Snakes in the Grass // Saturday, 17th of May, 1975

[Evan Rosier II]

It was one of the warmer days thus far this month, and Evan and his friends were taking advantage of the sunshine by sitting out on the lawns near the Black Lake. The girls had laid out a blanket, afraid of getting grass stains on their skirts or some dainty bullshit he’d not paid enough attention to, but Evan was sprawled out on the lawn without a care. Stains were for the elves to worry about, not him. Resting against his bookbag like a makeshift chair, Evan dug his heels into the soft dirt in front of him. It had been several days since it last rained, which meant the mud puddles had all dried out but the soil was still soft. As he spun his wand in his fingers absentmindedly, Evan wondered how put out the girls would be if he started mucking about with the dirt in their presence.

“Who do you say’d be more points, End? Those lads over by the boulders,” he said, eying a small group of younger Hufflepuff and Gryffindor boys walking a few poles away, “or the birds by the tree?” Evan’s gaze directed Ender over to the fifth year Ravenclaw girls who were braiding each other’s hair under the blossoming cherry tree. Pointing his wand at the dirt by his shoes, he levitated a small round clump of dirt and grass no bigger than a snitch into the air in front of him, holding it there threateningly and waiting for approval or complaint from the rest of the group. He rolled his eyes as Dora voiced the first complaint, but that was not unexpected. For as dirty as Ender’s sister’s reputation was, she’d been a bit of a fuddy-duddy lately when it came to his pranks. Apparently, she’d had a traumatic incident at the end of last year, but that had been six whole months now and her eye was fine. Evan didn’t see what the problem was. He’d suggested she just needed to get stuck a few times and loosen up, but according to the latest gossip that wasn’t an issue for her. Ignoring the brunette, Evan eyed Ender gauging his reaction.

[Euphadora Parkinson]

She ought to have been studying, as finals were approaching and she hadn’t had the best marks this year, but the warmer weather was too inviting. The boys might have been fine to sit in the dirt, but Dora conjured a lovely picnic blanket with a pattern of tiny green dragons and rolling hills which she spread out on the lawn before sitting. She and Ender had been in a long-running wizards chess match; nothing too competitive but it gave them an excuse to spend time together which they did not need. Dora usually spent much of the game talking, rarely paying attention to where she was directing her pieces, so when the opportunity arose to bring the game outside, it didn’t make any difference to her.

Dora frowned as Ender’s rook took out one of her knights, but her vexed expression was shrugged away quickly enough, returning to her conversation about the dress she was designing. “I just haven’t figured out the right fabric yet. It’s Cissa’s anniversary after all. I can’t be seen in something I’ve already worn, and I have to at least look better than I did at the engagement party, if not the wedding.” To compensate for her parents not allowing her the funds to buy designer pieces her friends were afforded for big events, Dora had taken to making her own clothing whenever she needed. She found it a rather enjoyable hobby, and had even made Ender a set of dress robes for the Yule Ball one year which she claimed he didn’t have to wear if he didn’t like them, but secretly would have been crushed if he had opted for anything else.

Evan interjected, seemingly unaware that Dora had been speaking, and suggested he would start throwing dirt at people. Why?! What was his obsession with being such a prat all the time? “Are you really going to start a mud fight like a bunch of toddlers?” she asked disapprovingly, ushering one of her pawns forward on the board.

[Ender Parkinson]

Ender knew he should be more focused on the game of wizard’s chess that had been ongoing with his sister for quite some time, but it was a nice day for the first time in a while. He was enjoying being able to be outside without feeling damp for once this spring. It wasn’t as if Dora would care if he was distracted, as they generally spent most of the time playing talking over things instead. Today’s conversation consisted of learning about the new dress that she was designing, and he nodded as listened, moving his rook to take out one of her knights. He liked hearing about her hobbies, even if he didn’t fully understand them. He got that she was sewing, he wasn’t an idiot, but he was not the person to ask when it came to fabrics. He wasn’t even entirely sure he could name more than three different types of fabric, and certainly not any fabric that might be suitable to make a dress out of. “Well, definitely something with sparkle, you always look good in things that are sparkly,” he added, hoping that it was helpful.

Her sister was quite talented in fashion design, and he had worn the dress robes she had made him for any event that required that sort of formal attire. Their conversation, however, was rudely interrupted by Evan. Rosier had many opinions about Ender’s sister, and he had heard almost all of them, but he still did enjoy the company of his classmates. Although he had been hoping that dating Bronwyn this year would have tamed some of his more lewd comments down. Wyn was sharing the blanket that Dora had conjured, working on an essay for History of Magic, and looked up at him to see what his reaction would be. His sister was expressing her disapproval, but he had to admit bothering other students was something he got amusement out of. “Well, the Ravenclaws will likely shriek louder - but can you really pass up the opportunity to get dirt on a Gryffindor?”

[Bronwyn Nott]

While she wanted to enjoy the nice weather they were having, Wyn had been putting off this History of Magic essay for weeks now, and it was the last one of the term. So while she had taken her friends up on their offer to spend some time outside, her attention was not focused on her boyfriend or friends, but instead on the book in front of her and the parchment she was writing on. Admittedly, she was only half focused on her work, more interested in listening to Dora talk about the dress she was working on. Bronwyn had not received an invitation to Narcissa Malfoy’s anniversary party, but that wasn’t surprising. She hadn’t really known the older girl that well, but she knew both Violet and Dora were close to her. At the very least, Wyn would get to hear all about the event sometime over the summer.

She had only just written a few more sentences when the conversation between Ender and Dora was interrupted by her boyfriend, and she looked up at Ender to see if he was going to take the bait. He was hard to read, not a person who showed a lot of emotion. He also tended to keep to himself, unless they dragged him away from whatever piece he was currently painting. She did wonder if he would retreat completely into his shell after Dora graduated, but he had learned to socialize more over the years. And it seemed this was one of the times where he would give in to the game that Evan was playing. Rolling her eyes, she pushed herself off the spot she had been laying and turned to look at her boyfriend. “Dora’s right, a mud fight? Surely if you wish to bother someone you could come up with something a tad more creative. Or we could just enjoy the day. Just a thought, love.”

[Evan Rosier II]

Angling his wand, he levitated the clump of dirt higher into the air, floating it in a lazy eight formation as Ender gave his two knuts on the matter. He could practically hear the shrieking Ravenclaws already, but how many mud clods could he actually pelt them with before they ran off crying. Two? Three? Evan nodded in agreement as Ender made some excellent points, and he set his eye on the Gryffindors. The brunette witch’s disapproval was expected, as was his girlfriend’s unfortunately, although Wyn’s response was at least constructive. “That’s a good point,” he answered to the group at large, glancing briefly at Bronwyn’s withering gaze before looking over to Ender with a grin. Pulling his wand, the dirt clods fell to the ground at his feet and Evan instead took aim beside the largest of the boulders the boys were walking past. “Serpensortia,” he muttered, slashing his wand in a vertical stroke that sent a nearly fully grown adder in their direction. The serpent slithered out from behind the rock, hissing at the younger boys and causing them to fall backwards on each other. Evan laughed, assuming they would not yet know the counter-spell to vanish the snake, as he and his fourth-year mates had only learned it just this term.

How creative it was, Evan wasn’t sure, but he did know for certain that doing anything more than a simple prank in broad daylight on one of the first nice days they’ve had in a long while when everyone and their sister was enjoying the sun was not going to fly without at least a day’s worth of detention. Evan was not afraid of getting caught breaking the rules, he’d done far worse than mud and snakes on castle grounds or the odd Hogsmeade visit, but he wasn’t keen on getting in trouble over the weekend. He’d save that for a weekday so as to break up the monotony of homework and studying for the fast-approaching final exams. Wyn was the responsible one of the pair of them, out here with her essay and textbook, attempting to bolster her marks before the end of the school year, not that she needed it. She was wickedly smart already, and as pretty as she was, there was no actual need for her to even bother with grades. She would be set for life, as long as her looks held, but Evan respected that she wanted more from herself than to just be a trophy on his arm. As the Hufflepuffs clambered to their feet, one of the Gryffindor boys crawling backwards like an undignified crab, Evan sent yet another serpent sailing through the grass to box the younger lads in. “And you thought the girls would have been shrieking the loudest,” Evan laughed, lightly jabbing Ender in the side with his elbow.

[Euphadora Parkinson]

Sparkly was definitely an option, and neither of the dresses she’d made for Cissa’s earlier events had had sparkles on them. It wasn’t the most helpful of suggestions, but she knew Ender didn’t care for dressmaking or fashion of any kind really, so Dora appreciated any effort he had made. The most important detail of their conversation was simply that it was happening, and if she really needed someone to bat ideas off, there were more fashion-minded sorts in her friend group than he. Any of the Medusas would be more likely to know the difference between satin and silk than most blokes would. Lydia was always up for telling people how to dress, and Dora could certainly put up with the holier-than-thou facade the younger witch put on if she was really pressed for design ideas. Truthfully, Dora preferred Charlie’s company to Lydia’s, in more ways than one, but the pair were often together and when they were Dora felt Lydia was a bit too keen. Meredith was as fashionable as they come, her family having enough gold that she had probably never even considered sewing anything more than a cauldron holder as a primary school activity for Mother's Day. Lastly there was Wynnie, who was currently too busy with her History of Magic essay for Dora to bother asking directly. Instead, she smiled at Ender, making a mental note to ask Wyn’s opinions later and then to plan a trip to the fabric shop to find some sparkling fabric suitable for a soiree with the Malfoys.

Before she could respond, however, Evan had stolen her brother’s attention and the boys were discussing their options for a dirt fight. Dora rolled her eyes and smiled to herself as Ender weighed in. She didn’t have the heart to be annoyed with him ever, really. Despite being younger, Ender took on a role similar to that of a big brother, comforting and supporting her when she needed it, and protecting her just as often. He’d served more than a week’s worth of detention after her accident by taking up arms in her defense as she spiraled into melancholy and self-loathing; coming out of it just in time for their parents to send word that they weren’t leaving the castle for the Christmas break and sending Dora straight back into a tailspin of despair. Dora knew she needed Ender far more than he needed her, but he was reserved and wouldn’t have blossomed as he did without her pushing him to make friends. It was why she put up with Evan as often as she had, though Wyn dating him also contributed. He was attractive, and his family was respectable; Dora could see the appeal for Bronwyn. She only hoped with age and more guidance from her blonde friend, Evan could mature and hopefully grow out of the need for such childish pranks, even if the boys’ reaction was a bit humorous. “Perhaps creativity is not one of his strengths, Wynnie. Is there something more in his wheelhouse we might suggest? Something involving a sport, perhaps? Or annoying people?”

[Rabastan Lestrange]

"That couldn't have been from any of you, could it?" Rabastan joked as he came upon the group of his housemates with another youth in tow. As Evan appeared to be the only one with a wand in hand, he sent a congratulatory nod the boy's way - the snake was hardly losing steam as it chased its victims, causing much ruckus through an otherwise placid scene. It was an advanced show of spellwork for the fourth year, and Rabastan took careful note to pass on the information in his next communication with the Dark Lord, even as he took fun in the harmless jape against their rivals. He needed to be on the watch for anyone with promise, after all - and someone quick on his feet and opportunistic like Evan Rosier II could be a fine addition to their group. If the unmannerly Carrows could earn their Lord's trust, surely He could see past the exterior and find the worth in this wizard too.

Rab deftly swung his beater's bat down from its post at his shoulder, having brought it with him from the training session with Regulus at the pitch to give a good polish in his dormitory, and smiled down at Euphadora. The witch currently seemed engaged in a game of chess with her brother, but he'd stolen her attention from far more demanding pursuits before. Besides, after the hearty flight in which he'd pulled no punches - all in efforts for their still-green Seeker to have the best preparation for the final, naturally - he was certain the boy at his heels would fall asleep in the sun. They were bound by their families, he and Reg, and outside of school he was careful to keep his sister-in-law happy. But the third year's purpling eye would be back to normal by the next time Bellatrix saw him, and now he knew to never fly so close to a Beater again.

"Mind if we join you? I'd best take care of my charge, and young Regulus here is in need of a respite after our training - "

[Regulus Black]

Reg doggedly kept to the shoreline, balancing on the slick rocks as the waters of the Black Lake lapped at his trainers. He wasn't so much following Rabastan as they were both going back towards the castle, but he kept the smug set of the other's broader shoulders in his eyeline as he moved. It had been his own idea to train today, taking advantage of the unclaimed pitch, and he'd thought that the experienced Beater would have actual advice as he went into his first final match. Evidently, Rabastan's idea of training was to see how close to bludgeoning him he could get without Regulus backing down, which wasn't dissimilar enough to a regular practice with their team to make the effort today worth it. His body ached, throbbing here and there where he'd been hit, but he kept to the rocks. If nothing else, as Rab chose differently, it meant that they didn't feel compelled to engage in any kind of discussion off the pitch - inane, mocking, or anything that would get him into trouble. He was tempted to go to his brother, but even if his goal was to vent out his anger, he knew Sirius would seek his housemate out. And that would do no good, so he should get to the matron before anyone saw his eye, and just take care of it...

Rabastan slowed, and Reg paused to look around him to see Wyn and a whole group of their fellows having a day. He raised an arm in greeting, but in hearing his relation's attempt to belittle him in front of the lot - well, he could only take so many punches in one day. In a moment, Reg's wand was in hand and he lowered himself enough to touch the tip of it to the water of the lake. 

"Silano,*" he said, quiet and clear, and swung his wand in the direction of Rabastan's back. A stream of lake water, scum and all, flew from the lake to splatter into the elder snake, and Reg hopped from his perch to stride towards the group - meeting them on the side opposite his stone-faced teammate. "Not sure what you're on about, Rabby. I'm just fine, but if you need a rest - by all means, lay down your head, don't let me stop you."

[Ender Parkinson]

Ender knew quite well that his sister disapproved of their desire to prank someone, but while Ender mostly disliked these sorts of things - he did occasionally have it in him to cause a little chaos. Especially around Evan, who tended to bring out his more irrational side. He ignored Wyn’s disapproval of their idea, and instead focused on the fact she’d mentioned being more creative. And she really should have known that Evan would take that as a suggestion. He watched with a smirk on his face as Evan chose his targets, and a serpent slithered out from between the rocks. Ender didn’t mind snakes, but apparently, the Hufflepuff and Gryffindors did, as they climbed to their feet and yelled. He watched as Evan sent a second snake in, and he let out a short laugh. It was just a snake, and if the boys were more adept in their studies they would have known how to get rid of it. “I didn’t know those Gryffindors had it in them to scream so loud.”

They were joined by two more from their house, and Ender gave them both a nod in greeting. “Hello Rabastan, Regulus.” Rabastan was more a friend of Dora’s than one of his friends, but his sister seemed to like Lestrange and so Ender made a point to be friendly. He much preferred the company of Regulus, and he watched with amusement as the younger boy made a point by splashing water from the lake all over Rabatan’s back. “It seems our dear Gryffindors can’t handle a little snake. What a pity,” he said with a grin before he looked back to the game at hand and moved one of his knights. He was pretty positive with the additions to their group the game wouldn’t be continuing, but maybe that was for the best given that he had set himself up to have a bishop taken by Dora’s queen. “Evan would make a good beater - if there was an opening of course.” Both of the Slytherin team’s beaters were now here, and while he found it odd that that was the position that Bronwyn played, he had to admit they were both skilled at it.

[Bronwyn Nott]

Sometimes Evan could be exhausting, and while she had hoped that between Dora and her disapproval of throwing dirt around would be enough to dissuade Evan and Ender from some sort of prank, it seemed that was not the case. She looked to Dora with a roll of her eyes as Evan let the dirt drop, “I think you are right Dora, when one picks a dirt fight first perhaps they are lacking in any sort of creativity.” She wanted to add that Evan was already quite skilled at annoying people, but she didn’t fancy having a fight with her boyfriend when it was such a nice day. Tucking her essay inside of the book, she closed it and sat up properly to watch the events unfold. Apparently summoning snakes was as creative as Evan could get, but it did the trick. The group by the rocks scattered and screamed, and Bronwyn sighed. While she wasn’t a fan of actual snakes, it really wasn’t that big of a deal to have two of them slithering around the grass. A snake was far easier to deal with than a blast ended skrewt.

She turned to look as a familiar voice caught her attention, and she gave a wave to her two friends as they approached. She found Rabastan was actually nicer than his attitude could sometimes give off, and he’d taught her plenty of tricks on the field to help her become an even better beater than she already was. She knew the two of them had been practicing today, if only because she was sour that Regulus hadn’t asked for her help. It was a good day for flying, and it would have been a good excuse to get out of using any of her brain power to work on the essay. Sitting up fully, she scooted closer to the dirt Evan was sitting in, making room for the two of them on the blanket that Dora had spread out. “Come and sit Reg, tell us what position you think Evan would be good at in Quidditch. I’m keen to agree with Ender on this one, but unfortunately there’s no room for him until Rabastan here graduates.”

[Euphadora Parkinson]

For Ender’s sake, Dora tried to limit how much she voiced her frustration with Evan. He was easier to be around one on one, but anytime there was an opportunity to show off he took advantage. He seemed intent on pulling attention toward himself whenever possible, and as someone who also preferred the limelight, Dora often found him irksome. But he and Ender were close, and Dora would not refuse her brother a friend just so that she could shine in the spotlight. She only had one more year here with Ender at Hogwarts before they were separated, then it would be Ender with Evan and the few other friends he had. Although she had not explicitly asked, Dora hoped that Bronwyn would look after Ender in her absence, ensuring he didn’t isolate himself or get into too much trouble under Evan’s poor influence. Bronwyn agreed with her assessment of Evan’s creativity and sighed, shaking her head for her friend’s sake but biting her tongue for her brother’s.

Looking back down to the chessboard and playing lazily with the hem of the blanket while awaiting Ender’s move, a familiar voice caught her attention. Shielding her eyes with her hand, she looked up as Rabastan approached their group, resting a sporting bat on his shoulder and looking more rugged than usual. Charmingly, as always, Rab smiled as he spoke and Dora was about to invite him and his cousin to join them when a stream of water from the black lake flew at Rabastan’s back, some of the sludge-like scum splashing on her in the process. Dora gasped audibly, wiping her face clear of the muck and turning a hard eye on Rabastan’ cohort. “Is it all boys who are so frustratingly childish or is there something particularly juvenile about you lot?” she asked, her irritation evident in her voice.

Regulus was lucky none of the muck had gotten on her dress, as Rabastan’s back took the brunt of the attack, or she would have really gone off. Her irritation, however, was enough that it seemingly warranted a snide remark from Evan, and in return she lifted the hem of her skirt and pulled her wand from the garter on her thigh, unleashing a stinging hex on his right shoulder. So much for keeping her irritation with Evan under wraps. “Now, Wynnie and I intend to have a lovely day in the sun, and if you lot can’t manage that, then you all can sod off,” she huffed.

Taking a calming breath, she smoothed out her skirt and put on a smile again as the conversation turned back to Evan. It was irritating how easily he stole everyone’s attention when she was so much more attractive than him, and far better company – recent outburst notwithstanding. Dora didn’t follow quidditch, or any sport for that matter, and thus had nothing to contribute to the conversation. After directing her queen to take Ender’s bishop, Dora turned her attention from the ensuing battle on the chessboard to the ghastly bruise forming on Regulus’ face. She pulled a small stone from the dirt beside her blanket and pointed her wand at it, transfiguring it into a crude ice pack which she handed to Regulus as he sat beside Bronwyn. “You look a fright. Is this typical of your practices or was Rabastan giving you extra special attention today?” Dora looked at the handsome older boy, noting he appeared free from any new marks. “Are you in need of any healing, or just a towel?” She had grown proficient in transfiguration, though charms were really where Dora excelled, and she gestured for Rabastan to turn around so that she could sit up on her knees and aim a jet of warm air to dry his back.

[Evan Rosier II]

Enjoying the bit of chaos he had created, Evan laughed, ignoring the tone in Wyn’s voice that he knew meant she was fighting the urge to argue with him again. When they bickered it tended to not be in front of their friends, and having a little fun at some Gryffindors’ and Hufflepuffs’ expense hardly rose to the level that warranted a public dispute. Ender seemed entertained at least. His antics garnered the attention of an older Slytherin, who gave Evan an approving nod. He wanted to point this out to Bronwyn to prove that some people could admire his talent for mischief even if she couldn’t but thought better of it. With the scared students having run off in attempt to escape the vicious attack, and snakes slithering at full force behind them, the disturbance he’d created was short lived. It was replaced soon enough by a splash of water. “Oi, watch the lady,” Evan warned Regulus, blocking Wyn’s textbook and essay from the overspray. Luckily the blonde had already tucked the majority of her parchment into the safety of the hard covered book, but she’d been working on this essay for too long to allow it to get ruined by a prank that was not his. It was only a wee bit of water, nothing to get pissy about but leave it to Euphadora to throw a wobbly over some water. “Don’t mind her Reg. It’s probably her time of the month. That’s a nice shiner you’re sportin- ow!” His right shoulder felt as though it had been bitten by one of his snakes but the look on Dora’s face, coupled with the wand in her hand, told a different tale. “b*tch,” he mumbled under his breath, low enough that hopefully his girlfriend wouldn’t hear and tell him off.

Their group had grown by two, and Evan moved Bronwyn’s study materials to sit atop his bookbag as she shifted to make room for their new additions. “Can’t get enough of me, eh?” he smirked, wrapping his arm around her waist. “If you really need me on the team, pet, I suppose I can try out next year. When is it you’re graduating, Lestrange? This year or next?” he asked, turning his attention to Rabastan. Evan was certain he could play any position he attempted though Beater did have its perks. He was solid on a broomstick and even better wielding a weapon. The outlet swinging around a bat the size of Lestrange’s would give him would be a brilliant alternative if he couldn’t risk picking a fight with some muggleborn hosebag. But until the position opened up, Evan wasn’t opposed to playing one of the more agile posts on the team. He’d been considering it for a while now anyway, especially after the last few abysmal losses from the Slytherin team.

[Rabastan Lestrange]

Euphadora gasped and he swung as his back was splattered, and glowered as Regulus sought to make a spectacle of him. Did the child have anything between his ears? Had he no concept of the established pecking order? Or was he invincible now, emboldened among friendlier faces? Clearly, Sirius had taught him too much, and it was up to the rest of the family to get him to heel before he made a fool of them all. Their young, insolent teammate flitted over to Bronwyn at her call, while a vein twitched at his temple. "Grown some stones now there's ladies present, have you?" Rabastan spat. "You'll apologize to Euphadora, look at what you've done."

Despite his irritation, a sharp grin flashed at the quick exchange between Evan and the witch, and Rab watched with interest as she took matters into hand. "As long as he's afraid of getting hurt up there and letting that distract him, we'll never win. And once he's over that, everything will get easier for him. He's fine." While gifted with some flying skill, and clearly willing to put in work, the boy was much too soft. Sirius, it seemed, had not only taught him to mouth off, but had shielded him from so much that he didn't know what someone of their ilk could be capable of. That went for Regulus - surely he had teeth, something in his core that could be unleashed to aid in their victory, he was a Black after all - along with his teammates, and their opponents. This was a game. He knew that, for now, this was a game. But since becoming part of something bigger himself, Rab couldn't limit his thinking in that way. If one of his teammates couldn't demonstrate the grit and bite needed to succeed on the pitch, well - they had no chance at surviving training outside of the well-kept grounds of this joke of a school, and he wouldn't sully his reputation by recommending them.

Talk turned to Evan joining their team, and Euphadora wanted to help him as well; Rabastan flipped his bat, catching it in hand and extending the handle towards Evan to take up, before turning at the witch's request. "Another year until you're rid of me here," he began with a smirk. "But we need a Keeper and new Chasers next term. Anyone is always invited to challenge us for our positions, of course, but we're not known for giving them up without a fight."

[Regulus Black]

He worked swiftly, daring a grin at Ender as the other boy caught onto the joke, and had skidded into a seat next to Wyn and Evan before Rab could get a word in or a hex out. The third year didn't bother keeping a smug look from his face, even as it colored red from the other's insult, and shook his hair from his eyes to look to the older girl. "Sorry, Dora - wasn't meant for you," Reg acknowledged, contrite, hands up in acknowledgement of the rules they were to follow in order to stay. "Forgive me? Too much time with that one and I lose my manners, he has that effect."

He tracked his opponent from across the blanket, wand still in hand as he dared him to act in front of company. He should've asked Wyn for help, she wouldn't have gone easy on him but they would've left the pitch in good spirits no matter how it'd gone. At least they were here now, with a mix of cooler and hotter heads that would certainly make the afternoon interesting in much better ways. But Reg was sure his face flushed scarlet as Rab droned on, he could feel the heat from it even more keenly than the throbbing at his eye. That's not what Rabastan thought, what the others on the team thought, was it? He wasn't scared, and wouldn't dignify the accusation. "That's your excuse for using me as target practice, really?" Reg demanded. "It's no wonder you've never gotten close to being captain, Bunny."

Reg got to thinking about his friend's boyfriend joining the team, wondering where Evan's energy would best fit, and took the offering from Dora with a smile of thanks. The cold stung his hand, and after Rabastan turned his back, he held it to his eye as the older boy explained. "Don't listen to him, Evan - he'll be an old man by next term. After a summer training with Wyn, you could take him."

[Ender Parkinson]

Ender knew that his sister wasn’t fond of his friendship with Evan, and truthfully he could understand why. Evan could be too much some days, even for Ender. But he wasn’t as close with Ethan or Severus, just chummy enough to occasionally hang out in group settings. Evan’s prank was a good one, even if he was the only one on the blanket who thought so. But water splashed across Rabastan’s back and his sister’s face and Ender shot a glare to Regulus as he settled down next to Bronwyn on the blanket. He didn’t care about whatever was going on between Regulus and Rabastan, but he did care that his sister had been collateral. What if they’d ruined one of her favorite outfits? He wasn’t a fan of Rabastan, but his sister was, and because of that Ender tolerated the older Slytherin. Regulus, on the other hand, was a fixture in their group hangouts, always around Wyn. Something that he was sure was noticed by the others in their mix.

Evan, in a show of good boyfriend material, protected Wyn’s hard work from the water overflow, and he smirked at his friend as Regulus settled down on the other side of Bronwyn. These were moments that Ender liked, being able to just observe people as they interacted with each other. You could tell a lot about a person based on how they acted when they didn’t know they were being watched. Evan was being a prick and a decent boyfriend, tucking Wyn into his side. Rabastan was next to Dora, and while not purposefully he’d protected Dora from most of the water. Regulus was still trying to antagonize Regulus, possibly showing off for Bronwyn. Ender’s suggestion of Quidditch for Evan had started a conversation, and he listened intently as he considered his next move.

Taking one of Dora’s rooks, he leaned back on the blanket and considered the possibility that Evan could take Rabastan. It was unlikely, but it would be an amusing fight. “Well, we all know that Evan isn’t a keeper,” he said with a smirk to his friend, running a hand through his hair. “But he’s quite a Chaser, isn’t he Wyn?” Not that Evan had had to chase Wyn, being in the same house and friends since their first years in school. But Ender knew Evan well enough to know that he would chase tail if given the opportunity. “Regulus is right though, a summer of training with our dear Wynnie and you’ll be able to take the old man here.”