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The Interview
Author: Mildred
Date: 06-18-20 08:16
Mildred was waiting for her boss at the outskirts of the Pole property. The Poles had finally decided to sue St. Mungo's for negligence and they had hired Mildred's firm to represent the Pole family. Mildred's boss, Mr. Gristwood, would be in charge of the case. Mildred, as a law student, would assist him.
Mr. Gristwood apparated next to her. Today he would be conducting an interview with Sophie Pole, to get a first hand report of what happened during he son's birth. Mildred would be taking notes of Mrs. Pole's words. She had been surprised when she had been chosen to assist Mr. Gristwood in such a delicate high-profile case, and when she thanked him for the opportunity the lawyer told her with candor that she had not been his first, or even second choice. He revealed that it had been Jasper who insisted that she should participate in this case. If things went well this could be the perfect boost to her career and she recalled that on their encounter she had told him about her hopes and how limited her role had been so far at the law firm.
Mr. Gristwood lead the way and they were received at the grounds by a man, who introduced himself as Wren McCallister. He was wearing working robes, and he explained he was the keeper and veterinary of the Poles' large Thestrals creation and also took care of the property. Wren escorted them inside, and Mildred was stunned with the large area of the manor that grew larger as they approached.
"First time at the property?" Wren asked her, noticing the expression in her face.
Mildred nodded. Mr. Gristwood did not seem equally impressed. He had a pocket of rich and notable clients. Mildred had been in Jasper's apartment and at his hunting lodge, but she never imagined he could live in such a place.
They were received by Jasper himself at the front door. Jasper conducted them inside, into a well decorated living room. His wife was seated at a sofa, and she stood up to greet them. Mildred recognized Sophie from their Quidditch times as Hogwarts, but she seemed different than before.
"It will be better if we speak alone with Mrs. Pole," Mr. Gristwood told Jasper. "It is important to hear her recollection of the events without the intervention of a third party. We will collect other testimonies later, but I would like to start with your wife."
"Of course," Jasper said. He kissed the top of Sophie's head and left. Mildred and Mr. Gristwood took a seat on the sofa in front of Sophie.
"I know these are painful memories, Mrs. Pole, but could you please tell us the events of the 9th and 10th of April, that lead to the birth of your son?"
Sophie nodded and she told them everything she could remember. Mildred wrote down everything with her quill. When Sophie ended telling her story, Mr. Gristwood asked:
"May we see your son?"
Sophie nodded. She stood up and took Mildred and her boss to a baby's bedroom. There was a crib, and inside the baby. He seemed like a normal infant to Mildred, until Sophie pulled down the covers and revealed his leg. Mr. Gristwood told Mildred to write down the baby's description and he asked Sophie if he could have some photographs of Walter, especially of his defective leg. He also asked Sophie for all her son's medical information.
As Mildred waited by the door, while Mr. Gristwood told Sophie they would do everything they could to bring some justice to her child, Jasper joined her. He did not say a word, but his hand brushed over Mildred's back. The contact made her almost loose her composure but she kept her posture. Jasper then walked into the room and took his wife's hand, as if nothing nothing happened and had not just touched Mildred a second ago.
"Thank you for doing this Mr. Gristwood."
"You are welcome, Mr. Pole. I believe we have a solid case here. Now if you excuse us, Miss Campbell and I need to go back to the office. We will have to return in a few days to collect other testimonials. I'm afraid you will get rather accustomed to our presence."
Jasper looked straight at Mildred's eyes, taking advantage of the fact his wife had her attention on Walter.
"I do not mind it. It is for a good cause."
Mildred returned the look without a blink. Now she understood why he had insisted she should take this case. They had a chance to get closer again.
Conrad and Alys after Potions
Author: Ellis
Date: 06-18-20 18:12
Conrad and Belinda cuddled on a picnic blanket next to the lake. They had already completed their Potions Practicals and didn't want to even think about cramming for tomorrow's Care of Magical Creatures exams. Conrad himself only had Care of Magical Creatures and Astronomy remaining for his OWLs, but Belinda also had Arithmancy & Divination. Because he was such a devoted boyfriend, Conrad intended on escorting Belinda to the Great Hall for both parts of the exam and would also be there to see her exit.
A member of law enforcement walking adjacent to the couple along the bank of the lake caught Conrad's eye. He didn't think it was in their purview to separate amorous couples, not that he and Belinda were being overly affectionate at the moment. Conrad reached for a lock of Belinda's hair and twirled it between his fingers.
"Do you think there will be law enforcement on campus next year?" he asked, watching the auror or hit wizard or whatever the person's position was continue walking in their general direction.
Belinda said, "I don't know. Do you think their being here has helped matters?"
Conrad shrugged. "I can't really say. Nothing suspicious happened this year, unless you believe that carving was really a Dark Mark."
"Maybe it was," Belinda replied. "Maybe students are still being recruited to the Death Eaters and you just don't know it."
Conrad fingered the choker around her neck and drawled, "I bet he'd want you on his team. You're so delightfully wicked." He wrapped his hand around the back of neck and drew her face towards him for a deep kiss.
A few minutes later they both heard a rough, "Hey, break it up you two!"
—
Alys, meanwhile, sat in the hallway with one ankle crossed over the other. She had already taken her Potions Practical and was waiting on Chip to complete his. While she waited, she thought about the next stage of her life. She had an audition this summer with the London Symphony Wizarding Orchestra. If she earned a chair, then she would perform regularly in London and get to travel around the country and occasionally even the world. She wanted to join the orchestra more than anything, but if it didn't work out, then she would go to St. Emrys as planned. The university had its own orchestra, too.
Chip came out the side door and announced, "It's over. I'm done."
"Just three more to go," Alys said, climbing to her feet.
"No, I mean, I think I bombed. Completely."
"You did not," Alys said. "You've never done too poorly at Potions."
Chip sighed and fell into step with her as they walked towards the Commons. "I know, but even though Professor Snape wasn't there glowering at me, I felt like he was watching me and hoping I'd fail. It got to me. It really did."
"I'm sure you did fine," Alys said.
They reached the Commons, where Chip peeled off to see his girlfriend. Alys looked around for a familiar face but didn't see anyone she normally hung out with. After a moment, she turned on her heel and walked out of the castle. A little walking after all that sitting would do her some good, and maybe it would clear her mind.
(Oliver) So Many Distractions
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 06-19-20 10:38
Oliver sat in the Great Hall with his fifth year Care of Magical Creatures classmates and the seventh years who had also taken the elective course. He already had six exams behind him after after today's two-parter, just had two more to go: Astronomy and Arithmancy & Divination. Oliver was so looking forward to being finished with exams. He was tired of writing, tired of studying, and just plain tired of feeling tired all the time.
At least summer was just around the corner. The Towneleys didn't have a big trip planned like they'd just recently done over spring break. Oliver hoped he would get to go to Quidditch Con and Emrys Fest, but there would probably be some family day trips as well.
Oliver was a little fearful that his parents would insist he get a summer job. After all, he was sixteen. If he had to get a summer job, then Oliver would prefer getting one in the wizarding world and not in the Muggle world. For all he knew, they already had something lined up for him, but if not, then maybe Oliver could ask Grace to see if either one of her parents would take him on––but that was only if his parents insisted he work this summer.
After all this OWL prep, Oliver thought he deserved a nice long summer without the burden of work!
He started when he heard the door creak open. Oliver threw a look over his shoulder, noticing as he did so that other students were doing the same, and saw that Eunice Smirt had entered the room. She wove between the desks rather distractedly and then positioned herself at the front of the room, on the opposite end of the table where Professor Sacheverelle monitored the test takers.
Oliver briefly wondered if the Smirts would be back next year. He wasn't even sure what their purpose at Hogwarts was, other than to creep around and get on the professors' nerves. He could tell that Professor Sacheverelle was schooling her features. She had seemed rather relaxed until just a few moments ago.
Realizing he was wasting precious time thinking about everything other than his exam, Oliver looked down at his test parchment and read the next question, which had to do with nifflers. After he answered it, he got the distinct feeling that he was being watched. The feeling was magnified because he felt a prickling on his skin.
He looked up and gave another start when he noticed Ms. Smirt staring right at him. She had incredibly dark eyes, nearly black, and they seemed to bore right through him. She held his gaze, and it ended up being Oliver who looked away, feeling awkward and wondering what he'd done to gain her attention. He looked at the next test question, but he had to read it about five times before he could make sense of it and come up with an answer for it.
(Malden) Lying in Wait
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 06-20-20 14:55
Malden exhaled smoke and tried to look nonchalant. He stood against a building with a cigarette dangling between his fingers and looked at the passersby, wondering how he and Bonneville had ever managed to do their jobs without getting interrupted or noticed. So far, they had managed it well enough, though Malden didn't know if what they were doing would actually work. It seemed tricky and a bit strange, and since the results weren't instant, Malden didn't have any confidence that they would ultimately succeed.
Failing wasn't an option, though. If Malden failed, especially this close to earning his Dark Mark, it would be a punch to the stomach. At least he probably wouldn't feel miserable for too long, since he'd probably be dead.
Dying brought to mind something else that had recently happened in the Death Eater circle. A search party was sent out after one of the Death Eaters who joined in the reign of Adriana Fairchild stopped showing up for summons. Malden liked to think that the Death Eaters went to Lurleen Spuckler's house for a welfare check, even though he knew full well that they had probably gone there to drag her to Voldemort and watch as he tortured and then killed her himself.
What the Death Eaters found was Lurleen dead in her yard with the number 24 carved into her forehead.
For some reason when the news was brought back to Voldemort he began to rage. Malden had seen him angry, but he had never seen him lose his temper in such a way. One of Maurice's family's house-elves got incinerated during the incident, two more were badly injured, and much of the china, vases, and other breakables were smashed to pieces.
Malden was later forced to clean up the mess.
During their first outing together for this current mission, in a surveillance situation similar to the one Malden currently found himself in, Bonneville explained the significance of Lurleen's murder. He'd not been a Death Eater himself back then, but the fact that a serial killer had been on the loose had been common knowledge to anyone who followed the news. More than 14 years ago, Death Eaters fell one by one, each with a number carved into their foreheads. Although the murders were never officially solved by law enforcement, Voldemort had known then who was behind the murders. His rage at this continuation was understandable, especially after so many years of apparent conciliation.
All Malden gleaned out of the story was the fact that he could be next. He was a young upstart, after all, though perhaps not yet having his mark would save him from dying with #25 carved into his forehead.
Bonneville added that others were looking into the situation and they were to continue with the task at hand. That day the pair waited for their target. It was Bonneville who stunned their mark and dragged him behind a dumpster in an alley. Together, they performed a ritual from an old book. According to Bonneville, they were operating the quick and dirty way––not the way he had been done before, which had been slow, deliberate, and over the course of many years. They were on a time crunch though, so quick and dirty was their only option.
After the ritual was done, they revived the wizard and quickly left the scene before he realized where he was or what had happened. A week later, they did it again, only they left him sitting on a park bench.
This time Malden was to do the capture all on his own. Bonneville was nearby watching and would assist if necessary, but Malden was supposed to show that he could handle the situation. He saw his target emerge and set off down the sidewalk. Malden threw his cigarette to the ground, stubbed it out, and went in pursuit of his mark.
New York, New York
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 06-20-20 21:21
Exiting the hotel, Harry stops to get his bearings. A doorman inquires, "May I assist, sir? I can hail a taxi if you need."
"A, you know, um, regular cab or ," anticipating what Harry's asking the doorman gestures to several passing yellow cabs. "One of those."
Harry nods, "Yes, please, or maybe it's near enough to walk. I'm still not up on the New York City geography. I'm going to a small deli called Silverberg's."
"You're in luck. Cross at that corner. Walk to the next intersection and turn right without crossing. Silverberg's is tucked away about halfway do the next corner."
At Harry's, "Thank you," the doorman, whose name tag reads Dawson, touches the brim of his cap.
Harry sets off at a somewhat brisk pace, hoping the energetic movement will shake off the lethargy threatening to set in. It's still relatively early evening here in New York City, New York, but for Harry's body, it's five hours later and it's wanting to be in the hotel room either being lazy with a local wireless program or stretched out on the bed, ready for sleep. Thinking about being lazy he wonders again whether he should have booked into a Muggle hotel so that he'd have television. Shrugging off the thought as being too late now, Harry reaches the intersection, crossing with a few others.
He finds Silverberg's with little trouble, though Dawson's description of tucked away is accurate enough that Harry walks by it the first time. It's one of those places that's actually below street level. Going down the steps and entering, he finds the restaurant is small as expected but larger than he would have thought. From a booth near the door a tall, strawberry blond with startling deep blue eyes half rises. "Harry?"
Harry steps forward, hand extended. "Yes, hi, Elijah. Thanks for meeting me."
Elijah Guidry is a maternal cousin of Harry's colleague Amity DeBlieux. Elijah is based here in New York City with the Magical Law Enforcement division of the Magical Congress of the United States of America. Amity contacted Elijah to ask him the favor of helping Harry in his search for information on Anne Potter, who most likely was Anne Potts.
"Happy to help," Elijah replies, gesturing for Harry to sit. Sliding a menu to him, Elijah says, "Everything's good and I'm not just saying that's because it's my father-in-law's place. My wife jokes I only married her because of her connection to the food."
"I'm hungry enough that even if little was edible here I'd eat it," Harry chuckles. "I've not eaten since lunch my time. I should have had a snack but then I let it go too late."
With Elijah's help navigating the menu Harry is quick to pick a hot brisket and cheese sandwich, which Elijah is also having. Once Elijah's given the order to someone called Frieda and has personally gotten drinks for both of them, Elijah says, "Using what information you could give me, I've located where the Fairchilds lived. I think it's them, anyway. An elderly couple who've been there since the mid-50s remembers a Robert, Anne, and pretty little daughter Adriana. A few professors at Columbia remember Adriana somewhat. Only one person is left where Robert was employed. Such a shame he passed. He's greatly missed. The usual trope one expects when the deceased seems to have been a well liked, nice guy. I can't find anywhere that Anne might have been employed so either she didn't have an outside type job or the business is no longer."
"Wow. You've done a lot in less than 24 hours. I don't want you getting into any trouble with MACUSA for doing something for me on their time."
Elijah waves a hand. "I've not done anything on their time. My wife and I have been wanting to take a deluxe type vacation for our tenth anniversary so we've both been putting in overtime to help pay for it. I had enough in for the last few months that I had to take some mandatory days off. Our kids' school let out the first week of June and they're both now at a horseback riding camp. My first day off I slept but after that I got bored quickly in an overly quite house."
Frieda calls out, "Food's up, Elijah."
"Thanks!" He jumps up to get their food, telling Harry, "I got it," at Harry's offer of help.
Plates before them, they go quite for a few minutes, both digging in, savoring the sandwiches. When he finally speaks Harry says reaching for a napkin to wipe the gravy from his chin, "You're right. This is great. Do they do breakfast? I may need to come back."
"Open early with an excellent breakfast selection. The banana pancakes and pecan waffles are the best. Any omelet is to die for."
"Pecan waffles? I don't think I've had that. I've had banana pancakes, though they were just regular pancakes with banana sliced over the top."
Elijah shakes his head. "Not these. Banana in the batter. Any of the fruit pancakes and waffles have fruit in the batter. The same with any you get with nuts."
Harry grins, "Maybe I need to extend my stay so I can better explore everything Silverberg's offers. One question. Is your father-in-law," he glances around to ensure no one overhears, "a Muggle. Sorry, I mean No-Maj. That's what they're called here, right? No-Maj."
"Yeah, though some use Muggle as well. To answer your question, no, Avram isn't one. The great grandfather, or is he great great? Anyway, the one who started the restaurant wasn't a squib but he was only a step or two above. He was never bothered by that as he loved being a real hands on cook. He was going to open one in a wizarding location but the story goes that this place became available at not even a quarter of the price of the other place. He snapped it up saying he could use the extra money to sink into getting the place up and running. You going to have room for dessert?"
"I'm not sure where I'd put it but I think I could manage. I should finish this sandwich first though."
Using his fork to cut into what's left of his own still warm sandwich Elijah signals Frieda who brings over a large plate with a sampling of sweets. "We thought you might like to try a few different things. Has your wife really quit playing? She's one of my favorites."
Harry hurries to finish chewing and swallowing the bite he'd just taken. "Yes, she's decided to be a sports correspondent full-time. Say, would you like a signed Harpies jersey or something like that?"
"LOVE a jersey or whatever else you'd send. Thank you!"
A visibly perkier Frieda hurries off to see to a customer, Elijah saying, "I should have introduced you two properly. Frieda's one of my sisters-in-law. Thanks for offering her Harpies merch. She's a massive Quidditch fan and has been excited that we're finally doing more with the sport over here."
"Sending her a signed jersey and a few other things is the least I can do for the help you've given." Harry's still got a bite or two left of his sandwich but reaches for a delectable, decadent looking miniature chocolate tart. He eats what's left of his sandwich and sides, everything so good he doesn't want to leave any of it despite wanting to dig into the tart. When he does take a bit of the rich chocolate with a slight raspberry glaze he vows not to ever reveal to Briar Rose that he's now had a pudding that rivals hers.
When he's halfway through the tart and Elijah has made a dent in a slice of strawberry cake, Elijah springs another bit of information on Harry. "I learned one other thing about Anne Fairchild. You told me she died years before Robert. That might be what Adriana was told but that elderly couple who were neighbors told me that they clearly remember Anne being carted away drugged and in a straight jacket."
Harry nearly chokes on the tart. "What?" he sputters, trying not to spray chocolate and crust across the table. "That sounds like someone being taken in for psychiatric observation. Maybe that's when she died, under whatever care she was receiving."
Elijah shakes his head. "That's just it, according to the couple, their names are Barry and Nora Canady by the way, Robert went almost every day to visit her until he died. Nora went once but Anne acted so crazed at the sight of her that Nora couldn't bring herself to go back."
"That means she knows the facility."
"You would be correct. The person we need to speak with for permission to visit Anne had already left for the day so I thought you'd like to go in the morning after breakfast."
"Permission to visit Anne? You're saying she's alive?" Harry's so stunned at this information that he sits for a full minute with a berry filled bar in mid transit from sampler platter to his plate.
Washing Well
Author: Tiberius Nott
Date: 06-21-20 01:39
"You may begin," Tiberius announced to the students, taping the large hourglass with his wand, initiating its countdown. The Theory of Astronomy OWL and NEWT had begun.
Tiberius had been assigned to proctor today's theoretical and practical Astronomy OWLs and NEWTs. It was one of last exams and it was possible to see in some student's faces the tiredness of two intense weeks. He watched as some scribbled with fury on their parchments, while others did so in a more calmer way. He caught a fifth year girl looking up at the Great Hall's enchanted ceiling, perhaps hoping its view would help her to figure out the correct answer for the question in front of her.
Tiberius spent the first half an hour sat on his desk and then he stood up and started to make a round. He glided over the corridors making sure all was well. As he did so his hand went to his pocket and his fingers felt the business card inside. He couldn't believe that after all this time, he finally had a clue about Caligula's identity.
This morning while having breakfast an owl had accidentally crashed over a porridge bowl, spilling its contents on Tiberius' robes. Filius told him that the Hogwarts house elves could easily take care of that but if he wanted an excellent result he should send his robes to a dry cleaning/laundry located at Everton. He offered Tiberius a card, which said Washing Well written in bright golden letters. The shop's services were listed below, as well as its address. Tiberius thanked Filius and promise to take a look at it, but he knew he wasn't not going to send his robes all the way to Everton. But then Filius continued to speak and he shared with Tiberius that the Washing Well had been kindly recommended to him by one of his first years, Caligula Nott. It seemed that his mother was a worker there and when he saw Professor Flitwick's robes were stained with ink he did not hesitate to offer him the card. That made Tiberius accept the card right away. He asked Filius if he had actually been into the shop but the older wizard smiled and said they received robes by owls and sent them back once cleaned, so he did not have to do so.
Tiberius had tried to get answers about Caligula and his mother for more than a year, and now he had in his pocket the exact location of Caligula's mother job. He decided to go on his own to the Washing Well, but he would wait until the school year was over. He had waited for so long that a few more weeks would not be a problem. Besides, no one could later accuse him of trying to engage unnecessarily with a student's parent. He just happened to be in the area when his robes accidentally got stained and he needed them to be cleaned.
It also started to become clear to Tiberius why his money had been stolen. Caligula's mother wouldn't possible be able to buy her son all those new robes, and the finest school supplies, including a broomstick and an owl, if she was a single mother working at a dry cleaning/laundry shop. That thought however did not touch Tiberius. Many students wore second handed robes and books, and survived. Their parents were not stealing from other people's bank accounts.
A student sneezed, disrupting the silence in the room for a few seconds and then the Great Hall was emerged again into a deep silence. Tiberius touched the card again, and returned to his desk. Soon the truth would be revealed.
Wednesday Evening
Author: Declan
Date: 06-22-20 19:34
With final examinations approaching and until this past Friday Declan's fifth and seventh years having a History of Magic OWL or NEWT to get through, Declan's been staying later than usual as has Zabrynna. As a result they've eaten supper in the Great Hall every night, including this past weekend. Reaching her office door he swings it open while saying, "Knock, knock."
Looking at him over Rand's shoulder, Zabrynna smiles. If not for Rand bending slightly to embrace her in a hug, she'd not be visible. Declan asks, "When did you suddenly get so tall, Rand? I'm quite certain just yesterday you were a little shorter than Zabrynna?" Before either of the other two can reply he also asks, "Is everything all right?"
Stepping away from Zabrynna, pushing hair off his forehead while simultaneously shaking his head, a tired looking Rand replies, "I'm sure it was two days ago I was shorter. Nothing's wrong. I'm just tired and needed a hug. Zabrynna gives good hugs."
Zabrynna slides one arm back around Rand. "Happy to oblige. You're sure there's nothing else? Worry about your marks?"
"I think I've done all right. Not perfect, mind, but all right."
Declan assures, "We don't expect perfect as long as you've tried your best. Are you two ready to eat? The Great Hall should be available by now."
"I only got up from a nap so I could eat," Rand tells him with a nod.
Zabrynna pats her stomach. "We could eat."
Exiting Zabrynna's office Declan asks yet again, "Are you sure I can't take a class for you? I can take all but your first class in the morning and on Friday I could do your early one."
Zabrynna, hand looped over his arm, says what she's said every time he's asked. "Thank you, but I'm fine."
"The baby could come at any time."
"I thought you aren't due until after term."
Zabrynna reaches with her free hand to take Rand by the arm. "You are correct. I'm not due until after term. Declan, however, is convinced I am going to drop this baby any second now."
"I wouldn't worry so much if you'd gone on and taken maternity leave."
"Yes, you would," Zabrynna and Rand say at the same time. Zabrynna also saying, "I didn't want to go on leave just with exams so near. I didn't want to do that to my students."
"Speaking of exams, I can take all but your Wednesday at 10:45 final."
Rand and Zabrynna snort with laughter, Zabrynna rolling her eyes at him before asking Rand, "Are you ready for tonight's Astronomy practical?"
Letting the matter of substituting for Zabrynna drop for the moment Declan adds, "And Muggle Studies on Friday?"
Gab Fest
Author: Carys
Date: 06-23-20 17:53
Carys had just finished cleaning up the kitchen after dinner, when Mindy put her head in the floo and asked if she could stop by for a quick visit. What started as a brief gab fest about how things were going between Mindy and Owen turned into an hours-long chat. While the girls talked, Griff bathed Meg, read her a bedtime story, and put her to bed. He settled into his own bed with a book, while Carys and Mindy chatted on the sofa in the living room.
"I just really like him," Mindy said, for probably the tenth time that night. "He's cute, sure, but he also seems like he has an old soul. It's hard to think of him being a little younger than us. To me, we seem the exact same."
Carys smiled and asked, "Has he told you a lot about himself?"
"Oh, yes," Mindy said. "He hesitated when I first asked him to tell me about his life, and even after he started to tell me, he seemed worried at how I might react, but it's not like his family's choices were his choices. He shouldn't have to take the blame for what they've done."
"He's taken it very hard," Carys said, "but he handles it so much better now from when I first met him."
Mindy reached over and took Carys' hand. "He told me about his brother. I'm sorry, Carys. I had no idea."
Carys offered Mindy a small smile. "I can't say I'll ever get over it, but I don't think about that much anymore, and when I do, I think mainly of the place and not about him or what he did to me."
Mindy nodded, though she would never truly understand since she hadn't experienced it herself. Instead she smiled and said, "I think Owen might be the one."
"You know this only after two weeks?" Carys asked with a smile on her face.
"I know it's moving quickly, but yes. I've never felt like this about anyone before." She gushed and said, "I wish Elizabeth and Juliet were here. It would be like the good old days in our dorm room at Hogwarts."
Carys hadn't seen Elizabeth in a good while, and she knew that Juliet was at home with her own child and husband. "I know what you mean," she answered. "That was a really long time ago, wasn't it? So much has changed in the meantime."
Mindy nodded. "Yeah. Not just our lives, but the world, you know? What do you make about all the discord lately?"
Carys shrugged. "Sometimes it sounds like it's just talk and a nuisance, but sometimes I do worry. Someone came around the studio not too long ago asking about my blood status. I heard later that there's a group called the Preferred Shopping Network that is compiling a list of pureblood owned businesses. Supposedly the goal isn't to shut down businesses owned by half-bloods or Muggle-borns, but to encourage shopping at pureblood establishments where possible."
"So if a place like Shutterbutton's is owned by a pureblood, then you could lose business because of your own blood status, but you won't necessarily go out of business because you'll still have clients you can serve."
Carys nodded. "Something like that. And then I guess there are certain establishments that don't have a pureblooded counterpart. I think the point is to show favoritism when possible but that what might be deemed superior is also relative at times. If all businesses that don't fit the mold were shut down, then we'd be back where the economy was when the communities for nons were still operating."
"I heard that the group reopening the sites is part of this new movement."
"It doesn't surprise me," Carys said.
She yawned, causing Mindy to exclaim, "Oh, I didn't realize it had gotten so late!"
Carys giggled. "It's all right. Tonight was fun."
Mindy leaned in and threw her arms around Carys. "Yeah, it was. I better go though. Work tomorrow and an early morning at that. Good night. Thanks so much for the talk and the ice cream and the wine."
Carys got off the couch and walked with Mindy to the fireplace. "We'll have to get Juliet and Elizabeth over for a girl's night sometime."
"Definitely! Bye!!!!"
Mindy disappeared in a whirled of green flames. Smiling to herself, Carys gathered up the wine glasses and ice cream bowls, set them in the sink the kitchen, and went to her bedroom, where Griff was still up reading even though by now it was very late.