Open Burning more than bridges

[Leda Layton]

Leda’s holidays had been tragic.The Slytherin had been hoping to make amends with Olive, and have a good few weeks being able to relax with the whole family. Even Wendall had been there with his little friend and Leda had never experienced a house as full as it had been in August. Living with Mervyn wasn’t quite what she’s hoped for. If she’d been asked even sixth months ago whether she would want to live with her “best friend” then she would have jumped at the chance, but since the end of their last year, she wasn’t sure whether she could trust the Gryffindor, and she was actually glad when she made it back to school, as she felt surrounded by so many that wouldn’t be honest with her. She was exhausted of being underestimated and she vowed that this year she would prove to everyone what she was really capable of. ​

The seventh year has been sat in the student lounge for a while now, nestled in the the comfort of one of the large arm chairs, staring at the letter that she had yet to open, twisting it through her fingers. It was from Olive. That much was obvious, her handwriting on the front was unmistakable. After their fight, Leda had ignored her sister with the exception of meal times when she was forced to eat with the rest of the family, and things were tense to say the least. Was this an apology letter? Maybe she was writing to tell Leda exactly what she thought of her; what she’d been too scared to say to her face. The red head had been deliberating over whether to read it at all, if Olive couldn’t tell her face to face, then once again she missed her chance. The holidays were the times they had to salvage their relationship and so it was fruitless communicating by owl when the time had already passed them by. She stood up, walking hastily towards the fire place, and before she could change her mind, threw her sisters words into the flames, watching as they quickly licked it up and spat out the ash. Leda didn’t want to know what Olive had to say anymore. If the potioneer couldn’t see Leda for who she was, then it was time the Slytherin went on her own path.​

 

[Wendall Layton]

Until he’d started at Hogwarts, Wendall had only spent one occasion with his cousins. His mom took him from their hometown in Michigan and they drove across to his Aunt Ariana’s house. Back then his Uncle Clement was alive too, and Leda couldn’t have been much older than ten. Olive has already graduated at that point, and he hadn’t seen much of the older red head, who often kept herself to herself up in her room. It was a strange vibe at the Layton’s house, and all that Wendall really could recall was that his Aunt and Uncle spent most of their time talking to his mom, and he was left to quietly play with the only cousin that showed herself. Leda intimidated him then, and she did now, never really seeming to think before she spoke. At least that’s how it appeared to the Hufflepuff who had never known anyone quite as stubborn. He didn’t really understand what the Slytherins end goal was, or why she would always push people that were close to her away. She always seemed to have something to prove. Since he’d been placed in Hufflepuff however, his mom had let him stay with his cousins in New Zealand where they now lived permanently, and he’d seen a new side to both of them. He wasn’t used to being noticed in the house, or having people to ask questions to; his own mom was much too busy working for that, and so even though there had been tension with the sisters over the holidays, he still wanted to do what he could to give back to those that had taken him in and let him share their space.​

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The second year had entered the student lounge hoping to find Adelaide or Chase, since he couldn’t exactly hang out in the common room with, and the Great Hall was much too crowded this time of year. Instead he found the cousin that had been to angry with everyone at home to really talk to. As far as he had gathered, some people had let her down and he hoped he wasn’t one of them. Wendall watched with curiosity as she threw something into the fireplace, and approaching slowly, he lent on the back of the sofa, arms crossed. He didn’t want to make her any more angry and accuse her of anything, “What are you doing here by yourself?” He asked. He could understand it when at home when she didn’t want to talk to anyone, but didn’t she have other friends here now that they were back? Wendall had only learnt that she’d become Head Girl too after she’d thrust the badge in Olives direction, with some sort of comment about her coming out on top, but the brunette didn’t really understand it. It was an honour and he just hoped she’d make a good name for the Layton’s that would be slightly more in the spotlight now. Suddenly he remembered his own letter he’d received this morning, “Did you hear? Olive had Felix” he grinned, hoping Leda would perk up at the realisation she had a new nephew. “He was born yesterday, just after noon. Olive said he was born much quicker than Ten, so I guess that’s good,” he was chattering away excitedly, by this point he had sat himself on one of the armstairs, hands tucked under his thighs and swinging his legs out as he spoke.​