ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ ᴡɪᴛʜ ғɪʀᴇ

The Leaky Cauldron felt dull. The news of Amycus’ death had spread so quickly, like a wildfire throughout the wizarding community, that when Marlowe had heard she wasn’t sure if she’d fully processed. Now that she had, now that the thought had sunk into her brain that Amycus wasn’t here, everything felt wrong. Numb. Colors weren’t as bright, even fire didn’t feel as warm. As she sat at the bar, Marlowe was wondering what kind of war she’d really returned to, and her thoughts of the Order were growing less and less high. However, she almost slunk down in her chair when she saw Alecto Carrow angrily grabbing a bottle and stalking through the crowd. Maybe it was the Hufflepuff in her (or the alcohol), but Marlowe was out of her seat, forcing her way through the crowd to Alecto. “You want something stronger?” she asked, offering her own bottle, not even sure why she wanted to help her. But, she’d just lost a brother. Her twin. Marlowe’s heart broke at the thought of losing either Gideon or Fabian to begin with. But this was Amycus they were upset about. Maybe the two could bond after all. Too late, of course. The thought made her choke back a sob.

Never in her life had she been on the same page as Marlowe Prewett.  In all fairness, she’d never given the girl much of a chance.  Seeing her as some goody-two-shoes, little miss perfect who both she and her brother were better off knowing.  Of course, most of it had to do with her relationship with the other twin.  Thick as thieves her and Amycus had always been, but it was Marlowe she feared who’d tear them apart.  The redhead was just too different, at least that was what she told herself.  Admitting to jealousy? That seemed pointless, even in simply admitting the fact to herself.  Although it was the truth, she was just that; jealous.  Amycus had someone he wished to see at the end of the night, yet where was she?  Alone, with no one to call her own.  At least before Marlowe stepped into the picture they were alone together. Just another instance of Amycus having it all while she was left with nothing.  She didn’t typically resent her brother for it, groomed to believe he was better than she, but there were the moments it all set in.  Amycus, the better twin, the twin who mattered  --  “I need a lot of things, Marlowe.” she sighed heavily.  Her tone, however, not quite up to par with its typical sprouts of annoyance. “What’s it to you?  I’m sure you wish it was me instead of him too.  We don’t have to pretend.”

Evan had always thought that the Carrow twins - well, it was just Alecto now - were more trouble than worth. They might have had their moments but they were unpredictable in a way that was dangerous to the cause. It was Amycus’ carelessness that had gotten them in this mess in the first place though he did smile at the thought of how it had ended for him. Amycus had gotten what he deserved and perhaps now that he was gone, he wouldn’t hold Alecto back anymore. She certainly had more potential than her brother had. He had been sitting alone, nursing a drink at the Leaky Cauldron when he observed her grab the bottle. Evan quickly finished off her drink, making his way towards her. “Well, this is one way to mourn,” he said, raising an eyebrow. 

A scoff fell off lips sticky with priceless whiskey.  Rearing around to face a curious Evan.  Evan who secretly intimidated.  Deeper roots with the Death Eaters, did he know she’d only joined of her brother’s accord?  Did he think her weak?  --  Questions that beat against the shore of her mind of the many, of the more deeply involved.  “Want to judge me, Evan?  I just lost my brother, not that I need to justify my actions to you.  You already know that, don’t you?  And unless you’ve the details on what exactly happened, who I should blame for all this, I’m not in the mood for a lecture.  I’ll mourn how I please.”

people dying was such a strange concept to cadmus. it happened more and more frequently, but it didn’t affect him in any way, not really. it was just a part of life and he couldn’t care less for those people. why would he? he didn’t know them. but then came the news of amycus and cadmus didn’t know what to make of it. the boy was someone he called his best mate, someone he without a doubt cared about. it just didn’t seem real. he couldn’t quite grasp the concept of his friend being gone, so the only logical way to deal with this issue was to get shitfaced drunk until cadmus could feel something. without giving it much thought, he walked into the leaky cauldron, ordering drink after drink until he eventually settled for a bottle. the burke was someone who enjoyed the nightlife more than he should, but this wasn’t a celebration. for the first time ever, he’d be drinking alone. that was until he spotted a familiar face arriving at the bar - alecto. she didn’t look too well and understandably so. the girl was the one who amycus’ death would hit the hardest. cadmus grabbed the bottle of scotch he’d been nursing all night and followed the older carrow twin. “alecto.” he called out in an attempt to get her attention. what was he supposed to say in a moment like this? i’m so sorry for your loss. how cliché. cadmus burke wasn’t the most empathetic person you could meet or one who could offer you sympathy. but both of them had lost someone important, so perhaps he could offer some comfort. “you look like you could use a drinking buddy.”

Death.  Never did Alecto imagine it would knock quite so harshly upon her door.  It all seemed like a dream until it wasn’t any longer.  Those she didn’t know, harsh as it were on her part, hardly mattered.  They were gone without so much as a passing thought, bypassing the belief that it could happen to someone close to her.  Only then would she assume the weight of the war they were dealing with.  Truthfully pleased to see a friendly face, she wouldn’t say it out loud, but she was glad to not be on her own.  “Cadmus.”  she responded, shifting through the small crowd his way.  Thank Merlin condolences wouldn’t be expressed, the thought was to avoid, not face, thus her soft smile remained genuine.  After all, she knew Amycus death would hit the other hard in its own way.  He’d been close to Amycus, a staple in her twin’s life let them drink to his memory.  “You’d be exactly right.  From the looks of it I’ve some catching up to do.”  She nodded towards the bottle he clung to.

Félix couldn’t help but stare. Of course, he knew who just waltzed into the Leaky Cauldron. Their names rarely mattered to him back when they were only Félix’s lower years but now he can’t get through the day without thinking about one of the two Carrows. And now, he just bumps into his twin in the Leaky Cauldron when all Félix wanted was to have a peaceful night alone. He wondered whether she already knew that her brother was still alive. They might have kept in touch. She was his twin after all. But the way she acted could almost convince him that she was mourning. Or at least going through something. Watching her was like watching a trainwreck that was bound to happen. Félix didn’t think he can turn away, even if the girl caught him.

Tough was the matter of heart versus head.  Her instincts told her he was still around, but the words of others said differently.  Alecto had always be unsure what to trust in scenarios as such.  Usually it was easy, usually she’d consult with Amycus and what he agreed with would be law.  Brother knew best, brother made it easy.  But brother was no more and she couldn’t help but feel lost.  At least the liquor would help, as it was poured down her throat, swallowed hard, ignoring its harsh sting.  “What do you want Felix?”  she grumbled, eyes rolling as she caught his looking her way.  They’d gone to school with one another, same year, same house.  Much like many of the others, she’d given him a chance to some surprise, but now was not the time.  “Going to shame me?  Judge me?  I’ll be honest, frankly, I don’t care.”

The Carrow twins were bad news. Amycus was a buffoon, even by Peter’s standards, and Alecto was… intimidating. She was beautiful, smart as a whip and could be colder than ice. Peter had always admired her… from afar. In fact, he couldn’t remember a time when the two of them were ever alone together, so this was sure to be an interesting conversation. “Hey now, I don’t like your accusatory tone, Carrow. I said someone set off some dungbombs. Could have been anyone really,” he bargained, throwing his hands up in a defensive gesture. The fact that he was the first out of the building was incriminating, but details. “Hey how’s your bro-” he cut himself off, foot in mouth. Dead. Her brother was dead… at least, that’s what Peter heard. Yeah, real smooth, Pettigrew. “Anyway, enter at your own risk, I guess.”

"Right after you’ve left the building?  Please.”  she shook her head, a tsk with the click of her tongue.  “It’s your reputation that makes you the guilty party.”  All four of those boys, with their knack for causing mischief, it followed them, in her eyes for years -- even beyond the halls of Hogwarts.  Hues widened for a single moment, a hitch finding her throat.  As certain as she was about him having something to do with those dungbombs, she was certain where his inquiry was heading before cut short.  Opting to ignore it, composure regained with a swallow of that lump.  “Not so fast, Pettigrew.  I said, I’m curious as to why.  Not going to give me an answer?  Suppose I should alert someone inside that I happened upon you suspiciously fleeing the scene.”

where: alecto’s place

Amycus’ death was as big a shock as any.   Ariadne had always reserved a fondness for him   -   though she never could figure out why   -   and the Carrows were childhood friends.   Amycus was as much a loss as any.   It’s why his sister was among the first stops Ariadne intended to make,   and after leaving Blaise under the trusted care of his nanny,   she does just that.   She’s greeted by a house elf who leads her to the room in which Alecto currently occupies,   eyes settling on her with a frown.   “   Alecto,   darling   -   I’m so…   sorry I wasn’t able to come sooner.   ”   The word’s are sincere,   if not a bit foreign leaving her lips.

@alceto​

The Carrow household was typically cold, but today’s chill hit harsher.  Holed up in her room, a room in absolute disarray.  She’d not let anyone inside since the news hit, since her father’d gone off, reminding her of just how little she was worth to them.  “I said I didn’t want to see anyone!”  she shouted upon hearing the door creak its way open, sitting up on the verge of an argument when she noticed who it was.  The family’s house elf closing the door to leave them to their privacy, she looked upon Ariadne, lip quivering.  Her eyes puffed, red, cheeks still with the mark of tears written upon.  Uncharacteristically disheveled, hesitant even in her own room to approach even one so close as Ariadne.  Weakness was never a thing she wished to show, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her sweater suddenly aware.  Then again . . . -  “I-  they said he’s gone, Aria.  Where do you think he went?”  Looking for reaffirmation, denial, something she wasn’t sure of.

DISNEY VILLIAN HEADCANONS

The Leaky Cauldron was one of Augustus’ more common haunts; a great place for some good company and an equally good place to melt away into the background. It wasn’t too often that he found any real desire to be alone, but everything had been so chaotic recently that a dark booth and a bottle of whiskey seemed to be just what the doctor ordered. But then Alecto came in like a tornado, and all thoughts of a quiet night alone went out the window, concern driving him out of his booth, emerging from the crowd to intercept her. “Diving right in, are we?” Augustus said, tone amused but not without sympathy. Although he found himself far more occupied with personal problems than with grief for their fallen member, it didn’t mean he was happy to see one of their numbers go. He’d always been closer to Alecto than her brother - which was saying something, considering he was friends with both - so it was an urge to comfort rather than a desire to share grief that drove him. “C’mon, sit with me. You can either tell me what’s wrong or we can get drunk together in silence, your choice.”

Thank Merlin for friendly faces.  Alecto might have broken down right then and there at Augustus, but she withheld the urge.  No more than a lip quiver to show of the weakness she felt.  If anyone understood, it was the Rookwoods.  Were anything to happen to Alessia, she’d be there in a second; only she were the one to feel the weight of loss tonight, the weight of a loss she wished deeply to ignore.  “I just- .  .  .”  trailing off she sighed, sympathetic eyes finding his as she’d swallow hard upon the lump in her throat.  Following his lead into the booth, taking up residence in the spot across, another sigh out, another swig swallowed.  Could she face it?  Could she talk.  “He’s supposedly gone, but I don’t feel like he is .  .  .  and maybe I’m crazy, maybe it’s wishful thinking  .  .  .  hell if I know.  If he really is gone, I don’t know what to do.  Who’s to say we’re not next?  He was my brother.  My best friend.”

The Leaky Cauldron wasn’t Remus’ favorite place to drink. The tavern reminded him just a little too much of childhood, of the days getting his Hogwarts supplies before a new term. But in times like this, it worked. In times where the war had hit too close to home. Harry was dead and the pain that had hit him, sharp as a dagger straight to the heart, hadn’t faded in the days since the news of this discovery. He’d punched a whole in has wall right after the Hog’s Head meeting and had ignored it since. His security deposit was the last thing on his mind. He’d spent more than his monthly budget allowed for alcohol but fuck it. Coming back from another fruitless mission for Dumbledore, he sat himself down at the Leaky Cauldron’s bar – pointedly ignoring the sticky residue on the counter – and ordered himself a drink. But he hadn’t been the only one with the idea to soothe his soul with liquor. Browns eyes locked onto the commotion Alecto caused as she stole the bottle right from behind the counter. “Dramatic,” he muttered under his breath.

WHO: Terror Twins™ ( @alceto​ )

WHAT: REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOD

WHEN: A few days after he was “killed”

WHERE: Knockturn Alley, outside of the Coffin House

The good thing about Knockturn Alley was that nearly every wizard was in dark robes, so nobody questioned a hooded figure moving between the shops. He saw his sister go into the Coffin House but he had to wait her out. He couldn’t risk going in and being seen by anyone else. Not yet. Not when there were still people who, apparently, thought he was dead. He still didn’t have any details about his supposed murder, but he knew that after everything that happened, there were definitely Death Eaters he’s prefer thought he was dead. Specifically, the ones he outed as Death Eaters to those Order wankers… not that he would miss any of them. He finally caught glimpse of blonde hair and stepped out of the dark alley way just enough to circle his fingers around her wrist. His other hand came up to cover her mouth and he pulled her back in one quick movement until they were covered by shadows. “Hey- Hey, it’s me. It’s me,” he said as he lowered let her go and reached into his robe to pull out his wand. He muttered a few charms that would keep them concealed in darkness and silence.

Maybe it was denial, it had to be denial  .  .  .  there'd been no sudden absence of him since the news made its rounds unto her.  Surely, she’d’ve felt something.  Surely, she’d’ve known.  Things were spoken of those who shared a womb, that as much was a type of connection incomparable. She dared not dwell on it for too long, avoiding their parents, the empty house, any type of realization.  Today was the first time she’d stepped into the Coffin House since she’d received the news.  A heavy heart, a lump in her throat ---  in and out within moments, just long enough to ensure that things were still in place before leaving once more with a fresh glimmer of tears stinging her eyes.  Locking the door when the grasp looped around her wrist.  Mouth agape on the verge of a scream, great .  .  .  they were after her too now?  Not without a fight, muffled grunts, an elbow to the ribcage, all before that voice was heard.  Her heart stilled, eyes swelled.  He was here.  Here and very much alive?  Her own arms wrapped suddenly around his shoulders, face burrowing into the curve of his neck, not doubts in her mind that it was really him.  “I- I don’t understand.”