Gale had heard rumors that he would find the eldest Trumble here, having heard how he often found solitude by the lake in search of his sanity. Rumors spread of the pale young man far faster than anyone else, and it broke his heart. The entire family it seemed lived only with defeated spirits, and hard times. Christmas had been rough, and though Gale had kept a close eye on Lucas in the following months from the holiday it was Zel he never seemed to reach. The other children fanned in and out of his life as they were busy with their schooling and with the coming of spring, but it always appeared that Zel stood alone to shelter the storm. He understood that, being the oldest, next to their brother who wasn't school age would mean for him to be next in line to carry the burden of the family. Their mother in prison, and step father overwhelmed it was hard to imagine what home life was like. Letters had stopped, that had seemed to upset Lucas the most, but Gale wrote him often--even if it meant the owl just had to carry them a few feet away.


The walk to the lake had always been his favorite, even when he was a child growing up here. It seemed nearly enchanted when the moon rose over the crystal waters, but now as the evening was starting to come to a close the sounds of the owls made it feel eerie and out of place. The tall trees stretched with their naked arms, drawing down the night with clawing hands until Gale felt the very skin on his bone prickle with the chill in the air. They tore at his heart, just as the shadows passed. With his hair down, and his own wrath like existence Gale too could have been mistaken for some sort of spirit that did possess the school grounds.


Zel too,  with his pale skin and haunted eyes seemed nothing more than a phantom by the shoreline, a spirit of the lake come to pull men under. Over the past few months he had noticed how tired he seemed, how withdrawn he appeared as he worried for his family. (or at least Gale thought) And he wanted nothing more than to reach out, and embrace the child just as he had his younger sibling. But lines were blurred between what was right and what was wrong, and Gale knew he could lose his job if there was one little ounce of doubt. However, unlike any other professor here he didn't reprimand the boy for being outside so late. Instead, he came up behind him, keeping a good bit of distance so not to startle the child, and spoke...


"It's a beautiful night," A child of the forest, he did so belong here, and as he propped up against one of the mighty oaks, Gale never felt so home. Out from the tree line the snow had started to fall, the wind bringing life still to him, he worshiped the winter, having been born on the coldest day, Gale never minded it.

"My favorite sort, really."

He had bundled up with plenty of scarves and a heavy jacket, though part of him loved the cold—even when it made his pale fingertips turn blue. Zel was accustomed to icy, frigid temperatures as he swam in the lake every chance he got, and even on the warmest of days the lake was chilly. He sat underneath one of the ancient oaks, lost in thought. So much had happened in the past several months. Even though he had felt a bit more relaxed as of late,  getting himself and his sister justice came with much more problems than it was worth. His stepfather was stressed out—could barely even handle watching Lettie. Zora was acting out, throwing temper tantrums. His letters from Rhys showed that he was now just a shadow of his former self. Broken, listless, and lost. 

This made Zel worried about the future of his siblings. Garrett lived in a tiny two bedroom apartment, with just enough room for his fiancé and new baby. Emeline was barely able to support herself, struggling in a world and a community in which she was an outcast. She wanted to do so much good, but had limited means. Sometimes, Zel thought about dropping out and working so that he could rent an old house for him and his younger siblings once he came of age. But his last year of school was approaching so quickly, and it would be such a waste of an education if he did.

Plus, there was no guarantee that he would get a job without a proper education. Without his NEWTS combined with his lycanthropy, it would be challenging at best.

Still, he was trying to be positive and to put on a strong face for Lucas and Emeric.
These thoughts were quickly interrupted by none other than Professor Kesali. Zel jumped, startled. He nodded politely.
“G-g’evening.”

He gazed out at the lake. “It, I guess… It is a good night.” Zel gave Gale a careful look. It didn’t take legilimency to figure out that he was wondering why Kesali was here. Why he felt the need to approach him.

Just the look on Zel's face alone nearly broke his heart, all he could think about was how much he wanted to just wrap his arms around the boy and shelter them all from the cold. He hated it that it rained on them no matter how much the sun did shine, and with the winter being rather harsh it was easy to forget that there was every a world that wasn't frozen. Zel just looked so...broken, and tired. His thoughts appeared to be running everywhere all at once, and in five thousand directions pulling him apart.

Gale would undo everything in his being if Zel quit school now. He just wouldn't stand for it, and though there were other students out there that were going through hard times--Werewolves were different, no matter how many hand outs the ministry gave to them trying to tell them it wasn't their fault.

"It's a bit on the cold side, but I welcome it sometimes. The castle can be rather heated, especially....well," He sat down a little awkwardly, laughing a little as the snow tickled his nose, "Well since the full moon is just around the corner." With that he looked at Zel, and pulled his legs to his chest so he could sit like the werewolf,

"Do you care if I join you? I actually wanted to talk to you about the full moon coming up."

“I like the cold.” Zel said cautiously, “It’s… Comfortable.” There was just something refreshing about being in the cold—maybe it was the way the air just felt cleaner? He didn’t know, but snow and frigid temperatures were comforting for him, whether he was outside or appreciating the beauty of it from inside the castle.

As soon as the full moon was mentioned, Zel stiffened up. Even though he grew up with Emeline’s monthly transformations, you didn’t really understand them until you went through it yourself. After Zel's third transformation, he realized that it was never going to get better. Each one was excruciatingly painful—he hated the feeling of his skin stretching to accommodate for his rapidly changing limbs.  Every transformation, his body shifted and rearranged itself until Zel no longer looked human. And without the monthly wolfsbane potions, the transformation would also take away his human mind. It’d take away every part of him that was him. His mind was the only thing he had control of. And sometimes, he felt like he was losing it in all his troubles and worries. There were times he didn’t feel like himself.

Especially close to the full moon.

His temper was aggravated when he had never really had a temper in the past. Closer to the full moon, he had a ttaste for rarer steak  and red meat—though he tried to fight that urge recently. Sometimes he wondered if cutting all meat out of his diet would change anything—at the very least, it would show that he could control himself.
“Wh-what about it?” Zel asked softly, as if speaking of the full moon would only make it come faster.

"I actually like the cold too. Fair skin and all, doesn't do well in the heat, plus I was born in the winter." He mused quietly to himself, not really making the connection that Zel himself was in fact pale to, but Gale wasn't very good at these things. He didn't think he would offend him at all, but he should have been a little more careful with what he said. It wasn't beyond him to just start chasing Lucas around with sunscreen when they had classes outside, but he worried his little buddy would die of embarrassment--so he just cast a silent protective spell instead.

"Well..." How did he even start this? "I...um..." He ran a hand through his hair, and finally just exhaled with his question,

"I don't want you to have to go alone if you don't want, and I mean...well I want to offer to take you and wait for you. I used to work at the Ministry I could even stay if it would make things easier on you. I know this has to be hard, and I'm not really very good at this. But I guess I just don't want you to feel like you are alone through it. I know things have been tough, and I wish I could say they were going to get easier, but..." Gale looked at Zel a moment, "And you have to be the strong one right now. I know Lucas is suffering, E too, and I just don't want you to have the shelter this alone."

“I’m not alone. I have my siblings.” Zel replied quickly, “And Winnie and Sophie and Raine and even… “ He gulped, “Figaro.” There was just something about his roommate that was so… Indescribable. Even though Figaro had outed Zel as a werewolf, he couldn’t just stay angry. His anger had gone away as soon as he saw how ridiculous Figaro looked when burritoed up and sat on.  From Zel’s perspective, Figaro was open, daring, confident, and genuine.  All these were traits Zel admired, and wished he had. He trusted Fig, and thought that in a weird way, his roomie would help him out in difficult situations given that he could help.

Still, he couldn’t imagine opening himself up to most people completely, which kind of defeated the purpose of having those he could trust.

“And.. I don’t go alone. I mean. We aren’t unaccompanied or anything…  I don’t feel alone.” Zel could never admit if he felt alone anyway.

His eyes darkened when he thought about the suffering his family was going through. Lucas, Emeric, Emeline—everyone! He wished he could help them better. Be there for them more. He didn’t think they were sheltering this alone—they had each other! But sometimes, sometimes people needed to seek help from others who weren’t so fully immersed in this whole situations. Others who just were not suffering in those same ways.

“We’re fine.” He said softly, “Really. I’m fine. I-I mean, it’s kind of you to check in… And I’m glad my brothers like you and all… But I’m okay. It's not so hard anymore.” Still, a part of him was a little offended that Gale even presumed to understand what the family was going through.

Gale smiled as Zel rattled off a few names, "Oh of course you do. And I would say Winnie would make a wonderful ally to have in all of this. All of them really." Gale forgot really, how it was that the students bonded together. He didn't have that when he was in school. He had Arthur, and Arthur was dead.

And.. I don't go alone. I mean. We aren't unaccompanied or anything... I don't feel alone."

That he had a hard time believing, but for now he let it slide. He couldn't force Zel to talk, and he certainly wouldn't send him to Maiko. Though he himself was beyond ready to spend a few evenings with her. She had a soft bed, and smelled like honey. Her skin was soft and her hair felt like silk. He did miss her.

"You say that, and I want to believe you. But I just have a hard time imagining what you are going through, and I know that holding it in can be even harder. It can't be easy. Just..." Gale looked at Zel again, "You know...I was a teenager once, and if you need to talk I'm there. If you need to beat something. Well...I got a great pair of boxing gloves and a killer left hook." Erin used them already.

"And...well...I'll be in town the weekend of the full moon anyway. I've noticed that Emeric needs new shoes, his toe is pressing against the ends. I've let the hem out of Lucas' pants twice now. And if there is anything you need you will let me know won't you?"

“I don’t need you to beat anything.” Zel gave Gale a bewildered look. Imagining Kesali beating anyone up was amusing—probably because he never viewed the charms professor as violent in any way. Also, the thought of someone so much shorter than him getting all defensive was… Cute? Amusing? He remembered that Garrett enjoyed being overprotective when he was around, but Garrett was also a few inches taller than Zel. Maybe Kesali had a bit of a weird or mean streak--Winnie did hate him because he was mean to her once—but Zel figured that everyone was mean sometimes. It wasn’t something to hold against him in any way.

“Seriously. Don’t beat anything. There’s no need for violence on my behalf.” He said almost sternly, but he sighed and looked down at the mention of his brothers outgrowing their clothes.

“I have hand me downs for them you know. It’s just..” It’s just that they were getting worn out. Many of those clothes had once been Garrett’s! They were old, and even though Lucas was probably going to be a bit lanky like Zel (or maybe less so?), Emeric was a little bigger boned. Not to say that he was overweight, but Zel had a feeling Emeric was going to be tall and actually feel it. Zel didn’t always feel like he was tall when he was also so skinny.

“I can get him shoes you know. Or do some charms on them so they fit better. I can take care of my brothers.” He understood why Rhys wasn’t. Since his mother was in Azkaban, Rhys had stopped working very much to take care of the sisters. Money was tight.

“I can’t exactly let out the hems on pants but—“ He let out a dejected sigh, “Thank you for helping them. I… Appreciate it.” Though, a small, nearly undetectable part of him was raging at the thought of Kesali taking on a parenting role. He wasn’t part of the family. He was a teacher. He didn’t belong in their little Trumble group—taking care of his siblings—that was his responsibility. That was his stepdad’s responsibility! Not Gales’, no matter how well intentioned he was. 

"I didn't mean for me to beat anything, I meant for you. Sometimes it really helps to express pain by sparring a little. I know I like to do it. My poor boyfriend normally ends up on his head." Gale always rambled when he was nervous, and he certainly was right now. The little children he could handle, they were often easily comforted just by a gentle touch to the shoulder or cookies. Yet, when it came to teenagers he didn't know exactly what to do. They were so hormonal and conflicted.

“I have hand me downs for them you know. It’s just..[...]...I can get him shoes you know. Or do some charms on them so they fit better. I can take care of my brothers.”

And here is where it got tricky. How did he explain that it took more than just brotherly love to take care of his siblings? Gale had no doubt that Zel would do everything in his power to make sure they were safe and sound, but he too had an education to worry about. He couldn't just up and leave school--not this close to being finished.

"I never said you couldn't. No one is saying you can't. I..." He stopped and twitched his nose a little, like a rabbit his nerves got the better of him sometimes, left over childhood tics.

"Well, I just want you to know the invitation is there." Maker he just wanted to wrap his arms around the boy, make it all just go away. He knew that students all came and went with such heartache, but it had been this little family that really captured him.  Zel was hurting, far more than he let on, but for now he let the topic die.

"I just worry is all." 

Boxing gloves for himself? So he could beat things? That would go against his very nature—or would it? Werewolves were known for being violent and temperamental. They were known for it, and that’s part of why they were so feared and discriminated against. It was probably a stereotype, but many stereotypes were there for a reason, right? Still. Committing an act of violence? Being peaceful and gentle was part of who he was, and he didn’t want this damned lycanthropy to ruin it. That would let the darker side of him win, and he couldn’t have that. The thought that someone suggested that was so deeply insulting.

He felt a heavy pressure rise from his gut to his chest—it wasn’t the same as the anxiety he normally felt. It was dark, jabbing, and sharp. He felt like something wanted to escape. It was building up, and he felt like he was quite literally, going to explode. Slowly, his neck, ears, and cheeks became red and blotchy. His eyes darkened.

“Why—“ he said darkly, “Would me hurting someone else make me feel better?!” Zel snapped, “Why would I want to hit someone?! I could really hurt someone—damage someone—you know, if things got too far.” He stood up quickly, “I just—you have the nerve to tell me that beating people up will make my problems go away? Well, it won’t. It’ll just leave people hurt and both of us worse for wear. The type of person who would suggest that, is not the type of person I want to parent my brothers! My family!”

It didn’t stop there. Once he thought of one thing that bothered him, he had to go back to the rest.

“And speaking of that, where do you get off taking the place of our parents? That’s not your right!” His voice slowly and steadily got louder. “You are not our dad. You are not their dad. You will never be their dad! Taking care of the family? That’s my job. My stepdad’s job. That’s Garrett’s job. Hell, it’s even Emeline’s job! We all take care of each other, and we don’t need you!” He clenched his fits and his jaw, he could feel the veins in his neck throbbing.
 
“If you want a family, go make a family! But do not take mine! Emeric and Lucas and I are fine without you, thankyouverymuch! I have things. Under. CONTROL. Back off, and stay out of their lives. They don’t need you to buy them new freaking shoes or let out their pants. They can come to me. I can figure things out for them. Worrying? ” He gave Gale a scathing look. "You don't need to worry." His gaze grew, if possible, even more intense.

“You really want to help? Do you?!” He felt powerful, and at this very moment Professor Kesali looked so very small. “Then stop. Just stop. You are just making things worse! You cannot be our parent. Get over it.” By now, Zel’s voice was hoarse, his throat was sore, he was breathing heavily.

Then, that rage was gone.

Merlin’s pants. He had just yelled at a professor. A professor!

Zelig froze, he felt like the breath had just been knocked out of him. “I-I… I need to go.” He muttered, turning on his heel and running as fast as he could back to the castle. This was not one of his proudest moments, and he could hardly imagine the horror and negative karma he had just received for all of that.  Not to mention the detentions! And on top of that, his brothers, Merlin... His brothers would never forgive him if they heard of this.

“Would me hurting someone else make me feel better?!”

Gale had parted his lips to protest, to explain that sparring didn't hurt anyone. The hits didn't hurt, the motions were there without the force, all he had to do was play along. It had worked well with Erin, at least it got him to stop punching walls and fight something that had a standing chance to fight back. It had the boy relaxed, but the more Gale thought about it the less he thought Zel was like that. However, just as he started to say something fires escaped the gates of hell, and the werewolf's wrath came to life.

“I just—you have the nerve to tell me that beating people up will make my problems go away? Well, it won’t. It’ll just leave people hurt and both of us worse for wear. The type of person who would suggest that, is not the type of person I want to parent my brothers! My family!”

Gale stood up at this, stood to meet Zel as much as he could and remain eye level. Zel was much taller than he was, but that didn't make him able to look down on him.

“And speaking of that, where do you get off taking the place of our parents? That’s not your right!”

He wanted to correct him here, say that he hadn't gone looking for them at all, it was fate that brought them together those few days before the New Years, and it was Lucas who wandered his way back those few days later. Lucas who again came to his office, and spent most a lot of his time standing on his shadow. As Zel continued down his bit of anger, Gale stood there as if he were simply one of the trees taking the force of the storm winds. He didn't move, he just watched the boy, and had it not been for the bit of winter wind in his hair he could have been mistaken for one of the stone angels that haunted his dreams. It wasn't until, “If you want a family, go make a family! But do not take mine! did Gale even flinch. At that he shook his head as tears sprang to his eye,

"I- I don't want to take anything from you Zel all I--"

“You really want to help? Do you?!” He felt powerful, and at this very moment Professor Kesali looked so very small. “Then stop. Just stop. You are just making things worse! You cannot be our parent. Get over it.”

He didn't want to be their parent, he just wanted to help. He did want children, so bad he could taste it sometimes, but this was why he took the post at Hogwarts to begin with. He gained an entire army of them, and they were just that--his children. But how did he make Zel understand that. Gale didn't know what to say. He was stunned into silence, and didn't know where to go from here.

"Zelig, I'm sorr--No wait." But it was too late, he was gone, leaving behind the Professor stunned. Where were the handouts on this? How did he fix this? Was there a charm for it? With a glance up to the castle he wondered if Minerva was still up. W.W.M.D. A sharp pain in his chest had him sit back down, and suddenly Gale wished the water wasn't so frozen so he could just wash away everything that just happened.