Emmeline Vance

( cis female | she/her | maia mitchell ) —— isn’t that EMMELINE LYANNA VANCE? yeah that is them, outside the three broomsticks! they used to be in GRYFFINDOR but apparently they now work as a TRAINEE HITWIX in the DMLE. sybill once said that they reminded her of wild curls, laughter that echoed throughout the halls, flowers etched across her ribs, quick hands, jean jacket littered with colourful patches, leather combat boots, firm believer in corduroy and the magic of colour, hazel eyes that begged for honesty. anyway i’ve heard they’re still a bit LOYAL, EMPATHETIC and IMPULSIVE, they’re TWENTY now but some things never change! i wonder how being a PUREBLOOD is affecting them after hogwarts, especially now they’re a MEMBER with THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX? i guess only time will tell… —

“oh.” he hadn’t even thought about that possibility. how could he have been so blind to something so simple? his mind just wasn’t working right these days. “i can do that.” he brushed some hair behind her ear, needing to be closer, needing to be apologetic. 

“i won’t be, you know, doing anything with her. you know that, don’t you? i’ll make it clear this is all for show, a business arrangement and nothing more. nothing more emme.” he said softly, trying to reassure her to the best of his ability but he felt like he was failing. “what do you mean?” he swallowed hard, he could see how much this was hurting her and it wasn’t even happening yet. it threatened to break him just that little bit more, another piece chipped off his heart. 

“how did it not cross your mind?” she questioned quietly, here she was searching for every way to make this work and their was the fear that perhaps he didn’t care enough or wanted to find another way. she knew it wasn’t a fair thought - that he had a million things on his mind, but the idea of him shacking up with emma vanity had her sick to her stomach. “i want to believe you -- i feel that i do” she sighed, her own fingers running through her hair, “i’m also no fool and i understand that things happen -- you’re going to be spending time with her rab, and if it does -- if something happens. i need to know” she refused to see it plastered in the prophets or from another -- she knew that would be her breaking point. 

“okay? people die all the time.” she said, shaking her head at it all. arden didn’t understand, she didn’t get the mourning. the grief. the fear. she had been taught that what they thought—what her family thought—was right. “there’s too many important people here anyway.” she says with a sigh. “i highly doubt they would, it would be a stupid attack.” she says rolling her eyes. 

on any other day she wouldn’t give a reaction -- always careful to conceal her heart but the callousness of her words had struck her, “-- and if it was your own family, i wonder if you would share the sentiment. people die all the time is easy to say till it happens to you and i hope that someone would show you more empathy than what you have in you” 

     he’s  immediately  thankful  for  the  diversion ,  intentional  or  not .  too  much  time  had  been  spent  on  trying  to  erase  the  memories  of  what  had  occurred  in  the  dungeon .  moving  on  should  be  easier ,  needs  to  go  faster .   it  surely  wouldn’t  be  the  last  time  he’d  be  targeted  for  something  of  the  like ,  teddy  knows  that  much  .    “ yes ,  i’ll  go  with  you ,”  no  questions  are  asked .  no  need  to  when  he’s  more  than  glad  for  the  free  opportunity  to  leave ,  even  if  it’s  only  for  a  few  minutes .                        

      without  a  pause ,  teddy  is  standing  up  and  offers  his  hand  towards  emmeline . it  will  take  some  team  work  for  them  to  make  it  out  of  here .  at  least  in  hogsmeade ,  there  are  many  places  to  slip  into  and  find  solace .  “ just  lead  the  way .”    

“thank you --” grateful smile at her lips as she took his hand easily, her own gaze searching for her parents before she gave them a quick nod -- weaving through the crowd carefully, careful to not let go. 

“i hope it is, fun that is, for you.” she could use a break and he was just disappointed that he wouldn’t be the one to give her that. 

he listened in silence as emme asked all those questions and the guilt threatened to drag him under. “no, emme i — she doesn’t know that it’s a ruse, she can’t. the more people who know my secret the more dangerous everything becomes. at least with her in the dark she can stay safe.” he was half pleading with emme to understand, how could he tell emma the truth? but at least this time he hadn’t done or said anything yet, so there was time for things to be changed. 

she could feel her stomach dropping -- her frown only deepening at his confession, “i don’t expect you to tell her the truth -- that would be foolish and dangerous to you, but why can you not tell her that it’s for appearances alone?” she was confused to say the least. it wasn’t something unheard of was that not nearly all betrothals? a simple front. “that it was just for the public -- nothing more” 

“alright, i can’t argue with that.” he grinned, chuckled as she came in close. “i just need it to be —- safe.” he admitted with a shrug. 

“i know, i know i don’t have to. but i want you to feel safe here too.” he nodded then, rubbing the back of his neck. “the — the mckinnon wedding? tristan? no, we weren’t invited or, well i wasn’t.” he pursed his lips and stepped back, taking a deep breath and forcing himself to stay calm. tristan, the guy who had found mary, that wasn’t going to go well. but then he did have something to tell her too and he came back to stand in front of her. “you know tristan is the one who found mary after i — after i hurt her.” it wasn’t a question and he wasn’t worried something would happen between them or anything but still, why did it have to be tristan? “but umm, i have to umm —- “ he cleared his throat. “i have to start dating emma vanity.” he spit the words out and sighed. “she needs to refresh her image and my parents need to see me date someone so they won’t betroth me.” 

“he was headboy, i wouldn’t expect anything less --” she stated slowly, a wariness kicking in as she watched him carefully, “we’re friends --” as candid as she could be, “he wanted some company and i knew you were going to be busy, i thought it could be fun” 

arden didn’t understand the strong emotional that everyone else was feeling. apparently, fear was also another one of them. she raises an eyebrow overhearing the girl taking a drink before she ends up saying, “why wouldn’t you be safe?” she says, thinking that it’s probably the stupidest question you can ask. perhaps it made arden ignorant, but she had always known that she would be…. protected, if she did what she was told. 

“a family was murdered --” unable to hide the incredulity of her words, “that could happen to anyone -- anyone who has a difference of an opinion. not being fearful of that would be foolish” 

he scoffed “when have you known me to be loud, in general?” he grinned nonetheless but he felt like he was a stoic person, maybe his self perception was off these days. “we wanted something quiet, something people wouldn’t pay attention to.” he shrugged, he hoped that was true. “it already feels better than home.” but he was uncomfortable anyway, he wasn’t sure anywhere would feel like home as long as they were all in danger. 

“yes well, i wanted to try it a bit on my own. my room is mostly done but it just needs — a personal touch from you. i want you to be conmfortable here — “ even if he wasn’t “ —- you’ve got a set of drawers that’s all yours and here’s a key too.” he dug around in his pockets until he found it and pressed it into her palm. “it’s charmed to work the front door, otherwise the place will be on lockdown.” 

“fresh out of a game --” cheeky smile at her lips, as he should be -- his career was going to be as loud as it was rewarding, “that’s good” soft smile stretching her lips as she wrapped her arms around his waist. “this place can be anything you want it to be - that’s exciting” 

she fought not to roll her eyes at the question, which clearly wasn’t aimed at her but she’d heard it nonetheless. “looks like your parents might care about protecting you there, plus if anyone was going to attempt something ( which would just be foolish ) they’d go for the chief warlock, not some —- not you.” she said with a pointed look at the other. 

her gaze shifting to the woman next to her -- grip tightening on her glass as she fought the urge to really say what was on her mind, “i don’t doubt that, but there is a messiness that comes with that -- collateral damage, if your mind doesn’t think that far ahead, i can’t blame you -- it’s a hard time for everyone, isn’t it?” polite smile stretched at her lips. 

        lorraine had agreed to arrive with their mother, if for no other reason than to avoid listening to the woman carrying on about it later - they would’ve attended on their own either way, though she had a feeling she’d be staying much longer than she’d planned. the second their mother had found her way into conversation the wix had slipped off, wandering through the crowd. she had stopped for a moment, debating on where to go or who to talk to, when the other wix’s question caught her ears. “we’re as safe here as we would be almost anywhere else, i’d imagine.”

weary smile crossed her lips as the woman humoured her, “you do have a point --” and that was a double edged sword in itself - were they truly safe anywhere? 

      it  becomes  more  apparent  with  each  passing  moment  that  teddy  shouldn’t  have  come  to  the  memorial  service .  he  should’ve  stayed  home  ,  could’ve  been  blissfully  ignorant  to  the  happenings  of  the  wizarding  world ,  and  would’ve  been  less  anxious  than  he  felt  now .  the  elected  chief  warlock  is  speaking , the  rehearsed  words  from  rodolphus  serving  as  background  when  emmeline  reaches  for  his  attention .  it’s  a  quick  realization  that  he’s  not  alone  in  his  thoughts .  

     all  teddy  offers  immediately  is  a  curt  nod ,  gaze  now  fixing  to  where  her  father  had  congregated  towards  the  front  of  the  gathering .  he  hated  feeling  powerless  in  a   place  brimming  with  people  that  held  outdated  beliefs .  “ i’m  confident  that  we’re  safe  here ,”  it’s  the  truth .  he  felt  safe  here ,  but  what  he  would  feel  the  second  he  stepped  back  into  his  muggle  home  would  be  entirely  different .  his  parents  were  even  more  defenseless .  

her gaze drawing to her where his sat -- their chief warlock. the one that certainly hadn’t been their choice and yet here he was so rehearsed and sorrowful -- the skeptic in her wondered how long he had to repeat those words for it to be somewhat true, but tearing apart the eldest lestrange wasn’t going to do her any good, no -- she would rather focus on the boy next to her - the one that clearly had too much going on. 

             emmeline’s  question  was  met  with  a  soft  nod  ,  a  comforting  hand  moving  from  her  own  waist  over  to  offer  a  little  squeeze  to  the  other  woman’s  hand  —  it  was  a  fair  concern  ,  one  marlene  had  spent  the  entire  night  staring  at  her  ceiling  over  :  would  anyone  try  anything  today  ?  it  would  certainly  send  a  message  ,  a  powerful  one  at  that  .  nothing  is  sacred  ,  nothing  is  safe  .  yet  it  seemed  too  expected  ,  an  easy  plan  that  she  was  sure  the  hitwix  and  aurors  spread  around  had  prepared  for  .  no  ,  they  .  .  .  whoever  they  were  ,  were  too  smart  for  that  .  the  blonde’s  glass  of  wine  was  offered  to  emme  ,  her  voice  quiet  as  she  answered  ,  eyes  travelling  over  the  crowd  .  "  there’s  too  many  powerful  people  here  ,  no  one  would  try  anything  —  too  much  of  a  mess  to  avoid  hurting  the  wrong  people  .  we’re  safe  .  "

weary smile toyed at her lips as she returned the squeeze so easily -- that was the beauty of contact, it sent a surge of warmth through her, it didn’t silence the the fear that was slowly bubbling up, but it provided her with comfort. “thank you --” she mumbled, usually insisting on getting her own glass, the glass was too tempting to pass up, “i hope you’re right” she managed -- taking a generous sip before handing the glass back to her. she wasn’t wrong -- as tempting as the mass of wixs could be, it didn’t change the fact that the group was diverse --

“wait, what do you mean by interesting?” he smirked, pulling her close to press a kiss to the top of her head and usher her inside. nothing was really set up yet and he hadn’t unpacked all his things but the flat was still nicer than he had anticipated, they’d spent more than they’d intended but it felt worth it so far. 

“it’s quiet --” easily stepping into him, gentle smile at her lips as she stood on her toes to press a kiss against his cheek before following him inside, “then again -- i can’t imagine you and frank in the middle of noise” she admitted. gaze curious as she took it all in, “corvus -- not bad” grinning as she wrapped her arms around his, “a lot of space, it’s going to feel like home in no time” 

“hey --” she breathed out, genuine smile stretching her lips, “interesting neighborhood --” she chirped, godric, she sounded like a complete oddball. emmeline was never good at lying -- even by omission.

﹕   𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙣 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙧⠀  ›      @beforedawnstarters

      it  was  uncomfortable  to  walk  into  hogsmeade  and  be  met  with  so  many  faces  that  left  the  hairs  on  the  back  of  her  neck  lifting  —  faces  lily  knew  took  personal  offense  to  people  like  her  .  she  could’ve  not  come  ,  she  had  every  reason  to  simply  stay  home  ,  but  making  an  appearance  at  the  memorial  felt  important  to  her  —  what  had  happened  had  been  a  tragedy  ,  an  abomination  ,  and  the  redhead  had  felt  the  urge  to  come  pay  her  respects  regardless  of  the  company  around  her  .  it  had  been  a  last  minute  decision  ,  so  she  couldn’t  even  be  sure  if  any  of  her  friends  would  be  there  ,  but  for  now  that  didn’t  matter  .  the  small  crowd  formed  around  grace  tuft  meant  she’d  wait  a  bit  ,  give  them  space  ,  instead  moving  towards  the  bar  —  a  gentle  tone  to  her  voice  when  she  moved  to  take  a  place  next  to  another  wix  ,  brushing  past  them  as  she  did  so  .  "  excuse  me  .  "

emmeline couldn’t remember the last time she had attended a memorial -- she was five? no six -- it was her maternal grandmother who had met a fatal accident and she was sobbing at the idea of never seeing that smile again -- he parents had discussed death, how fleeting life could be, but she had lived a rather fortunate life to not have to endure that pain again. an aging family member’s passing was nothing compared to the horrifying fate that had befallen the tufts. her discomfort was nothing compared to this. she felt someone brushing pass her side before rooting themselves next to her, “lily” she greeted softly, gentle smile at her lips, “it’s silly to ask if you are okay --” she started, “it’s good to see you, lovey” 

     the  smile  stays  stretched  on  his  lips ,  the  urge  to  relish  this  moment  for  another  second  kept  his  lips  put  together .  her  natural  ability  to  urge  a  laugh  never  went  unnoticed ,  and  that’s  probably  why  tristan  had  grown  to  appreciate  her  company . “ i  disagree .  perfection ,  in  my  humble  opinion ,  allows  itself  for  fault  if  it  compliments  the  object  it  embodies .  and  you ,  and  all  the  imperfections  you  think  you  may  have ,  still  seem  like  a  great  person .”  tristan  refutes  with  ease ,  though  it’s  easy  to  notice  the  slight  slur  in  his  words  as  he  continues .  “ if  i  decide  to  hide  the  shirt  at  the  bottom  of  my  dresser ,  does  it  still  count  as  a  win ?”       

      he  musters  the  attention  to  follow  emmeline’s  words  as  she  continues ,  half  impressed  at  her  listed  goal  .  “ that  sounds  like  a  brilliant  idea ,  actually .”  tristan  wholeheartedly  agrees ,  rambling  his  own  mind  to  imagine  if  he’d  ever  be  able  to  do  that .  all  his  life ,  he  had  been  a  stickler  for  the  rules -  looking  his  best ,  talking  his  best ,  playing  the  part  the  best  …  but  he  was  still so  young  .  he  deserved  to  live  a  bit ,  no ?  “ believe  me  when  i  say  that  you  are  also  doing  me  a  favour  by  agreeing  to  accompany  me  to  my  sister’s  wedding .  i  should  probably  warn  you  that  gwen  will  probably  have  tons  of  questions  for  you ,  and  you  have  every  right  to  refuse  to  answer  any .  i  don’t  think  she  realizes  i  have  any  friends  outside  frank ,  really .”  or  talked  to  any  other  girl  that  wasn’t  mary  ,  probably ,  but he  wouldn’t  say  that  for  sake  of  conversation . 

she would blame the firewhiskey -- anytime she recalled this moment, she knew she would say it was her intoxicated soppy state that had led to her eyes glazing over slightly. emmeline had never really struggled more with herself than she had the last few weeks -- the choices she was accepting and the consequences to those around her, whether it was her fault or not mary macdonald had certainly struck a cord in everything she believe in and the person she thought she was and yet with tristan, she almost believed him. perhaps it was his kindness or maybe it was the thought that the man before her didn’t have a dishonest bone in his body, but by godric - she needed to believe him. “thank you” she managed, cough soon following to conceal that poor sob that was nearly wrenching to come out, “it definitely counts” laughter now genuine, as she casually brushed away the evidence of her weak moment.