Sophie Flitwick's Home - Barnes

Gabriella stood for at least a minute outside the now closed bathroom door, her mouth hanging open much like those cartoons on the muggle telly in utter dumbfounding shock. Tanned cheeks were now aflame and Gabby’s large brown eyes had a least doubled in size as she stared, totally confounded at the door her best friend’s amazingly attractive, ripped and just plain fit older brother had just closed.

Had John really just acknowledged her stood there in her pyjamas, curly hair shooting out in all directions?

He’d spoken to her. He’d actually spoken to her!

Gabby had always fancied Sophie’s brother. Who wouldn’t stare gormlessly at such a fine specimen of man? So what if Gorgeous John was older than her, he’d spoken to her. In his boxers!

Finally Gabs realised how probably silly she looked and that she would die of embarrassment if he came out of the bathroom to find her still stood there staring at the door as if she wanted to snog it. What would he think of her then? That she was a 15 year old weirdo who stalked men in bathrooms. She’d be known forever as ‘The Bathroom Stalker’! Gabby would positively want to die!

Without another thought the flushed young girl retreated down the hallway and ran into Sophie’s bedroom, not bothering to knock. With the door closed quickly behind her, Gabby took a running jump, landing on Sophie’s bed and more obviously, on Sophie.

“I love you Soph!” She chimed, now kneeling on the edge of the bed and trying to tug the warm duvet from the sleepy friend so she could squeeze into the warmth of the bed next to her.

“Your amazingly wowzer fit big brother just passed me in the hallway and oh my god, Soph! He was just in his boxers!” The young girl shrieked in utter delight. “You never told me he was so ripped! You could cook a whole roast dinner on that steaming body!”

Like all sensible people Sophie was sound asleep, tapped between two hulking dogs. She didn’t mind, Gunner and Thor kept her warm. It was only ever a problem when she wasn’t in the middle and they pushed her off the bed. Then they had issues. Of course with a house full of people for Christmas staying in her happy warm little nest could not last. She realized this only after she had been landed squarely on by Gabby’s knees. “Ouff!” All of the air left her body at exactly the same time Thor have an excited and throaty bark, jumping to lap at Gabby’s face while Gunner huffed and moved to his bed by the window. “What the hell Gabs!”

Sophie was indignant as she fumbled for her glasses, hair a puffy mess as Thor tried to wrestle with the other Gryffindor. “Giddown ya big lummox,” her voice was tinted a little with laughter as she nudged the big dog off the bed, “Go lay down with your brother,” Thor of course listened though he barked once more and slurped Sophie’s face. Obviously it was going to be one of those days. “Gordic’s Garters, what are you on about?” She looked at her friend questioningly. She was sued to people having fits over Johnny. Everyone did, he fancied himself a bit like a God and worked hard to keep himself in shape. She was used to Fergie squealing over him too.

Of course Ferg had the good grace to wait till after Sophie had had her morning tea. Pulling her covers up to her chin as she sat in bed looking slightly dazed she just shook her head, “He doesn’t believe in pants apparently now either,” she scoffed a little, wrinkling her nose and hugging her stuffy, an aged Elephant named Icarus folded in her arms, “It never rightly occurred to me to gush about my brother’s hulking muscles Gab. I’m not a big fan of incest. Or, you know LOOKING at him,” she tugged on the hem of her pajama leg sucking on her bottom lip to keep from laughing, Thor making his way back to the bed to rest his head on Gabby’s leg, “Well you must just be popular with the Flickwick boys this morning”.

Apparently dogs didn’t much appreciate being jumped on. Gabby knew that. Merlin always howled so loudly but that was part of the fun. She’d wind Merlin up, Merlin would start howling and barking and Daddy dearest would be woken from his deep slumber with his stupid woman of the night. Her Dad didn’t seem to know when Happy Hour ended and sensible parenting time began. That was why he believed his darling daughter was still at Hogwarts, sulking by herself.

Gabs didn’t care about the dogs. Instead she just grinned as Sophie fumbled for her glasses, looking all grumpy. Blind bat. At least Gabby only had to wear hers occasionally. She could see unlike Miss Flitwick here.

Without any care for her best friend’s grumpiness or probably tiredness, Gabby pushed the dog away and yanked the cover up before climbing onto the bed and pushing Sophie across. “Quit taking the whole bed, that’s selfish.” She giggled and pulled the duvet up, all nice and cozy. And excited.

“How can you miss his hulking muscles? How? They’re so…dreamy…” Gabby asked in amazement, grinning before deciding lying down was not the appropriate position for someone quite as excited. The little fidget therefore sprang up and sat just in front of Sophie’s pillow with her legs tucked into her chest. “It’s as if he was sent down to this world by god. Moulded by Merlin himself.”

Popular with the Flitwick boys? Gab’s eyes widened and she looked down at Sophie, excitement clear in her dark eyes. “You think he likes me? When we had that dreamy encounter he said…” Gab’s voice broke in her excitement and became a whisper. “…hi!”

Sophie just stared at her friend, her brain still felt sleep fuzzy, but she couldn’t quite get her mind around people fussing so much over Johnny when she was wide awake. Maybe it was because she knew he had pimples, and stinky feet, and the fact he always put the pumpkin juice carton back - even if it had less than a swallow left in it. He used foofy face potions on his skin and spent hours in the bathroom doing his hair just to have it look like he rolled directly out of bed. Knowing things about a boy made them less magical. So did being related to them, and having been farted on by them as a form of entertainment since. She loved her brother, dearly, but she would never understand what all the fuss was about.

Sophie yelped and twacked Gabby over the head with Icarus when the other girls cold feet came into contact with her skin, “Merlin! Did you run out in the snow before you came up here? Your toes are like ice!” Still she shoved over on the bed, giving Gabriella more room, snuggling back under her covers for warmth. With Sophie’s lack of body fat it didn’t take much to make her freezing and then it took forever for her to warm back up. Using Icarus for a pillow she stuffed him under her head and laid back down looking up at Gabby again, her glasses a little crooked, “Gabs, come on. Do we have to talk about this before I have anything in my stomach? Throwing up acid when you’re grossed out hurts more than when there is food in there”.

She stuck her tongue out at her friend and sighed as both dogs climbed back into bed. He said Hi? That is what all this was about? A monosyllable greeting he probably grunted to the dogs too? Oh Gabby was silly! Of course if it had been Devlin or someone Sophie herself might have gotten so giddy. That’s why they were such good friends Sophie supposed. They both had a nose for drama and overreaction. Still, she really hoped the other girl wasn’t seriously considering forming legitimate feelings for Johnny. That would not only be very weird but  could end in nothing but tears. Rolling her eyes, she couldn’t help but snort at Gabs question, “I was talking about the dog Genius. He seems rather smitten with you” and then the giggles started. Obviously Sophie was sleep deprived.

Giggles escaped Gabby’s mouth as she ducked her head, feeling the elephant attempt to concuss her. What a pity Sophie didn’t have very much strength and the elephant was only stuffed. Or? Soph would have been dealing with a dead Dagon. Gabby was too young and talented to die yet. She wanted to be famous and amazing and have lots of men first! She didn’t even have one yet! But wow, John Flitwick…he was top of her list of wanted. He could sneak into her room anyday.

“Stop being a baby, Sophie.” The Gryffindor stated, hugging her legs. “You are just too immature to appreciate male beauty.” And John was one fine-looking specimen of male beauty. Sophie was just too blinded by sibling jealousy and sleepiness to understand such a complex phenomena. Her little brain simply wasn’t capable of processing this reality. But no fear, Gabby was there. She could right all wrongs with her fellow gryffie’s slow to catch up mind.

The dogs climbed back onto the bed and Thor happily lay over Gabby. She smirked and patted his head. “I prefer Merlin.” She said with a grin while resting her head against the headboard. “He’s softer and dribbles on dad’s best shirts.” But Gab knew who she’d definitely prefer climbing over her and giving her all this attention and he didn’t have four legs and a furry belly. She’d seen that for herself.

Whilst scratching behind the dog’s ears, Gabby smirked, her cheeks blushing as she tried to ask her best friend something nonchalantly. “Say, Soph…does John have a girlfriend?” The girl’s dark eyes remained dead set on the dog as she bit her lip and with her spare, unscratching hand, brushed some bedraggled hair from her face.

“I’m immature? You’re a twitter because my brother grunted at you,” sticking her tongue out she hit the other girl again, which obviously displeased Gunner as he make a grumbled sort of huff noise and pulled on the stuffed animal’s leg, “Alright, alright. You big baby, we’re just playing,” she snuggled closer to the animal, resting her forehead against his neck. He’d just had a bath so his long hair was silky and smelled less like stinky dog. There were pictures of her when she was little using Gunner as a pillow, reading him a story before naptime. Her mom loved to bust those out whenever company showed up. Gabby had, this visit, been privy to more snapshots of Sophie in the tub than the fifth year cared to count. So. Awkward.

“Of course you prefer Merlin, he’s your dog,” rolling her eyes she kissed the top of Gunner’s head before settling onto her back and looking up at her ceiling. “I’m surprised the Devil Dog hasn’t come bounding in to wreck havoc on us and demand to be fed. He’s such a diva,” she paused a beat, waiting for Loki to bound in and start causing trouble. When she didn’t she shifted her eyes back to Gabby and sighed. Great. This was going to become a thing about her brother. She really wished it wouldn’t. It bothered her on many levels - first of all Gabby was supposed to be her friend, she didn’t want to have to start questioning why the other girl wanted to come over all the time. Sophie was not the best ‘sharer’ in the world.

More than that thought it was she already knew how it would end, “He doesn’t do girlfriends Gabby. He’s all about non commitment,” chewing the inside of her cheek she propped herself up a little, dark bangs falling in her eyes. She felt bad, she really did. But even if Gabby weren’t only fifteen the whole thing would have been bad news anyway. Johnny was not the kind of guy to get involved with. Sophie had seen that first hand and heard Merlin knew how many howlers about what a tool he was after he hurt another girl. “But I think I saw him with some groupie for Mandrake Siren, she looked ancient, like at least thirty. I don’t know what is with him and old ladies. It’s kind of gross”.

Merlin was her dog that had been left all the way out in the alps with Mr Grump and his dragons. They should have smuggled the dog out! Sent Sophie to do some undercover work. The girls were good at that, tricking people to have a bit of fun. That’s what best friends were fore, teamwork. Then Merlin could trump Sophie’s dogs, especially the little rat that looked like it was going to bite off your ankles! She didn’t like that one. Big dogs were better. They could eat intruders and scare scantily clad women out of the house. Little dogs were more like live theft detectors for elderly women’s handbags. Their sharp teeth could easily chew through fingers.

“What are you now, Flit? Johnny’s personal secretary?” Her eyebrows rose as her eyes scanned over to her friend. “I never said I wanted to marry him and have lots of mini Flitwick-Dagon’s. You’re enough to handle. And I’m too young. I have to become famous first.” As if it was that easy. Gabs thought so. Just let one Quidditch team take her after school and she’d be a star! Everyone would know the name Gabriella Dagon and then she could marry John and have lots of beautiful babies.

Old women eh? That was gross. Gabriella’s previously soft expression contorted as she screwed up her face and looked down at Thor whom was obviously enjoying having his ears scratched a lot. “That’s like him dating my grandma.” At the age of 16, Gabs had little concept of ages above her own. To her, anyone over 25 was well past it. Why would anyone give someone like that a second glance.

“I’m allowed to look, Sophie. Just like I caught you looking at one of those young labourers on Dad’s ranch when you came to visit in summer. He thought you were going to pin him to the ground and dribble all over him just because he asked you for water.”

Sophie just looked at Gabby with a smirk before closing her eyes, “You’re the one asking all these silly questions about him. I’m just telling you to not waste your time. You’re better off with someone like Percy,” truth be told there were not…actually, that many desirable boys in their year. There was Percy who was very sweet but, well, he was Percy. Then there was a group of Slytherins like Xavier and Callum and the thought of them turned her stomach. It had nothing to do with them being Slytherins even, that never factored into the sort of friendships they made. No they were just…tools. Callum was a misogynistic slim ball who shouldn’t be allowed to breathe the air of normal people and Xavier… well he wasn’t that bad. He did. However, hit girls and that was not ok in the least little bit to her. Who did that leave? Most of the other boys in her life liked boys as much as she did - but she wouldn’t trade them for the world.

 Li-li and Fergie where the most fun boys she knew! Plus Fergie always told her she was prettiest. Wrinkling her nose she didn’t bother to open her eyes, sticking the elephant back under head, “You looking at my brother would be like me saying I fancy your Dad,” her voice was not indignant, but rather very matter of fact. She wanted for the other girl to cry foul, which it would be. That was the point. In an objective way, if Sophie were old, she might be attracted to Mr. Dagon [only not really because he was a bit of a slut and that certainly wasn’t attractive on anyone]. It was the same thing though, Gabby didn’t want to think of people being attracted to her dad, Sophie would rather not know that her brother was lush and ripped and deep down Gabby wanted to have like a zillion of his babies. And she certainly did not want to know it so dang early in the morning. She had a pretty good sense of humor but that was pushing it just a bit.

Opening one eye she scoffed, “I did not dribbled on his shirt. I tripped handing him the water. It’s not my fault he decided it would be better to just take it off than wear it wet,” she gave her friend a rueful smile, glasses sliding to the end of her nose. She hated wearing those damn things. They itched her nose, most of the time she didn’t have to bother with them but at night before bed if she wanted to read she did and putting them on the morning was just a force of habit. Twisting her hair around her finger she idly watched Gabby, her hand resting on Gunner’s head. “So, I’ve been thinking I want to do something big for New Years Eve, like a bonfire or something,” there, maybe that would get Gabby off this Johnny tangent. Sophie was about ready to stuff Icarus down her throat otherwise. Besides, they were the proper age for parties now, they ought to be throwing some of their own. She had an image to upkeep. Sort of.

“Urgh, no it wouldn’t!” Gabby squealed, suddenly looking utterly disgusted. “That’s disgusting!” How was it anything similar!? Gabby’s Dad was old, wrinkly and disgusting. Not to mention the fact he was her DAD! Was Sophie trying to make her throw up or something? YUCK! It was like someone saying they wanted to have the rumpy pumpy with a malformed troll! An armless, one eyed malformed troll with a limp! It was very different with a brother. Especially Sophie’s very attractive older brother. Sophie wouldn’t understand. She shared genes with Johnny and therefore had a blinkered view of him. Gabby couldn’t help that.

Finally a smirk reappeared on Gabby’s tanned face as she stroked the dog in front of her. “It was so your fault! ‘Oh Darren, let me help you there.’” Gabby mimicked her friend in an overly high pitched, friendly voice. “You practically helped tear his shirt off!” It was so true as well! Gabby had watched Soph start unbuttoning the guy’s shirt in an attempt to ‘help’. In truth, the bumbling boy adorer had just made the 18 year old blush, quite terrified. Knowing Gab’s father, he’d already warned the lad to keep his distance. Damn Felix.

“I’ve not been to a bonfire before...” If her Dad had his way she wouldn’t go anywhere. A grin appeared, tugging at the corners of Gabby’s lips. “Like a party? With alcohol and boys?” That sounded fun. Gabby knew why she’d come here for Christmas now. Parties and fun. That was why she adored Sophie, her annoying best friend, practically her sister.

“You just want to show off to Delvin don’t you?"

Sophie was playing finger names, fidgeting, peeking at her ceiling through the spaces between them, her lips drawn together before she hissed a little, “Keep your voice down! Da hears the word ‘alcohol’ and he won’t let me out of my room for anything but the trip back to Hogwarts. Besides, I don’t drink,” she said the latter with a note of superiority. She knew lots of the people in year six and seven liked alcohol, and according to some people fifth years were dabbling too. Sophie didn’t understand it, personally. When Uncle Oscar had gotten married the previous summer she’d had wine with dinner, just a little bit. It was bitter and burned and after two glasses she felt a little dizzy and her stomach hurt. It felt a little bit like when she was little and would spin around in circles - not to the point that she’d fall down, but that sense of vertigo was building.

She didn’t know how anyone could enjoy that. Besides she had enough fun while sober. And, as much as she liked Q… well. She was kind of a hot mess. Sophie didn’t know how she managed to avoid expulsion with some of the things she did. “But, yea, like a proper party you know? Invite everyone, good music, dancing, that kind of thing,” she shrugged before rolling on her side to face her friend, chin propped up in her hand. She hadn’t told Gabby about the dance. She didn’t regularly keep secrets from the other girl but Sophie was still trying to decide how she felt about the whole mess. She was ashamed of herself of course, she didn’t think that would go away any time soon - but the longer she thought about it the more she felt undervalued as a person. Devlin just used her, like people said he would. She didn’t want to be wrong about him, she didn’t want to just be another name he kept in his back pocket… but she felt like that was true - and it hurt.

For whatever reason she didn’t feel like she could tell Gabby that just yet. Which was odd because she’d written Fergie as soon as she’d gotten home. The parchment had been splotched with her tears and more than once both Ruby and Cherise tried to get her to talk about it. It was just one of those things… maybe she felt like Fergie would understand because he knew what it was like to want what you weren’t supposed to have. She also knew he’d love her regardless of how badly behaved she was. “I’m not really… you know, all about that anymore,” she chewed her bottom lip, the plumb flesh becoming mottled, “The SAWS mixer didn’t- you know it was just not good. Seeing Devlin and Fauna together just kind of drove home how not interested in me he ever was. So, I’m making myself be over that. It’s the sensible thing to do,” she really hoped Gabby bought that. Soph wasn’t exactly known for being sensible. Actually she was pretty famous for not being sensible.

Gabriella didn’t drink either but apparently it was cool. The 6th and 7th years drank. They boasted about it at school. That of course meant Gabby was interested. She spent a lot of her spare time around the Gryffindor Quidditch team. The majority of that team were older than her, seventh years. What else would a girl do but want to join in? When they started talking about things other than the beloved game, things older teens talked about, older teens with girlfriends and boyfriends that did things Gab could only wait for, she felt as suited to the group as a wart on a veela’s nose. If Gabby did end up having a drink and her father found out, there was no doubt she’d be locked away in her room until she was thirty! That’s why people needed mum’s. To talk sense to the grumpy old men they’d married. Grandma’s still believing the year was 1972 really didn’t work as well.

Gabby’s eyebrows rose, hiding under the few curls that fell over her face. “Like you’ve never tried it.” She stated quietly before shrugging and shuffling her bottom forwards in order to lie in the bed once more. “Gran let me have a sip of her wine once, tasted like carpet cleaner.” She pulled a face and glanced to the side at Sophie. “Apparently some of it tastes real good though. If you’re inviting people, someone’s bound to bring some.”

Gabby listened to her friend and purses her lips together, head rested comfortably on the pillow. Brows furrowed when Sophie mentioned Fauna and Delvin and as the girl carried on, Gabby rolled onto her side, considering what was being said. She started to believe it until Sophie sais it was the sensible thing. What did Sophie flitwick know about sensible? A few years ago she’d stick her hand in a flame if Gabby told her the flame would reward her with icecream!

A hand quickly reached out and placed it’s palm across Sophie’s forehead. “Knew it.” Gab stated plainly. “High temperature. You’re ill.” It was the only possible explanation. “Do you even know what sensible means Sophie Flitwick?” It really wasn’t possible. “You’ve acquired some sort of personality deformation disease. I know it. Listen to Healer Dagon.” Gabby eagerly fidgeted around, ending up kneeling besides Sophie and putting a hand on either side of the girl’s head. “Stay still, I’ll just chop your head off and see what’s wrong inside.”

Sophie looked at Gabby with a smirk twitching on her lips, “I think I’m more worried you know what carpet cleaner tastes like than the fact you’ve had a sip of wine. You were that little girl who ate paste during art weren’t you?” She lightly poked Gabby’s side, half tickling half jabbing. She didn’t want to think about Devlin and Fauna anymore. When enduring one’s first broken heart Sophie had found the desire to just forget was strong. That was why she’d been so happy that Gabby wanted to stay. Her friend didn’t usually let her dwell on things. They were too busy discussing everything else that happened in the world. It was strange though, keeping secrets, not telling her everything that had happened with Dev - or that she’d been foolish enough to tell him she had feelings for him in the first place. If there was one thing, in the list she’d given him in telling the poor wanker all about himself that was the one she wished she could take back. He was never meant to know, he’d already made his choice and it wasn’t her.

If she were honest with herself she’d never even been in the running. Batting at Gabby’s hand she made a face, “I’m not the one who lets people beat bludgers at me for shits and giggles now am I?!” her look was pointed as she tried to push Gabby off. True, Sophie wasn’t sensible, but sometimes good sense just couldn’t be ignored. What would pining after Devlin do? Make her miserable. Why would she want to willingly make herself miserable? There was absolutely no reason for it. He made it clear that Fauna was who he wanted to be with, once you knew something like that, no matter how much you couldn’t help wanting someone you had to let go. If you really cared about another person you wanted them to be happy regardless - even if it meant you didn’t get to be happy. That was how it worked in Sophie’s idealistic brain. She had tried being selfish and that felt worse than just being alone and knowing he didn’t want anything to do with her. She was not made to go through those kinds of intense emotions.

Her tiny body could hardly stand it. She’d only just recently started eating normally again and not feeling queasy every time she looked at herself in the mirror. Trying to push Gabby off the bed, now the gods were getting in the mix, barking happily as they lapped at Sophie’s face. “Gordic’s Garters! You lot are absolutely impossible. Don’t you know normal people are still sleeping?” her voice was a high pitched giggle as she grabbed Gabby’s hands and tried to remove them from her head, “Oy! I need that Dagon, I use it for thinking believe it or not, and I’d rather skip being murdered dead if it’s all the same to you. What do you even know about performing complex brain surgery, besides the fact it takes more than a pickaxe to crack a skull.” she stuck her tongue out at her friend- which turned out to be a mistake because in all of the twisting and giggling she bit down on the soft flesh and gave a pain yelp, “NOA THEE WUT OOU ADE EE OO?!

“Thinking!?” Gabriella questioned disbelievingly. “Since when have you used your brain for thinking?!” the young girl made absolutely no attempt to hide her feigned surprise as she held Sophie down, struggling against her squirming hostage. “Something’s definitely up! An impulsive squirrel thinks things through more than you, Sophie Flitwick!” And how true was that!? If a squirrel saw a nut, they would drop everything and set their entire sights on capturing it. If Sophie saw something shiny or say, a boy, she would forget everything else and jump on the poor innocent being. Sophie use her brain for thinking? Gabby could laugh. Her dear friend acted on nothing but impulse.

Gabby only stopped playing about and teasing when her best friend let out a yell and started talking as if a pirate had ripped out her tongue and fed it to his pet parrot. Or she was one of those merpeople that spoke in tongue.

The pained expression now gracing Sophie’s face, while making Sophie look extremely funny, caused Gabriella to frown. “You’re not supposed to chew off your tongue in protest Sophie!” Gabby finally released her friend and sat back on her heels, watching Sophie squirm. “You could have just given me your brain.”

But Sophie did actually look in pain and Gab bit her lip a little softer than Soph her tongue and pushed herself up off the bed. “I’ll get you some ice.” With that, the young dark haired girl ran out of the room.”

Sophie held her mouth with one hand, trying not to cry. Gordic’s Garters, that smarted! She couldn’t help the slightly pained smile as Gabby hopped off the best and rushed to get her ice. For all their pretend bickering and teasing - and the very much exaggerated nature of their accounts of one another’s personalities when it really came down to it, they loved one another. It was mushy and not something they ever talked about, but they’d always looked out for one another, since first year when they met. They had been joined at the hip. Sure there were other friends now - like Fergie and Maddie or Chance but from the beginning there had always been Gabby.


She felt sometimes like they might drift away from one another as they got older, just having her there for the holiday, waking up every morning to Gabby jumping on her or the other way around, Sophie felt like despite all the other changes this one thing had stayed the same. She could always count on Gabby, it was a comforting feeling.  Rolling herself off the bed she stretched lazily, scratching Thor’s head then Gunner’s. If she was going to have to ice her tongue already it was probably time to get out of bed and face the day. Then her stomach gave an audible gurgle, which caused her to giggle - which kind of made her tongue hurt again. Maybe she’d have to mash her breakfast if she wanted to eat. Shaking her dark curls she sighed and followed Gabby downstairs.