Alicelxngbottom - There Is Thunder In Her Heart

@frxnkislong

@alamoody

mxrymacs​:

@alicelxngbottom​

She hadn’t been short on visitors in the past few days.  Friends had streamed in and out of her flat, with Greta being a welcome constant.  The visitors were both a comfort and a reminder that something was wrong.  She appreciated the distraction, the people to feed and to make tea for.  She appreciated not being left alone to her thoughts, to not have to dwell on everything that was wrong any more than was absolutely necessary.

When she walked into the living room after taking a shower she was unsurprised to see Alice sitting on the couch, fairly sure that Greta had let her in.  She had changed from one of Emmeline’s sweaters to another.  It was much too long, but it helped her continue to go through the motions, to not dwell on the things she couldn’t control.  She trusted that Mr. Moody was keeping his promise.  She trusted that Dorcas was doing what she could from the inside.  And she had to trust that they would let her know what she could do to help.  And in the end, the best thing that she could do was keep herself from completely falling apart.  Then she’d be of no use to anyone. 

“Hi Alice,” she smiled softly, joining her on the couch.  “Did Greta offer you some tea?  If not I can go put the kettle on?”

...

Alice was well aware of the situation going on with Emmeline; despite the fact that she was supposed to be stepping back from a lot of active work with the Order due to her pregnancy, she was still a leading member, and it wasn’t as if she could just turn off the switch and go on maternity leave from caring about those she had come to consider family. So while she wasn’t involved in any of the plans they were scheming about, she was there to scheme and suggest and plan alongside Moody and Kingsley and Albus. 

She had been so busy with that, in fact, that Alice realized far too late that three days had already passed without going to check in on Mary. Pregnancy brain or not, there was no excuse for not being there for Mary when her young friend needed her the most. So leaving the Auror office early, Alice stopped by one of her favorite bakeries for some pastries and her favorite restaurants for takeout before heading to Mary and Emmeline’s flat. Greta kindly let her in and then made herself scarce, so Alice was just sitting on the couch waiting when Mary got out of the shower and wandered in. Her face broke out into a smile at the sight of Mary, and she took it as a good sign that Mary was able to smile back, however weakly. Of course there was nothing comforting or good about the situation that they were all in, but Alice was glad that Mary was managing to hold herself together. 

“Hi, Mare,” she said softly, her gaze turning sympathetic. At the offer of tea, Alice nodded. “Tea would be lovely.” She knew Mary well enough to know that the younger witch was a caretaker by nature, much like Alice, and she also knew that Mary would find comfort in being able to take care of others, a comfort that Alice would never take away from her now. “I also brought some chinese and pastries.” 

FIN.

alicelxngbottom​:

Alice laughed, nodding in agreement with Marlene’s sentiment. These parties, however lavish and grand, were nothing short of dull. Alice had hated them as a child; though her parents didn’t attend many of the parties all that often, they were careful not to burn too many bridges with the rest of the Rosiers, so she had been subjected to her fair share of boring parties. Luckily for her, Marlene had often been there to liven them up, so it felt full circle that she was here tonight, even if she wasn’t really supposed to be. 

Alice shrugged. “He tries to get back at least once every couple of weeks, but it’s usually only for a few hours. I guess it’s taking longer than expected.” She couldn’t really say more, not even to Marlene, because it was Auror business and not anything to do with the Order, so she gave an apologetic smile for her vague response. “Moody promised he’d be back in time for the birth, though, so fingers crossed I don’t go too early.” 

Alice’s smile softened at Marlene’s words. “Thanks, Mar, but I’ll be okay. I have the perfect alibi since I was actually invited. I would have come even if we hadn’t come up with this insane plan.” She shook her head, making it clear that she hadn’t been one of the ones on board with this. It seemed more risky than it was worth. “Being able to be here and help if someone gets into trouble is far less anxiety-provoking than sitting at home wondering what’s going on.” 

*

“That’s shitty, but at least he’ll be back for the birth.  Can’t imagine him missing that.  You must be getting excited though!  Or nervous?  Or both?  I can’t imagine pushing something the size of a small watermelon out of my vagina”, Marlene crossed her eyes, “Sorry, that’s probably not helpful.”  She was excited to meet the baby once it was born, she knew the little child was going to be so loved.  It was bizarre to her that anyone would decide to have a family in the middle of a war, but then again, you never knew what was going to happen each day, so what was the use of putting things off if you really wanted them?

“That’s surprising”, she laughed, “but I don’t blame you.  They do always have great food.”  That may have been the only nice thing that she could say about the Lestranges and their gross flair for the dramatics.  Even then, she realized that the compliment was more for whoever would have prepared the food, and she smiled.  That was fair enough, she would have felt exactly the same way.  “Nothing is going to happen, we’re going to get in, get information, and get out.  I’m willing it to happen.  All is going to be good.”  

Even though she wasn’t all that worried about being recognized, she realized that it was probably time for her to go.  Giving Alice one last smile and salute, Marlene winked, “Well, I should be off.  Information isn’t going to find itself.  Owl me if you need anything while Frank is gone, okay?”  Resisting the urge to give Alice a hug, she gave her arm an affectionate squeeze and then disappeared back into the crowd.

evanroseier​:

“Oh, don’t sell Aunt Dru short, she’d at least be passive aggressive about it for double that, might even go to her grave giving you grief about it” He joked, though they both knew the truth that laid within it. Aunt Druella was just like many of the older mothers of pureblood society, and he’d take a guess any rich society, knew how to use proper manners and how to hold a proper grudge. “ It’s weird to think Cousin Bella was getting married and I was just starting Hogwarts.” Evan laughed with a shake of his head. “ Weird to think It was ten years ago I started Hogwarts, Time flies doesn’t it?” Part of him

“ Thank you, a good fashion must run in the family because you’re easily one of the best-dressed ladies I’ve encountered tonight.” He grinned at her compliment and easily threw one back. He’d liked cousin Alice despite the distance in beliefs from her and the other Rosier’s, and the age gap between the two it was always enjoyable to see her. She’d reminded him of his sisters, the side of them that he’d always been allowed to see. Alice was kind and cared for him, something that couldn’t be said of all Rosiers. “ You’re in luck! I came with a friend, but I’m under direct orders to mingle with family, and keeping you company fits the description. Let’s find us a table” Evan said offering his arm to Alice, waiting to walk until she’d taken it.  

...

Alice laughed, thinking that Evan was exactly right. No one had perfected the art of passive aggression quite like their Aunt Druella or her cohort of perfect pureblood society mothers. Though she might take the cake, and Alice felt a rush of gratitude (not for the first time this evening) that her parents were so very different. Her upbringing had been the polar opposite of her cousins’, and though she felt a twinge of guilt that she had gotten off so easily, mostly she just felt pretty bloody lucky. “Wow, ten years, that is mental,” she said in a hushed voice, shaking her head. “Ah, yes, ickle Evan starting Hogwarts. I’m glad I was able to be there to see you in all your adorable awkward eleven year old glory.”

“Well, I’m quite grateful to your friend, because I would love some company.” Taking his arm, Alice let him steer her to one of the empty tables, and they sat down next to one another, Alice sighing in relief to be off her feet. Resting her hands on her round belly, Alice leaned back in her chair. “Merlin, I feel like a whale,” she said with a chuckle, patting the bump. She turned her attention back on her younger cousin, a smile breaking out on her face at the opportunity to catch up with him. “So, tell me about your date. Tell me about your life. It’s been ages since we properly caught up.”