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Checking In
Author: Arlington J Montgomery
Date: 11-26-11 16:53
Arley smiled as he read Bron's response to his letter. "She said we need to come visit, or they may be able to come see us sometime."
Seb walked over and rested a hand on Arley's shoulder. "We should go see them. You know we have not left the States since…"
"That's enough, Sebastian!" Arley quickly cut him off as memories of his torture rushed to the surface. He tried to keep memories of his father, and everything he put them through, locked away.
Sebastian backed away, a little taken aback that Arley would snap at him like that. "You need to talk about it Arlington! I know you are making progress, moving on, but you need to talk to other people."
"I'm FINE!" He sat back against the couch, and hung his head. "Look, I'll let Bronwyn know we can come by for a visit. Maybe we could stay for awhile? We both have a few months free."
Sebastian nodded with a smile and pulled his boyfriend into a hug. "We could go check on…er, visit Fallon while we are there."
Arley rolled his eyes a little "Yeah, she's still at that old shack she bought in Hogsmeade."
Seb couldn't help but grin at Arley's sarcastic tone. The boys spent their first Christmas as a couple with Fallon in that old shack when they were still in school.
"You told Bronwyn you are doing better, didn't you?"
Arley just nodded. "What did you expect? We haven't talked in over a year. An' after everything she and Desi did for us…I jus' want them to think I'm fine. That I'm the same old Arley I was before I got nabbed by my Father."
"That is my point. You are not the same. Yes, you are much better, and stronger in some aspects. You do; however, still need help with some things."
Arley hung his head in defeat. Seb was right, he always was.
"Fine, I'll let them know we'll be around soon."
"Thank you. I am sorry I keep pushing the past at you, I know how hard things have been. This has not been a cake walk for me either."
Arley smiled over at his partner, Sebastian was still had a thick Swedish accent, but little hints of Arley and America were rubbing off on him, little sayings and such.
"I love you arley, and I am so thankful you are still with me."
Arley clunked back down onto the sofa and pulled Sebastian down beside him. "I love you too, Seb. I'm never gonna leave ya, ya know. It'll be good to see our friends again" The young Texan man smiled and wrapped his arm around Seb's shoulders.
Sebastian snuggled into Arley's arms, and Arley kissed Seb's temple. He then reached over for a scrap of parchment and a quill to scribble another note to Bronwyn.
Hey Bron,
I'm so glad we got back in touch. I'm doing well, but it never hurts to talk about what happened. Seb and I have some free time and thought we could come to England for awhile, our schedules are pretty open at the moment.
Have you or Desi heard from Fallon? She said she would check in with you…She still has that place in Hogsmeade, I think she's there now. Fal's been real reclusive lately, I hope she comes to talk to you girls sometime.
Anyway, Seb thinks she just needs a boyfriend to get her out in public more. Or maybe she just needs to get back into playing Pro Quidditch. Maybe she could talk to Toby about it sometime?
Well we should be over in a day or so, and Seb says to tell you hi and he can't wait to see you.
See ya soon,
Arley
p.s. Thanks again for everything you guys did for me and Seb, you're kinda like my only family now.
Arley folded up the letter and handed it to Seb's owl Rudy, who took off with the letter only after he bit Arley's hand.
"Ow! I swear that bird hates me!" Seb just chuckled as he rubbed the new wound on his boyfriend's hand.
Finally Time
Author: Zabrynna
Date: 11-26-11 17:08
In addition to continue working for AJ Hodfuffer as a research assistant Zabrynna got a job as a clerk at Narcissa's. Nolan keeps assuring her that she doesn't need to hold two jobs, especially once her first term at St. Emrys starts but after going through a period during which her only source of money was that loaned to her by Mariposa, Zabrynna's determined have money to put into savings.
The shoppe closes soon and after that she and Philippa are going out to catch a comedian doing shows all week at one of their favorite pubs. They invited Anne but being still very much a newlywed, Anne wanted to spend time with John. When they said John was of course welcome to come along, Anne had winked and grinned. "What we have planned is best kept between John and me. Neither of us is an exhibitionist. At least I don't think he is."
That statement had caused them all to titter then Philippa and Zabrynna had insisted that Anne talk with John about all of them getting together soon. Either they could all go out or have a party. Just something to be able to spend time with their friend Anne and have another opportunity to get to know John better.
The customer Zabrynna is helping comes out of a dressing room. "I'm going to take the red and that one in the medium blue."
Zabrynna gets her rung up and the two fashionable and expensive robes neatly back on hangers with a protective bag over them then goes to the dressing room to clear it out of the robes, the many, many robes the witch had tried on but wouldn't let Zabrynna rehang as she went along.
She's just getting the last of them back on its hanger, smoothed out of wrinkles, and ready to go back on the rack when Philippa walks in. "Hey, just wanted to let you know I'm here. I'll be on the bench just outside."
"Excuse me, you're blocking the path from the door."
Philippa promptly says, "Sorry," as she moves out of the way, only then realizing what Zabrynna had the moment the woman walked in.
"As well you should be." She starts to continue into the shoppe then looks again at Philippa. "You. Now I understand the rudeness."
"I wasn't purposely being rude, Mrs. Ravensdale. I didn't know you were right behind me coming in."
"Mathau. I no longer go by Ravensdale." Margretta turns away from Philippa only to see Zabrynna standing there.
"Hello, Mum."
"I never knew you cared for the style of clothing Narcissa carries."
"I like some of the styles that are aimed at younger women but I'm not shopping right now. I work here."
"Really? I'm not sure I want to patronize this shoppe any longer."
Griselda Marchbanks, Narcissa's manager, just happens to have been walking within earshot just then. She stops, changes direction and approaches the three of them. "Hello, I'm the manager here. I'm curious as to why you would no longer wish to be a Narcissa's customer."
Margretta sneers at Zabrynna and makes a derisive gesture with one hand. "I am not sure I wish to patronize a shoppe that would employ someone like her."
"Mum," Zabrynna gasps, shocked her mother who is all about keeping up appearance and hurt that her mother still feels a need to lash out at her.
Griselda shakes her head, "I sorry but I don't understand."
"That girl is disrepectful and a habitual liar. Would you trust someone who has trouble with the truth?"
Margretta doesn't come right out and say that Zabrynna would stoop to thievery but she implies it.
"This is your daughter?" Griselda asks.
"Much as I am loathe to admit it, yes, so if anyone would know what sort of character the girl has - I blame her father - it is I."
Griselda frowns at Margretta, the two of them staring at each other. Philippa, meanwhile, has stepped back to stay well out of whatever is going on between Margretta and Zabrynna. After several seconds of silence during which Griselda appears to be deep on thought, she moves to stand near Zabrynna. In a very low voice she says, "I'm sorry, Zabrynna, but if your own mother doesn't think you are trustworthy I can't have you working here. If you'll come with me to the office, I'll pay you what you're owed."
Arguing at this juncture seems to be pointless so Zabrynna simply nods and follows Griselda, emerging a few minutes later. Margretta is now looking through a sale rack but she pauses long enough to smile triumphantly at Zabrynna. Philippa is still near the door, though no longer standing where she's blocking anyone's way.
Reaching her Zabrynna says, "I'm done a few minutes earlier."
Philippa waits until they are outside to hiss, "What in bloody hell was that all about?"
"My mum being the snobby bitch she's always been."
"There's more to it, Zabrynna. She's been cold and distant for a long time but then there was that scene at the entrance of Hogwarts over a pair of earrings. Now this. Makes me wonder how many similar scenes I've missed and exactly what is wrong with your mother."
Deciding it's time to come as clean as she can without naming names, Zabrynna replies, "Let's go find somewhere to talk somewhere to talk. Not my house because Dad will be there by now."
"Not mine either. I don't know if you're hungry or not after that but as I ate lunch really early today I am, so let's go to eat like we planned. If you don't want to go to the comedy show after that I understand."
Though Philippa is correct, Zabrynna doesn't have an appetite after what just happened, she nods. As long as it's somewhere she can fill Philippa in while keeping the promised secret of not revealing Declan Douglass's name, Zabrynna is long past due telling at least one of her closest friends the wreck she's made of her life these past few years.
An Old Encounter
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 11-27-11 09:05
Johanna only had two classes on Tuesdays: Potions and History of Magic. It almost seemed like a complete free day if not for the homework and the essays required by the other professors. Still it was better to just sit by the fire in the Slytherin common room and doing homework quietly than walk around the castle with a ton of books, from classroom to classroom.
After the History of Magic class, Johanna wanted to pay a quick visit to the library in other to check with Miss Bramble if the book she wanted, A Guide to Medieval Sorcery, was already available or not. Apparently someone had been reading it.
Since it was lunch time the library would probably be empty and she would be assisted by Miss Bramble without waiting long on the line.
She told Gus and Felicia to go ahead and to save her a place at the Slytherin table. She knew if she took Gus with her he would whine the whole time. He had spent the entire History of Magic class complaining about how starving he was. Johanna had no idea how it was possible that Gus ate so much but he managed to keep in shape and having the stunning appearance that made all the girls crazy.
She watched her two friends going downstairs and she turned in the opposite direction, towards the library.
She was passing between a crowd of Gryffindor students when she spotted Professor Binns. Johanna liked when he was her teacher. It was annoying when he fell asleep in the middle of a lecture, but she thought it was a funny irony that he would taught his students about past events when he himself was dead.
"Hello Professor. How are you doing?"
The ghost took a while to recognize Johanna. She didn't blame him. He had taught many students and generations, of course he couldn't remember everyone.
"I am doing very well Miss Steele. Professor Dumbledore allowed me to haunt the castle even thought I do not teach here anymore. "There was a bit of bitterness in his voice that soon disappeared when he added with a smile. "I understand we have to give a chance to the living to continue the legacy of the dead. Professor Davyd is a wonderful teacher and honestly I had no use to the salary Professor Dumbledore gave me. What can a ghost do with some galleons?"
He laughed of his own joke and then he assured that he would be around the school and if she had any question about History of Magic she could consult him anytime.
Johanna watched as Professor Binns went away, creating a wave of protests as he passed right in the middle of the students, ignoring them. He was distantly whistling a melody. He seemed quite happy.
Hoping to still catch Miss Bramble before she went to lunch, Johanna hurried towards the library, hoping the book she wanted would be available so she could read it when she was done with homework.
It's Official
Author: Saffron
Date: 11-27-11 10:32
"Who can identify this?" Saffron asks, holding up a marked teacup, slowly panning it so all the third years might have a good look. "Liannah?"
"It's a playing card cup."
"Yes, three points to Ravenclaw. What about this one?" Saffron puts down the playing card cup and holds up another teacup with different markings. "Gaston?"
"A zodiac cup."
"Very good. Three points to Slytherin."
"This last is a symbols cup. In this class we are using plain teacups. Why would anyone want to use one of these other teacups? Waldo?"
"Because some people consider where the leaves are in the cup to be important and the marks in those make it easier."
"Correct. Three points to Hufflepuff. There are dozens of designs one may choose from but these three types of cups are the most popular and therefore the most common. We will delve into using them in our next unit. I showed them to you today because of the small mention of them in your reading assignment from last week. Today is more practice using the cups we've been using. The tea is ready, pick someone who's leaves you've not read before and get started. Next Tuesday, do not forget, is an exam. I've got a study guide that I will pass out as I come around checking progress."
The third years jump up to form a queue at the teapots and soon the room is buzzing with students flipping through the tasseography section of their texts while figuring out what symbols they are seeing in the tea leaves. Saffron moves about the room making sure students are actually working as they drink tea and talk, answering questions any have, and helping those who seem to be stuck or confused. The hour and a half pass by quickly. All too soon Saffron is sending the third years on their ways with a reminder of, "Study, study, study!"
She tidies up the room then walks down through the castle to the day care where she finds Niccola playing and Brandon sleeping. She's told she just missed her husband and that both the children have had their lunches. Saffron gives Nic a hug and a kiss, drops a kiss on Brandon's little head, watching him for a moment as his face scrunches up in sleep, then, more than a little hungry, walks in the direction of the Great Hall.
She's at the doors to go in when her father quickly walks up. "There you are! I thought I was going to have to climb all the way up to that tower of yours."
"Hello, Da. What brings you here today?"
"I wanted to give the news in person. Our surrogate is pregnant."
Saffron still cannot believe that this man who is a grandfather wants another baby when he hardly paid much attention to the children he had when younger and more energetic. She does understand Birdie's maternal need but still wonders if it wouldn't have been wiser to adopt an older child than starting out with an infant at her age. Still, Saffron smiles. "Congratulations, Dad."
Lohengrin grabs Saffron into a huge hug. "We are so excited! I have to run. Still have Sassy and Sage to tell."
Saffron has barely gotten the words, "Goodbye," out when Lohengrin is hurrying back in the direction of the castle doors. Feeling somewhat as if she's been smacked by a whirlwind, Saffron enters the Great Hall, eyes going immediately to Aaron. Reaching him, she gives his hand an affectionate pat as he holds out a chair for her. "Da was just here. It's official. I'm going to be a big sister again."
Aaron slides into his seat next to her, "This is where I say congratulations. I really want to ask if you father and Birdie are in their right minds."
Laughing, Saffron agrees, "So do I!"
Lunch with Gideon
Author: Rylee
Date: 11-27-11 10:50
I'd been up early this morning because I'd written to my sister attending a muggle university in the States and wanted to see if she could send me a couple of new fashions from the fashion week going on in New York this time of year. I knew she would, but it was just a matter of asking her and letting her know that I wanted some accessories to go with them as well. I knew my Mum would be there and I'd have something new for winter by the time she and Dad came home, always the height of Muggle and Wizarding fashions despite the arrogance, fashion was the one thing that my parents always made an exception for. High priced clothes, shoes and accesories always were a worthwhile purchase for each season, many of them never worn again because that is the way the world works when you are trying to stay fashionable, but some things are timeless and are worn always.
After sending Lixue off with a treat and the letter for Nicholette, I headed into the Great Hall for a quick breakfast consisting of fried eggs, sausage, and rye toast with a touch of honey butter on it, my D&G messenger bag filled with the books for my first two classes which were Charms with Professor Fairchild and Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Somerset. Charms was interesting, and DADA could be a bit less dry, but they were required and so I worked through them, intent on keeping my marks up and the like. Had I made friends yet? No, not really and as of right now, I still didn't think I had time for them, nor did I see myself befriending any of the first years that were around me because well, truth be told, most of them were fashionably tragic and I wouldn't be caught dead next to most of them. However, there were some older students that I looked up to, and were quite delightful to hang about, but I doubted that I would be accepted as a 'friend' to them because they had their own friends at their own age level.
Both classes had gone well and passed quicker than I'd realized and soon enough I'd changed out the contents of my bag to fill it with the required books and the like that I would need for Herbology at two and then I headed to the Great Hall for lunch with Gideon before I headed to the library to finish up my assignment for Herbology.
"Ah, there you are, I thought you'd gotten absorbed in a fashion magazine or simply forgotten about our lunch date." Gideon said as I settled down beside him at the table.
"No, I'd just gotten stopped on the way with a question about the assignment for DADA." I said as I began piling a small amount of food upon my plate and debating on what I wanted to drink, one of the juice selections or something else as the weather was no where near as decent as it was yesterday. I was not looking forward to trudging to the Greenhouse in the rain for herbology today. I grabbed a mug of hot chocolate with a bit of cinnamon and peppermint in it, and Gideon and I talked while we ate lunch during our break.
Errands
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 11-27-11 13:38
The Leaky Cauldron felt toasty compared to Charing Cross Road, from which Hermione had just arrived. She'd spent the morning visiting a few Muggle bookshops for books on maternity from a medical standpoint. Although Hermione had pretty much given up on her medical degree, she still liked to keep up on Muggle medical topics. In just under two weeks, she would start her penultimate rotation at St. Mungo's––in the maternity ward.
She debated getting something to eat, but it was still a bit early for lunch. Even sitting in front of the fire with a warm drink sounded nice, but Hermione did have other errands to run. She forced herself to go around back and used her wand to tap on the bricks in the alleyway. The bricks shifted, forming the gateway to Diagon Alley.
Although many of the buildings tilted at odd angles, some leaning toward each other over the cobbled stone street, they still did not provide Hermione enough cover from the rain. She produced her umbrella, opened it over her head, and set off down the lane.
Her first stop was a visit to the library. Hermione usually frequented the library in Hogsmeade, but it was small in comparison to the library in Diagon Alley. She perused the medical section but only found informational books for witches trying to get pregnant. There was one that discussed a witch's pregnancy week by week, including what to expect at the hospital at birthing time. Hermione decided to borrow that one and also found another romance novel for her and Ron to read at their leisure.
Next, Hermione went to Flourish & Blotts. Although the bookseller mainly carried textbooks for Hogwarts students, it occasionally offered St. Emrys titles, not to mention a wide selection of other books. Hermione checked to see what healing books were available and found an armful. She left Flourish & Blotts with two large sacks of books, which she made lighter and shrank so that they both fit in the woven purse she carried.
She stepped outside into the rain again and bumped into none other than her husband, Ron.
He lit up at the sight of her and ducked under her umbrella to kiss her. "What are you doing here?" he asked, checking over her head to see what store she'd just exited. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously and glanced down to see what she was carrying.
"How much did you buy?" he asked her.
"Just a few books for a little bit of light reading before my new rotation starts," Hermione replied with a shrug of her shoulders.
"Your definition of 'light reading' and mine don't exactly match up."
"I'll show you what I bought at home. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at work?"
"I am. I'm patrolling Diagon Alley. There was a report of a suspicious person meandering about but so far I've not noticed anything off. Since I've mentioned it, it would make me happy if you just went home. Just in case the character is still lurking about."
Hermione knew that Ron knew that she was quite capable of taking care of herself, but she also knew that he just wanted her to stay safe. "I was finished with my errands anyway," she said. "Be careful?"
"Always."
They kissed again and then Hermione disapparated, leaving Ron alone in the rain and without an umbrella.
Saint-Tropez
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 11-27-11 14:57
Lucius waves at hand at the house elf. "Yes, yes, right there is fine. See what's taking so long with lunch. Carina and I will take it on the veranda."
The large vase of fresh cut flowers is gently put down then the house elf silently hurries from the room. Lucius glides over to where Carina is playing with two of her dolls. "Are you hungry, poppet?"
Carina grins toothily. "Chicken?" she hopefully asks.
"Yes, you are having your favorite chicken."
"Grapes?"
"If you want."
"Sawberries?"
"Yes, I know there are strawberries."
"Dad?"
"Dwaco!" Carina shrieks, jumping up to run out of the room to the hall.
Lucius follows but more slowly. "Draco, this is an unexpected pleasure."
"I was in a meeting that was getting a bit heated so we broke for an extended lunch to give everyone a chance to oool off. I thought I'd drop in to see your new place."
"You're just in time for lunch. We can do the grand tour afterwards."
Lucius leads Draco, carrying a giggling Carina who is showering Draco with kisses while he tickles her, into a room that's on the smallish side but extremely cozy. "We're eating just through there." Lucius indicates glass French doors to the veranda offering a sweeping view of the sparkling blue waters of Saint-Tropez.
"Never nice, but why did you leave Prague?"
"I quite like it there but decided now that with Autumn upon us, somewhere warmer would be a good change of pace."
Carina retrieves her dolls, returning to sit next to Draco as the house elf begins serving lunch. Between bites of an excellent seafood salad (fresh, local seafood being a terrific plus of being in Saint-Tropez) Draco tells his father, "Aunt Bellatrix told me about Bartie Crouch, Jr. I had trouble believing until I saw for myself."
"I've been around Bartie a number of times now and I still have trouble believing. Has he gotten completely rid of the stutter?"
"I wasn't even aware he had a stutter so I'm going to say yes. Now that she's successfully restored Bartie from a Dementor's Kiss, what now?"
"I'm not sure. I honestly don't know if she even knows. Doing it was as much about the challenge and about having something to occupy her time."
"He can't go back to the UK. He'd be sent to Azkaban."
"With Voldemort gone, I don't know if that's a big concern for him. Enough about this, have you set a date yet?"
"That's another reason I came. Asteria has decided that it must be Valentine's Day. If you think Carina's up to the task, we'd like her to be flower girl and I would very much like you to be best man, Dad."
"I am honored. Yes, of course, I will!"
"One other thing. Since it might not be a good idea for you to come to us, we were thinking we'd get married somewhere that wouldn't pose a problem for you."
"Do you think Asteria would like getting married with this view? February here should be lovely."
"How about we come for supper tonight?"
"Excellent!"
For Lucius, the only thing marring an otherwise perfect lunch is that Narcissa is not here to share it with them.