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Birthday Party
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 01-21-16 11:50
New Year's Eve was always a bittersweet holiday for Lysander. It was both the night he lost his wife Chyler and the date of Charlotte's birth. It was hard to believe that Chyler was dead now 13 whole years. Charlotte, meanwhile, was 10 years old––finally into the double digits but still one and a half years away till she could start at Hogwarts.
Twice Told Tales was closed today because of the holiday. There were people in the bookshoppe, though, because it was a large enough space to hold Charlotte's birthday party.
A side table was decked with finger foods satisfactory for the now-ten year old girl and her friends. There was something of everything: sweets, savory snacks, and even fruits and veggies with dipping sauces. A three-tiered white cake decorated in chocolate so dark it almost looked black sat in the very middle and so far remained uncut.
Several times now, Lysander had to stop Dylan from wandering over to the pile of birthday presents. The baby had had a grand time tearing into his Christmas presents and in some cases had found the paper and ribbon more exciting than the actual gifts.
Dexter prowled around, nosing into bags left on the floor or rubbing against the table legs. Lysander kept a sharp eye on the cat, too, who would eat anything. Luckily, the beverage table was so full, there was no place for him to land if he jumped on it. Dexter was a typical cat who regarded cleanliness very highly and didn't want to dirty his paws on anything, even food.
Besides the usual folks, Julian and the kids, Briar, and Charlotte's friends from school, there were two who were suspiciously absent. One was Scarlet the cat, and the other was Brudha the house-elf. Scarlet was largely sedentary and it was possible she was around somewhere and simply out of sight. But whenever Brudha's whereabouts weren't known, Lysander couldn't help but wonder where the house-elf was and what he was doing. He still felt suspicious of the house-elf, though the creature hadn't given him any real cause for concern.
A tap at the door drew Lysander's attention away from his thoughts. He turned to see Astrid through the window. She was bundled up warmly and stood next to a pram. Axel stood with her.
Lysander walked over to the door to unlock it and said, "The party isn't till later." He was referring to a New Year's Eve party to be held in the bookstore that night.
"Oh, I know," Astrid said, "but I brought a gift for Charlotte."
Lysander hadn't extended an invitation to Astrid for no other reason than just because, though he had invited her to the party tonight. It was mostly for adults, though some kids like Grace and Charlotte would be there too.
He made the quick decision to let them in and then locked the door behind them again. "Charlotte, Astrid is here," he announced.
The birthday girl, wearing a green velvet party dress and a tiara in her hair, came forward to greet the new arrivals. She oohed and aahed at baby August, who was sleeping soundly in the pram.
"This is for you," Astrid said, handing over a rectangular parcel wrapped in brightly colored paper.
"May I open it now?" Charlotte asked. She hadn't opened any presents yet but she felt like she had been patient enough.
Lysander nodded. "If it's okay with Astrid."
"Of course it is!"
Charlotte beamed and tore into the paper, which she threw onto the ground, much to Dylan's pleasure. Her mouth formed an O when she saw her gift. Lysander himself stifled a noise of surprise when she turned the box around and showed him what it was.
It was a doll, much like the one Julian had given Chyler all those years ago. Whether it talked or not, Lysander didn't yet know, but one thing was for certain. The doll was the spitting image of Charlotte.
"I had it custom made," Astrid explained. "There's this lovely shop at home that makes them. All you need to is show a photograph. Isn't it wonderful, Charlotte?"
Charlotte was mesmerized. "She's so pretty!" She turned around to show her friends.
Astrid finally saw the look on Lysander's face and asked, "Are you all right?"
Lysander recovered in that moment and said, "Yes. It's a great gift. I'm not sure anyone else can top it."
Astrid smiled at the compliment and watched as Charlotte showed off the doll to everyone. Lysander looked over at Julian and realized from the expression on his face that the same thought had crossed their minds.
(Adriana) It's Time
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 01-21-16 14:23
After months of labor, the day had finally come for Adriana to put the potion she had been brewing to use. In the time since she began it, the potion's color had changed from clear to lime green. It still had the consistency of water and in its completed stage smelled faintly like rosemary.
With a shaking hand, she dipped a flask into the still-warm mixture in the cauldron and filled it up to the line at the top. She carefully stoppered the flask, set it gently on the work table, and then turned her attention to the stone sarcophagus nearby.
In all the time it had been in the crypt at the abbey, never once did Adriana think to open it. Her focus had been so much on completing the potion and making sure it was done correctly, since some of the ingredients were rare and would be challenging, perhaps even impossible, to replace. Now that the potion was done and what she long-awaited to accomplish nigh, Adriana felt a flicker of panic. What if the sarcophagus was empty? What if the body inside wasn't the right one?
She walked up to the unmarked rectangle which had been disguised as a mere bench in the Department of Mysteries. Adriana waved her wand at the candles and flowers decorating the top. The shrine vanished, leaving smooth, flat stone.
Adriana's heart started beating rapidly. This was it. If all she worked for up to this point was for nothing, then she didn't know what she would do.
She pointed her wand at the lid of the sarcophagus and blasted it free. The slab flew off and landed on the ground with a colossal thud that cracked it in places.
Adriana heard the handle of the door at the top of the stairs jiggle and then a muffled voice called out, "My Lady, are you all right?"
Adriana called back, "Yes," and then stepped to the edge of the sarcophagus.
A gasp escaped her lips as she looked upon the corpse, which was mostly bone but there was still a little flesh attached. The body wore black robes, the very same robes worn at death.
Adriana stared into the hollow eyes expectantly. Nervous excitement built within her. She grabbed onto the edge of the sarcophagus and climbed up on it, so that she was straddling it with both feet. She fished a small stone out of her pocket and then knelt down over the body.
Adriana stretched out her hand with the stone clasped within it and gave it a turn three times…
New Year's Eve Party
Author: Ron Weasley
Date: 01-21-16 14:57
"You sure you don't want something stronger?" Harry asks, gesturing to the bar set up for the party.
"Nothing stronger than butterbeer. Hermione shouldn't so I won't either."
"Solidarity. Nice."
"Besides, you know I rarely do anything stronger anyway."
"Yeah, something about getting passing out drunk and only vaguely remembering what happened."
Ron visibly shudders. "I don't know how some people drink like that on a regular basis."
This comment leads Harry and Ron to talk briefly of another auror they and others are beginning to suspect is a heavy drinker. Harry, working either undercover or on the complaints desk, hasn't been around this coworker as often for months now. Ron remarks, "You know, if you're aware just from what you've observed from your bright spot of a desk, then there has to be something going on, even if it's not alcoholism."
By now the two friends have meandered near one of the tables laden with a variety of food. Through several rooms there's everything from more of the hors d'oeuvres type to food food. Reaching for a one bite something that looks appealingly cheesy, Ron tells Harry. "I go back to Schaan, Liechtenstein, tomorrow afternoon."
"That's where your suspect has an aunt?" Harry asks.
"Right. We got a tip that the aunt has mentioned her niece is coming for an overdue visit."
"At least you get to sleep in tomorrow."
"I have a feeling if we were meeting up first thing, I'd be leaving the party well before midnight. How is your ," Ron clears his throat rather than saying mission or undercover job or anything of that nature as someone not in the know stops close by to get a couple of the same cheesy whatevers that Ron has been munching on.
When the person has moved on Harry reaches for a plate. "Let's load up and go somewhere less directly in the flow of traffic."
A few minutes later Harry and Ron are seated in a quieter corner where they may talk slightly more freely.
Quiet New Years at Home
Author: Charisma Stone
Date: 01-21-16 17:56
"Seriously glad we decided to stay in tonight," Isma said with a sigh as she cuddled up next to Blake on the sofa. Her head resting on his shoulder a glass of champagne in her hand and his arm around her shoulders.
Blake pressed a kiss to the top of her head and nodded, "I completely agree. We'd been so busy with Christmas at both family houses and stuff between us here. We needed the calm night for a change...and your brother's birthday the other day."
They'd spent some time at her parents house for Mark's birthday and he had been delighted by all his presents and spending time with family. It had been a busy day, and they'd also spent some time shopping for a few things that they needed for the flat.
The Christmas decorations had been put up yesterday and already the flat was back in some order. New Years Eve, was a night that they both intended on spending in their pajamas on the couch listening to music on the WWN and counting down the minutes until the new year began. Both of them would be starting at St. Emrys again in the next few weeks and after the holidays they'd be going back to work and falling once more into their usual routines.
"So, tomorrow take away and nothing or do we invade my parents house and do take away and movies on the tv?"
"I'm thinking we invade your parents house since they are leaving for two weeks on their cruise," Blake said with a grin.
"That works."
They fell into an easy conversation, listening to the music, and neither of them would actually be awake to properly ring in the new year, having fallen asleep by eleven.
(Alanna) To Her Doom
Author: Beck
Date: 01-22-16 14:25
Alanna stood in the little dressing room, accompanied by her seamstress, hair stylist, and make-up artist. The last time she put on a wedding gown, she found herself surrounded by female family members. This time, those around her were complete strangers. The lack of familiar support didn't bother Alanna, though. Her marriage to Reed wasn't a happy occasion. She had no cause for celebration, and neither did her family.
Her dress was silver-white and more fine than the dress she'd worn to her wedding to Jared. Despite its beauty and how amazing she looked in it, Alanna didn't care for it at all. She didn't feel the excitement and happiness she had when donning her old dress, and she knew that she would feel nothing but dread when Reed saw her in it in just a little while. It would be quite different from the moment Jared first laid eyes on her at their own wedding. That had been one of the best moments in her life.
She didn't know for sure if any of her family would attend tonight's ceremony, though all had been invited. The only family member she definitely couldn't count on attending was Anthony, because he was still in Ministry custody. Just as Alanna felt that agreeing to Reed's proposal had reversed the misfortunes experienced by various members of her family, Alanna believed that Anthony would probably go free in the new year. Her marriage would seal the deal, so to speak.
Things had improved vastly for the others. Not only did Toby get a boost in salary, but the Montrose Magpies were on a winning streak. Ariella and Karina were forging a new bond between them, and though Karina's reintroduction to her parents hadn't gone entirely smoothly, things were much better now than they had initially. Gillian had managed to get back on track with her studies and would resume clinical rotations at St. Mungo's in January. And Katherine seemed to have overcome the libelous scandal that had affected her own work at The Daily Prophet. If things went as Alanna suspected they would, Anthony would find himself a free man soon with generous compensation.
Her attendants finished getting her ready, and before she knew it, it was time to face Reed. The ceremony was to take place outside in the snow. The area was charmed to be comfortably warm, though most of the guests were dressed in their finest warmest robes and gowns. Snowflakes drifted lazily from the sky and looked magical in the moonlight, which was full. There was no need for artificial light, so bright was the moon.
Alanna, carrying a bouquet of blood red roses, prepared to walk down the center aisle. She felt her breath hitch in her throat as she spotted Reed standing under an arched trellis covered in green vines and rosebuds. She reminded herself that she had made her decision long ago. She would marry Reed to protect those she cared about the most.
Those in attendance rose to their feet as a string quartet began to play the wedding march. Alanna quickly scanned the faces of her guests. Some members of the division were present, as well as various department heads. There were a lot of faces Alanna didn't recognize, and she briefly entertained the idea that maybe some of them were Reed's Death Eater friends in disguise.
She let out a shocked sigh when she sighted Katherine among the guests. Katherine looked various serious, but she was there, and that alone made Alanna somehow feel more courageous. Katherine appeared to be dateless, which was curious since Alanna thought she was dating one of the coworkers scandalized by the article Rita Skeeter wrote. Alanna didn't know much, though, since all her time lately seemed to center around Reed and her own very big sacrifice.
Alanna willed her feet to move, and then they were, one step and then another. She made her way down the rose petal-strewn aisle until she stood face to face with the wizard who had and would continue to make her life miserable.
Name Suggestions
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 01-22-16 14:47
Even in the quiet corner Harry was more circumspect in bringing Ron up to date than he would have been if they'd had complete privacy. As far as most know, Harry is still with the Department of Magical Law Enforcement but in the greatly reduced capacity of working a complaints. Algernon is someone few know or even know of and some who do have a fingers in illegal activities.
All Harry as Algernon has been able to suss out from Nigel is that his former partner Reginald Atkinson was Obliviated after Nigel began to suspect him of keeping secrets that involved keeping much of Nigel's, and Reginald's, ill gotten gains for himself, cutting Nigel out or perhaps even doing away with him. Not wanting to be reduced to outright murder unless he had to, Nigel had Obliviated Reginald and left him to wander the streets of Paris, France.
Reginald Atkinson did have secrets but not any that Nigel correctly suspected. The name Reginald Atkinson is the name under which Maximillian Shacklebolt used for a deep undercover assignment. As yet, no Muggle or Wizarding inquiries to Paris have led to a possible location for Maximllian. In the meantime, Harry has continued his own undercover work in hopes that Nigel will reveal more details, such as which arrondissement "Reginald" and he were in when the Oblivation was performed. Getting those details without Nigel becoming suspicious of why "Algernon" is interested is the tricky part.
Later, when Ron and Harry had rejoined the party, Hermione, Ginny, Ron, and he are discussing babies and the news Ron and Hermione shared at Christmas. The subject of names comes up and Ginny looks at Harry to state, "You know, if we ever have another son, I'm sorry but we are NOT carrying on the Fleamont name."
Hermione snickeringly snorts and tells Ron, "No ideas for taking that one if this one's a boy."
Ron shakes his head. "I was thinking of a boy we'd go with Jazpony."
Ginny and Harry goggle at him, Harry asking, "Jazpony?"
"A name I heard when in a Muggle part of York the other day."
Ginny tries not to sound sarcastic when she suggests, "Why not Molesworth? You found that name interesting when you learned about something in Muggle history."
Hermione shoots a mock glare at Ginny. "Don't go giving him any ideas. With Jazpony, Ron is doing fine on his own. We are not using that name, by the way."
"Okay, not first name but how about middle?"
Harry grins at Ginny. "If they don't use Jazpony and you won't let me have Fleamont, then about we use Jazpony?"
Ginny's head shake is almost violent. "Never. I will render you mute before I let that happen."
Ron's look to Harry is somewhat bemused. "She would too, you know."
Harry gives a huge sigh that involves his entire body. "Tell me something I don't know."
Ginny and Hermione give the two men angelic, sweet smiles before sending them off to refresh their drinks.