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Shopping Excursion
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 09-30-14 06:34
Bronwyn stepped off the crowded tube onto the platform at Shepherd's Bush Market and made her way to the exit. From there, she walked along Uxbridge Rd to the corner of Ariel Way, where she turned and continued on to the Westfield London Shopping Centre. After much coordination with Orion and Jefferson, Bronwyn had finally worked out a good time to take Sagitta and Remedy shopping.
Being the first to arrive, Bronwyn sat down on a bench outside the mall and waited for Orion to bring the girls. Sitting there alone inevitably got her thinking about Desi, who had joined her on the same shopping expedition last year. Bronwyn wished that Desi could end her deep undercover mission already, because she wasn't the only person who missed her friend. She knew Orion and Sagitta probably did too.
"Bronwyn!" Sagitta exclaimed, hurrying over with Remedy in tow. Orion came up behind them.
Bronwyn got up. "Hi, girls. Hi, Orion. Ready to shop?"
"Yes!" Sagitta and Remedy said simultaneously.
Orion handed each girl some pocket money and said, "You know you don't have to spend it all."
Sagitta said, "Yes, Uncle Orion."
As a bit of a joke, Toby had also sent Bronwyn off with pocket money. She definitely planned on spending every last knut.
"I'll drop them off in a couple of hours, okay?" Bronwyn said to Orion.
"I know from Desi that a couple of hours in Bronwyn shopping speak equals at least twice as long," Orion replied, grinning. "I'll see you girls later. Have fun."
He turned to leave, and the girls set off for the doors of the mall.
"So," Bronwyn began, turning to Sagitta and Remedy, "where to first?"
Forest Woods
Author: Furnella Hodfuffer
Date: 09-30-14 08:32
Coming to the end of a run, Forest Woods slows to a jog as he rounds the corner of his street. He picks up his pace again upon seeing two men peering over the gate at his house. The way they are looking about they must be checking for a dog.
"May I help you?"
They both start, one of them reflexively pulling a wand.
Forest puts up a hand in supplication. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you."
"Shouldn't go sneaking up on people," the one with the wand out irritatedly snaps.
"Not sneaking. This is my house," Forest says, ignoring the pointed wand to steps past them both to open the gate. "New to the department since I was there?" he asks over a shoulder.
"Pardon?" the other one asks.
"You're both wearing Auror robes of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement of the British Ministry of Magic. Neither of you were there when I was."
"Yes, right. We both came on after," says the taller of the two, his wand not put away but now casually held at his side.
"May we have a few minutes of your time?" the slightly shorter, fair haired one asks.
Forest shrugs. "Yeah, sure, though I don't know who I can be of any help." He gestures to seating on the porch. "Sit and give me a few minutes to wash up from my run."
The two exchange a look he can't decipher, putting it down to them trying not to show annoyance that this man isn't showing them the proper respect they feel is due their authority. Authority neither has much of here in the U.S., far from the United Kingdom.
Before taking a shower and changing clothes, Forest gets them drinks and puts out a plate of cookies Rosalie made before going for a visit with her mother. He's quick with the clean up and is soon back out on the porch sitting down and asking, "Now, what brings you all the way to the States?"
Rolling the liquid around in his glass the shorter one says, "I'm Mick Allen and he's Wallace Putnam. With the Fairchild situation, we're looking back over old cases that had ties to Voldemort, the Death Eaters, and even Project 25."
Brow knitted, Forest asks, "For what purpose? Hoping to find clues that will point to what she's up to?"
"Yes, exactly. Fresh eyes going over the same information sort of thing," Putnam affirms.
"I don't know what help I can be. You both must know my memory is worse than Swiss cheese."
"We are aware, Mr. Woods, of your predicament but we have been led to understand your memory has been steadily improving."
"In some areas, yes. Others are still big blanks."
Allen pulls out some notes to consult before saying, "Let's start with the battle beneath Hogsmeade. What do you recall?"
"It was well under way when I, and others from the department, joined in. I fought a number of Inferi and dueled with a few of Voldemort's followers, Death Eaters, a VL or two."
"VL?" Putnam asks.
"Voldemort Loyalist. Someone with a mark but not the Dark Mark. Is that not in your notes?"
Putnam gives a nod. "Right. It just wasn't clicking. Sorry. Go on."
"Voldemort was already dead when I reached that part of the cavern system. That's about it for my part that day."
"Do you remember what you did with Voldemort's body?" This question comes from Allen.
"I didn't do anything with it. It and other bodies were left in situ until photographs could be taken and notes make. People question. By the time it was removed I'd already left. When I asked later about it, I was told it wasn't my concern. I was told that by my superior and reminded of it several times during Wizengamot proceedings about the battle."
"So you have no knowledge of what became of him?"
Forest shakes his head at Putnam. "Not a clue."
Putnam and Allen ask Forest to recall what he can on certain other cases before thanking him and taking their leave. He sits a little while longer before cleaning up from the refreshments offered and going inside to start dinner, wanting to have it ready for when Rosalie gets home.
The Hogwarts Pygmy Puff Collection (Miranda & George)
Author: Majandra
Date: 10-01-14 20:56
"Killer likes Pygmy Puffs. We should take more home."
"If by liking Pygmy Puffs, you mean Killer runs and hides."
Miranda gives her father the same know-it-all expression she uses on her brother. "Killer doesn't hide, not really. He's plaaaying."
George gives a look back that clearly indicates he's not buying what she's selling. He does, however, relent. "You may pick two to take home for the evening. One for you and one for Georgie. I'll bring them back with me in the morning."
There are many solid and multi-colored Pygmy Puffs to choose from but Miranda gravitates to the newest offerings. The Hogwarts Collection offers a selection of two-toned Pygmy Puffs. Each has a base color that is one of the two colors of one of the four Hogwarts houses. The second color, in the form of various patterns, is that house's other color.
Miranda points to a bronze colored Pygmy Puff with distinctive Ravenclaw blue dots. "Either that one for Georgie or that one." The other she points out has a base color of the Ravenclaw blue. The bronze coloring shows up in the form of thin, jagged stripes. "He likes blue."
"And the one you will be caring for this evening?"
"Ummm, I like the green one there but I also like that yellow one." The green one is emerald with a silver heart pattern and the yellow has irregular black splatter looking spots.
George refrains from asking, "Are you sure you don't want one of the nice Gryffindor colored ones?" Miranda is young enough not to realize the color significance nor does he really want to explain why he wishes her first choice isn't a green-silver combination. Much as he hates to admit it, it's easy to fall into the rut of old rivalries.
George gets one of the cages for carrying Pygmy Puffs, selecting two of the four Miranda's pointed out. He turns to hand her the carrier but she's not even paying attention.
"Miranda?"
She turns to look, distractedly taking the cage. "Thanks, Daddy," then points, "There's Holly."
"Holly?"
"That lady Georgie says looks like me. She was lost near the house one time and we see here here sometimes."
"Here as in the shoppe or the village?"
"Village."
This Holly person is looking at a display, giving George the opportunity to examine her profile. "You know, Miranda, Georgie is right. She does look like you a little."
"Mummy said the same thing."
"Mummy has seen her?"
Miranda, her attention now back on the Pygmy Puffs, nods. "A few times, like one day at the park when Holly was nice and give Georgie and me pushes on the swings."
George gives Holly another look, but not enough to draw attention to himself. He's thinking of going over to speak when Miranda says, "Daddy, I'm hungry."
He gives her a pat on the head. "We're going. You want to Floo or apparate?"
Even before Miranda replies George knows she's going to say apparate. If given a choice, she always does. Smiling, George offers her his hand. "Let's go then before Mummy comes searching for us. I told her we'd only be fifteen minutes to twenty minutes and it's been more than thirty already."
George waves to the employee in charge of closing the shoppe this evening as Miranda leads him to the door. Once outside, George tightening his grip on Miranda's hand, he disapparates for home with Miranda in tow.
Chaotically Organized
Author: Plum
Date: 10-02-14 20:19
Between spoonfuls of a sundae Alex asks, "Pum, how come Daddy doesn't want me?"
Caught off guard Plum stares at him for a moment, her own spoon dipped into a scoop of limited edition tangerine sorbet. Dropping her eyes for half a second then lifting her gaze to meet his she asks, "Why do you think Dad doesn't want you, Alex?"
"I live with you." Alex doesn't physically shrug but it's there in his voice.
Plum is slow to reply again, this time because she has to think how to phrase a response. "Evan - Dad - loves you. Mum and he were so happy and excited when you were born. When Mum died Dad was so very sad. So sad he got sick. For a long time he was so sick he couldn't take care of himself, which means he couldn't have taken care of you either."
"He's better now."
"You are right. Dad is better now but he's still a little sick. Where he lives now there are nurses "
"Like Nettie?" Alex asks of one of his favorites there where Dad lives.
"Yes, like Nettie."
Before Plum is able to finish the train of thought she'd been putting into words when interrupted Alex wants to know, "So there's nothing wrong with me?"
Plum gets up to come around the table then crouches by Alex's chair, giving him a hug. "No, poppet, there's nothing wrong with you."
Letting go of the hug, she gives him a cheeky smile. "Except maybe how messy you seem to like keeping your bedroom."
Alex's smile mirrors her own. "My room isn't messy. Anthony says it's chatically argonized."
"Chaotically organized."
"That's what I said. You going to eat the rest of your ice cream?"
Somehow during all this Alex has eaten all of his sundae. Plum slides the cup with what's left of her sorbet halfway across the table. "I'll split what's left with you."
This does not keep Alex from asking for more. Feeling somewhat awful that he's been wondering for who knows how long if there was something so wrong with him their father doesn't want him, Plum compromises, letting Alex pick out a flavor. A pint of chocolate mint added to the cloth shopping bag Plum carries and the two are leaving Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour to make a few more stops before heading home, the ice cream prevented from melting in the meantime by a charmed container.
(Alexander) Free
Author: Mildred
Date: 10-03-14 13:34
Alexander Campbell had been blessed with several special occasions of joy and happiness during his life: the day he received his letter from Hogwarts, when his house, Gryffindor, had won the house cup, when he finished his formation as a healer, when he became Sarah's boyfriend, when he moved to London and was offered a position at St. Mungo's, his wedding day, Mildred's birth…Being freed from Azkaban was something Alexander was ready to add to his list of special occasions.
For the last time in his life he had woken up in his cell and after breakfast instead of going outside with the other prisoners he was taken back inside to collect his belongings, change clothes and sign some documents that would guarantee his release. He had already said goodbye to Phineas who made him promise to write him with news of the outside world once in a while.
It felt good to wear decent robes again instead of the prison clothing. Alexander was surprised with how much weight he had lost and how badly his robes fitted in his thin body. His wand was returned to him and it was with satisfaction that he picked it up. It was like meeting with an old lover once again: the touch of the wood in his hands was still very familiar and it felt like they he and the wand have never parted at all. He swore he was able to feel the wand gaining life again after so many years of absence, happy to be connected once again to its owner, ready to perform all sorts of magic.
Alexander signed every document he was given to very quickly, eager to finally have Azkaban behind his back. He already had plans for his first day of freedom: the first thing he would do was to pay a visit to Gringotts at Diagon Alley so he could withdraw some money from his vault. Then, he would go to Madam Malkin's and buy a new set of robes. And after he would go to 14 Ilchester Road, Islington, London and see Mildred.
Alexander had not informed his daughter about his release. The main reason for doing so was because he was a cautious man. He did not want to tell Mildred he was going to leave and make her hopeful and then something bad happened. Even if his lawyer, Mr. Northman, had confirmed the authentic of the letter from the Ministry of Magic, Alexander was afraid that the Sims would interfere with his release. They were a powerful family and he knew that they had enough money and influences to bribe the right people who could delay his exit from Azkaban. Alexander would not believe he was free until the moment he set foot on the mainland.
Finally he was escorted outside the prison by a guard. He took Alexander to the small boat awaiting and the two men sailed in silence towards the mainland. It was a warm sunny day and Alexander recalled his previous ride in that boat, accompanied not by a guard but an Auror. It was raining on that distant day of the past and Alexander considered today's sun to be a good omen about his future. He lost the notion of time as the boat kept sailing and he started feeling anxious. But at last his eyes found the mainland and the mass of land became larger and larger as the boat approached the shore. Once his feet touched the ground, the guard wished Alexander good luck with an indifferent tone and he sailed back to Azkaban. Alexander looked around to the desert rocky beach. He took a deep breath and smiled: he was a free man.
He walked away from the waves and used his wand to dry his robes and shoes. For a moment or two he just stood there, trying other spells with his wand as if making sure he could still do magic, after so many years. He lifted a rock, and then used transfiguration to turn it into a small tortoise and then back to a rock. Then he reduced the rock into dust with a destructive spell. He was thinking about doing another charm when a different sound that was not the waves or the wind caught his attention.
"Help!"
It was a faint plea and Alexander rushed in its direction, thinking that someone might be in danger. He saw a woman with an ugly cut on her face, seated in the sand, against a rock. The blood was dripping and she looked very pale, her lips getting purple. Her robes were ripped and dirty and she had other cuts in her arms and legs. It seemed that the waves were about to reach her legs: the tide was advancing fast and she was too weak to move. Soon the unforgiving sea was going to swallow her.
Without asking who she was and what happened, Alexander simply ran in her direction. He gently picked her up and took her out of danger. Once safe, he knelt near her, pulled his sleeves up and started using his wand to heal her cuts. He hadn't lost his ability at all and the healing magic came naturally, just like breathing. Soon all her superficial wounds were gone and Alexander started to concern about her internal ones. But before he could do more he noticed the woman's eyes had turned to a point behind him. Alexander looked back to see what had caught her attention and he saw a wizard standing there his wand pointed at him, in an attack position. Caught in surprise he had no time to react and the wizard used a spell that made Alexander fall unconscious on the sand.
The woman stood up and marched into the wizard's direction.
"I want my wand back, so I can make you pay for what you done. I had to wait hours laying there and with those injuries! You shouldn't have been so harsh when you hexed me."
The wizard laughed.
"It had to look real or he would not believe it."
"It was real, believe me. I was in an agony and you did not even came to check on me once! We didn't plan it this way."
"It doesn't matter now. It worked. We had orders to make sure he was the one she needed. Imagine if he had lost his abilities during his stay at Azkaban? Then he would be if no use for her and we would pay for wasting her time with a useless healer," he looked at the witch's head in the place her cut had been. Now there was only a small vestige of the ugly wound, in the form of pinkish new skin surrounding the injured area. "He's good and he acted quickly. I think she will be please."
"Let's go then," she replied with impatience. "I am sick of this beach."
The wizard gave the witch her wand back. Then he picked Alexander up and the trio disappeared into the void using apparition.
Liar, Liar
Author: Lee Sickleby
Date: 10-03-14 14:07
His recuperation at Alaia's complete, Lee had yet to move back into his own flat. In fact, he had all but moved out of his place. After a serious talk, the couple had decided the next logical step in their relationship would be to move in together. Lee packed up his things, which were few but not too sparse, and which for the most part fit in with Alaia's own belongings and furnishings.
Despite letting Alaia think that he was giving up his old flat completely, he decided to hang onto it. He knew there might be times when he would need a place to crash after an intense mission, but the old flat would also serve as a place to stow the items he didn't want Alaia to see. One set of Extendable Ears wasn't exactly questionable, but a whole range of surveillance and dark arts detection devices probably were––especially when Lee was supposed to be nothing more than a clerk in the Department of International Magical Cooperation.
He hated lying to Alaia, but he really had no choice. A part of him knew it was dangerous getting involved with not just her, but anyone. She was his weakness, and that could cause him to hesitate and get himself hurt or killed. There was also the possibility that she could come to harm just by being close to him. As long as he kept his real work a secret and made sure to keep her as far removed from what he did as possible, then she might be safe. Justifying the reason for lying to her didn't make him feel good about it, though.
"Lee?"
He looked up at Alaia, who had caught him staring off into space after he carried a box up to her––their––flat.
He shook the daydream from his vision and shot her a wry smile. "Sorry."
"You seemed lost in thought. Is everything all right?"
Lee nodded without hesitation. "Yes, of course. I was just thinking about work." That was no lie.
Alaia nodded as if she understood, but then she did what she loved and was her own boss. As far as she knew, Lee was nothing more than an overworked and underpaid underling.
Lee noticed that she looked a little pensive herself and asked, "Are you okay?"
When Alaia didn't immediately answer, he furrowed his brow, crossed the distance between them, and took up both hands in his own. "Hey, what's wrong?"
"Honestly, I'm not sure," she began, shaking her head slightly. "There's something I didn't tell you. I didn't want you to worry while you were recovering and then I just didn't say anything after you got better."
Lee squeezed her hands gently. "What's the matter?"
"Some law enforcement officers stopped by the other week and collected some parchmentwork, mostly purchase information made by customers."
"Is that something you track?"
"It depends," Alaia said. "I keep a register so I know what people are buying, and then I do keep track of my loyal customers or commercial vendors who buy from me. Some people always buy the same thing, so I know what to keep in stock or how much, if it's a set amount they are always getting. And that's just the sweets out on the floor. There's much more documentation for people who special order cakes or other baked goods."
"What do you think it's about?" Lee asked neutrally. He had no idea Alaia's shoppe was under scrutiny, but he wasn't surprised and was fairly certain he knew why.
"I don't know," Alaia admitted, "but the law enforcement personnel who were here assured me it wasn't anything I had done. I know I probably shouldn't worry, but I can't really help feeling a little nervous."
Lee pulled her into a hug and kissed the top of her head. "I think you should trust their judgment and not worry. I'm sure they will inform you what they discovered at some point. Until then, try not to wonder too much. It will only make you batty."
"Easier said than done," Alaia murmured, but then she let out a little laugh. "I'm guessing they are looking for somebody, but what that somebody has to do with my sweets, I have no idea."
Lee offered her a small smile and lied, "Me either."
(Adriana) Secret Revealed
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 10-04-14 09:44
Adriana looked over the notes Gibbon and Jugson had taken following their questioning of Forest Woods, while they were disguised as aurors pretending to investigate old cases having to do with Voldemort. The use of force had been unnecessary, for Woods had told them everything he knew. Despite not knowing where to look for Voldemort's body, he had provided them with some useful information. Namely, the witch or wizard who may know something was Woods' then superior.
The other interesting tidbit gleaned from their conversation with Woods was the fact that there were VLs, or Voldemort Loyalists, out in the world. For whatever reason, Voldemort had not shared that information with Adriana through their spiritual bond. Adriana had already amassed a sizable group of followers, most of them tried and true Death Eaters, but she was always looking for new recruits, especially ones who could go about the wizarding world without drawing negative attention to themselves.
With her go-to person no longer around to provide her with answers, Adriana would simply have to find someone else who might know some VLs or how to contact them. Perhaps Bellatrix could be of assistance in that matter…
Despite the information gleaned from Woods via Gibbon and Jugson, Adriana still wanted to pursue the other law enforcement personnel on the list she had made based on the file Sorcha had stolen from her from the Ministry of Magic. The next name on it was Hugo Grellier, the other auror who had first come upon the scene of the battle underneath the cemetery in Hogsmeade. It stood likely that he knew as little as Woods, but Adriana wouldn't know for sure until he was questioned.
She looked up from the notes when Natalya Ivanova entered the room.
Adriana spoke before her newest recruit could say anything. "Is our guest settled?"
"Yes, my Lady," Ivanova said. "He has finally gained consciousness."
"Wonderful!" Adriana exclaimed. She felt her heart thud a little faster in her chest and got up from her chair. "I'll speak to him now… in private."
"As you wish, my Lady."
Adriana swept past Ivanova and went to the quarters where Sorcha had been held prisoner nearly two years ago. Instead of the sparse accommodations she had experienced, this new captive had rather nice furnishings. A four-poster bed made of dark, ornately carved wood and with a comforter of the finest silk and brocade was squeezed into one corner. There was a writing desk and chair, a small bookshelf, and a small chest of drawers. Seated on the edge of the bed was Alexander Campbell.
He gave a start when he saw Adriana and fumbled for his wand, but he found it missing. Adriana made no move to retrieve hers from the folds of her voluminous robes and instead held up her hands and said, "You have nothing to fear."
"No? I know who you are," Alexander said. He had already gotten to his feet and stood opposite her. He was taller than she, and though stick thin, he seemed desperate enough that he could probably do her harm with his bare hands. It was especially tempting because they were in an enclosed room together without any witnesses. He stayed fixed to the stone floor, however, and asked, "How can I not fear you, when you hold my life in your hands?"
"I think you misunderstand my bringing you here," Adriana said. She took a step closer and explained, "As you might imagine, we are at risk of injury everyday, whether mild or severe, as well as death. I'm not asking you to perform the impossible and bring one of us back from the dead––" Here she paused, thinking about her own plans to do just that to Voldemort, if she ever found his body and the blasted Resurrection Stone. She started again, "I ask you to help us when we need your healing expertise."
"Why would I agree to do such a thing?" Alexander questioned. "I was just released from prison. I have no interest in going back just because I'm associated with the likes of you."
"Fair enough," Adriana reasoned. "I've never been to prison and can't imagine what it's like, but there are plenty here who have, besides you. I'm not asking you to become a Death Eater or do evil deeds," she went on, "and if it turns out I don't need your services anymore, then I will release you to your family, unharmed, but probably without any memory of being here."
She took another step closer, so that there wasn't much space left between them in the small room. "Don't you want to see your daughter again, Alexander?"
"Please don't touch her."
"I don't have plans to, but I need to know I have your loyalty for as long as I require it. I also need your utmost discretion. I hope all I need is your word, but if need be, then I will put a spell on you so you can't breathe of word about what I'm about to tell you." Her face hardened for a second, "And if you really test me, then I will take your tongue and mount it on my wall."
Alexander asked, "What do you want?"
"First, your word. If you agree to my terms, then you will be free to rove about the abbey, but for now, you will not be allowed to leave the premises. With good behavior comes rewards, Alexander. Serve me well, and I will give you what you desire."
"I'll do as you ask," Alexander said. "I'll do whatever it takes to be with my daughter again."
"That sounds good so far," Adriana said. "Promise me you won't tell anyone here what I'm about to share with you. This is to be our secret, yours and mine."
Alexander nodded and said, "I promise."
Adriana waited a long moment to say anything more. She had kept the secret to herself all this time. It was almost difficult sharing it with someone, even the one wizard who could provide her with the most assistance regarding the matter.
At last, she reached for his hand. Alexander flinched at first, but then he allowed her to take it. She placed it against her belly, revealing a pregnant stomach kept hidden behind more and more flowing robes as time progressed.
She looked up at him and reminded, "Our little secret."