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Date: March, Year 2036 (7th Year)
Forecast: Cool with periodic rain Moon: Third Quarter |
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It is now: Time to Grow Up |
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Current Event: ??? |
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In the News: Schools destroyed in the Sisterhood attacks are beginning reparations.
Two Years Later: Brief Summary and What to Expect After the Time Skip Common Knowledge, Recent History, and Rumours Thread |
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Next day: ???
Last Time: End of Term Feast |
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| A Return to Normalcy; Year 4 - Day 13 – during the Sping Ball | |||
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| Topic Started: Sep 5 2014, 10:53:27 AM (118 Views) | |||
| Andromeda Wickham | Sep 5 2014, 10:53:27 AM Post #1 | ||
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IDOL OF ROSES, ICONIC SOUL
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The night winds whipped at Andromeda's cheeks as she trekked up to the castle, breath a visible cloud under the moon's pale light. She walked onto the courtyard grounds, heels clicking on gravel. Her hands trembled from fear. The night surrounded her in an embrace, allowing for a poorly-lit courtyard. If there were to be a murder lurking about Andromeda would fall victim. Or would she? She kept thinking about the incident that had happened at the Lestrange Wedding. As time progressed, it had pushed itself to the back of her mind, but time and time again she found herself pondering over it, as if recalling memories with an old friend. It couldn't be true. She refused to believe it, no matter how much her body surprised her. Impossible. Weary, Andromeda collapsed onto a bench, eyes closed as she battled the urge to cry. No, she didn't want it to happen to her. She didn't want it. Too much power in the hands of the wrong people. How could she ever begin to explain herself to her family? To her friends? Would they treat her differently, depending on how she was told? Because no matter what coursed through her veins, she would always be immune to danger. |
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| Don Draper | Sep 5 2014, 11:06:58 AM Post #2 | ||
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Hogwarts was busy shaking the world with its flourishing existence. Don remembered his time at the school, thirty years ago, young and amble as he set out to blaze a path of his own. It didn't matter that he had been conceived to unwed parents; his birth had caused the death of his mother, and his father died tragically before Don could begin his first year, but that did not hinder his ability to thrive. Back then, the school used to envoy students home before, during, or after a huge incident, but it never got as serious as a full-blown attack by an outside organization. Much had changed. People died, moved away, but somehow the power was retained in the same families. Thirty years ago, Don remembered the school had been run by the Blacks, and then some time the Carrows, until it shifted to the Prewetts and then the Wickhams. This year it was apparently under the grasp of the Malfoys, but Don wondered how long it would last until another took over, larger and more powerful. Until then, he would remain under the stars, idly standing by as blood was shed. He took a drag from the cigarette between his lips. Funnily, despite the Sisterhood attack, Don had remained stationed at Hogwarts, because like any parent, he wanted to be there to protect his children. The Ministry had allowed him back to the job under strict provisions: No abandoning shifts early, no missing shifts, no drinking on shifts. He walked a tight rope, but he was Don Draper. Nobody told him what to do. He looked up at the sound of heels clicking on pavement. Was the dance over already? It was too soon. Surely the students would be taking advantage of their night out? Don squinted in the direction of the figure in pure white, realizing that she wouldn't notice him as he was hidden by the shadows. The moon was merely a crescent, not allowing for enough light. Don stamped out his cigarette and approached. He was prepared to scold the party-goer, likely highly intoxicated and had lost her way to the dorm – until he realized he could make out the faint features of Andromeda Black. Oh. She startled at his presence. "It's alright," he said smoothly, "it's just me." |
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| Andromeda Wickham | Sep 5 2014, 11:16:14 AM Post #3 | ||
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"Oh! Don, you scared me," Andromeda breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that it was him and not some other auror, or the creep Governor Yaxley. She could hear her heart slamming in her chest, cheeks pulsing hot as she attempted to calm herself. There was nothing like the exquisite beauty of fear to a predator. Since the wedding, Andromeda had been on edge, and the simplest things frightened her. She exhaled sharply, wiping the sweat from the forehead with the back of her hand. "Please, have a seat." She welcomed him by patting the bench. She could make out his smile as he unbuttoned his jacket before settling a few inches away from her. She stared at her hands, unsure of what to say to Mr. Draper. She envied and admired him in every way possible, and regarded him with the highest respect. In her opinion, he was one of the greatest wizards of the century, among the ranks of Dumbledore and Belleford. She had seen him work magic, and he was beyond comprehensible talent. "The dance wasn't for me," she answered a question that she knew he was going to ask. "It didn't appeal to me. Sometimes I wonder if I'm a grown woman trapped in a girl's body," she looked up at the moon resting calmly above the clouds. She didn't expect him to understand; after all, he was a grown male, well-beyond maturity, with a family of his own. Andromeda glanced at him from the corner of her eye. "After everything I've been through, it all feels like a dream, you know?" |
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| Don Draper | Sep 5 2014, 11:42:35 AM Post #4 | ||
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The Black sisters were four, with Andromeda being the youngest, patient and most kind of them. Don had had the displeasure of meeting Jordanna and Bellatrix, and from their brief encounter, they left a nasty impression upon him. He had seen them again at the Lestrange Wedding, but avoided them, Jordanna especially, as she had spared his life and he doubted she would be willing to feel as generous as she was the first time. How was it that Andromeda grew to be the most likeable? Don knew Andromeda since she was young, of course. When he was married to Lily, he had dropped Dolores off for tea time at the Black household, which upon he would greet Andromeda, young with doe eyes and red ribbons in her hair. And still til this day, she had the same doeish, wide round eyes as a trademark feature. The visits stopped when Lily passed, and suddenly Andromeda was thrown back into his life when she became best friends with Teddy. Even then, Teddy didn't come around anymore. It was Don that had to initiate dinner dates or catch-up lunches. Now that Theodre was seventeen and under his mother's spell again, their visits were short and bitter. Before the wedding, Teddy used to bring Andromeda around often. Don and the younger Slytherin had built their friendship upon the foundation that she wanted to become an auror and believed Don to be the most experienced in the division. Don had vowed to help her transfer into the auror academy where she would soar without a doubt. Now, he only saw Teddy in the halls and sometimes would catch Andromeda at meal times. They would exchange hellos and how are yous and then simply carry on with their day. A secret part of Don missed having the young couple around his home, as they used to be part of his family, and now they felt like strangers. Don smiled to himself as Andromeda talked. "I didn't expect it to be," he responded to her statement. She was smart, nearly smarter than most of the girls in her house. Of course underage drinking and risque-y dancing did not appeal to her. "I can empathize with you on that." said Don, coughing the cigarette ash from his lungs. She looked at him questioningly. "I never told you the story about my family?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. He thought he'd mentioned it to her. Or was that to Camilla? Andromeda shook her head. He sighed, leaning against the back of the bench as he prepared himself to rip his entrails and splay his hardships out in the open. Andromeda was old enough to understand. "My parents never married, you know?" He began, turning forward so that he did not have to see her sorrowful expression. He did not want sympathy. "They were both in Slytherin. Pureblood families, but they loved each other so much. My mother got pregnant in her sixth year, and so they both dropped out of school to have me." He closed his fists, suddenly feeling the guilt permeate in his stomach like a solid weight. "My mother was so tiny. My birth...killed her," he paused, considering if it was appropriate to go on, "and my father had to raise me on his own." "He married another woman, but she was a muggle. I don't know how that came to be, but because she was so oblivious to the wizarding world, my father practically did anything that he wanted. So he started a dragon breeding farm and uh," Don cleared his throat, "a Ukrainian Ironbelly ate him whole." He fell silent. The crickets filled their void with the sound of their chirps, and in the distance, the sound of music and laughter could be heard. "They had a son, but I never kept in contact with him. I was still ten-years-old when my father died, so I had to be raised by my stepmother. She remarried to another muggle man, and he wasn't any good." He stopped again. He thought he heard a faint sniffle beside him. "And get this: My stepmother leaves, and I'm left with my brother and stepdad. So the man decides to open up a brothel and raise us in it." True, Don was away at school for most of the year, but when he returned home, his duties were to do chores and keep away from the merchandise. "So consider this, Andromeda," he concluded, "No matter where you come from, or what your background is, obstacles can still be overcome." |
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| Andromeda Wickham | Sep 5 2014, 01:02:11 PM Post #5 | ||
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Don Draper lived in shades of blue, just as Theodore Wickham did. Andromeda wondered if mishap was a trait in the family, or if their name was simply cursed. She listened intently, head bowed as she stared at the glittering rings on her hands. She had never heard this story before, not even from Teddy or Dolores. Andromeda realized that she had been so vain with her problems. Don didn't have a family besides his children. How could Andromeda take hers for granted? Disgust washed over her, a chilling, wakening call. She wiped away a tear that had escaped, feeling foolish for showing emotion to a man that probably didn't flinch at the odor of death. If she wanted to be an auror, she would need to be as strong as him, and face reality as it came to her. His past was tragic, but now he had everything. Still, Andromeda wasn't oblivious to the fact that money couldn't buy happiness. Her family was one of the wealthiest in England, and yet, they did not share love. He came from a hardship that had humbled him. Andromeda tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm sorry," she finally said, exhaling sharply. "I didn't realize... Teddy never told me." Andromeda licked her lips, unsure of how to counter his story. What she had encountered was a fairytale compared to his story. As much as she hated her parents' beliefs, she could not imagine a world without them. She shuddered at the thought of being raised by muggles. Who wouldn't? "Being an auror is all I dream of. I'm so focused on it that it's eating me away. I-I'm so close to the finish, I know I can't give up now," Andromeda shook her head, eyes fixed forward. She figured now would be a good time as ever. Andromeda pressed her eyes closed. Counted to three. Inhaled deeply. She stood from her seat and faced him. "Mr. Draper, can I tell you something?" She didn't know why, but in that moment alone with someone she could trust, under the moonlight, she felt like she could tell him anything. He was an adult. He would understand. |
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| Don Draper | Sep 5 2014, 01:20:23 PM Post #6 | ||
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Don hadn't expected Theodore to relay to Andromeda about his past; it wasn't Theodore's tale to tell. Theodore was usually silent anyhow, and convincing him to speak for more than a few minutes was actually an art in itself. Was he any different with Andromeda? Don wondered if the young Slytherin often endured long periods of silence, or whether Theodore confided only in her about his woes. Often, Don wondered what went on behind Theodore's steely facade. Unsurprisingly, young Black was committed to her aurorship. Don had never seen a passion before in any other youth, and truly believed she deserved it without bias. She would be an amazing asset to the team. Given his tight leash with the Ministry, the least he could do was turn in a strong recommendation. It would be a while before he garnered the power to take her under his wing. Regardless, she would always be at the top of the list. He watched through the veil of darkness as she moved to stand up. The skirt of her white dress cascaded to the floor, a waterfall of cocaine satin. He crossed his legs, unsure of where this was heading. Don was married... This needed to be professional. If something was going on, Don would try and help to the best of his ability, but he refused to violate his contract. He tilted his head, eyebrows furrowed. "Of course, Andromeda. Is something bothering you?" |
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| Andromeda Wickham | Sep 5 2014, 02:12:23 PM Post #7 | ||
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More than something. Everything. How could she begin to explain to Don Draper the strange phenomenons that had been occurring to her throughout the months? She shivered involuntarily, spine rattling that shook her to her very core. She closed her eyes, eyelashes resting upon the tops of her ivory cheeks. Show, not tell. The reception was as vile as the wedding; it wasn't about love, it was a demonstration of power and control. Precious Lestrange could have married into any family and taken over. Like a game of Russian Roulette, the Lestranges had been chosen to welcome this charm of bad luck to their name. Andromeda pondered if Precious even loved Jackson at all. Andromeda closed the door to the castle, a breeze of cold air whirling over her. The snow on the ground was cold and seeped through the bottom of her dress. She pulled Teddy's jacket closer around her body. At that moment, he was inside, dancing with his mother, likely apologizing for things that were not his fault. Andromeda did not want him to carry through with it, but he had done it in his own interests. This was the least romantic Valentine's Day she had ever experienced. Even on dates with Narcissa, she still received more love than any other occasion. And currently, Narcissa was inside, seated beside Lucius Malfoy, laughing at his every joke and sliding her thigh against his. Everyone had someone but Andromeda. She continued walking down the stone path, breath visible in the French night. The Lestrange garden was a system of turns and dead-ends. Andromeda sat on a bench beside a frozen fountain. The silence permeated the area. From where she sat, she could see the glow of the party through the windows, but heard nothing, likely due to Jordanna's silencing charm around the castle. Andromeda sniffled, nose already pink from the cold. She needed to breathe. It was too crowded, even in a large hall. She knew too many people, and they expected too much of her. She stared at her shoes, drowning in the quietness that enveloped her. She felt peaceful. Solace. Andromeda breathed deeply. She was alone without a doubt, and the world would continue spinning without her. She relaxed herself, even in the freezing, February air. The French countryside would be an ideal to location to retire - or hide from the Ministry, depending on who you were. Andromeda smiled to herself. It would all be okay. Soon, she would look back on this and remember when she had attended one of the most exclusive weddings in wizarding history. A branch cracked in the distance. Andromeda looked up, suddenly on high-alert. She glanced around in the darkness, but only saw the faint cloud of her warm breath. Was someone out there? A Ministry official? A drunk guest? Andromeda's heart began to race. "Hello?" Andromeda called out, eyes flying wildly from the castle to the garden. Another snap. She turned to her left, where she thought she had heard it, in the direction of the garden. The hairs on her neck stood on end. Slowly, she turned to her right, suddenly face-to-face with a white tiger, prepared to pounce. Andromeda didn't waste a second. She jumped to her feet, a scream flying from the back of her throat as she bolted in the direction of the garden. She knew she wasn't a match to the tiger's speed, but it would at least buy her some time. As she ran, she kicked off her heels, fingers fumbling as she attempted to retrieve her wand from her clutch. "HELP! SOMEBODY HELP ME!" Andromeda shrieked, turning a sharp left before she made a sharp right, leaving a wisp of falling hedge leaves in her wake. She could hear the snarls behind her. Who would have fucking thought that Precious fucking Lestrange would have pet tigers? Tears began bouncing off of Andromeda's face at fast speeds. She ran in sharp turns, legs burning, heart exploding, until alas, she came into a dead end with wall-high hedges. It was the Final Task. She was meeting her doom. Andromeda threw her back against the farthest wall, mascara tears sliding down her cheeks as she reached a trembling hand into her clutch. The beast slowed into a predatory crouch, teeth bared as it creeped towards her. "BACK!" She roared, using her wand in a threatening manner. Obviously, it was stupid of her to speak to an animal. It wouldn't understand. Andromeda trained the tip of her wand on the beast, remembering Bellatrix's words clearly: "You have to mean it to say it." Avada Kedavra. Avada Kedavara. She was young, hardly an adult, but she would kill to save her life. Andromeda held her free hand outward, as if she controlled an invisible force to push it away. Her heart slammed against her ribcage, she breathed at an incomprehensible speed. Where was Jordanna when she needed her? Bellatrix? Theodore? Don Draper? And then it launched itself forward. A sort of strange thing happened. An invisible force extended itself through Andromeda's wandless palm, a sort of unseen barrier, sort of like a transparent hand. She looked to her left arm and only had a millisecond to react to a great, white orb manifested as a ball of pure, hot energy. When the tiger's body made contact with the light, it sizzled with an electric jolt, and before Andromeda knew it, it was being catapulted back through the hedge walls, leaving behind a foul smell of charred skin in its wake. Andromeda stared at the hole in the leaves, breathless. She blinked away the tears. She believed herself to be living upon a dream. It took her a few seconds to collect herself. When she realized what she had encountered, Andromeda broke into another sprint, hoping that she had not gotten lost in the maze, or surely it would eat her. She ran, lungs burning from pushing herself. Even in the darkness, she could make out the black smoke that whizzed by her head. "I KILLED REGULUS BLACK! I KILLED REGULUS BLACK! I KILLED REGULUS BLACK!" The voice chanted mockingly over the hedge walls. Andromeda nearly tripped. She sobbed hysterically, hands burning white with energy. "Please stop!" She begged, losing the strength to continue fighting. Was this maze charmed like the one in the Task? Fitted to match her boggarts? She couldn't stop here. "I KILLED REGULUS BLACK!" The cackles were cold and evil. Andromeda's palms flickered white. She picked up her pace, heart pounding with determination until she reached the safety of the castle. Andromeda had told no one about her experience, not even Theodore. Even if she truly was an elementium, and even if she would be immune from predators, she did not feel safe discussing the possibility with anyone. If Regulus's killer was out there, then she wasn't safe. She thought about confiding in Jordanna, but Andromeda did not believe it to be true. She denied it until it was pushed to the rear of her mind. Elementium was a power she did not want. She glared down at her fingers. "Something is wrong with me," she spoke through trembling lips. Slowly, she looked up to meet Don's gaze, tears streaking down her face. "I don't know if it's what I think it is. I-I hope..." She trailed off, suddenly realizing the small, snitch-sized white ball that danced in the center of her palm. |
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| Don Draper | Sep 5 2014, 04:05:12 PM Post #8 | ||
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Andromeda wasn't to be feared because she was the sister of Jordanna and Bellatrix Black. Andromeda was to be feared because she possessed the same level of power as they did, and she didn't know what to do with it. Power could corrupt even the most virginal souls, and someone as vulnerable as Andromeda at the moment could easily be influenced under the Imperius Curse. She was now a target, just as Don's daughter was. He watched as her face was illuminated by the glow of the orb. Teardrops pelted onto her skin, and Don knew in that moment that she wasn't just afraid, but confused about herself. If she felt comfortable revealing this to him, one of her innermost secrets to a man that she could hardly regard as her future step-father, then it could be assumed that she had no one else to turn to. How strange was it that both of Theodore's women had the light. Were they naturally drawn to his darkness? Don leaned forward and cupped Andromeda's hand in his. Slowly, he pressed both of them closed, shutting out the light from view. She looked up to meet his gaze. "Listen to me," he began, "trust only a few people with this information. But if I were you, I would seek guidance from your sisters." Not the best idea, but it would be better than forcing her to register with the Ministry. "They know what it's like to have this gift. What's more important is that you're careful not to flaunt this around." Though he knew her not to be the type to bribe about her abilities. |
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| Andromeda Wickham | Sep 5 2014, 05:03:18 PM Post #9 | ||
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Gift. Theodore had once told Andromeda that Dolores referred to her fire as a curse. Would Andromeda be the same? Hating her power because it was brought upon her by outside forces? How was she to know, when she wasn't even sure if it was real? What if she was hysterically overreacting? Andromeda breathed deeply, bones vibrating as the wind crushed her pipes. How was she going to deal with it? Going to Jordanna seemed like the only likely solution. Jordanna knew about elementium the best, as she was the master of all of them, yet a part of Andromeda didn't want to bother her sister with tears and thwarting worries. Andromeda composed a list of people she could tell: Don, initially. Now that she had gotten this off of her chest, she could trust him with anything. Jordanna, of course. Not Bellatrix. Narcissa probably. Theodore. That was it. Those were the few people she could rely on to not betray her. Unfortunately, the list was smaller than her list of friends. "Thank you." She said, locking eyes with Don. "Thank you for listening. I was just, so overwhelmed, I-I didn't know what to do." Her hands fell to her sides, numb. Then, Andromeda bounded forward and threw her arms around Don's neck. She had acted on impulse, but the intention was entirely friendly. If it were true that she were to marry Teddy, then Don was to be as a father-in-law to her. She pulled him close, the faint smell of tobacco wavering in her senses. He tensed, until he awkwardly patted her back reassuringly. She was a tiny, nymphet girl compared to his burly figure. It was different from hugging Teddy, as Teddy was lean and wiry. Don was built like a wall. Most importantly, it was essential to establish a connection. She sniffled before she pulled away. "I guess I can always count on you." Andromeda smiled brightly. |
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| Don Draper | Sep 5 2014, 05:13:02 PM Post #10 | ||
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The hug had caught Don by surprise. He was stiff, unsure of how to react to her nimble arms around him. She smelled faintly of strawberries, instantly reminding Don of Lily. Should he return the embrace? Would it be appropriate? Likely not. Awkwardly, Don placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder and gave her a pat. Well, it was something. Finally, she pulled away, relieving Don from the tension. His lips pulled into a small smile. "You can. I'll be here. You'll know where to find me." He rose from the bench, buttoning the front of his jacket as he did so. He glanced around, in case any partiers had tread into the vicinity. Clear. "It's getting late," he said, fingers itching for another cigarette. "You should be getting to your dorm if you don't plan on returning to the party." Don had another hour on the shift before he was due at Hogmeade for the opening of DeWitt's speak. Don didn't want to go, as he was exhausted from patrol duty, and simply wanted to retire home with a glass of whiskey. He had promised DeWitt he would attend however, and so begrudgingly Don would have to use his last hour preparing for the party. "I'll walk you to the castle." He offered. He looked down at Andromeda who was easily a foot shorter than he was. No one would bother to approach a tall figure walking beside a younger one. Andromeda smiled, nodding eagerly as she agreed. Together, the two walked into the castle. |
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HIRP now has a Common Knowledge, Recent Events, and Rumours thread, which contains all the information that your characters should know having grown up in our world. Please be sure to check it out and feel free to use the knowledge in character. If you have suggestions for minor characters who might be well known, please contact a staff member. |





















2:35 PM Jul 11