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Church, Altar - Parts of a Puzzle I'm Not Ready For
Author: Araxie Loren
Date: 06-25-12 17:34
Wednesday rolled around and it was just bordering on lunch time and I'd been told we were going to my favorite curry place in Wizarding SoHo, yet, that is not where we were heading at the moment. I was livid, and as I could not disaparate or anything of the sort I was rather stuck going through the process of visiting my murdering father that I had no desire to see.
I seriously doubt I would be talking to my Aunt and Uncle for the rest of the summer after this, and Merlin's Beard I'd better be getting Curry when we left here or I was seriously going to throw a fit the likes of which have never been seen before.
Messenger bag slung over my shoulder holding my sketchbook and charcoals because I had no intention of talking, no intention of even acknowledging the existence of the man that had torn my family apart and left my mother's body on holy ground. I sat in the chair furthest away from him when we entered the visitation room and my Aunt and Uncle took the seats across from my father.
"Hi Daniel."
"Charline. Matthew. Thanks for coming again, and hello kiddo." Daniel said and offered me a light smile, which I didn't even bother to acknowledge, or look up from my sketchbook.
"Still no chance of getting her to hear my side of things is there?" He asked with a sigh, leaning back in the chair. I took a few moments and looked up over at him for the first time before dropping my eyes down to my sketchbook.
"What more is there for me to know? You killed my mother and left her body bleeding out and dead on the altar in a church." I said, angrily looking up at him, hand clenched so tightly around the charcoal stick in my hand so hard that it snapped.
All three adults turned there attention to me immediately. Disbelief clear on each of their faces. "Araxie, we'd never told you where in the church her body was found, so how did you know that it was on the altar?"
It was Charline who spoke first, breaking the awed silence that filled the room.
I squirmed beneath their intense gaze. "Ever since I drew the church I'd been having flashes, images of that night. I don't remember most of them, but that I did remember. I don't remember any of the details either..." I rushed the words out and desperately wanted to curl up and vanish.
Tears threatened and I buried my head against the surface of my messenger bag, having shoved everything back in. "I can't do this. Please don't make me do this any more. I'm not ready to know all the gory details and I know that it is going to happen before I am ready. I can feel it already. I meant it when I said I didn't want to come back here, I do not want to come back here until I am ready. Why can't you accept that and stop pushing me?"
The words were all but screamed as I finally lifted my head from the surface of my messenger bag and looked at the three adults in the room. I hoped and prayed that I finally got through to them and that they would stop forcing me to come here until I was ready.
My aunt got up and wrapped an arm around my shoulders pulling me to her. "Alright. We won't push you any more, not on this. Your uncle and I will still continue to come and bring any messages you want us to until you are ready alright?"
I nodded and leaned into my aunt and sniffled lightly, rubbing my nose on the sleeve of my hoodie. "Can we go please?" I asked in barely a whisper and she nodded.
"Give us a few more minutes and then we will go," my aunt said and I nodded, trying to compose myself and ensure that I didn't look like a sop when I headed out of here with my aunt and uncle.
They had their few minutes with my father and soon enough we were heading out of Azkaban, and I shook off the weird feeling I got when we were there within moments. Eventually we would go to my favorite curry place and I ate my fill and even had some left over.
After we got home, I grabbed my sketchbook and shuttered myself in my studio until almost dinner time.
With Elizabeth
Author: Carys
Date: 06-25-12 18:21
Elizabeth Ross executed a full turn in the room in which she stood before turning to Carys and asking, "This place really belongs to you?"
Carys smiled and nodded. "Yeah, it does. Griff helped me buy it."
"It's amazing. I mean, even without the redecorating finished, I can already see in my head what it will look like when it's your photography studio. It's amazing."
Carys looked around, the smile still tugging at the corners of her lips. "Yeah, I think so too. I'm not in a rush to finish fixing this place up, though. I want to finish my education before I open for business, so I have plenty of time for redecorating. I want to get all new furniture. And then there's more photography equipment."
"It's amazing," Elizabeth repeated. "You're so lucky."
Carys shrugged.
"Oh, but you are! You know what you want to do when you're finished with school––and I hope they catch that psycho stalker, by the way! Anyway, you've got a damn attractive husband-to-be and a cute kid to boot. You have it all."
"Your life isn't so bad," Carys said to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth waved her hand at Carys dismissively. "I'm still waiting for Mr. Right. Anyway, we can go now if you're ready."
"I'm ready."
Elizabeth had convinced Carys to meet with a cousin of hers who owned a bridal boutique right there in Cardiff. Juliet and Mindy had wanted to come along but had to work at their respective jobs. Juliet still worked at Amber's in Diagon Alley and Mindy had the lunch shift at Demeter's Diner in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Elizabeth and Carys stepped outside and then Carys locked up the building. Afterwards, they set off on foot for the bridal boutique. It was located right on the boundary between wizarding Cardiff and the Muggle world.
"Where's Tristan?" Elizabeth asked.
"Would you have wanted me to bring him along?" Carys asked in surprise.
"Oh, no," Elizabeth replied, shaking her head. "No boys allowed during bridal fittings. I was just wondering who's watching him while you have your adult alone time."
"My grandfather. He watches Tristan when Griffin and I can't, which between work and school is more often than not. He doesn't complain, though. He dotes on Tristan, his one and only great grandchild."
"And Tristan loves his great granddad too, I'm sure."
"Yes. Griff and I don't have parents. Well, I've got my dad, I guess, but he can't come around for visits. My grandfather is the only "grandparent" Tristan has. It's kind of sad when you think about it."
"Yeah, but there's still room for a lot of love, even when a family is small."
"You sound like a greeting card," Carys joked.
Elizabeth smiled. "Maybe that's what I can do with my life. Write greeting cards. Design them, even."
"Why not? Somebody has to!"
"We're almost there," Elizabeth said, changing the subject. "Maybe you'll find your wedding gown today. Can you imagine it?"
Carys smiled. "Yes, I think I can."
A short while later they arrived at the bridal boutique and met Elizabeth's cousin. After a brief assessment, during which Carys spoke of some of her ideas, Elizabeth's cousin pulled several gowns off of different racks and then ushered Carys into a dressing room. One by one, Carys tried them on and modeled them for Elizabeth, who gave very vocal opinions about what she thought looked nice and what she didn't particularly like.
Making it to Dinner
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 06-25-12 22:46
I had managed to take part of the day off. Oddly, it wasn't hard. After all the overtime I guess they figured I could take some time off. I had an invitation from Arley and Fallon for a dinner at her house. But, I had something else I needed to take care of.
So, off work and I apparated to Bronwyn's house. By the time I had gotten off work, she had already been home for a while. I knocked on her door, and a surprised Bron answered. Before she could invite me in, I walked in.
"I can see it's pleasure, not business that brings you by," She commented, closing the door.
"Not pleasure, personal."
"Oh? That good, huh?"
"Yeah. But, first you need to get ready."
"What for?"
"Dinner party at Fal's," She moved off to towards her room excited. She loves parties. I trudged after here, and just leaned on the wall next to her door, which was still open a crack.
"So, I had a visitor last night, after I got off work."
"Yeah?" She called from in the room.
"Yeah, they made dinner and everything," I continued.
"Oh really?" She paused a moment, "Wait, it wasn't…"
"Nope."
"Your mom?"
"Nope, but closer," I paused to see if she'd take another guess, "Bianca."
"What!?" The door swung open and Bron looked at me with a rather angry look on her face. "Just out of the blue, just showed up?"
"Already in my apartment with dinner ready and everything."
"Isn't she supposed to stay in the US?" Bron asked moving back into her room.
"Yeah. She said it was more important that she spoke to me then follow a court order to stay in the States."
"What did she want to talk about?"
"She came over to apologize."
"Apologize? Her!? Since when?"
"Since she started therapy I guess…"
"So, her shrink put her up to it?" Bron interrupted, still sounding dubious.
"Not according to her. She did it on her own. Apparently she apologized to everyone. To help them all heal."
"Rrrriiggghhht…. Well, do you think she's actually being sincere?"
I was silent for a moment before answering, "As much as I hate to admit it, I think she was."
"And she thinks an apology will make everything better? That everything will be forgiven just like that?"
"Nope. She said she didn't expect to be forgiven."
"Then… what did she want?"
"To help everyone heal by letting them know she felt bad about what happened, and regretted it."
"And you believe her?"
"I think she was honest. More so then she has ever been before."
"What do you feel about all this?"
"That I hate her."
"Do you hate her enough that you can't forgive her? Even if she were being honest?"
"I don't want to… After everything she screwed up, she doesn't deserve it. But…"
"So…" Bron fell quiet for a bit. Realizing that I was asking something of her. "Some things are unforgivable," she finally said. She opened the door, having gotten ready in record time.
"Desi, she ruined your love life."
"Not just my love life Bron, but the whole thing," I corrected.
"And not just your life, your family's, Xavier's… and the others…" She seemed to think a moment, "I wouldn't forgive her. She doesn't deserve it yet. Maybe later if she is truly repentant."
"I suppose you're right. Well," I stood up straight, "Ready?"
"Yup! Don't worry, I won't mention any of this to Fal and them. Just try to have fun."
"Ok. Thanks Bron. Now, let's go do this and get it over with.
Bronwyn and I apparated to Hogsmeade. We popped in at Fallon's house. The sight that greeted us was of an 8 year old pulling off loops in the front yard. He noticed the two of us standing and made a surprisingly smooth landing.
"Hey!" He called out to us.
"Hey there, Crew, isn't it?" Bron called back.
"That's my name, don't wear it out!"
"Where are your parents?" She asked.
"Inside. I think they're waiting for you or something. Did you see the loops I was doing?"
"Yeah, we did," Bron answered, "Desi was pretty good on a broom too when she played quidditch."
"You play quidditch!? What spot did you play?" Crew asked me, then quickly followed with, "I'm gonna play too! Like my dad!"
"I used to when I went to Hogwarts, but I don't anymore," I told him. Bron, Crew, and I moved towards the house.
"Why not? And what's with your hair? Did you change it?"
I couldn't help but laugh a little, "I decided to do something else, and yeah, I changed it."
"Why?"
"Long story."
"Is Desi your real name? It seems a little wierd" Crew's curiosity unchecked by his parents. Bron was about to stop the line of questions, but I answered first.
"Desi is a nickname. My name is Desdemona." We had arrived at the front door by now.
"Desdemona… That's a strange name, what's it mean?" Crew continuing his interrogation.
"Of the devil."
"Are you evil?"
"Nope," I answered light heartedly, "I get to beat up evil people." Bron gave me a slight punch in the arm.
Crew opened the front door and ran inside while yelling, "Mommy, Desi told me she gets to beat people up!"
Beach Volleyball
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 06-26-12 13:11
"I swear to Merlin, it wasn't me!" Johanna said, passing the ball to the other side of the court.
This month at Fitness & Athletics they had learned how to play beach volleyball. Johanna had paired up with Felicia and they were playing against Kate and her colleague Anita Tuck. So far the Hufflepuff girls were winning by two points.
"How could have I had access to the Gryffindor dormitories and swap Polly's shampoo?"
"Your cousins," Felicia replied, her eyes focused in the ball up in the air. She was able to throw it back over the net and Anita failed to catch it. Johanna high-fived Felicia as the point was conquered.
"Ed and Luke would never help me. And of course I didn't tell them about my crush."
"Gus is not your crush. He's your passion!" Felicia teased, which make Johanna's cheeks turn read.
She decided to focus on the match, picturing the ball as Felicia's head for a moment. Then it turned into Polly's. She just couldn't help to dislike her, even if she knew those feelings were wrong. It had been fun when she found out about Polly's new hair color, a few weeks ago. Johanna had her suspicions on Drizella and Joanna Porter, even if she still dated Roger. Joanna was clever enough to find a way towards the Gryffindor's dormitories.
But her triumph of seeing Polly with that hair color had not last long. Gus of course had noticed her hair color and he spent his weekend at the library trying to find a spell to help her. He had even asked for Johanna's help. At first she had refused but he begged her as he did his sad puppy eyes' look and she wasn't able to resist. 'What would I do without you?', he had said. She felt pathetic in the end and Felicia did not spare her and teased her.
Thanks to Merlin the spell in Polly's shampoo wasn't that strong and her hair went back to normal quickly, so Gus didn't came to her as the knight in the shinny armor to save the day with his spell.
Johanna's attention turned into the court next to hers where Gus was playing. He was protesting with a third year Gryffindor named Cody Sweet, declaring he had just committed a foul. Cody didn't seem to fear Gus despite his age and size were the double of his and he faced him bravely:
"There was no fowl. You're making up rules now, Van Tassel."
Professor Krum blew his whistle right on time to prevent Gus from invading Cody's side of the court and do something silly like hitting him. However he took five points from Slytherin so Gus could learn that next time before accusing a colleague of doing a fowl he should consult with the teacher.
All the matches ended and Professor Krum gave his students instructions to swap teams ans start new matches. Gus ended up playing with girls only. Johanna ironically ended up with Gus Hodfuffer, and they played against Ramona Mickle and Blake Holloway.
Just Another Day
Author: Adina Blackwood
Date: 06-26-12 14:38
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, I had class until five, finishing with a different class each of the four days. Today, being Wednesday I was finishing the day with Fitness & Athletics, and it had gone well enough. We'd played Beach Volleyball which was quite fun despite the fact that I hated volleyball to begin with because it usually ended with me getting hit in the face with the ball. Though, this time I managed to actually do quite well.
I'd watched a couple of the matches including the one that had gotten points taken from Slytherin because Gus tried to accuse Cody Sweet of Gryffindor of a foul that he hadn't actually committed. I didn't know him well enough, and I seriously wasn't among the throng of girls that were drooling all over themselves for the keeper of the Slytherin team. I had Arthur, and right now that was all I needed.
I'd played a couple of matches, even one against Gus and Johanna Steele in which I'd been paired with Blake Halloway of Gryffindor. It was a good match and ended in a tie when it was finally called. After changing out of the athletic clothes and back into my school uniform I headed to the dorms, after a quick shower I headed down to the Great Hall and met Arthur for dinner and our little bit of couples time after dinner.
Dinner was wonderful as usual and I'd probably eaten more than I probably should but all of my favorites had been in front of me and I nibbled on this and that throughout dinner before grabbing a mixed berry tartlet with a bit of clotted cream for dessert. After dinner Arthur and I wandered the hallways for a little bit debating on what we were going to do tonight, there was really only so much that could be done while we were limited to the grounds. It was a nice enough evening we headed outside for a bit.
I'd be going out running in the edges of the forest in the next couple of days because I usually go out around the weekends unless there is a Hogsmeade trip that Saturday. I was looking forward to the school year being over and time to relax, but for now Arthur and I slipped into an alcove, hidden behind a tapestry for a quick snog, slipping back out and heading to the Common Commons to find something to listen to on the WWN until we had to head back to Slytherin house to be in house by curfew.
Dinner with Desi and Friends
Author: Arlington J Montgomery
Date: 06-26-12 16:58
Fallon looked up when Crew ran through the front door with his broom. "Mommy! Desi told me she gets to beat people up!"
"Crew, there's no need to yell when you come inside. Desi has an important job, she…helps people by getting rid of the bad people, you understand the difference right?"
Crew nodded "Oh! Yeah, like what Uncle Driver told me he was supposed to do…but never took the Auror job?"
Fallon nodded. "Yep, now go play and see if your brother is awake, we'll eat soon." With that the little boy ran off to his room to wake his brother.
"Hey Desi! Hey Bron! I'm glad you guys could make it." Arley and Seb waved them over into the living room. "There are some people I'd like you to meet."
"While you guys do introductions, I'm going to help Fal in the kitchen." Fletcher hopped off his seat and made his way to help his wife finish dinner.
"Alright." Arley stood and pulled Desi over beside him. "Guys, this is my good friend Desdemona Diamond, or Desi as we all call her. She's an auror at the ministry. This is another friend of ours Bronwyn Beck. Yes, this one is married Dexter!"
Arley grinned over at Desi, he had talked to Bronwyn and Fletcher about finding Desi a few possible dates, and Etch's brothers seemed to be good choices.
"Desi, these are the rest of the Morgan siblings. First we have the baby, Ember."
"Arlington, for the last time I am not a baby! Why does everyone keep calling me that? I'm hardly even a teenager anymore!" She stood and offered her hand to Desi and then also shook Bron's hand. "I'm 19, going to St. Emrys with hopes to be a healer."
"Yeah, she's the smart one. Now we have Dexter, he's the youngest of the boys."
Dexter smiled brightly up at Desi and shook her hand, then Bron's. "It's nice to meet you, Miss Diamond." Dexter had lighter brown hair then his brothers, and it stayed slightly shaggy, and dark brown eyes. He was rarely serious, unless there was something he wanted, and he loved to flirt.
"Now, this is Driver. He's our age, and he's pretty cool."
Driver chuckled at Arley's introduction and smiled at Desi and Bron, then offered the couch for them to sit where he sat beside them in a chair. Arley and Sebastian moved into a conversation with Ember, leaving the girls a chance to get to know Driver and Dexter. Driver looked up, his eyes a sparkling bright blue. "Yes, I'm the one they whish would take the 'real' job I keep being offered, not work as a bartender. I tell them to back off, it's my life. Although, Arley tells me you're an auror Desi? That's what I'm supposed to be." He smiled and nervously tapped his hand on his leg. He had heard Desi was cute, but there was something about her that he was drawn too, maybe this would be a worthwhile dinner after all.
Fallon and Fletcher came out of the kitchen and called everyone to the dinner table. "Alright guys, it's time to eat." Fal pointed everyone to strategically placed chairs, making sure Desi was in-between Driver and Dexter with Bron directly across the table from her, Arley and Seb sat beside Bron.
"Sleepppp…" Mase whined when Crew drug him in before sitting next to his parents.
"I know buddy, but you need to eat then you can sleep." Fallon scooped the tired little boy up and cradled him in her lap.
"So, how's everyone doing today? Getting to make new friends I hope?" Fletcher winked down the table at Desi and turned his attention to Bron. "Did Toby have a game today? We should hang out more."
Sebastian waved over at his friends "Did you have a good day? I hope all is well with you both?"
Arley nodded, a smile spreading across his face as he shot Desi a look that said ~Driver's cute I think he likes you~