Freaks: Year Two

Magic Can't Fix What's Already Broken

Referenced abuse.

Jasper's eyes opened in the dark. He blinked, his eyes heavy. He just wanted to go back to sleep, but he was sure he had heard something. He lay, eyes open, staring at the ceiling of his four poster. Was it Harry? Had he had another nightmare? Maryrose had mentioned that he had been acting off earlier. Maybe he had forgotten to take his medication again...

"Jasper?" a voice whispered.

Jasper sat up at that. The voice was his brother's.

Jasper peeked his head out of the curtains. He quickly indicated for his brother to follow him out of the dormitory and once they were safe in the common room and on one of the couches, Jasper whispered, "What's wrong? Is everything okay?"

"I think I should go home."

Jasper was surprised and he blinked, trying to make his eyes obey and stay open. "What?"

"It's time, don't you think?"

"Well, I–" Jasper started, but he could barely think. Did Toby mean now? It was the middle of the night. Did he think leaving in the middle of the night was the best option? "Toby...it's the middle of the night, and–"

"In the morning then."

"But..." Jasper's voice trailed off. He remembered what Christopher had said. He could not very well just let him leave when they still had something to do. Jasper knew they could do it.

"Look, Jasper, I have been here longer than I should have," Toby told him. "I should have left when we talked, not stayed. It isn't fair that I get to have fun and be away from home when our brothers can't be. It is our job to protect them and make them feel loved and I have failed. I need to go."

"Toby, we have to finish the spell."

Toby scoffed. "It didn't work. I couldn't do it. I don't know why you put so much faith in me, I am not you! I am not...magical," his voice was quieter. "Okay? We tried and I failed, so please, just let me hope and take care of our siblings."

"I don't like how you said that."

"What?"

"We tried, yet you failed," Jasper said, looking over to his brother. "We both failed, Toby. Not just you, but we can try again–"

"Our siblings need me," Toby said, cutting him off. They needed him...right?

"Yes, of course, but–"

"Let me go home."

"Where has this come from?" asked Jasper. "Yes, I know you will have to go home soon, but why can't you stay an extra couple of days until we finish the spell? I need you for it. I know it."

"I am a muggle, Jasper. I am useless."

"You're not useless, don't say that."

"I feel guilty."

Jasper didn't like his brother's major mood swing. Not that he could blame him for what he was feeling, but Jasper wondered if there was anything he could have done to have prevented it. What had changed in only a few hours? His brother had been so excited and joyful at the game, what was going on? Did his adrenaline wear off and be replaced with guilt? It sure seemed like it.

"Toby, you should see the letters they send, they are happy you are able to get this–"

"Oh please, Ethan is jealous."

"Okay, yes, he is," Jasper corrected. "But let's say it was one of them in your place, you would want them to stay."

"Yes, but they are younger. I am older, I need to take care of them," Toby said. "I can't stay forever."