The vanity in Benjamin Chase was not as great as what she had however, anyone part of the Chase clan was inclined to really have a hint of vanity somewhere in their personality. Victoria openly flaunted what clothes she had and really, she was not a big fan of showing off her skin. Clothes were better than skin. Clothes were already her second skin and the reason why she adored them was because she got to pick out the second layer of her skin that can be composed of various patterns, colors and pretty much everything attractive in the eyes of the general people. She supposed Benjamin finally discovered that styling one's hair was essential in everyday activities and no matter how long it took it was worth it.
Benjamin ignored her denial and she mentally let out a breath of massive relief. At least he was not questioning her directly that would put her to squirm endlessly. Any kind of questions regarding the night the Yule Ball occurred was something Victoria intentionally avoided around her brother, because him knowing anything about that time would be the start of merciless taunts and disgusted looks from Ben. When he mentioned that he searched for her, Victoria felt herself stiffen and her lips parted in surprise. She thought her lower body was frozen because if any clue about what she did slipped, she would have to pay for it. Victoria nervously laughed, attempting to hide her authentic emotions behind a roll of her eyes to assure Benjamin she was paying attention to him. Throwing him off in a way was good. However when she got the memo that he was only joking, she relaxed with a slump of her back on the back of the chair and she exhaled silently. Good. Brilliant actually. It only took a few seconds before Victoria felt screwed again, because he casually mentioned the picture he took with Accio!, Hogwarts' official Yearbook team. Well, f*ck.
How could she be so ignorant? Of course Benjamin would have wanted to have a last look at the ball. This was his seventh year and most seventh years wanted to get a last good look at everything. That included fancy events like the ball. She remembered the camera of Accio's team snapping her photo in her dress and everything and really, she was dreading the day Benjamin would open the yearbook and find out that she actually attended to. Her throat was dry and all she managed was to laugh weakly. "Wow. Erm..." What could she actually say now? Should she reveal or keep it in the dark momentarily? She quickly decided the latter as she shifted awkwardly under Benjamin's green eyes that looked at her like he suspected nothing. "You know what, all I did was sleep through the night. The music must have been dreadful anyway. No one could dance to that." She laughed forcefully, trying to create an air that felt like she was being half real with her words. She needed to change the topic fast.
He was not deaf. His eardrums were in perfect condition... At least they were when they were out of Luke Chase's radar. Benjamin hated his brother's tantrums when he was younger, which was why going to Hogwarts was one of the few excuses he had to leave Luke alone for his parents to handle. But the person in front of him was not Luke. This was Victoria and clearly, he heard something off in her tone. Why did she suddenly become so weird? Her aura was giving him this weird, negative vibe that made him feel awkwardly bothered. Like Victoria was trying not to send a message but was failing miserably. Whatever thoughts she had in her mind hardly mattered to Benjamin. Maybe she was on her time-of-the-month and Benjamin would be ideally disgusted if he would indulge in the details.
Victoria missing out on parties like these was nothing like her back at home, where all she wanted to do was go attend all the social events that were thrown onto their doorstep. Well, more like Arthur Chase's desk but it was still kind of the same. It was probably the lack of purebloods that irked Victoria not to attend the ball and truthfully Benjamin cannot blame her. There were still muggleborns around who thought they were so smart and so talented with their magic. What they did not know was that they were merely overpopulating the wizarding world which was such a shame. What pushed magical folk into degrading into this madness? Benjamin huffed a laugh when Vee mentioned that getting her beauty sleep was the best decision during that night. Of course she would do that. Nothing else was better than getting some early and refreshing rest. However, he doubted Victoria skipping the ball would stop her from getting a new dress from their mother. "Slept through the night? Is that what you call late night owling mother, giving her your thanks in receiving a dress you promised you'd wear to the ball you intentionally skipped?" Benjamin snorted in amusement and eyed Victoria funnily. "You're a spoiled little thing, sister." Benjamin expressed it bluntly, knowing that the statement would not totally affect her. Little did he know during that night, she was doing something way out of her league of schemes. Benjamin was like a clueless cop from those muggle movies.
She resisted the urge to wipe her forehead to get rid of the nonexistent sweat - rather, the heat that was already beginning to make her skin flush. This was a conversation that took the wrong turn and Victoria was ready to change the topic and avert it to him. The spotlight was not playing well with her today. "Spoiled is the, erm, the least of all the insults I've heard." She shrugged, playing like it was not a big deal. Which in fact it was not, because Benjamin's view on her was not really surprising. She thought of other things to talk about; one of them was his lonesome self and why he preferred to study alone. The idea branched out to a possible topic of choice and ideally, that was the fastest way out of this awkward topic.
Beginning, she cleared her throat and looked around to see if anyone was coming. The two of them were alone now much to her surprise. She had thought there were people sticking around but it seemed that their hushed voices irked those around them that they were isolated without even knowing it. She frowned slightly as resumed eye contact with the older wizard across the table. "Anyway, we're alone. Were you, um, waiting for Kia to come? A study session was in order for the both of you, maybe?" guessed Vee whilst she crossed her legs to await his answer. She was losing her blooming awkwardness, thank god, because talking about him seemed much easier. Not that she did not want the topic of the conversation steered away from her always. She liked attention, but too much of it could make her self conscious.
There was something off Victoria today. Benjamin sensed it in her aura despite the fact he was no runic priest or freakish psychic. He was her older brother and even her little quirks have become known to him through the years. He could not really put what was bothering her behind that stiff body language she was exhibiting earlier and he decided to mentally wave it off. There was nothing so massive a third year could experience. Definitely Vee was not worrying about something academic. Academics were not her specialty so really, he doubted it was that. Maybe she had some female problems that he would not like to know instead. Staying in the dark was sometimes good for a person and right now, Benjamin thought it was best not to point out why she became frigid all of a sudden a minute ago and now, she was changing the subject.
She pointed out Kia, which was common, because the two Slytherins were really close. Benjamin certainly knew that without Kialla's teasing, he would not have thrived with the incompetent brains that cannot pick up at least one sarcastic remark. Victoria could, but it was not like Benjamin had the chance to wit her out of their verbal games everyday. Benjamin shrugged, not really taking into seriousness Victoria's question. Studying alone was not foreign to him nor was thinking of inviting Kialla for a study session when in fact, she would only scoff and decline. At least, that was how Benjamin thought of how Kialla would respond. "Not really." He offered a weak smile. Now that she pointed out they were alone, he really felt like a loner during his trips to the library. It was pathetic to think about it, but he really could not help it. Did he only have one friend to begin with? The thought made him smile wryly in his mind. Having one best friend that he could trust his life with was not so bad. It was better than having lots and not knowing who to rely on in times of darkness. "Wish she was here though. No offense to you but, she gets me. Which is, um, comforting to say at the very least." Indeed, Kialla understood Benjamin. However he never really questioned himself. Did he understand Kialla wholly? Benjamin never asked himself that because he knew in his heart that Kialla would tell him whatever she wanted to tell him without having to worry about it.
The thought of Benjamin only considering Kialla as one of the few people who understood him made her lips quirk. Not in amusement, but in a neutral kind of fashion. There were of the same age and well, they were technically adults now who could use their wand out of Hogwarts and whenever they pleased. Really, Victoria only understood Benjamin when she wanted to. Most of the time, she would leave him there frustrated with her. She would play dumb just to irritate him and then leave him cheekily and wait for the maddening letter he would owl her the following day. It was a cycle between vicious siblings and Victoria could not wait to be an adult to hex him out of her way whenever they were out of school. "None taken," Victoria stated unaffectedly. Kialla was a good listener and Victoria only wished she could hang out with the other brunette more. They were not really the same in all aspects but as girls, she could drag Kia along an assortment of shops without getting tired of her company.
A weak smile hung on his lips still and Vee laughed at him like he was a small boy waiting to be served some chocolate chip cookies. He looked like he could use Kia's presence now and Victoria was merely a distraction away from his studies. There was always something different about Kialla nowadays that put Victoria into the smallest case of curiosity. Not that she wanted to be nosy but Victoria could not help but assume what had changed. "Oh Ben, she'll come around so that you won't be your lonely self in the library," she reasoned out and leaned in ever so slightly. "Better yet, you should come around first," Victoria uttered vaguely. Having said that, someone with a dirty mind would have laughed because of the innuendo behind her first sentence although Victoria was pretty sure Benjamin would not see it as like that. Anything explicit between the two of them was highly impossible.
Her time here was over, she felt. Victoria now could sense her overstay with the Head Boy, along with his studies that were merely attended to. At least he gave it a glance before talking to her. She smiled a smile that did not exactly reach her eyes and spoke in an upbeat yet unquestionably forced tone. "Well, I think there's nothing left for me here. Studying with you is a pain. I feel like I lost my intellectual capabilities!" exclaimed Victoria in an exaggerated way, standing up from her chair. She studied for like, 2 minutes, and that was the end of her session. It was not enough but she was sure she could resume "studying" in the common room. Or in the cliffs. Whichever struck her fancy more in the next few minutes. "Not that you could help me. You don't look like you could offer a hand without it being beneficial to you." Victoria closed her textbook with a loud snap. This was their usual greeting of goodbye. It ended with an insult that need not to be taken seriously by anyone. Vee was simply following their tradition. "I guess I'll have to finish this chapter in the common room instead." She waved her hand minimally at Benjamin, as a final form of goodbye. She would see him soon for sure. Perhaps once when he would catch her sneaking out somewhere prohibited. But for today, she didn't think she'd see him again.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
