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Diplomacy or Force
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 06-14-12 09:29
It was Friday morning, and Bronwyn had just taken half the day off work, again. I don't know how she managed to keep a job when she's working part time it seems like. I, however, had come and gone from the MoM to check in for work that morning. It was nice being able to run around in the field for work. And I was on a case; I had to reunite a family.
Bronwyn and I met up in Hogsmeade. We, or more like she, had decided today we were going to make Fallon tell Arley about the secret family. Or strangle her while we did it. Ok, I added that last bit. About the strangling, not the us telling him part. Point it is, Arley was going to find out he has a brother-in-law and nephews.
The two of us walked up to the front door of Fallon's place. Took a moment to make sure I looked intimidating enough to give the proper 'scary auror' look. As messed up as it may have been, no one could seem to recognize me at first glance. The clothes and hair really throw people for a loop. It was great. In any case, I was sure Fallon wouldn't recognize me.
I gave the door a good solid knock and waited. Bron stood behind to the side, making it very hard to see her, let alone recognize her. It didn't long before the door opened and Fallon poked her head out.
"Hello?" She asked confused.
"Hello, Miss…Fallon?" I responded trying my best cop impression.
"Yes..."
"I am with the Ministry of Magic. My partner and I would like to ask you a few questions."
"Is something wrong?" She asked.
"May we speak with you?" I asked without answering her question. She glanced inside, before stepping outside, closing the door behind her.
"What's this about?"
"Fal, we need to talk," Bron interjected, moving up next to me. I moved just slightly away, partly blocking Fallon from the door.
"Bron?" Fallon glanced at me, "Desi?" I kept my face impassive, while Bron decided to do all the talking.
"Listen Fal, we figured that you should tell Arley about all this. He deserves to know. It's not right to hide this from him any longer. We don't think he'd think any less of you or anything. I mean, sure he'd be surprised, who wouldn't? But he's gaining a family. That's something he's not had for a while since…" I put my hand on Bron's shoulder to stop her from bringing up the kidnapping. Fallon just quietly shuffled in place. Bron decided to keep going.
"Desi and I would like it if you came with us to visit Arley and tell him," She told Fallon
After a moment Fallon started with, "I don't…"
"Well, if you don't," Bron interrupted, "Then Desi and I will tell him when we go visit him today."
"You wouldn't!"
"I would," I told her, matter-of-factly, "And he may think badly if he hears it from us."
Fallon stood there looking between us for a few good moments. She was trying to figure out if we were kidding. After she figured out we weren't, she sighed, "Fine… Just let me tell the boys I'll be gone for a bit." I moved aside so she could get into her house without dodging me.
It didn't take her long to come back out. Bron was worried she'd try to bail. It then took us even less time to appear at Arley's place. It was Bronwyn's turn to knock, so I stood back next to Fallon.
I saw Fal start moving just as Bron knocked on the door. As she moved I heard, "I can't do this…" Without thinking my arm reached out and hooked around Fallon's neck, pulling her backwards into a stranglehold. Not a strong one, just enough to hold her.
I looked up at the door, to find Arley had opened it and noticed the two of us behind Bron. "Hey Arley," I said to him.
Time to Face the Music
Author: Arlington J Montgomery
Date: 06-14-12 20:30
Fallon was stretched out on the couch reading to her boys when there was an authoritative knock on the door.
She frowned a little, they rarely had visitors. She got up and peeked out the door. "Hello?"
Desi and Bron had shown up to force her to talk to her brother. She wasn't ready to tell him, he wouldn't understand. At least, that's what she thought. Fletcher had been wanting to meet his brother-in-law, and agreed that Fallon should tell Arley. He wasn't going to push his wife though; she would do it on her own time.
Fallon finally relented "Fine…Just let me tell the boys I'll be gone for a bit." She stepped inside just as Fletcher came home, her hands were shaking.
"Whoa, Fally, are you alright sweetheart?" Etch pulled his wife into a hug and she shook her head.
"No, Bronwyn and Desi are out there." She pointed to the front door. Her husband understood.
"Well, you better do it Fal. I wanna meet they guy, and his boyfriend." Etch smiled and gave her a quick kiss. "Go on with the girls, I'll bring the boys over in a little bit to introduce ourselves. It will be alright."
Fallon nodded against her husband's chest and gave him a quick kiss. "Thanks Etch, I love you." She turned, waved to the boys and headed outside. "Alright, let's go."
The three girls apparated to outside Arley and Seb's place. She stayed back with Desi while Bronwyn went to knock on the door. Fallon was getting nervous and shifted on her feet. "I can't do this…" She started to back away but Desi grabbed her by the neck.
Arley stepped outside and greeted Bron. "Hey Bron…" He glanced past her to see Desi holding his sister in place. "What's going on?"
"It's nothing! I was just teaching Desi here some wrestling moves."
Arley raised an eyebrow as Desi, continued to hold onto Fallon. "Fal, you don't wrestle, and I doubt Desi would need help with that." Before he continued Sebastian stepped outside.
"Oh, hi girls. Why don't you come inside, and we can talk?"
Desi finally released Fallon and they all made their way inside. Fallon looked helplessly at Bron and Desi for help, but they wouldn't. She had to do this, right now.
Arley took a seat across from Fallon, while Seb and the girls moved to the kitchen to give the siblings some privacy.
"What's up Fal?" Arley leaned back in his chair, his feet resting on the coffee table.
Sebastian called out from the kitchen. "Arlington James, no feet on the furniture."
Arley smiled and put his feet back down. "Now what's going on, you look all antsy."
"I…I need to tell you something, Arlington." Fal turned her gaze to her boots. "Please don't hate me for this."
Arley cocked his head sideways, like an inquisitive horse. "What? Why would I hate you? What did you do?"
"Well, it all started about 9 years ago, when I was with the Stonewall Stormers."
"Yeah, and then you got kicked off because of a fight with the coaches."
Fallon nodded "Yes, but there's more to it then that. I…remember my teammate, Fletcher Morgan?"
"Yeah, the one you always flirted with?"
Fal blushed a little and continued. "Yeah, well…I was kinda in love with him. Arley, I'm sorry I've been elusive lately. I wanted to tell you before, I've just been…"
She heard Desi call out from the kitchen where they were all listening. "A chicken!"
"Yes. Yes I've been a chicken. I was afraid to tell you, I was afraid you would hate me for lying."
"So you were hiding something. Why wouldn't you just come out and tell me your problems, we've been through a lot together. First losing Mom…then Dad…"
"I know, AJ. I…Fetcher and I, well I had that tiff with the coaches because they wouldn't let me play when I was pregnant."
Arley looked up, his jaw dropping. "Wait, what?? You're telling me you and Etch had a KID?!"
Fal nodded "Yep. Crew will be eight years old soon. There's more to it then that. We've been together ever since Crew was born."
"You lied to me, that I had a nephew?" Arley looked more hurt than angry.
"Listen lil' bro, there's still more I need to tell you. After we were rescued, I went back to Fletcher and we finally got married." She noticed her brother looking towards her hands where a wedding ring should be. "We don't wear them, that's kind of a long story…"
Arley just nodded, he looked like he was in shock, and little did he know that wasn't everything.
"So after we got married, we had another baby. His name is Mase, and he's almost two. I kept everything a secret, because I was ashamed I never told you before. I guess it was easier to just hide, than risk you finding out. I didn't want to lose you, Arley. You're the only family I have left!"
Arley stood up fast, the force causing his chair to slide backwards. "No! You LIED to me Fal! You're supposed to be the older sister, the one who I could trust! Now you hide your family from me, you hide your husband and sons? Are you that ashamed of me? Are you ashamed that I'm gay?"
"What? No!" Fallon stood as well and faced her taller little brother. "Hell Arley, you and Seb are amazing, I would never…"
"No." He held out a hand to stop her. "I can never forgive you for th…"
Before he could finish, Sebastian, Bron and Desi made their way out of the kitchen.
"Whoa, calm down Arley." Seb rested a hand on his boyfriend's shoulder. "I know you're upset, but we should forgive her, and get to know the new members of our family."
Arely sighed and glanced up at Seb again. "Fine. I'm sorry Fal, when can we meet them?"
Just then the fireplace sparked green as Fletcher flooed in with two little boys in his arms.
Fallon's eyes lit up immediately. "Hey guys!" She moved to her husband's side and took the youngest boy into her arms. "Arley, I'd like to introduce you to my husband, Fletcher Morgan. And this" she nodded to the boy in her arms "is Mase, the other one is Crew."
Arley smiled and offered his hand to Fletcher. "Well it's nice to finally meet you, Mr. Morgan."
Fletcher smiled and shook his hand "C'mon, you're my brother now. Everyone calls me Etch." He smiled over to Sebastian and also shook his hand. "You must be Sebastian."
Seb smiled and shook Fletcher's hand in return. "It is a pleasure to meet you too, Etch. Your children are beautiful, Fallon."
Crew looked up at his new uncles "We're not beautiful, we're handsome!" the little boy grinned, he was a joker and a daredevil like his father, but he had his mother's eyes and smile. So far Mase was the well behaved child, but he was still young, and was always influenced by his older brother.
Arley motioned his friends over to introduce Desi and Bron to Fletcher and the boys.
"Well, meet my new family."
Fallon snuggled up beside her husband, who wrapped his free arm securely around her waist. That went alright, Fallon knew now she was wrong to hide, but she had a full family again.
Seb spoke up again "You should all stay for dinner. Bronwyn, call Toby over too, you guys are all our family."
"Yup, we have a lot of catching up to do." Arley responded.
"Yes, and we can discuss my plans to rejoin the Stormers." Fallon grinned and took a seat on the couch snuggled in her husband's arms.
Fletcher nodded "Yeah, it'll be good to have her back on the team. Oh, Fal tells me you boys are pretty good out on the pitch too?"
Arley laughed a little "Yeah, we were good back at Hogwarts, but that was ages ago. Desi was our team's keeper too."
"Bron, are you gonna invite Toby over and stay for dinner?" Seb asked.
Arley stopped, finally noticing Desi. "Whoa…I didn't realize how much you look like…I mean, you look different Desi. What brought on the change?" He smirked, remembering conversations about her hair from the past. "Did you finally grow up on me?"
Friends Again
Author: Mildred
Date: 06-15-12 04:00
The last class of the day was Herbology. After learning about the alfalfa plant and Professor Ravenscroft had given them their homework, Mildred told her friends to go ahead to the Great Hall for lunch, while she asked a question to the teacher. In fact Mildred was hoping to catch herself alone so she could give a word to Achilles.
Since the match between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff, Achilles started to be ignored by his house colleagues because of his preference towards the Hufflepuff team. Mildred had pledged Queenie and Amelia to stop this nonsense but her friends had taken too personally Achilles' attitude during the match. Melpomene and Wesley would still talk to Achilles but only when it was really necessary.
Mildred just wished things would go back to how they were before when they were all friends. She knew Achilles had picked Hufflepuff over Gryffindor because of her, and that made her feel bad, because now no one would talk to him.
He was walking alone towards the castle with careful steps, almost reluctant to go to the Great Hall where the others were having lunch together.
"Achilles!" Mildred called.
He looked back and waited for her to catch him. There was surprise in his eyes. Suddenly she felt a bit shy, not really knowing what to tell him. Finally words came out of her mouth and she was able to ask:
"Would you like to have lunch with me? We don't need to speak, we can just sit together and pretend those were the only available seats at the Gryffindor table. I don't want you to get into trouble with your parents…"
"My parents aren't here to watch me. But what about the others? I'm our class' traitor, remember? Just the other day Hubert MacBadger from Hufflepuff asked me if it was true, that I was cheering for his house. And that Maurice Kilman teased me, asking me why I wouldn't beg Dumbledore to swap houses. He said I would disgrace my family even more if I become a Hufflepuff. And now on the top of everything I have to prove everyone from our house that I really belong there."
He seemed truly upset by all this. He had lost his natural good mood and Mildred didn't like this bitter version of Achilles.
"You don't have to prove anything to anyone. That lion you carry on your robes is more than enough as a proof. Now let's have lunch together. If you want, of course," Mildred invited, looking down, afraid of a refusal from his part.
"All right, let's have lunch. Maybe since we have the afternoon free of classes we could play some chess together. It has been a while and I miss it."
"You did?"
"You didn't?"
Mildred blushed.
"Of course I did."
"It's settled then. A chess match after lunch. You're going down Campbell."
She giggled and the two of them went to the Great Hall, friends once again.
Thinking - Mockridge Townhouse
Author: Kirley Mockridge
Date: 06-15-12 14:38
Things had been decidedly quiet, and it made Kirley uneasy. He knew his mother hadn't given up, she just hadn't found a way to force the issue yet, not with him being the actual head of the family. He was thankful to have Nephele and Valeria out from under her scheming, not that he objected to scheming in principle, but he couldn't force his twin into anything, that would be wrong. And he viewed the custody of his niece as a sacred trust, left by a brother he had adored.
He knew that the time was coming when he and Nephele would have to explain to Valeria about her parents, about how her father and his young wife had been Cloris' victims. With the Dark Lord's return, only one of her children had been out of school and able to serve as her husband had before. She had convinced them that it was the right thing to do for the family, and as far as he knew, neither had ever wavered. Kirley himself, despite his belief that being a Pure-Blood was best, had never even thought of following in their footsteps. He had always been singled out for a Ministry career, the family name wasn't supposed to weigh quite so heavily on him. After all, he was just the second son.
Funny how that had turned around. And his mother might be right on one count, he should be looking for a wife, one who would be strong enough to stand up to Cloris Parkinson Mockridge, and one who could take on the burden of an 11 year old depending on them, though he knew Nephele would continue to handle most of Valeria's care.
A part of him wondered yet if the Grimshaw-Spores had found out that he'd rejected the contract as his mother put it. It wasn't anything personal, Miss Grimshaw-Spore had been quite an improvement from what he remembered, and he could care less about reduced circumstances. It was simply that he wasn't interested in an arranged marriage. He much preferred making his own choices. With a snap of his fingers, he called for Jibby, demanding a report on his mother's movements. But there was nothing unusual, except that Cloris had recently used one of the long-distance owls, sending a letter to Saint Tropez. He idly wondered what she was attempting to get herself mixed up in now and then decided he should simply continue to watch for the time being. After all, knowledge was power, at least when it came to Cloris. Dismissing the elf, he got to his feet. His lunch hour was over and it was time to get back to the Ministry and back to work.
Good-bye Luc - Leaving France
Author: Orion Howell
Date: 06-15-12 15:10
Orion cast a quick disillusionment charm and stepped out of the car before he hit it with Confringo. He'd already transfigured a few bits of ordinary paper to look like human remains, so that Luc would be believed dead in the accident. While Orion would make his way back to London to do his paperwork before his next assignment.
Idly, he wondered if he could go somewhere tropical next time. He knew there were reports that a few of the former Death Eaters had headed for warmer waters, that wouldn't be such a bad gig. Especially not if it was near some decent beaches and beautiful women in bikinis.
Shaking his head, he knew that wouldn't be likely. France had been a cushy assignment, and his lack of anything concrete certainly wouldn't get him anything better for his next one. They had gotten smarter this time around, the rumors were harder to prove. No one ever saw anything twice, they were more careful about where and when they were seen.
With a grimace, Orion stepped onto the train platform and turned in his ticket. He could've taken the Floo or taken International Apparition, but honestly the train was better, and he'd be less obvious traveling as a Muggle. Plus, there was always the bonus of time to read up on the latest news as well as enjoy a nap before heading to the Ministry. It would give him a chance to get his notes into order so his paperwork didn't take as long too.
When his train was announced, he found his seat, a semi-private compartment and settled in, open briefcase on his lap as he put his notes into order.
Modern Family
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 06-15-12 17:39
From the kitchen, Bronwyn had listened to Fallon's revelation to Arley about her double life. Arley had been angry at first, and understandably so, but Seb had helped him come around quickly. All was soon forgiven, especially with the arrival of the cute Morgan boys (all three of them!).
After the meet and greet, Seb had declared that everybody should stay for dinner. He'd asked Bronwyn to invite Toby, which she'd promptly set off to do, but not before overhearing Arley's question to Desi regarding her new look.
Bronwyn had paused en route to the fireplace and turned to take in Desi's appearance. Eyes had widened at the sight of Desi looking so much like her identical twin sister and nothing like the girl Bronwyn had met at Hogwarts, which had caused her to wonder how it had escaped her notice until Arley had questioned it himself.
Why would Desi choose to look just like somebody she hated, somebody who always seemed to ruin the good things in her life?
Bronwyn had longed to hear Desi's answer but had forced herself to continue on to the fireplace so that she could firetalk with Toby about coming over for dinner.
Now it was many hours later and everybody was stuffed silly from dinner. Mase was sleeping on the couch, tuckered out from meeting everybody and also because it was past his bedtime. Bronwyn felt tired enough to want to lay down too. She'd been up since before dawn for work, so it was shaping up to be a very long day. At least tomorrow was Saturday and she could sleep in.
The conversation at dinner had included everything under the sun, though the Morgan family had understandbly been the most popular topic. Desi had talked the least and had always directed the conversation elsewhere if somebody had asked her a question or had tried to get her opinion on something.
Bronwyn had talked the most, but that was just her way.
Now Crew was busy telling Toby about a trick he'd done on the broomstick he'd gotten for his last birthday. Toby got on very well with kids and looked suitably impressed with Crew's story.
"So, Bronwyn," Fal asked, "when are you and Toby having kids?"
Bronwyn stifled a yawn with her hand. "We haven't talked about it seriously yet," she replied. "I think we're still happy with it being just the two of us. Besides, I think it might be better if my little brother––Wolfie, not Siegfried––gets a little older before we make him an uncle."
"He'll still be a young uncle, unless you start having kids when you're fifty or something," Desi said.
Bronwyn shot her friend an amused look. Desi smirked back but then fell silent and solemn again. Bronwyn wanted to know what was going on in her head, but she knew that Desi was unlikely to confide anything at a dinner party.
"So, he lives in Seattle?" Fallon asked.
"Yeah, with Desi's parents," Bron said, "but my dad has regular visitations, and Wolfie does come to stay with him sometimes."
It occurred to her then that Wolfie might get confused the next time he saw Desi. She looked just like Bianca now. He probably wouldn't be able to tell them apart.
Bronwyn yawned again. This time Toby noticed. "Time for bed?"
"I can stay up a bit longer," Bronwyn replied, though she doubted the words even as she said them. She just didn't want to leave yet, not without knowing the truth about why Desi had changed up her entire appearance.
Down Time Needed
Author: Karma Davyd
Date: 06-15-12 18:16
Curled on the couch, listening to the WWN I looked over some of the assignments turned in by my students, thankfully I was just down to looking over their homework now that I'd taken my last final a couple of hours ago. A late dinner of curry at my favorite little place in London before heading back to the Castle, and now I'm sitting at home on a Friday night, bored out of my mind grading papers.
Sliding a hand through my hair, I headed into the kitchenette and made a mug of tea, stifling a yawn I wished I'd actually had plans for tonight...hell, I'd even have settled for one of the horrid blind dates that my mum kept setting me up on, but I didn't even have one of those and it was getting harder and harder for my mum to try setting me up because I'd been so busy and the men my mother sent my way kept getting discouraged after I'd keep having to postpone things to study for exams and things of that nature during this past term at St. Emry's, and it had even lead to another argument with my ever-meddling, traditionalist mother who was pissed that I kept putting my education ahead of giving her grandchildren.
Perhaps I'd see if Bronwyn was free this weekend and maybe go shopping. I know she and Toby have birthdays coming up in the next month, and I need ideas. Also, I needed to get in touch with a friend of mine who had just moved into London from Mumbai and was looking for good places to shop and things of that nature and I could show her all of my favorites. I needed to do something, being stuck in the castle all weekend would drive me absolutely insane, though I was attempting to remember if I needed to be at course day tomorrow or if I could spend the day away from my place of employment and get some much needed downtime.