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!
A free weekend was a rare and wonderous thing for the young professor, but with time quickly running out before the summer holidays (and report writing quickly consuming most of her nights)... Zoe was going to take full advantage of the entire 48 hours. "See you all on Sunday for dinner," Zoe said merrily as she turned on her tall heels and clip-clopped delicately out of the Hogwarts Castle. It was early in the morning on the Saturday, yet the sun was steadily climbing in the cloudless sky and the breeze was pleasant enough for a leisurely walk to Hogsmeade. Why apparate when there was such glory to be found along the beaten path?
She'd arranged to share the weekend with Askold, though she'd resolved to take him to her own apartment to casually discuss the whole... oh I've adopted a teenage boy that I love to bits because up until now that small detail hadn't really... come up in conversation? Might have something to do with the fact that Zoe always became entirely distracted with wanting to run her fingertips through his beard or feel his body atop of her own. With these merry thoughts, Zoe found her trip to Hogsmeade passed in no time and she took her time smiling and greeting various shop keeps along the path to Askold's Hog's Head Inn.
"Knock knoccckkk," Zoe called as she pushed the door open to the pub, a grin spread across her face as her sparkling blue eyes glanced about the large area. "Sorry if I'm late - Madam Puddifoot's... like daughter? I think? can talk for England, I swear on Merlin's grave. She practically demanded that I bring a freshly spiced pumpkin muffin over when I said I was coming to visit. I think you've got a secret admirer, Mr Panin-Sutherland," she said the last sentence teasingly, her tongue poking out ever so slightly as she held the muffin out in offer to the young man as if she were bribing a curious cat to come get cuddled.
"I thought I'd pick you up; don't worry I'll drop you back home in time for the dinner rush... " she said sweetly, finishing in a whisper with, "tomorrow."
TAG: ASKOLD PANIN Note: her apartment is similar to that in the gif, light and airy. Oh! And that's her current outfit too
Ah, the sun was shining, the birds were tweeting and all the trees were blooming and the grounds surrounding Hogwarts were a lush, juicy green. It filled Askold's heart with joy, as the young man found no enjoyment in the dreary gray weather of a rainy winter. He walked around his inn, a spring in his step and a foolish lightness in his movements as he danced around the empty room without any music playing, running a wet rag over the tables.
While the good weather did make the young man happy, it was only part of the reason why he was so positive. The other, significantly larger reason?
None other than Zoe Savage -- the Muggle studies professor who'd stolen his heart -- yes, yes, Askold was aware that he was head over heels for the woman. After all, he couldn't count the times he'd forgotten to take the bread out of the oven because he'd been too busy daydreaming about her. He was totally and utterly smitten, whipped, infatuated, call it what you want.
Every time she came to visit him at the Inn, she'd stayed until closing time and he'd found himself in her embrace, slipping away in the morning and promising that they'll meet again soon enough.
Today though -- she'd asked him to close the inn for the whole weekend. The arrangements were made, a sign was already hanging out on the front door and he'd messaged his associates that he wouldn't be available, and now all he could do was wait for Zoe to arrive.
And there she was, entering through the front door, causing the bell to let out a clear ring. He immediately draped the wet rag he'd been holding over the back of the nearest chair and wiped his hands on his faded blue jeans before turning to face Zoe.
"Hello!" he greeted her walking towards her, a grin on his face. As his eyes trailed over her outfit -- Oh dear, those legs -- he felt the need to tug on the collar of his plaid shirt.
"Oh, thank you! We've been exchanging recipes, she promised me this one a while ago," he said, taking the muffin from her hands and leaning down to give her a kiss on the cheek. "I'll eat this a little later, I'm-"
He was about so say that he was ready to go, but then it dawned upon Askold that he was still wearing his fuzzy white slippers.
"Uh, hold this for a minute?" he muttered as his cheeks tinted red and he gave her the muffin back, rushing upstairs to put on something more appropriate on. After a minute he was right back down, this time donning a pair of dark blue sneakers.
"Alright, I'm ready to go... Only, where exactly are we going?"
The moment that Askold's happy face turned around to her call, Zoe's smile turned into a grin with her tongue pressed against her bright white teeth. Having grown up in rural Victoria, the sight of the young man in a flannie brought back a jolt of nostalgic bliss that threatened to tug at Zoe's heart-strings if she dwelt on the memory too long. By Merlin's left testicle, though, didn't he look good? She didn't hesitate to let her eyes roll over his body appreciatively, briefly considering ripping the shirt off then and there before...
"Oh yes gosh, I straight up forgot to say hello did I?" Zoe shook her head at herself, quickly adding that, "hello handsome." As he got closer to her, Zoe reached out to where he had tugged on his own collar and delicately adjusted where he'd tugged. Her fingernails fluttered over the skin of his neck with the movement, the teacher found herself barely able to resist the temptation to instantly run them through his whiskers. As he leaned down to kiss her cheek, she leaned into the gesture although as he explained the recipe exchange Zoe couldn't help but tug at his collar playfully because, "I think she's keen to swap more than just recipes with you, but then I can hardly blame her. You are undeniably sexy... in your... fluffy white.. slippers?" she was drawn to see them as he handed back the muffin and she was giggling as she obliged.
While Zoe waited for Askold, she took her time to briefly look over the Inn's pictures that hung on the walls. Her back was turned when he'd come back down the stairs so when she heard him reappear, she spun on her heel and her skirt twirled up to show that little bit more thigh for the briefest of moments. For some reason, seeing Askold get more dressed felt like things were going in the opposite direction of right. "Awesome. Well... I could be completely mysterious and put a blindfold onto you as we apparate away. Or you can just take my hand and trust me?" Zoe held out her free hand and wiggled her fingers at him, then put the head of the muffin between her pearly whites so that her other hand could snake into a hidden pocket, purpose made to hide her Australian sandalwood wand. The moment he gave her his hand, she'd disapparate to her own apartment in Oxford.
"Welcome to my home. I haven't filled out the paperwork to get it connected to the floo system yet... I've been busy with some other pretty... major paperwork during this school year, but please... before I get into that, would you like a glass of water? Piece of fruit or anything?" Zoe was already walking from the entrance of her abode towards the back where the newly renovated kitchen awaited. She'd taken the muffin from out of her own lips and placed it on the kitchen bench whilst she set to work making the blinds and windows open with magic. "I have muggle neighbours so I'll give you the address but it's imperative that, if you want to visit during the summer that is - that you aparate inside. I probably should put some anti-apparation charms on the place though ... reckon there's like a subcontractor for that kind of thing?" Zoe was babbling nervously as she made busy work of getting cold water from the fridge. How does a woman just bring up a small thing like adopting a teenaged orphan boy to a man she wants to strip naked in her kitchen time and time again?
TAG: ASKOLD PANIN Note: her apartment is similar to that in the gif, light and airy. Oh! And that's her current outfit too
Every single time Zoe -- or for that matter, anyone -- complimented him in any capacity, Askold got a little bit giddy. And when Zoe called him handsome and sexy while her fingertips were playing with the collar of his shirt, brushing against the sensitive skin on his neck...His heart was fluttering. But it didn't take long for all that to be washed away by a wave of embarrassment -- fluffy white slippers weren't considered sexy at all. Right?
"Ah, apparating? I don't think that should be done with a blindfold on, that seems...Dangerous." Askold said, his tone a little worried. He loathed apparating and dreaded every time when he had to do it. He'd heard enough horror stories about people getting split in half, to the point that often the night before having to go anywhere was spent tossing and turning. When Zoe offered him her hand, he didn't hesitate for a moment, latching onto her (his grip a little too firm).
For a few moments after the rather unpleasant experience he just stood there, eyes tightly shut, blinking them open as he heard Zoe walk away from him. They both seemed to be in one piece. So far, so good?
He was only half-listening to Zoe's words as he leaned down to untie the sneakers -- it would be rude to trek mud all over the place, never mind that the shoes were completely clean. From the first few glances the man could tell that this apartment was a far cry from his little room on the second floor of the inn. It was light and free... Just like Zoe.
"Huh? Oh, I'd like some cold water, thank you. This apparating business makes me queasy," he replied to her, stepping into the kitchen and sitting down on the edge of the bench like a shy child, taking the pumpkin muffin in his hands.
"When I was researching for the purchase of the Hogs Head, I saw some offers for safety enchantments. The prices were...A lot, but then again, peace of mind is worth its weight in gold. And the Floo paperwork, believe me or not, doesn't take more than ten minutes!"
"Hmm, it's only dangerous if your mind's elsewhere," Zoe replied to Askold's worry-warting by pressing her body against his own. She was sorely tempted to indulge where her mind had gone as she took in his scent and the warmth of his body and.... no, not now. It was her turn to introduce Askold to the wonders in her bedroom. After he helped teenage-boyify Alex's room. His tight grip on her hand sent strong tingles up her arm and restraining herself became that much harder.
If Zoe hadn't set to work opening up the apartment for some light and airflow, she might have stuck her head into the corridor to check what was keeping her lover. Thankfully, he appeared with his order and she opened her fridge to retrieve the cold water jug. "It's filtered so hopefully you like it. I think it tastes different to that at Hogsmeade and Hogwarts... Maybe it's missing that classic taste of rusted copper pipes?" Zoe chattered as she poured and set the tumbler within reach of her guest.
"Not a fan of the apparating, hmm? You seem to have lost a bit of your colour ... Though I know a way I can get it back quick smart," she purred the last of her words and traced the neckline of her semi see-through blouse. Her expert fingers unhooked the already low button as she looked up at the baker beneath hooded kids. Any second now...
"Given that I'm not in my apartment very much during the school term I think that the contractors would be worth the extra protection. There are a few good spells I'm very skilled at - like apparition - but for the most part I'm a bit mediocre when it comes to being a witch," Zoe admitted, taking a drink of her own glass of water then because that was a very private piece of knowledge she had shared with the man.
"But just for you, I'll make sure to get the floor network hooked up here too," plus the other young man in her life... "well for you and... Alex. He's ... Actually the reason I've brought you here today. Do you want to sit maybe ...?"
Every single fibre of Askold's body was very relieved to know that Zoe's mind hadn't gone astray and that he was now sitting in her kitchen, pumpkin muffin in one hand and a glass of water in the other, munching down on the pastry while Zoe was simply being the queen of her castle.
"Mhm, it's goof- It's good," he mumbled, with the pastry still in his mouth. The apparation anxiety had made his appetite do a surprising comeback, so he'd waived his good manners for just a few minutes, "The rust is why I like to use well water for my baking, though I haven't seen a well in Hogsmeade. Maybe I've just missed it?"
The muffin was gone, the wrapping paper tossed in the garbage, the tumbler was empty and Askold had stood up from his seat, when Zoe approached him, her hands playing with the hem of her blouse, offering to get the colour back onto his cheeks... The look she gave him was enough to make them feel warm, and he gave her a sheepish smile, leaning down to press a gentle kiss onto her lips. "I can feel it working already," he said, placing his hands onto her sides, holding her close as they continued their conversation.
He listened intently as she spoke, loosening his grip when the witch reached out for the glass of water. Mediocre? She must be underestimating herself.
"I'm sure you're a good mage, and if you ask me, martial magic is overrated anyways. I'd very much prefer if there was no need for security in this world." He said, trying to make her feel better.
And then she mentioned an Alex, causing his brows to furrow in confusion. He didn't want to jump to conclusions, but he couldn't deny that something stirred up in the pits of his stomach -- not that pumpkin muffin, that had been very tasty -- as he waited for her to continue. He let her go, sitting back down, hands placed on his thighs.
"So your secret ingredient isn't love, then? It's good ol' fashioned rust," Zoe asked the young baker that nibbled on Puddifoot's muffin the way he should have been... nevermind. "I never would have guessed. Don't worry, I won't tell a soul," the teacher winked playfully as she sipped at her cool water, thankful that it was not at all contaminated. She made a mental note to take her water jug with her to Hogwarts because now she was concerned about the ancient plumbing in the Hogwarts Castle. Not that she'd ever let that show on her serene face as she smiled warmly as Askold attempted to soothe her habit of self-deprication.
"There's many things I'm good at," Zoe breathed, her eyes closing briefly to savour the man's hands on her hips and the feel of his body against her own. "Like bewitching the sexiest village baker in the United Kingdom," she said with a small smile as her fingers traced small circles at the base of his neck. The small hairs there sent pleasant tingles from her fingertips and she indulged in a contented sigh. If only things could stay so simple for more than just a moment. Alas, she felt the tension she'd expected when she let slip about Alex and the moment Askold released his grip on her, Zoe felt cold.
The new mother found a grip on the stone counter top to steady herself, to bolster her resolve. She hadn't planned on things getting serious enough for Zoe to care about how Askold would react to the news that she'd adopted a young adult wizard and yet here she was - her usually rosey cheeks void of colour as her blue eyes took in the sight of those hands that had embraced her so lovingly moments ago.
"Alexander Greenaway - I wouldn't expect you to know him as I doubt he's ever been to the Hogs Head... he's really very sweet and a total geek," she said, her voice overcome with love for the teenager. Her blue eyes twinkled with happiness and for a moment she forgot that she was probably about to become very unattractive to the man she currently enjoyed feeling naked above her. "Askold I've asked you here today to help me prepare the spare bedroom because... well I ... you were a teenaged boy not so long ago right?" she had to stop herself from chewing her bottom lip and just say it.
"Alex is also currently a teenaged boy. A teenaged orphan boy... that I've adopted. I'm officially... a mother and I'm bringing home my teenaged baby in about a week when school finishes and... I just want him to like me as much as I like him." Zoe realised that she had closed her eyes sometime during the speech and she had a white-knuckled grip on that counter top. Did all mothers feel this kind of pressure or was it harder to impress a fifteen year old than it was a newborn?
TAG: ASKOLD PANIN Note: her apartment is similar to that in the gif, light and airy. Oh! And that's her current outfit too
Oh, Askold couldn't put into words how absolutely endearing Zoe was, with her quips about his baking and the compliments she gave him without even as much as a glimmer of hesitation. Often he wished he had that kind of confidence. So it was strange to see her lose that confidence as she stammered through her speech.
And the love in her eyes when she spoke about this Alex... This Alex. This Alex, who was a teenage boy that she had...Adopted? Askold needed a couple seconds to let the information sink in.
Zoe had seemed to him a very fun and freedom loving person, and it had been that unbridled confidence of hers that had drawn Askold in. She hadn't seemed the type to want a family, at least not now -- not that they had ever broached the subject. They'd been together...what? A few months now? Either way, it had been far too soon to even think of a family. And this came right out of left field.
And Askold loved her even more for it. He got up from his seat and grabbed her wrists, gently prying her hands away from the counter top, guiding them to wrap around his waist before he wrapped his own hands around her sides, pulling her into a tight hug.
"Zoya," he said, placing a soft kiss on the top of her head, "You're an absolutely wonderful human, you know that? I can't imagine anything, uh... Anything nicer than giving a home to a child. "
"You have no idea how happy it would make me to help you out," he continued. Indeed, Askold was the kind of man who wanted to settle down, to marry the love of his life and to have a nice little family. Would this be a taste of what's to come for him and Zoe?
"I'm sure you'll be a wonderful mother for Alex," he said, "I can't imagine a reason why you wouldn't, Zoe. What can I help you with, then?"
This was it. Zoe was normally the kind of young woman to live as though optimism was her form of O² but this moment... this was a good-bye embrace if ever she had received one. Her eyes had closed as Askold remained silent and she willed tears not to fall from her eyes because it was OK. Soon her life would be filled with the joys of creating her own little family and she wouldn't have time to entertain the devilishly handsome angel that slowly enfolded her in The Hug of Romantic Death. It's fine.
Get back inside you little - Zoe had lost the battle to keep at least one of the tears from escaping over her cheek when she heard Askold speak again, finally. You're an absolutely wonderful human being ... but your sex appeal has been revoked, Zoe finished Askold's sentence in her mind as she tried to focus only on the sweetness of his lips on her forehead. She had completely zoned out until he uttered the words "help you out".
Had she truly held her breath for that entire moment ? It escaped her like a deflating balloon in a happy little sob as she showered Askold's face in messy kisses. "You'll help me? You're not - oh, Askold, I ... thank you," she breathed, grabbing his jaw gently between her two hands to look deeply into his eyes. "Thank you for helping and thank you for not running away. Thank you for your confidence in me. I worry, a lot, because I know how to care for kids at school but home..? Full time? What if I do something wrong and accidentally scar him for life? What if he's allergic to Vegemite?"
Zoe made a mental note to throw out the Vegemite and get an EpiPen just in case.
"Well... well right now I want to introduce you to my bedroom and tell you exactly what to do to help me," apparently there was no bigger turn-on than man offering to help her with her adoptive son's bedroom. Go figure. "Then if I can still walk... I'll show you to Alex's bedroom that... Well it needs a lot of work. Probably needs a bed too."
