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Next Morning
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 07-22-18 08:58
On his way to work, Bill stopped in at Briar's Bakery to get a pastry and a cup of coffee. He sat outside under the awning and read the newspaper. The bold headline VOLDEMORT RETURNS stood out starkly over a photograph of law enforcement officers combing through evidence at Diagon Alley.
The Daily Prophet was full of stories regarding yesterday's attack, which resulted in deaths, injuries, damage, and at least one kidnapping. There were also stories about Lord Voldemort and whether or not it really was him, back from the dead, or someone made to look like him.
Kingsley had called an emergency Order meeting two nights ago, revealing that law enforcement personnel would be assigned to various parts of the wizarding world, including the Hogwarts Express, because of intelligence received from one of his covert operatives. His spy had mentioned Voldemort by name but did not reveal anything else, other than an impending attack on the first of July––yesterday.
The members of the Order present at the late-night meeting mulled over what Voldemort, who had died over twelve years ago, had to do with anything in the present day. Was it a code word; for example, the name of the operation the Death Eaters were planning? The Order members were at a complete and total loss on that account.
The Order also discussed possible locations for an attack and came up with a plan to patrol in tangent with law enforcement. Bill was assigned to Hogsmeade. Upon returning home, he told Fleur to pack a bag. He wanted his wife and children to go to their cottage in Marseilles first thing in the morning, hoping if Hogsmeade was the target, that dawn wasn't too late for departure.
When news broke that the attack was happening in Diagon Alley, Bill went there to assist. He didn't see the Voldemort look-alike with his own two eyes, but he heard the vivid descriptions from those who had. None of the dark wizards were still present when Bill got there, so he helped by escorting the injured to St. Mungo's.
One of the injured was a wizard kneeling over the body of his wife. He looked to be in total shock and kept saying how his son was coming home from Hogwarts today. Bill felt extremely sorry for whoever the child was, knowing it likely the child hadn't seen his mother since Easter or longer.
"What a shock."
The comment came from Lysander, who indicated to the empty chair opposite Bill and sat down when Bill inclined his head in a single nod.
"Yes. I thought we were past things like this," Bill said. He paused and then asked, "Do you think it's possible to raise the dead?"
"No," Lysander said, gazing down at his cup.
"How do you explain the wizard we both saw? How would you explain this?" Bill pointed at the bold headline on the newspaper.
Lysander shrugged. "Polyjuice potion? Extremely accurate human transfiguration? A face transplant?" He smirked slightly at the last statement, taking in the deep scarring on Bill's face.
"Do you really think somebody kept a lock of Voldemort's hair all these years?"
"I would say it's unlikely, considering I don't know when he last had hair when he was living, but who really knows? I would guess it wasn't him."
"And Khallid Adallah?"
Lysander didn't immediately answer. His own eyes had betrayed him. The wizard he and Bill both saw a couple of weeks ago looked so much like their old foe not to be him.
"It's impossible. The dead can't return."
"How do you know?"
"Because I tried!" Lysander snapped.
Bill looked at him in shock.
"It didn't work. Not even a little bit," Lysander added.
Bill realized that Lysander must have tried to resurrect his dead wife. He gently stated, "Maybe it didn't work because you aren't skilled enough for a spell like that."
Lysander's eyes narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Bill held up his hands to placate the other wizard. "I just think that a spell like that, if one exists, probably requires a lot of complex dark magic, and I'm not sure you've got the right mindset for something like that."
Lysander's eyes remained slits but he felt himself relax slightly. "It almost sounds like you're saying I'm not that evil."
Bill smiled.
Lysander sighed. "I'm sure there's a rational explanation for this and for Adallah. The dead can't come back… not whole, at any rate."
Both of their minds wandered to the day Voldemort died. Inferi had risen from the graves in the cemetery. It was something they'd both witnessed and would never forget.
"Well, whatever is going on, I don't like it," Bill remarked.
"At last. Something we can both agree on," Lysander replied dryly.
Feeding Ducks
Author: Eoghan
Date: 07-23-18 20:07
Tossing grape halves to the ducks near the pond's shoreline Eoghan says to the man who has just walked up beside him, "Thanks for coming."
"You've never asked to meet me before so how could I not? Nice park."
"Whenever we'd visit her my grandmother would bring us here to feed the ducks. Still does as a matter of fact."
"That would be Keavy's mother."
"Yes. Dad's mother lives near "
"Tralee. I know." At Eoghan's expression Rodolphus explains. "After I learned of your existance and some information about you, I wanted to know more about you, about the people you call Mum and Dad."
"I see. Thanks for taking the time, I guess."
Before things become more awkward Rodolphus states, "I fairly certain I know why you wished to see me. I don't know if she's part of it or not. I think probably so but I don't know for certain."
"Where was she when the attack happened?"
"I don't know. Rabastan and I were on a fishing trip."
"Fishing trip?" Eoghan doesn't laugh but the amusement is in his voice.
"We love to fish but over the years, for various reasons, had little opportunity. Now, we usually go for a morning or afternoon but try to get away for a few days every two or three months. You should come with us sometime."
"Yeah. Maybe. We'll see. So she hasn't said anything to you about the attack? About being there? About him?"
"Not a word. She's not even been gleefully secretive, at least around me. She can be like that when she knows something others do not but if she's part of it she's not giving it away this time. Why not ask her yourself?"
"Can you see her admitting it to me? Either way she's going to say she wasn't involved and either way she's going to know I don't believe her."
"Fairly spot on. Can I have some of that?"
Eoghan holds out the bag with the grape halves for Rodolphus to take some. As he tosses some of the grapes to the ducks he asks Eoghan, "Why grapes? Most people do bread."
"Bread's not good for them. Grapes are and as I had no bird seed suitable for ducks grapes are what I brought."
They stand in silence for several minutes, throwing the halved grapes to the growing number of ducks, Eoghan wondering if he'll ever be fully comfortable and at ease around his biological father and Rodolphus wishing he'd not been denied so many days such as this, standing next to his son, feeding ducks.
(Willow) What is Happening?
Author: Rowan Westwick
Date: 07-26-18 18:06
Willow was in her room at Westwick Grove, sorting through items she wanted to take with her to St. Emrys in the fall. She knew it was very early to plan what to pack, but she thought she could take the time to also sort out clothing and belongings she no longer wanted or needed. It being a beautiful day, she had her windows open. Her room overlooked the front drive, which was lined with trees and helped give the house its name.
Willow just happened to be by the window when she heard the tell-tale sign of someone apparating. She turned her head and saw a wizard standing at the end of the long drive. He took a few steps towards the house but stopped abruptly.
Willow put down the folded winter jumpers she was holding and observed her sister run from the house, down the drive and towards the mystery man. She couldn't hear their discussion because they were too far away, but she could tell that the man was relaying important but also happy information. Rowan listened raptly and then threw herself onto the man, wrapping her arms around his neck and squeezing him as if he'd solved all of her problems.
Willow was flabbergasted. Who was this guy and why did Rowan hug him like he meant the world to her? She could tell even from this distance that he was older––probably a forty-something. He appeared decent-looking, but Willow wasn't sure she would date someone his age, even if her true age was around his. She was in the body of a teenager, after all, and hadn't spent any years beyond that as a human adult.
Anyway, Rowan was already dating somebody… and he was visiting at that very moment! As if on cue, Lon exited the house and walked slowly but with purpose down the long drive to where Rowan and the stranger were now talking excitedly, no longer in each other's arms. The man noticed Lon's approach and said goodbye to Rowan, touching her arm as she did so. Then he disapparated.
Rowan turned to Lon with a huge smile on her face that even Willow could see. It gradually faltered. Willow couldn't make out the discussion, but she could tell that Lon was angry. Rowan attempted to defend herself, but it was no good. Lon disapparated in an angry huff.
Willow observed Rowan standing at the edge of the drive again. For a moment, her features looked disappointed, but then a jubilant smile spread over her face again. She made her way to the house with a definite skip in her step. Willow hurried from her room to meet Rowan at the front door.
"What," she began, "was that about?"
Rowan was grinning from ear to ear. She rushed at Willow, hugged her tight, and said, "You'll soon see. When Dad comes home, we're going to make a trip."
"What about Lon?"
Rowan shrugged. "I can make it right with him later… or not." She shrugged again, which surprised Willow because she'd been sure that Rowan still liked Lon very much. Obviously, this older guy had done something to change that.
Willow nodded slowly and said, "Oooookay. A trip, to where?"
"We can't talk about it now. Not here, anyway. Later. But soon!"
Rowan bounded past her sister and took the stairs two at a time. Willow watched her go and wondered what had Rowan so bonkers.
Faint From Hunger
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 07-26-18 19:54
When Ginny peels back a bandage on the upper part of her left arm Ron makes a sound that would make someone think he is the one with the injury. "Really"
"It's not a pretty sight," he tells her without the least bit of embarrassment.
"Then don't look."
"Sort of hard not to."
Ginny looks to Hermione, who is studying the wound. "It's a wonder you've not done away with him yet."
"You lived with him far longer than I have."
"Yet." The two women look at Ron. "Ginny lived with me longer than you have YET."
They roll their eyes at him and Hermione says to Ginny, "It's looking good."
Harry speaks for the first time since Ginny began taking off the bandage. "Next time you get injured by a curse that's going to leave a scar, be sure to get it in an interesting shape."
Ginny looks at the location of the wound. "Lightening shaped scars is your thing so heart shaped perhaps? With the children's initials inside? Speaking of children, we should gather them up."
A few minutes later the four adults and five children leave the Potters' to walk to a somewhat new restaurant. It's a family restaurant that's so child friendly the walls are chalkboards and children are given colored chalk for drawing. As they walk Ron glances again at Ginny's arm, now with a fresh bandage. "I still can't believe I missed out on the Order's meeting and didn't get called from Hogsmeade."
Harry reminds, "I didn't get called from the train."
To which Ginny adds her own reminder. "No one on the train was called," and then to Ron, "Only some were called away from Hogsmeade."
This causes Ron to grumble, "But I didn't even know why I was patrolling Hogsmeade other than Hogwarts had dismissed for the term." He looks accusingly at Hermione.
"I can't help it that you got in from your own meeting so late that I was asleep and you chose not to wake me." Ron withers a tiny bit from her hard glare in return.
"I didn't know to wake you because I didn't know there was an Order meeting."
Harry chimes in, "At least you weren't stuck on the train. If anyone should have been at Diagon Alley it was me."
Ginny sighs. This is not the first time she - they- have heard this from him. "No one knew if anything would happen and if something were to take place, no one knew in what location. It could just as well have been the train." Ginny had only been there by chance to get a few errands done without Jamie, Albus, and Lily in tow.
The three older kids had run ahead but now Jamie slows and jogs back towards aunt, uncle, and parents. "Hurry up! We're faint from hunger."
His phrasing has the adults laughing and quickening their pace, talk of the attack on Diagon Alley set aside as Ginny tells Ron and Hermione how not yet six year old Jamie knows the expression faint from hunger.
Protection
Author: Nathaniel Ross
Date: 07-27-18 11:28
"We have chosen a really bad time to become parents," Nate told Jenny tossing the Daily Prophet away. There was a new article on the Diagon Alley attack, and also a chronicle about some witches and wizards around the United Kingdom who had claimed to have spotted Voldemort the days after it. A witch in Surrey declared she had seen the Dark Lord on her backyard picking apples, while a wizard from Newcastle truly believed Voldemort lived a double life, and was also Muggle actor, called Ralph Fiennes. An old witch living in Glasgow said she had seen Voldemort in the local swimming pool, while a group of wizards who met each Saturday for friendly Quidditch matches swore that the Dark Lord had watched their game with interest, hidden behind some bushes.
Nate and Jenny had been completely oblivious to the attack. Jenny went in labor a few hours before it all happened. Nate took his wife to St. Mungo's after quickly putting his mother in charge of Francis. He was forced to wait in the waiting room. Tim and his in laws joined him. He was happy and nervous at the same, and he was so focus on this moment that he did not notice the unusual flux of people entering the hospital.
Finally he was called inside and was informed that Jenny was well and she had given birth to a healthy boy. Only later Nate learned about the attack. He felt a bit guilty that while this day became very special to him and his family, it had not been a happy day to the English wizarding world.
"We just have to be careful. Avoid crowded places and secure the inn," Jenny replied.
Nate thought Jenny was less fearful than him regarding this situation. She thought that if they kept a low profile nothing would harm them. But Nate had lost his father when the Death Eaters had attacked the Ministry of Magic. It was supposed to be one of the most secure places in the country and yet many people had perished that day.
"We are both purebloods. So are our children. We will be fine," she continued.
"We don't know who Francis' real father is. He might be a Muggle."
"He isn't," Jenny declared. Nate didn't push the subject. Instead he went to check the two boys who shared the same crib.
Francis was a restless baby. He was not easy to fed, and he struggled to sleep. His brother was quite the contrary. Nolan Enoch Ross came to the world with a soft cry. He had Jenny's blonde hair and Nate's brown eyes. Nolan had a soothing effect over Francis, who would fall asleep quicker if closer to Nolan. It was still too soon to establish any sort of personality for the two babies but for now it was clear to Nate that Francis was going to be the trouble maker and Nolan the quiet one. He smiled as Jenny joined him in contemplation of the two sleeping babies. Nate place his arm around her waist and she leaned her head over his shoulder.
"Look at them, so little..." she said with pride. "If someone dares to try and arm them, they will not live to tell the tale."
"We'll protect them," Nate added.
He thought about his own father and how he died for him. At the time Nate didn't understand why Archibald didn't run for safety and bravely stalled the Death Eaters. Now he would do the same for Nolan and Francis. However, with Nolan's arrival Nate had to admit the he if he had to choose he would choose his own blood. Later in life he would not distinguish Francis from his other children but for now he was still adjusting to all this.
(Anthony) Frustrated
Author: Beck
Date: 07-27-18 17:55
"This is unacceptable!"
Anthony banged his fist down on the desk and stared at Connor MacRoth, who regarded him calmly. Connor rose to his feet, leaned over his desk, and stated in a low tone. "Perhaps you should request personal time."
"I'm not taking off while my sister is missing," Anthony replied through gritted teeth.
"You can't be on her case because you're family," Connor reminded him.
"I know that," Anthony bit out, "and I'm not asking to help look for her. I'm asking you, as a co-worker, to tell me if you uncovered any leads."
Connor exhaled and sank down into his chair, indicating for Anthony to do the same. "Unfortunately, strong spells prevent my source from revealing Death Eater secrets. His last attempt nearly killed him." Before Anthony could retort, Connor quickly added, "The good news is, he just regained consciousness. A team of healers and curse breakers have been working with him to unravel the spells placed on him. With any luck, one of them will make a breakthrough, and then we'll know where the Death Eaters are headquartered."
He leaned forward and said, "Look. I know this isn't what you want to hear, and I know––I know––that time is of the essence, but you have to be patient. You know how this works."
Anthony knew all too well. He knew that the chances of Alanna still being alive were slim to none. At this point, he just wanted to locate her body. Finding her alive would be a bonus.
He thought back to the first of July, when the madness in Diagon Alley took place. He had been sent to patrol Nimbus Arena during a professional Quidditch match. Anthony had found the assignment a bit unusual but hadn't minded, as the match had been quite good and between teams he followed.
It was only later that Anthony learned about what happened. Word had reached him from his grandfather, who with the assistance of a witch named Paris, were trying to reach out to relatives of the children Alanna had rescued from the daycare. Fortunately, Karina and Adam had made it home safely too, though Ariella had only made it back after going mad scouring the damaged building for her kids. Upon realizing that they might have escaped, she went home and felt enormous relief upon finding them there.
Alanna, however, never made it home. Paris described Alanna's heroism from when she first took charge in the daycare to the moment she last saw her, when Alanna was left facing the Death Eaters while Paris and Karina flooed to the house in Manchester. It seemed unlikely that she had survived, but then there was no body. Ariella hadn't seen one in her desperation to find Karina and Adam, and Anthony hadn't either when he promptly went to the scene to look for Alanna.
Later, they learned that witnesses had seen a Death Eater carrying Alanna's body away. Anthony liked to believe that she'd merely been unconscious, because it made little sense for her to be of any worth to them if she were already dead. He didn't want to think about the torture she was enduring, though, assuming she hadn't died by now.
He let out an exasperated sigh and got up. "Thanks. Sorry. I'm going to call it a night."
Connor said, "I promise I'll keep you in the loop, Anthony."
Anthony gave a backwards wave as he walked away.
I Don't Care
Author: Jared
Date: 07-28-18 19:48
Julietta walks into the Wynbourne kitchen, dropping into a chair at the table. As she reaches down to pick up the dancing Star at her feet she announces, "It's been a strange, busy day."
Abigail turns from the stove. "Regretting changing from nursing?"
"No, especially not after seeing what some of the nurses put up with. I did get signed up for those courses I told you about."
"So you'll be even busier."
"Yes, but temporarily."
Mother, daughter, and dog turn to look at the backdoor opens with Jared loudly proclaiming, "I told you I don't care!"
Following his son inside, Gawain's tone is patient, low, and well modulated. "So you have said. Repeatedly."
"Well, it's true. I don't."
Etta doesn't have to ask to know what they're talking about. She murmurs, "Say it enough and you just might convince yourself."
Jared whirls to give his sister a stony glare. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Saying you don't care doesn't make it true. We all know you've been angry with Alanna, hurt by her, and maybe even truly dislike her but that doesn't mean you ever stopped loving her."
He slams his fist down on the table hard enough that Star in Etta's lap gives a yelp and burrows in as close to Etta as she can. Etta, Abigail, and Gawain tense, expecting the fist slamming to be followed by shouted outrage. Instead, he spins back around and clomping past Gawain to the door he jerks it open. Once in the yard Jared disapparates.
Sighing sadly, Gawain moves to ease the door shut. Etta states matter-of-factly, "Yep, still loves her," earning her a rap on the head from her mother who turns back to the stove saying mournfully, "I just wanted to have a nice family meal."