[Hogsmeade] Can You Make It Go Away? (Nick)

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

It was another Saturday evening and Ash had just gotten off of work. Business had been slow the past few weeks what with everyone being so freaked out about whatever was going on with the castle. Although Ash tried not to show it, he was a little freaked out as well. Okay, he was really freaked out. Who wouldn’t be? Paintings going all scary and freaky, suits of armor coming to life, people getting sucked into paintings. It was nerve-wracking! When would the madness end?

He was especially nervous for his sister Carolanne. He knew that as Head Girl she carried a tremendous amount of responsibility on her shoulders and that many of the younger students would look to her for reassurance and guidance. It was enough to make any older brother a bit apprehensive; maybe a bit protective as well. But Laney had a good head on her shoulders. Ash knew she could handle things. Still, she was his baby sister.

Oddly enough, as worried as Ash was about Laney. It didn’t even compete with how worried he was about Nick. It was odd that he would be, seeing as he hadn’t seen the guy in about three months. But maybe that was why Ash was so worried. When Ash had first come back from France and was working at Club Motion, he and Nick were slowly becoming closer. But after Ash left to go back to Queen’s Apparel, he hardly saw Nick anymore. Granted he hardly went to Club Motion. But Ash thought it was odd that he never ran into Nick at least out on the streets or even in Honeyduke’s or Three Broomsticks. He missed him.

Just as Ash was thinking about this, a shadow fell over him, and he heard the sound of a familiar yet unexpected voice.

[Nick Braye]

The last three months of Nick's life were a bit complicated to say the least. He had heard about the strange happenings about the school and had closed down the club for a few days to avoid any costly trouble. It was a bit weird having the club closed down so much and Nick wasn't sure what to do with all the extra time he had on his hands. Luckily, he had recieved a letter from his Grandmother telling him that Nora had been offered a job at the school and would be needing a place to stay while she got settled. Nora was Nick's older sister by nearly two years and the two were inseperable as toddlers.

So the past two months were spent entertaining Nora and cleaning Club Motion so he could re-open it. The was the strange thing for Nick. He wasn't used to an empty club, it was usually so packed with Students and passerby's that he rarely had time to think and now he found he had too much time and too many thoughts. One thought that constantly crossed his mind wasn't actually a thought, but a person. What had happened to Mr. Ashton Laurent?

It had been weeks, no months since Nick last seen him. He had quit Club Motion to go back to Queen's Apparel with Jen and Nick was happy to let him go only because he had so much help already and Ash was so keen to go back to Jen that Nick couldn't possibly say no anyway. The thing was, since he had let him go, Nick hadn't even seen a trace of Ash around Hogsmeade. It was strange.

Deciding he needed some air, Nick sent a wave to Nora who simply recognized it with a nod before her brother was out the door. The spring air ruffled Nick's air as he turned a corner to walk into Hogsmeade. It wasn't until he passed Queen's Apparel that sported a nice CLOSED sign that he caught sight of a familiar head of raven colored hair. He wasn't quite sure if was Ash, but it wasn't going to hurt to find out. Nick approached him, though Ash had his back to him. When Nick was pretty sure it was Ashton, he spoke.

"Uh, Ash?" He said as he circled the boy. When he facing him, he gave a small laugh, "I knew it was you. What have you been up to? It's been months. How's Queen's? How's Laney? Tell her to come see me sometime."

Nick realized he was bombarding the poor boy straight away and he ran a nervous hand through his hair, "Er, sorry. I'll start over. How are you?"

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

Looking up, Ash was delighted to see that the speaker was indeed Nick. It was about time. Ash was getting worried about him.

Ash laughed as Nick bombarded him with questions. “Whoah, slow down!” he said. “Jen is good, I’m good, and Laney? Well, she’s Laney!” He smiled. “How have you been? Haven’t seen you in ages!” Ash had to resist the urge to throw his arms around the older man and instead settled for the smile.

He’d noticed that Club Motion had been closed for a few months but hadn’t said anything about it. Of course he hadn’t seen Nick in a few months either…so he supposed now was the perfect time to ask.

“So, I noticed the Club was closed for quite a while there. Anything to do with all the craziness at the castle?” he lowered his voice as he mentioned the castle; things had gotten so bad that people freaked out any time the strange happenings were even mentioned!

[Nick Braye]

Nick felt a little strange losing his cool for a moment. He was usually such an organized person and calm in most situations but with the appearance of his sister and seeing Ash in god knows when, it seems Nick was just happy to see another human that wasn't complete crazy or wasn't his sister. He loved Nora to bits but you can only handle her in small doses before she drives you insane with her manipulative ways.

Nick laughed along with Ash when he was told to slow down, "Yeah, yeah. Sorry. Lost myself there for a moment," he mumbled quickly before Ashton answered his ramble of questions. "I'm glad. I'm glad everyone's alright. It's just, Laney didn't seem quite right the last time I saw her. I mean-" Nick cut himself off before shrugging with a small chuckle, "Eh, maybe its just me over imagining things."

To answer Ash's question, Nick had to think for a bit. How was he really? Nick shrugged in response before actually speaking it out loud. "I've been alright, I suppose. Nora, my sister, got a job at Hogwarts, well an interview to be honest, so she's staying with me for a bit and helping me remodel C.M. Well, technically she's just started doing it without actually asking first but it's Nore. She's pretty handy when it comes to decorating," he said with a chuckle.

Nick was wondering when Ashton would ask about Club Motion, didn't take him too long either. "Ah, yes. That has something to do with it but not all. With all the weird, well, activity, I decided to close C.M for a bit. I don't think I could afford any trouble plus with Nora here and her whole new idea of sproucing up the place, it's not exactly good for business when you have paintbrushes and ladders everywhere." That was the best he could do for an answer.

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

Ash frowned slightly, of course he'd noticed Nick's concern about Laney. He'd also noticed how Nick had dismissed it as himself having an over-active imagination. Ash on the other hand, wasn't so convinced. What did Nick know that he didn't?

Thinking about all this of course, caused the raven- haired boy to have a slight freak out. "What do you mean she's been acting different? Different how? Is she okay? Have you talked to her?" Ash knew that he was the one getting ahead of himself now, but he couldn't help it. Any time Laney was mentioned, his protective streak came out.

Ash nodded in understanding about C.M. "Yeah, it would be kind of hard to run a club with all that going on!"

He frowned in slight curiosity, "Have I met your sister?"

[Nick Braye]

Maybe Nick shouldn't have mentioned seeing Laney over the past few months in the state she's been in but it was too late to take it back now. Besides, he should have known Ash would've reacted no matter what he had said about Laney. She was, after all, Ashton's little sister. Nick wasn't exactly sure how to answer him because he himself wasn't sure what was with Carolanne.

"Nothing, nothing's wrong with her. Not that I'm aware of at least. She just seems stressed. I think she's taking on more than she can handle is all. I have seen her, but not much. She came by C.M looking for you one day and when I told her I didn't know where you were, she went off to look for Max, or at least I think that's what she said." The whole time he answered, Nick took on a defensive state. He wasn't sure why, but it was just the way Ash attacked him with the questions. Nick wasn't expecting it at all.

When Ashton finally changed the subject, his muscles relaxed a little. The subject had switched from Ashton's sister to Nick's. "No, you haven't met Nora before. I haven't seen her since she left school to be honest. Nora's a traveller. She likes to get around and see the world. She claims she wants to settle down a bit, but that's not very reassuring," he answered with a laugh.

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

Ash smiled sheepishly. He really needed to learn to stop getting so worked up over Laney. “Sorry, guess I freaked out a little.” He frowned in confusion. “She went to C.M. looking for me? Odd. She knows I work at Queen’s Apparel.” Why would Laney be looking for him at Club Motion?

“Speaking of Maxi how is he? Does he still hate my guts?” he asked with slight bitterness. It wasn’t that he wasn’t over Maxi, he was. It’s just that…. Well… he supposed he was still a little jealous. Stupid really. After all, he and Maxi had broken up like two years ago! But, he did make Laney happy. And that was all Ash cared about. Laney. If she was happy, he was happy.


“So, other than fixing up the club what else have you been doing?” He asked curiously. It seemed that he and Nick had a lot to catch up on! It was odd how after seeing Nick for the first time in about well…forever! Ash didn’t quite know what to say….

[Nick Braye]

Nick had to agree with Ash. He did freak out a little more than he needed to but he wouldn’t say anything out loud. Nick himself tended to get a little protective of Nora, and Nora was Nick’s older sister. He couldn’t imagine how he’d be if Nick was the older sibling. He laughed with a little nod, “No need to feel sorry. Someone has to worry about her. I don’t blame you any.” His statement proved true. Nick couldn’t blame Ashton for being a little protective over Carolanne. Nick himself watched out for Laney sometimes even, especially with the newly added stress that had been placed on her shoulders. When it came to why she was looking for Ash at CM Nick couldn’t give a real answer. “I don’t know. Maybe she was hoping that I’d seen you or something. It was late at night so I’m sure Jen’s shop would’ve been closed. That’s probably why.”

Maxwell Hennerdale, Carolanne boyfriend. Nick hadn’t seen him much except for when he’d come in with Laney on the rare occasion. The two never had the chance to talk, that was usually left to Laney and she did a very good job at that. It was clear that Ashton’s little sister was happy with Max. He knew how to make her less stressed and was definitely good at calming her down. How he did it though, Nick wasn’t sure he wanted to know. “Um, I’m not quite sure. He seems to be alright. It looks like Miss Roberts is taking very good care of him, but I’ve never had the chance to talk to him myself. I’m usually too busy, you know?” Nick was well aware of Ash’s past with Max. Laney had told him the story once but only after Nick had asked a few too many times. “I’m sure he doesn’t hate your guts, though.”

What had Nick been up to lately? That was a pretty good question. “Oh, you know.” Well of course Ashton didn’t know but what else was he supposed to say? Nick gave of soft chuckle, “Well, Nora sent me on a few blind dates. Didn’t go like she hoped but that’s what happens when you send a homosexual on dates with women. I guess it was Nora’s last try to turn me straight but I’m just about as stubborn as her these days.” That had taken up a few weeks of Nick’s life but it wasn’t all of it. The rest of it was mostly boring stuff; business stuff. Nothing of importance so it really didn’t matter.

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

Ash blushed as he realized how much he had overreacted. It wasn't Nick's fault his sister was acting weird, so why was he grilling the poor guy? He had to laugh though when Nick kept calling his sister Miss Roberts. "You can call her Carolanne or Laney you know. Besides, she hears you calling her Miss Roberts and she'll probably have your head on a platter!" he teased. "At least... that's what she'd do to me!"

Ash shrugged at the mention of Maxi. "Yeah, he's probably over it by now. I know I am. I mean come on, it's been two years now. It'd be really sad if we weren't over it."

The conversation then took a turn back to Nick's sister. "So, what job is Nora being interviewed for? Will she work here in Hogsmeade, or is it up at the castle?"

[Nick Braye]

Nick laughed as he stared at the ground. He shifted a rock around with his shoe before replying right away. “Well with Carolanne, it seems more entertaining to call her ‘Miss Roberts.’ But I must say that it fits her very well, what with all this responsibility and such. She should get used to it if she’s serious about what she wants to do in the future. And don’t worry about my head, I can take care of it myself,” he said with a smirk, “And you’re her brother. She’s supposed to hate it when you call her by pet names or nicknames and what not.”

Ash brought Maxi again and Nick shifted slightly out of discomfort. He didn’t know too much about their past, only what Laney had said, which wasn’t a lot, but he didn’t like giving advice on things he didn’t know enough about. “Look, sometimes it takes time to get over things especially events or things of importance. I don’t personally know what all happened between you two but time will heal it and if not, then you can’t let it ruin your future any. But hey, that’s just one man’s advice.”

The conversation turned back to Nora and Nick was pleased about that. “Nora will be working at the castle unfortunately. I’m a bit worried about that to be honest, what with everything going on there but she’s a big girl, she can take care of herself. I’m sure of that.” Nick nearly forgot to answer Ash’s question about what she was going for. “Oh, um, Librarian I think it was.” Nick wasn’t sure if that was exactly it but it seemed like Nora. “Yeah, I think that’s it. Nora loves books. It has to be the Librarian slot.”

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

Ash just smirked and rolled his eyes. "Yeah, well 'Ms. Roberts' still seems...I dunno... too formal for her. At least if I called her that it would. Come to think of it, if I called her that, she'd probably slap me stupid. Or if I called her anything but Laney she would!"

He then gave a cheesy grin. "But hey, I'm her brother. If I don't torment her, who will?"

He nodded in agreement about Maxi. "Yeah, it does sometimes. But enough about that." He really didn't want to spend the entire time talking about the past. What's done is done. Nothing could change the past. Unless of course he had a time-turner. But that was much too dangerous. Besides, would a time turner even let him go back three years? He doubted it.

He nodded in interest when Nick said that Nora was probably applying for Librarian. "Cool. Sounds like it'd be a good job for her."