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Meeting the Mockridges, part 1
Author: Peregrinus Hartcrofte
Date: 10-16-12 19:05
Pippin arrived at Mockridge Townhouse at the time Winnie had arranged via owl. It had been rewarding to help out at St. Mungo's, but there were bills to be paid, and if Pip was honest with himself, it felt good to get back to work.
A house-elf had shown Pip to the front parlour to wait for "Mistress Nephele." Judging by the sheet that sufficed as the house-elf's garb, he wasn't a free house-elf like Rondy. However, the sheet was considerably cleaner than the dingy rags most house-elves wore, pressed and folded into a crisp linen kilt.
Muggles are fond of the phrase "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach." For Pip, the way to his heart was through an impressive library. Considering the magnitude of the Hartcrofte library, it would be easy to assume that Pip had become desensitized to books. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Books were his greatest love in the world. He measured others by not only the breadth of their collection, but by which books in particular they chose.
Various volumes of the history of magical society, a staggering array of spellbooks and alchemical journals … all as pristine as they day they were printed thanks to the spells of preservation woven over them. Pip pulled out his wand. "Pellego." The tip of his wand glowed with a light blue aura as he passed it over the bookshelves. He then put the wand to his temple. "Denarro." Information gleaned by the Pellego spell flowed into his mind. As he suspected, the preservation spells were cast by a house-elf. Pip couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment that the Mockridges didn't care enough about their books to cast the spells himself, but at least they cared enough to have their servants do it.
As Pip lowered his arm from his temple, he accidentally tipped over a phial sitting on the nearest shelf. Repelled by the spell of preservation, the phial flung towards Pip, spilling its contents over the khaki cargo shorts he had worn. Within seconds, it was evident that the spilled potion was dissolving through them. In a blind panic, Pip clenched his wand between his teeth and whipped his cargo shorts off, just in time. More and more of his shorts evaporated as he held them. At the last moment, he tossed his shorts into the air, watching them disintegrate into so many dust mites.
"Mr. Hartcrofte?"
"Mmrff?"
Meeting the Mockridges, part 2 - Mockridge Townhouse
Author: Nephele Mockridge
Date: 10-16-12 20:24
Nephele's eyebrow rose, one delicate arch as she took a step back, assessing the situation. Then, despite her calm appearance, she sighed, "and there goes a month's work." Her voice was quiet, almost inaudible. "Jibby!" she called in a louder tone.
"Yes, Mistress Nephele?" the creature squeaked.
"Take care of this mess, " she said. Her eyes turned back toward their guest. "And perhaps fetch Mr. Hartcrofte some trousers. Something of Kirley's might fit, but if not, check Alistair's trunks. "
"Yes, Mistress Nephele," it squeaked again before turning to the assigned tasks.
"Come, Mr. Hartcrofte, we can talk in my office. I told them numerous times to keep guests out of the parlor when I have potions resting there," she said, the last part fading to a mutter. Her fingers twitched for her wand, but she knew better than to be a less than perfect hostess. Leading the way, she took him into the room she'd claimed as her own, her potions books, along with a few other favored spell books and such, lovingly protected by her own hand.
"Please, have a seat," she said, gesturing as she walked around her desk. It made her feel more in charge of the situation, something she was grateful for. Nephele was much more at ease in her lab, and the loss of her work, though at least proven successful, if a bit stronger than expected, had frazzled her more than just the meeting itself.
"I don't know how much you know about my family, Mr. Hartcrofte," she began.
"Please, call me Pippin," he offered.
"I shall keep that in mind, Mr. Hartcrofte," she said, though a hint of something flashed in her eyes. "As I was saying, our family has had it's differences. My brother and his wife died under less than ideal circumstances. I trust that what I am about to tell you goes no farther than necessary?"
"Naturally. We practice strict confidentiality with all of our clients," Peregrinus said easily.
"An excellent practice. Anyway, my brother, Kirley, and I have reason to believe our mother is once more in contact with the type of people who could lead to trouble. I'm sure you can understand, given my brother's Ministry position, that this could be a definite issue, especially as Mother is hosting a Ministry-sponsored fundraiser, for an orphanage to house the Muggle-borns so affected by the Smythe-Jones Regime. Kirley hopes that you and your colleagues would be willing to function as undercover security for the event, not to root out problems there, but to warn us if there is truth to our suspicion."
As she spoke, Nephele did her best to avoid the light blue fabric with the nearly fluttering golden snitches. Until she realized there was rather less than there should have been or was entirely decent. Pink stained her cheeks. "Oh blast. I really need to lessen the dragon's bile in that potion."
An Unexpected Guest
Author: Celeste Quigley
Date: 10-17-12 12:28
Celeste was seated in the living room next to Eugene. After the probation Severus had put herself into, she had realized he was right on what he said. Most of the students and the school staff would not care how she looked like as long as she kept giving her classes like she used to. Seeing her old self in the mirror once she had reached to her living quarters had made her realize how much she wanted not to take the Polyjuice potion every day.
Like everyone predicted she decided to keep her position at Hogwarts. The only thing that would change was her looks. Alison decided to keep Celeste's name. That was how she was known at the school and she thought it was a good way to honor her best friend who saved her life. Besides she could not imagine the mess it would be to go to the ministry now and explain them the entire story.
For the summer holidays she and Eugene had installed themselves in a house they owned at the countryside. They acquired it a couple of years ago and it provided a peaceful cozy haven far away from the noisy Hogwarts' corridors.
It was dark outside and the couple was seated in the living room. Eugene was reading The Daily Prophet while Celeste had in her hand a copy of Murder at St. Mungo's by Artemisia Stafford. Suddenly a pair of luggage including a cage with a cat appeared in the center of the room inches from the coffee table. One of the trunks had the letters CMQ engraved on it.
"Are you expecting someone?" Celeste asked to her husband.
"Not that I know of," he replied.
Moments later the fireplace was filled with a green light and Celeste recognized her brother in law coming out of it, followed by a young boy. Tobias Quigley was so much alike Eugene that they could be twins. However Tobias had a sloppy look with his wrinkled clothes and his pale skin made him look ill.
"Tobias!" Eugene said, putting the newspaper aside and standing up to greet his brother. Celeste did the same. Her brother in law didn't even notice the change in her looks. Or if he did he did not say a word about.
"And this must be Caleb! You have grown up a lot, since the last time I saw you."
Caleb greeted his uncle and aunt. Celeste knew he used to spend most of time with his mother and so he didn't tend to visit his other side of the family. However, she could identify with ease the short nose of the Quigleys as well as their dark brown eyes. Eugene started to inquire his brother about his book while Celeste used her wand to summon some cups of tea and a plate with biscuits. She noticed how Caleb seemed to like them because in less than a minute he had devoured almost three of them. She wondered if he had dinner.
After mentioning his book Tobias announced in a serious tone:
"I need to ask you a favor, Eugene."
"What is it? Do you need some more money? Because you still owe me a lot from the last loan. What did you do to it anyway?"
"No, it's not that. Caleb's mother is aboard and I need to finish my work. My publisher is pressuring me, the clock is ticking. I need to focus and I can't take care of Caleb at the same time. I was wondering if he could stay with you for a while. Not the entire summer, of course, but at least a month? He is a very quiet boy; he knows how to behave himself. He won't cause any trouble, right son?"
Caleb nodded, his mouth filled with crumbs. Celeste had the feeling this speech had been used before, perhaps more than once. Tobias confirmed her suspicious when he said he had spoken to almost everyone he knew and no one wanted to take Caleb in.
"Why don't you two talk while I show something to Caleb?" Celeste suggested.
Eugene and Tobias agreed and she took her nephew upstairs. She thought he shouldn't listen to his father trying to get rid of him. Not that she doubted Tobias' love for his son, but she knew that he was too absorbed in his work he could not handle to do normal parenting. None of them spoke. She wondered if the boy was shy. Finally they reached to the attic where a telescope was resting next to a window. Celeste looked through it and then she invited:
"Would you like to take a look?"
Caleb nodded and gave a step forward.
"Wow! The moon…so big!"
"This is nothing," she replied with a chuckle. "With a better telescope and an observation point like the astronomy tower at Hogwarts you will be able to see even better."
"You teach there, don't you? I think my father mentioned that…"
"Yes, I do."
"I'm going to Hogwarts next year," he took another look to the moon. "I wish summer would move faster..."
Celeste was about to reply when Eugene showed up and asked if he could have a word with her. She nodded and left Caleb with the telescope, telling him he could move it in other directions if he wished. The boy's face got filled with joy.
"Tobias left."
"What?"
"I was asking him why he didn't ask our mother to take care of Caleb, since you and I don't have much room here and he just left using apparition."
"He didn't even say goodbye to his son?"
"I think he is not himself at the moment. Too consumed with his book…"
"That is no excuse. What are we going to do with an eleven year old boy?"
"So this is all right with you?"
"You thought I wasn't going to let him stay?"
"Well since you don't want children I…"
"I work in a school, for Merlin's sake. And Caleb is my nephew. He is more than welcome here and he can stay as long as he likes. We will just have to figure out how to keep him entertained, that's all. And you will do the cooking."
"Seems like a good deal."
Still Under House Arrest
Author: Errol
Date: 10-17-12 16:23
Errol had half expected Ross to meet him in Hogsmeade rather than having him ride the Hogwarts Express but that hadn't been the case. Errol had board the train with his friends and for the first time experienced the long train ride. There was a tedium at times but there was also a celebratory air and spending time with others without having to be mindful of getting homework and studying done. Errol had no money for the trolley, just a boxed lunch Ross had sent for him, but friends like Megara Flynn and Alastor Jenkins has been more than willing to share. Uncle Ross had been waiting at King's Cross, standing with Megara's parents. When parting ways, Mrs. Flynn had said, "We'll see you soon in Sacramento, Errol!" That had been the first indication he'd had that Ross had actually said yes to the Flynn's request that Errol spend a couple of days with them while they're in California. Learning this Errol began to have a spark of hope that summer won't be that bad.
The Andersons had left King's Cross for a hotel Ross often uses when on business in London, or when picking up an errant nephew from the school he'd been banished to for the better part of a year. They'd used the hotel's international Floo conduit for Washington, D.C., where Ross had a Monday meeting. Errol had to sit in an office with a secretary for a couple of hours, book in hand while his uncle had his meeting. They'd again left from the hotel by Floo for home.
Any faint hope Errol had had that once home again Ross would lighten up on the restrictions died a somewhat quick death after being dashed to pieces when the two arrived home to Willow Creek, California. Without preamble Ross informed Errol, "The boundaries of the property are spelled so you cannot leave. The container of Floo powder will not open for you. You may not have any visitors unless I am here and first give approval."
Ross was to leave immediately for his office but Errol had snapped. "I never once tried to leave Hogwarts or contact anyone. The ONLY thing wrong I did was the Veritaserum and that was only so someone would finally believe that I really am innocent. Why the hell am I still under house arrest?"
Ross's eyes had narrowed as he replied in an even more stern, no nonsense voice, "One, take that tone with me again and you can forget about those few days with the Flynns. Two, I knew with one hundred percent certainty BEFORE your Veritaserum stunt that you are innocent . Three, the reasons for the continued restrictions are for a later discussion. For now, I need to get to the office."
Stunned to learn Ross has known for a long time that he'd not done the things he'd been accused of doing and to learn that there are other reasons for the house arrest here and at Hogwarts, Errol could only mutely nod at his uncle before the man disapparate for the office. The rest of that day and the next, Errol had spent a great deal of time outside around their small swimming pool, glad at least that the restrictions he's still under don't have him confined to the house.
The Case That Isn't and Bronco MacDuff
Author: Beck
Date: 10-17-12 19:42
"Mrs. Hepplewhite, it's a pleasure to meet you. Please, have a seat."
Alanna indicated to the chair opposite her small desk. Since joining the ranks at the Ministry of Magic as a full-fledged solicitor––albeit only a junior one for the time being––she had acquired an actual desk and her own filing cabinets. Her workspace was small and cramped, but it was hers.
As a lowly intern, she had had no space in the legal office to call her own.
Mrs. Hepplewhite was a portly witch with a string of large pearls around her neck. She had gray hair that was curled and peeked out from under a pale purple hat. Her robes were printed with a small floral pattern, with the same pale purple being the dominant color.
She eased into the chair Alanna offered her and held tightly to the purse in her lap. Her fingers looked like plump, white sausages.
Alanna shook the image from her mind and smiled at her guest. "It is my understanding you want to file a suit against the establishment Petals in Hogsmeade. Have you had trouble with the business?"
"Oh, yes! I think it is abominable that it even exists. And just down the road from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Why, it's a travesty!"
Alanna raised her eyebrows slightly. "Mrs. Hepplewhite, have you ever done business with Petals?"
The older witch looked like she might pass out. "Heavens, no! I would never step foot in that place. Never!"
"I see, then what is the basis of your suit?" Alanna gently asked.
She knew she didn't have a case with Mrs. Hepplewhite. She also was rapidly reaching the conclusion that even though she wasn't an intern anymore, she was still towards the bottom of the food chain in the office. It should be no surprise that the more senior attorneys were passing off onto Alanna clients such as Mrs. Hepplewhite.
"Well, isn't it obvious? Petals is sinful and should be shut down. It's a disgrace, having a place like that in a small town like Hogsmeade."
Alanna tried to think of a way to let Mrs. Hepplewhite down gently. "Mrs. Hepplewhite," she began, searching for the words, "I'm afraid your finding the establishment disgraceful is no legal basis for having it shut down. Now, if we knew of illegal activity taking place at Petals, that might be a different situation. I'm afraid stripping isn't against the law."
"But the children!" Mrs. Hepplewhite exclaimed, finally letting go of her purse to fan her face.
Alanna released a sympathetic sigh, though in actuality she was beginning to find the woman a bit over the top. "Petals being where it is, even in close proximity to hundreds of underage wizards, is not a crime," Alanna explained.
"What I will do," she said, wanting to appease Mrs. Hepplewhite even though she knew she couldn't, "is conduct a bit of research to see if there is anything we can pursue."
Mrs. Hepplewhite couldn't decide what she thought of Alanna's offer to help, but then she nodded her head and said, "Very well. Will you be in touch, Ms. Beck?"
"I will," Alanna replied. She got up, and escorted Mrs. Hepplewhite down the hall.
Alanna knew she would have to think of a way to gently let Mrs. Hepplewhite down, but for now she would delay the inevitable.
When the lift opened, Alanna was surprised to see Reed Wycombe. After his stint in jail, he had taken all his vacation hours and then had allegedly worked on an assignment in another division at the Ministry. Alanna hadn't seen him in a very long time.
Behind him stepped a very tall, very muscular wizard. He looked like he could crush Alanna's head with one of his meaty hands.
"I'll be in touch," Alanna said to Mrs. Hepplewhite, after seeing her onto the lift. "Goodbye!"
Mrs. Hepplewhite nodded stiffly. "Goodbye, Ms. Beck. Thank you for your consideration."
The grille closed. Alanna glanced at Reed and the scary looking wizard with him before turning and returning to her desk. She sensed Reed walking behind her and the even larger man looming over them both.
Partway to her desk, she stopped and turned to Reed. "Can I help you with something?"
Reed looked her up and down. "Why are you so well-dressed, Beck?"
"Because I work here now," Alanna replied. She glanced over his shoulder at the other wizard. "Who's he?"
Reed answered without looking at his companion. "This is Bronco MacDuff, my personal bodyguard."
Alanna choked on the laughter that welled up in her throat. Quickly composing herself, she nearly stuck out her hand to Bronco, but then thought better of it. He'd probably squeeze it too hard. "Hi, Bronco."
Bronco didn't say anything. He didn't even blink.
Alanna looked at Reed. "Well, welcome back." With that, she turned and continued to her desk.
Reed didn't follow her this time. Instead, he went to his own desk, with Bronco the bodyguard right behind him.
Doing Business With Argus Filch (Indigo)
Author: Travis
Date: 10-17-12 20:25
Coming into the pet shoppe side of MacFusty's Pets from the veterinary side Indigo resumes the inventory check he'd been doing before needing to see to a Yorkshire terrier that had eaten an entire 10 pound box of Swiss chocolates. Indi uses a magical system for tracking inventory but periodically he likes to manually check himself or have one of his employees do it to make sure the system is working properly.
A few minutes later the bell over the door jingles. Indi takes a couple of steps to peer around the end of the aisle to call a greeting, "Welcome! Let me know if you need help with anything."
It's a good thing these words are automatic for him or he might have ended up gape mouthed at the sight of Argus Filch looking even more thin and gaunt than Indi remembers him to be but with his face unusually puffy and red. Then remembering that Filch's beloved Mrs. Norris was killed and decides that perhaps the red, puffy face isn't odd after all. Though the cat's death was weeks ago, someone so attached to a pet could conceivably be so deeply grieving as to still have frequent crying jags.
Indi watches as Mr. Filch shuffles to the window display, which today is has cuter than cute frolicking kittens. The older man stands with hands in front of him as if gripping a glass or plexiglass barrier when in actuality a spell prevents the kittens from tumbling out of display area. Feeling as if he's spying Indi starts to move back into the aisle where he's been working but freezes when there is a loud mucousy sound that seems to be a cross between a slurrrrrrf and a snorrrrg and that sends a goose bumpy shuddering chill down Indi's back from the absolute gross weirdness of it.
After a second he starts to move again only to stop once more when Mr. Filch turns to peer through swollen slits at him. "May I pet them?"
Argus Filch might be somewhat on the strange side and he might not care for children or most people for that matter from what Indi's ever been able to tell but the man does absolutely love cats and always treated Mrs. Norris extremely well and with great care. Indi offers a smile and a nod. "Yes, of course, and there are others there in the pens if you'd like to see them as well."
Two hours later, a time spent listening to Mr. Filch croon over kitten after kitten, Indi has just finished ringing up a customer in to buy fish food and some fish tank decorations when Mr. Filch approaches the counter. He's got a loudly purring kitten nestled in close to his chest just under the crook of his chin. "She wants to come home with me."
"An excellent choice, Mr. Filch. Would you like to a cat carrier to get her to the Hogwarts grounds?"
"Yes, that is a good idea."
Indi gets one of cardboard carriers as he tells Mr. Filch, "She is current on her medication. Her first check-up is free and if you wish to have her spayed, I offer a very reasonable rate compared to others and twice a year I offer the service for free to the first twenty who sign up."
Filch is so taken with the kitten that Indi isn't sure the man hears everything being said so Indi makes a mental note to send an information packet later in the week.
"Do you need anything else? A collar her size?"
"A new collar, yes, and some of that premium, gourmet kitten food."
A few minutes later Argus Filch, though still looking somewhat sad over Mrs. Norris, exits MacFusty's Pets much happier than when he entered, cat carrier in one hand and the bag with his additional purchases in the other as Indi wonders what this kitten's name will be.
Thursday's Accomplishments
Author: Maggie Hawthorne
Date: 10-18-12 04:14
I still hadn't gotten over the shock of owning the flat that I was currently lounging in. I'd spent the last few days going through and decorating the flat and getting new furniture after spending Sunday at the castle with Lawrence and Ariella.
Now, each room was furnished and I had food in the pantry, and I was absolutely thrilled. I'd already fall into a morning routine, and I was loving it. I'd also managed to get a part-time serving job at a quaint little muggle place not too far from the flat, so that meant that I had something to keep me occupied. They were pretty accepting of the days off that I needed throughout the summer and knew that I would be starting Uni in the fall.
Today was my day off, and I was looking forward to it, William was supposed to be coming over, but I wasn't sure when. He and I were planning a trip together to either Sydney or somewhere else, we hadn't decided yet. As of right now, the coffee table is currently littered with various travel brochures and my course catalogue from St. Emry's and I still have to finish picking my classes for the term this fall.
I decided to work on that while I finished my current cup of tea, and settled down on the couch with a piece of parchment and a quill. Quickly making notes on the parchment, I managed to plan out my next three terms at St. Emrys, and the path I wanted to study.
"You look deep in thought...." William said as he brushed the last of the fireplace ash off his shirt as he headed over and plopped down on the couch next to me.
I grinned and leaned into him, sighing contently. "I've just set up my first three terms at St. Emrys and they are going to be busy. I'm going into broadcasting, with a side focus in Muggle studies."
"Sounds good. I've not figured out what I am going to do yet. I probably should get on that though. However, since Michaelmas doesn't start until October, I've got time." William said with a shrug and slipped his arm around my shoulders.
"Very true. So, what do you want to do today? I had wanted to go to the Quidditch con, but decided I didn't want to spend the money this weekend, and I'm not off work. Though, I will be listening to the British match Saturday when it starts."
"That's right, they play Saturday. You have any part of the weekend off?"
"Yeah, I've got the late night shift tonight, tomorrow, and Saturday and I'm off on Sunday."
"Alright then."
We fell into quiet discussion on what we wanted to do today, and ultimately decided on heading to Diagon Alley for lunch, and we'll go from there.
Patient (Vasilka)
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 10-18-12 19:38
Learning where he lives now wasn't overly difficult just as it hadn't been the first time. A little of a locator potion dabbed on his clothing as he walked by in the Ministry. It did take five attempts before he went home before the potion's efficacy waned but Vasilka is patient and looks to the positive. Her efforts might have taken many more tries before being able to actually trace him to his home and not to some crime scene or to question someone associated with a case he's working.
Eyes on the house she cannot see but knows must be there Vasilka thinks back to her other actions against him. She has dissected each of those three endeavors to do what others could not, unsure still of where the plans went wrong. The layers of anguish built into that fake memo should have at least left noticeable damage, such as him dead on the floor with arms melting off.
How that box ended up on the friend's desk Vasilka has yet to determine. That the friend and the other co-worker both managed to escape the toxic gas without longterm lasting damage is luck beyond imagining. At the very least those two should have had their vocal cords liquified. The friend has no real clue how lucky he is to only have a little hoarseness.
The bomb to the previous home should have worked. It was delivered when he was home yet all he got was concussed. That house elf got the worst of it and even the creature survived and fully recovered.
Leaning against a tree, eyes still fixed on where she thinks the house would be centered if she could actually see it, Vasilka sighs. If not for having her attention diverted to other things and becoming convinced for a time his death by her hand simply wasn't meant be, the bane of so many wonderfully dark witches and wizards would be in the nearby cemetery alongside his parents. For a time she thought Euphemia Smythe-Jones a supreme idiot for not doing him in when having him in custody but then Vasilka realized not killing him during that time period was in fact a supremely smart move. Killing him during during the struggle to establish Britain as Pureblood dominant would have martyred him for the opposition.
Vasilka is a Pureblood, unlike her cousin Drucilla, but her support of those such as Lord Voldemort has never been about the purity of bloodlines. Hers has been a fervent support of magic most considered illegal and is banned in many countries. Someone like Voldemort would have freely allowed such magic. The thought of being able to practice whatever spells she wishes without fear of arrest and prosecution is Vasilka's catnip.
She has no expectations that his death, which she has decided might just be by her hand after all, will suddenly usher in a new age of dark arts but, perhaps, once he is beyond the veil others who share her thinking will again have hope. A new dark leader will emerge and the battle for their rights to practice whatever the hell magic they wish will resume full scale. This will take time of course, but Vasilka is patient.
At the Woods
Author: Wendy Mills
Date: 10-19-12 03:05
The summer holidays were just at its beginning and Wendy was already tired of them. It seemed that her parents had decided they only had a child instead of two and they did everything Peter wanted.
He was the one picking the restaurants they would eat, the movies they would see at the cinema and other outdoor activities like camping. Wendy hated to camp and this time instead of the usual bungalows the Mills family used to rent, Peter decided it would be best if they stayed in tents and so they did. Whenever Wendy tried to protest her parents would lecture her and declare that this had been her brother's decision and they were going to respect it. It was as if every day was Peter's birthday and things were all done his way.
Wendy was starting to feel really tired about this situation. She wanted to leave the woods and go back home. She had begged her parents to go back to the Diagon Alley. Not to go buy anything of course, but at least to be able to explore all the stores and get to know the wizarding world better. There was still many things she did not know about it and she was eager to learn everything. But of course they had refused and they decided to extend their days at the woods because Peter did not want to go back home just yet.
Today Wendy's brother wanted to have hot dogs for lunch, again. It seemed he would never get tired of them. Wendy was sick of it and while her parents were preparing the food she walked away into the woods. After a while she heard her father calling her name but she ignored him. Finally he reached out for her and for her surprise he didn't lecture her like before. He just told her to sit on a rock and he sat next to her. He asked her what the problem was and soon Wendy's face filled with tears:
"You never care about me or what I would like to do. You just do everything Peter wants. I don't understand why. It's not fair!"
"I thought you knew," his father was surprised and he handed Wendy a tissue so she could clean her face.
"Since your birthday and the arrival of that letter from Hogwarts that things at home have been revolving pretty much around you. You are the witch of the family; you are the one who will be able to do things no one else has dreamed of. Your mother and I understand that it is what is but not Peter. Can't you imagine how he has been feeling these past months? You are going to a special school in a different world, sort of like an adventure. While your brother will have to stay at home studying math and sciences you will be brewing potions and flying in broomsticks. Don't you know why he keeps teasing you and call you names? Because deep down he feels hurt he isn't special the way you are. "
"I had no idea…"
"That is why your mother and I are doing this for him. Trying to compensate him. He needs to be the center of the attentions now, because once September arrives and you go to Hogwarts your mother and I will be all worried about you and hoping you will do well there and we might ignore your brother for a while."
Wendy looked down ashamed. Her father was right. She had been so excited and happy with the fact she was a witch she even forgot about her brother and how he might be feeling. She realized she had been awful for always complaining about Peter and telling him she would turn him into a toad once she learned how to do so. Now she was really regretted about her acts.
With a sigh she stood up and said:
"All right, let's eat some hot dogs."