With the capture of Verandi Farley and several high-ranking Trossach members, the British wizarding world has finally caught a break. The rate of rogue werewolf attacks have started dropping at a steady rate and, hopefully, things will stay that way. The Ministry is starting to loosen some restrictions, like not arresting werewolves standing on the street for loitering, however there’s still an obvious power imbalance between wizardfolk and werewolves.
The Cotswolds pack are continuing to advocate for the rights of werewolves and petitioning to change the legislation that has been set in motion by the current Minister for Magic, whilst the remaining Trossachs members are trying to stay out of the spotlight and keep a low profile… for now.
Whilst the British wizarding world seems to have calmed down, the same cannot be said for over in Northern Europe where a rebellion of magical creatures has risen. The state of things has gotten so bad that the European Ministry has enacted protocols to protect those under eighteen whilst their adult witches and wizards fight to keep control of their countries.
Students from Durmstrang have been sent to Hogwarts to keep them safe and those not old enough to attend school have been sent to live with relatives or designated British Ministry officials outside of Europe for the time being.
Will the low rates of werewolf attacks in Britain continue? How long will Durmstrang students stay at Hogwarts? Will the creatures usurp the wizardfolk in Northern Europe? Only time will tell.
SEPTEMBER 2019 It's been a very long, eventful summer in the wizarding world. A baby was stolen, several high ranking Trossach members were imprisoned, and werewolf attacks have drastically dropped as a result. What will happen now school has returned?
MAY 2019 An attempt to capture the beta of the Trossachs has been launched. Were the Aurors successful in their mission? Go read more here!
Post by GRACE LONGBOTTOM on Apr 19, 2019 10:27:04 GMT
Earlier in the day, Grace had sent word to her friend Faith to let her know that after classes yet before her prefect rounds, she'd be hanging out in the North Wing near the Gryffindor tower itself. You could read in the North Wing, but talking was still allowed and not as frowned upon as it was in the library... which Grace totally respected and understood, but it was just nice to have a quiet spot to talk to her friend after a long day.
Sitting on a comfy chair, Grace thumbed through the pages of her Herbology book as she waited for Faith to arrive, biting her lip absentmindedly. She hoped Faith was coming... she was a good friend, so there was probably no reason to even be worrying, but unfortunately that was Grace's default mode.
Faith didn't have a good start of her new school year. Her mother who had always been the person she looked up to, had fallen victim to the werewolf conflict. It was extremely frustrating especially as she couldn't be there for her mum when she needed help most. All she could do was write her daily, that way she knew her mother was still alive. After class she went to the owlry to post another letter before she'd go to meet Grace, her darling friend. Grace had this special kind of aura that made her feel better just being in the same room with her.
"Hey bumblebee,"she smiled softly. "Sorry, I had to send mum a letter. She says hi and send us a pack of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans." Faith was doing her best to stay optimistic and in good spirit. Getting all depressed won't make her mother better. The woman had always loved it when Grace stayed over for a night. Sometimes Grace felt like family. They've known each other since they were kids as their mothers had tea together while little Gracie and Faith played. She moved over to the blonde and snuggled against her, offering the bag. "Are you daring?"
GRACE LONGBOTTOM note: I hope it is okay to assume their moms were friends
Post by GRACE LONGBOTTOM on Apr 20, 2019 14:57:23 GMT
Grace had just been about to turn the next page of her book when suddenly, a familiar voice called out. Immediately, Grace's head raised and she grinned as soon as she realised who it was. Faith. Oh, she'd came! "That's okay. How is your mum?" Grace asked softly, scooting over for Faith to join her on the couch. She'd known about the attack ever since it happened and Faith's mum had told her own mum. Her mum had sat Grace down to tell her about it and everything. It was awful, but not as awful as it would have been for Faith... that was something Grace was definitely sure of.
Glancing into the bag, Grace bit her lip a bit apprehensively. "I don't want to get booger flavoured beans," Grace told her friend, pulling a face at the thought. "How about... do you wanna choose one and I'll close my eyes and you put it in my - wait, no, that's strange... uh, let's... I didn't mean that in a weird way. Just... oh goodness." She was really making things worse and cringing, Grace tried to change the subject. "I... do you know that Mavican asked if we'd slept together the other day? I've never ever had a sleepover with her before. Have you?"
Faith smiled for the sake of her friend. She didn’t need to worry Grace, the Hufflepuff had a talent for that. “My mum is doing well considering the circumstances,” she said with a much softer tone than usual. The future was still unsure but Faith decided to live by the day. There wasn’t much that could be done.
Her friend’s adorable rambling made her forget about the problems at home for a moment. She chuckled softly and shook her head. “Nah, I’ve got an idea,” she winked and picked one. Licking it to ensure the flavor before guiding it to Grace’s lips. Alas not kiwi but not too bad. “Do you like pesto flavor? It’s strange to find a savory flavor in candy but this is quite good,” she told the girl, holding the green bean before her lips.
“I haven’t either but Mavi is great! We should definitely hang out with the three of us.” This actually was just what she needed. Hanging out with two amazing girls. “I ehh.. I’ll just have to ask if it can be at one of your places. I don’t want to bother my mum and don’t want to give gran the pleasure.”
Post by GRACE LONGBOTTOM on Apr 21, 2019 2:05:43 GMT
The vulnerable tone in Faith's voice made Grace's lips pull into a serious frown and she nodded gently, reaching down to take ahold of Faith's hand and squeeze in lightly. "I think mum sent her some flowers on behalf of us, and on behalf of the Leaky," Grace told Faith, smiling up at her. "Have... have you spoken to your dad since you moved in with your mum?" She knew things weren't good there and she kind of regretted asked, but maybe Faith needed to get some things off her chest.
When Faith licked the bean before holding it up to Grace's lips, the girl paused for a moment because... well, did Faith expect to feed the bean to her? Huh. Well, they'd known each other since they were kids, right? It couldn't possibly be weird... except as Grace's lips parted and moved forward to wrap them around the bean, she grazed Faith's fingers with her mouth and immediately, Grace moved back as though she was burned because that was strange and she didn't particularly like it. "Sorry. I - I didn't... accident." It seemed in her haste she'd forgotten altogether the she didn't like pesto after all and she pulled a face before swallowing it down because it was rude to spit.
"Mavi... oh, people call her that? I've always just called her Mavican. Maybe that's too formal... do you think I should call her Mavi as well?" Grace asked, getting lost in her own mind for a moment. It was running fast, very fast. "Oh! We can have it at my place, or maybe I can ask mum and we can have it one of the spare rooms at the Leaky? What do you think? Then we'd have it all to ourselves and we could get crazy and... and..." What was a crazy thing to do? "Talk about boys and girls and people we... we like." Wait, no. That was a bad idea. Immediately, Grace tacked on, "Or we could paint each others nails!"
Faith had remained strong for the past few weeks. But even the strongest warriors had their moments of weakness. Grace squeezing her hand lightly was what did it for her. The Gryffindor smiled softly and wiped a single tear from er cheek. “She did, my mum loved it. We were both moved by the kindness and thoughtfulness of so many people,” she thanked her friend and pulled her into a hug. “I still have to thank your mum but I don’t know what to say.” What was the right way to respond? When asked about her dad, she shrugged. “I told him not to bother. He hasn’t so far. Gran’ma doesn’t give up sadly,” she groaned and ran a hand through her hair.
Feeding the candy to her friend wasn’t strange at all. But the Hufflepuff’s reaction was utterly adorable which made Faith almost think differently about one of her best friends. When Grace suddenly pulled back, Faith’s eyes widened in worry. “Oi, Gracie, are you okay?” It took her awhile to put together that Grace might not like pesto. “Oh, well why didn’t you say so? Let’s find one you do like, alright?” She went through the bag again.
“Just call her whatever you feel like. She’ll respond either way,” she told the lost puff. The idea of holding the little sleepover at the leaky was bringing a huge beaming grin to the Gryffindor’s face. “Yes please! It’ll be amazing. We can try wine and have fun,” she grinned wondering what Grace and Mavi would be like with a bit of alcohol. GRACE LONGBOTTOM,
Post by GRACE LONGBOTTOM on Apr 26, 2019 9:54:12 GMT
Reaching up with her free hand, Grace used her thumb to brush away the remnants of Faith's tear, the little drops that Faith herself had missed. "I'm glad," she said softly, squeezing Faith's hand once more... because unfortunately, a lot of attack victims weren't treated with kindness after a while. Instead, a lot of the wizarding community started to shun them. It was a very sad thing that was happening, one that genuinely hurt Grace's heart because she'd hate for that to happen to her. "You don't have to say anything. Mum knows that you and your mum appreciate it and knows it's a busy time for you both at the moment too." Grace nodded as Faith explained what was happening with her dad, silently taking it in. "Your, um... grandma. She sounds stubborn. Not that that's a bad thing... but very, um... persistent?"
"Oh no, no it's fine. I just - I forgot. About pesto. I don't think... it tastes strong on it's own? Maybe? But I don't want to be a pest and make you find me one I like and... and..." Grace rambled, biting her lip as she shook her head. "Um... do you... what's your favourite flavour? I think I like the sweet ones. Boring ones, I guess. Like, um... lemon and strawberry - wait, do they have strawberry? I can't remember."
"Right... yes, okay," Grace said, her mind a little bit more at ease as Faith reassured her to just call Mavican whatever. When Faith brought up wine, Grace's eyes immediately widened because, "that's... that's illegal, right? Because I'm not seventeen until August - almost a whole year now - and... and won't the... the Ministry find us? If we have an underage drink?" That's what her mum and dad always told Arthur and her when they were younger, after all. It was just like underage magic. They could track you down.
Faith blinked when her friend’s thumb brushed away her tear. Falling quiet, the Gryffindor felt something glow inside her chest. Grace really was an angel on earth. The Hufflepuff was her own little ray of sunshine. Having her by her side made everything better. That was right, she’d always have Grace. A big grateful smile finally returned on the Gryffindor’s face. “You’re the best Gracie,” she said and leaned forward to rub their noses together. It was a little thing they’d been doing since they were young.
“My grandma thinks she knows what is best for me,” Faith rolled her eyes. “The old hag means only well but cannot accept I have a different view on things than she does.” It was a hassle. Grandma Zabini was all keen on riches and status. A werewolf in the family was not good.
“Gracie, you’re rambling again,” she chuckled, reminding the other girl. “But you’re right. It is a little overbearing. Pesto is great with tomatoes and mozzarella though.” Shaking her head, she was determined to find something great. Picking a yellow one, she tasted it but her face turned. “NOPE. That’s egg,” she said as she disappeared the bean with her wand. “Of course they have strawberry, they have every flavor. I like fruity flavors too. Kiwi and blueberry are great. Mint isn’t all that bad as it’s a free fresh breath.”
Her lips turned into a mischievous smirk. “It’s illegal to sell alcohol to minors. That’s all it is. It’s not illegal for a minor to drink a glass of wine at dinner. Or my perfect grandma would’ve gotten arrested by now.” GRACE LONGBOTTOM,
Post by GRACE LONGBOTTOM on May 5, 2019 11:03:20 GMT
When Faith brought their face so close together and gave her an 'eskimo kiss' by rubbing their noses together, Grace giggled. If it were anyone else, perhaps she'd be blushing up a storm but this was comfortable. They'd been doing it since they were little. "Your nose is cold," she told Faith teasingly, smiling. "Hope you're not eskimo kissing anyone else - not... not that you can't... it's just... I like that it's our thing..."
"My, um... my Gran - well, I suppose she's my Great Gran, is kind of the same. She didn't want me to take Charms. Dad says it's because she failed Charms when she was in school though," Grace shared, biting her lip. "So I think - well, maybe they're kind of similar? But I don't really know your grandma all that well so, um... maybe not? I love my Gran loads though. She wears the funniest hats... though they are scary sometimes too."
When Faith told her she was 'rambling again,' the Hufflepuff girl's cheeks flooded with colour and she ducked her head, a little embarrassed. "Oh, yes. Fresh breath. It's important when you're, um... talking to people," Grace said, smiling. It was only polite, after all, to have nice smelling breath. "I don't like it when they put it with chocolate though. Mint and chocolate... yuck. Though - I mean... no offense if you like it. I just think it tastes weird. Like... like toothpaste. Not that I eat toothpaste, but you know..."
Grace almost took on a scandalised expression as Faith said it wasn't illegal to have a drink of wine with dinner. If she was wearing any pearls, she'd definitely be clutching them right about now. "But... well, what about the Trace? The Booze Trace? Didn't the Ministry come knocking on your door afterwards?"
“Eh? Is that a bad thing?” The Gryffindor blinked up when Grace pointed out the temperature of her nose. For once Grace got her instead of the other way around. Faith couldn’t help but smile at the little request however. “Of course I won’t . It’s our thing,” she assured the Hufflepuff.
“Hmm? Succeed and prove her you could do what she couldn’t.” She then shook her head. “Was your gran ever accused for murdering her much older husbands? I don’t know if she ever did it but she is one clever witch. If anyone could get away with murder it’d be her.” After sighing, she gave the puff a smile. “I’m glad your gran doesn’t do that. But yeah granma’s always try to influence you, they think they know what is best for you.”
“It’s always nice to have a good breath. Sadly a lot of teachers smell of coffee and cigarettes, urgh. And we have to listen to them for an hour,” she pulled a face. A good breath was also nice for unexpected kisses but she’d spare Grace that one. “Not my thing either. I do like fresh mint tea.”
At this point Faith was raising an eyebrow. “Honey what are they putting into your head? The trace is only for magic use. We ain’t gonna drink magic wine.”
