Ava
Author: Plum 
Date:   07-03-10 18:13

Standing at a flower vendor's stall, mulling over the selection of freshly cut flowers, Plum can't decide which ones she likes best. A voice over her shoulder says, "The begonia's are pretty but the purple of those irises is amazing."

Plum turns slightly, surprised to see Uncle Malachi's wife standing there. She's only met Ava Hodges once at Christmas, at the Weaver's, and then only relatively briefly. That day Plum was so busy meeting everyone and trying to commit names to memory that in the short time Anthony, Alex, and she were there, Plum hardly felt like she'd actually gotten to know anyone. Plum now gives Ava a somewhat tentative smile before looking past her for Malachi. Bringing her eyes back to her aunt by marriage Plum gives the tentative smile again.

"Hello, Ava. How are you?"

"Not yet used to the time difference. Malachi and I arrived by international Floo not above an hour ago. Here it's not even noon yet but for me it feels like it should be night and not all that long before I'd be thinking about bed. At least we didn't arrive here when it's already tomorrow there. For some reason that messes me up even more. How are you, Plum?"

"I'm good, thank you. Here visiting?"

"More like tagging along though we will most likely pay Anissa and William a visit. Malachi's on business again and since I've not been here since Decemeber, I thought I'd come along and get in some shopping. I've decided to see if there's anything at Narcissa's I absolutely must have. Malachi said you've got a linguistics job now?"

"Yes, with Devi Linguistics Services."

"That's a very good firm. My firm uses Devi's Canberra office from on a regular basis."

"You're in finance, correct?"

"Yes, international markets but I don't travel that much with it. That's what I hire others for. I'm more of a homebody, which is good really because Malachi has to travel so much. I like being home for the children, though at their ages now they don't need me quite as they used to."

As they'd been talking, Plum had picked out a selection of deeply dark purples irises and white lilies. As she's paying she says to Ava, "I met them at Christmas and Malachi has mentioned them but let me see if I have them straight. Justin is 12, Martha is 15, Betsy is 16, and Logan is 20."

"Yes, excellent memory, though Logan did just turn 21 recently. On the 23rd."

"That's Anthony's birthday. In fact, these flowers are for a late celebration. Tonight is the first time that everyone can make it for family and friends dinner. On his birthday it was just our little family but it was very nice."

"Speaking of your little family "

Plum tenses. "Yes?"

"I'm on your side. From what Malachi's told me and from what I saw back in December, you're doing fine. There's absolutely no reason other than guilt for Anissa to try and take Alex and now I think she's realizing that but her pride is getting in the way."

"I'm glad you see it our way. There was a time when I might have found her wanting to take Alex as a relief but thanks to Anthony, his family, and some very good friends there was only a very short time that I would have thought that way."

"My sister's son has a child he's adopted. He was married to someone who had a child already and she died unexpectedly, leaving him with this gorgeous 2 year old that he'd been father to practically since she was born. He was in the middle of legally adopting her, as that had been his wife's last request, when his wife's sister decided she should raise the child. There was a huge custody battle. She lost but claims the judge was bought. The only way my nephew can allow her to see Nancy is with supervison because we're all worried that even now she'll try to steal Nancy away."

"That's... awful."

They'd been walking as Ava told Plum the story and now Plum points to the stairs leading to the Beck-Lancaster flat. "Would you like to come up?"

"I wouldn't want to put you out what with a dinner party to prepare for. Besides that, you're probably on your lunch break and have a long to do list before having to be back."

"No, I'm off today. I put in extra hours on the weekend, first in Morocco and then in Tegucigalpa. With the dinner tonight, I picked today to be off for my comp time."

"How about you put the flowers in some water and then come let me buy you lunch? I'd love to get to know you better. We hardly had a chance to speak at Christmas."

Plum hesistates a moment, thinking about all she needs to get done for tonight but she did skip breakfast so does need to eat lunch, even if it's just something light. She ends up nodding, "Yes, all right. Do come up while I take care of the flowers."

Ava follows Plum up the stairs and into the flat then moves to look down at Diagon Alley from the big window in the living room as Plum gets the flowers put into the vase she'll have as a central arrangement on the table this evening. Done with the task she turns to Ava with a genuine smile. "Did you have somewhere in mind?"

"Something with variety. I'm not that hungry but if I'm to stay up and not go to bed soon like I would be doing at home, I should eat."

"I know if a place with an excellent salad selection. It's not all that far."

"Lead the way."

A short time later, Plum is holding the door for Ava at a small wizarding restaurant that, like so many Wizarding places in the city, tends to go unnoticed by Muggles and is only about two blocks from The Leaky Cauldron.

Summons
Author: Ronan Eastwick 
Date:   07-04-10 11:01

Ronan and Artemis sat together under the shade of a tree on a scarlet and gold checkered blanket. The banks of the lake weren't far from where they sat, and the water glistened in the brilliant sunlight. The giant squid swam lazily on the surface, and occasionally the head of a merperson appeared before dipping below again.

Artemis had that morning's Daily Prophet open and read the articles that interested her, while Ronan leaned back on his elbows and simply relaxed. It was good not to have any more exams to worry about, nor classes to attend and homework assignments to complete. In just a few short days, Ronan would leave Hogwarts forever.

Artemis, on the other hand, still had another year at Hogwarts. She wasn't currently taking finals because she'd been one of those sixth years taking the O.W.L.s last week and the one before it. She already bemoaned the fact that she would be stuck at Hogwarts while Ronan and her brother Titus would already be off in the world, doing whatever they wanted with their lives.

In some ways, Ronan envied her though. Being at Hogwarts meant routine and just a little bit of irresponsibility that came with still being young and in boarding school. Out in the real world, Ronan would have to find his way, and he would have to do so more or less on his own. His mother was still in prison and his brother was dead, and while he knew Illyria would help him if he asked, he didn't want to rely on her when she had her own things to do.

"It can't be a coincidence," Artemis said, shaking her head. She started folding the newspaper to get to the next page.

"What's that?" Ronan asked.

"Since the last week or more, maybe, the Prophet has reported on several missing witches. Haven't you been reading the paper?"

Ronan shrugged. "I usually stick to the sports page. So, what's with the missing girls?"

"They aren't girls. They're adults, though some are probably little older than we are," Artemis said. "Anyway, it just seems kind of strange that there have been several articles about different witches disappearing recently."

Ronan shrugged again. "Aren't there still tons of people missing from the communities for nons and everything associated with that time?"

"Yes, but these are recent disappearances. And all kind of around the same time. Weird, right?"

"Maybe it is a coincidence," Ronan said.

"I wager it's not."

Ronan shot Artemis a smile. "Potentially a gruesome thing to bet on."

Artemis smiled back. "I wasn't suggesting we put down money on this." She folded the paper shut and handed it to Ronan. "There, read your sports page."

Ronan sat up and took the newspaper. He got as far as opening the paper to the right section when an owl sighted him and dove right for where he and Artemis were sitting. The long-eared gray owl dropped a very official looking envelope onto the open newspaper in Ronan's lap and then flew off towards the Owlery to scavenge something to eat off of the other owls.

"What's that?" Artemis asked, intrigued by the officialness of the envelope.

"I'm not sure," Ronan replied, but as soon as he flipped over the envelope and saw the Ministry of Magic seal, he had a feeling he knew what the envelope contained.

He broke the wax seal and pulled out an equally official looking letter from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.

"It's a notice that I'm due in court first thing Monday morning," Ronan said with a frown.

"You won't be at Hogwarts anymore, so I guess that's somewhat convenient," Artemis ventured. "Are you nervous about testifying?"

Ronan shook his head. "It won't be my first time," he said, remembering how he had testified at his mother's first trial.

Artemis put a hand on his shoulder but didn't say anything. He put his hand over hers and the two just sat there, looking over at the lake where the giant squid splashed in the water.

Talking To Himself
Author: Julian Valentine 
Date:   07-04-10 11:17

Julian pushes open the door of Twice Told Tales, bending to scratch Dexter who sits for all of half a second before running off in the direction of his food bowl, constantly stopping to look over his shoulder to see if Julian's coming. Julian rolls his eyes a little telling the cat, "I can take a hint."

Lysander isn't at the counter but that doesn't mean anything. Julian calls out as he follows Dexter, "Haverty paid his balance in full and I've told him from now on he has to pay at least half up front before we do any more involved searches for rare illuminated manuscripts or whatever else his current fancy is. I also stressed that full payment is due upon delivery or we keep any volumes we've located for him."

Julian reaches Dexter's in the shoppe food bowl, which is different from his upstairs in Julian's flat food bowl, and not only because the one down here is bright and sparkly thanks to Charlotte and Grace glueing hot pink glitter and faux gem stones to it. It's different because Dexter is so picky that during daylight hours when the shoppe is open, he refuses to eat anywhere but in this spot, from this bowl, though he did initially turn his nose up at it briefly - as in all of 30 seconds - after the girls decorated it. There's cat food stored in the shoppe cellar but to get it, Julian simply uses his wand to pour the cat food from it, siphoning off what's stored. The entire time he's doing all this he's saying, "Mum wants us all over for a big picnic luncheon for Caerwyn's start of summer holiday. She told me the menu and it's lots of your favorites and, get this, Dad is even going to do some grilling himself."

After adding water to Dexter's other bowl, Julian goes to sit at the counter, thumbing through some mail that had come in while he was out but that Lysander clearly hadn't had a chance to sort through. One mint green envelope catches his eye. That particular shade of mint green is one used by an antiquities dealer who has, on average, two auctions a month. Lysander and he have found some really great books at several of the auctions. He scans the single sheet of matching mint green parchment then says loudly, "Fitzgerald's is having an auction next week. It's the entire contents of, I quote, 'a vast personal library.' It's in the evening so we could both go, what do you think?"

When no reply is forthcoming, Julian says more loudly, "Lysander?"

Softly to himself Julian says, "Maybe he's been upstairs or the cellar all this time."

Getting up from the counter Julian checks the office to see if Lysander there on the couch napping. It hasn't happened often but there have been a few times over the years when Julian and Lysander both fell asleep on the couch when alone and the shoppe is quiet. Lysander isn't there so Julian thoroughly checks the shoppe's nooks and crannies, wanting to be certain his friend didn't have an accident and has been lying unconscious all this time. Not finding him, the next stop is downstairs to the cellar then the upstairs floors, which includes a large storage area.

With no sign of Lysander, Julian returns to the shoppe and hunts around the counter and on the office desk for any note Lysander might have left him. Finding nothing, Julian leans on the counter wondering where the hell Lysander went without even leaving a note and should he be worried? Should he contact the authorities?

Having been kept informed on much of what's going on in Lysander's life, Julian's moment of decision making is a short one. Working rapidly and efficiently, Julian closes up the shoppe then leaves for the Ministry to report that Lysander Stratford is missing.

Première Encoche
Author: Saffron 
Date:   07-04-10 18:42

Saffron leans close to Aaron to say in a low voice, "Stop fidgeting. You grew up going to posh affairs like this. What has you so nervous."

"Do you really need to ask?" Aaron looks meaningfully from Saffron to where Lohengrin Porter stands across the room then back to Saffron. "I think if he had his way, I'd still be on that island."

"He doesn't hate you."

"Maybe not but he certainly doesn't like me."

"Da doesn't like many people," Saffron points out rather matter of factly.

"Yeah, but you'd think with the funds Aaron has at his disposal, Da would at least pretend to like Aaron a whole lot more." Sage puts in his 2 sickles worth as he hands Saffron and Aaron drinks. "No sign of Sassy and Neil yet?"

"Right here. We got trapped by Dolores Umbridge when we arrived. Hard to believe that woman and such a nice person as Birdie are related."

"Hard to believe Umbridge isn't still in Azkaban," Aaron mutters barely loudly enough for them to hear.

"She was head of the Department of Half-blood, Muggleborn, and Half-breed Registration and Regulation. Seems to me she should be locked up for years to come," Sassy remarks.

Neil shrugs, "I couldn't agree more but Umbridge cut a deal."

"Saffron! So good to see you! And this must be Aaron. Excellent to meet you! Samson Walters."

Samson vigorously shakes Aaron's hand and is in the process of shaking Neil's and Sage's as Saffron explains to Aaron, "Samson is distantly related to Birdie."

"Birdie's relative she tried to set you up with."

"Yes, sorry about that. No idea you were still in the picture. No hard feelings, eh."

Samson says this with such earnestnes that none of them doubt his sincerity. Besides that, the few times Saffron had gone out with Samson during that period when she had to pretend that she accepted her marriage to Aaron wasn't valid and Aaron was imprisoned in Community Q, she'd found Samson to be a very nice man. Under other circumstances, if she had indeed been single, it's not a stretch to think they would have dated for a long time, maybe even gotten serious.

"Birdie raves about your children. Any pictures?" Samson is saying this to both Sassy and Saffron. Sassy's hand immediately goes to her purse to pull out pictures of Jordan and Joshua.

Handing over pictures of the boys, Sassy grins at the small clutch she's carrying. "I don't know how Muggle women do it at these things when their purses this size hold absolutely nothing."

Saffron grins in reply and Aaron says, "Talk to my mom sometime. She has a knack for getting everything but the kitchen sink on one of those little purses."

"Your mother is a Muggle? That is, I knew you had a Muggle parent but never heard which one."

"Yes, my mother. My father is from England. One of the very large Wenlock family."

"Hide me," Sage suddenly says, stepping behind Aaron, Neil, and Samson.

"What's wrong?" Sassy asks.

Saffron answers, "Esperanza is coming this way. There, with Birdie. Apparently she doesn't care if Sage has a girlfriend or not."

Samson says in a very low voice, "This is between us, but among the extended family, that girl has a bit of a reputation. I don't think Birdie knows or she wouldn't have wanted Sage to go out with Esperanza."

Not seeing Sage with the group, Esperanza steers Birdie another direction before they are even close enough to say hello. Samson talks to them for a little longer then excuses himself by saying, "My date has arrived. It was very nice to finally meet you, Aaron."

Once it's just them again Sassy asks, "Anyone figure out yet why Da made such a big deal about us coming tonight?"

Saffron gives her sister a rueful smile. "My power of foresight isn't what it once was and for this it's shown me nothing."

"At least the music and food are good." Neil says this as he's taking several canapes off a passing tray.

"Do not let Da hear you call his food merely good. He'd likely do you in on the spot and serve you up to anyone else who called it good," Sassy says with a giggle.

"I think Première Encoche is his most posh place yet. It's really gorgeous and the food truly is marvelous. I think I shall get a plate and go through the buffet. Anyone else want to come with?"

The others like Saffron's idea so they move in the direction of one of the two long buffet tables set up for the party. Soon they are seated at a table near a musical fountain in a courtyard like area. It is a very nice restaurant and a very nice party but why Lohengrin considered their attendance mandatory is still beyond them.

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