[Lawns] Cruel Cabbage

[Via Thorn]

Finals were slowly dawning on Via, and she didn’t like it one bit. It was unlike Via to panic, but recently she knew her time at Hogwarts was coming to an end, as a student anyway, and everything hung on how well she did in these exams. The pressure was intense, and just the day before she had a panic attack in a mock exam paper in potions. It was an awful feeling knowing her entire future hung on the balance of whether she simply failed or passed these few exams in just a few months.

She had been cramming and cramming in information, book after book, word after word, but only half of the information stuck in her mind. No matter what theory she tried, be it visual or saying the words out loud, they would just not stick in her head. Via had never been like this before, and her being out of character was very strange. Of course she studied, but not to the extent of a Ravenclaw. She had nothing but respect for people who could memorise entire books, and for just one day she wished she had that power.

“The Chinese chomping cabba- oh this is ridiculous!” she huffed. Yes, Via Thorn actually huffed at ingredients! Slamming the book shut, a frustrated tear rolled down her face as she stood up and dropped the book back in her place. Storming out of the common room, she headed straight for the place she loved best, the lawns. Never can Via recall storming off, or getting so down about something that she actually cried about it. It seems after all these years and the pressure of the last exams ever she went on a whirlwind of emotions, and even the hard broken Via felt disappointed in herself.

Pushing past a few students, unaware of their houses, she eventually felt the soft grass beneath her feet. The sun was setting and the scenery was perfect. As she walked she pulled off her sandals and carried them in her hand to feel the grass in between her toes. Walking into the middle of the lawns, facing the lake, Via outstretched her long airy skirt before sitting down cross legged. Huffing once more, she closed her eyes in an attempt to get away the negative energy she had surrounded herself with.

[Professor Jackson Shaw]

He had been told by Dan that Jack would be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. At first, Jack had freaked saying he wasnt ready and having a rather bad skitzo attack, which Dan had found highly entertaining. Everyone knew Jack's attitude and knew how he could be sometimes. Jack wasnt the most careful of people and to put him in charge of Students was ridiculous in his eyes. However, Dan assured him that Jack would be fine, and Jack believed him so he set about getting his first lesson sorted out.

He had been walking around the grounds trying to find some form of inspiration. He had figured the biggest part out it was just how to do it and what to use. Somehow, Jack found himself by the lake, settling down by a tree the young professor began to sketch and write out ideas in a notepad. The list of Students was also in it. So many people seemed to have faith in him that he would be able to do the job and that gave him a little more confidence. He had passed his OWLS and NEWTS with no problem at all, exceeded at Defense and loved every moment of it. Jack had not wanted to leave Hogwarts, and now he didnt have to. His life was here now, and that was good by him. Life was good.

A lot of people were stressing over exams, Jack knew that feeling he remembered it easily. Nearing nineteen it was only last year when he too was stressing over finals. So much had happened within a year, his application for apprentiship being accepted, and then for the postion to be his within a couple of months was amazing. Right now, there were two Professors fresh out of school, Himself and Miss Hubbles. Lost in his thoughts, someone else was now beside the lake and had been for some time. Looking towards the person he closed his notepad and stuffed it back into the inside of his robe. Walking over to her, as he got closer he recognised her. "Via?" He said as he got beside her and sat down. Jack and Via had shared many a class together when Jack was still a student. "What's got your wand in a knot!" He smiled, "No, seriously Vi, whats the matter?"

[Via Thorn]

Attempting to relax on the grass was helping slightly, and as Via closed her eyes, she wiped a tear that had formed and fallen down her cheek. Keeping her eyes gently closed, the sunset still lighting in her eyes, she thought of home, and how much she missed it there, seeing her parents everyday. It was a completely strange thing for any kid at age 11 to leave home and not see their parents for weeks or even months on end. It didn’t help that Via had felt completely alone for years, and only in her 6th and 7th years had she actually started to make friends. The girl was clearly born in the wrong century, as her love for nature wasn’t widely accepted or understood by most. Being brought up in one of the most beautiful places she considered in the world, why would she turn out any different?

Giving a long sigh, she didn’t hear the small crunching of the grass as somebody had come over to her. Jumping almost upright, her eyes jolted open at the sound of the voice. Looking up, it was Jack. Lovely clever Jack. The only two people who she would want to disturb her would be him and Polaris.

Clutching at her heart, she gave a small weak smile at him before patting the grass next to her for him to sit.
“Oh jack, I’m just so worried about the outcome of my finals. Everything is just weighing on top of me and I feel like i’m being crushed. What if I fail? I’ll not get my secured placement here as Professor Beckket’s apprentice, and i’ll be working some back street in knockturn alley selling faulty merchandise, I just know it” she huffed, as she looked away from him, away from the sunset and down at her skirt. Picking up the hem of it, she began to fiddle with it.

“I just wish...I just wish sometimes I had your brains, even for a day. I mean look at you, your set for life, and you’ve got an amazing job. I don’t want to work at Knockturn alley Jack, I can’t” she sighed, a tear threatening to leave her eye once again.

[Professor Jackson Shaw]

He knew he was a Professor, but Via was also his friend and had been for a few years, before he even thought about his future. Jack knew he was set for life now and he knew that he need not worry about his future, but he remembered what it was like to worry, and he still worried about his students, his friends, that would never change. Even now, being a Professor, he knew what it meant, but he was young and Via was one of his closest friends and he wasnt about to sit here and let her doubt herself like this. It wouldnt be Jack if he just patted her on the back with a 'there there.'

"I remember what it was like to worry about finals Via," He smiled, "Remember how stressed I got?" Running his hands through his hair, yes, he remembered all too well, but he also remembered the advice Via gave him, and it was about time that advice was returned. "Remember the advice you gave me? If you worry, you cant concentrate so relax and believe in yourself?" Jack smiled, "Take your own advice on board Via and you'll be fine, you're one of the smartest witches I know, you will not fail."

"Here," He said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small trinket, "I used it for good luck, but its of no use to me now. I have everything I need, a steady job and it looks like im getting my life on track so I dont need it anymore. Keep it with you and think of me, there is no way someone as smart as you can end up in knockturn alley, leave those places for the nitwits yeah?"

Puting an arm around her shoulder he gave her a hug. Jack wouldnt let Via think herself down, she was too good for that. "Come on Via, cheer up. You know you can come to me and I'll help you study as best I can"

[Via Thorn]

Looking back over to the sunset, and the colours that were reflecting on the lake, she listened to Jack when he returned the advice she had given him the same time last year. Giving a small, restricted laugh, she looked back to Jack and smiled, letting the frustrated tear leave her eye. She gave a sigh of relief at his comforting words before looking down at his collar, just for something else to look at instead of being weird and staring at him. It was then she realised a ladybird was on it, and she took this as a good sign.
“Hold still” she said, moving closer and placing a delicate long finger out waiting for the ladybird to crawl onto it. Smiling, it eventually climbed onto her nail and she leant back to show Jack. She mentally counted the spots while twisting her hand as the ladybird crawled about.
“It’s only 3, how cute” she grinned so much her eyes were almost closed. It was then Jack pulled out something from his pocket and Via heard him speak again before she looked back to him.

Gazing upon the trinket of good luck, her face lit up with a smile at his kindness.
“Are you sure? I mean i’ll take good care of it, you know me, the horder” she chuckled.
“Thank you Jack, you’re amazing do you know that? Always thinking of others before yourself” It was times like this Via was greatful for the few friendly faces she had around her, as plants couldn’t give you advise or comfort you as such. Via of course had Sunny, the mandrake, but all he did was scream at her, and that wasn’t much comfort in any sense. There was Arnie her natterjack toad too, but he was always hopping off to terrorise the beautiful Gryffindor girls and sometimes she couldn’t help but think he would rather be with them than her. She didn’t blame him.
As Jack put his arm around her, she couldn’t help but give a big grin, no matter how much she tried to calm it down. Turning her head to see his hand on her other shoulder she smiled and looked back over to him. Her stomach went tight and she got a deep, fluttering feeling in it. Was Via thorn getting a crush on a professor? Surely not!

“So are you looking forward to your first lesson Professor?” she said, sticking her tongue out at him and his fancy new status.

[Professor Jackson Shaw]

For once the lake was empty, apart from Jack and Via. The lake rippled softly and Jack smiled, giving off a sound like sound like a breathy 'ahh' and let the slight breeze wash over him. When Via spoke he looked at her, "Eh?" Jack asked as her hand went to his collar and picked off a lady bug. They were supposed to signal good luck or something. Honestly, Jack never payed much attention to folklore, he preferred facts to fiction, being a typical ex-ravenclaw-turned-Professor this was obvious. "Well there you go then, you have the luck of the lady bug, what more do you need?"

"It has been passed down for many years in my family," He said looking at the worn celtic symbol. "Now, I'm giving it to you. Make sure you pass it down too." He smiled, knowing he could trust Via with his life, and this was him giving her part of his life, his family, and yet he felt no regret about it.
"Yyeaah!" Jack smirked, rubbing his neck, "I know." Though he nudged her to show he was only joking. Jack watched as the sun sank below the surface of the lake, casting a red glow over the hills, through the sky and over the waters surface. It was always a nice time to be by the lake when the sun sank, Jack used to love coming down here but since he became an apprentice and then a professor he never had the time. It seemed Jack never had time now these days, he was swamped with work, but enjoing every second of it. Jack sat with his arm around his friend. He didnt know how he could be different with those he sat in a class with just last year. Everything was changing, and though Jack was ready, he didnt want it to. Hugging her was something Jack always did, so why should he stop now?

"Veeeahhh!" Jack moaned, "Dont call me Professor it makes me feel old!" He laughed, "Im still the same old Jack, its just im not a student anymore."