Leaving -- Elise Lovegood
Sadie found a treat for the office owl that had delivered the parchments from Luna and sent him on his way. This was it. If the charms had all gone correctly, this was the start of her idea becoming a tangible reality. She glanced at her clock. It was only 7:30. Luna had sent them back quickly. Taking a deep breath, she flicked her wand at the first parchment and spoke the incantation that should open it. First, the words of her question appeared at the top.
Tell me about your life as a child. What were your parents like?
Then, what must be Luna's voice began to fill the room.
My mother was beautiful. Don't all little girls think that about their mother? She was brilliant as well. She could have taken her expertise and worked any number of places, but she always said she would rather be home with me. She smiled all the time. She hummed most of the day. She would sing silly songs about her Lovely Luna Moonbeam shining like the stars. We read books together and ran round the yard playing tig for hours at a time. In the afternoon, I would work on lessons while she did work on her charms. Sometimes she would let me watch. Daddy would come home from the paper in time for supper, and the three of us would spend the evening snuggled up together on the sofa. Daddy would tell us stories from work, and Mum would brush my hair until it was time for bed. They tucked me in together. We were happy.
[more]
The grown up Luna's voice faded away and the air in front of Sadie began to pulse with a rainbow of colors. The room in front of her shifted into what was obviously a young girl's bedroom. Sadie smiled to herself - her charm had worked.
"Mummy?" A very young Luna (four or five if Sadie was guessing) was settling back into the pillows of her bed while looking expectantly up at a pretty blond woman who had to be her mother - Elise was her name Sadie reminded herself.
"Yes, darling?" The woman sat herself on the bed next to Luna and began to stroke her hair back from her forehead.
"Are the stories for Daddy's paper real?" Luna's voice sounded odd - almost as if she were afraid of the answer her mother might give her.
"What do you mean?" If she hadn't heard the inflection in Elise Lovegood's voice, Sadie would have sworn the question was a stalling tactic. However, the question sounded completely sincere to Sadie - Elise seemed genuinely confused as to what had prompted her daughter's curiosity on the topic.
"Did they really happen, or did Daddy make them up like in my story books?" Luna had sat back up in the bed and was looking at her mother as if her entire universe rested on the answer she was about to be given. Which, reflected Sadie, it probably did when you were five years old.
"Why would you think they weren't true?" Elise asked her.
"Ginny says she asked her biggest brother, and he said there are no such things as snore cakes." Luna replied in a voice that managed to somehow sound authoritative and apprehensive all at once.
"Did you mean snorkacks, honey?" Elise's eyes displayed a hint of amusement.
"Yes, those." Luna nodded along with the words.
"Is that why you and Ginny were arguing before she went home yesterday?" The previous hint of amusement in her eyes had given way to a more serious expression.
"Yes." Luna responded somewhat abashedly.
"Daddy only prints the stories for the paper the exact way that the person who wrote them down said it." Luna seemed to brighten up for a moment before a frown settled across her features.
"But what if the person who gives the story to Daddy makes it up?" Her brow had begun to furrow while she thought through the possibilities.
"Everyone makes mistakes, Luna, but Daddy works very hard to try to give people a chance to tell their own stories when others won't let them." Sadie detected a hint of pride in Elise's voice this time.
"Why won't other people let them?" Now Luna sounded curious rather than concerned.
"Sometimes people don't want to believe in something until somebody else can prove to them that it is true. Sometimes they get so caught up in not believing that they even ignore things that do have proof." Elise's voice had taken on a far off quality, and she was no longer looking down at her daughter.
"Why?" Sadie chuckled to herself - Luna was definitely a born Ravenclaw. Luna's mother seemed to share Sadie's amusement, and she refocused on Luna's face.
"Sometimes learning that they were wrong scares people. Sometimes people forget that you can never prove that something isn't - you can only prove that it is." Elise seemed to notice that Luna was trying to hide a yawn behind her hands. "Just remember that you shouldn't let other people tell you what to believe. You should always decide what to believe in yourself. Are you ready for bed now?"
Luna nodded. "Is Daddy coming?" The sound of someone climbing the stairs could be heard through the open doorway as the memory came to an end.
Sadie blinked as the memory swirled out of focus and came back to show Luna hiding behind a clump of bushes in what must be her yard. Sadie couldn't see a difference in the ages of this and the previous girl so the events must have occurred close together. There was no talking this time - only giggling as Luna watched her mother search the obvious hiding places with no success.
It was odd, Sadie thought, that with everything she had ever read or heard on the subject, she never would have pegged Luna as a giggler. The giggling grew louder as Elise worked her way closer. There was no possible way that she couldn't hear it, but she was clearly drawing out the search for Luna's entertainment. Sadie watched for a few minutes as the game of hide and seek morphed into a round of tig. Mother and daughter were both giggling now, and the sound echoed across the yard as they took turns chasing each other in the bright sunlight. It was a picture perfect representation of a pleasant domestic scene.
The swirling colors returned, and she found herself staring at a large printing press as they cleared. Sadie scanned the room trying to find Luna's place in it. She noticed her, still around the same age as the previous two memories, being held up by her father so that she could peer at the finished papers as they came off the press. Luna was clearly fascinated by the process, and her father was busy explaining in painstaking detail how it all worked.
"Where does it go then, Daddy?" Luna asked twisting in his arms so that she could look him in the eye.
"After the papers come off the press, they go downstairs to the delivery room. That's where the owls are. They take the papers to the people who have ordered them or to shops so that people can pick them up there."
"What happens next?"
"We start all over again with the next edition."
"It doesn't stop?"
"No, dear, it goes in a circle. There are always more things for people to learn about." Luna seemed to ponder that comment for a moment before returning to her questioning.
"How do the owls know where to go?"
Xeno Lovegood smiled tolerantly at his daughter - he was clearly enjoying their question and answer session. "Owls are very bright creatures, Luna. They find their way."
Sadie, now familiar with the process, blinked her eyes to stop them from being assaulted by the colored swirls. When she opened them, she was staring at her own rather bare living room wall. Luna hadn't been exaggerating about her happy childhood. The three of them looked exceedingly happy together, and Luna appeared to be the center of her parents' universe.
They were patient with her childhood wonderings and appeared genuinely pleased when she questioned them on the aspects of her world that she didn't understand. It was nice to know that people had lived happy lives during the in between time. It was good to know that everything hadn't been shaded with worry for the future. Luna seemed a mostly carefree five year old. (Perhaps four, Sadie hadn't made up her mind on that point, and she had forgotten to look at the edition of the Quibbler to check the date. She would have to remember to do that when she reviewed the memories later.)
She checked the clock on her wall - 8:15. That had gone fairly quickly. Sadie took a deep breath and mumbled the charm to unlock the next parchment.
What was it like growing up in the time between the two Voldemort risings? Did your parents talk to you about what had happened? Did you grow up expecting him to come back?
I think that very few parents would have wanted to tell their young children about the extent of the darkness that they had just come out from under. No, my parents did not directly speak to me about Voldemort's original rise to power. I don't remember ever hearing that name when I was very young, but it wasn't common for many people to speak his name at all. My parents were very focused on the present and living their lives as they came.
There were very few families who had not been touched in some way. There were relatives that were spoken of that you knew were no longer around. There were conversations between the grown ups sometimes that you didn't understand and to which you did not always pay attention. Looking back when you were older, you could piece it all together into a somewhat clearer picture of what had happened, but it was never overt.
As far as being concerned about his possible return, my parents lived their lives very much in the now (as I said before). A wise person once said that "Today has enough troubles without begging for tomorrow's." My mother would have said that "Today has enough joys to fill up your time." I think perhaps that people were so grateful for the respite that they wanted to take full advantage of it.
Perhaps that is the way it is with your friends' parents and your own. It isn't that they believe that you can't handle knowing the truth about what happened to and around them; they are just grateful that you don't have to live it yourself.
Once again Luna's voice faded away and the colors began to swirl in front of Sadie's eyes. Sadie found herself looking at what she would guess from the shape of the room (the Lovegoods had a most interestingly constructed home) to be their sitting room. Luna's mother was reading one of the numerous books that were scattered across the end table, and rain could be heard being battered against the window by the wind. Luna came skipping into the room and scooted herself up against her mother's side on the sofa.
"Did you find what you were looking for in the closet, luv?" Luna solemnly shook her head in the negative. "Did you want me to help you?" Luna shook her head negatively again.
"I found something else." Luna replied while peering at the book still held in her mother's hands.
"Was it something interesting enough to chase away the rainy day doldrums?" Elise's voice carried a teasing quality in the tone, and Sadie would have bet that there had been a previous discussion about things to do on a rainy day.
Luna nodded her head affirmatively this time. "Umhmm, I found a box of pictures and things, Mummy. Some of them were of you, but I don't know who all the other people are."
Sadie used the pause in the conversation to look around for a clue as to Luna's age. She looked older than the last set of memories - maybe seven. Luna's mother had stopped reading, and her focus was entirely on her daughter. Catching the expression on her face, Sadie stopped looking for the date and tried to figure out the meaning of Elise's expression. It was almost wary, as if she was concerned about what Luna had found.
"Were they nice pictures?" Sadie could tell that Elise's voice was beginning to display a strained quality. Luna seemed to pick up on it as well and shifted so she was looking at her mother's face.
She nodded her head again but then asked "How come none of the pictures had Daddy in them?"
The tension in Elise's shoulders seemed to loosen slightly as Luna took the conversation in this direction. "I didn't always know Daddy. I met him after I was grown up. Are these pictures of me as a little girl?"
"No, you were grown up. Ginny's mum and dad are in them too, I think." Luna giggled. "Mr. Arthur looks different with more hair. I put one in my pocket. Do you want to see?"
Elise had stiffened again, but she nodded her head. Luna pulled the picture from her pocket and held it up for her mother's inspection. Sadie began to move to a position behind the sofa so that she could see the picture as well.
"You look happy. Are you dancing with that man who isn't Daddy? Is that Mrs. Molly and Mr. Arthur? I don't know who those people in the middle are." Luna chattered away focused more on the people in the picture than on her mother.
"Yes, those are Ginny's mum and dad." Elise's voice had gotten very quiet, but Luna seemed to detect something wrong in the inflection of the words.
"Was I not supposed to open that box, Mummy? I'm sorry. I'll put the picture back." She was looking up at her mother clearly concerned that she had done something wrong.
Elise gave Luna a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "It's quite all right, dearest. Mummy was just surprised because she hasn't looked in that box for a very long time."
Ever the curious Ravenclaw to be, Luna immediately had questions. "How long?"
"Before you were born. Before I even got married to Daddy."
"Why?" Elise gave her daughter a real smile this time - displaying again that appreciation for Luna's curiosity that both her parents seemed to have. She avoided answering this question, however, and changed the topic.
"You are right, Luna Moonbeam, Ginny's daddy does look different." Luna snuggled up against her mother and studied the picture. Sadie did as well. It showed three couples standing under a banner that read "Congratulations!" It was a party of some type - probably an engagement party by the look of things. The much younger Molly (who was very pregnant) and Arthur Weasley stood on the right side of the photo. A younger version of Luna's mother stood with a young man on the left side. Every view moments the young man would twirl Elise around, and she would lean her head back and laugh. In the middle, stood a young man (who absolutely had to be a sibling of the man with Elise) with his arm around a brown-haired girl whom Sadie didn't recognize. The unknown girl would look up at the man with his arm around her and smile at him then glance back down at the ring that was adorning her left hand. Sadie had been correct about the engagement party. Her thoughts were interrupted by Luna's voice again questioning her mother.
"That can't be Ginny in her mum's tummy." Luna stated in a matter of fact voice.
"How did you work that out?" Her mother asked her with another one of those appreciative smiles.
"Because, Mummy," Luna said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, "Ginny and I are the same age. If this picture if before you met Daddy, it can't be Ginny because I would be in your tummy too."
"That was very good logic, darling. I'm proud of you for figuring that out. You're right. I believe that is Ronald in Mrs. Molly's tummy." Elise turned from regarding her daughter back to looking at the picture still clutched in Luna's hands.
"You look happy. Did you like dancing with that man? Who is he?" The questions poured out of Luna in a well-practiced manner. Her mother turned back to look at her again.
"He was somebody I knew a long time ago." Elise seemed to shake off the quiet, far off quality in her voice before she continued. "You know I've been friends with Ginny's mum for a long time?" She questioned.
"Umhmm," Luna said, "that's why Mrs. Molly comes for tea and brings Ginny with her. You're friends with Mrs. Molly, and I'm friends with Ginny."
"That's right, dear." Elise took a deep breath and continued. "That man standing next to me was Mrs. Molly's brother. The six of us in that picture all used to be friends."
"How come they don't come for tea? Don't all friends come for tea?" Sadie wondered if Luna's parents had ever regretted their decision to be so encouraging of her question asking propensities. Granted, it was working out really well for Sadie, but still.
"Sometimes friends do, and sometimes friends do other things together. But, sometimes, friends can't come to visit you any more." Elise's voice was returning to that far off quality that Sadie had noted before.
"Why not?" Luna continued.
"Sometimes people have to go away, Luna." Elise was definitely thinking about something. Her eyes were getting a bit of a glazed look about them.
"And they can't come back to visit?" Luna was not missing any opportunities on the question asking. Sadie found herself thinking that it must have been rather exhausting to live in that perpetual state of answering, but her parents didn't seem to mind at all. Whatever worked for them, she supposed.
"That depends on where they have gone. These friends have gone away to a place from which they can't come back to visit." Luna seemed to be piecing some things together. Her expression eventually turned to one that indicated that she was pleased to have figured something out.
"Like Grammy?" She inquired.
"Yes, just like Grammy. They've been gone for a long time." Elise shook off the glazed expression and looked back at her daughter.
"Were you sad when they went away? Like you were when Grammy did?" Luna was looking concerned now.
"Yes, I was." Elise pulled the picture from Luna's hand and set it on the low table in front of them. She scooped Luna up in her arms and settled her onto her lap.
"Daddy made you feel better when Grammy went away. Who made you feel better if you didn't know Daddy?" Luna craned her neck back to peer up into her mother's face.
Elise smiled down at her daughter. "Sometimes my little Moonbeam you notice so many things that I don't know what I'm going to do with you." Elise sighed and then smiled. "I met your Daddy when I was still sad, and he made me feel better then. He always does."
"Was Mrs. Molly sad?" Luna was sounding concerned again.
"She was. She missed her brothers very much." Elise pointed at the two blond men in the picture.
"Is she sad now?" Luna's brow was furrowing again.
"I think she still misses them sometimes. Just like I miss Grammy sometimes." Elise was hugging Luna close.
"Can we make her feel better? I like Mrs. Molly, and I don't want Ginny's mum to be sad." Luna nestled her head under her mother's chin.
"Maybe." Elise seemed to be pondering something, and Luna noticed the change in her voice when she spoke.
"Are you sad now, Mummy?" Luna twisted round until she remained on her mother's lap but was facing her.
"No, honey. I'm not sad anymore." Elise stated holding eye contact with her.
"But you don't look happy." Luna responded placing a hand on either side of her mother's face.
"I'm not sad, dearest. I'm just thinking that there is something that I should have done a long time ago to help Mrs. Molly feel better. I'll fix it now. Tell me, Luna, was there a gold watch in the box with the pictures?"
"Umhmm." Luna replied while still studying her mother's face.
"Would you run and fetch it for me?" Elise's whole face had brightened. You could tell that she had resolved something within herself and was happy with the decision she had made.
Luna slid herself off Elise's lap and hurried to the door to follow her mother's instructions, but she stopped short at the threshold. She paused a moment before spinning around and running to embrace her mother.
"I'm happy you don't have to be sad any more," came the muffled voice from the head buried in Elise's shoulder.
"Me too, darling, me too."
Sadie found herself wiping tears from her eyes as she blinked to avoid the onslaught of colored lights. The scene had made her feel an uncomfortable tickling in her throat - it was like those dratted commercials for greeting cards that she always got silly over on her muggle grandparents' telly. In addition, there was a whole lot of information in what Elise hadn't said and a whole lot of questions left unanswered.
It suddenly occurred to her that no one had ever really tried to tell the personal tales of the first war with Voldemort either. (Well, except for Harry Potter's which had been told and retold and speculated on so many times that no one could be quite sure what exactly had happened.) The children in Luna's generation had been just like her and Adrienne and Drake - growing up happy but still knowing that there were things that the adults around them weren't telling.
She wondered if it was always like that. She had always thought that this disconnect from their parents that her friends had felt was because of the specific situation that their parents had gone through. What if it wasn't? What if every generation had huge chunks of their lives that they never bothered to tell their children about? What if every generation of children grew up never really knowing who their parents were as people? That was just depressing. Maybe she should go ahead and stop for tonight - let herself take in everything she had seen. With a start, she realized that she had paused the memories without even thinking about it. She could thank her muggle grandparents and their movie collection for that idea. Stopping for the night was probably not a good idea. She was in the middle of a question after all. She should at least finish it out.
The new scene once again opened in the sitting room of the Lovegood's home. Elise was wearing a traveling cloak and helping Luna (similarly attired) put on mittens.
"Why are you going to St. Mungo's? Are you sick?" The constant questions really did have to be absolutely exhausting Sadie caught herself thinking.
"I'm not sick, Luna Moonbeam." Luna looked very similar to the previous memory. Her hair was even braided in the same manner. Thus, Sadie speculated it hadn't occurred too far in time from the previous conversation.
"Is Daddy sick?" Maybe children should not be part of her future Sadie speculated.
"No one is sick." The mittens were on, and the two were headed toward the front door.
"Then why are you going?" Cats were relatively quiet creatures.
"Mummy's going to visit some friends there." The front yard was covered in a light dusting of snow.
"Are they sick?" Dogs were louder, but they were also more likely to fetch things for you. That might be even better.
"In a way." They were walking toward what Sadie assumed was Ottery St. Catchpole.
"May I come too?" Owls - now owls were very useful, but they could also be loud and were rather messy.
"I thought you were looking forward to spending the day with Ginny today?" Besides, there were plenty of owls at work to borrow when she needed one.
"I like to play with Ginny, but I like to go places with you better." Elise and Luna were holding hands as they walked down the lane, and Luna had begun to swing their arms back and forth.
"I know you do, honey. We'll go visit Diagon Alley together next week." Luna appeared to be getting excited; she had begun to skip instead of walk.
"Really?" So, there really was no need to be responsible for an owl of her own.
"Yes, where would you like to go?" Hmm . . . cat or dog? Greater usefulness or greater quiet?
"Can we look at the animals?" She would definitely have to think that one over.
Elise laughed. "We can look, but no buying. That last cat nearly ate Daddy's owl." Ouch. Maybe a cat wasn't such a good idea. She really didn't want to have to explain to one of her bosses that she had let one of the office owls end up a snack for her pet.
"I hope your friends feel better soon." Sadie shook off her meandering thoughts on the potential perks of pets over children. She must be getting tired.
The new memory took place in a yard that Sadie didn't recognize. A tall house that looked ready to topple over at any moment filled the background. Sadie spotted a young girl with red hair playing next to Luna in the yard. She decided that the girl must be Ginny Weasley, and the house must be The Burrow.
"Could we go play in the woods?" Luna was asking her friend.
"Mum doesn't like us to go where she can't see. Not unless Bill or Charlie take us. It's silly. I don't need the boys to take care of me." Ginny sounded exasperated.
"But even if she can't see you, she could just look at her clock." Luna replied with a tone of voice usually reserved for someone stating the very obvious.
"I don't think Mum likes that clock very much."
"I like your clock. It's different. We don't have one like it at my house. Why doesn't she like it?" Luna was back to questions.
"I don't know. She just looks at it funny sometimes. Like when Dad is late at work. She sits and stares at it. I don't like it when she gets like that." Ginny's voice had gotten quieter as she spoke. The last sentence was a whisper, almost as if she was afraid of admitting it out loud.
"Maybe your dad should floo her when he's late."
"That's what Mum always says. Do you know what he says back?"
"What?"
"Can you keep a secret?"
"Yes."
"My brothers don't even know, but I do because I listen better than them. When Dad thinks nobody can hear him, he calls Mum 'Mollywobbles.' Isn't that funny? It's like he's talking to a baby. He always calls her that when he's late. 'Mollywobbles,' he says, 'don't look at me like that. You know it's not the same. I'm perfectly safe and so are the children.'"
"Then why does she still worry?"
"I don't know. She's just like that."
Sadie found herself staring at the bleak wall again digesting everything she had just seen. She should really do something about that wall. Didn't she have some pictures somewhere that she could put up? Shaking her head to bring her brain back to the topic at hand she pondered what she should tell Constance. Until Nat got back from the States, keeping Constance happy was going to be the only way to keep the project going. Constance didn't want a textbook. Sadie had no illusions about that. Maybe a general print biography wouldn't be so bad after all. It could still get picked up for secondary readings in the coursework at Hogwarts, and it could also reach people who had already left school - people her age who would resonate with the feeling of growing up with those unspoken pieces of people's lives in the background. That wouldn't be bad at all. With that happy thought, she broke the lock on the third parchment.
As I understand it, there were still some disappearances and deaths tied to Voldemort's followers during those years. Did you lose anyone?
No members of my immediate family were victims of direct attacks by the remnants of the Death Eaters during that time.
They were back in the Lovegood sitting room. Luna and Ginny were stationed in front of the window (through which rain could be seen pouring down) playing a game of Exploding Snap. Elise and Molly were seated on the sofa sipping tea. Elise looked upset and not altogether well. There were dark circles under her eyes, and Sadie would have sworn that she was thinner than she had been.
"I saw him the other day. Molly, he was trailing after his grandmother in Diagon Alley, and he looked so lost. He doesn't look like a happy child. He looks like he's carrying the weight of the whole world on his shoulders. He's practically afraid of his own shadow. She wasn't even paying him enough mind to know whether he was keeping up with her or not. I know she's grieving, but she can't take it out on him. It just isn't right."
Molly leaned forward and gave Elise's hand a pat. "I don't think it's right either. Complaining right in front of him that he's practically a squib. It's not as though any of the old biddies she calls round to are going to correct her - my Auntie Muriel included. She's his family, and we'll just have to hope she comes round in time. That's no way to treat a child, but there isn't really anything we can do about it."
"If his parents got better . . ."
"You aren't still on that, are you? Elise, you are. That's not your responsibility."
"I'm getting closer. Molly, I can feel it. Every day something else clicks into place. I'm almost there. I've almost got it. I'm so close."
"Is that why you're looking like something the cat drug in? When was the last time you slept?"
"I'll sleep when I've got it figured out."
"You're getting obsessed. What about Luna?"
"What about Luna? We do the same things that we've always done together. I have to do this."
"No, you don't. That's what the healers are for - they're the ones working on it."
"They aren't even trying any more. I've been there. They're in the unreversible ward. They've given up on them. Everyone has. I can't. There have been so many things that I couldn't do anything about. Molly, there have been so many things that went wrong that I couldn't fix. This, this is different. I could really help this time. Please understand. I need to do this." Elise's eyes were fixed on Molly Weasley's face in a pleading manner. Molly stared back for a long moment before she ducked her head breaking the eye contact.
"Fine, but don't let it take over your life. Don't you think I didn't notice that you didn't eat anything with your tea. You're wound so tightly you look like you could fall apart at any moment. Starving yourself and not sleeping isn't going to help. You aren't going to figure anything out any faster by making yourself so tired that you can't even think straight. Does Xeno know that you're acting like this?"
"He knows what I'm like when I'm close to the end of a project. He's used to this."
Molly was shaking her head in disagreement. "This is different. Elise, I've known you for a long time. This is not your usual I'm onto something, and I'm going to chase it down frantic mode. This is way past that."
Elise paused as if she were searching for the proper words to use in her reply. She reached over and touched Molly's arm - succeeding in getting Molly to look back up at her. "Molly, do you remember how we always said that it was no use dwelling because we couldn't bring them back?"
Molly Weasley tensed and tears appeared at the corners of her eyes. The look on Elise's face had almost become desperate. Molly's voice was so soft that Sadie could barely make out the sound of the gentle "I do."
"This time I can."
The new memory focused on Luna and her mother sitting at a table. They were obviously looking over something in Luna's book that confused her. Suddenly, an expression of sheer delight defused itself over Elise's features and she let out a gasped "Of course." She jumped from her chair and headed toward the hall muttering phrases like "that's got to be it" and "why didn't I think of that before."
What had been a faintly confused look on Luna's face quickly turned full blown as she got up to follow. "Mummy? What's going on?" As she started down the stairs after her mother, a bright flash of light made Sadie close her eyes in response. Realizing what was happening, she quickly stopped the memory from playing.
Before she even stopped to think about what she was doing, she said the words to erase that memory from the pensieve charm. No one should be allowed to watch Luna see her mother die. It wasn't right. No matter what Constance said about tragedy selling, some things were sacred and private.
The third memory was still unwatched, and Sadie sat for some time trying to decide whether or not she should play it. It wasn't until she noticed the sun coming in through the window behind her that she moved from her chair. How many hours had she been sitting there? It was better to go ahead and watch it she decided. If it needed to be erased, it was better to handle it sooner over later.
Luna (looking more disheveled than Sadie had yet seen her) sat on some stairs picking at the feeble attempt at a hair braid that lay across her shoulder. Raised voices that Sadie identified as Xeno Lovegood and Molly Weasley could be heard coming from a closed door in the hallway.
"Let Ginny come see her, or let me take her home to see Ginny. She needs her friends right now. So do you. You can't keep shutting people out. You aren't alone right now, and you both need to realize that."
Xeno Lovegood's voice was a far cry from the tone of amusement that Sadie had previously heard him using with Luna. It sounded almost strangled. "Molly, I know you are trying to help. I appreciate that; I really do, but Luna and I need some time to ourselves right now. We need time to figure out how our lives work without her in it. We need time to figure out how our family works with just the two of us. We just need time. One of my contributors has offered to take us on an expedition with him, and we are going to go. I need you to respect that. I need for you to leave us alone for a while."
Sadie forgot to blink and the residual colored lights danced across her bare wall for a few moments. She felt tired and drained which made no sense because she had spent almost the last twelve hours doing absolutely nothing but sitting in a chair. She would have to think this all through, process it into story notes, and get a draft to Constance, but right now that was the last thing she wanted to be doing. Walking into her bedroom she unthinkingly grabbed the teddy bear her muggle grandfather had given her for her third birthday off his place on her dresser and hugged him close as she curled up in her comforter. She suddenly felt very young, very unsure, and very worried about what she had gotten herself into with this story.
Her muggle grandmother was always saying that things looked brighter in the morning; Sadie would amend that to say that things always look brighter after you have slept. It was nearly four o'clock in the afternoon, and she was feeling decidedly better. It wouldn't do at all to get so emotionally attached to the subjects she was writing about. She had known, of course, that Luna's mother had died when she was very young. She just hadn't been expecting Luna to tie that particular question to that memory. That could prove to be an interesting addition - Luna's mother had apparently been working on something to help someone who had been seriously injured during the first rise to power. She wondered if she could figure out who. It must have been two someones she realized. The words used had all been plural. There was also the matter of that picture. Maybe she could get Adrienne to do some research for her. If the door was opening up, she was not going to be opposed to broadening the project into the realm of the initial Voldemort rising. Right now, however, she had writing to do.
20 January 2038
Adrienne,
I need a sounding board. Would you mind? I am sending you the transcripts of what I have gotten from Luna with my rough draft story notes attached. I have been staring at them for so long that I cannot even begin to form an opinion anymore. Normally I would owl it to Nat, but she will not be back for another couple of weeks. I do not want to show them to Constance. She will only complain that they are not nearly "novelly" enough.
They have got me wondering some things. Do you think all the kids early lives were like that? Do you think they all noticed little things that did not make sense until later?
I also need your help in your professional capacity. Do you think you could do some research for me? I would like to know some more about Luna's mother. Maybe who those other people in the picture were. I would also really like to know what exactly it was she was working on when that charm backfired. I don't suppose there would be any way to find out whom she was trying to help and what she was trying to help them recover from, would there?
Thanks,
Sadie
21 January 2038
Sade,
The story was brilliant. (No, I'm not bluffing in my best friend capacity.) I would have done a lot less sleeping in History of Magic if I had actually felt like I was reading about real people. It was great. You really did it. You took what would have been a textbook sentence that read something like "The magical community of the British Isles existed in a state of relative stasis during the years of 1981 to 1995." and turned it into something that actually means something. Well done!
I'm the wrong one to ask about the lives of magical children in those years. Did you forget that my dad's muggle born just like yours? Then, there's that little thing about how none of them will ever talk to us about any of the things that happened. If I recall correctly, that's what got this whole endeavor started. I didn't even know my dad had been involved until I got to Hogwarts. Moreover, my mum's American. She wouldn't be able to tell us anything anyway. Your mum's pureblood. Do you think she might talk to you about it?
Research is something with which I can help. It is my job to answer requests for information from the Ministry Archives after all. I'll just move yours to the top of the pile. I'll see what I can find about Molly Weasley's brothers. I can probably find out who the engaged girl was as well. They used to make a big deal out of putting engagement announcements in the Prophet. The other part might not be so easy. St. Mungo's records are not public information, but I'll see what I can do.
Adrienne
21 January 2038
Adrienne,
Moving my requests to the top of the pile isn't going to get you in trouble, is it? Thanks for the feedback - I just hope the executive board feels the same way.
Sadie
21 January 2038
Sade,
Oh please. Like anyone pays attention to what I do down here. I am left on my own for days on end surrounded by piles and piles of dusty books that no one may touch without my express permission. I have the greatest job ever. My supervisor has got to be 150 years old, and he doesn't care what I do all day as long as I remember that beverages are not allowed in the archive rooms. I even charmed my desk plate to read "Adrienne Finch-Fletchley - To receive assistance please place cookies here." One of the healer trainees that was down here working on a paper the other day actually made a trip to the cafeteria to bring me some sugar oatmeal cookies. Of course, being from the cafeteria, they were stale, but a cookie is still a cookie. Anyway . . . the point is that I can pretty much research whatever I want whenever I want to because it's not like anyone else is crazy enough to want this job. Don't sweat it.
Adrienne
22 January 2038
Sadie,
I'm being quite patient with you. Where's my first chapter, dear? If you are having some trouble, I would be most happy to look through your source material and point out which items would be best for publication. This is very large for your first project, and I don't want you getting overwhelmed. Just remember that I'm here to help. That's why editors are here. I expect either the request for help or your rough draft on my desk first thing in the morning.
Constance
23 January 2038
Constance,
Again, I do appreciate your attention to my work. It was really very sweet of you to offer to help, however, rest assured that I am not in over my head. The project is progressing quite nicely. I think it falls more into her realm of informational books, so Natalie will be reviewing my rough draft. I know you are very busy, and I didn't want to unnecessarily take up your time.
Sadie
24 January 2038
Dear Miss Creevey,
It has come to my attention that there is a potential problem with your current project. We were all very excited at the unique perspective that you were bringing to this subject, my dear. We are, likewise, eager to see that it lives up to its full potential. You will join me in my office for a meeting at 2:00 p.m. this afternoon. At that time, you may explain to me why my office was invaded by a rather loudly complaining Constance Smith this morning.
Expectantly,
Winston Hopkirk
President, W. W. Publishing
24 January 2038
Adrienne,
It really was not so bad. He was a lot more understanding than I expected. He also liked my rough draft. I even explained the part about how muggle textbooks have those little biographical asides, and he was intrigued. He is going to look into it.
I have to produce my current drafts for Constance's inspection any time she demands, but I do not have to turn over my source material. That is the decree from on high, so she cannot do anything about it (other than complaining, which I am sure will occur in abundance). It is my own fault for writing my letter to her that way anyway. You know what I get like when I have not been sleeping properly.
Anyway . . . He wants me to broaden out. I am supposed to track down the original DA members and use them for source material. The problem is that the members of the DA are not written down anywhere. The books all say "the DA." Maybe Luna could make me a list? Do not fret if I am not overly wordy in my letters for the next few days, okay? I have to have a set of standard questions for the DA members (when I track them down), a revised draft of Luna's childhood, and rough drafts of two new sections by the first. Did I mention that Mr. Hopkirk is nice but demanding?
Sadie
24 January 2038
Sadie,
How are things at work? I would really like to talk to you in person. Any way we can make that happen this week?
Drake
24 January 2038
Dray,
I am absolutely swamped. Sorry.
Sadie
24 January 2038
Dear Luna,
Thank you so much for your prompt reply to my original questions. My publisher is very excited about this project and wishes to proceed rather quickly. He would also like me to broaden my interview base. Would it be at all possible for you to provide me with a list of the original DA members?
Thank you so much,
Sadie
25 January 2038
Sadie,
The first draft was nicely written, dear. I said you have a knack for this. But, it does come across as rather simple. You take things far too easily at face value. There is always a bigger story hidden underneath. There are several things that you need to elaborate upon. Here are just a few suggestions for you to look into.
1. What was Luna's father doing to her during those two years of traveling and expeditions that turned her from a relatively normal child into the downright batty individual that showed up at Hogwarts?
2. What exactly was Elise Lovegood doing in that basement lab? Illicit, unapproved charms? Recklessly putting her ambition above her own and her family's safety?
3. Elise was clearly involved with one of the Prewett boys and not too long before she married Xenophilius Lovegood either. Those Weasley children were practically stacked on top of each other. There can't be that large of a gap between Ronald and Ginevra. Was Luna actually an illegitimate Prewett child? Is that why Molly Weasley seemed so determined to meddle after Elise died?
That should be enough to get you started. Do a little digging. It should be easy enough. Or, if you prefer to concentrate on your writing, you could give me the directions for your special little charm and I could conduct the interviews for you. That might be better all around, dear. It would let you focus on using your writing talents. Let me know.
Also, Mr. Hopkirk has informed me that you are supposed to do some checking into the members of the DA. You may as well begin with my parents. They would be most happy to help. I find it only fair to warn you, however, that you will be sorely disappointed in what you find out. It has been built into the stuff of legends, you know. I'm sure you grew up with the stories. How they were this wonderful group of student defenders of Hogwarts and all that tosh. It isn't true at all. During the Harry Potter years, they were just a way for him to delude himself into thinking he was doing something grand. My parents were all excited at the prospect of fighting illegal Ministry influence in Hogwarts, and they signed right up.
They quickly discovered that it was all just Harry Potter shouting out orders, making them practice charms a second year would have already learned over and over, while he tried to brainwash them into thinking that he was leading them into some kind of battle against evil. His battle with Voldemort may have turned out all right in the end, but he was always a little too full of himself on the way to getting there.
You couldn't question the "Chosen One" either. My father tried. There was always a gaggle of Weasley children there to threaten you if you didn't follow orders. Grasping - that's what that family was. They knew which way the wind was blowing, and they got their hooks into Potter as soon as they could. There's a reason that Weasley boy dug into Potter and spent the next six years as his shadow. It was the same with the girl. They must have been plotting for that match for years. The Weasley name needed all the help it could get, and we all know how desperately they needed the Potter family money. Pathetic, if you ask me.
Mother tried to get out as well, and that's when the Granger girl came after her. They would be happy to tell you all about it. You certainly aren't going to get the straight story from any of the rest of them. Potter had them all brainwashed. It almost got them all killed too. He had them so caught up in thinking that they were some kind of fighting force that scads of them stayed to fight in the Battle of Hogwarts. Untrained children going up against grown Death Eaters. It was suicidal madness, that's what. I don't know how Potter sleeps at night with it on his conscience.
They'll tell you that they were "resisting" during that year that Snape was Headmaster at Hogwarts as well. What nonsense. Mother had already graduated, but father knows all about it. They were just running round mouthing off to the faculty and painting slogans on walls. Resisting, my foot. It was an excuse to run wild and act like delinquents. I'll let Mother and Father know to expect your owl then?
Constance
25 January 2038
Sadie,
Enclosed you will find a complete list of the members of the DA. I must say that I'm rather surprised that you didn't just ask your father.
Luna
25 January 2038
Adrienne,
Here is the DA list I got from Luna. I have not even had time to look at it. Would you be a dear and find locations for me?
Sadie
25 January 2038
Luna,
Thank you again. I do appreciate your help. My father is always rather reluctant to talk about my uncle, and I did not want to bring up a distressing subject for him. I will be sending along my next set of questions shortly.
Sadie
25 January 2038
Sade,
You really need to look at the DA list that Luna sent you.
Adrienne
25 January 2038
Adrienne,
I do not have time. I will get to it later. I am busy.
Sadie
25 January 2038
Sadie,
I'm serious. You need to look at the list.
Adrienne
25 January 2038
Adrienne,
I appreciate your help, but stop owling me. I am neck deep in stuff here. I will look at it later.
Sadie
25 January 2038
Constance,
I appreciate the offer from your parents, and I will probably interview them in the near future. At the moment, however, I need to focus on the next few chapters that Mr. Hopkirk is expecting.
Sadie
25 January 2038
Sadie,
Isn't there any way you can take a half-hour or so off and meet me somewhere? Or I could come over?
Drake
25 January 2038
Drake,
What is with you? You are practically being whiny. I am sorry, but I am quite busy. This is important. I am sorry I am missing your visit, but I will see you when things are less hectic. I have got to get back to work, and all the owls are really distracting.
Sadie
25 January 2038
Sadie,
Of course, you need to work on one thing at a time. I completely understand. My parents will be most happy to speak with you whenever it is convenient. Get some work done on those questions I suggested for you. That is, after all, what editors are for - to help you gain a larger vision for the scope of your writing. My offer still stands - I would be pleased as punch to help you out with your interviewing. We don't want you to be getting overworked and burnt out. That wouldn't do at all.
Constance
When the large barn owl tapped at Sadie's window, she was ready to explode with frustration. But this one wasn't another unnecessary interruption in her frantic question drafting. This one was from Luna. Sadie smiled, sank into her comfortable reclining chair, and broke the seal on the first parchment.
Next
Tell me about your life as a child. What were your parents like?
Then, what must be Luna's voice began to fill the room.
My mother was beautiful. Don't all little girls think that about their mother? She was brilliant as well. She could have taken her expertise and worked any number of places, but she always said she would rather be home with me. She smiled all the time. She hummed most of the day. She would sing silly songs about her Lovely Luna Moonbeam shining like the stars. We read books together and ran round the yard playing tig for hours at a time. In the afternoon, I would work on lessons while she did work on her charms. Sometimes she would let me watch. Daddy would come home from the paper in time for supper, and the three of us would spend the evening snuggled up together on the sofa. Daddy would tell us stories from work, and Mum would brush my hair until it was time for bed. They tucked me in together. We were happy.
[more]
The grown up Luna's voice faded away and the air in front of Sadie began to pulse with a rainbow of colors. The room in front of her shifted into what was obviously a young girl's bedroom. Sadie smiled to herself - her charm had worked.
"Mummy?" A very young Luna (four or five if Sadie was guessing) was settling back into the pillows of her bed while looking expectantly up at a pretty blond woman who had to be her mother - Elise was her name Sadie reminded herself.
"Yes, darling?" The woman sat herself on the bed next to Luna and began to stroke her hair back from her forehead.
"Are the stories for Daddy's paper real?" Luna's voice sounded odd - almost as if she were afraid of the answer her mother might give her.
"What do you mean?" If she hadn't heard the inflection in Elise Lovegood's voice, Sadie would have sworn the question was a stalling tactic. However, the question sounded completely sincere to Sadie - Elise seemed genuinely confused as to what had prompted her daughter's curiosity on the topic.
"Did they really happen, or did Daddy make them up like in my story books?" Luna had sat back up in the bed and was looking at her mother as if her entire universe rested on the answer she was about to be given. Which, reflected Sadie, it probably did when you were five years old.
"Why would you think they weren't true?" Elise asked her.
"Ginny says she asked her biggest brother, and he said there are no such things as snore cakes." Luna replied in a voice that managed to somehow sound authoritative and apprehensive all at once.
"Did you mean snorkacks, honey?" Elise's eyes displayed a hint of amusement.
"Yes, those." Luna nodded along with the words.
"Is that why you and Ginny were arguing before she went home yesterday?" The previous hint of amusement in her eyes had given way to a more serious expression.
"Yes." Luna responded somewhat abashedly.
"Daddy only prints the stories for the paper the exact way that the person who wrote them down said it." Luna seemed to brighten up for a moment before a frown settled across her features.
"But what if the person who gives the story to Daddy makes it up?" Her brow had begun to furrow while she thought through the possibilities.
"Everyone makes mistakes, Luna, but Daddy works very hard to try to give people a chance to tell their own stories when others won't let them." Sadie detected a hint of pride in Elise's voice this time.
"Why won't other people let them?" Now Luna sounded curious rather than concerned.
"Sometimes people don't want to believe in something until somebody else can prove to them that it is true. Sometimes they get so caught up in not believing that they even ignore things that do have proof." Elise's voice had taken on a far off quality, and she was no longer looking down at her daughter.
"Why?" Sadie chuckled to herself - Luna was definitely a born Ravenclaw. Luna's mother seemed to share Sadie's amusement, and she refocused on Luna's face.
"Sometimes learning that they were wrong scares people. Sometimes people forget that you can never prove that something isn't - you can only prove that it is." Elise seemed to notice that Luna was trying to hide a yawn behind her hands. "Just remember that you shouldn't let other people tell you what to believe. You should always decide what to believe in yourself. Are you ready for bed now?"
Luna nodded. "Is Daddy coming?" The sound of someone climbing the stairs could be heard through the open doorway as the memory came to an end.
Sadie blinked as the memory swirled out of focus and came back to show Luna hiding behind a clump of bushes in what must be her yard. Sadie couldn't see a difference in the ages of this and the previous girl so the events must have occurred close together. There was no talking this time - only giggling as Luna watched her mother search the obvious hiding places with no success.
It was odd, Sadie thought, that with everything she had ever read or heard on the subject, she never would have pegged Luna as a giggler. The giggling grew louder as Elise worked her way closer. There was no possible way that she couldn't hear it, but she was clearly drawing out the search for Luna's entertainment. Sadie watched for a few minutes as the game of hide and seek morphed into a round of tig. Mother and daughter were both giggling now, and the sound echoed across the yard as they took turns chasing each other in the bright sunlight. It was a picture perfect representation of a pleasant domestic scene.
The swirling colors returned, and she found herself staring at a large printing press as they cleared. Sadie scanned the room trying to find Luna's place in it. She noticed her, still around the same age as the previous two memories, being held up by her father so that she could peer at the finished papers as they came off the press. Luna was clearly fascinated by the process, and her father was busy explaining in painstaking detail how it all worked.
"Where does it go then, Daddy?" Luna asked twisting in his arms so that she could look him in the eye.
"After the papers come off the press, they go downstairs to the delivery room. That's where the owls are. They take the papers to the people who have ordered them or to shops so that people can pick them up there."
"What happens next?"
"We start all over again with the next edition."
"It doesn't stop?"
"No, dear, it goes in a circle. There are always more things for people to learn about." Luna seemed to ponder that comment for a moment before returning to her questioning.
"How do the owls know where to go?"
Xeno Lovegood smiled tolerantly at his daughter - he was clearly enjoying their question and answer session. "Owls are very bright creatures, Luna. They find their way."
Sadie, now familiar with the process, blinked her eyes to stop them from being assaulted by the colored swirls. When she opened them, she was staring at her own rather bare living room wall. Luna hadn't been exaggerating about her happy childhood. The three of them looked exceedingly happy together, and Luna appeared to be the center of her parents' universe.
They were patient with her childhood wonderings and appeared genuinely pleased when she questioned them on the aspects of her world that she didn't understand. It was nice to know that people had lived happy lives during the in between time. It was good to know that everything hadn't been shaded with worry for the future. Luna seemed a mostly carefree five year old. (Perhaps four, Sadie hadn't made up her mind on that point, and she had forgotten to look at the edition of the Quibbler to check the date. She would have to remember to do that when she reviewed the memories later.)
She checked the clock on her wall - 8:15. That had gone fairly quickly. Sadie took a deep breath and mumbled the charm to unlock the next parchment.
What was it like growing up in the time between the two Voldemort risings? Did your parents talk to you about what had happened? Did you grow up expecting him to come back?
I think that very few parents would have wanted to tell their young children about the extent of the darkness that they had just come out from under. No, my parents did not directly speak to me about Voldemort's original rise to power. I don't remember ever hearing that name when I was very young, but it wasn't common for many people to speak his name at all. My parents were very focused on the present and living their lives as they came.
There were very few families who had not been touched in some way. There were relatives that were spoken of that you knew were no longer around. There were conversations between the grown ups sometimes that you didn't understand and to which you did not always pay attention. Looking back when you were older, you could piece it all together into a somewhat clearer picture of what had happened, but it was never overt.
As far as being concerned about his possible return, my parents lived their lives very much in the now (as I said before). A wise person once said that "Today has enough troubles without begging for tomorrow's." My mother would have said that "Today has enough joys to fill up your time." I think perhaps that people were so grateful for the respite that they wanted to take full advantage of it.
Perhaps that is the way it is with your friends' parents and your own. It isn't that they believe that you can't handle knowing the truth about what happened to and around them; they are just grateful that you don't have to live it yourself.
Once again Luna's voice faded away and the colors began to swirl in front of Sadie's eyes. Sadie found herself looking at what she would guess from the shape of the room (the Lovegoods had a most interestingly constructed home) to be their sitting room. Luna's mother was reading one of the numerous books that were scattered across the end table, and rain could be heard being battered against the window by the wind. Luna came skipping into the room and scooted herself up against her mother's side on the sofa.
"Did you find what you were looking for in the closet, luv?" Luna solemnly shook her head in the negative. "Did you want me to help you?" Luna shook her head negatively again.
"I found something else." Luna replied while peering at the book still held in her mother's hands.
"Was it something interesting enough to chase away the rainy day doldrums?" Elise's voice carried a teasing quality in the tone, and Sadie would have bet that there had been a previous discussion about things to do on a rainy day.
Luna nodded her head affirmatively this time. "Umhmm, I found a box of pictures and things, Mummy. Some of them were of you, but I don't know who all the other people are."
Sadie used the pause in the conversation to look around for a clue as to Luna's age. She looked older than the last set of memories - maybe seven. Luna's mother had stopped reading, and her focus was entirely on her daughter. Catching the expression on her face, Sadie stopped looking for the date and tried to figure out the meaning of Elise's expression. It was almost wary, as if she was concerned about what Luna had found.
"Were they nice pictures?" Sadie could tell that Elise's voice was beginning to display a strained quality. Luna seemed to pick up on it as well and shifted so she was looking at her mother's face.
She nodded her head again but then asked "How come none of the pictures had Daddy in them?"
The tension in Elise's shoulders seemed to loosen slightly as Luna took the conversation in this direction. "I didn't always know Daddy. I met him after I was grown up. Are these pictures of me as a little girl?"
"No, you were grown up. Ginny's mum and dad are in them too, I think." Luna giggled. "Mr. Arthur looks different with more hair. I put one in my pocket. Do you want to see?"
Elise had stiffened again, but she nodded her head. Luna pulled the picture from her pocket and held it up for her mother's inspection. Sadie began to move to a position behind the sofa so that she could see the picture as well.
"You look happy. Are you dancing with that man who isn't Daddy? Is that Mrs. Molly and Mr. Arthur? I don't know who those people in the middle are." Luna chattered away focused more on the people in the picture than on her mother.
"Yes, those are Ginny's mum and dad." Elise's voice had gotten very quiet, but Luna seemed to detect something wrong in the inflection of the words.
"Was I not supposed to open that box, Mummy? I'm sorry. I'll put the picture back." She was looking up at her mother clearly concerned that she had done something wrong.
Elise gave Luna a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "It's quite all right, dearest. Mummy was just surprised because she hasn't looked in that box for a very long time."
Ever the curious Ravenclaw to be, Luna immediately had questions. "How long?"
"Before you were born. Before I even got married to Daddy."
"Why?" Elise gave her daughter a real smile this time - displaying again that appreciation for Luna's curiosity that both her parents seemed to have. She avoided answering this question, however, and changed the topic.
"You are right, Luna Moonbeam, Ginny's daddy does look different." Luna snuggled up against her mother and studied the picture. Sadie did as well. It showed three couples standing under a banner that read "Congratulations!" It was a party of some type - probably an engagement party by the look of things. The much younger Molly (who was very pregnant) and Arthur Weasley stood on the right side of the photo. A younger version of Luna's mother stood with a young man on the left side. Every view moments the young man would twirl Elise around, and she would lean her head back and laugh. In the middle, stood a young man (who absolutely had to be a sibling of the man with Elise) with his arm around a brown-haired girl whom Sadie didn't recognize. The unknown girl would look up at the man with his arm around her and smile at him then glance back down at the ring that was adorning her left hand. Sadie had been correct about the engagement party. Her thoughts were interrupted by Luna's voice again questioning her mother.
"That can't be Ginny in her mum's tummy." Luna stated in a matter of fact voice.
"How did you work that out?" Her mother asked her with another one of those appreciative smiles.
"Because, Mummy," Luna said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, "Ginny and I are the same age. If this picture if before you met Daddy, it can't be Ginny because I would be in your tummy too."
"That was very good logic, darling. I'm proud of you for figuring that out. You're right. I believe that is Ronald in Mrs. Molly's tummy." Elise turned from regarding her daughter back to looking at the picture still clutched in Luna's hands.
"You look happy. Did you like dancing with that man? Who is he?" The questions poured out of Luna in a well-practiced manner. Her mother turned back to look at her again.
"He was somebody I knew a long time ago." Elise seemed to shake off the quiet, far off quality in her voice before she continued. "You know I've been friends with Ginny's mum for a long time?" She questioned.
"Umhmm," Luna said, "that's why Mrs. Molly comes for tea and brings Ginny with her. You're friends with Mrs. Molly, and I'm friends with Ginny."
"That's right, dear." Elise took a deep breath and continued. "That man standing next to me was Mrs. Molly's brother. The six of us in that picture all used to be friends."
"How come they don't come for tea? Don't all friends come for tea?" Sadie wondered if Luna's parents had ever regretted their decision to be so encouraging of her question asking propensities. Granted, it was working out really well for Sadie, but still.
"Sometimes friends do, and sometimes friends do other things together. But, sometimes, friends can't come to visit you any more." Elise's voice was returning to that far off quality that Sadie had noted before.
"Why not?" Luna continued.
"Sometimes people have to go away, Luna." Elise was definitely thinking about something. Her eyes were getting a bit of a glazed look about them.
"And they can't come back to visit?" Luna was not missing any opportunities on the question asking. Sadie found herself thinking that it must have been rather exhausting to live in that perpetual state of answering, but her parents didn't seem to mind at all. Whatever worked for them, she supposed.
"That depends on where they have gone. These friends have gone away to a place from which they can't come back to visit." Luna seemed to be piecing some things together. Her expression eventually turned to one that indicated that she was pleased to have figured something out.
"Like Grammy?" She inquired.
"Yes, just like Grammy. They've been gone for a long time." Elise shook off the glazed expression and looked back at her daughter.
"Were you sad when they went away? Like you were when Grammy did?" Luna was looking concerned now.
"Yes, I was." Elise pulled the picture from Luna's hand and set it on the low table in front of them. She scooped Luna up in her arms and settled her onto her lap.
"Daddy made you feel better when Grammy went away. Who made you feel better if you didn't know Daddy?" Luna craned her neck back to peer up into her mother's face.
Elise smiled down at her daughter. "Sometimes my little Moonbeam you notice so many things that I don't know what I'm going to do with you." Elise sighed and then smiled. "I met your Daddy when I was still sad, and he made me feel better then. He always does."
"Was Mrs. Molly sad?" Luna was sounding concerned again.
"She was. She missed her brothers very much." Elise pointed at the two blond men in the picture.
"Is she sad now?" Luna's brow was furrowing again.
"I think she still misses them sometimes. Just like I miss Grammy sometimes." Elise was hugging Luna close.
"Can we make her feel better? I like Mrs. Molly, and I don't want Ginny's mum to be sad." Luna nestled her head under her mother's chin.
"Maybe." Elise seemed to be pondering something, and Luna noticed the change in her voice when she spoke.
"Are you sad now, Mummy?" Luna twisted round until she remained on her mother's lap but was facing her.
"No, honey. I'm not sad anymore." Elise stated holding eye contact with her.
"But you don't look happy." Luna responded placing a hand on either side of her mother's face.
"I'm not sad, dearest. I'm just thinking that there is something that I should have done a long time ago to help Mrs. Molly feel better. I'll fix it now. Tell me, Luna, was there a gold watch in the box with the pictures?"
"Umhmm." Luna replied while still studying her mother's face.
"Would you run and fetch it for me?" Elise's whole face had brightened. You could tell that she had resolved something within herself and was happy with the decision she had made.
Luna slid herself off Elise's lap and hurried to the door to follow her mother's instructions, but she stopped short at the threshold. She paused a moment before spinning around and running to embrace her mother.
"I'm happy you don't have to be sad any more," came the muffled voice from the head buried in Elise's shoulder.
"Me too, darling, me too."
Sadie found herself wiping tears from her eyes as she blinked to avoid the onslaught of colored lights. The scene had made her feel an uncomfortable tickling in her throat - it was like those dratted commercials for greeting cards that she always got silly over on her muggle grandparents' telly. In addition, there was a whole lot of information in what Elise hadn't said and a whole lot of questions left unanswered.
It suddenly occurred to her that no one had ever really tried to tell the personal tales of the first war with Voldemort either. (Well, except for Harry Potter's which had been told and retold and speculated on so many times that no one could be quite sure what exactly had happened.) The children in Luna's generation had been just like her and Adrienne and Drake - growing up happy but still knowing that there were things that the adults around them weren't telling.
She wondered if it was always like that. She had always thought that this disconnect from their parents that her friends had felt was because of the specific situation that their parents had gone through. What if it wasn't? What if every generation had huge chunks of their lives that they never bothered to tell their children about? What if every generation of children grew up never really knowing who their parents were as people? That was just depressing. Maybe she should go ahead and stop for tonight - let herself take in everything she had seen. With a start, she realized that she had paused the memories without even thinking about it. She could thank her muggle grandparents and their movie collection for that idea. Stopping for the night was probably not a good idea. She was in the middle of a question after all. She should at least finish it out.
The new scene once again opened in the sitting room of the Lovegood's home. Elise was wearing a traveling cloak and helping Luna (similarly attired) put on mittens.
"Why are you going to St. Mungo's? Are you sick?" The constant questions really did have to be absolutely exhausting Sadie caught herself thinking.
"I'm not sick, Luna Moonbeam." Luna looked very similar to the previous memory. Her hair was even braided in the same manner. Thus, Sadie speculated it hadn't occurred too far in time from the previous conversation.
"Is Daddy sick?" Maybe children should not be part of her future Sadie speculated.
"No one is sick." The mittens were on, and the two were headed toward the front door.
"Then why are you going?" Cats were relatively quiet creatures.
"Mummy's going to visit some friends there." The front yard was covered in a light dusting of snow.
"Are they sick?" Dogs were louder, but they were also more likely to fetch things for you. That might be even better.
"In a way." They were walking toward what Sadie assumed was Ottery St. Catchpole.
"May I come too?" Owls - now owls were very useful, but they could also be loud and were rather messy.
"I thought you were looking forward to spending the day with Ginny today?" Besides, there were plenty of owls at work to borrow when she needed one.
"I like to play with Ginny, but I like to go places with you better." Elise and Luna were holding hands as they walked down the lane, and Luna had begun to swing their arms back and forth.
"I know you do, honey. We'll go visit Diagon Alley together next week." Luna appeared to be getting excited; she had begun to skip instead of walk.
"Really?" So, there really was no need to be responsible for an owl of her own.
"Yes, where would you like to go?" Hmm . . . cat or dog? Greater usefulness or greater quiet?
"Can we look at the animals?" She would definitely have to think that one over.
Elise laughed. "We can look, but no buying. That last cat nearly ate Daddy's owl." Ouch. Maybe a cat wasn't such a good idea. She really didn't want to have to explain to one of her bosses that she had let one of the office owls end up a snack for her pet.
"I hope your friends feel better soon." Sadie shook off her meandering thoughts on the potential perks of pets over children. She must be getting tired.
The new memory took place in a yard that Sadie didn't recognize. A tall house that looked ready to topple over at any moment filled the background. Sadie spotted a young girl with red hair playing next to Luna in the yard. She decided that the girl must be Ginny Weasley, and the house must be The Burrow.
"Could we go play in the woods?" Luna was asking her friend.
"Mum doesn't like us to go where she can't see. Not unless Bill or Charlie take us. It's silly. I don't need the boys to take care of me." Ginny sounded exasperated.
"But even if she can't see you, she could just look at her clock." Luna replied with a tone of voice usually reserved for someone stating the very obvious.
"I don't think Mum likes that clock very much."
"I like your clock. It's different. We don't have one like it at my house. Why doesn't she like it?" Luna was back to questions.
"I don't know. She just looks at it funny sometimes. Like when Dad is late at work. She sits and stares at it. I don't like it when she gets like that." Ginny's voice had gotten quieter as she spoke. The last sentence was a whisper, almost as if she was afraid of admitting it out loud.
"Maybe your dad should floo her when he's late."
"That's what Mum always says. Do you know what he says back?"
"What?"
"Can you keep a secret?"
"Yes."
"My brothers don't even know, but I do because I listen better than them. When Dad thinks nobody can hear him, he calls Mum 'Mollywobbles.' Isn't that funny? It's like he's talking to a baby. He always calls her that when he's late. 'Mollywobbles,' he says, 'don't look at me like that. You know it's not the same. I'm perfectly safe and so are the children.'"
"Then why does she still worry?"
"I don't know. She's just like that."
Sadie found herself staring at the bleak wall again digesting everything she had just seen. She should really do something about that wall. Didn't she have some pictures somewhere that she could put up? Shaking her head to bring her brain back to the topic at hand she pondered what she should tell Constance. Until Nat got back from the States, keeping Constance happy was going to be the only way to keep the project going. Constance didn't want a textbook. Sadie had no illusions about that. Maybe a general print biography wouldn't be so bad after all. It could still get picked up for secondary readings in the coursework at Hogwarts, and it could also reach people who had already left school - people her age who would resonate with the feeling of growing up with those unspoken pieces of people's lives in the background. That wouldn't be bad at all. With that happy thought, she broke the lock on the third parchment.
As I understand it, there were still some disappearances and deaths tied to Voldemort's followers during those years. Did you lose anyone?
No members of my immediate family were victims of direct attacks by the remnants of the Death Eaters during that time.
They were back in the Lovegood sitting room. Luna and Ginny were stationed in front of the window (through which rain could be seen pouring down) playing a game of Exploding Snap. Elise and Molly were seated on the sofa sipping tea. Elise looked upset and not altogether well. There were dark circles under her eyes, and Sadie would have sworn that she was thinner than she had been.
"I saw him the other day. Molly, he was trailing after his grandmother in Diagon Alley, and he looked so lost. He doesn't look like a happy child. He looks like he's carrying the weight of the whole world on his shoulders. He's practically afraid of his own shadow. She wasn't even paying him enough mind to know whether he was keeping up with her or not. I know she's grieving, but she can't take it out on him. It just isn't right."
Molly leaned forward and gave Elise's hand a pat. "I don't think it's right either. Complaining right in front of him that he's practically a squib. It's not as though any of the old biddies she calls round to are going to correct her - my Auntie Muriel included. She's his family, and we'll just have to hope she comes round in time. That's no way to treat a child, but there isn't really anything we can do about it."
"If his parents got better . . ."
"You aren't still on that, are you? Elise, you are. That's not your responsibility."
"I'm getting closer. Molly, I can feel it. Every day something else clicks into place. I'm almost there. I've almost got it. I'm so close."
"Is that why you're looking like something the cat drug in? When was the last time you slept?"
"I'll sleep when I've got it figured out."
"You're getting obsessed. What about Luna?"
"What about Luna? We do the same things that we've always done together. I have to do this."
"No, you don't. That's what the healers are for - they're the ones working on it."
"They aren't even trying any more. I've been there. They're in the unreversible ward. They've given up on them. Everyone has. I can't. There have been so many things that I couldn't do anything about. Molly, there have been so many things that went wrong that I couldn't fix. This, this is different. I could really help this time. Please understand. I need to do this." Elise's eyes were fixed on Molly Weasley's face in a pleading manner. Molly stared back for a long moment before she ducked her head breaking the eye contact.
"Fine, but don't let it take over your life. Don't you think I didn't notice that you didn't eat anything with your tea. You're wound so tightly you look like you could fall apart at any moment. Starving yourself and not sleeping isn't going to help. You aren't going to figure anything out any faster by making yourself so tired that you can't even think straight. Does Xeno know that you're acting like this?"
"He knows what I'm like when I'm close to the end of a project. He's used to this."
Molly was shaking her head in disagreement. "This is different. Elise, I've known you for a long time. This is not your usual I'm onto something, and I'm going to chase it down frantic mode. This is way past that."
Elise paused as if she were searching for the proper words to use in her reply. She reached over and touched Molly's arm - succeeding in getting Molly to look back up at her. "Molly, do you remember how we always said that it was no use dwelling because we couldn't bring them back?"
Molly Weasley tensed and tears appeared at the corners of her eyes. The look on Elise's face had almost become desperate. Molly's voice was so soft that Sadie could barely make out the sound of the gentle "I do."
"This time I can."
The new memory focused on Luna and her mother sitting at a table. They were obviously looking over something in Luna's book that confused her. Suddenly, an expression of sheer delight defused itself over Elise's features and she let out a gasped "Of course." She jumped from her chair and headed toward the hall muttering phrases like "that's got to be it" and "why didn't I think of that before."
What had been a faintly confused look on Luna's face quickly turned full blown as she got up to follow. "Mummy? What's going on?" As she started down the stairs after her mother, a bright flash of light made Sadie close her eyes in response. Realizing what was happening, she quickly stopped the memory from playing.
Before she even stopped to think about what she was doing, she said the words to erase that memory from the pensieve charm. No one should be allowed to watch Luna see her mother die. It wasn't right. No matter what Constance said about tragedy selling, some things were sacred and private.
The third memory was still unwatched, and Sadie sat for some time trying to decide whether or not she should play it. It wasn't until she noticed the sun coming in through the window behind her that she moved from her chair. How many hours had she been sitting there? It was better to go ahead and watch it she decided. If it needed to be erased, it was better to handle it sooner over later.
Luna (looking more disheveled than Sadie had yet seen her) sat on some stairs picking at the feeble attempt at a hair braid that lay across her shoulder. Raised voices that Sadie identified as Xeno Lovegood and Molly Weasley could be heard coming from a closed door in the hallway.
"Let Ginny come see her, or let me take her home to see Ginny. She needs her friends right now. So do you. You can't keep shutting people out. You aren't alone right now, and you both need to realize that."
Xeno Lovegood's voice was a far cry from the tone of amusement that Sadie had previously heard him using with Luna. It sounded almost strangled. "Molly, I know you are trying to help. I appreciate that; I really do, but Luna and I need some time to ourselves right now. We need time to figure out how our lives work without her in it. We need time to figure out how our family works with just the two of us. We just need time. One of my contributors has offered to take us on an expedition with him, and we are going to go. I need you to respect that. I need for you to leave us alone for a while."
Sadie forgot to blink and the residual colored lights danced across her bare wall for a few moments. She felt tired and drained which made no sense because she had spent almost the last twelve hours doing absolutely nothing but sitting in a chair. She would have to think this all through, process it into story notes, and get a draft to Constance, but right now that was the last thing she wanted to be doing. Walking into her bedroom she unthinkingly grabbed the teddy bear her muggle grandfather had given her for her third birthday off his place on her dresser and hugged him close as she curled up in her comforter. She suddenly felt very young, very unsure, and very worried about what she had gotten herself into with this story.
Her muggle grandmother was always saying that things looked brighter in the morning; Sadie would amend that to say that things always look brighter after you have slept. It was nearly four o'clock in the afternoon, and she was feeling decidedly better. It wouldn't do at all to get so emotionally attached to the subjects she was writing about. She had known, of course, that Luna's mother had died when she was very young. She just hadn't been expecting Luna to tie that particular question to that memory. That could prove to be an interesting addition - Luna's mother had apparently been working on something to help someone who had been seriously injured during the first rise to power. She wondered if she could figure out who. It must have been two someones she realized. The words used had all been plural. There was also the matter of that picture. Maybe she could get Adrienne to do some research for her. If the door was opening up, she was not going to be opposed to broadening the project into the realm of the initial Voldemort rising. Right now, however, she had writing to do.
20 January 2038
Adrienne,
I need a sounding board. Would you mind? I am sending you the transcripts of what I have gotten from Luna with my rough draft story notes attached. I have been staring at them for so long that I cannot even begin to form an opinion anymore. Normally I would owl it to Nat, but she will not be back for another couple of weeks. I do not want to show them to Constance. She will only complain that they are not nearly "novelly" enough.
They have got me wondering some things. Do you think all the kids early lives were like that? Do you think they all noticed little things that did not make sense until later?
I also need your help in your professional capacity. Do you think you could do some research for me? I would like to know some more about Luna's mother. Maybe who those other people in the picture were. I would also really like to know what exactly it was she was working on when that charm backfired. I don't suppose there would be any way to find out whom she was trying to help and what she was trying to help them recover from, would there?
Thanks,
Sadie
21 January 2038
Sade,
The story was brilliant. (No, I'm not bluffing in my best friend capacity.) I would have done a lot less sleeping in History of Magic if I had actually felt like I was reading about real people. It was great. You really did it. You took what would have been a textbook sentence that read something like "The magical community of the British Isles existed in a state of relative stasis during the years of 1981 to 1995." and turned it into something that actually means something. Well done!
I'm the wrong one to ask about the lives of magical children in those years. Did you forget that my dad's muggle born just like yours? Then, there's that little thing about how none of them will ever talk to us about any of the things that happened. If I recall correctly, that's what got this whole endeavor started. I didn't even know my dad had been involved until I got to Hogwarts. Moreover, my mum's American. She wouldn't be able to tell us anything anyway. Your mum's pureblood. Do you think she might talk to you about it?
Research is something with which I can help. It is my job to answer requests for information from the Ministry Archives after all. I'll just move yours to the top of the pile. I'll see what I can find about Molly Weasley's brothers. I can probably find out who the engaged girl was as well. They used to make a big deal out of putting engagement announcements in the Prophet. The other part might not be so easy. St. Mungo's records are not public information, but I'll see what I can do.
Adrienne
21 January 2038
Adrienne,
Moving my requests to the top of the pile isn't going to get you in trouble, is it? Thanks for the feedback - I just hope the executive board feels the same way.
Sadie
21 January 2038
Sade,
Oh please. Like anyone pays attention to what I do down here. I am left on my own for days on end surrounded by piles and piles of dusty books that no one may touch without my express permission. I have the greatest job ever. My supervisor has got to be 150 years old, and he doesn't care what I do all day as long as I remember that beverages are not allowed in the archive rooms. I even charmed my desk plate to read "Adrienne Finch-Fletchley - To receive assistance please place cookies here." One of the healer trainees that was down here working on a paper the other day actually made a trip to the cafeteria to bring me some sugar oatmeal cookies. Of course, being from the cafeteria, they were stale, but a cookie is still a cookie. Anyway . . . the point is that I can pretty much research whatever I want whenever I want to because it's not like anyone else is crazy enough to want this job. Don't sweat it.
Adrienne
22 January 2038
Sadie,
I'm being quite patient with you. Where's my first chapter, dear? If you are having some trouble, I would be most happy to look through your source material and point out which items would be best for publication. This is very large for your first project, and I don't want you getting overwhelmed. Just remember that I'm here to help. That's why editors are here. I expect either the request for help or your rough draft on my desk first thing in the morning.
Constance
23 January 2038
Constance,
Again, I do appreciate your attention to my work. It was really very sweet of you to offer to help, however, rest assured that I am not in over my head. The project is progressing quite nicely. I think it falls more into her realm of informational books, so Natalie will be reviewing my rough draft. I know you are very busy, and I didn't want to unnecessarily take up your time.
Sadie
24 January 2038
Dear Miss Creevey,
It has come to my attention that there is a potential problem with your current project. We were all very excited at the unique perspective that you were bringing to this subject, my dear. We are, likewise, eager to see that it lives up to its full potential. You will join me in my office for a meeting at 2:00 p.m. this afternoon. At that time, you may explain to me why my office was invaded by a rather loudly complaining Constance Smith this morning.
Expectantly,
Winston Hopkirk
President, W. W. Publishing
24 January 2038
Adrienne,
It really was not so bad. He was a lot more understanding than I expected. He also liked my rough draft. I even explained the part about how muggle textbooks have those little biographical asides, and he was intrigued. He is going to look into it.
I have to produce my current drafts for Constance's inspection any time she demands, but I do not have to turn over my source material. That is the decree from on high, so she cannot do anything about it (other than complaining, which I am sure will occur in abundance). It is my own fault for writing my letter to her that way anyway. You know what I get like when I have not been sleeping properly.
Anyway . . . He wants me to broaden out. I am supposed to track down the original DA members and use them for source material. The problem is that the members of the DA are not written down anywhere. The books all say "the DA." Maybe Luna could make me a list? Do not fret if I am not overly wordy in my letters for the next few days, okay? I have to have a set of standard questions for the DA members (when I track them down), a revised draft of Luna's childhood, and rough drafts of two new sections by the first. Did I mention that Mr. Hopkirk is nice but demanding?
Sadie
24 January 2038
Sadie,
How are things at work? I would really like to talk to you in person. Any way we can make that happen this week?
Drake
24 January 2038
Dray,
I am absolutely swamped. Sorry.
Sadie
24 January 2038
Dear Luna,
Thank you so much for your prompt reply to my original questions. My publisher is very excited about this project and wishes to proceed rather quickly. He would also like me to broaden my interview base. Would it be at all possible for you to provide me with a list of the original DA members?
Thank you so much,
Sadie
25 January 2038
Sadie,
The first draft was nicely written, dear. I said you have a knack for this. But, it does come across as rather simple. You take things far too easily at face value. There is always a bigger story hidden underneath. There are several things that you need to elaborate upon. Here are just a few suggestions for you to look into.
1. What was Luna's father doing to her during those two years of traveling and expeditions that turned her from a relatively normal child into the downright batty individual that showed up at Hogwarts?
2. What exactly was Elise Lovegood doing in that basement lab? Illicit, unapproved charms? Recklessly putting her ambition above her own and her family's safety?
3. Elise was clearly involved with one of the Prewett boys and not too long before she married Xenophilius Lovegood either. Those Weasley children were practically stacked on top of each other. There can't be that large of a gap between Ronald and Ginevra. Was Luna actually an illegitimate Prewett child? Is that why Molly Weasley seemed so determined to meddle after Elise died?
That should be enough to get you started. Do a little digging. It should be easy enough. Or, if you prefer to concentrate on your writing, you could give me the directions for your special little charm and I could conduct the interviews for you. That might be better all around, dear. It would let you focus on using your writing talents. Let me know.
Also, Mr. Hopkirk has informed me that you are supposed to do some checking into the members of the DA. You may as well begin with my parents. They would be most happy to help. I find it only fair to warn you, however, that you will be sorely disappointed in what you find out. It has been built into the stuff of legends, you know. I'm sure you grew up with the stories. How they were this wonderful group of student defenders of Hogwarts and all that tosh. It isn't true at all. During the Harry Potter years, they were just a way for him to delude himself into thinking he was doing something grand. My parents were all excited at the prospect of fighting illegal Ministry influence in Hogwarts, and they signed right up.
They quickly discovered that it was all just Harry Potter shouting out orders, making them practice charms a second year would have already learned over and over, while he tried to brainwash them into thinking that he was leading them into some kind of battle against evil. His battle with Voldemort may have turned out all right in the end, but he was always a little too full of himself on the way to getting there.
You couldn't question the "Chosen One" either. My father tried. There was always a gaggle of Weasley children there to threaten you if you didn't follow orders. Grasping - that's what that family was. They knew which way the wind was blowing, and they got their hooks into Potter as soon as they could. There's a reason that Weasley boy dug into Potter and spent the next six years as his shadow. It was the same with the girl. They must have been plotting for that match for years. The Weasley name needed all the help it could get, and we all know how desperately they needed the Potter family money. Pathetic, if you ask me.
Mother tried to get out as well, and that's when the Granger girl came after her. They would be happy to tell you all about it. You certainly aren't going to get the straight story from any of the rest of them. Potter had them all brainwashed. It almost got them all killed too. He had them so caught up in thinking that they were some kind of fighting force that scads of them stayed to fight in the Battle of Hogwarts. Untrained children going up against grown Death Eaters. It was suicidal madness, that's what. I don't know how Potter sleeps at night with it on his conscience.
They'll tell you that they were "resisting" during that year that Snape was Headmaster at Hogwarts as well. What nonsense. Mother had already graduated, but father knows all about it. They were just running round mouthing off to the faculty and painting slogans on walls. Resisting, my foot. It was an excuse to run wild and act like delinquents. I'll let Mother and Father know to expect your owl then?
Constance
25 January 2038
Sadie,
Enclosed you will find a complete list of the members of the DA. I must say that I'm rather surprised that you didn't just ask your father.
Luna
25 January 2038
Adrienne,
Here is the DA list I got from Luna. I have not even had time to look at it. Would you be a dear and find locations for me?
Sadie
25 January 2038
Luna,
Thank you again. I do appreciate your help. My father is always rather reluctant to talk about my uncle, and I did not want to bring up a distressing subject for him. I will be sending along my next set of questions shortly.
Sadie
25 January 2038
Sade,
You really need to look at the DA list that Luna sent you.
Adrienne
25 January 2038
Adrienne,
I do not have time. I will get to it later. I am busy.
Sadie
25 January 2038
Sadie,
I'm serious. You need to look at the list.
Adrienne
25 January 2038
Adrienne,
I appreciate your help, but stop owling me. I am neck deep in stuff here. I will look at it later.
Sadie
25 January 2038
Constance,
I appreciate the offer from your parents, and I will probably interview them in the near future. At the moment, however, I need to focus on the next few chapters that Mr. Hopkirk is expecting.
Sadie
25 January 2038
Sadie,
Isn't there any way you can take a half-hour or so off and meet me somewhere? Or I could come over?
Drake
25 January 2038
Drake,
What is with you? You are practically being whiny. I am sorry, but I am quite busy. This is important. I am sorry I am missing your visit, but I will see you when things are less hectic. I have got to get back to work, and all the owls are really distracting.
Sadie
25 January 2038
Sadie,
Of course, you need to work on one thing at a time. I completely understand. My parents will be most happy to speak with you whenever it is convenient. Get some work done on those questions I suggested for you. That is, after all, what editors are for - to help you gain a larger vision for the scope of your writing. My offer still stands - I would be pleased as punch to help you out with your interviewing. We don't want you to be getting overworked and burnt out. That wouldn't do at all.
Constance
When the large barn owl tapped at Sadie's window, she was ready to explode with frustration. But this one wasn't another unnecessary interruption in her frantic question drafting. This one was from Luna. Sadie smiled, sank into her comfortable reclining chair, and broke the seal on the first parchment.
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