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(Theodore) Honor Among Wizards
Author: Tiberius Nott
Date: 07-12-20 01:37
Theodore Nott knew the time has come. For almost a year he had watched the young man from a safe distance. He watched the despair in his eyes during the first weeks. Everyone felt it on their arrival to prison. They were not born to be locked up, let alone being wandless. It had been years since his wand had been taken away from him and Theodore would still sometimes find his hand reaching the pocket of his prison robes to get it.
He watched as Nicolas Blackthorn bullied the young man, and he did not intervene. Finally he watched as Asher Kent adapted to life at Azkaban. He kept his head down and a quiet posture, but no matter how much he tried he was not invisible. They might be locked up but they still had some sense of what was going on outside. Almost everyone was aware of Kent's crime.
Theodore advanced towards Asher's cell. Most prisoners were outside in the yard at this hour, and Theodore was grateful for the privacy. He looked around making sure the guard on service wasn't nearby. Then without loosing his manners he knocked at the cell's bars.
"May I come in?"
Asher looked puzzled but nodded. Even if he did not give permission Theodore would enter anyway. What he saw was a man in his fifties, and it wasn't hard for Asher to guess who he was. He was an older, worn out version of his eldest son, Tiberius. Theodore looked back at Asher.
"If things had turned out differently we might have known each other much better, and we wouldn't be here at all. You would be a regular guest at my home, Endhope Abbey, spending part of your summer holidays there with my son. I understand you two were in the same house and year at Hogwarts."
"Titus and I were never friends," Asher replied.
"Sadly I don't know my youngest son very well," Theodore revealed. "I was arrested when he was very young and our interactions over the years had been limited. I haven't heard from him in a long time. But something in my heart tells me he is involved in whatever you were involved."
Theodore looked Asher in the eyes. Asher endured the look in silence. He did not confirm or deny if Titus was involved with the Death Eaters. Most likely he could not, or by now Azkaban would have more juvenile guests to keep Asher company. But Theodore did not need any confirmation. He knew Titus was linked with the Death Eaters. Their last contact had confirmed him so.
"Life could have been much worse for you in here. Have you ever wondered why you are still breathing? It's because I let you do so."
Theodore rolled up the sleeve of his prison uniform, to reveal his Dark Mark. Asher was not surprised. He was a Nott and the very reason he was in Azkaban was because of the actions he committed under Lord Voldemort's orders.
"Many here were eager to annihilate you. It would not be hard...people choke on their food, have fatal slips in the shower, trip and tumble down the stairs...But I did not let any of that happen. You are alive thanks to me."
"I suppose you feel that I owe you," Asher concluded.
"Yes. And you know how to repay me."
There was a moment of silence. Theodore watched as Asher organized his thoughts. He knew there was a chance he would doubt Theodore's revelation but it was of common knowledge that he had a lot of influence at Azkaban. He was a respected Death Eater, a hero among part of Azkaban's population.
"Titus," Asher finally said.
"Yes. I know your time here is coming to an end. Whatever you do, whatever you say, when you get out of here, you will leave Titus out of it."
Asher sent Theodore a defiant look.
"What makes you think I will do as you ask?"
"I like to believe there is still some shred of honor among wizards," Theodore replied. "You remind me a little bit of my son. Same age, same house, and until very recently same beliefs. I looked out for you in here, the best way I could. I hope you realize that and do what I ask in return. And if you don't you will not hurt me one bit," Theodore assured him with a smile. "I wouldn't mind to have my son closer to me and compensate for lost time. Although his freedom is much more preferable," he concluded with sincerity.
Then Theodore walked away from Asher's cell. His visit was over.
(Alexandra) Journey Home
Author: Illyria
Date: 07-12-20 09:34
Alexandra settled into a compartment with Haley, Violet, Cammie, Hannah, and Caligula. The six friends squeezed to the window and waved goodbye to some of their friends, who would be spending the day in Hogsmeade rather than experiencing the long ride on the Hogwarts Express. The train whistled loudly at departure and slowly chugged away from the platform. When they could see their friends no more, they settled into their seats.
Cammie produced a pack of chocolate frog cards and asked, "So what are you lot doing this summer?"
Some of the group already knew that Alexandra would be visiting the Azores with her family, but she mentioned it agian for the benefit of those who hadn't heard.
Haley revealed that her family rarely went anywhere on account of how many people they were. "At most, some of us will go to Diagon Alley to buy school supplies for next year. My sister Isadora will be starting in the fall."
"Won't you try to go to Emrys Fest?" Violet asked. She for sure wanted to go to get inspiration for her own band, Violet Femmes. Her parents had signed her up for music lessons over the summer so that she could learn how to properly play the keytar. "We're going to Italy in August," she added.
Hannah and Caligula revealed their own plans and then Cammie closed with, "We're not going anywhere this summer, but my brother is getting married, so there's going to be a huge family event. I was hoping his fiancée would ask me to be her maid of honor, but she asked me to be a flower girl instead. I'm 12, not 4!"
Alexandra smiled. "Do you at least get to wear a pretty dress?"
"I don't know. I haven't even seen it yet. I'm supposed to try it on tomorrow in case any alterations need to be made. Hey, does anybody want to trade a Balfour Blane card for a Dorcas Wellbeloved?"
Alexandra didn't collect chocolate frog cards herself, but since she knew Cammie was a collector, she generally just gave hers away as soon as she got them. Most of the ones she seemed to get were common, like Merlin and Herpo the Foul.
"I think you're asking the wrong crowd," Alexandra said, laughing slightly, "but when the trolley lady comes around, I'll get a few chocolate frogs. Maybe a Dorcas Wellbeloved will be in the batch."
Cammie sighed. "Doubtful, but okay. Thanks. So what's Isadora like, Haley?"
Haley told everyone about her sister, whose eleventh birthday was less than two weeks away. "I mean, I guess it's possible she won't get her letter, but I kind of doubt it, you know? It's not like she's a squib."
"That would be awful!" Alexandra exclaimed. "To expect a letter right before term starts and then not get one?"
"I know, right?" Haley said. "Oh, hey. Here's a Dorcas Wellbeloved card." She had just pulled out her book and had been using the card as a bookmark. Haley didn't collect chocolate frog cards either and had never noticed what she'd had.
Cammie, all smiles, handed over the Balfour Blane card in exchange for the one she needed for her collection. "A pleasure doing business with you, Haley."
This was followed by a great deal of laughter from all those in the compartment.
Godmother
Author: Isolde
Date: 07-13-20 18:02
Isolde and Pyrrhus arrived at the home of Aveline and Maverick for the christening ceremony of their daughter. There were only a handful of guests invited. In recent years, Maverick had renewed his relationship with the parents who had raised him on Voldemort's orders. They had defected, served time in prison, and now wanted to live honorably the rest of their days. Never did Enoch and Leona expect to be in their adoptive son's life again, but now they were and had a granddaughter, too.
It was a different story for Aveline, whose parents were on the lam and hadn't been seen or heard from in over a decade. A couple of current and former Salisbury Snakes teammates made up her side of the guest list instead.
Isolde spent some time greeting and catching up with those she knew. Romanus Crowheart, Duncan Eastwick, and Antigone Mars all still played for the Snakes. It was good to see all of them again, though it made Isolde feel a bit nostalgic for days gone by.
"How many children do you have now, Isolde?" Antigone asked.
"Just two. Gio will be four in October and Alexis is nearly a year and a half. My parents are watching them today."
It wasn't long before Ethan showed up with his date. He was also childless.
"Hi, Isolde. Pyrrhus," he greeted.
"Hi, Profe––Ethan," Isolde replied, while Pyrrhus held out his hand to shake. They also greeted Briar, who of course they remembered from Hogsmeade trips while in school and more recent visits to the village.
"I have to admit it's a bit weird being a godparent with my old teacher," Isolde said.
"Don't say 'old'," Ethan quipped, laughing. "Say 'former'. 'Old' reminds me that I'm getting to be just that."
Maverick came over with Aveline holding baby Rebel. "I'm really glad you all could come," Maverick said.
"We wouldn't miss it for anything," Isolde replied, smiling.
"Shall we get started?" Aveline asked.
Isolde and Ethan moved to stand together on one side of an officiant hired for the christening ceremony, with Maverick, Aveline, and baby Rebel on the other. A hush settled around the room, and then the officiant began the ceremony.
Small Lunch Gathering
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 07-13-20 20:06
At Severus Snape's arrival Harry tells the others gathered, "Everyone who could be here has arrived."
Just over Harry's shoulder Molly announces, "Perfect timing. Luncheon is ready."
At Molly's direction they queue up to a buffet put together mainly by Molly, Drucilla, and Sirius, who apparently does his fair share of cooking at home with Dru's expertise more the sauces and gravies. When everyone in the small group has food and drink and all but Harry are seated he says, "Thank you for coming. I know you're all curious as to what I've learned about Anne Fairchild.
"I could have told some of you sooner but after filling Ginny in and then telling it again for Ron and Hermione, I wasn't sure I wanted to repeat myself that many more times," he apologizes with a chuckle.
"Anne Fairchild was not Anne Potter as some of you recall but Anne Potts. My grandparents occasionally hired her as a babysitter for my father. She thought them nice and they paid extremely well."
Kingsley, already getting seconds of lasagna at the buffet, asks Harry, "Did she leave a diary or letters or confide with a friend?"
Harry shakes his head. "Anne is still alive."
To those such as Kingsley who weren't yet aware of this tidbit, the information comes as a shock. The stunned silence is broken by Severus stating, "That explains why we all have somewhat vague, muddled memories of an Anne Potter but remember little, if anything, of Anne Potts."
"Yes, that does explain why our memories remain modified long after we believed her to have died," Filius agrees.
"When she first arrived here, why would Adriana tells us her mother had been dead for years?" Remus asks.
"Anne mentally deteriorated to the point that Robert Fairchild had his wife committed. Why he chose to tell Adriana her mother had died rather than some form of the truth remains a mystery. Or perhaps he did tell her but Adriana told us, for whatever reason she might have had, that Anne had died years before.
"Having a conversation with Anne is difficult. Her thoughts wander and she's easily distracted. She also gets confused. For example, the first time she mentioned my grandparents she referred to them as James and Euphemia. At first I thought she was talking about James my father but realized she meant Fleamont. That happened a few times over the course of several meetings. She mixed up other names as well or mispronounced them, once even referring to an Album Dumdelgore.
"Her motives for the memory modifications is still not fully clear. What I've been able to gather so far is that Anne did not feel she fit in at her own home. Anne has some half-siblings from her mother's first marriage and some from her father's second marriage. She is the sole product of her parent's marriage, which was her father's first but her mother's second. My grandparents were nice to her and Anne seems to have had a genuine fondness for James. She saw no real harm in posing as Fleamont and Euphemia Potters' daughter nor, apparently, did she consider taking some of their money as their daughter or an inheritance after they died as immoral or as stealing or fraud.
"As yet, Anne has given no hints as to what led her to the Dark Arts or to linking Adriana to Voldemort. All she has said so far is that she made a pact and marked Adriana. She herself has never had the Dark Mark or any other mark. When she did make the pact she might have already been showing signs of mental illness but I don't know."
Charlie says aloud what Harry thinks several might be thinking. "Some mental illnesses run in families so if Anne is mentally ill that might explain a few things about Adriana." The murmurs of agreement all around the table, confirm Harry's thinking.
Harry fills them in on what little else he's been able to glean from Anne's world salad conversations. When he's finished Filius puts down his fork and stands on his chair. "With the permission of those of you she charmed, I believe I can reverse at least some of Anne's memory modifications."
At the nods and verbal assents from around the table from those she had affected the diminutive wizard produces his wand and sets to work, giving Harry a moment to enjoy a bit of his lunch.
Unexpected Exit
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 07-14-20 17:22
The christening ceremony was very brief. Afterwards, there was a series of candid photos: the parents with their infant; the godparents with the baby; the parents and godparents and child; the officiant with the parents and baby; and so on. After a group photo with everyone in attendance was taken, the celebration truly began. There was food and drink and a lot of happy conversation.
"I hope Lilly isn't driving Grace crazy," Ethan murmured to Briar.
Grace had come home from Hogwarts that morning. Ethan and Lilly came over in the early afternoon in time to depart for Maverick's house. Grace was officially babysitting Lilly, but Lilly didn't see it that way. She thought of it as having a girls' afternoon free of grown-ups.
"I'm sure it's going fine," Briar replied, smiling.
"Hey, your glass is almost empty. We can't have that!" Maverick exclaimed, swooping in to take Ethan's mostly empty beer glass.
Ethan chuckled. "I really don't need another."
"Sure you do. It's a party!"
Aveline came over and handed Rebel to Briar. She tugged on Maverick's arm. "One for Ethan, but none for you. You've been so muddle-headed lately."
"We have a newborn. I haven't slept since Easter!"
Aveline ran her fingers across the light dusting of stubble on her husband's face and said, "Maybe, but it seems like you've in more of a fog lately. No beer for you."
Maverick mock pouted but had no intention of disobeying his wife. The adult beverages were in an outdoor ice box, so he excused himself to go get Ethan's drink. It was quiet outside and even more so when he entered the shed he'd named his tiny-yet-manly man cave. He had grabbed a beer bottle when something he never expected to experience again happened.
He felt a sort of weight settle on his shoulders and in his mind, as if someone were standing over him or stuck in his head.
Maverick… rasped an all-too familiar voice.
The beer bottle crashed to the floorboards.
"Noooo!" Maverick moaned. He gripped his head with his hands and squeezed his eyes shut as he swayed on his feet.
Do not resist. It is time you returned to me.
Dimly, Maverick heard the back door open, but the voice in his head was so much more overwhelming.
I need you by my side, Maverick. Come to me. Come to me now.
"Maverick?"
It was Ethan, come to see what was taking so long and if his ears had not deceived him when the bottle crashed to the ground.
Maverick sank into a squat and continued to press down on the sides of his head.
"Maverick? Hey, are you okay?"
Ethan sank down also and put a hand on Maverick's shoulder, which tensed under his touch. Before Ethan knew what was happening, Maverick spun around and had him pinned to the ground. Maverick's wand jabbed into Ethan's neck.
There was the briefest of moments where Ethan thought Maverick's eyes had turned red, but Maverick pupils were black and large and the look on his face was one of deep conflict.
After a moment he muttered, "Keep him alive," and then sprang up and ran through the bushes to the front of the house. Ethan scrambled to his feet and ran to follow, pulling his wand from his pocket in the process, but by the time he reached the street Maverick was gone.