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Dinner
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 03-20-18 18:41
Hermione entered through the front door with Rose and Hugo and got them washed up for supper. Afterwards, she reheated leftovers of varying kinds and was near finished preparing a fresh salad to go with the hodgepodge of dishes when Ron came in through the fireplace.
He tackled the kids first, who squealed and laughed at being picked up and tickled. Then, Ron wrapped his arms around Hermione and pressed a kiss into the place below her left ear.
"How was your day?" he asked.
"Long!" she answered while drizzling some dressing onto the big bowl of salad. "Yours?"
"Long as well. Need any help?"
Hermione turned once Ron let her go and said, "Dinner's ready for us, but the cats have yet to be fed."
Crookshanks and Hero sat next to their empty bowls and eyed Ron unblinkingly. He grinned and grabbed a can of cat food from the pantry.
A short while later, the family of four sat at the dining room table. Hermione gave Hugo bits of mozzarella cheese and said, "The PM is concerned about leaks at the Ministry of Magic. I told him he doesn't have to worry about Muggle secrets being exposed, but he's nervous anyway. I don't suppose I can blame him. After Adriana, it's a surprise he trusts us at all."
"Kingsley's hot about whoever talked about Robert Blackheart," Ron said.
"I know. If only we knew the culprit's motive. Was it money and therefore just someone out to make a quick galleon, or is there something more sinister afoot?"
Ron shook his head. "Nothing's turned up one way or the other yet. I'm just glad the trial is finally under way. The sooner he's in Azkaban, the better."
Hugo suddenly started dancing in his high chair, a piece of cheese clenched in each fist. That was his parents' cue to stop talking about work and start enjoying family dinner time.
Zeke Clarkly Interview
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 03-20-18 20:05
Zeke Clarkly extends a hand to shake. "I'm not sure why you wish to see me again, Mr. Potter."
"Just routine follow-ups. Trying to be thorough, which is more difficult with older cases originally worked by others. Thank you for coming."
"Sure, no problem. Anything if it helps find out what happened to Oren. I apologize for having to postpone from earlier today."
"You mentioned in the owl that your mother had a fall. Is she all right?"
"Yes, thank Merlin. A fractured wrist but a little Skele-Gro fixed her right up. She'll just need to avoid doing any stressful with that arm for the next day or two."
"That's good," Harry nods then looks down at his notes. He doesn't need to read anything so much as it helps him transition to the reason Clarkly is here. As he's done once before he takes Zeke Clarkly through the months before Oren Paulson's disappearance, asking specifically about any changes in behavior, personality, habits, and appearance.
Harry is thorough but tries not to make Clarkly feels as though he's being interrogated or, as some would say, grilled. About the time he's wrapping up the questions concerning Oren Paulson and Clarkly is relaxed with the thought he's soon off for home Harry asks, "Now, what can you tell me about John McMurray?"
Clarkly does a near double take. "What?"
"John McMurray?"
Eyebrows draw together. Clarkly's head shakes. "I don't... John McMurray?"
"Yes, you did know him, correct?"
"Uh, I vaguely recall someone of that name in passing but that was years ago."
"You aren't aware he died under mysterious circumstances?"
"Erm, uh, no, or maybe. It's been so long."
"Is it no or is it maybe, Mr. Clarkly?"
"I um well, maybe? I'm trying to remember what I heard or was told."
With bland expression, Harry patiently waits for the put on the spot Clarkly to come up with a response that does not sound like a lie. As he waits he has to work hard not to tap tap tap his quill.
When a full five minutes have passed and Clarkly is still trying to stammer through "remembering" Harry asks another question without warning. "Perhaps you better remember Adeline Fitzwilliam."
"Who?"
"Adeline Fitzwilliam."
"Oh, right, right. Dated her a few times when we were both, I don't know, 18, 19."
"A few times? Not for months and got engaged?"
"Um, no, I wouldn't say we ever got that far."
Harry makes a non-commital sound that has Clarkly wanting to know, "Who told you differently?"
"So you weren't engaged? In the middle of wedding planning?"
"Um, Adeline may have gotten carried away."
"That's a no then?"
Ezekiel Clarkly nervously shifts in his seat. "I've don't know what's wrong but I'm feeling nauseous. Could we continue this another time?"
"I prefer we see this through. If you could remember anything about John McMurray and would answer a few questions about Adeline Fitzwilliam that don't have you being less than truthful about your relationship with her, we could be finished fairly quickly. Perhaps if you could just explain why your name has come up in connection with three cold cases yet none of the original file information mentions you a single time."
Clarkly clears his throat several times before saying, "Perhaps I should have a solicitor present for any further questions."
(Ash) Living in Fear
Author: Rowan Westwick
Date: 03-21-18 18:14
In the month he had been living in the abbey, Ash had felt ill at ease at every waking moment. The waking moments had also been plentiful, as he'd been far too nervous to get a good night's sleep. Ash felt exhausted, both physically and mentally, but he did his very best not to show it.
Being in the presence of someone the world thought dead––and who by all rights should be dead––was positively terrifying. Ash did everything he could to not be noticed and acted the proper sycophant whenever he was. He experienced great fear each and every day, and the passage of time wasn't helping matters.
Vandalia found him in a corner of the main room, reading a newspaper someone had brought in. The Death Eater had taken him under her wing. Ash wasn't sure what she wanted with him but was somewhat grateful at the same time. He didn't like her because of what she stood for, but she was a kind of ally, which was something he needed in this foreign environment.
He looked up at her approach and waited for her to sit next to him before he said, "I need to see my family."
"That's a bad idea," Vandalia replied, taking the paper from his hands. "Just because your face hasn't appeared in here yet doesn't mean the authorities aren't on the lookout for you. They'll be watching your house in case you try to touch base."
"I know, which was why I was thinking of catching my sister at university. I just want her to know that I'm safe and that she needn't worry."
"What if she detains you?"
"Why would she if she doesn't know about my affiliation with you?"
Vandalia studied him for a long moment and then said, "Fine. You have thirty minutes. If you're not back here at noon on the dot, then I'll track you down myself and kill you. Understood?"
Ash nodded. "Yes."
He wasted not a minute. He walked outside to the edge of the woods where it was possible to apparate and disappeared, appearing a moment later on a busy street in London. As much as Ash would like to visit Rowan, he knew it was much more urgent that he speak to Connor.
He flagged down a smartly-dressed wizard heading for the telephone box and asked him to see if the auror could come out and speak with him. The wizard looked dubious but gave a curt nod and disappeared inside the box. A moment later, the box descended into the sidewalk.
Ash, meanwhile, stood in the shadows of a nearby building with the collar of his coat turned up. He felt like a criminal and wondered if at any moment a whole army of law enforcement would show up and arrest him.
Ash jumped when a voice spoke from behind him. "Are you alone?"
He turned and saw Connor standing there. He wasn't pointing his wand at Ash, but it was in his hand.
"I'm alone," Ash said, "and I haven't got much time. Can we talk?"
Connor looked around and said, "Here good?"
"Yes."
"Then start talking."
Ash took a deep breath and then began.
Rut?
Author: Christopher Chant
Date: 03-21-18 19:36
Unceremoniously, and uninvited, Perry Paulson drops into the seat opposite Christopher, the only other chair at the small table. "How'd you do?"
"Fairly confident of a high score. What about you?"
Perry waggles a hand. "So-so. All right enough but could have done better. Shouldn't have gone out last night."
"You go out on nights before major exams?"
"Yeah. Not every time, 'course, but now and then. You never?"
"No. I mean other than sometimes grabbing something to eat or meeting up for a study session but not out as in out."
Perry shovels his fork into a shepherd's pie. "You need to live a little, Chris."
"Not on night's before massive exams. I do not want to have to repeat any clinicals because I couldn't focus on the final examination." Chris doesn't bother reminding Perry yet again that he doesn't care to be called Chris.
"Not just that." Perry's fork, now piled with the pie, waves around vigorously enough Christopher is surprised nothing goes flying off.
"What do you mean?" Christopher takes a bite of his coronation chicken wrap.
"Lots of girls in the programme who'd give you the time of day if you showed interest."
"But I'm not interested. I'm with someone."
"Doesn't mean you can't flirt a little, go out with someone else."
"It does mean I can't go out with someone else."
"So when you say with, you and that Catriona girl are committed."
"Yes."
"It's a long time, right?"
"Years. We were at Hogwarts when we started dating."
Born in England, Perry long lived in the United States and attended school there but knows all about Hogwarts as both his parents went there. "Yep, long time. Date anyone else before you two became committed?"
"No, not really."
"You're in a rut, my friend."
"I have no interest in dating anyone else, even just a one off. How is that a rut?"
"Because you're so deeply entrenched you can't see what a little fun looks like. Also, what if Catriona isn't the one? How would you know if you've never dipped your toe in the pool?"
"If I have no interest in anyone else then isn't that a good indication Catriona IS the one?"
Perry shakes his head, letting out a sad sigh. "Deeper rut than I thought. You may be hopeless."
"If by that you mean you're not going to tempt me to try dating others, then I'm fine with being hopeless." Christopher taps a stack of notecards. "I need to get review for the exam this afternoon. You should too."
"You're right there," Perry admits, though his tone is reluctant. He sighs again, producing notes from somewhere for the exam this afternoon in their level of the Veterinary Healing Programme.
Back to the Usual
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 03-22-18 18:02
Bill had returned to work yesterday. He'd run into some of his colleagues and clients around the village since the werewolf attack, but the scarring on his face was still a terrible shock to anyone who saw him. A werewolf's scratch was akin to a curse––it could not be easily healed by magic.
That didn't stop Bill from wanting to try, though. In addition to his regular check-ups at St. Mungo's, Bill had received several consultations to see about minimizing the scarring on his face. Everyone with whom he spoke said the scarring wouldn't entirely go away, but some fading was certainly possible.
He wasn't going to undergo a procedure any time soon, since he'd just gone back to work and didn't think it prudent to take more time for himself. Bill had a lot of catching up to do. He'd managed to put a dent in his inbox yesterday, but he was nowhere near up-to-date.
He was also getting caught up on Order business. Sunday had been the twelfth anniversary of Lord Voldemort's death. Everyone had been alert for attacks, but the day had come and gone without incident.
Fenrir Greyback was still at large, and the next full moon was just days from now. Bill wanted the werewolf caught so that he couldn't hurt anyone else, especially a child.
There was a lot of activity lately, and though Bill would rather the world be quiet, he was glad for the distractions and his routine.
An Update
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 03-23-18 17:31
Fritz arrives at the Ministry of Magic and checks in at the welcome desk before taking the lift to Level 2: The Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Once there, he checks in with a receptionist and is directed to a chair, where he waits for only a few minutes before being addressed by Shawn O'Conner, a law enforcement officer.
O'Conner directs Fritz to his cubicle, which is cluttered with parchments and what appears to be part of the officer's lunch.
"Thanks for agreeing to meet with me on such short notice," O'Conner says, shoving aside a few things and then resting his clasped hands on the surface of the desk.
"I thought it might be important, though today is one of my busier days," Fritz says. He had class at St. Emrys in the morning and will have a three-hour lab in the afternoon. O'Conner's request to meet was timely since now is really the only time Fritz can visit.
"I won't keep you long, but I thought you wanted to hear in person what I've discovered."
Fritz leans forward eagerly. "About the notes?" he asks, referring to the anonymous letters he has received regarding Berthold Beatenberg's money, which now belongs to Fritz.
O'Conner nods. "We're testing new magic," he begins. "There's such thing as a Locator Potion, which can be used on parchment sent to a known addressee to determine his or her location. Locator Potions have their limits of course. Much the way a home can be made unplottable, so can a witch or wizard make themselves near impossible to find."
The professional potioneer nods, wondering how a Locator Potion would work if the addressee is anonymous.
O'Conner continues, "We're attempting to determine where your letters originated from using a quasi-reverse Locator Potion. Early testing has come up with the same results. Given what they are, either the letters were sent from within the Ministry of Magic or the potion is defaulting to the Ministry because that is where it was brewed."
"I see," Fritz says, wondering who within the Ministry would send him such letters. Few know about the money, particularly since most everything having to do with it was handled via the Austrian government.
"I followed the Ministry thread and think I may have a likely culprit, but I will need your help to prove my theory," O'Conner says.
"What can I do?" Fritz asks. He's eager to get to the bottom of the notes once and for all. By the time O'Conner finishes talking, Fritz is more than ready to put the plan into effect.
I Wish I Knew (Catriona)
Author: Fionna
Date: 03-23-18 18:52
At the same table where he'd had the lunch interrupted by Perry Paulson, Catriona now sits opposite Christopher. After the fourth time of catching him watching her instead of studying the notes he has to one side of his plate she asks, "What?"
"What what?"
"Why are you staring instead of studying?"
"Do you think we're in a rut?"
"A rut?" Cat shakes her head. "Noooo," she slowly answers. "What sort of rut?"
"Something someone said recently and I've heard before from others. You and I haven't date anyone else. We've been together for years already and we're in a routine. How do you know I'm the one and how do I know you're the one. That sort of thing."
Cat's headshaking has now turned to nodding. "I sometimes get that as well. What do you say when someone says something like that to you?"
"That I've never wanted to date anyone else. If that doesn't mean you're the one for me then I don't know what would. What about you?"
"Pretty much the same."
"Why do you think others are so concerned with whether we've ever dated others?"
"I wish I knew. It gets tiresome, especially from those like Lesley who would go out with almost anyone interested. She's not cheated on her husband and I hope she never does but now she's got her pre-baby body back, she certainly enjoys the looks she gets."
"The person who most recently brought it up with me was Perry Paulson. If a girl even looks his direction, he'll make a move on her and he's one who doesn't see why a person can't be in a long-term relationship and still date others."
"Maybe that's it. They think that we're odd or strange because we don't want to have a different person to date every week."
"I guess so." Christopher reaches for his cup only to see it's empty. "I'm getting a refill. You want or need anything."
"I'm good, thanks."
By herself for the moment, Catriona resumes her own studying but at the back of her mind is the new desire to ask Lesley and others why they think Christopher and she need to date around before deciding on who "the one" is.
Relief, Shock and Happiness
Author: Nathaniel Ross
Date: 03-24-18 08:59
"So?" Nate asked Jenny when she arrived at Harebells after a visit to Madam Malkin in Diagon Alley.
"They had to make some adjustments to the robes," she replied, shrugging her shoulders.
He could see by her face that she was upset. Maybe this whole idea of marriage had not been well thought. It had been during the Christmas holidays that Nate had proposed to Jenny. Maybe it had been too soon, but he just thought he would like to spend all future Christmas at her side.
They might have not been dating for that long, but he knew Jenny since he was eleven. He recalled the first time he saw her, the girl with two golden braids, waving goodbye to Tim, as he boarded the Hogwarts Express. He recalled how he spent a few days at he Gabbles that summer, and how excited she was for going to Hogwarts as well. Somehow, she was convinced she would be sorted into Ravenclaw, but the Sorting Hat had a different destination in mind and Jenny become a Hufflepuff like her brother and Nate. They had shared several meals together, they stood at the stands of the Quidditch pitch even in cold days, supporting their House. He helped her with a History of Magic essay, and she came to visit him when he had to be stuck at the Hospital Wing with a nasty cold. They always greeted each other in the corridors or at the common room. She celebrated with him when he got the job at the Ministry of Magic. She had held his hand at his father's funeral. They had become business partners and built Harebells together. Jenny was family even before she accepted marrying him.
But now he wondered if he had proposed too soon. He noticed that lately she seemed a bit fatigated. She loved to have cinnamon rolls for breakfast he cooked for her on Sundays, but she started to refuse them. She claimed she was not in the mood for them lately. And now it had been her third trip to Madam Malkin's to buy her wedding gown but she always left the shop frustrated. It was getting clear to Nate that she did not want this. He had pressured her on Christmas, she said yes, but deep down Jenny wasn't ready.
"Jenny…" he started, picking up her hands, taking her outside to the garden and making her sit in a chair.
An old couple who were guests at the inn waved at a distance, as they were on their daily walk. Nate waved back, thinking that one day he would want to be just like them, but with Jenny.
"Listen, I know you have agreed to marry me. I love you, and there is nothing else I want in this world than to be with you. But if you feel this is too much for you, then I also understand. I know our business is still new. There will be ups and downs and we might clash. We also haven't been dating for long. Maybe you would like a chance to see where this is going, maybe you do not wish to commit so soon…It is all right. I know lately you have not been feeling well, and if you want you do not have to buy a wedding gown just yet. We can postpone the wedding, and…"
"Nathaniel." she said, interrupting him. This was not a good sign. She only called him by his full name when it was something very serious. Nate took a deep breath, trying to get ready to hear her refusal. "I'm pregnant."
He looked at her, feeling quite stupid, not knowing what to think, or say.
"This is why I was not able to bring the wedding gown home.
Every time I go to a fitting Madam Malkin has to do some alterations because my body is changing. That's also why I haven't been feeling well, especially in the mornings. It pained me to refuse your cinnamon rolls without explaining you why. I wanted to tell you sooner. I've only learned about it recently as well. But…I didn't want you to think I have agreed to marry you because of this baby. I also didn't want people to think you married me out of obligation."
Nate was feeling all sort of things now. Relief because Jenny still loved him. Surprise for learning he was going to be a father. And happiness as well. So much happiness! He smiled and not holding himself he touched her belly. His child was right there! He then looked Jenny in the eyes and he kissed her. She kissed him back with the same fervor. No more words were needed.
How'd The Match End?
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 03-24-18 18:53
Viktor knocks on the door frame to Marjani's hospital room. "You about ready to go home?"
"Beyond ready," she tells him from a chair near a faux window where's she reading a thriller.
He looks around the small space, noting the lavatory door is open. "Where's Theodosia?"
"She went to make sure everything that needs signing for discharge has been signed." Marjani gestures to the only other chair in the room. "How'd the match end? You said you'd tell me."
"I thought we'd talk about it later."
"No, now. I don't even know who won."
Viktor grins, taking the indicated seat. "Fine, fine."
Marjani had been at the match Saturday along with Theodosia, Zuberi, and Olive when she'd doubled over in pain and gotten ill. The three had rushed her to the castle to see Madam Pomfrey who made a quick assessment before sending Marjani on to St. Mungo's.
With no abdominal pain or tenderness leading up to Saturday no one was more shocked than Marjani at learning her appendix has ruptured. Because there was a rupture rather than just inflammation or infection, she was in danger of sepsis, among other things.
Healers worked quickly with spells and potions but even then Marjani has stayed at St. Mungo's for several days to ensure nothing was missed. The rest of Saturday and Sunday Marjani was feeling so awful she didn't mind the stay but began getting antsy Monday thinking about all the St. Emrys final examinations she would have to make up.
When Viktor doesn't immediately launch into details of the match Marjani gives him an unblinking stare. "So?"
"You left just after Hufflepuff's fourth goal, no?"
"Yes, only a few seconds after."
"The match lasted for, oh, roughly another half an hour, during which Hufflepuff tried for another goal and Gryffindor for two. Hufflepuff was driving in for another goal attempt when Finley intercepted a pass. As she, Gerry, and Mildred started the quaffle back down the pitch Leo spotted the snitch.
"He was almost on it when Sophie came racing in from one side, able to get parallel with Leo. They were flying so closely they were at risk of knocking knees and elbows. Leo was reaching with one hand for the snitch then pulled it back, switched to his other hand.
"That change-up was enough to give Sophie the advantage. She leaned forward enough to catch the snitch before Leo could get his other arm extended and fingers to the ball."
At hearing Gryffindor, her former house, was so close to winning, Marjani asks, "Whyyyyyy? Why did he do that?"
"Leo had taken a bludger hit earlier and the fingers of the one hand was just swollen enough he realized he wouldn't be able to close the firmly around the snitch."
Marjani slumps in her seat. "Oh. Poor Leo. So Hufflepuff won."
Viktor nods. "190 to 30."
"Drat. Not that I'm against Hufflepuff winning but, still, drat."
Theodosia walks in then. "A nurse is bringing a wheelchair. Anything special you'd like for your welcome home dinner?"
"If home cooked, anything sounds good. If take away, I wouldn't say no to sesame chicken."
Both Theodosia and Viktor know this really means she wants the take away so Viktor looks to Theodosia, "Once we get her home, I'll go for take away."
That settled, Marjani settles herself in the wheelchair the nurse has just brought, eager to get home, though not eager to start studying for all those exams she'll have to take soon.
(Azaelia) Robert's Trial
Author: Isolde
Date: 03-25-18 09:35
Azaelia attended every day of Robert's trial at the Ministry of Magic. She wouldn't have cared, but she knew she would eventually be called upon as a witness. Azaelia's part would probably be small when the time came, but she knew it would be important testimony nonetheless.
Most of the trial centered on how Robert conducted tasks for the Death Eaters prior to his induction into the dark faction. One of these tasks included recruitment, though the name of the individual Robert focused on remained unsaid throughout the testimony. Azaelia figured it had something to do with a related investigation and probably involved sensitive information that if made public, might jeopardize the case.
Surprisingly, Robert didn't deny what he was, but he also wasn't very forthcoming. Part of that had to do with the magic placed upon him by the Death Eaters so that he couldn't reveal their secrets. Beyond that, he sat smugly in the chair he was bound to, teasing the members of the Wizengamot with his arrogance and unwillingness to cooperate.
His attitude made Azaelia's blood boil. At least there was no doubt where he was going next. He'd probably rot in Azakban, where he belonged.
At last, it was Azaelia's turn to testify. She was called up and asked to state her full name for the record.
"Azaelia Elaine Blackheart." Hopefully, soon to be Azaelia Elaine Bramble once more.
"How do you know the accused?"
"He is my husband."
"How long have you been married?"
"Five and a half years," Azaelia replied. She could feel Robert's eyes on her, but she refused to look at him.
"And how long have you known the accused?"
Azaelia thought back to a long ago time and said, "We first met at Hogwarts, but then he moved away and then I moved out of the country. We reconnected later in life."
"When did you realize your husband's affiliation with the Death Eater?"
Azaelia was perfectly honest. "I didn't know he was one of them until Christmas Day, but I suspected something was wrong long before that and voiced my concerns to law enforcement."
"Tell the court what made you suspicious about your husband."
Azaelia took a deep breath and spoke about how she first noticed his change in mood a couple of years ago and the day she followed him to the Shrieking Shack. She talked about how Connor MacRoth asked her to continue monitoring Robert and to report anything out of the ordinary to him, while he conducted his own investigation.
The whole time she spoke, Azaelia could feel Robert's gaze burning into her. Had he already been told that she had triggered the investigation into him, or was he learning it for the very first time right then and there? She didn't dare look at his face to see his reaction, afraid to know what he really thought about what he would probably see as a betrayal.
Neighborhood Watch
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 03-26-18 08:13
Lysander wrapped a scarf around his neck and then fastened a winter cloak around his shoulders. He glanced out the window and frowned. He looked forward to when the sun set in the evening instead of in the middle of the afternoon. He grabbed his gloves off the top of the dresser and then poked his head into Charlotte's old room, which was now occupied by Astrid.
"Hey."
She looked up from the classified ads she was perusing. Astrid had recently gotten a part-time job at McBloom & McMuck, but she wanted something that paid better. Lysander hadn't offered her a position at the book shop, because he didn't think employing her was a good idea.
"Are you heading out now?" she asked, taking in his bundled-up appearance.
"Yes. I'll be glad when winter is gone."
"Be careful," Astrid said.
"You too, if you go out," Lysander replied.
It was the day of the full moon, and Lysander along with others in the village had joined the neighborhood watch. The members went out on other nights as well, but with the werewolf attack before Christmas and the culprit still at large, patrolling on full moon days was necessary.
Dylan and August were playing with a toy Hogwarts Express and its many cars. Lysander dropped a kiss onto both of their heads and then took the interior stairs to the book shop, where he found Julian behind the counter.
He waved and said, "See you before closing time."
With that, he stepped out into the cold and the growing dark and kept his eyes open for suspicious activity.
Letters
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 03-27-18 18:13
Ever since news broke that a Death Eater had been living under the roof at Hogwarts, Minerva had been fielding letters from concerned parents, the school's board of governors, and the press. Although she didn't fault the parents for being worried about the safety of their children, Minerva nevertheless found the negative attention frustrating.
She never intentionally endangered anyone and would most certainly have dealt with Robert Blackheart if she'd known about his dark allegiance. A former Slytherin, Robert never gave any indication of his future affiliation with the Death Eaters, and he had done nothing to make Minerva suspicious during the years he lived at Hogwarts with his wife.
Not so, Azaelia, who'd apparently known something was amiss for a very long time. Minerva understood why Azaelia never said anything to the Hogwarts Headmistress, but she wished she would have. Yesterday's testimony had already made it to the papers, with Rita Skeeter painting Minerva as a clueless administrator. Azaelia, on the other hand, was the vile educator who knowingly endangered the students and other staff at Hogwarts.
The librarian's only consolation was the fact that her eventual ex-husband was expected to go to Azkaban today. Minerva would be glad when it all blew over, but she guessed it wouldn't be for a good while.
She sealed the latest response to a concerned parent and then collected that envelope and a stack of others. Minerva went to the Owlery first and then to the Great Hall, though she wasn't very hungry.
Lunch With Uncle Ross
Author: Errol
Date: 03-27-18 20:12
Errol spots Ross through the restaurant window, enters and indicates to the woman who greets him that he sees who he's meeting. At the table he drops his backpack to slide it out of the way before taking a seat. "Hi! How'd your meeting go?"
Ross smiles in return. "Hi yourself. Meeting was productive. You sound chipper. Relieved the last test is out of the way?"
"You have no idea. You know they call it writing an exam? And that's what you do. Write and write and write. Have you ordered?"
"No, but I've narrowed down my choices. Take your time."
Ross has been in Stratford-Upon-Avon for several days, meeting with a St. Emrys professor about writing a portion of a new textbook for one of the professor's specialty courses. Because of final exams, Errol hasn't had much of a chance to see his uncle as he might have otherwise.
Ross takes a drink of water and as he sets it down he says, "Oh, I saw Queenie Hastings. Well, Fairfax now and she told me about the only ones who call her Queenie anymore are close family and old friends like me."
Errol takes this as a good opening to tell his uncle. "I looked up an old friend of hers and Dad's. Jennica."
Ross sighs. "You were hoping to learn she's your mother. I'm sorry you were disappointed."
"Yeah. Not what I was expecting but she's nice and showed me old photos. Told me some stories about Dad. Why won't you ever tell me her name?"
Ross sighs again, reaching for the water. When he speaks his tone is one of sorrow. "I should have by now, I know. At first I didn't because you were small and rarely asked about a mom. You were concerned about Elliot and why he hadn't come back for you. When you got older I put you off because I didn't want to deal with you finding out something about her and wanting me to help you rush off right that second to track her down. The last several years you've been through so much it never seemed the right time to add to what was going on. I'm sorry."
There was a second glass of water when Errol sat down. He's the one now reaching for the beverage, his throat going oddly dry to the point of parched. He takes a long drink and by that time the waiter has come over to take orders. When alone again Errols asks the big, burning question. "So, what is her name?"
"Her name was, is, Romily. Romily Vega. She was my fiancée."
"Whoa! You were engaged?"
Ross nods once. "We had a date picked out, church reserved, a place picked out for the reception. The invitations were being printed. The out of the blue Romily informed me she was in love with someone else and gave me back the ring. Cancelled everything. Three months later on the same day I learned the other man was my own brother is the day I also found out they were both involved in drugs more than just recreationally. They were still into the drug scene when you came along but not as much. You know the rest."
"Sort of. Like did she ever get in touch with Dad again that you know of?"
"Sorry, no, if she did he never told me."
"Did you, do you hate him for stealing your fiancée?"
"At first, though looking back on it I'm not sure if what I felt was as strong as actual hate. I got over it when I realize he'd one me a favor. Because of Elliot I did not marry a woman who hadn't loved me enough to stay with me, who probably might have become a drug user whether she was still with me or not, and who after holding her own newborn walked out on him and has never, to my knowledge, attempted any sort of contact with him; that is, with you."
"Before all that, what was she, what was Romily like?"
Ross spends the rest of lunch and a long walk afterwards answering the many questions Errol has had all these years. When they part for Errol to crash after days of studying and exam writing and for Ross to meet with the St. Emrys professor for more discussion on the upcoming textbook, Errol finds he has other questions now but ones that could only be answered by his father Elliot if he were ever to be found and by this woman Romily Vega, who may have birthed him but have never been a mother to him, so why does he always think of her as just that?