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 RICHARD LINWOOD on Oct 20, 2019 9:27:58 GMT
First, a day passed. Then another, and another, and then a week, and then a month, and then another. That entire time Hogsmeade was quiet. In times like these, silence and calm was what everyone hoped for -- nobody wanted to open the newest copy of the the Daily Prophet to find out that werewolves had attacked the school or wrecked havoc in a crowd, or whatever they did these days. Peace was desirable, yes, but the tension that came with overseeing that this fragile peace doesn't crumble apart, that took its toll.
For most of the past month or so, Richard had been alone in the makeshift auror HQ at the Three Broomsticks. At first it had been nice to be alone. Nobody would get on his nerves with small talk, nobody would try to prod into his past. He took the time to catch up on his paper work, managed to read a few books and whittle a whole row of small wooden animals. But even the most antisocial of people get lonely sometimes. Richard wasn't an exception.
In those long nights when insomnia plagued him, he wandered through the dark forest that was his memory, remembering how it was to laugh without a care in the world when he was a teenager. The man couldn't recall the last time he'd had a proper laugh. It definitely wasn't at any of Derek's jokes, that's for sure. With Andrew? The two didn't really talk when they were together. Linwood silence, as it goes.
Richard could feel himself slip into depression. Days started to blur together just like the contents of the empty bottles that now hid underneath his desk. He drank himself to sleep just so he wouldn't have to dwell on how unfulfilling his life and his job was.
In short, it sucked to be Richard Linwood.
One evening he found himself sitting by the counter of the rather empty Hog's Head Inn, drinking coffee while the owner arranged the counter. It had been yet another grey day, and he didn't expect the evening to be any different.
Post by ASTRID SØRENSEN on Oct 22, 2019 8:26:18 GMT
It was a weekend finally and Astrid was looking forward to downing a few drinks, relaxing and getting her groove on far away from the students. Whilst for the most part, Hogwarts was enjoyable, it was a lot of work. Even if she was 'just' teaching an elective likeprofessors, as a bit of a 'joke' - Astrid usually ignored those opinions though because Divination floated her boat and that was all the mattered, right?
Long braids flicked over her shoulder, Astrid walked towards the bar with a smile on her face. "Askold," she called with a wave. "Hit me with two of your best shots of... tequila, man. I want to be buzzing. You know the way you buzz when you smoke a ton of good..." She trailed off, distracted by the man sitting nearby with a full beard. Cute, she thought but also... he looked mildly miserable? Jerking her head towards the redheaded man, she mouthed to Askold, 'What's wrong with him?' before deciding to just go over herself.
Striking her hand out with a grin, Astrid said, "Hey, you look like you could use a drink or... twenty, man. I'm Astrid and I'll be your designated drinking buddy tonight." With that sorted, Astrid slid onto the stool beside his and drummed her fingers on the table as she waited for him to reply.
Post by RICHARD LINWOOD on Oct 27, 2019 4:47:21 GMT
The rather oppressing peace of the Inn didn't last long, as someone waltzed right in, calling out to the bartender and ordering tequila. Richard didn't even know Askold sold tequila, this was much more a tea joint where to sit and eat your breakfast pastry than somewhere to get plastered and, by the sound of it, stoned, too. Be as it may, this time Richard didn't find himself internally groaning -- this person, whoever they were, were something out of the ordinary. Something that the auror needed like fire needed oxygen to burn. Of course, he wouldn't ever admit it neither to himself nor anyone around him. That would destroy the image of someone to not be fucked with.
But then... The person -- a woman in her twenties, looking a tad eccentric and not at all like she was a local -- approached Richard. Hand stretched out for a greeting, she announced her name and that she intended to be his drinking buddy. For the first time in a long while, Richard had to do a double take.
Usually people were afraid to approach him. In their defense, he was 1,95 meters tall with a perpetual resting bitch face. And yet, Astrid seemed unfazed by it all. Curious.
"Richard," he shook her hand briefly, "And you've picked the least interesting person in the room."
The only other person in the room was Askold.
"My liver thinks I've had my fair share of alcohol for my entire life."
Post by ASTRID SØRENSEN on Nov 1, 2019 7:54:37 GMT
The surprised expression that crossed this man's face had Astrid shrugging because yeah, was it forward to go and introduce yourself to someone like that? Probably. But... she'd never done things with a sense of hesitation, often letting her heart instead of her brain lead the way. It was the way she'd operated for twenty-five years, it wasn't about to change. "Richard," she repeated with a nod. "Helluva way to introduce yourself, by the way. You should try preaching self-love, instead of putting out a negative perception of yourself from the get go. Hype yourself up, man. I'm sure you're interesting and if not... well, let's make you interesting. Lots of cool shit you can get up to in one night."
Did this man just pretty much confess to alcoholism by bringing up his liver having his fair share? Astrid leaned her elbow against the table, cupping her chin in one of her hands. "Ah, I see. Does your heart think that too, or do you make all your decisions based on your what your stomach region thinks?" she said, before changing how she was sitting yet again. It got too static being in the same position all the time, and she drew her legs up so she was sitting cross-legged on the stool. Lucky she was slender and flexible, hey? "So, Richard. Got a friend chilling in the bathroom or are you here by yourself?" A quick glance told her that the rest of the room was empty, so unless someone was hiding... probably the latter.
Post by RICHARD LINWOOD on Nov 3, 2019 10:28:08 GMT
"Self-love?" Richard snorted, taking another sip of his coffee, "I haven't heard that one in...Forever." He could tell immediately that this woman was a polar opposite. What was she doing here, in this quiet Inn in the middle of nowhere? Why wasn't she somewhere in New York, grinding her way around the room with a martini in hand?
He put down his mug and tugged on the leather gloves that almost never left his hands. Richard knew that if he took them off, if she'd see the wooden prosthetic, he'd probably either not leave until the very morning, when they'd both be utterly wasted... Or, what was more likely, their conversation would be very short.
"You sure can," he agreed, "but as long as it's all legal. My colleagues won't be too happy hearing that the only auror in town spends his nights amusing himself, rather than keeping vigilant." He watched her stir around, lively as a seaweed, and made a mental note not to offer to order her any coffee or other stimulants, lest she begin twirling like a spinning top.
"Head, heart, liver, what does it matter? If you'd see the row of bottles at the office, you wouldn't ask. In my defense, there isn't anything to do in Hogsmeade. It's a lot more boring than when I was a student."
He raised his coffee mug to his lips again, only to find that it was empty. A sigh escaped his lips as he waved Askold over, asking for a refill before turning back to the woman sitting next to him.
Post by ASTRID SØRENSEN on Nov 6, 2019 8:04:05 GMT
"Negative nancy, hey? I can work with. My positive vibes will always prevail," Astrid said, shooting Richard a little wink and all. Her eyes skimmed his form once more because he actually was pretty handsome, wasn't he? Not her usual type, too broody and all but he was built from what she could tell, and she wondered what his beard would feel like rubbing up against her... face, that is.
As long as it's all legal. Astrid wanted to tell him that sounded lame but shit, she was a Professor now. She couldn't exactly roam around a town so close to Hogwarts, doing all sorts of illegal stuff. "I won't tell if you won't," she agreed, striking out her hand for him to shake on it.
If Astrid had thought he'd been confessing his alcoholism to her before, she was... well, kind of right. He definitely did seem to have a drinking problem, one he was hinting at with a great, big flashing red 'look here' sign as he shared there were rows of bottles at his office. "Are you inviting me to come back and have a look?" she asked, voice teasing. Then she shrugged at the proclamation that there was nothing to do in Hogsmeade. "Make your own fun then, man. Plenty of visitors in The Three Broomsticks and stuff. Go chill with them, maybe take a nice guy or girl home, hey?"
As the tequila all but appeared in front of her, Astrid broke into a smile. Perfect. Wrapping her fingers around the cool glass, Astrid raised the drink to her lips and took a few sips. "Alone, huh? Sounds pretty anti-social. No wonder you're bored."
Post by RICHARD LINWOOD on Nov 7, 2019 18:23:01 GMT
“Good luck,” he answered, an ever-so-slight tone of amusement sneaking its way into his voice. “I’d like to see you try.” There was no sarcasm in that statement — at this point in time Richard was open to anything that would make his existence a bit less like that of a beef liver swimming in a cast-iron skillet filled with beer. On second thought, maybe he just wanted to be not be hungry? Either way, he was going to humor Astrid, at least for a little while.
There came a cheeky suggestion to keep their wrongdoing’s silent. It was tempting to do...Something, but Richard couldn’t figure out what there was to do in this sleepy town, especially something illegal. Steal from the candy store like naughty 5th years? Paint pro-werewolf slogans on the walls? But there it was, am extended hand, offering companionship. The man was curious to hear any ideas his ‘drinking buddy’ would come up with, so he returned the handshake.
There was no reason for him to hide the fact that he prefered to not be sober. He was an auror - alright, an auror in training, but he sure as hell had more field experience than some of his higher-ups - and an aurors life called for hard liquor or therapy sessions. The latter didn’t appeal to Richard at all.
Askold had brought him a new mug of piping hot coffee. As he lifted his arm up to drink it, Astrid remarked on certain implications one of his lines. Invite her back to- His arm stayed in mid-air, mug at a dangerous angle, as he turned his head and sat there wide-eyed for a few seconds, before putting the mug back down.
One — I just flirted with her by accident. I haven’t flirted with anyone since… Well, since Liam was around. And that was a long time ago. Two — as far as I know, I’m still gay. Three — when was the last time I wanted sex, anyways?
For the first time in years, Richard was at a loss for words. It took him at least thirty seconds to regain his composure and get his resting bitch face back.
“I guess it sounded like that, didn’t it? Sorry to mislead,” he said, taking the coffee mug in his hand again, “But if I were to bed anyone, it would probably be someone like…” Richard lightly nodded in the direction of Askold, who promptly dropped a rolling pin on his foot. “On second thought, not like him.”
“And sleeping with someone doesn’t really appeal to me, anyhow. I know, it’s odd.” He shrugged. There was nothing wrong with him health wise, he was a man in his best years, as some would say, and yet his libido? Appeared once in a blue moon. “Don’t think Ministry would like me screwing someone while on the job, anyhow. And, lucky me, I’m on the job 24/7 nowadays.”
“Being alone helps avoid uncomfortable questions.” He continued after a while. If there was anyone here who had something to hide, it was the over-six-foot tall auror with the glove clad hands and the turtleneck that hid scars on his neck.
Post by ASTRID SØRENSEN on Nov 9, 2019 3:07:51 GMT
"Thanks. I probably won't need it though. Hufflepuff at heart, and we're determined little things even if nobody else thinks so," Astrid said, lips twitching upwards in amusement. People always seemed to underestimate Hufflepuffs and their ability to achieve and get things done but let it be known... hard work and dedication wasn't taken lightly in the Hufflepuff house.
The deer in the headlights look this big, hunkering man gave her was enough to have Astrid's head tilt, braids swishing against her back as she let out a laugh into the air because okay, okay, turned out that her teasing was taken a bit more seriously than she intended. Then he was apologising for 'misleading' her, before confessing that he would take someone more along the lines of Askold to bed. "I'd take him to bed too," she said nonchalantly, although Richard quickly rectified that he didn't mean Askold specifically but just men in general. "We're a bunch of queer allies then, hey? Sweet. I know a bunch of guys you can offer to show your bottles to instead." The quirk at the corners of her lips hinted that she was only joking, but would he catch that this time?
Turned out that her suggestion of introducing him to some guys was moot though, as he revealed he had zero interest in sleeping with someone. "Ah, whatever floats your boat, man. Doesn't really affect me all that much, does it?" Whilst her own libido was alive and kicking, she wasn't invested in other people sex... or lack of sex lives enough to shame them. She wouldn't do that on principle anyway because that was kinda a dick move, wasn't it? Her brows raised at the mention of the Ministry not liking that he could have sex on the job. "24/7, hey? They keeping eyes on you whilst you work?"
Uncomfortable questions. Drumming her fingers on the table as she readjusted positions yet again, tucking her legs underneath her bottom - quite a feat, considering how small the chair was that she sat on - Astrid asked, "What kind of questions do you think are uncomfortable then?"
Post by RICHARD LINWOOD on Nov 9, 2019 10:41:13 GMT
"I once saw someone piss of a Hufflepuff real bad... It wasn't a pretty sight, I'll tell you that," he answered, reminiscing on an old memory. Sure, back when he'd been a student he, too, thought that Hufflepuffs were the most useless members of society, while Gryffindors - including his brother -- where the dumbest. As an adult Richard had realized that this separation and discrimination based on houses was typical children's behavior, mobbing, and whatnot. And yet it didn't seem that anyone had in mind that perhaps diffusion of these stereotypes would help them all as a society -- but what did Richard know. The coffee mug raised up once more and the hot liquid washed away his contemplation.
And now he was sitting there, Astrid laughing at the miscommunication. Her laughter, even if just briefly, was infectious, and Richard's low, yet loud chuckle joined their two people chorus right after the woman sitting beside him offered to introduce him to other men. "If I ever need a wingman, I know who to turn to now."
This moment of joy didn't last though, as the conversation became much more sobering as it turned to Richard's least favorite topic - work. "As the sole auror stationed at Hogsmeade, people know who I am, and I'm sure that there is at least one person here who would feed information to the Ministry, for whatever personal reasons they may have. So I keep to myself, do my job and don't get involved with anything else. Kind of don't want to get sacked." Richard almost added 'be sacked from the only legal job I've ever had', but that would reveal far too much.
It seemed like he'd said too much already, as Astrid was inquiring about his definition of uncomfortable questions. His shoulders pulled up a little bit higher -- he was like an unhappy cat, trying to make himself look a bit bigger. "The kind that pry into my past."
Post by ASTRID SØRENSEN on Nov 10, 2019 2:07:53 GMT
As Richard regaled a short tale of an angry 'puff, Astrid couldn't help but laugh. Everyone thought that those who belonged to the badger house were all sweet, all the time, but hell hath no fury like a badger scorned. They'd tear out your eyeballs if you wronged you, but go for blood all over if you wronged a loved one. Well... some of them would. She probably wouldn't, given how easily she went with the flow. Her idea of revenge was just... not giving someone the reaction they were looking for. It paid not to be rash in that way sometimes. "Back when I was in school - how old are you, by the way? - we had this really hot beater who played for the team. I'll never forget when two Ravenclaws decided to gang up on her during a game, pulling her broom around, yanking her hair, just being really dangerous. Coach was about to call them off, then suddenly she was swinging this bat - and I don't usually condone violence, but... I think it was called for in this case - and smacking them about. I think she actually broke one of their noses. It was impressive, even if it did get her a suspension from the team."
"You got a designated drinking buddy and wingman all in one night. Lucky you," Astrid declared, tongue in cheek. It sounded sappy, but she actually really enjoyed his company so far. He was different than the people she hung around with currently... which were mostly Professors admittedly, but he was also unique personality-wise. He wasn't chilled out, go with the flow. No, instead he was dark and brooding... which she suspected was to throw people off wanting to hang out with him in the first place, but she didn't really care. She dug his vibe and she'd stick around for as long as he'd let her.
"Sounds like a hard job," Astrid said with a shrug. There wasn't anything else she could really add, and she wasn't invested enough to keep prying. He didn't seem to be too into talking about his career in the first place. "I work over at the castle - I'd tell you which one, but you can probably guess... or maybe not. I don't think many people peg me for doing what I do."
Astrid could relate to what this man was saying, that he disliked questions that pried into his past. "People try to look into your past that often?" she asked him.
Post by RICHARD LINWOOD on Nov 12, 2019 5:54:10 GMT
"Let's drink to the health of this beater," Richard said, raising up his mug to make a toast, "They deserved the beating, for sure." For a few seconds he looked at his coffee mug -- who the hell drinks coffee to someones health?This is ridiculous. He didn't even feel like finishing it, so he pushed the mug away and ordered a glass of whiskey on the rocks. As he waited for the drink to arrive, the conversation went on.
"I'm 36," he told her, sitting up straight for a moment -- his shoulders cracked. Guess my age is showing, huh? In all fairness, he was more battered and bruised than your average 36 year old, so maybe it was just logical.
The man couldn't help but to snort when Astrid added a cheeky 'or maybe not' to her statement about her workplace. "Gee, I wonder. London Tower?" Swirling his whiskey glass, he had a long look of his new wing-man/drinking buddy. There was a certain kind of quiet extravagance to Astrid, with the bold make up and her easy-going character. And yet that didn't help him figure out her position -- after all, this part of the world had become, in Richard's opinion, a lot less conservative in the last twenty years. There was no telling if she was the librarian, a professor, or the Groundskeeper. "I won't try to guess," was all he said.
"More often than I would like to admit," he grumbled, and at the same time scratched the side of his neck, tugging his turtleneck a bit lower for a few moments. "Let's just say that if the Auror department wasn't so in need of qualified field agents, I would probably be sitting in a much dingier establishment." Azkaban.
"Speaking of the castle, how's the mood?" he hadn't had a reason to check in with the school ever since the Winter Ball, and he sure as hell wasn't going to write his nieces any more letters.
Post by ASTRID SØRENSEN on Nov 17, 2019 5:01:52 GMT
At the declaration they should drink to the health and wellbeing of the hot beater, Astrid raised her own little shot glass, clinking it against Richard's. "They did. I haven't seen Williams for ages. Guess that happens when you're out of school for almost a decade," Astrid mused out loud. Merlin, this tequila was making her reminisce, something she rarely did. She liked to leave the past in the past. When Richard ordered a glass of whiskey, she broke into a smile once more. "That's the spirit! ASKOLD, more alcohol, you beautiful soul! Don't cut me off either, or I'll cry."
Finding out the man was 36 years old didn't come as a surprise, really, given his appearance. He looked aged like a fine wine... or maybe it was just the alcohol hitting Astrid's small figure that had her thinking that. "We're a good ten years apart then. But what do they say... age is just a number. I'm sure we've both seen things we shouldn't have at our ages," Astrid said. tapping her chin with her index finger as she thought. Perhaps it was presumptuous to think Richard had seen bad things, but... he was an Auror. It came with the job, did it not?
I won't try to guess had Astrid grinning triumphantly because she liked being a bit of a mystery to new people. "I promise I won't be offended if you guess the wrong position," she said, a twinkle in her eye. When Richard asked how the mood was, Astrid was quiet for a moment. "It's... not so great. Very stressed students, thinking the be all and end all of their life comes with OWLs and NEWTs. I wish they would realise that yes, while they're important, there's other paths they can take to secure the jobs they want later in life." Given this man was with the Ministry, he was likely wanting to know about the new liaison and her reception at Hogwarts too. "I think having a Ministry official roaming the halls is putting everyone on edge too."
Post by RICHARD LINWOOD on Nov 18, 2019 16:52:09 GMT
Somehow Richard had always known that getting a stable job would never bring him any joy. This evening just proved it once more -- if they weren't talking about work, it was great. But as soon as the Ministry was mentioned, all the fun from their conversation was sucked out, leaving them both toying with their drink glasses. To be completely fair, his occupation wasn't the most relaxing of endeavors...
"The Liason officer was a mistake," he said, taking a sip of whiskey, "The Ministry has stuck its hand into a nest of angry wasps in hopes to calm them down. I don't know what went through the single brain cell that the Wizengamot seems to share when they thought that breaking into the privacy of children and teenagers would help the situation." If this had been the old Hogs Head, Richard would have spit on the floor right about now. Instead, he opted for taking a large swig of his drink and slamming the glass down.
"Mark my words -- exams won't have even finished by the time some group of kids tries to," he got quiet for a second, "Uh... Set her office on fire, or something of the sort. I know I would if I was 15 right now." I hope Mia-Rose doesn't do anything stupid. From the few interactions he'd had with his niece, he knew she took after him a lot more than her own parents. It wasn't flattering though, no. Nothing good could come from yet another Richard.
Post by ASTRID SØRENSEN on Nov 21, 2019 7:24:39 GMT
"Man, if I were a teenager, I would have been pissed if some person from the Ministry came and started reading my mail. I don't blame the students being up in arms about it, I really don't," Astrid agreed, her head shaking. Hope seemed... nice enough, but niceness didn't make up for the fact that she was violating a student's privacy, something they were entitled to. "Hopefully she won't be there too long. I think she's getting heckled pretty bad - which I don't agree with - but maybe it'll make her see sense and realise this isn't right."
Taking a glance at the clock that sat above the bar, Astrid clicked her tongue. It was getting late, very late in fact, and she had to get back home to feed her cats. "I don't think I'd go to such drastic measures, I'm more a pacifist. I'd settle for floating out her bed and pillows into the Black Lake instead," Astrid said, voice joking as she slid of the bar stool. "It was real nice meeting you, Richard. I've got next weekend off - perks of being an elective only Professor - but we should meet up, take a load off at your place and chill." Even though it was a suggestion, it didn't sound like there was much room for argument.
With a merry little wave, Astrid grinned. "Catch ya later." With that said, Astrid set off towards the castle, her long braids swishing down her back once more.
It was a weekend finally and Astrid was looking forward to downing a few drinks, relaxing and getting her groove on far away from the students. Whilst for the most part, Hogwarts was enjoyable, it was a lot of work. Even if she was 'just' teaching an elective likeprofessors, as a bit of a 'joke' - Astrid usually ignored those opinions though because Divination floated her boat and that was all the mattered, right?
