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 Aug 6, 2019 6:42:46 GMT
Today was the day. The day Grace had been waiting for all week, ever since she had received the letter from Wolfgang, asking to meet with her at Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop. Before then, Grace had hoped it was a date, but wasn't certain. But now? She definitely knew. How could it not be? Especially given they were meeting at Madam Puddifoots, the most romantic place in all of Hogsmeade that Grace had been dreaming of visiting for years.
Sitting at a positively stunning table covered with a lace cloth laid over it and adorned with sweet little china sugar bowls, Grace breathed in the rest of Madam Puddifoot's with a skim of her eyes. It really was just as gorgeous inside as she'd expected it to be, with the way the floral wallpaper covered every wall, and frilly bows were tied to the back of the chairs that were tucked in at every table. Even the sounds that came from the shop were lovely, as each time a new person entered, the little bell near the door tinkled.
Reaching up to fiddle with the delicate silver necklace she wore around her neck, an heirloom from her Granny Alice that had been passed down to her by her Great Gran Augusta when Granny Alice had passed away, Grace tried to calm down the butterflies going berserk in her stomach. This was going to go well, right? She just had to remember not to get onto rambling tangents and to not say stuff that made her out to be a complete and total ditz.
Hearing the tinkling of the bell once more, Grace glanced up from the table only to see that this time, it was Wolfgang walking into the shop. Gosh, he was just so... handsome. Incredibly so. "Hi... did you, um... thank you. For inviting me here. It's so lovely to see you again," Grace said with a smile, although mentally she was kicking herself. She'd already gone a bit rambly.
Today was the day. The day Wolfgang had been dreading for an entire week, ever since his quill left the little parchment scroll which contained an invite. For Grace Longbottom. To Madam Puddifoot's.
He was taking the most naive girl in his entire year on a date. She was so not his type, and yet here he was, walking down the streets of Hogsmeade bundled up in a black blazer, made out of wool.
How did he get here?
It was so easy to destroy my father. I wasn't afraid of anything. Not the wretches of werewolves, not the Ministry officials, nobody could stop in my way.
Grace knew people. People like Teddy Lupin, a well-known son-of-a-dog, who was petitioning for werewolf rights. Wolfgang knew people who'd pay a lot of money for the right kind of information, and Grace Longbottom was the perfect target. Unsuspecting and starry-eyed for any boy that passed her.
Wolfgang wasn't just any boy. No, he was almost 6 feet of charm, dressed in black, with warm brown eyes that made girls and boys melt like ice cream in the summer sun. This should be easy, and yet he felt bad. Guilty for what he intended to do to Grace Longbottom.
He could have just broken everything off, but some part of him had a morbid curiosity -- how far could he drag it out? Maybe she knew things that could make him rich? Perhaps a few moments of discomfort would reward him? And if he wanted to become a salesman of secrets and a spy, he had to squash his feelings, didn't he? He could do this. He would do this.
He walked into the Tea Shop, a little bell twinkling right above his head, the clear sound wiping his brain. A charming smile appeared on his face as he looked around the room. Grace was sitting at one of the tables a bit further in, toying with her necklace, visibly nervous.
Showtime.
"Likewise," he answered with a nod, pulling back the chair on the other side of the table. Grace looked...cute. If she wasn't so damn bashful, Wolfgang would have considered her for a one-or-two night stand, but she'd never be up for it. Plus, this wasn't what he was here for.
"My apologies for being a little late," he said, placing his hand midway on the table and leaning in, "I couldn't looking like I haven't put all my effort into this. Anyhow, what would you like to order? I'll pay for everything, so take your pick."
Post by GRACE LONGBOTTOM on Aug 24, 2019 10:58:08 GMT
The smile that donned Wolfgang's lips was utterly swoon-worthy, like something she read about in a book, described so perfectly that she could almost imagine it in real life... and here it was, being aimed straight at her. The little voices in Grace's head told her that she wasn't worthy of it, of his attention. She was boring and inexperienced and not as pretty - but she pushed those thoughts promptly back. She was going to try her very best not to listen to them, not today. He'd asked her out, right? So... he must have seen something in her, even if Grace couldn't herself.
When Wolfgang replied that it was lovely to see her as well, Grace's smile became a little less nervous and a lot more genuine. As he sat, her eyes swept over his appearance, breathing him in. He looked so... dapper with the dark clothes he wore that were seemingly tailored to fit him well, and the way his dark hair was swept to the side. In a way, his hair reminded her of somebody else's but... Grace pushed him out of her mind as well. She didn't stand a chance... well, with him, and she liked Wolfgang. He made her stomach all a-flutter and her skin tingle and... she just liked him, a lot. "Have you had a good week? I, um... most of my days were spent studying, this week. Practicing charms and spells from... and... sorry, I don't mean to talk about myself so much. How are you?"
Wolfgang's apology for his lateness had Grace shaking her head. "You're not... it's okay. I don't mind. I like, um... I like looking out the window. It's very... very scenic with... with the feet passing by." Merlin's beard, what was she saying? Grace wanted to cast silencio on herself, maybe bury her face in her hands too. She sounded like a complete and utter nutter. "Oh, you don't... you don't have to pay. That's okay. I can... I mean, only if you're sure. I-" She was babbling again, and she wanted to kick herself. Taking a menu, Grace busied herself with reading it like she hadn't done that when she'd first arrived. She didn't want to take too longer making up her mind, after all, and leave him waiting. "I... do you want a plate of scones to share? Do you like scones? If you don't, we can just have whatever you want. I don't... I don't mind."
Wolfgang kept the smile up as he listened to Grace's mumbling, being absolutely baffled at the lack of any kind of self confidence present. How did she even manage in her day to day life? It must be horrid to be Grace Longbottom. The Ravenclaw felt pity.
"If I am honest, the same old. Studying, Quidditch practice," he said, looking down and clearing his throat. "Please don't be afraid to talk about yourself. That's the only way people can get to know you better."
For a second he was stunned by his own words -- he was encouraging her? His brain didn't linger long with finding a justification. Because I want her to feel free around me? But that was only half the truth. The other half -- (Or is it because I'm not a complete pile of shit and want to help her out?) -- he didn't want to admit to himself, so it was left, buried in his subconscious.
The comment about the feet made Wolfgang want to groan in agony. He could feel a headache starting out of the sheer awkwardness of it all. Instead, he pressed his lips closed and forced out a laugh while shaking his head. "Cute."
"Don't worry, I like scones. Would you like some tea or coffee with them?" he offered, waving at the server to come over. "While we wait, perhaps you'd like to tell me about yourself? Your family and friends? I'd start first, alas, I'm nowhere near as interesting as you."
Post by GRACE LONGBOTTOM on Sept 14, 2019 7:28:07 GMT
"Oh, the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor game is coming up in a few months, isn't it? I know that, um... that Hufflepuff and Slytherin is soon. I'll probably go and watch the games. I like cheering people on. I mean, after all, it's always good to support people up from the stands, right?" Grace said thoughtfully, fingers trailing down from her necklace to the end of her braid where she started twisting the strands. She always had to keep her hands moving, she found, it was just one of those 'nervous habits' as her dad called them. When she wasn't fiddling with her hair or her necklace, she was wringing her hands in front of her or tugging at her skirt or playing with a button.
Wolfgang's suggestion that she should talk about herself so people got to know her had Grace slowly nodding as she mulled it over. He was right, she supposed, which was what prompted her to start saying, "I, um... I rode Leo Jordan's broom the other day. I mean, he knew that I haven't done that for a very long time, so he offered to show me how. I was really, really worried that I was going to break it or... the last time I tried, I ended up hurting myself really bad. But he's such a good teacher, and he showed me the right way which was just lovely." She was talking about another boy on a date with Wolfgang, and it became more apparent that this was a Bad Idea™ by the second and so she concluded with, "Um, I don't think I could ever play Quidditch though. I don't like balls flying towards me very much. I'm always afraid that I'll get hit in the face or something. You... you must be very brave, or just... I suppose you just have quick reflexes, right?"
"Tea would be lovely. English breakfast, if... if that's okay," Grace said, smiling at the server who came and wrote down their order before moving away again. As Wolfgang spoke next, the phrase 'interesting' washed over her and it caught Grace off-guard because in her mind, she was anything but. Why would he think she was 'interesting' when she was such a plain person? It was odd, but... well, Grace decided to push it to the back of her mind. "Well, I... I guess you already know I'm a Hufflepuff and... a sixth year, erm... I... I think I'm rather boring, really. I like to read and swim and... and I... grow a lot of things. I want to be a Healer, someday, if I get good enough NEWTs." With the awkward explanation about 'her' over and done with, Grace moved on to telling Wolfgang about her family and friends. "Well, I... I suppose a lot of my friends are family friends? I grew up with the Potters and Weasleys and... well, Teddy. They're all lovely. But I spend most of my time with people like, um... like Faith and Leo and Ollie and... I made a new friend the other day, I think. Nadezhda, she's a seventh year. But she's really lovely and sweet and we made some healing paste together. It was great because not a lot of the people in our year seem as interested in healing or herbs really." Deciding that was quite enough about her, Grace asked Wolfgang, "Who are your friends in Hogwarts? Your family... what are they like?"
Wolfgang watched Grace's hands. Always moving, clutching onto her hair for dear life. He recalled the few times he'd paid any attention to her over the years, be it in class or otherwise, and she always seemed to be fiddling with something, like a frenzied squirrel. It must be exhausting to never relax.
The arrival of scones and tea was a saving grace for the Ravenclaw, as he could excuse the lack of interaction from his side by pretending to enjoy his scone 'till the very last. Truth be told, Wolfgang had never been a fan of scones, and this one tasted like cardboard. And the tea? Wolfgang loathed English Breakfast. Smile through the pain.
"I wouldn't call myself brave, per say," he answered after Grace had told him everything, "but reflexes are key. Especially if you don't want to get knocked out by a Bludger." He put down his mug and reached to fill it up, avoiding Grace's eyes. He needed a moment to plan out his next steps. She'd mentioned the Potters -- always at the center of rumor mills -- and Teddy Lupin. She'd even done so with slightly less stuttering!
"My family?" Wolfgang sighed. Part of him wished he'd never brought up the topic. His family was a source of shame for the middle Kallenbach. "My parents are divorced. My older brother is attending Durmstrang, and my younger... He's homeschooled." A half truth would have to do. "As for friends... I prefer to be alone most of the time, but I have some."
"I'm sorry to bring up such an unsavoury subject up on this wonderful occasion," he said, looking up, an apologetic smile on his face, "but I can't help but to wander -- what does your family and their friends think about this whole werewolf situation? If I recall right, Remus Lupin taught your father, yes?"
Post by GRACE LONGBOTTOM on Sept 15, 2019 8:28:15 GMT
"Have... have you ever... um, been knocked out by a bludger, that is?" Grace asked, before wondering if maybe that was a bad question to have posed. It wasn't very romantic, was it? Nor was the subject of Quidditch in general. It had her reaching out for her cup of tea, raising it to her lips. Surprisingly, she actually managed not to spill it. Thank Merlin, right?
There was a sigh after Wolfgang had said the words 'my family?' and regret plagued Grace because that was a such a silly question, wasn't it? Merlin, why couldn't she say the right thing? Why was that such an impossible task for her? She hated it. She wished she could be as effortless and cool as the other students in their year, like her big brother even. Wolfgang started talking about his family a moment later and Grace looked up as he spoke, the regret growing tenfold because his family didn't seem to be a happy subject for him. He sounded... lonely, but she didn't dare say that out loud. "Who, um... who are mostly your friends?" she asked softly, trying to move around the subject of family with tact.
But then, that odd feeling was tugging at her again because Wolfgang was asking about werewolves and her family and friends opinions on the 'whole situation' and about... Remus Lupin? Why -- what did her father's old teacher have... and he was brought up the last time they spoke, Grace had mentioned Teddy and Wolfgang had asked if Remus was his father. Usually, Grace would have let the weird niggling feeling fade away but something didn't feel right and she placed her teacup back down, hands moving into her lap and curling up without meaning to. "What... what does Teddy's dad have to... sorry, I don't mean to be rude but... why... why are you so curious about Teddy's dad?"
"Me? Plenty of times, when I was younger." he admitted, recalling a certain evening of practice in his third year, the end of which he couldn't recall -- a stray bludger had crashed right into the back of his head, making him see stars. If not for wizard medicine, he wouldn't be sitting here. He let his hand through his hair, rubbing the spot the ball had made contact with, brushing away the unpleasant memory.
Grace didn't press for more information about his family, and for that Wolfgang felt even a little thankful. The topic of friends though, that was yet another pit of despair he didn't want to fall into. He'd had friends when he was younger, sure, but after last years events he felt betrayed by the entire universe, and he was sure he had a backlog of trust issues for a whole life time. Plus, all of his friends were growing up alongside him, relationships became more complicated with every interaction... This is depressing.
"Do you know Scarlett Bianchi? I sometimes keep her company." he mentioned the first person that came to mind.
Oh shit. Wolfgang could see the suspicion creep into Grace's features. The young ravenclaw realized his last mistake in the long list of actions that led him to this situation -- he hadn't thought of a back-up plan. Think, Kallenbach, think!
"You see," he drawled, his fingers curling around the mug in front. "I've never actually met a werewolf." That wasn't trying to eat me or cheat me out of my money. "While I do sympathize with their unjust situation, I've longsince wanted to meet with one and ask their opinion on the situation." His mouth was going dry, so he took a gulp of the tea. Disgusting.
"And I thought that, perhaps, you could help me meet someone who'd be willing to give me some insight? So I'd know better than to believe all the hearsay."
Please believe me, or this is going to be terrible for the both of us.
MADE BY VEL OF GS, WW + ADOX 2.0
1.75m (5'9")| Open relationship with ISOBEL LINWOOD | Bisexual | English
Post by GRACE LONGBOTTOM on Sept 15, 2019 9:40:55 GMT
"It's a good thing we have such a good matron then, I suppose," Grace said with a nod. That was the one thing she disliked about watching Quidditch... it could be so... barbaric at times, and often she ended up in the stands with her heart lodged in her throat. What if a bludger hit somebody the wrong way and nobody stopped it in time? The matron couldn't reverse a bad blow to the temple, for example. It terrified her, in all honesty.
"Oh, yes. Scarlett, she's Teddy's..." Grace faltered mid-sentence because there was another thing to do with her friend, Teddy Lupin. Was it a coincidence that Wolfgang and her were friends? Clearing her throat, she continued quietly, "Um, she's Teddy's girlfriend. I've... I've spoken to her a few times, not a lot. She's lovely though. Very... very pretty, and smart too."
I've never actually met a werewolf. It was then that realisation dawned on Grace, that he wasn't - that she was... she was just means to an end, right? Had he even wanted to go on a date with her? Was he even interested in getting to know her? Or was he just here to try and convince her to introduce him to Teddy so he could ask his 'opinion' on the werewolf situation? All of those questions coursed through her mind, and Grace's fists curled up even tighter in her lap, her nails biting into the delicate skin of her palms. "Do... this... did you ask me out just because... because..." The rational side of Grace's brain was gone, her emotions taking over like a tidal wave. As drops of water started dripping onto the place in front of her, she realised too late that she'd started crying and her voice cracked as she asked him, "You don't actually like me, do you?"
The trap had fallen shut and it was Wolfgang's tail that was trapped in it. He was sitting at Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop, the most romantic place in Hogsmeade by the opinion of the majority, with a sobbing Grace Longbottom, a plate of dry scones and the most disgusting brew of English Breakfast tea he had ever been forced to drink.
"You're not as naive as it seems," he forced out of his teeth, quickly getting up from his chair and buttoning his woolen blazer shut. As his fingers fiddled with the buttons, he looked at Grace. His breathing was fast, and he wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. He felt nauseous, lightheaded and... As guilty as he had ever been. It didn't feel good, to see Grace cry. It felt nothing like seeing his father's name on a list of wanted werewolves. He hated it.
There was only one way he knew how to alleviate it. Truth. "Yes, I never liked you. You're too insecure and naive, and frankly, useless at most things." He cleared his throat -- the truth was harsh. Too harsh. "Except Herbology. Thanks for the homework help, I got an Outstanding. But this is not about that."
His voice was cold and unfriendly, words sharp and precise. "If nothing changes drastically, I won't be the last one who tries to use you and your status in society for their gain." Wolfgang turned to the door, unable to look at Grace's tear-clad face. "I highly doubt they'd pay for your lunch, though."
With that he stormed outside, the bell ringing loud and clear as he tore the door open. Then, it slammed shut, leaving his failure behind.
MADE BY VEL OF GS, WW + ADOX 2.0
1.75m (5'9")| Open relationship with ISOBEL LINWOOD | Bisexual | English
