Duck and Run [Holly]

[RICK ROCKWELL]

This world can turn me down, and I won't turn away

I won't duck and run, 'cause I'm not built that way

Richard Rockwell, seventh year Slytherin beater, was currently sitting in the astronomy tower, looking out over the lake, a letter in his hand. Though his eyes were fixed on the silvery water below, his mind was on the words written on the page. His face showed his concern over the contents, and his foot tapping impatiently as he thought just proved that the words had a huge effect on him. After all, it was going to change his life.

He sighed loudly, looking back at the letter. The words all jumped out at him at once, and he had trouble focusing on a single one. He wasn't even sure why he was looking, since he had the words already memorised. It was a simple, short letter than he knew had been coming, but nevertheless, he hadn't wanted to receive it so soon.

Rick came from a very traditional household. He had never wanted for anything, as his parents had both brought money from inheritences and jobs when they started up a life together. The relationship with his parents wasn't tight. It was more of a formal working relationship. He had been brought up by the nanny, while his parents were away. The only time they spent together was Christmas Day, and that was often interrupted. This isn't to say that Rick had a bad family life. It was this letter that troubled him: nothing else.

He slipped a hand into his pocket, drawing out his wand and aiming it at the paper. He let go of it for only a moment, before muttering the spell, "Reducto." The paper was blasted into thousands of pieces, each one drifting off on the breeze that gently whipped around the tower. He watched them float away, knowing that there was no way he could escape this. He may have wanted to, but he wasn't going to back out now. It would make him and his parents look bad.

"Marriage..." he muttered to himself, leaning against the wall and turning towards the sun. What a strange concept.

[HOLLY ACKERLY]

Bloody hell, was she actually that ditzy? She couldn’t believe she’d left her bag in the astronomy tower, she loved the subject she really did but the midnight lessons really did take their toll on the young Ravenclaw, especially when they left her far too tired to remember her bag when leaving the class. It was ridiculous. She’d been so embarrassed when she had to turn up for her morning classes without any of her books, and she was sure the Professors enjoyed her discomfort, as the more nasty ones really loved seeing people squirm.

Sighing softly, she crept up the long spiralling staircase which led the way to the Astronomy tower she couldn’t wait to get back to her dorm, she was sure a nice long nap was in order. Yeah, a nap would suit her wonderfully. She hadn’t been given much homework either so really she was good to go, but first she needed her bag.
Pushing the door open she raised an eyebrow as the paper was blown to smithereens.

“Careful,” she warned “You might give yourself a paper cut.” She said lowering her brow. She offered the tall Slytherin boy a smile.
“So what did the piece of paper do to you?” she asked walking further into the room.

[RICK ROCKWELL]

To say that Rick hadn't jumped upon hearing the voice would have been a blatent lie. It was a pretty obvious jump, and he laughed nervously after having performed the act. He turned to see Holly Ackerly, fellow seventh year, looking at him with a smile on your face. He forced a smile back, the contents of the letter still hanging on his mind stubbornly.

In a way, he wished that a paper cut was the least of his worries. He was too young to be thinking of all of this serious stuff. He barely had the patience for any of the study he had to undertake to get good N.E.W.Ts. How was he expected to suddenly change into a man with the receiving of one letter?

He waved his hand towards the spot next to him, hoping that she would take the seat. They weren't exactly the best of friends, but Holly was one of the few people Rick felt he could talk to. Perhaps it would be asking too much of her to bear this burden with him, but he just wanted company. He frowned at his own thoughts. He had managed fine so far on his own... was this all because of a pathetic piece of paper?

"Letter from the family," he muttered, as though it explained everything, "What brings you up here?" he asked, turning to face her.

[HOLLY ACKERLY]

She shook her head and smiled as he jumped. Next time she promised herself, she’d make sure she was a lot quieter or perhaps louder before entering a room. That way she wouldn’t frighten the occupants, nevertheless seeing the cool and usually collected Rick Rockwell jump in fear of her did give her ego a trip. Her eyes searched for her bag and when she couldn’t see it immediately she gave up and wandered over to where Rick sat and joined him.

“Ah, I see.” She said as he explained where the letter had came from. Holly wasn’t going to pretend she knew anything about Rick’s home life but from the sound of it his life at home didn’t seem as great as hers was. She didn’t want to pry either, she as better than that. Holly hated nosey people so she wouldn’t become one but what she would do was offer an ear to talk to.

“Well, if you want to talk about it.” She said “I guess I could lend an ear.” She smiled gently.
Her eyes once again begin to scour the room in search of her pretty silver blue bag.
“But I’m up here looking for my stupid bag, I left it at class last night and now I’ve got no idea where it’s gone.” She said sadly.

“You haven’t seen it anywhere have you?” she asked hopefully

[RICK ROCKWELL]

He knew when she said that she would lend an ear that talking about it would only make him feel worse. Rick would end up dwelling on the feelings the letter had brought out in him, and right now, he wasn't particularly interested in feeling miserable. Unless she had some good advice? He decided to not jump straight in with his problems. Instead, he turned to Holly, smirking at her, "So, your bag has run away from you?" he teased, standing and taking a quick glance around. Wherever it was, it was most definitely being illusive.

"Not seen it, but I suppose I can help you look." He shrugged casually, "I haven't any more paper to destroy."

Rick strolled to the opposite side of the room, looking for any signs of a bag. He even glanced up at the ceiling, half-expecting it to be hanging from the light, teasing them, but no. It didn't seem to be in an obvious place. He began to move some of the items in the room in an attempt to find it. After all, if Holly had left it last night, then there could have been classes since.

"How do you talk to your parents about things?" he asked, shifting a desk to look in the footwell. Nope. Still nothing.