tear and forced himself to stand. He hoped she wouldn't think of him as a crybaby or a lunatic. It really was not in his nature, but today felt a little different for some reason. He was off. "Why am I here? I'm here because I'm the only one who's willing to stay. If not me, who will?" Brian wiped some dirt off of his shoulder, because it was really beginning to pile up. "Abba and Arri have left, as have the Headmaster and Headmistress. The students are gone. You can't blame a guy for trying to hold onto the only functional part of his childhood, can you?" His parents had been ruthless, and even his uncle had always despised him. Hogwarts had been his only escape. "This place is all I have. Even if it is a wasteland now..."
|
|
|
|
Post by Jadeian DuPree on Jan 4, 2011 2:15:35 GMT -5
Jadeian took notice as Brian dusted a pile of dirt from his shoulder. "Urgh, Brian...that's disgusting." She winced, and pulled out her wand. "Look, I get maybe you might have been too busy to properly bathe with what seems like a mental breakdown, but really...the least you could do is not let dirt pile up on yourself." With a swish and flick, Brian's appearance was dramatically improved, no more dirt or smell. Jadeian's knowledge of spells had been greatly improved through her own self teaching. She had never been one to show up for class when she was in school but at least she had taken up the challenge of teaching herself all the teaching she should have been present for, and more. A fleeting thought came to Jadeian, could she be possibly bringing a crazy man into her apartment? The thought left as soon as it arrived. Brian had snapped slightly from what it seemed, but he had never been dangerous.
"Maybe you could get something to eat and take a nap on my couch or something? You look as though you need it, no offense." Jadeian started walking slowly in the direction of her apartment, anticipating that Brian would follow suit. "Maybe we should just give up Brian," she said finally, stopping, and turning around to face Brian. The expression on her face was hopeless, but showed acceptance of the situation. "We just need to accept what has happened and move on. The glimmer this place used to have had even died. Look at it here."
|
|
|
|
Post by Brian Garrett on Jan 4, 2011 2:35:13 GMT -5
Brian watched as his clothing and appearance were cleaned up. Jadeian had always been one to know strange and random spells. How she knew them without attending even half of her classes back in school, he had no idea. He was at nearly all of his classes, yet he remembered almost nothing. "You never cease to amaze me with your spells" he said, laughing slightly. Seeing someone around was bettering his mood and he felt himself returning to his normal self. It being Jadeian didn't hurt either. As Jadeian began to walk, he followed. "I know the place is dying, but don't you feel like it just wouldn't be right to leave it here?" he asked. He had gone inside a few days ago and it had depressed him deeply. Dust had accumulated just about everywhere and spider webs had begun appearing in the corners. Maybe Jadeian just didn't see the school in the same light as he did.
He didn't know much about her childhood, even though they had been the best of friends back in school. His had been bad, but perhaps she'd had a much more traditional childhood. He felt as though he was fighting to save his childhood. Everyone else had left. To most other, Hogwarts was probably just a school, a building. To him, it was his first real home. "I mean, you're the librarian here." A thought crossed his mind and he squinted his eyes, thinking. "Are they even paying you any more?" Brian asked, wondering himself. There was no one left at the school. If there was no one left to monitor, how would they even have the funds to pay Jadeian her salary.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jadeian DuPree on Jan 4, 2011 2:52:23 GMT -5
Jadeian shook her head. "Brian, we made have had quite some influence on this place during our school years, but now? We're just two stranglers left behind reflecting on the good times. How could two insignificant people completely turn this place around and save it from becoming ruins? I mean, for an establishment such as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, a place that had been alive and thriving for hundreds and hundreds of years to go down the drain so quickly...do we even have the power necessary to revive such a place?" She looked around and shrugged slightly. "Not that I don't love this place just as much as you, but come on. I really am starting to feel kind of hopeless." Saying to Brian how she felt of the place, started a few gears in her head. Really, how could this place go down so quickly? It made a complete one eighty in a matter of a few years. Smells oddly of some dark magic.
Jadeian looked back to Brian. "What do you think happened?" She wasn't prepared to let Brian in on her hypothesis just yet. He was way too crazed from lack of sleep to start working on the false hope of just another one of Jadeian's educated guesses. She simply felt like skimming for information. An auror and ministry employee like Brain would surely have some idea, or would at least have some information on something. Maybe fixing Hogwarts would have to start somewhere else. Rather than reflection, they needed action. The source of the problem would have to be discovered first. With just two people...this could take awhile.
|
|
|
|
Post by Brian Garrett on Jan 4, 2011 3:01:39 GMT -5
"We are just a couple of insignificant people, but doesn't that title define everyone at first? In order to be significant, you have to do something of note. Perhaps reviving this school could be our 'something of note.' I mean, sending a few letters, cleaning the place up a bit...how hard could it really be?" he asked. He knew that it would take much more work than he had mentioned, but he needed her help, and overwhelming her wasn't a good way to achieve that. The place just needs a few dedicated people to help out...you know? I know it's a long shot, but you never know. What else have we got to do, honestly? We're just a couple of bums who keep coming back around. Wouldn't it be nice to come back around for a reason this time?" he asked her. Brian put his hand on her shoulder and looked her in the eyes. "Please. If you don't do it for the school, do it for me?" He then continued to walk. It was starting to get dark. Didn't want to get caught out here in the dark. The seclusion creeped him out.
"What do I think happened? I think the Heads of the school got a little lazy and it started to trickle down. People just stopped showing up, and when they did they just acted lousy. You know?" He knew that even this would have taken more time than it had taken for the school to spiral out of control. But you can't blame other forces without any proof. "It'll just take a little work to get it back up and running. But I know that the two of us can get it going again. Or...at least do our best. Like I said, what do we have to lose? I haven't been working much lately anyways...as you can probably tell."
|
|
|
|
Post by ABBA on Jan 4, 2011 16:35:55 GMT -5
As for Arri's where abouts, your guess was as good as mine. I myself can only speak for good ol ABBA. His story to this point, well there isn't really all that much to tell. The first year or so was fairly exciting, for Abba at least. He traveled the world over from one continent to another upholding his duty as the worlds sexiest man....which of course meant romancing and repopulating the world with thousands and thousands of women of every nationality.
The last few years aren't near as exciting or adventurous. During his wordly travels, Abba made a quick stop back here at Hogwarts. In that short time he invented a magical still which produced 20 gallons of his mysterious special brew each and every day. That wonderous invention of his had single handily kept him here at Hogwarts ever since. That and his Swedish pride which would never let Abba admit defeat...which really meant that he was bound and determined to drink as much each day as the magical still could produce.
Infact, Abba was no more than a few yards away, hidden in the middle of a shrubery arrangement consuming gallon after gallon of his delicious drink during his two year plus drinking binge.................................
.....................but....
...............his hair was still perfect! ! ! !
|
|
|
|
Post by Malcolm Longhat on Jan 5, 2011 22:52:31 GMT -5
(ooc: lol his hair is still perfect. It's good to know)
Malcolm strolled onto the Lawns venturing from his House for the first time in years looking as dishevelled, because he had been moping in his house wondering where his wife Torza was as she hasn't been around in ages. He then looked ahead and saw Brian and Jadeian, two former Classmates. He then walked over to them and said "long time no see. How have you guys been?" He then heard a rustling in the bushes and wondered what or who was there but just brushed it off as it could just be a racoon. "We need to resurrect this castle and get it back to normal!"
|
|
