#bdwc7

Attina Atlantica-Morretti was a businesswoman. Although, not many people saw her as such. They just saw her as a socialite heiress. It made sense. She did spend most of her working hours at expensive dinners and charity events. After marrying Luca, she was invited to many more functions. She took time off to be with her family but Luca insisted that she made an appearance after the traitor was revealed. She needed to make some sort of statement that one little witch would not take down the wizarding world. 

Since she agreed with her husband, they decided to attend a charity event in Atlanta. It was close enough for Attina to apparate safely and that was their main priority. She also didn't feel like explaining why she wasn't apparating places. She was only nine weeks pregnant. They agreed to wait a few more weeks to announce publically that she was with child.

The charity ball they were attending was for the Magical Endangered Species Foundation. The foundation helped preserve and keep no-maj from settling in areas where magical endangered animals lived. Much like their own kind, Attina felt preserving these animals was crucial to their existence. 

For the event, Luca found a beautiful Marchesa Notte off the shoulder gown that Attina fell in love with while they were on their honeymoon. She didn't even realize that he was paying attention when she mentioned how much she loved the floral dress. It was perfect despite being a deep magenta colored dress. It was rare that Attina deviated from her classic orange and the dress Luca gave her was worth it. Also, it hid her small baby bump perfectly. 

Atlanta was crispy when Attina and Luca arrived. The cool air was welcomed since it was much warmer than Massachusetts during the winter months. They approached the door as lights flashed to capture pictures of the elite that entered the ball. Attina wasn't bothered but she saw how rigid it made her husband. "They won't be inside," she whispered lacing their fingers together as another flash went off. She was certain that their picture would make a few tabloids.

"Attina!" Mariah, Attina's English friend, waved as they entered. The young witch was a socialite. Attina and Mariah met while they both attended Castelobruxo. "Luca!" She trotted over on the balls of her feet in a very formfitting dress. "Look at you two," she greeted each of them with a cheek to cheek kiss. "How's married life?"

"Great," Attina rubbed Luca's bicep as she looked at him with a loving smile. The more and more she saw of his sweeter side, the less effort she had to put into trying to be convincing to others. "How are you?"

"Fantastic. I've actually wanted to talk to you. Do you mind if I steal your wife?" Mariah asked Luca. He nodded and Attina was whisked away by her friend.

"What did you need to talk to me about?" The two walked with their arms linked.

"Well, Timothy MacDunn," Mariah looked at Attina with a big grin. Attina was almost floored but she didn't show it. "We're dating. I know he was pretty serious with your sister. I don't want that to come between us. They're over and it started after they broke up. I promise."

"Mariah, that is okay. They've broken up and I don't think Adella wants him back. I'm happy for you... and him. Really. I am," Attina said with a reassuring smile. 

"Good. And he's here. I hope that's okay."

"That's fine. The more the merrier, right?" Attina really wanted to go back to Luca before she had to face Timothy. "I really should get back to Luca. I don't have much of an excuse other than newlywed bliss." Attina gave a giggle as she tried to make her lie believable. And Mariah bought it. 

"What was that about?" Luca whispered as Attina met back up with him.

"Nothing. Girl business. You wouldn't be interested," she held onto his arm and peered into the circle where they'd been standing. "What's going on?"

"Oh, Nigel is showing us a trick," Nigel Barish was an Atlanta native pureblood wizard. He was known for being wildly entertaining. Luca wrapped an arm around Attina and moved her in front of him. "You look stunning, by the way."

"Thank you," Attina leaned her head against his shoulder to whisper her reply. 

__

After they watched Nigel's trick, they announced that dinner was about to be served. 

Attina and Luca were placed at a table with a few political figures. Micheal and Leigh Hunt were two people Attina knew fairly well. They happened to be graduates from Ilvermorny and the second they saw Attina was seated with them.

"I am so sorry to hear about your sister. At least they figured out who that dreadful traitor was," Leigh commented once the wine was poured.

"Thank you. We are, too. Unfortunately, the young witch escaped before she could be brought to justice," Attina said as she looked at the wine glass in front of her.

"Do you think, perhaps, if relations between no-maj and wizards were better that this sort of thing would've never happened?" Michael asked as he brought the wine to his lips.

Before Attina could answer, Luca chimed in, "No. Not at all. The hunters don't care if our relations are weak or strong. They hate what they don't understand. They don't want to understand. The only reason why we have statutes of secrecy worldwide is because of ignorance. The no-maj can't handle knowing about magic. They fear it and hate it without getting to know it." He looked at Attina and took a sip of his wine. 

"Times have changed. This isn't the dark ages. Maybe they can handle it, now."

"My mother was murdered by hunters. My sister was almost killed by hunters aided by a witch. What about times have changed? It's still the same. They still hate us," Attina said trying not to sound too shaken by the topic.

"I was just..."

Attina cut Michael off, "no. The only thing no-maj understand is hate. They would hate us if we came out for a peaceful cohabitation. Look at how they treat one another."

"My dear," Luca squeezed her thigh as he leaned in to whisper, "perhaps you need to calm down. You don't want to risk your condition."

"Sorry," she smiled at her husband. Then returned her attention on the group. "I feel that it would be very hard to open the dialogue between no-maj and wizards. And their history of acceptance is proof of that. But we are here for the animals not my political opinion. Perhaps we can set up a lunch to talk politics,"

"That is a wonderful idea," Leigh said smiling at her husband. "Maybe we can bring the men so we can get a shopping trip in."

"That does sound like a wonderful idea," Attina laughed as she kissed Luca on the cheek.

"Anything you want, my love," Luca gave her a side eye with a devilish grin. "Just as long as you buy a few things for my enjoyment." Attina felt her heart flutter and a heat rose from her center with his words. 

___

After the charity ball was over, Attina and Luca headed back to the house in Greylock's Landing. "Thank you," she said as they walked into her bedroom. "You were wonderful tonight."

"We are a good team," he said as he dragged the zipper of her dress down.

"That we are," she let the dress fall to the floor and turned to face her husband. "Shall we go to bed?" Attina drapped her arms over his shoulders and kissed his lips softly.

Attina was fast asleep in Italy when she received the call about Arista. At first, it didn’t register to the witch. “Che cosa? Quando?” She yawned into the phone as she climbed from bed. She had gone to a party with Luca for the Young Wizards Foundation of Italy the night before. Her brain was still in Italian mode. “I’m sorry. Did you just say Arista was attacked?” At the confirmation a shrill cry came from her mouth and Luca was jolted from bed.

“What is wrong?” He asked as he watched Attina’s phone slide from her hand and bounce off the floor.

Attina’s hand reached for the highbacked chair to steady herself. Her body wanted collapse as the tears streamed down her face. “Attina,” Luca came to her side and guided his wife to sit in the chair.

She clung to his neck and sobbed into his night shirt, “Arista... she’s in critical care,” she managed to push out the words. “I’m going to kill those hunters. When I’m done with them, not even their mother’s will remember their names,” fire came through her sobs.

“Attina,” Luca looked at her, “you are carrying our children. You need to be careful. We can figure this out. Who can I talk to for you? That’s why you married me, right? For my connections. Let me help you.”

Jim was hungry, he always was after travel, especially when the trip was as taxing as visiting his grandma always was. He got back into town on the train and found his mind too distracted by the news his mother had given him to sleep. She could possibly move into town and that was both a relief and a new cause for anxiety. The town was close to danger but it was also teeming with hunters and as a result, petty crime seemed to actually be pretty low. In some ways, he couldn’t deny there were some factors that made it safe.

He was on his way to the school cafeteria after his conversation with James when he came across two individuals in long black robes with crests emblazoned over their chests. He frowned and froze. He knew who they were immediately. MACUSA aurors. His hands balled up into tight fists a his sides, they approached him and he resisted the urge to run, “Jim Hawkins,” said the first, an older gentleman with salt and pepper hair and beard, “I regret to inform you that you-“

“are under arrest. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand the rights I have just read to you? With these rights in mind, do you wish to speak to me?” he said, cutting him off and holding out his hands to be cuffed, “it goes something like that right?”

Masquerade Samhain Night

       Tonight was the night of the Masquerade Samhain Ball and even though she dressed up she wasn’t going.   

       How could she?  She was reminded of that day, nearly 4 months ago now, when she’d stepped into her first Ball.  Now?  She had the same feelings of horrifying fear of being humiliated&bullied, excitement, and tension.

       { I just hope this night turns out better than last time } Ella thought to herself. Wandering the grounds with rainbow sunglasses orange glasses and a lot of paint and glued on fake rhinestones on her face.  Along with her left wrist, it’ll look like she got a very bad hand transplant being stuck with moveable knives for hands!  Though don’t worry they’re made out of harmless old butter knives found in the Pukwudgie house.  On the back of her jean shirt, the words `The Morticians Daughter` in bold cursive she hands stitched on her own could be seen.

       Only he heard the faint ripple and patter of running water nearby. Upon following it she found herself in front of a fountain!  If there was one thing Ella’s always wanted to do was play in a fountain.  To why?  That was never very clear but she loved fountains, she had a fountain of her own full of wishes she’s made as a child!  Maybe it was the way fountains feel familiar and forbidden at the same time.  Seeing present reality and private fantasy cohesively captured at its core? She almost wished she had a coin to toss in it as she approached it.

       { I’m going to do it! } She declared in her thoughts as this was her night too. Just because she wasn’t at the Samhain Ball that didn’t mean she couldn’t have a little bit of fun herself right?  Slipping off her shoes she’d stand upon the cold stone rim gasping “Oh that’s cold!” Giggling a little as she brushed her right hand against the cold water splashing it every which way!  She was fascinated by the way the water moved, and how it felt underneath her.

       She even jumped into the water fountain squealing feeling the pin and needle coldness of the water engulf her sense.  She splashed and kicked the water around playing in it joyously hearing her own laughter next to the water sloshing around from her.  Until the water got too cold for her and she stepped out of the fountain numbish.  “Well, that was eventful what next?”  She spoke breathlessly to no one in particular as the campus felt vacant as if everyone was at the Samhain Ball.  

        Grasping her shoes Ella wandered back barefoot and enjoyed the night heading to the Pukwudgie house to obtain her broom.  Firstly pulling her hair half up, debating between her ribbons and bows, and her mother's muggle mermaid barrettes (✰ / ✰)  or butterfly (✰ / ✰ / ✰) collection.  Settling with a silk black velvet ribbon and a black bandana for good measure.  Smiling widely, she held tightly onto the polished mahogany seeing the words Nimbus 2000 flash of faded gold and on the other side of the broom, she felt the burned Gryffindor crest engraved.  Opening her window and ditching her shoes and knife hand prop she made for the costume.  

       Ella felt a warm glow of pleasure run through her as she flew out her window gracefully as she sat side saddled upon her broom.  Picking up speed feeling her hair whip in every direction making her itchy upon the back of her neck as the wind hissed in her ears as she flew over Ilvermorny.  Coldness consumed her as goosebumps climbed up her arms as she first thought of going to the Quidditch Pitch but a thought crossed her mind as she changed directions.  Upon the highest tower where she met the mysterious boy when she went to her first dance. 

The Samahain ball was a glorious event, the decorations were beautiful and Ariel Atlantica and Jim Hawkins were crowned king and queen. Following the coronation the lights went out and when they came back on, they saw a student dying with a note pinned to her chest with a blade. 

It took hours of singing but Libby finally became stable enough that they could leave her in the hands of a traditional healer. It was puzzling how it could take so long for Rapunzel Gothel to heal her which made him believe that there was something beyond strangulation and stab wounds pulling her towards death. When the room was empty he dismissed Attina Atlantica, although he was sure he would be in contact with her again soon enough. Being the headmaster and an exceptionally skilled and powerful wizard he apparated back to his study. He was the only one who could apparate on school grounds. 

When he was alone, he more thoroughly read the note...

To all witches

You think you’re so safe up there in your castle but you’re not. We can reach you and we can hurt you and your days will soon be numbered. 

Sincerely 

The Hunters

The letter did not specify which hunters and there was no hand writing to compare as it was typed up. Frankly, he knew it was impossible for them to reach them up here on their own. John Smith was above suspicion as he was being monitered constantly and had no way to properly help the hunters on the outside which left only one real possibility...

@lost-atlantica

The Samhain Ball was finally there and John was taking Ariel, future Samhain Ball Queen. They were working on their relationship. As a part of that, John went down to town and found a costume jewelry replica of the necklace from Titanic, the Heart of the Ocean. They were going as Jack and Rose, so it seemed more fitting than buying her a corsage.

John rested his mask on the top of his head and tossed his locks around to achieve the best Jack Leo look. When he was satisfied, he headed down to the Horned Serpent house. One of their new things was John heading up to her room instead of just waiting at the door. It was simple and easy. It was what she wanted. He was trying his best to do what she wanted.

He was in the hallway when he heard the news. His eyes widened and he dropped his books, “fuck, no, this cannot be happening...”