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Post by Coralie Rianne Lupin on Sept 10, 2009 15:12:40 GMT -5
Coralie cleared the scarred oak table halfheartedly, her hands shaky from sheer exhaustion. She had worked for twenty hours straight yesterday, just to go out on an Order run that night. She had had two hours of sleep before they had come to the current safehouse for the meeting, and now, it seemed she was on cleanup crew. The house that currently was headquarters was what had- at one point- been Coralie's parents house. It had been inherited John Jr., her elder brother, but he had allowed Jack, her other brother since deceased, to live there after their parents had died because he already had a home and family. Since Jack's death, the house had fallen to disrepair. It had been Cora's idea to suggest it for the Order- it wasn't like anyone had been there in a very long time.
Cora sat down for a moment, trying to catch her breath. She was so tired that her vision was blurring, but now wasn't the time for sleep. There was still so much to do- finish cleaning the kitchen, go home and make sure her children were okay, catch a few hours of sleep, then go back to work to do inventory.
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Post by Lily Ann Evans-Potter on Sept 10, 2009 16:32:40 GMT -5
She stood outside the new house with her face turned up towards it. A skeptical look going over lovely features. There was bound to be something not right here. The place seemed to be a touch..untouched, not lived in. Creepy Mommy Harry would say to her. She smiled in thought of her children the one good thing that shone out in the center of everything. She shook her head and made sure the kerchief was firmly tied over her flaming locks. No need for getting paint in her hair. All she needed was teasing about her children driving her white haired. She tried the door and found it unlocked and slipped into the place her boot heels clicking on the worn wooden floors that could use some carpeting she noted mentally. She still had the rugs she took up from redecorating her house. She tipped her head to the side and listened carefully for sounds of life before calling out at all. She didn't want to startle and cause someone to fall off a ladder or worse. It had happened to her before, and she'd landed rather roughly on her backside. It had been an unpleasent memory to say the least. "Hello..." she called "Hope I'm not late for the cleaning party." her tone sing song.
Her wide grin faltered for a moment and her green eyes narrowed slightly at the sight of her best friend. "Alright Cora ?" she asked her as she sat down the bag she carried with her which held the things she'd brought with her including lunch. Concern was clearly eteched across her features as she pulled up a chair as well in the kitchen. "You know I'd say we could get the others to do this..but I would worry for the structure. You know what would happen if the boy's got in here." Lily rolled her eyes faintly. It would likely turn into a paint fight, and that something would get broke..or or someone. The red haired woman still didn't seem convinced of this as she leaned foward to brush Cora's hair out of her eyes. "Really, your alway beautiful, but don't you think you could do with some rest ?" she asked. She couldn't imagine Remus would be pleased with the condition she was in. Lily made a tsking sound. "Is there anything I can help with you look half passed dead." she said as she glanced around producing her wand, and setting some dust towels to work while she talked to Cora. No use to be idle
The broom itself set to sweeping up the hallway though she was still keeping her ears open for the sound of foot falls that would tell her Maddie was going to be showing up soon.
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Post by Coralie Rianne Lupin on Sept 10, 2009 16:55:12 GMT -5
Cora's eyes flew open when she heard her name, and she looked around for a moment in confusion, getting her bearings. Wow, you know you're tired when you fall asleep sitting at the table. She rubbed her eyes and looked up at Lily, offering her a conspiratorial smile. "Just tired." As if to emphasize the point, she yawned, covering her mouth as Lily brushed some of her curls out of her face for her. "It'd be a bloody mess, is what." Cora said bluntly, hiding a smile.
"I won't even argue that I need sleep. The problem is finding time to do so." Thinking she might be able to wake up more if she stood, Cora got to her feet, running her hands through her tangled hair. "Whatever you want to start with, have at it." Coralie shrugged, picking up the rag she had been using to scrub the table. "So... what's up in the life of the lovely Mrs. Potter?"
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Post by Madison Renée Black on Sept 10, 2009 18:24:06 GMT -5
"You have got to be freaking kidding!" Reaction to the house not entirely appropriate, Madison didn't really care about that. One look at the place told her why she had been asked to come early - along with Lily and Coralie. As if keeping up Grimmauld Place wasn't enough of a battle, now she had to help with another of those dilapidated buildings that hadn't been lived in in years. "I deserve an Order of Merlin for this.." She groaned, reluctantly walking up the stairs to the front door. No lock was in place to keep her out, so she slipped in on near-silent feet - a habit taken up from years of living in Grimmauld Place, where portraits were liable to shriek obsenities and blood status-related slurs at you.
The sound of familiar voices reached her ears right when she walked in, so with a shake of her head, she headed in the directions where she heard them coming from. She didn't know where she was going, but that didn't make much of a difference.
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Post by Lily Ann Evans-Potter on Sept 11, 2009 3:54:44 GMT -5
The poor dear was sound asleep at the table realizing this a little bit of guilt ran through her. She pushed her hair back from her face and sighed softly. "I am so sorry Cora I didn't know you were sleeping." she said as she motioned to the table. "Can't be all that comfortable." she added in a lower tone. She was still worried for her. Of all the wives Coralie was the one she was closest to. She and Cora had shared secrets that no one else knew. It was only right seeing as Cora was her personal secrets keeper and vice versa. She didn't need the Fidalis charm to keep from speaking on there. It was her honor and her love that kept her from doing so. She was the only one who even knew anything about Lilith. In there little group. Of course the last person who had refered to the as the Stepford Wives, had been jinxed. It was never nice to taunt witches who were possibly worse then the men they were married to. "Yes it would, the place would be plastered with silly string or something." she laughed softly. Her gaze going over the place Lily began to wave her wand around the place and had the mop start working. House charms were never her favorite thing. She was good at them though.
"I think you need a night off.." she said with a shake of her head slightly. 'You know if you need me to I can children sit for you Cora." she said "So you and Remus both can get some rest." her tone low. " Its not like James and I do a whole lot these days. Children would be welcome from my sewing...I feel like an old maid these days." she mused but stopped hearing the clatter from the other room. Her face lit up in a smirk even though her eyes were slightly sad. "I think Maddie's here." she winked. 'Oh, the normal you know..Lilith had a surge of powers, just like I suspected she would...eventually I am wondering if its too young, but I don't really think so." she said with a shake of her head. "All my children are destined wizards and witches." she mused. "Other than that, nothing special I mean I've been shopping in London and in Hogshead I desperately want to visit Harry at school. Its like empty nest syndrome but I don't have an empty nest at all." her tone light.
She peeked her head out of the kitchen and tried to detect the direction that Madison was coming from. Failing that she revered to the childhood method of relating anything. "WERE THIS WAY MADDIE IN THE KITCHEN! " than she shot her best friend an apologetic look. "Sorry bout that." she said sheepishly.
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Post by Coralie Rianne Lupin on Sept 11, 2009 10:40:29 GMT -5
"It's all right- I shouldn't have been sleeping anyway." Cora yawned again and shook her head, wishing she had coffee. She felt Lily's eyes on her and she looked up, meeting the other woman's eyes before shaking her head imperceptably. She knew that Lily worried about her, but she would be fine. Cora was more worried about Lily- about what might happen to her should James ever find out about her dirty little secret. While Cora was pretty sure that Remus would put it together eventually- and with his warped mind Sirius probably already had- it wasn't going to be from her lips, that was for sure. Cora's bond with Lily was different than that she had with Maddie, and while Cora shared secrets with both of them- there was no one she trusted more in the world, not even (if she was being completely honest) Remus- Lily was the only one she had made a secret keeper. Granted, Lily used the bond more than she did (as all Cora ever complained of out loud were minute things, preferring to keep her darkest secrets locked away, even from her best friends,) but the option was there if she ever needed it. "Which, for the record, is a bitch to clean out of carpet." Coralie smirked dryly, finally throwing the rag in the sink and moving to clean the counters instead.
"I'm fine, Lily." Coralie said softly, not looking at her. She hadn't felt like herself lately, that was true, but she would get over it. She always did. "The twins? They're fine, too... quiet, and about to leave for school." Cora's hand on the rag began to shake ever so slightly and she made a face the other witch couldn't see. Remus had won that battle, but it didn't make her feel any better about it. "Remus..." She said, looking at the other woman. Her voice had an odd note to her voice, as if it took her a minute to even recognize the name.
"I doubt it is. You remember Maddie's twins- I swear they were causing things to explode from the age they were two. I'm sure Lilith is fine." She winced when Lily began yelling and quirked a brow at her, turning when Maddie joined them. Coralie couldn't help but smile- while Lily might know her secrets, Maddie knew her. It was eerie the way she could predict what Coralie was thinking, and what she was about to do. Granted, they went a long way back, but still. "Bout time you got here."
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Post by Madison Renée Black on Sept 11, 2009 16:45:52 GMT -5
Drawn out of looking around the hallway with a jerk when Lily shouted - that had to have been what she did, as it sounded to Madison like the red-head was standing right next to her when she did it - she rolled her eyes and managed to find the kitchen a moment later. Walking in through the doorway, she spotted the other two around the table - Coralie sitting, Lily lurking nearby almost protectively and like a mother hen around the other woman for some reason. Giving Lily a crooked smile for the earlier shout, she then looked to Coralie and folded her arms. "Yeah, yeah. I know I was supposed to be here earlier than this, no need to make me feel bad about it." Her tone was teasing, as she knew Cora was messing around. "But I couldn't get in a hurry, so you'll just have to pardon the belated arrival. Both of you." She caught Lily's eye at that point, knowing the two had been talking away before she arrived. She hated interrupting something like that.
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Post by Coralie Rianne Lupin on Sept 11, 2009 20:58:31 GMT -5
A hint of her younger self showing, Coralie stuck her tongue out at Maddie instead of responding. Now that Maddie was there as well as Lily, Cora was feeling more lighthearted, though still not less tired. These two were her best friends, and they accepted her for who she was- and who she had been. She might not tell them every thought she had, but she knew that she could tell them, and that they would listen.
"You haven't missed much. Lily's giving me crap for falling asleep at the table." She smirked at Maddie, knowing if anyone understood the reason behind that it was her. "Comparing notes on the kids. The usual. Speaking of kids, how are yours? How's Sirius?" The last question was slightly pointed.
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Post by Lily Ann Evans-Potter on Sept 12, 2009 1:04:40 GMT -5
"That's rubbish Cora, sleep where you can." she said with a hand on the hip the typical defending her from herself look on Lily's face. She was probly the most motherly of the three though they were all mothers. Her affections and concerns didn't just reach to her fellow wives children but to them as well. It was clear that she was care-giver from school on out. She tended to favor the underdog which was what always landed her in trouble. Opposite of the Marauders too on many occassions. Siri had even though she was stuck up, and thought herself to good to go out with James. That hadn't been it she'd told him than as she sometimes told him now. He needed to grow up. or maybe it was just that she was to grown for him. She didn't know her relationships were all a mass of mush and she weighed through it the best she possible could. Than there was Lilith. Eight years ago and to make it all the harder around Saint Valentines Day her parents had passed in a car accident or that was what they said it was and Lily had to go home. She couldn't take the kids she didn't want to subject them to Petunia ridicule and she couldn't bring James because that would make it worse. So she'd gone alone and it had been a very lonely time in her life. She was by herself even surrounded by people, and she grasped for something that was familiar something that was safe and reminded her of her childhood with her parents. Severus had been there, since he had already told Petunia at least once in no uncertain words she didn't scare him and he could give a damn about her opinion. "Ohh, tell me about...Harry got into the funny string from New Years at one point and he drew on the living room carpet with it. It was adoreable, I have a picture..but oh..getting it out. Took potions work." she nodded with a shake of her head. She loved Harry he had personality but it was tempered by her common sense. All her children were singular in some way. From her oldest to youngest.
She was no mind-reader but she was worried for Cora, she seemed so tired, so out of it lately. "Well you know you have my ear anytime you need it Cora." she murmured softly and hugged her in a warm embrace. Sometimes there was nothing to be done for it. Moods were moods and she knew that being constantly asked what was wrong was just nerve wracking she knew from experience. "Yeah, school is going to be starting soon, Harry too." she nodded slightly.[pink]"I think that his little brother is envious, he wants to badly to go to Hogwarts too, but he's still a bit too young for that."
[/color] she murmured as she settled herself back against the table. Her bag opening as she set out food onto the table. Including a box of coffee from the Coffee Shop. " Good thing no one noticed my bag." she said with a chuckle. Pouring the young woman a cup setting the cream and the sugar near her. "I shouldn't be encouraging your lack of sleep." she murmured. Not that Lily herself had been sleeping the best either. She was just sunny in personailty most of the time that it wasn't noticeable. At the mention of Remus she blinked and tipped her head to the side. "What happened ?" she asked. "Is Remus okay..I mean..." she faltered over her words. To her Remus and Cora seemed so happy. Madi and Siri were the explosive pair and she and James knew how to put on airs she supposed. "Yeah, thats how it was with Harry." she said with a soft little sigh. "He actually made the pipes burst in a building we were in. In downtown London while Christmas Shopping." she murmured with a sigh. "Lilith..she's like me..I use to you..know..float." her words whispered. "I wanted to be a balloon or a kite.." she said wistfully. "Touch the clouds." she came back to herself though and nodded. "Yes, Lithie will learn I am sure. I suspect its just because our kids are exceptional...troublemakers." she giggled and smiled also to Maddie as she joined them into the room. "Moring Maddie." she said fondly. "Or..Afternoon." she added. She didn't begrudge the girls there deeper connection the same could be said of her and Severus though that was because they knew each other forever. Lily smiled and waved her in offering her a cup of coffee as well. " You haven't missed anything gripping ." she said "Lilith is turning to be more like me than I expected." she laughed 'Thats all..how are you ?" she inquired. The giggle that followed wasn't forced when it felt like they were back in Hogwarts because Cora was sticking her tongue out at Maddie. "Yeah, hows the family ?" she beamed. [/blockquote][/blockquote][/font]
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Post by Madison Renée Black on Sept 12, 2009 1:28:31 GMT -5
Unable to keep from smiling at Lily's usual sunny disposition and Cora's teasing, Madison gave up standing away from them and walked over to the table. It was just like old times, and that was quickly clear - something she was very glad of, what with how things had been going recently. "Family does seem to be the topic to get caught up on."
She laughed at Lily's explanation, not entirely surprised that Lilith was turning out like her mother. The similarities in demeanor and behavior of the two were already very striking. "I'm almost afraid to ask, but what's been happening with her?"
Catching Cora's pointed question, she shook her head and took Lily up on the offer of coffee, finding she needed it - especially after the partial day of work she'd suffered through. "The kids are fine. The twins are their usual selves, but thankfully they haven't destroyed anything valuable recently. Astrid's getting more and more excited to go off to school, so I've been taking time to help her get ready. Sirius..loaded question." She gave a slightly strained laugh, taking a few swallows of the coffee before continuing.
"We had another blow-out after I talked to you about the situation, Cora." She winced a little at the memory - it had been made worse when the portrait of Walburga woke up and screeched a handful of very painful and cutting insults at her, almost as if she was defending her disowned son. Almost. "We shouted for a while, and once I figured out what in Merlin's name was bothering him, we got it sorted. I had to promise to stop taking overtime, spend more time at home with the family and actually get a full night's sleep. Fancy that."
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Post by Lily Ann Evans-Potter on Sept 12, 2009 8:24:15 GMT -5
She gave Maddi that grin again and shook her hair holding her own cofee cup close so the warmth kept the chill away. "Ah..the usually." she said with a long suffering sigh. "Has thus far, grown gills in the bathtub..that was fun..she bounced..actually bounced down the steps...and she's a floater like me. She gets giggly sometimes it happens." she said with a fond little smile. "I recall floating as a little girl." her tone soft "Right off my swing." she grinned "I carry ribbons just in case I have to tie her down..nothing like having the Ministry ticked at me. if were shopping in London." she rolled her eyes.
"Seems nothing is so happy in Marauder land these days eh ?" she murmured as she undid the kerchief over her red hair and shook it free. Running a hand through it. "Its just seems so similar yet so different these days." though she did smile. "Oh, yes Harry is abuzz about going to the school too he wants to know what every little thing is like. His father has convinced him he's a quidditch champion already I just hope he's as good as his father thinks." she said making a face "I'd be sad for him if he was disappointed." she added with a sigh. Sipping her coffee. Talk at least of her children made her animated and happy.
"Sounds like the argument me and Cora should be having." she said glancing to Maddie with a wink. "So here goes." she took a deep breath. "You need more sleep so you don't sleep on something as unfortunate as a table. We all love you and are worried." she rested her chin in her hand. "Does that cover all the bases ?" she inquired. 'Now I am more than prepared to be yelled at." she said. It seemed the girls had more communication with each other than there husbands. "Since I can't say I know what the situation is." though she didn't mind being left in the dark there were things about her no one else knew.
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Post by Coralie Rianne Lupin on Sept 12, 2009 22:52:07 GMT -5
"Well, I'm glad you guys got it figured out." Cora said honestly, smiling at Maddie. Though fighting wasn't bizarre in that Maddie and Sirius fought- it was how they blew off steam. Whatever worked- it certainly seemed to work better than Lily and James' system of ignoring it completely, or her and Remus' submission to each other.
She made a face when Lily began lecturing her. She knew it had been coming, she just didn't know when. "Urgh, are you all channeling Remus today? Lily, I appreciate the concern, really, but I'm fine. I'm not going to die because I pull long shifts for a month in order to pay for my childrens' textbooks. When they go back to school, I'll spend a week in bed. Or, more realistically, a few days. I swear."
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Post by Madison Renée Black on Sept 13, 2009 11:24:53 GMT -5
Listening to Lily speak of her family, Madison smiled - to observers, the Potters were one of the most loving and put-together wizarding families, not to mention the infamy. The Marauders all shared the distinction, of course. "As am I. I hated the thought of having to get his attention in a more..violent manner." Offering a response to Cora's statement, she smiled in return, then nearly laughed when Lily decided to be her usual mothering self. Sipping her coffee, she wisely chose to stay out of this one - if it were her lecturing Cora, she would take a far different approach. But she wasn't, and this was rather amusing to watch.
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Post by Lily Ann Evans-Potter on Sept 14, 2009 4:49:01 GMT -5
Time is a wheel in constant motion [/size] Always rolling us along[/size][/color] Tell me who[/size] Wants to look back on there years and wonder[/font] [/size] Where Those Years have Gone[/size] [/b][/center] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ She smirked when Cora said that they had it all figured out. "Figured out us ?" she laughed with humor. "No I doubt that were just really good at bluffing and pretending we do." she said with a wink to Cora. Glancing to Maddie as well her lips quirked up at the side. Lily didn't much talk about her life with James he wasn't the bad sort, he had been a bit of a bully in school yes. She just felt like he went after her because she was beautiful and because she was one of the few girls to turn him down flatly the big quidditch star. Cora had been too, and she'd have sooner gone on a date with Cora and Lily certainly didn't swing that way. She felt like a trophey honestly but who would listen and understand that. They seemed so well put together.
Lily gave her the apologetic look once she had given her the little lecture "Yes I know that you don't want to hear that from me. Yes I am aware you are a grown woman and yes I know that you could certainly use so rest. I won't push it I just had to say it. You know it was needed and had to be said, and I am the one who usually open my mouth you know that." she gave herself a self mocking look. "I can help everyone but myself." she rolled her eyes faintly at that. "I would but I decided to take on the job of Charms Professor at Hogwarts." she said.She wanted to be closer to Harry, mostly she wanted to be closer to all there children if Severus's worries were to be founded in anything but concerns. it was rare that his worries were in vain. "So who wants to come live in my office ahead of time, due to trouble making ?" she asked with amusement.
"Yes, you might need the magic newspaper Maddie.." she said with a smirk. Glancing over to her after speaking to Cora. "Though it seems to work for you the fire like nature." she finished her coffee and refilled her cup. Moving to order stuff around more to get cleaning done.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Partner(s) In Crime:[/color]Cora Lupin & Maddie Black Status:[/color] Finished Outfit:[/color] Cleaning Clothes ^^ Comments:[/color] Word Count:[/color] 554 Listening to:[/color]Shout-Disturbed[/size]
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Post by Coralie Rianne Lupin on Sept 14, 2009 11:14:45 GMT -5
"That's what you've got us for- we'll take care of you, since you seem so hell bent on taking care of me." Cora stuck her tongue out at Lily. She knew that her friends only wanted the best for her, and that they weren't trying to insult her. Still, they didn't seem to get it. She doubted they ever would. They were both rich through their marriages, and Maddie, if she had wanted, could sit at home and do nothing for the rest of her life. So could Lily. Coralie didn't have that option. She didn't grudge them for it (such was the way of things,) but sometimes it was hard to relate.
She blinked when Lily said she had gotten a job, and Cora stared at her. She had a feeling it was more than wanting to keep an eye on Harry, but she couldn't say anything about her suspicions in front of Maddie, as the whole mess with Severus and Lily was Lily's to share, not hers. "That's.... great." Trying to lighten up, she smirked. "I volunteer Maddie. You might want to set up a cot for her behind your desk."
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