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(Angharad Carter-Cadin) Hadspen, Castle Cary, Somerset
Author: Cai Pembroke Carter
Date: 07-21-12 05:20
When we'd used the port key to get here, I'd been amazed by the expanse of the house. It was HUGE, like massive and so much bigger than the houses we've lived in in the past - at least we'd be able to spread out which meant that I wouldn't have to deal with Cai glaring at me for listening to something on the WWN or when we'd been in Muggle areas something on the radio.
At the moment I'd take a break from unpacking my room and ventured outside, and was currently sitting on a low stone wall watching the landscape unfold before me, wondering why everyone hated me so much it wasn't my fault their father was an unfaithful jack ass that had gotten my mother pregnant or thrown her into a depression that had her tossed into a psychiatric ward because she couldn't be trusted to take care of me. Yes, there was some angst between me and my father, me and my sister Cai, and me and my brother Broderick. Evan I am going to miss because he's a good friend to me and accepted me as part of the family without stigma or prejudice. Aderyn too, but she won't be going to school with Cai, Broderick and I in just over a week. She is too young.
"Hey, knut for your thoughts..."
I looked up and offered Evan a smile as he plopped down next to me, wearing a pair of torn jeans and a faded t-shirt sporting a Muggle band called Pearl Jam.
"Just thinking how different school is going to be when I start in a week with Cai and Broderick. I seriously don't want them to make my life a living hell because you aren't there to act as a buffer. Cai's already started being catty." I leaned against my older brother and sighed.
"You can handle Cai and Broderick, besides if you are lucky all three of you will be sorted into different houses and you won't have to deal with them. Your schedules should be coming tomorrow morning Mum said, Monday at the latest since it is the Easter Holiday and such."
I nodded and spent a few more minutes just talking idly with Evan before finally slipping off the wall and heading back toward the house. "I've a room to finish unpacking, wanna come help or are you putting off unpacking yours? Also, don't forget you've still gotta go out to St. Emrys and get things set up there too."
Evan rolled his eyes. "I've already got an appointment set up and I've got my own room to unpack in a little while, just not going to deal with it right now. Still trying to wrap my head around the fact that we are actually going to be staying in one place for a while."
"I know what you mean. I am thankful for the experiences but it will be awesome to finally have roots and a place to actually call home you know?"
Evan nodded and I headed back toward the house at a light run and headed up to my room after grabbing an apple from the kitchen. My room was rich burgandies and creams and I loved it. Bed was made first and then there would be posters and then there would be various other things put around the room. A break taken for dinner only and by the time the sunset my room was complete!
(Broderick Carter) Easter Sunday Drama
Author: Cai Pembroke Carter
Date: 07-21-12 07:49
Easter Sunday was always a hectic time for us, and honestly I wasn't even ready to deal with the bulk of family coming in and the stresses of that - at least I could literally relaxing for the majority of the day. I also remember that Dad was going to be bringing someone to the family dinner tonight, and I had a slight inkling of who and I knew that it would create massive family drama, simply because of who this person was if it was who I was thinking of.
I currently leaned on the doorway of my sister's room, peering in as Cai finished spell-o-taping a poster of a Muggle band called AC/DC to her wall, "Got a minute sis?"
She looked up and nodded. "Sure, what's up? Dreading having to start a class at nine am when you should just be getting up?" She laughed as I came and sat on her bed.
"Nah, that's not a problem for me, just wish I didn't have so many classes grouped at one time. They were a bit more spread out in Japan, but just as labor intensive. I've also got to take standardized exams this term as well - because I couldn't have avoided those."
She laughed and slid a hand through her hair, plopping down next to me. "I've got to take them next year, at least you've only got two years to go, I've got three and the three most stressful."
"Too true, oh, Dad said he was bringing someone to dinner tonight. I'll give you two guesses who."
Cai turned on me, eyes narrowed for a moment before they went wide in recognition. "Seriously? He is bringing her HERE on Easter Sunday? Mom is going to kill him, seriously. Hell, Gram is going to have a stroke."
"No kidding, but it will make his precious little bastard happy and that's all that matters right?" Brody said with a laugh. "Besides, now that we are back in London it will be easier to ensure that she sees her mother. Such a taint to the Carter line."
"You know, when you talk like that you almost sound like you follow Slytherin's line of thinking and you should have been sorted into there instead of Gryffindor," Cai said with a laugh shaking her head and sprawling upon the sapphire silk of her bed.
"Nah. I mean I just can't see how Dad could have been attracted to that muggle woman, or where he even got a chance to get to know her enough to be intimate with her..." he stopped for a minute and shuddered. "Not that I ever want to think of either of our parents being intimate with anyone, even each other. I mean really."
Cai and I laughed lightly after a few moments before we talked a bit more and soon enough a house elf popped in to tell us that guests were arriving and we needed to make ourselves presentable and that Mother expressly forbid any of us to come down in jeans and trainers.
"See you downstairs little sis." I said and slipped out of Cai's room and headed to my own where I grabbed a pair of dress slacks, button down shirt, and a tie. Slipping into a pair of penny loafers I soon headed downstairs to greet family and friends.
Family Time
Author: Carys
Date: 07-21-12 09:00
"I found one!" Tristan called out, holding up a big blue egg for everyone to see. He grinned triumphantly and then tossed it into his already overflowing Easter basket.
"Good job, kiddo!" Alun replied. He sat on the patio with Carys and Griffin and nursed a cup of steaming tea.
It was still on the cool side on that mid-April morning, but it was forecasted to be a sunny day, which would certainly warm things up to a more comfortable level.
Carys wore a thick woolen cardigan and had her pajama-clad legs tucked under her in an effort to stay warm. She leaned into Griffin's side and watched as their son ran around the yard. Snowy, the kitten who wasn't as tiny as he'd been on Christmas Day but also wasn't yet fully grown, pounced from patch of grass to patch of grass.
Tristan found another egg, this one striped yellow, blue and green, and then came bounding over, startling the cat on his way.
"How come I get to hunt eggs again?" he asked, depositing his basket onto the empty chair next to his great grandfather's. He turned to his mother for an answer.
"Because today is Easter," Carys said, "and because Hogwarts is closed on Easter, the school decided to have an Easter egg hunt on a different day."
Carys knew very well that Hogwarts wasn't closed on Easter, but she remembered that many students and even some staff left the castle for the holiday. Tristan seemed to understand his mother's explanation and nodded his head. "I like hunting for eggs."
"Let's see what you got," Griff said.
Tristan retrieved the first egg and cracked it open. Inside was a little Welsh green dragon figurine that walked around and snorted smoke. It tickled Tristan's hand, causing him to drop it to the ground and giggle.
Snowy, noticing the dragon, raced upon it and started batting at it with his paw.
Tristan laughed some more and then climbed up onto his great grandfather's lap to eat a piece of bacon off of Alun's plate.
"That's my breakfast," Alun teased him.
Tristan swallowed the bacon and asked, "Why didn't you eat it then?"
Alun laughed. "You're a cheeky one, aren't you?"
"What's that mean?"
Tristan peered into his great grandfather's teacup, not really expecting an answer. He then decided he wasn't interested in tea and reached for a triangle of toast.
"I see you've worked up an appetite," Carys said, laughing.
"Don't you know?" Griffin asked her. "Hunting for Easter eggs is hard work!"
Tristan nodded his head vigorously. "I did it all by myself too!"
"Maybe we should check to see if you've missed any," Carys suggested. She started to get up, but Tristan scrambled out of Alun's lap and said, "No, I will check. If you find any eggs, then they are yours and I want them to be mine."
Everybody laughed at that.
He ran into the yard and started looking everywhere for Easter eggs while his family looked on with smiles on their faces.
Easter Holiday: Epic Announcement
Author: Charisma Stone
Date: 07-22-12 04:26
I'd spent some time with Charlie before he and his parents had ventured off for some trip to spend with the rest of his family and it had been good, but we weren't as close as we had been simply because we were ultimately so different. Now, it was Easter Sunday and currently I was sprawled next to my cousin Cassiopeia and we were going through some of the last of our Easter gifts before we got called to Easter Brunch.
"So how's the boyfriend kiddo?"
"He's doing great. Love him, and we've been through a lot. Gonna be a good year next year. We are going to be in pretty much the same classes again and fairly certain that we are both going to continue on the house Quidditch team."
"Yeah, I saw that, he's a brilliant beater and you cousin are a fantastic seeker."
"Thanks Cass. What about you, how are things going with you?"
"Oxford is stressful as ever, but I'm going to be going to be done in another year which is fantastic and I've already got potential job postings."
"Brilliant Cass! Am looking forward to seeing you graduate next year. That will be fantastic. I will be done a year after that, but I should have been done next year," and there was little I could do to hide the disappointment in that fact.
"Hey, just think on this, next summer you can start looking for flats of your own to move into after you finish at Hogwarts. Maybe somewhere cozy for you and Blake to settle," she grinned impishly at me and before I could retort we were summoned to the big Easter Brunch.
"Too bad Blake couldn't join us, maybe next year," Emily Stone said with a light smile as she looked over at her daughter.
"He'll be here for Christmas mum, don't worry. His entire family is coming this year, remember?"
"That's right. Now, before we all begin. Martin and I have an announcement to make," Emily said as she moved over to lean against her husband, his hands sliding down around her waist to hug her close to him.
Everyone's eyes were instantly on the Stones at the head of the table. Waiting patiently for the announcement that was to come.
"Martin and I are pleased to announce that we are expecting a new child. The due date is estimated to be around Yule or as late as the New Year."
I looked over at my parents, staring wide eyed at them for a moment before a squee of delight escaped my lips and I jumped from my chair to hug my parents tightly - gentle of course with my mum. "That is fantastic!"
I was now more than ever looking forward to my phone call with Blake tonight because I had some epic news to share with him. After the applause and congratulations we said grace over the meal and set into eating the elaborate spread of food my mum and dad had prepared for this fantastic Easter holiday.
Easter at the Marks Estate
Author: Rylee
Date: 07-22-12 04:55
She stood in front of her window, looking out over the expanse of the estate. Eyes sliding closed after a few moments as she pushed a hand through her dark hair, her and her parents had gone round and round last week when she'd declared her intention to take Fitness & Athletics at the start of the fall term.
They were dead set against it and if she continued with the foolish notion that she needed to reinvent herself because of the criticism she constantly had to face then she was merely giving into the opinions of those who were inferior to her. There had also been an argument over her discussion of potential electives for her third year, which won't be for another year but she'd already been considering things since Course Day.
She'd put her foot down, she was going to be taking Muggle Studies her third year along with Ancient Runes and probably if she was brave enough Care of Magical Creatures. She was quite happy with the choices she'd made and it pissed her off to no end that her parents weren't being supportive of her. However, her sisters were helping her - considering that they all had the freedom to chose their own courses.
"She's just pissed off that I'm not going to remain her pampered little princess any more. I'm tired of being talked about because my parents are prideful and can't help flaunting it." She said turning to look over at her eldest sister Charlotte who was back for the Easter Holiday.
"I know Rylee and she was really like that with all of us. I know that it is always too much - I swear I spent most of my first year at Spain's School of Magic hiding in my room and dreaded the parent's day functions or family functions and things like that. The pavilion that they had at Hogwarts was absolutely there just about every year. I am just glad that they tone it down because I go to a Muggle university."
Rylee sank down against her sister and sighed. "Seriously, I'm over and done with this. I'm tired of being treated like the prim and proper little princess. I'm taking Fitness & Athletics my second year and I will be spending my third year and every year after taking courses that I want to take. They will sign the damned papers so I can take the courses. I'm not the pampered little princess that arrived at Hogwarts last fall."
Charlotte smiled and hugged her little sister as she made her declaration, and after a few minutes she smiled. "Alright, we should probably venture downstairs to dinner. You know Mum and Dad will be waiting."
She rolled her eyes and pushed herself up. "Alright. Though I'm only going down to see Granny and I have very little to say to Mum and Dad but I will be polite."
Some Things Never Change
Author: Fionna
Date: 07-22-12 11:12
Checking the contents of one simmering pot Moira Gairden starts in on her second favorite subject of late. "He should propose. It's the honorable thing to do."
From the kitchen table where she's tossing together a salad Fionna wills herself not to snatch the knife from its slicing tomatoes duty and throw it at her mum. Through gritted teeth she reminds, "Mother, Jericho has proposed. He's done so at least once a day since I told him I'm pregnant."
"He must be doing it wrong. I swear some men have no clue what to say or how to say it."
The last of the tomatoes cut up, Fionna eyes the wall near Moira then the knife again before sending it to chop some chives to sprinkle on the top of one of the dishes nearly ready for the big Easter meal. She takes a deep breath, a very deep breath, and reaches for the tomatoes to add to the salad. "You've known Jericho for several years now, Mum, do you honestly think he's incapable of making a nice proposal?"
Moira, taking a nibble of the just from the oven ham, turns to look over at Fionna. "I wouldn't have thought him incapable, no, but here you are, no ring on your finger and no announcement of marriage to be made."
"Has it ever occurred to you that I keep turning him down because I don't want to get married?"
"Now you're just being silly. And obstinent. That's it, isn't it? The expectation is now for you to get married, move out of that closet above TerrorTours, so in typical Fionna fashion, you are determined to do dig your heels in and stay single."
"Or, maybe I've no interest in getting married at this time."
"Also too stubborn to admit when you're mother is right. Can you not try for once to think of the bigger picture. You are going to have a baby, Fi. Don't you want to give it a decent home with both its father and mother present?"
"Jericho and I are moving in together."
"That's not quite the same thing and you know it."
"Why isn't it the same? The only difference is that we will not be legally wed. There is a commitment to this baby, there is us together being there for her or him, all under one roof. Why does a marriage certificate change anything?"
Moira makes an exasperated sound but Fionna and she are saved from further argument when Angus Gairden enters the kitchen. "If everything's about ready, how about I help start getting things on the table and everyone gathered around."
Pointing to the heavy ham on its platter Moira directs, "Take the ham, please." She grabs up a casserole dish filled with a mixed of grilled vegetables and breezes past him with a, "Thank you, dear," while pointedly ignoring Fionna.
Fionna offers her father a smile, not letting on that once again she and her mother have been arguing, picking up a handful of the just chopped chives to sprinkle on top of a cheesy potato dish before picking it up to carry to the dining table as well.
Is This Really What You Want?
Author: Kissy Isuki
Date: 07-22-12 17:59
Though Nyoko Isuki was born in Japan, coming to England as a young adult, and though Adamu Isuki is only second generation Brit, they have embraced many of the holidays observed throughout Great Britain. Though they do not generally take part in the religious aspect of Easter, there is a family gathering and, when children are present, an egg hunt.
The morning had begun extremely early with Kissy and Cameron Weatherby meeting with his parents at a sunrise service then going to their house for the Weatherbys' traditional Easter breakfast. After meeting more of Cameron's family and having fun watching children searching for a mix of brightly dyed eggs and candy filled plastic ones, Cameron and Kissy had taken their leave for the Isukis'. There, they'd helped hide eggs for Kazuki and little Emi as well as younger members of the extended family. When the little ones had found all the eggs, they ran and played, working off all that extra energy, while most everyone else sat around talking, or listening to a sports broadcast on the WWN, or helped in the kitchen to finish getting the large lunch ready.
A little later in the afternoon, Kissy is returning to Hogwarts as she had volunteered to be one of the adults around the castle for the evening and at dinner. Right now, as most everyone is finishing up the main part of the meal and starting in on sweets such as the two toasted coconut key lime pies that are Cameron's specialty. Kissy reaches over to squeeze Cameron's hand under the table, giving him a slight nod and a smile then stands up, clearing her throat. "I, or that is, we, Cameron and I," she says in acknowledgement of Cameron as he too stands, "are very happy to announce that we are engaged."
There's a very short silence followed by hearty congratulations and a applause. This is followed by a tidal wave of questions. "How did he propose?" "Have you set a date?" "Why aren't you wearing the ring?" The most common among them.
Cameron had proposed Friday night after seeing Kissy back to Hogwarts from dinner. They'd gone for a moonlit, starlit stroll along the lakeshore when he had, quite without warning, dropped to one knee and popped the question. As the proposal only happened Friday and they wanted to let their families know before making any plans, neither has considered a date though they have thought if possible early August would be nice. She has not been wearing the ring today because they did not want anyone seeing it and correctly guessing its meaning until they'd had time to tell each family. At the Weatherbys', Kissy had put the ring on after they'd told Cameron's family and only took it off when apparating to her parents'. Now that her they know, Kissy takes out the ring only to have Cameron pluck the box from her hand so he can make a show of sliding it on her finger.
After that, all the women want to see the ring and some of the men do too. Adamu pulls Cameron aside for a little one on one conversation only to have Zen play big brother and invite himself to join them. Kissy had been concerned her parents might frown at the news as Cameron is not Japanese but both look ecstatic, at least for now. Kissy thinks that might be because they are so relieved that she's finally going to "settled down" and possibly give them more grandchildren.
A short time later, when Kissy's gone into the oddly empty of anyone else kitchen, her sister-in-law follows her. Speaking quietly Akina asks, "Is this really what you want?"
Kissy gives her a quizzical look. "What a thing to ask."
"I only meant that I know how much you're wanting a baby but aren't really wanting to go it alone."
"You think I'm rushing into marriage with Cameron. Zen and you introduced us if you recall."
"I know, and I'm not saying marrying Cameron is wrong. I just want to make sure you didn't say yes just so you could hurry up and start on trying for a baby."
"Starting a family was the last thing on my mind when Cameron proposed, Akina. All that was on my mind was how right saying yes felt."
"I'm sorry for questioning you, Kissy. I didn't mean any offense."
Kissy gives her sister-in-law a quick hug. "I know. Thank you for caring."
"Soooo, may I see the ring now?"
Kissy grins at the question and holds out her left hand.