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Special Invitation
Author: Carys
Date: 07-29-18 08:06
"Come on, Carys!" Juliet expressed, letting go of her husband's hand to take her friend's. "Professor McGonagall wouldn't have sent you an invitation if you weren't meant to come."
Carys, who stood outside The Three Broomsticks with Griff and the Fairchilds sighed and said, "I'm just not sure I really belong. I wasn't at Hogwarts in 2002, remember?"
Jude said, "Nobody will question why you're at the reunion. Anyway, graduation for a lot of the people here tonight was memorable in a bad way. That's when some of us were shipped off to the communities."
Griff put a hand on Carys' arm and said, "We can go if you really don't want to be here. I'm sure Amelia would prefer a quiet night."
Juliet's sister was babysitting Tristan, Megan, and Jody tonight.
"It's not that," Carys said. "I want to be here… I think."
"Then let's go," Juliet said, giving Carys' hand a tug.
They entered the pub, which was decorated nicely and was already filled with party-goers, including many of the Hogwarts staff. Carys spotted Professor McGonagall and went over to say hello and to thank her for sending an invitation to the reunion.
Professor McGonagall smiled and said, "It's my pleasure. How is your son?"
"He's well," Carys replied, turning to Griff with a smile. "I can't believe he's starting at Hogwarts in the fall."
"Neither can I!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed. "It seems only yesterday that…" Her cheeks colored slightly, and she let the rest of her thought go unsaid.
Carys immediately thought back to when she received an awkward lecture about sex from the then Head of Gryffindor, after the discovery was made that Carys was pregnant and expecting Griffin's child. Carys had been allowed to finish out the school year, but she'd not been invited to return. By this time ten years ago, she was already a prisoner at Goen Bren.
After a bit more small talk, Carys and Griff joined Juliet and Jude at a large table, where they were sitting with Hermes Conroy and his pregnant wife, Barbara. Hermes worked as an accountant at the Ministry of Magic. He was in the middle of describing what he's see in Diagon Alley the day Death Eaters attacked. He'd gotten away unscathed and had not seen the alleged Voldemort look-alike with his own two eyes.
"Do you think he's really back?" Hermes asked the table at large.
Juliet said, "It's impossible. He's dead."
"How do you know? Did you see his body?" asked Barbara, who it turned out was a bit of a conspiracy theorist.
"Well, no," Juliet admitted, "but it was recovered from underneath Hogsmeade, wasn't it?" She turned to Griffin for reassurance.
"He died," Griff answered. "There's no doubt about it."
"I think he's been alive this whole time, and he just used that Fairchild woman to carry out his business until he had enough of her. That's what I think," Barbara said. "Say, you're Fairchilds, aren't you? Any relation?"
Juliet put a hand on Jude's leg to calm him down. "Distantly."
Before Barbara could mull over the possibilities, Carys changed the subject by asking, "So, have you decided on baby names yet?"
Mix and Mingle
Author: Jolyon
Date: 07-30-18 18:16
Although he had not been a Hogwarts professor at the end of 2002, Jolyon was present at the reunion celebration at The Three Broomsticks. Just about all the current staff were present, as well as some of those who'd resigned to pursue other interests.
Jolyon was at the reunion with his wife. The family of six had spent a week in Port St. Lucie, Florida earlier this month. As usual when in close proximity of his father, Asher had displayed a disgrunted temperament at the beginning of the trip, but he'd gradually mellowed to tolerating Jolyon's presence. The holiday had been great fun, and all of the Kents had come back with glowing suntans.
"Hi, I'm Rose Zeller, former Hufflepuff. I don't think I remember you," she said, after extending her hand first to Jolyon and then to Merrie for an introductory shake.
"Nice to meet you, Rose. I'm Jolyon Kent and this is my wife, Merrie. I'm the current Care of Magical Creatures professor at Hogwarts. I'm also Deputy-Head of Ravenclaw House."
"Oh? When did you start teaching? Were you a Ravenclaw student at Hogwarts?" Rose asked.
Jolyon smiled. "I started in the fall of 2002, so I just missed meeting all of you," he said. "And yes, I was in Ravenclaw once upon a time. What do you do?"
"I work for the Austrian Ministry of Magic," Rose answered. "I fell in love with the country when I went there on a family trip, and I made it my goal to eventually live there."
"And now you do."
"I do!" she exclaimed with a smile.
She looked around then and wondered, "Do you know if everyone RSVP'd?"
"I'm sure Professor McGonagall could tell you." Jolyon grinned. "Looking for an old boyfriend?"
Rose shook her head with a grin of her own. "I was actually hoping to catch up with an old friend." Her grin faded suddenly. "I heard about what happened in Diagon Alley. Just terrible."
Jolyon and Merrie both nodded somberly. "Yes. I hope the rumors aren't true. Bad enough the Death Eaters are organized and terrorizing again, but…" He didn't have to say more.
He was one of many who had no idea that the members of the Order of Phoenix present at the Class of 2002 Reunion were being extra vigilant tonight… just in case.
(Ian) Family Photo
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 07-31-18 13:39
The ballroom at the Pole manor was filled with distinguishing guests. Everyone was celebrating the engagement between Jasper Pole and Sophie McCourt. Ian McCourt, Sophie's father, watched as his daughter dressed in discreet but very expensive cream colored robes was posing for a photograph with her groom. The Poles had hired Carys Hanham-Price, a professional photographer, to record this day. Sophie was seated in a chair, looking at Jasper in absolute adoration. He had one of his hands over her shoulder and he looked back at her with a dashing smile. He was wearing white robes with hints of purple, intended to show the purity of his lineage.
Ian was very satisfied with this union. The Poles were a rich family of many generations. Sophie seemed very happy and Ian had given his approval to Jasper, after they had met. Unfortunately his ex-wife Leslie was not of the same opinion. Leslie thought Sophie was still very young to settle down. Jasper was seven years older than Sophie and Leslie believed that their eldest daughter should have dated some boys of her age at first , in order to be sure this was the path she really wanted. Ian disagreed. He was very happy that his daughter was not one of those students known for being with too many boys, without any virtue. As far as he knew Sophie had had no boyfriends while at school, and in he believed she did not need one. Jasper was the right man for her and he would provide for her and make her happy. The Poles had showed nothing but kindness towards Sophie and they were also very happy to have her in their family. Ian smiled as Sophie was told by Carys to seat in a sofa, so she could take a photograph with her siblings.
It wasn't just Sophie Ian was proud about. He was actually quite pleased with all his children. He had been afraid that with his divorce and Leslie's influence when the children visited her and her Muggle husband, might affect them but they seemed to be immune to her strong mind and odd point of views.
Patricia, the tallest of the siblings, sat behind the sofa. Her robes were violet, and she was without any doubt the prettiest of the McCourt sisters. She had such grace walking into a room, and Ian did notice some of Jasper's friends looking at her. However she seemed to ignore them, preferring to spend her time close to Honoria and the other women, as they already discussed possible wedding preparations, even if Sophie and Jasper would just marry when she graduated from Hogwarts. Ian had no doubt Patricia would make a marriage even more brilliant than her older sister. There was also another reason why he was very proud of his second daughter: recently a letter from Hogwarts had arrived for Patricia. Inside there was a letter announcing she had been chosen to become a prefect. The prefect badge that she would have to wear on her robes for now on also came in the letter. Ian was very happy with this achievement.
Belinda sat next to Sophie. Ian had to admit Belinda was the less beautiful of his daughters. She didn't have Patricia's height, just like Sophie. But Sophie had a kind smile, and was very friendly and nice. She cared about everyone, being a very good representative of the Hufflepuff house. Belinda was a Slytherin, and maybe because of that she was wearing green robes today. The fact that she used glasses didn't soft her appearance. She was not easy to speak with and she kept things to herself. Ian had a hard time knowing who her friends were or what school subjects she liked the most. Yet her school grades were good and he had seen her playing Quidditch in such an aggressive and feisty mode that he knew she would do well in life, no matter her appearance and manners. Ian had been a Slytherin himself and he recognized the ambition in his daughter. He noticed she seemed quite unrest this summer and when he asked her about it she replied she missed a school club she used to attend at Hogwarts. She had also developed a special interest for the Diagon Alley attack, not because of the number of victims or the damaged it provoked. Instead, Belinda seemed eager to get the confirmation that the Dark Lord was really back. Leslie was concerned by this behavior but Ian didn't see anything wrong in Belinda's interest for Voldemort.
On the other side of Sophie sat Eileen dressed in pink. She was the sweetest of the girls, in Ian's opinion. It came to a surprise that she had been sorted into Ravenclaw like Patricia, but he admitted Eileen could be in fact very bright. Ian suspected one day she would be almost as tall as Patricia, but she wouldn't be as delicate. That had been proved when she decided to try out for her house's Quidditch team. Eileen seemed to have a bit of each sister in herself but Ian thought that with time she would surprise everyone with a unique feature in her personality.
Elmer was behind the sofa, next to Patricia. He had both his hands over Eileen's shoulders, in a very dominant pose. Being close in age, Elmer was able to have some domain over Eileen. He was the only boy in the family, and because of that his status was different. Ian considered him his heir. Elmer was aware he was his father's favorite and he was used to have his way most of the time. Leslie censured Ian due to the preferential treatment he received at his house, but he did not care. Because they were closer in age Elmer often bullied Eileen. He tried to do the same with his other sisters but he didn't get away with it.
Unfortunately, Elmer was a fragile boy despite his spoiled and dominant temper. Sometimes he needed special care due to his health. Ian had already written to Hogwarts expressly forbidding his son to join any Quidditch related activities with the exception of the mandatory flying lessons. His son was very excited for going to Hogwarts. Ian knew that part of such excitement was due to the freedom he was going to have without his parents constantly around him, worried about his health. Yet Ian knew Elmer was not counting on the discipline experienced at a boarding school, such as a strict timetable, dress code or homework. He would have to share his bedroom and space with boys his age, and due to his spoiled nature, Ian was not sure how easy that would be for Elmer. But he was a clever boy and when he wanted he could be a very friendly and affable person. Ian was counting on his daughters to keep an eye on him.
The five siblings smiled, as the photograph was being taken. The image would be saved for posterity. Ian then joined for another photo, alongside with Honoria. She was pregnant again, the belly already showing. He was confident that this time she would give him a son. Due to their age Florence and Penelope had stayed at home. Ian smiled to the camera, feeling quite satisfied with himself. It would be the last photo taken of the party, as Carys had other compromises to attend to.
(Ariella) Reluctantly Attending
Author: Beck
Date: 07-31-18 18:08
Ariella turned up at the Class of 2002 Reunion late and only because Anthony insisted she do something other than hang around family and work at the pie shoppe, which fortunately had come out find during the July 1st attack on Diagon Alley. Ariella put her kids to bed, kissed Gramps good night, and disapparated to Hogsmeade with her half-sister Gillian, who was her plus one for the evening.
Had Gillian grown up in the UK instead of New Zealand, then she would have likely gone to Hogwarts herself and graduated in 2002. Ariella barely missed out in completing the school year, getting expelled in late May of that year when the then-Headmistress Harriet Snider learned that she and Lawrence––a Hogwarts professor at the time of Ariella's expulsion––were dating.
As she thought back on it now, perhaps the expulsion was a sign of things to come. Lawrence was the Australian version of a Death Eater. Ariella was still in the process of divorcing him, though so far she'd only hit roadblock after roadblock. It was supremely frustrating.
And now, Alanna was gone. Ariella knew Alanna going off with them wasn't the same thing as Lawrence and Maggie joining up with Kilgore and his ilk, but she couldn't help but entertain the idea all the same. Alanna had hit rock bottom, after all.
Ariella couldn't decide what she preferred. Alanna alive and evil, or Alanna most assuredly dead.
"Are we going to stand out here all night?" Gillian asked.
Ariella expelled a deep sigh and said, "No," and she opened the door to The Three Broomsticks, where the party was already going. It looked like several of the attendees were on the road to being tipsy, and the main course was just about completed.
Heads swiveled in the direction of the open door, thanks to the tingling of the overhead bell. Ariella recognized the looks of recognition and then pity that followed, and the pity wasn't because she hadn't technically graduated and probably didn't belong there. It was because everybody knew about Alanna's disappearance by now, and those who remembered Ariella knew Alanna was her sister.
There were also expressions of mild curiosity, because most didn't know Gillian, and Gillian looked a lot like Ariella.
"Ariella, you came!"
Rose Zeller rushed over with a wine glass and gave Ariella a side hug.
Ariella smiled for the first time all night and said, "Rose! It's so good to see you."
"You too!" She looked over at Gillian. "Who's your friend?"
"This is my half-sister Gillian. Gillian, this is Rose. We were roommates."
"Nice to meet you," Gillian said, and Rose answered, "Likewise. I'm at a little table over there. Come and join me."
The girls did, and for just a moment, the darker aspects of their lives were forgotten.
Still A Cutie
Author: Blossom
Date: 07-31-18 20:45
Jane, last name formerly Hillier, gives Daria a crooked, knowing smile. "You have the first year of motherhood lack of sleep about you."
Daria starts to reply, holds up a finger while she stifles a yawn, then says, "We went from a baby that rarely woke up at night when we first got her home to one that never wants to sleep now."
Doris's eyes widen. "Your daughter was sleeping through the night as a newborn?"
Daria nods at Doris, who was surnamed Dibble while at Hogwarts but for the life of her she can't remember Doris's married name and she was at the wedding! "We were so worried we'd wake Ione to make sure she was all right and to see if she was hungry."
Doris sighs. "I envy that. When Noreen was born it felt like she never wanted to sleep."
"That's how Ione is now. It's all backwards from what everyone told us to expect."
Jane says of her three year old, "Tom slept fine but when he did wake and was hungry or needed a nappy change, I swear they could hear him all the way to the moon. Rick," her newest, "doesn't cry that much but he's such a light sleeper getting out of the room once he's down is so difficult we've joked about portkeying out since it's a relatively quiet exit."
"Before we know it, they'll all be at Hogwarts," Doris says, sounding a little sad at the prospect of babies growing up far too fast.
Jane nods at Doris's comment. "My little sister just finished her first year at Hogwarts."
"So hard to believe Claire's already finished a year. That mean's Rolf's brother was just as Hogwarts as well, right? Or am I remembering wrong?"
"No, you have it right. Erik is Ravenclaw and Claire is Hufflepuff."
Doris suddenly snaps her fingers. "Haaken. I was sitting here trying to remember Rolf's name. He was such a cutie."
"Still is," Daria says. "I saw him not long ago."
Jane laughs. "I saw him just yesterday and, yes, if I'm allowed to say of my stepbrother, he is still a cutie."
"Who's still a cutie?"
The three women look up at Daria's husband, Kody, who's finally returned with a beverage refill for Daria and Doris. As if they've planned and rehearsed a response all three say in unison and with straight faces, "Severus Snape."
Baby Talk
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 08-02-18 20:46
Leonora Torres's arm touches Phin's arm when she comes up beside him at the bar to refresh her drink. "I've been meaning to ask all night, is Dynamic Duo still on for St. Emrys?"
Phin nods as he turns to look at her. "We're on between Hex and Dragon."
Leonora tilts her head in the direction Ariella Beck Masterson is sitting. "Even though one of Anthony's sisters, and Ariella's, is missing?"
"Even though. We have someone who can step in if Anthony isn't up for a massive music festival."
"I hope Alanna's found and is safe. That family has been through so much the past few years." Leonora suddenly yawns. "Sorry. I'm starting to get tired but it's so night to have a night out with adults I'm not quite ready to leave."
"I know what you mean. With a newborn at home Emerald and I have a little sleep deprived."
"What does Emerald's think of having a namesake?"
"Blythe was over the moon when we told her. Still is come to think of it. Niles is named for Emerald's father so when we learned we were having a girl we considered Emerald's mother's name, Ivy but Olive - you remember Emmie's sister Olive?" At Leonora's nod he continues, "Olive said no, no, no. We can't have both their parents' names."
Leonara laughs. "I can understand that especially under the circumstances," she says in reference to the Green siblings being young when losing their parents.
"Mind if I crowd in?" Bailey Gray asks, coming up beside Phin.
Leonora waits until he's placed his drink order to say, "Bailey, we were just talking baby names. Have you and Jewel picked one out for your next one yet?"
"We're kicking around a few but as we don't know the sex yet, and maybe won't know until the baby is born, we've not agreed on one yet. Bonnie wants to name the baby Blue because that's her current favorite color. Liam first say name the baby Baby but then decided Blue because that's what Bonnie said."
Leonora chuckles. "My oldest wanted to call the youngest Spot after my parents' dog."
With drinks in hand the three walk slowly in the direction of the table where Emerald and Jewel are sitting, Leonora waving at her husband to get his attention, letting him know where she'll be for the next little while. Only a little while as it's getting late and the class reunion will likely break up soon, a few people having already left.