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Order Meeting
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 09-20-15 08:58
After dropping Rose off with Hendrika, Hermione and Ron walked to The Hog's Head. They weren't the first to arrive at the pub, nor were they the last. Bill greeted them at the door and ushered them inside, where they joined a table occupied by Hagrid.
There was a sign in the window that stated the pub was closed for a private party. All the curtains were shut to keep out prying eyes. It being a Sunday morning, it seemed unlikely that too many prospective customers would show up for a pint, but one could never be too cautious.
Bill remained stationed at the door until most everyone had arrived. When Kingsley stood up and moved to the front of the room, Bill sat down in a chair next to Charlie. The room fell silent.
"Thanks, everyone, for coming," Kingsley began. "I called this meeting to discuss a possible undertaking that can't be left in the hands of the Ministry. The Ministry is too vast and too hectic for certain information to remain safely confidential, and I'm afraid not everyone employed there can be trusted. In these darker times, it seems likely that traitors work among us."
There were murmurs of agreement, and some nodded their heads.
"Some of you know…" Kingsley paused to share a glance with Minerva McGonagall and Severus Snape. "…that the Ministry had a Death Eater in custody. I say had, because immediately upon learning about the nature of the detainee, I had him removed from a holding cell and transferred to an undisclosed location. Records show the prisoner has been tried and sent to Azkaban for breaking and entering. These records say nothing about the mark on his arm, nor state his true name. Why? Because as Fairchild grows stronger, so does my suspicion that any official investigation we undertake will reach her ears and place her one step ahead of us."
Hermione raised her hand. "Did the Death Eater confess anything while in Ministry custody?"
Kingsley shook his head. "No. It has yet to be determined if he is keeping silent by his own volition or if Fairchild put a spell on him to prevent him from talking. This is where we come in," he continued, looking from face to face in the crowded room. "I want us to learn everything he knows. I want to know what he was doing in Hogwarts. I want to know what he knows about Fairchild's plans. I want to know who else is in her ranks and where her hideout is."
"Do you think she is aware of his imprisonment?" asked Arthur Weasley.
Kingsley replied, "I'm hopeful that because I acted quickly and pulled him out of the Ministry before too many knew he was there that word of his arrest hasn't gotten back to her yet."
"We should attempt to make contact," Remus Lupin said. "I would think that the prisoner is supposed to be updating Fairchild on his progress, whatever that might be. How long has he been in custody, and what is his name?"
"Mid-June and Silas Mimsy. And, yes," Kingsley agreed. "That's why we need to break him down sooner than later. I would think that someone deep undercover––assuming that's what he was doing at Hogwarts––might not be in regular contact with Fairchild, but his last update has probably been too long ago for comfort. The more we know, the better we can pretend to be him, and the more we will learn about Fairchild in the process."
The conversation about Silas Mimsy continued. Talk shifted from interrogation techniques to the possibility of one day using polyjuice potion to impersonate him and infiltrate the Death Eaters.
The Hopping Pot
Author: Nathaniel Ross
Date: 09-20-15 15:00
Nate checked his watch, and tapped his feet on the floor with impatience. He was late and if Nott didn't show up in ten minutes he would leave. Jenny was waiting for him for dinner. A group of witches left Madam Malkin's with a large number of bags, talking about the items they just purchased. Tiberius Nott arrived, when Nate could no longer hear the women's voices. He looked around, and made a signal for Nate to follow him. They sat at counter of a pub called The Hopping Pot. Nate wanted to tell Nott he had no time for a drink, that he needed to get going, but the other wizard smiled and started to make small talk as if they were good friends.
"I'm sorry I'm late. I got stuck at work."
Since when Tiberius Nott had a job? Nate asked to himself. He had a vivid image of Nott spending his days drinking and his nights at Petals when it used to be open. Phyllida was the one who said so to Nate once. Right before she decided she preferred that drunk wizard has her boyfriend instead of me he couldn't help thinking. However these were not bitter thoughts: he was just pointing out a fact. The fact that Phyllida left him no longer hurt as it did in the past. He was moving on.
Tiberius leaned forward.
"Do you have what I asked?"
Nate nodded and took a bit of parchment out of his pocket. It contained a location written in his own handwriting. Tiberius consulted it and then he made it disappear with his wand.
"Impressive," he said.
"Not really. You got me the taxi's plate number and the date and time your brother and the other wizard boarded it. I just had to check with the taxi company, and discover its destiny. The taxi travelled for half an hour, to the outskirts of London. It stopped at a bus terminal. Then I had to figure out which bus they took. That was trickier but there were cameras at the terminal. I needed to modify some memories to access the images. The bus's destiny was Leicester. But it seemed that on that particular day the bus had some mechanical problems and stopped in the middle of nowhere. The Muggle driver was surprise because when the bus company sent another bus, the 43 passengers were now 41. Two of them had vanished. My guess is that your brother is in that area, where the bus was forced to stop. I checked the images received at Leicester, once the new bus arrived to the terminal: no sign of your two passengers."
"Thank you," Tiberius said.
"It wasn't a favor," Nate replied. "Now, will you leave my family alone?"
"You have my word," and he left the moment the waitress was arriving with two butter beers. She seemed confused when he saw Nott walking away. Nate paid to the witch and he too left the pub.
A few weeks ago Tiberius Nott had surprised Nate at his apartment's door. He pointed his wand to Nate's chest and he declared he was working for Adriana Fairchild. It was of the most importance that he found the whereabouts of his brother, Titus. If he failed he would make sure his family would suffer. He gave Nate the taxi's plate number and the last time it was spotted. Nate was sure Nott was making bluff about working for Adriana Fairchild. Why would she want to know the whereabouts of his little bother? What would she want a child for?
He decided to make some side research at work and he quickly found out that Titus Nott's guardianship belonged to the Ministry of Magic. Getting his current address in an illegal way was bad, but at the same time Nate knew if he didn't Tiberius probably wouldn't hesitate to harm his family. Nott's own family had a bad reputation, and even if he had never seen Tiberius acting violently, he was sure he would be capable of doing so. And so he got Nott the address. He just hoped whatever he did to it, no one would be able to know it had been Nate who got him such information.
He left Diagon Alley in a rush, already late for his dinner with Jenny.
At Spinner's End
Author: S Snape
Date: 09-21-15 15:18
Severus stands in the middle of a small sitting room, the light scant through dingy windows. He has no idea why he's kept this house in Spinner's End all these years. He's never cared much for Cokeworth and this house was always just that, a house. Never a home. Not when they lived in near poverty and his father was an abusive twat.
Once Severus knew the capabilities of magic, truly knew, he could not fathom why his mother, Eileen, never wielded magic in defense of the abuse meted out by his father, Tobias. How would life have been different if she had, even if only a single time, fought back as a witch?
Some of the few good, happy even, memories he has of growing up here involve Lily Evan, and he didn't meet her until they were around nine. Those memories are not of this house so much as they are of this area, the Evanses living nearby but in a far nicer neighborhood; but, it never took much to be a far better neighborhood, then or now.
Severus crosses the short distance to a dining nook where a somewhat dilapidated, warped hutch stands. Eileen bought the hutch at a second hand shoppe, which is being overly kind to the sad piece of furniture. When she bought it all those years ago the hutch already looked as if it were hundredth hand. He takes hold of a drawer pull and must constantly jiggle the drawer to get it to slide out from the hutch. Once he has it pulled far enough out that he can slip a hand inside he reaches in to remove tiny tongs of the type used for sugar cubes. The tongs, a rare item of value owned by his mother, are so darkly tarnished he's unsure whether the silver shine can ever be brought forth again.
Returning to the sitting room he takes a seat on a dusty, lumpy loveseat and address the two wizards sitting across the rickety coffee table. "Here we are. I do apologize again. I'm not set up here for visitors. I am rarely here anymore, even when on holiday from work."
Having wipes the tongs as he walked from the dining room to the sitting room he uses them now to plonk a lump of sugar into a tea cup then offers it to the one who'd requested sugar, letting the man stir the sweet into the tea himself.
"As I've explained on more than one occasion, including to Minister Shacklebolt, I have not felt even a tiny tingle from the Dark Mark."
One of the men, who has identified himself as Ingle with the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, leans slightly forward. "Any theories on why that might be, Mr. Snape?"
"Minister Shacklebolt, others, and I have speculated that Fairchild may know of a method for blocking the magical signal to select individuals. Voldemort was most certainly knowledgable on various highly advanced magic as well as some that may have been arcane, possibly even rather ancient."
The other man, who's helped himself to two more cubes of sugar, is called Putnam. "You'd be willing to take Veritaserum?"
"I've not only been willing but I have undergone questioning while under its influence on two separate occasions. I'm rather bewildered as to why you are not already in possession of this information."
Putnam and Ingle exchange glances leading Severus to inquire, "What exactly is going on here, gentlemen?"
Ingle shakes his head. "Nothing, Mr. Snape. We're just doing due diligence and going back over everything. Fresh eyes and ears. You understand."
"I do understand the concept. What I don't understand is why you'd wish me to have another Veritaserum questioning when the previous two were for naught."
Teaspoon still in hand, which he waves placatingly, Putnam says apologetically. "I spoke badly. What I should have asked is whether you'd be willing if the need should arise again."
"Of course, but again, why should a need arise when I've already been thoroughly questioned twice now after having taken Veritaserum?"
"The last was awhile ago. If we're to do our job correctly, then with your known history we have to consider that in that time you've been contacted or have gained new information." Putnam looks gratefully to Ingle for better explaining away the question. Unbeknownst to Severus at the moment, they aren't exactly part of the official Fairchild investigation. They're using some of their own time to see if they can break something on the case, be heroes, get promotions and raises.
After this fumble, Ingle and Putnam quickly wrap up, Putnam gulping down the last of his tea. Thanking Severus for this time and telling him that they may need to speak with him again, they leave. With the current state of Spinner's End they don't have to make much of an effort to find a safe spot from which to disapparate.
Alone again, Severus picks up a newspaper from an end table that somehow hasn't toppled over in its unsound state. He rereads the article about how a developer is in talks with the Cokeworth council to buy property in this area for some sort of urban renewal project. If approached about selling house and the minute parcel of land on which it stands, Severus can easily seem himself signing it all over and being glad to be rid of it.
Making short work of cleaning up the tea served, he also leaves, having no desire to spend further time today in Spinner's End.
Wandless Magic (Grace)
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 09-22-15 15:22
One eye crimping shut at the brain freeze from the half peach half blackberry shaved ice she's eating Grace wonders if her lips have turned dark from the blackberry syrup. She wouldn't mind as that might make her look like she's wearing a fab shade of lipstick. Beside her, Rand Prinsloos lips have definitely taken on a color from his cherry shaved ice. Oliver Towneley's mango shaved ice has his lips looking a little yellowish-orange.
Grace and her two friends sit on a massive swing set near a fir pit. The swing has thick cushions and an arbor like covering that provides some shade. The swing is so large that they could easily fit a few more on it and not feel crowded. Off to the right, in another part of the Valentine yard at a regular swing set Caerwyn alternately pushes Xavier and Jasmine. The now four year old twins giggle and squeal as Caerwyn pushes them in what they think are near dizzying heights but is actually hardly off the ground.
A bit earlier Gus Hodfuffer had been in Hogsmeade and he, Caerwyn, Rand, Oliver, Grace, and Grace's cousin Duncan had played a rousing game of wizarding laser tag at the gaming centre. As a Muggle born and as someone raised in a fairly secluded environment, Oliver and Rand, respectively, still somewhat new to the game did rather well.
Duncan flooed from the gaming centre after they were done, having a dinner birthday party to go to this evening. Gus left just after that saying he had a hot date. Grace is intelligent and advanced for her age but she's not sure why a date would be hot and wonders if there are cold dates. She'll have to ask Caerwyn about that sometime.
Caerwyn bought himself, the two remaining boys and Grace the shaved ices and got tiny cups of ice cream for the twins. They'd walked home where Xavier and Jasmine were excited to see them and to get ice cream. They'd all gone outside where the three soon to be Hogwarts first years settled on the large swing to finish their ices and the twins begged Caerwyn to help them at the swing set.
Oliver, Rand, and Grace are talking about what they know of the four Hogwarts houses, Grace telling the two boys, "Everyone says I'll get Ravenclaw. I'm not really sure why other than Caerwyn says they tend to be smart."
"What was he?" Rand asks.
"Hufflepuff, which is what Duncan is. Dad and Uncle Lysander were Slytherin. Mum didn't go to Hogwarts but Uncle Charlie and Uncle Bill did and they were Gryffindor."
"Who are they again?" Oliver says between spoonfuls of his melting shaved ice.
Grace gestures in the direction of the village proper. "Uncle Lysander is with Dad in the bookshoppe. He's Charlotte's and Dylan's dad." Pointing next door she goes on, "Uncle Charlie and Aunt Hendrika live next door. She's Mummy's half-sister. You've met Schuyler, Artie, and Ava that last time you were over. Uncle Charlie and Aunt Hen are their parents." She waves her still pointing finger to indicate a house further down. "Uncle Bill lives that way. He's Uncle Charlie's brother so he's not really my uncle but my first name, Molly, is for their mum."
"So your aunt and uncle next door are also Duncan's aunt and uncle," Rand asks.
"No," she replies with a quick shake of her head. "Aunt Hendrika is Mum's sister on their dad's side. Duncan's dad, Byron, is Mum's brother on their mother's side."
Oliver crinkles his nose. "Sounds confusing but I guess I can't talk. I'm still confused on why exactly Uncle Ethan didn't grow up with Dad and his brother and sister and why he's Somerset and we're all Towneleys. I know it's something about him being taken away as a baby and raised somewhere else but as my dad says, it's not as simple a story as that."
Rand shrugs. "I can't talk either. I'm finding out where I've lived isn't exactly normal."
"What do you mean?" Grace dabs at a dribble of peach, wishing she knew what she'd done with her napkin.
"I know who my mother is but everyone lives as one big family. Some are really family but others aren't but I don't know who is and who isn't and we all call this one man Father."
Further conversation comes to a screeching halt when the twins both start screaming and crying. The trio jump from the swing, looking to see what's wrong. Caerwyn is on the ground holding his head, looking dazed, and a woman is trying to prise Xavier's hands away from the swing chain. Jasmine is off her own swing, smacking her hands against the woman's legs.
Grace takes a deep breath, recognizing the woman from a couple of times she's seen making Dad angry. Dad says the woman is his sister and her name is Vanessa.
Grace, Rand, and Oliver start her way. If Grace and the boys had talked first they'd know each is having the same thought of helping the twins and seeing of Caerwyn is all right. Grace begins yelling, "You stop that, Vanessa. Leave my babies alone!"
Caerwyn is staggering to his feet, one hand still at his head, the other bringing out his wand. With his reflexes slowed from the head blow Vanessa easily immobilizes him with a spell before returning her attention to getting Xavier to let go of the swing, doing her best in the meantime to ignore Jasmine who has begun kicking at her. She glares straight at Grace and yells back, "They're MY babies and I'm taking them back!"
Nearing the swing set the three find themselves facing Vanessa's wand. Caerwyn is visibly straining to break free of the spell she's cast upon him. Oliver and Rand are trying to decide if they should help him or run to one of the neighboring houses screaming for help. They know that the house elf Aegean who helps with the twins left to go grocery shopping once Caerwyn was there to look after the twins or she surely would have been outside by now to see what was going on.
Grace never once thinks about going for help or screaming at the top of her lungs for it. All she can think about is this woman who should be family but isn't has hurt her brother and is trying to take Jasmine and Xavier, who despite turning four in June are considered by Grace to be her babies.
All the years of keeping her magic abilities secret from all a very few, a secret even from her grandparents, and all the times she's been told she must be very careful about revealing what she can do at such a young age are largely forgotten. Her face scrunched in fury, Grace yells again at Vanessa to let them be. When her aunt ignores her, instead reaching to give Jasmine a hard shake to get the child to stop kicking and hitting her, and in turn earning a fierce bite on the arm from Xavier, Grace unleashes some of her magic. There's a sound like lightening cracking and Vanessa is blown backwards more than halfway into the Lupins' yard, crashing down on her back, the wind knocked out of her while Jasmine and Xavier are untouched.
Grace also calls Vanessa's wand to her, snapping it in two. She's not sure if that's what releases Caerwyn from the petrifying spell or if it's worn off on its own. Either way, he's free and though still dazed from whatever hit his head he goes over to check Vanessa. The witch is still on the ground, conscious but not moving. Keeping his wand on her he instructs, "Grace, get the twins inside. Oliver and Rand, please see if anyone's home on either side of us, either Uncle Charlie and Aunt Hendrika or one of the Lupins. If no one is, cut through the backyards to the High and get Dad or Uncle Lysander from the bookshoppe or Aunt Briar from the bakery."
Grace, talking in soothing tones to the twins, gets them calmed down enough to go inside. The two boys, now the ones dazed at what they've just witnessed someone of their own age doing with magic and without a wand, take a few seconds to gather themselves then hustle off to do as Caerwyn asked.
(Anthony) Transfer
Author: Beck
Date: 09-22-15 18:38
Anthony looked up from the pages of a yellowed paperback book and observed one of the now very familiar guards standing outside his cell with a ring of keys in his hand. The guard, whose name was Bolton, found the right key, inserted it into the lock, and pulled open the cell door.
Anthony, well-acquainted with the procedure for leaving his cell, put down the book and stood up with his wrists pressed together. He figured he had a visitor, either family or a solicitor or perhaps even a reporter, but it was none of those things that brought him out of his cramped cell.
Bolton cuffed his wrists and grabbed onto Anthony's arm to lead him out of the cell and down the corridor. Instead of go to a visitation room, Anthony was directed past various security doors and gates to the lobby area. Bolton stopped him in front of a pair of men Anthony knew professionally.
His heart rate leapt at the sight of Brent Trentson and Willis Patrick, but he didn't show any emotion other than curiosity at the change in his routine. Auror Trentson and Hit Wizard Patrick kept their faces clear of any recognition. They were there to collect the prisoner and transfer him to their jurisdiction, nothing more.
Bolton asked, "Tell me again why Beck is being transferred? Seems odd at this stage in the game. He hasn't even gone to trial."
"His solicitor issued a motion to transfer the accused to another facility on account of bias he is facing from his jailers and the local community," Trentson replied. He appeared to flick his wrist slightly, and then reached out to take Anthony by the arm.
Bolton suddenly had a very dazed look on his face. "Oh, okay." He stood rooted to the spot for a moment and then turned around slowly and went back through the nearest security door.
Trentson led Anthony out the door and to a car parked at the curb. Patrick, who had done undercover work in Muggle areas in the past, got behind the wheel, while Trentson put Anthony in the back and then climbed into the passenger seat. Patrick started the car and pulled into traffic.
Anthony waited a full minute before asking, "Am I free?"
Patrick looked at him through the rearview mirror, and Trentson turned around in his seat to look at Anthony properly. There was no grid between them, because the vehicle was nothing more than a normal Ministry of Magic issued car.
"Free? No," Trentson said. "You're going straight to a Ministry of Magic holding cell."
"But I'm innocent," Anthony said.
"That's for the Ministry to decide," Trentson finished, and then he abruptly faced forward again.
Anthony didn't say anything for a long moment. He supposed he was lucky to finally be out of the hands of the Muggle police. Earning his freedom would be the best option, of course, but at least he had managed to jump over one hurdle.
When he spoke again it was to ask, "What about all the Muggles?" He didn't think he needed to go into more detail, and he was right.
"Obliviators are already on the case," Trentson said without looking back at Anthony. "It'll be a big job, but there's a lot riding on their success. I think they'll manage it."
Anthony didn't see how, but he also didn't think he was in a position to argue. He sat quietly for the rest of the not quite three hour drive from Caerphilly to London and thought about how he was one step closer to being reunited with Plum, Alex, and Baby Beck.
Aftermath
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 09-22-15 21:20
Julian gently sets Jasmine on the small cushioned bench-like couch in the hospital room. In her sleep she snuggles against the dozing Xavier, who in turn leans against a not far from sleep herself Grace. Needing to get Caerwyn to St. Mungo's but loathe to leave the three younger children Julian, with Briar's help, brought them all. She'd offered to take Grace home and take the twins but had quickly realized Julian's need. That she was also worried, and still is, about Caerwyn and also would have liked to accompany Julian and he, she readily acquiesced.
Aegean wasn't home yet so they left a note. Tonks Lupin offered to see Rand and Oliver home but the two boys told her they could go to AJ and Mariposa Hodfuffer's, explaining that Rand lives at Mariposa's sister's. Learning this, she insisted on walking them from the very short distance across the West Lane to make sure one of the Hodfuffers is at the house just across the street. Tonks didn't say it aloud but Julian knew that like him she was most likely worried about some sort of delayed shock setting in. He also believes she'll question them both if they're up for it, getting started on that for whatever official report gets filed.
Julian's attention is drawn from the twins and Grace to Caerwyn who's complaining, "I can just as easily sit in bed at home."
"You need regular checking," Briar quietly reminds.
"If I slept at your house instead of going to the cabin you could do that, Dad."
"I could and I would but in the event you do need medical attention during the night, I'd feel better having you already here."
"I've had a few concussions in Quidditch," Caerwyn points out.
"Very mild ones. Vanessa cracked your skill. This concussion is a whole other level."
As an adult Caerwyn could get up and check himself out against healer's orders if he wanted. He does want but as much as he does he doesn't want to worry his father and Briar more than necessary. Today has been scary enough for all of them. He glances over at his sister, who has nodded off entirely.
"What about the magic Grace used?"
"Briar and I discussed that while the healer was looking you over. We're hoping it will be chalked up to the random surges untrained kids her age can have. It's a known fact that they can be strong when the child is under stress or having an adrenaline surge for some other reason."
As he speaks Briar is nodding in agreement. "No real reason for anyone to think otherwise."
"If I'm asked, that's what I'll say then," Caerwyn says, wincing at the pain in his head when he bobs his head up and down. "What about Vanessa?"
"Taken to the Ministry. She's violated a restraining order. There's two counts of attempting kidnapping. Assault on you, though I'm not sure what the exact charge there will be as there are different types and degrees of assault and battery. Jasmine has some bruises from where Vanessa tried to get her to stop the kicking and hitting. Xavier has them from where she was trying to get him to let go of the swing. If those aren't counted as charges against her they should be."
Briar adds, "I wouldn't mind if there was a way to charge her for the mental and emotional trauma she's caused, including to Oliver and Rand."
She looks over to the sleeping children. "I should get them home now unless you object, Julian."
"No, I think that moment of panic is over, thanks."
"I'll take Grace. She's old enough to be alone for me to come back and get the twins but I don't want to leave her alone in case she wakes up and no one's there so I'll get Aegean to come to my house before coming back. I know the easiest would be to carry both the twins and wake Grace up to hand on while I apparate but I don't have the heart to make her wake up well enough to hold on well enough for a side-along. It would be the same with using one of the hospital Floos."
"I'll help. We'll do it in one trip."
"There's no need for you to leave, Julian."
"It's not right putting the burden on you."
"I'm fine enough that Dad can leave me for five minutes, Briar. Really, Dad, you don't even need to come back. It's not like I'm alone here with nurses checking on my constantly."
"I'm coming back," Julian insists before saying to Briar, "If you'll get Grace, I'll get the twins."
Briar sighs but doesn't argue further. She helps Julian so that he can get Jasmine in one arm and Xavier in the other without fully waking either then eases Grace up, grunting a little at how big Grace is now that she's closer to being 12 than she is to her 11th birthday last October. She steps into the hall after Julian, walking a short distance to a spot from which people disapparate if leaving from inside the hospital.
They get the children in bed, getting their shoes off but leaving them dressed. No need to disturb them at this point any more than necessary. Julian hugs her goodbye as she assures with hope in her tone, "Caerwyn will be fine. Everything will be. No one will question too deeply Grace's use of magic."
"Yeah, I hope so."
"I'll check in with you in the morning."
"Okay," he simply says before returning to St. Mungo's, leaving Briar to summon Aegean to her house to fill the house elf in. Aegean then makes the rounds to updates others, such as Lysander, on Caerwyn and his concussion.
Magic Monkey Business
Author: Celeste Quigley
Date: 09-23-15 02:09
Archer Montgomery was outside Slug & Jiggers doing his best not to throw out the content of his stomach. This was how Celeste found her brother, not believing he had gone to Diagon Alley.
"This shop…worms in jars, dead frogs, eel's eyes inside a barrel…They are violating a bunch of sanitary laws! And my daughter is buying some of those things to use in class. What sort of class is that? Whatever it is it cannot be very hygienic."
"Potions. And I assure you Archer, it's perfectly all right. Maud is inside?" Celeste looked to the shops' window, trying to get a glimpse of her niece.
"Yes. With her mother. They didn't want me to come, but I insisted. Apparently buying a magic wand is something of great importance and I wanted to be part of it. Can you believe a wooden stick had costed more than twenty one pounds? There's something really wrong with these people, I tell you."
Celeste could believe in such a thing. But what she couldn't believe was that Archer had bothered to convert galleons into pounds. There were Muggle parents who accepted very well the fact that they child was a wizard or a witch. Their own parents had, when Celeste received her letter from Hogwarts. In a way, Archer was not new to this world. However he seemed to be freaking out with all this now that Maud was going to Hogwarts.
The bell of the shop's door rang as the door was open and Rosalie Montgomery walked out of it with her daughter. They were both carrying a large number of bags and Rosalie sent her ex-husband a look that clearly said he should be carrying some of the bags himself. But Archer was still feeling indisposed after what he had witness inside the apothecary shop.
"Hello Rosalie," Celeste greeted.
"Celeste!" the other witch greeted back, with a fake enthusiasm. They had never been friends, not even when Rosalie was married to Archer. Celeste had always thought of her as a bland Muggle, and that her brother deserved someone far more interesting and sophisticated. "What a surprise…"
"…and this must be Maud! I have not seen you since you were very little," Celeste realized she had sounded like those distant relatives she had never been able to stand. But it was too late to change her reaction as she leaned forward and greeted her niece.
Maud was polite but she obviously wasn't that excited with meeting an aunt she had almost never seen in her short life.
"Your aunt teaches Astronomy at Hogwarts," Rosalie told Maud.
"And I am also the Assistant Head of the Slytherin House," Celeste added, not being able to hold herself. "And I sponsor the school's Art Society too."
"Very impressive, but I have no idea what you just said. Slyt…what?" Archer interrupted. "Doesn't matter. Just another thing I will not be able to understand. How much shopping do you have left?" he asked his ex-wife.
Rosalie told him she was going to buy Maud's school robes now and that he could stay outside taking care of the bags. He didn't seem to mind that, as he was already horrified by the clothes used by most of the people around Diagon Alley. He did not want to see what kind of clothing her daughter would have to wear at school. Probably some gaudy combination of pink and yellow.
Rosalie and Maud said goodbye to Celeste and they went to Madam Malkin's. Celeste couldn't help to feel a bit disappointed with this encounter. She was hoping she and Maud would bound right away, but they weren't even able to exchange any words between the two.
"I can't wait to get out of this place," Archer confessed, looking uncomfortable to a wizard that was passing by with a cage, covered with a blanket. "Lord knows what it's inside of that cage."
"Probably an owl," Celeste replied.
"I can't believe my only daughter is going to that school of yours. I tried to stop this nonsense by telling Maud she would keep attending Lydhall Acedemy, and that I would not be taking her no any platform nine and ¾, as if such thing existed anyway. She started to cry! I never seen her crying like that. So of course I had to give in," Archer sighed. "It is not even the magic monkey business that bothers me. It's that Rosalie told me there are no phones at the school. I've never been good at writing letters and Maud will spend long periods at Hogwarts. If my time with her was already limited because of the divorce, now it would be even worse because she would be always at school."
Celeste placed her hand over her brother's shoulder, trying to give him some comfort. It must have been hard for him to admit such thing.
"Will you keep an eye on her?" he asked.
"You have my word," Celeste replied.