Dreamer

“That’s very true,” Emmeline hadn’t considered it in that light, but what parent would entrust their child to complete strangers? Emmeline didn’t even want to think about the answer to that question, or go into what type of parents would do this to a newly born infant, by the looks of her. “What the actual fuck?” she exclaimed when she heard the worst sounds she had ever heard. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she was, half banshee that is,” she said, unable to believe anything so small could make such a noise.

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“Well? What the fuck do we do?” He looked at her, eyes wide, already feeling lost. None of the creatures he’d looks after ever let out a noise that annoying.

“Well, a little but if I was doing this by myself, I’d definitely be freaking out by now.” Emmeline smiled at him, hoping to reassure him she wasn’t worried but just had the normal about of nerves for looking after some strangers’ baby. “It depends on what it is.” 

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“Well, sure, but imagine how much the parents must be freaking out thinking of two idiots trying to win some money taking care of their infant child.” Then again, Nash supposed anyone who signed up their baby for this, might have questionable parenting abilities to begin with. That or they really needed a vacation. Nash opened his mouth to dive some more into what she might have meant by that, but didn’t even get the chance to utter another syllable as a blood curdling scream left the bassinet. Nash covered his ears at the high pitched wailing. “Is that baby half banshee?”

Emmeline nodded, before looking down at the baby again and thinking about what to do. Maybe it would sleep for a while and that would take up some of the time. Here’s hoping. “Well, I would say it’s the same. Just different parameters. So we’ve both had some experience taking care of something.” She smiled at Nash briefly, “I think we’ll be okay.” She said, feeling hopeful but again it was early hours and a lot could change in a matter of minutes.

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“That’s the spirit,” said Nash at her bout of confidence. “Besides, if knocked up teenagers can do it, so can we.” Though he supposed it might have been different knowing the child was your own as opposed to being a baby sitter. “So, when you say you’ve watched younger kids before, were they young enough to have nappies that you changed?” Truly, that is what scared Nash most. 

Emmeline didn’t know what to expect when signing up for the fiendfyre dating but this definitely wasn’t it. Yes, she had looked after her cousins growing up but they had been toddlers or older. No babies. “I’m actually not sure,” she laughed slightly, “I have younger cousins but I’ve never looked after them at this age. This is new for me.” She was just glad the baby wasn’t crying. Yet.

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“Well, I’ve never taken care of any one,” declared Nash. Most of his extended family was back in South Korea. “But, I have taken care of lots of creatures, baby ones, even. Fed them, cleaned them, looked after them. Baby is basically just another creature, right? I mean, we’re all just a type of animal in the end, which means, this should be a piece of cake. The best part is, baby doesn’t even have fangs or claws or the ability to spit poison or acid, so the dangerous part of trying to care of creatures isn’t even there. Although–” He looked back at the baby as if he was double checking. “Yeah, no fangs. Just a couple of teeth.”

WHERE: Astronomy Classroom, Hogwarts

WHO: @vanceofmyheart​

It only occurred to Leo that shoving Emmeline into an empty classroom without further explanation might have been a bit rude of her after they were already inside. “Sorry about that.” She shook her head, a hint of a chuckle in her lips before her expression became more serious. “I just, um. Your mother’s here, at Hogwarts. That’s why I brought you in here.”

“No- I can’t say. It’s too embarrassing,” Emmeline giggled again, “Emme. I think that’s my name, what’s yours?” She couldn’t control the giggles and the thoughts she was having right about now, “I feel so free.”

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It was short and sweet and could’ve easily been two little letters and Holliday could remember the name on this alcohol-free evening. Knowing she was in her right mind was still not comforting enough and it’s why she indulged in the weed, letting it lay a band-aid across her heart.

“Everyday’s a holiday with me,” Holliday mused, raised brows. “That’s my name.” She laughed.

Emmeline smiled, lying back onto the bed and staring up at the ceiling, "That's lovely."

“You’re kidding? Magic isn’t real. Or maybe it is? The thing is you’re saying it’s the real thing but that doesn’t other people believe that so really that is your belief.”

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“You not been paying attention to the news for the last four months?”

“Well, most people would love nothing more to talk about themselves.” She shrugged, “Guess you’re not one of those people then?”

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“Gods no.” Elizabeth grimaced. “The idea of it—” Elizabeth shuddered, feigning a gag. “Not for me. The less people know the better.”

“Well, kinda. I think it’s great to celebrate but also being considerate of what other people might be feeling with everything going on.” She smiled at Florence, “But knowing you I know you will have thought about that and will put on the celebration you think is most appropriate in these times.”

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“Well, it’s really about the creatures.” Florence said with the tilt of her head, taking in Emmeline’s words. “Especially now that muggles know of their existence, I think it’s more important than ever to do what we can to protect them and educate people about them.”

Emmeline didn’t really know what to say, yes sometimes it was fun to mark the anniversary with a celebrations but sometimes that could cause problems as well. It was definitely a catch twenty two situation. No right or wrong answer. Just a choice. “I think you need to decide what you want to do. A celebration would be nice-”, Emmeline paused there as she was unsure of where she was going with that comment.

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“It sounds like a but might be coming at the end of that sentence.” Florence replied, looking at Emmeline curiously.

“Depends what kind of job you’re looking for.”

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“No— it all sucks. Talking to people about myself and why I think I’m qualified.” She shook her head. “No thanks, I’d rather not.”

Emmeline couldn’t control the giggles coming out of her, inbetween smoking, it wasn’t even that funny but she couldn’t help herself. “Yeah, I don’t know what I was thinking but it just happened.” 

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“Listen, I am the very last person who will judge, but I can’t promise I won’t laugh.” That was true, as she kept giggling. “Do I wanna know your name?” the high blonde asked aloud. What she really meant to say was, what’s your name? Of course her subconscious had slipped itself in somewhere, because maybe she didn’t need to know the person who was watching her relapse. 

Emmeline nodded, “I guess my default has been to keep my fears to myself instead of embracing all parts of me. Fears included.” She knew she would have to learn to live with her fears or flaws as her mother would call them. Her mother had always taught her to keep them hidden but Emmeline was beginning to learn to love all parts of her which included her flaws. It would take time. “I guess with everything that’s happened in the last few months, fun hasn’t been on my agenda, but that changes now.” Emmeline seen what the other woman had done there and was impressed, “Well, okay then.” She took a deep breath in and out before holding out her hand, “I’m Emmeline or you can call me Emme.”

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Clem grinned and took Emmeline’s hand. It was perhaps a little more formal than she’d naturally be, but she was happy to follow her lead to help make her feel more comfortable. “Clem. Short for Clementine, but no one calls me that except for when I’m in some sort of trouble.” 

“Well, why not. People will believe what they want to believe. They say imagination is the true magic carpet.”

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“Yeah but I’m not talking about imagination— I’ve been there in my imagination— I’m talking about the real thing— it’s not people beliefs, it’s the real tangible thing.”