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Reaching A Decision (AJ)
Author: Furnella Hodfuffer
Date: 06-25-11 15:15
It was quite awhile after Mariposa had had her little chat with Zabrynna that she and AJ had a few moments to themselves. The adults at the two pushed together picnic tables eventually went separate ways, either with children or spouses or to speak to other friends and relatives. For a short time it had been Mariposa, AJ, Kissy, and Declan before Kissy's family finally arrived. By then the foursome had moved to a couple of blankets to listen to some of the bands and munch more food.
After Kissy moved off with the Isukis, others kept stopping by the blankets to talk to Declan, Mariposa, and AJ then Declan spotted the parents of one of his students that he's been trying to have a face to face meeting with. AJ couldn't resist making a show of learing at Mariposa, waggling his eyebrows, and saying, "Alone at last."
Mariposa plays along. Inching closer to AJ, batting her eyes. "Yes, finally alone. Just the two of us."
They exchange grins, both very conscious of just how alone they are not. Mariposa readjusts her position on the blanket so that she's got one of his arms draped around her and she's using him to lean comfortably against. The music is loud but they're sitting far enough back and sitting close to each other that conversation is feasible without having to shout. AJ takes this time to ask, "Did you speak with Zabrynna?"
"Yes. She says she's fine with it. In fact, she said I shouldn't put it off just for her sake if it's what we really want."
"I hear a but in there."
"But I am concern about how it will look to the students."
"I know. It's why you rarely stay over the night here. We can use my off campus flat. I don't have to live at Hogwarts."
"No, but you like it or you wouldn't have moved here in the first place."
"I also didn't have to keep my other flat but I have. If you don't like that flat, there's your place, or we can look for something else."
"You're other flat is fine, though like mine it's a little on the small size for two people."
"So, we start looking for another place."
"What about in Hogsmeade? That would keep you close here if you want."
"Hogsmeade would be great. I now of at least one nice cottage that's a rental nnd available. I can see if we can look at it tomorrow if you want."
"That would be perfect."
With that settled for the moment, they snuggle a little closer, enjoying the music. Before long, they are joined by AJ's brother Lars, his wife Bambi who used to be the Hogwarts librarian, and their very new, beautiful daughter, Amethyst, on her first real outing.
Him Again
Author: Furnella Hodfuffer
Date: 06-25-11 16:33
I'd gone to the Hogwarts Spring Social for a little while, mainly to take a turn serving ice cream and a booth we'd set up serving nibbles for those who'd not packed their own picnic lunches. The school itself was providing some non ice cream food as were a few other businesses so the Crown & Cauldron booth isn't unique but it is the best in my opinion.
After doing my shifts and spending a little time with my various nieces and nephews who attend Hogwarts, and seeing other family and friends, I came back to Hogsmeade to take over at the restaurant. Even with the Spring Social going on up at the school, business today has been pretty much the usual for a Saturday this time of year.
In the lull that always takes place this time of afternoon, I've gotten a few other things done like checking the inventory and pretending to be a customer to help a new waiter get in some practice learning the menu. At present, I'm standing at the bar, looking over three different sample menus, trying to decide which one I like best. Lars and Phlagmelina each prefer a different one so I'll either be the deciding vote or we'll end up in a three way tie, forcing us to have to sit down and discuss it more. Whatever we end up choosing, I really want to get the order in on Monday.
A throat clears and I look up at the new waiter. "Yes, Todd?"
"Someone's just come in."
I thought I'd had an eye and ear peeled for the front door but I guess I got engrossed enough in comparing the three sample menus that I hadn't noticed someone coming in. As I'm doing hostess duty for now, it means I'm falling down on the job. "Thank you, Todd," I say as I hurry to greet the man. I'm in such a rush that I don't notice until I've already said, "Welcome to the Crown & Cauldron," that I notice it's him.
As if working on their own, my lips broaden the smile already on them. "Hello, again. Are you waiting on someone or dining alone?"
"Just me, and yes, hello again. You are open, right?"
"Yes, we stay open between the usual times for lunch and dinner service."
"I was hoping. I'm famished. Breakfast was light and at the crack of dawn and this is my first chance to have lunch."
By this time I've lead him to one of the booths. Remembering my vow to get a name the very next time I saw him, as I hand him a menu I say, "I'm Furnella Hodfufer by the way."
He sticks out a hand to shake mine. "Max Black. Nice to officially meet you. Furnella's an interesting name."
"My parents have a thing for odd, interesting names. I'm Furnie to my friends. Are you any relation to Sirius Black?"
"I don't know, maybe. I grew up more in New Zealand."
I can't help but wonder now if he is related to Sirius, which would also make him related to Bellatrix Lestrange. And if he is, I fervently hope he's more like Sirius than Bellatrix. That encounter in Knockturn Alley suddenly weighs more heavily on my mind.
The booth is one of Samantha's tables and she comes up just then to ask Max's drink order and to fill him in on the day's specials. I turn to walk away but stop when Max says, "Stay for a minute if you've the time."
I nod and slide into the booth across from him. He listens as Samantha rattles off the specials. Handing her the menu without having really looked at it he orders the fish of the day, a champagne poached salmon in herbed cream, the house salad, and a glass of ice along with a pot of tea.
After Samantha's gone to put in his order Max tells me, "I picked up drinking ice tea in the States but it's the devil to find anywhere here."
"That's why the pot of tea and a glass of ice," I say as he nods.
With no one else currently in the restaurant, Samantha is quickly back with a basket of bread and the glass of ice. "Your tea will be right out."
She scurries off, most likely to rush getting the tea out. Max reaches for one of the hot dinner rolls, his demeanor casual and his tone nonchalant. "So, Furnie, no wedding ring. Do you just not wear it while working?"
"I'm divorced."
"Me too, a long time now. Any kids?"
"One. A son whose grown. What about you?"
"No, we weren't so blessed and as far as I know, none of my female friends over the years have provided me with offspring. Forgive me if I'm being overly forthright and forward but I don't want to waste time hemming and hawing. I'm not seeing anyone at the moment. Are you?"
"No, not at present."
"Then would you go out with me sometime, preferably sooner rather than later."
"I'm free tomorrow. Pick me up here at six."
"Six it is."
I start to get up but Max puts a hand over mine. "Stay and talk longer if you can. We can get some of that awkward first date chit chat out of the way."
As I am not overly busy at the moment, I shift more comfortably in my seat, a list of questions ready to be asked. "All right. You know what I do for a living, tell me about your work."
What's The Deal?
Author: Emerald Green
Date: 06-25-11 19:39
Emerald is walking with Olive to one of the stands set up that has drinks. Well away from their group Olive reaches out to grab Emerald's arm, pulling her to a stop. Before Emerald can say a word Olive, other hand planted firmly on her hip, demands, "What's the deal with you and Phin?"
"Nothing."
"Oh please. You've hardly spent any time with him."
"I see him all the time. Hunter, Jade, and you not so much."
Olive crosses her arms, her look clearly of the I'm not buying what you're selling variety.
"It's a crime now that on one of the rare occassions during the school year that I can spend time with all three of my siblings I do?"
"Even when you've been around Phin today, you've hardly looked at him and barely said two words."
"Don't exaggerate, Olive."
"Fine, I'm exaggerating but just barely. Come on, spill."
Emerald sighs and turns to look off in the direction of the stage. Olive gives her a minute before prodding, "Emmie."
Emerald turns to look at her sister again. She sighs once more. "I love Phin but ," she says softly, her voice trailing off.
"So you're not ready to get married. That's no secret."
"No, it's more than that. I love him but I'm not sure I love him. It's not just now that I don't want to get married. I don't think I want to marry Phin ever."
This is not what Olive was expecting to hear. She had figured Phin and Emmie were in the middle of an argument and had been fishing for the juicy details. Gobsmacked all she can think to say now is, "Oh."
"It's not just that. There's someone else I'd sort of like to go on a date with."
Ah ha. Juicy details. Olive hopes she doesn't sound overly eager in asking, "Another guy? Who?"
"You don't know him. His name is Gavin."
"Where did you meet?"
"During one of my SAT prep sessions at Joseph Liddel's. Gavin's one of Joseph's students and had come by to drop off an assignment."
"So he's a Muggle?"
"Yeah. We've gone out for sodas and coffee a few times."
"A few times is how many specfically?"
"Four."
"So you're basically cheating on Phin."
"No, these aren't dates. We've grabbed drinks a few times and talked. Two of those times there were others with us, and Gavin knows I have a boyfriend. I told him that the first time he mentioned grabbing a coffee sometime."
"So what are you going to do?"
"I don't know. I should break up with Phin if I'm having an urge to date someone else. Maybe I just need a break from Phin to better appreciate what I've got."
"You had a break from Phin. Happy Haven and City of Hope. If that didn't make you appreciate what you had, then nothing will."
"That was different. I was too young to know what or who I really wanted."
"Maybe."
Emerald scowls at her sister. "Like you would know. You're not even sixteen and you've never had a steady boyfriend."
"True, but I'm also not an idiot."
Emerald's scowl deepens but rather than say something even snarkier, she snaps, "I'm going for the drinks. Either come and help or don't. I don't care."
She starts walking again, ticked at Olive for sticking her nose into things and at herself for being so indecisive. She doesn't want to spoil what's left of the day by pulling Phin aside but definitely tomorrow.
In Shock
Author: Charlie Weasley
Date: 06-25-11 21:00
Dragon had performed at the Spring Social, about halfway through the entertainment line-up. Hendrika had been fine that morning and when first getting to Hogwarts but by the time Dragon went on she wasn't feeling very well. After the band finished its set Charlie insisted they go home. Schuyler and Artie were having such a good time though Hendrika and Charlie let them stay with the group of friends and family they had there.
As the rest of the afternoon passed Hendrika was feeling increasingly worse. When she began having stomach pains Charlie rushed her to St. Mungo's. After a half hour wait, with Hendrika looking more drawn and Charlie growing more aggistated, a healer finally was available to give Hendrika an exam.
It takes her less than five minutes to determine what's wrong.
"You're fully dilated, Mrs. Weasley."
"What?" Hendrika and Charlie say at the same time.
"How far along are you? Who's your obstetric healer?"
"But I'm not pregnant," Hen stammers.
"You are pregnant and you are in labor." The healer, whose name is Alicia Dunn, gives the nurse some orders then asks again, "Your healer?"
Hen gives Healer Dunn the name then Charlie asks, "Is Hendrika miscarrying?"
"Looks like but we're going to do our best to stop it and see if we can figure out why and then take steps to see your wife to term."
Hendrika blindly reaches for Charlie's hand. He takes hold gives her hand a loving, reassuring squeeze. He's as scared as she is but doesn't want to let on. She's given several different potions to drink. She pulls a face. "Ack, those are bitter."
A nurse holds out a glass of yet another colored liquid. "This will help clear the bad taste."
Healer Dunn says, "We're going to get you stablized then move you to the maternity ward where we'll want to monitor you for awhile. Since you didn't know you are pregnant, for now I'm going on the assumption that you're not all that far along."
Hen suddenly shrieks in pain, her grip on Charlie's hand increasing about a hundred fold.
With furrowed brow, Dunn repositions on her wheeled stool to exam Hendrika again. She says with great surprise, "Well, this I had not expected."
She barks a flurry of orders to the nurse, Hen and Charlie both asking, "What? What?" with Hendrika giving another yell of pain. in between her own spate of questions.
The nurse has wheeled a tray over to the healer and is now standing with what looks like a small blanket or towel. There's a loud cry, only this time it's not Hen. Healer Dunn grins at Charlie. "Would you like the honor of cutting the cord?"
"Whaaaat?"
The baby, who's still lustily crying, is being wrapped and placed on a panting Hendrika's stomach. Dunn motions to Charlie again. "Come cut the cord."
Hen releases Charlie's hand and in a daze he moves around the exam table. Dunn tells them both, "Say hello to your daughter."
"We have a girl?" the in shock Hendrika manages to ask.
"Yes, a girl who looks perfectly formed though here in a second we'll give her a thorough check-up."
The cord now cut, the nurse takes the baby to start the exam and to get her cleaned off. For Hendrika there's the matter of the afterbirth. By the time that's taken care of they've been informed that a room is ready for Hen down on Maternity. As she's being taken to her room, Charlie walking alongside, Hen's gathered her wits about her enough to tell Dunn, "How could i have been pregnant? I kept having my periods except for one and the pregnancy test came back negative them."
"And you never gained weight," Charlie adds.
"Well, there's are those five to ten pounds that have fluctuated the past few months," Hen corrects.
They're told, "What you experienced was not your regular menstrual cycle. You were having vaginal bleeding that made you think you were having your menses. It's not usual for a woman to never gain weight, there are rare instances where no appreciable weight gain is seen. With you having what you thought were your periods, a negative pregnancy test along the way, and no noticeable weight gain, it would be easy for you to explain away things like the occasional bout of morning sickness or the fatigue that can come with pregnancy as having a bug, or food poisoning, or something along those lines."
"But I never even felt the baby. How is that possible?"
"That's something I don't have an answer for other than that it's possible the way you carried her kept you from feeling any kicking or other movement. I'd have to do research to give a better answer. Your obstetric healer might be better able to answer that."
After Hen is settled into a room, Charlie and she just stare at each other, the shock of what just happened taking hold again now that they are alone. About ten minutes later a nurse pushes a bassinet into the room. From it she takes a pink wrapped bundle and places it in Hen's arms. She produces a bottle as well. "I brought this in case you can't nurse or don't want to. We weren't sure if you'd have the milk since you didn't even know you were pregnant."
Hen looks down as if assessing her chest, eyebrows knitted together. "My breasts didn't get any bigger or sore, like when I was pregnant with either of my boys."
"You've other children? Then you don't need me showing you how to nurse."
"No, I'm good," Hen says, her eyes still down but now on her daughter.
She's hardly aware of the nurse leaving. She just keeps staring down at this little pink swathed miracle. Charlie settles on the bed next to them, his eyes also fixed on the baby in Hendrika's arms. Several minutes pass in silence, the only sound coming from the baby as she suckles the bottle Hen's giving her.
When Hen pauses the feeding to burp the baby she looks to Charlie. "Would you like to hold our daughter?"
Wordlessly he holds out his arms, accepting the baby then the bottle to finish feeding her. "We definitely need to add another room to the house now."
"Almost all the baby clothes we have are for boys. I wonder if Blossom, Majandra, and Fleur would lend me a few things until we can go shopping."
"Does it really matter at this age?"
"Well, no, not when it comes to the little onesies and that sort of thing but can you blame me for wanting little girl things instead of dressing her in clothes with things like trains and frogs?"
"There's something more important first."
"A name."
"A name."
When she's finished eating they unwrap the blanket and exam her, counting fingers and toes and trying to decide what name looks like a good fit.
At the same time, Hendrika suggests, "Ava," and Charlie says, "Olivia."
They look at each other than at the little pink sleeping bundle. In unison they say, "Ava Olivia."
A little after a nurse has come to ask if Hendrika wants Ava to stay in the room with her or to go to the nursery, Hen replies, "I didn't know there was a choice."
"We didn't used to but now we do."
"Then here."
The nurse nods, takes care of a few other things then leaves them alone again. Charlie asks, "What do you want me to bring from home? Your toothbrush and what else?"
Hendrika thinks on this a moment then gives Charlie a short list. He gives her a kiss then moves to look at Ava again before moving towards the door. "It won't take me long at the house but I need to let everyone now and see about bringing the boys to meet their sister."
"Wait, before you go, hand her to me again, please?"
Charlie carefully picks Ava up out of the bassinet and gently hands her to Hendrika. He gives them a lingering look, says, "I love you," then leaves to go get the things Hen wants and to spread the stunning news of Ava Olivia Weasley.