So lay me down;

“I’ll take care of it when I come,” Charity yelled behind her as she stepped onto the main street. It was her lunch time, an she wasn’t going to deal with the mess until after. She was already running just a little bit late for her lunch date with Chrysandra, and Charity was not a big fan of being late. Walking to the cafe she was going to meet her friend at, her eyes did not fail to notice that not many people were out. It was the war, the one thing anyone working in Dagon Alley did no talk about. If she could, Charity would just stay home and never come out, but she had to work. She couldn’t just stay couped up in the house all the time. That would just be hitting a new low. Shaking her head of war thoughts, Charity approached the cafe, looking forward to some happy talk with Chrysandra. Though the girl was younger than her by about ten years, she found it very easy to talk to her, and was glad to have become friends with her when she had. Stepping inside, she spotted her and put on a sheepish smile. “Sorry, sorry, I know I’m late. How was your day?” she asked, sitting down across from her.

Chrysandra smiled when she saw Charity enter the cafe. She waved off her apologies easily. “Don’t worry about it, dear. I wasn’t waiting long, and besides, I’m sure it wasn’t your fault.” She had never worked in retail, but the idea sounded horrifying. What she was doing now did have to do with selling things, but it was all special orders and custom potions. They didn’t even really have a shop; it was more like an office with the storeroom and the brewing laboratory attached. “And I’ve been fine. It’s just me today brewing, so I can basically do whatever I want as long as I get the orders done, too.” She was hopefully about one thing in particular she was working on, but she didn't’t want to tell anyone until it was a bit more developed, in case it didn't’ take at all. “But how have you been? You look a bit... well.” She didn’t want to insult her friend, but she did want to know if something was wrong. “Put-upon, I suppose would be the word.”

Hogsmeade |  20th of June 1978

“I... no, thank you. I don’t really like them that much. But do you really want to hear more? I thought it was rather mundane, really.” 

“Of course.” Charity smiled, moving aside when a child ran into her. She sighed of frustration, but put the smile back on her face. “Okay, seventh year books are this way.” She pointed to other side of the store, beginning to walk in the general direction. “We decided to put all the Hogwarts books on one side of the store this year, organizing by years. Figured it would make things more efficient but from the looks of things, it hasn’t made much of a difference.” Charity chuckled, shaking her head. “So seventh year, that’s a big one. Do you have any idea what you might want to do after you take your NEWTS, if you’re taking them that is.” Charity knows she sure hadn’t had any idea, hence still working at a Flourish & Blotts years after graduating.

Chrysandra followed her to the other side of the store. “I don’t... well, I’m not quite sure. I don’t have any real plans.” Her plans for the future were dependent upon her parents. They wanted her to find a husband and get married, but she wasn’t sure. She didn’t really have anyone she could see herself being married to, though that probably wouldn’t matter at all. “I am taking my NEWTs, but I don’t know that I’ll do anything with them.” She wanted to train to be a Healer, but she knew her father disapproved. She didn’t want to anger him; that was the absolute last thing she wanted. She glanced up at the bookshelves, starting to grab the books she needed. “I need... let me think...” she ran over her list of classes in her mind. 

The girl turned around, and she could see her holding a list—the Hogwarts booklist, probably. Of course she was a student, though. Anyone with a right mind tried to avoid the bookstore when students were around. It could get…rowdy at times. Charity smiled at her, waving away her reply. “Oh, no, I don’t mind helping. It’s my job.” She smiled at her, shifting the books in her right hand to her left. She’d put them away as she she helped the girl. Coming to stand a little closer to her, she glanced at the list. “Are you a…seventh year?”

Chrysandra bit her lip, considering, then nodded. “That would be lovely, then, thank you.” She smiled gratefully. She didn’t want to be a nuisance, but getting help would be good. It would expedite this process, and it would mean less wading through people and crowds in this bookstore, which had far too many people for the fact that it was such as small place. Chrysandra wasn’t like her mother; she didn’t get annoyed by the throngs of people. She got nervous, becoming anxious. “And yes, I’m a seventh year.” 

Mary had a kind of natural distrust of Slytherin’s, one she had carried since second year. She tried not to entertain even the gentlest of them; just in case. Particularly when she was alone, as she was now. She had had to return books to the library in a hurry to avoid trouble, and although Mary still disliked walking the halls alone, she had rushed out and intended to rush back (walking, not running; at least trying not to look weak) when she almost tripped over Chrysandra Nott. “Oh- ah- hello. Sorry to disturb you.”

Chrysandra smiled up at the girl. Mary, she knew. Mary, one of the Gryffindors. She inwardly winced as she remembered what had happened to her. She looked nervous, and understandably so. “You’re not disturbing me at all,” she said, trying to keep her voice friendly and gentle. “I was just taking advantage of the nicer weather.” She didn’t want to frighten her. From what she knew, Mary was kind, a lovely girl. She was the type of person she’d like to be friends with, if she had the choice. 

The had been nothing short of dreadful and Rodolphus was just prepared for the day to finish. In between childish bantering and ill advised words with his younger sibling and his monotonous lectures for classes, he was just ready to leave. It was as soon as his charms lesson was over, Rodolphus set his bag upon his shoulder and left. His expression itself had moved everyone out of his pathway as he continued through the hallways and through the main gates. He wandered for a while before his legs just ended up bringing him to a nearly abandoned courtyard. It was just as he heard a voice, that he broke himself out from his musings and glanced over to the general area that he heard the sound arise from. “Ms. Nott.” He greeted casually. “What are you dong out all by your lonesome? Troubled thoughts?” He inquired; making his tone sound interested.

Chrysandra looked up at Rodolphus, smiling softly. She’d never really spent that much time around him, but she knew who he was. She was more familiar with his brother, who she didn’t quite know what to think about. “Not troubled. Just... it’s nice today. Warmer than it’s been. I wanted to spend some time enjoying it.” She belatedly realized this probably wasn’t the type of thing that she should be admitting, necessarily. She should say that she was doing something that he’d consider worthwhile or important. She doubted that Rodolphus Lestrange was going to think much of her for sitting on the grass, daydreaming, getting her skirt all wrinkles. “How are you, Rodolphus? You seem... distant.” He’d barely even noticed her until she spoke. 

08.22.1977 || Flourish & Blotts

Chrysandra moved carefully through the throng of people, trying not to get in anyone's way. It was students, mostly, and parents. Well, of course it was. The booklist for Hogwarts had just arrived, and everyone was here to get their textbooks and supplies. Diagon Alley was crowded with bodies, and as soon as they arrived her mother had sniffed dismissively. She didn't like mixing with the "common folk", as she called them. Typically Chrysandra always offered to go alone while her mother relaxed in one of the more exclusive Tea Rooms, but she didn't always let her. This year, though, she'd nodded dismissively, handing her a pouch of gold and waving her off.

You were born at dawn, just as the gentle light crept over the world, and that was always your blessing, always your curse. 

tempus mortis opening meme ;;