#smokechapter:03

If it weren’t for the heat he’d probably be wearing his customary leather jacket, but as it was he looked semi-respectable in the slate-grey button-down, the sleeves rolled up to reveal the fox and shadow tattoo on his forearm. His other forearm was spelled, otherwise he’d be showing off his Dark Mark, too. He ran a hand through his hair, messing it up even more than it already was, and was just about to head around a tent when he smacked soundly into someone. 

“What the-” he started in French, the language only a breath away purely because he’d been using it to speak to Nate exclusively since they’d arrived. He stumbled back slightly, blinking at the force of the collision since, apparently, he’d just been walking with that much purpose and obliviousness. 

“Bulstrode,” he greeted coolly. Though he held a general antipathy for Levi Bulstrode, they had been ministry co-workers, and now Lucius was on the Hogwarts Board of Governors, so he had a vested interest in how Hogwarts ran its staff. “Enjoying the afternoon?”

Now, she wasn’t one for heroics. But some some dumb parents were probably taking their dumb kids to the dumb fair, and if she woke up to shitty news in the paper, she’d feel bad. So she made it her purpose to eat cotton candy and lurk by the stand, wearing her “The End Is Near” Sign and hand-made flyers detailing the meaning of every card in her reading, and why that meant they should be at home. It wasn’t illegal. Or at least not illegal enough that she’d get arrested-arrested. It didn’t even appear illegal enough to get her kicked out. Thus-far. 

“Do you have a minute to be strongly advised to leave the fair?” She said, to a passer by who seemed to find her amusing. It didn’t matter, this was more for her peace of mind than his sake, anyway.  @casruncorn​

Alex advertised for the fair, yet part of him is almost surprised at finding himself there at all. There are children, and laughter, and the afternoon light is pleasantly warm. It’s the kind of idyllic scene that seems almost too good to be real, and Alex keeps catching himself slipping back into darker places in his mind, thinking that none of it is real. Having Alastor plastered against his side helps, but his husband does have a job. Always a job. That Alex doesn’t begrudge him. But still. Watching him walk away to keep others safe isn’t easy, even if he’s been introduced to other company. Alex’s hang tightened imperceptibly on his walking stick no that he doesn’t have Alastor to take the weight off his bad leg anymore.

“Bulstrode... you wouldn’t happen to know a Levi Bulstrode?” Alex asked Marcus curiously, and then was immediately distracted from the question by the sight of a small girl poking her head out from around Marcus’ legs. “Oh! Hello there!”

Daisy took a deep breath as she settled back onto a bench. Lovely as this whole fair was, she was tired. It had been barely a week since Estrella’s birth, and that left Daisy both tired in her own right and a little on edge about having her baby around people so soon. The healers had promised that as long as she used her judgment about letting too many people handle Estrella. 

In the pram, Estrella fussed a bit, and Daisy looked around to see how closely she was being watched. It seemed fairly clear, so she got everything settled into position, including her cover up on her shoulder ready to pull down as soon as she had Estrella situated. “Hungry, baby girl?” she cooed as she picked Estrella up.

Except this was one of those moments where things were easier said than done. The wind was making it difficult to keep her cover where she wanted it, ready to lower one-handed once Estrella was positioned. And also she was still fussing a bit and should have been ready to eat, she wasn’t latching. Daisy tried to remember what the mediwitch had told her to help with that, but in her distraction, she wasn’t ready for a wind gust that tore her cover right off her shoulder. 

“Shit,” she swore softly, looking after it. Naturally that was the moment Estrella was finally ready to latch, and Daisy jostled her. Wonderful. She’d told Walden she was fine if he checked out a few things without her and reported back, but now suddenly she was wishing she’d never told him to go.

She heard someone clear their throat, and Daisy jerked her head up, willing herself not to be ashamed of the fact that she was currently uncovered. “Can I help you?” she asked, trying not to sound as huffy as she felt.

@aliyashafiq​

Lia sighed and took another sip of her lemonade. “Honestly I am all for a great look, but if you can’t wear decent shoes to walk around, why would you come?” She leaned over Aliya to nod her head toward a young witch stumbled along after her date, a man who seemed completely oblivious to how difficult it was for her walk at his speed. “Maybe I’m cynical,” she commented, “but if that’s how men want to act, maybe I’m done with husbands.”

Han’s head jerked up when he heard an upset cry of alarm. His first instinct was that something had happened, but he didn’t see any smoke or frantic running. As he calmed slightly, Han continued to scan the area until he saw Narcissa Malfoy of all people pulling herself back to her feet. After a moment of consideration where he strongly wanted to walk away, Han moved toward her. 

“Are you all right?” he asked as he came closer. She must have fallen, and Han knew she wouldn’t be pleased that he of all people was here to respond to it. “Is there anything I can do to help?”