Drowned Out The Pain (Drifton)

[Justin Whistler]

Justin sat in the corner of the warm, yet almost empty little Three Broomsticks. He was alone and drank the butterbeer placed in front of him subconsciously as he thought about the earlier events of the Saturday. Without telling Sarah, Justin had slipped from the castle and returned home to check on their mom. The conversation still played in his head:

"God. You looks so much like him in this light." She stated. "You know, he was a year younger than you when we met. Did I ever tell you that?" She continued.

"Yeah. You've told me." He said, his deep voice so quiet it was almost a raspy whisper.

"So handsome." She continued to rant about his father. "He was the most beautiful man I'd ever seen." Her eyes fell to a picture of him laying beside her chair before returning her gaze to Justin, "I'm so afraid I'll lose you like I did him."

"How many times do I need to tell you that I'm not him?" Justin stated, anger slowly growing in his calm voice.

"That's the same thing he said about his father." She snapped. "First it's just a drink, and then you start to think the world is yours for the taking. Then you really start to drink...and drink...and drink." She snarled.

"I won't" Justin shook his head, his voice remaining just above a whisper.

"That's what he said." She stated, looking away. "I can't loose you both." She whispered, shaking her head. "I won't survive it this time." She cried, tears marking her face. "I won't." She continued frantically.

Justin hated making those secret trips home once a month. Every time it was basically the same. The thoughts of him becoming his father haunted him without his mother renewing that worry in him. He took another sip of his butterbeer. He hoped something would happen to take his mind away from the horrific history he had to face. He didn't want to return to the castle until he was sure he could face Sarah without her thinking something is wrong.

[Professor Drifton]

”Hey, Kid” Ian greeted teasingly, taking a seat opposite from the student. Normally, Ian didn’t go out of his way to talk to students, unless he either knew them or they were doing something wrong. Justin? Ian knew him, obviously. Seriously, if either of the Whistler children did something so wrong that it required the attention of the headmaster … Ian would eat his phoenix.

So, now we know why Ian was talking to the Ravenclaw boy, but why was he in Hogsmeade to talk to the boy? Well, to put it simply, Ian had heard some students talking about how Justin had been virtually MIA from the school that day, and had basically guessed the rest. Yes, Ian knew that Justin left Hogwarts once a month to visit his mother; he’d agreed to it, after all. But while he knew the visits were happening, when the boy was traveling was always a mystery to him.

Nonetheless, Ian had his ways of figuring things out. The secret passageways known only to him—the headmaster—always proved useful. Though he’d finally found Justin, he wasn’t about to push and ask what had happened this time around. Mainly? He was there to give subconscious support. “How have you been, lately?” he asked, smiling softly. He was asking the question of Justin concerning past days, yes, but not necessarily that morning.

[Justin Whistler]

Justin looked up as Ian greeted him, smiling softly, almost sadly before returning his gaze to the bottle in front of him, fingering it slightly. If you asked Justin just how, or when he had met and become so close to the headmaster he couldn't have told you. But the fact was still there. He was fairly close to the Professor and had to admit would only confide the happenings of his family and his past with Drifton.

Though Sarah got into trouble on a daily basis, it was never so severe as to get Ian involved in it. Justin's eyes returned to the headmaster sitting before him when he asked how he'd been. He shrugged. "Alright, I guess." He stated in the calm quiet voice he had always had. He gave Ian a half-hearted smile before asking "You?"

[Professor Drifton]

He nodded, smiling softly as Justin claimed he was 'alright.' Now, whether or not he believed this statement was another matter. Of course, being the type of person he was, Ian was currently opting to take the boy's mind off of whatever he had gone through that day. "Eh ... If you're speaking of my job; it's better than it has been." He shrugged as well, waving the waitress over.

Taking one of the butterbeers the lady was passing around, Ian returned his gaze back to Justin. "On the bright side, no one's been petitioning to throw me out yet." Ian was more-or-less teasing now; he knew that Kikki had done his best to throw all of the Death Eaters out of the Ministry. "So, what's Sarah been up to?" he asked after taking a sip of his own butterbeer. "I haven't heard many professors ranting about her lately; it's starting to make me suspicious."

[Justin Whistler]

Justin had heard, more or less, about some of the issues Drifton had to deal with already this year. Suddenly he felt guilty about pulling him into his own problems as well. He figured the headmaster had enough to worry about without having to worry about the Ravenclaw's family matters. Ian's teasing comment had rewarded him in a small smile from Justin. He couldn't imagine life at Hogwarts without Drifton.

"That's good." He stated, "There would be nothing holding me at Hogwarts if they took you away from the castle." Justin added. It was almost true too. He had learned everything he possibly could from his classes and would be able to make a successful career for himself at the present moment. The simple fact that Sarah needed him there and that the castle had been more of a home that the Whistler Mansion ever was made it an easy decision to stay at the school through his last year.

Justin shrugged. It was hard to tell what the sly little girl was plotting. The small, though distant smile returned to his face. "It's hard to predict what she's planning, but I'm starting to get suspicious as well."

[Professor Drifton]

While Ian, indeed, had plenty of problems himself, Justin and Sarah's well-being was at the top of his priority list. After all, he'd casted that complex charm earlier in the year, and he hadn't been bothered by so-called 'Ministry Officials' since. He smiled in return to Justin's own, glad he was at lest able to grasp a sense of humor. Hell, it was better than other times Ian had talked to the boy after such trips.

"Eh, though most students don't stay for a seventh year, it really is worth it," he pointed out, speaking from experience. Compared to the results he'd gotten job-searching the summer before his own seventh year, Drifton's success had nearly doubled after he'd taken that extra year of schooling. He smiled, remembering how he'd nearly had to tie Justin down to a suit of armor to keep him there.

"I'd keep an eye on her, if I were you. Not that I have any experience with siblings, but we can't have her upsetting one of the more strict professors." He paused, knowing that if he caught Sarah doing something wrong, he would just give her a warning, but Ian couldn't refuse to allow another professor to give her a detention or something of the sort.

[Justin Whistler]

Ian was rewarded with yet another small smile. "In case you haven't noticed." He said, leaning his elbows on the table. "I'm not most students." Justin was smart enough to figure out the greater choices he'd have if he stayed for his last year at Hogwarts rather than dropping out a year early. He also knew that if he was going to eventually need to support not only his younger sister, but his mother as well, he needed all the options he could get.

Again, he also wanted to stay so he could keep a closer eye on Sarah. He felt like he needed to be there for the younger girl. He nodded at Drifton's comment about the girl. Yeah, he'd definitely have to keep a closer eye on the mischievous second year. Justin had to admit, he'd been soft on the girl the previous year. He didn't, however, plan on being so lenient this year. She wasn't a first year anymore and could very well hold her own in the school.

"So, did anything exciting happen while I was away?" He asked, taking a drink from his almost half empty bottle. "Did anyone notice my disappearance?" He asked. If there was one thing that he worried about when taking his trips, it was Sarah finding out.

[Professor Drifton]

Ian chuckled softly as Justin claimed he “wasn’t most students.” “So I’ve come to hope,” Ian nodded softly. In actuality, Ian saw some of himself in the Ravenclaw; sure, Ian’s discomfort with his own father was nowhere near that of Justin’s, but when it came to their basic personalities? Close enough. “So, what are you planning to do next year, anyway?” he asked, truly interested. Ian, himself, hadn’t the slightest idea of what he would do once he left Hogwarts; things—the Headmaster position—seemed to just float into his path.

Ian shook his head as Justin asked if anything exciting had happened. “Nothing exciting at all,” Ian admitted with a shrug. Part of him felt the lack of excitement was boring, while the other part felt it to be more … relaxing. “And the only thing I’ve heard about you missing would be a group of girls wondering where you were.” Ian grinned before taking a swig of his Butterbeer. What can I say? His statement was true …

[Justin Whistler]

Justin's smile widened slightly. Drifton had to be one of the best people to cheer him up, especially after a run in at home. He looked down at his bottle as Ian asked about a future career. He shrugged, not having a real idea in his mind. "I've been thinking about coming back as a teacher." He said, returning his gaze to the headmaster in front of him.

As exciting as the castle had been already this year, Justin wasn't surprised to hear there was nothing special that happened while he was gone. The weekends seemed to be quiet. He simply nodded in reply to Ian's comment. He arched his eyebrow at the second part though. Girls wondering where he was? "Really?" He said, his dark voice not showing any of the interest that he had suddenly come across. This was new.

[Professor Drifton]

Ian smiled as Justin spoke of becoming a teacher, agreeing fully. “You’re always welcome at Hogwarts, Justin,” he pointed out. “You and Sarah, both.” Drifton meant that with all his heart (nyaww). Whether or not Justin got a position at the school—which, Ian would do everything to get Justin a job—he and his sister would always be allowed back. It would be interesting, as well, to work with the younger boy. Ian had never seen Justin as a student as much as he considered him a brother-figure; he’d realized quickly how mature the Ravenclaw was for his age.

Ian laughed at Justin’s question. Though the boy hid his interest, Ian knew it was there. Call it a hunch if you will, but I’d say it was from experience. After all, what guy didn’t like girls fawning over him? “Yes, really.” He set his glass back down on the table, running a thumb on the rim. “A handful of Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs, if I remember correctly,” he provided with another grin. “Shocked?” Ian teased, grinning and chuckling lightly.

[[ -sings- finallyyyy!!! ]]

[Justin Whistler]

Looking up from his bottle on the table, Justin smiled appreciatively. "Thanks Drifton, it means a lot," Justin replied. It was a huge relief on the boy's part to know that he'd be welcomed back to Hogwarts if he needed it. He wasn't sure what he was going to do this summer. He had been thinking about becoming Sarah's legal guardian, but he didn't know if he'd be able to support the two of them on his own. But what was he talking about? He had all that old money he could use just sitting in Gringotts. Though he didn't want to be forced back on that, it was a better purpose than the anti-depressants the money had been going toward.

A bit of a smile appeared on the Ravenclaw's face as Ian laughed. Justin had developed a certain skill for hiding his true feelings and portraying something completely different. It was a skill that had come in quite handy when dealing with Sarah. Whether that meant when she was afraid or when she was in trouble, it didn't really matter. It was always his eyes that gave him away, however. A curious expression formed on Justin's face, 'A handful of Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs,' Justin repeated mentally, thinking through who might actually care if he was there or not. No one seemed to come to mind. "Completely," Justin chuckled lightly, he didn't think anyone noticed whether he was there or not.

With the mood lightening increasingly, Justin was thankful that Ian had found him. He felt so much better. Leave it to Ian to find some way of cheering the boy up. "Thanks," Justin offered, nothing but appreciation falling over his face as the after effects of a smile began to disappear from his features. "For everything," The headmaster had been so helpful, so understanding of what Justin was going through. He couldn't have asked for any better form of support.

[Professor Drifton]

Ian smiled in return, nodding his head once in silent welcome. He knew how much of a home Hogwarts was to Justin and Sarah, and who was he to not allow them to return? Okay, so Drifton did have the authority to issue such a decree, but doing so was simply not possible for the headmaster. One thing Ian was known for was allowing graduates to come back and visit the castle. Guaranteed, not many graduates got the chance to re-visit Hogwarts, but the chance would always be there, in particular for Justin and Sarah.

Drifton couldn’t help but laugh as Justin answered his question. Leavit to the boy before him to be completely oblivious to the girls who had a crush on him. “And why are you so surprised about that?

[/color]” he joked. Ian related well to Justin; there was quite a number of tings similar in the both of them. But at the same time, how different Justin could be from himself amused Drfiton. Ian had never had a sibling to be even remotely protective of, like Justin had Sarah. And, he had never been subjected to such family problems as the Whistlers had and were living through. How Justin could deal with it all was something Ian admired greatly, yet at the same time, the fact that Justin was so immersed in his home life that he was oblivious to the girls admiring him was highly amusing to the headmaster. After all, girls were the main focus of most average teenage boys.

Ian smiled as Justin thanked him. “It’s no problem,” he assured, admitting the truth. Somewhere along the line, he had created almost a brotherly bond with Justin. He’d always be there for the younger man--would always support him. “I’m always here if you need me, Justin,[/color]” Ian pointed out with another smile, taking a sip of his butterbeer.
[/blockquote][/size]

[Justin Whistler]

Justin honestly couldn't think of what he'd do if he wasn't at Hogwarts. Having to go home every day and put up with some of the things he handled every month and during breaks, he'd go insane. He appreciated, more than he thought Ian realized, knowing he would be welcomed back at Hogwarts anytime. Whether or not Justin took up that offer was another story, he would love to come back as a teacher, but he wasn't sure at the present moment. There were just so many different options out there for him to explore, and with the idea of becoming Sarah's legal guardian in his head, he had to make sure he made the right choices. It wasn't just him that he had to worry about.

Justin had never really payed attention to the possibility of girls actually paying attention to him. He had so many other things to worry about, the drama of girls and everything else just ended up slipping back on his priority list. I guess it didn't help growing up with an abusive dad that always belittled him and after that a depressed mother always bringing him down. After a while, he started to believe the things they were saying. "I didn't think anyone cared," he shrugged, running his finger around the ring of his bottle. Sure, he held the position of prefect, but he still felt invisible to people, he wasn't really that popular. Justin saw Ian as almost an older brother, someone that was always there when he needed help getting back up from the latest blow. He was fond of the headmaster and looked up to him a great deal, though he wouldn't actually come out and say so.

Taking another sip of his butterbeer, he looked up at Drifton. He wasn't sure if the headmaster realized just how much Justin appreciated the support, the fact that Ian was always there for him. Justin smiled, nodding his head. He was so grateful for that open offer, just the simple fact that he didn't have to deal with things so alone anymore. Sure he had Sarah, but the last thing he wanted to do was bring her down with some of the things he hid from her, the responsibility he took on without her actually realizing it. Sometimes it was a bit overbearing and knowing he was able to confide in Drifton was something Justin would always be in debt for. There must be something he could do for the headmaster to repay him for the things he'd done for him.