Elizabeth du Bois

A blush crept onto Edgar’s cheeks at Elizabeth’s words. He forgot how comfortable she was making such tantalizing jokes - just as much as he did! It was a pleasant surprise that had him chuckling. “Oh, to be sure, and me as well, but there is something about hot cocoa in the fall that just makes it all picture-perfect. Don’t you think?” he asked with a charming grin. It had been quite some times since he’d seen her in school, but didn’t mind in the slightest.

His eyes followed the bottle she took off the shelf and into the basket. “What else do you have your eyes on to get?” Edgar asked with a grin - as though it was his loot too. Putting his hands in his pockets, Edgar gave a shrug, “’Ts good to be back home. But I do miss all of the adventures. How are things with you, Elizabeth. I hear you’re working with goblins now, right?”

She tired to keep down a chuckle at the blush. Yes her mother had raised a lady but when her mother wasn’t about she and her father had gotten up to several kinds of mischief and that part tended to come up the second she was out of high society. She smiled and nodded, “Yea, I agree. My family chef makes the most amazing orange and dark chocolate hot cocoa and it always sent me off to sleep if I was having a bad night. I always missed it so much when I was in school and had a bad day.”

“Ohhh, about everything on the shelf,” she chuckled, it was only half a joke, “But at least half a dozen chocolate frogs since my Mama loves them.” she told him gesturing at the stand where the sweets were on display. “I have had enough adventures to last me for a while... well, in theory.” her wilder side did enjoy them. “Yes, I’m a liaison officer at the ministry and it keeps me very busy but I’ve made a lot of friends at Gringotts.” she said lightly.  

He couldn’t quite relax, looking around out of the corner of his eyes. Maybe it was Moody getting to him, or maybe his recent hypervigilance was simply wisdom. He was living with a newfound paranoia, even now in a place Fabian was certain no one could or would have followed them to. 

Even so, he tried to match Elizabeth’s lighthearted joking. The feeling of knowing his friends worried for him was an equally unsettling one that Fabian tried not to encourage.  “I hope you at least left him with a Warming Charm,” he said back, relaxing into his seat. Though it was difficult to relax when Elizabeth appeared almost to be threatening him into having a good time. That actually did have the effect of making Fabian smile. It reminded him of his sister.    

“Another surprise? How afraid should I be?” he asked with an amused huff, watching her pile more and more sandwiches onto a plate. Though he couldn’t remember the last time he’d eaten, so perhaps that wasn’t a bad thing either. It was peaceful here, he could see that.  He supposed to the people here, England’s war was only headlines in a newspaper, something distant and sad, perhaps, but not something to be altogether bothered about. “And yet, if we spend too much time enjoying it, who fights?” 

Elizabeth could feel the other was so opposed to the idea of relaxing it was making her stiff. So with a put-upon huff she rose to her feet and pulled out her wand, walking a circle around them and casting every protection and repellant spell that came to mind and since starting her mission in the Order she’d learned plenty.

When she was finished she sat once more and chuckled, “I’m not a complete monster, I left him a coat and a compass.” she told him with a wink, “I’m a lady after all.” She was very much in bulldozer mode at the moment and she was determined that he have at least some fun before the day was through, sometimes a person needed some aggressive cheering up since they were aggressively sad. Sadness didn’t stand a chance against someone like her and she’d make certain it stayed that way.

“Oh utterly terrified, I don’t know if you’ll survive the experience.” she told him lightly, a devilish grin on her lips before she popped a small sandwich into her mouth and let out a happy moan, “Oh God I forgot how good Chef’s homemade ham was.” she sighed and grabbed another one. At his question she looked back at him and smiled, “Our comrades. We’re a team, no one person can fight every battle, endure every hardship, Fabian. We we need to be held other can hold is and be strong, then we’ll do the same for them.”    

Stan fought an eye roll, though he had to admit she knew how to work her charm. It was the only way anyone got anything done around places like these, though Stan was sure he wasn’t exactly on top of his charm game some days. He snorted at the thought of his employees being pitted against one another and shook his head. “Trust me, they’re not against one another. If anything, all these little shits team up against me on a daily basis.” He couldn’t say he didn’t know why he kept them around; over the years, his core employees had become his friends, and vice versa. “Definitely visit Audrey at some point, though she won’t go easy on you.”

Stan nodded and shook her hand once before letting go, noting the assurance she had from the grip. Elizabeth asking the crowd for food brought up a murmur of agreements, and Stan gestured toward the kitchen after telling a staff member to tell Magnolia she had many drinks about to be ordered. “You could say I’m high up, yeah,” he said. He’d reveal his position eventually, but for now he wanted to see what he could make of her. “Donnell will whip up anything you want. If you want chicken, you’ve got chicken.” 

Elizabeth was every inch a lady and she knew that feminine wiles were always a useful weapon to have in ones arsenal. Wether it was dealing with a school bully or charming a dealer so he wouldn’t be so angry with his usual strong winning record being overtaken. “Aww, poor baby. Does Mr. Manager not enjoy having the workforce show him up?” she asked lightly, turning to her dealer and winking at him once more, “I hope you’re giving him hell.” A little laugh left Elizabeth’s lips and she shrugged, “Well I’ve always loved having a bit of challenge, she’ll be my next stop.” After all the night was young and her pockets were extremely deep.

“Ohh, keeping it secret hmm? Trying to make the lady curious?” she asked him lightly, “Not that I mind very much, life isn’t as fun if you don’t keep a little mystery in it.” As much as she loved solving mysteries Elizabeth hoped that she never solved all of them. Her brow raised slightly, “Well tell Donnell he’s the closest to getting into my pants out of everybody here right now.” she said lightly, “Can he manage chicken goujons with a smokey honey sauce and chips fried within an inch of their life?” Her mother would never let her eat like this but her mother wasn’t here right now.    

WHO: Edgar & OPEN WHERE: Honeydukes  

Hogsmeade. An old stomping ground for Edgar Bones. During the summertime, between terms at Hogwarts, he took up jobs at both Zonko’s Joke Shop and Honeydukes to make some extra coin. It was a good thing too. Helped pay for his ventures around the world with his career as a Curse-Breaker out of school. And, of course, to alleviate his own sweet tooth. Even when the whole world seemed damned, there wasn’t a cure he couldn’t find within the candy shop he used to work at.        

The bell rang as he entered the familiar shop, with the owner Ambrosius Flume - and his wife - both over excited to finally see him again. They flogged him with hugs and showered him with a couple of new treats to try out. It had been a while since he set foot even near Hogwarts - let alone Hogsmeade. Now, he entered the underground world of London and much of the Muggle scene. Although, perhaps with everything that happened at Puddletown, he felt nostalgic, wanting to return to something familiar.

Now, Edgar’s favorite candy would always be peppermint toads. However, this time, a particularly spicy hot cocoa seemed to pique his interest. Must have been the influence of Arizona. Edgar bit down softly on his own bottom lip, finding himself saying his thoughts aloud as he wondered, “Bet a cup of that will get you nice and cozy.”

Elizabeth didn’t get to return to Hogsmeade as often as she’d have liked despite having some of her best Hogwarts memories in the place. She could never forget the look of shock on Professor Flitwick’s face when she came back with over a dozen large bags of gifts for people floating behind her (alright... eight of them had all been for her, but still). So with a day off she’d been hitting the village, specifically the shops and already had four pretty full bags floating along behind her as she made her way down the streets.

Honeydukes called her of course, her Mama loved wizard sweets and she planned on making up a large halloween assortment for her. She opened the door and floated her bags in first before following and closing the door behind her and waving to the kindly woman behind the counter. She was recognised now if only for her habit of buying... a lot. Luckily the shop seemed pretty much empty except for one other person who, upon closer inspection, lt seemed she knew!

Walking closer she caught his words and grinned, “Oh things other than spicy cocoa can get me hot and cozy, but I’d be willing to give it a shot.” she teased with a wink, taking a bottle of it off the shelf and popping it into a basket... it would be very full by the time she was done. “Haven’t seen you in a while Edgar, how’s things?”    

“He’s certainly a lively addition to any social circle,” Frank replied wryly, his uncle’s antics were a frequent and fond memory of his childhood, some of the few from the years after his father had died. “Though I wouldn’t hinge your entire social status on his stamp of approval. He has notoriously high standards.”

A loud honk of laughter escaped him, caught somewhere between the absurdity of his Uncle Algie socialising with the likes of Elizabeth Dubois instead of the seedy locals at his favourite watering hole and then the imagery of Dawlish being of any concern to Alice. His Alice. Who would eat Dawlish alive if he ever got in her way. His grin was broad and soppy as he affirmed, “If Dawlish ever impugned my honour Alice would lay him out and I think I’d pay to see it.” Much like he would pay to see Dawlish laid low by a firm kick to the balls. The man was an impressive auror but undeniably a little creepy.

Frank’s smile persisted as his attention drifted, nodding absently along to the warning against wounding the merfolks pride, eyes still firmly affixed to the wicked looking trident where it was stuck firm into the dock. “I’ll take that under advisement lest I end up with one of these,” he acknowledged the trident with an absent tip of his head, “Somewhere unpleasant.”

And clearly things were going well, as much as Frank could tell at least, which was vastly preferable to an all out battle breaking out. He knew Elizabeth to be a capable witch but he had never fought beside her, unknown variables were always tricky when negotiating strategies. “I’m glad to see the Ministry isn’t relying on my, admittedly expert, skills with a carving knife to win their favour. I don’t know if I could bear to part with the Jack-O-Bolt now.”

It had never failed to intrigue Frank just how varied and interesting the paths that the magical world had to offer. Gobbledegook was not a language that Frank had ever considered being of especial interest, but he supposed the strained relationship between wizarding kind and their Goblin neighbours was reason enough for it to prove a valuable asset to the community. “It’s an interesting language,” he offered politely, because all languages were inherently interesting to Frank, even if he’d never had a lick of talent when it came to learning anything that didn’t have latin roots, “Very .. throaty.”

Elizabeth laughed a little at his description, “So say many people when they want to not offend me.” her voice more teasing than anything else. “But honestly it is and... When you speak another language it’s like, I’m not as much of an outsider to them, that they’ll speak with me, let in on the joke.” she told him, voice a little slower as she worked through the thought. “On I honestly don’t think any of these languages are meant for human tongues, I always have a supple of throat soothing potion in my office and at home cause it hurts like a bitch after some longer meetings.” 

He groped his own throat absently, glancing over his shoulder towards the lake surface where the bubbles were suddenly rising a lot faster and took a step or two back down the dock. “It looks like we might just have an answer,” he offered brightly, watching as the lakes surface erupted in an impressive rush of water and the mermish delegates emerged from the lake.

“Coming from high London society I could do with a few lively additions to a social circle; or just anyone who’s willing to talk about something other than possibly cheating husbands or next months fashion.” she said with an eye roll, “Ahh shame. Well I can always try and worm my way into his affections, I’ve done it with a lot of other people.”

Elizabeth laughed in return, “Oh Merlin, I think I’d be there buying out the best seats for myself to that show. I saw Alice the other day in Diagon, we found a pop-up halloween store and many things were bought.” she told him happily. “Oh they rarely use the tridents to actually attack with,” she told him lightly, “It’s easier to use their claws and sharpened teeth to do real damage. More of then than not the tidents are for ceremonial purposes of a more artistic fencing kind of combat. Like, showing off their skill rather than a lust for battle.” she informed him easily.

“Well it’s a dark day when we’re dependant on the prowess of one Mr. Longbottom and his pumpkins.” she chuckled, “Although I’m also now jealous I don’t have a jack o’lantern in the shape of a goblin for my office.” she said forlornly, “It would make the place seem a little more festive. Level four at the ministry isn’t exactly full of the more energetic people.” she told him with a sigh.  

Elizabeth turned back at Franks words in time to see the bubbling water and the delegates burst forth, the largest of the group gripping his trident and effortlessly pulling it from the wood. She bowed to him once more, gesturing behind her for Frank to do the same and rose up to hear, ‘We will forgive the transgression if your kind offer a tribute of culture to our lake.’ She nodded, withdrew her wand and with an ‘Of course.’ she conjured the armour the ministry had given her and it landed on the dock. Several of the merfolk swum closer and looked over the piece with obvious interest. The largest nodded after a moment, ‘Acceptable. But what of the others who have been here and harmed our waters?’

The question brought her up short and she politely frowned, “I beg you pardon Clan leader but, I have no knowledge of any such others? May I ask who these people are?” The leader looked at her for a moment before gesturing at one of the smaller merfolk who sum forwards and placed a mask in her hands that sent shiver of fear down her spine.

A Death Eater mask.  

“I-I,” she stumbled a moment and swallowed, “Clan leader, these are dangerous people, they’re bringing chaos and attempted supremacy to the land, if you see them I beg you do not engage them. They will attack and kill.” she put a hand on the Clans man’s own and he looked at her in surprise for a moment, staring back before nodding slowly, ‘You fight them?’ he asked, “I do.” she whispered, “For all of our sakes.” Elizabeth looked back to Frank and with worry plain on her face, showed him the mask.  

She saw the less than enthused nod from the younger woman and chuckled slightly, “Oh boy, St. Mungo’s really working you to the bone huh?” she asked, recalling the other’s profession since she was certain she’d seen her patch up a person or two at order meetings after more difficult missions. She could never have been a healer, blood made her go funny… that and the robes weren’t exactly flattering.

“Well, it’s their business. Plus they don’t like us,” she added casually, “And given the tumultuous history between man and goblin you can more than understand the anger and distrust, even if it’s far more muted than it was. Honestly the Gringotts Goblins are some of the more open minded ones; the smaller groups in the countryside? They all but refuse to meet with humans altogether if they can.” she told Lily, shaking her head a little. Of course Elizabeth knew more than others about this since she was actively looking into it for Dumbledore to try and earn their trust for the Order… and it was not easy. Still, she wasn’t about to give up.

“Oh, Honey, don’t be embarrassed, it’s a wonderful thing!” Elizabeth told her happily, “Given all the doom-and-gloom in the world right now people could do with a little good news and what’s better than a wedding?” she finished with a small shrug, “Besides all death eaters spontaneously combusting.” was quickly added with a wink. “Ohhh a friend in a seamstress? You have struck it lucky! All I saw it be ready to stand for hours and make sure not to jump when you inevitably get stuck with a pin.”      

“Afraid so,” Lily now managed to smile back. She wouldn’t change her choice, especially not now when so many people were in need of Healers. Even if sometimes she regretted not having the chance to do something she was passionate about, like potions, at least she was doing something meaningful. “It’s good work, though.” And it had taught her a lot that was useful for her other work, patching up Order members and ensuring her loved ones were kept in one piece. 

Lily listened with interest as Elizabeth went into more detail. Perhaps Binns had talked about this once or twice amongst all his lecturing on the goblin wars but if so, she either couldn’t recall it or had perhaps been snoring gently at the time. In her defence, the professor had made it very difficult to stay awake for that class. “From what I’ve read, they’ve every right to be suspicious. I only hope that doesn’t lead them to working with You-Know-Who.  For our sakes, mostly,” she admitted her selfish interest, speaking in a hushed tone. “But I doubt he’ll treat them especially well in the end.” 

Shrugging off her blush, Lily let her face fall into a grin. “I’m not sure when we’re going to find time for a wedding, but you’re quite right, of course. Honestly, I can’t wait.”  It was getting darker outside, as the evening drew nearer, which made Lily jump, “I had better get home - don’t like to stay out late these days, you know how it is. But keep an eye out, won’t you? James and I want to invite all of our lot to the big day.”

She was confident, that much Stan could tell, and a bit cocky to boot. He always seemed to attract the type around here, but the difference was that unlike most of them, Elizabeth kept winning, and he raised an eyebrow when Coerf gave a small smile to her at the compliment. “Oh, I’m sure he does,” he said a bit sarcastically, lips slowly pulling up into a smile. “Audrey’s better though, if I do say so myself.” The mention of his friend being better immediately made Coerf frown, and before he could protest Elizabeth was readying for another game and he put his concentration toward that.

Stan snorted at her quip about the uniform and watched her as she worked, raising an eyebrow when Coerf lost again and the crowd cheered around him. It was good for business, if nothing else, but it didn’t mean he had to like it. He looked back to Elizabeth as she gathered her winnings and held out a hand. “Stanley Bulstrode. Pleasure to meet you.” Though maybe pleasure wasn’t the word he was looking for, but it was better than nice to meet the person robbing me blind. “Hell, you could buy everyone drinks and food with that. Go for it.” At least she was putting the money back where it belonged: his pocket.

Elizabeth had been raised at her mother’s bridge club and more often than not ‘bridge’ was the cover older ladies used to train up card sharks. She’d learned well and now it seemed she was having more than a little fun indulging her talent and (in some cases) her luck. “Oh don’t you listen to him Coerf, you’re my favourite.” she winked at him before smirking at the other guessing he was some kind of manager to the casino, “It’s not nice to war your employees against each other.” As she played her winning hand she added, “Course I should show more female solidarity and visit her next.” she was only getting started after all.  

She was rather enjoying the little high of her latest victory and accepting the thanks of several members of her crowd as they were getting free drinks when Stanley introduced himself. With a smile she took his hand and shook, her grip strong, “Elizabeth du Bois, the pleasure is mine.” At the suggestion he gave she made an ‘ooh’ sound before nodding, “you know that’s a great idea. Does anyone here want some food?” she asked before looking back at Stanley and asking, “I’m assuming you’re pretty high up here so if I may ask, does this place have any finger food that involves chicken cause that would really hit the spot right now.”  

He’d long since gotten the sense that there was no point resisting when it came to Elizabeth so Fabian simply shrugged his acceptance and allowed her to apparate them to a new destination. It was something of a relief to leave the long halls of the Ministry behind and forget - or try to forget - the extent to which those halls were crumbling. 

The park was beautiful, quieter than any place he’d been in some time and Fabian sat, still looking around in surprise. “This is really France? I’ve never been. This something you make a habit of? Spiriting people away for picnics in other countries.” 

He wasn’t complaining, it was yet another sign that his friends were trying to be there for him and Fabian knew he was lucky for that. “I suppose I’ll thank you for more than the sandwich, then. Even if I really should be working. I’ve got time off to make up for.” 

She’d been described as the world’s prettiest bulldozer by her mother in jest once and honestly the image had stuck with her; Elizabeth rather liked it. She would clear any obstacles to get what she wanted but always with the best intentions, in this case, to help a friend get over something that no one should have to deal with alone.

Elizabeth nodded happily, “Yes, I summered here for four years with my parents, we’ve got a cottage on the edge of the park.” she told him lightly, “Oh be grateful, a muggle stood me up once and I apparated him to the top of Everest and left him there.” The curl of her lips enough to infer her jest despite her blasé tone.

“That’s more like it.” Came her chirpy reply, “And when we’re done here I have another surprise planned so no more thoughts of work; the bad guys will still be there when you head back.” she told him, grabbing a plate of expertly prepared sandwiches, a steaming pot of tea and two mugs from the basket; she pouted them each a cup before grabbing a few more plates and piling them high with sandwiches and then a few cakes, “Perfect.” she told him, taking a sip of her tea. “See, it’s good to take a little time and remind yourself what you’re fighting for.” she gestured at the forest around them, “This. Peace. Balance.” she clinked her cup with his, “Friendship. But, while you’re fighting for it, you gotta remember to still enjoy it, hmm?”   

“Well, now I know you’ve never met my Uncle Algie,” Frank replied, his face an open book that told the whole story of his prevailing fondness for his madcap uncle. There were certainly worse things in the world than the familiar taste of familial judgement, he supposed, and apparently Croydon was at the top of Elizabeth’s list. At the very least a mermish skirmish would make for a good watercooler story.

“Miss Dubois,” there was a touch of a scandalised southern woman to the clasp of Frank’s hand to his chest, offset by the delighted smile that cut wide across his lips, “Are you insinuating that Dawlish’s friendly bum squeezes in the throes of our perfectly innocent workplace wrestling have all secretly been a bid to seduce me all along? I’m a married man.” A far too enthusiastic wiggle of his wedding ring in her direction followed, before he snorted, dropping the act to add a wry, “He’s definitely a bit of a perv, is Dawlish. All hands.”

And with that troubling observation behind him, Frank found himself listening intently to the pattern of the speech between Elizabeth and the representative, doing his best to look at ease as he kept a close eye on the vicious looking trident held tight in the merman’s hands. He shifted ever so slightly on his heels as Elizabeth took a step forward, sure that she knew what she was doing but still vividly aware of his role to play here, his hand reaching swiftly for his wand as the trident sunk deep into the end of the dock at her feet with a splinter of wood before the mermish delegates sunk back beneath the water’s surface.

He breathed out, for the first time in the past minute, and turned his gaze wryly from the trident still wobbling in the wood to her. “A little dramatic, isn’t it?”

Stepping forward to inspect the weapon with fascinated eyes (okay, it was cool) he resisted the urge to touch by carefully reholstering his wand. “I’m afraid my art collection is running a little scarce, I’m not sure they’ll be appeased by my pumpkin Shacklebolt and Alice would never forgive me if I broke up our collection. We almost have the whole departments likenesses down now.”

Frank’s forehead furrowed as he crouched at the end of the dock, peering down at the lake’s surface to glimpse tiny bubbles of air drifting up from the depths. It must be considerably deeper than he’d expected. “How did you start learning Mermish?”

“Sadly my social circle is nowhere near as full as I’d like it to be; I’ve written him at least a dozen times and he never writes me back.” she said, sticking her bottom lip out and wiping a faux tear from her eyes. “London’s high society means nothing to me so long as Uncle Algie decides I’m not worthy.” She was actually curious about the guy though; he sounded... eccentric.    

She raised an eyebrow, “If you’re a Southern Belle then I’m actually a giant Frank Longbottom. And you’d better remember about that wife of yours or else she might catch you and Dawlish play-wrestling in the supply closet.” she told him lightly. “And tell me about it. I was tempted to kick him in the balls but I didn’t, a lady never kicks a man in the balls; but they can put several drops of hiccoughing potion into a man’s coffee.” She smirked. Her mother taught her how to be a lady, her father taught her how to be a menace.

Elizabeth had very little fear that she’d be attacked by the Clan, if that had been their true intentions they wouldn’t have appeared to negotiate at all. Merfolk preferred to avoid unnecessary chatter; if they were going to come at you then they’d just come. She smirked at Frank’s observation and looked back with a shrug, “Don’t let them hear you say that. Merfolk come close to Hippogriff’s when it comes to their pride and traditions.” Sadly the wizarding community were never taught about those customs and often ended up being offensive without evening meaning to.

“It’s a good thing for us though, odds are it means we’ll be forgiven and won’t have to increase this space to keep all muggles away until the matter is settled.”

She smirked at Frank, “Don’t worry your precious pumpkin’s won’t be touched. The ministry has several items seized in raids or as gifts from other boards or fund raising things that we can use for just this purpose. I’ve been given permission to use a very nice looking suit of bronze armour as out bargaining chip.” Elizabeth paused then added, “But if that fails your pumpkin’s the next thing I’ll use.”

“Professor Dumbledore offered to find me a tutor in my third year after I’d mastered Gobbledegook; when i was proficient enough the Merfolk in the Great Lake took over tutoring me.”