|
|
Sydney Surprise
Author: Plum
Date: 10-15-08 13:59
Plum steps from a Floo, blinking in the bright light after the longer than she's usued to trip via Floo Network. She's met by a petite, thin woman with short, curly auburn hair and a high wattage smile.
"G'day! You must be Plum. I'm Azara's friend Brooke."
Plum accepts Brooke's outstretched hand. "Nice to meet you and thank you so much for letting me come on such short notice."
"No worries," Brooke says, her already wide grin growing even bigger. "Let me show you your room and then we'll sit down and draw a map from here to where your young man is staying."
Plum had wanted desperately to see Anthony at Christmas and to attend Ariella's wedding. If Plum cut back here and there, she thought she'd be able to budget her finances for the trip. The problem was what to do with Alex. Even if she'd figured something out for a day or two, there was also the guilt factor of leaving Alex for his Christmas day birthday, the first Christmas and birthday for him since Mum had died.
Plum had made due with sticking her head in the Floo to wish Anthony a Happy Christmas and thank him for the wonderful gift he'd given her as well as the gift he'd given Alex. That's when Plum learned the wedding was to take place a few days later than originally planned.
Plum still wasn't sure how she'd manage getting there given that she was not about to leave Alex alone with their father. Evan had taken to drinking more and staying drunk longer as Christmas approached.
Daria's mother Azara come to the rescue. She and Daria offered to watch Alex for a few days so that Plum could go to Sidney, surprising Anthony. Azara even contacted her old schoolmate Brooke Webster to ask Brooke the favor of Plum staying there. Brooke had kindly said yes even though she and her family have a New Year's Eve party to attend and even though she is going only on Azara's word that Plum is a nice person.
A few minutes after arriving, Plum is sitting at a cozy kitchen table with Brooke, looking over the directions of how to go from Brooke's home to where Anthony is staying. It's across the city but with Brooke's help, Plum knows a good apparition spot and thinks she can easily navigate from there to the correct address.
After changing from the heavy, warm clothes she'd been wearing to something more suitable to summer in Australia, Plum takes the map and directions in hand and sets out, hoping Anthony won't mind the surprise and that her arrival won't inconvenience the wedding plans.
What Happy New Year?
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 10-15-08 17:39
Fred Weasley's triplets, Charlie Weasley's two boys, George Weasley's daughter, and Sirius's twins energetically play in the backyard of the Créteil house. Remus Lupin looks, a smile lighting up his face when Charlie remarks, "Yours will be galavanting with the other kids before you know it, Remus."
Sirius, who has been standing there since bundling Mira and James up so they could play outside, has been listening to the conversation of those other adults outside but as yet has said nothing. He's not been overly socialable since before Christmas; actually since being resigned that Dru was going to go on that damned mission Arthur put her up to and since Harry was captured.
As far as Sirius is concerned, Christmas was hell. Drucilla not there to celebrate with their children. Harry only Merlin knows where, possibly even dead. The Order doesn't think Harry's dead, Sirius included, because they feel that Smythe-Jones would have made sure the entire Wizarding world knew of it, but it is still a possibility.
The one thing concerning Arthur and Molly that Sirius doesn't have rage over at the moment is that their son Percy might also be dead. That and they are feeling Harry's absence.
Sirius moves away from the others, leaning against the garden wall, eyes tracking first James then Mira. A few minutes later he's joined by Remus. "I know these are dark times, Sirius, but for the children's sake, try not to scowl so much."
"Easier said than done," Sirius nearly snaps, reigning himself in at the last second.
"We're making progress, making a difference. You've happy, healthy children and a wife who loves you."
Sirius does snap now. "Again, easy for you to say, Remus. You're wife isn't off whoring herself for the cause."
"Drucilla is on a mission that could potentially help us a great deal. How that constitutes whoring, I'm not sure," Remus says in a reasonable tone.
"Don't act naive, Remus. It doesn't become you," Sirius practically growls.
"I'm not being naive. Drucilla using Veela charm does not equate to whoring herself."
Sirius pushes off from the wall. "I'm going for a walk. Make sure the twins don't freeze their noses off, will you?"
Sirius walks off without waiting for Remus to answer.
The Big Day
Author: Ariella Beck
Date: 10-15-08 17:49
Sweetly kissing Lawrence goodbye-for-now, Ariella could feel several pairs of eyes boring into the back of her head. Alanna, Bronwyn, Desi, and Ariella's grandmother stood behind her with their arms folded across their chests and mixed expressions of impatience and amusement on their faces. Anthony, Toby, and their grandfather stood by the door wearing similar expressions.
"Enough already!" Alanna demanded, stepping forward to pry Ariella away from Lawrence. "We've got work to do and not a lot of time in which to do it!"
As planned, Alanna had traveled all the way to Sydney on her own. When some of her friends at Hogwarts had asked her what her holiday plans were, she'd mentioned a few of the sites she would see during her many apparitions but never revealed her ending location. She knew very well that it was known that her brother lived in Australia and that if people knew that she was vacationing there, they would realize she hadn't severed all ties from her family like she pretended.
There was one person she'd been completely truthful with, however, and that was Jared. She'd almost invited him along but knew that he had his own family with whom to celebrate the holidays, and she didn't want to take him away from them.
Not that she was certain that she even had the courage to ask him to be her date to the wedding. Never in her life had she lacked nerves to do anything, but being in a relationship, or looking to be in one, was a new feeling and one she had no idea how to handle. Her newfound feelings for Jared brought out aspects of her personality she'd never before experienced.
Ariella and Lawrence reluctantly parted ways at Alanna's order. In just a few short hours, they'd remarry on the beach. They wanted to do it before sunset, but closer to the evening so that they could watch the sun go down during the wedding reception on the same beach.
Toby and Anthony each grabbed one of Lawrence's arms and dragged him out the door. They'd barely crossed the threshold when someone entered Anthony's periphery. He turned his head and saw Plum slowing to a stop at the end of the walk. She smiled at him and murmured, "Hi."
Anthony's eyes lit up. He dropped Lawrence's arm to meet Plum halfway. They hugged and kissed and then he asked, "What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to surprise you," Plum replied, grinning. "Well? Are you surprised?"
"Very much so!" Anthony hugged and kissed Plum again and then escorted her to those still congregated inside and outside the house. She barely had time to greet the men before Alanna seized Plum by the wrist and said, "You, come in. You guys," she nodded pointedly at each one in turn, "get out of here!"
Anthony and Plum exchanged wistful glances and happy smiles before the door closed. He helped his brother and grandfather whisk Lawrence away to get dressed at Lawrence's friend Daniel's house.
Meanwhile, the women helped Ariella prepare for the big day. She showered and then slipped into her underthings and a silk bathrobe. Her grandmother had a knack for fixing hair, and charmed Ariella's long, ginger tresses into big, loose curls. Alanna fixed a small silver tiara onto Ariella's head, and then everyone helped Ariella climb into the simple, white summer dress that would serve as her wedding gown.
Ariella had a pair of shoes, but she fully intended on shedding them as soon as she hit the sand!
Let the Event Begin...
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 10-16-08 05:44
It took Alanna's ordering for Ariella and Lawrence to finally be separated so that the men could be evicted from the house while they got Ariella ready for their wedding this evening. The guys finally dragged him over to Daniel's who embraced his friend.
"Congrats Lawrence." He said. "Am glad to hear that you are finally happy." There was a whistfulness in his voice as he spoke, thinking the same thought Lawrence was.
"I know. They'll be there in spirit." Lawrence said, given that he'd be the only member of the wedding party without direct family there to see it. "You are just as good as family though Daniel, you've been part of the family for years." Lawrence said before ducking away from the group to shower.
"Anthony, I'm glad Plum could make it. Sorry your reunion wasn't longer like I'm certain you'd have wished." Lawrence said, chuckling a bit. "We were pretty much forcefully evicted by my dear sister-in-law. So the girls could get ready."
They were not going to be wearing formal suits to the occasion, it would be too hot on the beach to be dressed in penguin suits. So to match Ariella's dress Lawrence had selected a pair of tan linen pants and a loose, white linen button down that would compliment well with the sundress Areilla had selected.
There were shoes, but it was a beach wedding and what good were shoes on sand? Not very practical, so the shoes would be worn until they reached the sand and that would be the end of that.
Lawrence simply charmed his hair so that it would remain at least decent through the ceremony. He then made sure that Anthony had the rings for the fiftieth time and then started pacing a bit...he hadn't been nervous when he eloped but now he was seriously nervous. Elated, jubalant, but nervous all the same.
It was then time for them to head out. Daniel's wasn't to far from the beach where they were having the wedding. It wasn't going to be a long ceremony, and there were house elves on call to set up the reception when it was time. They arrived at the beach and to the wedding site, there were a few of Lawrence's friends seated on his side of the pavallion the Beck men settled on the bride's side. The official was there, and soon the ladies would arrive.
The music started, charmed to play only in the pavillion as the ladies moved up the small asile. Lawrence hadn't even seen Tobais get up, but there he was soon enough leading Ariella up the aisle. His breath caught in his throat for a minute, and he almost forgot how to breath when he saw her. The tiara sparkling in her hair, she was the picture of beauty and elegance.
He was thankful that his hands weren't shaking when Tobias placed Areilla's hand in his. They then turned to the official presiding over the wedding, and the ceremony began.
(Sydney, Australia) Motormouth
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 10-16-08 17:31
The sea rolled in and out and served as background music to the official's speech and the vows of the happy couple. A clear, blue sky, bright sun, and pleasantly warm temperature made the ceremony all the more wonderful. Seated next to Toby with her hand clasped in his, Bronwyn almost wished that she had thought to have a beachfront wedding. Like Lawrence and Ariella, Toby and Bronwyn had eloped. Perhaps one day they, too, would renew their vows before friends and family. After today, Bronwyn had certainly warmed up to the idea!
She tore her gaze from the happy couple still reciting their vows to whisper to Desi seated next to her.
"Isn't this the most beautiful wedding you've ever seen?"
Desi kept her eyes focused on the three figures ahead and answered Bronwyn in a low tone of voice. "Well, I certainly can't compare it to your wedding since I wasn't invited, but yeah, it's not bad."
Bronwyn didn't react to Desi's slight. "She looks so beautiful, and Lawerence looks happier than I've ever seen him. Don't you think?"
"Mmm-hmm," Desi replied quietly.
Bronwyn opened her mouth again. "I think marriage does wonderful things for people. Really, I think everyone should get married." She shifted her gaze slightly. "Anthony and Plum will be next, I bet. And then Alanna and Jared."
Alanna, seated directly in front of her, heard Bronwyn's whispered pronouncement. Her ears turned bright pink.
Bronwyn turned to Desi. "I need to set you up with somebody so that you're on your way to getting hitched too."
Desi finally looked away from the couple and whispered sharply, "This is a wedding. Can't you shut up for even a minute?"
Bronwyn opened her mouth to retort, but the official announced for all to hear, "You may kiss the bride!"
She quickly turned away from Desi to witness Lawrence and Ariella exchanging their first kiss as renewed husband and wife.
New Year's Eve Shock
Author: Jared
Date: 10-17-08 09:13
Butterbeer clutched in hand, Jared surveys the roomful of adults, wishing for the thousandth time that Sage hadn't gone to his mother's in America for New Year's. Although Mortimer hasn't been as bad this year - even Crispin has been somewhat tolerable - no way was Jared inviting either to the Wynbournes' New Year's Eve party. Same goes for Mary Black. Jared supposes he could have invited Gaia, Madeline and Oreileah. Or Cailyn Spicer though Jared still hardly knows her after a year and a half of school together.
It's too bad friends like Fritz, Coco, Cecilla, Emerald, Jim, Titus, Ronan, and Bradley couldn't be here. Jared tacks on Olivia, Castor, Gertrude, Katherina, Silvia and Paige. Don't want to forget them either. Jared isn't even sure any of them are alive. He certainly hopes so! Jared even includes in that thought Slytherins such as Viola Vermandois.
There is one person other than Sage Jared would have invited.
As if reading Jared's mind, Etta says from just behind him, "Why didn't you invite Alanna?"
Jared turns so quickly he nearly hits Etta with the butterbeer bottle. "Why would I invite Alanna?"
Etta rolls her eyes and makes a odd noise in the back of her throat.
"What?"
"You know what," she states back.
"No, I don't."
Speaking slowly as if talking to a small child, Etta says, "You are in love with Alanna. It makes sense you would invite her to the party. It makes even more sense when factoring in the fact that Alanna likes you."
"As a friend."
"No, not just as a friend."
"Don't be daft, Etta."
"Are you really that blind?" Etta pauses, cocks her head to one side, appraising Jared. "Yes, I guess you are."
"Alanna's never thought of me as anything other than a friend. Anyway, she's on a trip. Let's talk about something else, such as the oh so deep crush you have on Deak Bennett."
"Do not."
"Do too."
"Not. Besides, he's always liked Arista Lampwick."
The mention of Arista's name, another of the missing, has both Etta and Jared going quiet for a moment. Etta breaks the silence by saying, "Back to the topic of love and Alanna, you need to pay better attention, brother dear."
"You've been reading too many of those romance novels."
"If the mysteries Professor Hodfuffer writes as AJ Hundle qualify as romances, then yes, I've been reading far too many of them."
Movement at a nearby window catches Etta's eye. She turns to look then asks, "Why's Mum outside?"
"Huh?"
"Mum. She's walking to the edge of the yard," Etta replies, nose now pressed to the window to see if she can see what Abigail is doing.
"Taking Pea out? Or Star?"
"Star's right here," Etta points to her feet, her eyes still plastered to the window.
"Pea then."
"All the way across the yard, out of any light?"
"So go out and ask."
"I think I will."
Etta starts for the kitchen, where her coat is on a peg by the back door. She's her coat on and is opening the door when Jared enters. Etta grins when Jared scowls at her but reachesd for his coat. Together they tromp across the yard in the direction Etta had seen Abigail going.
Silently trudging across the ground covered in ice and snow, the duo watch for any signs of their mother. They hear voices before they see anyone in the darkness. Coming around a large tree, Etta and Jared stop in their tracks, Jared blurting out, "Coco?"