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Discharged
Author: Plum
Date: 10-18-15 19:05
Betsy Hodges and Laura Reese sit side-by-side on the small bench-like couch in Plum's hospital room. Betsy, attempting not to sound huffy, remarks, "I think their definition of a few minutes and mine are entirely different."
Laura smiles at the comment. "You've not had much experience with those in the medical fields, have you?"
"You're saying it's all healers and nurses?"
"Pretty much. It's why you can have a set appointment for even just a checkup and while you're on time, you're never seen then. You wait."
Plum emerges from the small water closet, adjusting her top. "I for one am tired of waiting. We were supposed to be released this afternoon. It's going on dinner yet they keep saying a few more minutes, a few more minutes." Noticing a change in who else is in the room she asks, "Where did Jordan go?"
"To see if he could hurry them along," Betsy says with a badly repressed sigh.
"You don't have to stay, Betsy. You either, Laura. Justin can go on and go as well."
Laura makes no effort to hide her eye roll. "I am not leaving just as you're about to be discharged. I doubt you can shake these other two loose either."
"Got that right." Betsy's grin is broad.
There's a tap on the door. "Mrs. Beck?" a nurse says questioningly as she opens the door without invitation. "I've your wee one."
Betsy's low, "Maybe this means it really is just a few more minutes," is unheard by the nurse who gently shifts Evan Alexander Beck into Plum's arms.
Though only slightly early son and mother have stayed longer at St. Mungo's than Plum would have expected. This was partly because her healer wanted to be absolutely certain everything was fine with Evan and partly because Plum had a few relatively minor injuries from the Ministry attack. One was caused by a chunk of plaster that might have been hit with a curse so her healer wanted to ensure Plum has no adverse curse caused side effects.
At the time, with the chaos and scariness of the attack and the adrenaline pumping through veins, Plum hadn't even noticed the injuries nor had Jordan been aware of his. Once she went into full blown labor, the cuts, scrapes, and punctures receded even more into the background.
Anthony came out unscathed, the holding cell where he is passed by as if empty, perhaps because the Death Eaters had nothing against a prisoner. Plum is having to take others' word for Anthony being fine. She's not been able to see for herself and as late as it's getting now she will need to wait until tomorrow to introduce Anthony to his son. If they're lucky, they'll get a kind person overseeing the visit in the Ministry holding cells who'll allow Anthony to hold Evan.
Shifting the baby to a more comfortable position, Plum is having a hard time not showing her impatience at leaving. Justin and Betsy as well as Laura and her husband Christopher had been helping with Alex these last few days, including overseeing his start of a new school year. At the moment, he's with Kody at the stadium where the Ballycastle Bats play, attending a charity dinner with the athletes.
Jordan walks in just then to announce, "Finally! Someone's bringing the discharge parchments."
This time it really is just a few minutes before the baby, the others, and she are leaving St. Mungo's, Plum eager to get home.
A Whole Family Again
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 10-19-15 16:10
If he'd gotten an ounce of sleep the night before, it was only when Ariella had urged him to go back to bed after Karina's cries had woken them both. Karina's cries. A sound he hadn't ever been sure he'd hear again. The feel of his daughter in his arms, the sound of her laughter, the angelic face relaxed in slumber.
The owl that had come just as he'd gotten to the Great Hall for lunch had been one that he'd been waiting for longer than he could even imagine. The words within it, had immediately forced him to abandon the meal he'd already put on a plate. Food could, and would wait.
He had all but sprinted out of the castle, and through the gates into the village so he could apparate to a location just outside the Ministry, so he could use the street entrance. After going through the security check, he quickly entered the lifts and went to level 2, where he was met by Ariella and the Auror who had been handling Karina's disappearance.
What had happened after that had been nearly a blur until Karina had been placed in Ariella's arms. The tension that had filled us both over the past month evaporated, replaced with relief, and happiness that our daughter had been returned to us. The Auror mentioned something about a witch in custody that had actually thought that Karina was her own daughter, and it was quite possible that her memories had been altered or perhaps she was ultimately under an imperious curse.
Ariella had been given leave to take a half-day once her supervisor had found out what had happened, and ultimately they'd made a stop at St. Mungo's to have a pediatric healer take a look at Karina before they went back to the castle. Karina was in perfect health and had grown while she'd been away from them.
He'd taught two classes this morning, in a better mood than he'd been in since his daughter had been born. There had been no mistaking the reason for his happiness when he and Ariella had come into the Great Hall for breakfast, holding Karina.
They'd shared what little information there was to go on, the witch now in custody was more than likely a victim of an imperious curse, or memory altering charm. Either way, all that mattered was Karina was returned to her rightful family safe. Now, if only the rest of the ill will directed at the Beck family could be turned around.
It was Friday, and thankfully one of those days he did not have office hours, and it was still early enough in the term that he didn't have students demanding his attention for exams that he could afford to take some time and simply spend it with his newly reunited family. After his seventh years had left the greenhouse he'd headed back into the castle, and headed to their quarters.
Ariella had been allowed the day off to spend with her newly returned daughter, and that would allow the trio to spend the rest of the day together, and it would be a day that Lawrence wouldn't soon forget.
Time Flies
Author: Carys
Date: 10-19-15 18:06
Carys and Juliet sat on the floor of the studio and wrapped birthday presents for Tristan, who turned nine tomorrow. Carys couldn't believe that her baby was just shy of a double digit birthday. Soon after, he'd head off to Hogwarts. Where had the time gone?
As his birthday fell on a Saturday this year, his birthday party would take place on the same day. Tristan wasn't doubly excited about that fact, though, because it meant he would only get presents on a single day instead of two like when happened when his birthday and birthday party were on different days. It didn't seem to occur to him that the amount of presents he got on his actual birthday might be more than usual.
Carys' own birthday party had gotten canceled in light of the attack on the Ministry of Magic. Griff had been busy putting out fires, and as much as he would have liked to drop everything and be with his family, he simply couldn't have. Learning what little she did from him as the attack and eventual clean-up progressed had been more than enough to put off her celebratory mood. It also served as yet another reminder that her mother had died on the very same day in a very similar attack.
It had been that single act ten years ago that had made Carys spiral off the deep end and make the choice that had ultimately led to Tristan's existence. She wouldn't take it back for the world, of course. He was her everything.
She sighed wistfully and remarked, "Most people are age are just barely thinking about starting families. It's strange to think that Tristan is already as old as he is, when I'm still so young."
"I just remember thinking that foreign boy was the one who got you pregnant."
"I didn't exactly deny it," Carys said. "That was such a long time ago."
"Yeah, it was. Jude and I want kids, of course, but he's so worried about the stigma of his last name being passed on to them. He thinks when we get married, he should change his name to Davis. Do you know what I want, though?" Juliet asked, leaning forward conspiratorially. "I want to be a Fairchild. It's his name. I don't care if it's also You-Know-Who's."
Carys wanted to say that Fairchild was just a name, anyway, but she knew how much trouble being attached to the name brought Jude. The Ministry of Magic still wouldn't employ him, which was lucky in light of what happened earlier this week.
"What about you, Carys? Now that you are at an age where you would normally be thinking about having kids, do you think you'll try for another? Tristan has been asking for a sibling for how long now?"
Carys laughed. "I can't offer him one as a birthday present and not likely for Christmas either, but who knows? I think I'm in a good place now––much better than where I was when Tristan was conceived."
"The age difference will be huge."
Carys shrugged. "Yes, but some families are that way."
"Yeah," Juliet agreed. She changed subjects then, talking about her impending nuptials to Jude, for which Carys would be the photographer as well as a bridesmaid.
Secretly Meeting
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 10-19-15 20:22
Harry rubs an eye, wishing he could do something about the sandy, gritty feel. Neither eye has grit. He's simply that tired. He sort of prefers the equally annoying gummy feeling his eyes had when he got up this morning after only two hours sleep. At least the puffiness from where he'd been smacked in the face during the attack is mostly gone. He's got a massive purple bruise on that side of his face and the skin still feels a little tight across his cheekbone but the obvious swelling is gone.
Harry had wondered how he'd explain away the various cuts, scrapes, and bruises to Nigel during their meet up last night. He should have known that the Polyjuice he drinks as part of his transformation into Algernon would help with that.
He starts to settle back into the comfortable chair he's in, not remembering it from the last time he was at this particular Order owned house, but then thinks better of it. He might doze off before Kingsley arrives. As if knowing he's on Harry's mind, Kingsley appears in the doorway from the kitchen. "Coffee?"
Harry would show surprise that Kingsley was apparently already here but he's too tired. "Yes, thanks."
Kingsley vanishes into the depths of the kitchen for another minute, bringing two mugs with steam rising from both when he joins Harry. "Careful. It's scalding. Did you want sugar or cream?"
"Black is fine. I'll take a triple dose of caffeine though if you have it."
Kingsley smiles, "If only there were a charm for that."
His tiredness, his weariness mirrors Harry's own fatigue only Harry thinks Kingsley's probably worse off. He is, afterall, Minister of Magic of a Ministry so recently attacked. Harry's been working overtime to help with the cleanup in addition to the meeting last night with Nigil. Kingsley is most likely putting in even more hours, perhaps not sleeping to speak of since Monday's attack.
Before either brings up any mention of Adriana and her followers and the havoc wreaked, Harry must address something that for Kingsley is a personally pressing matter. "I don't think your cousin is dead."
An expression flits across Kingsley's face, one that questions whether he heard Harry correctly. This undercover assignment he's got Harry on that few know the truth behind came about because a cousin of Kingsley's doing undercover work went missing. The department for which Maximilian works (worked?) is one of those so covert that it's a rare Ministry employee who has even heard the name of it. Harry is aware because it's the same one with which his father was once associated and that he once toyed with joining. Of those outside his immediate family and friends circle, the only person Harry knows who is definitely aware of the department is Griffin Price, who was once an agent.
While Kingsley still tries to register what he said Harry speaks again. "Nigel mentioned last night having to Obliviate his last partner."
"Obliviate? So Maximilian could be wandering around somewhere no knowing who he is or how to get home."
"I don't want you to get your hopes up as your cousin might not be alive at this point but at least now there is hope. Nigel doesn't strike me as having the stomach for murder if he can avoid it so screwing around with Maximilian's memories makes a certain sense."
Kingsley takes this in, sipping from his mug, before slowly nodding. "Now, we need to know where they were when this happened. It would help narrow down where to look. In the meantime, I'll put feelers out to the Muggle community for someone fitting Maximilian's description who has a memory impairment. When do you see Nigel again?"
"Sunday night for a job."
"Find out what you can but be careful about making him suspicious. I don't want to have to tell Ginny you're missing."
Harry makes a face, dryly remarking, "Right now I don't think Ginny would care. In fact, if I go missing, check her out first."
"Oh? Problems?"
"I didn't contact her as I did others about the Ministry being under attack."
At first Kingsley gives him a blank look then understanding dawns. "Other members of the Order answered the call."
"Yes, and I sent word to Hermione for the hospital to be on standby for mass casualties."
"Why didn't you get word to Ginny as well?"
"It's not that I don't think she's capable. Hell, I know she is more than most. It's that in what little time I had to think all that came to mind was if something happened to me at least the boys would have their mother."
"Understandable, especially with your background."
"Ginny gets it but isn't any less angry. Wasn't my decision to make for her."
Kingsley smiles again. "I see her point."
The two drink their coffee, each having a second cup as well as some ginger biscuits Kingsley remembered he'd left in the kitchen. They talk of the surprising number of followers Adriana has amassed and how many she seems to have embedded within the Ministry. There is a question of how many have yet to be discovered because there is no way of knowing how many didn't dress up as a Death Eater and take direct part in the attack. The fact that there still might be Death Eaters working as normal, even helping with the cleaning up and repair, and the fact that no sooner does Kingsley get one information leak plugged then another appears is why the two are meeting in this Order house.
As they do a quick tidying up prior to leaving, both to return separately to the Ministry, Kingsley and Harry discuss how misdirected the information had been on where an attack might occur. Kingsley's thinking he'll need to secretly investigate the investigators who are supposed to be finding those giving out information to the likes of Rita Skeeter and her ilk, and who not a one in all their investigating came across the fact that Fairchild had people in so many departments, divisions, and subdivisions within the Ministry.
From the house Harry goes alone for lunch, hoping that eating something before returning to clean up work won't make him want a nap even more than he does now.
Free Day Friday
Author: Jordan Thompson
Date: 10-20-15 17:33
Jacob only had Fitness & Athletics after the three of them had their first flying lesson. Though, growing up in the Wizarding World, they'd been flying since they were old enough to walk and Jacob had played little league Quidditch so the three of them were quite skilled with a broom already - though the flying course was mandatory for all first years.
The trio currently sat in the Common Commons on one of the couches, much like they usually lounged at home. Jordan with her head in Jacob's lap and Essie on his other side and a bowl of popcorn between them - though in this case there was a tray of chocolate frosted biscuits on the table in front of them.
"We should probably be doing homework right about now, instead of lounging and being lazy," Essie said, knowing the look she would get from her brother and her best friend.
"We should, however, it is Friday, and now that everything is done, I have absolutely no desire to touch my textbooks and parchments until tomorrow at the absolute earliest," Jordan said reaching over and plucking a biscuit from the plate once more.
"At least we have three classes together. Would have been better if we'd all ended up in the same house though..." Essie said with a sigh, shifting to pluck up her cup of tea and take a sip of the still warm liquid before setting the cup back on the table.
"I know, sucks that we aren't in the same house, however at least we get to sit next to each other in classes. Have you guys thought about if you are trying out for Quidditch this year?" Jacob asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yeah, and the answer is nope. Not gonna, but I bet you are," Jordan said with a grin.
"Of course I am, I want to play for the house team. I miss getting to play, and I'm hoping that I make the team."
"I wonder how many first years will bother trying out for their house teams. Judging from what we saw in the flying lessons, some of them hadn't ever used a broom to do more than sweep with," Jordan said.
"True, but some might actually be kinda good by the time the first game rolls around," Jacob said.
"What are your roommate's like?" Jordan asked, shifting so that she was sitting up against the corner of the couch so she could draw her backpack up into her lap and rummage through it, hunting for something.
"Mine seem decent enough, haven't really talked to them much beyond a few words here and there," Essie said running a hand through her hair and flicking her gaze over the commons.
"Vincent seems decent enough, and Abraham is actually really cool. We've been playing some Wizarding Chess later in the evenings and just talking," Jacob said. "What about your roommates?"
"Haven't really talked with them much, but they seem decent enough girls. Perhaps as the school year goes by I might get to know Kaycee and Edwina a bit better," Jordan said dropping her backpack back to the floor at her feet having found the small box that had come in the post during lunch today.
"My mum sent these for us," she said as she opened the box drawing out three chocolate covered pretzel sticks decorated with more chocolate. She handed Essie one that was dipped in white chocolate and drizzled with dark chocolate. Jacob got one that was dipped in milk chocolate and drizzled with white chocolate. Jordan's was dipped in dark chocolate and drizzled with white chocolate.
"Mum said she'd probably have a care package sent to us this weekend or next she hadn't decided exactly what she was going to put in it yet," Essie said after finishing a bite of her pretzel.
"Awesome, I'm not sure when my mum is going to send a full care package, but the little treats and things are good enough for now," Jordan said with a grin before she tucked into her pretzel.
The trio talked a bit more before ultimately heading to their respective houses for the evening.
First Week Done
Author: Rowan Westwick
Date: 10-20-15 17:56
Rowan sat at the Ravenclaw table with Beatrix and ate sausage and roasted potatoes. The start of the new school year, their seventh and final one at Hogwarts, had gone swimmingly so far. Although all the syllabi for their various classes contained a lot more work than in previous years, at least on parchment, neither girl felt overwhelmed yet. On top of classes and homework, Rowan had her new prefect duties, thanks to Beatrix being head girl.
She looked over at her friend, who was eating grilled salmon in a caesar salad, and thought to herself how much Beatrix had matured in the last half year or so. The petulant attitude that overcame her at the end of their fifth year had dissipated completely. Beatrix seemed at ease with her life as it was and had obviously tried to repair her friendship with Rowan. For her sake, Rowan was glad things were back to normal again. There was a time when she hadn't cared anymore, but now that Beatrix was a good friend again, Rowan couldn't imagine not spending time together and exchanging confidences.
"Ash wrote to me," Rowan said to Beatrix.
Beatrix feigned nonchalance and asked, "Oh? How he is faring after the attack?"
Ash had gotten out of the Ministry of Magic without a scratch on him, but he worried tremendously about the conversation he'd had with the Death Eater he'd dueled. He'd written to Rowan about it but had asked her not to tell anyone except for Willow, because he didn't want there to be repercussions in case someone like Rita Skeeter caught wind of it. There were those who already thought the Westwicks had ties to Adriana Fairchild. He didn't want fuel added to the fire because of a real Death Eater's taunts.
Rowan said, "He's a little shaken up because he found a body under some rubble today."
"Really?" Beatrix asked. "Some people are still unaccounted for after this many days?"
"I guess so," Rowan said. "The Ministry of Magic is huge and employs a lot of people."
"I think I'd have a mental breakdown if I stumbled across a dead body," Beatrix mused. "Speaking of…"
She scanned the length of the table and laid eyes on Preston, who was eating the same thing as Rowan. Beatrix pointed her fork in his direction and said, "Do you think he and Cate will last after what happened?"
"I don't know them as well as you do," Rowan said, with a shrug.
Cate hadn't returned to school after the summer. Beatrix hadn't spoken with her directly but had heard through Preston that Cate had entered a mental rehabilitation facility after suffering another setback. He thought she might never return to Hogwarts and instead might take her NEWT exams through the program at St. Emrys if she chose to go that route.
Rowan said, "You should write to her, at least. I'm sure she would appreciate your letters."
"Yeah, maybe I will," Beatrix said.
"You should write to Ash too," Rowan said, "if you want." A grin slowly spread across her face as she studied her friend's reaction to the suggestion. Of course Beatrix wanted to write to Ash! In all seriousness, Rowan truly believed that Ash would be just as glad to receive Beatrix's letter as Beatrix would be to write him. She smiled to herself and worked on cleaning her plate.