seven wonders

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Laurel wasn’t quite sure why the healers were adament she didn’t leave yet, she would’ve thought the poison would be out of her system quickly as their were anti poison potions but here she still was. Probably because no one knew how it happened, not even the blonde herself, so they wanted to check over every possible thing about her. Though a small part of her was happy they kept her, still terrified to return to the Fountain with her sisters to finally see the entire damage. It helped that she still had a few visitors coming and going, kept her busy and away from her own depressive thoughts about facing reality.

 Glancing up from the book Constance had brought her, the Veela was surprised to see Augustus walk through the door. “Hey,” She gave him a small smile, eyes falling onto his gift of sweets and treats. “Thank you. I’m sure I’ll get to them at some point, but you didn’t have to do that.” Personally she thought it kind of funny that everyone was bringing her candy and chocolates, first Amos and now Augustus maybe she should start making room for all sorts of food when she got home. “How are you doing? Don’t tell me you were a patient here after the ball too..”

Augustus sighed with relief, Laurel was looking a little better from when he last saw her.  Gus hadn’t been around for the commotion but had caught a glance at Laurel before she was sent to St Mungos. Making his way further into the room, he found some free space, beside a few other cards on the table beside Laurel. “It’s nothing really, although I did find it hard to make up the basket without stealing a chocolate wand.” Augustus smiled softly. Shrugging when Laurel asked him how he was. “I was one of the lucky ones, escaped with a black eye and a few scratches.” Getting out somewhat unaffected wrecked him with guilt, especially as a majority of his friends remained in St Mungos. Sitting down on a chair opposite Laurel’s bed. “How are yo u doing? Are you feeling any better?” 

who : @laurel-linwood​

​With a basket of treats in his arms, Augustus Abbott returned to St Mungo’s a few days after the summer solstice ball. Longing to check on Laurel Linwood, one of his friend’s who had been poisoned. Augustus was fond of Laurel, after their first encounter at the Fountain of Fair Fortune. Where Laurel helped Augustus locate Edgar Bones during the March for Equality. Augustus thought it only polite to bring her a few treats to the Hospital Wing. Even if he did have to smuggle them in using an extendable bag charm. 

Perhaps it wasn’t the best idea for him to bring treats after Laurel’s poisoning but being confined to a hospital bed was already dreary. It was made even worse by stale bits of toast and overly milky tea.  Opening the door quietly, Gus smiled as he realised that he hadn’t disturbed Laurel from sleep. “Laurel, Hi.” He greeted, his voice quiet. “Got this for you, not too sure you’d be feeling up for it?” 

who : @celiabbott​

Everything happened so quickly, Augustus had barely been able to get his bearings in the ballroom before there was panic and suddenly he was at St Mungos. With nothing more than a black eye and a rip down the side of his trousers, as result of getting caught on a railing on the stampede exiting the East India House. He felt useless, defeated. Panicked at having not seeing anyone, he hadn’t caught a glimpse of his friends in hours. Saoirse, Edgar and Sybil were nowhere to be seen. Gus hadn’t seen Celia all evening? Had they all gotten out? Or were his friends lying somewhere injured whilst healers fawned over him in St Mungos for a simple black eye? 

Swatting away the attention of a healer, Gus shook his head. “I’m fine...thank you...but I’m fine.” There were people actually needing help. Augustus had already got lucky, he didn’t need to be taking up someone else’s bed. Taking to his feet, the adrenaline coursed through his veins as he glanced in the window of almost every room. Desperate for a glimpse at one of his friend’s or Celia. Even Gus would be lying to himself if he said that he wasn’t peeking out of the corner for his eye to see if Laurence and Gilfred were alright. But he would never admit that.  His head looked around for a glimmer of hope, someone who he knew. When his eyes fell on his cousin, Celia Abbott. Relief flooded his senses, and before he knew it. Gus was enveloping Celia into a hug. “Celia,” He breathed, “Thank Merlin, you’re here. Are you alright?” 

where : edgar and augustus’ apartment

For the first time since they had moved in, the Bones/Abbott apartment lay silent.  The air felt heavy in every room.  Despite all the windows being open, it felt difficult to breath. Difficult to ignore the elephant of grief that currently resided within their four walls.  Since the ball, Augustus wanted to be there in every possible way he could for his best friend, Edgar.  Wether it be cups of tea left on his nightstand, or making sure his plants got watered. Small acts of support to let him know he was there, even if Edgar wasn’t ready to talk. 

Where there used to be the faint tune of the record player in the background, now all that could be heard was the creaks of the wooden floor under Augustus’ feet. The clean laundry washed prior to the ball still remained folded on their kitchen table.  Clothes splayed over chairs from where they had been picking their outfits.  Records laying discarded from their cases from their music listening session before leaving for East India House. All scattered reminders of how carefree they had been last week. 

A collection of photo albums in his hand, Augustus made his way over to the centre of their living room. Where Edgar sat in the middle of the floor, a blanket over his shoulders. A sense of dress that matched Augustus’, who currently had his pyjamas and a similar blanket on his arm. The heat outside didn’t matter, nothing about the outside world mattered. The outside world couldn’t get them here. 

Sitting down on the floor with a slight puff of breath, Gus passed one of the photo albums to Edgar with a soft smile. A scrawling of Augustus’ hand writing on the front detailing it as ‘Spring/Summer 1976,’ a happier time.  “Stumbled across these in my room,” Augustus spoke,  “thought we could look through them, maybe? Remember a time when I didn’t have so many wrinkles.” Gus acknowledged with a quiet laugh.  

Edgar clicked his tongue with a cheeky grin. “Alright, I’ll keep my hands to myself despite you looking ravishing.” he put his hands on his hips to keep them from teasing Gus by tickling the bare skin he exposed. Edgar’s features softened as Gus continued. He knew that his roommate had really cared about that asshole and as much as Edgar and the others loved giving Gus slack for it, he also really loved the man that stood before him and hated to see the glint of pain that flashed at the mention of Rabastan’s name. “If it’s any consolidation, I haven’t been able to hook up with anyone yet either.” It was true, Edgar had been on the prowl for most of the evening and trying to make eyes with anyone he thought was attractive but he had no luck. “I think the lights are a bit too bright you know? Makes snogging in front a bit awkward.” He laughed and he playfully nudged the other. “You alright?” concern on his voice yet a smile on his face as he asked. || @augustusmabbott·

“Ravishing? Please. I’ve never seen anyone wear a crop top quite like you.” Augustus chuckled. His nerves felt rattled, the mention of Booker in his conversation with Rabastan was playing on his head. Augustus Abbott knew that he would prefer Edgar Bones to never speak to him again if it meant he wouldn’t end up like his late friend, Booker Bagnold. Had he put his friends in a dangerous position? Was he to blame if anything happened to them. Stop.  Augustus had to pull himself from these thoughts, Edgar wasn’t annoyed at him or going to get hurt anytime soon. In fact, his roommate was standing in front of him, happy and wanting to spend time with him. “Maybe we aren’t sophisticated enough tonight, Bones. Luckily our apartment is a snob-free zone. ” Augustus glanced around, it was very bright. “What do you mean? Great Aunt Mildred watching you neck on with someone is exactly what gets me hot under the collar.” A warm laugh escaping. His expression wavering slightly at Edgar’s next question. “Somethings were said...but I’ll get over it...” For now, Augustus Abbott was just pleased his best friend was beside him.  @edgar-bones· 

“I haven’t yet, though Potter recons I should meddle into the high class and find myself a rich, pureblood, husband. I don’t know if he wants to piss off the Blacks or thinks I need a sugar daddy, but either way, it’s quite an amusing thought.” Adairia joked, glad to see Augustus had joined the party. He seemed like a nice fellow, from the times she’d served him at the Fountain of Fair Fortune, so hopefully he wouldn’t dissappoint. “Everyone who’s not a pureblood snob is a disgrace in their eyes, but you’ll make a lovely old maid. Perhaps you’ll become the old aunt who gives wise advise to the protagonist.”

A fond laugh, Gus shrugged. “James might have a point. The money would be nice but the overbearing mother in laws?” Augustus made a grimace. “Could you imagine?” Having grew up watching his grandparent’s on the Abbotts side push to become a more active part of this society, and how much destruction their forcefulness left in its path. Augustus Abbott was sure that the traditional pureblood lifestyle was not for him. “Besides, I don’t fancy naming my kid some ridiculous name like Haberdashery or Pigmypella. It’s borderline cruel.” 

“I reckon I’d be rather good as an old maid.” He grinned, “I already give wise advice.” 

Seeing Augustus and evening interacting with him was one of the many mistakes Rabastan had made that night. Surprised by the question, Rabastan took a step back and furrowed his eyebrows. “– No. Not jealous.” He attempted to lie, feeling his cheeks flush red. His eyes flicked from Gus’ sweeping hair down to the corset that hid a waist that Rab was so used to holding. He almost growled as the next words passed his lips, “Well. I hope whoever you end up kissing tonight realises what a waste of time you are.” Rabastan locked eyes with Augustus for a moment, pondering if he should say the next sentence or not. A sentence that he had been practicing sine Narcissa had told him about the scandalous story.

“You can kiss as many people as you want –” he started, hesitant. He knew that if he said what he had planned, it would be like drawing a line in the dirt, a line that he couldn’t cross back over. It was the ultimate insult, designed to pierce through Augustus’ skin and shatter the man’s heart. Rabastan drew a breath. Fuck Augustus. Rabastan had no time or space for a blood traitor in his life. “But the bottom line is that everyone that you love will eventually move on and forget you. Just like your father did! Just like your half brothers have! Just like I will!” The words sliced through the air and Rabastan couldn’t stop himself once he started. “That’s your curse Augustus Melvin Abbott. And not even your roommate will be able to break it. He too will leave you one day.” || @augustusmabbott·

Any arrogance or confidence that had surrounded Augustus seemed to fracture like broken glass with the severity of Rabastan’s words. Words that felt like a punch in the face, especially coming from Rabastan. A man whose words that Augustus used to listen to like an unspoken melody, anticipating what would be next with a hopeful glow. That was...at least before Rabastan’s true nature came to light. A twisted venom like nothing else that Augustus had seen. Augustus hated himself for seeing the potential Rabastan had, for giving someone so far gone a chance. Emotions such as anger and hurt tried to push themselves to the surface, a strong sense of both washing over him.Urging for Augustus to lash out or walk away. Pity seemed to take precedence. It was written all over his face. 

“My father did leave. I’ve never spoke to Laurence and Gilfred. That’s true,” he stated, clear-cut and simple. Standing up straighter, the cold marble wall grazing the backs of his arms. Clearing his throat to clear the lump that had formed, his chest burning from the reference of his father. People in his life had left, Augustus was still picking up the pieces. Each moment he witnessed Laurence and Gilfred together being brotherly felt like another piece of him snapped off, lost to the wind. An experience he would never be a part of. “Maybe that is my curse...but I left you.” His voice shaking slightly, Gus had never been good with confrontation. “Edgar might leave, Saoirse and Sybil might too. Even Ted, he might. But at least I’ll have the memories of people’s love and friendship. What will you be left with? Your own fucking bitterness won’t keep you warm at night.” 

The notion of love was never something that Saoirse MacMillan subscribed to. While her sisters were always fawning after the cutest person in a room with dimbles and a boyish grin, Sersh was left rolling her eyes and burying her nose back in the latest Muggle novel she was devouring. Love, in Sersh’s mind felt dangerous. Often a fearless creature, there was little that scared the girl with the adventure heart and ink stained palms. While she’d gladly stand tall in the face of adversity, open arms and vulnerable hearts was always something she struggled with. Emotions exploded from Sersh like firecrackers. With a heart warn on her sleeve, there was little the witch wouldn’t share and tell with just about anyone she met. Still the notion of love terrified her. Loosing yourself in someone else only to risk them leaving in a fleeting moment was daunting in a way she couldn’t express. For a girl that toyed between the adventures of the future and the comforting nostalgia of the past, love seemed to play with the fine line of each. She understood love, of course she did. She held love proudly and boldly for her family and friends. But that romance that she’d read about so often in stories, she’d never had the desire to seek it for her own. Maybe she just wasn’t built that way, or maybe it was her thirst for life and independence that stopped her from wishing for anything that could instead hold her back from dreams of towering cities and endless written words. Watching all these people try to find love from glances and ball gowns was in Sersh’s mind too superficial and if anything arrogant. If love was like magic like her sister so graciously claimed, how could anyone begin to think they could find the stuff of stars in strangers? 

Dismissing her thoughts with another words of wonderment from Sybil the witch grinned at her friend before taking another sip of her drink. Only to then be met with the appearance of none of than her best friend and partner in crime; Augustus Abbott. “Ain’t the gentlemen of the night supposed to me asking that ay?” Saoirse noted, gesturing at her outfit with a smirk pulled on her features. “Me fine lady, let me offer ye this as a gesture of me promise to ye this sun light evening on the puristest driffelest night of the year. If ever there were a person to be stuck with, I’d be glad it be ye and I’m sorry in advance if I make me cry by steppin’ on ye wee toes. I’ll be ye partner of dance if ye, Augustus Abbott, do solemnly pinkie promise to not suck the face of a purist twat tonight. Ye reward, a bottle of the finest elf whiskey a humble blonde can buy ye and-” Saoirse spoke with an air of teasing playfulness as she too got to one knee and took of one of her most worn rings, a golden band with interlocking hands. Presenting it to him with a dramatic bow and a bright grin, Sersh offered it out to him with a warm smile and a quirk of a brow. “This token of our engagement this evening and to always being best mates. Our sure our parents would flip their rockers with glee. So Abbott, what do ye say to an adventure and gettin’ absolutely feckin’ banjaxed ay? We can show these purists assholes what real dancin’ looks like.”

Clutching his heart in a feigned offence, Gus rose back to his feet. “Colour me humiliated, I had full intention of being the gentleman this evening.” Although, he suspected that not many others pictured him as a gentleman tonight. He caught the dismissive gaze of his uncle, who seemed shocked and dismayed at the legitimate Abbott son showing up in nothing more than a corset top and black trousers. Augustus was sure to get a slap in the wrist later on from his grandmother, but that was one of the perks of being his father’s son. Nothing Augustus could do would matter much, his father’s actions had already cemented Albert Abbot’s strand of the family into turmoil. Augustus didn’t have to give into the false pretences that these galas promoted. He could simply have fun and relax with his friends. The people who mattered most to him in this world. “MacMillian, you need to learn some pureblood etiquette. What would Fionn say?” Gus tutted, with a playful roll of his eyes. “We must be on the look out for our perfect match for our dear families, I don’t want poor  Orlaith or Celia getting the backlash for our misbehaviour. ” 

In reality, any of his friends or family matching in this manner was a nightmare. They deserved love, not duty.  Augustus’ whole existence was a tragic tale of how duty over love never pans out as expected. “No purist twats, tonight.” He agreed, trying to shake all memory of his earlier encounter with Rabastan. “At the moment, I think I’d rather snog the elf who made the whiskey...” Accepting the ring with a gracious smile, he flicked back a strand of his long hair. “To always being best friends, and the best dancers these boring gits have ever seen.” He grinned, taking the hand which Saoirse had previously extended to offer him the ring. Pulling her into a waltz position, his arms clumsy and balance staggered. The force of his pull almost had Saoirse banging right into his chest. Until Gus managed to steady them both with a hearty laugh. “Now, would you like a lesson in the refined dancing I had to learn in the dark days of living in Godrics? Merlin knows, you need it. ”

@augustusmabbott·

As she maneuvered herself and her dress on the wall to sit next to him, Amelia couldn’t help but notice that the usual enthusiastic air that enveloped Augustus, the one she’d known him for all these years, seemed to be lacking tonight. His mood seemed to be in sharp contrast with the bright outfits and the noise of laughter carried in the wind. She didn’t say anything, instead adjusting her own tone so that her presence could hopefully be a comfort, if anything. “Is that so?” she asked. She didn’t know much about Augustus’ dating life, but he didn’t look like a cynic to her, so perhaps something was weighing on his heart tonight. “Oh, just thought I’d show up, so I’m already here in case there’s another body-dropping-from-a-balcony situation,” she said curtly. “Sorry,” she caught herself for her crudeness, trying to paint a small smile on her lips. “Why are you here yourself? You know it’s okay to sit this one out if you’d rather be home reading a book… Merlin knows I’d understand, and it’s not like these balls are ever different from one another.” 

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Rabastan found himself wandering aimlessly around the ballroom. He had made a subconscious decision to exclude himself from his friends antics until they called for him to join them. He felt like isolating himself was a good idea, but he was just feeling sorry for himself and didn’t really want to explain himself to anyone in particular. Seeing his older brother whose shadow he was constantly covered by, dancing with his best friend, someone he had grown to love, enraged him. He never thought he was the jealous type yet here he was, sulking about it. 

He was about to go ahead and drink his sorrows away when he heard an all too familiar voice off to his side and turned to face the man that had spoken. His breath hitched in his throat and his hands balled up into fists. Rabastan almost marched over the the man, pointing a finger right at his chest. “As you’d give a fuck anyway!” He snapped. Augustus was the last person he wanted to see right now. Rabastan had been foolish enough to give the man another chance at the march but because Rab wouldn’t hold a damn sign, Gus had shrugged him off. The embarrassment of the rejection was enough to make his blood boil and here Gus goaded him whilst one of his nightmares became a reality on the dance floor behind them. “Don’t you have something better to do like paint some pretty muggle-rights posters or some mudblood friends to go makeout with?!” Rabastan’s tone and demeanour were uncalled for but Gus had pushed Rab too far and he had turned into the monster Gus thought he was. || @augustusmabbott​

Augustus didn’t know what type of reaction he was expecting from Rabastan. They had hardly ended things on the best of terms, quite the opposite in fact. With Rabastan’s point blank refusal to hold something as simple as a sign, it didn’t give Gus much hope of things changing. If someone wasn’t able to garner a glimpse of humanity to consider that maybe, just maybe, halfbloods and muggleborns were just as worthy as themselves. Augustus knew he didn’t have the sway to change such deep rooted opinions, Rabastan Lestrange was too far gone. Augustus Abbott didn’t know if he was more filled with anger over the situation or pity.

In this exact moment, it was anger. A smouldering petty type of anger that had him smirk at the other man’s reaction. Goading, Pushing for Rabastan to do more. Smug, a nature that didn’t typically show on Augustus’ features, was now painted all over his face in the form of a light smirk. “No, no signs tonight. Best not to worry. ” He shook his head, swirling the straw around in his glass. “As for the making out….not yet.” Flickering his eyes back up from his glass to glance at Rabastan. Augustus knew he looked good, which is why he felt compelled to utter the next few words. “What’s wrong? Jealous?” @youngestxlestrange

who : @alluring-adairia​

Unlike the yule ball, Augustus didn’t have such a heavy feeling at this event. His every move didn’t remind him of Booker’s death. Or the hours of getting questioned by aurors afterwards. Instead, it felt light. Something which Gus hoped would last, the last time things felt light and hopeful was the equality march. A march which ended in the brutal attack of Benjy Fenwick. A good friend of Augustus’. Still though, Gus couldn’t help find it ironic that he had been invited to a match-making ball. Weren’t these things typically reserved for the high members of society? A mould that him and his friends had rejected years ago.

With a warm smile on his face, Augustus caught glimpse of Adairia Linwood at the bar.  A woman he recognised from the fountain of fair fortune, although he had never spoken much with her. She seemed somewhat likeminded, which was refreshing amongst a crowd of people fighting to reach the top of the social ladder. “Alright, Adairia?” He greeted her, leaning on the wall beside her. “Managed to meet your match yet? I haven’t...” Gus laughed, “judging by the disapproving mothers and grandmother’s glances, I’m destined to become a spinster.” 

who : @inkstainedmac​

Augustus Abbott had always loved romance, to the point where it was quite suffocating. He recalled scanning his mother’s poetry books at a young age and falling in love with the sentiment.  A sentiment that he never saw replicated at home, not between his mother and father and not between his grandparents. Both matches that were placed together out of an arrangement for power or pursuit. How swell it had worked out for his mother and father. Gus Abbott wanted love, a groundbreaking one. With this considered, Augustus thought this ball was futile. Nothing more than an excuse for people neck on covered with a veil of regality and purity.  Although, Augustus suspected not everybody thought the same. But the one person, Gus suspected to have the same idea was Saoirse. His best friend. 

Making his way across the ballroom to Saoirse, who was currently residing at a table with Sybil. A laugh fell to his lips as a spark fleeted into his head. Augustus dropped to his left knee as he reached the blonde. Taking her hand and pressing his lips to her knuckle.  As he pulled back, Gus tried to stifle the amusement that was twinging at the corners of his lips. Peering up at his best mate with the most pleading look he could muster. “Saoirse MacMillan? Would you do me the honour of being my pura sorores dance partner? Our parent’s would be thrilled at the pursuit...of such an engagement...”