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Post Traumatic Stress
Author: Griffin Price 
Date:   05-30-10 14:32

Griff had had Tristan overnight and they'd spent the morning outside. Tristan had played hard, runing, running, running with Griff chasing and just barely missing the giggling child time after time. Griff wonders how long it will be before Tristan realizes that Daddy purposely missed the majority of those times. When Griff would catch Tristan, he'd snatch Tristan up and they'd twirl around then fall to the ground, play wrestling until Tristan "escaped" and the running would start all over again.

When both were extremely hot and sweaty, Tristan cooled off in a small wading pool, splashing liberally while trying to entice Seeayetee to join him. She would just give him that haughty cat look that suggests all humans are laughable, while sitting well out of splash range but within head scratching range of Griff.

Griff had promised Tristan last night they'd go to one of the hamburger places for lunch so after getting Tristan cleaned up and dried off they'd done just that, with Tristan as interested in the toy hippogriff that he kept having fly around so much that Griff had to remind his son to eat his burger and chips, both with ketchup liberally applied of course in the drown the food manner only children truly like and appreciate.

They'd played more in a park after that then Griff took Tristan home. Alun had said he'd be gone through the day and Carys had something going this morning. Griff had no idea when Carys might be home but Tristan was so exhausted that he'd fallen asleep while Griff was pushing him on a swing so he'd taken Tristan to Cary's anyway to put down for a nap. Griff is on a stakeout shift tonight so wasn't going to have Tristan again for the evening anyway.

Griff had apparated to Carys', figuring that was better than Flooing while carrying a sleeping child. He'd chosen a spot in the front yard so went in through the front door. At first he didn't think anyone was there but as he came out of Tristan's room Griff hear stirring in the kitchen. Griff called out just before going into the kitchen so that he wouldn't startle Carys. He ended up being the one startled, no out of any unexpected scare such as from walking in on a burgler, but from the surprising sight of Carys sitting hunched at the table in a bathrobe, damp hair pulled into a sloppy ponytail, nose red, cheeks wet and tear stained, and eyes bright with more unshed tears.

Griff quickly crosses over to her and drops down to eye level. "Carys? What's the matter? Is it Alun? Your father?"

Carys is looking at Griff but she's unresponsive so she's clearly not seeing him. Griff gently says again, "Carys?" and touches her arm.

The touch causes Carys to jump. Some of those tears spill down her cheeks and as she backhands them away she dully says, "I didn't hear you come in. Tristan?"

"Asleep. What's wrong, Carys? Has something happened to Alun or Jean?"

"No, nothing like that."

"Then what?" Griff reaches to put his hand on Carys again, this time as a sign of reassurance and trust but all it does is make her jump again and pull away.

"Nothing."

Griff eases out another chair to sit in it, never taking his gaze from Carys. He waits her out, knowing she knows that he's not buying her reply.

When more tears stream now and she starts sniffling, Griff gets up long enough to get Carys a box of tissues. She takes a few, mumbles a thank you, then after wiping her face and blowing her nose she shifts in her chair, her shoulders giving a might heave. To give her a few more minutes to gather herself, Griff gets up, bustling around the kitchen making tea. When he's got a steam cup in front of her, he says, "My mum always touted the benefits of tea when feeling out of sorts, no matter the reason."

Carys idly twirls the tea cup around. "I think I would have liked your mother."

"Yeah, I think she would have liked you too."

"I never told you everything about what happened at Goen Bren," Carys suddenly says without preamble.

"No, but from what you did say I have a good idea of the rest."

"I got pregnant but then miscarried. Sometimes when I'm watching Tristan playing I wonder about that baby. Was it a boy or a girl? Would Tristan like being a big brother? Would have I loved the baby or hated the sight of it?"

"You would have loved that baby no matter how it came to be. I have no doubt about that."

"I like to think I would have but some days I just don't know then I wonder why I bother dwelling on it. It's just hard to let go of sometimes."

Carys looks so haunted that Griff is about to suggest that maybe she seek counseling, wishing he'd thought sooner to urge her to talk to someone trained to handle psychological issues. Merlin knows there have been plenty of people suffering post traumatic stress after all that happened because of Smythe-Jones's policies. Carys had, for the most part, seemed all right.

Griff really should have known better.

"Did you see a baby today that would have been about the age of the one you miscarried? Is that what has you upset?"

Carys breathes out heavily, her breath shuddering as she does. She doesn't say anything at first, which makes Griff think he's on the right track but then Carys quietly says, "No. I did think about Goen Bren though. I couldn't stop thinking about every time the warden touched me, forced himself on me."

Griff understands now why Carys was jumpy about being touched. At least he thinks he understands. What Carys says next gives him even more clarity."

"Something happened at St. Emrys today."

Griff decides not to verbally prompt Carys. She'll tell what happened at her own pace.

"Have I ever mentioned Decimus? Decimus Clarke? No, I probably not. I can't think of a reason why I would. He's a student in journalism and on the Emrys Everyday staff. Decimus seemed nice enough. I got the impression he liked me a little."

Carys suddenly laughs. It's a harsh, mirthless laugh with a jarring, cutting edge. It gives Griff the chills.

Carys starts twirling the cup of tea again. "I found out today he likes me more than a little."

Griff goes from having the chills to his blood out and out running cold. He speaks again for the first time in several minutes. "What did Decimus do Carys? Did he hurt you?"

"I told him no but he didn't want to hear that. I've got some bruises where he was grabbing me and pushed me against the wall. He was trying rape me but I stupified."

"Did you report this to anyone, Carys?"

"I left him there in the dark room. I was upset and wanted to just get home. I wanted to shower so badly. I kept scrubbing and scrubbing but I can still feel where he kissed me, where his hands grabbed."

Griff pours Carys a little more tea then says, "I'm going to check on Tristan."

Griff does go check on their son but then quickly pops over to Ruth's, more glad than words can express that she's not busy today. "Can you sit with Carys? She's had a scare and is upset and I need to go take of something. I'll tell you everything later."

"Yes, of course."

Ruth and Griff return to Carys's. Carys is still in the kitchen, still fiddling with her tea cup. "You said his name is Decimus Clarke?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Ruth is going to be here with you," Griff says, indicating Ruth who's come into the kitchen as well but is standing near the door. "I'm going to find Decimus."

"And do what?"

"I'd like to beat the bloody life out of him but I'll settle for arresting him if you'll agree to press charges."

Carys slowly nods. "Okay."

Griff gives Carys a grim smile, nods at Ruth, then leaves the house, going first to St. Emrys and the darkroom the Emrys Everyday staff uses. He'll get someone to cover his stake-out shift if he has to because Griff is determined to have Decimus Clarke in jail before this day is over.

Word Travels Fast
Author: Ronan Eastwick 
Date:   05-30-10 14:35

Ronan was a little reluctant to leave Illyria, but he sensed that she wanted to be alone. She often seemed withdrawn these days, and not surprisingly, given what she'd gone through recently. Despite his hesitancy to leave his former guardian, however, Ronan wanted to go to Hogsmeade and meet Artemis for their date.

It had been a long time coming. Artemis had actually asked him out months ago, but they hadn't been able to arrange any sort of formal outing until now. In between her asking him out and the day of what would amount to their first official date had been Artemis's question over whether Ronan actually had feelings for someone else––Illyria herself.

The only feelings Ronan had for Illyria were familial, not romantic. He regarded her almost as his mother, but more like his very best friend. Was it strange that he felt so comfortable with someone nearly ten years his senior? He didn't think so, but maybe it did seem odd to everyone else.

He couldn't help how he felt, though. Illyria had been there for him when his real mother had not.

Ronan got as far as the entrance hall when something prevented him from going any further.

"You there! Wait a moment!"

Ronan looked around for the source of the talking and realized that a portrait of a man in a red hat was pointing at him. Ronan looked around to make sure he was the one being addressed and then approached the portrait.

"Yes?"

"The Dancing Lady told the Card-Playing Children who told the Woman in Grey who told Sir Cadogan who told me that there's a strange wizard talking to Professor Jones. Sir Cadogan's already off to inform Professor Dumbledore."

Ronan looked puzzled. "What are you talking about? I was just there. There's no one up there but her."

"You know that the Dancing Lady's portrait hangs in the stairwell of the Astronomy Tower, don't you? Anyway, she overheard the conversation, and apparently it's not good at all. I'm only telling you because word is you and Professor Jones are close."

Ronan didn't need to hear anymore. He turned right around and took the steps of the grand staircase two at a time.

"Wait! Don't do anything rash! Wait for Dumbledore!" the portrait of the man in the red hat shouted, as Ronan hurried up the stairs and to the next staircase that would eventually take him where he needed to go.

He got halfway back to the tower when a hand fell on his shoulder.

"Mr. Eastwick."

Ronan turned to see Dumbledore staring back at him. The headmaster nodded in the direction of the tower. "I take it you heard?"

"Yes, and we have to hurry." A sickening feeling came over Ronan. "What if it's too late?"

"You may come with me, but if I ask you to leave you must obey me, are we clear?"

"Yes, sir," Ronan said. He immediately fell into step next to Dumbledore, but when they reached the spiral staircase of the Astronomy Tower, Ronan climbed them behind the Hogwarts headmaster.

They were nearly at the landing when Dumbledore stopped Ronan by raising his hand. They could hear voices belonging to Illyria and a wizard. Ronan realized he was standing in front of the portrait of the Dancing Lady, who wore a shimmering, almost translucent dress. Normally, she turned in circles under a full moon, but now she was listening attentively to the conversation on the observation deck. Sir Cadogan soon joined her portrait, and if he could have left the frame to go to Ilyria's rescue, he probably would have.

"I don't understand why you're doing this," Illyria exclaimed, the fear clear in her voice.

"Because you took something of mine. It doesn't matter to me that you had no idea Gray paid you back with my money. The fact that you had it is reason enough for me."

"But that's so stupid!" Illyria said. "Why waste your time on me when surely there's something bigger to worry about, or is that just it? Is business so slow these days that you take your fun where you can get it?"

The wizard laughed. "I'm a wizard of little patience, and I'm afraid your time is finally up."

It was then that Dumbledore stepped onto the observation deck, with Ronan right behind him. Dumbledore didn't have his wand in his hand, but Ronan had already produced his.

The wizard turned at the intrusion. He was a middle-aged man with short brown hair. He wore a white suit and a black shirt. He held his wand in his hand but made no move to attack either Dumbledore or Ronan. He looked pleasantly surprised by their arrival.

"Your security is surprisingly lax, Professor," the wizard exclaimed, grinning. "A mass murderer could get on campus with no problem whatsoever."

"I believe it's been many years since you last stepped foot in the castle, Mr. Hubbs."

"So you really do remember every student who ever attended Hogwarts," Hubbs mused. "It's a shame you had to come here today. I only wanted to hurt her, not you and the kid too."

"Think about what you're doing, Marcus."

"No." Marcus shook his head and took a step closer to where Illyria still stood against the veranda of the observation deck. She was clutching it so hard that her knuckles were white.

Marcus waved his wand between Illyria and Dumbledore. "I think I'll deal with you first," he said, deciding on the headmaster. "Then the kid, and then Ms. Jones."

Dumbledore still hadn't moved to take out his wand. Marcus turned on him and started to form a curse on his lips, but before he could, Ronan sidestepped his professor and shouted, "Expelliarmus!"

The spell hit Marcus Hubbs hard. His wand flew from his hand and ricocheted off the tower wall, while he flew backwards and over the side of the railing. Dumbledore immediately ran forward and whipped out his wand. He leaned over the banister and pointed it down, saying nothing but clearly giving some sort of unspoken command.

Ronan watched in utter disbelief. He had just effectively thrown somebody off of the Astronomy Tower! He sank to his knees, dropping his wand, and clutching his head with hands. Illyria ran to him and knelt by his side.

A moment later, Dumbledore stood up straight and flicked his wand to the floor of the deck. Marcus Hubbs landed there neatly, his eyes wide and racing from side to side. He tried to scramble to his feet but Dumbledore bound his hands and feet.

Illyria lightly shook Ronan to show him that he hadn't killed the wizard who most certainly had wanted to kill all of them. Dumbledore strode to the portrait in the stairwell and told Sir Cadogan to get Professor Snape and tell him to contact the authorities. Then he knelt by Ronan and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Sorry, professor," Ronan gasped. He didn't think a simple disarming spell could lead to death, but now he knew better.

"I want you and Professor Jones to go to my office. I'm sure the authorities will want to speak to you both when they get here to take Mr. Hubbs away."

Illyria gently pulled Ronan to his feet. He picked up his wand and stuck it in his pocket with shaky hands.

"I didn't mean to," he told her, as she guided him down the stairs.

"I know, and I don't think you have to worry," she said, patting him on the back. "You were very brave."

Ronan didn't feel brave. He felt awful.

They went to Dumbledore's office and waited for the authorities to arrive. Not once did Ronan even think about the date he would probably miss, too engrossed was he in what had just happened on the observation deck.

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