Closed Bittersweet Sixteen

[Elsie Baros]

ADMIN ID #92605
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Elsie couldn't believe how well that had gone. She'd beaten Harriet. Actually beaten her. She'd never managed to do that in the two years she'd been dancing. They'd competed tens of times already and Harriett had more practice on her since she'd never stopped and had time to practice actually with her group since she didn't go to a magical boarding school in New Zealand. It was a flipping miracle, but there was no way Elsie was wasting it. "Can you believe that!?" She called to her Dad as she ducked into the car. "Merlin I can not wait to show this to Mom and Rowan, they're going to freak out." She said, more excited than she thought she would be for this victory. After all, it was the culmination of two years of hard work and more than a little bit of practice. She hadn't been expecting to beat Harriett of all people, she hadn't even been expecting to place, but second? Wow, what an accomplishment and the fact that Harriett had come fourth only cheered her even more. She'd clearly been off her game tonight but her loss was absolutely Elsie's gain. What a rush.​

 

[Wyatt Baros]

Wyatt Baros could not believe that Elsie's training and practice paid off. Wyatt might not be able to dance anymore since his accident, but he could still coach and teach, which still gave him a reason to keep going. Wyatt sat down in the car and shut the door, before pushing the button to start it. "I am so proud of you, my dear! I can't wait to put that trophy in the living room." Wyatt put the car in reverse and pulled out from the parking lot. "Oh, your big sister and her husband are coming home tonight! They are bringing your niece too. She is turning 2 this year in September. They really grow up quickly." He had another grandchild, but Zander was with his mother and her girlfriend this month. Wyatt looked to Elsie and beamed, "I am so glad that you beat Harriett. Her face was priceless."​

 

[Elsie Baros]

Elsie grinned at her dad, sitting in the passenger side of the car, since she couldn't yet drive. She was looking forward to learning though. They'd all agree they would wait until they were seventeen to learn, mostly because that would be when they would graduate and they would have much more time to practice and learn because they would be able to move straight into it a lot easier. "I know! I'm so happy!" She couldn't wait to see her sister and her brother-in-law too, she grinned at her Dad as they started to head home. She was going to display this right in the middle of the house and invite Harriett over to see it, well, she wouldn't because she was a muggle, but still, the point stood. "I'll always remember that, what a rush!"​

 

[Wyatt Baros]

Wyatt turned on the bright lights as he turned onto one of the more deserted roads, with woods on both sides. He would adjust the headlights as a car from the opposite lane would be in sight. Wyatt chuckled, "You know, I had a rival once. She was Russian, very graceful, elegant. I ended up marrying her. Who knows, your future might include having a rival for a partner." Wyatt made sure not to say husband or wife, since he had a hunch that at least one of his kids was not straight. He wouldn't mind either way. Wyatt was very accepting of everything, including Zennon's parseltongue ability. He figured it came from the Hensel side of the family. "I am just so proud of you, Elsie. You have come so far in dancing!"

 

[Elsie Baros]

Elsie shook her head in horror as her father told her about his rival. Honestly?! There was absolutely no way she would be marrying Harriett, she was sickened that her father would ever suggest such a thing though she’d heard the story of her parents meeting many times. After all, it was the love her parents shared for each other that let her know how truly and madly in love she was with Agnes. She wanted a relationship like they had and if she had to fight for it she absolutely would because that was how all of this worked. “Merlin, Dad! If you think for a moment that I would ever entertain the idea of marrying Harriett you’re so wrong!” She laughed, whipping out her phone to send a quick text to Rowan letting her know they were heading home. It was easier to text her since they were comfortable in the muggle world and having a phone made sense in that way. xoxo her signature sign off. “I’m proud of me too! It was amazing to be up there in front of Harriett for once, have to make it a repeat so she never wins again!” She said, heart alight at the thought, after all, she may not win, but she definitely could make sure Harriett didn’t.​

 

[Wyatt Baros]

Wyatt reached over to pat her on the shoulder. Just around that time, a deer leaped across the road. Wyatt's eyes widened in shock before he shouted, "Hang on!" Wyatt swerved away from the deer, but the driver side still made contact. The hit was savage, as the deer was large. The car ran off of the road, and down a hill. It rolled several, several times before hitting a down tree with a smash. The ceiling was caved in, the sides were crushed, even the airbags deployed. However, it wasn't enough. Wyatt opened his eyes but felt a large, massive amount of pain in his side. They were upside down. The passenger side ended up taking the hit from the tree. "El...Elsie..." muttered Wyatt, as he reached over to take her hand into his. Was she awake? Was she okay? Wyatt hoped that she was, since he felt that he was starting to suffocate. It was a question that he never got an answer to. A raspy breath escaped, as the internal injuries were too massive to stay for much longer. It was hard to breathe. Impossible. Black blots covered his vision, but tried to keep his eyes open. They lost their light, as Wyatt slipped away, leaving the land of the living.

And the deer ran back into the woods from where it came.

 

[Elsie Baros]

She looked down to her reply text from Rowan and was about to reply again when she looked up and saw a deer where it very much wasn’t supposed to be. “DAD!” The force of his turn threw Elsie against the door, wrenching her shoulder as the seatbelt held her in place. As the car rolled and jumped down the hill, Elsie’s phone was pulled out of her hand falling out of the car about half way down as her vision clouded against the repeat impacts of her head to various sections of the car. Elsie’s vision blackened and all pain ceased. She’d had no time to think of anyone, or anything, her last seconds filled with the terror of seeing the deer on the road. She had no last thoughts as her breath stopped and her head lolled to the side. Elsie Baros and her father Wyatt, were dead.​

 

[Rowan Baros]

Rowan was excited, she'd worked incredibly hard to put this birthday party together and it was finally coming to fruition. Mostly she had her friends here, Ilija and Elio, but she'd invited Elsie's best friend Agnes too, because she felt like that was important. Well, of course it was important because this was Elsie's sixteenth birthday a well. They'd agreed they weren't going to have a party this year, well, Elsie had agreed, Rowan hadn't, and that was why she had then gone behind her sister's back to plan the simplest, most low-key but memorable birthday party ever. There were decorations everywhere, the food was sitting along the table, since she had a big family and she was excited to see her new little niece. She was sure Elsie would come home with some really good news from her recital too. It was a shame that they hadn't been able to get tickets... well, so they had told her. Since she'd been signed to the competition a bit late this year. She had wanted to do this though, so she was glad Elsie would have this amazing banner to come home to. She barely registered the the blazing fire place, or the two official people who asked for permission to step through their floo. She didn't even register the sudden silence from her mother who'd been pleasantly chattering on. She turned away from Elio and Agnes, who she'd been speaking to and grinned at Ilija as her mother quickly called her into another room, following the two officials out of the lounge room. "Mom?" She asked, completely oblivious to the look on her mothers face, or the way her head sit all funny. Zennon was white as a sheet, and the two official men were talking slowly, but it all went in one ear and out the other. Rowan stumbled back out of the room, her whole body shaking. It couldn't be true, it couldn't be true. She looked up at the small group of people she had gathered there, Agnes, Elio and Ilija. "She's..." She couldn't say it, she just couldn't say it.​

 

[Zennon Baros]

Zennon silently followed Rowan and his mother out of the room, praying this wasn't bad news. The moment the words hit him though, he'd known they were true. There was no denying it. Zennon's face grew pale and he had to hold himself up against the wall. Elsie and his father had died in a car accident. A muggle contraption that was supposed to be safe. They should have been safe, they should have been here. Zennon looked over at Rowan as she stumbled back out of the room. His mother was standing near the kitchen, her hands messing with the random objects in front of her. He followed Rowan out as she tried to explain. "Elsie and my Dad are dead," he said, the little emotion that managed to edge into his voice sounding more cold and robotic than he'd intended. He moved to the corner of the room, staring at the wall. How was he supposed to accept this? His sister, and his father, together? No, He could not deal with this. Not now. Not after everything else.​

 

[Isaak Baros]

Isaak Baros remembered when he turned sixteen. His parents and family always celebrated it, with a huge gathering. Well, almost everyone would show up. Some had work, and such. He watched as the fireplace shot up and two men came through it. Isaak stepped forward to stand at his mother's side, before he heard the news. Isaak paled, and looked around to his many uncles and aunts, as well as cousins. Loss was not common in their family. Isaak watched as his grandfather, Daryl, just silently cry. His dad was a twin that died 21 years ago, so not many of them knew him. Isaak clasped his hands to his mouth and tried to hold it in. He had to be strong, even though the older siblings were reacting the same way. Tears pooling in their eyes, in denial. Isaak knew that Rowan would be going through a lot. They all were. He walked over to Zennon and just wrapped his arms around him. He was trying to be comforting, but it was hard. Automobiles were supposed to be safe. They were supposed to protect them. What happened? Why would muggle contraptions take away their dad, and their beloved sister?​

 

[Agnes Baros]

Agnes had had more fun with the boys that day than she would have cared to admit. She'd been working with Elio and Ilija to make food for the surprise party they were throwing with the rest of her girlfriends family. She had to admit, watching them make food for the twins that would be suitable for vegans was both adorable and amusing, but the Slytherin hadn't mentioned anything different to anyone since she knew it was important to Rowan. Her girlfriend would be back soon, and Agnes had been checking her phone religiously for any message from her about when they'd be back, or how the recital had gone. She couldn't wait to see the look on her face. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary until Agnes heard Rowan called away, and she looked up towards the Gryffindor with a slight frown, although tried to keep herself busy with Elio and Ilija, the former hadn't even mentioned the fact that he may have considered Agnes was dating Elsie so as far as she knew, their secret was still safe. When Rowan returned however, dread filled the fifth years heart as she watched her face. Something was clearly wrong. It was Zennon that said the words though that caused Agnes to look the ability to breath and the hairs to stand up on the back of her neck. What? Agnes stood there, blinking and trying to catch her breath, the world moving around her although she couldn't really see it. Elsie. No, Elsie was supposed to be here, with them. Before anyone could say anything to her, she knew she needed to get out, and the brunette fled out towards the back garden for some air as she tried to process what she'd just heard. ​

 

[Ilija Olaf]

When Ilija was originally asked to join Rowan and her sister for their 16th birthday party, he'd thought she was kidding. Then again, Rowan had always stuck by the things she'd said, and he knew he needed to branch out of his comfort zones. It was hard to be around Elio especially, and the Hufflepuff had been on edge for most of his time at the house just in case Elio decided to spring a question on him that would make him feel uncomfortable. He smiled towards Rowan as she was summoned away, hoping that she wouldn't leave him alone for too long, but put on a brave face to the others in the room. When she returned though with the other member of her family, he wondered whether something had happened. Maybe they'd forgotten something? Ilija hadn't seen the two officials coming through the house, he'd been too preoccupied trying not to break anything he was working on. Hearing that Elsie had died though cause the boy to recoil, taking a couple of steps back, glancing nervously between the people in the room. What was he supposed to do? He was Rowan's friend but he didn't know how he was supposed to act after news like that. He hadn't known Elsie very well at all beyond the fact she was one of her classmates. They really only shared a couple of classes together. The Hufflepuff looked to Rowan, not really knowing what he expected from her, but not knowing what he was meant to do either. Should he say something? He glanced towards Elio while fiddling with his sleeves, for once hoping that he would do what he usually did and make the first move. ​

 

[Keyne Baros]

Keyne was talking to his father, and some of the other siblings that came long. The birthday party was huge, because they were going to celebrate the twins', as well as the recital of Elsie Baros. Daryl Baros sat in a comfy armchair, welcoming the sight of all that he had produced with his late ex-wife. Keyne could not wait until Wyatt got back. He and Nolan were chatting it up with some hearty laughs, while teasing their in-laws. Casey and Oscar showed up, but the Baros' women were in another country and could not make it. It was a shame, but at least the four brothers were there. Keyne's smile fell as he saw the two men that had stepped through the fireplace, and the look on Nadine's face. Keyne recognized that. It was uncanny. His father looked devastated to have lost another child. That was the third brother he had lost. And, he lost a niece as well. Back in 2029, Keyne remembered the funeral of Caleb Baros, who died when he was just ten. Keyne looked to his kids, all different ages, who were shocked and saddened by the loss. Cayleigh and Coleman were Rowan and Elsie's ages, and even went to HNZ with them at some point, before Keyne moved them to Ilvermorny. Keyne rubbed his face with his hand, as he collapsed on the couch. The other brothers did the same in various seating objects. Grace Baros ran to her mother, who had to explain to her what happened. Keyne murmured, "Gracie, come on." Grace rushed to Keyne, who picked her up and set her in his lap. She wrapped her arms around her uncle and just sobbed. Keyne patted her back, while trying to keep his calm demeanor over the loss of his brother and niece. It wasn't working since tears were racing down his cheeks.​

 

[Elio Zephyr]

The party was huge, and there were so many people in the house that it was exciting to be part of something that would be so memorable. Elio was enjoying spending some of his holiday with Rowan, even the stupid little things like being able to wake up beside her on days that weren't a Saturday. The day was finally here though, and after Rowan had made his sixteenth birthday special he'd wanted to do the same, little touches throughout the day that told her how much she meant to him. Being in the Baros' home meant he not only got to celebrate her birthday though, but his other best friends. He'd grown considerably close to Elsie over the last year and so to be with both of them was going to make the day especially successful. The Gryffindor had been playing around with Rowan and their friends while waiting for Elsie to come back from her dance, excited to see how the evening would play out. He been surprised to hear that Ilija was invited, although happy to know Rowan had been getting on well with him. He nodded when Rowan was excused, turning to put up some more decorations since he was one of tallest of their little trio, although after jumping back down into the centre of the room he realised Rowan had returned with a less than content expression on her face. "What is it?" he asked her, glancing towards Zennon who appeared at her side. He had a horrible feeling in his chest and frowned at the Slytherin. At his announcement, Elio didn't really register it to be true. How could it be? Rowan looked like she was about to fall over at any moment though and that was when it sunk in that one of his best friends and their dad had really gone. He caught sight of Agnes as she fled outside, and after a moment, caught his voice and told Ilija to go and find her. At least they could look after one another, he hoped. Elio turned back to face Rowan, crossing the space between them until he was stood in front of her, she seemed even more pale up close. Elio lightly rested his hands against her arms, feeling her cool skin shaking underneath his touch. Honestly this wasn't something he'd ever had to deal with before, he didn't know how he was meant to help. Elio's heart was pounding in his chest as he tried not to think about what had happened, what Elsie must have gone through. "Ro.." if he thought his own heart had just been split in two it couldn't have been anything compared to hers. ​