have another drink , open

[apollo samuel bryant]

[atrb=border,0,true] [style=background-image:url(http://i47.tinypic.com/2lx85mh.png); width: 300px; height: 200px; margin-right:8px;] Apollo was rather exhausted. He felt like he’d been doing nothing but working lately and while he was wore out, he knew it was what was best for him. It kept his mind off of the past most of the time until he ran across a candy that had been mel’s favorite. And then he’d start thinking about her all over again which really just upset him more than he liked to let on. His siblings were probably the only people who realized how much it had affected his life in the long run. He had completely changed the way he treated women afterwards and he knew now that life was something to treasure. It made him a bit of a sap and honestly it had made him a bit of a recluse. He was attempting to change that because the only time people saw him these days were at work or home. He didn’t want it to be like that anymore. So after work he was doing one of the few things he still felt comfortable with and being a bit social in the long run. The three broomsticks. Perhaps it wasn’t the best option for him to drink because people tended to think that it was really unhealthy for him to drink when he had been upset for so long. But as far as he saw it, a couple firewhiskeys never hurt anyone as long as they were using their heads about it. Apollo made his way through the door and pushed his way through the crowds of people. This place was always pretty busy after work, everyone having the same idea of grabbing a drink. Apollo settled himself down on one of the few stools still left at the bar and ordered a firewhiskey. He actually wasn’t even sure how long he’d stay here tonight, usually for no more than a couple drinks so he imagined it’d be a short visit. [/style]

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[carter toby bryant]

YOU’RE A GOLDMINE BREAKING THROUGH THE CLOUDS LIKE SUNSHINE AND I'M BETTING ON YOU AND I

carter usually snuck off to hogsmeade on school days as well as weekends. his final class was a free period, so instead of using it to study he would head off campus and into hogsmeade, usually to visit his brother at honeydukes. he visited pretty often in order to get candy for whatever girl he was seeing at the time, or even just for himself if his sweet tooth was kicking in. today though, he was headed to the three broomsticks for a couple butterbeers. he'd had a huge test in his final actual course of the day, and he was looking for a stress relief. not that carter ever really stressed over school, he just liked having a reason to party a little. plus, there was usually some pretty cute slytherin girls that hung out at the three broomsticks when they skipped their classes for the day.

however, carter was pleasantly surprised to spot his brother at the bar. carter headed over and slid into the final available seat at the bar, conveniently next to apollo. "hey there, big bro!" he exclaimed, grinning and looking to the barkeep, who asked if he wanted his usual two butterbeers. he motioned at him for just one, then looked back over to apollo. "how's it going, man?" carter looked back to apollo. he got a pang of guilt in his stomach. carter always felt bad for his older brother after what had happened, but he tried not to let it show. it had scared carter from commitment even more so than he had originally been, though he knew his brother wanted better for him. he was too scared, though, but carter would never admit it. instead, he would practically drown himself in butterbeers.

[apollo samuel bryant]

[atrb=border,0,true] [style=background-image:url(http://i47.tinypic.com/2lx85mh.png); width: 300px; height: 200px; margin-right:8px;] Apollo was finishing off his second glass of firewhiskey when someone set down near him. He turned his head to see his little brother and his brows rose a bit. It wasn’t a night for the students to be down here. Apollo actually chuckled before he waved the bartended back and ordered another butterbeer, deciding if his brother was going to be around the last thing that he needed to do was get drunk and trip all over himself trying to get out the door later. He knew that Carter would understand but he hated being like that around his younger siblings. Despite how things had turned out for him, he always wanted to try to be a role model for them when he could. He supposed he had messed up pretty horribly in Carter’s case. “Shouldn’t you be at the castle?” Even though his voice held a bit of accusation to it, there was a smile on his lips. It was always nice to be abel to spend some time with Carter. He shook his head to the second question and his shoulders went up in a small shrug. There were so many ways that he could answer that question but he knew that Carter wouldn’t want to hear any of them. Actually, no one would want to hear any of them. He picked up his butterbeer as it came back and took a quick drink. “It’s been alright. Long day at work. Why are you here? Running from women?” He quirked his brow at his younger brother. His smile didn’t fade but it did dim a bit. He didn’t want his brother to gain the reputation he had had before mel. It had been hard enough to get her to look at him differently because of it. [/style]

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[carter toby bryant]

YOU’RE A GOLDMINE BREAKING THROUGH THE CLOUDS LIKE SUNSHINE AND I'M BETTING ON YOU AND I

carter's biggest role model in life had always been apollo, not that he would open up and say that he idolized his brother. he knew his brother still had the ego, and he wasn't about to open up an opportunity for either of his siblings to tease him for wanting to be like his brother. the biggest problem wasn't that carter didn't know how to commit, it was that he was scared. it was a miracle he had let lucy be his closest friend without dating her, even. carter was terrified of what happened to mel and apollo happening to him. she had been apollo's first serious relationship, and now the boy was worried that something tragic would happen if he ever got into a relationship that was more than just carter hoping to get laid.

raising an eyebrow, carter couldn't help but smirk. "probably, but what's the fun in that when i've got a free period and no work that's due tomorrow?" carter sometimes wondered if apollo saw past his slacker act and knew he wasn't completely idiotic. one of carter's biggest fears was people finding out what the real him was like, which was yet another reason that his relationships never lasted. he wasn't okay with someone finding out about all of his fears, because he had worked hard on coming up with a reputation for himself. he wasn't scared of anything according to those around him, he was the fearless gryffindor with big plans of traveling. "sort of, but not really. i mostly just was bored.. besides, since when do i need an excuse to see my brother?" carter paused for a second. "not that i knew you were going to be here or anything, i'm not a stalker." carter laughed lightly, taking a swig of his butterbeer.

[apollo samuel bryant]

[atrb=border,0,true] [style=background-image:url(http://i47.tinypic.com/2lx85mh.png); width: 300px; height: 200px; margin-right:8px;] Apollo shook his head at Carter and chuckled. He couldn’t see their parents approving of them very much at the moment but he couldn’t bring himself to really care. It had been a while since he had seen his little brother and he’d take anytime that he could get with him. He knew that he’d probably see him more over the holidays, since they’d both be home for a while because of it, but it was nice to be in this environment without their mum fussing over them and just be able to talk. They couldn’t do that at home because it raised a lot of questions that Apollo didn’t want to answer and he was sure that Carter didn’t want to answer them either. “Perhaps being a good kid for a change?” He raised his brows at his brother with a laugh. Neither of them were what people would consider full time good kids but they knew how to play the part when it was called for. It was how they were always out of trouble at him. Apollo, over the last couple years, had honestly become more of a good kid but only because of what had happened. Otherwise he imagined he would still be hanging out with the same old people and causing the same problems he always had. “I don’t blame you…I probably would have done the same.” His shoulder went up in a shrug as he took another drink of his butterbeer. Apollo couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face. He didn’t get the chance to make fun of his brother much any more but when an opportunity presented itself, he couldn’t help it. Old habits die hard. “Oh…are you sure? Its quite possible that you are stalking me. I know you really want to know all the secrets of my old reputation because you’ll never compare.” He laughed to show he was only teasing before he reached over and ruffled Carter’s hair just to annoy him more. “Nah I’m glad you did sneak out. Its nice to see you without all the other students hounding me for candy you know.” [/style]

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[carter toby bryant]

YOU’RE A GOLDMINE BREAKING THROUGH THE CLOUDS LIKE SUNSHINE AND I'M BETTING ON YOU AND I

carter wasn't exactly as rock solid as most people thought him to be. he was pretty sure the only two people would could see through his facade were apollo, raelin, and lucy, but he never gave them the opportunity to question his sanity or even how well he was holding himself together due to the fact that he was always finding something about them to talk about rather than himself. that's why carter tended to only get drunk when he was by himself. if he did so around anyone else, they would end up hearing him ramble about how terrified he was of life and what it had to throw at him if he ever settled down with anything.

sometimes carter wanted to just talk to apollo about what it had felt like to lose mel, but he knew his brother probably didn't want to talk about it, and carter didn't want another reason to fear commitment. at first, he had only started to date around because his brother did. carter had always wanted to be like apollo, ever since they were little. he hadn't admitted it since he was like five, but everyone knew it was still there. now, though, he was scared of being like his older brother. he was scared that he would end up losing anyone he let in.

carter rolled his eyes lightly. "being good is overrated unless completely necessary." he laughed, nodding because he knew that apollo had snuck out of the school quite a few times during free periods when he'd been attending the school. his jaw dropped, but only for a moment as he snorted a bit following it. "oh please. i'm pretty sure that the student has surpassed the teacher, bro." carter's nose wrinkled up at the feeling of his hair getting ruffled, hand quickly reaching up to straighten it out before flipping it back into messy perfection. "yeah, s'kind of hard to have a conversation when there's about eighty kids begging for the same candy."

[apollo samuel bryant]

[atrb=border,0,true] [style=background-image:url(http://i47.tinypic.com/2lx85mh.png); width: 300px; height: 200px; margin-right:8px;] Apollo looked at his little brother for a moment like he had lost his mind before he started laughing. If their parents knew they were having this conversation they would absolutely lose it. Hell, if their sister knew they were having this conversation without her she’d probably even be angry. They had been raised to be pretty much good kids through and through. The only problem was that Apollo had quickly learned how far his looks could get him. And it seemed that now Carter had also made the same realization. He knew that he and his brother could probably get away with murder if they really wanted to because they knew how to smile just right and Apollo knew how to lie through his teeth with a smile. It was amazing what you picked up when you were around girls constantly. “Only in the presence of authority right?” He grinned at Carter with a small chuckle. That was how he had been in school too. And he knew that he could still get away with it because people adored him far too much. But he didn’t use it anymore. Not like he used to. There were times where he sweet talked his way onto different shifts at work when he could or if he wanted to work with Imogen, but it was rare that anyone saw that side of him anymore. “Yeah that’s very possible…but only because I quit the game. You’d still be in my shadow otherwise.” He gave his brother a warm smile to show that he was only teasing him. Apollos shoulders went up in a shrug. He was used to all of the children flocking him in the candy store. The thing that he still couldn’t get used to though was the amount of females who had suddenly claimed it as their territory on weekends. He knew why because he wasn’t completely oblivious, but it still tended to make him uncomfortable to have all that attention now. “You should come around next time and try to lure some of the females out though. I am a bit tired of having to deal with them. Not the kids who are really there for candy.” [/style]

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[carter toby bryant]

YOU’RE A GOLDMINE BREAKING THROUGH THE CLOUDS LIKE SUNSHINE AND I'M BETTING ON YOU AND I

the bryant parents weren't entirely strict, but they did want the best for their children. they always checked that they were staying out of trouble, so that they could have a good future. raelin was like daddy's little girl, and carter was pretty sure that she had never gotten in trouble a day in her life. he was the black sheep now, that was always finding new ways to break rules and get out of detention or just avoid it all together. he was completely unstable, and sometimes he wondered if he was going to turn into one of those ticking time bombs who just lost himself completely. as it was, carter had no idea who he was or was going to be, so he was sure if he lost control of himself, he would do something drastic.

carter grinned, nodding. "oh of course. unless it's my new ghoul studies professor. man, you should see her. she just started this year.. and damn. she doesn't look a day over eighteen, i don't get it." carter sighed dramatically. he may have been a complete man-whore, but he would never stoop so low as to hook up with a professor. it wasn't just her that would get in trouble for it: he could get expelled, and he wasn't about to risk it. besides, he'd heard from the rumor mill that she was seeing someone. who, nobody knew. "no way, bro. i've got the ladies wrapped around my finger. not just because you're not at the school to have all of them drooling."

it took all of his power to now beam from ear to ear at the idea of luring a group of cute girls out of honeydukes. "guess i know where i'm coming every weekend for new girls from now on." carter laughed lightly, chugging down the last of his butterbeer and nodding to the barkeep for a refill. "y'know, i don't see why they all love you so much. i mean, c'mon.. i'm better looking and closer to their age. granted, i've probably already dumped half of them, but that's not the point. i'm irresistible, haven't you heard?" he couldn't help but to laugh at himself. he was full of himself, but not that full of himself.

[apollo samuel bryant]

[atrb=border,0,true] [style=background-image:url(http://i47.tinypic.com/2lx85mh.png); width: 300px; height: 200px; margin-right:8px;] Apollo’s brows furrowed slightly as Carter talked about his new ghoul studies professor. He always forgot about that class, mostly because he’d never been all that great at it. But he was interested in this new professor instantly. “Are you sure that maybe she isn’t eighteen? Maybe Hogwarts is getting a bit desperate for young meat to keep their hormonal boys in place?” Apollo hit his brother lightly on the arm with a laugh. But it did seem weird that they would hire someone so young to fill a position teaching. It was one of the reasons that he hadn’t applied to the school for a position. That and he didn’t want to feel like he was stalking his younger siblings, which is exactly what it would have seemed like. He grinned at Carter and shook his head. “Sure you do, bro. Let me come back for a week and we’ll see where you stand.” Apollo laughed softly and finished off his butterbeer. He wouldn’t do that to his little brother, let alone to himself. It was weird enough to have people coming in the store trying to flirt with him. Sure he still had the thoughts cross his mind but he clamped down on them now. He didn’t need to flirt with everything that walked these days to feel decent. Not since Mel, and now that she was gone anyone was going to have a hell of a time replacing her. “oh ho, is that right? You’re irresistible these days. Well we’ll certainly see when you come into the shop. I think they just like getting to stare at me while I work because I can’t really tell them to shove off you know?” Apollo shook his head, a grin on his face. He did still like the attention but he wasn’t going to return it unless he was selling the little girls candy. And then he was sure they were just going to throw it away outside because they didn’t want to get fat, which broke his heart a bit. He had gotten some pretty great tips since he started working there though and the girls at the school had realized. [/style]

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[carter toby bryant]

YOU’RE A GOLDMINE BREAKING THROUGH THE CLOUDS LIKE SUNSHINE AND I'M BETTING ON YOU AND I

now that apollo mentioned it, it wouldn't surprise carter if hogwarts hired someone too young to teach. but then again, looking at all of the new employees of the castle, they were all fairly attractive in one way or another. it was like the school had a total revamp, and they were replacing all of the old teachers in hopes of keeping the students paying attention to their classes. it wasn't working, that was for sure. most of the guys in carter's ghoul studies course spent the entire class fantasizing rather than actually paying attention. he wouldn't be surprised if half of the class failed, really. "nah, the headmaster would totally ruin the school's rep if he didn't hire a trained professional. so maybe she's nineteen." he laughed at his own attempt at a joke, shaking his head lightly.

carter simply rolled his eyes, not bothering to drag on the conversation of girls any longer. he never really had time to just himself, because he got lonely so easily, but then he panicked when a girl started to try getting him to open up, and then he was alone again. not for long, usually, though. two days, maximum. a sad look took over his face, but only for a matter of seconds. carter didn't want to be the way he was, sometimes. he wondered what it was like to actually have someone care for who you are, not for your looks or fake flirting. but he shoved that in the back of his mind for the middle of the night, when all of his fears tended to come out anyway.

shrugging lightly, carter nodded. "i guess we will. a little competition never hurt. though i don't understand why student-age girls want to be with a twenty year old. maybe experience. it's creepy, nontheless." he smiled as he spoke, before chugging more of his butterbeer. he wanted to have something stronger, but not in front of apollo, or anyone else for that matter. carter never drank heavily unless he was alone in his dormitory, those around him long asleep. he usually just stared off into the distance blankly, terrified.