Lucinda Talkalot

“Narcissa, how are you?” She said with a beaming smile when her friend opened her front door. Lucinda had needed a distraction and to talk to someone she could confide in and trust. Narcissa must have been through what she was going through at some point, maybe she could offer advice, or at least some support. “I hope you don’t mind me popping by?”

@mrsnarcissa-malfoy​

Regulus smiled, nodding his head slightly. While he’d always thrived in the seeker position, it wasn’t what he initially wanted to do when he tried out for Quidditch. “Alright, I won’t put up a fight for seeker, because I’ve always thought I’d make a decent beater.” He smirked, bringing his arms up to flex his muscles. “I was too small when I first tried out, which was how I ended up as seeker. Think I’ve got a bit more strength now.” He laughed, ruffling his hair slightly as he dropped his arms back down again.

“No, I want to come.” Regulus replied. Ballet wasn’t something he’d ever had much interest in, but he certainly had a respect for it. He knew how difficult it was, listening to Lucinda complain about how badly her feet hurt for years made him realize that dancing really did a number on someone’s body. He wanted to support her, and show her that he cared about her and her interests. Regulus shrugged his shoulders at her question, unsure how to answer her. Right now he’d been spending his time researching and trying different spells and attacks to destroy a horcrux, but he certainly wasn’t about to tell Lucinda that. “Honestly, most days I just lay in bed and stare at the ceiling. Or clean my house - my parents passed not long after I’d gone away, so the house sat empty for quite some time. Kreacher was there, but he hadn’t been given any orders to keep the house in order, so it got a little out of hand.”

Smiling wider as she went on about her snitch collection, Regulus thought back to how badly she’d wanted to keep the snitch from her first game. It didn’t take much convincing on her part, there wasn’t much he wouldn’t do for her at that time. It was nice to hear she was still collecting them. His smile quickly flipped into a frown as she told him about her relationship. She was marrying somebody her parents had picked out for her? Regulus knew that was quite traditional, but not something he’d ever agreed with. Why marry somebody you’re not in love with? “You don’t seem overly thrilled by the idea.” Regulus mumbled, not sure if she’d be able to make out his words, raising his brow at her.

“You could never talk too much. I love hearing it.” He assured her, letting his smile return to his lips, though not quite as large as it had been before he learned about her arranged marriage. “I don’t have much to tell, honestly. I spent my time away traveling around the UK, it was nice but nothing is as nice as being home, really. Now I’m just trying to catch up with my friends and hear what I’ve missed.”

***

When Regulus flexed his muscles Lucinda had to actively force herself to stop from staring, and even then she wasn’t sure she’d succeeded. She had often found herself preoccupied with his body when they were at school - fifteen year old Lucinda would have paid good galleons to catch a glimpse of him in the shower after practice. She had told herself at the time it was because she was a silly horny teenager who needed to grow out of it. She had tried to grow out of it, partially because she was ashamed, but also because she knew she should not be thinking of a friend like that. Unfortunately, that hadn’t happened. If anything her thoughts of him had become more explicit. She was thankful Reggie wasn’t a legilimens because she was sure he’d be creeped out by what he saw her thinking. “Yes, you would make a wonderful beater.” She agreed a little too keenly. Deciding to focus her attention on the stack of napkins on the table as a form of distraction. She started folding one into a lop-sided swan as he spoke. 

His life sounded very lonely, something she entirely sympathised with. But he was also so free. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d spent the entire day in bed. It sounded blissful. Especially if he were there. She was glad when he mentioned cleaning and Kreacher. She’d think about that instead. “Well I suppose if you do want to see a show we could go out for dinner afterwards and maybe a drink if I don’t have rehearsal the next day?” Oh dear. When she imagined herself with Regulus, she also imagined a different version her herself- bolder and more interesting. But now that awful fantasy Lucinda had slipped out and practically asked him on a date. She was already starting to panic, but when he mumbled about her engagement it only made everything worse. The napkin swan drooped in her hands and fell apart. She wished she wasn’t like this - saying stupid things and making herself look like an idiot.

He was talking about traveling but she couldn’t really hear him. Her heart was beating too hard in her chest and all the critical words her parents shot in her direction were playing in her mind. She was engaged, but here she was thinking about another man. It was disgusting. She was disgusting. 

“I don’t feel well.” She announced, not sure if she’d interrupted him or not. She hadn’t been listening. She was desperate for some fresh air. And with that she was up on her feet, racing out of the café and into the cold winter air where she stood to catch her breath.

Inclining his head at her words, he angled his chair a little closer so he wouldn’t have to crane his neck to see the recipe she mentioned. “Ah.” He took his forefinger and tilted the paper just a tiny bit to help him read, nodding again as he took it in. Fairly simple, but effective. Nothing he had brewed in quite a long while, but he could respect the efficiency of such a potion. But then again, outside of love potions and anything meant to joke or scam, Severus had never met a potion he couldn’t find an interest in. 

He didn’t miss the way her expression changed at his offer, and he had to hold back a small smirk. Did his reputation really precede him that much? He didn’t mind teaching, contrary to popular belief - if the student was willing and able. The issue with his current post was that students like that were few and far between. But sharing valuable knowledge with a worthy pupil, well - he had all the patience in the world. Or at least more than usual. He nodded once, decisively, sliding her recipe back toward her. “I have weekends off.” He stated pointedly. “I have all the ingredients in the stores at the castle, but I can meet you wherever you prefer if that might pose an issue.”

***

Lucinda took her recipe back and folded it back into its neat little square, a little disappointed he couldn’t just show her now but glad he’d take some time out of his schedule to show her at all. She should be grateful but weekends were difficult for her, they were often packed with rehearsals or shows but she could make room. “The afternoon is best for me if that’s ok.” It was better than nothing. “The castle is fine. It would be nice to return actually. I’m sure it hasn’t changed at all but I can’t help wondering what its like.” She cut short her reminiscing, realising Severus probably wanted her to leave. “I’ll see you then.”

If she was anywhere but work, there was a good chance Ivy would simply punch Lucinda. That would certainly shut her up. But, she needed this job, it was the one that paid the best, and while what she was currently doing was risky, it likely wouldn’t get her fired. A written warning, probably, and a slap on the wrist from her boss was likely the worst that would happen. As much as she didn’t particularly enjoy this job, she was good at it, and had a pretty decent reputation with her co-workers and supervisors. “Not that it’s any of your business, I actually get multipule compliments daily. People say I’m an empath.” Ivy gave her a sarcastic grin, pushing open another set of doors to the Janus Thickey Ward.

“Oh, hey Gloria!” Ivy greeted the usual healer, looping her arm through Lucinda’s to ensure she didn’t try to get away. “This is Lucinda, your newest patient. Poor thing had her memory altered and it didn’t quite go right. She’s convinced she’s a ballerina, isn’t that adorable?” Ivy gave her best sympathetic look to Lucinda, putting on a show for Gloria, as she pushed her slightly into the direction of the healer. “I don’t believe she’s going to be a permanent resident, the mediwitch that sent her here said it should only be a couple of days of treatment before her brain bounces back to normal, but this would be the best place for her.” Taking a few steps back now that Gloria had control of the situation, Ivy waved at a couple of the permanent patients she visited rather often. “I’ve gotta get back to my desk now, but you’re in great hands Lucinda, I really hope things get better for you.” Sending her a subtle smirk and a wink, Ivy turned and pushed through the doors quickly, walking back through the halls towards her desk.

***

Lucinda had some select thoughts about the idea that Ivy was an empath but she never got the chance to voice them, ushered into a ward she’d never seen before. At first she assumed that her healer had simply moved offices and she greeted Gloria with a smile expected she’d be taken into a waiting room before her appointment, but when Ivy went on it became clear something else was happening. “That’s not true!” She said rather indignantly, but Gloria just patted her hand, still focused on what Ivy was saying. “She’s lying!” Lucinda protested again, a little louder and more shrill this time. She had worked out the trick that was being played on her now.

Being one of the older members of the Death Eaters, Rodolphus had somewhat taken it upon himself to lead the younger, less experienced ones into what would be the correct decision. While part of this was to get a head count of what was really going on in the less important matters of the circle, it was also a very good way to get inside the heads of everyone. There were kids who wanted to join who were muggleborn, or had members of the Order for parents and were willing to spill secrets about the happenings in their day to day life that they didn’t think were relevant, but they always were. And Rodolphus would be the one able to pass it along, and that’s what mattered. When Lucinda finally entered and grabbed a waitress, he nodded her down into the seat and smiled gently at her. Rodolphus was raised in this world, he had no idea how scary it probably was for these young adults to enter with no true idea of how ugly the fight may get. He didn’t realize, and he didn’t care. It was easy to make this side of the magical world look even more enticing, between the money and the power than 90% of the members held, it was hard to deny that something had to be working for them. ‘ It’s nice to see you, Lucinda. How’ve you been doing? ‘ He asked, taking a sip form his own drink and leaning back into the booth. ‘ We’ve been doing well, Bella has been planning a party with her mother for the holidays, so it’ll be nice to see how that rolls out. ‘ He smiled, allowing her to settle in before looking back at her. ‘ How’re you doing, truly? It’s been a while since our last catch up. ‘

Her first answer was the one Rodolphus likely expected from her. Light and with no real substance. Small talk. “I’m very well thank you, busy time of year but I suppose that’s the same for everyone isn’t it.” He responded in like and Lucinda was happy to nod along. She was actually quite interested in Bella’s party but that wasn’t what she was here to talk about. She just needed to work up the courage to actually say what she wanted to say and ask him the questions she needed to ask. “That sounds nice - I hope I get an invite.” She said with a tinkling laugh. She was full of nerves.

“Well, I’ve been thinking a lot about my future.” Not wanting anyone to overhear, she kept her voice low so only Rodolphus could hear her. “And I think it might be time for me to take the mark. I’m just a bit worried that I don’t have anything useful to offer. I really don’t have that many skills that would be useful... but I really want this Rodolphus.”

Brigitte shrugged her shoulders. “I am sure that you know better than I do,” she agreed. “They do. I have never found such a confusing place,” she admitted. Everything in Paris felt so structured and easy to follow, she didn’t remember having such trouble finding her way around the city. But she hoped that one day she would feel as comfortable here as she did in Paris. It would just take some time. “Well, thank you for rescuing me, I am sure that I would have gotten even more lost if you hadn’t come along.” There was something about this girl that made Brigitte want to take her under her wings. 

“It’s lovely to meet you, Lucinda,” she replied. Her next words confirmed her suspicions that this girl was part of the society that she had married Vincent to get into. She smiled and nodded her head. “That would be me,” she confirmed. “Are you familiar with my husband, then?” Brigitte knew that their marriage had created some shockwaves and she was curious what people had heard about her. She suspected that Vincent’s mother was trying to spread less than great thing about her. “Thank you. It’s been a few months but we’ve been settling in well. I’ve been busy making the estate my own and making it into a home for the both of us.”

“Its lovely to meet you too.” Lucinda wanted to pry further into Brigitte and Vincent’s marriage. She wanted to know everything about the fantasy whirlwind romance. She wondered where the couple met and what had attracted them to each other. It was nice to imagine them in Paris together. “Our parents are in similar circles, I’m sure who know how it is. Sometimes it feels like the same old families know everyone, although my family is quite new to that society.” She decided not to mention the things being said about Brigitte. 

“That sounds delightful, are you redecorating? Its so important to make sure you feel its your home too.” She spoke as if she knew anything of being married or living with another person. “I know I always feel more at home when the room has my own touches to it.” Lucinda was speaking more of her room at Pandora’s house than the one in her own home, which had always felt cold and empty and distinctly not hers. 

Severus surveyed her for another moment. It was a more interesting topic than he had anticipated, and he wasn’t as eager to end the conversation as he normally would be. Lucinda was pleasant enough company, and at the very least it would stop anyone less interesting trying to interrupt him. “I would have to see the recipe for myself to be absolutely certain, but balms and salves are typically very stable.” He nodded to himself. “Hard to mess up.” He explained further, unsure where her expertise ended. The ingredients needed were usually basic and common - mint leaves, boomberry, flobberworm mucus; nothing that popped or exploded. 

“I would recommend finishing the potion as instructed and adding to it once finished.” He tapped a finger idly against the table, his other hand coming up to rest his chin on. “Lavender should be fine, if it’s simply for a more pleasant aroma. Crush fresh flowers into as fine a powder as you can and add them to some low grade buffer - it should act as thinner as well.” He paused. “You could buy some concentrated lavender oil instead, but I find preparing my own is always better. I….” He swallowed, bringing his eyes to meet her gaze directly again. “I could help, if you would like.”

Lucinda felt like she should be taking notes. It was like being back at Hogwarts, sitting in potions class and trying to keep up with what was being said. It was better than him refusing to help though. He very well could have done. She hadn’t been especially welcoming over the years. “Oh, I brought the recipe with me.” Not wanting to get ahead of herself she’d kept it tucked in her bag, assuming he wouldn’t be quite so interested, even if she’d hope he’d offer her this kind of help. 

She pulled the piece of parchment out of her bag, folded and warn and clearly used. Unfolding it she wished she’d brought a quill with her to scribble on the back. Powder or oil... but powder was better? How fine should she crush the lavender? It was difficult to describe that with words, she wished he could just show her. Her concerned look transformed to a relieved smile when he agreed to help her. “Oh that would be great! I don’t even know how much to use. If you just show me I promise I won’t bother you again with it.”

𝐄𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞. “Sounds like you’re dealing with a surprise gift rather than anything else.” A chuckle. “I like to do my shopping weeks ahead, just browsing now. It’d be an absolute nightmare to have to go and find something this short before Christmas.” And yet she was curious how the other would deal with the challenge at hand.

“No idea at all what you want to get? Well, who is it for if you don’t mind me asking?” Perhaps there was a chance her to help and connect. “Chocolates are always good for the not too close yet not so distant gift receivers.” 

“Yes, something like that.” Lucinda replied, her lips pursed and not wanting to say anymore. It wasn’t that she was annoyed at having to buy the gift, she just wished she’d had some warning or that there was some kind of handbook that told her who she needed to buy gifts for and what the appropriate gifts were. She often found herself wishing there was a handbook which just gave her straightforward instructions for life. “I’ve already been to a couple of shops and nothing seems right, I honestly don’t know the girl all that well. But I suppose you guessed that.” It was nice that the other girl seemed interest enough to offer a suggestion.

“She’s a co-worker. I know she likes flowers. Or at least she always has them in the dressing room. But I’m not sure if that’s a good Christmas gift, not exactly wrappable are they? I suppose chocolates could work, although I’ve never seen her eat them. She’s more of a savoury fan I think... now I say it out loud I guess I knew more about her than I thought.”

“So long as you’re happy then I couldn’t ask for more.” Pandora smiled, picking up an ornament and showing it to her quite proudly. “Look! I forgot I had gotten this– A muggle shop had it.” She held it quite delicately, the ornament being made of crystal and holding the shape of ballet slippers. “Isn’t it darling? When I saw it, I immediately knew I had to get it because it would belong on the tree! I like having ornaments that remind me of my loved ones.” 

She was careful with how she placed it on the tree, seeing how the lights reflected off of it and allowed it to shine dotted lights over the room. “If the rush is getting to be a lot, darling, then please take a rest. You can’t overwork yourself, especially during a time when you also have to focus on your dancing. You will stay and rest here, won’t you?” 

“Xenny would be delighted if you were here, of course. He’s always so modest but he truly does adore you. He was so nervous over the idea that you’d dislike him when we were dating. I told him he had nothing to worry about.” She chuckled, “I’m glad you and him get along. I don’t think I would have married him if you hadn’t approved. Regardless of what happens in the future, you’ll always be my Lucy.”

Dora looked at a small photo album that was among the stockings and garlands, taking it into her hands. “Oh! Look–I almost forgot I have pictures from when I babysat you. Weren’t you just the most darling little bun? It feels like it was just yesterday that you would tell me all about your wanting to be a dancer.”

Lucinda admired the ornament, enjoying how the lights on the tree reflected off it. She liked how sentimental Pandora was. Lucinda never would’ve thought to buy a reminder of a loved one like that too occupied with the rush of her own life to stop and think about what truly mattered. “It’s really beautiful Dora.” She smiled, getting up to admire the other ornaments on the tree wondering how many had been bought because they reminded Pandora of people she loved. She seemed to have so many, and Lucinda struggled to name more than a handful of people she genuinely enjoyed to company of let along loved. She was jealous of how easily Dora gave her love away, she’d never been able to do the same. “Is this one for someone too?” She asked, nudging a particularly beautiful decoration with her finger. 

“Maybe I’ll stay for new years eve - do you have anything planned?” She was trying to get out of whatever big party her parents attended. Anything would be better than having to watch them talk business with their friends. “I don’t know why he would think that I would dislike him! There’s very few people I dislike, but he’s far from it.”

She couldn’t help but laugh when Dora pulled out the photo album, one that she had seen many times before. Lucinda had been a strange looking child, a permanent look of worry on her face - except for those photos where her gapped teeth were on display for all in silly grins and laughter. “Put those away,” she said embarrassed by the sight even though there was no one else around to see. Still, she couldn’t help but wear a smile. “Well, I’m glad you encouraged me otherwise I might’ve given up a long time ago.”

𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: diagon alley/knockturn alley 𝐰𝐡𝐨: open

𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬, 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐲 as the snow around her falls. Eyes fixed, almost as if in trance upon the window of that shop. Emmeline hadn’t quite registered what she was staring at, the events of the past weeks so very fresh on her mind that the mere idea of a holiday celebration seemed absurd and yet so very needed. In times like these perhaps it was the momentary distraction that kept them all going and Merlin knows distraction was exactly what she could have needed. After what seemed like forever though, it was not the cold that caused the young witch to turn rather than the steps nearby.

Emmeline turned, not thinking nor caring who was next to her. Perhaps it was just another lost soul; a lonely being in the evening air with just as many questions. Or perhaps it didn’t matter either way. Because in that very moment it just mattered that for that split second her presence was no longer the only one then and there. The tiniest hint of a smile crept onto her face, trying to make it light up and push away the grim expression that had settled upon it. “ Trying to find a gift last minute? One would think there has been enough time ahead of this, hasn’t there?” Her voice didn’t match the smile the young woman had mustered; not quite.

Lucinda was usually very organised. She had bought many of her presents weeks ago, but then out of the blue a girl at work had bought her a gift, and Lucinda felt awful. She had to give her something in return. The problem was she barely knew the girl, she had thought that she hadn’t even liked her but the present said otherwise. She was walking through Diagon Alley looking for anything generic enough, but nice enough to give as a gift. 

“Yes, and I have no idea what to get.” Lucinda sighed, offering a slight smile to the other woman. “Apparently I forgot one person off my list. What about you? Why are you shopping so late?”

Regulus smiled as Lucinda ranted on and on reminiscing on their time together in school. She hadn’t always been one to be so talkative, but he really did miss her voice. He wondered, since she seemed to just be spewing out every thought that came through her mind, if she had anybody in her life right now to talk to. Like, actually talk to. He’d have to remember to take more time to see Lucinda in the future. “I really do miss playing, too. Quidditch was the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” It was where he made some of his closest friends, and an outlet for him to get out some pent up aggression. He loved flying, he loved being a seeker, and he truly did miss it. “Maybe we can get the whole team back together to play sometime. If Emma can take a second out of her busy schedule to accompany us.”

Following her through the café to whichever table she desired, Regulus watched her as she took off her jacket and draped it over her chair. Something about the simple task was so captivating, and he shook himself as he unbuttoned his own jacket and sat down across from her. “Oh, that’s great. Do you have any shows coming up? I’d love a ticket.” He grinned. No, Regulus wasn’t interested in dance in the least, but he did want to be supportive of his friend. “I actually didn’t take any jobs after graduation.” He sighed softly, “I have options, I did very well and had offers for lots of jobs, but I’m not quite sure what I want to do for the rest of my life, you know?” It felt a little silly to say it out loud, everybody else seemed to have their dream careers and had their whole lives mapped out in front of them. Most likely from their parents pushing them in that direction. But his own parents had never pressured him into anything besides keeping up the family’s reputation. Besides, they graduated at the age of seventeen, feels a little young to choose how to spend the rest of ones life.

“What have you been up to these last few years? Just working, or have you picked up any new hobbies? Are you seeing anybody?”

“That would be lovely, although I think Emma will out fly us all now. And I don’t want to go back to chasing. I loved those last couple of years as seeker.” With Regulus already on the team Lucinda had been a chaser for much of her time at Hogwarts, although her real strength had always been in seeking. As soon as he’d left the team she’d been offered the position. 

“Oh yes, lots of Christmas shows, but don’t feel like you have to come.” She was always more nervous beforehand when she knew there were friends and family in the audience, although once she was on stage she completely forgot. Lucinda didn’t know what it was like to not know, but she nodded in response to his question anyway. Reggie had options, there were so many things he was good at. Lucinda felt like she’d only ever been good at this one thing, there were no other options she could’ve taken. “Then what do you spend your time doing?” She couldn’t imagine how she’d spend all the time she dedicated to work if she didn’t have it. 

“No new hobbies, but I still have my snitch collection.” It had started at school. When Slytherin won their first match with Lucinda on the team she had begged Regulus to let her keep the snitch he had caught to end the game. And then she had kept the first snitch she had caught, of course. And then an aunt had gifted her a rather beautiful one with her name on it, and the collection had began. Nowadays they weren’t snitches she ever played with, but expensive hand made ones that sat neatly on her shelf.  That annoying habit of chewing on the skin of her inner cheek when she was nervous appeared again when she tried to explain her relationship status. “My parents would like me to be married soon and the man they have in mind seems perfectly lovely. He’s a healer.” She parroted the one fact she knew about him.

“Tell me about you though, I’m sorry I’ve been talking so much haven’t I?”

Now that Lucinda was no longer looking at her, Ivy took the opportunity to let her eyes to roll. This was likely the worst part of the job, having to be nice to everybody that walked through the doors. “Oh, yes, I’m sure dancing really takes a toll on you.” She replied, this time unable to keep the sarcasm out of her tone. Surely it wasn’t that difficult, but it had never been something Ivy was interested in. Her mother had brought her to one dance class when she was young, and it was just filled with small and dainty girls that always looked down upon her. She never returned after that first class.

Turning a corner, Ivy led her up a flight of stairs and through another set of doors. “Well, we are a hospital, we’re busy all the time.” Her eyes rolled again, but she quickly allowed her smile to return to her features. “But, yes, it has been a little more busy than usual.” Passing by a supply closet, Ivy contemplated simply shoving Lucinda in there and locking the door on her, leaving her to see how long it would take before somebody found her. But, there was another idea in the back of her mind, and instead of taking a right towards the office of the healer Lucinda was looking for, she turned right towards Ward 49. Hopefully Lucinda wasn’t familiar enough with the hospital to realize they weren’t going in the right direction.

Ignoring Ivy’s sarcasm was not easy, but Lucinda reminded herself of the things her parents had always drilled into her. Don’t make a scene in public. Still, she couldn’t help but snap back at her. “Like you would know the first thing about dance. Great culture could hit you in the face and you wouldn’t know it. Trust me, you have no idea the physical strength and stamina required for ballet.” It wasn’t often that Lucinda let her mask slip and she didn’t like what came out when it did. She worried that she was mean deep down and that she would become downright cruel if she didn’t keep her poised and controlled presence all the time. 

Not knowing the layout of the hospital well enough to realise she was being tricked she followed Ivy through the halls. “Well, while you look down upon my work I won’t look down upon yours. I’m sure busy season has you on your feet all day. Or do you just sit at reception and be rude to patients?”

Brigitte wasn’t someone that was afraid to ask for help for the mere fact that she didn’t want to waste her time, which she considered to be highly  valuable. Her days of modeling had instilled the importance of a schedule and keeping to it. Even though she had nothing planned for the rest of the day, there was no sense in wasting time wandering Diagon Alley aimlessly if she could find someone that could set her in the right direction. The girl that she had stopped looked young, but her clothing was rather nice, and she supposed that she probably came from the right kind of family based on the way that she held herself. And if not, well, what did it matter to her? The girl seemed to be the right sort and  that was good enough for her. 

At her explanation, she glanced down the street. Whoever had designed these streets didn’t do a very good job if you asked Brigitte. They were so windy and confusing. “Are you sure? I thought that I was that way,” she mused, glancing back at her. When she offered to take her there, she nodded her head. ‘If it’s not too out of your way, that would be fabulous,” Brigitte replied. “I’m Brigitte,” she introduced, figuring if they were going to be walking together she might as well know the other girls name.

Lucinda looked off in the direction that Brigitte was pointing, suddenly slightly worried she didn’t actually know and would lead them to the wrong place. She had been there dozens of times, but she didn’t want to make a fool out of herself on the off chance she was wrong. “No, I don’t think its that way, but these streets sometimes feels like they’re charmed to be more confusing. Its like a maze isn’t it? I’m fairly sure its this direction, not out of my way at all.” She lead the way, glad that the path was familiar and letting her doubts melt away. 

“I’m Lucinda.” She recognised the name Brigitte unusual enough that she was sure she must be the woman she’d heard gossip about. “Brigitte, you’re married to Vincent?” She asked, although she was fairly sure on the answer. As far as Lucinda knew the pair had met abroad and married quickly - she imagined it must have been a whirlwind romance. It sounded fantastic. “Congratulations! You must be enjoying the honeymoon period, although, how long as it been now?”

“A healer, hm? Well, regardless, I do insist they come by so I can see for myself who is near my precious darling.” She meant it quite seriously, especially when it came to Lucinda. She may have been passive in regards to Sylar and many others, but there was a level of protection she offered to Lucinda that could serve as a suitable warning to anyone wishing harm upon the young witch. “Xenny would like to meet them as well, of course. I just want you to be able to be happy, is all. It isn’t fair when parents try to take control.”

Pandora knew that all too well. Her own parents didn’t want her to marry Xenophilius, and she hadn’t seen them since her decision to marry him. It broke her heart, but the company of so many loved ones around her kept her spirits high. “I was supposed to marry someone else, you know. I was terribly offended by it, as they had considered me leaving Severus an open door of sorts to control who I married. I think if it hadn’t been for meeting Xenny, I’d of asked Rabastian to marry me so I could at least be with someone I liked.”

She still smiled as she spoke, but it was still a rather sour topic that hurt her. Evan was all to thank for her freedom, and it was why she was so quick to offer her services to him whenever he asked. Pandora didn’t care if it was awful, she just knew she owed the man her everything. “This is home, sweetie. It won’t be anything less regardless of how old you get or what you choose in life. You’re always welcome here, and I won’t ever turn you away, understand?” Pandora kissed her head, her hand resting on her shoulder gently. 

“Is everything else in your life okay? You’d tell me if something was happening, yes?”

Lucinda couldn’t imagine anything worse than bringing back this boy to meet Pandora and Xenophilius before she’d even had the chance to get to know him. Everything was just moving so quickly. She chewed the inside of her cheek, nodding as Dora spoke, hoping that Dora would just forget about what she’d said. Lucinda knew there was no chance for that. “I will one day. I am happy Pandora. I promise.” She smiled trying to reassure her. 

Slightly surprised by the revelation that Pandora had once been on a similar path to her own, Lucinda sat back and watched the other woman talk, Christmas decorations all but forgotten. Pandora seemed so happy, but part of Lucinda wondered the last time Dora had spoken to her family. Surely her marriage had torn them apart. That wasn’t something she’d be brave enough to do. “I’m glad you married Xenophilius. I couldn’t imagine you with anyone else.”

“Yes, I know.” Lucinda said almost with exasperation, as if Pandora was her real mother reminding her to clean her room. Dora didn’t need to tell her that she was always welcome, her actions spoke louder - the whole room decorated to Lucinda’s liking was enough for her to know Dora’s house could be home for her. “Everything is fine, just the usual Christmas hectic rush. You know how it is.”

where | three broomsticks who | rodolphus and @cindy-talkalot​

There weren’t a lot of times that Rodolphus would willingly stay in the village longer than need be, but sometimes things just went how they went. He had scheduled a meeting with Lucinda sometime go ago, just to check in and see how things were going and he wasn’t going to bail simply because he didn’t want to be seen in the bar for too long. While he liked keeping a close eye on everyone who particularly liked surrounding themselves with Death Eaters, Rodolphus always kept the younger members a little closer. Maybe it was to help with the flightiness, but mainly it was just to ensure they were being responsible and heard during the events that would take place. He had no idea what Lucinda was considering right now, and the holidays always made everything a little more uncomfortable. He hadn’t sat down with the young woman in quite some time, so he could only assume what kind of life updates he was going to give her. He settled himself into a corner booth of the Three Broomsticks along side a FireWhiskey curtesy of Madam Rosmerta. Grateful that the place seemed to be relatively quiet, he took a sip of the alcohol while Lucinda was seen entering the door and catching his eye. He raised his hand in response, pulling her attention through the bar to the exact booth he was in. ‘ Nice of you to join. Grab yourself a drink, go go.’

Rodolphus was slightly less scary than Bellatrix. Lucinda trusted every word he said too. She thought he must be so wise, and he seemed willing enough to check in with her and give her advice, which she appreciated a lot. Upon entering the Three Broomsticks she spotted him immediately, smiling widely and talking the seat opposite him before immediately being told to get a drink, looking over her shoulder to grab the attention of a waitress. “Just a butterbeer please.” She didn’t seem too happy that Lucinda hadn’t gone up to the bar to order, but after placing a couple of coins on her tray she seemed happy enough to head off and fetch Lucinda a drink. 

“It’s so lovely to see you Rodolphus.” She had been quite nervous about this meeting. Ever since she left Hogwarts the idea of getting the Dark Mark had been on her mind. Her parents didn’t push it. They still saw her a child, far too young to be involved, but Lucinda didn’t want to be seen as a child anymore. She didn’t want them fussing over her, and maybe showing them she could handle working for the Dark Lord would make them see her as an adult. She knew Rodolphus would point her in the right direction - he might even know a way she could be useful to the Death Eaters, because she sure didn’t. 

“Tell me, how are you? And Bellatrix?”

Where: Diagon Alley Who: Open

London was nothing like Paris. England was nothing like France. The high society circles that Vincent ran with were different from the modeling high society that she had been used to. But Brigitte was now the lady of the Crabbe manor and she had access to Vincent’s vault at Gringotts and she was running in circles that she had only ever dreamed of. It was difficult, settling in to her new way of life, and British high society had a whole different set of rules than she was used to, but she had begun to make acquaintances and maybe even friends, which was something that Vincent had been encouraging. She was beginning to venture out into Diagon Alley and England on her own, which was how she had gotten so terribly turned around. She had done some shopping for Vincent, picked up some dress robes that he had ordered, and grabbed some supplies for a dinner party they were hosting later in the week, and the last thing on her list was to buy some potion supplies for him. But she had no idea where the apothecary was.

The street was empty, and she stood there helplessly, not wanting to wander the streets if she didn’t have to. Which was why she brightened up when she spotted someone turn the corner.

“Pardon,” Brigitte spoke to the closest person walking by. “I’m hopelessly lost. Where can I find the apothecary shop? I’m so glad you showed up, I thought I was going to have to wander the streets all on my own,” she said looking at them expectantly. 

Lucinda was finally getting around to doing her Christmas shopping. Time had slipped away from her, and soon enough it was December and she hadn’t even thought about who she was getting presents for, let alone what to get them. She had wondered the shops aimlessly, picking up a couple of items that had jumped out at her, but it was a largely unsuccessful trip. She was just about to give up for the day and come back when she had a real idea of what she needed when she was stopped. Always trying to be helpful - at least to the right people - Lucinda paused.

“It’s not far, its just up ahead and down that side street,” she pointed, although from the other woman’s expectant look she decided she may as well just show her the way. From the way she dressed and the accent, Lucinda suspected she was a foreign rich girl, likely pureblood, and a good person to appease. “I can take you there if you’d like?”

She had only taken a few sips when the doorbell rang. This was it then. On her walk to answer the door she wondered if maybe he would just go away if she didn’t open the door. Or maybe she’d pretend to be sick. Or maybe she could put something bad in his food and make him sick. Her hand rested on the door handle as she contemplated her options. The dinner would only be rescheduled. Better to get it over with now. She would have to get to know him sooner or later.

“Hello Nathaniel,” she said with a beaming smile plastered on once she’d opened the door, stepping aside to allow him inside. “Can I get you something to drink?”