amxsdxggory:

     It was disconcerting to see a hollowness on anyone’s features, but it was unequivocally worse to see it in Greta’s expression when hers was so often lit up with a contagious smile. There was no glimpse of that now – her lips twisting up in a broken version of it and, if he looked closely, he could see the red-rim around her eyes that betrayed that she was on the verge of tears. It tore at his heart, wanting nothing but for his friends and those he considered family to be safe and happy, but if tonight had proven anything, it was that they’d only just begun to see what devastation war might bring. But he pushed that thought aside, forcing himself to be settled by the fact that Cedric was alive, his family was safe, Greta and hers too – and allowing that to carry some of the worry out of his features long enough for him not to look absolutely downtrodden. “He’ll be on his feet in no time, I don’t know anything that’d keep your parents down for long. Plus, you always were my favorite healer, he was lucky to have you there.” It wasn’t enough, nowhere near what he’d normally be able to muster up, but he hoped it’d pull Greta out of her head. She’d borne enough sadness to last someone a lifetime, and despite it being a testament to her strength of how she’d dealt with the blows life had handed to her, Amos wished that there was some way to spare her the pain. “I’m here for you, you know that?” His gaze catches hers, fingers gently grasping her shoulder and attempting to offer some sort of steadying force – although, how much help he can be when he still feels the pain and terror of everything that had happened ricocheting through his being, he doesn’t know. “You can talk to me.” There’s no pressure for her to do it now, or really anytime in the future, but the promise that he’ll be there for her whenever she wants someone irrefutably by her side lingers. She probably knows it already, but he feels the need to reaffirm it anyways. 

    He’s caught up in a battlefield, the torture and deaths he’d witnessed taking his mind prisoner in an endless loop of regret. If he’d only fought harder, anticipated the attacks, chosen to join the Aurors instead of following his passions – it’s been a jumbled mess in his head ever since the attacks, overshadowed only by fear of whose names he might find on the list of deceased. The peace that comes after the storm, he’s found, isn’t really anything of the sort. The quiet a nightmare that allows his thoughts to take over, and he almost wishes he could be back fighting – at least then he’d feel of some use. It’s rare that she calls him by name, and that alone would have captured his attention, but it’s the way in which she says it. Tenderly, with a sincerity that couldn’t be matched by anyone else because she knows him best. Has been with him through it all, seen him at his best and his worst, and if there’s someone who could pull him out of his thoughts, it shouldn’t be a surprise that it’d be her. A short breath is sucked in as her touch lingers on his cheek, breaching past boundaries they’d set what feels like lifetimes ago. It’s always been effortless around Greta, lines blurring with only the distinct sense of comfort remaining, and for a moment his gaze focuses only on hers as his head tilts to meet the warmth of her palm. It’s the same sense of safety that holding Cedric in his arms when he’d come home had brought, a glimpse of something familiar and loved and unbroken by everything – but it only lasts for a moment before features flinch with the knowledge of how easily it could be taken away from him. “I knew there were friends of ours in Aversio – and we saw what they did to the Minister, I should’ve realized they wouldn’t stop there. Merlin… if we’d tried to stop them before they became consumed with revenge–” His head shakes, dislodging her hands as eyes squeeze shut and he forces himself to take a breath. But it doesn’t do anything to center himself, more regrets piling up, alongside the knowledge that if the Death Eaters had been willing to lay wreckage to a place as defenseless as a hospital, they’d kill children of impure blood without a second thought. “I can’t… I can’t risk us being blindsided again.” It’s only fear that remains as his eyes dart up to meet hers, hoping that she’ll understand exactly what he’s afraid of and why he can’t risk complacency when he’s got everything to lose.

    It would have been easy to get swallowed up in despair, everything they’d lost with the Ministry and St. Mungos too much to hope to recover from. And perhaps that’s the mindset in which he’d have stayed, but Greta’s appearance reminded him of just how much strength there was left to be found in the people. They had friendships that would endure, people on their side that they trusted, and perhaps everything crumbling around them would be the push they needed to band together and defeat the Death Eaters once and for all. Those in Aversio had to recognize the devastating consequences of their actions now, and if they could push them to join forces with the Order and attempt to set things right – it didn’t all have to be lost. Even if it might not be true, he had to grasp at it, refusing to let Greta be the only one trying to find something positive when she’d endured just as much as he had. They needed to lift each other up, just as they’d always done, regardless of how much was at stake if they lost. “Yeah… we’re badgers – tougher than we seem, and we’ll always stick together.” A small smile creeps over his features, tugging up his lips as the thought of who they’ve got fighting alongside them brings a small spark of hope. They weren’t just the Order – they were the Order of the Phoenix, and they’d rise out of the ashes just like the bird they’d been named after. “We’ll set it right – we’ve got the best people fighting for us – and we’re fighting for everyone, not just ourselves.” Following Greta, he settles himself down next to her, the scene familiar after so many years of practices and games where she’d been the one healing broken bones and bruises. It’s different now, as are so many things, but he pushes the difficulties and worries to the very edges of his mind and forces a semblance of a grin. “So, master healer – you sure you’re not rusty? It’s been a while since you’ve patched me up.” 

“You’re right, they’re both far too stubborn to let something like this keep them down. I think you’re incredibly biased though.” There were countless moments over her lifetime that she had been thankful to have the man before in her life and this was no exception when he always knew just what to say to bring her back to some sense of calm. They had been through so much together she would have thought that she would have been used to everything about him by now but even something as characteristically Amos as offering her someone to listen still caught her off guard and threatened to overwhelm her. It shouldn’t have surprised her or left her dumbfounded, not when selflessness and support were perhaps cornerstones of his personality, and it didn’t really when there were times she was convinced she knew him better than she knew herself.  “I do, really.” A smile is given to back up her words of reassurance, feeling as though this one at least managed to crinkle her eyes slightly this time. But that was the effect that his presence had on her, instantly warming and comforting, allowing her to feel that little bit brighter without even trying. “And I’m here for you too.” The brunette knew that she had a problem feeling as though she was burdening others with her problems but it was never something that her friend had caused. Instead years had gone by with the two of them unfailingly there for one another, always their to play confidante and lend a listening ear - this time was no different when she supposed that they needed that now more than ever. “There’s time for that if it comes to it.”  If she were to be honest she truly had no idea what she was feeling anymore or even if she would know where to start unravelling the tangled mess of thoughts and emotions in her head. Ever since the death of her brother anything negative she was feeling had been pushed to one side and now Greta was worried that all that suppressed grief, worry and even anger were going to bubble up and overflow. At some point she knew it would be necessary to let them all out, she could only hold them in for too long without them ruining her, but tonight wasn’t the moment for it when Amos needed just as much support to get through this as she did.

If the violence, deaths and suffocating tension that had taken over their society hadn’t been enough for her to hate the war that was raging, Greta knew that she would hate it simply for the effect that it had on others. She hated how it had made her seem fainter somehow, her usual energy and exuberance dimmed when there seemed to be no place for it in amongst the sombreness that had begun to cloak their lives. But even more than that she loathed the effect that it was having on her friends, how good and kind people like Amos could be left feeling as though they were to blame. Her heart almost broke seeing the regret in his features as he shook his head and dislodged her touch. It didn’t take a lot for her to guess what was going through is head. At times like these it was so easy to point the finger and her friend always seemed determined to point it towards himself. So she tried her best to get through to him once more, hand moving to his shoulder while she tried not to think about how the loss of the warmth of his cheek on her palm had affected her. “Amos please. You can’t take all the responsibility for this.” Part of her worried that her words were falling on deaf ears when he had always played the part of Atlas so well, shouldering the responsibility and blame so that others could live their lives unencumbered by such things. However, she had no intention of letting him place it all on himself when her shoulders could easily be made to be broad enough to help him bear some of the weight. None of them were alone in all of this and that was what she wanted him to know. “They’re our friends, people we knew, it’s only normal we think the best of them. I know that I did, so if you’re blaming yourself then I’m to blame too.” Never before had she considered her faith and trust in people to be a bad thing but upon learning that more than a few people that she was close to had ties to the other organisation, she found herself reevaluating that mindset. But she did have faith in Amos and there was no hesitation in telling him so. “And we won’t be. Just please don’t blame yourself for this, it’s not being fair. You’re one of the best people I know, this isn’t on you.” 

The corners of her lips lift to match his smile with one of her own, pleased more than she could say that she had managed to bring enough reassurance for one to grace his features. “And there’s nothing we can’t face together.” There was still so much to fight for and she knew that no matter how hard the battle got that she could manage to tackle it so long as Amos was right there with her.  “We do, there’s more than just a little hope left. It’s not over yet.” It was crucial to keep that hope alive, especially when it felt like it might be all that they had at that moment. But as long as it was still there flickering there was no doubt in her mind that they would be able to fan the flame until they were roaring again. Things rarely stayed dark for long, as had been proven by the way that she had arrived at the Diggorys feeling nothing short of hollow only to now be feeling lighter and brighter. The future that they wanted for everyone wasn’t lost yet, there was still time to pave a better way for children like Cedric to grow up in and that in itself was something worth standing up for. It was a smirk that tugged at her lips next, not something she could have predicted expressing but one that she was glad for nonetheless when it was a departure from graveness. “Too long really, anyone would think that you’re a reformed character.” The teasing was easy, something familiar and comforting that immediately brought a sense of normality that she’d been craving when it was a fixture of their friendship. Her wand moved over his remaining injuries, charms murmured as she worked carefully just pleased to feel as though she was doing something useful. Moments passed like that, her feeling a still sort of peace when she could just tune out and focus on the two of them in that little bubble, before she finally pulled her wand away. “I think I’ve still got it.” A little triumphant grin lifted her features as she surveyed her handiwork, pleased to see that all of the remaining bruises and bashes seemed to have faded. “Do they feel any better?”

darkest night || greta & amos

whois-gilderoylockhart:

As a wizard who struggled to find a place in the pureblood dominated upper class, it wasn’t often that Gilderoy spoke about his family, even to his more accepting and open-minded mates. Greta’s company had always made him feel comfortable though, and anything he could say about his sisters or his father or even his own childhood didn’t feel like such a scandal when she already knew it all. “They’re doing well,” He assured. “They ask about you and how you’re doing.” His parents always only asked about the well-being of those they knew in the Wizarding World, though his mother’s family members received a letter from her here and there. Gilderoy’s father never displayed any interest in visiting a place where he didn’t belong, and his mother had spent so many years in the Muggle World that it no longer felt right to stray too far. “I know they’d love to see you again, but if you do find the time to visit them, I should warn you that they don’t know much about everything that’s going on here. I try to only tell them what I think they need to know,” He confessed. As far as his family was aware, Wizarding England was plagued solely by political tension between the social classes. They knew nothing about the kidnappings and the murders and the Death Eaters and Aversio… “My mother would worry too much, you know.” 

He grinned proudly at the praise about his recent fame and success. Greta was easy to please and had always been supportive of his dreams, but he felt nice to receive her approval nonetheless. As proud as he was of himself, he wanted the woman to feel the same for her own successes. “Sometimes art isn’t appreciated in the moment,” He said. “But I’m certain it’s something that people will admire more in the future, when everything is over. It’s a part of your legacy now.” 

As someone who had experienced the death of so few of those he was close to, Gilderoy didn’t understand the reason that the deceased weren’t spoken about more often. When he died, he wanted to be talked about ― he wanted to be remembered, and he wanted the same thing for Max. His older cousin was someone he had idolized, and that didn’t cease because of death. “Everything will be right soon, though,” He insisted. “He’d be proud that you’re still fighting for the right thing.”

There were a smile on her lips upon hearing that they were all doing well, wanting nothing more than to hear that her cousins and aunt and uncle were managing to live well and happily. Once again there was a pang of guilt felt at the fact that she had perhaps not been the most communicative of family members, though not through disinterest but rather an inability to know what to write every time that she put quill to parchment. “That’s so kind of them, I really should make more of an effort to write to them all.” She knew perhaps better than anyone that people could be taken from you suddenly and without warning and she knew that there were thousands of things that she would say to her brother if she had the chance and so made a silent resolution to herself in that moment not to leave anything unsaid with her other family either. “Oh, of course.”  It surprised her slightly to hear that the majority of The Lockharts were unaware of the war that was taking place in the Wizarding World but after a moment or two Greta could see some logic behind it. “It will maybe keep them safer in amongst all this if they don’t know too much.” Her own parents had been drawn into it, her father’s Gryffindor tendencies and her mother’s inability to let injustice pass unchallenged meaning that they were bound to get involved, but a selfish part of her wished that she had the same opportunity that her cousin did to keep them out of the war. 

“I guess that’s true.” A soft smile was sent Gilderoy’s way when she was grateful for his words and him trying to reassure her. “Let’s hope that it is over soon then.” It wasn’t because of her legacy that she was so concerned to see an end to all the tension, disagreements and violence but rather a need for peace and a better future. Greta and her cousin differed when it came to concern over what they would be remembered for and she felt as though she would be happy simply being remembered as good things by her family and friends rather than be some kind of celebrity. 

“I hope so, I really do.” Hope had always been something she had possessed in abundance but there was no denying that there was a tinge of weariness in her voice even though they were taking steps closer to the end. Her gaze fell, overwhelmed at his statement. “Thank you, Gild, that means a lot to me.” A breath was taken to steady her voice, preparing herself to continue with an admission she hadn’t given anyone else yet. “I just can’t help but feel that he’d somehow be disappointed in it all or that if he were here he’d know what to do.”

the turning tides | gilderoy&greta

pandora-lockwood:

Pandora doubted that there was a soul left in the world that was truly pure and loving until she met Greta. There was something truly special about her friend that she gravitated towards and she wanted to keep her entire being as intact as she could. There wasn’t enough good in the world, and she had to enjoy it. Especially considering that she couldn’t recognize the same traits in herself. “I figured you couldn’t say no to cake at the very least. If not my presence too,” Her laugh was bright as she stepped back already happy that she decided to check in on her friend.

Fear was an all too familiar emotion in the world anymore, but especially with tender hearts that cared deeply about almost everyone they came into contact with. Such as which was Pandora’s case. She couldn’t think of a single person she could bare to see so much as hurt much less killed. She knew that Aversio wasn’t the right fit for her, but she couldn’t sit back. That wasn’t the point of the evening though, she knew she needed to get her mind off of everything else. Her focus was meant to be on her friend. “I think we need some rules though. Like not talking about the war in the slightest to begin.”

Pandora knew a blush instantly crossed over her cheeks as she thought about her own life. “There might be some developments in which I mean I at least asked Xeno for coffee finally. But what about you? Surely your life is much more interesting than mine is.”

“Nobody in their right mind says no to cake, especially when it’s baked with love.” The words are said as though they are the utmost fact before she grins at her friend. In her experience there were very few moods that baked goods couldn’t lift but for her it would always be those around her and her friends that had the ability to lift it even higher. “But of course I am far happier to see you.” It truly had been too long and it was only being in a room with Pandora again that she could appreciate just how much time she’d let pass without them seeing one another. The blonde was someone she had always likened to a ray of sunshine and that was exactly what she needed to brighten her day.

“Thank Merlin.” Smiling softly she didn’t think she could put into words how grateful she was to be able to take a brief respite from all the darkness that was going on around them. It had taken over her life and even she was struggling to maintain her usual positivity when they only seemed to be receiving bad news. “I know we can’t ignore it but I’d much rather focus on all the good news.” It made things seem that little bit more normal and at a time when everything was uncertain she couldn’t help but cling to it if only to keep herself sane. She knew that she couldn’t ignore it forever nor did she intend to but Greta saw no harm in pushing it to the side for a few minutes just to enjoy being a friend.

The blush on her friend’s cheek was enough of an indicator needed that something good had happened but that didn’t stop her from beaming excitedly at the blonde when the confession was made.  “You finally asked him? My life can wait until I hear all the details about this because I can promise you that nothing has been this exciting.”

I have a sweet tooth | Greta & Pandora

listen to your own voice, your own soul. too many people listen to the noise of the world, instead of themselves.

hcstia-joncs:

Hestia was more than happy to help usher in an alliance between the Order of the Phoenix and Aversio. On the surface, it seemed that the two groups were polar opposites; one was working to keep things relatively peaceful and under the surface while fighting for equality and the other believed in taking harsh stances and that violence could be used to help the greater good. But at the end of the day, they both opposed the Death Eaters and both groups wanted a more just, more equal world for people regardless of their blood status. That was the bottom line. And with the same goal wanted at the end of the day, wasn’t it better for both groups to find a way to work together? Hestia had her selfish reasons for wanting to build an alliance as well. She had friends who were in Aversio. Dirk. Marlene. To cast the members of the other organization in some harsh, unforgiving light would be to say that her own friends were not worth forgiving. She knew that she would rather have them fighting by her side than off doing who-knows-what, so the alliance between the two organizations was beneficial in that way, too. Now that things were getting moving, she was just happy to be able to play a part in it all. Moving throughout the Order’s safehouse, she could barely stand still for a minute, a thousand different thoughts and ideas running through her head. It wasn’t until Greta stopped near her that Hestia realized just how busy she’d made herself. She had so many disparate tasks on her mental ‘to-do’ list that she hadn’t actually stopped to sit down and think any of them through. “Yes, we do. And I barely know where to get started,” she sighed, tying her hair up in a messy ponytail as she spoke. “Decorations. Yes. We probably should make sure that this place doesn’t just look like some dusty old castle. – and we should cook, too. Nothing brings people together like food – at least in my experience, anyway. I was thinking about making a trifle? And maybe a cake? I’m not sure. What do you think? I don’t even know what people like anymore.”

Her feelings on Aversio were still unresolved and she knew that to say that she had reservations towards them was an understatement. As much as she longed for them all to be united if it would bring them all a step closer to an end to this war, Greta knew that there were certain things that she would just never be able to fully look past. A pacifist at heart, she could understand the need to defend yourself and fight back but never mindless violence or worse, murder. She couldn’t help but feel as though if a group had already let themselves use those tactics it would be impossible to stop them from doing it again. 

But she had friends who were a part of Aversio and that only made it more complicated when she didn’t know if she could stick to her guns when it was always so easy for her to forgive them. It didn’t change what they had all done though and that left her as wary of the group as she was glad that they seemed to be able to come to some kind of agreement to work together rather than against. It was her hope for a better future that made her put her doubts aside and get behind unity between the them all. After all, if they all stayed divided then they were no closer to a solution than before. Together was the only way that they could hope to put an end it all of it.

She smiled at the other girl, fully prepared to throw herself into preparations for the evening instead of dwelling too much on her worries. “So much to do, so little time.” Laughing lighting the brunette then cast her gaze around the room, tilting her head to the side as she envisioned what it could look like with just a few touches. “I think a few banners and streamers and plenty of light could do that easily.” The prospect of making some food for them all caused her to bounce slightly on her toes in excited anticipation when she’d always felt most at home and at ease in a kitchen. “I couldn’t agree more, food brings us all together - it’s a universal language. Well I’m sure people will just be happy to be here and any food will be a bonus but I say we make a bit of everything.”

xen-lovegood:

“You should be certain of it.” Xen smiled softly when they saw the blush spread across her lips. Blush was always a sign of people who were humble. They were the people who didn’t see just how much they brought to the table. It was a shame that Greta didn’t, but maybe they could help her see it. It wouldn’t be much, they could only offer so much, but a little could go a long way sometimes. “Oh please, I never would have survived in Gryffindor. Too much…self-assuredness. But surely, the offer for such an arduous task is indeed a great sacrifice. But someone has to do it and as the horrible event was my idea, I shall be the one to pay the price.”

Xen’s lips lifted in mischief. A journey through a castle to discover secrets untold–and ones tied to magical beings no less–it sounded like a dream, something right up their ally. Having Greta along for the ride would certainly make it that much more entertaining. “It’s settled then. As soon as this little brew-ha is finished up, you and I will make our way around to solve the mysteries of the castle. The mysteries of the world are ours to have with just a little work.” They grinned, leaning toward her. “I suppose haunting the school wouldn’t be all bad. They couldn’t keep me out of the restricted section any more, no matter how hard they tried. But then I would have to be around hundreds of teenagers every day. You win some, you lose some I suppose. But what are you going to do?”

“I think it’s what no one’s willing to see. We all want the same thing. And we have to take actions that are less than tasteful to get it. Someone has to do something. Well wishes only get people so far.” Xeno sighed and brushed a strand of hair behind his head. He’d had his own reservations with Aversio, but it was the best path available and he knew it. “We just want a better world. A better future for our children. Some place that’s just and fair and safe. Isn’t that worth paying some of the price now?”

“I’ll do my best to be.” Another smile is offered their way, appreciating the words given to her as they reminded her to have a little but more faith in herself and her abilities. “They do have their good points too. Perhaps we could ask one of them to step up and form a panel with you. Have to be somewhat fearless to take on something so daunting and taxing.” She plays along, keeping her voice serious and full of gravitas as though they were talking about something that required nerves of steel and as much bravery as one could muster rather than simply judging a baking competition. Although, she did suppose that it wasn’t something to be taken too lightly when she knew just how easily people could get competitive about things. 

Grinning at them, Greta didn’t hesitate before confirming that she would join them in exploring the castle a little more. It was exactly the sort of thing that she would have gotten up to during her Hogwarts days and the brunette knew it would be the perfect distraction. “You have yourself a deal. I’m a Hufflepuff, a little hard work never put us off anything.” Bouncing on her toes slightly, she gets into all the things that she thinks she would enjoy about returning to haunt the place that she had so many fond memories in. “See, loads of positives to it! They’d be part of the fun though, reliving your misspent youth with them. Telling them all the tricks of the trade so they can enjoy it all as much as you did. And then helping them in other ways too when people aren’t so kind.”

Lips press together slightly as she weighs her words before she speaks. Everyone had different opinions on it all and she knew that they were all entitled to them even if she still couldn’t find it in herself to condone or agree with Aversio. “I just don’t want to see us becoming them. How could we ever class it as winning if we lost ourselves and everything we stood for along the way?” Teeth worry her lips slightly and a frown crinkles her brow before she continues after sighing slightly. “I know it’s not going to be easy and sometimes you have to do things that you normally wouldn’t but that shouldn’t be all the time. If we resort to violence all the time then peace and that future we all want becomes even more unattainable.”

Zoey Deutch in Set It Up (2018)

always-pure:

July, 1979 Scotland, UK

Just when things seemed to be getting better life had decided to complicate everything again. Times of war were not for second guesses, and Narcissa felt like she was one incident away from finally making the choice she had been both fighting and nursing ever since she had run into her sister. That simple encounter had changed everything. It had opened wounds, but also let the memories fill her mind. It wasn’t just Andy, no it was running into old friends, realizing that there were those out there that still cared for her. All the thinking of what ifs and maybes was driving her mad, she needed a break, a place to clear her mind, to breath. So Narcissa headed for the one place she knew she wouldn’t be bothered, mainly because its location was known to so few.

The meadow was just as Narcissa remembered, she had not been back in so long, she had almost expected it to no longer be there, but it was. The universe was perhaps trying to tell her that good things still awaited for her, after all the years, after everything she had done -even if not by her hand but by simply standing by and letting it happen. Being in the meadow instantly filled her with peace she had not felt in a while. And just as she began to relax a noise caught her attention. Narcissa turned to find another person already there. ❝Greta?❞ she asked surprised, but then again was she really surprised that her old friend had come to the one place they both loved? ❝You needed some space as well?❞ she asked with a small shrug, maybe running into Greta was the last thing she needed to come to a decision. The universe at work again.

If the flowers around them could talk, they would tell tales of two girls as different as the sun and moon, but whose hearts could not be more similar. Two girls that took different paths, and now, well only time will tell what would happen now. Another noise brings Narcissa out of her thoughts, this time a much louder, not so familiar noise. ❝Did you bring someone here?❞ Narcissa almost asking if she fell into a trap, ❝to capture me?❞ her heart who was almost set on asking Greta for help shattering again. Masked figures begin to appear, to surround them, wands drawn, no this is not something Greta would do, that Narcissa is certain of, this is an act of cowards. ❝Greta…❞ almost a whisper, Narcissa makes her way towards her old friend, she reaches out to grab Greta’s hand, whether to apparate away if they are able, or so they wouldn’t die alone, what happens next would tell which one. 

There were moments when she felt as though things were within her grasp and she almost felt in control of her thoughts and feelings but then there were moments when her emotions and feelings carried her away and she lost that tentative hold on something secure. Uncertainty had taken a hold of her almost completely and while the one thing that she wasn’t doubting was the side she had chosen, she was still very much querying how on earth The Order was supposed to be able to come back from all this. No doubt was in her mind that they would continue trying but with The Death Eaters in power and Aversio seemingly still their enemy despite whispers of peace talks, Greta wasn’t sure what their next move would be. The faith in them and what they stood for remained unshaken but even she was struggling to find more than just a glimmer of hope.

That was what she hated most, maybe, how the war seemed to have robbed her of the one thing she used to be so sure she would always possess. Her ability to find a silver lining or more than just a little hope, to stay positive throughout it all was something she had loved about herself unquestionably but now she was struggling. A brave face was easily enough put on when she was surrounded by others but it was herself that she was finding it most difficult to stay strong for. That was what had led her to seek solace in a meadow that had been so important to her during her childhood. It was still beautiful and calm and tinged with an undeniable fondness that seemed to make it the perfect place for her to sort her thoughts. She wasn’t quite sure how long she’d been there reflecting when a familiar voice said her name. “Cissy?” The surprise caused her to revert back to how they had been years ago, before they had chosen different paths. Realising that something had been asked of her, the brunette nodded solemnly. “It seemed like the best place to come.”

Standing from where she’d made herself comfortable, Greta dusted herself off and was about to offer that she could give her old friend the space and quiet to enjoy the peace of it all but before the words had chance to leave her lips a noise catches her attention. “No, I could never.” It stung slightly to think that even for a second Narcissa might have thought her capable of it but she realised that with times as they were it was hard to trust anyone. She takes steps of her own to join hands with the blonde, grasping tightly both to reassure herself and the other girl. Without hesitation she tries to aparate, to remove them from the situation but finds herself unable to pick a place for them to go to that wouldn’t risk injury for them both. “What do you want to do?” She whispered, eyes fixed on the figures that had begun to surround them. Despite the lump in her throat, she held her head a little higher as she addressed them. “Leave us alone, we haven’t done anything.”

no man’s land | greta & narcissa

amxsdxggory:

       If he thought on how many people they’d lost in a week alone, he was sure the pain would be crippling. But even so, they were on the run now, with everything they’d once called home unable to stay when the Death Eater’s had taken over London. Where it left them, Amos didn’t know. But he knew he’d have to get up and fight, regardless of how much it hurt to think that perhaps they’d already lost. It was easier here, and part of him didn’t want to leave this moment. The knowledge that Greta was safe, just as Ced and his parents – and those who’d sent back an owl, it was enough on its own, and he didn’t want to let go of it in the fear that he’d lose one of them if he did. “If there’s anything we can do, just let us know.” The soft words were accompanied by a squeeze of Greta’s hand, attempting to offer a sense of reassurance that she wasn’t alone. He knew that both his parents and himself would do everything in their power to make sure things were alright for the Catchloves, the loss they’d already had to endure enough heartbreak to last a lifetime. “Yeah, I had them get Cedric and secure the house after the first attacks. So they weren’t anywhere near St. Mungo’s.” There was a lump of panic in his throat that he didn’t voice, not wanting to think about what might’ve happened if he’d chosen to take Cedric into work that day, or if his parents had decided to take the little boy and fuss about him at the hospital instead. Too many chances that the list of casualties might’ve included the one person that he couldn’t afford to lose painfully clear.

       He couldn’t stop the implicit feeling that it’d been his fault. He’d sworn to protect Millicent, to protect the Order, but in all his attempts to discern what Aversio or the Death Eaters might do, he’d failed to account for them being reckless and brash enough to hit the places where they were most vulnerable. Not even the soft brush of fingers against his cheek nor the lack of blame in her voice able to pull him out of the thought that he should’ve been able to save more. “I should’ve seen it coming Gret… they’ve been tearing everything apart…” Features flinched, pain and regret clear as day on his face, and the only thing that kept him from turning away from Greta was the familiarity of her touch and the comfort it came with. An anchor that there were still things that were as they once had been, and that there were people who’d stay in his life without loss of trust or blame. Of course they’d gone after the Ministry – the place not sacred anymore, and the trauma that’d come with the previous Minister’s death might not have been enough for them. “We can’t keep fighting like this…” They needed a win, a clear one – something to reinstill hope and buy them enough time to pave the way for a victory. Any other future was one that he couldn’t dwell on. Not when the very thought sucked out his spirit and replaced it with a dull lifelessness. “Not against two enemies.” Both as brutal as each other, and seemingly willing to go to any lengths to get their message across, and Amos, try as he might, couldn’t understand their willingness to harm those who couldn’t protect themselves and lay without blame in this war.

       If there’d been less worry clouding his mind, he might’ve teased her about him not really having a choice after all. Even back at Hogwarts, when he’d taken a bludger to the arm or had a tumble, she’d been there before even Madame Pomfrey had the chance to tend to him. It was no surprise that they both took comfort in the familiar, the cornerstones of their friendships that’d been there for them both before war had overtaken everything. Although he didn’t voice it, it was good to be in the company of someone with whom he shared so much with, and to be able to take some sanctuary in memories of better times. “…Ted and my dad took care of the worst of it.” Truthfully, save from the pain that lay in the back of his mind, he didn’t feel most of it. Perhaps the soreness would come later, but at the moment there was the guilt and regret, but also the faint relief that at least those he cared about most were, by some stroke of luck, alright. “There’s… some cuts on my arm still, and a spell hit my ribs. I think… that’s the worst of it. But…” It could have been worse. He could only be thankful that Alastor had taken him on, even without being an Auror, and had taught him more than he’d learned in DADA. Part of him wanted to confide in her the things he’d been unable to voice to anyone else. The terror that had rushed through his system, how he couldn’t be sure which fight had inflicted which injury on him, those moments a painful blur. But it was the faces of those he hadn’t been able to save that lay clear as day in his memory.

“Thank you.” A smile flickers over her lips, full of gratitude at the offer but lacking the usual joy that it held and it left her thinking how much she disliked the chaos that had been caused when it managed to take the one thing that she thought she would always have. Her smile was perhaps one thing that she’d taken for granted when she’d always found it easy to spot something to summon it to her face and yet now she was left struggling as her emotions were worn, nerves frayed and body weary from worry. “He’ll be okay, my mum knows more than I do so he’s in more capable hands.” There’s a lump threatening to rise in her throat when she vividly remembers just how much blood there was, images always springing to mind when she wanted nothing more than to forget ever seeing her father like that. But she was trying to convince herself to take some comfort in the fact that she had at least been able to stop the bleeding and get him out of the hospital in one piece. Swallowing slightly, Greta blinks a couple of times to dismiss the tears that were threatening to form and instead focuses on the little flickers of hope that are still there if you chose to see them. “I’m really glad to hear that.” Relief is felt keenly when the Diggorys were some of her favourite people, her loving them immensely as they’d always made her feel welcome, and then their was Cedric who she thought the world of and would do anything for. The little boy was one of the highlights of her life, enjoying every moment she was lucky enough to spend with him, and the thought of him being affected by the war in any way left her full of dread.

A frown furrows her brow quickly as she hears him blame himself, this time stilled by the regret in his features when it seemed as though he’d taken it upon himself to bear the burden of responsibility even if he had always done nothing but the right thing. There were few things that she was still feeling certain of given the recent chaos but one of those things would always be that he was one of the best people she knew and the pain in his features caused a tightening in her chest when it almost broke her heart to think that he couldn’t see that at that moment. “Amos -” His name is said softly and for a moment she can’t claim to know what she’s going to say next and so her head just shakes slightly, thumb brushing over his cheek slightly as she did hoping that the earnestness that she was sure would be in her hazel gaze would fill in what she couldn’t say. “Don’t do that.” A small step back is taken just so she can better fix her eyes on him, lifting her hand to join the other on his opposite cheek as she practically pleaded with him. “Please don’t blame yourself.” After a few moments she drops her gaze along with one hand, speaking quietly when she’s still not sure she can believe what the Death Eaters and Aversio had proven themselves capable of. “They did the unthinkable, no one could have seen that coming. If we had then we’d have prepared for it but where they attacked, The Ministry and St Mungos isn’t something we’d have ever considered a reality.” Or at least in her mind she would never have been able to fathom a motive for attacking a place full of so many innocents. Maybe that was what had made The Order so blind to it all until it happened: just because you draw a line to echo your morals doesn’t mean that you can expect others to afford the same decency.

“I know.” The draw of Aversio had always baffled her when she couldn’t understand how they were ever going to make it a better world through violence - the end didn’t justify those sorts of means when it only meant death and heartache. They had always been a danger but a part of her had hoped that their hatred of the Death Eaters would overpower anything else and might have curbed some of their less than acceptable methods but she had only been left disappointed so far. Whatever dislike she had for them was now feeling impossible to move past even though she knew two enemies would only make it all worse. “We’ll find a way to fix it.” She does her best to sound convincing, to be as positive as she usually is, undeterred by the outlook and fixing on the bright spot, but even she was struggling to see one. Losing hope would do them no favours and Greta was doing her best to cling to what she had left despite how bleak it all looked. But there were always things to be thankful for and at that moment she had Amos by her side and the knowledge that others were safe and that gave her enough conviction that all was not lost quite left. “We’ll set it right together, with everyone else.” There’s a small smile offered at the end of her words, them holding more belief in them than the previous ones had. Her focus then shifted back to the remaining injuries that her friend had, glad to hear that the majority of them had been taken care of by someone more skilled than her. “Well then we’ll get those sorted out now.” Navigating the corridors she took them to the room she knew to be his, settling on the bed as she pulled her wand out in preparation.

darkest night || greta & amos

marliism:

Sobriety was starting to drive Marlene insane. Funny, McKinnon. As if you weren’t already a fuckin’ loon, one of the several voices in her mind chimed, just as the thought flitted through her mind. Biting down on her tongue, the redhead forced herself not to think about it. So what if she was already crazy, it wasn’t without good reason. Being the direct target for Unforgivables would do that to a person. At least she wasn’t stuck in that damned hospital anymore; if she had been when those bloody attacks had happened, Merlin knew how much worse off she would be. Not that she ever allowed herself to think about it – dwelling on that, or anything for that matter, would only serve to send her back to collecting empty bottles of alcohol. And while that had been a great way of handling herself for so long, recent events had caused her to press pause. Because while being drunk helped to sate the desperate paranoia wracking her body at every moment, if she was to repent then she had to do better.

So instead, Marlene only shook and felt nauseous every waking second - which, in her recent experiences, was every second. Even if she hadn’t become so dependent on being buzzed, that would probably still be the case; war was taking more out of Marlene than she wanted to admit. Pride kept such things from being easily admitted, and as a result, the female McKinnon twin had become all but a master of knowing how the Order’s castle was  built. Sleepless nights and anxious afternoons sent her wandering through the narrow, rundown halls enough for her to practically have it all memorized; a brick missing here, a dip in the floor there. Of course, having Aversio join the ranks of those staying there only put more people around. More distrustful companions she had fought along side of, believing  her a traitor for sticking to instinct instead of loyalty. Maybe it  would get her killed, but she needed to do what was best. Survival was all she even had anymore, at times.

It was one of her several rounds of the castle, the seventh in an hour, when she heard her name. The voice was recognizable enough even before her hazel hues landed on Greta, but  her spirits began  to rise immediately. It was always impossible for Marlene not to feel her troubles alleviate in the other witch’s presence, that was how it always had been. Coming to a halt on the stairs as Greta reached her, she felt eyes boring into them, but it too was something Marlene had become immune to long ago. “Now you’ve got my curiosity peaked.” She said, an eyebrow raising, and an easy grin fell onto her face as she took hold of the woman’s hand. “Y'know I can’t say no to an adventure, do lead on.”

While she’d always enjoyed a happy home life, it had been at Hogwarts that Greta had started to learn that family was truly what you made it and there was no such thing as not having enough room in your life or heart to not let someone else in. Hufflepuff had been the perfect fit for her, with her love of fun and the way that she thrived in sociable situations, and not once had she ever felt disappointed that she hadn’t followed in the footsteps of her brother and father and ended up in Gryffindor. It was thanks to her house that she had people like Marlene in her life and while she would have liked to believe that the two of them would have always been friends regardless of the circumstances, she knew that it was their shared values and similar loves that allowed them to be more like sisters than simply friends. The history between them was woven deep into their friendship and while Greta didn’t make a habit of second guessing her friendships, she knew without a doubt that the one she shared with the redhead would be able to withstand almost anything.

Things had been tense between everyone and a part of her had been left feeling betrayed at the realisation that Marlene wasn’t solely in The Order. The knowledge was something that she hadn’t been sure what to do with initially and had to been given to her a few weeks earlier it might have been enough for her to need some distance from the other girl. Her distrust and distaste for Aversio hadn’t dimmed any and she would never be able to agree with their methods but there was something almost powerful in forgiving all of her friends involved without much of a question. They needed unity now more so than ever and with both factions seemingly on the same side, the brunette had no intention of putting a halt to any of the progress being made or to be someone who only added to the tension between the groups.

So as much as a part of her wanted to question her friend about it, Greta instead chose to enjoy the time that they had together and seize the moments of light that were available to them. “Always an easy target when it comes to an adventure, Marls.” She grinned before pulling her friend up the stairs and back to her room, paying no heed to the curious glances that the pair of them were no doubt receiving. “Now I’m hoping this is in no way anti-climatic but all the secrecy was necessary unless we wanted to share.” She paused slightly, knowing full well that she’d somehow find a way to gift everyone else what they were about to enjoy a little later. “Well, at least not yet.” Arriving at the door of the room she’d been staying in, she pushed the door open revealing a small pile of chocolate. “Ta dah” Swinging an arm out, she gestured to it with a flourish

auroras-sinistra:

florence

The last person that Florence wanted to hear anything from was Aurora Sinistra. In their last conversations, Aurora made it perfectly clear that she wanted nothing to do with her; she was cruel, almost. And as much as Florence didn’t want to take the woman’s words to heart, her friend had hurt her in a way that cut too deeply, too harshly for her to just suck it up and forgive her at the drop of a hat. At least, that was what she told herself.  When the letter came, Florence wasn’t certain that it was from her former friend and ally. But still, going to the specified location couldn’t be any more dangerous than any other mission she’d been on. Florence knew how to take care of herself, and she knew who to call if she ended up needing backup. There weren’t many details on the parchment. As far as Florence knew, it could’ve been a trap, a way to lure her to her doom. But something inside of her wanted to still believe the best in the anonymous sender, to believe it was someone asking for help instead of someone luring her to be captured, tortured, and killed. When she arrived at the restaurant and went inside, what she saw was the biggest surprise of them all. The sender was none other than Aurora Sinistra herself. Now Florence just needed to be sure that Aurora wasn’t there to set her up for something awful. She crossed her arms over her chest, looking the woman up and down before doing the same to Greta. Both women, as far as Florence was concerned, couldn’t be trusted. Yet still, she listened. She sat down at the table across from Aurora, her eyes narrowing as the woman explained herself. “Whatever you say stays with me. But you’re asking us to keep invaluable information from people it might help, Aurora. And you’ve already made it very difficult to trust a word that comes out of your mouth.”

“Maybe so,” Aurora sat back in her seat, really not in the mood for the attitude. Sure, in Florence’s mind she deserved it, but Aurora was not going to feel bad for what transpired even if both of the woman in front of her accepted this meeting with caution on their minds. Aurora had done so much pretending the past few weeks though, she wasn’t going to waste these few precious moments with her friends by apologizing. No, it was best to just start explaining. 

Clearing her throat, Aurora continued on, “When Rodolphus rose to power, my grandmother approached me with a plan. We’ve always had a rocky relationship, her being a pureblood and myself being a half-blood due to my mother’s rash decisions, but I’ve been able to make up for that due to my talent and personality. Some maternal part of her wanted to protect me in the coming future and she proposed my engagement to Mr. MacNair. I agreed to the union, which I know you are all aware of. What you do not know is that I’ve been using this engagement as a way to get close to known Death Eaters and pass whatever information I could along to both Aversio and The Order.” She looked at each woman pointedly.

There was no proof other than Aversio leaders who took the information she gave them and Frank passing along information to The Order, but Aurora could only do so much to convince the women. “Walden is being blackmailed by my grandmother and father to be with me. They wouldn’t say with what, but it’s enough to keep him in line so far, but it’s still a perilous situation. He believe’s I’ve left Aversio for now, but if he or anyone else was to find out my true position, I’d be dead. Which is why I distanced myself,” she glanced at Florence, “Only two can keep a secret if one of them is dead. And I am no help to you all dead.”

@gretacatchlovc

The tension between the three of them practically crackled and she couldn’t help but shift uncomfortably as Florence looked her up and down. She knew that the other woman had every right to be suspicious of her when no one’s loyalties were secure or well known but it still caused a little pang in her chest to know that someone she knew could distrust her so easily. The war seemed to have the ability to distort everyone’s views of each other, making you doubt even those closest to you and leaving everyone’s trust and relationships splintered and fractions. Perhaps what hurt the most was that she knew she shouldn’t take it personally when it was now the norm and things felt so far from anything close to what they had been.

Her thoughts and that twinge of sadness are set aside however as Aurora starts speaking and she gives her full attention to her friend as she explains it all. There’s an undeniable gladness that the engagement isn’t real but that for all it was nothing more than a sham it was keeping the other woman safe on some level. Of course even the best plans had their disadvantages and Greta couldn’t help but feel that Aurora was playing a dangerous game when the discovery of it would undoubtedly lead to something awful happening to her. It wasn’t her place to lecture her when she was more than capable to look after herself but she knew that there was concern in her eyes as she listened.

There was no hesitation in believing Aurora when she valued her friendship and could easily see how much the other brunette had risked just by meeting them - it didn’t make sense for there to be an ulterior motive to it all. “It all sounds like a lot for you to go through all by yourself.” The words are soft and sincere when she couldn’t imagine keeping up such a pretence all by herself without anyone truly there to support her. “You have my word that I won’t do anything to uncover your secret, I would hate the thought of anything happening to you because of that. But I also don’t think you should risk yourself any longer than you really have to so I am all ears and here to help however I can.”

@florence-wilson​

proper spy work || a&f&g

pandora-lockwood:

There was nothing more comforting to a worried mind than the warm embrace of a good friend, a fact that Pandora never took for granted when it came to her friendship with Greta. There weren’t enough people in the world that understood her desire of physical affection, but neither woman ever shied away from it with the other. The witch didn’t hold back on returning the hug with an equal tightness as she held onto her for a few extra moments. “I couldn’t wait any longer to see you. Especially with everything going on anymore.”

Stepping back the blonde looked over her friend making sure she still looked healthy. It was no longer a guarantee anymore that the people she cared about were going to be in good health much less looking as radiant as Greta seemed to manage. “But I thought we could make a cake and catch up. I could use some good girl talk with everything going on. I’m not intruding am I?” Pandora asked curiously knowing she should have made sure before just coming over, but it was almost habit for her to never remember to do so.

“But how are you?” She asked quickly rambling slightly before she realized it, “I should have asked you that first!”

While both her parents had come from typical Pureblood families, they had been determined to ensure that their children never grew up wanting for love and affection. The Catchlove children had been allowed to spend their childhood knowing that they were cared for and able to make their own decisions and choices when the focus was more on them being decent people than meeting social expectations. It meant that Greta was a girl that thrived around contact and warmth just as much as she was determined to exude it to all those around her too. “I’m glad you didn’t.” She was quick to give reassurance when she truly was glad to see the blonde.

With all the upheaval and uncertainty, the brunette had been spending most of her time at the castle and trying not to reach out to those closest to her in case it put them in any kind of danger. She’d missed Pandora something fierce and at the mention of the other girl’s plan for the evening she can’t help but grin. “Cake and a catch up sounds like a perfect way to spend an evening to me.” There’s an adamant shake of her head as if she can prove that way that it’s really no trouble that she turned up unannounced. “Not in the slightest.” 

“As well as anyone can be, I would say.” Giving wry little smile and a little shrug, Greta is quick to move the focus back to the blonde when she was always more concerned with her friend’s emotions than her own. “How have you been?”

I have a sweet tooth | Greta & Pandora

Zeus: What thing are you most hypocritical of?

“I think I could be better at not burying my feelings maybe? I tend to not like burdening the people close to me but always try to be there for them and not let them bottle things up.”

whois-gilderoylockhart:

Though the man’s recently healthy lifestyle was one of the many things he prided himself on, there were always enough calories left in the day to indulge in a chocolate frog or one of Greta’s famous baked goods. He may have been the family member with the most media coverage, but it was always a visit from her that excited his family the most, as no one in the immediate Lockhart family knew much about baking. He took another bite of his cookie and swallowed it before remarking, “If you stick around until the end of the night and there are any sweets left, I know my family would love some left overs ― not that they particularly need them, of course. I’ve been trying to encourage them all to eat healthier, but we’ll always make an exception for your cookies.” 

Gilderoy could almost breath a sigh of relief at the sound of someone asking him about himself. Truthfully, it was insulting how many people were disinterested in him at the event when he expected that, as an Aversio member, those involved in the Order would go to no ends to chat with and charm him. “Well, since you’ve asked,” He began with a smile. “You received the book I sent you, didn’t you? Gadding With Ghouls. It’s been doing great  ― sold out in its first day at Flourish and Blotts. I’ve done a couple book signings since then, and a few things with Witch Weekly Magazine here and there ― the usual.” With the urge to gloat satisfied at the moment, he encouraged his cousin to do the same. “You don’t have to be so humble, you know. I saw that mural you painted down in Diagon Alley. Ed helped too, didn’t he? It looks amazing. You two should be proud.” Merlin knew he was certainly proud to simply have connections to the two artists. 

He finished the cookie in a third bite and glanced around them. While he didn’t care much for the politics that divided Aversio and the Order, he’d be lying if he said he hadn’t been expecting a bit more drama and debating to be occurring that night. “Max would like this, don’t you think?” He looked at her with a small, sad smile. “To see everyone coming together like this… I think he would.” 

“Well I’m glad to hear that they still go down well with them all.” The smile on her face gets a little bigger and undoubtedly fonder at the mention of her other cousins and aunt and uncle. Trips to the Lockhart household had always been something that she had looked forward to during her childhood and the memories of the times spent together would always be ones she held closely. “Healthier is good, it just makes all the sweet things taste all the better.” Mischievousness glints in her eyes for a moment before she can’t help but feel a pang of regret that with everything that had been going on it had been so long since she had paid them a visit. “How are they all? It’s been too long since I’ve found a moment to see them.”

“I did, couldn’t put it down.”  With a firm nod and a proud smile, she confirms that she had read his book and while she was never one to boast about her cousin she never shied away from letting people know of his talents and adventures. “I’m glad to hear that it’s all going so well for you, it’s still such a nice thing to see your face in the pages - I’ve kept all of them.” She was sentimental at heart and never had been able to stop herself collecting things of importance about the achievements of those close to her. A grateful smile crosses her lips but it all feels so bittersweet when Greta still isn’t convinced that it made that much impact despite how much of her heart and soul she poured into it. “I just hope it made some kind of difference but I think next time people will need more than a mural to boost their spirits.”

The mention of her brother never failed to send a lump flying into her throat as she fought to keep tears from forming. Out of anyone there Gilderoy had just as much of a claim to grief over Max as she did and she probably shouldn’t have felt so ashamed that everything still felt so raw, but instead she just painted a soft, sad smile on her lips and agreed. “He would, he really would.” He had been the best of them all in her eyes, a true Gryffindor and someone who would have still had so much to give. Someone who would have known what to do far more than she did. There’s a hesitation before she makes her next confession, voice soft and tentative. “Sometimes I wish he was here to see it all and others I’m almost glad he can’t see things getting worse when he fought so hard to make it all right.”

the turning tides | gilderoy&greta

Aphrodite: Have you ever fallen in love with someone you’d never have expected to feel for?

“I think that everyone has got something that you can like or admire them for - there’s always something good in them and if you can see that then it’s easy to see why you could fall in love with them. But I don’t know if I’ve ever fallen in love even though I’ve loved and love a lot of people.”

chittockwrites:

Harper’s concentration face