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Post by momo on Apr 1, 2012 15:44:18 GMT -5
Rhye's fingers clutched his bag carefully as he made his way down the hill, slowly because it was now in the afternoon when the sun was to be setting, to Professor Rayner's class. The Ravenclaw needed to talk to his second father of some sorts about things. The two of them had always got along since day one, and Rhye never wanted to leave his class at the beginning of the day.
If Rhye could fail just to be in his class again and again, he would. But that wouldn't be progressive in his plan to leave, marry Ophelia, and start a family. He sighed. Professor Rayner was his Dad away from home, and he would miss him so much. Rhye still had another year- he didn't want to think too much on that right now.
With a heavy sigh, Rhye looked up to the good sized gazebo where classes were always held, hoping that the teacher still might be here after his last class. With a hopeful smile, he quickened his pace and approached the dimly lit opening with caution, looking around for any signs of the man he had come to call his mentor and second father. A rusting of a bag and some other noise caught his attention and he bolted up the steps of the gazebo, his eyes landing on the bigger male. He cleared his throat slowly and looked up to him, slouching his bag onto one shoulder now.
He took another two or three steps to the male and lowered his head, scraping the top of his shoe along the wood. He could feel the teacher's eyes on him and he looked up with an innocent smile. "Hey," he said quietly, looking around for a brief second and then back to Rayner, "I'm glad you are still here." He coughed, rubbing the back of his neck slowly. "I- uh, I wanted to ask you if you could show me around the Forest." He said slowly, hiding his real intent. "You know, to show me the things certain animals eat and the habitat and how they survive." He gave a cheeky smile and shrugged. "Because, you know, the lesson today was on Unicorns." Rhye stumbled over his words and heaved a sigh, shaking his head.
"So how about it? Want to go look around? Or would that be too much to ask. I know you need your sleep and you have a family.." He looked down again and closed his eyes. "I understand if you are too busy."
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Post by thatcaspian on Apr 2, 2012 16:11:42 GMT -5
After a very tiring day, Caspian Rayner was gladly cleaning up. He had just began cleaning up the gazebo of left behind parchment when footsteps told him he was not alone. Standing up, he turned to see Rhye Alexendre standing before him. The boy was like a son, always had been. Rayner hoped his boy would grow into a respectful, kind, and gifted young man like the one who stood before him now. When Rhye did something great, Caspian's heart swelled with pride. Now, he hid a smile as the boy stood there awkwardly after having not seen him for some time.
"Hey, I'm glad you are still here." Caspian stayed silent as the boy he had come to think of as a son coughed and rubbed the back of his neck. He hid a smile and let the boy come to what he wanted to say on his own terms. "I- uh, I wanted to ask you if you could show me around the Forest. You know, to show me the things certain animals eat and the habitat and how they survive. Because, you know, the lesson today was on Unicorns." Rhye stumbled over his words and heaved a sigh, shaking his head. Finally the professor smiled fully and he chuckled.
"Well that was cute. Now knock it off and be straight with me." He reached over and put pressure on the back of Rhye's head, pulling the boy into his arms. "I missed you, little guy." Caspian teased, as the boy was definitely not little anymore. With a final squeeze and a light kiss to the boys head, he pulled back. "Now, no more lies. What's really on your mind? Does this have anything to do with that pretty girl you seemed to have picked up?" Caspian winked and elbowed Rhye.
"So how about it? Want to go look around? Or would that be too much to ask. I know you need your sleep and you have a family.." Rhye looked down again and closed his eyes. Caspian could tell there was a lot on the boys mind if his confidence was slipping. He pulled the boy in for another hug. Sometimes, a kid just needed comfort. He carded his hand through Rhye's hair as he spoke.
"Rhye, you know I am always here for you. Even during the summer. You know all you have to do is owl me. I don't know how, but you've stuck to me- like one of those creatures from the Black Lake. And you are stuck for good. So don't even think about getting unstuck. I do have a family, but not all of them share my last name." He pulled back with his hands on Rhye's shoulder, making eye contact. "I don't know what's wrong with you, son, but I want you to tell me. Alright?"
"I understand if you are too busy." Caspian laughed, his head dropping to his chest between his outstretched arms.
"Come on." He stood up straight. "Help me guide the Unicorns back to where I found them." They were walking now towards the animals and he glanced over at Rhye. "Can you tell me why we need to guide them to where we got them?" The two quickly managed to rope the horses and were now walking through the forest. Caspian made sure to keep a close eye on the boy in his immediate care.
"Now, are you going to volunteer information," he said slyly with a smile, "or am I going to have to pry?"
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Post by momo on Apr 3, 2012 5:05:48 GMT -5
Rhye's body was slowly being pulled towards his second father and he let out a whimper as they made contact. His hands went instantly around his guardian and he hugged him tight, clinging, as if when he let go, he would be gone. Rhye always needed Rayner, Rayner was his lifeline and his anchor here at School. With tears welling up in his eyes, the young boy brushed his cheek along his chest, listening as he spoke.
"I missed you, little guy." Rhye's hands clutched the fabric of Rayner's shirt and he shook his head as if he could ward the tears away with his movements.
"I missed you, too, big guy." He smiled weakly with wet eyes, being pulled back a bit.
"Now, no more lies. What's really on your mind? Does this have anything to do with that pretty girl you seemed to have picked up?" Caspian winked and elbowed Rhye. Rayner hadn't known about Ophelia. With a slight blush, he nodded somewhat and smiled.
And then, Rhye was being hugged again. This time, he let the tears fall and they spilled onto Rayner's shirt and the floor. He clamped his eyes shut and squeezed him tightly, feeling his hands rubbing through Rhye's hair. "Rhye, you know I am always here for you. Even during the summer. You know all you have to do is owl me. I don't know how, but you've stuck to me- like one of those creatures from the Black Lake. And you are stuck for good. So don't even think about getting unstuck. I do have a family, but not all of them share my last name." He pulled back with his hands on Rhye's shoulder, making eye contact. "I don't know what's wrong with you, son, but I want you to tell me. Alright?"
"I am going to come visit you every day until School is out." He frowned, looking up at his mentor. "And when School is done, I am going to send you Owls and come see you on breaks.." He shook his head. "I don't want to leave." As Rhye calmed down and took a few breaths, he pulled back a bit and gulped. "You're like my wizard Father. I can't thank you enough for taking me under your wing and keeping me safe. I remember when you first met me and I was shyer. Those Slytherins in my class always used to jinx me. It was always painful and annoying, then you stopped them.." He chuckled and wiped his eyes. "I love you." He said quietly, nodding his head. "You're my best friend."
"Ophelia? Yeah, she's my life right now." He smiled warmly, running a hand through his own hair. "You know that spot where I always used to read?" He chuckled, remembering the day like it was yesterday. "She was there, in my spot. And then I told her such and she magically wrote her name there too. And she stole my book." He laughed. "I followed her all the way back to her Hufflepuff common-room and then I held her art notepad as ransom until she gave me my book. Oh- and then we basically started dating." He smiled. "She had a personal breakdown a bit down the ways from the Library and I followed her and told her how I felt about her, then it just kind of went up from there." He grinned, tucking his hands into his pockets. "She wants to be a Healer.. I want to be her husband." He said with a cheekish grin. "This Summer, my parents are going to be out of town for a bit, and I have gotten the okay to bring her and her younger brother out. I am going to propose to her." He said lowly, as if Ophelia could hear it magically.
"Come on." He stood up straight. "Help me guide the Unicorns back to where I found them."
Rhye bolted up at the chance and walked briskly over to the animals, approaching them carefully, and grabbing one's lead rope. With a slow and calm pace, he lead his horse over to Rayner and nodded. "Can you tell me why we need to guide them to where we got them?"
He chuckled at the question. "Because Unicorns are scared of commitment and change and they'll get nervous with a change of habitat." He winked, easing into the forest, the Unicorn at his side.
"Now, are you going to volunteer information," he said slyly with a smile, "or am I going to have to pry?"
With a laugh, Rhye shrugged slowly. "Either way, once I get started, I won't shut up." He beamed over to his friend and nodded. "You know how I told you that she has a younger brother?" He looked ahead of them, afraid to make eye contact. "Well, she has an older brother too.." he scowled, heaving a sigh. "He's a Death Eater."
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Post by thatcaspian on Apr 3, 2012 6:57:00 GMT -5
Caspian Rayner was very unsettled by the way the boy clung to him like he was the only thing keeping him alive in a sea surrounded by sharks. He pulled the boy to him tighter, reassuring Rhye that he was still there and that he wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. "Shhh," he rubbed the boys back, "I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere. Ever." Rayner hated that the boy felt that way, and was always one for quick reassurance. If he had to let the boy latch onto him all day, by God he would.
"I am going to come visit you every day until School is out." Rhye frowned. Rayner chuckled.
"You so that already, my boy." He let the boy cling tighter. "I would be worried if you ever missed a day, though I suspect with the girl that is very likely."
"And when School is done, I am going to send you Owls and come see you on breaks.." He shook his head. Rayner smiled. Rhye was such a good kid. A sweet boy who always thought of others and was one of the most caring students he ever had- no, he was the most caring student he ever had.
"Oh Merlin, I will prepare my family." He chuckled, letting Rhye speak while he tried to break the ice. He didn't want to go soft on the boy- didn't want to make him feel uncomfortable. Rhye was the funny guy. Too much seriousness in a situation and he felt uncomfortable. Lord only knew Rayner wanted to take him out of school for the rest of the day to clear his mind. Pull him close and whisper soothing words until the boy who was his son in everything but blood and name fell asleep with his head resting in his lap like he did his own son.
"I don't want to leave." As Rhye calmed down and took a few breaths, he pulled back a bit and gulped. Caspian looked at the boy softly.
"Yes you do. You hate it here, and I would too. I want you to be out in the world, happy and doing what you love. You don't want to leave me here behind. But you seem to forget that I don't just cease to exist when you are gone. I am always connected by owl, have free weekends, a Christmas break, and Easter break. Leaving Hogwarts does not mean leaving me. It means being happy." He smiled at Rhye and patted him on the side of the head.
"You're like my wizard Father. I can't thank you enough for taking me under your wing and keeping me safe. I remember when you first met me and I was shyer. Those Slytherins in my class always used to jinx me. It was always painful and annoying, then you stopped them.." Caspian thought back to those days and had to force the anger to die down as it slowly built back up. Professor Rayner was no stranger to bullies- especially at the expense of your blood status. When he saw how it effected Rhye, he took action immediately. He stomped out the problem, a few of the kids went so far as to being expelled- as was the protocol when Albus Dumbledor was Headmaster, and since then Rayner had pretty much adopted Rhye as his own.
"Well, you are like my wizarding son," he chuckled, "And I look after all my kids." He winked. Rhye chuckled and wiped his eyes.
"I love you." He said quietly, nodding his head. "You're my best friend." Caspian's heart swelled and he felt manly tears brim up and he looked away. If only Rhye could have been his. But some other lucky couple got him. He stepped forward to hug the kid again, mostly so the boy wouldn't see him tearing up.
"You're going to make me soft Alexendre. I hope you know that. My wife and kids have you to blame." He wiped briskly at his eyes as he stepped away, but not before returning with an, "I love you, kid," into Rhye's hair.
"Ophelia? Yeah, she's my life right now." Rhye smiled warmly, running a hand through his own hair. Rayner rolled his eyes with a smile at how the boy switched like a flip when he talked about his lady. He gave a snort.
"Right now? That will never change. Just you wait, she's got you wrapped around her little finger- you know it, and you still don't mind. It never gets old." He laughed, thinking about his own sweet wife.
"You know that spot where I always used to read?" He chuckled, remembering the day like it was yesterday.
"Yes, the one I found for you?" Rayner chuckled and punched Rhye lightly in the shoulder. The professor listened to the young Ravenclaws story with amusement. "Snuck into the Hufflepuff Common Room? How clever of you. Sounds to me like a serious case of LoveStruck- main symptom- Love At First Sight. I remember feeling that with Ella. She was just perfect. Remind me to tell you about it some time."
"She wants to be a Healer.. I want to be her husband." He said with a cheekish grin. Caspian's eyes lit up with amusement at the boys words. He had never seen Rhye so happy, and he wished he had known before class, as he was now very interested in the girl who could make Rhye feel this way. She must be quite the lady.
"How sweet of you!" He pinched the boys cheek playfully and ruffled his hair. But then he was serious. "Those are some big things to say, Rhye. I hope you know that. Marriage is something that is so very important. It's serious business. Asking a girl to marry you is a huge step in a relationship. Are you ready for that- at sixteen?" He looked down at the boy in concern, worried that he may be taking things too quickly for his age. "I don't want you to do anything you will regret later.
"This Summer, my parents are going to be out of town for a bit, and I have gotten the okay to bring her and her younger brother out. I am going to propose to her." Rhye said lowly, as if Ophelia could hear it magically. Rayner raised an eyebrow and looked over the boys shoulder like he had seen someone.
"Oh, hello Ophelia, we were just talking about you." He laughed at Rhye's reaction and clapped him on the shoulder. "Relax, Rhye. I think that is very sweet of you. Do your parents know your plans for this?" He asked.
Rhye chuckled at the question. "Because Unicorns are scared of commitment and change and they'll get nervous with a change of habitat." He winked, easing into the forest, the Unicorn at his side. Professor Rayner filled with pride and he smiled down at Rhye.
"Very good son, very good indeed. You make me so proud. I hope you know that. And if you ever get to where you feel down, you seek me out. I mean it." He looked at the boy with a serious face.
With a laugh, Rhye shrugged slowly. "Either way, once I get started, I won't shut up."
"Oh I know," Rayner mumbled with another sly smirk, glancing over at the boy. Rhye beamed over to his friend and nodded.
"You know how I told you that she has a younger brother?" Rayner wasn't oblivious. The boy was avoiding eye contact.
"Yes, what about him?" He was suspicious now.
"Well, she has an older brother too.." he scowled, heaving a sigh. "He's a Death Eater."
Caspian Rayner gasped. "Rhye, that- I don't even- is Ophelia a follower?" He stopped and turned to look at Rhye, his worry growing and a strong feeling of protectiveness flaring. "I can't approve of her or you two if she thinks like that. You know that." He said reproachfully. "if he ever laid a hand on your head I would curse him myself." He closed his eyes to calm his breathing. "Has he ever threatened you? Have you ever met him? Tell me, Rhye." He watched the boys face closely.
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Post by momo on Apr 3, 2012 19:12:31 GMT -5
"Shhh," he rubbed the boys back, "I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere. Ever."
Rhye's worries slipped slowly down a metaphorical drain. Every concern he had about leaving School, leaving Rayner- it was all gone. He was lost in the moment with his father-like figure and he wanted nothing more than to stay there all night. "Thank you." Rhye's soft voice was barely over a whisper.
"You so that already, my boy." He let the boy cling tighter. "I would be worried if you ever missed a day, though I suspect with the girl that is very likely."
Rhye nodded his head slowly at his first words. But then his face morphed into horror and he shook his head, his eyes wide. "No- I love Ophelia and I want to be around her. But if I ever went a day without seeing you, I would die." He said all but jokingly. "I couldn't live with myself.. I have bonded to you... I can't-" his tears welled up even wider in his eyes.
"Oh Merlin, I will prepare my family." He chuckled, letting Rhye speak while he tried to break the ice.
The boy chuckled happily at his words. "Your wife and kids know me, they won't be too bothered." Rhye winked playfully, "I can get along well with them. I won't be too loud or annoying. I will stay in a room and only come out when you tell me. I can eat leftovers and I will be respectful. Like a pet." He grinned. "But I will need out for bathroom breaks... and I need a good petting once in a while. Some attention would be nice."
"Yes you do. You hate it here, and I would too. I want you to be out in the world, happy and doing what you love. You don't want to leave me here behind. But you seem to forget that I don't just cease to exist when you are gone. I am always connected by owl, have free weekends, a Christmas break, and Easter break. Leaving Hogwarts does not mean leaving me. It means being happy." He smiled at Rhye and patted him on the side of the head.
Rhye nuzzled into his hand, raising his own to hold it against his head. "I don't want to leave you behind, and so that is why I don't want to go. I would live through seven more years of Slytherins and hexes just to have your class again..." A few tears made their way over his eyelids now, unable to stop them or even really feel them. "I'm going to miss you so much..." His head was lowered, stepping into a tight hug without a warning. He buried his face into Rayner's shirt, a few sobs escaping.
"Well, you are like my wizarding son," he chuckled, "And I look after all my kids." He winked. "You're going to make me soft Alexendre. I hope you know that. My wife and kids have you to blame."
Rhye clutched tight at his temporary father and closed his eyes, taking in the moment all to memory. "Soft is a good thing. It makes hugging you so much more fun." He looked up and grinned through teary eyes. "Your wife and kids..." he chuckled, "they are so lucky to know you like I am so lucky to know you. I can't believe you saved me from those Slytherins years ago." He shut his eyes again, remembering the day. "You were like my hero... I looked up to you so much. I still do. It was one of those moments where I thought I would just have to lay there and take it- then you stepped up and made them stop. I had never had anyone do that before. All the other teachers let them do it because they were evil like that. They thought it was amusing." Rhye winced and rubbed at his arms and back absentmindedly, knowing where the burning sensations killed him the most on those days. It always burned for a few days after they were done with him.
"Snuck into the Hufflepuff Common Room? How clever of you. Sounds to me like a serious case of LoveStruck- main symptom- Love At First Sight. I remember feeling that with Ella. She was just perfect. Remind me to tell you about it some time." Rhye raised his eyebrows and grinned.
"Old man had the moves, huh?" He winked playfully and punched Rayner softly in the arm. "I will ask you later, when we finish with the animals. I want you to tell me everything."
"Those are some big things to say, Rhye. I hope you know that. Marriage is something that is so very important. It's serious business. Asking a girl to marry you is a huge step in a relationship. Are you ready for that- at sixteen?" He looked down at the boy in concern, worried that he may be taking things too quickly for his age. "I don't want you to do anything you will regret later."
Rhye nodded happily. "I love her. I have never met anyone quite like her." Rhye turned his head and pointed at the glowing earring inside his lobe. "She charmed this herself. When it is glowing, she is thinking about me." He smiled warmly and bit his lip, turning back to his second father. "I would never regret falling for her." His eyes widened a bit and he grinned wider. "You know that stupid feeling when you love someone or something? That feeling where you would go to extreme lengths to be near that person or thing, to hold it in your hands? That's how I feel every second I am with her."
Rayner raised an eyebrow and looked over the boys shoulder like he had seen someone. "Oh, hello Ophelia, we were just talking about you."
Rhye's face grew wide with horror and he winced, turning around to an empty space. He turned back with an exhausted look and snorted.
He laughed at Rhye's reaction and clapped him on the shoulder. "Relax, Rhye. I think that is very sweet of you. Do your parents know your plans for this?" He asked.
"You jerk!" He laughed with a hint of relief. "I almost had a heart attack on this very floor." Rhye nodded slowly. "Yes, they are nervous about me asking just as much as you are, I am sure." He laughed. "But we love each other. And love can conquer all things. Or, you know- so they say."
As Rhye gave his silly answer, he looked over to Rayner. "Very good son, very good indeed. You make me so proud. I hope you know that. And if you ever get to where you feel down, you seek me out. I mean it." He looked at the boy with a serious face.
"I try, I try really hard." He smiled, nodding wearily. "You don't even have to worry. I know that I do. Your little pats on the back and your smiles-" Rhye caught a lump in his throat. "You have my promise. You are always the first person I turn to, anyways, Dad."
"Yes, what about him?" He was suspicious now.
Rhye gulped inwardly and explained. "He is a Death Eater who killed his and Ophelia's parents." His eyes were dark and lowered them to the ground, hatred rising in him. Rhye hated him so much- so passionately much. Even more than David. His hands began to clamp tighter on the rope and he looked over to Rayner. "He always tries to recruit Ophelia because she is really talented and he knows she is under his basic control."
Caspian Rayner gasped. "Rhye, that- I don't even- is Ophelia a follower?"
Rhye shook his head once, sharply. "No." He looked into Rayner's eyes and smiled. "She hates him too."
He stopped and turned to look at Rhye. "I can't approve of her or you two if she thinks like that. You know that." He said reproachfully. "If he ever laid a hand on your head I would curse him myself." He closed his eyes to calm down.
Rhye shook his head again, slower. "Dad, she doesn't. It is okay. And he won't touch me. I won't let him." He frowned, a scowl on his face. "I feel protected." He said softly, a small smile on his face. Rhye had never felt so wanted in his life, other than his home. Most people felt wanted at home. But he meant his Hogwarts life. He had never felt so.. protected and wanted, and loved.... and cared about. A few tears slipped down his face and he pushed them away.
"Has he ever threatened you? Have you ever met him? Tell me, Rhye." He watched the boys face closely. Rhye chuckled with a sadder tone and shook his head.
"No, he hasn't. But I burned his hawk- his stupid carrier hawk- so I think he could be on the lookout for me. I am scared, Dad." He looked down and shook his head. "I don't regret a minute of what I have done to him, but he hurts Ophelia emotionally and it kills me inside. She cries and I'm gone." He shook his head. "He sends her letters and she gets so upset- she grew up around her and she just gets so distraught when he is around." Rhye took in a needed breath and looked back to his mentor. "I have never met him. But the day I do- I am going to rip him a new one, I swear-" he growled, an angered gleam in his eye. "I hate him so much."
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Post by thatcaspian on Apr 5, 2012 18:13:39 GMT -5
Rhye nodded his head slowly at his first words. But then his face morphed into horror and he shook his head, his eyes wide. "No- I love Ophelia and I want to be around her. But if I ever went a day without seeing you, I would die." Rayner smiled softly.
"You don't mean that, Rhye. That kind of attachment is unhealthy. Don't ever worry about me or think something will happen. I will always be safe. And I will always be there when you need me, I don't need you worrying about me- let me worry about you. You are going to have your own family to worry about soon enough." He grinned and rubbed the boys back encouragingly.
"I couldn't live with myself.. I have bonded to you... I can't-" his tears welled up even wider in his eyes. Rayner's own eyes widened as the boy grew more upset and he pulled him tight, pressing a hand to the back of his head.
"Rhye, don't be upset. It makes me sad," he chuckled sadly, "We don't have to think about this right now, we have a whole other year and a summer and the rest of your life after that. This weekend I can get permission to take you and Ophelia out into London, or Diagon Alley."
The boy chuckled happily at his words. "Your wife and kids know me, they won't be too bothered. I can get along well with them. I won't be too loud or annoying. I will stay in a room and only come out when you tell me. I can eat leftovers and I will be respectful. Like a pet. But I will need out for bathroom breaks... and I need a good petting once in a while. Some attention would be nice." Rayner rolled his eyes.
"Don't be so dramatic. You know you are welcomed anytime. You are like a family member. If I don't keep tabs on you then my wife jumps my case," he laughed heartily, "You'd think you were her own." He shook his head with a smile, ruffling the boys "perfect" hair.
Rhye nuzzled into his hand. "I don't want to leave you behind, and so that is why I don't want to go. I would live through seven more years of Slytherins and hexes just to have your class again..." A few tears made their way over his eyelids now, and Rayner looked away. He didn't want the boy to feel embarrassed, and well- he hated seeing Rhye this upset. It worried him, made him want to pull him into his lap like a two year old. After all, the sixteen year old was just a boy. He wasn't an adult, he couldn't turn around and live in the Wizarding world tomorrow. He needed guidance in this war, and Caspian vowed to be that for him. Until the ends of the Earth he would keep Rhye safe. "I'm going to miss you so much..." Rhye buried his face into Rayner's shirt, a few sobs escaping. Rayner held the boy tight, pulling his head tight to his chest and squeezed his eyes close, burying his head in the boys hair.
"Well," he sighed, "Maybe I won't be here after you graduate. Ella is worried- worried about me here. She's been trying to convince me to resign and get a job in the Muggle World. I'm starting to agree with her." He sighed, confessing lowly. Rhye talked about looking up to him, and how he was bullied so badly. Rayner smiled warmly and put a hand to the side of the boys head.
"You were always a smart kid Rhye. And kind, and clever. Those boys were dumb, and half of them had Death Eater's for parents. You know they receive no love at home. You are friends with Delphi Jaymesinn, no? I can promise you she probably does not have the best life at home- same for her boyfriend, who if I'm not mistaken is one of the Harrington twins. But there is no excuse, and I refuse to allow any bullying in my presence. I am disappointed that it wasn't stopped before you got to my class. It never should have made it to second year." He said irritatedly at the problem the school had with bullies.
"Old man had the moves, huh?" He winked playfully and punched Rayner softly in the arm. "I will ask you later, when we finish with the animals. I want you to tell me everything." Rayner chuckled and rubbed his chest.
"Damn right I did." he winked at the boy, "Maybe I will let you in on a few secrets, though the way you make it sound, you don't need any help."
Rhye nodded happily. "I love her. I have never met anyone quite like her." Rhye turned his head and pointed at the glowing earring inside his lobe. "She charmed this herself. When it is glowing, she is thinking about me. I would never regret falling for her. You know that stupid feeling when you love someone or something? That feeling where you would go to extreme lengths to be near that person or thing, to hold it in your hands? That's how I feel every second I am with her."
"Sounds like love." Caspian smiled happily, remembering the way he felt when he fell in love with his Ella. "I know the feeling."
"I try, I try really hard." He smiled, nodding wearily. "You don't even have to worry. I know that I do. Your little pats on the back and your smiles- You have my promise. You are always the first person I turn to, anyways, Dad." Rayner's heart dropped through the floor and he pulled the boy against his side. Rhye was the perfect kid- he wished he could claim him as his own. But no, another family got that lucky. He only hoped he would be a good enough dad to bring his own kids up right.
"I don't worry about you, Rhye. You are a good kid, and I know you make the right decisions. You know what's best." The boy made his promise and Rayner grinned, "You better promise. I've got my eye on you," he joked, giving a quick squeeze. "I'm glad you turn to me," he said lowly, "It makes me feel like I am doing right by at least one student here."
"He is a Death Eater who killed his and Ophelia's parents." Caspian gasped and turned to his son- he shook his head. Rhye wasn't his. He could only wish. Caspian could wish all day, but at the end of the day, Rhye had a family of his own. He had good parents who loved him. He was more like an uncle.
"I don't like the sound of this Rhye. The man obviously has nothing against murder- he murdered his own parents. Who's to say Miss Retchford and her brother are not also on the list?" He questioned with a frown.
"He always tries to recruit Ophelia because she is really talented and he knows she is under his basic control." Rayner raised an eyebrow.
"Is she? Does he have all this control over her?" He hated to admit it, but he was a tad worried that perhaps this girl would follow her brother- what if the boy he had all but adopted was in danger? Rayner couldn't allow that.
Rhye shook his head once, sharply. "No. She hates him too." Rayner didn't want to admit his doubts, so he gave the best smile he could.
"Good, I should hope not." The power of family, in some cases were very strong. But he trusted Rhye to make these decisions, but at the same time, Rhye was still just a boy, and he was supposed to look after him. Caspian would never forgive himself if something happened to Rhye and he could have stopped it. It wasn't exactly that he thought the girl was a danger, but she brought danger with her. If they ever fought, who's to say she wouldn't tell her brother. A million different scenarios flashed through his mind, all growing more and more worrisome.
Rhye shook his head again, slower. "Dad, she doesn't. It is okay. And he won't touch me. I won't let him. I feel protected." He said softly, a small smile on his face. Caspian smiled at his choice of words and he sighed.
"If you ever feel threatened, by Merlin you better tell me immediately. It could be two in the morning on a Wednesday night, I want to know, and I want to know right away, do you understand me?" He asked in a very serious voice.
"No, he hasn't. But I burned his hawk- his stupid carrier hawk- so I think he could be on the lookout for me. I am scared, Dad." He looked down and shook his head. Caspian had began to let a grin form on his face, Rhye would be the kid to piss a Death Eater off, but then he looked to him with a fear in his eyes Rayner had never seen there before. They had finally made it to their location and wordlessly Rayner released the Unicorns who gladly took off. Caspian pulled Rhye over near a flat spot and sat down, motioning for the boy to sit beside him. The professor pulled his knee's up and rested his arms over them.
"Rhye, the thing with Death Eaters- they don't think right. Their minds- they are distorted. Something isn't right there. Her brother," he shook his head at his loss of words, "as a Death Eater, he probably has a lot on his mind. They don't have the capacity to love or care for anyone. I'm not saying you are completely safe- I wouldn't lie to you, but there is a chance that he is so caught up with his, whatever it is that he does, that he hasn't given Ophelia, let alone you, any thought in quite some time. When was the last time he tried to contact her, that you know of." He asked, turning to the boy after his less then perfect monologue.
"I don't regret a minute of what I have done to him, but he hurts Ophelia emotionally and it kills me inside. She cries and I'm gone." Rhye shook his head.
"She cries when you are gone?" He asked for clarification. "Does she know that she can block mail from reaching her at Hogwarts?" He asked softly, knowing that if he truly loved her, then her being hurt this way must be killing him. Caspian pulled the boy in for a side hug. "I wouldn't regret it either." He whispered, kissing the boy on the head again before resting a cheek on his head.
"He sends her letters and she gets so upset- she grew up around her and she just gets so distraught when he is around. I have never met him. But the day I do- I am going to rip him a new one, I swear-" he growled, an angered gleam in his eye. "I hate him so much."
Caspian was proud to see Rhye so protective and serious, but he didn't want the Ravenclaw to put himself in danger. "Rhye, I don't want you to ever go looking for him. If he ever shows up here, you don't approach, you don't say anything. You walk away. Walk away and find me. Am I perfectly clear?" He looked down at his "adopted" son. "If I ever hear of you coming in contact with him, I would be so disappointed. I don't want to see you hurt. There are too many people in this world who be devastated if you ever came to harm." His arm tightened around the kid, assuring him that Rhye was still there. Rayner let a small chuckle escape him.
"I ought to just move my family to that small Muggle town in France you live in. Ella would enjoy that. Then I could keep an eye on you and your future kids." He teased. "Lord knows Ophelia would need someone around to act like an adult." He laughed jokingly.
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