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 HOPE GRIMBLEHAWK on May 29, 2020 9:10:32 GMT
Sensible heels click clacking across the tiled floor of the Ministry, Hope donned a smile on her face and two containers of warm food in her hands as she bee-lined towards Ivan's office. An hour ago, she had arrived in the Ministry for business and not even fifteen minutes ago, her small meeting had been over which gave Hope ample time to duck to the shop nearby to pick-up some lunch for the two of them. Hopefully, given Hope was springing this impromptu lunch date on him last minute, he had time to just sit together and enjoy a meal.
Balancing the containers on one another, Hope rapped on the office door with her knuckles a few times before peeking her head in. "Hope you're hungry, I brought us both some soup," she said, warm smile still playing on her lips. "Don't worry though - I cheated... I didn't make it, the shop 'round the corner did so you have no chance of food poisoning... or pinning it on me, anyway."
Merlin knew that Hope's skills in the kitchen were terribly basic. Osian used to do all of the cooking for her and Arwen, and even though it had been nine years since he'd passed... something about cooking for just one person was terribly sad. Besides, most nights she was too preoccupied with work. Normally, she just ordered out or made something quick and simple, like a sandwich or salad to eat.
Ivan had just sunken his teeth into his lunch sandwich when someone came knocking on his door, leaving the man scrambling for a tissue, worrying that whomever was about to walk through that door would find him sat there like a deer in the headlights, with tomato juice dripping down his clean shaven face. The mustache everyone hated so much was gone, too.
To his relief, it was just Hope. Not that hope wasn't important, it was just that this was someone he didn't mind being a little embaressed in front of her. After all, he'd sobbed his eyes out on her shoulder, and there wasn't much lower he could fall than that.
"Oh, hello Hope!" he greeted her after swallowing the bite, "Soup would be right on time, this sandwich is dreadfully dry. I was in a hurry this morning, forgot to add the mayo. Do tell, what kind of soup you've got there." He continued speaking as he cleared off the space adjacent on the desk. The chairs that usually were placed by his desk were now moved to the side of the room, so Ivan grabbed one of them and placed it by the desk, as if he was seating Hope by a table at a restaurant.
"How... How are things? Are you at the Ministry for something urgent or just your run of the mill business?" he inquired, as for the last month their conversations had been restricted to letters, as Hope was back in her post at Hogwarts.
Post by HOPE GRIMBLEHAWK on May 29, 2020 10:32:32 GMT
Stepping into the room, Hope couldn't conceal the tinkering laugh that escape her as she saw the tomato juice dribble down the clean shaven skin of Ivan's chin. "Decided to forgo the beard and decorate yourself with food instead?" she asked teasingly, moving to sit on the chair Ivan had fetched for her and neatly crossing her legs as she pushed the two warm containers onto the bench.
"We have chicken noodle soup or pumpkin soup - I wasn't sure which one you'd prefer, so I just grabbed two different ones I like," she said, popping the lids off the container. Instantly, the aromas from the soups rose and right on cue, Hope's stomach let out a loud growl. "Guess I'm hungry - better choose fast, or else I might just eat both of them."
"Things are well... just the run of the mill business, really," she answered, giving a small half-shrug. "They wanted to talk to me about my standing at Hogwarts..." Now that the werewolf attacks had diminished, Hope had hoped that perhaps it meant she could return to her previous posting as an Auror. Hogwarts was... somewhat isolating, if she were being truthful. Not many people liked her there - the professors were cordial, yes, but majority of them held different viewpoints than hers about werewolves. "They're considering extending my post there with the arrival of the Durmstrang students, just so they have a direct line to Hogwarts."
The sound of Hope's laughter -- clear and bright -- combined with the teasing remark about the tomato juice had Ivan letting out a short laugh as he moved around the room.
He returned to his seat as Hope spoke, and just for a second he closed his eyes, taking in the scents of the two containers in front of him. Pumpkin soup was something he hadn't ever had -- what was with these British wizards being so fond of pumpkin, anyways? He was curious to try it, but...
"I think I'll pick the safer option and take the chicken noodles," he said, grabbing the container and the spoon that came with it, starting to eat while Hope kept on talking. It was really, really good soup.
"But now that the werewolf issue has been, how to say, not exactly dealt with, but diminished to a certain degree, is your presence at Hogwarts really necessary?" he inquired, "The presence of Durmstrang should be watched over by someone from the International Cooperation department, shouldn't it? I mean, now that the... Trossachs, was it? Have been scattered, I doubt Hogwarts is high on their list of targets, God forbid that there even is such a list."
"If you'd be in the Ministry, I wouldn't have to keep sending you letters, I could just send one of those nifty little paper airplanes we have here," he continued, looking down into his bowl, "I'd finally have someone to help me with my crosswords at short notice."
Post by HOPE GRIMBLEHAWK on May 29, 2020 11:08:59 GMT
"The safer option? I don't think anyone would call pumpkin soup dangerous, exactly, and if it were... well, I'd protect you," Hope promised, a sincere expression on her face that lasted precisely... well, two seconds, before she was laughing again. Although, despite the silliness of the conversation, she was half-serious. Maybe she wouldn't protect Ivan from soup but if anything else came his way that perhaps he couldn't handle, she would protect him in a heartbeat.
"I think they'd rather keep me there simply because I've already established somewhat of a relationship with the school. It would be easier than throwing someone new into the environment entirely," Hope said with a contemplative hum. They'd delved into the reasoning a little bit more during the meeting, but to lay it all out for Ivan seemed tedious when nothing was really set in stone yet.
"Perhaps you could send me a letter that transforms into an airplane upon opening," Hope suggested jokingly. It sounded strange, but she did miss the absence of paper airplanes in Hogwarts. It was a sight she'd become accustomed to when she was in-office at the Ministry. Ivan's suggestion that she could help with his crosswords had Hope leaning forward in interest. "Crosswords? I know it's a bit... well, nanna-ish of me, but I do them every morning with my toast and tea. Are you stuck on one at the moment?"
Hope's presence was just what Ivan had needed. Even if they were mixing jokes together with much more grim topics, her presence made the man feel lighter. Yes, as soon as she'd be gone he'd have to return to the never ending piles of paperwork, but seeing her made it all a lot more bearable. If only he could see her a little more often than once in a blue moon.
"Oh, that would be nice," he answered to her suggestion of charming the letters, "I'm not confident that I know the right set of incantations to make it transform upon opening. It should be something similar to a howler, no? I've never had to send one of those either..." It was something he would look into when he'd have a free moment. Maybe Vera or Nadya would know? "Now that you mention it, I think I'll look into it. Never too late to learn something new."
His eyebrows raised in surprise for a brief moment. "It's not nanna-ish of you," he repeated her words, considering that particular phrasing, "Crosswords are a great way to keep your memory sharp and a way to learn new things. I'm a little surprised that you're into them, though. Always took you for someone far too busy for that sort of thing." What did Hope to do relax, anyhow? Perhaps there were more things they had in common?
"Indeed, it's yesterday's Daily Prophet, I had it somewhere in this drawer, wait," he continued, quickly finishing up his soup and pushing the tray away. "It was something about another name for love potion, I think? Where is that newspaper already..."
Post by HOPE GRIMBLEHAWK on May 30, 2020 5:27:18 GMT
"Perhaps something like that, yes, minus the ear-piercing screaming. I've never had to send a howler either - a well-written, stern letter typically does the trick - but... well, I've been present for one or two," Hope said, lips twitching at the memory. When she'd first started out in the Auror department, there had been a serial 'romancer' in his 50s, one that often made unwanted advances towards female colleagues. He'd tried once or twice with her even, despite the fact that she'd only been widowed for three months. When his wife had found out... well, he'd gotten cursed and screamed at very thoroughly, only to be told right at the end of the letter that he was being served divorce papers come midday. He'd left the department, red-faced and embarrassed, not even two weeks later.
"I certainly don't see many other thirty year old's doing crosswords," Hope said lightly, shrugging. It just didn't seem to be as common these days, although Ivan's brief summary of why crosswords were important had her amused. "You really are a silver fox, aren't you? Handsome, intelligent... the whole package." It wasn't the first time Hope had thought so either... he truly was a special person to have in one's life. He was caring, empathetic, switched on. He'd go to the ends of the earth for his loved ones. Just sneaking a look at Ivan from across the desk as he searched for the Daily Prophet... well, it made her heart blossom with warmth.
"I do them every morning. It's a nice little ritual to start my day before it goes crazy busy," Hope admitted, scooping some pumpkin soup onto her spoon and eating it. It truly was delicious. "A love potion... Amortentia, I think." She paused briefly before glancing at Ivan inquisitively. "What scents do you smell with Amortentia? Do you know?"
Hope's compliments had Ivan breaking out in a smile as a warmth began bubbling up in his chest, one that had absolutely nothing to do with the hot soup he had just been eating. "You really think all that about me, Hope?" he asked, glancing over at her, while his hand was still searching around the depths of the drawer. "Because I certainly would apply the same characteristics to you. Gorgeous, intelligent, determined, hard-working, just to list a few qualities."
"Ah, yes, Amortentia, that was the word!" he said, finally pulling out a folded newspaper from the lowest drawer of his desk. "I'm usually not this disorganized," he quipped, glancing at the rows of colored binders lining the shelves of his office, "I must have been busy thinking about something else yesterday, it was... Oh, right," he could feel his cheeks flushing red, because what-- or who he had been thinking of? It had been Hope. He could clearly remember staring at the question about love potion, his thoughts wandering around, in search for the answer, never finding it, instead spending a good ten minutes wondering about how his favorite colleague was doing.
"I don't actually know," he continued, taking a pencil and writing the answer in, "I haven't had to deal with it since I was at school. But if I had to guess right now, I'd say..." he became silent, twirling the pencil in his fingers as he contemplated, "The oatmeal Vera makes us for breakfast, the scent of my books and... Wait a second," his hand dipped right back into the drawer, pulling out an envelope. "Smell this. What is that?"
Post by HOPE GRIMBLEHAWK on May 30, 2020 7:20:02 GMT
Hope shook her head, bemused as Ivan asked if that's truly what she thought of him. How could he not see how wonderful he was? How strongly he touched the hearts of those around him? "Of course I do, Ivan. I think the world of you," she said earnestly, reaching over to lay her small hand over his. Before when he'd worn that ring around his finger still, it was like the presence of his wife was still in his life. Like she was crossing a line by saying these things. But now that finger was bare and... well, perhaps it was okay. The warmth in Hope's chest continued to grow as the man opposite her started complimenting her as well, and it fed into the bright smile she that spread across her lips. "Shall I go fetch a dictionary? I'm sure there's a thousand more words that I can add to your list of qualities, Ivan."
Hope didn't find out why Ivan had been so distracted yesterday, but she didn't care to ask because there were more important conversations to be had like... what scents he smelled during the making of Amortentia, or what he might smell. Oatmeal made sense, as did the scent of Ivan's beloved books, but then he was pulling out an envelope from his desk. Her envelope, she recognised it in an instant, her heart stuttering in her chest. Did that mean... it barely took a second for Hope to decide what she wanted to do next, leaning across the table, her right hand cupping Ivan's clean shaven cheek as she brushed her lips against his in a chaste kiss. "I hope that was okay," she murmured against his mouth, before drawing back with pink-flushed cheeks, "and... it's vanilla, on the envelope. That's my perfume."
One moment he was reaching over to hand Hope the envelope, the next her palm, heated from the soup container, was resting on his cheek and her-- her lips-- her lips were moving against his-- and yet the next moment she was back in her seat, looking a little like a teenager caught in the act, with cheeks turned the shade of a strawberry yet to ripen.
And Ivan? Ivan slowly leaned back into his chair, his muddled blue eyes staring right at her, a sheepish smile on his face. He felt as if all of his movements and thoughts happened in slow motion -- he brought the envelope to his nose, brushing the scented paper against his lips, his head spinning ever so slightly.
The kiss, as brief as it was, had made that bubbling warmth shoot up like the fountains in the courtyards of his old school during the warm months. Back then he and his friends had sat on the edge of the fountains, enjoying the refreshing coolness of the spring water, and now this kiss, this kiss felt like splashing that same water on his face. It was as if this kiss had woken him up from the grogginess of slumber, it was as if he was 20 again, stars in his eyes, a tinge of naivety and a hope for a bright future.
"I..." he started, but none of the words that came to his mind made any sense, "Господи..." the sheepish smile hadn't gone anywhere, though.
So here was Ivan Karev, a 45 year old father of three, absolutely unable to comprehend that a woman had just kissed him.
It took a few more moments for him to gather his senses. When in doubt, return to your formal training, and then you can at least keep your dignity if you mess up, Ivan.
He got up from his seat, back straight, chest puffed out ever so slightly and went straight for the office door, poking his head out for a moment and speaking to his secretary. Right after that he shut the door and turned around on his heel, cheeks burning red. With one long stride he was standing in front of Hope, extending his hand and inviting her to stand up.
"I've made sure that nobody would interrupt us for as long as we need to discuss everything. But, before we get to talking, I would like to, to kiss you, if I may."
Post by HOPE GRIMBLEHAWK on May 30, 2020 9:35:21 GMT
Hope's chest rose and fell as she waited for Ivan to speak. It felt like a lifetime until he did, but the words were incomprehensible to her. She didn't speak a lick of Russian, and for a wild moment as he moved out of his seat to open the door, she thought he was going to ask her to leave.
But then he was whirling back around, cheeks as red as two big cherries, offering her his hand. It was warm, comforting, as she laced her fingers through his and she let him guide her out of her seat. She wasn't entirely sure what was happening... but then he shared with her that he'd spoken to the secretary to ensure they had privacy in his office. "Oh," she said, but it was a happy noise, the corners of her mouth tugging into a smile as Ivan asked if he could kiss her.
Stepping into his personal space, Hope's hand dropped from Ivan's in favour of slithering up his neck instead, her bright blue eyes gazing up into his own. Merlin, he really was a silver fox. "Kiss me," she confirmed, nodding as her eyes fluttered close, tilting her chin up in anticipation of his lips to press against hers once more.
Hope took him by the hand, lacing their fingers together. There was a certain kind of intimacy in that gesture, one that made Ivan feel all fuzzy. And combined with the way she gazed up at him, bright eyes searching for answers in his face, good Lord above, thank you.
Her smile was as bright as the sun during that golden hour that Ivan loved so much, and her lips a gentle pink, a tone that only extended an invitation to Ivan and nobody else.
She let go of his hand, moving it right up to his neck, causing shivers to run down his spine. She was so close, so close, eyes fluttering shut, lips saying those two words that he longed to hear, his own heart was doing leaps in his chest, stop hesitating, Ivan, stop hesitating, she wants this just as much as you do!
"I wonder if I still remember how to do this," he muttered, placing one hand on her hip and sliding the other one to rest on the lower part of back. And then he closed his own eyes, leaning down...
Their lips connected, lingering against each other until Ivan deepened the kiss, at first feeling like he was stumbling in the dark, as if he was kissing for the first time in his life, but soon enough the muscle memory kicked in and he need not think of it anymore. His kisses were slow and gentle, relishing every single moment. Meanwhile there were fanfares blasting away in his mind, as if an entire orchestra was surrounding them both, playing Tchaikovsky's Flower Waltz as loud as they could.
Post by HOPE GRIMBLEHAWK on May 31, 2020 1:09:25 GMT
I wonder if I still remember how to do this. Quietly, Hope wondered if she still knew how to as well - it had been so long, nearly a decade, since she'd felt the tender brush of another person's lips on hers. Standing in front of Ivan, her eyes closed, a familiar face with dark brown hair and twinkling blue eyes danced in front of her.
Osian.
But instead of scowling at her, telling her she was betraying him, he wore an encouraging smile instead as if to say, It's okay, Hope. You deserve be happy, and with the ghost of a small smile on her lips, she thought, I love you. I miss you. I'll never forget you... he'd always be with her but... it was time to move on. He wanted her to.
Moments later, she felt the brush of Ivan's lips against hers, a little uncertain at first before he was deepening it ever-so-gently. She'd forgotten how much she loved kissing, the intimacy of the act, the trust you laid in another person, and Hope's lips moved against Ivan's, her body melting against his front as she relaxed into the kiss.
When finally, she felt kissed breathless, she drew back with her forehead pressed against his and let out a small laugh. "I think you managed to remember," she teased lightly, giving him one small peck on the lips before moving back a little further and nodding at his desk. "As much as I'd like to keep kissing you... we have soup to eat and things to discuss, don't we?"
Ivan, usually quite the punctual man, had lost all concept of the passage of time while Hope's lips were moving against his. He'd forgotten about the ticking of the clock, the muffled sound of voices and footsteps beyond his office door, about the quiet crackling of embers in his fireplace, there was only them. Oh, how he'd missed the pleasant sensations of holding someone so near his heart...
He'd missed it so much that, upon feeling Hope pull away he breathed out the quietest of 'no's and for a split second the hand on her lower back tensed, not letting her out of his embrace. But only for a split second, because Hope wasn't leaving, she wasn't going anywhere. She was right there, forehead pressed against his, a smile on her face.
"Guess I did," he chuckled, eyes crinkling. "And yes, we...We wouldn't want your soup to get cold, indeed." He let go of her and went to sit back down in his seat, hands tugging at his tie and collar, trying to loosen them.
"I... I don't even know what to begin with, Hope." He admitted once in his seat, elbows placed on the table, fingers laced together, "But that-- you just made me feel a good twenty years younger."
Post by HOPE GRIMBLEHAWK on Jun 7, 2020 8:03:09 GMT
Hearing the barely audible no that escaped Ivan's lips, huffing onto her own, Hope couldn't help but giggle. Okay, so perhaps even out of practice... she hadn't fully lost the ability to kiss somebody. Ivan had seemed to enjoy it, at least. Glancing up at him from beneath her lashes, Hope wanted their lips to meet again but... no, they needed to be adults about this. Talk things through... and Merlin, she hated being an adult sometimes when all she wanted to do was kiss Ivan.
"Soup is of the utmost importance," Hope said, mourning the loss of warmth from Ivan as she fell back onto her heels, moving back to her chair in one smooth motion - despite the fact that her knees still kind of wanted to give out.
Truthfully, Hope wasn't sure where to begin either and she found herself laughing yet again as Ivan remarked that he felt a good twenty years younger because, "That statement certainly makes the age difference more apparent, doesn't it?" She was one year into her thirties, however she often felt much older.
"I... look, Ivan, I'll be upfront with what I want - take it or leave it." Please take it. "I'm... not looking for a casual thing, or a bed partner. I've only ever been with one person before and if I wanted that... well, I don't mean to sound up myself, but I could have found someone for just sex quite some time ago." She'd had plenty of offers throughout the years, typically very unwanted ones. "I'd like... to give this a shot. To perhaps go on a few dates, take it from there - if it doesn't work, then that's fine. But... perhaps you should share your thoughts before I keep blathering on?"
