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(Azaelia) Entertaining Reunion
Author: Isolde
Date: 07-12-19 18:07
As a member of the faculty at Hogwarts, Azaelia was invited to every class reunion. This year's, the ten year reunion for students who departed Hogwarts (or should have) in 2003, brought back no memories. Azaelia's last term at Hogwarts overlapped with their first (if they'd been first years, rather than transfer students later on), but then she transferred out of Hogwarts herself and didn't get to spend any more time with them. Not that she would have, with them being firsties and all.
She did her duty, socializing with her coworkers, the honored former students, and their guests, but mostly she thought about her mother's situation. They had gone to the Ministry of Magic last month to report on the other information her mother had on Ally, including the fact that she seemed to be a Voldemort supporter. Although Ally had never expressly said so, Nimuë had gotten the feeling that she was being recruited for the Death Eaters.
And why not? Her family had always had leanings towards the dark arts and pureblood superiority, something Azaelia herself had also believed when she'd been young and impressionable. Azaelia's connection to Robert, an actual Death Eater, also made the Brambles ideal candidates. Nimuë also believed that Ally hoped to recruit her so that she in turn would recruit Azaelia to the fold. Having an adult spy at Hogwarts was desirable.
The aurors listening to Nimuë's testimony pounced on the word 'adult'. Did that mean there were already young followers within the castle walls? Azaelia did not know that Minerva and some of the other professors already knew of the possibility, and after leaving the Ministry of Magic with her mother, she promptly went to Hogwarts and reported on everything to the Headmistress.
Azaelia glanced over and saw Minerva conversing with a group of young women. They were huddled around a large photograph of Alanna Beck, who was supposed to be at the reunion but instead was comatose in a hospital bed at St. Mungo's. From the snippets of conversation that traveled Azaelia's way, she understood that these girls had been good friends with Alanna while at Hogwarts. One looked like a model. Another looked a little familiar, though Azaelia didn't realize it was because the woman had been her brother's date to a reunion a couple of years ago.
"Hi!"
Azaelia turned at the abrupt greeting and saw a blonde girl who looked about 16 years old but certainly couldn't be. She was bouncing on the balls of her feet as if she had eaten all the sweets on the dessert table.
"Hi," Azaelia replied, thinking she would have really hated this girl if they'd been classmates. "I'm Azaelia Bramble, the school librarian."
The girl stuck out her hand and said, "I'm Rikku Ayanami. I was at Hogwarts only a short time, but I really liked it there. Scotland's too cold, though. I live in the States now. Have you heard of GLOWW, the Gorgeous Ladies of Wizarding Wrestling? It's a live show at a wizarding venue in Las Vegas. That's what I've been doing lately. It's loads of fun, and I get to fight a lot, for real, which is also fun. Of course, we use our wands, too. I probably should have gone into law enforcement, but you can't hit people just because you want to, you know?" Rikku was still pumping Azaelia's hand in a firm handshake.
Azaelia extracted her hand. "So, you're an… entertainer?"
"Sure, you can call it that," Rikku replied, grinning. She caught sight of someone across the room, and the grin faded from her face in an instant. Azaelia saw Rikku's eyes go dark and turned to look, spotting a guy with premature gray hair wearing a puka shell necklace. He was drinking a butterbeer and scanning the room. When his eyes fell on Rikku, his face hardened.
As a member of the faculty, Azaelia wondered if she should intervene, but she wanted to see the drama unfold. It would certainly make the party more entertaining.
Rikku stalked over, swung out her arm, and slapped the wizard across the face. Instantly, all chatter stopped, and all heads turned in the direction of the tension. Minerva shifted to discipline mode and started walking over, but then the wizard swept Rikku into a dip and kissed her firmly on the mouth.
Azaelia's jaw dropped. "Who is that?" she asked no one in particular.
A party-goer standing nearby overheard and commented, "Oh, isn't that Riku Donovan? I heard he moved back to Hawaii after leaving Hogwarts and sails catamarans for wizarding tourists now. Those two didn't get along at all."
Azaelia quirked an eyebrow. The two were kissing as if they hadn't seen each other in years and were long lost loves, not enemies. She watched as Minerva separated them.
Azaelia turned to the person standing next to her. "Tell me more," she said with a smile. This party was certainly turning out to be interesting.
(Malden) Ultimate Betrayal
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 07-14-19 08:37
The portkey was right where the note said it would be: in the flower bed at the base of the Burns' cairn, a tower built to honor the fiftieth anniversary of a Muggle club honoring the poet Robert Burns. Malden shifted the large bundle over his shoulder and carefully knelt to grab onto the squeaky dog toy. It instantly transported him to a clearing, where several hooded figures and a few unmasked individuals stood. Malden saw Asher, Bruno, and Titus present, along with Maurice and the Dark Lord himself.
The hooded figures stood in a semi circle around either side of the Dark Lord. Maurice was at one end, wearing a sadistic grin on his face. The Delta Echo members were off to the other side, looking a little like first years ahead of the Sorting Ceremony.
Malden didn't have a lot of opportunity to check out his surroundings, but he guessed they were somewhere near Maurice's ancestral property. There was a copse of trees behind him, and rolling hills opposite. A large well stood nearby.
Just last night, a scrawny owl missing a lot of feathers delivered a note to Malden. It said simply, Your test is to commit the ultimate act of betrayal, along with instructions on where and when. Twenty-four hours wasn't a lot of time to prepare, but Malden came up with an idea that would hurt someone whose friendship he valued but would also satisfy himself immensely. The owl ate the note, saving Malden the trouble of having to destroy it himself.
He set things into motion first thing this morning by drinking half of the vial of Liquid Luck he'd found in the golden Easter egg at Hogwarts. Then, he ordered a bouquet of flowers from Floriblunders Florist in Diagon Alley. Malden had the florist address the card to Arielle and sign it from Titus. The accompanying note asked her to meet for a romantic date at the New Cumnock Garden. Malden hoped that the location wouldn't give Arielle pause, since she knew where he lived, but he needed her to be close to the portkey.
Luckily, she turned up at the gardens at the expected time. The gardens were empty, despite it being a Saturday evening and a very pleasant night. Malden watched Arielle for a long moment. She wore a pretty light blue sundress and silver sandals and carried the flower bouquet he had sent her that morning. With her back turned, Malden stepped out from behind a tree and stunned her between the shoulder blades. She collapsed, dropping the flowers in the grass.
Malden wrapped her up in a blood red silk cloth he'd purchased at Narcissa's after visiting the florist. The saleswoman had said it was of the finest quality and could be worn different ways. Malden had wanted something expensive and meaningful for the occasion, which was why he patronized a business owned by a family once associated with the Death Eaters, even though he really couldn't afford it.
Malden used Engorio on the silk cloth to make it large enough to cover Arielle fully. He also made the bundle lighter, though she didn't weigh a whole lot. Malden carried her from the garden to the cairn and didn't spot a single person along the way. How lucky.
Now in the clearing, Malden stood with Arielle still thrown over his shoulder. He could see Asher studying him out of the corner of his eye with a careful mix of curiosity and concern on his face. Bruno looked intrigued, and Titus' face was blank.
Voldemort stepped forward. He was tall and thin, wore ethereal black robes, held his wand in spindly fingers, and spoke with a raspy voice that simultaneously sent a chill down and thrill up Malden's spine.
"Welcome, acolytes," Voldemort said, sweeping his gaze across the assembled Delta Echo members. "Today, Malden McGonagall will demonstrate if he has what it takes to become one of us."
He turned his red eyes upon Malden, who didn't shrink under the unsettling gaze. "Your task is to commit the ultimate act of betrayal. Do it now." Voldemort indicated to a place at his feet and then took a step back into the semi circle.
Malden stepped forward with his bundle and gently set it into the grass. He could feel his heart pounding wildly in his chest and sensed Asher and Titus' eyes boring into his back. Malden quickly unraveled the red silk cloth and then stood up and took a step back. Arielle was still unconscious.
Asher and Titus couldn't react if they wanted to stay in the fold. They knew it, and so did Malden.
"Who is the girl?" Voldemort asked.
"The sister of my best friend," Malden explained, indicating to Asher. He decided not to add that she was also Titus' girlfriend, since the two young men were rivals more than anything else.
Voldemort didn't say anything else. Malden didn't know if he approved or disapproved, but he also knew he couldn't dilly-dally or he would most certainly fail the test. He produced his wand and pointed it at Arielle.
"Ennervate!"
Arielle woke up with a gasp and sat up, instantly aware that something was wrong. Her panicked gaze fell on Voldemort and the hooded Death Eaters first, and she found that she couldn't at all look away. She was a deer, trapped in the sights of a hunter.
Malden told himself it was now or never. He didn't look at Asher or Titus, knowing their expressions would distract him. He pointed his wand at Arielle again and said, "Avada––"
But something happened before he could finish uttering the words. Asher closed the distance between himself and Arielle, diving to wrap his arms around her, and then they were gone. The only evidence proving they'd ever been there was the red silk cloth still flat on the grass like a beach towel or picnic blanket, and three fingers splinched from Asher's left hand.
Malden suddenly felt an excruciating pain in his side. He fell, twisting, so that his back was turned towards the rest. This was it. He had failed. Voldemort was killing him. But even as he writhed on the lawn, Malden remembered he had the remaining Liquid Luck in his pocket. He reached for it where it was hidden in the pocket of his jeans, pressed his face into the grass and threw his other arm over his head to hide his actions, bucking and gasping from the pain which was very real. He tipped the contents of the vial in his mouth, deathly afraid it would dribble out or he'd puke it up, but somehow he managed to swallow. Malden slipped the empty vial back into his pocket, and luckily no one ever noticed. And then the pain abruptly stopped.
He heard footsteps in the grass, and then Maurice gently touched his shoulder and offered him a hand up. Malden's face was red and streaked with tears that had leaked from his eyes, but he was all right. Maurice clapped him on the back, still grinning sadistically. "Nice one," he said.
Malden chanced a look at Voldemort. His expression was unreadable but he said, "You were willing to destroy your friendship for the greater good. Your actions also showed that Asher Kent will never be one of us. Your failure to complete your task was also a success. You will advance to the next trial."
Malden murmured a "Thank you." He didn't have the stamina to say or do much else. Malden was certainly worried that he'd used up all his Liquid Luck, but at least his foot was solidly in the door to join the Death Eaters now.
"You can stay with me," Maurice said.
This gave Malden pause. "What? Why?"
"She heard your voice. She's probably going to report you."
Malden was careful not to frown. He knew he should be grateful that Maurice was offering him refuge, now that he was probably a fugitive. Plus, he'd possibly get to rub elbows with the Death Eaters more closely, having no where else to go.
"Thanks," Malden said.
He finally chanced a look at Titus. Titus seemed skilled at keeping his expression neutral, but the look in his eyes suggested that his hatred for Malden had intensified tremendously.
What Happened?
Author: Jolyon
Date: 07-15-19 18:20
When the door to the conference room opened, Jolyon and Merrie sprang to their feet. Arielle came escorted out of the room by Rowan Westwick, who had not been one of Jolyon's students, but she was still someone he remembered… and hadn't she only just graduated from Hogwarts? How in Merlin's name could she be an auror now?
Rowan gently steered Arielle towards her parents and said, "Go home and get some rest. We'll contact you if we have more questions."
Arielle's face was ashen, and her eyes were red, though she hadn't cried in a little while. "What about Asher?"
Rowan look at Arielle with sympathy. "We have more questions for him."
Arielle knew Rowan was being tactful. Asher was in big trouble and might not get sent home at all.
She turned to her parents and fell into her father's arms. She felt her mother slip an arm around her too.
"Can you tell me what happened?" Jolyon murmured into his daughter's hair.
He and Merrie had been at the Class of 2003 Reunion, socializing with Oreileah McCoi-Raynor and her husband Jim, when Madame Rosmerta urgently pulled him aside and told him his children were outside. He and Merrie hurried outside and found Asher and Arielle hanging onto one another as if their lives depended upon it. They were both on their knees, Arielle crying and Asher grimacing from losing three of his fingers.
Jolyon wanted to take them to St. Mungo's, but Asher bit out, "Ministry of Magic!"
Jolyon took Asher, and Merrie took Arielle. A short while later they arrived in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. The twins were separated from their parents and from each other while members of law enforcement interviewed them. The wait, the not knowing, was excruciatingly hard for Jolyon and Merrie.
Arielle gently moved out of her parents' embrace and led them over to the chairs they had only just vacated. She sat down, and they sat down on either side of her, each taking one of her hands.
Arielle told them everything. How she had gotten a letter from Titus, asking to meet. How he hadn't been there and then somebody had stunned her. How she'd woken up somewhere else entirely and found herself in the presence of Death Eaters and Voldemort himself. How she'd heard a voice that sounded like Malden's casting the Killing Curse. And how Asher had come out of no where and taken her away from that horrid place.
She'd told the authorities all that. They'd asked her for specifics: who had she clearly seen besides Voldemort? The answer had been no one. The Death Eaters standing on either side of her had worn masks and hoods, and she hadn't looked behind her to see who else might have been there. But she had heard Malden's voice. If Asher had been there, then Malden's presence made sense.
Wanting to kill her didn't make any kind of sense to her, though. The Malden she had known hadn't been so cold-blooded. Yes, he'd punched a wall after their break-up, but that was very different from committing murder.
She had just finished retelling the story to her parents when another door opened and Asher emerged accompanied by Connor MacRoth. Asher's hand was bandaged, but he hadn't seen a proper healer. That was next on the agenda.
The secrecy spells placed upon all the members of Team Delta Echo made it impossible for Asher to say anything. He could mention he received a summons but couldn't say who else had gotten one. He thought he might be able to corroborate things Arielle said, but they never brought her into his interview or told him what she revealed.
Asher wanted to cooperate fully. He and Arielle might not have been close, but she was still his sister, his twin, and he didn't wish her dead for anything. He couldn't believe Malden would try to kill her.
Arielle got to her feet, followed by her parents. She went up to her brother and questioned, "What were you doing, Asher? Why were you there?" Tears began to roll down her cheeks again.
Asher frowned. "I wish I could tell you, but I literally can't. I'm glad I was there, though, if only so I could save you. Will you write to Alys? Tell her I'm sorry and not to worry. I guess our date at Emrys Fest is off."
He briefly wondered if the show would go on. Belinda knew all the band's songs. Maybe she could take over as lead singer, unless Malden somehow convinced the world that it hadn't been him trying to kill Arielle. After all, she hadn't seen him do it. She hadn't seen Titus in the clearing either. Asher wanted to tell her to watch out, but he also had a gut feeling that Titus wouldn't harm a hair on Arielle's head. Still…
Connor tugged on Asher's on. "We need to go. Say your good-byes."
"What do you mean?" Jolyon asked. "I can take him to the hospital."
Connor shook his head. "Your son is to remain in Ministry custody until further notice. He is under arrest."
Jolyon started to retort, but Asher held up his uninjured hand and said, "Dad, I'm sorry. Take Arielle home. We can probably talk tomorrow." He looked to Connor for reassurance and then looked back at his family with a saddened look on his face.
Connor steered him out, leaving the three to mull over everything that had happened.
End of the Evening
Author: Marzipan
Date: 07-16-19 18:31
It was nearing the end of the evening. Marzi had just wrapped her conversation with Mary Black, former Slytherin student and now a Healer in Greece, just like her older sister had intended on becoming prior to her untimely death. Marzi hadn't met Alexis, but she remembered Mary. Mary had been a scary little girl then, and now she was a scary grown woman. She bore the "if looks could kill" expression masterfully. Marzi had seen it directed at several of the guests gathered in the pub and was thankful she hadn't earned the look herself.
The evening had been very interesting. There'd been a fight/snog situation that had drawn everyone's attention at the start of the reunion. Mary had accidentally-on-purpose upended a chessboard one of the other guests had brought as a memento from a school tournament. There were still pieces scattered about the floor. Then, a commotion outside had Jolyon and his wife leaving abruptly, and soon thereafter, Minerva excused herself as well. It seemed odd not having the Headmistress of Hogwarts at an event honoring past students, but then again, Minerva had only been Deputy-Headmistress in 2003.
Marzi frowned. There'd been so much tragedy since the former students first started at Hogwarts. One had died while still in school. One was in a coma now. There'd been a life-threatening illness, various kidnappings, and the many internments at Happy Haven School For Nons. Mary lost her sister to Inferi. Alex Whitmen lost his dad in Muggle combat. Dumbledore was murdered. Weston too.
"You are frowning," Alaric commented.
Marzi mentally shook herself and turned to smile at her date. "Sorry. I was just thinking about how much things have changed since I first came here. There are people who should have been here, and I'm a bit sad they're not."
Alaric put an arm around Marzi's shoulders. "The tribute to Alanna Beck eez nice."
"Yes," Marzi agreed. Alanna had been popular while in school. All the friends from her old clique were present. Even now, they were standing around her photograph, having a final toast and making plans to visit her in the hospital.
"Do you want to go?" Marzi asked. "We aren't obligated to stay just because I'm on staff."
"I am ready eef you are," Alaric replied.
"Let me just tell some of the other staff we are leaving." She did that and then wandered up to Hogwarts with Alaric. The boys were staying with Kitty, and Alaric's kids were still in France, attending an overnight summer camp. She and Alaric strolled hand-in-hand over the lawn, talking about how Beauxbatons doesn't hold class reunions, but Alaric likes the idea and might propose it to Madam Maxim.