𝙴𝚊𝚟𝚊𝚗 𝙱𝚘𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍, 𝙴𝚞𝚛𝚢𝚍𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚂𝚙𝚎𝚊𝚔𝚜

** sickness sentence starters.

“  you  need  to  rest.  ”

“  have  you  eaten  today  ?  ”

“  i  made  you  some  tea  and  soup.  ”

“  i’m  fine,  it’s  nothing.  really.  ”

“  listen,  you  need  to  lay  down.  ”

“  please  listen  to  me.  ”

“  do  i  need  to  force  you  to  the  doctors  ?  ”

“  i  hate  chicken  soup.  ”

“  i  can’t  just  lay  about  in  bed  all  day  !  ”

“  it  hardly  hurts  anymore,  honestly.  

“  you’re  burning  up  !  ”

“  lay  back  down  right  now.  ”

“  i  have  things  to  do  today  !  ”

“  i’m  just  dehydrated,  that’s  all.  ”

“  i  will  lock  you  in  your  room  if  you  don’t  stay  in  bed.  ”

“  let  me  take  care  of  you.  ”

“  you  don’t  have  to  do  everything  yourself.  ”

“  i  don’t  need  your  help.  ”

“  i  ran  you  a  bath.  ”

“  tell  me  how  to  help  you.  ”

@frxnkislong​

dorcxsmdws​:

When they brought her back to the interrogation room she was confused.  She didn’t think that Moody would need anything else from her, but maybe he did.  Or maybe he was here to tell her that he tried, but that he couldn’t get her out without giving himself up.  That was something that she’d have understood.  She wasn’t worth anything, not really, not in the long run.  Her contributions to ending the war would be minimal if he managed to get her out.  She could heal, sure.  She was a great dueler.  But there were other duelers.  There were others who could manage basic healing spells.  She was nothing, but Moody was crucial.  He couldn’t give himself up, or even hint at any sort of suspicion.  Not the kind that could have him in a cell next to hers.  Maybe that was why he was coming back.  Maybe he was coming to tell her goodbye and good luck.  She’d understand.

But when she walked in and saw Alice she was confused.  The interrogation rooms were freezing, but they were so much warmer than the cells, out of the reach of the effects of the dementors.  She could think clearer the second she crossed into the room, and clearer still as the heavy metal door closed shut behind them.  When she wrapped her arms around her Dorcas didn’t react, not at first.  Alice was soft and warm and comforting – but did she deserve that?   How was she meant to accept her comfort after everything.  Why was she even here?  She should be with her baby.

But after a few moments she responded, lightly wrapping her trembling arms around her.  “I’m okay,” she said softly, her expression blank, her voice a hoarse whisper.  

...

Alice squeezed hard, despite the fact that Dorcas remained limp in her arms for far too long. When she finally did reciprocate the hug, it was weak. Pulling back, Alice looked into Dorcas’ eyes, worried about what she saw there. She knew very well what the dementors did to people, had experienced it plenty of times herself when she had to come here for Auror duties, but she had never been through it like Dorcas was right now. It had been six long days that Dorcas had been stuck in here, forced to relive her worst fears and memories on a constant loop -- it was no wonder that her eyes looked deadened. Alice waved her wand to cast an extra warming charm and transfigured one of the chairs into a blanket, wrapping it around Dorcas’ shoulders. “No, you’re not okay,” she replied softly, her voice filled with understanding. 

Alice sighed. “I’m not really involved in the case, so I don’t really have any updates for you except that Moody’s working hard and he’s determined to get you out of here. It was probably a major stretch even to come here, but I had to see you. I couldn’t stand the thought of you alone in here after everything.” Her eyes filled with tears, but she blinked them back, cursing the postpartum hormones. Dorcas didn’t need to see Alice cry. “They don’t have a case against you, not unless they want to take Rodolphus down too, and we know that’s not going to happen.” 

She reached out to touch Dorcas’ arm, wanting her to feel human warmth and contact for at least just a little while. “I brought you something, too.” Reaching into the pocket of her robes, Alice pulled out a picture. It had been taken in happier times, at an Order meeting. In the picture were Fabian and Gideon, their arms slung around Paulie, Fabian laughing as Gideon mussed up her hair. “It’s a little risky, but I don’t think the dementors will notice that you have it, and I wanted you to have something to remind you of who you have out there waiting for you.”

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.” 

mrlenexmc​:

*

Marlene had to laugh, “If he doesn’t knock this shit off we’re going to have to step it up a notch to get him to cut it out.  Maybe we should get him some chaps and see if he has any shame.”  She thought about that for a moment and then dry heaved dramatically, “On second thought, he would probably try to wear them every day, so maybe not.”  The last thing they needed was to see Moody try to wear chaps over his kilt.  She’d have to gauge her own eyes out, probably.

“Honestly, it’s probably the most excitement this stuffy old party will have, they should be thanking you.”  It was a little difficult not to hold some disdain for big Pureblood events after being subjected to them when she was younger.  Her family now had a reputation for being ‘blood traitors’, but it hadn’t always been like that.

“Yeah, he’s been gone for ages now, hasn’t he?  What’s up with that?”  Marlene would probably have to punch herself if she blew Alice’s cover, but there was nothing wrong with a short conversation before she slipped back into the crowd.  It was nice to get to talk to her.  “Yeah”, Marlene sighed, crossing her arms.  They had all known the dangers, but it certainly felt more real being surrounded by people they both knew and suspected were death eaters.  It was an absolutely mental plan, which was why she’d been in favour of it, but she still worried for her friends.  “You can leave at any point, you know.”  She pointed out, not unkindly, “Nobody will judge you if you feel like it’s too risky, you’ve got a little one to think of too.”

...

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.” 

@fxprewettx

@fxprewettx​

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.” 

Peach Streusel Muffins