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Preparations
Author: Phyllida
Date: 07-03-13 05:39
The cloaked wizard swung the grimy door into the Hog's Head, followed by a slender witch. The establishment was mostly empty as always, and the publican paid them little heed as they took their seats by a frosted window.
Phyllida looked up from the wax-stained table, pulling her hood back. "What will you drink?"
"A butter beer. I need to keep my head clean for this," Tiberius declared already taking a few knuts from his pocket and placing them on the table.
She raised her eyebrows. "I suppose that's for the best. We shouldn't be waiting long, anyway. Professor Snape has always been punctual."
"Why do you still call him that? You should use his first name. It's not like you owe anything to the man. He was the one who wanted to come along."
His words came with a note of disdain. Tiberius had never been an adept of Severus Snape. He thought the two of them were so similar with their secrets and deceptions that there was no way to like the Potions master. It was like looking himself at a mirror and Tiberius did not like what he saw.
"Severus is right to be worried." Phyllida frowned. "It's been months since anybody heard from Ferne."
"You cousin is a grown witch. She can take care of herself."
"You don't know Ferne like I do," she replied steadily. "She isn't independent at all. She always waits for me to go first to do anything. That was why I didn't take her with me when I left home - why I didn't look for her after I left Nathaniel." Her fingers twitched. "She's no grown witch. She's a lost little girl."
"You should not be her caretaker. That is too much of a burden, he states."
The familiar shape of Aberforth Dumbledore appeared and Tiberius asked for two butter beers. The drinks took his time to arrive and Phyllida looked with suspicious to the dusty glass in front of her. But Tiberius drank from his glass in a row. The drink was too sweet for his taste and did nothing to comfort him.
"Take it easy, Tiberius," she said, watching him critically. "We're only going to visit Black Friar's to see what's going on - we're not going there to break a siege."
"So we are just going to knock the door and pay a visit to your dear mother? I don't think so."
"She's no wicked witch," Phyllida replied. "Don't worry, Tiberius, she won't turn you into a frog."
He laughed.
"She could try. I would love to see that. But I am afraid I am too insignificant for her to care. And that is what she feels about Ferne too, isn't it?"
"I'm not sure," she said, biting her lip. "Perhaps she doesn't consider Ferne insignificant at all."
"Your family as always been twisted. More than the majority."
"Like yours isn't," she hissed. "Might I remind you of Cantankerus Nott and the Pure-blood Registry..."
"Hardly anything to be ashamed of--"
"And the flying Rolls-Royce?"
"Just Muggle engineering mixed with magic. No harm done not counting with jealousy. Everyone wants one."
"Right." She sipped her butterbeer laconically. "And that doesn't make you a hypocrite."
"Probably it does," he smiles. "One of my best qualities," he jokes.
He touches her red hair, pulling a lock of her aside, so he can look at her properly.
"What's your worst?" she asked casually, fighting her natural inclination to colour. Nonetheless, a pinch of red sprang to her cheeks.
"Tell me yourself. You have seen the worst of me."
She sipped her drink thoughtfully. "I don't know that I have."
"Of course you did. Don't you remember?"
She nodded her head negatively and waited for him to elaborate. But instead Tiberius hand moved on the dirty table, his gloved hand reaching hers.
"Phyllida, I need you to tell you something."
"Yes, Tiberius?" she asked in a soft voice, her green eyes glowing.
"I..."
A dark shadow was cast surrounding the pair.
"I hope I am not interrupting anything?"
Phyllida blinked and removed her hand. Tiberius looked at Severus Snape with irritation.
"Actually, Severus, you are."
Phyllida pulled her hand away from Nott's, standing up to meet Snape. "Good afternoon, Professor."
"I wasn't aware I would be intruding on a private moment," he said, not bothering to take a seat. "If you're both quite finished, we'd best not tarry. One can never know how long these things take."
"You would know," Tiberius replied, standing up. He was taller than the Potions Master. Phyllida sent him a warning look, not wanting him to offend Snape. He was here to help them.
Paris, France: Easter at Manoir de Minuet
Author: Nana Minuet
Date: 07-03-13 09:42
Nana stared at her reflection in the large mirror leaning against the wall. For Nana, it hadn't taken long for her to see the theme in her grandmother's guest room was that of pink hydrangeas and lily-of-the-valleys since everything seemed to be decorated with them, including the well-kept mirror she stood in front of. The flora's images also graced the comforter on the queen-sized bed in the center of the room, as well as the runner hanging over the side of the crème colored dresser. Arrangements of the flowers themselves sat in clear vases in several locations around the room as if to make themselves known as the true stars of the expensively decorated roost.
Other colors resided alongside the celebrity flowers, though they were not deemed nearly as important if you were to ask the diva flora themselves. Buttercream pillows and armchairs complimented baby blue walls while the bed was spread with a white lace duvet and sheer curtains graced the windows. Then as a finishing touch, each nightstand had a delicate doily on top of its oak surface. The room couldn't have been any more feminine if it had tried. Even the scents filtering through the air, aromas smelling of sweet vanilla and cinnamon sugar were as soft as the room itself seemed.
And there stood Nana, in the center of it all. Staring at herself, she couldn't help except feel as though she stuck out like a sore thumb even if her normal garb was as or more feminine than the room itself was.
A designer dress tried with all its might to make itself a mask for the odd girl wearing it, but its efforts did not help. If anything, Nana felt like one of those paper dolls her cousin Martell had taken a liking to recently. They were plain little toys on their own that you were supposed to dress up in haute fashion until the dolls deemed their ensemble to be flawless so that they may parade around for others to see. Nana imagined herself as the plainest doll of them all and no matter what she wore, that vision refused to change. If anything, she thought she made the gown she wore seem gaudy in correspondence.
In the end, Nana felt she was a pig dressed up in expensive raiment and called a princess. They could call her princess until their faces were blue and their tongues were dry, but it didn't change anything. Nana still felt she was a pig.
A knock on the door caused Nana's gaze to divert, though her lips remained shut as she watched the door with the same intensity she had back when she had accidentally locked the door to her Ravenclaw dorm room. Unlike before, Nana knew it wasn't Joanna Porter on the other side of the door wanting to spruce up before an outing to the Common Commons. Did that make Nana any happier? Did she actually feel saddened by the fact that her sometimes acquaintance wasn't there to steal Nana's thoughts with her constant chatter about one thing or another? Nana didn't know, but what she did know was that, much like before in her dorm, she couldn't keep the door closed forever. Eventually, the littlest Minuet in Minuet Manor would have to show her done up face and smile for those she called family.
Before another knock could sound, Nana unlocked the door, opened it, and then walked back to the mirror without saying a word or even acknowledging her visitor. Not that she really needed to. The woman who had been on the other side of the door only moments before swooped into the room without a second thought, smiling as she touched her granddaughter's gown in a most delicate fashion. "Oh, Nanette, spin for me! You look amazing like a princess! I worried that the designer would get the measurements wrong. You're just so petite like your mother. But Juliette did an amazing job! And your makeup! Look at it! Did you do this yourself? I think you may have a talent for cosmetology, my darling."
Empty eyes stared at Nana's reflection in the mirror while Shoshanna Minuet cooed over the girl's appearance. For some reason, the compliments and accolades did not help the teenager in the slightest with her earlier plight. If anything, she felt as though she was sticking out more and more, but she didn't say a word to counteract her grandmother's excitement. That would have been rude and one is never rude to a wealthy woman when she feels she is being gracious, especially when the woman sends money every month as an allowance for good behavior. And so, Nana sucked it up as best she could and smiled to the woman instead. "Yes, Grandma, but I didn't know what to do with my hair. I don't put it up fancy that often and wearing it down with this wonderful gown just seems a little strange to me. Will you help me?"
"Oh, Nanette," the elder woman spoke as she placed her hand carefully against her granddaughter's head. "Don't worry about your hair. I have a wonderful girl who will be styling both of us, complete with accessories to accent our masterful looks."
A hint of bona fide bravery raced through Nana's veins as her mind spun with the images of some poor girl slaving away just to make the two wealthy women look nice. "But Grandma, is that necessary?" The elder woman's facial features soured almost immediately at this question giving Nana the want to backpedal in her thoughts. "It's just," the girl began, keeping her voice humbled to the woman standing before her. "This all seems so extravagant. Are we going to a ball or something?"
Shoshanna Minuet pressed her lips into a line as she let a hand fall to Nana's left shoulder in a most compassionate, yet patronizing manner. "I often forget you were not brought up in this manor. The last time you were here was… a very long time ago. Children are never expected to make appearances under the Minuet name, but you aren't a child anymore. I assure you that your Aunt Cora goes through this, as will your cousin Claire once she hits her sixteenth birthday. Martell, your youngest cousin on the Minuet side, will follow suit on hers as well. It's tradition for us to look our best even in the most dull of circumstances. We have a name to uphold here in France and an appearance that goes along with it. It's the way things are and how they will always be."
A few minutes later, Nana was left alone in silence to stare at herself again while her mind echoed with her grandmother's words. Her eyes traced the gown that decorated her body before examining the makeup she had put upon her face in an effort to help herself not feel so out of place. Brown hair would later be wrapped into a high bun with an olive-colored flower placed as decoration, an accent to her fur coat of the same shade. A pair of mauve heels and a matching clutch would also be added as accessories, while the most important piece of all, an expensive necklace repeating the colors of her outfit, tied everything together into a complete ensemble.
The others, her own father François as well as her Aunt Cora's family, wouldn't be dressed too differently when the families met up for the Easter outing of Grandpa Minuet's choice. Even Nana's younger cousins would be done up as miniatures to their mother's fashion. Surprisingly to Nana, none of the other Minuets nor DuBois would bat an eye or complain about their situation, but they would instead act like the pressure of the world wasn't on their shoulders as they smiled and laughed with one another.
Nana felt the pressure though. It was becoming too much for her small frame to hold. She was crumbling under high society's expectations. She could feel her bones splintering, cracking. The burden caked itself over and over in layers on the girl's weak shoulders. In response to this, Nana excused herself from Easter Brunch to use the restroom, only to take two candy-coated pills of 'help' from the Cat Bag hidden within her designer clutch. Nana then prayed that was enough, for the girl had two more weeks with her grandmother before it was finally time to return to a school she missed now more than anything.
(Diana) Home at Last
Author: Diana Clarisse Thatcher
Date: 07-03-13 10:48
It is Easter. I was thinking of Easter at Hogwarts. It was so fascinating, magical and fun.
Yes, you can have a little mayhem but I guess that accidents happen when you have fun. Just be careful of what you are doing. Being the first time I am in a magical school such at Hogwarts, and having been raised in muggle world, I knew little about magic and the magical world.
But there are my friends of course: Laura Simpson, 1st year Ravenclaw, Devon Modern, 2nd Year Ravenclaw, and of course, my best friend Galadriel Derevko, 2nd year Gryffindor.
I have known Galadriel for some time now, also because he's a Gryffindor like me. We get along so well. The only thing is he likes quidditch a lot. Also collects chocolate frogs and eats the chocolate frogs. As for Laura and Devon, they are both Ravenclaw whom we just met a few weeks ago.
I envy Galadriel because he is a half blood. I was raised only in muggle world because my mother, Clarisse didn't want me messing with magic when I was small. Galadriel, on the other hand, can switch from the muggle world to wizarding world.
The train arrived at the station and my father Richard was there to pick me up.
"How's my little sweetheart?" He said.
"I am fine." I said. "How's everything going with you and mom?" I asked.
"We are fine." He said.
"How's school?" He asked.
"It's really fun, and fascinating and magical." I said.
"I made some friends too but not what you think." He looked puzzled.
"I meant that I haven't made any single Slytherin friends. My friends are a Gryffindor and two Ravenclaws."
"Are you disappointed?" I asked.
"No, it's fine. As long as you have friends". He smiled at me.
"How were the courses, are they hard?"
"No, they're not. They are fine. I know my grades are good even though I haven't seen them yet. I wanted them to be outstanding. I am doing lots of reading and writing."
"I am proud of you sweetheart. Keep up what you are doing. Give dad some high grades."
"I will. Can I ask you a question dad, why Slytherin? I have seen them at school and they are troublemakers, some of them don't admit the things they did and they are a mean, old bunch?"
"Because I was sorted there, know some people there. Aww, they are not really that mean. Are they? They already made an impression on you." He was smiling.
"So what do you want to do on Easter?" He changed the topic.
"Can I just rest and fix my things when we get home? I am also hungry. And I wanted to see mom. I missed the both of you." I hugged him tight.
"Missed you to sweetheart." And off we went home.
Family Time (Mockridge Townhouse)
Author: Cloris Mockridge
Date: 07-03-13 12:16
Cloris adjusted her hat over her perfectly coiffed hair and climbed the stairs up to the Townhouse. She was pleased that Nephele had remembered their tradition of spending the day together, though she expected to see some company as well. At least she wouldn't be surprised if either Peregrinus or Cassandra were in attendance.
She was really quite pleased to see her children being more social, and both the Catesby family and the Hartcrofte one were completely acceptable by her standards. She had hopes that perhaps Valeria would not be the last of the Mockridges after all.
Although, if she were, she would certainly do them proud. The child's grades so far had been quite acceptable, at least according to her own sources as well as Valeria's letters. The fact that she had gotten away with some mischief, which she was quite excited to hear about it in more detail, only made her prouder, particularly the story of the potion prank the children had pulled on Valentine's Day.
A secretive smile played on her lips as she entered the house, the house elf bowing before Nephele greeted her. She returned her daughter's greeting but her thoughts were more on her own correspondence. The Fairchild girl still appeared to be someone to watch. She wasn't quite ready to offer her the same support that she had to Voldemort, but she was intrigued and willing to keep an open mind for now. She still traded letters with Lucius, keeping to a useful code to exchange ideas on the subject of that and of the other recent mischief that had been barely covered in the Prophet.
Some of it put her in mind of plans she'd heard once before, back when she had not yet been promised to Flavius and had hopes that her parents might honor her own wishes. Then she had rarely been far from Malaise LaChance, brother of one of her Slytherin year-mates. She wasn't certain yet, but she suspected and it made her wonder if she might expect some sort of correspondence soon. It also amused her that her daughter and Malaise's nephew were apparently growing quite close. Her sources had told her that Nephele had been seen with Peregrinus just on Friday, celebrating, she assumed, Nephele's excellent scores on the Potions Mistress examination.
Her greeting to her son was equally distracted, and it was only the cry of "Grandmother!" that got her attention as Valeria came down the stairs, quickly but still with grace and dignity usually not taught to children these days.
"Valeria, my darling. I am delighted to see you," Cloris said, a smile lighting her face.
"And I you, Grandmother! I have so much to tell you," the young blonde said, stepping up to her grandmother's side and escorting her into the parlor while Nephele and Kirley exchanged a questioning look before following. They had indeed invited Pippin and Cass, but really couldn't blame them if either begged off given Cloris' presence.
I Am Not Moping
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 07-03-13 14:36
Casting an eye towards the Burrow's kitchen door window, Harry suppresses the sigh of frustration. He supposes he should be thankful he's even been allowed to come to the Burrow today for the family's Easter gathering. Being sequestered away at the Order's St. John's Wood house or sitting duty in the hospital room where he is supposedly comatose has long worn thin. He can go outside at the St. John's Wood but it's not the same as his own yard or being able to go out and join those outside now, or going somewhere in public. Harry's even beginning to miss his cubicle at work.
In a carrier on the bench beside him Jamie gurgles happily. Harry bends to lightly tickle his son, making the baby laugh. "At least you aren't big enough to abandon me on my own quite yet."
Ginny, entering the kitchen from the yard just then, gives such a huge roll of her eyes Harry could almost swear he hears them. "Polyjuice potion is right there. YOU are the only one stopping you from coming out and enjoying the egg hunt and partaking in the twins' pool."
"It's not the same."
"I realize that but isn't it better than sitting in here moping and giving us all looks every time one of us comes within view of one of the windows or comes inside to get something."
"I'm not moping."
Ginny gives him a cut the crap look. "I know we can't hold hands or kiss or do anything out there that someone spying might see and guess it's you in disguise but at least you would be participating."
Harry holds out a hand and grumbles, "Fine. Give the potion here."
Ginny arches an eyebrow. "You can go back to St. John's Wood is you're going to have that attitude."
"What attitude?"
"Stop acting like a five year old, Harry James Potter. I love you but there are times like now I want to smack you."
"I'm sorry. I'm just tired of being cooped up and still kept pretty much out of the loop," Harry says with sincerity.
Bringing the Polyjuice to the table and sitting down with Jamie in between them, Ginny takes one of Harry's hands in hers. "I know. I am frustrated for you and for our family but you resorting to the maturity level of a petulant child is doing no one any good. I am scared about what might happen. Someone tried to blow you up and not for the first time. You have a job that can be dangerous even on the best of days. It would greatly ease my mind if you had some other job or if you were sheltered from danger but that's not who either of us is."
Harry leans over to kiss Ginny. "I don't deserve you."
Ginny grins in return. "I know. Now, drink the potion."
A moment later Ginny with Jamie in his carrier and one of the Weasleys' many cousins exit the Burrow kitchen to see how the Easter egg hunt is progressing.
Easter with the Family Yao
Author: Ella
Date: 07-03-13 19:09
Dunstan barely reached the bold red door of the Yao house, when it opened to reveal Francis. The younger wizard reached out to take the apple pie from the older wizard and remarked, "I saw you from the window. You're looking and walking much better."
"Thanks. I feel better, but at the same time I feel 100 times older."
He wasn't sure if he was talking about his recent injury or the fact that he hadn't seen his daughter in nearly a year. Either situation could have aged him.
Francis put a hand on Dunstan's shoulders and guided him over the threshold into a short hall with wooden flooring and wainscoting on the walls. Dunstan hung his light coat in a nearby closet and followed Francis into an open dining room and kitchen.
"Mum, Dad, you remember Ella's father, Dunstan Harville?" Francis set the pie on the counter and turned to everyone to make the introductions.
"Yes, of course," said a wizard who looked like a much older version of Francis. "We've met at Hogwarts a few times. Clifford Yao, and this is my wife, Cecilia."
"How do you do?" Dunstan said, shaking both their hands. "Thank you for inviting me to brunch."
"We're sorry to hear Ella is still missing," said Cecilia. "Has there been any progress at all?"
The fact remained that although the authorities had been looking for Ella, she had yet to be found. Dunstan knew she was still alive, but he feared that Zane would get desperate and do harm to Ella in the end. Desperate times called for desperate measures, after all. What if Zane decided if he couldn't have Ella, no one could?
Francis explained, "The authorities keep poking around Knockturn Alley, but nothing's turned up yet. I think there's some kind of cloaking spell on wherever that bastard's hiding her."
"Francis, language," scolded his mother.
He shrugged and smiled sheepishly, only feeling halfway apologetic. Francis hated Zane with every fiber in his being and couldn't wait to be face to face with him again. Their schoolyard throw-down in Hogsmeade would be nothing compared to their next meeting, whenever it happened.
"Why don't we sit at the table?" suggested Clifford. "I believe the meal is ready, and we can chat about something more pleasant."
"That's a fine idea," said Dunstan, already feeling somewhat weary.
The family led him to the table and sat him in the seat of honor between the Yao men and opposite Cecilia. Dunstan appreciated them inviting him to partake in the Easter holiday with them, especially since his usual companion couldn't spend it with him. He couldn't help but wonder if Ella would be celebrating Easter today, or if she suffered the way he suffered without her in his life. He tried not to dwell on the thought while in the company of others, however, and threw himself into conversation about different topics while they ate.
Rescue Operation
Author: Severus Snape
Date: 07-04-13 03:49
The door appeared before them like a solitary green sentinel, guarding Number One, Black Friar's Lane from intrusion. It was a damp, smoggy evening in Muggle London, and their hoods were soaked by the time they managed to charm open the centuries-old bolts - which were resistant to magic.
As the door groaned open, Professor Snape peered in carefully. The checquered tiles were covered in a film of dust; nothing had moved here for some months.
"It is deserted," Snape says, stepping inside gingerly.
Tiberius gave passage to Phyllida and he took the back of the group, his wand already prepared.
"Lumos," he muttered.
Tiberius had never liked this place when he and his family were invited for tea and dinner and the house was impeccably clean. Now the deep silence of the house made him unwelcome. He wondered what Phyllida might be feeling right now. This was her home, after all.
"Mother?" Phyllida called out. Her voice echoed, unsettling dust from the moth-eaten curtains. "Twitchy?"
Phryne Grimshaw did not emerge from behind a hidden door. The house-elf did not apparate before them. The hall remained as empty as before.
"It would seem your mother took your house-elf with her," Snape observed.
"Maybe we should leave and come back some other time," Tiberius suggested.
"No," Phyllida declared, giving a step forward, looking around the wall. "Ferne is here. I am certain of it."
Tiberius truly doubted that. If her cousin was here wouldn't she had come to their encounter? He looked at Snape in disbelieve but the older wizard seemed to agree with Phyllida.
"We should start moving," he declared.
"Over here," Phyllida said, taking the lead now. She started to climb the stairs.
Tiberius had no choice but to follow them.
"Mother might have gone into hiding if she was afraid of the Ministry," she spoke as they moved slowly up the staircase. "There are many hidden passages here that even I know nothing of."
Tiberius protested. Merlin knew how enchanted houses could be tricky. He was sure Phyrne had been very creative when it came to prevent unknown wizards and witches to enter her family property. Snape raised his hand, demanding silence. Tiberius was forced to obey. He looked around but everything was calm and quiet.
"Stay close," the professor recommended.
The staircase grew very dim as it wound upwards; longer, it felt, than usual. Snape lit his own wand, but the darkness seemed to drink the light in. He walked ahead of the others, keeping his eyes on the way ahead. Phyllida's steps were close behind him as they stopped at a landing which crossed a narrow hallway. The peeling walls were hung with rows of dusty, dozing portraits.
"Severus," Phyllida's voice came tremulously behind him. "It's Tiberius...I can't see him."
Promises
Author: Wendy Mills
Date: 07-04-13 03:52
The Mills had been invited for an Easter lunch by their extended family. Grandparents, cousins, uncles, aunts, daughters and son in law, siblings… everyone had come. Wendy was glad to leave the wizarding world for a while and go back to the familiar comfortable Muggle life she was used to.
However, it didn't last very long because her great aunt Alexandra, the only witch in the family besides Wendy, had claimed her full attention, pulling her to a corner of the living room and asking Wendy all sorts of questions about her life at Hogwarts.
"How is it like to have Minerva McGonagall as headmistress?"
"It is all right, I suppose."
"What is your favorite subject? When I was your age I was quite good at Transfiguration. Oh if only I could perform a little magic in public! The first thing I would do would be changing your uncle Arnie's dreadful nose. And then I would change Kim's hair. That awful perm she has done! What was she thinking? She looks like a Puffskein!"
Another relative was passing by and he sent a worried glance to Alexandra. She was known as the crazy relative of the family because she would talk about things that didn't make sense to anyone else, like she has done now with the word Puffskein.
They all shared the same opinion that the woman was losing her mind due to her advanced age and she should be sent to an institution. However whenever they tried to do so, they were never successful.
Wendy looked at Kimberly's hair and she could not help to laugh. It really reminded her of a Puffskein. She wondered if many years for now she would be considered the crazy member of the family as well.
"Ah, my dear Wendy, you have no idea how it is so good to finally have someone to talk with," Alexander confessed. "Have you made many friends at Hogwarts? I used to have a lot of friends, but most of them are dead now. And I was a fool, for never marrying. Never become single you hear me? You must marry a wizard, especially one who comes from an old family. That way whenever there is a celebration you will not be stuck with these incapable whose brains are smaller than a snitch!
No, child, you have to promise me you will marry a wizard. I know your blood status is not the best, just like mine, but you were sorted into Ravenclaw so that means you are witty enough to find someone. And there are always love potions!"
As soon as she got a chance Wendy got away from her great aunt and she went to play with her brother Peter and her cousins. She liked Alexandra a lot because just like Wendy she was a witch, but she didn't like the way she spoke about the rest of the family.
They might be Muggles and not know a thing about magic but they were still good people and Wendy loved them all. She promised to herself if she ever married a wizard she would drag him into her Muggle family's events whether he liked it or not.