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Separated
Author: Lee Sickleby
Date: 01-19-18 12:50
Lee sat at home and nursed a glass of firewhiskey. He could have gone to any number of New Year's Eve parties, but he wasn't much in the mood for socializing or celebrating.
Alaia had moved out after learning that Lee had been keeping his true profession a secret. Even though she understood why he'd kept the truth from her, she still felt betrayed and needed some time to reflect. She was staying with Divina, Amyas, and their adopted baby in the flat above the bakery.
Lee had hardly seen her in the time they'd been apart, which was made all the more difficult because he hadn't returned to the field since being injured while in Africa. He was fully recovered now, but with Newell's death complicating matters, Lee was currently restricted to desk duty while an investigation was underway.
Travers, meanwhile, was still out there. That bothered Lee tremendously, but his wife leaving him felt much worse.
Lee suddenly felt stir crazy and decided to go see Alaia, whether she wanted him to visit or not. He couldn't imagine she was much for celebrating either, and with a small baby in the house, it seemed all the more likely that she was at home.
He apparated to Diagon Alley and wound his way past the various shoppes to nearly the very end, where his wife's sweetshop and bakery was located. It was closed, but there was light shining through the windows in the flat over the business. Lee climbed the back steps to the residence but slowed his steps when he realized that the door was ajar.
He produced his wand and edged forward, lighting pushing the door open wider with his finger tips. He slipped inside the flat and noted with growing apprehension that the place was ransacked. Everything was overturned, and there were blood stains on the rug and sofa. It wasn't a lot of blood, but it was enough to cause Lee even more panic.
"Alaia!" he called out, when he felt certain nobody nefarious was in the flat.
He moved from room to room, determined to find his wife, hopefully still among the living. There was nothing and no one. Amyas and Divina and the baby were not present, and neither was Alaia. Lee was glad not to find any bodies, and the blood suggested only one person harmed. Maybe it was just a clumsy burglar, but Lee had a bad feeling that was not the case.
He strode straight to the fireplace and flooed to the Ministry of Magic.
(Kate) An Anniversary
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 01-20-18 17:26
"Are you sure about this?"
Kate and Mark were standing on the front walk of the little cottage he shared with his mother in St. Ives, Cornwall. In the whole year the two had been dating, Mark had never once brought Kate over to the house, nor had she seen his mother during that time.
"I'm sure, Mark," Kate said, taking both of his hands and giving them a warm squeeze. "It's not like before when your parents didn't want me around. Are you worried for me?"
"I know it's not like before, but I can't help but thinking about that time. My mother is half the reason we broke up in the first place," Mark said.
"And she's also the reason we got back together," Kate reminded him. "Let's go inside and see her."
Mark closed the narrow gap between them to kiss her lightly on the lips, then he let go of one of her hands and led her the rest of the way to the front door. He inserted his key and pushed the door open, calling out, "Mum? We're here."
And there she was. Eviene Farnon was tall and slender, with fair hair that hadn't grayed at all despite her age. She was very pretty, and Kate found her more so now than when they'd last seen each other several years ago. Back then, Mrs. Farnon had been cold and cruel. Now she was warm and effervescent.
"Come in from the cold, you two!" she exclaimed. She kissed Mark on the cheek as if they didn't see each other ever day anyway and then turned to Kate. At first she held the younger witch at arm's length to look her over, which she did with a smile. Then she air kissed Kate on both cheeks and said, "I'm so glad Mark finally agreed to let you come."
"Mum, that's not how it was, and you know it," Mark protested, but he wasn't angry.
"I know, dear. It's just we had a bad start, and I'm glad we're past it now and can move forward in happier times. There are drinks and o'dourves in the kitchen."
Kate started to move forward, but a handsome cat rubbed against her ankles. She knelt with a grin and exclaimed, "Cavall! I haven't seen you in forever."
Mark's old cat arched his back at her touch and purred loudly. He followed Kate and the others to the kitchen, hoping to be fed too.
"Mark tells me your cousin is adopting. How lovely!" Mrs. Farnon said.
"Yes, a girl from China. I think they are going to give her a new name, but keep her given name as a middle name or something. That's the last I heard, anyway," Kate answered.
"That's wonderful, but doesn't your cousin want a biological child too? Surely her parents want a flesh-and-blood grandchild."
Mark failed at refraining from rolling his eyes. Kate smiled sheepishly and said, "I really don't know how Uncle Wotan and Aunt Aemilia feel about it. There are already three biological grandchildren on the other side of the family, though."
Mrs. Farnon passed her a champagne flute. "It's not too early, is it? I know it's not midnight, but we are celebrating, are we not?"
Kate accepted the flute and smiled at Mark. "I suppose we are."
"Your one year anniversary!" Mrs. Farnon gushed. "When Mark told me you two were back together, well I was just tickled! True love! There's nothing better, is there?"
Kate turned back to Mark and smiled. They clinked glasses, thinking back to exactly one year ago when Mark had kissed Kate at a New Year's Eve party at St. Emrys. That kiss had gotten them on track again, and things couldn't be better between them.
Late To The Party
Author: Travis
Date: 01-20-18 19:14
"There you are, Fifi!"
Travis grimaces, Indigo stifles a snicker. She turns. "I didn't know you were looking for me, Mother."
Morticia frowns. "You've been avoiding me."
"I have?"
"Don't be facetious. It's unbecoming."
"I was not and am not being facetious. I have no idea what you mean when you say I've been avoiding you."
"You've been here how long and haven't spoken?"
"I've been here at most five minutes."
"Five minutes?"
"Yes, five minutes and I didn't see you when I came in. Before I could search I saw Indi and came to say hello."
"Why are you only now arriving?"
"Two reasons. As I mentioned to you a few days ago I needed to put in an appearance at another party. I was late getting to that one so the time was later than originally planned when I left there."
"And you're alone?"
"Yes, Mum. I came without a date."
"But the invitation indicated you should bring one. You too, Indigo."
Indigo sighs. "I explained when I got here."
Morticia waves a hand. "Yes, yes. You've broken off with that girl you've been seeing."
"That girl, as you insist on calling her, was cheating on me. Of course I broke it off."
"If you'd both have let me know you were coming alone I could have made arrangements."
"Which is why I didn't tell you," Travis states. Indigo nods in agreement.
"I simply do not understand. You aren't getting any younger, Fifi. Your optimum window for having beautiful babies like your sister is rapidly closing."
"I cannot help that I have not found my mister right. I'm not going to settle on someone simply for the sake of being married and having children. I'm not like you, Mother."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"You never liked being a single. You have some sort of need to be part of a couple. It's why you've married so many times. I'm perfectly happy not being part of a couple so unless and until I meet the person I think is the right one, I'll continue dating as I have."
"But you hardly date."
"I don't live with you and don't check in with you every single time I go out with someone so how do you know I hardly date?"
"To spite me."
"I rarely date simply to spite you. Somewhat far-fetched even for you, Mum."
Morticia looks to Indigo. "And you are what is called a player. You date but date far too many different ones. Hardly the same one twice."
"That's not true," Indi insists.
They are saved from more of Morticia's complaints when she spots one of the evening's servers opening a wrong bottle of wine. "We will continue this later." She sweeps across the room to inform the server that the bottle of wine is all wrong for the food currently being offered, pointing out which bottles should be on offer and reminding no champagne until just before midnight.
As their mother is ensuring all goes well with her perfectly planned party Travis leans in close to Indigo. "Not going to tell Mum just yet but I'm pregnant."
Indigo's eyes bug. "What? Who?"
"Not saying who. Doing this on my own."
"It's not that Kellen chap, is it?"
"What? No! I like Kellen but I don't like him enough for that."
"You'd better have a good story for Mum when you do break the news."
"I know. That's why I'm not telling just yet. I was dying to share though so you're it."
"Thanks," Indi sarcastically replies. "Now who do I get to tell when I'm dying to spill?"
Travis just laughs.
Death on New Year's Eve
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 01-21-18 16:42
The lynx that was Kingsley Shacklebolt's patronus came in through the open door the same time Rose tried to slip out unnoticed with several of her cousins in tow. She let out a shriek of alarm, which drew the attention of every adult in the room and ended her quest to venture outdoors.
"Trouble at The Leaky Cauldron," said the lynx in Kingsley's deep baritone voice. "Doge is no more."
"What's Doge?" Jamie wondered aloud, while the adults made quick work of deciding who would stay at the Burrow and mind the children, some of whom were already in their beds.
"I think Doge is a kind of meat pie," Rose said. "It must be serious to run out on a holiday. Bet there's a riot."
Hermione reached for Rose's arm and said, "Your Dad and I are going to make a quick trip to London. I want you in bed before we return."
"But I want to stay up until midnight."
"If you are good for your grandparents, then you may stay up until midnight, but you're to be in bed at twelve-oh-one, am I understood?"
Rose nodded. "Yes."
Hermione, Ron, Harry and several others disapparated and arrived outside the pub, which was cordoned off with magical CAUTION tape and was already under investigation by aurors. Ron and Harry, each being one, immediately strode beyond the tape, while Hermione and the others stayed out of the way and wondered what the scene looked like inside the building.
She was not surprised to see Kingsley emerge after a while from the brick archway. He walked towards her and the others gathered there, which would soon include reporters and gawkers. In a low tone he quickly explained the situation.
The body of Elphias Doge had unexpectedly shot through one of the fireplaces in the pub, right in the middle of a New Year's Eve celebration going on in the common area. It was like Adriana Fairchild all over again, only this time the dead was one of their own.
"Has anyone claimed responsibility yet?" Hermione asked.
"No, but we have our guesses."
Earlier in the week, Kingsley had let it be known that someone the Ministry of Magic had been surveilling for quite some time had recently acquired a Dark Mark. The wizard was currently in a holding cell and had been interrogated. Like with the Ministry's spy, the prisoner was under strong spells preventing him from saying much.
Before that, Minerva McGonagall had revealed intelligence she'd inadvertently received from her own brother regarding the indoctrination and recruitment of school-aged wizards into the Death Eaters.
Although there was not yet any definite proof, it seemed the Death Eaters had regrouped, were recruiting, and quite possibly had a new leader… but who was he or she?
Possible Wedding
Author: Emerald Green
Date: 01-21-18 18:36
Though midnight and the new year is not far off now, Emerald and Olive aren't thinking of the soon to be start of 2012. Stirring cream into a cup of coffee Olive is saying, "We were going to wait until we're both finished with classes and added training but not we're thinking why wait?"
"As someone who not only waited but put Phin off for far too long, I sort of agree there's not much point if you're sure." Fairly certain she's pregnant with her second child Emerald is drinking what looks like a yellowish white wine but is apple juice.
"I'm positive Zuberi is the one. I'm pretty certain he feels the same about me."
"So do you do have a date in mind?"
"Not a specific one but we've kicked around the Saturday before Palm Sunday. If not that specific Saturday then one of the others between Hilary and Trinity terms."
"Not a lot of planning time."
"We don't need much. Something small and while I want a pretty dress I don't need anything elaborate. I'd have three bridemaids. Jade would be maid of honor, you, and Marjani."
"Seems fair for Jade to be yours since you were mine." Emerald motions to the door. "I should go check on Niles."
Olive accompanies her sister to the Crown & Cauldron's office area where Niles and other little ones are in varied states of slumber. A few of the smaller children are still at the party, fighting to stay awake for fear of missing something fun and exciting. Thankfully, Niles started getting sleepy around his regular time and made no fuss about curling up on a pallet, otherwise he'd be horribly cranky all day tomorrow.
Assured that Niles is still sleeping and is fine, Emerald and Olive return to the party. With Emerald married to the son of one of the Crown & Cauldron owners and Jade still very much a couple with Baron Marchbanks, a nephew of the owners, the entire Green and Greene family was invited to the Hodfuffers' New Year's Eve party. Once back in the thick of it, Olive grabs a plate and fills it with a variety of tidbits then rejoins Emerald to continue talking about the possible wedding.
(Paton) New Year's Day
Author: Griet
Date: 01-22-18 18:20
Paton awoke to his new tortoiseshell kitten attacking his toes under the bedspread. He didn't know what time it was, but with the amount of sun streaming in through the windows, Paton guessed it must at least be mid-morning.
Last night, the Shrewsbury and Flaversham families had gone over to the Vanderbilt home in Canterbury for a New Year's Eve celebration. As usual, Paton and Franciscus had had a great deal of fun blowing things up, but things had almost turned out badly this year. Festering Festus had wanted to shoot off fireworks, too, and he had nearly blown off some of his fingers.
Paton was convinced Festus had done it on purpose to get him into trouble. Mr. Flaversham had yelled at him in front of everybody, and not a single person had said a thing, least of all Paton's own mother. Needless to say, the very end of 2011 and the start of 2012 were not going well.
At least he'd been allowed to sleep in this morning. Paton yawned, and then he reached down to pick up the writhing, playful kitty, whose name was Bandit. The name suited her. She was fun, mischievous, and had taken to stealing whatever wasn't too heavy for her to carry in her mouth. Already, she'd filched a pair of Fulvia's underpants. They were lying in a heap on the floor.
Paton got up and put the cat on his shoulder. Bandit proceeded to bat at his ear lobe. Paton kicked Fulvia's underpants out of his room and went to the bathroom to relieve himself. Then he padded downstairs, where he found his mother nursing a cup of coffee while Flavius read the newspaper. Fulvia and Festus weren't around as far as Paton could tell. That was a good thing, in his opinion.
"Morning," he mumbled.
His mother murmured a greeting, and Flavius put down the newspaper and said, "There's a great deal of rubbish in the yard from all the fireworks that were shot off last night while we were away. You're to clean it up––without your wand, mind you."
Paton looked at his mother, who offered him an encouraging smile and said, "I guess you and Franciscus weren't the only ones having a little too much fun last night."
Paton smiled at her thinly and helped himself to some cereal. Bandit was now sitting on his shoulder like she was a parrot instead of a kitten. She studiously regarded the scene at the table.
"Did you hear what I said, Paton?" Flavius asked.
"I did, and I will clean it up by hand as soon as I've eaten and changed into warmer clothes," Paton replied.
Flavius looked like he might say something, but then he made a noise in his throat and resumed reading his newspaper. Paton ate slowly and deliberately. When he got up to put his cereal bowl in the sink, he looked out the window and saw the Flaversham siblings throwing scraps of paper and cardboard all over the yard.
Home From Work
Author: Kissy Isuki
Date: 01-23-18 18:24
At the sound of the door Everett goes running, the cats chasing after him. Everett happily announces, "Daddy!" throwing his arms around Cameron's legs.
Cam scoops the four year old up as he jokes, "Remind me again which one you are. Callista or Everett or maybe you're Itty. Or is it Bitty?"
Everett squeals with laughter. "You funny, Daddy."
Walking to the sitting area with Everett hoisted up to one shoulder, Cam sits down beside Kissy and Callista, who is snuggled on her mother's lap looking as though she might fall asleep at any moment. The cats join them, rubbing against Everett who is now on Cam's other side. The boy doesn't stay still for long, rolling off the couch, giggling as the cats follow.
Kissy leans into Cam. "Was it bad?"
"Not as horrible as I thought it might be compared to other years but bad enough. Want me to take her?"
"If you'll help me up, I think she's far gone enough to be put in her bed. I'd try to get Everett settled for a nap as well but something has him so wound up it's a lost cause for the moment."
After helping Kissy up, Cam goes into the kitchen to start tea, Kissy joining him a few minutes later. "I'll finish. You're probably about dead on your feet."
"Not quite but nearly, thanks."
When Kissy brings the tea with a small plate of snacks, she finds Everett calmer, sitting with Cam as Cam reads to him. "That was quick," she murmurs.
Cam shrugs, not sure what brought about the change but glad for it as it means less of a chance of dealing with an overly cranky boy later this afternoon or evening. Two and a half stories later and Everett is nodding off. After he too has been put in his bed and it's the cats on the couch with Kissy and Cam he says, "I think he was wound up fighting sleep. Once he sat still for a few minutes he started having trouble resisting."
"Sounds like as good an explanation as any. Was everyone busy the entire time?"
"Pretty much as far as I know. There were times I was doing more spell reversals than Obliviations though did do a lot of those."
As happens every New Year's Eve into New Year's Day, and any other occasion for massive numbers of witches and wizards to have an excuse for copious amounts of drinking, the misuse of magic and magical accidents is rampant with many of these incidents occurring with Muggles as witness. It never fails to amaze Cam how many drunken witches and wizards think they can safely apparate or perform complex spells and how many think that they've had the best idea ever to do these things in the middle of a busy city square full of Muggles. That many of the Muggles are just as inebriated doesn't prevent the Obliviators like Cam from having to modify their memories.
At least he'd gotten to ring in the new year with Kissy, family, and friends before having to go on his first call of many, making for a long night and morning. Being home now, a cup and a half of tea and a few finger sandwiches and Cam can't stop yawning. He finishes one story of a wizard who decided to break into a Muggle carpet shoppe and charm one of the carpets to take him for a spin around Picadilly Circus in London then goes to take his own nap so he won't be cranky this evening when he tries to return to his regular schedule.
Thinking
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 01-23-18 18:52
Ethan sat on his couch with his feet up on the table and a beer in his hand. He was half asleep, since last night had gotten exceptionally late, and because Lilly had gotten him up at a normal hour this morning. Ethan would have loved to have slept in this morning, but his daughter had insisted on chocolate pancakes for breakfast.
At the moment, Lilly was in her room playing with some toys she'd gotten for Christmas. It was the perfect opportunity for a nap, but despite how sleepy Ethan felt, he couldn't turn off his mind to go completely unconscious.
He kept thinking about the fact that the Death Eaters might not be disbanded after all. Ethan only knew of the possibility because Jaiden Peters had relayed a bit of information to him. The Ministry had a Death Eater in custody, and that Death Eater happened to be his colleague's spouse.
The fact that he'd been under one roof with a Death Eater had Ethan wondering if he'd been spied upon, and if the Death Eater had been tasked to get Project 25 up running again. The latter might have been a leap, but the thought couldn't be helped. Ethan hadn't yet shared any news with the remaining members, though.
With the holidays and a lack of any real information, Ethan hadn't found it necessary to come forward with what little he knew just yet. He probably would arrange a meeting soon, though.
Lilly came into the room. "When are we going to Granny's house?"
Ethan stifled a yawn with his hand, pulled his feet off the coffee table and put down his beer. "Not for a while yet, Lilly. Briar and Grace are coming over first, and then we're all going to head over."
"Will Oliver be there?"
"I think so, yes."
"Good." And with that, she retreated to her room.
Ethan picked up his beer again and sank back into the cushions. He knew there was no point in worrying when there wasn't any solid information to go on yet, but he couldn't stop thinking about it. So far, 2012 wasn't shaping up to be a good year.
(Asher) Alone Time
Author: Jolyon
Date: 01-24-18 18:32
Asher walked across the yard dressed in his warmest with his hands stuffed into his coat pockets. Since leaving Hogwarts for the holidays, Asher had hardly gotten time to himself. There'd been family gatherings for the different days for Christmas and New Year's, and then everyone on the planet wanted to see the new babies. There were always people popping in and out, bearing gifts and acting like puddles of mush around the newborn twins. It was all too much.
There hadn't been any scheduled Team Delta Echo meetings so far during the break, but there was talk of getting as much of the group together one day before term resumed in a little over a week. Not everyone would be able to come, though, since a few students had stayed at Hogwarts over Christmas.
There was much to talk about, if what the newspapers reported on was accurate. At any rate, a good discussion was likely to be had.
"Asher!"
As it was dark and there wasn't much lighting around the yard, Asher thought if he remained quiet, he'd not get seen. He'd like a little more time to himself before he had to rejoin the family. The person calling his name was his grandmother, though, and he actually got on with her very well, even if she was his father's mother.
"Here," he called, and he picked up the pace towards the house.
"We want to do a family photo," Bridget Kent said. "Is that all right?"
He liked that she cared to ask his opinion. Now that she could see him, he nodded and said, "Yes, it's all right. Is everyone waiting on me?"
"Not really. The babies are both asleep and Gaius is going from one story to the next. He likes an audience, you know."
Asher smiled and stepped inside, where it was cozy warm and noisy, despite the sleeping twins. He shed his coat and checked his reflection in the hall mirror. His cheeks and nose were rosy from the cold, but by the time everyone was ready for the photo, he'd probably look perfectly normal again.