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!
Today I finally can share with you some exciting news I've been keeping to myself for about two weeks now.
I'm going to be a grandfather!
While I really do wish Nadya would have waited a few years before deciding to become a mother, she seems to have firmly set her mind to it and understands what kind of commitment it is. I didn't write sooner because I wanted to give her time to think it over properly, and it would have been unpleasant to have to redact these news a few days later.
I can't hide the fact that I am a little bit excited. Okay, I'm quite a bit excited, even if getting called grandpa is going to make me feel terribly old.
All the best,
IVan
P.S. Lyuba forgot her polaroid camera at home, so I took a few pictures to show you the progress on my mustache, as I promised!
I am so pleased to hear your news. How exciting! Although, I must say you're quite young to be a grandfather. You're not even fifty years old yet!
At first, I thought it was Vera who was pregnant given she's a little older, right? But nevertheless, hearing that it's Nadezhda is still exciting. If she's committed to having this baby and feels like she's up to the responsibility, then good on her. What's the father like? Is he equally up to having a baby?
Perhaps your relative youth for being a grandfather means that you'll be a 'cool' one. One can hope, anyway. How far along is Nadezhda?
Warm regards, Hope
P.S. That is quite the moustache, Ivan, or should I say caterpillar? What does Lyuba think of it?
You flatter me. I'm sure you've noticed the amount of white hairs on my head has almost doubled in the last two months. I think by the time this kid is born, I'll look about 70.
I've always found that Vera is very career oriented and I don't expect to hear such news from her for at least 5 years, if not more, or if ever! Of course, if she decided to not have children that wouldn't make me love her any less.
As for Nadya...Always the free spirit, that one. At first I was a bit disappointed, if I am completely honest with you, though I didn't let her now that, because she's barely gotten out of school, but... She didn't get her stubbornness from me. She, better than anyone, not counting her sisters, knows how it is to be a child abandoned, so I trust her when she says she wants to commit to raising a child.
The father is largely a mystery to me. Nadya doesn't seem to want me to know who he is. I didn't pry, it is not my place.
And the due date is March. Spring will bring new life into this family.
All the best,
IVan
P.S. You and Lyuba are both of one mind, calling it a caterpillar. She hates it, demanded I send her her camera back so I can't "make anyone else suffer the sight". Is it really that bad?
Oh, and here I was, assuming you'd just upped the bleach when dying your hair. If it's any consolation, you suit white blonde hair - more than most. I have no doubt when your grandchild arrives, you'll have plenty of admirers from afar referring to you as a silver fox.
Ah well, that's understandable. You only want the best for her. However, if she still wants to pursue a career as a healer, I daresay she could do that in a few years once she's comfortable leaving the child in care. It would be tough but if she's committed, it's very possible.
I'm not telling you how to parent, Ivan, however... I would personally want to at least know whether he wants to be involved in this child's life? If he does, then I feel as though you have a right to meet him. Nadezhda may be the mother, but... she's also still your child, one who's barely eighteen years old.
Warm regards, Hope
P.S. Let's just say that if I were to meet a Ministry official with that sort of facial hair in a professional setting setting, I would struggle to not to stare at it.
Silver fox? I'll be honest, I don't know what that means. Is this something people younger than me are well aware of? I suppose it is a good thing, but would you elaborate for me, please?
She has all of us to help her out -- but I agree with you that her career will have to be put on pause, as the baby is going to need her full time for at least those first two years. Though, I am an example of how one can juggle full time work and children... But I don't want her to put herself through that amount of stress. She's still young, and healers will always be needed, so I don't she should be worried about her job prospects in the future even one bit.
Of course I worry about the father, Hope. I know that the best thing for a child is a complete family, with two parents, but at the end of the day it is her choice. I'm sure she will come around and tell me about him when she thinks the time is right. I'll let her sort out whatever relationship she has with this man on her own terms.
All the best,
IVan
P.S. All I ever wanted was to look as dapper as the Victorian men in my favorite adaption of Sherlock Holmes, but it seems my facial hair is not up to this task. Perhaps you are right... Would growing out a beard to go with it make it less bad?
You've never heard the term silver fox? It's been said since the 90s, at least. I don't think it's just a younger person saying, maybe just... a non-Karev saying. Basically, since you asked me to elaborate, it means you're a hot older man who's going grey. It's a good thing. Maybe I ought to start calling you silver fox in lieu of your name from now on.
I had Arwen when I was twenty and returned to work full-time when she was about 18 months. Osian used to stay home with her during the day and when I could, I'd go back home during my lunch break. I think it's reasonable for her to eventually pursue a career if that's what she wants - I'm not saying she should worry about it, but you mentioned you were disappointed she fell pregnant so soon after school and was trying to put you at ease if that's what you were disappointed about.
I wasn't implying that the child needs two parents present in their life. In fact, I don't think that's always best either - there's plenty of circumstances where a child can thrive in a single parent household. I was just saying that if I were in your shoes, I would want to at the very least meet the father at some point if they've decided to co-parent. I didn't mean straight away either, I just meant at some point along the way so you don't wind up potentially meeting him when Nadezhda's in labour. I'm not saying push the topic or interrogate her for details... but nevermind.
Warm regards, Hope
P.S. I don't think a beard could ever possibly salvage that moustache.
So what you're saying is you think I'm (a few ink blots) hot? I am very flattered, Hope, and I hope that it isn't inappropriate for me to admit, in turn, that I think you're a very gorgeous young woman, too.
As for Nadya... I appreciate your concern, I really do, but she is my daughter and I maintain that I know the best way to proceed in this situation. Of course, as soon as she tells that the man in question wants to be involved, I will insist on meeting him so I know what to expect. It bothers me that she doesn't want to tell me a single thing about him at this moment, but I'm sure all will make sense in due time.
And if he doesn't want to be in the life of his child, then I'll be happy to provide all the fatherly or grandfatherly, I suppose, love I can. But let us seal this subject for now.
As for my mustache that you all claim to be so terrible... I guess you are right. I've been getting funny looks from my co-workers here too, and I'll shave it off once I get home tonight, most likely to my family's great relief.
Say, what facial hair do you think would look more grandfatherly than this mustache though? I feel that going clean shaven makes me look like someone desperately clinging onto their youth (and I envy my brother's beard, too).
I'm not blind, Ivan. Of course you're hot. Although, I do feel like a teenage saying that. Let me amend myself - I think you're incredibly handsome, anyone with eyes can see that. Thank you for the kind words, they left me with a smile on my face.
I think shaving it is for the best. Although,if caterpillar-moustache-growing was a N.E.W.T. subject, I'm certain you would receive an Outstanding for your efforts.
Well, I'm no authority on facial hair styles, but I would say steer clear of the full moustache and maybe go for a 5 o'clock shadow? A light smattering of a beard/moustache looks quite dashing on the right person. I haven't met your brother, but I'll take your word on his impressive beard growth.
