far too young to die

Absent-minded - Preoccupied to the extent of being unaware of one’s immediate surroundings. Abstracted, daydreaming, inattentive, oblivious, forgetful.

Abusive - Characterized by improper infliction of physical or psychological maltreatment towards another.

Addict - One who is addicted to a compulsive activity. Examples: gambling, drugs, sex.

Aimless - Devoid of direction or purpose.

Alcoholic - A person who drinks alcoholic substances habitually and to excess.

Anxious - Full of mental distress or uneasiness because of fear of danger or misfortune; greatly worried; solicitous.

Arrogant - Having or displaying a sense of overbearing self-worth or self-importance. Inclined to social exclusiveness and who rebuff the advances of people considered inferior. Snobbish.

Audacious - Recklessly bold in defiance of convention, propriety, law, or the like; insolent; braze, disobedient.

Bad Habit - A revolting personal habit. Examples: picks nose, spits tobacco, drools, bad body odour.

Bigmouth - A loud-mouthed or gossipy person. 

Bigot - One who is strongly partial to one’s own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ.

Blunt - Characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion. Frank, callous, insensitive, brusque.

Bold - In a bad sense, too forward; taking undue liberties; over assuming or confident; lacking proper modesty or restraint; rude; impudent. Abrupt, brazen, cheeky, brassy, audacious.

Callous - They are hardened to emotions, rarely showing any form of it in expression. Unfeeling. Cold.

Childish - Marked by or indicating a lack of maturity; puerile.

Complex - An exaggerated or obsessive concern or fear. 

Cruel - Mean to anyone or anything, without care or regard to consequences and feelings.

Cursed - A person who has befallen a prayer for evil or misfortune, placed under a spell, or borne into an evil circumstance, and suffers for it. Damned.

Dependent - Unable to exist, sustain oneself, or act appropriately or normally without the assistance or direction of another. 

Deranged - Mentally decayed. Insane. Crazy. Mad. Psychotic.

Dishonest – Given to or using fraud, cheating; deceitful, deceptive, crooked, underhanded.

Disloyal - Lacking loyalty. Unfaithful, perfidious, traitorous, treasonable.

Disorder - An ailment that affects the function of mind or body.

Disturbed - Showing some or a few signs or symptoms of mental or emotional illness. Confused, disordered, neurotic, troubled. 

Dubious - Fraught with uncertainty or doubt. Undecided, doubtful, unsure.

Dyslexic - Affected by dyslexia, a learning disorder marked by impairment of the ability to recognize and comprehend written words.

Egotistical - Characteristic of those having an inflated idea of their own importance. Boastful, pompous.

Envious - Showing extreme cupidity; painfully desirous of another’s advantages; covetous, jealous.

Erratic - Deviating from the customary course in conduct or opinion; eccentric: erratic behaviour. Eccentric, bizarre, outlandish, strange.

Fanatical - Fanatic outlook or behaviour especially as exhibited by excessive enthusiasm, unreasoning zeal, or wild and extravagant notions on some subject.

Fickle – Erratic, changeable, unstable - especially with regard to affections or attachments; capricious.

Fierce - Marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions; inclined to react violently; fervid.

Finicky - Excessively particular or fastidious; difficult to please; fussy. Too much concerned with detail.Meticulous, fastidious, choosy, critical, picky, prissy, pernickety.

Fixated - In psychoanalytic theory, a strong attachment to a person or thing, especially such an attachment formed in childhood or infancy and manifested in immature or neurotic behaviour that persists throughout life. Fetish, quirk, obsession, infatuation.

Flirt -To make playfully romantic or sexual overtures; behaviour intended to arouse sexual interest. Minx. Tease. 

Gluttonous - Given to excess in consumption of especially food or drink. Voracious, ravenous, wolfish, piggish, insatiable.

Gruff - Brusque or stern in manner or appearance. Crusty, rough, surly.

Gullible - Will believe any information given, regardless of how valid or truthful it is, easily deceived or duped.

Hard - A person who is difficult to deal with, manage, control, overcome, or understand. Hard emotions, hard hearted.

Hedonistic - Pursuit of or devotion to pleasure, especially to the pleasures of the senses. 

Hoity-toity - Given to flights of fancy; capricious; frivolous. Prone to giddy behaviour, flighty.

Humourless - The inability to find humour in things, and most certainly in themselves.

Hypocritical - One who is always contradicting their own beliefs, actions or sayings. A person who professes beliefs and opinions for others that he does not hold. Being a hypocrite.

Idealist - One whose conduct is influenced by ideals that often conflict with practical considerations. One who is unrealistic and impractical, guided more by ideals than by practical considerations.

Idiotic - Marked by a lack of intelligence or care; foolish or careless.

Ignorant - Lacking knowledge or information as to a particular subject or fact. Showing or arising from a lack of education or knowledge.

Illiterate - Unable to read and write.

Immature - Emotionally undeveloped; juvenile; childish.

Impatient - Unable to wait patiently or tolerate delay; restless. Unable to endure irritation or opposition; intolerant.

Impious - Lacking piety and reverence for a god/gods and their followers.

Impish - Naughtily or annoyingly playful. 

Incompetent - Unable to execute tasks, no matter how the size or difficulty.

Indecisive - Characterized by lack of decision and firmness, especially under pressure.

Indifferent - The trait of lacking enthusiasm for or interest in things generally, remaining calm and seeming not to care; a casual lack of concern. Having or showing little or no interest in anything; languid; spiritless.

Infamous - Having an extremely bad reputation, public reproach, or strong condemnation as the result of a shameful, criminal, or outrageous act that affects how others view them. 

Intolerant - Unwilling to tolerate difference of opinion and narrow-minded about cherished opinions.

Judgmental - Inclined to make and form judgments, especially moral or personal ones, based on one’s own opinions or impressions towards others/practices/groups/religions based on appearance, reputation, occupation, etc. 

Klutz - Clumsy. Blunderer. 

Lazy - Resistant to work or exertion; disposed to idleness.

Lewd - Inclined to, characterized by, or inciting to lust or lechery; lascivious. Obscene or indecent, as language or songs; salacious.

Liar - Compulsively and purposefully tells false truths more often than not. A person who has lied or who lies repeatedly. 

Lustful - Driven by lust; preoccupied with or exhibiting lustful desires.

Masochist - The deriving of sexual gratification, or the tendency to derive sexual gratification, from being physically or emotionally abused. A willingness or tendency to subject oneself to unpleasant or trying experiences

Meddlesome - Intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner, given to meddling; interfering.

Meek - Evidencing little spirit or courage; overly submissive or compliant; humble in spirit or manner; suggesting retiring mildness or even cowed submissiveness.

Megalomaniac - A psycho pathological condition characterized by delusional fantasies of wealth, power, or omnipotence.

Naïve - Lacking worldly experience and understanding, simple and guileless; showing or characterized by a lack of sophistication and critical judgement.

Nervous - Easily agitated or distressed; high-strung or jumpy.

Non-violent - Abstaining from the use of violence. 

Nosy - Given to prying into the affairs of others; snoopy. Offensively curious or inquisitive.

Obsessive - An unhealthy and compulsive preoccupation with something or someone.

Oppressor - A person of authority who subjects others to undue pressures, to keep down by severe and unjust use of force or authority. 

Overambitious - Having a strong excessive desire for success or achievement.

Overconfident - Excessively confident; presumptuous.

Overemotional - Excessively or abnormally emotional. Sensitive about themselves and others, more so than the average person.

Overprotective - To protect too much; coddle. 

Overzealous - Marked by excessive enthusiasm for and intense devotion to a cause or idea.

Pacifist - Opposition to war or violence as a means of resolving disputes. (Can double as a merit in certain cases)

Paranoid - Exhibiting or characterized by extreme and irrational fear or distrust of others.

Peevish - Expressing fretfulness and discontent, or unjustifiable dissatisfaction. Cantankerous, cross, ill-tempered, testy, captious, discontented, crotchety, cranky, ornery.

Perfectionist - A propensity for being displeased with anything that is not perfect or does not meet extremely high standards.

Pessimist - A tendency to stress the negative or unfavourable or to take the gloomiest possible view.

Pest - One that pesters or annoys, with or without realizing it. Nuisance. Annoying. Nag.

Phobic – They have a severe form of fear when it comes to this one thing.

Practical - Level-headed, efficient, and unspeculative. No-nonsense.

Predictable - Easily seen through and assessable, where almost anyone can predict reactions and actions of said person by having met or known them even for a short time.

Proud - Filled with or showing excessive self-esteem and will often shirk help from others for the sake of pride.

Rebellious - Defying or resisting some established authority, government, or tradition; insubordinate; inclined to rebel. 

Reckless - Heedless. Headstrong. Foolhardy. Unthinking boldness, wild carelessness and disregard for consequences. 

Remorseless - Without remorse; merciless; pitiless; relentless.

Rigorous - Rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard; demanding strict attention to rules and procedures.

Sadist - The deriving of sexual gratification or the tendency to derive sexual gratification from inflicting pain or emotional abuse on others. Deriving of pleasure, or the tendency to derive pleasure, from cruelty.

Sadomasochist - Both sadist and masochist combined.

Sarcastic - A subtle form of mockery in which an intended meaning is conveyed obliquely.

Skeptic - One who instinctively or habitually doubts, questions, or disagrees with assertions or generally accepted conclusions.

Seducer - To lead others astray, as from duty, rectitude, or the like; corrupt. To attempt to lead or draw someone away, as from principles, faith, or allegiance.

Selfish - Concerned chiefly or only with oneself.

Self-Martyr - One who purposely makes a great show of suffering in order to arouse sympathy from others, as a form of manipulation, and always for a selfish cause or reason.

Self-righteous - Piously sure of one’s own righteousness; moralistic. Exhibiting pious self-assurance. Holier-than-thou, sanctimonious.

Senile - Showing a decline or deterioration of physical strength or mental functioning, esp. short-term memory and alertness, as a result of old age or disease.

Shallow - Lacking depth of intellect or knowledge; concerned only with what is obvious.

Smart Ass - Thinks they know it all, and in some ways they may, but they can be greatly annoying and difficult to deal with at times, especially in arguments.

Soft-hearted - Having softness or tenderness of heart that can lead them into trouble; susceptible of pity or other kindly affection. They cannot resist helping someone they see in trouble, suffering or in need, and often don’t think of the repercussions or situation before doing so.

Solemn - Deeply earnest, serious, and sober.

Spineless - Lacking courage. Cowardly, wimp, lily-livered, gutless.

Spiteful - Showing malicious ill will and a desire to hurt; motivated by spite; vindictive person who will look for occasions for resentment. Vengeful. 

Spoiled - Treated with excessive indulgence and pampering from earliest childhood, and has no notion of hard work, self-care or money management; coddled, pampered. Having the character or disposition harmed by pampering or over-solicitous attention.

Squeamish - Excessively fastidious and easily disgusted.

Stubborn - Unreasonably, often perversely unyielding; bull-headed. Firmly resolved or determined; resolute.

Superstitious - An irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear from an irrational belief that an object, action, or circumstance not logically related to a course of events influences its outcome.

Tactless - Lacking or showing a lack of what is fitting and considerate in dealing with others.

Temperamental - Moody, irritable, or sensitive. Excitable, volatile, emotional.

Theatrical - Having a flair for over dramatizing situations, doing things in a ‘big way’ and love to be ‘centre stage’.

Timid -Tends to be shy and/or quiet, shrinking away from offering opinions or from strangers and newcomers, fearing confrontations and violence. 

Tongue-tied - Speechless or confused in expression, as from shyness, embarrassment, or astonishment.

Troublemaker - Someone who deliberately stirs up trouble, intentionally or unintentionally.

Unlucky - Marked by or causing misfortune; ill-fated. Destined for misfortune; doomed. Parker Luck.

Unpredictable - Difficult to foretell or foresee, their actions are so chaotic it’s impossible to know what they are going to do next.

Untrustworthy - Not worthy of trust or belief. Backstabber.

Vain - Holding or characterized by an unduly high opinion of their physical appearance. Lovers of themselves. Conceited, egotistic, narcissistic.

Weak-willed - Lacking willpower, strength of will to carry out one’s decisions, wishes, or plans. Easily swayed.

Withdrawn - Not friendly or Sociable. Aloof.

Puff,

Of course I find poisonous mushrooms adorable. How could anyone not? And did you just call me cute? You remember who you’re talking to, right? And no, I did not blush when I read that. Merlin, Dorcas is going to think I’ve got another girlfriend. I’m kidding, of course. She knows I would never do that.

I think we’re all doing well for now, but if I think of any potions we need, I’ll be sure to let you know. I’m not sure how anyone would feel about you aiding our side, but I appreciate it.

You do know that your viewpoint doesn’t exactly match up with everyone else on your side, right? Like I said, I don’t want to argue, but I’m not sure you realize what these people are going for. It’s not just establishing a natural order, which I don’t agree with you about. They want us all dead. As you pointed out, that’s stupid. How do they expect to react if they shrink the wizarding population to the purebloods? There already aren’t enough of them to go around without inbreeding. Look at James and Sirius. They’re cousins or something. I don’t even know how that works.

I don’t think less of you. I never could. I just don’t know if you realize what they’re actually fighting for. It’s not the same vision you’ve got.

I’m glad you found work, though! I will definitely come visit sometime, once everyone here decides it’s safe to leave the house again. I understand their paranoia but it’s stifling. I’ll see you soon if I can.

Stet,

Oh good, I was starting to wonder about your state of mind. Poisonous mushrooms are absolutely adorable. Yes, I did call you cute. You are. I’m as good as a married woman, I’m sure she doesn’t mind.

Yes, please do. I don’t care what they think. I’m an apothecary now, and that part of my life is absolutely neutral. I’m not aligned with anyone on that front and if they challenge me there will be hell to pay.

I hope you realize you have no idea what the people on “my side” think about anything. That would be the same as me making some sort of claim about all of you. Generalizations are not ever true, you should know that. There are some who want the world to only be consistent of purebloods, that’s true, but most don’t want everyone dead. That’s ridiculous. Believe what you like, Peter, but we’re not all the monsters you seem to think we are. 

I don’t think you realize not all of us are blind followers just because someone told us this is the way things ought to be. I’m not naive, nor am I ignorant of the goings on. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t act like I was either.

I don’t mean to argue. Forgive me.

I work in the shop nearly every day. It would be lovely to see you. I don’t know much, but I think things will be quiet for a little while. But please be cautious. I still want all of you safe.

It broke her heart to face it, but they would probably never agree on the topic. While Marlene was ruled her life on the winds of change, Emma steered towards her true north. She didn’t want to spur a debate. That wasn’t why she was up here, and so she chose to let the argument drop for the sake of enjoying the view and her company a bit longer. “I get that,” she agreed when Emma spoke of Regulus. The big thing holding her back now was leaving his brother. She’s grown far too attached to him being there, and that was going to pick her clean when the time came to say goodbye. “You love him a lot, don’t you?”

She knew, as did everyone, that Marlene cared for Regulus’ brother a great deal, and it endeared her to Emma. Sirius meant the world to Reggie, and Marlene meant it to Sirius, so she felt connected to her even though they barely knew each other at all. She wanted the brothers to be allowed to be family again, and if they ever did, she hoped Marlene would come with them. It was a lovely idea, though she knew better than most how unlikely that future was. It broke her heart, especially knowing Reggie might never have the family he’d always wanted to share with Sirius - not the way he longed for it, anyway. “Yes,” she answered, her voice a gentle murmur. She smiled just thinking of him now. “I really do. I’m very lucky that way.” To get to marry the man she loved made her one of a handful in her society, and she cherished that gift above almost anything.

She nodded and offered her another smile. “I look forward to it,” she told her. Emma laughed and ducked her head slightly to hide the blush she knew would be creeping up. She cleared her throat and pursed her lips to contain her smile. “Yes, well.... As I said... I am terribly lucky.” She sighed and glanced up at the sky. The sun was getting lower, and she knew she shouldn’t linger. Their talk had been good, and she wanted it to stay that way. It wasn’t awkward or uncomfortable, so perhaps it was best to leave now before it got to be. “I should find him,” she mused. “I told him I’d be back before long.” She looked over at Marlene one more time, trying to capture her in her mind so she wouldn’t forget what she looked like. “It was lovely speaking to you, Marlene... I hope you find the future you’re looking for.” At that, Emma turned and ducked back inside. It was sad to think she was walking away from someone who could have been a dear friend. But that was a different life than the one she’d had, so she tried her best simply not to think about it.

Puffapod,

Since when are poisonous mushrooms adorable? Maybe if we shorten the scientific name for it, it’ll work. Stet, maybe. That sounds a little strange but I could work with it. And I think it means more if it’s something only we understand, yeah?

I feel a lot better today. I’m almost back to tip top shape, I think. It’s getting a lot easier to move about and pretend things are normal. Of course they’re not. We’re all still shaken, but we’ll push forward. I’m sorry, but I just don’t see how you can support this, especially calling me a friend despite my blood status. Do you really believe I shouldn’t be allowed to have magic? I’m sorry–I don’t want to start anything because I know we’re on different pages here but it’s not like I chose to be born with this. Should I be punished because I have the same abilities you do?

You’re right, I guess. Our opinions change nothing. Our actions do.

What kinds of things are you planting in the garden? I’d love to see pictures when you get a chance.

Stet,

You must be looking at the wrong poisonous mushrooms if you don’t think they’re adorable! But then again, I think most plants are adorable. I think it suits you in its own way. You’re deceptively cute or something.

I’m glad you’re doing better. It worries me, though I know you said you’ve a good healer with you. Still, not being able to do anything for you makes me edgy. If there’s ever anything I can send you... herbs or potions or salves - anything - please let me know. It’s the least I can do.

I don’t understand where you got the idea that anyone wants to deny you your right to use magic. That’s not the point of it at all. I don’t want anyone to be denied it when they were born to it. If that’s all it was, I would agree with you. I believe that a magical bloodline enhances someone’s magic and makes it stronger. That isn’t to say those with less ancestral ties to magic aren’t powerful or of great value, I don’t believe that at all. Only that their abilities would have been greater still had they been born to families with more magic imbued in their blood. I also believe that those who know our world best - those who have been a part of it since its inception - know how to care for it best. 

I don’t want the world to belong only to the elite. That wouldn’t make any sense at all. It would make it so terrible small. I just believe everyone has a part to play, and while blood should not decide anything definitively, I think it plays a part. That doesn’t mean I value anyone any less. I just believe there is a natural order to things.

I only wish that order could be upheld without the shedding of innocent blood. 

Forgive me, I didn’t mean to go off like that. I just don’t want you to have the wrong idea about what it is I believe we’re fighting for. I don’t want you to think less of me, though I fear you likely will anyway. I’m sorry for that.

For now I’ve only planted seeds and some wild flowers. I’ll send pictures when things are beginning to grow.

I’ve also found employment! You should come see me, if you’d like to. I work in Diagon Alley now, at the apothecary near the menagerie. Professors Slughorn and Beerie wrote me very strong letters of recommendation, and once I take my NEWTs in the fall, if I do well they’ll make my position more permanent. I’m there most afternoons. Please come visit, I’d love to see you.

        She hummed and nodded to Emma, her smile ever small and pleasant. “A bruise balm would be wonderful dear. Other then that I should be alright.” She chuckles, shifting to sit back on the sofa as she took a few drinks of wine. The wine that Emma had chosen for herself was strong and bitter, but Narcissa could understand. As an after thought, she summoned a house elf and requested a plate of strawberry scones for them to eat with the wine.

       The blonde shook her head at the mention of her husband. “He wasn’t aware that I was even there. I kept to the alley’s and the shadows when I was taking a look. He should be alright though, he can handle himself pretty well so I’m not too extremely worried about him.” She was confident in Lucius’s ability to keep himself out of immediate danger and come home barely scratched but she understood Emma’s worry.

She nodded at the request and got up, setting down her wine to go rummage through her things. She found the balm Narcissa had asked for and came back with it. “I’ve made plenty... and it’s not difficult to replenish. Please, use as much as you need.” She had probably been over-prepared for tonight, but she couldn’t help it. She wanted to be ready in case things didn’t go according to plan. Wars very rarely did, at least in so far as she’d read.

She eyed the scones when they appeared, but didn’t take one. She thought she might be sick if she tried to eat. Her fingers twisted in her skirt, tugging at the sturdy fabric, and she tried to get them to stop shaking. “How do you stand this?” she asked hoarsely. “How do you stand sitting by while Lucius is out in the middle of all of this?” Even as proficient as she was sure he was, one wrong step could put him in the way of the wrong spell and that would be the end of it. 

“You could have had it at any time, my dear,” he assured her softly. Regulus had loved her for as long as he knew the word’s meaning. To think she ever thought herself unworthy made him cringe to say the least. “The only unattainable thing you should have been worried about was a life without me. Now that I’ve got you–” when she stood he paused, pulling her to him before continuing. “And now that I’ve got your word, I’m afraid you’ll never have that again. I do hope you realize that.”

She ran her hand gently across his chest and settled it against his shoulder, her fingers gently cupping his neck. Her thumb stroked along the line of his jaw while she waited for him to speak. She could see him struggling, though she didn’t know what with, and she ached to help him. She wanted to make it better or at least easier for him to carry, and for now that meant waiting for him to find the words he needed. She hated to sit there in silence and do nothing, but she knew he needed it. Still, it was an enormous relief when he finally spoke.

born 9 May 1961

daughter of Alexius and Celestia Vanity

Pureblood

student, later an apothecary 

Elizabeth Gillies

Taken

BRIEFLY

Emma is the ideal pureblood woman. She is a lady of high society and no one doubts it. She does as she’s told and she does it well.  After leaving school, Emma works for an apothecary. She is incredibly gifted at potions and with herbs and plants, and it makes the most sense to her. Though not a terribly nurturing woman, she is a gifted healer. She has many connections on both sides of the war and is respected by most.

Her younger brother, a squib, becomes a weakness in her life as she would give anything to protect him. She would also do anything for Regulus, who she holds above all others. It is her devotion to him that ultimately gets her killed. 

FUTURE

She is murdered on 19 November 1979 at the age of 18, three days after the death of Regulus Black. She is killed for her association to him after he is named a blood traitor and a deserter. She is attacked by four death eaters, and she kills two of them before they take her down.

PERSONALITY

attentive, canny, dexterous, respected

cold, cautious, guarded

RELATIONSHIPS

Regulus Black - betrothed & closest friend

Terrance Mulciber - friend &  adopted brother

Peter Pettigrew - friend, mostly in secret

Perhaps it was jealousy that left Marlene unable to sympathize with Emma’s situation. The thought of having a family worth suffering for, worth putting her own wants on hold for, was completely foreign to the blonde. She had no siblings to look after, no parents she wished to make proud. Where the slytherin girl was afraid to leave it all behind and start anew, Marlene was eager to do just that. A fresh beginning was all she’d dreamed of since the thin facade protecting their sham of a family came crumbling down. “I don’t know much about family ties, so I won’t pretend to.” She definitely didn’t know what it was like to lose a brother, but the strength in Emma’s resolve was admirable. The subject had to be tender at best. “I just think that at some point you should ask that little girl in you if this is what you wanted in life. There’s more to it than doing what is expected of you.”

She pondered Marlene’s words and absently fiddled with a thin, silver chain around her neck while she thought how best to answer. She normally never touched the thing, and often forgot she wore it, but thinking about her brother made her fidget, and touching the necklace he’d given her soothed her restlessness. “That little girl isn’t gone,” she finally said. “She’s still there. I wouldn’t have been captain of my team without her.” She fell silent again for another moment before continuing. “If I thought I was forsaking myself entirely, I do not believe I could do this. It’s true that I didn’t want to follow the rules on my own, but children rarely do. I realize it’s difficult to explain, but perhaps I don’t entirely understand it myself. I suppose I’ve never given it much thought. Even without my parents and my brother... I could never leave Regulus. There is no happier life for me out there somewhere if he isn’t in it.”

Regulus ran his free hand through her soft hair, relishing the way she moved into him. The silky strands slid through his fingers, wrapping around his bruised knuckles. The cool feeling did wonders for the aching there. “While I would love to believe myself worthy of mercy from the gods, I would suffer the 9 realms of Hell if it meant being right here when I was through, darling.” He pressed a kiss to her hairline as he spoke the soft words.

And he would. For as long as he knew, this was the goal. He knew Emma would rather die than see him suffer, but he would do what it took to keep them together now that it was an actuality.

She leaned in to the touch against her face, smiling gently as he explained. “I used to think of it too,” she murmured, “but it was a dream I thought would never come to fruition. You were this...unattainable, wonderful thing and I ached for you for years.” She turned when he asked her to promise him, looking up at him. She rose from where she sat, setting her brush aside, and moved to stand in front of him. Her hands came up to trace across his jaw and gently cup his face. “I promise you,” she whispered. “I promise you my love and my arms every night you come home to me.”

Puffapod,

That’s what I’ve decided to call you. They’re cute, they’re unassuming, and they contain shining beans, apparently, which are wicked. They also flower as soon as they come in contact with any solid object and trolls are allergic to them, which I am finding slightly hilarious.

Anyway, I won’t force the details of the fight on you. I’d rather stop reliving them, at any rate. Just know that we’ve got a great Healer and we’re doing better. I’m glad you weren’t anywhere near the village that night. I wish I had been a little less drunk when the attack hit. I think most everyone here feels the same.

I know he would be a fool to keep you from going after something you wanted. Just be careful, okay? I guess you just never know when something like this hits. I don’t want you in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I look forward to visiting whenever you do find work. Keep me posted.

Still working on my codename,

Friend,

Do let me know when you’ve come up with a nickname for yourself. I fear I have very few ideas. I don’t know if I can come up with anything as fabulous as a bean-sprouting flower that trolls sneeze at, really. I could call you anything, really. The best I have is entoloma hochstetteri, which is a poisonous blue mushroom. It’s adorable! 

I’m glad all of you are healing up. I already hate being a part of this war and I’m not even a real part of it at all. It seems like such pointless destruction and such a waste of life and magical blood. I don’t understand the point of it. I mean... I know the point of it. And of course I support the idea, but....the method has me all sorts of turned around. Not that it matters. My opinion changes nothing. 

I don’t think there’s any avoiding the wrong place and wrong time anymore. I’d rather be prepared than have a false sense of security.

But enough of this. How are you? Are you all settled in to things now that you’ve left school? 

Now that things are more settled, I’m starting to try to tame the shrubbery around our cottage, and maybe grow a real garden. It’s not as easy as it sounds. At least it’s given me something to do.

Puffapod

He continued to knead at her palm, rubbing out whatever tension he could find there. He was glad she continued to expand on the conversation instead of letting it die, since it gave him time to consider his phrasing. “I would be most grateful if you wouldn’t mind putting one together before I am to leave,” he spoke of the potion. “I do work for the Ministry,” he added in confirmation. “It is both a blessing and a curse, really. I have the optimal placement for affecting change for the cause, but I need to know my colleagues well enough to know how they will respond to the idea. It is a lengthy process.”

Not to mention the attack was all people would be discussing today, and he wasn’t sure if he was up for that. Pretending to be aghast over what was happening when he had directly contributed to the supposed tragedy was exhausting. If there was one thing Nathan didn’t need today, it was more exhaustion.

She watched him kneading at her hands, and was glad to feel the ache subsiding. It was strange to let anyone besides Regulus be so physically familiar with her, but it wasn’t uncomfortable the way she had thought it might be. At least, it wasn’t until he started to speak again. She looked up, her eyes trained on his face, trying to catch his intent from his expression when she couldn’t get it from his neutral tone. Her guard started to go back up when he mentioned his failed engagement - though that had been no fault of his own when his bride-to-be and turned traitor - and by the end she wanted to pull away from him entirely.