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In Between Services
Author: Plum
Date: 02-17-08 15:42
Evan pushes open the door, clumping morosely straight for the short hallway and to the bedroom that is usually Plum's when she stays here at the Hogwarts residence. Since Saturday he's refused to go into the main bedroom. Plum supposes she can't blame him. It's been difficult for her as well when she's gone in to get clothes for Evan. When she went to pick out something for Mary to be buried in.
Plum walks into the residence carrying Alex. For the entire walk up from Hogsmeade he's been asking over and over, "Mum? Mum? Mum?"
Plum keeps telling her brother, "Mummy's gone," but at just under fifteen months of age, the permanence of gone is lost on Alex.
Depositing Alex by some of his toys on the floor, Plum moves to shut the door only to find Harriet Snider standing there. "Forgive me for not attending the funeral. As I'd told you, Saturday or Sunday would have been much better for me. I shall attend the memorial service, at least for a few minutes."
"We understand about the funeral. I know today was really bad for many but Dad...," Plum glances in the direction of the hallway and the bedroom door just barely visible from where she's standing. "Dad would have had it even soon."
"Having both his Thursday morning classes covered as an inconvenience but I suppose allowence may be made under the circmstances," Snider smiles benevolently. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to escort some people to see Professor Hagrid."
Plum leans against the door frame, watching the headmistress waddle away. From where he's playing Alex pipes up, "Juice, Pum, juice."
Plum pushes herself off the frame and closes the door, walking into the kitchen to get Alex some apple juice. After handing it to him Plum checks the time and goes to knock on her bedroom door.
"Dad? In about a half hour we should go down." There's no response so she knocks again. "Dad?"
Plum gently cracks open the door and peers into the room. With no lights on and the drapes drawn it's hard to see in the gloom but she can make out the lump on the bed. "Dad?"
"I heard you," Evan brusquely says.
"All right."
Plum eases the door to when really she'd love nothing more than to slam it as hard as she can. She turns back towards the door to the corridor when there's a tap and then it opens. She musters a smile for Anthony. They sit on the couch together, watching Alex play.
"The House Elf I spoke with showed me the room for the memorial. The chairs and some tables have been set up and food's all ready."
"Thanks for checking on that," Plum says with a squeeze of Anthony's hand.
"I wish there were more I could do to help."
"I know. Did you see Alanna or Ariella?"
"No, but I wasn't expecting to until the memorial. They both have two morning classes on Thursdays."
Plum sighs. "I knew that. Sorry for forgetting."
Rather than trying to find something to say to that, Anthony just slips his arm around Plum and draws her into a hug. They sith like that, interrupted once by Alex for more juice, until time to go down for the memorial service. The funeral had been held in Hogsmeade with a small gathering of family and friends and a few colleagues of both Mary's and Evan's who could make a Thursday morning service. The memorial service is from noon until 2 pm, a more informal come and go though anyone wishing to say a few words will be welcome to.
When it's time to walk down, Anthony straightens Alex's clothes and refills his juice cup while Plum goes to get Evan, prepared to have to drag him downstairs if necessary.
A Safe Place
Author: Drucilla Eternal
Date: 02-17-08 15:51
I looked around the small space set up with bunk beds, extra mattresses and the twin’s beds. Technically it was a tunnel that led from Sirius’s house to the house next door. Now it was a hastily set up safe room, complete with bedding, supplies and a place to cook. I sighed softly as I looked around the area.
“I know you don’t like it, Dru, but I think it’s for the best.”
I looked over at Sirius who was holding the hands of Mira and James. His face was pale and tight, and dark circles surrounded his eyes. He had barely slept in the last week or two. None of us had.
“Thelma and her family will be joining us too and the extra beds are just incase we have others. Others in need of a place to hide.”
I nodded, wrapping my arms around me tightly.
“And the whole tunnel is protected with spells. It’s almost nearly impossible to find, unless you know the proper entrance and password. Of course, once you’re outside of it…”
Listening to Sirius’s words trail off, I thought back to the rumors that were floating around. People being rounded up and sent away. Families being torn apart, without knowing where the others have gone to.
“I still think…”
“No Sirius.” I cut him off as I walked over to him and leaned in as he let go of James tugging hand to encircle my waist. “We stick together. If I flee with the children there are no guarantees that we’ll be safe. And there will be no way to keep in contact with you. We stick together Sirius.”
Sirius didn’t reply, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. I had a feeling this discussion was far from over. Sirius was insistent on moving the children. I, on the other hand, wanted to stay close. I didn’t want to run away. Besides, I couldn’t run away. By running away, I felt as if I would be running away from myself and from my past. I needed to figure these things out and fast. I knew in my gut it was important. I had to know.
Just thinking these thoughts made me think of the key that was sewn in a secret pocket inside my robes. The address to the property had long since been memorized. I just needed a moment. A moment to escape and check it out. Unfortunately, the way things were right now moments were limited and much harder to come by without looking suspicious. But I couldn’t leave. Not yet. Not until I knew the truth.
Separation Anxiety
Author: Carys
Date: 02-17-08 16:20
"Your father was right. We should have packed up and left for France the moment he urged us to," Mairwen said, looking every bit on edge. Her gray hair was piled up into a bun, but stray wisps framed her face and stuck out in odd angles. She was extremely frazzled on account of the rumors that all nons would soon wind up separated from the pureblood family members.
Carys grabbed a bundle of clothes and stuffed them into a large bag. "It's not too late," she said, attempting to sound calm despite her grandmother's nervousness. "If we all leave today, we'll be safe."
In the Hanham household, Alun and Tristan were the only ones immune to the new laws. They would be safe, regardless. Mairwen and Carys, on the other hand, were at risk of being carted off to wherever it was the Ministry of Magic was sending the nons. Carys had heard rumors of law enforcement officers kidnapping nons from their beds, but she wasn't sure if any of that had really happened. The wizarding world was so uneasy about the changes in the last week that tales of the most frightening and horrible things had spread like wildfire, whether true or not. Either way, Carys would rather be safe than sorry, even if that meant uprooting her current life and starting all over again.
She tucked some of Tristan's toys into a backpack and tried to calm her worried grandmother. Unfortunately, the tension only heightened with a heavy knock on the front door.
Alun slipped into the bedroom. "I saw through the window. A pair of wizards wearing Ministry of Magic badges."
Mairwen whimpered. Carys had never seen her grandmother look so frail, not even at the funerals of Gaenor and Owain.
"The Floo's monitored, I'm sure of it," Alun went on, lines of worry creasing his forehead. "Apparating is out of the question, I'm afraid." Mairwen was obviously in such a state that she'd probably splinch herself. Carys didn't have her license, and Alun couldn't do a side-along apparition for three individuals at once.
Alun did the only thing he could. "Hide. In the attic. In a closet. Under the bed. Anywhere."
The knocking had persisted in the meantime. Alun, with shoulders slumped, went to answer the door. Carys, Mairwen, and Tristan, meanwhile, crept to the attic with the hopes that the Ministry workers wouldn't do more than talk to Alun. From the attic, they could only hear muffled speech. The conversation seemed to carry on for a great deal of time, though neither Mairwen nor Carys wore a wristwatch and had no way of knowing how much time had really passed.
Carys sighed with relief when she heard the front door open. The wizards were leaving. It was precisely at this time that Tristan let out a wail.
"Shh!" Carys urged softly, cradling her son to her chest and rubbing his back.
Tristan fell silent, though his face was red and tears already rolled down his cheeks, but the damage had already been done. The muffled speech became louder and all at once, the trap door to the attic blew off its hinges. Mairwen shrieked and Tristan starting crying all over again.
The two wizards appeared with a weary looking Alun in tow. "Please, leave my family be," he begged, but they ignored him.
"We're here for Mairwen Ellis and Carys Hanham-Beauvais. The boy should already been in the custody of one––" the speaker paused, consulting a piece of parchment "Griffin Price." He turned to Alun. "See to it that the boy goes where he rightly belongs, or he'll wind up a ward of the Ministry of Magic. You are dangerously close to appearing as a blood traitor and may, in fact, be seen unfit to raise the boy yourself."
Carys hugged Tristan close to her body and reached out for her grandmother's hand. "You can't separate us! I won't let you!"
"You, my dear, have no choice." To his colleague, he said, "Take the boy from her arms."
There was a great deal of screaming, but in the end, Carys relented because she didn't want to see Tristan hurt. She also didn't want to cause her grandfather any more trouble. If he had a chance at staying free, he ought to keep it.
The last image Carys and Mairwen saw as they were dragged to a Ministry vehicle was a weeping Alun holding a screaming Tristan where he stood in the front doorway of their home.
Who Are These People?
Author: Forest
Date: 02-17-08 20:21
Arms folded, Forest stands just inside the doorway of his outer office. Standing in the doorway itself is Prunella, shaking her head and making a weird noise that's sort of like a tsking but isn't. Whatever it is, Forest takes it as a bad sound.
"More are gone today," Forest says, stating the obvious.
"Who are these others?" Prunella asks, making a stabbing gesture with one thumb at a cluster of people scurrying past, not a single face familiar to either of them.
"You'd think that as department head I'd be able to answer that, wouldn't you?"
Forest calls to one man walking by. "You there, who are you?"
"'oo are you?"
"Forest Woods."
"Nice ter meet ya. Chester Shunpike. Oi'm uh bit lost. Lookin fer me new cub'cle."
"Your cubicle?" Forest asks, nudging Prunella. She shrugs and shakes her head in response.
"Why do you need a cubicle on this floor and in this department?"
"Fer work, o'course. Bit slow aren't ya."
"Yes, that's probably why I am Head Auror and head of law enforcement."
"Then why innit you knowin' who Oi am? Why innit you tha one ter innerview me?"
"Excellent points, Chester. Who did interview you?"
"That bloke wot's 'ead of thuh entire depar'ment. Ol'ridge."
Prunella turns enough to tilt her head back to look up at Forest without straining. She makes that odd sound again and pushes her way past Forest into the office and goes to sit down at her desk. Forest is so angry at the moment that he knows he should turn and go into the inner office, get calmer before going to have a talk with Berwyck Oldridge.
Chester Shunpike stops him by asking, "So, gorna 'elp a chap out and 'elp me find me cub'cle?"
Forest slowly lets out a breath before saying, "Sure. Be glad to."
As Forest leads Chester to the cubicle in question he asks, "Tell me, Chester, what sort of law enforcement or Auror training have you had?"
"Oh, 'bout two months law henforcement training afore takin' a job. Needed thuh money."
The muscles in Forest's jaw clench so tightly he thinks he might have strained one of them. To Chester he says, "Well, here you are. Might want to put a mark or a sign up to help you locate it easier."
"Good idear. Oi'll do that now, fanks."
Forest nods then walks away. He wants to know where the hell his people are who've been steadily disappearing over the course of the week and he wants to know who the hell thinks it's a good idea to hire people who've had all of two month's training.
Dinner And A Movie?
Author: Bellatrix Lestrange
Date: 02-18-08 11:40
Bellatrix looked in the mirror, fiddling with one of her favourite jet earrings. Behind her she could see an outline in the doorway, leaning nonchalantly against the post.
“You’re late,” she commented. “Work was keeping you busy? I sent that owl two hours ago to find you.”
“I was detained somewhat. Checking in the new arrivals and getting comfortable.”
She looked over her shoulder. “Unusual for you, I can’t imagine you doing much more than lying around at home.” A smile played over her lips and he returned the gesture, but with a sarcastic twist.
He walked into the room, the candlelight throwing shadows around the chamber. Nonchalantly he placed one hand on Bella’s bare shoulder, pushing her hair to one side and leaning in to place a kiss on her neck.
“Don’t,” she snapped, pushing him away. “How many times have I told you not to take liberties?”
“I can take what I want,” he said.
“Really? How do you know I don’t have you wrapped around my little finger, hmm?” A cruel twist played about her mouth as she watched him, never breaking eye contact for a second.
He backed away, hands up in a gesture of surrender. “Forgive me,” he said sarcastically. “I was under the impression I meant something to you.”
Bellatrix paused for a moment, calculating, weighing the odds. Looking for a way in. She turned to face him. “Of course you do,” she said finally. “Sometimes I just don’t know what I want.”
“I’ll tell you what you want, shall I?” he said, moving closer again, cupping her face gently with his hand.
Bellatrix leaned into his touch, closing her eyes for a moment. Almost surrendering, yet one corner of her mind was overly alert to all the possibilities that may play out.
His body was close to her, and he smiled. “You want someone who isn’t going to get in your way, can be your partner, work with you.”
“Oh really?” she said, arching her eyebrows. “And why do you think you can do that?”
“Because I’m not off playing chess at all hours and trying to make a point,” he said. “Rodolphus is always too caught up in his own misery. I should know, he was like that all through childhood.”
Bellatrix laughed. “Selling out your brother then? How apt, how very..Lestrange. I have something to show you, but not here.”
Rabastan looked puzzled. “What have you got to show me then?”
“Let’s go shall we? Then all will be revealed,” she said mysteriously. “You’ll have to Side-along since you don’t know where we are going.”
He snaked his hand around Bella’s waist. “I can’t see that being a problem,” he said with a low laugh. “I’m in your capable hands.”
“That may not be a positive thing, Rabastan. You have no idea what I’m capable of.”
“That’s what’s so attractive,” he added. “Show me what you can do.”
Bellatrix grinned. “With pleasure.” She put her hand around his waist and disapparated.
How Do Muggles Cook Without Magic?
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 02-18-08 14:16
An odor wafts across the table where Harry has maps spread out, studying the terrain and layout of several areas to come up with good spots for meeting Order members or that would serve as good camping locals. He straightens, sniffing the air then promptly wishing he hadn't done that.
Harry looks around for the source of the smell. Hermione is at a computer doing some sort of research. She'd been thrilled to find out the that telephone here is in service since it meant she could hook up the computer to the phone line. Harry knows little about computers and the internet while Hermione used both a great deal while at Oxford.
The smell is coming from the kitchen as do the sounds of someone rattling pans. Harry gets up to go look and as he approaches he can hear Janine talking to herself.
"Drat. That does not look anything like what Pinky did."
"Why is this lumpy?"
"Potions under Snape was easier than this!"
Harry doesn't mean to startle Janine when he asks, "Everything all right, Janine?" but she jumps, sending a large knife skittering across the floor.
Harry picks up the knife then walks over to the stove to look inside a big pot from which steam is rising. Janine makes a face though whether it's at the pot or at Harry he's not sure.
"Everything all right. Or no, it's not. Did you know that cooking without magic is nearly impossible?"
Harry tries to recall ever seeing Janine do anything in the kitchen beyond making a sandwich or pouring cereal into a bowl. "I didn't know you cooked."
"I do, that is I do a little." Janine pushes bangs off her brow, leaving a flour streak on her forehead. "Or I should say I do a little but not very well." Using the wooden spoon she's got clutched in the hand that didn't hold the knife, Janine waves it at the pot on the stove and at the counters covered with the remains of vegetables. "I want to be of use so I thought I'd make soup to have tonight for supper. How do Muggles do it? How do they cook without magic? It's hard enough to cook with it."
"If it's any consolation, I'm not much of a cook either."
Harry doesn't find out if it is an consolation to Janine to know he's as hopeless as she is in the kitchen because there is a pecking on the small window set into the kitchen door. Harry rushes over to throw the door open, "Hedwig!"
He just as hastily shuts it as the snowy owl lands on the back of a kitchen chair. Harry sees she's got a note tied to one leg and as he goes to untie it, he tells Janine, "Sirius was to only send Hedwig unless it was extremely important or urgent."
Harry unfurls the parchment and has only just begun reading when Janine says, "Read it aloud," and from the other side of the room Hermione asks, "Harry, did I hear you say Hedwig's name?"
With Hedwig perched on the chair, Harry doesn't feel the need to answer Hermione's question. He holds up the letter for her to see, "Hedwig brought this. I was just about to read it."
Harry turns to face the two young women as he reads, "Friday's meeting cancelled. More arrests made. McGonagall, Hagrid, Snape, Flitwick, others. Stay put."
Silence settles over the kitchen for at least a minute before Hermione states something Harry had been thinking, "Ron's most likely in danger now too."