Chapter 2
Tucker really hated himself.
They had about three days before detention and Wash, anytime they passed by, gave him the cold shoulder.
He was starting to understand why the normally sweet blonde is in Slytherin; very nearly acting as if Tucker didn’t exist.
Even at lunch or breakfast. Staring across the tables to see him studying. If they caught eyes David would just glare, even started to change seats so he couldn’t see him.
Simmons even noticed. “You really set him off huh?”
Tucker nearly growled. “He hates my guts now! Now he’s never going to talk to me again!”
Grif was sitting next to Simmons, regardless of it being the wrong house table. “Oh definitely. He just got a howler.”
Tucker cursed. “Shit.” He turned and he could see barely see David from this angle, on account of David switching seats so they couldn’t see each other.
He could see enough though. He could see his hands shaking as he opened the letter and the loud, authoritative voice of his father rang out for all to hear.
“A DETENTION?! YOU ARE A DISGRACE TO THE FAMILY! IF YOUR O.W.Ls ARE NOT 100% PERFECT THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY DAVID WASHINGTON CHURCH!”
The howler screamed and Tucker isn’t sure he’s ever felt more like an ass in his entire life. Barely managing to watch the screaming note but he managed to see the tears running down David’s face before the Howler shredded into tiny pieces. David then got up, starting to jog out of the hall, his two ravenclaw siblings following after.
Kai spoke up. “Oof. That’s…ok I got nothing funny, that’s just sad. How can his own father treat him that way?”
Simmons frowned. “I mean, my family wasn’t too happy I didn’t make Ravenclaw but they also didn’t have purely Racenclaws for generations. It was just more of an assumed thing.”
“Cause you’re a nerd?” Grif said.
Simmons sighed. “Yes. Cause I’m a nerd. But one of the bad qualities of Ravenclaw is arrogance so that could have something to do with it.”
Tucker frowned. “Think his home life is ok? Like, you don’t think his dad…abuses them?”
Grif was suddenly serious. “It’s not unlikely. The way his dad responded to just a simple detention, my mom used to react the same to to small inconveniences or mistakes.”
Tucker let out a heavy sigh. “I have to talk to Snape. Maybe he won’t have detention if I explain it. It may not save him in his dads eyes but it can help him now.”
Kai gave a shrug. “Couldn’t hurt.”
When lunch was done, Tucker immediately went to find Snape. Snape was in his classroom when he burst in. Tucker sighed in relief. “Oh good, youre here.”
Snape just gave a glare. “Yes. what do you want?”
“I want you to take away Davids detention.”
“And why would I do that? You both were disruptive and wasting ingredients.”
“It was my fault.”
Tucker felt himself blush, feeling awkward as he explained it. “I’ve been waiting to ask David out, on a date but his friends make it so were not alone and i thought maybe in detention i would actually be able to ask him out but his dad sent a howler and now David is really upset other something i did. I spilled the blood and powder on purpose to provoke him to yell at me.”
Snape raised an eyebrow. “This was all your doing? Impressive, for a Gryffndor to be so cunning yet idiotic. Alright, detention for the next months worth of saturday mornings for you but i will take Davids detention away.”
Tucker almost freaked out but remembered why he was there. “Thank you Profesor Snape.”
He walked back out the door and nearly jumped when he saw his gaggle of friends waiting. Kai smiled nervously. “So?”
Tucker smiled. “Hes taking away his detention.”
They all cheered but Tucker frowned. “In exchange for me having detention the next four saturdays.”
Simmons grimced. “Yikes. I mean, couldn’t have gotten off too easy i suppose-”
“Bow chika bow wow.” Tucker said with a little grin.
Kai laughed, nearly snort laughing, Grif following suit with a chuckle.
Simmons huffed. “Oh shut up.”
David was nearly hypervenliting as he paced the common room of Slytherin. Carolina and Church trying to help. Carolina tried to talk sense into him but both knew it wouldn't help, they all knew the temper of Leonard Church and it usually came with bruises.
“Wash you know he’ll forget by the time we actually see him.” Carolina said.
Wash looked at her sharply, eyes wide with the fear of his father in his eyes. “And if he doesnt? What then?”
Carolina stopped his pacing, holding his arms, staring at him with a protective anger. “I won’t let him touch you.”
His limp trembled. “But then you’ll get hurt.”
“I dont care, you are my baby brother, i have always protected you and i will always protect you, no matter the cost.”
Wash pulled away. “You shouldnt have too. Why does he care so much about me getting one detention when church has gotten several.”
Church chimed in from the couch. “Seven to be exact.”
Wash gestured to him. “Seven Carolina! Why is he so hard on me but you two seem to get away with the same?”
Church spoke up, he was a sixth year, one year ahead of Wash. “it’s cause you're a slytherin. Remember, you're the only Slytherin in our family for three generations. He probably thinks you're gonna be evil or something.”
Wash glared. “Its not like i can control what house i get sorted into.”
Suddenly Snapes owl came in, dropping a letter at Washs feet. Wash picked it up and swallowed. “It’s from Snape, what could he want?” Carolina gave him a look. “We won’t know until you open it.”
Wash opened it quickly, reading it over.
David,
Do not come to detention tomorrow, Tucker has come to me explaining it is his fault for the trouble he put you in. He spilled the ingredients with the intention to get detention together with you. He thought it was a great idea to get you alone to ask on a date when he could have sent an owl.
Wash nearly gasped. “Oh my god..”
Carolina grabbed it. “What is it?” she read it and laughed. “Your crush is an idiot.”
Church came over, taking the letter and reading it and also laughing.
Wash frowned. “You think dad will forget about this detention?”
Carolina sighed. “Honestly, I don’t know. But we won’t see him until christmas, thats months away. But right now forget about that. Tomorrow you are going to find Tucker and give him some whatfor for putting you through this.”
“And maybe accept his date.” church said.
Wash chuckled, wiping his eyes from his tears earlier. “I suppose i could. I didnt think he liked me liked that.” carolina ruffled his blonde hair. “And i told you this is why you're not in Ravenclaw, seriously, how could you miss it? He couldn’t have been more obvious, why do you think we were so protective with you around him?”
Wash shrugged. “Cause I had a crush on who I thought was a straight guy and didn’t want me to get hurt by rejection.”
Carolina shrugged. “Well, not completely wrong. I’ll allow this date but he and I might have a talk first.”