dempster-higgleswade-blog

[dempster-higgleswade-blog]

Out of Sight, Out of Mind || One Shot

Dempster had spent all his life avoiding people, so stepping onto a train platform full of wizards and witches was hardly his idea of a good time. Especially since he knew at least one wizard would be looking for him. Englebert. In a rash decision, Dempster had stopped sending letters to his... Friend? Close acquaintance? It was hard for the Scot to tell what they were at this point. Three weeks of silence didn't exactly breed the best of terms. The decision, however, had been made more for Englebert's sake than his own. He didn't want to rub his bad temper off on someone who had honestly been nothing but nice to him. Demps knew that Englebert wouldn't understand his motives, but there was a nagging feeling at the back of his mind that eventually there would be a confrontation. And considering the boys were in the same house and even slept in the same room, he knew it wouldn't take long for it to happen.

But in the meantime, Dempster's only goal was to disappear. Quickly as he could, he boarded the train, making eye contact only with the ground. He found an empty compartment and went straight to the corner seat, put away his trunk, sat himself down, and began imagining that he didn't actually exist. It was an oddly comforting thought for him, and when other students came into his compartment he buried his nose into a copy of 'Macbeth' and dissolved into the air around him. The other students seemed not to mind and went about their own business--chatting mindlessly about their holidays and being excited for the new year. Normally, Demps would have left to find a quieter space. But not this time. This time, he stayed. This time, he didn't exist.

[dempster-higgleswade-blog]

Dempster chewed on the inside of his lip thoughtfully while he listened to Englebert. He'd never painted before in his life, so he could only pretend to know what the other was talking about. He'd seen paintings, and even read up on some of the more influential ones in the various tomes he perused at and around his home in Glasgow, but he'd never had the drive to try it for himself. Words had proven a worthy outlet, and Demps didn't feel the need to change his ways.

"Hm?" Dempster was caught slightly off guard when the conversation had traced back to him. He didn't mind Englebert dominating the conversation, since he wasn't much for talking himself. "Oh. Well. I didn' brin' any with me... Bit bulky. But if you'd like when I get home I can copy a few of the shorter stories down for you and sent them to you. And when we go back to school just ask an' I'll let you borrow 'em for a while. You migh' have to shuffle through the analytics, but 'm sure you'll be able to find a story or two tha'll catch your attention if you look hard enough." He was used to his dad rifling through his notebooks at home, so when it came to sharing his work Dempster didn't really mind.In fact, having a non-relative close to his own age reading, and possibly even critiquing the young Scot's work intrigued him greatly. It was an opportunity that didn't come very often--or ever--so he figured he may as well take it while it was still there.

A Lovely Dinner || Demplebert

Englebert nodded, he honestly didn’t know very much about writing himself. “Yeah, I think I kind of understand what you’re saying. I am the same when it comes to doing abstract paintings,” Englebert replied. He honestly has no idea how muggles like it so much; it’s so difficult. “Abstract always has to have meaning…but it can’t a visible focus. I can’t paint like that. I always have to be very direct.” Englebert had been trying to develop certain spells that would help him paint while thinking about what he was painting, but so far they’ve only turned his canvas a bright shade of yellow.

"I wish I could read some of your writing."

[dempster-higgleswade-blog]

"Er..." Dempster scratched the back of his head, slightly taken aback by the sudden interest in the notebooks. "Well I mean a lot of what I write is analytical... I read quite a bit and there isn' enough space in my head for it all, so I usually write down my though's on 'em so I don' lose it..." He bit the inside of his lip. He had a feeling this wasn't what Englebert was expecting to hear. "Though... Evr'y once in a while I write fiction... Well... Sort of. They're usually just short pieces about people doin' thin's. Mostly muggle stuff. 's what 'm used to at home. What I grew up with, so tha's usually what it is. I like..." he moved his hands into his lap and tapped his thigh with his thumb as he searched for the right word, "Testin'. Or experimentin', more like. When I write, tha' is. With literary devices an' styles of writin'." Demps glanced down at his hands and allowed a fraction of a smile on his face. "I tried writin' poetry once. Had to burn it, it was so awful. 'm just not... Emotional enough, I s'pose would be the righ' word for it." He glanced back up at Englebert, "Rhymin' is easy, but actually havin' meanin' is hard."

A Lovely Dinner || Demplebert

Englebert had seen them. He just thought that Dempster kept really good notes, after all, he knew a few Ravenclaw fifth years that have basically copied their text books. Englebert was a little surprised, but only because he never took Dempster to be the creative type.

"I did not think someone so studious had time to do that sort of thing," Englebert replied, laughing a little as he propped head up with his chin. "What kind of things do you write? Is it mainly stuff about muggles, or is there magical influences?"

[dempster-higgleswade-blog]

Dempster shrugged again and bit the inside of his lip. He wasn't particularly used to talking, and those he did talk to were usually related to him or were Hogwarts professors. "Me? Interestin'? I wouldn' say tha'. 'm just... Me, I guess." He glanced back over to his host and wondered what about him anyone would find noteworthy. 

" 'm more of a writer than a talker, really... Always have been. 's why I always carry 'round those notebooks at school. 've got so many I keep 'em under my bed. You've probably seen 'em in the dormitory. They're sort of everywhere. I think best on paper..." Demps paused a moment, wondering if this was the sort of thing Englebert cared about at all. He had said he was willing to talk about anything, but nonetheless Dempster was hesitant to continue.

A Lovely Dinner || Demplebert

Englebert nodded, and was surprised at the slight disappointment filled him whenever the arms were out of sight. He leaned back against the wall beside of his bed. The boy could sense that Dempster was still slightly out of his element here. Neither of them were too used to this sort of thing, despite Englebert being slightly more social at school.

"You know, I’m willing to talk about anything. Part of the reason I invited you over was because I thought you were interesting," Englebert replied, giving him a smile. "So, just tell me about anything you want. Family, school, anything. And I’ll do the same, if you want it.”

[dempster-higgleswade-blog]

Dempster nodded slowly, "Ah. 'Spose that makes sense..." He did his best to ignore Englebert's eyes, but when he heard the diverging question he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. He glanced over his exposed forearms and partial biceps. When he'd put the shirt on he hadn't bothered to notice the sleeves that all but clung to his skin. "Er... Thanks?" Confused by the sudden attention to them, Dempster casually placed his arms behind him on the bed and leaned back. "Uh, sort of? I mean... Not obsessively... Jus' when I can. Or when I feel like it... 's sort of hard to condition at school so but I manage to keep up alrigh'..." He could feel his eyes beginning to wander around the room again, and he gave a little shrug. Demps wasn't entirely certain of what else to say on the subject without rambling on about his home life, and he wasn't sure how much of that Englebert would enjoy.

A Lovely Dinner || Demplebert

Englebert was quiet for a minute. His eyes wandered down Dempster’s body as he spoke, and then he cleared his throat as he immediately looked back up at the other boy.

"They worry more about the climate of things more than most people after everything that’s happened to our family, I guess,” Englebert replied. “Um…do you work out a lot?” Englebert had to change the subject, only because he didn’t want everything to take a darker turn during their first actual night spending time with one another. “You seem very…um…toned.”

[dempster-higgleswade-blog]

Dempster glanced over his companion as he spoke, trying to gauge his emotions. When Englebert finished speaking he gave a little shrug, "'S alrigh'. Actually, it's sort of interestin' to hear what life's like for other people. I mean, I spend all my time with muggles so... I dunno. I guess they don' really think too much about--" he made quotations with his fingers, "evils-- or wha'ever. Though I can' really say I use that to let myself wander all abou' town." Dempster put his arms behind his head and leaned back a fraction until he heard his back pop. "I have a few places I go to. Tha's 'bout it."

A Lovely Dinner || Demplebert

"I can leave, but it’s only for a small amount of time and if I have a very, very good reason,” Englebert replied. He turned to meet Dempster’s eyes, something he always did whenever he was having a nice conversation with someone. “They are really lovely, both of them are, but sometimes I just want to get out and do something. They seem to be fixated on the fact that the evils out there are going to just come down and snatch me right out from under their noses and-” Englebert stopped himself before he could say anything else.

"Sorry, I can’t really talk about these two for too long without going off on some kind of rant, I suppose." Englebert replied, giving Dempster an apologetic smile as he finished.

[dempster-higgleswade-blog]

Dempster glanced at the door at the word 'them'. His hands entered his pockets, "What's so wrong 'bout them?" He glanced over at the other and searched his eyes for a moment. He didn't want to make assumptions about the situation, but in his mind Englebert's aunt seemed to be more than tolerable. After a moment Demps seemed to pick up on the cue to sit on the bed and hefted himself off the wall. His movements were slow but cautious as he crossed the room, as if the room were full of social mannerism landmines that were keen to explode at any misstep he took. He lowered him self onto the bed with care and took an outward breath before relaxing.

Dempster tilted his head to the right. "Are you not allowed to leave at all?"

A Lovely Dinner || Demplebert

Englebert nodded and gave him a smile as moved to go and sit on his bed. “It’s no problem. I actually know the feeling. You have no idea how hard it is to spend an entire summer with them,” Englebert replied. His hand came out to try and move his school books and things off of his bed to allow Dempster to sit down.

"Isolation is awful, and as much as I love those two loonies, that’s always what it always seems to feel like," Englebert explained. Auntie and Uncle were great people, and astounding wizards, both of them were veteran aurors, and given Englebert’s past…it explained why they were so protective of him.

“

[dempster-higgleswade-blog]

Dempster followed Englebert cautiously, still a tad uneasy from the foreign environment. When he was pulled into the small room he assumed to be Englebert's bedroom he took the liberty of surveying the room from the wall next to the door. He shrugged, "'S okay I guess. I'm sort of new to all of this anyway so 'm sort of up for whatever you throw at me." He leaned his back up against the wall and ran his hand through his hair, raising a questioning eyebrow at Ross, "Why? She seems nice enough. Only good intentions. Helluva lot better than my aunt." He cringed at the thought of Aunt Moira interrogating Englebert as if she were the chief of police. Of all Dempster's relatives, he despised his aunt the most. Whenever he had dinner at her house she always made a fuss over him and would talk about all the ways Demps would have turned out better if she'd raised him herself.

"Er, thanks for invitin' me over. The room at the Cauldron was getting kind of..." Boring? Lonely? As much as he hated to admit it, he liked having people around. Not necessarily to talk to and interact with, but just having them around him to watch and listen to. They provided a sort of comfort from afar. "Well, you know..." 

A Lovely Dinner || Demplebert

Aunt Ermentrude smiled down at him pleasantly, and then she was quick to make her way into the kitchen. The boy passed all the tests, and he seemed to not have changed anything about his appearance. After all, the charms on the door would have revealed him if that was the case. “I’ll be in the kitchen, you two go on up to Bertie’s room!” The witch smiled, content with the boy for now, although she was not adverse to slipping a potion or two in his drink.

"Come on," Englebert said, before his uncle could try and get ahold of them. Once they were upstairs, Englebert breathed out a sigh and then pulled the boy into his small bedroom. "Sorry if it all went by a little too fast. I usually don’t like people talking to them for too long."

[dempster-higgleswade-blog]

Dempster froze when Englebert opened the door. He'd never seen someone so happy to see him before in his life, not to mention someone he'd only really met a few days before. The impression that he was in over his head rushed over him in a cold wave. He cleared his throat nervously. "Er, hey Englebert," He managed to get out with the faintest of pseudo-grins on his face to hide the panic. Upon Englebert's movement, Demps stepped over the threshold into the house and took a proper look around. His head swiveled left to right as he soaked in the entryway. "I dunno," he mumbled to no one in particular, "Seems pretty nice to me..."

"Bertie?" Dempster raised an eyebrow at Englebert. When he realized he was being addressed, Demps's attention snapped over to the older witch. "Huh? Oh. Sorry." He extended his hand in greeting, "Dempster. Dempster Higgleswade. Pleasure to meet you."

A Lovely Dinner || Demplebert

Englebert rushed down the steps upon hearing the knock. Aunt Ermentrude snapped at him to stop running, but there was no way that Englebert was going to start listening now. He grabbed the door handle and then he pulled it open with a big smile on his face. “Demps!” Englebert exclaimed, as he sidestepped to allow the boy entrance. “Welcome to my house. It’s not much, but my aunt does her best in keeping the best that she can.” 

Englebert couldn’t help how excited he actually was. 

"Oh calm down, Bertie, you’ll scare the boy half to death," Aunt Ermentrude’s voice called as the old witch came into the room. She was wearing standard muggle attire, as she usually did. Her wand was poking out of the bun in her hair. She gave Dempster a pleasant, if not nervous smile. "I’m Aunt Ermentrude Ross, how do you do?" 

[dempster-higgleswade-blog]

Dempster looked from his letter to the house that loomed in front of him. The addresses matched up perfectly, but there was still a twinge of hesitation that lingered in the back of his mind. It had been there ever since he'd left the Cauldron and hopped on the bus. He'd been so nervous that he'd miss the stop and end up somewhere on the wrong side of town that he spent most of the bus ride cracking his knuckles and chomping viciously at the gum he'd purchased at a stand near the bus stop while he'd been waiting for it to arrive. 

He took a breath. Don' worry Demps, he told himself, if this is the wrong house you can jus' go back to your room and pretend none of this ever happened. His feet began to pull him towards the door and his hand reached up to run through his hair. As he got closer to the front door he could hear voices inside. One sounded like an older woman, and the other was a younger male; undoubtedly Englebert. Dempster took the liberty of checking himself over before knocking on the door. He'd never really been to anyone's house before, but he figured he'd be able to pass as decent wearing his dark wash jeans and a plain, pale-blue tee shirt. He popped his neck decisively and gingerly rapped his fist on the front door. "Ready or no' I guess," he mumbled to himself.

A Lovely Dinner || Demplebert

"Auntie! Uncle! He’ll be here any minute! Could you hurry it up a bit?" Englebert called from the bottom of the stairs. Honestly, you would think that they would try and have a little punctuality. He knew that they were nervous, but he didn’t think that they would think his Gryffindor friend was some kind of spy. He can still remember the long lecture he got about inviting strange wizards to their home.

"We’re supposed to be hiding, Bertie!"

"Merlin’s beard! How can you be so ignorant!?"

He loved these two more than life itself, but that didn’t distract from the fact that they were a little too paranoid. 

When they finally made it down the stairs, they were both eyeing Englebert cautiously. “There? We’re ready? Can you stop yelling now?” Aunt Ermentrude asked sternly. Her white hair was fashioned into a bun, and it looked almost like a normal muggle haircut, if it wasn’t for the small bird that teetered around her head as she walked. 

She claimed in was all the rage in parts of Romania, moving headdresses.

His Uncle Alluran just looked like any normal old man. He hated wearing robes whenever it wasn’t a formal occasion. His wardrobe consisted mostly of muggle garments.

"Yeah, I’ll stop yelling now," Englebert beamed, when he heard a knock at their door.

[dempster-higgleswade-blog]

Letters to Englebert: July 6th

Englebert,

I'm sure Bixby won't mind too much. He usually spends most of the summer hanging around his roost. A little exercise will do him good.

That wholly depends on you definition of the word 'enjoying'. Would I say I am 'enjoying' having nothing to do? Not really. Am I 'enjoying' not having the luxuries I have at home? Hardly. Am I 'enjoying' not having to face my peers every day? Yes. It's all comparative, really. Though I can say staying at the Cauldron has been stimulating to my imagination by trying to think up ways to do all the activities I indulge in at home. Just yesterday I discovered that you can perform half-decent chin-ups using a door frame. As for magic, when I'm at home I'm surrounded by muggles, so temptation for me is pretty low during summer.

Other than that, not much is happening. Coffee in the mornings, reading most of the day. Sometimes on a whim I go through Diagon Alley to Flourish & Blotts for new material.

 Considering I still have a few days until my uncle arrives, I suppose I could venture out for a visit. It's not as if I have any pressing matters to attend to here in my room. Just tell me a time and place and I'll do my best to meet you there. Or, would you rather I phoned for easier negotiations?

D.R. Higgleswade

[dempster-higgleswade-blog]

Letters to Englebert: July 4th

Englebert,

Believe me, the ship of me thinking you're mental has already sailed. It left port when you started talking to me in the first place. Anything else mental you do at this point is just wind into the sails. Not that it's a bad mental or anything. Just... A bit odd, I guess. Not that there's anything wrong with that. And, luckily for you I enjoy writing, so no matter how mental it may seem I'll likely still reply.

I can understand your aunt's concern over you leaving the house. I can imagine these days are less safe than when they were in school. So while it may seem idiotic to you at the moment, try to look at it from her point of view. It's not as if she's doing it to make you suffer--she just wants you to be safe. I wouldn't be too hard on her if I were you.

I suppose you could count this as my acceptance to your proposal of exchanging owls. Though, maybe next time we can use Bixby instead of your aunt's owl. He's much more able-bodied in my opinion. However, if you like using 'Curmudgeon,' I completely understand.

 D.R. Higgleswade

[dempster-higgleswade-blog]

Demps's eyebrow raised when Englebert ignored his question, but he figured he wouldn't push his luck. His eyes wandered around the train station while Englebert talked, paying only as much attention as he found really necessary. All those words merely boiled down to going to the Cauldron and then doing something after Demps got a room, so that's what he intended to do. He set Bixby's cage on the ground and hulked his trunk under one arm. Bixby hooted dolefully when Demps placed the cage back on the newly elevated trunk. "Englebert," he said, drawing his full attention back to the other boy, "You talk too much. Can we go now? Unless you've got somethin' else tha' needs doin'." His brow creased for a moment, "Wait, wha's so strange 'bout readin' books 'bout science? Are wizards not allowed to read or somethin'?"

Off the Train and into the Open || Demplebert

Englebert skillfully ignored the first question and instead thought about what they could do about Dempster’s owl. “Well, we could always head to the Leaky Cauldron first, and then you could get yourself a room and we could start explorin’ then,” Englebert replied. “Unless you just wanted to hang around the Cauldron? Which can be fun, there are some pretty interesting fellows there. There was one person who was reading a science book last time I managed a visit.”

[dempster-higgleswade-blog]

"Pleasure," he grasped Englebert's hand with the same amount of pressure. When Demps let go his hand went straight into his pocket and he leaned back against the phone booth. His head tilted to the left, "Why? Most people know you?" Dempster stretched his back, "Eh, Terrence said it'd be a week or so... Which could mean anythin', really. Not tha' I've got anythin' particular I need to do at home or nothin'..." In his head he started forming a list of things he could do at home and things he could do at the Leaky Cauldron. He chewed his lower lip for a while and stared off into nothing, brought back by the soft hoot of Bixby. "Oh yeah... If we go somewhere it either needs to be a place tha' allows owls, or I need to get a room at the Cauldron and leave him there..."

Off the Train and into the Open || Demplebert

Englebert actually felt his heart sort of flutter whenever he saw that cheeky sort of of smile that flashed across Dempster’s face. “Englebert, Englebert Ross,” Englebert replied, as he took that hand in a firm shake. He was almost hesitant to say his name, because he knew that was when people would always give him that look. That look of utter pity and sadness. A look that he has been getting for the past five years of his life.

"And I don’t really take offense too easily. It’s actually kind of refreshing to have someone who doesn’t really know who I am," Englebert said, after he dropped his hand. "So…you wanna’ go to a cafe or something? How long until your parents get here?"

[dempster-higgleswade-blog]

Dempster raised a confused eyebrow at the words 'friend' and 'parents.' He wanted to correct him, tell him that they were really more like acquaintances and that he had only one parent-- singular, no plural-- but he remained quiet for the remainder of the phone call. He didn't want to be rude for no reason. Not when the other boy stayed so quiet for his own phone call. But the more he thought about it, the stranger and more humorous the thoughts became.

"Nah, 's fine by me. I don' care much. But..." a tiny grin flashed on his face, "Friend? I mean, 'm flattered... Though in complete honesty I don' even know your name. Which... I'll admit sounds a lot weirder out loud than I though'. We've shared the same dorm for 4 years, and I don' even know your name... Don' take offense or anythin'. I don' know anyone's name. It was never important before." He was unsure if he was saying to much, but somehow continuing seemed like the best course of action. Demps leaned his back against the phone booth. "But... Better late than never, righ'?" He stuck out this right hand, "Hi, I'm Dempster. Nice to meet you." A cheeky smile faintly tugged at the right corner of his mouth.

Off the Train and into the Open || Demplebert

"Thanks," Englebert smiled, and then he grabbed his phone and put a few pence into the machine. It had been a while since he actually used a phone, so it was a little strange to get back into it. Quickly he called his aunt and uncles number and waited for a moment before he heard them pick up.

"Aunt Ermentrude," Englebert asked, as he heard a woman on the other end sprouting something out to someone else, probably his Uncle Earnest. "You there?"

"Englebert Morgan Ross! Why are you not home yet!?" The woman was screaming into the phone. He just rolled his eyes, because it’s not like he didn’t just get off the train or anything. “You of all people should know how dangerous it is to go gallivanting in the city with all of those new friends you managed to make at school!”

"I already told you, I don’t really have that many friends, and I just got off the train." Englebert replied, his voice was almost melancholy as he spoke. "I am goin’ to be staying with a friend until his parents manage to come and get him. Don’t worry, we won’t be going anywhere where there aren’t tons of muggles roaming around. I promise."

Aunt Ermentrude was quiet, and Englebert knew she was heavily weighing the options. Ever since Englebert moved in with them, it had been nothing but overprotective worry, and he knows they mean will, but sometimes he just cannot take it.

"Alright fine, but if it gets too late, you had better bring yourself on home.” Aunt Ermentrude’s voice was low as she spoke into the phone. And Englebert just have said yes and that he loved her, and then he hung up the phone.

"I hope you don’t mind that, I just…I really don’t wanna’ go home right now,” Englebert sighed, as he looked over at him apologetically.

[dempster-higgleswade-blog]

"Righ'. Jus' checkin'. I've got enough, don' worry." Dempster put the coins into the phone and dialed the only number he knew someone decent would pick up: his uncle’s gym. It rang a few times before the other end picked up and answered with a familiar, “T.H. Gym, how can I help you?” in a soft feminine voice.

"Carrie? It’s Demps… Yeah, back from school. Hey, d’you know if Uncle Terrance is ‘round? I need to talk to him… Yeah, I can wait.” He let out a small sigh as he was put on hold so Carrie could get out from behind the reception desk to look for Terrance. Demps looked over at the other boy, who was waiting patiently. He managed a shrug and an awkward half-smile before a, “Heeeey Dempsy, how are ya, lad?” greeted him.

"Er, 'm fine, thanks... Yeah, I know, it's been a while. Hey, d'you know if and when anyone's comin' down to get me?" He bit his lower lip and nodded slowly, "Righ'. Shoulda seen tha' comin'... Nah, 's fine. I'll be fine. Don' sweat it... Yeah.Yeah. I'll see you later, then. Bye." He removed the receiver from his ear and placed it back where it belonged. He turned to his companion, "Well... Looks like I'll be stickin' 'round for a while." He tipped his head to the side, "Did you say you needed the phone too?"

Off the Train and into the Open || Demplebert

"It should only cost a few pence," Englebert replied, as he looked around. "I’ve got plenty if you need it." Englebert’s aunt and uncle always left him with a generous amount of muggle money whenever he left for the year. He was always to one in charge of going to Gringotts whenever he needed the proper type. Englebert should probably call them soon, now that he’s thinking about it. They are probably gonna’ be worried suck about him.

[dempster-higgleswade-blog]

Dempster raised an eyebrow. "You'd be the first." There was something strange about the smiling boy, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it, and instead just accredited it to the fact that he was trying to have a conversation to someone who wasn't overly fond of people in the first place. "Er... Sure. I guess." He grabbed his trunk and hefted it over to the phone, carrying it under his arm so Bixby's cage rested securely on top. He didn't bother to glance over to see if the other was following, because he was almost certain he would be anyway. Demps set his trunk back down gingerly and began sifting through his pockets for change. "Yeah, 's wha'ever. Feel free to leave if 'm not excitin' enough for you, though. Promise I won' ge' offended or nothin'. I've been told 'm sort of... Borin'. Or at least I've inferred it 'cause no one talks to me." He pulled out a fistful of coins and glanced them over before closing his fist again and looking up. "How much for a call to Glasgow, d'you think?"

Off the Train and into the Open || Demplebert

"I think you’d be great company!" Englebert exclaimed, a smile moving along his face as he looked around for a phone. "Um, there’s a phone over by the entrance, you wanna’ walk over?" Englebert knew that this guy was probably going to feel strange about just being around him. He could tell by the way he seemed to try and be so nonchalant about this, even though he was clearly feeling very…awkward. “I promise I won’t pester you or anything, I mainly just need someone to talk so I don’t have to go home yet. Besides, it’s always easier to pass the time when you’re with someone else.”