Hogwarts Castle
@erin
Circa June 2008

Jaxon's last practice as Hufflepuff captain was over. It had been mostly just for fun as the season was over--a bit of prep for the next year, a sendoff for him and the other seventh years on the team, and, of course, the passing of the honor of captain on. His Puff squad had a damn good run and he was proud. Jax had led them to winning the Quidditch Cup his sixth year, but just like in his fifth, this go round they'd lost the title to Ravenclaw. The boy blamed himself, too, because despite being undefeated, they had fallen in behind a few other houses in total points for the season. He'd caught the snitch to bloody fast in their early season matches and they just hadn't racked up the points they needed to push past the boys (and girls) in blue.   

Jax did not have high hopes for Hufflepuff after he and most of the team graduated this year. Nearly everyone on his team had been the same year as him and their backups were babies. A couple of them were literally firsties. Jaxon had a feeling it'd be Gryffindors time to shine the next couple of years--but maybe that was just fond thinking about his girlfriend. The little lioness was something else.   

The boy had always had weakness for the veela charm, but Erin did not need to dance to hold his attention. She was fun and flirty and there wasn't a thing to complain about when it came to pretty witch. She loved Quidditch, maybe as much as he did (which said a lot)...Her being blonde didn't hurt, either. All and all, the girl was a catch. Of course, he was, too. There had been a lot of different people find their way to his proverbial bed, but not many held his attention for more than a snog or shag. Erin was different. Her and that damn cat had weaseled their way right into his heart, without even trying--or so it seemed to him.   

The brunet had showered down at the pitch before taking his time strolling back up to the castle. Dinner would be soon, but not nearly soon enough for the Hufflepuff. Having a common room close to the kitchens meant he'd found out about tickling the little pear rather early in his Hogwarts career. So, that was where he headed. The elves loved him--he's American drawl made them giggle, but they spoiled him and he never minded anyway. Arms loaded up with deliciousness, Jax left the kitchen and found himself a vacant alcove on the first floor. It wasn't thirty seconds until Fionn was there, purring up against him, trying to steal whatever goodness Jax would be willing to share with the feline. 

"Where's Erin, little man?" Jaxon drawled, as he ran a hand over the cat's back. Fionn was not quite a year old yet--and knew just how to play Jaxon. The seeker gave in immediately to those big kitten eyes, tearing off a few shreds of turkey from the sandwich he himself was making quick work of. The only answer the feline gave him was the rumble of his purr as Fionn settled into Jaxon's lap, apparently determined to stay close to see what else he could con out of the soft-hearted country boy.   

Fifth year had been a rollercoaster - there was no other way of putting it than in that particular muggle expression. Quidditch, as always, had been filled with excitement, and while they hadn't won - bloody Eagles - Erin still felt like it had been a good season for her own personal improvement. She had a feeling that the nexxt couple of years would be good for Gryffindor, so if the Lions had to take a few hard hits this year for the sake of improving and coming out stronger… well, Erin thought it was worth it. She would be the first person to get worked up about a loss, but when it came to Quidditch, Erin was smart enough to realize that every loss came with some kind of gain.

And, of course, there were OWL exams to add to the madness of her fifth year. Merlin, she was not eager to see her Potions mark. How ironic for the daughter of a potioneer to fail Potions. Bloody ridiculous subject, in any case - Erin was glad to be rid of it if she did end up failing it.

Still among the madness, there had been a number of good things to make Erin's fifth year a happy one, overall. Jaxon was one of those good things - probably the best one, if she was being honest with herself. He had his reputation, and Erin had always been wary about that kind of thing considering it had nearly ended her father's career. And yet, Jaxon had proven that he cared about her beyond a passing fancy, which was all Erin needed to confirm that she wasn't diving headfirst into inevitable heartbreak. Jaxon had his charm, but Erin was half-Veela - it had taken more than that for her to be won over. And, clearly, Jaxon did have so much more than that. Their relationship was equal parts honesty and liveliness, which was exactly how Erin liked things to be.

Jaxon was definitely the best thing - person - to happen to her in her fifth year. But today there was a different feeling mingled with that joy she felt whenever she thought about they had. There was a sense of hopelessness and nostalgia to it. It was something that had been on her mind since the offer from the Arrows had come in, and Erin had convinced herself it would be mighty fine to not bring it up until the end of the year rolled around - out of sight, and out of mind. Now, it was the end of the year… very much in sight and in mind. This wasn't something Erin could keep turning away from, and she hated that.

Lost in her thoughts, her little tabby, Fionn, had managed to squirm his way out of her arms. Hardly a year old and already sneaking about. With a roll of her eyes, Erin followed after the tabby all the way to an alcove… and to Jaxon, feeding the small feline some turkey. She couldn't help but smile at that image. Fionn didn't really like people - he had even scratched at Erin more than she would have liked when she first got him. But with enough patience, the little devil would trust anyone. He had clearly grown on Jaxon a fair amount.

"Never far behind him, of course," Erin answered Jaxon's question to the cat as she sat in the alcove across from her boyfriend… for now, at least. She would enjoy that title while she still could. "How was the last practice for you Badgers?" she asked conversationally.

The Hufflepuff had been conned out of another bit of turkey, but he could not even pretend to mind it. He was a sucker for animals. They were good--truly so in a way that humans just couldn't quite match. Though he did favor canine companions, those were not as much of a thing in the wixen world. It seemed dogs were familiars in the way rats, cats, and reptiles were. He had never really thought much about it, but he was curious as to why that was. He'd probably never know. Jax wasn't really the type to research anything, even if he was curious. Too much effort...

The question he had asked to Fionn was answered by a most familiar voice. His gaze jerked up from the cat to his girlfriend and his expression of happiness intensified. There was a glow in his eyes and a genuine smile spread across his face. It was clear he had it bad for the witch. Admittedly, he was strongly affected by her veela magic. The allure of those of such a heritage had always gotten to him more than it did some men. Jaxon did not believe, though, for a second, that it was her ancestry that made him want her. Erin had so much more going for her than that.

"Hey there, darlin'," he drawled as she took a seat opposite him in the window sill. Jax would have much preferred Erin in his lap than Fionn, but the prefect or professor that would inevitably pass by at some point would likely not share that opinion. So, the seeker did not try to lure his girlfriend closer. Though he might try to tempt her out under the bleachers at the pitch in a bit if she seemed in the mood for a bit of fun--have to feel that out though...no rush, it was pleasure just to be able to look at the pretty blonde--made him feel all funny inside. He was such a sap.

The Gryffindor girl asked about Quidditch practice and his youthful features shifted to an exaggerated expression of pouting and sadness for a moment. "It was fucking sad," he declared, the truth of his words reflected in the dark swirls of nearly black eyes even after his exaggerated expression had given way to a blank face. "I gonna miss e'rybody suh bad...Just sucks. I ain't ready to graduate." As excited as he was about joining Puddlemere, he was scared and nervous. What if he failed? What if he got bumped to reserve? The what if's went on and on. He wasn't looking forward to living alone, either--or not getting to see Erin so often. Jax was a social creature--a true extrovert--he needed people around to keep him from getting sad and listless.