When Drakes Smile (Ethan)

[Lilac Drake]

Lyla had filled the basket that was nearly half her size to the brim and was struggling with all her might to bring the thing out to the black lake where she was meeting Ethan. They did this sort of thing often at least once a week since the tables seperated them in the great hall for eating Lyla preferred days when she could spend her time with Ethan.

It wasn't that she didn't have friends, or people to sit with in Gryffindor no they were all as nice as could be ...for the most part, but Ethan was her big brother, her best friend and as much as he liked to say he took care of her, she liked to think she took care of him too, ergo the basket full of food he would enjoy.

She set to creating their usual charming arrangment and then waited for him.

[Ethan Drake]

It wasn't really Ethan's fault that he kept her waiting. He had just gotten caught up in a few things, people were talking to him, he lost track of time.

For anyone else, he'd make the same entrance, as if his time was the only time that mattered. If he was late, there was obviously a good reason for it, and it shouldn't be questioned or ridiculed.

But for Lyla, he felt terribly guilty, and his face said as much when he finally joined her. He had probably only kept her for twenty minutes, but it was twenty minutes too long.

He took her shoulders in his hands and kissed her forehead before he even looked at the picnic she had prepared. "I'm so sorry, love."

[Lilac Drake]

She had nibbled here and there but really hadn't touched anything that was set out except for a fruit bar she had managed to pocket before she left the castle, in the end she was glad she had it. She wouldn't start eating without him. Still, he was usually never late so she assumed that if he was there was good reason for it, he would never intentionally do anything to hurt her and she assumed as much.

When he finally appeared she smiled at first just because he always made her smile then gave him a mock stern face, but when he apologized she simply leaned in to his kiss, " Don't be silly Ethan it's quite alright." she took his hand and led him back to the picnic, "I wasn't waiting long." she lied trying to ease his conscience.

[Ethan Drake]

"You're lying," He decided, knowing she had been here probably ten minutes before they were supposed to meet. "And badly at that. But I love you for it anyway," he added.

Looking down at the arrangement she had set up, he let out an audible sigh. "Thank Merlin I'm starving," he told her, wrapping his arm around her.

[Lilac Drake]

No Lyla couldn't lie worth anything, not to Ethan but she did try. She loved his arms around her, the robes were deceptive about the strength of her brother, but he did in fact have a fine physique perhaps it was that or some innate sense she couldn't describe that made her place inside of his protecting arms the most comforting in her existence, the safest.

So she indulged in the moment by giving him a hug in return and then "making" him sit, although she didn't have much power with it of course but she did press on his shoulders for him to sit he was like a rock and wouldn't move unless he wanted to, at least in comparison to her.

"Good, The houselve's made your favorite." she informed him.

[Ethan Drake]

He obliged, sitting down, though he took her hand and brought her with him.

"I hope you had them pack something for you as well," he said, knowing she wasn't axactly the fan of fish that he was. She was a doll though for preparing this everytime she did. If it were left up to him, as much as he loved his sister, it might have been forgotten more often than not.

[Lilac Drake]

Lyla did have her own greens salad and some chicken on the side but she loved desert most like a truly unrepentant imp she was tempted to reach for the carrot cake she had them pack but glancing at her brother instead went for her salad, "Yes." she nodded, " I did."

Fish was just too fishy for her "young" tastebuds.

[Ethan Drake]

"Good," he said with a gentle smile. "Or I'd have to march right back inside and have them make you something."

The probem with seeing her as the little girl he did was that she often ended up getting treated like a little girl. It hadn't been a problem so far, but sometimes, Ethan could see where it might be.

[Lilac Drake]

She enjoyed it for the most part, while she didn't tell him that part, she loved being his little princess, Merlin knew she wasn't their father's little girl by any means so having someone dote on her was a spectacular experience. Things would change, and they were right around the corner from her changing but she was content to be his little princess for a while longer, that was until other boys started occupying her mind.

Still she gave no indication that this could happen any time soon.

[Ethan Drake]

"Talk to me, Lyla," Ethan said and he started to eat what she had brought, seeing her salad in hand. "How have classes been and you know... all of the questions I usually ask."

It was hard to keep up with her sometimes, given the slight age difference and the seperation of houses. She wasn't in any of his classes.

[Lilac Drake]

She got one bite before the questions came and she laughed, " Classes are good as always." she promised him and she was getting high marks in all her classes to which she hoped her parents would be proud, " My housemates are treating me fine, no no one is picking on me, they wouldn't dare knowing you're my brother...hmm." she put her finger to the corner of her mouth as she thought of his other questions.

"No I don't need anything, I'm in tip top shape, and yes I would like to get icecream at hogsmeade this weekend." she smiled impishly at him.

[Ethan Drake]

Ethan laughed. "Hm... I don't remember asking that last one... but I'm sure we'll be able to accomdate that particular desire."

Or just about any desire she had. Ethan wanted to give her everything their parents hadn't, and if that meant indulging her and spoiling her a little, then he would.

[Lilac Drake]

She grinned and the world sparkled in her eyes for him to see. He made her happy, and since she wasn't used to it from her parents she was overwhelmed by it from him much of the time. "Yay." she announced still indulgent. Finally returning to her salad she ate a few bites before asking how his food was.

[Ethan Drake]

Ethan laughed once, quietly. Yay... he shook his head. Only from his sister. But he liked making her happy. Someone had to, and he'd kill anyone outside of the family that tried to get close to her. That left him.

"The food is excellent, as always. And how is yours?"

[Lilac Drake]

"It's perfect Ethan thank you." she took another bite and then another before she brought up the dance.

"So...The ball's coming up...do you have a date yet?"

[Ethan Drake]

Ethan frowned at this question, knowing it was bound to come up. Had she wanted him to take her? He supposed that was the case. He never begrudged his sister for the lack of his own social life... it was his choice to do that for her, but...

"I do, actually," he said softly, carefully watching her face for her reaction to this.

[Lilac Drake]

Her face lit up as if it were Christmas, "Oh that's wonderful who is she?" she asked clearly interested. No she hadn't expected him to take her to the dance, how geeky would that be taking your little sister to the ball. Lilac didn't expect him to throw away his entire social career just for her. "Do I know her? Is she in Slytherin? Of course she is." she was smiling until that nigging doubt crept up on her and her smile began to fade. Slytherin was right, and what she was supposed to be...how had she ended up in Gryffindor? Oh Well it didn't matter.

[Ethan Drake]

Ethan smiled.

"I doubt that you know her, love," He said, regarding her and wondering suddenly if she had a date. He would kill any boy who danced with her, but then, it would happen eventually.

"Her name is Lyra, and yes, she is in Slytherin." He paused, watching her face. "Why are you frowning?"

[Lilac Drake]

She smiled quickly and shook her head, "No I'm not frowning, I was just thinking." she lied cleverly, people frowned when they thought. Of course she wasn't really lying she was thinking, she was just thinking...wondering really if her father would love her more if she were in Slytherin.

It wasn't as if *she* had the choice to be in Slytherin or not or obviously she would have chosen Slytherin...But this was quite a problem for her.

What upstanding Slytherin boy would ask her to the dance...and was it only okay to be asked by a Slytherin boy? If so, wasn't it a bit hypocritical expecting a Slytherin boy to ask a Gryffindor? She knew instinctively that Ethan would probably never think of asking a Gryffindor out and as far as Lyla knew Ethan was the cream de la crem...and Gryffindors weren't good enough for him.

She wasn't even good enough for her own brother.

[Ethan Drake]

"Oh yeah?" He asked, smiling at her as if she were the only person in the world that could make him smile. "Tell me, what are you thinking about? If it's on your mind, I'm interested."

He probably coddled her too much. He was harsh with anyone else, feeling that everyone needed to stand up and deal with their own crap, but she had too much to deal with, in his eyes, and he wanted to take some of that weight from her shoulders.