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Post by Loce Vaisey on Apr 15, 2023 18:20:37 GMT -8
Loce had sent Isla a note, via folded green dragon, to hopefully get her to meet him in one of the private rooms in the library. He had so many questions, and needed a friend that might have inside information to bounce things off. The only problem was he didn’t know how much she knew. He knew there wasn’t much he could say, but if she already knew What was the harm in discussing it right? But then again, where would her loyalties fall ultimately? With family or with what was right? He grabbed a few potion books from the restricted section, flipping them open randomly on the table, pulled out some old potions notes, his quill and ink and set them up to give the appearance of a study group if anyone peaked in. He perched in a chair in the corner, a book opened in his lap but his mind was focused anywhere but on potions.
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Isla Reinhardt
Gryffindor
5th Year - Gryffindor Seeker - Prefect
Posts: 116
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Post by Isla Reinhardt on Apr 15, 2023 18:37:39 GMT -8
Isla had opened the note from Loce with great curiosity. Thus far, the transfer student seemed to fall seamlessly into the fold at school. He had given her useful information, helped during the grand finale of the dance, and was now dating Anneli Oden. The latter was probably the most shocking of all. Of all her classmates, Anneli Oden seemed the most unlikely to fall for a random transfer student. No offense to Loce, she thought to herself. She strolled to the library, her hair tucked behind her ears. Isla wanted to fully hear him here. It had something to do with her brother, no doubt. She had been receiving information of her own from Diaby, her once trusted ally house elf. If the information she had received was true, then things for her brother and Anneli didn't look too bright. She wondered to how much Anneli might have told Loce, if anything. Maybe he just wanted some extra potion ingredients.
She walked into the private room of the library. Loce sat there, seemingly entrenched in a Potions books. "Hey Loce. What's up?" Isla greeted casually, sitting across from him. She pulled a Potions book toward herself, sitting back and crossing her legs comfortably.
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Post by Loce Vaisey on Apr 15, 2023 18:49:03 GMT -8
He looked up as Isla entered the room. “Hey Isla, thanks for coming.”. He got up and strode over to the door, closing it. “You don’t mind do you? I don’t want anyone to overhear.” He asked, pausing for her answer before returning to his seat. He settled into the chair and closed the book. “So… we’re friends right?” He asked. To a point they had been friendly, but he wasn’t sure how far that translated to her. “I mean, can we keep this between us?” if it didn’t have to do with her family, he’d be a lot less nervous about asking her. But if he could get information from her about what was going on, maybe he could help Anneli. He fidgeted with the corner of the book, a feeling of nerves he hadn’t felt in a long time. He almost excused himself and walked out but steeled himself to follow through. He needed to see what information he could get.
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Isla Reinhardt
Gryffindor
5th Year - Gryffindor Seeker - Prefect
Posts: 116
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Post by Isla Reinhardt on Apr 15, 2023 19:04:09 GMT -8
Isla expected him to close the door. If anything, she should have known to close the door herself. It was common practice in the castle back home. Most conversations took place behind closed doors. A jumble of emotions formed in her stomach. Isla wanted to be faithful to her brother, but his actions increasingly made her step back. This past summer had been enlightening. Seereesa helped to see her past many of the tactics her family employed upon the pair. The difference being that Fergus was happy to follow that path. If anything, he coveted it. "No no, it's fine." She said quickly, her voice lowering almost into a whisper.
She leaned into her chair. There was some anticipation to what he might say. If he knew, then there might be far greater implications. Or advantages. She wasn't sure which way quite yet. "Friends." Isla confirmed casually, flipping through the pages. Her gaze met his for a moment, "Yes. I'm pretty much a keeper of secrets at this point." Isla shrugged, closing the book and focusing on Loce. "What do you know?" She asked directly, hoping that it wasn't too cutting. Isla trusted him to a degree, but she would need to see. Especially if it meant going against the loyalty she had to her brother.
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Post by Loce Vaisey on Apr 15, 2023 19:48:33 GMT -8
Loce smiled, nodding, a bit more comfortable with the situation. This was going to be an interesting balancing act. One to keep the secrets he knew he had to, but to also try to open as many closed doors as he could. He knew sibling loyalty was high in most households. Heck, other than one of his, he’d do pretty much anything to protect them, as long as he thought they were in the right. Which was how he was going to have to approach this. This had everything and nothing to do with him. Yes, he loved Anneli with every bit of himself. But he also knew practically that they were fifteen and had only known each other a short time. He’d asked himself this question over and over again. If she was just a friend, would you be this invested. He’d come to the conclusion that he would be invested, but maybe not to the full extent he was now. What did he know. That was part of the question. Another part was ’what did she know?’ And the biggest question hanging out there was how to breach the barrier without openly betraying any trusts on either side. At least not at this point. He smirked and nodded, figuring he’d start with a more neutral question and see what her reaction was. It wasn’t telling her directly, but if she knew, it would let her know he also knew. “What do you think of arranged marriages?” It was the best place to start, since that was the core of the immediate issue.
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Isla Reinhardt
Gryffindor
5th Year - Gryffindor Seeker - Prefect
Posts: 116
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Post by Isla Reinhardt on Apr 16, 2023 2:03:11 GMT -8
She placed her elbows on the table, settling herself. Isla had swore not to dive too much further into this situation with anyone. She looked at him, surveying his eyes. Loce was trustworthy so far. If anything, he had been tossed into the situation. Isla sighed. He knew more than she thought. The news was fresh to her as well.
“Putrid.” She spat back, thinking to her parents. Her father Friedrich and mother Ingeborg Reinhardt had been a product of an arranged marriage. Isla didn’t know what adult love felt like, but she knew it certainly didn’t exist between them. Affection in the Reinhardt household was shown through shiny objects. Conversations were transactional. Isla differed from the cast. “I know what they’re planning for my brother and Anneli if that’s what you’re getting at,” She frowned. Isla had been spared, so far. Her parents were focused on Fergus, as the first born and a boy. He would be the one to carry out the prophecy. She gulped subtly.
“I just found out a lot of new information…some that I would like to cross-reference with you,” She said in a quiet voice, hoping that Diaby might have been incorrect in the information he carried. “I know that they are to marry after graduation. I know that my father is going to build them a castle on the hillside in Germany, with over thirty bedrooms,” Isla sighed, rolling her eyes, “I also know that there is more to this than an arranged marriage.” She lowered her head, even though the pair sat alone.
“I’ve been thinking about the motivation for this entire ‘marriage’ between Fergus and Anneli specifically. I think there is more to it than it seems…” Isla paused, furrowing her brow, “Anneli’s father Halvar is an old-school dark wizard. Our family’s blood is quite pure, so that’s a benefit to him, if his only motivation is to keep the Oden bloodline as ‘clean’ as possible.” The furrow in her brow grew. “But things are never as they seem.” Seeressa had left her mark.
“Diaby, my house elf, tells me that he saw Halvar at our castle not long ago. He received something from my parents in exchange for the contracted marriage…” The words poured from her then, unable to stop herself, “So if Halvar is motivated by some mysterious tangible and the purity of his bloodline…why would my parents pick Anneli? No offense,” She laughed, breaking the tension, “I mean, look, the girl is a catch so I kind of get it? The whole beauty and brains thing. My brother failed miserably with her even before she knew about the whole ‘arranged’ part…” Isla giggled, straightening herself to be more serious. “I just wondered, why did my parents pick a girl that is not technically…pureblood.” She looked at him, wondering if he knew that. Isla found it difficult to stop once she began. She wouldn’t reveal that she was part-veela unless Anneli told him herself. Anneli didn’t know Isla knew, so…
“My parents are obsessed with securing Anneli as his bride, Loce,” She said, a concerned tone in her voice now, “And not in a cute ‘we love her personality’ way. They are motivated to secure Anneli as his bride, seemingly more than Halvar desires Fergus as her future husband. It seems that Halvar was shopping around for pureblood families with young suitors…whereas my parents knew that it needed to be Anneli.” She couldn’t believe she was even speaking these words. Isla was determined. Loce and herself had similar goals even if for different reasons. He wanted to protect Anneli. She wanted to protect her brother.
“I saw something this summer.” Isla said, very seriously now, “Something that didn’t make sense until now. It connects to the guarded prophecy in the cellar of our castle in Germany. As well as to why my parents want Anneli in the family so badly…” Her voice was barely a whisper.
“Damn. I’m afraid I’ve already said too much, unless you…knew most of that?” She shrugged, smiling half-heartedly. “I need to know. From now on, are we allies in this...situation?" Isla offered her hand for him to shake.
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Post by Loce Vaisey on Apr 16, 2023 4:53:26 GMT -8
He let out the breath he’d been holding and nodded when she acknowledged that she knew of the plans for Fergus and Anneli. “Part of it, anyway.” He wondered if she worried about her own future given the circumstances. But that was a question for another day, another time. If he was able to undermine this arranged marriage, he could always help Isla if she found herself in a similar situation. Loce listened as she expounded on the situation. This was exactly what they needed. An ally that had inside information. “There is always more to the situation than originally appears. I know they are to be married after graduation. I had no idea about the castle though. That is interesting, and moving her to Germany… she really is only something to trade in this whole thing isn’t she? Even to Fergus. Property to pass around and use to meet whatever end they want…” A subtle rage tinged his question. There was absolutely no concern for Anneli at all in this situation, outside the two of them in this room he suspected. And even Isla’s concern might be more personally motivated. But if it garnered the help they needed, he would take that motivation. He chuckled as she questioned Anneli as a choice her parents would approve of. He completely understood. “No offense taken. Blood purity seems to be a bit of an issue on my end too.. He shrugged, running his hand through his hair. He agreed with her assessment of Anneli being a catch, but figured he’d leave that out of the spoken conversation. He was arrogant and all, but this was not the time or place for it. “It is unfortunate your family knows her ancestry. I was wondering if that could be used against the arrangement. And anyone actually paying attention at the Homecoming might have questions about her ancestry, given the attention she garnered, especially while dancing. She even had me a little wrapped up in the effects.” He admitted, not wanting to speak the word aloud, but giving enough context that she would understand if she knew. Outside of the dance floor, her Veela side had never impacted him. Not even at their first contact. Neither of them could explain it at all. But it didn’t really matter, he was in love with her completely without the effects, and in love enough to be willing to put his own life on the line to protect her. He leaned forward just slightly as she talked about her parents being obsessed with Anneli. That made it more complicated. It wasn’t just her father they had to worry about. He frowned. “Yeah, well if I have anything to say in the matter, Anneli will choose who she wants to marry, or not marry for that matter. She’s not a toy or a bargaining chip, she’s a person.” He slammed the books shut in his lap, letting go of some of the anger, but not all. If it was him or someone else she married down the line when she wanted to, it didn’t matter. What mattered was that it was her choice. She brought up the prophecy. It was connected here. That meant… “So if we get the map away from Fergus, can that help at least stall things?” He asked, ignoring the fact she cut off in mid-sentence. He chuckled as she indicated she’d said too much. “I knew, know, her side of things. Or at least what she knows. Unfortunately, her father sees her as property and not someone who is capable of understanding the complexities of his business. So she does not have a lot of insight there. It also doesn’t help that he knows we are involved.” He wondered if her family knew? They must, that would explain the Christmas visit to their castle and the inferences to more formal vows. “Allies.” He confirmed, shaking her hand. “If we keep each other informed, maybe we can find a way to extricate both of them from this situation without either of them getting hurt. Sure, Fergus thinks he wants to be with Anneli, but he doesn’t treat her any more than a possession, a goal.” He shrugged. “I’ve seen him with Gwen, some looks that pass between them are deeper than I think he wants to acknowledge. Would he ever though? I mean, blood line alone will alienate her from your parents.” He leaned forward a little, “Isla, does your family know the Lythgoe name?” He wondered if his Grandfather’s links to the underground reached Germany and the Reinhardt’s. He ran Scotland, and had operations in Bulgaria, Russia, Asia and even the United States. His operations would not rival Halvar, since he dealt mostly with exotic potions and dark antiquities, but he had no idea what her family was into, or how well connected his Grandfather had been. He was dead, but his legacy was still being operated and run by his Grandmother under the surface. The dark side of the wizarding world had maintained that old world misogynistic attitude, there was no way his Grandmother could publicly run things, but there were puppets in place until he was old enough to take over. IF he wanted. Although with all of this going on now, he might need to see about getting more information from his Grandmother and seeing what dealings he could get involved with on the side. Especially if he could do anything at all to help Anneli.
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Isla Reinhardt
Gryffindor
5th Year - Gryffindor Seeker - Prefect
Posts: 116
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Post by Isla Reinhardt on Apr 16, 2023 20:00:14 GMT -8
Isla could understand Loces’ frustrations. If it were her and Theo, she would need to make a choice. No matter which path they took, it seemed sacrifices would be made on both ends. She thought to her brother. He was completely devoured with earning respect and power. This past summer he had been granted new forms of authority by their parents. Fergus had taken too keenly to them in Isla’s opinion. She worried for him, headed toward self-destruction. She felt bad for Anneli. Chosen for something she had no control over. It simply wasn't right. She nodded solemnly, “Unfortunately, yes.” Isla frowned, thinking to her parents. They had always been controlling over her but not to this extent, “Anneli is being used as a pawn to be traded by her father, and as a conquest for my parents plans' FOR Fergus…” She drifted, her tone serious. It was all coming together as she spoke the words out loud. This wasn’t exactly good conversation material in the girls dormitory. Besides, Isla would never spill this kind of information easily. Isla leaned back in her chair. She wished that blood purity still wasn’t such a major issue in wizarding families. Though, perhaps she could understand given the implications…She sighed. No she couldn’t. Nothing could excuse this. Isla frowned as he mentioned her family knowing her ancestry. “I believe Anneli’s ancestry might be part of my parents' motivation to secure her as their…future daughter in law.” She frowned, realizing that the girl would be tethered to her family by force. Isla hesitated, wondering how much she should reveal about Anneli to Loce. It was information about herself she wasn’t sure Anneli would even know yet. “Also yes, amazing dancer. Her effect there was mesmerizing…and pretty obvious.” She laughed, thinking to the gawking boys. “I admire your desire to protect your girlfriend, Loce,” Isla said, leaning on the table, “I want to do the same for my brother. Even if he’s blinded by his own ego right now, this is not the right path for him. It’s clear as day to me.” She spat, wishing Fergus could open his eyes. “Besides, I don't think Anneli and Fergus would ever work together. Not after seeing how she looks at you in class.” Isla shrugged, it was true. They were almost weirdly close. It was curious. “Yes. The map isn’t everything, yet still vital.” She said hurriedly, “The map reveals the exact location and barriers to the prophecy. When I originally spoke to you about it, I couldn’t give you all the details. Most of the details I didn’t understand myself…until now...maybe.” She inhaled, hoping he would believe what she would say next. “Seeressa, my close friend I traveled with this summer,” She said in a low tone of voice, “Had a vision related to the prophecy when I still had possession of the map. I asked her to hold it to see if she might be able to see anything past what my eyes could. When she did, she experienced several visions…” She frowned, “The first vision was of the previous power I told you about. The one that Fergus is after. It is known that once in possession of the prophecy, the power will be revealed. This part was hazy for her. But she knew the power took the form of an Elder wood wand, inscribed with dragons. Seereesa said the force of this vision must mean the power might rival the elder wand. Though I’m uncertain if Fergus is truly destined for this power…” “The vision held another strange sight.” She said, her brow furrowing, “It featured a blonde woman with pale blonde hair and clear blue eyes. She was sitting on a throne, a small crown on her head. Seeressa said the woman was extraordinarily beautiful with glowing skin, she said she looked kind. In her hand was the elder wand… potentially the wand Fergus is after.” Isla’s imagination had been lost in Seeressa’s visions. They had all seemed nonsensical at the time. “In her lap was a baby. From the looks of it, a baby boy. He had blue eyes, too. From behind her, a man walked up and placed a hand on her shoulder…” Isla frowned, lost in the re-telling. “But that’s where the vision ended. We aren’t sure who the mysterious man is in her vision. And I couldn’t place the blonde woman she might be describing….until,” Isla leaned back again, satisfied with herself for piecing some of the puzzle together so far. “...Until I realized it was my parents who had locked away the prophecy. And it is my parents who are obsessed with Anneli…Do you think the woman in the vision could be her? I mean, it’s possible right…Why else would they want her to be with Fergus so badly?” Her voice was rushed here, “Maybe the acquisition of the wand requires her in some sense. Maybe it takes more than retrieving the prophecy from the cellar as I once thought…”
She took a deep breath. That was a lot. And it would take a lot for them to change the course of Halvar and her parents if her theories were correct. Isla glanced to Loce, “What do you think?” She asked, rubbing her neck, “Happy we’re allies in this mess. I don’t think Fergus truly wants Anneli as an actual person. I’m sure my parents have sweetened the deal for him somehow.” She rolled her eyes, “I just wish I knew how much he truly knows…” Isla crossed her arms in thought. “Lythgoe?” She shrugged casually, “Maybe…my family knows a lot of families.” She said flippantly, wondering where this information would lead. “Though they’re really big in Germany. Surrounding countries too, Poland, Belgium, Switzerland…” Her face lite up then, “Loce! I should tell you. My entire family is banned in France. I’m not entirely sure why, but I think it might have something to do with my uncle Albrecht’s time in Azkaban…” She frowned, “It’s a true shame for me, but might be a helpful piece of information for you and Anneli?” She offered. Isla realized she wasn’t the only one protecting someone here. ooc | in direct PMs with Anneli to ensure story is being followed correctly (hah). Also Isla is chatty
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Post by Loce Vaisey on Apr 16, 2023 23:32:59 GMT -8
He shook his head. “I won’t allow it.” he said matter of fact, as if he actually had some sort of say in how this was going to go at the moment. “I don’t know how yet… but there has to be some way to stop this nonsense. And I will find it.” He was determined. It drove him absolutely crazy that there was not an easier answer and that he was finding although he was years ahead of where he should be for school, he was so far behind what he needed to know for this situation. He chuckled. “Obvious to you and I, but to anyone else? Does Fergus know?” He figured Fergus would. Unless his parents thought keeping that from him was best for now. But with him being with Gwen, blood status may not matter that much to him. Then again, Gwen was a toy for the time being, and toys were typically made to be broken so they didn’t have to be perfect to begin with. He felt bad for Gwen, but then again, it kept Fergus distracted somewhat. He ran his hand through his hair and shrugged. “Girlfriend or not I’d be sitting here trying to figure out how to help her. Do I love her? With every bit of my heart and soul. Am I foolish enough to not realize we are only kids? No. Anything can happen between now and Graduation. And if she decide to walk away tomorrow, I would still help you figure it out to protect her.” He wanted Isla to know he would follow this through regardless of what he got out of it at the end. He would love her forever, regardless of if their paths continued to be intertwined or went in different directions. “No one that treats women as property will have a chance with her. She’s stronger than that and will not take it sitting down.” He shrugged. Not that she was being given the choice or the chance. Not yet. He listened to everything she had to say. Finding it akin to the fairy tales of his youth. But eerily accurate at explaining the situation they were in. “It would make sense that your parents believe it is Anneli. But it has to go beyond looks, there has to be more to lead them to think it is Anneli. I mean her father deals in dragons, but even that isn’t enough. Not logically. We are still missing pieces.” He thought about the description of the woman holding the elder wand. That would be amazing power. He shivered slightly, wondering what the crown would represent. Yes ruling, but ruling over what? He thought to their lesson in the forest… He needed to make sure that lesson stuck, especially if they weren’t able to stop this madness. “If she was in the throne, then that would tend to mean the man, whoever he was, seems to be subordinate to her. That at least holds some promise.” But then again he could just be controlling her. It was time to double down on their extra lessons. She needed to be kept safe. “If they are trying so hard to posses this woman, then it is highly likely that it is more than possessing the prophecy. Otherwise, why go through the hassle of potentially having to share the fortune at the end.” “Could Fergus just be super sensitive to her Veela side? I mean, that can make men obsessive and over possessive. I mean I know the longer men are around a Veela, the less the Veela can affect him. But, there has to be exceptions.” He hated the idea he was trying to give Fergus a way out. So that he didn’t seem as bad. But… “Is Fergus even himself? I mean, could he be under some kind of spell himself? Would your parents do that?” he asked. If he seemed off to her, maybe there was a good reason for it. He nodded so the name didn’t mean anything to her. But that didn’t mean anything, she was the second born and a girl. No offense. He brightened as she told him about France. “Thank you! That could prove helpful. Would mean only her family could come looking for her.}”. He smiled. Every second the talked, he was more and more happy he had asked for the meeting. It didn’t solve anything outright, but gave them some more information to work with. “So… for starters, how do we get the map back?” he thought for a moment. “Does anyone else know of the map besides you and Fergus?” And him, obviously. But Fergus would not willingly hand it over to him. If they secured the map, that would slow down the progress towards finding the prophecy. And that might cause Halvar to take a second look at Fergus.
OOC: Haha, well at least it is being kept true to the story. And yeah, shes chatty, but then again, aren't we all here?
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Isla Reinhardt
Gryffindor
5th Year - Gryffindor Seeker - Prefect
Posts: 116
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Post by Isla Reinhardt on Apr 18, 2023 19:58:20 GMT -8
She nodded her head in agreement, his determination sparking hers. “I’ll help you however I can, though I suggest we continue to keep a low profile…” Isla sighed, “We can be friends, but nothing that might implicate me taking your side over Fergus’. If he gets wind of an alliance, versus a normal school friendship…he’ll rat us out without a second thought to my parents and Halvar.” Isla sighed. It had been a difficult decision to rebel against her family. Years of indoctrination had their effect. This was the end of the line. Her brother’s life was at stake. Anneli’s life was being forced and decided for her. A mysterious, powerful magic could potentially be awakened. Isla frowned thinking of all the barriers they faced.
“He knows.” She nodded, chuckling, “He used to draw pictures of her. Covered them up and all when I’d come around…knew what I would say. And he says he’s not effected by her blood.” Isla rolled her eyes, wishing she hadn’t said that. It might be a bit awkward for him, but considering their conversation she was sure he would understand. “He’s under no other spell other than a greed of power and Anneli’s natural charm. That, and being a teenage boy. No offense,” She laughed. Isla had felt years ahead her brother in terms of emotional maturity.
Isla sat back in her chair, smiling as he confessed his love for Anneli, “Knew it!” She laughed, “I mean, I had already gathered you loved her from the whole sacrificing your life stuff, but you said it!” Isla wasn’t above chatting relationship gossip with her friends…as long as it didn’t implicate any of their plans. She shrugged, “I think that’s a big confession. Especially for any boy our age.” Isla chuckled, thinking of Theo. She had been absolutely taken with him at the dance. But love? Isla wasn’t sure yet.
She grinned, happy to hear his take on women. Isla had lived a fairly privileged life in terms of traditions. Her parents' attempts to guide her into that life had fallen short. Her mother had taken to scolding her under her breath at the dinner table. Her father, on the hand, had allowed her to take a bolder position than most witches she knew. Although she had been sorted into Gryffindor, she was still a Reinhardt. They treated their own with at least a modicum of respect and decency.
“I don’t know if my parents know it’s Anneli for sure,” She shrugged, “But knowing them, they do. They aren’t the type to execute plans half-assed.” Isla stated, shifting to sit cross-legged in her chair. “But yes, we’re missing tons of pieces to the story. I’m going to see Seeressa this upcoming break, perhaps I can see if she can provide more insight?” She thought, raising a brow, “Ohhh! I know what might be useful — what if I took a personal item of Anneli’s to Seeressa? She had visions almost immediately when I gave her the cellar map. It could be worth a try to see if Anneli’s item sparks anything? Maybe it will provide a few missing puzzle pieces. For one, is Anneli truly the woman from the vision? If so, what about her ancestry places her in this prophecy?” Isla was mixed up with questions. She wasn't usually involved with solving grand mysteries…but two people’s lives were at stake, one being her brother’s. Loce was a budding friend and would be impacted too. It was a lot of pressure.
“Soooo…the map.” She started, sighing. “Well, my close friend Gwen is dating Fergus.” Isla still couldn’t believe it herself. She could understand why it occurred. Gwen was a beautiful, intelligent, sweet girl that spoke French. Fergus had been intrigued by this as well as her accent. It was an uncomfortable situation for Isla, not being able to tell Gwen too much yet. “I’ve received word that she’s helping him to translate the map’s contents. Written all in French. My Aunt Marcela, the original map owner, is the only member of our family who speaks or respects the language. Ironically, the only other member that has been sorted into Gryffindor in our family's history.” She shrugged, “My parents don’t get along with her much. I think she’s brilliant.”
“We might need to pull Gwen in.” She said, even though another person might not help. Isla trusted Gwen, “I’m not sure she’ll want to stay with Fergus knowing about his arranged marriage and all…maybe she would agree to help us…secure it?” It could potentially be a horrible plan, though she couldn’t think of another time Fergus wouldn’t be carrying it on him at this point.
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Post by Loce Vaisey on Apr 18, 2023 20:54:18 GMT -8
“Fergus hates me as it is for my relationship with Anneli, if he finds out we’re anything more than friends he’ll hex me without thinking twice.” He sighed. “We’ll have to keep to secret meetings if we need to discuss anything. I’m torn on bringing Anneli in on it. I mean it obviously heavily involves her. But the three of us in the same place at the same time? Would it be too obvious to Fergus? I’m grateful for the help, and I’d prefer it if you didn’t get yourself into any trouble over this.” Then again, if Anneli ended up at Fergus’ over Christmas, they would have a chance to get to know one another and that could give reason for them becoming closer at school. But he had no intention of letting her get swept off to Germany for Christmas…. There were too many threats in that letter. He laughed a bit at her finding Fergus drawing pictures of Anneli. He could understand why, and that made him cringe. He had no desire to have anything Fergus did make sense to him. “No offense taken. Teenage boys are the worst.” He said with a wink. He would be lying if he said every thought about Anneli he ever had was pure… Ah well… boys will be boys right? Loce smirked. “Oh, was I not supposed to admit it? Then I take it back, you can forget I said anything.” He laughed. “I honestly wish I understood it.” He shrugged and ran his fingers through his hair. “Don’t get me wrong, not understanding doesn’t mean I want to change it…. Just I wish I understood the reasoning behind why I fell so hard so fast. We’ve known each other what a month?” There had to be something else going on. He shook his head. “There are days I wish I never would have let the werewolf out. Then all I have to do is acknowledge that would mean we never would have met and I’m right back here, with more determination than ever to find a solution.” He was fairly sure she’d understand where he was coming from. He nodded. If she was the woman in the vision. This was a lot bigger than any of them. “What if she is supposed to find it? What if Fergus is just the means to the end? I mean, no one says that once she has possession of the wand, she has to stay bound to him.” He said, half wishing he believed it. Knowing her father, he was working up something that would mean she could never walk away. If she was destined for it, there would have to be another way to get it. “I know the perfect thing to use. I have no idea how to get it out of her possession… but I can work on that before break. You don’t need it until just before you leave.” He’d have to see how to make that work. He thought for a moment. “What if you took something of mine? Maybe we can see if I’m connected beyond just being head over heals in love with her.” He knew it wouldn’t result in anything of consequence. But.. at least it might give him an idea of if things were going to crash and burn and how hard. “Would your Aunt help us if we had the map? Would she help in general? If she made the map, then maybe she could make us a copy from memory?” It couldn’t be that easy, but he wouldn’t know unless he asked, and that would be a bigger mistake. Not asking the question because you thought you knew the answer. He shook his head slowly. “I know she’s your friend, but as long as she’s with Fergus she’s a bit of a wildcard. I mean… how many women do you know who would betray their boyfriend just on the word of another female friend? We have to be careful. But if things start to go south between them, maybe we can catch it before she dumps him and at that point draw her in?” That would mean Isla having to either manipulate the breakup, or just be very very observant to note slight changes. Otherwise, they would have to find another way.
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Isla Reinhardt
Gryffindor
5th Year - Gryffindor Seeker - Prefect
Posts: 116
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Post by Isla Reinhardt on Apr 23, 2023 17:55:02 GMT -8
“I think Anneli should know, even if she can’t meet with us. It’s her life we’re talking about. Besides, she might think it’s a little weird if you’re running off to secret meetings. I know she trusts you and all, but any girl would think it’s strange without a proper explanation,” Isla shrugged. She slouched in her chair, thinking. “Unless we could find a place and time it might not be too obvious to Fergus. Maybe when he’s busy writing students up on Prefect duty.” She rolled her eyes. It was shocking how much they differed in values. Maybe it was because she had been under her Aunt Marcela’s care for many years.
She laughed, shaking her head. “Teenage boys are the worst. But you’re pretty cool…Also Theo Cole is too.” Isla blushed then shrugged, “He’s not a typical teenage dirtbag at least. I think you guys would get along.”
Isla listened as Loce talked about loving Anneli. She looked at him curiously. Whatever he was feeling was fairly intense. He looked protective over her, even when she wasn’t present. “You do know you two are the talk of the school right?” She chuckled, tossing back her head in a shake. “I mean, we can hardly understand it. We’ve barely made it to holiday and you two look at each other like you’ve known each other your whole life.” A pang of jealousy dampened her tone. Isla wasn’t jealous of them per se. She was simply envious of the fact it seemed easy for them. They made relationships look easy despite going through some pretty hardcore stuff. “I would say try to keep a low profile, but I think it’s too late for that. You guys attract attention naturally.” Isla laughed. Loce almost felt like the brother she didn’t have. It was way easier talking to him than Fergus.
“Here’s the thing…if Seeressa’s vision is correct, and that is Anneli, then wouldn’t it follow that the power is meant to be hers? I mean, I hate to downplay my brother but he might not be all that important in the equation,” She shrugged, sighing, “I wish I understood the origin of the prophecy. Why do my parents have it? And why has it been guarded for years in that enchanted cellar? My Aunt Marcela was the true owner and I know it was taken from her…but why have they guarded it for so long? Were they waiting for Fergus to be of age to marry the girl in the prophecy?” Her mind was spinning with questions. Isla wished that she might be able to bring these curiosities to another source. Collaboration would be key here.
She nodded. “Good. I’ll need it right before we leave for Christmas break. I know Seeressa will be happy to help, if she can.” She said, stretching. This was a lot to mull over. Isla would need to betray her parents once again and hope that they wouldn’t lock her away for good this time. “And don’t worry, I’ll take good care of it.” Isla wondered what the object might be. It would need to be something extremely personal to her.
“My Aunt would help me anytime. I’m her favorite.” She said smiling. Isla wasn’t lying, either. The rest of the family had pretty much exiled her. “The issue being I would be tracked if I went anywhere near her home. We would need to meet at a place entirely unknown to my family…” Her mind was lost in the future now. This holiday break would certainly be busy. She hoped that she might be able to get away with it all.
Isla sighed, “I suppose you’re right, even if she is my best mate.” She frowned. She hated lying to Gwen. It would be difficult for her to keep up that front. Isla was never a great liar.
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Post by Loce Vaisey on Apr 24, 2023 20:24:47 GMT -8
He chuckled at her comment on Fergus. “He certainly does take that role seriously, doesn’t he? Either one of us can get that schedule easy enough, if you think the three of us together would be better? Otherwise, we’ll stick to this and l’ll just keep Anneli in the loop.” Isla getting caught on their side was not an option. They needed her in the family business as much as she could be. “Theo seems cool enough, he is a Keeper after all.” He winked at Isla. His protectiveness extended to his friends as well. As long as Theo kept in Isla’s good graces, he’d be fine. He laughed. “In a way, I think we have known each other our whole lives. We just haven’t figured out the how or whys of it yet. But we’re working on it.” There was something more beneath the surface. They’d talked about it enough to know it was true. “Transfer student, making Prefect and the House team, does not lend to keeping a low profile. Add a beautiful girl who more keeps to herself than socializes to the mix… everyone will notice.” He smiled. He really wished the circumstances were different. He needed to find a way to put a stop to this nonsense. “If the power is meant to be hers, then how do they stop her from just taking it and leaving? There are so many questions, and unfortunately we don’t have enough answers or puzzle pieces to even begin piecing it together.” He sighed, the deeper he got, the more lost he felt. “Isla, have you thought of asking one of the professors for help? Well, specifically Drake or perhaps Professor Gunvald?” Drake was a vampire over two centuries old, and Gunvald… well she was their headmistress. “I mean both of them have some connections. She used to work in the Ministry, he’s been alive centuries. And Drake is helping Anneli and I some on the side as well.” He wasn’t going to advertise the extra lessons, but giving her a bit of context might help. He nodded. It would be easier with her in on things. Then it would be a willing parting and not him having to secret anything away from her. But… how to tell her. Soon… He would have to tell her soon. “Your family doesn’t know my Grandmother’s house. Although getting you there without raising your brother’s suspicions would prove to be a challenge. But if she would be open to just trusting me…. Which she wouldn’t be I’m sure.” Nothing was going to be easy was it? He nodded. “I’m sorry, I know she’s your best friend, and I feel bad excluding her, but… while she’s with Fergus, she’s a threat to all of us.” She had to know he was right. Even if she didn’t intentionally tell Fergus something, just natural talk between them would betray Isla.
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