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Finally Married
Author: Emerald Green
Date: 08-13-18 20:03
Olive leans into Zuberi. "Who do you think won the pool?"
"I'd say either Uncle Woody or Dosie. You?"
"Phin."
"When I found out they were making bets on when the wedding actually would be I sort of wanted to keep changing the date just to mess with them."
Olive lightly laughs. "Me too!"
A half hour ago Zuberi and Olive had officially become husband and wife. The reception following the afternoon wedding is taking place in Blythe and Woody Greene's garden. As they take a turn around the dance floor Zuberi catches a glimpse of Jade and longtime boyfriend Baron whirling the opposite direction on the dance floor. "You think Jade and Baron will get married sooner rather than later?"
"I have no idea. I think Baron would like to but Jade doesn't act like she's in any hurry."
They slow as the song ends and Uncle Woody taps Zuberi on the shoulder. "Mind if I cut in?"
Olive smiles warmly at him as Zuberi goes to ask Aunt Blythe to dance. "I'm going to consider this a sort of father-daughter dance."
"I'm honored you think of me as a father figure."
"We all do. For the twins, you've been a father to them longer than Dad was. It won't be long before I will be able to say the same of you."
"You know that Blythe and I had wanted children but we weren't able, then your parents died and you four needed us. I have loved being your father substitute though I hate the circumstances that brought you to us."
"If Mom and Dad hadn't died, would you have adopted?"
"Yes, most likely."
"You have been a wonderful father to us so I know you would have been a great father to any child you might have adopted. I wish Mom and Dad were still with us and you and Blythe had a houseful of adopted children but that would also mean we might never have learned we even have an Aunt Blythe and an Uncle Woody. Might not even know a wizaring world exists."
"Hiding your wizarding backgrounds might have become more and more difficult so it's possible you would have ended up at one of the American schools."
"Difficult but not impossible. Professor Miller at Hogwarts didn't know about the wizarding world until he was an adult. He had to play catch-up."
"What I know of Aaron Miller, he did a darned good job of catching up."
"You're hogging the bride," Hunter tells Woody, coming up to see if he can get in a dance. Woody grins, stepping back to allow Hunter to dance with Olive only to have Hunter asks, "Do you want a break first?"
"I'm good," she says with a shake of her head, holding her arms in positions for Hunter to step closer so they can begin dancing.
Once in motion he says, "Thanks for the ballroom dancing lessons."
"They were fun I think. I'm glad everyone wanted to join us in taking them."
They talk more about the ballroom dancing lessons and about the reception food, which is being served buffet style so anyone wanting to eat could do so even as the music and dancing started up. When the current song ends Olive dances again with Zuberi and then they take a break to cut the cake before heading back to the dance floor, Olive thinking she may soon change from her dress isn't something more comfortable for dancing the rest of the day away, glad they decided to go with a live band.
Coordinating with Wilhelmina
Author: Illyria
Date: 08-15-18 18:34
"All of my lessons are organized by year in these filing cabinets," Illyria said, pulling open one of the drawers to reveal the bulging file folders within. "There are extra star charts here in case a student runs out or forgot to buy them," she added, pointing out the supplies. "Also," she began but was interrupted.
"This is not my first rodeo, as they say," Professor Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank stated. "You don't have to worry, Illyria. Your students, your classroom, and your office will be in good hands while you are away."
Illyria smiled and said, "I know. I just want to make sure I tell you everything before my maternity leave starts."
Illyria's second child was due at the very beginning of September. She thought it likely that she would be present at the Start of Term Feast and maybe a day or two beyond the first of the month, but then she'd likely go out on leave. Wilhelmina would probably fill in for the bulk of Fall Term.
Ian was very excited about being a big brother, and though Illyria and Nathan knew what they were having, they hadn't shared the news with anyone else, not even their first born.
"Is there anything else you think I should know?" Wilhelmina asked.
Illyria thought for a moment, then shook her head and said, "No, I suppose not."
They wandered over to a pair of chairs to sit and shoot the breeze for a bit. They discussed how Illyria's pregnancy was going, what cravings she had (nougat and more nougat), and if she'd known anyone who'd been in Diagon Alley during the Death Eater attack. Fortunately, none of Illyria's relatives or friends had been present, though she'd heard that several Hogwarts professors had shown up to help. Sadly, one of her former students was missing and presumed dead.
After the conversation fizzled out, Wilhelmina departed with a promise to check in again prior to the start of term to learn of any additional things Illyria might have forgotten to share with her today. She would be in attendance during the feast, whether Illyria was already on leave or not, so they'd see each other then, too.
They said goodbye and parted ways. Illyria went outside, where she knew she would find Nathan and Ian lounging by the lake on this beautiful summer day.
Lunch With A Friend (Daniel)
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 08-16-18 18:24
Spotting Marjani at a table by the window Daniel hurries through the Thai restaurant's door. Without stopping he nods at the person who greets him, continuing on to the window table. "Sorry I'm a little late," he says as he reaches for a chair.
Having looked up from the menu Marjani smiles. "I only got here myself. A meeting ran over."
"Any word from Zuberi and Olive?" Daniel had been at the wedding and reception, which is where he had asked Marjani for a lunch get together.
"Only that they arrived safely. I'm not expecting anything more. I'm thinking of getting the crispy chicken salad."
"I'll probably get the Kaeng Karii," he says of the yellow curry with beef and potatoes dish that he gets probably 75% of the time he comes here. "Where did they go for honeymoon? I never heard."
"Japan, mostly Tokyo but they'll hit some other places as well. You know Olive still worries that you've not truly forgiven her or Jill."
"I have. It took me awhile to get over my anger even though I'd told me well before that that I forgave them."
"You did have some anger. I didn't know you had that much in you," Marjani recalls.
"I thought I was in love. I WAS in love."
"But not now?"
"I'm over Iris. That took awhile as well. I still loved her when she not only quickly moved on but got married. Feelings changed when she came to see me and said she knew I loved her and we should continue our relationship. We'd had fun together so why not start up again? No prenup required for an affair."
"Wow."
"I know, right? I asked Iris if she'd ever loved me. She said she'd always liked me. Like me but loved the money."
"She said that?"
"Not outright but with everything that happened I inferred it. Olive and Jill did me a favor. Even if Iris had agreed to signing the prenuptial agreement I'd had drawn up, I have no doubt she would have been running around behind my back soon after the wedding. Iris is getting a divorce, you know?"
Marjani shakes her head. "I hadn't heard."
"She's trying to take him for everything he has, which is a lot. She'll probably get a bundle but as he caught her cheating he has a case for not having to pay her anything in settlement. Bah, but enough about Iris. Are you seeing anyone?"
Marjani shakes her head again. "No one serious. There are a few I see from time to time but never two weeks in a row. What about you?"
"I date here and there but not often these days."
As their food arrives Daniel wonders if Marjani would be interested in going on an actual date with him. Or could he consider this lunch an actual date? Probably not, he concludes as she doesn't know to think of it as a date rather than two friends having lunch.
Maybe he'll ask her. But maybe after they eat so if she says no and things get awkward he has a reason to quickly escape the situation.
Location Unknown: Beatrix Gets a Surprise
Author: Griet
Date: 08-16-18 18:29
Beatrix followed Rowan up a path leading to a cozy-looking cottage. She had no idea where they were or why they'd taken such a round-about way to get there. First, they'd met at Westwick Grove. Then, they'd gone to the Ministry of Magic. From there, they'd gone to an office in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, from which they'd used a portkey to reach their present location. All Beatrix knew was that Rowan was being extremely secretive.
"When are you going to tell me where we are and what exactly we're doing here?" Beatrix asked.
Rowan didn't answer. Instead, she got out her wand and tapped on the front door in an obvious sequence.
Beatrix watched the whole procedure with eyebrows raised and wondered if her best friend had lost her mind.
Then, the door opened, revealing the older wizard Beatrix had seen Rowan with at The Three Broomsticks earlier in the summer. He stepped aside to allow Rowan over the threshold and then opened his mouth to greet Beatrix, but before he could do that she whirled on Rowan with an accusatory finger pointed her way.
"A-ha!" she exclaimed. "You are carrying on a secret affair with an older man and this must be your love nest!"
Rowan turned pink and stammered, "You've got it all wrong."
"No, no, I get it. You should be an old, forty-something dating an equally old forty-something, and Lon's really just a boy, isn't he? But Rowan, you're in the body of a twenty-year-old. You shouldn't be dating an old man."
"Beatrix," Rowan began, finding it difficult to meet Connor's eyes. He, meanwhile, was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest, looking very amused.
"I'm really surprised at you, Rowan," Beatrix said, shaking her head. "I know Lon was juvenile, but you broke his heart."
"Beatrix," Rowan stressed, "stop talking about what you don't know. I brought you here for a very reason you broke Pablo's heart."
Beatrix's gaze went from disbelieving to total shock, and her face paled in an instant. "What?"
"Beatrix."
She turned her head to the new voice calling her name and saw Ash leaning in the doorway of an adjacent room, wearing a bathrobe over pajamas. He looked ashen and extremely weak on his feet, but he was alive, and Beatrix had thought she would never, ever see him again.
Shopping and Selling
Author: Ellis
Date: 08-17-18 07:51
Blakeney had been tasked with taking her younger siblings to Diagon Alley to pick up school supplies. At first, her parents had not wanted any of their children to go to the most recent scene of an attack, especially without adult supervision. The plan instead was to owl order everything. Blakeney could be very convincing when she wanted to be, however, and had stressed the importance of taking Franklin to Diagon Alley for his first Hogwarts school supply shopping experience.
Her parents relented in the end but gave very strict guidelines for the shopping trip, most importantly, the five children were to stay together at all times.
The five flooed to The Leaky Cauldron from their home and tapped on the bricks to enter Diagon Alley. Blakeney, who styled herself an expert shopper and bargain hunter, had all of the school shopping lists on her person. They were marked in her own hand, to make the most of their time.
For the most part, the only new supplies the older Ellis kids needed were books and used up items like parchment and ink. Conrad had also grown some since last year and needed new robes and pants. Franklin, being a new student to Hogwarts, needed everything he couldn't get as a hand-me-down from his older siblings.
They started out at The Cauldron Shoppe and then went to Slug & Jiggers. After that, they visited Scribbulus Everchanging Inks, Flourish & Blotts, and Madam Malkin's, where they spent a considerable amount of time waiting for Conrad and Franklin to be fitted for new robes. They made several more stops to pick up necessary supplies and Franklin's new wand––beech, dragon heartstring, 10 1/4"––before turning back and stepping into Eeylops Owl Emporium.
Franklin had been promised a new pet for when he started at Hogwarts. Unlike his elder siblings, who all had cats, he had decided to get an owl. Owls were wise and practical, just like Franklin thought himself to be. He spent a long time looking at the various owls for sale and ended up choosing a Buff-fronted owl from Africa. It was small and colorful and regarded him with great intelligence. Franklin decided to name it Alvis.
While Blakeney, Conrad, Daphne, Emily, and Franklin were in Diagon Alley, Alys was in Hogsmeade working at Dominic Maestro's. She had yet to get everything off of her own school supply list, but she'd picked up a few things here and there, particularly the items available for purchase in the village.
Alys loved her job. She didn't realize how much she liked music before working in the shoppe. Yes, she'd taken up the hardanger fiddle and joined the orchestra at Hogwarts, and she had enjoyed those things very much, but this was somehow different. She got to handle all sorts of instruments and learn how they worked. She also met interesting people, including some famous musicians!
She was taking inventory of small percussion instruments when Asher Kent entered the shoppe. She'd seen him there in recent weeks. He'd bought a guitar, various accessories and sheet music. Alys turned to greet him and asked, "What can I do for you today?"
"I'm actually looking for information on where to get some private lessons," he said.
Alys led him over to a bulletin board in the shoppe, which had postings for private instructors as well as some of the lessons offered right there at the shoppe. There were also flyers for music performances. She noticed one for Emrys Fest still on the board and took it down, since it had already passed.
"Guitar, right?" Alys asked, making conversation even though she knew that's the instrument he had recently taken up.
"Yeah."
She tore off a tag with contact information for a guitar instructor and handed it to Asher. "He's good. He teaches here but will also make home visits."
"Thanks," Asher said.
Alys smiled. "I've learned a little myself. It's not that different from the fiddle, really and truly."
"Good to know. Maybe I'll ask for your help when term resumes."
Alys felt weirdly flattered by the suggestion. "Sure," she said, hoping she looked more casual than she felt. He departed then, and Alys went back to her inventory list.
Rash Behavior
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 08-18-18 08:06
Lysander busied himself with stocking the window display with back-to-school-themed books, from titles about staying focused, keeping up with homework, and writing essays, to some of the required textbooks for Hogwarts students. He couldn't believe that another school year was just weeks away; Charlotte would be entering her second year, and Grace her fourth! Before he knew it, Dylan and August would be in school, too.
While he worked, Lysander's mind wandered away from the upcoming start of term to the thing that had been on his mind ever since the Khalid Adallah and now Voldemort lookalikes had surfaced. He knew it was impossible to bring somebody back from the dead; that was, to bring somebody back as they'd been in their previous life. Inferi were reanimated corpses, after all. So, this Khalid double and supposed Voldemort clone had to be fakes. And yet, Lysander couldn't help but think about resurrection.
He had failed in bringing Chyler back to life. He knew that was because it couldn't be done, but a part of him felt tortured for being so inadequate as to not manage what it looked like others had achieved. It was irrational thinking, of course, and yet, Lysander couldn't help it. He would give anything to have Chyler back and to make up for all the years they'd lost together.
Lysander arranged a few book stands and started to reach for the top book in a stack he'd carried over for the display, when he spotted the Khalid Adallah look-alike through the window. He immediately scrambled out of the window and exited the book store, following after the wizard at a fast clip.
"Hey!" he shouted, to get the man's attention, but the man ignored him and kept walking at a rather speedy pace himself.
"Hey! Stop!" Lysander called out, and then he ran and shoved at the man just as they were reaching the junction where High Street and the alley leading to The Hog's Head met. The man whirled around to gain his bearings and found himself pushed up against the side of the pub. Lysander had one hand around the man's neck and his wand pointed at the man's cheek with the other.
"What is the meaning of this!" the wizard exclaimed in a Middle Eastern-sounding accent. "Unhand me!"
Lysander noticed up close that this man really wasn't Khalid Adallah, though he did look like a younger version of him. He released him the same time a law enforcement officer patrolling Hogsmeade jogged over with his wand out, shouting, "Back away!"
Lysander stepped away and made a great show of putting away his wand.
"Sorry, Officer Tweed," Lysander began. "This is just a case of mistaken identity. I thought he was someone else."
The man who looked so much like Khalid Adallah brushed invisible dust off his person and looked affronted. "Tell me, friend. What would you have done, had I been the person you suspected I was?" His tone was sarcastic.
"I thought you were a wanted criminal," Lysander replied with all honesty. "I'd have turned you over to the officer here. Sorry," he added, though he didn't really feel all that sorry.
"I know who you are," Officer Tweed stated, having interviewed Lysander during a past murder investigation, "so I don't need to see any identification, but I'd like to see yours," he said to the newcomer.
The younger man looked offended. "Is this how foreigners are treated in this country?" He produced the wizarding version of an Egyptian passport.
Officer Tweed took it from the man and murmured, "These are dark times, Mr…. Adallah. It is necessary to exercise a measure of caution."
Lysander's hackles were raised. "Excuse me… did you say Mr. Adallah?"
Mr. Adallah took back his passport and said, "Yes. It's a common name in Cairo. Do you know another?"
"I did," Lysander said. He hesitated and then extended his hand. "I'm sorry for manhandling you earlier. My name is Lysander Stratford. I own the second hand bookshoppe a few doors down."
The wizard stared at his hand for a moment and then accepted it. "Qadir Adallah. I'm in the import/export business and have visited your village a few times for my work."
Lysander wanted to so badly ask how Qadir was related to Khalid, because he knew they must be since the resemblance was so striking, but he decided to let it be for now. Instead, he turned to Officer Tweed and asked, "Can I go?"
Officer Tweed waved his hand and said, "Don't assault any other visitors, or I may have to take you in."
Lysander nodded to Tweed, then to Adallah, and then went to the bookshoppe. He couldn't wait to tell Weasley what he'd just learned.
School Shopping
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 08-18-18 20:03
Bambi Hodfuffer consults the school supply list that came with Amethyst's Hogwarts letter looking up just long enough to say, "If you don't stop playing with that I'm putting it in my bag."
Amethyst rolls her eyes, "Muu-uum," but complies, tucking the new wand away in its box. Eyeing a cat being walked on a harness and leash she swivels to face her mother. "Can we go to Hogsmeade today and get my cat?"
"I want to get your ink, quills, and parchment at Scrivenschaft's so probably." Bambi looks up from the list. "We're near Madam Malkin's so let's get you fitted for robes."
Ready to go to Hogsmeade and pick out a cat Amethyst sighs, "I don't see why when we don't know yet what house I'll get."
"You know good and well that house accessories are easily added later."
Entering Madam Malkin's they run into Glyn Brecknock and her children Joe, Myra, and Glyn. Bambi smiles at her sister-in-law. "Too bad I didn't know we were both school shopping today."
Glyn grins. "If I'd known you were coming I would have been tempted to let you bring Joe and save me the effort."
"That bad?"
"Glyn and Myra keep finding things they want and insist I buy. When I point out they too are getting school items they whine that Joe is getting things they aren't, like a cauldron and a wand. Joe, on the other hand, just wants to go home, complaining constantly about being bored."
"I'd have thought he'd be excited at being one step closer to finally going to Hogwarts."
At 12 Joe is older than the other incoming first years. A year ago in the spring he'd become ill. The illness turned out to be something of a mystery that stumped both wizarding healers and muggle doctors before one wizarding healer stumbled onto the fact that Joe had a virus similar in pathology to dragon pox but without the green and purple rash or the sneezing sparks. While the virus thankfully so far hasn't been spread and also thankfully does not appear to be lethal, without a remedy, even after months Joe's immune system was not able to rid him of it.
Glyn's lips pucker and she rolls her eyes. "Joe says he's above such childishness as being excited about attending school."
"He keeps talking like that he'll be Ravenclaw for sure."
"He insists that he is un-Sortable. A new house will have to be created just for him."
"Now that sounds like Amethyst. She prefers the green of Slytherin or the blue of Ravenclaw but wants a mascot more like the Gryffindor lion because, 'Snakes ugg, and it's a raven not something lovely like a cardinal or hummingbird. But at least those aren't a pudgy old badger like Hufflepuff."
Glyn laughs. "I think Joe will be Hufflepuff. When not being in his I'm too cool for school mode he's so nice to everyone and everything. Basil insists either Ravenclaw or Gryffindor."
"From what I know of people from each of the houses I'd say Amethyst is likely to be in Slytherin but Lars insists she'll be Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff."
They turn when Myra loudly says, "MUM, AUNT BAMBI, YOU ARE BLOCKING THE DOOR!"
The two women, embarrassed at not having thought to move out of the doorway, apologize, hastily moving aside. Bambi turns to tell Amethyst to get in the short line to be measured for robes only to have Amethyst tell her, "Already done, Mum."
"What's already done?"
"I already got in line, already got measured, and am done. You just have to pay and say whether we'll be back or to owl the robes."
"Oh. That was fast."
"Not very. You and Aunt Glyn talked forever."
"Don't exaggerate."
As this exchange is taking place Glyn is saying to her three, "We need writing supplies and parchment, then I believe we are finished."
"And a kitten," Joe says.
"Maybe."
"Yes. It says on that letter."
"What's written is that a student may have one not that it's required."
"I'm getting a cat," Amethyst interjects.
"If she gets one why can't I?"
"We'll go look. Still only a maybe though."
"We're going to Hogsmeade for mine. MacFusty's."
"And to Scrivenshaft's," Bambi reminds.
"We'll go with. We can get Joe's writing supplies there as well as here."
"And go to MacFusty's," Glyn's miniature namesake adds hopefully. Little Glyn wouldn't mind getting a kitten. If Joe is getting one then surely Myra and she can get one each as well, or even one to share. Share for now anyway. Give her a little time and little Glyn is sure she can convince one of her grandparents to gift her a kitten for Christmas if Mum won't let her get one today.
The two women and four children walk to The Leaky Cauldron to Floo to the Crown & Cauldron in Hogsmeade, Amethyst, Joe, Myra, and little Glyn calling out hurried hellos to Aunt Furnie as they rush by her to get out the door and get to MacFusty's before their mothers can insist on going first to Schrivenshaft's.
Busy Summer
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 08-19-18 08:40
In between closing out the previous school year, prepping for the new one, and spending time with those he held dear, Ethan involved himself in consulting with the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Magic. The Auror Office was busy determining the identities of the Death Eaters involved in the July 1st attack on Diagon Alley. Lists of previously known Death Eaters, newly identified ones, and potential members were compared and contrasted at length.
Ethan knew without a doubt that his father Dorian Somerset was a Death Eater now, having been cursed by the wizard during the attack. Ethan couldn't shake the image of his dad in black robes and a silver mask, intentionally causing him harm. Unfortunately, Dorian and the rest of the Death Eaters, including the mysterious Voldemort double, had escaped capture. It would have given Ethan great satisfaction to put his father behind bars again.
Following the attack, Ethan had gone to St. Mungo's for a check-up. The Cruciatus Curse cast by his father's own hand had done a number on his innards, but the healers did not observe any serious damage and advised him that he'd feel a bit sore for a few days. Ethan was released after a couple of hours.
In the time since that fateful day, Ethan aided in several interrogations. He and Tonks went to Azkaban to talk to Robert Blackheart. Blackheart did not know about the attack and admitted nothing about Voldemort. Only later under veritaserum did he claim that Voldemort himself gave him his Dark Mark.
Ethan, Tonks, and the other investigators weren't sure what to make of that. Either someone was posing very convincingly as Voldemort back from the dead for Blackheart to make the statement while under the effects of a truth serum, or Voldemort really was back, and whatever protective spells that had prevented Kingsley Shacklebolt's mole from speaking about it were now lifted.
In addition to Blackheart, Ethan and Tonks talked to the other known Death Eaters currently serving time in Azkaban, including Antonin Dolohov, Walden Macnair, and the elder Theodore Nott, among others. They also talked to Voldemort Loyalists, especially those connected with Project 25, who might still have some connection to Ethan's father. Most could not speak to the attack or Voldemort's alleged return because they'd been imprisoned for too long and had received little information from the outside world.
At the same time the imprisoned dark wizards were being interrogated about what they might know about the current state of the Death Eaters, those set free over the years and cleared of all charges were under secret surveillance, if their locations were known. As of yet, there'd been no decision to bring them in for questioning, though there was reasonable suspicion in the majority of cases.
Since the attack, Ethan also met regularly with the former members of Project 25. Many of the group wondered if their adoptive relatives were Death Eaters now, like Ethan's father Dorian. Ethan wished he could confirm it one way or another, but he had no proof. The discussion of Voldemort's return also came up and put fear in their hearts. What if Voldemort decided to resurrect Project 25? Were they at risk of going dark again, or would he start anew? Ethan had no answers but advised everyone to immediately report anything out of the ordinary.
In all honesty, Ethan felt a bit nervous himself. Voldemort had wanted him dead for nearly single-handedly derailing Project 25 all those years ago. Dorian wanted him dead for accidentally killing Maren Somerset. It would be one thing if he were single without family or close friends, but Ethan worried about the Towneleys, Lilly, Briar, and Grace. Surely the Death Eaters had bigger fish to fry for now, but Ethan knew that he had to remain vigilant. After all, he was an enemy to the Death Eaters.