Doesn't the night go slow?

…

Truthfully, she had a difficult time understanding neutrality.  But with Daisy she found herself far more inclined to accept something that she truly had a difficult time understand, especially considering how much the older girl helped her when things got very difficult in her third year, and also in the years following.  She could accept Daisy’s neutrality now, even if she didn’t agree with it, because she wasn’t truly neutral.  She was afraid.  There was a very real difference between indifference and avoidance, both were difficult to accept, but one was forgivable in her eyes.

“You could say that,” she laughed.  She had been up to far more than she felt comfortable sharing with Daisy, but she would tell her of her encounter with William.  It was dual purpose – she could see now, more clearly than ever, that her actions had made him very angry.  It was worth warning anyone who he liked to target of that fact.  But also, she knew that Daisy would appreciate the story.  “I uh –” she laughed,  “so I may have had a very satisfying encounter with William Mulciber.”

Mary had always been one to be in good spirits, but Daisy had to admit that it was especially good to see her in such high ones today. That whatever she’d been up to in the time she’d seen her last was something worth getting giddy over, Mary’s been through enough, and for that matter all the code fives that’d been forced into hiding had.  Her eyes widened at the mention of William Mulciber and while anything of his mention from the younger worried her, it seemed she had nothing to worry about here. Mary was almost giddy at whatever happened at the encounter and that alone was enough to calm any anxiety, for now at least. 

“ A satisfying encounter with Mulciber? I can’t imagine that.” Daisy quipped. Normally she tried to be more civil, but if anyone brought rudeness out of her it was William Mulciber even if he wasn’t present. “ Well, don’t hold it back Mary. What happened with him?” Daisy questioned knowing it had to be an interesting tale, and if Mary was walking away happy, claiming it as satisfying she knew she didn’t have to worry about Mary in it. 

-

Her little trips to Diagon Alley were helping her to become more accustomed to the rudeness of those in a hurry but she also found it was a wonderful place to stop and talk to those who had the time and energy. They were little bright spots of her day and the pretty blonde woman was certainly no exception. “Oh, it was no one’s fault, really,” Anushka said automatically, straightening up with the sad remains of her flowers and doing a bit of fussing to try and cheer the blooms up. She would give them sugar in their vase water to apologize, that would do the trick. 

“Thank you, again, I don’t know if I will ever be used to how quickly it gets busy here in the afternoons,” She admitted, hurrying a bit to get herself out of the narrower part of the street that shoppers were trying to get to. Sorting through the bouquet for just a moment, Anushka pulled out one of the roses she had managed to keep clutched to her chest when the others fell and held it out for the woman, “Here, as thanks, a pretty flower for a pretty woman, yes?”

The other woman was quick to absolve anyone of blame and in a way, Daisy supposed she was right. She hadn’t known exactly what caused the man to rush off without apologies, but he probably had no intentions of making her drop the flowers. Just a mix of timing and crowds in the end. “ It was no problem really,” Daisy reassured following the girl off to the wider, less filled part of the street. “ I can understand that, if I hadn’t spent my whole life around them the crowds might be harder to navigate. Do the places where you’re from not get very busy?” She asked extending the conversation. The girl seemed really sweet and there was no harm in trying to get to know her.

She smiled at the extended rose, shifting the flowers in her own arms that she’d yet to give back to take the gift. “ Thank you, that’s very sweet. A sweet gift from a sweet lady.” Daisy remarked, taking the flower from her. “ Now I know there isn’t as many as before, but would you like some help taking the flowers where ever you were taking them?”

*

William was on his way home from the Auror office, feeling a lot better than he had in weeks.  Sure, he’d been unable to extract certain information he’d been looking for, but he had managed to deal with one of the code fives for good, and that knowledge was enough to put him in a good mood.  It may not have been sanctioned code five hunting, but blowing off a little steam had been just what he had needed.  Their leadership seemed nowhere to be found as of late, which, quite frankly, was fine by him.

It didn’t take him long to spot a familiar figure walking home, and he smirked to himself.  Daisy Hookum, he remembered her from their school days.  She’d never been a main target of his, but he was hardly one to pass up the opportunity for a little fun.  It did, however, throw him off that she decided to stop and stretch in the middle of the street, and he decided that he’d take advantage of her stopping to duck through an empty alley way and block her path.

William smiled as Daisy’s eyes flew open just in time for him to slide into her view.  He knew who she was, and further, he knew that she knew exactly who he was, but he was playing a game.

“What is a pretty girl like you doing out alone at this hour?”

Daisy didn’t even have to allow her eyes to focus on the man to recognize who it was once she’d heard the voice. The figure was William Mulciber, and Daisy had to admit she’d regretted opening her eyes knowing that information. She wouldn’t go as far to say they go way back as she feels that would imply a sort of friendliness that wasn’t there. He was a bully in school, though there were probably harsher and more accurate words for him, and she was sure he hadn’t changed his ways, being so involved with the new government.  

She’d bit the inside of her cheek, mulling over what response to give the man. If Daisy went with her first instinct she’d already been walking down the street, maybe offering an excuse as she was running late somewhere. However, she knew that William wasn’t the type to just let someone walk away and so she’d never get away with that course of action.

“I was just getting off work, about to meet a coworker actually. ” Daisy finally answered, adding the bit about plans to offer a possible layer of safety. She knew that she was never a real target, but she knew what he was capable of. “ And what are doing out here? Surely, you don’t just stand on the street waiting for women to flirt with.” In reality, she knew he wasn’t actually flirting, that he was just like this, but she’d rather get a feel on exactly what he was up to with her.

**

Losing Cedric had always been a fear of hers. That he’d disappear from her and that’d be the end of it. That it’d be punishment for something or her fault for putting him in danger. That the gods would be that cruel was not hard to believe. She had read muggle mythology stories growing up and most of them were a tragedy. And Aurora would be damned if that’d happen to her. 

It was good that he had wandered to what appeared to be a young woman with a friendly enough face. Though, these days you couldn’t really judge things by appearances. But Aurora knew enough that this woman wasn’t a threat. She knew what a few of the Death Eaters looked like and she didn’t resemble any of them. Aurora knew the woman meant no harm, but she couldn’t imagine letting Cedric out of her eyesight for more than a second. Of course he was curious, he was four, after all. But it wasn’t like when she was a child, over two decades ago. Danger was all around them, but she tried to not allow herself to think like that. “Yes, he definitely is curious,” she said with a smile, looking down at Cedric, who was now hiding between her legs, peeking out from behind them. 

“Nice to meet you, Daisy,” she said, sticking out one of her hands to shake Daisy’s. “I’m Aurora. And of course Cedric is actually shy now,” Aurora laughed a little. “He wasn’t bothering you was he?”

Daisy wasn’t a mother, in fact she wasn’t anywhere close to being one, but she could understand the worry that could be caused by your child running off to a stranger. Especially now with the state that the world was in a stranger was more dangerous than ever, though Daisy liked to believe that there were more kind ones out there than cruel ones. If Aurora had any of those feelings of worry she tucked them away nicely as Daisy could only see the cheerful seeming mother.

The boy was now hiding behind his mother’s legs a fact that made Daisy smile in amusement. It was funny how little kids could be so bold and exploratory when left to their own devices, but once something of comfort appears they’ll cling to it. In a way she’d guessed adults weren’t always so different, herself included. She’d moved out on her own, yet stayed in the city near enough to her parents. Hell, she’d even found herself wondering a childhood park on her day off when she had nothing better to do. The blonde quickly shook the hand presented to her with a smile. “Nice to meet you as well Aurora, and would seem he has become shy” She finished, looking down at the hiding Cedric. 

" He wasn’t a bother at all, really.” Daisy reassured Aurora. “ In fact if anything his company was welcomed. I really had no plans when I came to the park and questions from such an adorable kid isn’t a bad way to pass the time.” She paused before adding. “I just hope we didn’t cause you too much worry, I imagine seeing your kid with a stranger could be alarming.” 

Both Wendy and Daisy had been rather busy since the switch in their careers, but things always settled and the two would always make time for each other. Tonight was no different, Daisy was on her way to her best friend’s place for sleepover. It was something they’d done in the summers as kids, and something they continued to keep them close in adult hood. Admittedly, not all of their sleepovers were ones planned. It wasn’t uncommon for the two to be playing catch up and realize a little too late the hour they’d stay up talking about the various happenings in their life. No matter how they’d started they’d always left a fond memory in her mind. 

Daisy had made it to Wendy’s door and raised her hand to gently knock on the wood. Sure, the two were close enough that she probably could let herself in, but knocking was a politeness instilled in her young she’d yet to let go of, even for Wendy.  It wasn’t long after the knock that Daisy could hear Fitz bark behind the door. If her knock had been too soft to alert her friend, the beagle’s sounds would surely get her attention. 

…

As time went on Mary was finding more and more difficult to trust any of the higher codes – especially those who had professed to be on their side before things had gotten really bad, the ones who had abandoned them to maintain their comfortable lifestyle.  The ones who organized for them on the sidelines without really doing anything risky, or anything helpful.  She didn’t need a bag of apples, she needed someone to stand up to the Ministry and tell them that they were wrong.  The ones who still would, probably, help them if she asked, but the ones who would do so out of guilt, which was almost worse. She didn’t need pity, she needed people who were willing to fight still.  Who weren’t afraid.  She almost preferred those who had been neutral all along.  At least she could count on them for a bit of consistency.

But things had always been different with Daisy.  Daisy had been one of the first that she’d opened up to about what Mulciber had done to her when she was a second year; she hadn’t told her the details, no one needed to know those.  But she had told her that it was him, which was a vast improvement to where she had been the year before.  And ever since that moment they’d manage to maintain a friendship, despite her neutrality in the war.  Not everyone was cut out to fight, she knew that well enough.  And Daisy had never done anything that caused her to question her loyalty, even if it were simply from the sidelines.

She smiled, relieved as Daisy made her way through the front door of her shop.  “Yes,” she confirmed, glancing to make sure her co-worker was settled.  “Let me just go check out and we can head to the park down the road.  I bought some nice sandwiches during my lunch break that we can have.”  Giving Daisy a quick wave she ducked into the back of the store and grabbed her belongings, punching out on little screen before returning.  “Come, I’ve got loads to catch you up on.”

Daisy was relieved that she’d been correct, though if she’d been wrong and had to wait around the shop surely there would have been enough in the shop to keep her attention. While it was much like the bookstores in the wizarding world the contents between the two would differ greatly. “That sounds lovely.” She replied quickly an amused smile forming on her lips. It was funny that Daisy was the one here to deliver supplies, yet Mary still got them sandwiches. That was Mary though, always ready to be taking care of those around her, it was a trait Daisy admired and fostered herself, but she did wish sometimes that the woman would allow just herself to be taken care of.

It wasn’t long before Mary had wrapped up and was by Daisy’s side ready to leave the building and go towards the park. “Oh, you’ve been up to a lot since we’d last met?” Daisy questioned as she opened the door, holding it for Mary until she’d exited the building. It wasn’t surprising that there might be a lot to say, it’d been some time since the two have properly seen one another. The look on Mary’s face made Daisy guess at least some of the stories she had were happier ones, though Mary often had a smile as her expression. No matter the subject she was eager to hear what she had to share “ Can you share it on the walk, or should we wait until we are at the park?” She asked, unsure of how careful they’d have to be. The streets were filled with Muggles passing by and nowadays you couldn’t be sure if there were some wizards and witches as well.

Where : Construction of Dragon Reserve outside of London 

Status : OPEN

He wasn’t paid enough to ask questions so when his boss told him that he needed to relocate back to London to help establish a Dragon Reserve hidden within the rural areas outside of London.  He just showed up, his first time since the war really started to become a well known threat before he hid himself away in Romania hoping for the world to balance itself out.  With the Ball behind him, he could finally focus on work.  He had four crates of Dragonlings that needed to get acclimated to their new terrains with hope that they wouldn’t get the bright idea to escape.  

They needed to clear the air space and finally pray the Hungarian Horntail (Zilla) and the Chinese Fireball (Bren)  enjoyed their new homes or they would be putting out fires for the next couple weeks.  When he heard noise behind him, he just assumed it was his buddy Alejandro, so he didn’t even bother to turn around. 

“Alejandro.” He called out from behind, “We gotta get that Anti-fly spell up before we release the younglings or else–.” He stopped short when he turned around on his heels.  “You are not Alejandro.” He commented looking the other up and down, “What brings you to the Reserves, they aren’t exactly ready for tours or visits but i’m not one to turn away pleasant company.” He shrugged his shoulders and leaned against a post.   

 It wasn’t a habit of Daisy to be places she wasn’t exactly meant to be, but she’d come to the just starting Dragon Reserve with good intentions. She wanted to surprise her friend with lunch after she’d finished her business. Wendy had told her she’d be visiting the place for work in the coming days, though with no Wendy in sight and a man calling her Alejandro she realized maybe she should of found out more concrete information. 

The man was being friendly enough and that helped ease any embarrassment Daisy might feel towards the matter.  “ No I’m not Alejandro, I’m Daisy.” She introduced herself before answering his question on her presence. “ I was trying to surprise a friend with lunch, though I realize now she was only stopping by for work and I don’t actually know when she was meant to do that.” Daisy explained, lifting the bag in her hand when referencing lunch. 

status: open location: diagon alley, outside quality quidditch supplies @darkestdawnstarters

The June heat baked into the cobblestones, sun blanketing Lucinda’s shoulders. She had always loved the summer, and London’s densely packed buildings trapped the heat better than just about anywhere else in England. Luce stood idle, smoke in hand as she studied the broom in the shop window, it’s beautifully crafted walnut handle calling her name. It was easy, almost, to pretend that everything was fine with the sun heating her back. In the old days, the team would supply her with the latest, greatest broom and she would never have to choose between rent and some shiny new kit. In the old days she never would have bothered with quality quidditch supplies. The Falcons had gotten most of their gear from Europe. 

Luce relaxed the jaw she had unconsciously set, her almost-daydream pushed aside by her surging rage at the real world. She glanced around the busy street, meeting another pair of eyes. “Alright there?”

Daisy had never been a fanatic of Quidditch, but she had enjoyed the sport and even took part in it at school for sometime. So when she’d seen the newest display at quality quidditch supplies  she thought there was no harm and stopping to look through the window at it for just a moment. As she approached she noticed a woman who had a similar idea to her, though she had to admit her feelings on the matter looked to be a bit different. Excitement and anger seemed to meet on her face intriguing Daisy.

Admittedly she was staring trying to figure out the exact emotions that filled her head, but she didn’t expect to be caught. “ I’m sorry for staring, but I have to say I think the real question is if you’re alright? Your jaw was clenched staring into the window.” Daisy shared, hoping that maybe she’d understand the staring. 

status: open @darkestdawnstarters​

location: a bar in London

-

It wasn’t often that Bellatrix found herself alone at a bar, more often she’d be coaxed out by her coworkers for a drink or two and comforted by the sensation of being surrounded by those she trusted. She had made quite the reputation for herself amongst her peers but it wasn’t unusual for some drunk wizard to assume she was a fake, somehow falsifying her power and would be tolerant to advances. 

Days like today it was just easier to stay late and find a drink on her own, whether it meant retracing to a place Alecto had taken her or whatever place looked the most empty and thus the least likely for her to be disturbed. Still, it didn’t always work, and people of all sorts sometimes thought the empty barstools on either side of her was some silent invitation and not a message to stay away. 

Bellatrix rolled her eyes into her glass as someone sat down beside her, “If you have a line, get it over with.”

It didn’t take long for Daisy to realize that she’d had made a mistake. The woman she was sitting next to wasn’t her coworker who’d gotten off only an hour earlier talking of her plans to go out, but in fact Bellatrix Black. The only real comfort in the mishap was that it seemed the other woman also had no clue who was beside her just assuming it to be some drunk suitor. A fact that would normally be amusing that seemed to lose its humor under circumstance.  

Daisy quickly debated her options before responding. She could simply slip out of the chair without a word or mumble an apology as she exited, or simply stick it out. By the time she’d come to the decision to leave with an apology it seemed the bar seats filled, something she hadn’t noticed was taking place. “I haven’t got a line for you, just taking the only available seat.” Daisy replied, accepting the option fate gave her before ordering herself a drink. 

status: open @darkestdawnstarters​

location: diagon alley - london

-

It was becoming a habit to waste much of her time wandering around the popular shopping street of Diagon Alley. Anushka was meeting all sorts of nice people there, and it was as good as any place to find new books and clothes and even things to decorate Antonin’s scarce, monklike house. How he could stand living in what seemed to be a white box, she didn’t know, but she was going to fix it with or without his permission. Especially when he insisted that she stay in his stupid radius he had set up for her. 

She’d been chatting to a sweet merchant with a flower stand and turned with her arms full of bouquets only to stumble into someone trying to get by her, causing her to drop the flowers in a heap on the ground. Some people continued walking through, trampling some of the buds as she crouched and tried to collect them. 

“Oh this always happens,” She muttered in Russian, frustrated at herself. Anushka looked up in surprise as a new pair of feet joined her and began helping her pick up the flowers, “Oh thank you!” 

The crowds growing and filling the street of Diagon alley was almost a sure-fire way to know that summer was in the full swing of things. It was a sight that came year after year, becoming a familiar comfort to Daisy rather than an annoying occurrence that it was to some. She was always a fan of people watching whether it was a crowded pub as she sat at the back table or the those who weaved from shop to shop as she to a break to eat ice cream on her own shopping day.

Though the crowds weren’t a completely positive experience and Daisy was reminded of that as shoulders collided and strangers bumped each other just to get by. Sometimes it was done out of rudeness and other times just out of unfortunate necessity. When she’d seen a man cause a girl to stumble, one who was now bent to the ground collecting the flowers she dropped, was left without a murmur of apology she’d determined it was out of rudeness and stopped to help her.  

Daisy bent done reaching for the flowers closest to her attempting to save as many she could from the feet of those passing by. When the girl looked up and offered thanks she’d looked surprised by the help. “ It’s no problem I was part of the crowd, part of the problem that caused this the least I could do is be helpful.” She offered a smile to the girl before opening her mouth once more. “ I only wish I could have saved more.” Daisy glanced at the trampled flowers left on the ground.

With the war ending the way it had and the codes given out by the new government ruled by Death eaters, many facts of life had been effected. Daisy’s friendship with Mary had been no different than anything else that fell victim to shifting circumstance. Back in Hogwarts despite the age gap between the girls they’d grown close, and even when Daisy had graduated she’d keep in touch with the younger always keen on her well being. The war itself had brought shaky ground, but they’d managed to get passed it. However, when codes were introduced the friendship once again had to evolve. With Mary and many others in hiding, it’s been reduced to coded messages and secret meetings, to many outsiders it’d would seem they’d ended it completely. 

Daisy was on her way to one of the secret meetings, a tote bag in hand charmed to fit all the things on Mary’s list she’d sent. It’d been sometime since she’d been able to visit her friend and excited to check in. It was hard to see someone she cared for in such danger with so little she could offer without the risk of bringing greater danger. The place of the meeting would change occasionally to ensure safety in case anyone was poking around or following, and this time they’d landed on the muggle shop where Mary had gotten a job while in hiding. 

Once she’d arrive Daisy put on her best muggle act, which she thought was rather good considering she grew up spending much time with Wendy’s mother and began looking around the shop. She hadn’t spotted her friend right away, making her think maybe she’d come too late or remembered the wrong meeting spot. Within minutes those theories were thrown out by the Mary’s dark hair popping out from behind a shelf. “ Mary!” Daisy quietly called to her as she walked towards her. “ You said you were off at four, right?”

Before Daisy had even left the hospital she’d made up her mind to walk the distance home. Sure, she could use many measures that’d make the journey quicker, but after the eventful day, she felt she could use the time to decompress from it all. However, she hadn’t intended the sun to be well into the setting by the time of her exit. Daisy had offered to stay late and help with the unexpected busyness, after all, she could always use some extra hours of training, but she’d not expected the amount of time she’d stayed over her shift.

Her body ached, though that had become a common thing in her life, as she’s become slightly more physical than she’d been in a while. Daisy glanced at her surroundings, briefly accessing them before deciding to stop and stretch. It seemed there was hardly anyone out and so stopping to stretch before continuing her walk felt like a harmless choice. She closed her eyes, taking in a breath before slowly rolling her shoulders to start the small stretching routine. Daisy had extended her arms slightly to help as she twisted her body, but just as she was halfway through she sensed something. Her eyes flicked open just in time to see a figure and a small exclamation of surprise slipped from her lips.

Status: Open | @darkestdawnstarters Location: A Park 

These days, it felt like going out in public was almost asking for trouble. She knew about the shadow that appeared in the corner of her eyes. The darkness that was there when she wasn’t looking and yet gone when she turned her head. While her code status kept her and her family relatively safe. It wasn’t like she was being completely safe. Aurora tried to help out whatever Order members remained. Sending food or supplies or whatever else they needed. She knew the risks, as did her husband, but both of them weren’t ready to quite give in to violence just yet. Although these days, she was more ready than he was. 

However, she couldn’t let fear dictate her life, especially not with Cedric. While he was only four, he was smart enough to catch on to when his parents were feeling a little off. If she had said no to going to the park, then that would mean him asking questions and throwing a fit and he did deserve to believe things were fine. To run around and play with the toy broomstick he had gotten for his third birthday. Even though it did make her a bit nervous to watch him fly. Like he was growing up too quickly in such uncertain times. 

Aurora sat on a blanket in the grass, keeping a close eye on her son when she noticed the dark spot again. Quickly, she turned her head to look around and when she gave up she saw Cedric asking questions to a random stranger. Her heart raced as she jogged in a manner to still look casual. “Cedric, dear, you can’t leave mummy’s vision, okay?” She approached him and the stranger. “I am so sorry about that,” she said a bit sheepishly. “I promise I don’t let him just…fly off without a care.” Hopefully the stranger could forgive this lapse in parenting.

It had been the first day that Daisy had absolutely nothing planned, something that felt an uncommon occurrence in the last months. Her days had often been filled with training and studying once outside of her shifts. She didn’t mind the new life, in fact she found the road to becoming a healer rather fulfilling, but it was a busy road nonetheless. After she’d visited with her parents she found herself at a loss of what to do next, she hadn’t needed to do any errands as those had been done yesterday, and all her friends seemed to be up to something weather it was work or something else. After mulling over her options for a minute Daisy decided on walking around the park not too far off from her parents house. 

The park had felt like it’d not changed much since the days she used to visit it as child, expect for the minor details to upkeep the park it was the same. The same amount of kids running and playing enjoy what little sun that was available in London. The same old people and bookish adults sitting at the benches. It was nice to be in a place that felt unchanged, though if she looked hard enough Daisy knew she’d see the effects of the war looming about. Though before she could get too deep into that depressing thought she was interrupted by a smiling little boy with a mop of brown curls on his head.

She’d just about bent down to his eye level to answer the questions he’d been posing when a woman came jogging up to retrieve the wandering child. Daisy pushed herself up, shaking her head at the apology. “ Oh, don’t worry about it I used to roam this park just the same. He’s just a little curious is all. “ She said with a smile assuring the mother that all was well. “ So, I suppose I should probably introduce myself that way Cedric wasn’t talking to a stranger, but a new friend. I’m Daisy, and you are?”