Closed Respect

[Jacob Kingsley]

Jacob couldn't believe he was back at Hogwarts. His plan had failed, and now he knew it would never succeed, not with his parents in the process of divorce. Jacob's mom would never ever agree to him going to Durmstrang as well and she certainly wouldn't ask his dad to use his connections to help even if she did ever agree. He was stuck here now. He knew it wasnt the school he hated. It was some of the people, but he somehow seemed to run into those people all the time, far more than he seemed to run into people he actually liked. Jacob still couldn't believe it though and didn't know why his parents felt so strongly about ruining his life. He watched the small Hippogriff model he had brought downstairs with him as it wandered around the bench, still ignoring his attempts to catch its eye and work towards a bow. This thing was dumb too. He couldn't even have fun with it until it bowed. Those were the rules. "Stupid toy" he mumbled, but not low enough for the hippogriff to not be insulted. It charged at him, giving him a smack on the hand. "Oww. Sorry" he whined at it.

 

[Abian Hunter]

Abian was excited to be back at Hogwarts, though he did miss his mother and sister. It had been nice to be home for a bit and back in what he still thought as the regular world, but he had started to miss magic too. He didn't miss the school part of Hogwarts, and really wasn't looking forward to his classes. He had barely scraped by last year, and now he was worried a lot of what he learned was forgotten over the break. He didn't think the teachers would spend much time repeating stuff, which would be helpful to him. But he had chosen not to worry about that, so he cheerfully ignored those thoughts.

He always enjoyed being outside more than inside, and had discovered the courtyard as a decent place to skateboard last year when he had taught Vader here. He stepped onto the board and kicked off, zooming past a few students as he looked around. His eyes lit up when he saw his friend Jacob sitting on a bench, and he stopped before turning and skating in his direction. "Hey Jacob!" He said, stopping next to him. "I don't think your birdhorse likes you." He said, looking at the strange thing in fascination. "What is that?"

 

[Jacob Kingsley]

"He doesn't" Jacob complained, rubbing the back of his hand. That smack had really hurt! "It's a stupid toy hippogriff I got for my birthday, but he won't give me a chance to play with him" he stated. Jacob had only had it for a few weeks. His birthday was just before school began, making him one of the youngest kids in his year, but he was still very much into action figures and things like that. In those few weeks, the toy had bitten him, scratched him, and poked him in the eye. He wanted to prove to everyone, mostly himself that he could do this. "Did you call it a birdhorse?" he snorted, moving his hand as even that apparently offended the toy or maybe it was just broken and everything caused it to attack. "How even?" he muttered, wondering what kind of charm was on this thing to make it know. It couldn't really be intelligent because it wasn't real.

 

[Abian Hunter]

Abian leaned his skateboard against the bench, then leaned closer to look at the toy without coming close enough to be attacked. He was fascinated by this toy, though a bit wary as well. He really should ask someone to take him to a magical toy store sometime, it would probably be pretty great. But then he remembered he couldn't show anyone the cool toys he'd buy there or share with anyone, and that made it somewhat less appealing. "I did. It looks like a birdhorse. Or maybe a horsebird, but I think birdhorse sounds funnier." He said with an easy grin. "It doesn't look like a hippo at all, though." He added, not very impressed with the apparently official name. He watched as the toy attacked Jacob's hand and couldn't quite cover a laugh. "Did you read the instruction manual?" He asked, glancing at him. "Or is the point of the toy maybe that you learn how to defend yourself against small birds and horses?" He added jokingly.

 

[Jacob Kingsley]

"Who even does that?" Jacob stated as if reading the instructions was a silly thing to do. He was pretty sure he'd thrown them in the garbage along with the box the toy had come in after just a quick glance. He remembered the first rule, to get it to bow to you but no directions on how. "I don't think there is a point. It's just a stupid toy" he grimaced, feeling it rear back and kick his thigh with its hooves. Jacob felt like smacking it off the bench but he was just as determined to conquer and figure this toy out. It couldn't be hard. "Do you wanna try? I don't know much about hippogriffs. Just that you have to be nice to them or something. The box said so anyway" he shrugged. The skateboard was already seeming more interesting to the third year.

 

[Abian Hunter]

Abian laughed, shrugging. "I do! Whenever I try to use toys without reading the manual I always mess something up. Though I guess magical toys may be different." He really wasn't sure how this thing worked, but it fascinated him. There didn't seem to be anything mechanical about the creature, and he was fairly sure that he wouldn't find a slot for batteries anywhere even if he managed to pick it up. He listened to Jacob, then cracked a smile. "Well, have you tried being nice to it?" He asked, wondering if that was the problem. After a moment of hesitation, he knelt next to the bench so the hippogriff was at eye level with him, though he still kept a little bit of distance. "Man, you're pretty." He said after a moment, though he had no idea of the creature could understand. "You don't look like a hippo at all." He grinned slightly. "And you move without batteries, right? That's so awesome!" He glanced at Jacob for a moment before looking at the hippogriff again. "We're not really sure what to do, but we'd like to play with you Mr. Birdhorse."

 

[Jacob Kingsley]

Jacob couldn't help but smile at Abian. He was always so earnest, and truth be told, Jacob liked being able to teach him how cool magic was. Jacob had grown up with some muggle toys brought by his grandfather, and he liked those just fine. But there was nothing like a magical toy. Except for this stupid one before him. But Abian always seemed so interested in listening to him, and Jacob liked that. Jacob scoffed, "Of course I've been -" He cut himself off as Abian kneeled near the bench, hoping the boy wouldn't lose an eye if the toy charged again. He watched as Abian spoke to it, the toy pausing and seeming to listen. That was a crazy thought though. It was a toy! And he had been pretty nice to it before it started to charge at him. At least he thought he had. Jacob nodded encouragingly to his Hufflepuff friend when he caught his eye. The Hippogriff let out a soft snort and then it seemed to bend its front legs before slowly walking towards Abian. Jacob was dumbfounded and watched with great interest. He was afraid to breathe even, thinking it might break whatever spell had come over it. That didn't last too long, however, as Jacob couldn't ever remain silent for long. "I think you can touch it" he whispered.

 

[Abian Hunter]

Abian was looking at the toy closely, a little fascinated by the way the feathers turned into fur halfway through. He was sure that would look even more amazing on the real version of the creature. He could sense Jacob looking at him and the toy, but didn't glance away from it just yet. He had the feeling he was doing something right, as it almost seemed like the birdhorse was listening to his words. He glanced at Jacob after a few more moments and caught his encouraging nod. He looked back at the Hippogriff in time to see it bend its front legs and walk in his direction. He had seen how the creature had attacked Jacob earlier, so he had to fight the urge to move backwards. Abian's eyes were wide as he took in the Hippogriff toy, and he nodded slightly at Jacob's words. He also thought he could touch it, probably, but still hesitated for a moment before reaching out and gently stroking its head with one finger. He started to smile and glanced back up at Jacob happily. "I think it worked." He said, his voice still hushed. He looked back at the Hipporgriff and grinned. "Hey, that's really awesome." Talking to it had worked so far, so why not continue? "My friend Jacob thinks you're awesome too, I think he just didn't know how to say it right. You know? But he's really great." He gently stroked the toy's back and then looked at Jacob again. "Do you want to try now?"

 

[Jacob Kingsley]

The moments between when Abian held his hand out and actually made contact with the toy were some of the longest of his life. And he let out a loud breath when no harm came to his friend as he touched the toy. Jacob grinned back. "I think it did" he agreed, still marvelling at how easily Abian had managed that. Jacob listened as Abian continued to speak, the smile remaining on his face as he heard his friend call him 'really great.' He knew that he and Abian were friendly but it wasnt like they sat around complimenting each other every day. Jacob enjoyed a compliment, and even more so when it was from someone he liked as well.

"Ok" he said quietly, reaching out a finger to pet the Hippogriff as well. The toy seemed content as he did, allowing itself to be petted. But Jacob didn't want to push it. He soon pulled his finger back to safety before turning his attention back to Abian, still impressed at how easily he'd conquered the toy. And his bravery was something to be admired. Jacob had warned him of the toy and he still dove right in. In that moment, Jacob didn't quite see Abian as the kid he usually did, but as more of an equal. "That was really brave of you" Jacob complimented. The Hippogriff took off and began to fly around them. "Cooool" he said in a hushed tone.

 

[Abian Hunter]

Abian felt proud of himself for figuring out how the toy worked. All you had to do was be nice to it, it seemed, and Abian was pretty good at that. He watched cautiously as Jacob also started to pet the toy, and held his breath until the moment his finger made contact. Then he grinned brightly at his friend, giving him a thumbs up. "That's so cool!" He said, really happy about this. "It wasn't brave, it's still a toy." He said, though he was pleased by Jacob's compliment. But surely toys weren't actually dangerous, even in the wizarding world. Were they? He suddenly realized Jacob had been more concerned than him, and he did know more about the toy. But he quickly dismissed the worries, as the Hippogriff was now happy and nice to them, and he didn't have to think about what could have gone wrong. Abian's eyes widened as the toy spread its wings and started to fly around them, he turned in place to follow it, his eyes wide with wonder. Then he looked at Jacob and smiled uncertainly. "So... is... that a real animal?" He asked, as he had wondered about it. "How big are they when they're not toys? And have you ever seen one?" He glanced at the toy and sighed longingly. "There must be so many cool things I haven't even seen yet... I wonder if I'll ever see everything." He still felt like most of the magical world was a mystery. Toys like this, for example, he hadn't seen anywhere but with magical kids who brought them to school. He would really have to seek out a magical toy store soon, but how would he go there? He kept following the Hippogriff with his eyes, fascinated even by the fact that it could fly realistically without having to be controlled. Magic really was something.

 

[Jacob Kingsley]

Jacob shrugged. He didn't think the toy would do any lasting damage because it was just a toy, but sometimes it was better to not test things like that. The Gryffindor nodded his head, happy to answer Abian's question. He always liked helping his friend learn more about the wizarding world. "Yup! Very real. I think they're nicer than him" he stage whispered, jabbing his thumb in the direction of the toy which had come to rest on the grass in front of them. "Hey! Maybe if my mom talks to your mom, you can come with us to the sanctuary during the break. We have a membership. I dunno if they have Hippogriff but they have lots of other cool stuff!" he added. His mom had to be ok with the plan. It was to help someone else and she was always telling him that he needed to help others when he could. Mostly she meant it about him helping Eleanor but he liked applying it to Abian a lot more. "Would your mom say yes? I bet my parents would even let you stay with us if you had to." Jacob realized he had no idea if Abian even lived in New Zealand. He'd never asked.

 

[Abian Hunter]

Abian wasn't surprised, exactly, to hear that the Hippogriff was a real animal, but it did stun him for a moment. He wanted to see one really badly, and wished he knew stuff like that already so he didn't have to keep asking Jacob about stuff. He smiled slightly when he whispered that they were nicer than him, and nudged him. "If he attacks you again, you deserve it." He teased his friend, watching the toy land onto the grass. Then Jacob told him something amazing, and Abian turned his attention away from the toy Hippogriff to stare at his friend with wide eyes. What he suggested sounded almost too good to be true. "Really? Really really?" He asked, his eyes wide with amazement. "That would be so great! What do they have there? How close can you get to the animals? Where is it? Can I really come?" He realized he needed to slow down, as their parents did need to agree. "I think if your mom asks mine... she would be okay with it. She's a bit weirded out by all the magic stuff, but she would want me to experience stuff like that." He said, nodding after a moment. "And... are you sure I could stay with you? That would be wonderful too. I've never been in a wizard's house before." The idea of going to Jacob's house, where he presumably had more magical toys and other magical objects, was almost as good as going to the sanctuary.

 

[Jacob Kingsley]

Jacob's smile broadened as Abian went into his really excited mode. Finally, when he could get in a word, he did. "Yea, I'm sure my mom will be fine with it" he said. He thought so anyway. He'd never actually had a friend sleep over. It had been a little risky back when his dad had been Minister. His parents hadn't wanted to put any other child in a position to be photographed like they sometimes were. But now he wasn't Minister and he wasn't even there when his mother was home. That's when Dad went to his tiny apartment. At least Jacob thought it was tiny. "We have plenty of space" he added. "And the sanctuary has plenty. You can definitely touch the small ones but the animals like Grindylows and Skrewts...you wouldn't want to touch anyway. " He knew he had probably better find his mom soon and ask her while he wasn't in trouble or anything. "I'll let you know what she says" he smiled.

 

[Abian Hunter]

Abian practically had stars in his eyes at the thought of such an adventure. Staying over at the house of a real witch and wizard was one already amazing thing, and then there was the added bonus of the amazing creatures he would see. And getting to spend time with Jacob was awesome as well. "You could show me all your cool toys!" He said, gesturing to the hippogriff as an example. "I don't know what Grindylows and Skrewts are, but I'm not going to ask because soon I can see for myself." He said excitedly, envisioning it. "I'll write my mom right away and tell you what she says too!" He said, picking up his skateboard. "Thanks, Jacob! This is so awesome!"

 

[Jacob Kingsley]

Abian seemed to like the idea a lot, which made Jacob excited about it too. He went from being unsure his mom would say yes to being sure that she had to. It was a confidence borne of excitement. "Ok, I'll find my mom soon too and ask her" he stated, standing up himself. He had a feeling his mom would be in her lounge. She seemed to be spending a lot of time locked up in there these days. "I'll let you know what she says, Abian" he smiled as he began to try to corral the toy onto his hand so he could head off.