crying wolf

Lucinda allowed the broom to be taken from her hands, and quickly steadied herself on her own. The wind gently licked her cheeks as she rose just a bit off the ground, watching as Sofia took in the broom. A part of her felt awful for what had happened, but Sofia seemed to be doing alright. At least the two of them could have these moments. Quiet as they were, and without the actual game itself. Luci knew it wasn’t enough but at least it was something. She would want something if it were here. “Well, lucky for you, I can give you this one if you’d like it,” Lucinda grinned. “Tell the manager it was stolen and slip him a few galleons. He won’t really mind.” She rolled her eyes slightly at the thought, at their negligence, but it didn’t really bother her. “Besides you deserve it more than Ariana Parkinson.” A sarcastic grin formed on her face as she mimicked the Parkinson woman. “Oh, I’m new to the team and I was a great seeker at Beauxbatons, blah blah. I want to punch her. She can barely see the snitch when it’s in the box, I’m convinced.”

There was always that split second right when her feet left the ground where the raw and unmasked longing had her stretching for solid ground again. But then she’d hover higher and higher and none of that mattered because this was where she belonged, on the back of a broom with the wind turning her hair into a tangled mess. It always hurt more afterward, the memory of what she’d had to give up for little Hannah just a bit too fresh, but for a bit, she could pretend. Tilting her face towards the sky, she hovered a few feet off the ground, savoring the feeling so much that she almost missed Luci’s words. “Oh, no, I could never-” she protested, but even though the guilt was beginning to grow in her stomach she stopped. “Well,” she said after a moment’s hesitation, “I guess I have to, then. Can’t have a Beauxbatons player using something this beautiful.” Sofia wasn’t one for cruelty; the sneer in her voice was more playful than serious. “Why not play for a French team? We have enough mediocre players on our own. Although, I guess I can understand - the French National Team kicked our asses more than once.”

Bilius laughed as Sofia played to the crowd. He loved good theatrics. And who better to share a night full of theatrics with than his friend and fellow performer? “Oh really?” he asked, sounding more disbelieving than he actually was. He looked at his bottle as if he were considering it before looking back to Sofia. He decided that spending the rest of it for shots with her didn’t seem like too bad of an idea. “And if you still haven’t caught up ‘til then, you can always buy more right?” he nudged her playfully. Bilius wasn’t being too serious about that but she’d be an incredible friend if she did. “Well if you’re going to stand on the bar… what are you waiting for?” he challenged. Sofia pouring into Bilius’ while she stands on the bar catching everyone’s attention? Now that was a sight to see. And Merlin knows Bilius loved being in anyone’s sight.

This was the energy that Sofia craved, full of drama and excitement and just about anything to pull attention. It was always so rewarding to see that she wasn’t the only one who thrived like this. “My tips were good tonight, but yours were better,” Sofia replied airily, examining her nails as if the matter bored her, but she looked up at him through her eyelashes and smiled. “Buuuut a certain someone with very sacred blood is coming in for a private show tomorrow, I guess I can celebrate early.” All she offered in response was a laugh and an eye roll, and then she was climbing up onto the bar with a grace few outside her chosen profession could muster. Pausing with her foot on a barstool, prepared to hoist herself up, she mouthed a quick sorry to the girl behind the bar and then she was up. “And next up, we have two of Merlin Rouge’s finest dancers competing to see who can drink the other under the table.” Hands spread wide and voice loud, she grinned, the glitter she hadn’t bothered to take off catching the light. “Ladies and gentlemen, place your bets now.”

who: @ofabbott

The morning air was crisp and cool, full of opportunity. The pitch was always the best at this time of day; morning dew just barely settling on the green grass. Besides, it gave her the most time to practice her plays, and the most time to play with other people who weren’t on the team. Sofia was one of those people. Ever since she wasn’t able to play, Luci had felt something break in her. Maybe it was just imagining having that very same thing happen to her. As Sofia walked up, Luci waved, zooming over on a broom as she accio’d another to her hand. “You don’t think I’d let you fly on just anything do you?” she grinned. “It’s the brand new Nimbus.”

No matter how many times she found herself on a quidditch pitch as the world turned light around her, Sofia still felt that same sense of longing. It had been easier for so long to simply ignore the entire sport, to pretend it hadn’t once been her whole world; if it had never mattered, it wouldn’t feel like she’d lost a part of herself, she figured. But Sofia always seemed to seek out pain, really, how was she supposed to stay away from quidditch entirely? And so every time Luci extended an invite, she accepted with only the briefest hesitation. There was a look of wonder on her face as she gripped the broom, and she was quick to shift that look to Luci. “No way.” Tone incredulous, she shook her head, holding out the broom and balancing it, checking the weight of it. Smile faltering, turning wry, she arched an eyebrow. “You spoil me. If I’m not careful I’m going to end up buying myself a new broom, as if I have any use for it nowadays.”

out of nowhere, the sun had finally decided to stop being such a complete and total pillock and show up –– so what was angie supposed to do, not jump up immediately when sofia mentioned it? fat chance of that. laying back on the grass, she opened one eye and offered the other just about the biggest smile. “ definitely a top three idea, ” she agreed, fishing a jellybean out of the bertie bott’s box sitting between and popping it into her mouth. the second she bit into it, angelina grinned wider and fell back onto the grass. “ candyfloss –– and honestly, we need to do this more often. just to keep me sane. ”  they had known each other in school all those years ago ; and then when they’d met again all those years later, susan and hannah had become fast friends –– just like their mums. it took a village, and they definitely had that. “ oh, you know. work and susan and –– i ate a stick of butter last night? ” she sat up, shrugging. there was a laugh on her lips, like always. “ what about you? apart from hannah outgrowing all her clothes –– when did she get so big? ”

As rare as the beautiful day was, it was all the rarer that Sofia actually had the chance to enjoy it. Weird hours paired with endless responsibilities left a bitter taste in her mouth, but as she carded her fingers through the rich green grass she figured it might just be worth it. Nodding her agreement, not entirely sure that Angie could even see her, she flopped unceremoniously back onto the grass beside her. She grabbed a jellybean of her own, pulling a confused face as she chewed. “Milk? That’s a new one.” Still, she shrugged her shoulders against the ground. Could’ve been worse. “Definitely. And I will singlehandedly control the weather just to make sure we have sunny days like this.” Sofia’s eyes never drifted far from the girls at play, but her attention was set on her friend’s words. Barking out a startled laugh, she grinned up at the other woman, not yet willing to leave her comfortable position. “You always were the pinnacle of health.” There was laughter in her smile, her expression uncharacteristically open. “I absolutely know. Y’know, my mom always made it look so easy, but I guess it wasn’t hard to keep a kid entertained on archaeological sites.” Fond memories of playing in the dirt with her parents’ discarded tools sprang to mind, the familiar pang of longing for her mother and for home close behind. “You’re one to talk - I think Susan’s grown since we got here,” she laughed. “I’ve been.... fine enough. Hannah’s been great, of course.”

Orion didn’t know if enough people told Sofia often enough of how great she was doing but they probably should. A reminder was always nice even if it was something you already knew but he knew from personal experience, from living in his brother’s shadow his entire life, that it could make all the difference in the world if it was something you were in doubt of. “I can’t imagine it must be easy for you,” he said gently, “To handle- everything. So if you ever need anything, I’m always here.” He didn’t want her to feel as if she would ever be imposing on him and he hoped she would believe him when he said so. “I agree,” he grinned, “She’s perfect.” He laughed, taking a long sip of his drink, the burning sensation familiar and more like relief than anything else, “I’m glad you like it.” Boring was definitely good these days and Orion definitely wished it was true; that he could just go about his life and not feel like everything was coming apart at the seams but it wasn’t something he could exactly talk about. Orion had always been good at keeping parts of him hidden away even when people thought they knew him, even from people he cared about. “I’m luckier than most.” 

Orion was always so damn kind to her, in a way that left her feeling off-balance. Few were outright rude to Sofia - perhaps a product of her own impulse to close herself off from so many - but his charm took her back to her years amongst the unfailing support of the Hufflepuff house. It wasn’t unwanted, just unusual, and she seemed to find herself blushing or at a loss for words more than she would’ve hoped. “Oh, you do so much for me already, Orion. Really, if you keep it up I’m going to have to do something outrageous just to make it up to you.” A teasing tone was adopted in an attempt to hide the shyness that so suddenly gripped her, a fond smile given to avoid averting her gaze. She’d been a powerful woman, once - still was, maybe - but she’d always been so soft underneath it all. “You have a niece, right? You must be an amazing uncle. And an amazing father, if you ever find yourself in that position.” How many times had she heard such similar words from other young parents? Oh, you’ll make a great mother, you’ll make a great father. It seemed so cliche and meaningless but she truly meant it. “Luck,” she said, turning the word over in her mouth, trying it on for size, then smiling up at him. “Now that’s something worth drinking to.”

“Yes,” she confirmed, popping open the tin of cookies on her lap.  “Yes, I think that just a few tablespoons of chopped walnut really do make all the difference when it comes to making the perfect chocolate chip cookie batter.” 

She turned to look at the person next to her, tilting her head so they could see her small smile, and passed the brightly colored tin in their direction.  “Of course you should take one.  Take three.  I made them to share.  Here –” she took one out and took a large bite, chewing it slowly.  “I know the world is a bit confusing right now, so see.  No poison.”  Poison wasn’t her style anyway.  It was far too easy to trace unless you were an expert.  “Now, do you want to tell me what I’m doing here, love?”  She asked, not unkindly.

With a sheepish grin, Sofia reached into the tin and grabbed one, then two cookies. No need to tell her twice, after all. “I’ll have to take your word for it. Hannah’s still in her ‘sweets and only sweets phase.” And Sofia was a dreadful baker, but no need to mention that.

Nerves were still something Sofia was growing used to, the change in recent years in her confident demeanor never failing to surprise her and leave her feeling off-balance. But she knew Freya, had for years even if they’d lost contact in the middle, and so Sofia was trying her hardest to pretend like the Death Eater moniker alone didn’t make her wary. “These are amazing, Freya, of course.” Taking a bite of the cookie just for something to do to stall, and then another because she wasn’t kidding, it was a damned good cookie, she smiled a tentative smile. “No reason,” she said after a brief hesitation with a shrug, because what was there to say? I need a friendly face right now? I need to prove to myself that I’m strong enough to be one of them? It all seemed too weak, too serious. “Just wanted to steal some more baked goods while I had the chance.”

Félix was taken aback when she laughed. Given the subject of their conversation, he didn’t feel like it was the right mood to find anything humorous. But maybe life is different as a werewolf with a pack? Maybe werewolves who are part of a pack can find levity in their situation. Félix doesn’t think he’d ever want to find the lightness in his situation. “Oh, I see.” He didn’t even consider that one of the werewolves in her pack would be a potioneer. “That makes sense. It must be cheaper to make the potion in large batches too,” he said, mostly to himself as he thought ahead. But then a thought struck him. Discomfort showed in his face. “They wouldn’t have been bitten because they were potioneers, were they?”

“Wow, your friend must be rich if she has access to the materials. Its ingredients are… expensive.” As an amateur potioneer and a healer himself, Félix has looked at the recipe for the potion more than once. Not only does the wolfsbane potion require a more experienced hand in making it, but its ingredients are also impossible to find with a limited budget. 

The question made her hesitate, and she hoped it didn’t show, lifting her nearly-empty drink in an attempt to cover for it. Sofia had never asked, had never wanted to ask, even if similar thoughts had crossed her mind; a little willful ignorance didn’t hurt anyone, she figured. But now she had to give him an answer, any answer, even though she didn’t know. “That’s a bit above my paygrade,” she admitted, lips quirking up as if it was a joke. “The ones I know weren’t. They just .... needed somewhere they fit in, and it just so happened that their skills could help out.”

There was no denying it - Sofia was a lousy potioneer, always had been. If left to her own devices, she’d have no hope of obtaining wolfsbane, either by making it herself or by purchasing it. In fact, she hadn’t even tried, suffering through those first few moons rather than waste money on the ingredients. “Maybe. Or maybe she just has better access.” Shrugging as if she didn’t know which one it was, she smiled at him. “Do you have any more questions? And, really Félix, just keep in mind that you are always welcome to join us for the full moon.”

The only reason Evan had mentioned his neice was too make her feel at ease once more. It was laughable honestly, how everyones children seemed to be their favorite topic and Evan had realized that for whatever reason, people trusted someone who liked children more than someone who didn’t. So he pretended even if he truly could not care less about any child apart from his niece and Draco, “She’s around two. So the same age, right?” Evan was glad about the change in subject. This was steadier ground, “I would hate to be rude,” he replied with a small grin as if the very idea was foreign to him. “Do I?” he smirked, leaning closer to her, “How, so?”

A part of her would always scream danger around him - around any of them. Sofia knew what they were, these men and women she found herself associated with, knew she was a beast but they could be cruel in such a calculated way, and she did fear them, even Evan who’d given her no reason to be. And yet it was so hard to remember all of that when talking about Hannah. “Just about,” she nodded, a smile playing at her lips, “so you get it, then. Cutest little tornadoes you ever did see.” This, too, put her far too at ease around these men; Death Eaters with their endless wealth seemed to be some of the Merlin Rouge’s best clientele. Maybe every time she made eye contact with one of them from the stage, she felt that familiar jolt of terror, but when they watched her hips move with hunger she knew at least this was a game she could play, too. But this wasn’t the club and besides, Evan wasn’t just any patron, yet still, Sofia had always felt more like herself like this. “If you ever are, I’ll make sure you make it up to me.” A soft pout, a glance up through her lashes; Evan likely knew this game but that made it no less fun to play. “Some clients make it too easy. I never know just what to expect from you.” Sofia could act but she’d never been the best liar, and so her words rang true underneath the bored tone and the quirk of her lips.

Olivia should have know this would happen, but when Evangeline tugged on a strand of her mama’s ponytail and pointed excitedly at the storefront yelling, “Yummydukes! Yummydukes!” She had no choice but to make an unplanned stop. She sighed, but it was a dreamy kind of sound, smile curling on the edges of her lips as her daughter tried to grab just about everything within reach.  “Kids, am I right?” She mused to no one in particular, eyes following the toddler around the shop. It wasn’t that long ago when Livvy was trying to coerce her daughter into taking her first steps. Now she had regrets as she chased her around the candy store. “I think I should just quit my job and work here. I spend galleons on confectioneries anyway and I bet they get a wicked discount.” Not that she needed it, but…

At the very least, Sofia was relieved to see she wasn’t the only mother caught in this position. Fine, she could admit it - Hannah was a bit spoiled; anything she asked for, Sofia would provide to the best of her ability. If that meant some candy, well, Sofia had already had a sweet tooth to begin with. Luckily, Hannah seemed to think a quick detour on their errands trip was more than enough to make up for all her mother’s failures and shortcomings. “Tell me about it. I think half my tips end up here,” Sofia agreed dryly. Following Hannah as she toddled around the store, never more than a step or two behind, she watched as her daughter ran up to another child, presenting her treasures. “I think she’s met someone after her own heart. Should I be worried? Two sugared-up toddlers are capable of anything.”

“i suppose,”  he replied, echoing her previous admission.  sofia was right, after all.  alcohol had definitely been her domain rather than his, at least during their time in hogwarts.  and since, he assumed, but danny had never tried that hard to keep tabs on the girl.  they were very different people, and once they were outside the castle walls, their petty feud served little purpose in the real world.  no hard feelings.  “but i’ll concede you have better taste than i do.  i’ve always been a simple man when it came to drinking.”  whatever would get him drunk, namely, being his chief priority.  “my sake.  of course.”  he ordered a plate of chips for them to share and a pretzel for himself. his stomach calling out for the unhealthiest pub food available.  “unless your high taste would rather some sort of lobster dinner?  maybe a steak?”

It had been almost a decade since she’d graduated, and for all intents and purposes she didn’t exactly give much thought to her schoolyard rival. Nonetheless, Sofia was slow to drop a grudge, and even playing quidditch with his brother couldn’t drum up any fondness for Danny. “If you drink enough, you learn exactly what you like.” And if your job was made easier by a drink or two, you learned even more acutely what worked best for that. Her tone was wry, but not quite rude. “Not sure a basic mixed drink is exactly high maintenance, but I stand by my choice.” Sofia wasn’t a mean person - arrogant, sure, loud, sure, but she liked to think she was nice, and yet Danny just struck every damn nerve without even trying. Chips may not have been the best meal mere hours before dancing half-naked for the night, but damn if they didn’t sound great. Neither was something she particularly wanted to mention to him, though. “You’re right, I think this place serves a mean lobster dinner,” Sofia deadpanned, glancing around the definitely not fine dining establishment.

“You shut your mouth,” she teased.  “Waking up before noon is the devil’s work.”  Even before she started working late at night she was a late riser, her roommates at Hogwarts frequently having to dumb her ass out of bed so she wasn’t late for class.  “The day is all but ruined if you can’t sleep through at least half of it.  And no, I think the woman who lives above me decided to try out early morning aerobics.  The thuds were loud enough to rouse the dead, which is how I felt when I opened my eyes.”  She frowned at the thought.  Would anyone really notice if she put a silencing charm on her ceiling?

“That would have been much appreciated, thank you very much,” she grinned.  “I would give you a good spin though.  My 2.5 listeners would think of you fondly.”

“Great.”  It was nice to have company sometimes, even if she was more than willing to go out on her own.  “But I apologize in advance if I scare small children until I’ve consumed about half my weight in sugary treats.”

Usually, Sofia would agree; even though Hannah often woke her up at all hours, it was rare that they’d truly start their days before noon. No matter how little sleep she seemed to need, the constant interruptions always seemed to call for another hour or three of rest. “Not that I disagree, but somehow I do feel like more of a respectable adult today.” It was said half as a joke, and she raised her nose in a sarcastically condescending move. Yet it wasn’t entirely a lie; Sofia had never lived the stereotypical 9-5 lifestyle, nor had her parents, but she was pretty sure it would feel something like this. Wincing at the story, she shook her head. “People these days. No respect at all for us nocturnal folk.”

With a contented and exaggerated sigh, Sofia nodded. “Thank you. I couldn’t ask for more. Maybe tonight I’ll drum up something before work - what do you think? Bar brawl, impromptu sample performance?” Gesturing at the crowded street before them, full of happy families going about their morning, she grinned. “Well, lucky for you, I don’t have my own small child with me today. Scare away.” As an afterthought, Sofia raised the bag of candy in offering. “Want some sugar to tide you over?”

“I doubt that, but I’ll do my best to teach you anyways,” Marlowe grinned. “Gotta make good ol’ Sprout proud. Although, I’m sure Minnie is filling her head with the nonsense that I am a horrific student, just like my brothers. Tragic, really.” The Prewetts were never known for being quiet during their time at school, and Marlowe had carried out her brothers’ legacy in their stead. The “Oh, little Hannah! I can’t believe I didn’t ask about her sooner. I’m sure she’s doing just wonderfully with such a great mum, but if mum ever needs anything, I do have some expertise in baby-sitting.” Sometimes Marlowe forgot that people her own age had children. Not that it was strange, but it was strange that she was nowhere near that spot in her life. Marlowe couldn’t imagine taking care of a child, and the only person she was really seeing, well, did he even want kids? How would Amycus and Marlowe have a family? 

The thought made her want to run away from it all, but instead she just pushed it far, far down. Those were the thoughts that would just drive a person insane. “Ah, you know me and chaos. I’m driven by it. But I do miss the dragons. We’d just had a baby born, and the little guy was my absolute favorite. A beautiful green… I just wanted to take him home, but, again, chaos is not usually welcomed in normal spaces.”

Sofia winked, leaning forward to rest her elbows on the table. “I’m not sure Sprout was ever my biggest fan, so you’ll be in good company at least.” Whether or not it was true, Sofia had always been convinced the professors didn’t hold high opinions of her, which, really, they had good reason for. Academics had never come easy for Sofia, and after a time she’d simply decided to focus her efforts on Quidditch instead of longing for the top marks she’d never get. Sofia’s face lit up even more at the chance to talk about her daughter. “Oh, she’s getting by - 10 fingers, 10 toes. Please, let her know that I’m a great mum, she’s upset that I won’t get her a dog at the moment.” Lips twisting in a wry but affectionate smile, she shook her head. “Noted. Not that he’d ever complain, but I feel terrible handing her over to my papá every time I have to head to work.”

Nodding along, Sofia listened intently. Truthfully, all her knowledge on dragons had come from Marlowe herself, but she liked to think she could at least passably understand the other woman’s job. “So, does that mean you’ll be leaving us all again eventually? I wouldn’t blame you, he sounds cute, but what about all your loves here?” Sofia bat her eyes, teasing tone asking a genuine question - was this just a brief visit, or was she here to stay?

“Yeaaahhhh!!!” Bilius shouted as she kept her mouth open, allowing the firewhiskey to continue flowing down her throat. Not that she had any choice really. He laughed when she finally surrendered, closing her mouth a little bit too early before Bilius could tilt the bottle back and allowing some of the firewhiskey to splash against her closed lips. “Let’s cheer for my friend!” Bilius, ever the entertainer, roared in the pub once more and incited a few hoots and shouts of approval from other people nearby who were hoping to get a turn with the bottle. Bilius, however, was far too preoccupied with his new companion. His former plan to go around the bar offering shots was thrown out the window. “Am I now?” he laughed. “I’ve already been drinking in the last few hours. If anything you have to keep up,” he shouted. “Goading doesn’t look well on you Sofia,” he teased, laughing. “Either way, we all know I can beat you.” Bilius teased. He playfully swatted her hand away. “You’re not gonna make me crouch just so you can pour it over my head.” He laughed. “I’ll just chug. You count.”

Sofia bowed and waved as if she was a victor awaiting her laurels. Soon enough she was beginning to feel the buzz, the firewhiskey leaving her cheeks flushed and her mind relaxed. If she’d thought she was in for a calm night, well, she cast such thoughts out the window eagerly. It was never a bad time to party, and there were few better companions than Bilius. “I think I’m well on my way to catching up after that,” she laughed, looking pointedly at the liquor bottle. “And if I’m not, when have you ever known me to say no to shots? There are plenty of solutions here. Guess we’ll just have to see who wins.” Whether or not he could beat her - and really, she figured it could go either way - Sofia wasn’t about to back down from a challenge. Pulling a pout, Sofia nodded her agreement. “Well, I was going to stand on the bar, but by all means,” she grinned, pout dropping quickly, “this is just as fun.” Turning to those nearby, she winked, ready to get them riled up just as he had.