Basking In The Afterglow

rpg_afterglow @ 2008-03-03T14:30:00

2008-03-03T22:33:41Z

The Daily Prophet

ASTORIA'S ADVICE COLUMN

Mobile Call: Harry to Ron

2008-02-28T15:14:48Z

*speed-dials Ron's number*

Mobile Call: George to Lavender

2008-02-27T01:45:21Z

*sits on his roof, smoking a fag; dials her number four times before actually pressing send*

Narrative

2008-02-15T03:31:24Z

Who: George and Lavender
When: February 14, 2007
Where: A restaurant and George's flat
Status: Ongoing
Rating: TBA
Summary: Lavender discovers her secret valentine's identity.

Lavender smiled and nodded. It was something she was used to do on her line of work. It was actually something she had learned very young, when taking etiquette lessons. It was the polite thing to do, to show an interlocutor that you were paying attention to what was said and that it was interesting and meaningful and Lavender was a master on it. Most of the time she actually find what she was hearing interesting and she always, always paid attention, especially when at work, Draco wouldn't expect anything less. Except that in that moment she wasn't finding what Nigel was saying interesting. As a matter of fact, she wasn't even paying attention. Nigel was, just as she had told George earlier, a good man, from a very good family -his mother was a Goyle, but not the Death Eater branch of the family- and he was smart, good looking and rich. He was a complete bore. An elitist, prejudiced, full of himself pureblood.

Not twenty minutes into dinner Lavender had decided that the flowers were not from him. They couldn't be. As he kept going on and on about how the Ministry was too permissive of Muggle-born influence and how a good witch had to know she couldn't possibly work once she was married, -not even noticing that her food was untouched- Lavender excused herself and flew to the ladies' room.

She looked at herself in the mirror. Her makeup was flawless and elegant, her hair impeccable and her dress fitting the expensive place -far more expensive than Le Petit and the food was horrible- and yet she'd have given everything in that moment for some chicken tandoori and the company of a redhead. George. She couldn't stop thinking about him and the feeling that the flowers and the certificate were from him grew by the minute, which only meant she had most likely offended him when she said she thought they were from Nigel.

A couple of older women walked in just when she felt her mobile vibrating.

White symbolises reverence and coral symbolises desire. Have a good time, Lav. You deserve to be happy.

Her hands trembled as she read the message and she did what came so natural to her. She squealed and bounced so loud the two women that had been chatting while they fixed their makeup looked at her.

Not minding them, she sent a text message of her own and send it to George.

Where are you?

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Narrative

2008-02-15T03:15:34Z

Who: Ron and Hermione
When: February 14, 2007
Where: Their flat
Status: In progress
Rating: PG-13 for now
Summary: Hermione is less than pleased when she receives her Valentine's gift.

"At work, Ron!" Hermione cried the instant she arrived home. She had the roses in her arms and the box that he had sent her earlier that day. Her cheeks were red and her eyes were on fire. She was embarrassed and angry, at least, she was embarrassed and angry over the box. Imagine, proper Hermione Weasley sitting in the lunch room with her co-workers, everyone crowded around her because she had a large bouquet of roses at her side and a red box. She's blushing and smiling at them, thinking that the most that was in this box was a scarf or maybe he even went so far as to charm the box to be lighter than it was supposed to be, and it was that book she'd been wanting to get for some time now. She opens the lid and immediately looks horrified. Her co-workers fall silent, undoubtedly some of them imagining her actually wearing the box's contents, until one of them starts to laugh. Hermione's face is as red as the box her lingerie came in, and as soon as she is able to rationally think again, she pulls the lid over the box again and gets up. With her last shred of dignity, she grabs the roses and stomps out of the lunch room before anyone could say anything more.

By the end of lunch, everyone knew of Hermione's Valentine's Day present. She effectively hid from most of the staff that day, shelving books in aisles that barely anybody wanted to go near, because of the complexity of the author's names, or something like that.

When Hermione got home, she had thought up a rather good lecture in her head that left Ron no time to interrupt and no time to realize what was coming until he was being smacked in the face with it. Unfortunately, sending birds after him got a little predictable after the second time, so she couldn't go that route. She'd just have to find another.

"At work!" she cried again, finding him in the kitchen. She set the roses down on the kitchen table and came after him, smacking him over the head with the box he had sent to her. "How could you send this to me!" she demanded. Hermione forgot all about her lecture.
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Text Message: George to Lavender

2008-02-15T02:13:20Z

White symbolises reverence and coral symbolises desire. Have a good time, Lav. You deserve to be happy.

Journal Entry: Lavender Brown

2008-02-14T21:03:06Z

February 14th, 2007

Owl

2008-02-14T20:59:28Z

[Enclosed are flowers, a red package containing a special surprise, and a card written in a familiar scrawl.]

You know how terrible I am at writing these things, so I'm just going to say I can't wait to see you tonight, I love you, and if you hate it, it was Harry's idea. The package, at least. Not the flowers!

I love you, and I can't wait to see you tonight!

Love,

Mobile Call: George to Wood

2008-02-14T19:09:12Z

*lights a fag hastily and paces waiting for Oliver to answer*

rpg_afterglow @ 2008-02-14T12:57:00

2008-02-14T18:57:19Z

Journal Entry - February 14, 2007

Text Message: Ron to Harry

2008-02-14T18:36:58Z

Shite! I forgot. Help!

Text Message: George to Lavender

2008-02-14T17:36:56Z

What are you doing today? Fancy celebrating Single's Awareness Day with yours truly?

Owl

2008-02-14T17:32:02Z

To a girl who means more to me than she realises: relax and take care of yourself today.

. . . will you be my Valentine?

[Enclosed is a bouquet of fresh lavender with white & coral roses and a gift certificate to London's premeire wizarding spa - the one with a six month wait list.]

Narrative

2008-02-14T08:59:07Z

Who: Oliver and Lisa
When: February 14, 2007
Where: The Ministry of Magic and a few other surprise places.
Status: In progress
Rating: NC-17
Summary: More Oliver/Lisa mush, this time with an excuse!

He didn't even remember. Lisa was incredibly disappointed, but she didn't say a word about it. What could she say? She didn't want him to think that she really cared all that much about a holiday. So, she just grinned and beared it. She acted normal throughout the morning, talking to him and smiling, kissing him when it was time to depart, but in the back of her mind, she was impatiently waiting for him to say it. He never did.

The moment she turned her back on him, her smile faded into a frown, and she apparated to work with a sad look on her face. By her lunch break, she was pouty enough to make Jessica finally ask her what was wrong. She thought Lisa should say something, and even urged her to ring him right then, but Lisa shook her head. It was just a holiday, after all. She didn't want him to think that it was important to her. Jessica just shrugged, not wanting to offend her boss, and showed her an article in her newest magazine, all about the latest hair trends in wizarding London.

Besides talking to her newest friend, Eric, Lisa's day remained uneventful and a little gloomy. She was almost reluctant to go home, and when Jessica asked her to go shopping, she was even disappointed that she meant that weekend and not that night.

It was time to go, and for one of the first times since she met Oliver, she found herself trying to find any reason to stay behind. With no options, she walked with Jessica to the floos, wondering how such a romantic guy could forget about the most romantic day of the year.
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Narrative

2008-02-14T01:22:51Z

Who: Oliver and Lisa
When: February 13, 2007
Where: Abingdon, Oxfordshire
Status: Complete
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Lisa comes home from work.

After a long day at work, Lisa just wanted to come home and be with Oliver. She hadn't heard from him all day, and she wasn't sure if it was a good sign or not. She had worried about what would be happening between him and his father all day long, and more than once, Jessica had to actually yell her name to bring her back to reality. After she yelled Lisa's name (she insisted that Jessica call her by her first name), she'd blush and apologize for the next five minutes, making sure to call her Miss Turpin until Lisa rolled her eyes and threatened to tell that cute guy down the hall just what Jessica thought of him. They both knew that she was only kidding, but it made Jessica blush a bit more and call her Lisa for a little while longer.

Though her day had been relatively good, she was up and out of her seat when she was supposed to go home. No overtime for her tonight, and not anymore for quite some time. Within minutes, Lisa was home and looking for Oliver, wondering if he was even back. It didn't take long for her to find him in the living room, passed out on the couch with Francie and Jack. She smiled at Jack and Francie, and as soon as Jack noticed she was there, he sat up and began wagging his tail. She dropped her things by the sofa and picked Jack up, letting him lick her nose. She pet Francie, greeting her, before finally turning to Oliver. She shook Oliver lightly, unsure of what to expect.

"Ollie?" she whispered quietly. She looked down at him, concerned. "Wake up, love."
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Narrative

2008-02-13T22:11:47Z

Who: Oliver and his father
When: February 13, 2007
Where: Glasgow, Scotland
Status: Complete
Rating: PG
Summary: Oliver goes with his father to visit his mother on her birthday.

Oliver was up early that morning, dressed warmly with his dark grey overcoat and scarf, ready by the time Lisa left for work. Together they walked to town hall, with Francie and Jack, and he kissed her goodbye before she she flooed directly to the Ministry from the Ministry offices there. He took his time walking the dogs home, delaying going to meet his father as long as possible. But, it was unavoidable and soon he was back at the house, locking it up before apparating just outside the cemetary, where they'd said they would meet. James was prompt and timely, and he stood just at the entrance of the cemetary, dressing in a long black overcoat, as Oliver walked up the little hill to meet him. They nodded to each other briefly before James reached out a hand to touch Oliver's shoulder, encouraging him to go ahead.

Mary Frances MacLeod Wood was buried on the southern side of the cemetary, just at the back. Her gravestone faced north, next to an empty space meant for Gram one day, Oliver's Grumps to the left of the empty space and a tiny grave to the right of Mary's grave. Oliver's eyes darted unwillingly down to the tiny grave and then up to his father - well, down to his father, as James was kneeling silently before Mary's tombstone. It was then that Oliver noticed the flowers James had brought. He must have had them shrunk and in his pocket, for they hadn't been there before. Oliver frowned, touching his own pocket and the shrunken flowers he had also brought. Pink tulips, identical to the bouquet James was now arranging in the urn at the foot of Mary's grave. Oliver blinked back the tears forming in his eyes and turned his head, but his inability to watch couldn't block out the soft spoken Gaelic now floating up from below him.

"I came with Oliver, like I promised you at Christmas. Merlin, I'm sorry, Mary. I'm sorry for what I did and I hope you can forgive me." James spoke even softer then. "I don't deserve it, but I was wrong and - and I wish you were here. You would have been better at this than me. You'd have never done this to him. It's not fair. All you ever wanted was to raise him and love him - and you would be so proud. I- I'm proud, I don't deserve to be, but I am." James's soft spoken words quickly gave way to murmured and incoherent whispers, and he couldn't hide his crying from his son, even if he wanted to. He always cried when he visited his wife - Merlin, he'd loved her so much and now, being here with Oliver, he realised was a bad husband he'd been to Mary by abandoning their son - what a terrible father he'd been to Oliver. A few tears fell down Oliver's cheeks as he tried to block out his father's words. He felt guilty for hearing his da's private thoughts. Very slowly, Oliver reached out a hand and placed it on his father's head, bowing his own head and giving his mother a soft smile, quickly turning his head upward and giving her a smile, knowing, hoping, she was looking down on them.

"Tha gra agam ort," he mouthed to the heavens, to his mama. James stood after a long moment and gave Oliver a brief hug before stepping back so that Oliver could speak to his mother. Oliver knelt, as his father had done, and placed all his tulips in the urn next to his father's, save one. Oliver sighed heavily before putting on a brave smile.

"Ciamar a tha thu, Mama?" he asked softly. "I'm good. Happy Birthday." Oliver frowned softly, his face already crumbling. "I miss you. I-" Oliver looked upward, blinking rapidly and taking a shallow breath. "I- I met a girl. She's. . . she's the light of my life. I've never been so happy." Oliver continued to tell his mother about Lisa, smiling a bit as he mentioned Christmas and the claddagh. "I still miss you, and love you - and I wish you were here, always." Oliver stood slowly and turned to leave, but not before stopping and placing his last tulip on teh small grave to Mary's right. He frowned softly and said a brief Gaelic blessing before turning to walk on. James stopped abruptly and frowned, taking in for the first time another grave besides Mary's.

INFANT DAUGHTER
of Oliver Thomas Wood
& Ema Athelinde Connery
October 17, 2001

Oliver only stopped when he heard James make a surprised sound just behind him. Oliver turned with a frown and regarded his father, who was staring intently at the tiny grave. He turned to Oliver very slowly and before Oliver could back away, James was embracing him and hugging him tight.

"Tha mi duilich," James said softly, and before Oliver could stop himself, he was hugging James fiercely in return, crying softly against his coat. After a long moment, they awkwardly pulled apart and James gave Oliver an encouraging smile. "Let's go into Glasgow and have some lunch, aye? It's been a long morning." Oliver nodded and the two Wood men, with their broad shoulders, dark coats and their matching height, walked down the hill side by side and headed into Glasgow.

Text Message: Harry to Draco

2008-02-12T16:36:52Z

What are you doing? I'm bored. :(

Narrative

2008-02-10T16:24:54Z

Who: Oliver, Lisa - and later, Mr. Turpin
When: February 10, 2007
Where: Oliver and Lisa's
Status: Complete
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Lisa's Birthday - presents, cake and Jack!

Oliver had left the house under the guise of going running, which had been a lie. He'd gone out to take care of a very important birthday present. He came back in the front door, having magicked his hair wet for effect. He stood outside the door, making sure everything was in place before holding his breath for a full minute. He opened the door finally, calling out to her - now effectively out of breath.

"Mo nighean donn," he called. He hoped she was awake. He told her Happy Birthday the night before, he had yet to tell her since she woke up. He walked down the hallway and smiled at the sight of her, sitting at the table eating breakfast, Francie laying happily at her feet, gnawing on a chew toy. He frowned a bit, thinking of Francie. He hoped she didn't - well, he hoped she reacted well to Lisa's present. Oliver walked over to Lisa and kissed her on the cheek. "Happy Birthday, sweetheart," he said with a smile before bending down to pet Francie.

"Hello, mo collaidin. I see Lisa's gotten ye another new chew toy. Fancy a walk, stinky butt?" he asked Francie in a sing song voice. "I'll get a quick shower and then we'll pop out." He stood and smiled down at Lisa.

Narrative

2008-02-10T08:06:19Z

Who: Ron and Hermione, then Harry and Molly later.
When: February 10, 2007
Where: Ron and Hermione's flat, then the Burrow
Status: In progress
Rating: PG
Summary: Ron visits his mother after a long absence and brings some news.

Honestly, Hermione was very relieved to finally be coming out and telling Molly the truth. It had gone on too long for her, and she felt terrible for not telling her before. A few times, she even considered sending an owl herself, and she even started to write it, but she didn't know what to say, and part of her thought that it really wasn't her business to intrude upon whatever was going on between Ron and his mother. That, and she was too afraid to sign the letter as Hermione Wealsey instead of Hermione Granger.

Needless to say, Hermione was nervous about what would happen today, and had spent most of her morning reading and pacing through the living room every so often, just long enough to get her cat dizzy from following her movements, just enough so he would get up from his spot on the sofa and turn his back to her. Hermione saw this, and rolled her eyes.

"Oh, you're no use, are you?" She stared at her cat's back and then turned her head to look back to the hallway. She was sure she had asked Ron to get his laundry together for her to do later on, and she was sure she had asked him to do so forty-five minutes ago. She walked towards their bedroom, betting with herself that he was asleep.

Of course, he was, and Hermione rolled her eyes. For a moment, considering waking him up nicely. And she would have, if he had actually tried to get his clothes together for her before falling asleep. Instead, she grabbed his knee and shook it firmly.

"Wake up." When nothing happened, she shook him a little harder. "Wake up, Ronald!"
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Owl

2008-02-10T06:32:14Z

Ron,

You're bloody right it's been a long time since you wrote. I will see you tomorrow. I will talk with you later on, when I see you.

Love,

</div>

Narrative

2008-02-09T22:32:18Z

Who: Oliver, Lisa and invited guests
When: February 9, 2007
Where: Abingdon, Oxfordshire
Status: In progress
Rating: PG
Summary: A housewarming/surprise party for Lisa.

She had agreed to have the housewarming party because Oliver seemed to be so excited to have one. She only wondered why he had chosen now to have it when they had lived in their flat for about a month now. She'd never thrown or attended a house warming party before, but she didn't think they happened this late after the people had moved in. She was suspicious of his motives, especially with her birthday being the next day. She said nothing to Oliver, though, thinking that she should let him have this to be excited about. Every so often, if he looked over at her, he would probably catch her eyeing him suspiciously, as if trying to read his mind and discover his plans.

It gave her an excuse to clean, anyway. For the millionth time in her life, she was happy that she was a witch. The floor could clean up on it's own and the mantle could dust itself. She helped Oliver out a bit with the food, but she preferred not to get involved in that area sometimes. She never did learn how to cook properly.

When she was sure that she was doing more harm than good in the kitchen, she spared Oliver of having to cook and watch over her at the same time. She left and took Francie out for a walk, talking to her the entire time about what was going to go on that night. Back at the house, she plopped down on the carpet in the living room and played with Francie, telling her all about what would be going on that night, and that she should be on her best behavior, and to try not to pass gas in front of the guests.
</div>

Owl

2008-02-09T01:08:49Z

Mum,

~~I'm an idiot~~

~~I'm sorry~~

I know it's been a long time since I wrote. I thought, if you didn't mind, it might be okay if I dropped by this Sunday for dinner. Like old times. With ~~someone~~ Hermione.

I'll explain more when I see you. I'm sorry it took so long to do this. Please don't hex me!

Love,

Ron

Text Message: Ron to Hermione

2008-02-09T00:59:03Z

Did he call you, yet?

Narrative

2008-02-08T17:35:38Z

Who: Draco and Pansy
When: February 8, 2007
Where: London
Status: In progress
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Pansy demands to know the truth behind the rumours she's been hearing about Draco.

If Draco hadn't been her long time friend for years, Pansy would've hexed him to Bulgaria by now. His last Owl had been borderline offensive, and if she didn't know him better, she would've thought he was insulting her. But, she did know him. And she knew that he had purposely taunted her, in hopes that she would give in to her temper because it amused him whenever she was aggravated. She wasn't likely to entertain him today. No, she was too concerned about the rumours she was hearing. Because they were close friends for so long, she tended to be a bit protective of him.

The restaurant they had always met at was still as private and exclusive as ever. The food was unquestionably superb, and the service was flawless. Seated at their regular table, Pansy ordered a glass of their best burgundy; she had always favoured a rich red wine. Patiently, like a snake awaiting the perfect chance to strike, she waited for Draco to arrive. She was always one to arrive terribly early or fashionably late. Draco, on the other hand, was always punctual, right down to the second. She didn't expect him to arrive for another five minutes or so, giving her time to relax and think up ways of telling him he was daft.

Mobile Call: Harry to Hermione

2008-02-08T15:51:38Z

*breathes deeply*

*speed-dials Hermione's number*