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Only a Matter of Time
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 11-11-12 09:37
There I was, sitting on the deck of the house in the warm sun, enjoying the warmth from it. It's warmer than I'm used to, but it's not terrible. The deck itself was also pleasantly warm, but not burning hot. It still being warmed up by the late morning or noontime sun. I would make a comment about the beauty of the sky and water, but my eyes were closed so I couldn't see anything.
"Desi?"
I could hear the sound of the waves washing onto the beach, in a rhythmic regularity. I could also hear the sounds of Crew and Mase playing in the sand a little ways away. Driver, who still got teased for his poor choice of words yesterday, played with them. There were the sounds of people on the beach and inside the house as well. Those were faint and easy to ignore.
"Des?"
The breeze was great. It carried with it many interesting smells. It was doing a great job of keeping the sun from warming up too much. Some of the smells reminded me of my grandmother, on my mom's side. I never visited her often. I always had the idea she didn't like my dad, or my sister and me very much.
"Desi?" I heard footsteps come walking up to the door behind me. "What are you doing out there? You hate the sun."
"I hate being in the sun, in a bikini," I replied without moving or opening my eyes.
"But you look so good in them!" When I didn't respond Bronwyn asked, "What are you doing anyways?"
"Meditating. Or trying to if I wasn't distracted," Still not looking at her.
She was quiet for a few moments before saying, "You know what always calms me down and lets me think clearly?"
"If it involves spending money then don't say it."
Bronwyn didn't say anything, just stood there quietly behind me. After several long moments I just sighed.
"Ok, let's go shopping," I said finally getting up and turning to face her.
"YES!"
Introspection (Orion's Flat, London)
Author: Orion Howell
Date: 11-11-12 10:17
Orion kicked back in his flat, feet up on the edge of his coffee table. He knew his parents would not be pleased at his relaxed pose, but he really didn't care. He found it much easier to think when he was relaxed. His current position afforded him some flexibility, and he'd actually gone out to see his family while enjoying the break he was taking while Desi was in France. He was glad to stay busy, to keep him from thinking too much.
But now, it was quiet, he wasn't due at the University, and he was half-waiting to see if he'd be pulled from the St. Emrys case to help with the investigation into Dumbledore's murder. He didn't particularly want to be pulled, he felt his talents were much better suited to the undercover aspects he was already doing.
His thoughts turned toward France, or rather, toward a particular person currently across the channel. He ran a hand through his hair, wondering if his impulsive action had confused her as much as it had him. He knew she had the transfer offer to consider, and if that wasn't enough, he'd had to let something real show through.
He'd helped her shrink her luggage down and was walking out to an apparition point when a thought had crossed his mind. He'd reached out, tugging her close and kissing her. It had been meant as a light, friendly kiss, just to keep up the ruse, but it didn't stay that way. It was like letting someone inside his guard, allowing her to see who he really was instead of who he pretended to be, had flipped some switch. He couldn't remember a kiss like that, one that had left him completely discombobulated.
After, he'd just murmured, "Something else to think about," and stepped back. He'd done his best to not let her see how hard it was for him, to give her the space to think about things, and to let her walk away after that kiss. But in some ways, he supposed it was best he did. After all, he didn't know how to have a real relationship, he knew how to be charming and manipulative, to play a part, but not how to do it for real. And that's something Desi would have to understand, if she decided she wanted to do anything other than pretend it hadn't happened.
A part of him still wondered why he did it, what on Earth had possessed him to cross the line between playing a couple, with ambiguous actions that people could construe as affection and something that was unmistakable. It wasn't like him to be impulsive, to do something just because, but it was also something he couldn't bring himself to regret. He only hoped Desi wouldn't be spending the whole week thinking up new ways to kick his arse for it.
(Aralyn & Kristos) Blood Magic
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 11-11-12 11:33
Kristos made a full circle around the basement, stopping at last when he set sights on his sister, who stood halfway up the wooden staircase. She seemed to debate whether to continue going downstairs or to turn around and leave the house. Aralyn could see frustration brewing in her brother's face and wasn't sure she wanted to weather the storm likely to follow.
He didn't lash out at her, however. Instead, he expelled a deep sigh and said, "I'm about ready to give up."
Aralyn frowned. They had effectively ransacked the house but hadn't found anything that might look like an object of great importance, something the Dark Lord would have given to their parents for a job well done.
During their second search of the house, they had begun organizing everything into neat piles, boxing up some things and placing other items on shelves or in cabinets. The house looked cleaner than ever, not that Mr. and Mrs. Fox had lived like slobs.
Kristos said, "I just don't know where to look."
"Maybe we're doing it wrong," Aralyn suggested, finally finding the courage to take the remaining steps to the ground. "Maybe the reason the impostors couldn't find anything is because they aren't us."
Kristos gave her a look that had her wishing she'd stayed on the staircase. "We can't find it either, Aralyn."
"I know that, but I think it's because we're not searching the right way. I bet there's some kind of blood magic or something involved."
Kristos assessed his sister for a long moment and then turned, walking over to a narrow section of slatted wall, from which hung various garden implements. He picked up a machete and carried it back to the middle of the room. Aralyn flinched and started to take a step back, when Kristos swiftly brought the blade across the palm of his hand. Flecks of blood splattered the floor, dripping from the blade. A drop landed on Aralyn's white pants. She made a face to protest but was promptly cut off when a white oak credenza tucked against the wall began to vibrate.
The twins exchanged curious looks before cautiously approaching the credenza, which continued to tremble. The old phonograph on top, which had ceased working when Aralyn and Kristos had been very young, jumped dangerously close to the edge. Aralyn nearly reached out to push it back onto the mantle, but the knowledge that it didn't work saved her from getting any closer to the credenza.
Kristos knelt in front of the double doors and used his uninjured hand to open them. At once, the credenza ceased vibrating. He and Aralyn had looked through the credenza before but had only found cylinders for the phonograph and some sheet music.
Aralyn gasped. "What is that?"
Kristos stared at the new object. It was silver, with a long, polished blade and an emerald-encrusted handle. It was a sword.
In A Funk
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 11-11-12 12:27
Ever since learning of Albus Dumbledore's demise Sirius has been in something of a funk. He tries not to show it around the children but they knew something was up. With no Hogwarts responsibilities since term ended and with Drucilla only working part-time at the Ministry, the children haven't gone to Blossom's as much. When it was clear that putting on a smile and pretending to be happy and playful around the kids wasn't going to quite cut it today, Dru had bundled all three off to the day care then, knowing Sirius needed a little time alone, went in to the office for a couple of hours. He suspects that her going was as much to hear whatever scuttlebutt is going around the Ministry about Dumbledore.
Camped out on the couch, sometimes with the WWN on but mostly in silence, the cat Wendy deciding his stomach is the perfect pillow, Sirius is having a good old fashioned wallow. He wonders how others are taking the news. He can't imagine many of those closest to him taking it well, Harry taking it worst of all. Snape can also imagine Snape secretly gloating even though these past years Severus Snape hasn't given much reason for any of them to think he's the sniveling traitor some have long thought him to be. Then again, as Dumbledore is one of the few, perhaps the only one for a very long time, who completely trusted Snape, it's possible Snape is taking this even harder than Harry.
Knocking on the front door has him debating whether to pull himself up and go see who it is or ignore it and pretend no one is home. A couple of seconds pass and the knocking resumes. In case it might be Remus and Tonks, Harry and Ginny, or one of the Weasleys, Sirius moves to sit up, dislodging Wendy in the process and earning him a glare of the sort that only cats are capable of giving.
Very much to Sirius's surprise the person at his doorstep is Hogwarts colleague and Defense Against the Dark Arts professor Kisiaki Isuki. Opening the door wide to invite her in Sirius tries to keep the surprise from his voice when saying, "Kissy, hello."
After she returns the greeting and he's invited her in, leading her to the same room where he was just wallowing and where Wendy now sits preening, ignoring him completely. She does give Kissy attention, jumping from her position to wend around Kissy's feet, purring loudly. Reaching to pet her, Kissy comments, "She smell my two cats."
"That and she's ticked at me for making her get off my stomach so I could open the door," Sirius says with a grin. "Can I get you something to drink?"
"No, but thank you. I'm on my way to make sure my mother and sister-in-law haven't taken the distraction of Professor Dumbledore's death to run rampant with their ideas for my wedding."
"Dru and I have been looking forward to attending. She'll be glad to hear it's still on even though there's now the funeral to contend with."
"Different days so I am hoping there won't be any problems. No problems that is if my mother is running wild thinking I am too distracted to pay attention to what she's doing. She tried to expand the wedding from the small one Cameron and I want and have planned to some huge, bloated affair she hoped I wouldn't noticed until ready to walk down the aisle."
Sirius can't help but snicker at that. "How could she think you wouldn't notice something like that?"
"Because my mother tends to be delusional," Kissy replies with a wry smile. "Before I left Hogwarts I had a chat with Professor McGonagall. If she is named Headmistress, Minerva said she would give up her Head of Gryffindor position. I told her that instead of moving me to the head position, I could stay as deputy head and that you should be named head."
"You know, I hadn't even thought about her giving it up. You''re certain you wouldn't want to be named head?"
"I'd fine with the deputy position and don't mind at all if someone were named head over me rather then me being promoted. To me, you seem the logical choice."
"I have never given it any thought but if Minerva does step down as Head of Gryffindor and I am offered the position, I would accept, especially knowing you're fine with it."
Kissy stands, careful not to step on Wendy's impression of a spineless cat draped around feet. "I hope this comes to pass because that would mean Minerva is named Headmistress. I really should get going now. My mother has been spending the left few days notifying people she invited without my consent that she made a mistake. If I don't check in on her soon, I have a feeling she will get back in touch with them all and say there was another mistake and please do come afterall and added even more names to the list when I wasn't looking."
"Good luck with that. I will tell Dru we might be attending a small, intimate wedding or a lavish affair with five thousand of your closest friends."
Kissy laughs, "Hush! My mother might here you and get ideas."
After seeing Kissy out, Sirius resumes his position on the couch, the depression falling back into place now that it's just Wendy and him again. He doesn't want to wallow but he can't really help it. Albus Dumbledore is dead and plans for his funeral are already well in place. Sighing, Sirius reaches down to stroke Wendy's back. As the cat, back in her position on his stomach, uses her paws to mash and knead, attempting to get his flesh into a perfect cat coccoon Sirius wonders who will be named head of Hogwarts and if it is Minerva, who will be named deputy in her place.
Sad
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 11-11-12 12:32
Lilly tottered around her mother's gravesite, occasionally bending to pick up an acorn or a stick or something else she found interesting. She seemed very much occupied by her task, for the moment not noticing the sadness her father felt.
Ethan sat on the low wall near Rosamond's grave and watched his daughter conduct her investigation of the ground. She had already experienced death more than once, but at least she was still too young to remember any of it. Unfortunately, Ethan didn't have the same luxury.
The news of Dumbledore's death affected him significantly. After all, it had been Dumbledore who had given Ethan another chance at Hogwarts. It had been Dumbledore who had supported him through the most difficult parts of his life. If not for Dumbledore, then Ethan had no idea where he would be today.
Ethan owed Dumbledore very much.
"I thought I might find you here."
Ethan turned his head, and Lilly looked up, to see Aveline approaching. She carried a small bouquet of blue irises, which she put on her sister's grave. Lilly tottered over to her aunt and held up her arms. Her hands were empty, though a little dirty. Aveline swept Lilly up into her arms and pressed a kiss to her nose.
"How's my little girl?"
In reply, Lilly planted a wet kiss on Aveline's cheek.
Smiling, Aveline turned to Ethan. "And how are you?" she asked him more seriously.
He didn't answer at first, unsure of what to say. Then he shrugged and replied, "As well as can be expected."
"I'm sorry," Aveline said with a frown. "He will be missed."
"Very much so," Ethan added. He got up from the wall and asked, "Come over to the house?"
Aveline nodded. "Sure."
They set off together, navigating through the cemetery for the exit, and then made the short walk to Ethan's duplex. The Hornblooms who lived next door and often displayed flags for whichever professional quidditch team they currently favored, had raised a solid black flag to the memory of Dumbledore. It flapped ominously in the breeze.
Ethan unlocked the front door and asked Aveline if she wanted tea. While Ethan brewed a pot, Lilly showed her aunt her toy collection, which mainly consisted of her taking everything out of her toy box and tossing it on the floor.
Ethan handed Aveline a cup and saucer and sat down on the lid of the now empty toy box. Aveline sat on the floor and made appropriate exclamations each time Lilly held up one of the toys she had thrown out of her toy box.
"The funeral is coming up," Ethan said, between sips of tea. "I heard Professor McGonagall say she wants to have a special memorial service when term starts up again, for the students, though anybody who is able can attend the regular funeral."
"I should like to attend," Aveline said. "I suspect I won't have to worry about practice just yet." She looked at Lilly, who held up a little teddy bear. Aveline said, "We should find her a new dress."
"Can I leave that up to you?" Ethan asked. He still didn't feel like he knew what sorts of dresses looked best on little girls.
"Of course! I'd love to take her shopping."
"That's settled then."
They turned their attention back to Lilly and her scattered toys.
(Kate) A Father's Worries
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 11-11-12 15:09
Kate and Will sat side by side on the bench on their back patio. The neighbor cat, a ginger tabby, had jumped into the yard and onto a wrought iron side-table next to Kate. It eyed the cranberry and white chocolate muffin from which she tore bite-sized pieces.
"It's always been said that Hogwarts is the safest place on earth as long as Dumbledore is there," Will quietly said. "I know I shouldn't worry about you going back, not when it's being said that there is no reason for parents to fear any harm might befall their children, but I have to admit that I am worried, Kate."
"I know you are, Dad," Kate murmured. She pinched off a tiny piece of muffin and held it flat in her hand in front of the cat's nose. It sniffed the crumbs and then licked them up with its coarse-feeling tongue. "A lot of the staff there will look out for us, you know that," she went on, after a moment's pause. "I'm not alone there either. Mark will look out for me."
"I know you are in good hands," Will said, meaning both the teachers and Mark Farnon, whom he had only recently learned was dating his daughter. Will couldn't help but feel a bit protective about his only child, but he had seen with his own two eyes that Mark truly seemed to care for Kate. "You are my little girl, though, and I will always worry that you are safe."
"I know, Dad. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a bit worried myself. Everything will be different now."
Dumbledore had always been at Hogwarts as far as Kate was concerned. Will actually felt that way too.
He looked past his daughter to the cat that was once again eyeing Kate's muffin with envy evident in its yellow eyes.
"Does Mark have any pets?" he asked.
"A cat named Cavall," Kate replied.
"You never did say how long you and Mark have been seeing each other," Will said.
Kate looked at her dad. "Not yet a year," she told him. She frowned slightly and said, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. Things have just been… complicated."
"Complicated how?" Will gently asked.
"Well," Kate said, deciding she would tell him everything and knowing that it would feel good to get it off her chest if she did. "His parents don't want us dating."
"And why is that?" Will asked.
"Because I'm not pureblood," Kate replied, "and I'm a Hufflepuff and Mark's whole family is Slytherin, or mostly Slytherin."
Will's whole face darkened. "Have you met his parents?"
"Yes," Kate said, remembering the time the Farnons had caught them kissing.
"Mark doesn't feel the way his parents do," Will stated as a fact.
"He doesn't. I think he used to, a long time ago, but he's grown up and has really turned out to be… well, a good person."
Will sighed and sank against the back of the bench. "Have the Farnons been very unkind to you?"
"They've not been kind," Kate admitted, "but they haven't done anything that you would get angry over. The truth is, Mark and I pretend we aren't dating when they are around. That's why he hasn't written me. That's why the only time we've met all summer has been at Emrys Fest."
"That must be difficult."
"It is." Kate pinched off another bit of muffin for the tabby. "Dad, can we go to Dumbledore's funeral?"
"Of course we can," Will said, his voice suddenly hoarse. "We'll look for the announcement in the Daily Prophet. I'm sure it'll be posted soon."
Kate nodded and finished off the last bit of muffin herself. The cat didn't look too happy about missing out on the last bite and stalked away with its tail up in the air.
Are We Clear? (Liannah & Madeline)
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 11-11-12 15:22
Extremely exasperated with her three daughters, an all too common state for her these days, Madeline MacDougal grabs the bag from her youngest that Lauren had been trying to get her oldest to take. She then whirls on Liannah. "Take it, Liannah, and no whining about it."
Liannah accepts the shopping bag but not without petulantly asking, "But it's not got anything of mine so why should I have to carry it?"
"Did you not hear me?"
"No whining, I know. I'm not allowed to ask a question now?"
"Liannah Paige MacDougal, you will stop the sulky, sarcastic tone this instant or I return you new dress robes."
"Whatever."
Lauren and Marlow exchange wide eyed looks, both pressing lips together so as not to say something in response that would take their mum's fury off Liannah and put it on one of them. Madeline snatches the bags Liannah is carrying and shoves them and her own at the younger two. She points to a nearby bench. "Go over there and sit."
The two wordlessly comply as Madeline takes Liannah by the arm and jerks her into a narrow gap between two buildings. Madeline's fingernails press into the flesh of her daughter's arm who protests with an, "OW! Mum!" only to be ignored. Madeline only releases the teen's arm when they are well out of the walkway and well out of earshot of passersby.
"I am tired of this obnoxious attitude, Lauren. It ends right now or you will find yourself grounded for the rest of summer holiday, your new dress robes will be returned, those new high heels you have been coveting go back to the shoppe, you will get no allowance, and you will be on double chores until school begins. Do I make myself clear?"
Liannah glares at her mother, debating on whether to pop off with something else sarcastic or to go the don't bother to even reply route. As if knowing Liannah is considering being rude Madeline hisses, "A yes or a no will do. Nothing more."
Liannah's thoughts change direction, going for hurt, pouty little girl instead. "You're not serious, Mummy? Just because I didn't want to carry Lauren's bag?"
"Don't pretend this is only about that one bag so, yes or no. Are we clear?"
With the martyred sigh of the heavily put upon and a roll of her eyes Liannah finally says, "Yes."
"Now, please explain the whatever comment."
"It doesn't mean anything, Mum. It's just something to say."
"Liannah."
"What?"
"Explain."
"You really want to know?"
Madeline arches her eyebrows at the question, not bothering with a verbal response.
"All right, fine, whatever. I don't want to go back to Hogwarts."
"You heard the Minister's statement on the WWN and I know you read it in the afternoon edition because I saw you. He said the school is safe."
"That's not it."
"Then what?"
"Last time Professor Dumbledor was gone, look what happened."
Madeline's tone goes softer. "Liannah, honey, that's not going to happen again."
"How do you know?"
"Minister Shacklebolt holds similar ideas to Albus Dumbledore. The fought together to suppress people like You-Know-Who and Euphemia Smythe-Jones. Some of those on the Hogwarts board who supported segregation and the prison camps are in jail or on the run. Those sitting in the places don't seem like people who would put another Harriet Snider in charge of the school."
"No one thought Euphemia Smythe-Jones was that sort either. It wasn't until after she became Minister."
"You're right; but, Liannah, I promise you that Minister Shacklebolt is not going to turn into another Smythe-Jones."
Liannah can't help it, the word just slips out, "Whatever."
Madeline exhales, reminding herself to be patient. Liannah has a legitimate fear shared by many. Madeline well remembers the horror of having her children and husband taken from her. Since learning of Albus Dumbledore's death she too has had old fears trying to assert themselves. Slipping an arm around Liannah's shoulders, she gets them moving back out to Diagon Alley proper where Marlow and Lauren no doubt wait with bated breath to see if only Madeline emerges or if Liannah has lived to see another day. As they walk Madeline says, "I know you're scared and worried but Kingsley Shacklebolt is a good man who isn't going to turn into a monster now that Professor Dumbledore is gone. It's a lot to ask but you have to trust me on this. You also have to lose the obnoxious attitude because otherwise by September 1st you will be so bored on house restriction and so tired of all the chores you will be begging to board the Hogwarts Express. Got it?"
Liannah weakly smiles at her mother. "Yes, Mum."