Sometimes the hardest person to forgive is yourself. Wednesday, July 25th - Afternoon
He'd been held for questioning for a few days, something Colin didn't blame anyone for. Someone had made sure a Healer from St. Mungo's had looked in on him, and that he was treated alright - he suspected it might have been Auror Tonks who had been responsible for that.
"Under the influence of a magical creature, not responsible for his actions" was the final verdict.
Colin wasn't sure he'd agreed with it, really. If he wasn't responsible for what he'd done, he didn't know who was. It was his fault he'd fallen into Rose's hands, and ultimately into the clutches of the Master vampire. That had to make him responsible for something, surely?
He'd avoided Izabel and Remus since his release, staying hidden away in his rooms at the castle as much as possible and letting one of the house-elves bring him meals. At some point he was going to have to find them and apologize and hope they could eventually forgive him, but he wasn't ready for that yet.
Instead, he slipped out of the castle and hurried down the lane into Hogsmeade, searching for the office of Anne Perks. Maybe if he talked it over with someone who wasn't involved, who he hadn't hurt, maybe it would make more sense.
"- I had know that was all it would take to keep that hag Witherpool off my case and away from my stories, I would have volunteered to bring lunch for everyone before. It is not my fault she's got a thing for chicken salad. How was I supposed to know you aren't supposed to use the entire - What? - What do you mean I'm on the air? Already? Why didn't you say something sooner?"
"This is Rita Skeeter live in the gardens of the Black Orchid Hotel - which is the closest I can get thanks to security and that restraining order. That sound you hear is an almost tribal rhythm emanating from the hotel ballroom."
The noise grew momentarily louder before being drowned out by the unmistakable sounds of snapping twigs and a whispered curse. "They nearly saw me that time."
"Almost a primal beat, primal enough to remind this reporter of the events that occurred in that very ballroom just a few short months ago. Will tonight's festivities end in yet another veil of silence, much like the day after the Valentine's Ball and the rumored, yet sadly unsubstantiated, orgy that may or may not have taken place?"
"As always, ladies and gentlemen, WWN is always interested in the comments and concerns of our listeners. More importantly, if you personally witnessed a sensational bit of scandal, owl me, Rita Skeeter, care of the WWN. The Wizarding Wireless Network now returns you to our regularly scheduled programing."
When it is not necessary to make a decision, it is necessary not to make a decision. ~ Lord Falkland
Monday, June 18th ~ Morning
Almost a week had gone by since Anne had been out jogging and had had the misfortune to make the acquaintance of Bellatrix Lestrange. Anne understood the woman was dead and was no longer a threat, but that didn't stop the images that kept replaying in her mind through the potion induced haze of medication the healers insisted she take. Once or twice they'd been busy enough she'd received it a little late and there was no argument about taking it after that. Whatever hex it was the dead woman had managed to hit her with - hurt! Anne's left arm and shoulder still weren't responding the way they should, ( Collapse )
I got my mob scene in my eyes You can ignore the voices of the people, This is the beginning.
They say no consequence. This is the beginning of the end. Monday, June 11 :: Morning
"This is to be a precision operation. Secure the area, retrieve Lestrange and bring her back to Azkaban for interrogation."
Scrimgeour steepled his hands and looked across his desk at the hand-picked group of Aurors listening attentively to every one of his words.
Kingsley Shacklebolt wasn't among them. The Minister had wanted disciplined, obedient officers on this mission, and while he respected the Head of the Auror Office, Scrimgeour didn't trust Shacklebolt to see what was best in this case.
For instance, Kingsley would probably think it necessary to inform the Hogsmeade office of what was about to go down in their town, and that couldn't be allowed.
This is the night, it's a beautiful night and they call it Bella Notte May 18th, Early Evening
One thing he could say with certainty, Charlie preferred going out on Friday night with Anne to working in the club. The club owner was sorry to see him go but Charlie no longer needed the money since Chauncy wasn't in the equation.
Charlie smiled down at Anne as he opened the door for her, thrilled that she was giving him a chance to make amends although it would be a bit hard to revert to hands off after their one morning together but he could do that. She was worth doing that.
If you carry your childhood with you, you never become older. - Abraham Sutzkever Saturday, May 5th ~ Afternoon
Roger grabbed a bottle of ale and set the broom he had just dismounted carefully aside. Looking around he couldn't keep the grin off his face. Some friends, a picnic, a few rounds of Quidditch, and a cold ale to drink - there was no better way to celebrate your birthday in his opinion.
And the best was yet to come.
Roger made his way over to Vera, thinking of the surprise he had enlisted the house elves help in setting up back in his quarters. Roger couldn't stop smiling as he plopped down next to his - hopefully - future wife and gave her a kiss.
Anne was by nature a patient sort. You had to be in order to counsel people. Improvements didn't occur overnight and if they did - she wouldn't have trusted them. When a couple of weeks had gone by with no word from Charlie, she'd refrained from tracking him downagain and decided if she still hadn't heard anything from him in another week - she'd consider it a lesson well learned. That had been over a week ago. Today made it a month since she'd shown up on his doorstep and fallen into his bed.
It's a piece of cake to make a pretty cake Tuesday, March 6 • Evening
There comes a time in every man’s life, no matter how health conscious he is, to have this craving for food that will clog the arteries and shorten the life span. Greg had entered Hog’s Head for the purpose of giving into that calling. Completely skipping the main dishes Greg gave into his desire to have a meal comprised completely of appetizers and desserts. Greasy chips and onion rings, Chicken wings, cake and pie. Oh yes, he was going to pass out tonight from carb overload.
Since he was sitting alone in a restaurant he found it rather awkward. There was no one to talk to. One could only stare at the fire so long before a person wondered if Greg had forgotten how to turn his head. Reaching into his coat pocket he found a pack of cards he kept there and began to entertain himself by shuffling them.
The only reason I would take up jogging is so that I could hear heavy breathing again. ~ Erma Bombeck
Friday, March 16th ~ Morning
While Anne had been quite busy getting her practice set up, not to mention the office itself and the flat, she'd been unable to push Charlie that far out of her thoughts. Especially since the first consultation with Percy. Biting her tongue not to ask Percy if Charlie was gay too, had been very difficult. Asking herself why it mattered so much - found an answer she wasn't sure she liked.
I've walked sometimes confused sometimes ready to crack open wide. Sometimes indignant, sometimes raw. Can you imagine I pay him 75 dollars an hour sometimes? It feels like highway robbery. And sometimes it's peanuts. I wish it could last a couple more hours. -- Alanis Morissette, "The Couch"
Thursday, March 1 - Morning
From the waist up, Percy was the picture of perfection and professionalism: immaculately groomed, waiting attentively and reading a magazine. From the waist down, however, his knees jiggled and his feet tapped out a little tune over and over again.
What the bloody hell are you nervous about? It's Anne. Your friend. What are you afraid of? What could be worse than coming to terms with being gay in the first place?
The problem was, he didn't know the answer, and was nearly terrified to find out.
Remember, it's for Greg, and your family, and yourself too. You owe it to all of them to get your ass in there and get some help. You're long overdue, and you know it.
