18 June: Do You Believe In Magic: Pheddie

[Phoebe Bones]

18 June 1974

pheddie's flat -> hogsmeade

While she’d never had trouble sleeping with Edgar was around, she’d been up before the sun this morning. It was good to be home, with her boyfriend and their dog. And there was nothing cuter than seeing the two of them snuggled into bed together, the morning rays streaming into their bedroom. In the days she had been gone, she had missed this. Her day today should consist of going to class, stopping by the office to help with paperwork that needed to be filed. A day full of very mundane and boring muggle things, things she normally enjoyed doing. But that was before she’d learned all about magic, and before her boyfriend had promised to take her to Scotland. Promises of a magical village and seeing the boarding school had driven her out of bed early, and with a cup of tea in hand she finally entered the bedroom, setting it down on nightstand gently before she dropped onto the bed, shaking Edgar to wake him. “Good morning love,” she said with a cheerful grin to him, hoping up to start digging through her closest.

“How cold do you think it’s going to be in Scotland today? I mean it’s June, but I feel like I should bring a jacket anyway. Is there a spell for telling the weather in a certain place?” she continued, words pouring out quickly. Yes, there was a danger that existed for her now that she knew the truth about everything, and she’d seen the bad side of magic only a few days ago. But she couldn’t focus on that, it would drive her insane. There was no promise that she would always be safe, that this war Edgar was involving himself in wouldn’t show up in a big way one day. The thing was, the magic that Edgar had shown her, the ball of light, the growing rose bush in their kitchen - that was beautiful, and worth learning more about. “Actually better question, what’s up with Nessie? The two of you have never agreed to go up there with us.”

[Edgar Bones]

"Hey there, Pheebs," Ed returned blearily, blissfully, reaching out for her too slowly for effectiveness. His arm dropped heavily, fingertips falling to the hardwood, as he dragged himself mentally from the deepest sleep he'd had since she left. Eyes cracked open and followed Sadie as the dog's warmth left him, the pup jumping to the floor to join Phoebe at the closet. This was their first day of being together and fully present, honest, and Edgar couldn't help the wide smile that spread across his face as the woman he loved spoke so excitedly about the day's trip. While he couldn't fault her for needing time and space to come around to not only the notion that magic existed, but that he and many other of her loved ones belonged to the world of it, had hidden it from her, and were planning to join a war effort - Edgar was nevertheless supremely relieved that she was back home. He'd hoped, he'd dreamt, he'd gone a bit crazy, but after their talk yesterday...time to start planning the proposal.

He gave a sleepy laugh, slumping out of bed and stretching on his way to join her and their dog. "Best take a jacket, if there's a spell to tell the weather elsewhere I dunno what it is." Ed smiled at her through the mirror, wrapping his arms around her waist, placing a kiss on her shoulder. "Nessie is one of our most poorly kept secrets," he went on animatedly, not thinking he'd ever tire of her questions about the magical world. Surely they were only going to multiply after today with her first steps into his world. Our world, when all's said and done. "She's a kelpie, basically a shapeshifter; she loves being a sea serpent the best though, evidently. There's a whole squad at the Ministry that works to keep her a myth only." With one more grin to Phoebe, he started to get ready for the day beside her, shirt and shorts and sandals and hair getting in place between yawns. "What are you most looking forward to today?" Ed asked with interest, curious to know if Hogwarts or Hogsmeade or, if she wanted to go to the loch, Nessie was most on her mind. Was it the locations, was it the people, was it the magic...whatever it was, this was day one of an endless number to use in exploring, and Ed found her excitement rubbing off on him. To see these familiar spaces through her eyes was sure to be wonderful, and just to have a day together after so much time apart would do his soul some healing...

[Phoebe Bones]

Processing magic over the past week had been hard, her mind going over and over the small bits of magic she’d been exposed to. Glowing balls of light in her hand, going out at the lightest touch. Rose vines growing over the kitchen door from nothing, flowers blooming in seconds. Flashes of green light zipping through the air dangerously close to her friends, being squeezed through time and space unexpectedly. It was beautiful and dangerous all at once, and something that was entirely out of her grasp. The only thing she could control about magic was her reaction to it. It would be a lie to say she still wasn’t peeved at how long it had taken Edgar to tell her the truth, and they’d deal with that in time. She wanted to see these laws Fabian had mentioned to her, see exactly what rules they had to follow in regards to keeping this secret. Especially since she’d told Kyra, she’d be finding a loophole to keep her best friend, well, in the loop.

Today was about learning more about this world first hand, exploring a wizarding village - and if they were lucky, Edgar’s old school - and she couldn’t help but be giddy about that. She smiled as her boyfriend appeared in the mirror behind her, nodding to his suggestion of jacket. Her eyes grew wider as he started talking about a kelpie, the joking question she had asked apparently having a very real answer. Oh, they would have to go and see this shape-shifting creature, and now that she knew the truth, they could do that, couldn’t they?

Kyra is going to freak.

        You can’t tell her though, not yet.

This would have to be what they did for her best friend’s next birthday, because there wasn’t anything in this world that was going to stop Phoebe from letting Kyra learn more about this world too. The four of them already spent so much time together, it didn’t make sense to try and keep this a secret from one person. Quite selfishly, Phoebe hoped that maybe the secret being out would nudge Fabian and Kyra to be back together. Pulling her hair back, she turned to look at her boyfriend at his question, grinning as she thought. “Seeing this magical school you went to. Kyra and I used to talk about what we thought it looked like, but that was far before I knew it was magical,” she said with a smile, reaching down to give Sadie a few pets before she held out her hand to Edgar. “So how are we getting there? I’m guessing Apparition, and I should warn you that I got sick when Fabian did it.”

[Edgar Bones]

With how happily surprised Pheebs seemed at the news of Nessie, maybe they would have to add that to their day out. He'd be able to get them past any security, if wizards from the Office of Misinformation were present. Right? Edgar Bones was a graduate of the Auror program, his family was in good standing...if they were held up, he'd make it work. He wasn't going to deny her anything today, not when he needed to do his damnedest to show her that she'd made the right choice in coming back. He gave her a grin at her response, though, hoping he'd be able to work his way into getting them into Hogwarts. The students had just left, he hadn't seen McGonagall in a few years, she'd be glad to welcome him back, especially when he had to give his agreement to his old headmaster's offer. 

"You're going to love it. Big ol' giant castle full of magic and trickery, what's not to enjoy?" Ed wanted to give more - warn her about Peeves, let her know about the house elves and that they were happy with their lives working at the school, the squid, the creaking suits of armor, the paintings that spoke, the professors who'd have plenty of schooltime stories to embarrass him. But he held his tongue, not wanting to overload her with information. Again. He'd found he was prone to doing so when speaking of the magical world, but it didn't do much help, really; it was better for Phoebe to experience the world herself, right? Ask questions about what she was interested in learning more about? But as the girl held her hand to him and spoke so frankly of Apparition, Ed couldn't contain his own bout of surprise. 

"You got sick? When Fabian did it?" Of all the firsts that they'd shared together, Edgar had thought he would be safe in the assumption that Apparition would be added to the list. But her statement reminded him of the discussion they'd only begun yesterday, about how part of her change of heart included witnessing dark magic while out with Fabian and Kyra at that rally. They hadn't yet gotten into the details, and he'd forgotten for the moment that he was upset with his mate for not telling him that they were in danger. Ed frowned slightly and slipped on his ring before he took her hand, linking their fingers slowly as he thought. "Er - yeah, yeah, I was planning on that. We could take the Knight Bus that way instead, although it's not great for the stomach either, sorry." He gave a grimace of a smile, shrugging. "We've progressed from magic carpets, but hardly." 

[Phoebe Bones]

There was so much to look forward to, Phoebe wasn’t sure what she wanted to do first. Magic was real and just without of her reach, and she wanted to know everything about it. She wasn’t sure she had heard Edgar correctly, but she was almost positive that the world castle had just come out of his mouth. She knew that the school was magical, but a literal castle? There would be no letting Edgar or the twins live this down. They’d always assumed the boys went to some sort of posh private boarding school, there hadn’t been any reason to assume otherwise. And when he’d told of of the school, she hadn’t even thought to consider it might be a castle. “I knew this place was posh, but is it really in a castle?” she asked with a grin to her boyfriend, turning to look at him. “What other surprises await us in this magical castle?”

Edgar seemed a bit surprised at her words, and Phoebe couldn’t understand why. “Well it’s not exactly a pleasant way to get around,” she said. Was it hard to believe that one might feel ill after being squeezed through space and time? It was an insane method of travel, in Phoebe’s opinion. And yet at the same time, she was fascinated by it, wanting to learn more about it. She couldn’t even fathom have they had come up with this method of transportation, it seemed so out of this world. It seemed like it should be something out of Dr. Who., not a real method of transportation used by a secret part of their world. The Knight Bus sounded interesting, and she’d ask more about that in a minute. “Magic carpets, really?” she smirked at him. He had to be joking, but perhaps there was truth to his word.s After all, she had no idea what to expect from this magical world that had been living under her nose. 

Taking a few deep breaths, Phoebe gave Edgar’s hand a squeeze. “Okay, I think I’m as ready as I can be. Let’s go see Hogwarts.”She would try her best to keep the contents of her stomach from escaping her, although she wasn’t sure how much control she was going to have over it. But at least this time, she knew what was coming.

[Edgar Bones]

"It really is," Edgar returned, grinning back as he realized just how much sh*t he and the twins were in for. For Phoebe would never let them live down the fact that they'd spent the majority of seven years in a full-on medieval castle, however mundane it had become to them, in a way. It was just Hogwarts! They had detentions and dull classes too! "Nestled up in the Scottish highlands, mountain views, lake filled with merpeople…you're going to love it all," he went on with confidence. "And inside - let's just say you'll get whistled at by enchanted suits of armor, and you'll have to plant your feet on the stairs as they’re prone to moving. Surprises, the rest."

This was a dream come true, one long-delayed by his own doing. To have a day in his home-away-from-home with Phoebe, to take her out on the perfect date in Hogsmeade that he'd imagined since he was a teenager, Ed wasn't about to have anything sour it. Even if he'd just been reminded about the girls witnessing a Death Eater attack while out with Fabian. Lots to unpack there yet. Need to see him. "You're right, it's not pleasant. Efficient, though - gain us any points there? More so than carpets, they're outdated now." Phoebe took his hand and he smiled, closing his arms around her. Forget about the attack. Been wanting to take her here since you were a kid. We're back, and we're gonna have a good day.

"Three...two...one..." They disappeared from the apartment, jostling together through space until reappearing at the Hogwarts gates. Edgar steadied them on the worn dirt track, earlier disturbance mainly forgotten in the thrill of having Phoebe here. The gates, topped with shining winged boars, were closed - but Ed figured he could get them open. There had to be some sort of allowance for alumni, yeah? But what he really wanted was to witness Phoebe's first look at the castle, just up the trail beyond the gates. He turned to see her, fully expecting a look of wonder, an impressed exclamation, only to see her...flummoxed. 

"So, what do you think?" he prodded, not quite clear of the evident problem. "Grand, isn't it?" 

[Phoebe Bones]

A freaking castle. She knew that castles in Europe weren’t an uncommon thing, but she’d never been to a proper castle before. It suddenly seemed so unfair, that Edgar had gotten to spend years in a magical castle and she hadn’t. This jealousy was a new thing to her, and she was trying to keep it to herself. She listened with a smile, trying to picture it in her mind, but finding she didn’t know the first thing about what a merperson would even look like. She raised her eyebrows, smirking as she thought of enchanted suits of armor whistling, and stairs moving - was it like an escalator? It all sounded so grand, and she was excited to get to see this part of Edgar’s life that she had been kept in the dark about. She wanted to see everything good that magic had to offer, and for just a little while forget about all the darkness she had learned about it.

“Fine, you get points for efficiency,” she teased him, smiling as he wrapped his arms around her. The countdown was helpful, but it was still jarring to be pulled through the world, and she was Edgar was there to steady her when they reached Scotland. The fresh air was nice, it helped with her stomach, and she looked at the scenery around them. It was beautiful, and she wondered where the castle was until she saw a rusted gate that Edgar was approaching, and tried to not let her face betray her confusion. Why would he bring her here, or was this grand magical really behind this old gate? She took a few steps towards it, looking to read the sign that was posted. “Danger, do not enter, unsafe…” she trailed off, looking back to Edgar. “Are you sure we are in the right place, because this doesn’t look all that grand, love.” She hated to ruin his enthusiasm, because he was clearly so thrilled to bring her here, but was she missing something?

[Edgar Bones]

Edgar felt like a complete waste of space.

Here they were, freshly reunited, he'd made what felt like a million promises about showing her the wonders of the magical world, and the castle was right there...and Phoebe couldn't see it. This was something he should have anticipated, and felt his face burning at the realization. Giant old castle with hundreds of magical children running about, not to mention all of the creatures, of course it wasn't enough that she was alongside a wizard. The Ministry, the Leaky, the platforms at King's Cross - they were all hidden in plain view, the work of Ministry workers enforcing the Statute no doubt, and why would Hogwarts be any different? There was some sort of charm, wasn’t there? Surely he'd learned about this, or was supposed to, once-upon-a-time in Binns's class or even from Arthur with all of his work with muggles… Not paying attention finally catching up to you? Special allowances were made, he knew there were, Mum had attended his graduation… Would’ve required some pre-planning. Owls with Albus. You idiot. Sort it out by next June? If they could secure an invite to Roderick's graduation, then surely Pheebs would be able to experience the castle, the grounds, everything!

"Er - yeah, yeah, we’re here," Ed fumbled, half a laugh leaving him as he stretched for bits of memory. "Just - story of my life - I didn't think this through. Let me guess, you're remembering an appointment or something? Should go away on its own if we move, I think, let's try." With one last look at the castle behind him, he moved away from the gates and took her hand in his, resolutely starting them towards the village. With the forest on one side and the Black Lake on the other, maybe they'd catch a break and see something magical on their way. Not that the view was lacking in and of itself - the summer wind whirled across the surface of the lake, and the mountains of the highlands right across it were nothing short of breathtaking - but what he wouldn't give to hear just a snippet of a mersong, to catch a glimpse of a bowtruckle… "Hogsmeade village is up the path, I think we'll be luckier there, can get breakfast at the pub or the tea shop. It's where we'd go on weekends once a month - that's when the trips were permitted, anyway, Fabs and Gid and I snuck out much more often." 

It felt so strange to think back to those days, when their biggest concerns were whether or not they'd be caught by prefects and professors, passing exams and winning Quidditch matches, and making sure the letters he sent home for Phoebe were free and clear of any magic. Now he and the twins had trained to fight in this war, and Phoebe and Kyra...they had finally seen the worst of what his world had to offer, what he and the Prewetts had tried to keep them safe from for all these years. He hadn't yet spoken with Fabian about what had happened earlier in the week, and was beyond grateful that he'd gotten them out of the fray, but was struggling with his anger about not having had any idea about it until Phoebe came home. He should've been there - he would've been there if he and Pheebs hadn't been in a weird spot - and thankfully no one had been hurt, but he wasn't clear on how close of a call it had been. And he and the boys needed to talk about Kyra, who knew as much as Phoebe did now… "Are you doing alright, really?" Ed asked, giving her hand a squeeze as he looked over at her. "Hell of a week, but with the rally and everything..."