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When Lyall turned and hugged her, Rider cozied into his arms, happy for his embrace, however short it was. When he started to pace and explain her situation, Rider frowned and her cheeks colored a little red. "Well, I... uh... I don't want to burden you. Either of you. It's just... Me mum probably won't let me back anyway." She indicated the bruise on her cheek which had turned the color of an eggplant with a yellowish color emanating from it. Frowning, she walked back to the couch and slumped down. "Plus she's probably gone barmy from me pulling me wand on her." She looked up at Tori after she said that, knowing the girl would probably want an explanation. "After... after she hit me, I pulled out me wand and threatened her. I was mad and crying and... I didn't cast anything on her. Just... stormed upstairs. That's when I wrote you the letter." There was a tapping at the window and Rider looked up, fresh tears threatening to escape. The young tawny owl was sitting by the window, waiting to be let in. The girl stood up and walked to the window, opening it for the bird. Tintri hopped onto the inside of the windowsill and Rider stroked the bird, smiling slightly at her pet.

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{...}

𝔖𝔦𝔵𝔱𝔥 𝔜𝔢𝔞𝔯 𝓗𝔲𝔣𝔣𝔩𝔢𝔭𝔲𝔣𝔣 𝔓𝔯𝔢𝔣𝔢𝔠𝔱

Lyall had been home for a week, all the while trying not to complain of his jaw being in constant pain. Finally, his mum made him go to the dentist. He didn't exactly dislike the dentist's office... but he really didn't enjoy the place either. After a few x-rays, it was noted that his wisdom teeth were the source of the pain. That led the family to an oral surgeon, and a date was set. Lyall had to have surgery... on his mouth. With his mother's permission, he invited two of his best friends to England for a day. Well.. Tori would stay the day, but Rider had decided to crash in the guest room, since her family couldn't apparate.

When the time came, Ethel led her son to the surgeon, where they filed paperwork and waited in a rather dull lobby. Lyall was wearing a loose jumper, one he didn't mind getting a bit messy, if need be. They'd already talked about all the anesthetics and all... but when the nurse called his name, he looked at his mum, practically begging not to go. After another call, the boy quietly scurried over, and was led to a pristine room. He slipped out of his sweater, leaving him in a tee shirt, which would probably be easier to handle. A nurse covered him in a blanket for comfort, then set up the needle that latched into his arm. After feeling cool tingles, he asked when he'd fall asleep. The nurse said it had been water, and to wait for the doctor. He wasn't done?! A few minutes later, the kindly man walked in, and after a bit of chatting, Lyall was firmly asleep.

After what seemed like seconds, Lyall was gently awoken. He couldn't figure who it was, but they slipped his glasses on. Was he okay? He blinked slowly a few times, mouth hanging ajar. The teen was scooted into a wheelchair, then into a seat to recover for a few minutes. The next time he became aware of his situations, the boy was being helped into his mum's car. After a short ride, they were home, and Lyall was being helped into the house by his parents. He was set on the recliner, and his dad rumpled his hair.

The boy looked around, still halfway in a daze. His eyes landed on his friends, Tori and Rider, and this just confused his addled mind. "Whattre you lot doin' here? Is not school.... there's not even any ghosts here.... Is it Christmastime... noooooo... I don't have any gifts!" His eyes filled with tears, the boy not sure where he'd get gifts on christmas! Oh, his friends would be angry! "'m so sorry... I'm a bad friend..." He sniffled, mouth still hanging open. He was lost in his own home, which frightened the poor, drug-addled mind of Lyall Thompson.

Rider frowned at Tori, slightly, when she recoiled from the taste of the lactose free treat. She knew that Lyall was overly emotional as he was coming down from the effects of the medicine and sure enough, she was right. He complained about not having enough spoons to share which made Rider cringe internally. She didn't want to eat the lactose free ice cream any more than Tori did, but she wouldn't make that known out loud. Lyall was insisting that he didn't want to eat and instead wanted to do something else. Rider frowned again and gestured at the ice cream bowl again. "Eat the ice cream, Ly. It'll make your mouth feel better. We can watch something on the television while you eat, okay?" She smiled at him, hoping that the gesture would convey calmness to her friend. She bit her lip and grabbed her bag. "I brought some movies with me too, in case there's nothing on."

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{...}

𝔖𝔦𝔵𝔱𝔥 𝔜𝔢𝔞𝔯 𝓗𝔲𝔣𝔣𝔩𝔢𝔭𝔲𝔣𝔣 𝔓𝔯𝔢𝔣𝔢𝔠𝔱

Lyall was told once more to eat the ice cream, but it was hard! He shook his head and set the bowl on the rocking chair beside him. The boy nodded at Rider and Tori, then waddled his way to the little bathroom. The door stayed open, the boy becoming confused by his reflection. He tried to open his mouth and look at his teeth, but it hurt so bad. He stuck his fingers in his mouth, feeling around. After a second, he pulled out a blob of cloth stuff. He poked at his teeth, which hurt quite a bit. But... didn't he have all his teeth taken out? He spit out more blob, then waddled back into the living room. He gave a lopsided grin, looking every bit like he was under heavy medications. "Hey yoo guys! Guessss wha!" He laughed as best he could, then stopped to drool a bit on his socks. He hiccuped, then tried to remember what he was saying. He clicked his tongue a bit more, then his eyes lit up. He grabbed Rider's shoulders, eyes wide like a madman. "They dinnit take all my teeth, Ri! They was s'posed to take all of 'em! Why..." Tears welled in his eyes, but he wasn't done. Shaking his friend to make sure she believed him, he added in a whisper, "Make them give back my ******** teeth. They don't even need them." He stopped, then turned to Tori. He blinked a few times, looking dazed. "How'm I gonna eat with no teeth..." He thought about it, but only a second later he gasped in surprise when he noticed a big bowl of ice cream. His favorite! He picked it up and ate, ignoring the stinging in his jaw.