 Which came first, the phoenix or the flame?
Ash grinned. “I dunno Lisa. You know I can’t be trusted with fire.” She winked, signaling that she was joking. Everyone knew that she would absolutely love to set things on fire. If Lisa was going to burn things, she wanted to help. Unless she was burning candles. In which case Ash was not interested.
She turned back to Evan. “Megan and Charlie live in my house now. Charlie is a baby and Megan is a lady.” This was her very polite way of saying that her father got a girlfriend and had another kid, and she was not a big fan. She couldn’t fault Charlie though- he was a baby. Ash looked downwards and moodily picked at imaginary food. “It’s my first time even thinking about going to therapy. I think I’ll be fine... I promise I’ll ask for recommendations if I need it.” She wondered if her friends worried about her. She’d be sad if her friends didn’t care at all for her, but she knew that she was... a lot. To handle. So she hoped they didn’t worry too much.
But!!! It was time for the speech. And they had won the house cup! YEAH! She muttered some appropriately celebratory words... well, maybe not appropriate around Lisa, but good enough. ”I’ve never been one to care about points or the house cup, but I do like the color blue. And I bet Schmoe is happy about this. Good for him.” Seeing as he wasn’t coming back. It was sad for her to think about. Sure, she’d probably get over it(ostensibly) like she always did, but right now it felt very bittersweet. Plus, Ash had noticed... three professors whose offices she had visited were gone. Only Kazmi was left, and there was no guarantee that he wouldn’t die a horrible death between now and next year. It was probably a coincidence, but she was a bit superstitious. Maybe more than a bit. ANYWAY.
All in all, Ash was excited to leave. It wasn’t like her family was great but... Hogwarts was not her home. It was alright for getting an education, but she desperately needed a short break. She would have preferred a long/permanent break, but a short break would have to do. |