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Put On A Brave Face (Rand)
Author: Declan
Date: 06-05-18 20:36
Walking through the school gates on their way to Hogsmeade Oliver asks, "Did Grace say meet at her house or at the bakery?"
"Bookshoppe."
Oliver grins. "I wasn't very awake when we saw her."
Rand grins in return though if anyone truly looked at his face, a sadness could be seen in his eyes rather than mirth.
Since learning of his mother's death, not a death from illness but from murder, Rand has been so profoundly sad he isn't certain there are words to express just how deeply he is affected. He had only thought himself sad when she'd left him with Declan only to learn that was nothing compared to what he experienced wondering why she would go so long between letters. That paled in comparison to thinking she'd been replaced by someone playing at being her for reasons Rand doubts he will ever fully understand even if those reasons were to be explained to him in detail.
Rand hadn't thought he could feel any worse. Was he ever wrong. He vaguely remembers hearing somewhere that grief is crippling. Bloody understatement.
It's all he can do to get through a day. And then the next. And the next. He is constantly drained.
A grief counsellor told Declan and Zabrynna not to be surprised if Rand's grades suffered. They and his professors have kept watch over him for any slacking off on classwork and homework, for performing poorly on exams. So far none of that has happened. If anything, Rand is putting more time into studying, to reading ahead, to getting assignments done promptly.
The counsellor also said Rand might show signs of wanting to sleep all the time. Either the counsellor isn't a very good one or Rand's not like most of those the counsellor has worked with. Rand hardly ever sleeps. It's why he's got extra time for his studies. At night, his roommates, Oliver included, think he's going to bed but once he's closed the curtains around his bed, Rand goes over the information learned in class that day, or works on an assignment to get it just right, or reads ahead in one or more texts taking notes as he goes.
Maybe the lack of sleep is why he has so little energy but he thinks even if he were to sleep all the time like the counsellor warned he'd still feel just as exhausted. He thinks a lot of it is because of trying to put on a brave face so much of the time.
Rand knows he can show sadness, express his grief. He also knows that all these weeks later constantly showing how grief-stricken and depressed he is would get him more meetings with the counsellor and would make some of those around him uncomfortable. Even after others learned his mother had died and in the days after the service for her, some were overly awkward or uncomfortable.
There's also the fact that some would have no patience with him if he were forever moping about. They are usually the ones who have never lost a parent or grandparent and so do not at all understand just how overwhelming grief can be. He knows this because just recently he'd been so overcome when walking down one corridor that though no one else appeared to be about he'd stepped behind a suit of armor to have a good cry. What seemed like an age but was only a few minutes had passed when an older girl passing by and hearing the crying, looked behind the armor. She'd inquired after him and when he'd said his mum had died weeks ago she'd told him, "Funeral's over. Buck up. Time to move on."
Rand is pulled from his thoughts when upon reaching the High Street Oliver says, "We have some time to kill before meeting Grace."
Rand offers a smile. "Where to first then?"
Fine [Libby]
Author: Georgia Copperpot
Date: 06-06-18 18:22
Libby had slept a little later than she might normally on a Hogsmeade Saturday. As a result Edwina and Bertie had already left for the village when she makes her way to the main gates. She supposes that like many, including herself, they skipped breakfast to have something in Hogsmeade.
Libby strides purposefully, wondering if she's doing that speed walking thing some of her Muggle relatives were blathering on about the last family gathering. What is the difference from walking fast and this speed walking thing? She knows there is something but no idea what exactly. The ones going on and on about it were some of the older bunch that she tends to tune out.
Reaching the intersection along which most of the shoppes are located Libby turns in the direction that will take her to the bakery. It's a good place to look for Edwina and Bertie.
Keeping her eyes peeled for sight of either of them as she walks, Libby thinks about what she'll get once at the bakery. Whether they are there or not, she's eating and it will be something luscious and rich and scrumptious. Reaching Briar's Bakery, Libby has lucked out and arrived when the employees have whittled the line down enough she can walk right in. As she's standing there waiting her turn enough others come in after her that the line is soon out the door, which it probably was not long before Libby arrived.
While standing in line she turns to check out those sitting at the tables. That's when she spots Edwina and Bertie. They are at a small table but are sharing it with three others. This has forced them to sit closely together and from where Libby is standing it looks as though they aren't just wedged against each other but are holding hands.
Libby calmly waits her turn, ordering a slice of cake and something to drink with it when she reaches the counter. When she gets to the table where Edwina and Bertie sit the three who had been sitting with them are getting up to leave. Bertie and Edwina and scooting their chairs at little apart to be more comfortable when they see Libby. They hasten the scooting apart and suddenly the hands they'd had clasped are now on the table, clearly visible.
Libby smiles sweetly as she sits down next to Edwina. "I saw. You don't have to hide it."
"Hide what?" Edwina asks, eyes wide with an effort at innocence.
Libby ignores the question to ask her own. "So you two are a couple now? How long?"
Bertie, already flushed cheeks going redder, replies, "Uhhhh, not sure."
"You aren't sure how long you've been a couple?"
"Not sure we are a couple."
Edwina looks sideways at him then takes his hand in hers. "We are. Not long. You're not mad?"
"Why would I be mad?"
"Sometimes you seem, um, what's that word?"
Bertie supplies it. "Proprietorial."
"Yeah, that," Edwina nods.
Libby shakes her head, digging her fork into the sinful looking slice of cake. "I'm fine with you two dating."
"Fine with us dating, yes, but dating each other?" Edwina clarifies.
"Yeah."
"Oh. Okay." She tentatively smiles, still waiting for some bomb to go off.
That bomb doesn't go off until Bertie gets up to see about another round of beverages for them all. Libby leans in close to Edwina and says in a low voice, "You might be my cousin but if you hurt Bertie, I will hurt you."
With that, Libby sits back up, big smile on her face, digging her fork in for another wonderful bite of this heavenly cake.
(Willow) With Justin
Author: Rowan Westwick
Date: 06-06-18 18:45
The air was thick with the scent of strawberries at Madam Puddifoot's Tea Room. Willow and Justin had not intended on having lunch there, but every other eatery in Hogsmeade had been packed to the gills, and they'd wanted to go somewhere a bit quieter so they could hear themselves talk. The tea shoppe was less crowded and noisy, even with the "strawberry festival" taking place.
Both Willow and Justin were drinking strawberry tea. Willow's was a hot blend, but Justin's was iced and had bits of strawberry floating in the glass. The little sandwiches they ate didn't have any strawberries in them, but there were strawberries sliced up on the side of the plate. They also had their choice of strawberry desserts.
"So, I got my acceptance letter to St. Emrys," Willow said.
"Really? That's great news!" Justin exclaimed. "Maybe we should be roommates," he added with a wink.
His effort to get her to laugh worked. Ever since Ash disappeared, Willow felt out of sorts. It didn't help that she was weeks away from taking the NEWT exams. It was hard to concentrate on studying when her brother might be badly hurt or dead. If only she had closure.
"Did you get in the Restaurant & Hospitality program?" Justin asked, remembering a previous conversation they'd had about what she might like to read when she got to university.
"Yes, but I'm going to take a few classes in Cliodna College of Healing too," she said. "I've been corresponding with an advisor, since what I really want to do is elder care."
What Willow imagined herself eventually doing was working in a facility for elderly witches and wizards. She didn't fancy herself a future healer or anything, but she figured it would be good to take a few courses on basic healing and whatever might be offered on dealing with the elderly.
"Can I interest you in a slice of strawberry cream cake, or perhaps strawberry shortcake? Maybe a glazed strawberry cheesecake?" The waitress who had just come upon their cozy table held a large tray filled with different strawberry dessert samples.
Willow eyed the tray. "That looks good." She pointed at a chocolate-strawberry cream cheese tart.
"Excellent choice. And for you, Sir?"
Justin opted for the strawberry-chocolate meringue torte.
"I think I'm glad we came here," Willow said. Although not their first, second or third choice for lunch, Madam Puddifoot's was turning out to be a tasty last resort.
(Azaelia) Good Old Days
Author: Isolde
Date: 06-08-18 09:25
Azaelia perused the stacks at Twice Told Tales. Being there on a Hogsmeade Saturday reminded her a little bit of when she had been a student at Hogwarts. She, Isolde, Pyrrhus and Alexis had come to the bookshoppe often back then, hanging out in the secret room that no longer existed.
So much had changed since then! She was the school librarian on the verge of divorce, if Robert would ever sign the parchments. Isolde and Pyrrhus were married with an almost 20-month old little boy, and Alexis was dead.
Azaelia sighed and then jumped in alarm when someone tapped her on the arm and said her name.
"I didn't mean to startle you," Isolde said.
Azaelia pressed a hand to her heart and replied, "It's okay. I was lost in my thoughts and didn't notice you approach."
Isolde frowned at her cousin. "Still nothing from Robert?"
Azaelia shook her head and motioned for Isolde to follow her to one of the armchairs. The two sat adjacent to each other. "Nothing yet," Azaelia finally answered.
"Have you heard anything else from his mother?" Isolde asked.
Azaelia shook her head again. "Nope."
"That's a relief." Isolde picked at a loose thread on the arm of the chair and said, "I thought you might be here. I went to the castle first, but the house-elf in the library mentioned you had gone into the village. The bookshoppe is the first place I went looking for you."
Azaelia smiled weakly. "Am I that predictable?"
"No, but it's like old times."
"Yeah…"
"So, the reason I came to see you is because I have some news of my own," Isolde said. She smiled then and revealed, "We're expecting again."
Azaelia grinned, her spirits immediately lifted by the news. "You are? What is it this time?"
"We don't know yet. Ask again in a couple of weeks."
"I needed some good news."
"I know." Isolde grinned, and then her gaze traveled to the front counter, where both Julian and Lysander were busy helping customers. "How is it those two look just the same after all these years?"
"Good genes?"
"Must be really good genes!"
The girls giggled, admiring the view, and they reminisced on the good old days.
Spectating {Dani}
Author: Furnella Hodfuffer
Date: 06-08-18 20:39
Holding a cold pack to her wrist Dani sits down next to Claire. "How is it?" her friend asks.
"Not to bad but when this ends Professor Krum says I should still go see Madam Pomfrey."
An overly cautious flyer Danielle had uncharacteristically attempted one of the more challenging obstacle courses. She was doing well, though not going to break any speed records for the course, when instead of flying cleanly through a spinning hoop she'd banged her wrist against it.
"How are you?" she asks.
"Stomach finally settled but I'm not going to try going up today." Claire had been positively green much of the morning, her stomach upset enough that after making her own visit to the hospital wing she'd stayed at the castle for awhile, unable to face even just watching people zooming about on brooms. She'd put in an appearance as spectator while still nauseous but not so badly off that walking made her wonder if she could give herself motion sickness.
Checking the time Claire says, "Time to take another dose of that vile potion Madam Pomfrey gave me. Get me some water to take away the taste, please?"
Dani is happy to help, grabbing water for herself as well. Handing Claire one of the water bottles as she sits back down Dani remarks, "Sometimes I still find it hard to believe that the first person I met on the train was Sorted into the same house to become one of my roommates and a good friend."
"Harder to believe the term is almost over. Hardly any time left in the school year. We have to be sure to get together some over the hols."
The two girls spend the rest of the workshop making summer plans, watching others playing Quidditch, flying the obstacle courses, and practicing flying, and enjoying the nice day. Dani never once lets on to Claire that she received a letter this morning from the woman who used to be Rhona's, Gage's, and her mother. Somehow she knew to write Dani here at Hogwarts, though on second thought maybe that's not surprising. She should know how old Dani is and that she'd be Hogwarts age. The surprising part is she knows the last name Dani has now.
Dani thought the adoption was closed. Private. The woman who gave birth to Dani, Rhona, and Gage wasn't supposed to know where they live, who they are. Maybe she didn't understand all that right. Question is, does she ask her mum or say nothing and hope the letter, to which she'll never write a reply, is a one off?
As the workshop draws to a close Dani stands. "Need to go so Madam Pomfrey now I suppose though it's not hurting at all now." She flexes her wrist to demonstrate only to wince when there's a twinge of pain.
Claire laughs lightly. "Nope, no need to go at all. I'll come with, then after I think I want to try to eat some soup."
They fall in line behind others going to the castle, both suddenly tired though they've done nothing but mostly sit for much of the afternoon.