Of Eagles and Snakes (Atticus) (PG-13)

Sitting on a blanket under one of the many trees in the courtyard, Rowan leaned against the tree's trunk, a book propped against her bent knees. While she had the book open, she didn't read. Secretly, she was trying to stay away from her brother and here seemed a nice place to try. Resting her head against the rough bark of the tree, she looked up to watch the clouds move lazily by. It was peaceful here, and for once, she sort of felt it herself. Sighing, Rowan wondered if her life would ever be as it had been before she met her brother and sister, as normal a life as a young witch could have. When she realized that it wasn't likely, her heart sank slightly. Closing her eyes for a moment as a breeze kissed her cheeks, the thought was pushed from her mind, for now. Opening her eyes that had once been so happy and bright, now dark, sad, and broken, Rowan knew that right now, she had a little taste of peace. Even if it was only for this moment....

Stepping into the courtyard Atticus looked around, his eyes searching for William, because he wanted to invite his brother to go fly on the new brooms that arrived. The Nimbus 2000 was amazing, Harry had already proven that and now everyone would be able to fly in it. Atticus, however, found no William Black whatsoever and sighed, Maybe he's in the ravenclaw common room? he thought and began to turn back before he spotted Rowan sitting by a tree. He and William had discussed about what was going on with Will's friend, although Atticus didn't know her that well he still cared, and the only assumption they could make was that her brother was the problem, in some way. Approaching Rowan slowly, Atticus made sure to not be too quiet so she heard him approach, "Hey Rowan," he greeted her.

Looking at the clouds, Rowan's ears picked up on movement to her right and her heart began to race as slight panic washed over her, but just as she was deciding what she would do, run or stay, a familiar voice, and not one that shew as expecting, met her ears. Turning to find William's brother, Atticus, coming towards her, she managed a very small, light smile and greeted him, timidly, "Atticus... Hi. Ummm... What brings you out here?" Rowan could feel the panic begin to melt away at knowing that she wasn't going to face her brother. At least, not right this moment. Closing her book, she offered for Atticus to join her, if he wished.

Sitting beside her he was glad he didn't carry his maneuver gear everywhere he went now, because sitting down with his gear on was a real pain in the ass - quite literally. "Was looking for Will - bastard - but nope, he vanished into thin air," he joked and looked down at her giving her a broad grin trying to cheer her up, even though Atticus still didn't know just what caused Rowan to be this way. This different way, as his brother put it.

Thinking as Atticus sat next to her, she tried to remember just where he was this afternoon. Then she remembered. "If I remember, he's in the library with a 1st year study group.... He offered to help them with some research paper that they are having issues with," she told him. Seeing his smile, she felt her heart and spirit lift ever so slightly. Atticus had a nice smile, different from his brother's, but nice. Rowan liked it. "Thanks again.... For the other day," she said, softly, looking away. CoMC class had taken a tole on her, and, more than anything, the idea that her patronus might be lost for good bothered her the most.

Atticus shook his head and afterwards shrugged not understanding how William could be so kind, it wasn't in their blood. Well at least, their father hadn't been kind in life, not at all. "Best not bother him then," he mused, scratching his head lightly. Hearing her thank him for aiding her in the Care of Magical creatures class Atticus furrowed his brow as he relived those minutes. "What happened?" he asked with a small growl.

When Atticus asked just what happened in class that day, Rowan's jaw flexed as she tried to think of what to tell him without telling what really happened. If Ares found out... Well, she didn't even want to think about what would happen if her brother found out. With a shrug she answered carefully. "I'm not sure..." she lied, "I had it and then... It just went out..." Not raising her eyes to the boy, she knew that if he looked into them, he would likely see that she was hiding the truth. Rowan wasn't sure, but he might be able to see through her lie anyways, but she had to try to keep the horrors of her relationship with her brother as secret as she could. She couldn't risk the harm he threatened her and those she cared about to come to pass.

... It just went out. Atticus found it a little hard to believe anyone would just lose their patronus like that, in fact, he knew for a fact no one was able to simply lose their patronus unless they experienced some sort of traumatic event. "Something had to happen Rowan, you can tell me," he reassured her placing a hand on her shoulder softly.

Feeling his hand on her shoulder, Rowan stiffened and shied away from his touch, moving so Atticus no longer touched her. As soon as his hand wasn't touching her, Rowan regretted it. She hated that she was not alright with simple touches like this any longer. These were touches of friendship, and she shied away from them like they were dangerous. All thanks to her brother... Bringing her broken eyes, glistening with welling tears, she bit her bottom lip and shook her head. "Noth- Nothing hap-" she started to try and say before a single tear slipped down her cheek. Looking away, she said in a pained, timid voice, "I can't tell you...."

Atticus was startled by her sudden movement and he wondered if that simple touch was something she didn't enjoy. His eyes widened slightly when she moved so that his hand fell flat from her shoulder, which also left him somewhat dumbstruck. And her words only helped that. His hand clenched into a fist and he looked up at her, "So, something is wrong ..." Atticus stated, and wanted to reach her so he could wipe her tear from face. But he was certain she'd push him away again so he decided against it, "... Rowan, I'm your friend. William is your friend. We're gonna help you," he assured her.

Brushing the tear away, Rowan slowly looked up at him and nodded softly to confirm his statement. It was all she could do without coming right out and saying just what was going on. Surely that would be ok, since her friends and housemates were already sure that something was wrong. As he spoke kindly to her about helping her, even though he didn't know what was going on, Rowan felt her heart skip, if you will. William spoke to her this way often, as a friend, but when Atticus spoke this way it was....different. A tiny glimmer of hope that they could help flickered in her dark eyes as she swallowed to clear the knot forming in her throat away. "How?" she asked softly, simply, wishing that she didn't fear his touch as much as she did. Rowan fought the urge to reach out to touch him, even though she wanted nothing more than to be touched in a kind way and not be afraid.

Atticus clenched both his fists this time around his whole body tensing along with his soul, he had to find a way to help her, he did not know why or what his drive was but it was a need not a want he had hurt many in varied ways, and it was time he helped someone at least once. "We'll help... I'll help... Somehow," he told her honestly inclining his head slightly to give a firm nod.

Rowan bit her bottom lip lightly as she watched her answer to his question of something being wrong brought on his personal reaction. As he spoke firmly and gave her a reassuring nod at what he said, she managed a small smile and very timidly reached out to touch his fisted hand, but paused when she was nearly there, her hand hovering over his. With a small sigh, she withdrew it and said, "I believe you... Even if there isn't anything that you can do." Rowan didn't know how or why, but she really did believe that if anyone could help her at all, even in the slightest, Atticus was the one. Atticus and William, but mostly Atticus.

His eyes suddenly widened and he understood what he had to do, "There is something I can do... " he said. She was bent on not telling him what was wrong but he knew that was because there was some kind of factor playing, and he figured someone was threatening her, and if she told someone what was going on, it would result in her getting hurt. "... I can help you bare the pain. I won't have to do anything against... whoever is doing this to you. But I can help you through it. Allow me to?" he asked of her wishing he could grip the hand she pulled back just a few seconds before.

Her brow furrowed as she listened to Atticus tell her what he could do, and at hearing that he was willing to help her get through these unseen horrors of her, Rowan felt the weight on her shoulders seem to slip or crack slightly. "You'd..... You'd do that for me?" she asked, her voice quivering slightly, "Guess we'll be learning more about one another, huh?" A touch of her old smile began to shine through on her face before it faded away. This boy had no idea what was going on with her, but he was still willing to help her as he could. Atticus' question made her draw a quick breath and hold it while she reasoned out what he was asking of her. She didn't want to be afraid anymore, didn't want to be hurt anymore, but more than anything, Rowan didn't want to be alone anymore. Looking down at his hand, she inched her own to it until the very tip of her first two fingers could brush the back of his hand. Nodding she looked up at him and aswered softly, "Okay... I will try..."

Holding out his hand a bright smirk on his face he nodded his eyes telling her that touching him would be the first step to actually trusting him and letting him in, and the same would happen with him, if she took his hand he'd understand she was ready for his friendship and help and although he knew it was probably hard for her, she had to try. He was there for her, and she needed to trust him for him to be able to do the same. They both had trust issues but together they'd get over them, "We'll get you through this... Together...," he whispered and smiled at her warmly once again.

Looking down at the open hand he offered her and up again to see the nod and smile, Rowan, for the first time, got lost in his eyes. They told her it was okay and that it would be okay. He was offering to be there for her now, now when she felt more than alone. Something inside her told her that she could trust him, but she had to take that first step. She had to show that, at least for now, this was okay. This simple touch of friendship was okay. That Ares might have his claws in her, but now she would have someone on her side. Picking up her hand she reached out, and just like before paused, her hand hovering over his. Setting her jaw hard, she looked up at him for reassurance. As he spoke to her, Rowan held her breath as she fought with herself over what she wanted, watching her hand so close to his. Finally, she gently placed her hand in his, and raised her dark eyes to his face. "Together..." she echoed his last word, and gave him a much warmer smile than she had given anyone in months.