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Home Finally - A couple days early
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 07-12-07 07:30
Orei collapsed on the sofa, arms full of bags and packages from her trip to Ireland. Her and her mom had apparated in just a few moments ago, and it was official, the majority of the last two weeks, they got called home early because Mom has to floo to Japan to help dad with something, had been the best possible she could have spent with her Mom. "Alright. Go ahead and put your things up in your room. You've got a few more days before you have to actually start getting ready to go back to school. If you want you can floo to Brett's for the rest of the day. I will be home as soon as I possibly can." She kissed her daughter on the cheek and instantly was gone in a flash of floo powder.
Orei carried the bundles up to her room, setting aside the ones that were for Brett and Aussie. She knew Brett already had the stuff from the Ireland National Team as that had gone out with her first owl to him. She had a few other items for him as well, including a mug that had been charmed to never be empty no matter the drink that you put in it (though it preferred to have Guinness within it ^_~).
Once she was done with that, she took a quick shower and changed into a pair of jeans and one of her new Ireland t-shirts and grabbed the packages for Brett and Aussie, putting them in a larger bag...wait. She could easily have a house elf hold them and bring them along with...She couldn't apparate, so she'd have to floo, but the house elf could bring the packages and they could be there first..."Libby!" She summoned one of the house elves and handed her the packages. "Bring these to Brett's house, now please."
With that the house elf was gone, and then Orei flooed to Brett's. She stepped out of the fire place just as Cecily Wright Malfoy left the house. "Who was that?" She asked out of mild curiosity.
"Cecily Write Malfoy..." He stated, knowing that Orei didn't like Cecily in the least. "Her marriage to Lucius Malfoy is falling apart."
"I'm sorry..." There was some concern for poor Cecily's well being and hope that things would work out in their marriage, but not much and Brett couldn't expect more, given the way that Cecily and Orei had met.
"Anyway, welcome home." He greeted her with a hug and a chaste kiss to the cheek. "Saw Libby a moment or two ago, weighted down with a dozen at least packages. Are they all for me?" He questioned grinning.
"No! Some of them are for Aussie too." She grinned impishly up at her boyfriend and slipped from his embrace and moved to separate the packages. "These, need to go to Aussie. By the way, did you like the shirt and photo from the Ireland National Team?"
Birthdays
Author: Blossom
Date: 07-12-07 10:41
Arthur sits holding Little Arthur, bouncing the baby on his knee, and watches the triplets playing chase with several of the other children at Blossom's. They're actually in the little play park, taking in another wonderfully beautiful day. Blossom makes sure the padding charms of the infant swings are in place in case Schuyler, Miranda, and two others of their age somehow wiggle out of them then flicks her wand to set the swings gently swaying.
"Want me to take Artie," she asks.
Arthur shakes his head, pursing his lips to make them sputter, causing Artie to give one of those high pitched gleeful laughs of babies his age. "I've got a handle on it, thank you."
"As much as I know you miss working at the Ministry, we are so very glad you enjoy working with us," Blossom tells him.
"Thank you for saying so. I do miss that other job but this one has so very many rewards. Of course, working at the twins' shoppes is interesting and fun as well."
"Especially when you get to play around with their Muggle items?"
"Yes, especially those times," Arthur grins. "Now tell me, what are the plans for the triplet's birthday?"
"Here, we're doing a party so that all the children and any of the teens who come in may have cake and ice cream. Briar's doing us up three lovely cakes. Three so that Gideon, Seth, and Larkin each get to blow out candles without fighting over who gets to blow out candles. We thought we'd have a smaller, family and friends party that evening and have a cake also for Percy."
Of her brothers-in-law Percy is Blossom's least favorite but it was still she who made the suggestion to Fred. It occurs to her that other than wishing Ginny happy birthday a few days ago, Blossom hadn't done anything for Ginny. Fred and she have a really nice pair of suede ankle boots for her but haven't given them to her yet. Blossom can't figure out why exactly that is.
"Did Ginny have a cake or anything with Molly and you?"
"No, in fact we didn't see her at all on the eleventh."
"I think then I'll run over and ask Briar to do a small cake for Ginny as well. I won't be long."
Blossom makes sure the swings are still swaying then leaves Arthur and Artie, stopping just long enough to tell one of the other adults where she's going. Hurrying across the street to the bakery, Blossom tries to think of anything else that might need doing as long as she's running an errand.
A Proposition
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 07-12-07 16:01
Lucius feels a fool. More the fool then he's felt since waking up to find himself married to that chit Cecily. Just yesterday Rodolphus, who'd finally managed to look at Lucius for more than two seconds without breaking into peals of laughter, had asked, "Why don't you just kill the girl and be done with this nonsense?"
Lucius had thought about that very thing many times so had a ready reply. "If the little idiot hadn't gone running to The Daily Prophet immediately with our marriage announcement, I would have taken her somewhere, Obliviated her memory, and left her. I would like nothing more than to physically wring the life from while telling her exactly why she should have agreed to an annulment and why there should have been no announcement. If Cecily were to up and vanish now or have a fatal accident befall her, eyebrows would be raised."
Rodolphus had gotten through all of Lucius's answer before having to walk away, bent over again with a fit of the giggles. With no sympathy from Bellatrix either, Lucius had left in disgust.
Lucius had left Malfoy Manor around dawn, only returning after lunch. Cecily had immediately attempted to engage Lucius in conversation, appealing to him once again to talk to her, to fix their marriage. Lucius had ignored her and had ignored her scantily clad attempts to get his attention for something more than mere chit chat. When Cecily had finally taken the hint that Lucius is going to continue ignoring her, she'd flounced from the room.
Something Cecily said as she left to change did catch Lucius's attention. She said something about going to see Brett Kingston. Lucius got a house elf to find out where this Brett chap lives then when Cecily left the house, Lucius did as well.
Waiting in a spot where he could spy on the door to Brett Kingston's flat, Lucius watches for Cecily to leave. The moment she's gone, Lucius goes and raps on the door. The young man who opens it is tall and broad shouldered, dark featured, nice looking, and about the same age as Cecily, give or take a year. It's probable Kingston was in Cecily's class at Hogwarts or even in Draco's.
"Yes?"
"I'm sorry to disturb you, Mr. Kingston. I'm Lucius Malfoy. Might I have a moment of your time?"
Kingston opens the door wider. Lucius can see another young woman there, only this one still appears to be school age. "I'm sorry. I've come at a bad moment."
"No, that's all right, Mr. Malfoy. What may I do for you? Would you like a drink?"
"Thank you, but no." Lucius darts a glance at the girl then settles his attention back on Kingston. "I would like to speak to you about Cecily Wright."
Kingston points to a chair, "Sit down if you'd like, sir. Oh, and this is Oreileah McCoi. What about Cecily?"
"Miss McCoi," Lucius graciously nods before saying to Kingston, "I've a proposition that would be very beneficial to you should you accept."
Being A Friend
Author: Brett Kingston
Date: 07-12-07 16:43
Brett, happy to see Orei earlier than expected, had answered her question about the shirt and photo. "I not only got them but we had a casual day at work so I wore the shirt then and showed off the photo to everyone."
Brett had just been about to offer Orei some refreshments and ask her how she knew he'd be at home when there was a knock on the door. Thinking it was Cecily returning for some reason, Brett had shot Orei an apologetic look before opening the door. Brett recognized Lucius Malfoy even before the man introducted himself, from all the pictures of the man that have been in the paper over the years.
Unable to fathom why Lucius Malfoy would want to speak with him, Brett invited the older man in. A couple of minutes later Brett isn't sure what to think when Malfoy says, "I've a proposition that would be very beneficial to you should you accept."
Feeling Orei's eyes on him, Brett glances at her. She's got a look on her face that's a mixture of curiosity and worry. Brett supposes the worry is from having someone like Lucius Malfoy about to make him a proposition. Or maybe Orei's worried there's more to Cecily having been here a short time ago then Brett's letting on. If that's the case, Orei needn't worry.
"A proposition, Mr. Malfoy?"
"Yes, one that would earn you a sizeable payment. All aboveboard I assure you. You are friends with Cecily I take it."
"Yes, I suppose you could say that."
"She came to you today looking for a shoulder to cry on," Malfoy states.
"Yes, how did..." Brett shakes his head. It doesn't matter how Malfoy knows. Brett hastens to say as much for Orei's benefit as for Malfoy's, "We just talked. That is, Cecily talked. I mainly listened."
"Was what she said, by chance, about our marriage?"
"Yes. Yes, it was."
"Then it comes as no surprise to you that I want out of the marriage. The elopement was a mistake, brought on greatly by far too much alcohol. Cecily is refusing an annulment so I am petitioning for divorce. Things would go far more smoothly if Cecily had a good friend who offers her emotional support while also heartily encouraging her to not contest the divorce. She would get a very generous settlement."
"You want me to be the encouraging friend."
"Yes."
"And you'd pay me if I helped get Cecily to see an uncontested divorce is the right thing for her."
"Simply put, yes."
Orei nudges Brett in the side. He glances at her, not at all surprised to see she looks a little angry at the thought of Brett purposely spending time with Cecily in order to get paid for helping Lucius Malfoy obtain an easy divorce.
Brett looks back over at Malfoy. "If Cecily needs me to be a supportive friend, I'll be there for her. I can't take money for that."
"Don't think of it as taking money to be a friend. Think of it as payment rendered to assist in divorce proceedings. Take a day or two. I'll be in contact."
Malfoy rises, waving at hand at Orei and Brett. "I'll see myself out, thank you."
When the door closes, Orei slaps Brett on the arm. "You aren't seriously considering spending time with Cecily," she bites out Cecily's name, "or taking that man's money?"
Brett stands up to walk across to the chair Malfoy had vacated. Sitting back down, facing Orei, Brett says, "I don't ever consider spending time with Cecily. The only time I ever gave her much thought at all is when she was desperately wanting us to date; the thoughts I had were only to wonder if she was going to suddenly show up somewhere and pester me."
"Why was she here today?" Orei sounds on the snippy side as she asks the question.
"I don't know why she chose me to come cry to. I let her snivel about her husband and how she wants to stay married to him. Now, as for taking Malfoy's money, you heard what I said to him."
"I heard you say you'd be a friend to Cecily when she needs a shoulder to cry on."
"Yes, I said that. I'm not a callous person, Orei. I can't believe you're acting so jealous. I've never given you a reason to be. Can we just go back to being happy your here?"
Orei leans back on the couch cushions. "I'm sorry. Yeah, let's pretend I've just gotten here."
"Why did your vacation end early?"
"Dad needed Mom's help with something so we came back a couple of days early."
"Isn't your dad already in Japan?"
"Yes, so Mom's gone by Floo, leaving me with time on my hands. I thought you could help me fill that time."
"I'd love to but how did you even know I'd be home when you decided to drop by?"
"I wasn't even thinking about what day it is or the time of day. I just was eager to see you. How come you aren't still at work?"
"We had a meeting with a client who loved the design on sight, before we even presented it. That freed up the time that had been set aside for the presentation. Then another client had to cancel a meeting that would probably have taken up two or three hours. We have a big presentation tomorrow for the renovation of a castle and two other big projects going on. We don't get all that much time freed up like today so we were all given the afternoon off to enjoy it."
Orei grins. "I got lucky then. How about you open your presents then we can Floo to Hogsmeade to deliver Aussie's?"
"Supper out afterwards?"
"You read my mind," Orei grins.
Get Lost In Thought, Get Nipped By Fanged Frisbees
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 07-12-07 18:37
Lunch with Michael Corner had been nice. Nothing more. Ginny can't help but wish it had been. Ginny can't blame the tiff whe had with Ron on how lunch went not when she knew better than to expect anything other than nice after having had dinner with Michael the other night. Despite being giddy at the prospect of going out on that dinner date, once they were seated at the restaurant Ginny quickly realized that she feels nothing but friendship towards Michael.
Restocking Fanged Frisbees, Ginny now has time to really think about the argument with Ron. She was out of line and should have admitted that right away. What she can't understand is why Ron got so furious so fast. Perhaps if he'd not overreacted so quickly she would have given him back the letters without being so bitchy about it. Ginny shakes her head, scowling. Can't put it off on Ron overreacting. The incident was instigated by her and there is no excuse for having acted like a bloody, ill mannered, bad tempered brat, no matter how Ron responded.
One of the Fanged Frisbees takes advantage of Ginny not paying close attention and nips two of her fingers. Swearing softly, children are within earshot so Ginny doesn't want to teach them any new words and earn her the rile of some parents, Ginny quickly finishes putting the Fanged Frisbees away. The nips aren't that bad but one did bleed a little. Serves her right for being distracted while working with something that bites.
Ginny uses her break to apparate to Hogsmeade for a visit to Briar's Bakery. There's a bakery in Diagon Alley but Briar's is Ron's favorite. There, Ginny picks out a small cake. The top has a Quidditch goal post made of chocolate with a marzipan Quaffle flying back and forth through it. A marzipan Snitch flies in circles around the goal post. Around the base of the cake, a chocolate bat thwacks a marzipan Bludger which goes the full circle around to meet the bat, which then hits the Bludger back the other direction.
Ginny goes straight to the flat and puts the cake on the kitchen table, putting a charm on it to keep Hero from attempting to capture all the flying marzipan balls. It's a good thing she does because when Ginny goes downstairs to the shoppe, Hero is sitting on a kitchen chair, starting to look dizzy as she watches the balls flying.
Downstairs again, Ginny does mindless tasks, though ones that don't have anything that bites, so that she can let her mind wander more. If it wouldn't lead to Ron accusing her of having a reason to snoop more, Ginny would offer to clean his room and do his laundry for a month.
Ginny's thoughts also return to Michael Corner. Why can't she feel something more than friendship? Even a tiny bit? She supposes it doesn't help that Michael can still be, to use Ron's word, a git. Even after all this time Michael gets a little huffy on the topic of Ravenclaw losing to Gryffindor in Quidditch. He also can't get himself to admit that Harry Potter was a much better seeker than Cho was. Everyone knows that, right?
When Ron gets home from work, Ginny knows he's upstairs because of all the loud stumping about he's doing. It's bad enough a few customers stop and look up and George goes to the inside stairs going up to the flat. When he comes down a few seconds later, the stumping has stopped and George asks Ginny, "Why's Ron being more a prat than usual?"
Ginny sighs. "We fought earlier. I'll get it straightened out in a bit."
"Might want to wait more than a bit. He's not stomping around so heavily now it's disturbing us down here, but the look he gave me could have frozen the lake at Hogwarts it was so glacial."
Later, when Ginny does venture upstairs again, the flat's extremely quiet. The cake is where she left it and it's untouched. Ginny doesn't know if Ron saw it or not. Taking a deep breath, Ginny walks down the short hallway to Ron's door. Knocking, she tentatively calls out, "Ron?"
A Date, or Something Like It
Author: Ariella Beck
Date: 07-12-07 20:42
Lawrence came to Ariella's house in Manchester to pick her up for their date, if it could be called such a thing. Because they were going to a nice restaurant and then to the Muggle theatre, Ariella dressed in a simple black tea-length dress and black peep-toe heels. She carried a small matching purse with a silver clasp.
They ate at Midsummer House, a restaurant that featured French-Mediterranean dishes like fish, lamb and steamed vegetables. Lawrence's first choice of restaurant, the Ivy, had been booked solid, so they went to a restaurant of Ariella's choosing. Because it was such a lovely evening and the sun was still very much up since it set so much later in the summertime, Lawrence and Ariella opted to sit outside on the raised terrace that overlooked the River Cam.
Ariella exercised bravery and tried smoked eel for an appetizer and then continued the seafood theme by ordering turbot for her meal. Dessert was mango and passion fruit sorbet.
After they ate, they walked to the theatre, which was in the vicinity. The sun was just beginning to set, casting warm colors over the river. They paused on a bridge and looked at the water before pressing on to the Cambridge Arts Theatre. Tonight they would watch a production of Medea by Euripedes. Ariella had never read any classical works before and knew very little about Muggle literature anyway, so she was very much looking forward to the play.
It was performed in Ancient Greek, which was a great surprise to both Lawrence and Ariella. English subtitles were provided on several digital marquees that hung over the stage.
Ariella was very intrigued by the tragic play, which told the story of Medea, wife of Jason, who resorted to filicide to seek revenge on her husband after he left her for another Greek princess.
"So what did you think of the play?" Lawrence asked Ariella, as they headed back to Ariella's house.
"It was dark but very moving. Jealousy can make a person do very terrible things. Did you like it?"
"Yes, and I really like the fact that it was performed in its original language. It almost made me feel like we were in Ancient Athens, watching the play being performed for the very first time."
They eventually got to Ariella's home. It was a clear night, with every star visible in the sky.
"Thanks for the nice evening," Ariella said, stopping in her doorway. "I hope you have a nice time in Switzerland. Write me at Hogwarts, okay?"
"I will. I had a nice time with you tonight too."
There was a pause, and Ariella suddenly wasn't sure what should happen next. Should she hug him goodbye? Kiss him on the cheek? Just shake hands? While she stood there debating, Lawrence made the decision for her.
Making Up
Author: Ron Weasley
Date: 07-12-07 21:30
Ron is on his bed, staring up at the ceiling when Ginny knocks on the door. She hesitantly asks, "Ron?"
"Go. Away."
"Please, Ron."
Ron doesn't answer. He just rolls over to stare at the wall. A change of pace from the ceiling.
"I got you a"
"Cake. I know. Now go away."
"I'm trying to apologize, Ron."
"Ginny, when trying to apologize, it's best not to do it when the person you want to apologize to is telling you to leave him be."
Ron hears Ginny sighing, not with exasperation though. So softly he has to strain to listen, Ginny says, "I shouldn't have done it, Ron. You told me the papers were from work. I should have let it go. I don't know why I didn't. I don't know why I then proceeded to act the bitch. I'm so sorry. And... and if you want to invite Wayne over I'll be really pleasant and even cook dinner."
"You'd do that? You'd welcome Wayne with open arms and make him a nice meal?"
"Yes, it would be the loveliest meal ever. I'd serve then leave you to be alone with, uh, Wayne."
Ron can't help it. He starts laughing. Ginny asks again, "Ron?"
Ron laughs harder. Pushing himself off the bed he goes and opens the door. Ginny was leaning on it so stumbles into Ron, causing him to laugh harder still.
"Are you all right?"
Ron walks to the kitchen, chuckling the whole way. He gets two plates and slices them each a piece of the cake Ginny had gotten. Sitting down, Ron starts to dig in then looks up at Ginny. She's looking at him, puzzled and concerned at the same time. He asks, "Aren't you going to each your slice? It's really good. From Briar's?"
"Yeah. What's so funny?"
"You really think I have a boyfriend named Wayne?"
"Yes? Um, no? Yes. Maybe. I'm confused. Isn't that a Wayne?"
"I'm sure there is a Wayne, even if that letter writer used a different name then Wayne's real one."
"So the letter's not yours."
Ron takes a huge piece of his cake slice onto his fork. "You said yourself the writing isn't mine. Anyway, think about it. I'm in love with Hermione. Why would I screw that up over someone named Wayne?"
Ginny, still very confused, shrugs. "Because some people become aware of an attraction to someone of the same sex but still love others of the opposite sex?"
"Some do, yeah. Not me though."
"But you have a letter to the paper's agony aunt, and that letter is about someone named Wayne."
"I've got lots of letters to the paper's agony aunt and not all of them are about blokes called Wayne."
"Why?"
"Oh, come on, Ginny. You're smart. Figure it out."
Ginny sits poking her slice of cake with her fork. Ron knows the moment she's reached the right answer to her question. Before she says a word, Ron grins. "You've got it."
"You're Aunt Aggie? You, Ron Weasley, prized prat when it comes to things like love and giving advice, are Aunt Aggie?"
Ron nods, reaching to cut himself more cake.
Ginny frowns. "Why?"
"Why was I hired?"
"That and why would you want to do it?"
"They needed someone and I came along at just when they were getting good and truly desperate. I took the job because of the income."
"You have a nice income from Whizz Hard and you get paid for your time in the shoppe," Ginny says, the shoppe meaning both locations of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes.
"Yeah. But I needed more and I wanted it sooner over later."
"Why?"
"You do like that question. You sound like one of the triplets."
"It's a very good question and fits the situation perfectly," Ginny retorts in a good natured way.
Ron puts the cake aside and stands up. "Come with me."
"All right." If anything, Ginny looks even more confused.
Ron leads Ginny down the outer stairs to the front of a jewelry store, Amber's. The shoppe hasn't closed yet so Ron takes Ginny inside, saying as they enter, "I want more money now so I can do two things. One is to buy or build a house without having to wait ten or fifteen more years. I make a nice salary but nothing like what the twins pull in and Charlie and Bill were single for a long time before settling down and buying houses."
Ginny looks around, taking in all the beautiful jewelry. "I can guess the second reason. You want to give Hermione a really nice ring when the time comes."
"Correct. I'm leaning towards this one."
Ginny moves in for a closer look, ooohing over how the stones in the ring change color.