Closed An Unpleasant Welcome Home

[Gabriella Davenport]

Admin Approval: ID#87341

Gabriella was nervous of going home. But she had too, she had to face it and tell her parents. They sure must know that there was something since she didn't really responded to letters. But she could wave that away, she could tell that she was too busy and didn't want to lose any time. But that wasn't the case. He parents expected her to become prefect just as her parents ever had been. But she failed she didn't. And Gabriella felt the pressure of doing right. Now Lauren was the next in line and she would never become prefect, she was too reckless and inmature. And Gabriella just knew that when they would come home their parents would not be very happy about that. The blonde didn't sat along with Lauren in the train back home but waited for her sister so that they could walk together to their parents. After the long ride home the blonde was a bit tired, but knew that this day wasn't over yet. The blonde always loved to be in England, but she had a feeling in her stomach and nervous one. She hated dissapointing her parents. She was the oldest and she had to do it all perfectly and make no shame of their family name. But especially her dad wasn't easily satisfied. On the way home Gabriella didn't spoke any word to Lauren. If she wasn't so nervous she would have perhaps, but all that Lauren would say would just irritate her more right now. Since Lauren didn't really did her best on school too. So that would be double negative news.

When she stood in front of the door together with Lauren she sighted. '' Please.. act nice. And don't do anything stupid.'' Gabriella said to Lauren nervously. And waited until anyone opened the door. When their housekeeper opened the door Gabriella was a bit relieved. She greeted the woman and gave her, her stuff. And she and Lauren went in. '' I shall start. If they ask. I'm having at least some positive things.'' Gabriella said to Lauren and took off her coat. She just wanted to go to her room and forget all of the year and just do it over. It wasn't like she had the baddest grades just like Lauren had, but good wasn't good enough. It had to be perfect, and she already could hear her father speaking. Gabriella walked to the living room and spotted her parents, they were already waiting on them it seemed and they didn't looked that happy.

 

[Lauren Carter]

Lauren joined some friends in the compartment in the train home. She was one of the last persons that left the castle and Gabriella had to come and find her. Not that she even cared if Lauren stayed in the castle she figured. She hadn't spoken to her sister a lot over the year. Gabriella just pretended that she wasn't there. And Lauren was just used to that. She would make friends for herself and had the best time at Hogwarts. She never had felt so free and happy as she felt on Hogwarts. Lauren knew that she would have angry parents all over her, because she got the most bad grades ever. Lauren only had interest in flying and she wanted to try out of the Quidditch Team once more. Something her mother would never approve, but Lauren just wanted to do her own thing. After saying goodbye to her friends she walked along with Gabriella. Lauren tried to make conversation but Gabriella seemed to be nervous and more irritated than ever. And Lauren didn't hated her sister, she knew how much pressure her parents put on her. Gabriella was so smart and got good grades, but she didn't made it to prefect and she knew that was what her parents wanted. And now they had two daughters that would never make it to prefect. Because Lauren would never become that and had no intention. She was just too rebels and broke rules and was no good example at all. And she thought that negative off herself, since everyone did. Why would she have hope, that it would be else? Lauren hoped that she could sneak into her room quickly, nobody ever noticed her so why would they miss her?

When they arrived at their home in England the blonde looked at her sister and listend to what she had to say. Ofcourse it would be something like this. It was always.. Lauren don't do this.. just shut your mouth and don't interfere. And she would try, for Gabriella. She had no idea why she wanted to try. Gabriella wasn't nice to her at all. But Lauren had sympathy for her just this time, because she was so dissapointed in herself and afraid to come home. And she could understand that. '' I just keep my mouth shut. That's better for everyone. I shall try ok?'' Lauren than answered to Gabriella put rolled with her eyes. When their housekeeper opened the door Lauren smiled. The only person who seemed nice to her sometimes or gave her some candy secretly when she needed to stay in her room. After taking off her coat Gabriella started again. She spoke actually. But it was all to benefit her own. Lauren was fine with Gabriella starting. She was sure that her parents would want to know more about Gabriella than she. '' Go ahead. I don't stop you. But I have something positive too. My house won the cup. Not that I helped much with that, but it is positive. And it's not even Slytherin. Dad must be dissapointed about that.'' Both of Lauren her parents were sorted into Slytherin once, so Hufflepuff for Lauren was another mistake. She belonged there. Lauren followed Gabriella and hide a bit behind her sister.

 

[Bryon Davenport]

Bryon was waiting for his daughters to come home. He was curious how the year went and he hated the fact that he had no influence on the school. But he was gonna contact the school if things seemed off. Bryon was free today and he would take the time to hear everything from the year. Both Gabriella and Lauren went to the school now and from Gabriella he expected much, she could have become prefect. And he and his wife had both writed, but got no answer. The only thing he knew was in which house Lauren was placed. And that was a disaster. Both he and his wife were placed in Slytherin and so was Gabriella, but Lauren.. was different. Bryon was dissapointed and thought a Hufflepuff in the family was not something to be proud off. Bryon had let the housekeeper make some tea and he could use a drink a strong one and a whole bottle if the news he would get was not good. He expected a lot from his children, since he gave them a lot too. They lived in a nice house and had the newest clothes and all, he let his wife take care of that. Bryon had only daughters but dreamed of a son. But he never came. He went sitting in the living room with his wife Agnes and poured himself a Whisky. And took a sip of it directly. He kissed his wife on the cheek and than went sitting in a comfertable chair next to his wife.

When he heard a door opening the housekeeper opened. Bryon looked at Agnes for a moment and wasn't too happy about not knowing anything. If Gabriella made it to prefect that was something she wanted to share? So why did he not hear anything. He didn't liked it. And from Lauren he didn't expected much. She was so stubborn and did just what she wanted. But the world didn't worked like that. And in this home he decided how things went. When he noticed Gabriella in the hallway he went sitting straight and looked with his usual strict face but noticed Lauren trying to sneak away. And he quickly stood up and walked towards them. '' LAUREN! Come here NOW!'' Bryon said with a loud voice. If she had something to hide he would find out. '' Hi Gabriella. Welcome home.'' He said with a small grin and a bit more calmed down he went sitting back in his chair. And looked to his wife. '' Come sit with us. Both of you.'' He than asked, but it was more a wish from him and he had it for saying in this house. '' We want to know some stuff about the previous year. We didn't recieved any letters. So.. who begins?'' Bryon said and put his arms over eachother and than looked at his wife.

 

[Agnes Davenport]

Agnes felt as though she had woken up on the wrong side of bed that morning. What made her irritable that day was not her job, or her husband. She loved what she did, and she loved Bryon more than anything in the world, and they had a beautiful life. Agnes tried so hard raising their daughters right, but something always seemed to be off. It just did not feel perfect, which is what her and Bryon had discussed when they got married - that someday, all of their hard work their entire lives would pay off and they would have an amazing family with perfect children, kids who knew how to obey orders and would understand what their parents saw, and why they acted the way they did. But that did not seem to be the case. She felt sympathy for her husband, in fact, as all he wanted was for Gabriella to become prefect, and by some miracle if she did it right, Lauren too. Not that Agnes had much faith in her second eldest, she didn't quite live up to her standards and expectations.

That day, was the day when her daughters would come home from school. She smiled as Bryon kissed her cheek, and she tried not to giggle. He always knew how to make Agnes happy. Even from the smallest of gestures. She gave him a reassuring nod as the housekeeper opened the door, she, like her husband, was not happy by the outcome of Gabriella and Lauren's time at Hogwarts - not one bit. All her hard work - and of course Bryon's - and they seemed to be wasting the opportunity to be the best. The Davenport status was important, did they not see that? She narrowed her eyes as the two girls approached, and even more so when the younger girl hid behind her older sister. She raised her eyebrows, but said nothing. She looked at her husband as he spoke and nodded along to what he was saying. "Hello Gabriella," she said, not realising that she had completely neglected to greet Lauren. When he was done, she took her turn to speak. "Gabriella? Why don't you start by telling us why you have been ignoring all of our letters?" she asked, as sternly as her voice would allow.

 

[Gabriella Davenport]

Gabriella didn't knew what she was thinking. How could she expect from Lauren to be responsable, she wasn't. She sighted when Lauren reacted the way she always did. It was better if she did the talking. Mostly her parents would listend more easily to her than to Lauren. Gabriella sometimes hated that, because they asked anything to her. She was the oldest ofcouse, but everything was put on her. She had to be the perfect one and she wasn't now, because she had failed. And she wished to have done the year over, but that couldn't. Ofcourse it was not smart to answer to her parents letters, but it was just too painfull to say over a letter. But perhaps it had been smarter, because now they wanted to hear from herself. And seeing their faces would be more painfull she figured. She ignored Lauren further but when Lauren started making jokes about her house winning Gabriella rolled with her eyes. Hufflepuff had won indeed, but that would not be something her parents would be happy for or cheering. Both of her parents were both Slytherins and making it to that house was already a relief for the blonde. But Lauren not was another dissapointed for them. Gabriella didn't really cared. She focused on herself, because she had too. When she saw her parents she wanted to say something but suddenly her father was screaming and Gabriella didn't knew why. But when she turned around and almost got runned over by her dad she saw Lauren wanting to go upstairs and she sighted. How stupid could she been! This would ruin everything and the mood already. And Gabriella waited and smiled when her father greeted her a bit more calmed down.
'' Hello Father and Mother.'' she responded polite. And now was the moment, what would they say next. Gabriella remained silent and looked at Lauren who joined her again. It was obvious that they wanted them to talk about the year. And Gabriella walked over to the living room and went sitting on the couch in front of her parents. And than her father began over not responding to letters. And Gabriella felt stupid for doing it directly. She had to be the smart one here. And than her mother asked if she wanted to explain. And Gabriella felt her hands shaking. '' Uhm. ofcourse.'' She than said. But felt her stomach making hundreds of spins. '' I haven't been responding to your letters.. Because I've been really busy with my studies. I kind of forgot too. I just wanted to focus on only that. I'm sorry.'' Gabriella explained and figured this was the right answer. If Lauren would gonna betray her she was never gonna forgive her. But it would not suprise her, because Lauren mostly just did what she wanted.

 

[Lauren Carter]

It was no suprise to Lauren that Gabriella seemed to be thinking of herself only and what would be the best outcome for her. She didn't seem to be bothered by the fact that Lauren would have nothing to safe herself with. No good grades, no good behavior and not something special to come home with. And Lauren felt even pity for her sister of all the hard work she put into building up a career. Gabriella didn't even gave one smile, it seemed no time for jokes. Only serious stuff and Lauren wasn't a fan for that. And she felt one option and desire to go to her room and pretend that she wasn't there. Just be left alone and don't have to hear about how a failure she was to everyone. But ofcourse her father saw everything. When she didn't want to be in the picture or spotlight her parents always asked for her and she had to explain stuff and when she wanted their attention she couldn't get them. So when her father raised his voice and came at her she froze. And the plan of going upstairs fell into the water. She was spotted. As a dog she followed Gabriella and went sitting next to her at the couch, with some space between them. '' Hello parents.'' Lauren said soft. Because it seemed normal to great someone you haven't seen for a while. It seemed so nice that they wanted to know stuff about her first year, but ofcourse they started off with Gabriella. Lauren wanted to say something about the way her father screamed to her, but it didn't seemed like a great moment now. So she remained silent. And looked towards her mother, that didn't even said something yet to her. Both that was usual the case, her mother focused much on Gabriella. Lauren felt that it was useless to answer her parents letters. And she had no intention to come home over the breaks. It was so much fun on Hogwarts and she liked her friends there. Lauren listened to her sister who explained about the letters. Lauren looked around her a bit bored of this what seemed like a hearing. But on the other hand it would be fine if they just asked Gabriella for now. She had nothing special to say.

 

[Bryon Davenport]

Bryon didn't had to raise his voice again and Lauren did what he had told her to do. He was used to this and this was what he wanted. He was the only male in this house and he still felt like he missed a son. He was given only daughters. And how beautiful his wife and his daugthers all seemed to be having from her. He had four blonde daughters. His youngest one only one years old. He tried to be happy, but yet another daughter. Camille from one year was upstairs sleeping and and June from five played with the nanny. He ignored Lauren for a moment and than looked at his wife. It would be good to start with Gabriella because there was only one question he wanted to be answered right now. Gabriella explained why she hadn't been responding and it seemed like a good reason. But still Bryon was suspicious. He took a sip of his whisky and than looked over to Gabriella. He ignored Lauren who seemed to be have more interest for the room around them. '' I'm not really pleased with being left in the dark Gabriella..'' He started. He would set a rule for this directly. '' I expect from BOTH of you, to keep us updated by a letter in every semester next year.'' He than said strict. And he looked over to Lauren to see if she was paying attention. '' Is that clear?'' Bryon asked to both of them. Because if not there would be punishment. He had set this as a rule now and if he didn't recieved any letters there would be consequences. Than he focused on Gabriella again and put his arms over eachother. '' So you say you have been busy with your studies? How are your grades? And more importantly where is that shiny badge of yours?'' Bryon started off. He waited for a nice prefect badge to come out of her pockets or bag. He went sitting more to he front of his chair and looked incisively to his oldest daugther and than to his wife.

 

[Agnes Davenport]

Agnes raised her head ever so slightly when Gabriella responded, and she nodded a little when her husband spoke, he was so right, when did the girls ever think it correct not to respond to letters? The least her eldest daughter could have done was write a quick, satisfactory reply telling her and Bryon that she was really busy with her studies. Something did not seem quite right, however, Agnes felt that there was something missing, Gabriella had not given details and she felt disappointment, forgetting to reply to letters, although she did say it was due to her studies. She rather hoped that Gabriella's grades were beyond perfect, since it was important to uphold the family name and status. Agnes could not afford for Gabriella not to set the best possible example to her younger sisters, especially Lauren. The two youngest were still very young, and they still had much time to learn. As she glanced at Lauren again, however, Agnes wrinkled her nose a little, the fact that she had been sorted into Hufflepuff did not please her at all. Agnes and Bryon had high expectations, and Agnes was probably the only other person in the family who understood how hard Bryon worked, and how much he had achieved, and all of his hard work needed to be paid off. They couldn't have their children ruining it. In fact, Agnes sometimes felt a lot of pressure just because not all of her daughters - she thought this while she looked at Lauren - seemed to be interested in the same things as her. She really wanted daughters she with whom she could bond. After Bryon was done, Agnes's gaze was still on Lauren. "Lauren, do not look so disinterested, have some respect for your sister and your father when they speak," she said as sternly as she could, and then put a hand on her husband's arm in reassurance. "And at least one letter per semester," she added, she really did not like to be kept in the dark, it was impossible to protect the family name if they knew next to nothing of what was going on at school. She realised too, that Gabriella wasn't wearing her prefect badge, she was now in her sixth year so surely the staff at Hogwarts, the professors, the head of house...they would pick Gabriella, right? If she had perfect grades, she had to be picked. She was a star student. If she hadn't achieved the badge, either Gabriella wasn't doing enough, which was a shame, or the professors were ignorant.

 

[Gabriella Davenport]

Gabriella felt her hands still shaking a bit, but she didn't want to let her parents notice. But they did knew how much pressure they put on her right? Gabriella wanted to get the best out of her career on school too, but now her choice of not writing back seemed like the most stupid thing she could ever do. Her parents would not buy it ofcourse. She was not a good actrice, Lauren was better in that she figured. At least one thing her sister was talented in. She startled a little by her father who screamed at Lauren but it reminded her of how things went again. It wasn't different than usual. And deep down she was glad her father didn't do it to her, at least not yet. When her father began about not being pleased with her not answering she put her hands to eachother. Ofcourse he wasn't and she had learned from it now. But she was just too afraid to tell them. And that was weak, she could hear her fathers opnion in her head. She waited until her dad was finished with speaking, she knew he didn't liked it to be interupted. She was smart enough not to do so, but she looked at her younger sister who could easily interupt. But this was not about her yet, this was about Gabriella. And sometimes the blonde wished it was more about her sister. Everything was so focused on her and sometimes it made her tired. '' I'm sorry father. It is clear. It won't happen again..'' Gabriella than answered and looked from her father to mother. One letter at least would be the deal and Gabriella nodded at her mother in agreement. Ofcourse this question came how could she be stupid enough to think it would not. She just had to be honest now. '' I've been busy. I'm doing my very best and follow as many classes as I can. My grades are good. But there is always room for improvement.'' She didn't got all O's and was distracted with thinking of Marcos too and how to act to him. But her parents didn't need to know. She was gonna go for all O's this next year to make up. Gabriella looked from the ground to her parents and than sighted. Her badge well he wasn't there because she didn't got it. '' Well.. I didn't got chosen as prefect..'' The blonde than answered and felt her hands shaking.

 

[Lauren Carter]

Lauren was used to be second choice or not a being a choice at al. And she didn't responded to any letters too. Because she didn't even thinked her parents would read it, but now they wanted to have them. Lauren could always be surpised by her parents and she hold a desire and wish that her parents would one day show her some love and said that they were proud of her. Lauren was jealous of students from her year that talked about their connection with their father or mother. Lauren just didn't knew how it was to be hold by someone or when you were sad that someone said everything would be fine. Perhaps she read too much stories in books about that, perhaps they just didn't exist. They started off with Gabriella and when her father asked if it was clear Lauren sighted for a moment. '' Loud and clear.'' And than smiled shortly. Her father was loud everyone could hear it. He always raised his voice and that was not necessary the blonde thought when they were sitting in front of him. Perhaps with old ladies it was necessary but not with them. Lauren just could not hold back her opinion sometimes. And perhaps she and her father looked a lot like eachother with that, but from who else should she have learned that? When her mother all of sudden started to speak to her about the fact that she seemed uninterested Lauren felt angry. She didn't done anything. Just like this moment where she was just listening and waiting to go to her room she did something wrong. There was always something. Sometimes she believed it would just be better to go underground where no one could see her and where she could do nothing wrong.
'' I'm listening. What else do I need to do? I have to be silent and that is what I do... Mother.'' Lauren answered to her mother and already saw Gabriella shaking her head. But she just didn't thought it was fair to be blamed by something she didn't even do. She sat here and had respect for her father and sister. Lauren than looked at Gabriella again and did it a bit too obvious so that her mother could see she was paying attention. She had no intention of making things worse now. Since Gabriella told their parents she didn't made it to prefect. Lauren felt sad for her, because she knew how hard Gabriella worked.

 

[Bryon Davenport]

Bryon was waiting for an answer for the question he had all year long. And he wanted it right now. He wanted to have it already much earlier, but his daughters had chosen to stay at school. It was a good choice he figured because they could study on. Not that he thought Lauren was gonna do that. He had some vague idea that she would only be there to have fun and make use of the empty castle. But he was gonna come to that later on. The difference between Gabriella and Lauren became so clear this time again by the way they answered. Gabriella understood how it worked and Lauren was a hard learner. He nodded at Gabriella and than looked at Lauren. '' You can take an example at your sister.. There is no funny thing at all here. So put away that stupid grin of your face quickly.'' He than said strict and sighted. Bryon took another sip of his whiskey and than looked at his wife who finished what he was saying. They were always a good team and his wife understood him he liked that. He was the boss around here and his wife completed him and stood beside him. A united front. He nodded at what his wife said about one letter, but he really wished they were more. Sometimes it was hard to not have influence around the school, where he could folllow every step his children took. Perhaps he was gonna reach out to the school about possibilities. He than listened to Gabriella as she talked about her results. There was room for improvement that didn't sounded too perfect but Gabriella understood the way things worked. '' Right. '' He than answered. He wasn't a man of compliments, because there was always room for improvement just as Gabriella said. And he wanted to see the best of the best. And Gabriella needed to work on that. When his wife spoke to Lauren his sight went directly towards Lauren and he sighted. He had been noticing that Lauren wasn't paying attention at all, and it came as no suprise. But that big mouth of hers spoke back and he put his glass with whisky on the table hard and loud, so that he got attention. '' Shut your mouth! We didn't asked about your opinion. Just do as you are told too, and pay attention.'' He felt irritated by the behavior of Lauren. Was she always wanted to get the attention?! She always needed to say something back. It made him angry. And his wife was right to say something about it. But it was not Laurens right to say something in return. When he ignored Lauren again and focused on Gabriella he took another sip of his whiskey. He was right to pour something in for himself he needed it.

When Gabriella said she didn't got chosen he had to let it go to his mind for a moment. Was he really hearing this right? Did he just dreamed this? Was this real? He almost choked in his whiskey. And put the glass down. He felt his hands shaking. '' What did you say?!!!'' He than repeated a bit louder. But felt his anger being on the top of a mountain. Where his daugthers just doing what they felt like? Didn't they think of the future or the family name? Bryon could not even look at his wife. ''HOW IN EARTH IS THAT POSSIBLE?!'' He than screamed. And went standing up. And walked through the room like an polar bear. He thought about how this could ever happen? He would not have a daughter as prefect, at least not one of the oldest. And Gabriella just needed to. Lauren would never make it. Now his only chance was one of their youngest children. So he needed to focus on them. Bryon took his glass with whiskey and could not think straight anymore and threw it to the wall hard. '' THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE! GABRIELLA! YOU FAILED US!'' He put the blame on his daughter because what else could went wrong. He looked at Gabriella and pointed his finger. The housekeeper could clean the glass, he didn't mind he could not even think straight anymore. He than went sitting in his chair again and poured in another whiskey in a new glass and took a sip. He had not been expecting this. Their wish was clear. Gabriella needed to make it to prefect first and than headgirl. But both seemed to be lost now and just a dream that would never come true. '' AND WHAT ABOUT YOU HUH?! HAVE YOU GOT ANY BETTER NEWS? I'M SURE IT CAN ONLY GET WORSE NOW.'' He than said loud towards Lauren. They could lay anything on the table. He didn't expected much from Lauren. If Gabriella was acting like this on school Lauren would be the clown class for sure.