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Approval
Author: Griet
Date: 07-22-12 18:04
The front door swung open somewhat forcefully, revealing Cornelia standing in the doorway. Wild, corkscrew curls spilled from her head and bounced every time she moved.
She held up a hand before Griet could speak. "Don't comment," Cornelia stated. "I don't want to hear it."
Griet knew that her sister had been using straightening potions on her hair for the last few years. Cornelia much preferred the sleek and shiny hairstyle to her curls, because it made her hair easier to manage and in her opinion made her look less like a little girl.
Griet tried to hide her smile by looking at Tucker. "You remember my sister Cornelia? She helped me move in last summer."
"I remember," Tucker said. He smiled at Cornelia. "Nice to see you again."
Cornelia gave him a serious appraisal and then said, "Welcome to the Vanderbilt Easter gathering. I should warn you that this family tends to fight more on holidays than on any ordinary day, so you might end up running for the hills before the day is out."
Tucker chuckled. "I think all families are that way. Tensions always seem higher when everyone gets together."
"Can we come in or are you going to block the doorway all day?" Griet interjected playfully.
Cornelia opened the door wider and then flounced off to announce Griet's arrival.
Griet shut the door behind Tucker and then followed where Cornelia had gone. She found a number of family members in the living room and introduced Tucker to those who had never met him. Everybody else was in the kitchen or dining room, getting things ready for the meal.
"He seems nice," Griet's mum said somewhat later when Franciscus and Paton had pulled Tucker away to show him something only boys could appreciate.
"Yeah, he really is," Griet said, smiling. Tucker was so different from Oberon. Tucker was sweet and caring and a good guy all around. Fighting, on the other hand, had brought Griet and Oberon together, and it had also torn them apart.
Cornelia handed Griet a stack of plates and forced her into the dining room, where they had a moment alone.
"So, does Oberon know about you two?"
"No, I don't think so," Griet said, as she put a plate in front of each chair. "I haven't talked to him since we broke up, and I haven't heard anything about him since Ger––" she cut herself off when she realized what name she'd nearly said.
Cornelia waved her hand dismissively. "Go ahead and say the bastard's name. I'm so over him."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I didn't even have to get revenge on him to get to that point, which is too bad because I was really looking forward to paying him back for breaking my heart."
Griet frowned. "I'm sorry about what happened."
"Me too," Cornelia admitted, "but it's in the past." She started laying out silverware. "So, what did Gervaise say about Oberon?"
"It was a while ago. He mentioned that Oberon had moved on. He's a bartender now."
Cornelia snorted. "You're better off without him."
"Probably."
"So tell me about Wolf Boy."
Griet shot her an amused look. "Tucker is great. Fantastic, really. I couldn't be happier."
"Are you in love with him?"
"It's a little early to tell, but I really, really like him."
Cornelia nodded her head slowly. "I approve."
Griet laughed. "I'm glad who I choose to date meets your approval."
Mrs. Vanderbilt came into the dining room then and asked Griet, "How is your appetite, dear? Tucker says he feels back to normal, but I know you sometimes feel sick for days after the full moon."
"I feel okay. I don't know if I will be able to eat everything, but I am hungry enough to eat a little bit."
"Good. Help me bring the dishes in, both of you?" she added, turning to Cornelia.
A short while later the extended Vanderbilt family sat down at the elongated table for Easter lunch.
An Easter Without Plums
Author: Mildred
Date: 07-23-12 03:10
"Look at that blouse all wrinkled! And that posture… Straight up your back, Mildred Campbell! It seems like they did not teach you any etiquette at Hogwarts."
Mildred's grandmother pointed her wand at Mildred's blouse and soon the piece of white cloth became straight and impeccable. Mrs. Howard kept inspecting her granddaughter and Mildred prayed in silence for her not to find any more flaws in her looks.
Today her grandmother was organizing a special Easter lunch for some of her friends and she wanted everything to be perfect. She had ordered her house elf to use her precious china collection, her special silverware and the crystal glasses. She had carefully selected the menu dish by dish, from the entries to dessert, and she got so carried away that she even forget that Mildred was allergic to plums, because that was one of the ingredients of the main course. When Mildred reminded her of that fact the day before the lunch, her grandmother simply replied that plums were a vital part of the menu and that could not be changed. Mildred would have to behave herself and eat everything put on her dish, like a well mannered girl. If later she actually had an allergic reaction to the plums, which she doubted, then she would take her to St. Mungus.
"Now do you remember the topic you cannot by any means mention at lunch?"
"My father," Mildred muttered looking down to her recently polished shoes.
"Good girl. We do not talk about criminals while there are guests in this house. That would be impolite. Remember our deal, girl: if you behave properly today I will take you to Azkaban before spring term starts."
Mildred nodded and then her grandmother told her to go and sit in the living room. The guests could be here at any time. The little witch obeyed. Nine days ago when she left Hogwarts she was sure the first thing she would do was to go visit her father. But that had not been her grandmother's intention and so Mildred had passed most of her days locked in her small bedroom doing nothing but to read the school books she had brought with her and listening to the WWN on the radio. During the first two days she tried to befriend her grandmother's cat, but just like her owner she didn't seem to like Mildred very much, always hissing and trying to use her claws on her. Eventually the little witch gave up.
There had been no news of her aunt Helen since they met at the school's Easter egg hunt. Mildred didn't feel comfortable enough to write her a letter even if her aunt had told her to feel free to do so whenever she wanted. Mildred knew she was doing her best to find a place for her in her life, she felt she shouldn't bother her aunt with a letter complaining about not going to Azkaban and a silly Easter lunch with her grandmother.
The door bell rang and her grandmother went to open the door. She greeted two old witches with a strident voice, declaring she was so glad they could have come. She led their friends to the living room and she presented Mildred to them.
"Oh isn't she a dear…" the first old lady said. She had a big flower in her hat and Mildred could swear the plant was alive because it moved.
"She's too pale for my taste. She doesn't look like you at all Regina," the second one observed. She had was very tall and was wearing green robes.
"What can I say? I'm afraid she got the looks of the other side of the family."
"You are attending Hogwarts, right dear?" the lady with the flower hat asked. After Mildred nodded she asked her what house she was in.
"Gryffindor."
"Merlin save us!" the second witch exclaimed.
"Well I had a cousin who was a Gryffindor. He didn't turn out so bad…" the other replied with a kind tone.
"Again this came from the other side of the family. Nothing I could have done." Mildred's grandmother justified herself. "If I had raised her since she was born I assure you it would not be this way. But only now I was able to get into contact with my beautiful granddaughter. We have been getting along so well…" and she started to caress Mildred's hair with tenderness.
"You are lucky of having such a kind grandmother, girl! I think if I was in her situation I would put you in an orphanage. It's all about having a good lineage, you see?" And due to Mildred's shocked face she added: "Well, you're too young to understand…"
The door bell rang once again but this time when her grandmother went to open the door, leaving Mildred with the other two old ladies, she didn't speak. There was a big silence and finally she spoke:
"This is not a good time, Helen. I have guests…"
"I'm here for Mildred. "
Forgetting all about good manners, Mildred abandoned the living room and went to the hall where her aunt and grandmother were face to face. She could feel the tension between them. She hugged her aunt, who retrieved the hug.
"I'm going to take Mildred out for the day, but I'll make sure she will be here before dinner time."
"Like I said before, this is not the right time. Mildred is making her official debut in my friends' circle today. You can fetch her tomorrow if you like."
"I am going to spend Easter with my niece, whether you like it or not, mother. Now if you want me to spend it here with your friends is your choice."
It didn't take much time for Mildred's grandmother to make up her mind. Soon Mildred was dressing her coat and leaving her grandmother's home, giving hands with her aunt. She didn't even say goodbye to the old witches in the living room.
Being in the streets of London, gave Mildred the feeling of freedom. She had spent far too much time inside her bedroom during Easter break.
"Thank you for saving me," Mildred said after a moment of silence.
"You are most welcome. Believe me I know how those debuts are…And she has to use always her awful plums in the main course. "
Mildred laughed and then her aunt explained to her she was staying at the Leaky Cauldron. They would have lunch there and then she would take Mildred to Azkaban so she could visit her father. Such program made the little witch's eyes glow with happiness. At the pub they sat quietly in a table and Mildred recognized a boy from her school year at Hogwarts, a Hufflepuff boy named Bernard Ollis who was having lunch with his large noisy family.
After lunch they went to Azkaban. Mildred hadn't seen her father for more than six months now. For the first time since she had come to the prison she had to give her wand to one of the guards. Once she spotted her father she ran to hug him, tightly. She didn't want to let him go, ever again.
"Look at my girl, so big! Oh I have missed you so much."
"I missed you too…" Mildred said, trying to hold back tears. She had to be strong; she didn't want to cry in front of her father.
Her aunt Helen gave them some privacy, sitting in another table.
"Look at you all dressed up. Your aunt took you shopping?"
"No. My grandmother gave me these clothes. For Easter lunch…" she explained.
"Ah, the famous plums…Let me guess she forget you were allergic?"
Mildred nodded and then she hugged her father again. He wanted to know all about her life at Hogwarts. Mildred told him about her friends and how she was part of the school chess club. She told him how she had learned how to turn a match into a needle at Transfiguration and that the next time she came to visit him she would bring him a needle for him to see. She told him that her favorite subjects were Charms and Fitness & Athletics and how Professor Weasley had made a nice compliment about her potion the other day at class. She mentioned Nearly Headless Nick and how nice he was but the Bloody Baron and Peeves scared her.
"There's also another ghost named Mildred, just like me! I have never seen her, but Hunter Rabnott, one of the prefects from my house, swore to me that she's real."
Package With Letter
Author: Errol
Date: 07-23-12 13:20
As with Christmas vacation few students have remained at Hogwarts for the Easter-Spring Vacation. Errol doesn't mind the extra quiet so much as he does the cooped up feeling. He's not stepped foot from this place since he arrived in early September. With one week down and another to go, Errol has gotten ahead on reading for classes, he's spent time each day studying for the O.W.L.s, done more exploring of the castle and grounds, played endless rounds of games with some of the others, and because he's always been an avid reader, made use of the library's extensive fiction section as well as reading more about the national pastime here of Quidditch. He's even borrowed a school broom a couple of times and participated in the game itself, though he's got a lot to learn still about actually being in a match.
With so much to keep him busy, Errol shouldn't have even a hint of boredom but at the moment that's exactly what he's feeling. Since just after lunch he's been unable to get interested in doing anything. He'd found himself roaming aimlessly around the grounds until coming to one of the benches scattered about the grounds. Half in, half out of shade, Errol stretched out upon it with his face in the sun, his eyes closed, listening to the sounds all around. Those sounds are mainly birds and insects but from the direction of the pitch the sound of two or three voices periodically drift his way and from time to time he can hear Hagrid clattering around in his garden.
The hooting of an owl followed by an unexpected weight on his chest has Errol opening his eyes to find a large owl with a small package to which a letter is bound. The owl is staring expectantly at him so Errol tells it, "I don't have anything on me but I'll go get something."
After shifting the owl and package from chest to bench Errol makes the trek to the school owlery where he knows owl treats might often be found. When he returns, the owl is still there, eyes focused in unblinkingly on Errol. No sooner has it accepted the treats than it spreads its considerable wings and takes off with another hoot. Alone now with the letter and package, Errol wonders what Megara has sent. The middle of last week she sent him a large chocolate rabbit.
So sure the package and letter are from Megara, Errol doesn't look at the writing on either before opening the package on one end. Inside is a variety of small, foil wrapped eggs, the first one he pops into his mout having a caramel center. After unwrapping another egg, he plops it into his mouth and slowly chews while pulling out the letter from its envelope. That's when he picks the wrapping on the package to look at the writing and turns over the envelope to see what's written there as well.
Errol is in such shock to finally get something from Uncle Ross that is not actually from his secretary slash assistant that he must have sat there fully five minutes without moving beyond finishing chewing and swallowing that second egg. When he's somewhat recovered himself, he looks at the letter again.
Errol,
I have been in correspondence with Headmaster Dumbledore. He assures me you have been on best behavior and are meeting all obligations. Your professors report your grades are Outstanding and Exceeds Expectations. Perhaps for spring those Exceeds Expectations will become Outstandings.
After much discussion, Headmaster Dumbledore and I feel you should continue at Hogwarts in the fall. Enclosed is the parchment form listing courses you will be taking. As you will not have Ordinary Wizarding Levels for which to prepare nor other such testing, in order to keep your time occupied I have signed off on you taking all offered courses. As that is only one more course than you are currently taking, this course load should not pose any undue problems for you.
Let me know if you need additional study material for the O.W.L. exams.
Ross
Errol reads the letter through three times, hoping that more words will appear, words that explain why Uncle Ross hasn't personally written in such a long time. Words that address the Veritaserum incident. On the fourth read through, he even turns the page over looking for a post script or a second letter. There's nothing more beyond the parchment form to be turned into either Professor Kent or Professor Jones, the head and deputy head of Ravenclaw, respectively, or to Professor McGonagall who is Hogwarts's deputy headmistresses.
Sliding the letter and form back into the envelope, Errol wads up the brown wrapping paper from the package and crams it into the box to carry to the castle. After double checking he's not left any stray bits of paper on the bench or ground, he walks to in the direction of the castle to find one of the professors to give the form to and to take the chocolates to his room, telling himself along the way that at least Uncle Ross thought enough about him to include the candy and at least, for now, he knows where he'll be come fall. The big question then is where will Uncle Ross stick him in the time between school terms.
In Search Of Soda Water
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 07-23-12 15:30
The pool located between the twins' houses has been heated so that the water is comfortable for swimming. Not comfortable is the getting out of that lovely warm water. Though a very nice day with the sun out, the air seems freezing against the skin after being in the pool. Shivering slightly, Ginny hurries to grab up the extra large, very soft and fluffy towel she'd laid claim to after changing into her suit.
When she's sure she's no longer dripping, Ginny pads around the pool to a bar cabana type structure. She checks the outdoor portion of the bar for soda water or something similar but finding none she goes inside. Smiling and nodding to some of her sisters-in-law she starts rooting around to see what's available at the bar in here. This prompts Blossom to ask, "Is there something specific you're wanting, Ginny?"
"Soda water or something along those lines or even some crackers."
"How can you even think about eating again yet after lunch?" Hermione laughs.
"That's why I was thinking maybe some soda water."
Blossom's risen to come over to the bar, bending down to one of the cabinets there. She produces a small bottle of the soda water, which she hands to Ginny. "Stomach upset from eating so much?"
"Upset yes, but probably not from eating too much, though I did eat more than I should have today. It's because I've been plagued by morning sickness at all hours of the day and night."
There are squeals of delight as this sinks in. Hermione pretends to slap herself in the forehead. "Of course. I should have recognized that dazed expression of Harry's for what it is after having Ron going around with the same one for over a month."
"You want dazed, you should have seen Fred's face when I told him the birth control hadn't worked and we weren't having just one baby but three. I think that's the only reason he was able to keep the news to himself for as long as he did." Blossom is chuckling as she relates this.
"You've told Molly and Arthur?" Percy wife Audrey asks.
"Yes, a few days ago. We've only know a little longer than that. I'm surprised they didn't rush out to inform the rest of you."
"What I find shocking is that if Harry told Ron, Ron did not come tell me."
"I know he's been meaning too tell Ron but I think Harry's still not fully processed any of this. He keeps mumbling about how we've not been married very long, how could there already be a baby on the way."
Blossom nods at Hermione and gives a wink while sniggering, "Perhaps the good healer here needs to give your husband a biology lesson."
This has the cabana erupting in peals of laughter before the sisters-in-law start quizzing Ginny on when she's due, and both Hermione and Ginny on whether they've got any ideas yet for their nurseries, on if the discussion of names has yet begun, and though still months off for both, what plans they'd like to make for their respective baby showers.
Getting Rid of Unwanted Guests
Author: Cai Pembroke Carter
Date: 07-23-12 15:34
The Carter family Easter Lunch had ended some time ago, and while tensions had been high there hadn't been the war that everyone had expected between Avalon and Guinevere and that was probably due to the fact that Aunt Cariad had stepped in and kept my mother busy.
Now, however, Aunt Cariad had to go lay down due to the fact that she was currently very, very pregnant and had gone to lay down. She was unmarried and that had been a point of contention between Grandma and Grandpa Carter because their daughter was pregnant and unwed - at least it would be a Carter baby and that meant the line would be perpetuated.
"Do you still think you can lure my husband from me Guinevere? Just because he's gotten one bastard off of you, doesn't mean that he will be willing to get you heavy with another."
I'd just walked in to the library to grab the fiction novel I'd left on the table earlier when that little gem escaped my Mother's lips and I stood frozen, just inside the door waiting to hear what Guinevere would say. I didn't have to wait long.
"If you weren't such a frigid bitch he wouldn't have turned to me in the first place Avalon. Though, I guess popping out two more children after the birth of his bastard was away of apologizing. I mean, after all Angharad is so much more talented than either of your girls, and is perhaps going to show more talent than even your boys."
I blinked, staring at this woman who had been so nice to me and my siblings saying these things about her daughter and thinking that her daughter was so much better than the rest of us. I took a moment to compose myself, and before my mother could respond again I took a step into the room, allowing my presence to be known.
"Guinevere, you may be the mother of my half-sister, and honestly, I hope she turns out to be nothing like you. You are a close-minded, arrogant bitch. Angharad learns more from this family than anywhere else, and yes she may be better than me in some things, but there are other things that I am better at. Do not think that my or Aderyn's birth were an apology to my mother from my father for cheating on her. We are blessings as much as your daughter was - but you see her only on holidays and every other birthday it seems. So, unless you actually know your daughter you cannot make that assumption. It would probably be best if you LEFT this house and did not come back until you have learned proper manners."
With that, I grabbed my book and stormed out of the room leaving the two adults staring after me. I was still in a state of somewhat shock because I'd just defended Angharad who I really can't stand. But, then again if someone was going to insult her it was going to be me, her sister, and not the stupid muggle woman that was essentially a surrogate for nine months and had offered little in way of enriching her daughter's existence.
"Cai..."
The word, my name, came softly from behind me and I turned to see Angharad standing half way up the stairs leading to the library. She looked like she was going to cry. I stopped at the top of the stairs.
"Yeah?"
"I heard what you said, thanks. She really does need to go, and honestly I'm not really sure I want her in my life if she is going to act like that."
I blinked a moment and nodded. "Welcome. I've got some stuff I need to get done, and I've got a fire chat with Kirin Isuki tonight." With that I turned and headed toward my room book tucked under my arm.
NOT How I Wanted to Spend the Holiday
Author: Araxie Loren
Date: 07-23-12 17:41
The studio door was locked, the WWN blaring heavy metal as I worked on a large canvas. Paint brushes laid out waiting for me to pluck them up and use them upon this particular piece, but I was focusing my attention with a thick brush and dark colors at the moment. Background taking life in time with the thumping of the music filling my soundproof studio.
I'd been in here all morning, been in here keeping myself away from my family, away from my aunt and uncle and more importantly away from a visit with my murderer father. I had no desire to go see him in Azkaban and I know my aunt and uncle would push me to go since it was Easter and all, but I was still processing things from the last visit. No one had been able to figure out how I knew things that I shouldn't, especially the location of the church and the fact that my mother's body had been found on the altar.
Stopping for a moment I wiped my hands down the front of my paint splattered jeans and stared at the image that was being crafted in front of me. After a few minutes I stared moving again, this time switching to some lighter touches, though flicking some reds and oranges and yellows of fire. Paint brushes were changed for thinner brushes and a few other sizes.
It took a few minutes to realize that I wasn't alone in the studio, and I turned and saw my Aunt and Uncle standing in the doorway and staring at the canvas that I was currently working on.
"What are ... " The rest of the question died on my lips as I saw how pale and frightened my Aunt Charline looked as she sunk against my Uncle.
"H..how did she...?" My aunt muttered to my Uncle but I heard the question.
"How did I what Aunt Charline? What's wrong? Someone please talk to me." I moved toward them, worried about what in the heck was going on.
"You haven't been to this place since you were an infant and it just burned down earlier this week. I am not sure how you could have known that..." My aunt managed and I froze.
"This was the house that I used to live in isn't it? The house where it all started..."
My Uncle nodded and pulled my aunt closer to him, trying to comfort her. "I'm not sure what gifts you have Araxie, but you shouldn't have known about this house fire, your aunt and I weren't going to tell you yet."
I blinked and shook my head. "This gets filed along with the church and the altar. I'm decidedly NOT ready to deal with this. I am going to eat dinner at Nichole's and NOT think about my mother's death and my murderer's father."
I raced past them and left them to turn off the WWN and I moved into my bathroom for a shower and cleaned the rest of the paint off and out of my hair, before I headed over to Nichole's for Easter Dinner. This was NOT how I wanted to spend my Easter day.
Leaving
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 07-23-12 17:57
"It's still early," Callum declared, throwing an arm around Ethan's shoulders, when the latter had decided it was time for him and Lilly to go home.
Ethan chuckled. "Maybe for you, though I would hold off on drinking more if I were you. You can't stand up straight!"
Callum feigned innocence and attempted to stop using his older brother as a crutch. "I don't know what you're talking about, Ethan. Must you really go?"
"Callum, let Ethan be," Tavish Towneley stated. He was holding his granddaughter, little Lilly, who wore a pretty yellow Easter dress and rested her head against her grandfather's chest. With every blink, her eyes grew heavier and heavier.
Ethan held out his arms to take Lilly and said to his father, "Thanks for dinner."
"Thank your mother. She's the one who cooked everything."
Marigold came over and put her arms around Ethan, careful not to crush Lilly. "Thanks for coming, dear." Then she kissed Lilly on the head. "I think it's bedtime for the little one, and for you," she added, looking over her youngest son, who teetered where he stood.
Callum grinned as only a drunk could. "Night, Ethan. Night, Lilly."
"Good night, Callum. Sleep it off." Ethan grinned, said goodbyes again to his parents and the rest of his family, who came over to bid him adieu, and then went home.
It wasn't yet dark when father and daughter appeared in Greenwich. They could hear the conversations and laughter of families and friends celebrating Easter on their street. Lilly fought to stay awake but gradually lost the battle, unware that her father had decided to make a stop before going home.
Ethan walked past his duplex and kept on until he reached the gate of the cemetery where Rosamond was buried. Sometimes he couldn't believe that she had been gone for a whole year now, but then other times her murder seemed like ages ago.
He came upon her tombstone and sat down on the low wall in front of it, shifting Lilly gently in his arms. She slept on, undisturbed.
Sitting on the wall, Ethan thought about how cruel it was that Lilly would never know her mother and how terrible it was that Rosamond's killer was still at large. Ethan's fiercest wish was that Hattie would get caught, the sooner the better.
He wondered where she was, and what she was doing. Was Meadow still with her? Had any of the Mays heard anything about or from their wayward aunt?
He doubted the latter, but who knew? Hattie had been dumb enough to contact Gerard in prison.
Perhaps he should ask them. It had been a long time since he'd talked to any of the people he had once believed were family.
Lilly stirred in his arms but remained fast asleep. Ethan watched her until the sun set and then began the short walk home.
(London, England) Lazy Sunday
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 07-23-12 22:56
Having a lazy Sunday was nice. It wasn't often I actually had one. Recently it was work, or family dropping in, or Bronwyn wanting something (read go shopping). It's been some time since I could spend a Sunday in my pajamas.
After Friday, I totally needed today. Friday was Bronwyn's birthday. Karma had gotten in contact with me about doing something, and it took a bit before we came up with something. I mean, with short notice we had to default to a surprise dinner, but it still worked.
Karma had made the reservations at the restaurant for a party of a lot. Actually it was fifteen. Bronwyn had a lot of family… I had to do the invites. They were pretty easy actually. I invited Toby's siblings and their significant others, along with her parents, and her cousin Kate.
Karma and I had Toby tell Bronwyn that they were going to go out for a nice dinner. When they got to the nice fondue place, guess who she found waiting at a huge table! Needless to say she had a great time. I found out why Karma and Bronwyn got along, they're a lot alike.
I had decided to dress nicely, normal person nicely. Sure, the colored hair made finding clothes that matched hard, but not impossible. And because I had to go out of my comfort zone on Friday, is why I needed to be in the ultra comfortable zone today. So, it all worked out. Too bad I had to go to work tomorrow...