maddened by the stars

"Maybe he has a secret love for Muggle music- he could be wearing an ACDC shirt under those robes? Wizarding music goes straight over my head, it’s like listening to another language sometimes but the tunes are often catchy which isn’t so bad."

Somehow I doubt Lowell is a big fan of muggle rock bands...especially ACDC. But could you imagine...? It really is like listening to another language though and I always forget to ask our pureblood friends to translate. It makes me wonder if they listen to some of our bands and think it's all gibberish.

I’m not sure if we got lucky with the first group or really unlucky with this one. I can’t help but be comforted by the idea that they’ll be leaving at the end of the night and we’ll be able to go back to the protectors we’re used to. Do you find it strange that Blue Eyes and the rest of them aren’t here tonight? It’s just one of them, that blonde one with half her hair shaved…I know I’ve never seen her before but she just looks familiar. It’s like I read about her in a book and now I’m seeing her in person. Or like someone described…oh, oh shit! 

I think we're lucky-...when I used to imagine aurors, I imagined them like the ones who are guarding the Minister tonight - brooding, angry, intimidating. There is something intimidating about the aurors we're used to having, but at the same time, you sometimes see bursts of...I don't know, humanity? Something that reminds us they're human just like us. But you're right-...it is strange that our aurors aren't here tonight. Maybe-...would McGonagall give them the night off? Since she knew the Minister would be bringing his own protection? Wait-...are you sure? Are you sure you've seen the blonde woman before? Where would you have seen her? Or-...did someone else see her? Is that-...is that why you seem so worried?

Regardless of the circumstances everyone looks lovely. I think it’s good everyone is taking McGonagall’s instructions seriously, I don’t like to think what might happen if someone acted up tonight. Those new Aurors are significantly more disconcerting than the ones we’ve had around. And one of them…reminds me of something and can’t think what but it’s nothing good.

It's weird, isn't it? It's like-...when the first batch of aurors came, all we could talk about was how scary and stone like they appeared, but now that we're seeing this new group of aurors...I think it's safe to say we got lucky? At least we have a few aurors that know how to smile. These aurors seem ready to...snap. But wait-...what do they remind you of? Or -uh...should I say who do they remind you of?

"Yes! Practically no movement is totally my kind of dancing. Maybe we could request a song, though I can’t actually think of one that slow."

And would they even play muggle musical at a ball for the Minister? I mean-...all the slow songs I know are by muggle bands. I guess even at six years in the wizarding world, I still don't know that much about wizard music.

The burning newspaper was warm on Keller’s back as he watched Fiona standing there silently, a sad smile on her face as she watched him in return. “Burning was the most destructive thing I could think to do,” he admitted shyly, shrugging. “That, or exploding it, though I think the school could do with one less explosion for the foreseeable future.” In truth, Keller was glad to see Fiona there — when things were bad, he always wanted her around, mostly because she seemed to quiet the storm inside of him. Holding out his hand quietly to her for her to take, he gave her a small smile to show that he wasn’t mad or even sad — he just wanted her there with him. “It’ll be alright,” he said quietly, “I promise. It’s-… it’s terrible that Lowell got elected, but we’ll find a way to deal with it, yeah? I mean, if you think about it, we’ve already gone through so much, so what’s one man against all of that experience?”

It was impossible to prevent or hid the flinch at the mention of another explosion rocking the castle. The wounds were still so fresh even after months of recovery and new scars to cover the old. The only thing that stopped her from plunging into the past was Keller standing in front of her with his hand extended towards her, the only sign that Fiona needed to close the physical gap between them. Linking their hands together, Fiona returned his small smile, but her eyes strayed towards the burning parchment and the words that were quickly consumed by the fire. It did not matter that the ink was gone as the name was permanently etched in her mind. Lowell. The once omniscient presence was now leading the wizarding world and Fiona had trouble believing Keller when he said they could find a way to carry this new burden. "But-...but how much do we actually know about him? How do we know that our experience can go up against his experience...his-...his forces? He terrifies me and-...and it also terrifies me that so many people don't know how scared they should be. And they might not know until it's too late..." Fiona unconsciously tightened her grip on Keller's hand and shifted closer to him, wanting to believe that they were strong enough now to take on a man that seemed all powerful and fearing that they would never stand a chance.