truth (Toby)

[redhead]

Kherington was petrified. She was finally going to come clean to her eldest brother about her attack six months ago. She hadn't said anything to anyone, other than Willow. Now, she was going to tell Toby. And she was scared. Scared of what he'd think, especially now that she learned the name of the Death Eater who had done it: Ryan O'Donall. Someone, and she still wasn't sure who, had left a note in her office, saying the name of her attacker.

Kherington was pacing, biting her nails, and it was frustrating her, that she was going to such nervous lengths. She was very tempted to call her brother back, but as she reached the telephone, there was a sharp knock on her door. Swallowing deeply, pulling at her turtleneck, she went to the door. The petite woman inched the door open, revealing...

[hprules]

Toby stood on the doorstep, completely drenched from the pouring rain although he had only been outside for maybe ten seconds while he waited for his sister to answer the door. To be honest, he was concerned about her, she seemed to be acting rather odd lately and he didn't know why. "Hey," said Toby, managing a smile to his sister and then stepped inside, "what did you want to talk about?" Obviously it was something that was either serious or very important, as she hadn't said over the phone.

[redhead]

Kherington took her brother's drenched coat from him, fleeing momentarily to hang it to dry in the kitchen. Bringing in the tea she had prepared beforehand, she cleared her throat, anxious. She found her hands to be shaking, and she had to clutch them together to get them to calm down. Taking a shaky breath, she pulled off her sweater, leaving her only in a black sports bra. It didn't bother her, for her and her siblings used to run around in their underclothes as dares when they were teenagers. This way, Toby could see the Sectumsempra scars almost completely.

[hprules]

Toby followed his sister into the kitchen. If he were in his own house he might have shaken the water from his hair, but he would be resepctful of Kherington's space. He instead performed a quick spell that instantly dried him, the only sign of his venture in the rain being the dripping coat. When he turned around he was a bit surprised to see that his sister had taken her shirt off, but once he saw past that and saw the thick scars he felt a mixturee of hurt and anger in the pit of his stomach. "Kherington," Toby said quiety, he was serious, as he rarely used her full first name, "what happened?"

[redhead]

Kherington pulled her shirt back on carefully, then she turned to face her elder brother. She was determined not to cry, determined not to show her fear. Still, at the physical and emotional exertion, she was shaking. "I was... attacked a few months ago. By a Death Eater, he... he demanded a file. I was S-stunned, I couldn't spe-speak. He cursed me," she stammered, clenching her hands tightly. She looked up at her brother, eyes cold with her hatred for the man. "He stole a file, to one of my employee's, an Order member I think. Then, a n-note appeared on my desk a month ago, giving only a name: Ryan O'Donall."

[hprules]

Toby ran a hand through his hair, not sure what on earth he was going to do with the information. Truth be told he was furious with himself, he should have been there to protect his little sister, that was what big brothers were supposed to do. Completely unsure, Toby instead closed the gap between his sister and himself and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Kherri, what do you want me to do?" Toby said, keeping his tone serious. He would temporarily move in to his sister's house if she didn't feel safe living alone, or even escort her to and from work.

[redhead]

Kherington fell into her brother's arms, tears dripping down her cheeks. "I don't know," she replied quietly, her face buried in her taller brother's chest. "I don't know!" she repeated, louder, desperation in her voice. Kherington wanted it to be what it once was, before the attack. She wanted to be free of this hurt, this constant, gnawing fear. Holding onto her brother, she cried quietly, never indulging in embarassing sobs.

[hprules]

Toby wrapped his arms around Kherington, doing the best that he could to comfort her. Deep in the pit of his stomach anger that had been dormant for a long while was finally stirring. He clenched his teeth, knowing that he might have to track down Ryan O'Donnal, even if it was the last thing he ever did. Nobody messed with his family and got away with it. "I'll crash on the couch here for as long as you need me to," Toby said quietly, smoothing his little sister's hair, "you're safe now, it's okay."

[redhead]

"Thank you Toby, thank you," Kherington replied quietly. She felt like such a little girl, so stupid, so naïve. And so small. So, so very small. She clung to her brother gently, stifling her tears. Kherington wished she was stronger, wished she wasn't so scared, so vulnerable. Eventually, she looked up at her brother, he looked angry. "Toby..." she started, her tone accusing.

[hprules]

Toby nodded, although his sister probably had not seen it as her face was at his chest. He knew it wasn't the best thing in the world to have that lust for revenge, but Toby couldn't just sit back and let the ministry fools deal with it. They had probably already given up on it, especially with the high rate of murder these days. "Hmm?" Toby responded, although he already had a vague idea of what Kherington was going to say. She had always been able to read him like an open book, ever since they were children.

[redhead]

Kherington looked at him pointedly before detatching herself from him and sighing heavily, defeated. "Do whatever it is you want. Just know that I'll never forgive you if you get hurt," she replied, voice flat. She pulled back her fiery red hair with her hands, combing through it absently. She had a tendancy to do this, get distracted by random things to keep herself calm. It was a habit, one that had grown worse since her attack. Thankfully, she wasn't legitimately insane, or she'd really have an issue, with herself. Kherington always held a low opinion of herself in just about everything, other than her job, and being able to be ruled as totally bonkers would just add to her long list of self-esteem issues.

[hprules]

Toby sighed, of course his sister would be able to figure out the conclusion forming as the gears in his head turned. Of course. But he had always seemed to have issues with people figuring out what was on his mind, a rather painful fault of his. "I'm not stupid, Kher," said Toby, frowning, "I'm not going to go after him alone. I just can't help but get angry. You're my baby sister, I'm supposed to protect you." As if to prove his point he cupped the back of her head with his hand so he could kiss her forehead in a brotherly sort of way.