Peace Offering [Josie]

[venus ollivander]

Venus had been processing - and things had been changing slowly in her mind. She still had some pretty awful friends, but she''d come out, and some had accepted her some hadn't. She'd been able to manage, even if it wasn't easy. Nobody actually mocked her, beyond a few gay jokes and cries of 'blood traitor'  The thing with mocking someone who had been a magical bully for six years was that you were playing with fire. Venus was more than capable of defending herself with hexes and curses when people went too far, and it was a skill she'd had to use. It was funny. She'd had more detentions since she opened up to Josie than she'd had beforehand, and before, she was victimising someone who didn't deserve it.  It was obvious that her former friends were nasty, conniving people and that Josie had really gone out of her way to be kind to Venus... Now that she was seeing the repercussions of fighting with nastier people she was starting to understand what Josie was really like.

That was a happy thought.  It had been nearly a week since things changed, and now Venus was making her way through Hogsmead's high street. Her eyes scanned for the familiar, and beautiful figure of Josie Williams. For once she didn't have cruel intentions. She wanted to do the right thing by Josie for a change. She had searched a couple of the stores, hoping to give the girl a gift. It was an apology for the things she had put the other through, not that any gift could make up for it. She held the wrapped box close to her chest as her eyes scanned, and finally settled on the blonde. She strutted closer, her look of haughty disdain still hadn't quite left her, but as Josie noticed her,  she smiled. She hadn't seen the other since the day they kissed -at least not outside of classes.

"I have something for you." She said gently, offering the heavy box to Josie. She felt remarkably vulnerable in this moment. Josie had the chance to crush her attempt at peace now, if the girl wanted to, and Venus thought that that was honestly a possibility.

josie williams
Note: There's two seperate boxes wrapped up together. One professional level quidditch set in an ornate box. regulation balls. The other is a much smaller box that holds just a snitch with a charm on it so that it can be called back to a player with a word. It refuses to fly during an actual match. It's a practice snitch. Venus is glad she's rich

[josie williams]

And while you are sitting indoors
waiting for the storm to pass
I will be outside dancing in the rain

❧

Josie had no big plans during Hogsmeade weekend. She just watched her brother walk off with his girlfriend like two adorable love bird and she herself was seated in the three broomsticks feeling like it was a bit too cold outside to sit there and enjoy the sun. 

Sure Josie could have done better things with her time but she needed some moments of peace to think and review her life choices. She basically helped a girl to come out and she thought it was hard for her but poor Venus had it worse. 

Josie remembered coming out.. how she told a girl how she felt before her heart was crushed and the girl's parents complained with her own and Josie ended up crying for most of the night in her brother's arms. Josie didn't want that pain for Venus, the humiliation before acceptance. 

"Hey you." she did not expect Venus at the three broomsticks but she did not mind her company at all. "It's not my birthday yet." she joked and eyed the boxes. "What's the occasion?"

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[venus ollivander]

"The occasion" Venus grinned brightly, taking a seat across from her long-time crush, shaking her long red hair out. "Is a thank you, and an apology... Maybe a peace offering." She said a little uncertain of what exactly she was doing now that Josie mentioned it. She supposed it didn't matter, as long as it was done with good intentions. She just wanted to do something good to someone she'd done so much bad to in the past. With that in mind, she placed the heavy box down on the table between them now. Venus was suddenly a little nervous. Maybe her gift was a stupid one. Josie was a seeker, what did she need a quaffle, or bludgers for? The school had balls, old and worn though some of them were at this point. She just hoped that Josie would find value in the gesture, the same way she had. "I honestly don't think there's ever going to be a way to make up for torturing you for so long, but I want to try."

Venus had been keeping to herself aside from classes and prefect duties for a week. She'd spent most of her time hiding in her dorm, or the prefects' bathroom. It was interesting to be out in public again. News had travelled and she had felt the eyes of students on her her as she had made her way to the pub. Now that she was here, though, she decided that they could stare as much as they wanted. She was open now and she couldn't just pretend? What would she do if she wanted to? Accuse Josie of confunding her, or feeding her a love potion? Venus was done lying. As she looked at Josie, smiling, it felt like she was being herself for the first time, spending time with the girl she'd shared her first kiss with.

Who exactly Venus was was still a mystery to her but she was learning every day, and she had Josie to thank for that. She'd have stayed living her lie bullying attacking and mocking someone she wanted to love rather than exploring who she was meant to be, if it hadn't been for Josie's persistence and kindness. The young Ravenclaw had a heart of gold, and when Venus considered everything she'd done, all the cruelty, she didn't really feel like she even deserved to be here. But she'd still do her bbest to make things a bit better.

"I hope you like it." She said, hopefully, eyes fixed on Josie.

[josie williams]

And while you are sitting indoors
waiting for the storm to pass
I will be outside dancing in the rain

❧

Presents were not something Josie got every day and her family wasn't rich but they did the best they could to get her what she needed in life. Josie had always been grateful with the smallest gifts and now there was a giant box in front of her. 

"This is really big." Josie got on her feet since she couldn't see Venus anymore. The girl just took the wrapping paper off the box and looked at it with big eyes. "Oh!" she squealed a bit as she opened the box with all the quidditch balls in there. 

"It's great!" 

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[venus ollivander]

"I'm so glad you like it!" She declared, energetically, practically glowing. This was probably the first time Venus had ever seen her behave in a way that wasn't drizzled with an air of contempt, or with sorrow. When Venus was happy she had a smile that could light up a room, and that's what she was showing now. She watched the girl's reaction. That squeal made her heart race. The enthusiasm Josie showed told Venus that it was all worth while. She felt amazing in this moment. She stood up and slid over beside Venus, her arm slid around Josie, a one-armed side hug.

Venus reached to the packaging and produced the smaller container, not much larger than a jewellery box. It probably looked like something a lot more serious than it was as she offered it to Josie, still grinning. "There's more." She said mildly as she placed that box down in front of Josie. "While you check that out, I'll get us a butterbeer!"  Venus almost purred, happily, using her soon to be absence as an opportunity to kiss Josie's cheek. She savoured the moment of closeness that her gesture had given her with Josie, Being close to the other girl, the feeling of soft skin, the scent of her hair. Venus noticed these sorts of things vividly, and when these sensations came from someone she was so interested in, it was an incredible feeling.

She got up to fetch the drinks, crossing the room and placing an order, collecting the butterbeer she turned to return to the other girl, hoping that her kiss hadn't been too much. She still didn't know for sure that Josie was interested... She had realised by now that Josie had kissed her back a week ago, but that must have been done in the heat of the moment, right? How could someone so sweet and gentle as Josie actually like her? Without a word she slid back into the booth beside the girl, placing her drink down and just looking at her, wondering what she'd say.

[josie williams]

And while you are sitting indoors
waiting for the storm to pass
I will be outside dancing in the rain

❧

Josie did not understand why Josie would deserve all these gifts. Sure she was nice to Venus but she loved the idea of just being friends.. maybe more but she wasn't sure about the second part. Josie had a bad track record when it came to dating and with her abusive ex, she had no idea how much good she would do to Venus. 

Josie was still slightly confused and ran a hand through her blonde hair when she saw the jewelry box. "What? Are you serious?" she asked and eyed the box. "Wow." she was so surprised, she didn't know what she did to deserve this. Josie smiled at the kiss and stroked her own cheek for a moment before turning to the box and opening it. 

"Wow."

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[venus ollivander]

If Josie had been a legilimens, she'd have known that Venus had no real motivation. She was always giving with her friends, and if she did need any incentive, Josie had helped her with so much in just one conversation. She had started to turn her life around, she'd started to divorce herself from people she'd done awful things just to impress. She had helped Venus come out, and V would never forget that. She was blissfully unaware of the history of abuse that had befallen Josie... She was sure that all the torture that Josie had been put through was at her own hands. That was behind her now though and she was making her way, smiling back to the table. She deposited her the butterbeer in front of Josie, before sipping her own.

She looked at Josie who seemed confused, as much as anything else. Venus felt a moment of dread... Did Josie not trust the gift? Did she hate it? Had it been something completely off base? Venus looked at Josie with barely concealed fear. "Do you like it?" She pleaded gently, hoping desperately that she hadn't messed it all up. Maybe she had gone too far with such big gifts, maybe not... How was she supposed to know? What was she meant to do?

Venus considered what she would need to do now. She wanted things to be good. Maybe her grand gifts were just too much and Josie simply needed a friend. Venus didn't speak again for a while. She simply watched and Listened to Josey, looking just slightly downcast. It wasn't the fact that her gifts had cost her a lot that worried her, it was the thought that maybe she had gone too far, or been too audacious. she didn't want to offend the other.

[josie williams]

And while you are sitting indoors
waiting for the storm to pass
I will be outside dancing in the rain

❧

Josie didn't know what to say. The snitch it was beautiful but she also felt like she didn't deserve it. She felt like she shouldn't have it and the who thing just confused her. The blonde looked at Venus who seemed a bit sad that she didn't explode in enthusiasm but Josie was just not used to ever getting these pretty gifts. 

Her family didn't have that kind of money. With a smile she pulled Venus in a kiss, she didn't know why or even thought about why but she did it. The kiss felt like it lasted forever, she just didn't want to let Venus go but she had to if she wanted to breathe. 

"I love you.. it.. the present." Josie blushed as the words came out of her mouth like a train.

word count ● venus ollivander ● notes

[venus ollivander]

Venus didn't know what was happening. she was being kissed, though. That was... new. She'd kissed Josie last time and she had been scared that it was a mistake but now she wasn't initiating. she wasn't second-guessing herself, for the first time since she'd come out. She kissed back, and it was during that kiss that Venus was starting to realise that Josie was the only constant she'd had in her life - her brothers had grown and changed, her friends too. Some had left her others had been ditched by the group at large. Sure, what they had had changed but... To Venus, in some weird way, this had always been what it was... Now she was just honest about feelings she'd been scared to admit plainly for all this time.

Venus wanted the kiss to last forever it felt like it was her head was only now catching up with the reality of it happening, the feeling of Josie's lips against her, of closeness and warmth. the smell of the other woman. it all swelled like a wave, and finally when the kiss ended, and Josie said those words, the wave broke and Venus felt herself being bowled over.She just sat stunned for a few seconds, her teeth slowly biting down on her lip as she studied Josie uncertainly. She wanted to say that she loved the other too. In her mind she absolutely did, there was no sense hiding it anymore. She had spent years desperately trying just to be near this girl.

"Which is it?" She asked meekly, scared to confess her own feelings as she looked into Josie's eyes, but even her apprehension couldn't keep the smile from her lips. "Do you love me, or the gift?"

[josie williams]

And while you are sitting indoors
waiting for the storm to pass
I will be outside dancing in the rain

❧

Josie only confessed her love once and that girl tore her mentally and physically apart. Josie frowned a bit and shook her head trying to make sense of it all because she couldn't. Josie eyed the girl, her hand stroking Venus's red long locks. 

"Both.." she said and bit her lip. She didn't think her brother would agree on her choice of girlfriend again but right now she didn't care. She loved having Venus close and this time it wasn't to hex her in the face or to bully her in a way that would make her want to cry. 

"Absolutely both."

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[venus ollivander]

Josie was a beautiful soul, and Venus was seeing that now. She shuddered to think of the sort of damage she had put this girl who had spent years trying to see the good in her through. She could see the confusion in the other's face, as she watched her shake her head. That sort of confused gesture was one that Venus had begun to understand. It was one she had herself. So she watched all the more intently. scared to death of what the answer might be, though as a hand ran through her hair, she felt her body's tension release a little. It was amazing what a hand running gently through her hair could do to set Venus at ease.

"I love you too." she declared in a hushed, private whisper. Not that she was ashamed to say it aloud, she'd have yelled it if that's what was required of her, but she wanted this moment to bee between the two of them. She slid in closer to Josie and kissed her again. Initiating a kiss without any uncertainty for the first time. SHe knew she was probably a terrible kisser, she knew that Josie loved her though and that was far, far more important. she wanted to be as close as she could in this moment she reached out, gently pushing the quidditch box further back on the table so that it wouldn't get in her way, as she finally pulled away leaning against the table so she could stay ther, looking into Josie's eyes.

"I know it's dumb... but that's why I used to hurt you. I was trying so hard to find any excuse to be around you." She said slightly bitterly. She didn't expect her new girlfriend - is that what they were, girlfriends? Either way she didn't expect Josie to understand.

[josie williams]

And while you are sitting indoors
waiting for the storm to pass
I will be outside dancing in the rain

❧

Josie looked at Venus and took her hand in her own, squeezing it lightly. She was cautious of love because of Gia and hell Venus might never even met Gia. The woman was dangerous in her own sick and twisted way but it wasn't something Josie could ignore any longer either. The blonde bit her lip and looked at Venus before kissing her back. 

Maybe Josie was more experienced but she didn't judge, she loved this. "I know.. It's just." she frowned a bit. "There was this girl.. Gia Jones, she was a seventh year and is now gone but we dated for a couple of months and she.." Josie took a sip of her butterbeer, she needed it. 

"Gia was physical.. in a not nice way." she added and sighed. "Love didn't come easy with me.. my brother had to fix me when I felt broken and I just want you to know that.. if i flinch or even squeal its not your fault." she needed Venus to know so she wouldn't feel bad. 

"Don't feel bad.. you are finally free to be who you want to be."

word count ● venus ollivander ● notes

[venus ollivander]

Venus squeezed Josie's hand in return. she felt so good being able to touch this girl in a way that was... Right. Simple as that, this was right. It was what Venus had wanted for a long time, probably even during Josie's relationship with Gia. How is it that Venus had never realised. As she listened to Josie's description her grip tightened slightly, but rather than squeeze her hand, and hurt her Venus pulled away as she heard the stories of Gia's abuse of Josie. She had shared a commmon room with Gia, eaten dinner at the same table. She wasn't going to put up with it.

"Gia hurt you." She said non-plussed she wasn't surprised Gia was cruel. She didn't realise that Gia had any sort of background with Josie though. The idea of there having been a relationship there didn't quite click in her mind as reality. Even knowing what she herself had put Josie through she felt a wave of cold, protective fury wash over her. As she heard the explanation, Venus voice was a cold whisper, the one that she had previously used to threaten, or intimidate Josie, but now it was different. "I swear to god, I'll kill her." She said coldly. shaking just slightly in fury. She didn't know if this was her possessive side coming out or if she simply couldn't accept that someone as sweet as Josie could be a victim anymore.

Venus knew she had to calm down. She just simply nodded slowly. "If I ever hurt you again, on purpose. I want you to get out... I don't ever want to do it again but... please don't let me." She said gently As the comparison between herself and Gia she had to blink back a couple of tears. Not knowing what to say. Without a word she just hugged Josie, tightly. She hated that she couldn't help, but at least she wouldn't be a part of the problem anymore.

[josie williams]

And while you are sitting indoors
waiting for the storm to pass
I will be outside dancing in the rain

❧

Josie knew this was a sore subject, she hated to bring it up but Venus needed to know what she was getting into. Josie looked at Venus and nodded at the comment about Gia. She did hurt her, more than Josie would ever care to admit or even talk about. 

"I'm okay now." she assured her with a slight smile. She didn't want Venus to get upset. The redhead meant a lot to Josie and she didn't want to upset her. 

"You won't hurt me Venus.. I know you won't." she said and reached out to wipe her tears away with her thumb. "You're a good person and the gifts are amazing."

word count ● venus ollivander ● notes

[venus ollivander]

Feeling her tears wiped away, Venus just looked up with a smile, blushing at Josie's closeness with her now. She had never really dreamed of this. sure it had been some distant unattainable fantasy, but the reality of it was impossible, until it was happening. honestly it still all felt dream like. How could anyone have so much faith in her, after all she had done to Josie. It didn't make sense in her mind. She'd earned nothing but bile and hatred. Even if she was so glad to have more than that, she still didn't understand how.

She heard the other reassuring her, offering her confidence that she wouldn't hurt Josie again... Venus knew she would never do it on purpose, but there was so much uncertainty in her. "I'm scared. I've been hurting you for so long, what if it's all I know how to do?" It used to be, after all. She couldn't understand how to treat the other right. Or at least she was scared to do it. What if old habbits died a little too hard and she hurt Josie again and again. What if their relationship was just one long torture session. If she was as bad or worse than Gia?

Venus shook her head firmly to banish that thought her long fiery hair stroking across Josie's face accidentally. "I don't always feel like a good person, but you're helping me improve." She said gently, before leaning in for just one more kiss, as the last of her tears dried. She ran a hand through the other's hair as her tongue ran gently against Josie's lip. this sensation was too good for her, she felt, but if the world had been kind enough to give it to her she would enjoy it as best she could.