[Lars van Loon]

Mr. Greyback usually recruited members at a young age. However, apparently his ally needed an army soon and children weren’t really suited for that. Lars knew better than to ask questions so when he was tasked to go to Hogsmaede and look for which students might fit within the pack, he went. He was on the lookout for those who already seemed to be an outcast and in need of a place to belong. Like he had been. He did have one question. Why had he been tasked with this and not Duke? The answer he got was that Duke was too eager to start a fight and they needed someone who could blend it. He supposed sending someone who would punch anyone who looked strangely at him wasn’t getting much done.

But Lars didn’t feel like he was blending in right now. There was no way that these people giggling in small groups were anything like him. They all seemed so cheerful, how would they ever fit in a werewolf pack? The long haired boy merged with the crowd and immediately felt anxious. All these people who hated his kind… Would they be able to spot him for what he was? They’d at least realise he wasn’t going to their school. Once the crowd spread out over the shops and pubs, Lars decided to sit down on one of the outside benches and observe. He took notes in the shape of drawings as he couldn’t quite read or write.

His sharp nose caught the scent of fresh foods he has never seen before. His stomach growled in desire as he tried to focus on the job. Right… Someone who was an outcast… He’d have to look for someone who was on their own. Gosh that sounds amazing, what is that? The skinny boy’s head turned into the direction of the scent and he was practically drooling.


tag: open

[Ashwyn Maddox]

Ash didn’t really know why he’d bothered to come to Hogsmead today. Maybe it was just that he was feeling antsy and had to get out of Hogwarts for a little bit of variety. He certainly wasn’t amidst a gaggle of gossiping ninnies like so many of his peers. People like that tended to give him a headache from their sheer imbecility but he had to admit that sometimes they had their uses. Right now, though, he was trying to escape the crush that seemed so slow to disperse today.

Finally he had some breathing room. He killed a little time in the bookshop but nothing really caught his eye by the time he realized he was hungry and stepped out to grab a bite to eat. Not feeling like the Hogshead, Ashwyn popped into a smaller place that always had the best food on a stick. It made him feel like he was at a Renaissance Faire or something. With his selections of skewered foodstuffs on a spell-reinforced paper tray sort of thing he headed outside into the fresh air and sat at one of the outside tables.

A book was produced as he got comfortable and picked up a skewered collection of hot peppers and onions to munch. Before he’d read so much as a sentence though, he felt a prickle of apprehension. Putting down the stick he looked around to see if there was someone nearby and low and behold there was.

Ashwyn stared at the rather skinny looking fellow facing his direction and cocked an eyebrow. The guy didn’t look familiar but then again, Ash wasn’t a social butterfly so most of the other students were unfamiliar faces unless they were in his House or uncommonly interesting or intelligent. So he thought nothing of tilting his head in invitation and offering the guy a skewer of some kind of meat on it. He wasn’t sharing his peppers but he had enough meat variety that he didn’t mind the loss of one or two. “Hungry?”

Lars van Loon

[Lars van Loon]

He was sent because he was the least likely out of all the young wolves to immediately throw punches. It just happened that the bar was extremely low amongst the pack. Compared to Hogwarts students, he definitely was agitated quickly. Lars had to remind himself not to cause trouble for the pack and get the job done but it was hard to suppress the boiling emotions he couldn’t place. It was odd being faced with a whole other reality. How different life could be if just one thing was different. People were smiling and chatting about their school life. One bite would reduce them to him and take everything away. It was tempting.

Take this kid reading a book for example. The guy hadn’t done anything personally against them but his whole presence pissed Lars off. Not only had he never learned how to read, fate also led him to blood on his hands from the only person who ever was kind enough to teach him.

Lars found out he was staring and the reading guy seemed to have noticed too. The long haired boy scoffed and put his hands in his pockets, where on one side his wand was and the other his knife. He tried to read the other person but he was so distant from regular society, he couldn’t put his finger on it. “Are you trying to mock me?” He arched an eyebrow to see what reaction it would get from the reading kid. Duke would have had his fist in the guy’s face already.
Ashwyn Maddox,

[Ashwyn Maddox]

Ashwyn was rather nonplussed from the reaction he got from the guy but he shrugged it off easily. It wasn’t as if he was actually invested in feeding the other boy. Just “being neighborly” or whatever his mom called it. He didn’t usually see the point of trying the whole neighborly business because it usually ended up something like this; with the other person reacting in the negative. Was Ash really that abrasive? He didn’t typically think so but maybe he was just too much of an ass to pull off this neighborly stuff.

As the other boy’s hands went to his pockets Ash moved his spare hand to hover near his wand. He was pretty sure they’d get in trouble for casting spells in Hogsmeade but he wasn’t going to just smile blandly while some hungry looking guy pulled something on him. He wasn't the world's finest dueler but he wasn't too shabby once his wand was in his hand. Though he didn't need that to disarm someone; he'd gotten wandless magic down for the disarming spell early last year.

“Nope,” he replied, popping the p as he lowered the meat skewer back to his tray. “I was just offering you a snack but if you’re going to snarl about it I won’t bother you further.” He lifted the meat stick a bit off the tray and said, “Last call for fresh, roasted…” He trailed off and sniffed the meat. “I think it’s boar but don’t quote me.” He smiled crookedly at the other boy. “I ordered boar, beef, and venison but lost track of which is which.”

Lars van Loon

[Lars van Loon]

Interesting… Lars picked up a couple of things from this short interaction. The reader also reached for his wand, meaning he was ready to fight. A strong survival instinct was needed to survive amongst the pack. Remembering the task given to him, this might be worth investigating. His eyes readjusted from the guy’s hand movement back to his face. What followed was the tiniest smirk and nod, almost like a show of approval.

But just because the guy could stand up for himself didn’t mean Lars trusted him in any way. That skewer looked bloody delicious but he shouldn’t… Urgh…. Be strong, Lars! His eyes narrowed at the meat and then at the boy. “You take a bite first,” he eventually grumbled, slightly giving into his hunger. If the other dude didn’t die, it couldn’t be poison right? Unless he prepared and took the antidote beforehand…His eyes fell on the book. Smart people often read. Meaning he was clever enough to come up with a scheme. “What is that about?” He gestured towards the book.
Ashwyn Maddox,

[Ashwyn Maddox]

This guy was definitely weird. Ash wasn’t actually put off by that but he did make note of the fact. He knew he was considered “weird” as well by no small number of his peers so he didn’t judge there. The smirk and nod surprised him, though his only show of that was raising one dark brow, his own lips quirking up slightly to one side of their own volition. Maybe this hungry looking lad was going to be interesting, not that he was letting his guard down.

His offer of sharing his food still stood but it seemed the other boy was the paranoid sort. Perfectly reasonable to Ashwyn even if he had just carried the stuff out of the establishment. He cracked a hint of an approving smile before taking off the first lump of meat from the skewer and chewed it, unable to help the little noise of pleasure he made as he bit into it. Fuck this place is good. And he’d been wrong. It wasn’t a skewer of boar but of venison, the meat rich and a bit gamey and insanely moist and tender (especially for venison), lightly seasoned to enhance the flavor not mask it.

“No skin off my back if you don’t want it but…” he held out the stick he’d eaten from to the other boy. “It’s damn good if you're not opposed to venison and I’m in a sharing mood apparently. ” He seemed entirely unfazed by the off topic question about his book when it came. Ashwyn glanced over at it on the table beside him and then back to the hungry looking boy. “It’s on wandless magic,” he answered honestly. “Seems like a useful thing to learn.”

Lars van Loon

[Lars van Loon]

Lars observed the other carefully as he chewed down the first skewer. There were no signs of taking in anything additional which could be anti poison. The noise that came from the guy said all the young wolf needed to know. By now he was practically drooling like a dog whose human companion held out a tasty treat. His hunger beat his sense of safety and he gave in. “I’m not a picky eater…” Venison? What was that? Some sort of bird? The meat didn’t look or smell like that of a bird. Lars didn’t know this fancy word.

He knelt down and just to be sure grabbed the hand that was holding the skewer so the guy wouldn’t try to stab him with it. His teeth sunk into the meat and ripped off a big chunk from the skewer before taking his distance again to chew. “It’s just deer but-” Tears filled his eyes. “.. It’s so good,” he admitted, sounding more like an actual teenage boy for the first time. Deer were actually pretty common meals for the pack as they could be hunted in the forest. “I’ve never had it like this… How is it made?” Halfway to his rambles, Luke realized just what he was doing and he quickly cleared his throat.

“Wandless magic?” That definitely sparked some interest. Luke leaned over as if he was trying to read what was written in the book and nodded as if the symbols inside made sense to him. “That's definitely useful….” Considering the wand he used wasn't really listening to him. As it belonged to one of his victims and wasn't actually his. Wandless seemed like a good alternative for defense. He relied on the moon for the kill jobs as he hadn't actually killed someone in his human form yet. But he needed something to impress Greyback before they were going to make him do those things. “Won't you get in trouble for practicing outside of school? No practicing with friends?”

Ashwyn Maddox ,

[Ashwyn Maddox]

When was the last time this guy ate? Cause the way he was staring at the offered meat was bordering on laughable. Ash didn’t laugh, though. Best not to laugh at someone who had reached so quickly for his wand. Must not be a Hogwarts student like Ash had initially assumed if he was so hungry. That left who and what he was in the dark but that didn’t bother him as much as it maybe should have. Not a picky eater? Ashwyn guessed that from the hungry glint in the other guy’s eyes when looking at the meat in Ash’s hand.

Initially he stiffened at having his hand grabbed by this stranger and had to stop himself from shaking the other boy off or shoving him or something. Instead, he forced himself to hold still and let the jumpy guy take a chunk out of the meat. Oh shit, was he gonna cry? Over a mouthful of meat? Ash didn’t know what to make of this. “It’s uh, marinated overnight I think and lightly seasoned? Then slow cooked over hot coals to not dry it out. Do you…” He gestured with the skewer. “Do you want the rest of this one? I’ve got enough to share as long as you don’t want my peppers and onions. Only got two of those and don’t feel like sharing but I’ve got spare meat skewers cause I always overeat here.” His tone was absolutely practical; no hint of condescension or the like. He really was offering free food no strings attached.

“But yeah, wandless magic seems useful and I thought I should learn it all things considered. And you’re not a Hogwarts student so you won’t tattle on me, right?” His smile went a little sharp but not judgemental or sly. “I mostly practice on campus, actually, since that doesn’t trigger the underage magic nonsense lawful reaction.” His scorn was clear for that law. How were muggleborn or halfbloods like himself supposed to practice over the summer like the rest of the wizarding students if there were rules to put a stop to it? “Anyway if I’m successful they can’t track it back to my wand cause it won’t be involved,” he added with a shrug, before taking an entire quarter of an onion off the veggie skewer and chomping down on it.

Lars van Loon

[Lars van Loon]

Lars wanted to gulp everything down in one go but he had to remind himself to chew to savor the taste. There wouldn’t be many opportunities like this. He chewed as the food-giver explained the process. A dark eyebrow raised in curiosity. “That sounds like a lot of work, who has time for that?” Lars spoke with his mouth full of food, he hadn’t quite learned table manners. Neither had he ever learned how to cook for anything but survival. The cheapest and fastest way was often the way to go. At times he had even consumed food raw but that was a bit of a gamble for tummy ache.

The long haired boy licked his lips as if he tried to get every bit of flavor inside before moving to his fingers which had touched the skewer. Until the guy offered him the remaining of it. He blinked in surprise, needing a moment to let that offer sink in. “What’s the catch?” Lars didn’t want to owe anyone. “Why are those peppers and onions skewered and grilled anyways?” He asked as if this was the first time he saw it, which actually was the case. Lars ate most of the greens raw if he ate any greens at all. What was with this kid? Were all humans like this? He got them from a place that sold them so that would be a yes, right?

For a second his face paled and he got alert again as the guy pointed out he wouldn’t tattle. “It’s that obvious, huh?” He wasn’t going to pretend that he was a Hogwarts student as he didn’t know what those were like. “It’s bull that they restrict kids from being able to defend themselves. They really want them to rely on adults at all times,” he shook his head and spat on the ground with a snarl. “It’s all about control.” Lars was fortunate to never have gotten the trace, in fact according to the system he didn’t even exist. In a way he was free. The explanation on why the guy wanted to learn wandless magic made him smirk. There were all qualities the pack needed. “You’re clever.” He finally sat down as if he finally had approved of the other. “How much do you know already?” Lars was hoping to learn here and there what he could.
Ashwyn Maddox ,

[Ashwyn Maddox]

Ashwyn shrugged off the question posed to him. “People whose job is to cook, I guess,” he mused. “Merlin knows I don’t have the patience for it.” That wasn’t entirely true. He’d cooked more finicky dishes than marinated meat chunks but it was a rare occurrence. Ash tended not to fuss about food most of the time. Hell, most of the time he’d forget to eat if meals weren’t provided at set times. It wasn’t until the brain fog set in that he’d realize he’d forgotten food.

“No catch,” Ash assured the other boy. “Like I said, I have enough to share though don’t ask me which meat is which off the top of my head. They look pretty similar once cooked on sticks.” He paused to eat another onion quarter, initially responding to the question about the vegetables with another shrug. “Grilled veggies are easier to digest and get nutrition from than raw. Also they taste better with a little seasoning and char than raw.” He set the veggie skewer down with the rest of his sticks of food, his other hand still offering the meat to the hungry boy.

Once again, his smile went slightly sharp as the other boy paled a bit. “Only ‘cause you’re hungrier than any actual student should be with the regular meals Hogwarts provides,” he explained. “Don’t worry I won’t snitch. You do you.” It probably said something about Ash that he was being perfectly honest with this unknown individual but he couldn’t care less what exactly it said. “It is bull,” he agreed. “I don’t have the patience to put up with it,” he admitted with a one shouldered shrug. And if that wasn’t the understatement of the century he’d wake up polka dotted. Ashwyn’s obsessive love of learning new and useful things took back seat to nothing else in his life.

His eyes twinkled at the complement. He knew he was clever, of course. It was nice to have it affirmed though. “I can disarm, unlock things, and cast light wandlessly so far,” he told the other guy. “Working on summoning currently. Once I get wandless figured out I’m working on wordless,” he added. “I hate to feel limited but the presence or absence of a stick or verbal mumbo jumbo. I don’t know why more people aren’t invested in freedom from those tethers.”

Lars van Loon

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