Michael nodded his head in understanding; he thought that she would have had a part, mostly because Michael knew of the event his son was attending, and the time of his disappearance was around then, though he refused to pin the blame on someone, and he quickly shook his head. “I place no blame on you… but don’t think that you’re unimportant, now that he’s found; its more complicated than that.” He raised an eyebrow at that moment, before he cleared his throat to continue on.
“This concerns you for three reasons: one, you are his friend. His most trusted and treasured friend at that, therefore, by default, I am here to inform you. Two, and possibly the more important reason is that I found him through him shouting your name out loud, therefore if it wasn’t for you, Zane wouldn’t be here now. And the third, and even more so important: he hasn’t spoken a single word since, which leads me to believe that he needs you. Therefore, Vicki, I am here because, should you choose to accept it, my son needs you in his life right now. I won’t lie; the condition he’s in is not pretty, and the Zane you probably know may not be fully there, but he needs you all the same.”
“So… what do you say?”
It was as if a venomous fluid was filling Vicki’s throat, burning through her vocal chords, cutting off her breath, and ravaging her vocal chords. She blinked back at the man before her, a sense of confusion permeating through her mind. Surely, she was misunderstanding; she hadn’t heard the man clearly. The way he spoke of the situation, it appeared off. There was something more to the distant words, and vague descriptions. But most of all, there simply had to be a misunderstanding, because this man, Zane’s father was asking of the impossible from Vicki.
She shook her head back and forth, as she stepped back away from him. She evaded making eye contact, as she took a deep breath. “If you wish to do yourself and your son any good at all, then you will have me keep away from him. I’ll only ruin him further; that I can promise. I’m no good- your son doesn’t need someone like me, I assure you.” Vicki said with a shrug of her shoulders, wishing for nothing more than to run from the situation entirely.
Michael sighed softly, although he could understand her objections easily. He reached out his hand cautiously until it came into contact with her shoulder, and with a caring smile he gently patted it to comfort her. “I understand; it’s a lot to ask, and I don’t expect it of you straight away, but, I must tell you… before it’s simply too late to tell at all.” He sighed softly at that moment.
“You’re an adult now, Vicki. No matter whether you want that or not, you are one, and I view you as one, which is why I trust you with this. I trust you to look after my son, because now… I no longer can. Not in the way I used to. He has found comfort in you, and whilst you think you aren’t good enough for him, I think quite the opposite; I think you are perfect for him. Perfect to keep him safe… it isn’t your fault; he is a sensitive being, and it appears you are too. You’ll both grow with each other, and perhaps learn things along the way. I don’t expect you to change your ways at all; if my son accepts them, I certainly do.” He smiled at her then as he gulped slightly.
“It is a lot to ask of someone so young… but, if you could do anything, can you at least accompany me? The last memory I have of my son is nothing but pain… I need you to tell me he’s safe now; safe and okay. Anything else… you may do on your own, I will not pressure you, but simply inform you. The decision is entirely yours… if you wish me to leave you with this information, I will.”
The snaking feel of constriction was winding through Vicki’s body, etching itself into her spine, grasping a hold of her entirely. She continued to shake her head back and forth, as her hands balled into fierce fists. “You cannot possibly expect me to simply…go along with this.” She said through her teeth. “What your suggesting, if I’m to understand, is that I am somehow meant to care for your son. That it will be my duty to protect him.” Vicki said with an undertone of bitterness, as she eyed Zane’s father. “You mustn’t know me at all, then.”
“I cannot take care of anything, or anyone. I am incapable of it; and furthermore I’ve never wished to have a person to care for. I can hardly keep myself in check; how you presumed for me to do that with another being, I’ll never know. I am not a caregiver, or a lover. I did not sign up for these troubles, or willingly volunteer myself for such a job.” She said simply. “Now with all do respect sir, I’m afraid you’ve found the wrong girl to speak to.” She had entered a state of denial, and self-preservation. Vicki needed to keep herself intact, if she were to continue on.
“That’s my point, Vicki; I’m not forcing you to do anything. You’re not a child any more… you can make these decisions for yourself; I can’t force you to do anything. I… I never would.” He shook his head at that moment, deciding that she knew more than enough for now; he wouldn’t burden her with too much information, and so he began a conclusion of sorts.
“Whatever your decision, I will be proud either way. I… I just thought you should know. You aren’t tied to my son; you don’t have to do anything for him, although… I know you do. Somewhere, you do. For you to hold so much guilt of an event, and to think you are unworthy, simply proves to me that you do but you don’t want to show it. I cannot change your ways, but adulthood is a title that is earned… and I hope you respect it.”
“No matter your choice, I shall be fine; either way I will be helping my son. I just… hope that the decision you make is an adult decision, and not that of a child.”
Emotions continued to rear their grotesque head, and Vicki began the familiar eternal battle she always faced in such situations. The fight or flight instinct kicked in, and she planted her feet firmly,attempting to stave off the need she felt to feel her feet dance against the ground, and create as much physical space as possible from herself and the problem she faced. Vicki had been a fighter by definition, but there was one opponent she never dreamed of standing up against; her own steely, blackened heart.
It was not a blatant no, but she assumed her answer would not have satisfied Mr. Corner’s wants for his visit. The man had trekked all the way to Hogwarts to simply speak to her, and Vicki had barely given him a few moments of her time. But there wasn’t much she could do to stop her fear of entrapment from closing in on her. All she could do was offer a few more choice words.
“Zane’s lucky to have you as a father.” She said through her lips, looking down to the ground. “I’ve had this terrible knack of collecting father figures who’ve let me down time and time again. Zane deserves a good man like you in his life.” Vicki said, almost choking on the last phrase she spoke. “You know- A man like you should be given to the world as a gift; to live a long and happy life, making other people’s lives better. Men such as you don’t deserve to be taken away so quickly.”
“Life’s not fair. We live miserably, and then we die.” Vicki said with an almost apathetic shrug of her shoulders. “But I’ve always held the silly notion that life is a mere waiting room to something far better. We’ll have to see, won’t we?” Vicki said with a faint smile, before turning away from the man, walking off.
Michael couldn’t help but to frown at the words that came out of her mouth, and he could feel tears gather in his own eyes; he had always cared about the well-being of others, and in many senses Vicki was pretty much like another of his daughters; Zane certainly saw her as family, so Michael’s sworn duty was to treat her as such.
Perhaps that’s why he came forward and with skill and pure luck he managed to place a comforting kiss on her forehead, not out of anything but a love he would hold for his family, and with a small smile he nodded his head to her, hoping that his message would get across to her.
“Anytime you need me, you know where I’ll be. You come visit whenever you like, yes?” He chuckled softly then before he stepped away once more, and with her final parting words he heard the clanking of her heels to signify her depart, though before she could go he yelled quickly. “Oh, and Vicki?” He smiled as the clunk of heel stopped, and with a nod of his head he said.
“That… was an adult’s response.”
Michael nodded his head in understanding; he thought that she would have had a part, mostly because Michael knew of the event his son was attending, and the time of his disappearance was around then, though he refused to pin the blame on someone, and he quickly shook his head. “I place no blame on you… but don’t think that you’re unimportant, now that he’s found; its more complicated than that.” He raised an eyebrow at that moment, before he cleared his throat to continue on.
“This concerns you for three reasons: one, you are his friend. His most trusted and treasured friend at that, therefore, by default, I am here to inform you. Two, and possibly the more important reason is that I found him through him shouting your name out loud, therefore if it wasn’t for you, Zane wouldn’t be here now. And the third, and even more so important: he hasn’t spoken a single word since, which leads me to believe that he needs you. Therefore, Vicki, I am here because, should you choose to accept it, my son needs you in his life right now. I won’t lie; the condition he’s in is not pretty, and the Zane you probably know may not be fully there, but he needs you all the same.”
“So… what do you say?”
It was as if a venomous fluid was filling Vicki’s throat, burning through her vocal chords, cutting off her breath, and ravaging her vocal chords. She blinked back at the man before her, a sense of confusion permeating through her mind. Surely, she was misunderstanding; she hadn’t heard the man clearly. The way he spoke of the situation, it appeared off. There was something more to the distant words, and vague descriptions. But most of all, there simply had to be a misunderstanding, because this man, Zane’s father was asking of the impossible from Vicki.
She shook her head back and forth, as she stepped back away from him. She evaded making eye contact, as she took a deep breath. “If you wish to do yourself and your son any good at all, then you will have me keep away from him. I’ll only ruin him further; that I can promise. I’m no good- your son doesn’t need someone like me, I assure you.” Vicki said with a shrug of her shoulders, wishing for nothing more than to run from the situation entirely.
Michael sighed softly, although he could understand her objections easily. He reached out his hand cautiously until it came into contact with her shoulder, and with a caring smile he gently patted it to comfort her. “I understand; it’s a lot to ask, and I don’t expect it of you straight away, but, I must tell you… before it’s simply too late to tell at all.” He sighed softly at that moment.
“You’re an adult now, Vicki. No matter whether you want that or not, you are one, and I view you as one, which is why I trust you with this. I trust you to look after my son, because now… I no longer can. Not in the way I used to. He has found comfort in you, and whilst you think you aren’t good enough for him, I think quite the opposite; I think you are perfect for him. Perfect to keep him safe… it isn’t your fault; he is a sensitive being, and it appears you are too. You’ll both grow with each other, and perhaps learn things along the way. I don’t expect you to change your ways at all; if my son accepts them, I certainly do.” He smiled at her then as he gulped slightly.
“It is a lot to ask of someone so young… but, if you could do anything, can you at least accompany me? The last memory I have of my son is nothing but pain… I need you to tell me he’s safe now; safe and okay. Anything else… you may do on your own, I will not pressure you, but simply inform you. The decision is entirely yours… if you wish me to leave you with this information, I will.”
The snaking feel of constriction was winding through Vicki’s body, etching itself into her spine, grasping a hold of her entirely. She continued to shake her head back and forth, as her hands balled into fierce fists. “You cannot possibly expect me to simply…go along with this.” She said through her teeth. “What your suggesting, if I’m to understand, is that I am somehow meant to care for your son. That it will be my duty to protect him.” Vicki said with an undertone of bitterness, as she eyed Zane’s father. “You mustn’t know me at all, then.”
“I cannot take care of anything, or anyone. I am incapable of it; and furthermore I’ve never wished to have a person to care for. I can hardly keep myself in check; how you presumed for me to do that with another being, I’ll never know. I am not a caregiver, or a lover. I did not sign up for these troubles, or willingly volunteer myself for such a job.” She said simply. “Now with all do respect sir, I’m afraid you’ve found the wrong girl to speak to.” She had entered a state of denial, and self-preservation. Vicki needed to keep herself intact, if she were to continue on.
“That’s my point, Vicki; I’m not forcing you to do anything. You’re not a child any more… you can make these decisions for yourself; I can’t force you to do anything. I… I never would.” He shook his head at that moment, deciding that she knew more than enough for now; he wouldn’t burden her with too much information, and so he began a conclusion of sorts.
“Whatever your decision, I will be proud either way. I… I just thought you should know. You aren’t tied to my son; you don’t have to do anything for him, although… I know you do. Somewhere, you do. For you to hold so much guilt of an event, and to think you are unworthy, simply proves to me that you do but you don’t want to show it. I cannot change your ways, but adulthood is a title that is earned… and I hope you respect it.”
“No matter your choice, I shall be fine; either way I will be helping my son. I just… hope that the decision you make is an adult decision, and not that of a child.”
Michael nodded his head in understanding; he thought that she would have had a part, mostly because Michael knew of the event his son was attending, and the time of his disappearance was around then, though he refused to pin the blame on someone, and he quickly shook his head. “I place no blame on you… but don’t think that you’re unimportant, now that he’s found; its more complicated than that.” He raised an eyebrow at that moment, before he cleared his throat to continue on.
“This concerns you for three reasons: one, you are his friend. His most trusted and treasured friend at that, therefore, by default, I am here to inform you. Two, and possibly the more important reason is that I found him through him shouting your name out loud, therefore if it wasn’t for you, Zane wouldn’t be here now. And the third, and even more so important: he hasn’t spoken a single word since, which leads me to believe that he needs you. Therefore, Vicki, I am here because, should you choose to accept it, my son needs you in his life right now. I won’t lie; the condition he’s in is not pretty, and the Zane you probably know may not be fully there, but he needs you all the same.”
“So… what do you say?”
It was as if a venomous fluid was filling Vicki’s throat, burning through her vocal chords, cutting off her breath, and ravaging her vocal chords. She blinked back at the man before her, a sense of confusion permeating through her mind. Surely, she was misunderstanding; she hadn’t heard the man clearly. The way he spoke of the situation, it appeared off. There was something more to the distant words, and vague descriptions. But most of all, there simply had to be a misunderstanding, because this man, Zane’s father was asking of the impossible from Vicki.
She shook her head back and forth, as she stepped back away from him. She evaded making eye contact, as she took a deep breath. “If you wish to do yourself and your son any good at all, then you will have me keep away from him. I’ll only ruin him further; that I can promise. I’m no good- your son doesn’t need someone like me, I assure you.” Vicki said with a shrug of her shoulders, wishing for nothing more than to run from the situation entirely.
Michael sighed softly, although he could understand her objections easily. He reached out his hand cautiously until it came into contact with her shoulder, and with a caring smile he gently patted it to comfort her. “I understand; it’s a lot to ask, and I don’t expect it of you straight away, but, I must tell you… before it’s simply too late to tell at all.” He sighed softly at that moment.
“You’re an adult now, Vicki. No matter whether you want that or not, you are one, and I view you as one, which is why I trust you with this. I trust you to look after my son, because now… I no longer can. Not in the way I used to. He has found comfort in you, and whilst you think you aren’t good enough for him, I think quite the opposite; I think you are perfect for him. Perfect to keep him safe… it isn’t your fault; he is a sensitive being, and it appears you are too. You’ll both grow with each other, and perhaps learn things along the way. I don’t expect you to change your ways at all; if my son accepts them, I certainly do.” He smiled at her then as he gulped slightly.
“It is a lot to ask of someone so young… but, if you could do anything, can you at least accompany me? The last memory I have of my son is nothing but pain… I need you to tell me he’s safe now; safe and okay. Anything else… you may do on your own, I will not pressure you, but simply inform you. The decision is entirely yours… if you wish me to leave you with this information, I will.”
The sense of urgency was now showing on his face due to the most recent of events happening in the old man’s life. Sure, he was way, way past his sell-by-date, but Michael Corner definitely knew trouble, and this… this was a lot of trouble.
That is why he found himself…
“Sorry… am I interrupting something? I don’t mean to be so… forceful.” He bowed his head to the girl slightly, hoping that she would take his apology; though there was no sense of urgency in his demeanour, Michael was on edge, and for obvious reasons, of course. “But I need your help. Or, more so, your time, and your listening ear…” He cleared his throat slightly as he held out the paper that was in his hands, hoping that it would reach her general whereabouts as he spoke.
“You know of my son, Zane…” He began simply as he gestured to the newsprint once more. “He has been missing for quite some time, but I hold news for you.” He cleared his throat slightly, as he nodded his head; the girl seemed to be just as distressed as he was about the whole situation, and he could only hope that this information would bring her a small sense of comfort to know, at least.
“We found him. Alive.”
Vicki eyed the man for a few good moments, as she smoked the last breaths of her cigarette before flicking it to the ground, grinding it out with her heel. It appeared that whatever he had told her hadn’t registered, for Vicki’s facial expression remained blank and her thoughts confused. She tilted her head to the side, glancing at the newspaper in Mr. Corner’s hands, reading the headline over and over again, trying to piece together the entire situation she found herself. As hard she may have tried, her mind was rattled and logic chopped. She couldn’t make sense of why Zane’s father was standing before her at this very moment.
“I was with Zane, the last time anyone saw him. You know that, right?” She asked with a quirk of her eyebrow. “It’s my fault he ran off, and got himself into whatever bloody mess it is that he was in. I wasn’t in a right state of mind, and your son paid for it. For that, I apologize.” She said simply, her voice void of emotion. “I’ve been worried…” Vicki said in a show of a perfect understatement. “…but now that he’s found, there’s nothing to concern myself with. Which brings me to the question of what exactly you need from me?” Vicki asked curiously, still highly misjudging the entire ordeal.
Michael nodded his head in understanding; he thought that she would have had a part, mostly because Michael knew of the event his son was attending, and the time of his disappearance was around then, though he refused to pin the blame on someone, and he quickly shook his head. “I place no blame on you… but don’t think that you’re unimportant, now that he’s found; its more complicated than that.” He raised an eyebrow at that moment, before he cleared his throat to continue on.
“This concerns you for three reasons: one, you are his friend. His most trusted and treasured friend at that, therefore, by default, I am here to inform you. Two, and possibly the more important reason is that I found him through him shouting your name out loud, therefore if it wasn’t for you, Zane wouldn’t be here now. And the third, and even more so important: he hasn’t spoken a single word since, which leads me to believe that he needs you. Therefore, Vicki, I am here because, should you choose to accept it, my son needs you in his life right now. I won’t lie; the condition he’s in is not pretty, and the Zane you probably know may not be fully there, but he needs you all the same.”
“So… what do you say?”
The sense of urgency was now showing on his face due to the most recent of events happening in the old man’s life. Sure, he was way, way past his sell-by-date, but Michael Corner definitely knew trouble, and this… this was a lot of trouble.
That is why he found himself…
“Sorry… am I interrupting something? I don’t mean to be so… forceful.” He bowed his head to the girl slightly, hoping that she would take his apology; though there was no sense of urgency in his demeanour, Michael was on edge, and for obvious reasons, of course. “But I need your help. Or, more so, your time, and your listening ear…” He cleared his throat slightly as he held out the paper that was in his hands, hoping that it would reach her general whereabouts as he spoke.
“You know of my son, Zane…” He began simply as he gestured to the newsprint once more. “He has been missing for quite some time, but I hold news for you.” He cleared his throat slightly, as he nodded his head; the girl seemed to be just as distressed as he was about the whole situation, and he could only hope that this information would bring her a small sense of comfort to know, at least.
“We found him. Alive.”
The sense of urgency was now showing on his face due to the most recent of events happening in the old man’s life. Sure, he was way, way past his sell-by-date, but Michael Corner definitely knew trouble, and this… this was a lot of trouble.
That is why he found himself back at the castle grounds once more; although in unfit condition, which caused him to resign from the work placement he had here so many moons before. But now, he needed to find a particular student, and it would be more than difficult, but with his hopeful sense of smell, along with his judgement, Michael held onto a slight glimmer of hope.
He began his journey then, descending and ascending through the castle in search of the single person who may know such information. The latest Daily Prophet was clutched in his hands as he tread with caution in order to not draw too much attention, but when he picked up a familiar scent of the very girl he was looking for, he turned and gently reached out to grab the person’s arm.
“Vicki? Vicki Chambers?”
“I’d always yell at my mom to close the door at night because I wanted monsters to come out of the closet and from under the bed. I really felt like if they existed, they would at least be my friends.” - Joe Manganiello
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