unspeakablecharm

[unspeakablecharm]

Working alongside Hermione was always a nice change of pace and break from the monotony otherwise known as Unspeakable duties. She was not just a colleague, but a longtime friend too. None of the usual rules and statues of secrecy applied since she joined the ARC. For the first time, there was someone from Katie’s long line of friends she could actually talk about all the great current events with. There was no need to fret or tip-toe around any forbidden subjects with the omnipresent gag order always looming overhead like a dark cloud. It was a welcomed relief, as was the idea of not having to trek home to her lonely London flat after another long day of work.

Katie hadn’t actually been absorbing any of the new material printed in the umpteen books in front of her for a while now. Though her stomach was muted compared to Hermione’s, she too was feeling the adverse effects of hunger creep upon her like a predator stalks its victim in the night. Her eyes were heavy, weighted not with exhaustion but uncertainty. Hermione had posed many well-thought out theories about the Returned. The only problem was just that; there were so many, and they were all theories. It was difficult to nail down anything concrete. The evidence was lacking. Nearly two months into this whole debacle, and Katie could feel the toll it was having on her. She wondered if Hermione felt it too, assuming half as much. Then Theo must have too, which meant the entire council was potentially teetering uncomfortably between peril and uncertainty. None of them were free from its dark claws, eagerly waiting to strike whoever stumbled first.

“ Thai? ” Katie perked up upon her friend’s suggestion. It was a favorite of hers, which was evident by the grin on her face. “ I’d love some pineapple fried rice, ” she tapped her finger against her chin in heavy contemplation before quickly adding: “ And some spicy shrimp soup sounds nice too. Do you have a menu laying around? I will go halves with you. ” She smiled energetically. Nothing got Katie excited quite like the idea of dinner after a long day with hardly any nourishment. “ And do you know what goes excellent with Thai? ” A dangerous smirk quickly spread from one corner of her lips to the other as an idea entered her head. “ Wine. I have just the bottle for the occasion. ” She announced before rummaging through the black tote bag she discarded against the wall when she first arrived.

Where: Hermione’s Flat When: 19 August 2002 With: @unspeakablecharm

For once the work day had been a fairly calm one. All of the gears seemed to have begun to run a little more smoothly in the holding facility, and the returned that had been released seemed to be settling into the restrictions they had been given. There was still consistent paperwork and policies to consider, but Hermione and Katie happened to find themselves with time to discuss the strange circumstances of the Returned and their many theories behind their origins.

The pair of them became so wrapped up in their conversation, that it wasn’t until they reached the floo at the end of the work day, that they were about to have to break their flow and wouldn’t get to speak again until the next day. Hermione was not fond of being disrupted when she felt like she was making progress, so she didn’t hesitate in inviting Katie back to her place to continue the conversation, as well as go through the rather large number of books that she had collected on the topic.

They had been at it for hours now, books and notes spread about them in such a way that it made it look like the room had been hit by tornado. The only indication that either were given that maybe they should actually take a break, was the sudden loud interruption of the growl of Hermione’s stomach. “Think maybe I should order Thai,” Hermione admitted with a faint tinge to her cheeks. “Do you want anything?”

[unspeakablecharm]

[unspeakablecharm]

promo for the hpminorcharnet: Katie Bell

“At once, Katie rose into the air, not as Ron had done, suspended comically by the ankle, but gracefully, her arms outstretched, as though she was about to fly. Yet there was something wrong, something eerie… Her hair whipped her by the fierce wind, but her eyes were closed and her face was quite empty of expression… Then, six feet above the ground, Katie let out a terrible scream. Her eyes flew open but whatever she could see, or whatever she was feeling, was clearly causing her terrible anguish. She screamed and screamed…”

[unspeakablecharm]

03 March, 1997

Dearest Georgie ~ ( and I guess Fred too, though I can tell this isn’t your penmanship ) ,

I hope this owl finds you well ( quite literally—please make sure to help Blazer find his way home upon delivery ).

As you know, I’m always late to everything. It should come as no surprise this response arrived nearly six months late. As much as I would love to blame it on Blazer’s own error, you know how that pesky little bird is, I can’t. The truth is I’ve been a little ... indisposed. And I don’t mean like that one time we won the quidditch cup against Slytherin and hosted a victory celebration in the common room with your contraband Firewhiskey until Head Boy Percy ( and somehow your obnoxious brother ) rallied McGonagall to come break it up. How I miss those days.

I didn’t think anything would ever possibly be able to compete with that. Who knew necklaces could have such a wild side. Leave it to me to find out. Always flight or plight when it comes to yours truly. I’ve told this to Angie and Alicia numerous times before, but I’m pretty sure you guys only put up with me out of some kind of obligation. Who knows what I might do to my klutzy arse otherwise and if this isn’t proof, me nearly dying the one year I’m here all by my lonesome with none of my best friends then I don’t know what is. I’m still so fucking angry at all of you for that—and out of everyone you two had a choice.

Anyways, St. Mungo’s has practically been a vacation. Lots of rest, fun attire with my arse cheeks hanging out, and extraordinary company. Did you know Gilderoy Lockhart is in the Janus Thickery Ward and he accepts visitors? He autographed my copy of Magical Me my brother so kindly delivered last week. You should tip off your mum. I think she’d appreciate the sentiment. Though, I don’t think he remembered me as one of his star pupils. I tried to jog his memory, but he just stared blankly into the abyss. Though thinking about it, it might not be a bad thing he can’t remember me excelling in his class. Maybe there’s still a possibility of romance after all ... all jokes, mind you ( at least mostly ).

They are bringing me in my afternoon pudding now so sadly I must go. I really could write songs about the pudding here—and by that, I mean it is bloody awful. Someone really should teach whoever is staffed in the kitchens a thing or two about actual pudding. Please visit soon and bring real food ( AKA desserts—I want need real dessert finally ).

With love from the Underworld, Your favorite Chaser and best mate,

P.S. Rest assured. I refuse to let a necklace stop me from my plans of total world domination. 

When: 15 October 1996 With: @unspeakablecharm​

Dear Katie,

Ginny told us you beat up a necklace. Is it true you beat up a necklace? Getting into a row with the Slytherin Quidditch team is no surprise, but that thing must have really set you off to deserve such a swift punch in the throat. Still, we know you’re not easily provoked so I’m sure whatever it did was well-deserved.

In any case, we wish the best of recoveries to both you and the jewelry you got into a fist fight with.

Things on our end are going surprisingly well at the shop (Fred didn’t want me to say ‘surprisingly’ because it should come as no shock. And I agree with him, but it still feels a bit surreal and I already wrote it down so here we are). Can’t wait for another visit from you–promise we will have the kinks in the Electric Shock Shake actually worked out next time you come in, that way you can use it on that pesky necklace if you ever end up in another brawl.

We’re proud of you. Send our best and worst to the others.

As always,

(and Fred too, although he made me the scribe so I almost don’t feel he should sign this)

[unspeakablecharm]

spareheir​:

The woman spoke and Regulus groaned, truly having hoped she was a figment of his imagination. It had to be hell - or whatever the wixen version of it was. There was no other explanation for still having the mark on his left wrist and lacking clothes. Not to mention the decidedly annoying woman that mentioned no magic and no elf.

He didn’t say anything else, opting for pressing his lips together to form a thin line while he cautiously eyed the stranger. Magic being out of order was the one comment he filed away, knowing he would have questions about it later.

Regulus locked eyes with her once more then averted his gaze, taking a moment to look around the space they were in. He certainly couldn’t recall it from anywhere he had been before passing. His gaze shifted back when she spoke again and he made a face, not bothering with reaching forward to take the robes from her.

“I know for a fact I had a 100% silk shirt on,” He scowled and curled back into himself. “And designer trousers.” There was a beat of silence where he stuck up his nose then shook his head. “I’d take my old Hogwarts uniform over whatever that abysmal piece of fabric is.”

She cleared her throat and he raised an eyebrow to show he was listening, giving an eyeroll when she mentioned having questions. “You’re not getting anything out of me until I get a few questions of my own answered first,” He scoffed. “Where the hell am I and why should I give you my name if you haven’t given me yours?”

The Unspeakable dully noted his eye-roll all the while resisting the urge to mirror one of her own. That’s how they were going to play this. “ Silk? ” Katie scoffed. “ That’s a little outside of my pay-grade, but I would be more than happy to bring it up to my boss with you. ” Admittedly, he didn’t seem overly cooperative, but she hoped her initial instinct would quickly be proven wrong. Perhaps a little humor would ease his anxieties and help him slip back into livelihood. “ Not sure I can pull a Hogwarts uniform out my arse on command, but—well, let’s just say there have been a lot of firsts around here lately. ” Katie said highly amused, though was not entirely sure he would find her as equally as comedic.

" Would that make you feel more comfortable? ” The woman knit her brows together, her eyes carefully trailing across the details of his young face. “ Fine—I’ll level with you. My name is Katie, I’m an Unspeakable here in the Department of Mysteries. ” She bit into her cheek, humming idly to herself as she did so. “ If it wasn’t clear, you are in the Ministry, ” she spoke in a stern, matter-of-fact tone. “ Your rebirth falls into our jurisdiction, hence the welcome party and ornate decor. ” Clearly sarcasm was the third party present as she gestured between herself and the wispy black veil fluttering behind her. She abruptly had to swallow back the commentary he wasn’t dressed for the occasion.

“ I’ll tell ya what. Answer some of my questions and I’ll see what I can do about this unfortunate ... dressing situation. ” Again, it was out of her pay-grade, but she would certainly give it a shot. Katie personally knew she would not be too keen on slipping into those scratchy robes immediately upon rising from the dead either. Hospitality was apparently not the Ministry’s priority ( or strong suit ).  “ What is your name? ” She pressed the subject again. “ What is the last date you can recall? Can you recall anything at all besides your attire? ”

[unspeakablecharm]

⚰︎​ ( @fabianprewctt​ )

In a moment, there was life.

He stood on the brink, toes curling into the cold stone floor and breath, miraculous and troubling and confusing, seeping into his lungs. A fog lived inside of him, thick and comforting, crowding in close with the promise of rest if he would just close his eyes, just let it close over him and welcome him back. His lungs ached with the cold, with the gasp that followed the first, greedy for more and the stillness, the quietness, that murmured fondly in his ear.

Sleep. 

But there was something else there too — a rumbling of voices like thunder from a distance, a call that reached out over them that sounded like —

FABIAN—

— He knew that name and that voice. The fog protested, shushing and smothering in, but his head turned, unseeing towards that voice, towards the soft ripple of something in the air that lay just behind him if only he could take those steps backward just one or—

There was another voice now, louder and insistent. Hi, who— 

He didn’t know that one, didn’t much care to either, because the louder she was the less he could hear of the other one, the less he seemed to understand. His mouth moved silently, as if to answer, tongue tripping and numb, barely a rasp of a noise crawling out of his throat before, “No.”

He blinked. Once, then twice, the blurred ripples of grey and black and smeared peachy shapes in between reconciling to something, someone. Dread reared, like an ugly beast through the fog, understanding that this something stood between him and what lay behind him, behind the voice that seemed to fade and fade and—

He’d been in danger, hadn’t he? 

He and — and — 

Gideon. 

“Where—” it rasped out of him, punched out of his lungs as his senses suddenly, violently clawed their way out of the soothing attempts to subdue him and instincts attuned to survival took over. Between fight or flight, he’d always picked fight. The figure approaching was barely more than a smear in his vision, but his fist reeled back and slammed forward anyway as the echoes in his head began to scream.

You idiot. We need to run — we need to —

∏ ( @nottaciturn​ )

With his back to her, Theodore had no qualms about rolling his eyes. Three scoops of sugar ruined the drink. She was going to make herself sick one day and he wasn’t going to contribute to her poor health if he could help it. Not when she spent what seemed like every night baking sugar filled treats, if her constant mornings of forcing baked goodies on their team was any indication. “I know, Bell.“ He could practically feel her reproachful glare, didn’t need to see it to know exactly how stern she attempted to look. She was drawing something on her boots, the fiddling motion that wouldn’t cease grabbing his attention once or twice during the long night. That wasn’t regulation. That wasn’t allowed. He wouldn’t say anything of it to anyone but Katie could not believe she would get away with such blatant disobedience for long. “Keep your eyes on the curtain.” Theodore moved down the hall, taking a left then a right. Another right, two more lefts and he was in the staff room where the ever just boiled kettle waited for the poor souls stuck on the morning shift after an overnight. Or in his and his partner’s case, two full days in a row. The act of preparing their cups, putting a scoop of sugar in his and two in Katie’s was one of solace. He had begun to think clearer as soon as he had left the death chamber, the allure of the veil extended upon the whole room. It was as though the voices had left his head entirely and Theo found himself looking over his shoulder for someone standing there. No one was. He was entirely alone in the staff room. It was just his father’s voice still in his head, telling him to touch that dark fabric full of life at once. Drinks prepared, he made his way back to the Death Chamber with a well hidden reluctance. Even the possibility of discovering something about why people were returning to the land of the living in the first place didn’t inspire any true motivation to this assignment. He’d rather be in the research department. Not subject collection. Stalling at the door, after the twists and turns he now could navigate in his sleep, Theodore cast a warming charm on Katie’s cup and placed it on the small shelf outside the door. Food and drink weren’t permitted inside the chambers nor in any of the specialty rooms within the Department but some rules had been relaxed as their resources had grown thin. It was much preferred to have two Unspeakables on watch, one just barely within the confines of the room, then only one. With one hand on his cup and the other on the handle, Theodore opened the door and closed it quickly behind him at the sight of another naked man standing in front of the veil. Even the Returned were due some privacy. He hadn’t fallen onto the cushioned charmed floor. He was speaking to Katie. This was not how it was supposed to go. They all came through barely conscious. They didn’t converse. Ever the watcher, Theo paused as his hand brought his wand out and up. A quick glance to his watch noted the time, 10:17, and he flicked his wand to begin a timer, counting the seconds until the man fainted.  His wand shot out in front of him before he realized it. The silent stunning spell a base reaction at seeing a fist meet his partner’s face. Reactions may save your life but they weren’t how Theodore worked well. He had fired widely too far to the left, missing the man entirely and hitting Bell square in the chest with his wordless stupefy. Fuck. Fucking hell. He didn’t operate well under pressure and dueling was very much not his forte. Remembering to place his cup at the foot of the door, rules always the priority, Theo began taking the stairs two at a time down to the chamber’s floor. He didn’t dare fire again until he was closer to this anomaly. “Please stand down! You must be very confused, sir. We’re only here to assist you in getting some care.” Katie was so much better at this, speaking to them. Theo hardly knew what to say, surprised his voice had even reached a volume loud enough to carry across the room. Figuring he had closed enough distance, and Theo knew now he really may need his glasses not just for reading, he mumbled a quiet ebublio.

✿ ( @unspeakablecharm: )

It was safe to say today was not Katie Bell’s day. Despite heaps of naked wix practically falling from the sky and into her lap as of late, her luck still had not seemed to change.

First came the punch. It was violent and fierce, causing her neck to bend one hundred and eighty degrees as Fabian’s knuckles collided with the apple of her cheek. Her wand went flying into the air before bouncing off concrete and disappearing beneath the same stone bench Theo previously occupied. Fabian’s punch carried the weight of a rogue bludger striking in the middle of a quidditch match, which was perhaps the only reason Katie was able to regain stable footing rather than topple immediately to the ground. She was no stranger to this kind of force, even as unexpected in nature as the strike came. Darkness blurred and she swore stars briefly rotated in the outline of her weary vision. That’s going to leave a mark.

Of course it didn’t stop there. Time slowed. Katie could feel her panicked breathing intensify as the cold gritty atmosphere of the Death Chamber clawed against skin before penetrating her lungs. She opened her mouth to speak again—this man was certainly not okay judging by his aggressive demeanor, but she would do what she could to appease him.

Apparently though, that would be nothing.

Theo’s fight or flight instincts seemed to kick in ( Katie didn’t even know when he returned from his journey to the break room ) as a silent spell sprang from the tip of his wand. It happened so quickly, all the woman could do was stare blankly at the light as it beamed directly into her chest. It wasn’t the first time she had been on the receiving end of one of his spells, however, it was the first time neither of them were instructed to do so by their superiors. This was not a drill, which she was now discovering the hard way as her body temporarily crumpled to the floor. Disabled by her own partner rather than the naked, punch-throwing maniac who just came back from the dead.

The concrete floor was much colder under these pretenses. Unlike her previously crouched position allowing her to effortlessly color on her shoes, her entire body now draped against it. Despite being rendered unconscious, Katie could still somehow feel every crevice drawn into the floor beneath her as Theo’s voice flickered between dimensions. Godric, did he sound like he could use a hand too.

To bad he managed to run both of hers completely out of commission for the time being. 

[unspeakablecharm]

[unspeakablecharm]

dumbledore’s army: katie bell

strong and silent

[unspeakablecharm]

[unspeakablecharm]

Theo was so quiet Katie nearly forgot he was there. In fact, she would have had it not been for the long, drawn-out rant she was going off on. It was usually safe to say she would not be passionately bestowing a redundant Ted-Talk had it not been for his company, and one quick glance over her shoulder confirmed just that. Her partner sat ( quite uncomfortably judging by the looks of it ) on the slab of rock they tried passing off as a bench a large stretch away from her. She was opposite him, her back posed toward him and gaze set on the wispy black curtain—just mere strides away compared to his impressive distance.

Katie sat cross legged. She could feel the cold concrete through the fabric of her black and gold embroidered cloak. She was hunched over, doodling on the uniformed boots the Ministry presented to the pair earlier in the year along with a new set of matching uniforms. Much like the robes the Returned were expected to wear upon their arrival back to the world, the boots were exceptionally uncomfortable. They cramped her toes, pinching and poking. Certainly cutting off the circulation, she mused to herself. But alas, coloring the blooming pastel bouts of wildflowers cascading down vines and between laces made the idea of them at least a little more bearable.

Katie eyed her fellow Unspeakable’s boots from across the way as he stood up, jotting down a quick mental note to recreate her display on his own pair when the time permitted. “ Tea would be lovely! ” She chirped far too enthusiastically for someone who sat with heavy feet anchored beneath her body for an obscene amount of time. “ But I want three actual scoops this time. Don’t make me get into my sugar reserve. So help me Merlin. ” She said with a threatening glare as he retreated out the Death Chamber.

Theo’s footsteps echoed throughout the chamber until every trace of him was gone completely. Katie was left to her own devices and the solitude crept on her like fatal nightfall in the winter. The voices humming their dark lullabies from the other-side were more distinctive now. She averted her eyes from the curtain and continued coloring fiercely on her boots. The voices persisted, but she didn’t appear to mind them from this hunched over position on the floor—seemingly in her own picturesque world. The curtain itself was more intoxicating to her than anything. It had its own alluring energy that resonated very much with her own. Many saw it as an object, but to her it was alive; a deeply enhanced personification of everything one had to lose in this lifetime.

Katie stopped the wild coloring to briefly admire her masterpiece. She was quite pleased with the artwork so far and decided to switch boots while humming a face-paced Real McCoy melody beneath her breath ( occasionally stopping to toss in some of the lyrics now that Theo was gone ). The Unspeakable didn’t know if it was the inexplicable chill in the air or gut-wrenching sensation alerting her to look-up from the floor, but she was relieved she did so because that is when she witnessed another Returned miraculously step through the veil. She sprang from the floor and moved toward them with quick, but gentle strides. They hadn’t yet collapsed to the floor, which was unusual. Was it possible she imagined such a thing? She quickly batted away the uncertainty from her eyes as she rounded the arch’s large columns, coming face to face with the newly Returned.

“ Are you — hi, who — “ Katie stammered a bit hopelessly as she took in his presentation. Like all the others before him, he too was naked, but not unconscious. Not yet at least. The Unspeakable had not yet found herself in a predicament of this sorts before. She always anticipated having a few extra minutes to prepare for the face-to-face that came after. Now that she was caught completely off guard, she recognized the importance of preparation ( and the role Theo played in diligently maintaining such for them ). She stopped mid-movement, her wand draped at her side. “ Are you okay? ” Her hesitant voice cracked in the wix’s direction as her feet continued edging forward.

location: department of mysteries, death chamber

status: @unspeakablecharm @fabianprewctt

date: 03.07.02

Sitting primly on a cold stone bench, it could appear to some that Theodore Nott had fallen asleep at work. He was still, eyes closed and breathing steadily, but he was not sleeping. His shoulders were drawn too tight to be comfortable, back straight from years of being instructed to never slouch. He was simply doing his best to tune out the incessant chatter of his fellow junior Unspeakable, and partner, Katie Bell. He wasn’t sure he was aware it was possible for someone to speak at such a great length without interruption before he began his training and he had shared a common room with Daphne, Pansy and Draco in their youth. 

The only upside of this shift, their fourth on which had to be a violation of their contracts, was that Katie’s chatter droned out the whispering pleas from the veil. He had never asked her if she heard it as well, knowing from their superiors that some people did indeed hear the sounds of the other side making its way through the thin piece of fabric. After two weeks and four days without a single day off, the voice were getting harder to ignore. He knew the pull of magic when in its presence. The older arts lost to restricted sections of libraries and seized by Aurors because everything unknown must be evil and dark. His own home growing up had been filled with similar objects that called out to be held or put on. An enchanting murmur that begged you to get closer, told you to come appreciate the craftsmanship or inspect the intricate design before you found yourself in its grasp. (At least he knew Katie understood that much.) Theo didn’t move. He kept his distance from the veil at all times. 

Finding himself with a new appreciation for her, (and truly he did not have such a distain for Katie normally but his now longstanding exhaustion and worry was causing his patience to lessen by the minute) he opened his eyes and sighed. She never took the hint when he didn’t want to speak. At least she didn’t try to force him to join in her monologues. Pulling the sleeves of his robes up, Theo frowned at the time he found on his watch face. Still far too early. It had been his uncle’s, left to him after the man died in the war and he had hesitated to begin wearing it after he came of age but necessity required the ability to keep track of time. “Tea?” He inquired, cutting off whatever it was she was saying. “Yes. Two lemon wedges and three scoops of sugar.” He had tried her concoction once after a lot of prodding and he didn’t know how she drank that mixture regularly. 

[unspeakablecharm]

Date: 14 August, 2002, nearing midnight  Tagged: @snakesandscars & @nottaciturn

Every bone in her body screamed no. This was a bad idea. But what other choice did she have? There was only one person she could think of in that moment who could help and he wasn’t here. Katie took every precaution she could as she penned the vague message to her partner in crime. She purposely left her messy scrawl unaltered on the parchment so Theo would be able to distinguish the note came from her, aside from being delivered by her familiar owl Blazer.

The only issue is Blazer was becoming a bit senile in his old age, which wasn’t exactly reliable for a Junior Unspeakable trying to glide under the radar. You see, Blazer recalled where Theo lived—he had delivered him many strange trinkets before on behalf of Katie such as custards and strudels. It wasn’t entirely the old geezer’s fault the letter didn’t make it to its recipient either. Blazer soared toward the same window he always greeted Theo at before his furry body hurled itself into the glass pane with an unexpected smack. Apparently now his sight was starting to fade too because he didn’t recognize the glint of moonlight reflecting through the panes. After a few merciless attempts, the owl retreated from the sealed window covered by darkness.

Blazer knew better than to return a letter back to sender ( especially knowing the sender was already in a very fragile state when she sent it ) so he flapped the large width of his wings and rerouted his direction toward the opposite side of the flat. The owl spiraled toward the next window that he saw in an eclipse ( already forgetting about his last collision — stupid bird ). To his relief, this window was posed open allowing him to cascade inside along with the midnight summer breeze tousling his amber colored feathers.

Blazer took one look at the wix occupying the room and dropped the message on his lap, blissfully unaware they were not the intended recipient. He proceeded to spread his wings and gnawed uncomfortably at a scratch before ascending back into the vast night sky again. 

[unspeakablecharm]

make me choose → @gryffinodr asked: parvati patil or katie bell?

I know Katie. Off the pitch, she wouldn’t hurt a fly.

[unspeakablecharm]

Katie’s exuberance and admiration for everyone around her was not enough of a shield to anchor her through the countless interrogations—each one as unique and unpredictable as the Returned who steered the conversation forward. She lingered outside the room before entering and tentatively clearing her throat. “ Hi, ” she said back simply. “ This is the... processing room. ” She stumbled over her tongue looking for a phrase that felt more warm and comforting, as opposed to sterile and desensitizing like the processing room, but none came. It was hard to dress anything up given the circumstances, as Katie had already learned the hard way with the secondhand robes she was forced to bite back a smile and hand out to everyone as they stepped through the veil.

The Ministry should have really stepped up their hospitality game if you asked her, which is why she started stowing away treats for these little rendezvous. She knew they weren’t much outside of a necessary ice-breaker in an otherwise inconceivable situation. And though she’d never actually been dead herself ( only almost ), she figured some time away from this world required some type of treat to revitalize the senses again. She tried to put herself in the others’ shoes as best she could and, though she fell short, knew that was the one thing she would want. Today’s selection was a neatly packaged array of gingerbread tucked into her cloak pocket for later ( because who said gingerbread were strictly for the holidays? ).

“ Let’s start at the beginning. Your name is Benjy, right? Mine’s Katie. I’m with the Department of Mysteries. I’m sure by now you’ve been made aware of the unfortunate circumstances involving your... passing. ” She annunciated slowly as she gripped the edges of parchment in hand. This speech became increasingly difficult the more times she gave it. She was learning firsthand that this could be quite an overwhelming wave of emotions—one could easily drown in it if they weren’t careful. “ You and the others who all came back before you are quite the enigmas in our community, which is why this falls into our jurisdiction. ” She drummed the inside of her cheek in contemplation before deciding to close the file in front of her. Beneath the official Ministry file, she revealed a copy of today’s issue of The Daily Prophet. “ Today is August 3rd in the year 2002. Do you want to talk about the last day you remember? ” Katie slowly slide the paper toward him in case he needed to vet the information with his own eyes.

“ I’m sure you have some questions yourself. Is there anything you’d like to ask me? ” She quickly added as she forced a small smile.

Who: Benjy & Katie ( @unspeakablecharm )  When: August 3rd, 2002. Where: Department of Mysteries.

Benjy couldn’t stop curling his toes. The last thing he remembered was the lower half of his body being missing, before the Death Eaters made quick work on the rest. He remembered the stars, he remembered it all. 

Now his toes were back - as was everything else, and yet none of it made sense. As far as Benjy was aware, the only person that had ever returned from the dead was Jesus Christ - and even that was up for popular debate. His mother had always maintained her belief, grasping at the crucifix she wore around her neck whenever something went wrong. She even believed after her son developed literal magical powers. 

Jesus Christ aside, Benjy felt like he’d re-entered the world missing a few brain cells. Everything felt fuzzy, and he was sure he was moving much slower than he used to. Used to. He felt like he’d never left, and yet those words that the Unspeakable who scooped him off the floor had murmured rang around his head. You died. It was only natural, he supposed, that after returning to life it would take some time to get a grasp on things. How the hell had he come back from the dead?

Now he was sat in a sparse room, curling his toes and flexing his fingers while he waited for something. Really, he didn’t know what he was waiting for - but he’d been alone for what felt like a long time. A door opened behind him, and his fingers clenched into a fist. He had no wand, but he could still defend himself the old fashioned way if necessary. Shoulders tensed, Benjy turned his head towards the woman who entered the room. He’d spotted her among the group of unspeakables that had been in the chamber. He frowned, before asking cautiously. “Hello…mind telling me what we’re doing in this here room?”

[unspeakablecharm]

[unspeakablecharm]

Katie prodded the door open with one uneasy finger before peering her head inside the bathroom. To her surprise voices flitted across the porcelain tile, which alerted her she wasn’t alone. She immediately felt her shoulders ease back upon this discovery. She hated using the restroom at the Three Broomsticks ( especially by her lonesome ), but it had to be done. The acclimation of butterbeer and firewhiskey ran wildly through her veins, and subsequently ran through her like a waterfall. She couldn’t ignore the tingling sensation of nature calling just like she couldn’t ignore the painstaking reminder of what occurred within these walls and followed behind her like a shadow to the present day. The Three Broomsticks always brought solace to Katie throughout all the highs and lows of Hogwarts though and she knew she could never give that up. That was the compass that always led her back.

“ Oh, you guys are talking about the Tri-Wizard Tournament when You-Know-Who returned? ” She inquired as she stepped foot inside the lavatory. “ Talk about chaos. I think everyone had a difficult time processing what went down that year. ” She admitted thoughtfully as she gnawed into her lower lip. Voldemort returned. Many didn’t believe Harry, despite Cedric being murdered in cold blood. Then there was the whole issue of their Defense Against the Dark Arts professor turning out to be a convicted Death Eater, which in her opinion was far worse than the sting of a morally conscious werewolf the previous year.  “ Should’ve known that year was going straight to the shitter when they cancelled quidditch, ” she quickly added with a hearty chuckle.

Katie didn’t peg herself as the type who typically intruded upon others’ conversation, but she always enjoyed a tantalizing and energizing chat with her fellow wix at the pub. She could never walk away when an opportunity as such presented itself. It was how she let loose after a tiresome day and this was a topic she could enthusiastically invest herself in. “ Not that the following year was any better, but— ”  Katie trailed off, her inebriated brain only registering what the other wix said about the broken loo moments after the fact. Her eyes dashed to the toilet where, lo’ and behold, the mug sat drenched in its bowl.

“ Oh, what a waste of a perfectly good half-a-drink, ” she said with a sad drop of her head. “ I hope whoever lost it is fairing alright. ” Katie hummed more so to herself as she idly clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth. She only jolted forward when Doris unexpectedly sprang up from her spot perched on the sink. “ Know me? ” The wix said seemingly shocked. By now she had nearly forgotten why she journeyed into the loo thanks to the cocktail of liquids warming her from the inside out. “ Probably not. ” She said with an absentminded shrug. “ But I do venture here occasionally. Whenever I can break free of the Ministry’s sharp claws. ” She laughed again with a semblance of ease. “ I’m Katie, by the way. Katie Bell. ”

who: @unspeakablecharm where: the three broomsticks when: 6th of august, 2002

     Flooing to The Three Broomsticks seemed Doris’s best chance at getting uninterrupted time at a bar (uninterrupted by her standards meant not getting kicked out - was it that she was better behaved here? or perhaps that The Three Broomsticks didn’t have as strict of rules as other bars?), and so she did – some several hours prior, now. She’d occupied her time by chatting overzealously with the bartender, slurping on foaming butterbeers, and giving unsolicited advice to other Wixen who entered the restroom after she’d taken to perching sloppily upon the sink counter. 

     "–cannot understand how the whole lot of you never once believed Harry when he said You-Know-Who was back. Was right there with ‘im all along. Didn’t question it for a minute; and meanwhile the Ministry’s out saying he’s full of it,” Doris had accosted a wizard right as he’d entered the room; he still had not used the toilet, visible in the way he was shifting uncomfortably from leg to leg. He seemed too polite to excuse himself, but cast a pleading look over his shoulder as the door opened to a newcomer. 

     “Nope! Tell ya who’s full of it. The Minis– oi!” Doris’s voice was directed towards the woman who’d walked in, “Don’t use the first stall. Someone’s left their mug in the toilet, tried to flush it or something.” She’d never admit that it was she who’d accidentally dropped her own half-drank pint and thought to flush it down to get rid of her mistake (it clearly had not gotten rid of it, but instead suctioned the bottom of the glass into the water drain). She looked up finally when the wizard had taken advantage of her distraction and rushed to a stall; Merlin, did this woman’s face look familiar.

    Scrutinizing her for a moment longer, Doris decided it was much too difficult to place her and   abruptly stood up. “Hold on. I know you. Don’t I?”

[unspeakablecharm]

mrcrouch:

She knew him somehow. Not unusual, he’d made quite a name for himself among Wixen with criminal and Dark intentions. His suspicious stare deepened then suddenly bloomed into understanding, even recognition. His entire posture relaxed. Everything made sense. It explained the access she had, explained her grumpy teasing of him.

“Arabella. “ She didn’t look to have aged a day, even if she’d always had a fairly young face. Barty gave a small chuckle and pocketted his wand, batting hers lightly. “No need for that. I suppose you’re surprised to see me.” He raised his now empty hands in mock innocence. “Don’t worry, I don’t have a last minute memo for you to duplicate and send around.” 

“How are things with Monica?” He always made a point to learn the names of his more senior colleagues and their significant others, and indeed he’d even attended Arabella and Monica’s wedding. Partially because it would look good in the Prophet for him, but also because she was a good worker and if he ever wanted to claw his way out of the DIMC he’d need contacts and allies.

The wix narrowed her eyes on him completely confounded. Amnesia was not a known side-effect experienced from returning beyond the abyss outside of trauma and Katie assumed Barty would not have been released and left to his own devices inside the Ministry if it he wasn’t at least a shred coherent. This entire exchange was increasingly alarming. Katie felt the panic close in on her when he batted at her wand. She didn’t intend to do anything. In fact it took all her strength in that moment not to unleash a wordless hex on him. She gave herself a mental pat on the back for preserving through the daunting task, knowing if she were Theo then this matter would already be resolved.

“ I don’t know what you’re playing at, but I don’t know a Monica,” Katie snapped, her hands idly tightening around the base of her wand. “ And I certainly don’t duplicate memos. ” She said with mild offense.

Theo’s voice rattled in her head. She shouldn’t let this go on any longer. What if he really was trying to infiltrate the Department of Mysteries? The pendulum of time stopped moving as Katie lost control, which rarely happened. The wix genuinely did not intend for anything bad to happen, but by the time she was aware of her actions a stream of red light was already flooding from the tip of her wand and colliding with Barty square in the chest. The internal booming of Stupefy echoed in her head and jolted her bones awake.

[unspeakablecharm]

There were less straws being drawn in the Department of Mysteries than one would assume—instead, a silent understanding lingered between two junior Unspeakables. Katie didn’t mind getting her hands dirty. It was what she was seemingly best at. Theo had his own fortes. He was more brains while she, the brawn ( both beauty if you asked her honest opinion ). The wix also tended to have more decorum than her counterpart. She was a people person and could juggle the responsibilities that went hand in hand with such. While Katie admittedly didn’t know Remus well, when the topic of the full moon presented itself she knew there was no debate on who should handle this. It had to be her—for the sake of Hermione, Harry, and everyone else she knew who cared deeply about Remus.

Hermione’s worries were pressing down on her too. They fluttered around in her head, flapping their wings like stray birds she couldn’t rid herself of. Katie reminded herself to breathe, a sentiment she needed reminding of far too often, as Remus quietly approached. His question was unexpected in nature. After a brief internal debate she offered him as honest a smile as she could before confessing: “ Actually no, I wanted to be here. I know it probably doesn’t mean much, but I want to support you any way I can. ” She moved her eyes between his face and the book in hand a bit hesitantly before speaking up again: “ How are you holding up? ” It sounded so stupid when it rolled off her tongue, but she had to ask.

Where: Reinforced Observation Room, Ministry Date: 22 August 2002 With: @unspeakablecharm​

I feel like…like my skeleton is going to hatch. It was how he had described the days before the full moon to Peter once upon a time. A ridiculous sentiment that had drawn speculative looks from the other boy, but it was true. He was tired and felt entirely wrong in his own skin, his bones already aching in anticipation of the change that would come later that evening. What’s worse is there would be no wolfsbane this time, and no animagi. He would say he was used to it, but there was no getting used to this. Not to mention the anxiety of not knowing how the Return would affect the wolf. None of this, other than his tired demeanor, was obvious on his features as he approached Katie with a book in hand, prepared for long hours of doing not much of anything. 

“Unspeakable Bell. Draw the short straw this evening?” He forced what he hoped was a kind smile.