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Not So Secret Secret
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 06-08-12 11:56
A lot of times Bronwyn brought her lunch with her to work, but sometimes she found the atmosphere in the office stifling. Luckily, Desi had suggested they meet up today, and since it had been a while since they had gotten together, Bronwyn jumped at the chance to go out for lunch.
For Bronwyn it was lunchtime because she got into work so darn early, but the only places open midmorning served breakfasty foods. It was a good thing Bronwyn liked breakfast and could eat it at any time of day. Desi also didn't seem to have that problem, especially since she kept her own weird hours when she wasn't working day shifts.
Bronwyn was too distracted by her concerns about Fallon and Arley to truly notice the physical change Desi had made. No longer did she look like the girl Bronwyn had met at Hogwarts all those years ago. Now Desi truly looked identical to her twin sister Bianca.
"I can't find anything weird about her family," Desi said.
Bronwyn's jaw dropped "What?"
Desi blinked. "What?"
"You know about Fal?"
Desi furrowed her brow. "Know what about Fal?"
"About her secret family!" Bronwyn exclaimed. "She told you too?"
Desi shook her head, still looking confused. "No, I haven't actually spoken with her much at all. I also wasn't aware she was keeping her family a secret. Is that what's been bugging you?"
"Well, yeah! She dropped that bomb on me and hasn't told Arley anything yet! How did you find out about it?"
Desi sank back into her chair. "Well, remember how worried Arley's been about her since coming back to England?"
"Yeah."
"I decided to do some surveillance on Fallon, off the clock. Just so that I could reassure Arley, or figure out that there really is something to worry about. Anyway, it didn't take me long to learn that she's married and has kids."
Bronwyn exhaled a deep breath. "I've been whining to Toby about this. I'm so glad I can talk to you about it too."
"I can't believe Arley doesn't know," Desi said, shaking her head. "Sucks for him."
"Fallon promised she would tell him, but that was weeks ago," Bronwyn said. "It's killing me that we know something he doesn't, especially when what we know impacts his life in a major way."
"Fallon needs to tell Arley," Desi said with finality.
"How do you suggest we get her to do that?" Bronwyn asked.
Desi gave Bronwyn a deadpan look. "Stranglehold."
Bronwyn couldn't help it. She burst out laughing. "Okay, but not in front of the kids. We don't want to freak them out."
Saint Tropez - Bored Bellatrix
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 06-08-12 18:16
Unannounced and uninvited Bellatrix drops unceremoniously into the wicker chair next to Lucius. After a whole half second, she stoopingly stands to arranging the chair opposite him so that she may sprawl with her feet on it in a very unladylike manner. "I'm bored," she opines somewhat petulantly.
Cup of tea poised at his lips, Lucius flicks his gaze left at his former sister-in-law, casually asking, "Don't you have your own, somewhat garishly pink home in which to be bored?"
"It's no longer pink. It's quite a lovely storm grey with luscious crimson trim."
"Sounds rather gothic."
"Perfectly so."
"Then why are you here being bored instead of there being bored? Isn't Venice crawling with tourists that you could slyly torment? Have Barty put on a pantomime for you, the attack on King's Cross Station, perhaps. I'm sure Barty would be an excellent army of Inferi."
Bellatrix slumps further into her chair, using her feet to pull the other chair just a scooch closer, her eyes on the gently rolling surf. "It's very tranquil here. Surely you must be bored to tears by now, doing nothing but sitting here daily, watching the water, taking strolls along the beach, and playing with a toddler."
"Tranquil. Soothing. Relaxing. I'm quite content and Carina is very happy."
"Barty and I are craving something to do. I find it difficult to comprehend that you are not as well."
"Barty and you should entertain each other. At your house. In Venice."
Bellatrix waves a hand. "We aren't looking for some trifling amusement. Unfortunately, there are no other living shells of our friends needing to be resouled after receiving the Dementor's Kiss. Pity that, really. Now that I know how to do it properly, the process would go somewhat quickly and you could observe how it's done."
Setting his cup down, Lucius fixes Bellatrix with a long, lingering, thoughtful appraisement before musing aloud, "I've a feeling you already have a grand scheme in mind."
"You always were perceptive, Lucius dear. Rudolphus and Rabastan have become increasingly grumpy with me. I no longer find crafting a disguise to visit them in Azkaban fun because I know how tedious the time spent with either of them will be, grousing about how long they've been in prison this go around."
Lucius's eyes narrow. "You want to plan a jail break."
Bellatrix sits up straight, pulling her feet from the other chair so suddenly it tips over, eyes twinkling, gamin grin playing across her lips. "The prospect of it is exciting, no? Up for the thrill of planning a first-rate adventure?"
Undercover Student
Author: Griffin Price
Date: 06-08-12 20:41
Shifting a backpack from one shoulder to the other, wearing the concerned expression of a student on his way to write a final examination, Griff moves to one side of the hallway, dropping down to retie, surreptitiously looking up through lashes to study a male leaning against the wall outside of a classroom. The other man fits the general description they have of the person Carys saw and of Zabrynna Ravensdale's attacker.
The one shoe taken care of, Griff remains in a stooped crouch, partially standing so he can go down on the other knee, eating up a few more seconds by retying the other shoe. With no reason to stall in that spot longer without arousing suspicion from the guy loitering nearby, Griff stands slowly, as if stretching, then hitches the backpack into position before slowly moving along. He's roughly two steps from reaching where the other man stands when the classroom door opposite opens and a woman of about the same age as the man emerges, her expression of relief going to one of delight.
"Hey, babe. I wasn't expecting you to wait for me."
"I told you with that lunatic running around, I'd be here. How'd it go?"
"It went well, I think."
Griff had slowed again to side step around the couple but hearing the first part of their exchange, he'd resumed his normal pace. They had fallen into step behind him but very soon turn off at an intersecting corridor, the sounds of their voices drifting away. Five minutes later he reaches his destination, one of several rooms that passes as a common room of sorts. It's a place for non-resident students to sit and study, read, chat, or even nap, as a girl in a chair near where Griff sits down seems to be doing.
He could use one of those himself. When not undercover here at St. Emrys looking for the attacker, who might also be behind several disappearances and one known death, Griff is undercover as a bouncer at a business owned by someone believed to be behind another slavery ring taking Muggles, mostly women but some men, and forcing them into Wizarding owned brothels. The uneven schedule covering both days and nights is starting to wear on Griff. At least the time here at the university doesn't go much beyond next week when the majority of staff and those living in residence will be gone due to the current term ending. A few Aurors will still patrol, keeping an eye on those staffers who will work the full interim and those who will come in to get things done even though they don't have to be here.
Tristan has complained some about how much Griff's been absent but Carys has been understanding. She's also been more distracted lately, prepping for her own exams and constantly trying to remember more details about the man she saw in the Emrys Everyday office. Carys on his mind now, he checks the time. As much as he'd like to sit longer on a break, he heaves himself up to go meet her. He'd rather give up ten minutes of sitting and relaxing if that time is spent seeing Carys safely from one location to another.
(Alexander) A Visit
Author: Mildred
Date: 06-09-12 03:26
"Campbell, you have a visit."
Alexander raised his head from the book he was reading, wondering who that could be. Mildred was at Hogwarts and he was sure it was not his mother in law. Mr. Northman had come for a visit not long ago, so it could not be him as well.
He was escorted by a guard to the visitation room. At first Alexander thought the woman in front of him was his deceased wife. The illusion vanished after he blinked his eyes. This woman had shorter darker hair. Her eyes were different as well. She had many resemblances with Sarah, but the more he looked at her the more he could find differences here and there.
"Helen," he greeted as he sat in front of her. "I didn't recognize you at first."
It had been years since the last time had seen her. It had been a Christmas day and Helen's hair was so long that reached to her waist. He remembered her complaining to Sarah about how their mother wanted her to cut it. Back then she was dating a wizard who was a musician, another thing Regina did not approve. She used to wear multicolor robes and she was studying Art at the Agrippa College, in St. Emrys.
Now it seemed that Helen had grew up. Her gray robes were elegant without any sign of extravagant colors or accessories. Her hair did not have the absurd length from the past, and on her left hand there was a wedding ring. Alexander had guessed that not even Sarah had known about Helen's marriage, otherwise she would have told him.
"You have changed as well," she stated.
Unfortunately Alexander was aware that his appearance had changed and not for better. He looked older than what he really was. He was thinner and paler than before. It had gotten worse once he heard about Sarah's death. The fact that Mildred was at Hogwarts now and she couldn't visit him often made things harder for him.
"Prison does that to people. I see Mr. Northman was finally able to contact you. Mildred wrote to me about the birthday gift you sent to her."
"How is she?" there was a deep concern in Helen's voice.
"I haven't seen her since the school year had started. She had to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas because she was ill. But I think she is doing well. She made some friends and she behaves in classes and does her homework. She sounds somewhat happy in her letters, although I can tell she misses her mother, of course."
"And I am sure she misses you too." Helen seemed to struggle with herself but finally she seemed to gain courage and added: "I never thought you were the kind of man who would be counted as a criminal, Alex. You were so stupid. How could you have done it?"
"I ask that question to myself a million of times per day. Believe me, Helen, I'm regretted. I wish I had a Time-Tuner with me so I could change the past. At least I know Sarah was able to forgive me."
"Mildred doesn't know does she? I know my sister planned to tell her before she went to Hogwarts but she wasn't able to do so. Did my mother say anything to her?"
"No, thank Merlin. I would prefer explaining everything to her myself. But I don't want to explain it here. This is not the right place for it, I believe."
Helen looked around and agreed. She said Azkaban was not a place for children at all and she even added how the Ministry had been a bit harsh on Alexander for giving him a long sentence in such a place. He thanked her for the sympathy and then wanting to change subject he asked her about her wedding ring.
"Oh, that. It was just a small ceremony. Just me and my husband. I kept my single name. His name is Daniel. He is American. We met a couple of years ago at a Muggle art gallery."
"Sarah would have wanted to meet him."
"I was planning to come to see her before the accident. I had delayed a visit for so long that it turned out to be too late."
She took out a tissue from her pocket and cleaned her tears. Alexander gave her a moment to compose herself. He too felt devastated when thinking about his wife's death. He had so many plans for her and Mildred once he left Azkaban. And now nothing of what he had pictured would come true. Now his only worry was his daughter. Alexander already counted the days until he would be released.
After a while, Helen spoke again:
"According to Sarah's will I should have Mildred's custody since you can't. That is what Mr. Northman told me."
Alexander nodded in confirmation. Part of him wanted to beg Helen to accept but he knew he shouldn't pressure her. He did not want Mildred under Regina's care. She had sold his house and everything in it to make some profit. When Mr. Northman told him that, Alexander did the best he could to keep calm. He was sure if he saw his mother in law again their encounter would not be very nice. Thank Merlin Mr. Northman had managed to recover the money and open an account in Mildred's name at Gringotts.
"I am willing to take care of Mildred but I have some conditions. Don't look at me that way Alex, they aren't that bad I promise."
Helen allowed herself a smile as she told him what she wanted. Alexander heard until the end. The conditions were reasonable and Helen was right in placing them. After a moment of reflection Alexander accepted Helen's terms.
"Good. I will talk to Mr. Northman then, and set everything up. Mildred will still have to spend the Easter with my mother, but I promise I'll visit her. By the end of the school year she'll go home with me. If depends of me my mother won't see her again. "
Alexander stood up, thanked her and then said goodbye to Helen. She promised to stay in contact with him, and he thanked her for that too. A guard escorted him back to his cell and he spent some time thinking about Helen's terms. It was the best for Mildred, he said to himself, as he opened up his book and returned to his reading.
A Passing
Author: Jolyon
Date: 06-09-12 07:18
Jolyon climbed down from the loft in the barn and went to one of the stalls, where an Abraxan horse was nibbling on the feathers of one of its wings. The palomino stopped and turned to nuzzle Jolyon, who had opened the stall door to take the it to the pen outside the barn.
"Just an itch or are you just grooming yourself?" Jolyon asked the Abraxan. He leaned into the golden neck of the winged horse and ran his fingers through its coarse white hair. His eyes fell shut and a sigh left his lips.
Over the weekend, his father had passed away in his hospital bed at St. Mungo's. Emanuel Kent had lingered on for much longer than anybody had anticipated, though his death had still come quickly. Bridget was beside herself with grief. Emanuel had been the love of her life.
Jolyon himself felt a heaviness in his heart that he almost couldn't explain. For all his childhood, and even into adulthood, Jolyon had feared his father. Emanuel had abused him, not just emotionally but physically too. Jolyon would never forget that, but at the same time, Emanuel had been the only man in his life until relatively recently, when Jolyon had found out that he actually wasn't a Kent by blood.
Jolyon's time with his biological father, Charles Abbott, had been brief, and though it had upset him to lose the wizard so quickly after learning about him, the sadness Jolyon felt at Charles' passing somehow didn't compare to what he felt now. Maybe it was just knowing how much his mother was suffering that made the death of Emanuel so much harder to bear.
The funeral was set for Friday evening at the Kent family home just outside Glasgow. Hagrid had agreed to teach Jolyon's fourth year class on Friday, so that Jolyon could help his mother with preparations at home.
Jolyon pulled away from the Abraxan and used his wand to summon a bridle and a pair of reins. The winged horse stood patiently while Jolyon slipped it on and clipped on the reins. Then it allowed itself to be led from the stall. Jolyon took the Abraxan outside and directed it to the pen, which was empty.
The ground was still cold and hard, but patches of grass had begun to sprout from the earth. Springtime was just around the corner.
The weather was decent enough to hold class outdoors. It was sunny, but somewhat chilly.
Jolyon unclipped the reins and slung them over a fence post. The Abraxan cantered around the pen and whinnied. It liked the fresh air. After making a few circuits around the pen, it stopped to bask in a bright patch of sun.
Jolyon watched the golden horse for a while and wished he could feel as carefree as it seemed to feel. After a while, he grew a little cold and decided to return to the barn. Class wasn't for a few hours, and the Abraxan would be fine without him.
Dinner With Friends
Author: Declan
Date: 06-09-12 21:22
Walking with AJ up the path to the house AJ shares with Mariposa Ravensdale Declan asks again, "You're sure my coming over won't interfere with Mariposa's studying?"
"Positive. If she needs to study more this evening, she'll either go into another room or we can. Get the door, will you?"
Though both are carry bags with take-out, AJ's got his work satchel and a bag with a six pack of butterbeer. Obligingly, Declan takes the key dangling from AJ's finger and strides forward onto the front porch to open the door. He holds it for AJ who walks in calling out, "Honey, we're home."
"Back here. I've set the kitchen table."
In the kitchen, before he's put anything down, AJ greets Mariposa with a hello kiss followed by, "How was your day?"
As she helps AJ divest himself of satchel and bags Mariposa answers, "Good, though on the long side. How was yours?"
"Excellent. I got a lot accomplished."
Declan's moved to the counter to start pulling take out boxes from the bags, waiting for a pause in the conversation between the other two to say, "Thanks for having me over, Mariposa."
Poking through everything now to see what they brought, she puts a hand on his back to peer around at what he's got. "You know you're welcome anytime."
Declan drops a friendly kiss on Mariposa's cheek. "I know but that doesn't mean I can't say thanks."
In the process of transferring food from the take-out containers to serving dishes notices the place settings on the table for the first time. "Four? Is someone else coming?"
Before Mariposa can answer there's a white flurry streaking across the floor and around their feet, a voice happily yipping. AJ bends to scoop up the small dog, which then proceeds to wiggly even more while trying to cover AJ's face with dog kisses. "Has Mariposa gotten you a special booster seat so you can have your own plate at the table?"
Declan turns from the amusing scene at the sound of another voice. "I believe the extra place is for me though it could be for Malta. Hi, Declan."
At first Declan can only stare at Zabrynna. AJ and Mariposa had told him of her injuries but hearing about them is a much different experience from seeing them in person. Though it's been several days now one side of her face is still a massive bruise with quite a bit of swelling around the eye. Just when the delay in speaking is verging on awkward he responds to the greeting. "Hi, feeling better?"
"Yes, much. Thank you for the flowers. You didn't have go to do the trouble."
"So you said on your thank you note. It wasn't any trouble." Declan's tone is friendly but there's a burning in his gut and a weird squeezing around his heart, making it a little hard to breath properly. The anger he felt learning Zabrynna had been attacked at St. Emrys flares.
Mariposa draws his attention. "Sit down, all of you. I'm past ready to eat."
Declan moves around to a chair saying as he does, "Mariposa, I've been meaning to ask. Why Malta for the puppy's name?"
She shoots him a don't be so silly look. "Because he's at least half Maltese, of course."
"Of course." Though he does not physically do it, the sticking out of his tongue is clear in his voice.
While this exchange was going on AJ was asking Zabrynna, "How are your exams going?"
"Good, I think. A few professors offered to let me put off writing the exams until next week but I very much want to get everything over with this week if possible."
"Speaking of exams, Zabrynna and I both have finals tomorrow night. You don't mind seeing us both to our classes, AJ? Dad was going to escort Zabrynna but had to go out of town unexpectedly this afternoon. That's why she's here, actually."
Zabrynna smiles weakly at Declan and AJ. "I was going to stay home by myself but found myself constantly checking the doors and windows."
AJ looks across the table at her, fork halfway to his mouth. "If you two haven't already decided it, you're staying here tonight; and, yes, of course, I'll see you to your classes."
Swallowing a draught of butterbeer, Declan hears himself offering, "I could do it, Zabrynna, if you'd like. That way AJ won't have to worry about one of you being done before the other and having to sit and wait or hope that someone else is leaving just when you are."
Zabrynna smiles again, this time somewhat shyly. "Thank you, but I wouldn't want to be a bother."
"I wouldn't have offered if it were a bother."
Mariposa, eyes rapidly moving from one to the other smiles herself and settles the matter. "I think it's a very good idea, thank you, Declan. I think I'd be a little distracting writing the exam knowing that AJ would have to be running back and forth to check on each of us being done."
"Great. If it's okay with you then, AJ, I'll just leave Hogwarts with you tomorrow."
"More than okay with me. Say, afterwards, let get a late supper at that Vietnamese place we tried a few weeks ago. The phở I had was some of the best I've tasted and the bánh mì with pork meatballs was very tasty."
The conversation turns to different foods each of them favors with Declan constantly glancing over at Zabrynna, trying very hard not grin at the thought of being of help to her tomorrow.
Thanks Zabrynna and Furnella for the assist with this post.
Bánh mì is a sandwich. Phở is a rice noodle soup, often with either beef of chicken. There are many variations of both phở and bánh mì.
Missing Time, Again
Author: Jet
Date: 06-10-12 11:48
In one of the small interrogation rooms in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement on level 2, Jet exhales loudly then, folding his arms, puts his head down on the table. If he'd known that coming into work today was going to result in him being brought to an interrogation room and questioned for a few hours he would have just pulled the covers over his head to block the light coming in through the bedroom window and gone back to sleep.
Jet had gotten up early this morning, showered and dressed, then went to the kitchen to toast a bagel. Only the sole bagel in the bag had gone bad though yesterday it had been fine and fresh. Knowing he was low on groceries he'd decided to grab something out before going to the Ministry. On his way from the kitchen to the door he'd noted the need to dust and that things looked slightly messier than he'd thought. Pulling the door shut behind him, Jet was already thinking ahead to shopping for a few groceries after work followed by some cleaning. Probably wouldn't hurt to get some clothes laundered either.
Despite the stop for breakfast Jet had arrived to the Ministry well before the morning rush. He'd gone straight to a bank of lifts, riding one as far as it would take him before having to walk the remaining distance to the Department of Mysteries. He'd gone to his workstation only to find it completed cleared. Blowing his lips out in exasperation and rolling his eyes, Jet wondered which of the department's practical jokers had done it. Annoying as it was, it could have been far more so. Scheduled to start on something new, no vital work had been "misplaced" and no notes had to be tracked down.
He'd grabbed a file from a cabinet and sat reading through it, making notations and writing out a list of materials he needs to gather before getting set up and tackling the initial stages. Jet had been working a half hour or so when someone else came into the room. He look up, a smile of greeting on his lips only to find Violet Keneally gaping open mouthed at him.
"Hi, Violet. What's wrong? Have I got chocolate glaze smeared on my chin or something?"
Violet gave a strange eep and hurried from the room. She was back thirty seconds later with Petra Karathanasis and Broderick Bode in tow, gesturing wildly at Jet. Petra and Broderick mirrored Violet's earlier gape mouthed stare as Jet asked, "What's wrong with everyone this morning?"
Petra's mouth quickly snapped shut and she strode over to Jet, grabbing him by each arm, demanding, "Where have you been? Have you any idea how sick with worry we've all been?"
Confused Jet ventured, "I was at home and then I came to work."
Released him Petra glared. "And before?"
"I worked and went out with Emerson."
Broderick interrupts. "You went out with that girl Emerson for Valentine's, we know. Where have you been since then?"
Jet slowly shook his head. "I went home, slept, got up and came to work."
Petra let out a low growl of frustration. "Jet, Valentine's was three weeks ago."
"I'm not really in the frame of mind for a joke, Petra." He gestured to his work station. "Someone's cleared all my things. Was that you? Broderick, are you part of this?"
Broderick turned to Violet then. "Go report this to the Minister's office."
Violet nodded, shot Jet a look, then rushed out again. Folding his arms and fixing Jet with a stern gaze Broderick then informed, "This isn't a joke, Jet. You've been unaccounted for since leaving Emerson's the night of Tuesday, February 14th. This is the morning of Wednesday, March 8th."
"You're really not joking?" Jet has asked, looking from Broderick to Petra.
Petra reached out to touch Jet again, this time much more gently, softly saying, "No joke."
Jet had sat down, letting all this sink in, searching his memory but coming up blank. The last thing he remembers was leaving Emerson Reed's, thinking how very tired he was. Now that he thinks on it, it is a little odd he doesn't remember actually arriving home and going to bed.
It was a very short time later that a couple of people from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement came at the behest of the Minister's office, asking Jet to go with them. Since then, he's been cooped up in this interrogation room, being asked question after question, trying to account for the missing time. At this precise moment, they've given him a break, leaving him in silence. Head cradled on his arms, eyes closed, Jet is glad for the respite. He's also thankful that this second block of missing time in his life is only a matter of weeks, not years like the first.