maneo xxiii. rewrite message

[inheritedtales]

[There once was a little witch who had quite injured the several years she had spent away from this blasted place. Needless to say, of course, she had forgotten all about that time when she was away... But when she awoke this fine morning, was less than pleased than to remember Mayfield and the near year she had been there before.]

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Comments

phone

[commentboxtroll]

[Wow, Granger. Rude. He was actually going to be somewhat glad to hear from her again, but then she went and said that.]

No. Still working on that.

phone

[inheritedtales]

[There's some relief in her veins at his voice. I should have guessed as much.

[A beat. Shut up, she's only saying it once.] It's wonderful to hear from you.

phone

[commentboxtroll]

Well, if you thought I was going to ruin it...

[But eh, let's not start an argument right off the bat.]

I wish I could say the same. I'm sorry to see you're stuck here again.

phone

[inheritedtales]

Oh, lighten up. It was a joke, Caesar.

[She frowns.] It really would have been easier if they'd just taken me when they had before... There's so much more at risk now. Still, if I have to be here... Well, I can't deny being a little happy you're still around. Oh, but that makes me sound absolutely awful.

phone

[commentboxtroll]

I'll have you know I've been taking the DA very seriously, that's all.

[So very. Sort of. Well, that really has yet to be seen, but he has been working on it.]

And, no, it doesn't. It's not as if you being glad I'm here has an impact on how long I remain. So, years have passed for you. Are you an old lady now?

phone

[inheritedtales]

Oh? Well, I suppose I'll have to believe it when I see it.

[It's joking, really. At least, as joking as things ever got between them. She's loosened up over the years, just slightly.]

Yes, but being even vaguely happy to see someone in Mayfield feels wrong. [A pause while she rolls her eyes.] Twenty-six is hardly an old lady.

phone

[commentboxtroll]

If I see it fit to invite you to the next meeting at all. I wonder if I should...

[They have their own way of joking. It involves constant rudeness.]

But it does make you someone's old lady. Weasley, is it now?

[Don't think he didn't catch that. He knows that name from all the notes he scavenged after she first left.]

phone

[inheritedtales]

You seem to be forgetting I know where the meetings took place. Unless, of course, a place larger than the gym has shown up since my arrival.

[Well, yes, it's normalcy.]

[Oh, that makes her a bit flustered. Just a ta for a moment.]

Oh, honestly. Ronald does not possess me in any form just because we're married. Now, Rose, perhaps...

[God. You are an awful stalker, Caesar.]

phone

[commentboxtroll]

You never know. A lot can happen in a couple months.

[Except they will totally be using the gym, shut up.]

I never said anything about possessing! But at least that settles one problem... [Not that she gets to know what that problem was. It's his turn for an awkward pause when he has to think about Hermione having kids, though. What.] You have a daughter?

phone

[inheritedtales]

Yes, because Mayfield often gives us new buildings and allows them to say. Something big enough for the DA seems too helpful.

[Yeah, she kind of figured.] I'll be sure to reset up enchantments, at the very least, for it.

Oh? And what problem is that? [She will find out. But she quiets, biting her lip and trying to keep calm. Her family was the reason she couldn't be here. She shook her head after a moment, voice somber.] ...Yes, actually. She was born a few months ago.

phone

[commentboxtroll]

Actually, now that you mention it...

[Good job, Hermione. He has ideas now.]

You'll see. [He skips over the question about the problem automatically.] I'm sorry to hear that. You shouldn't be here with a child that young back at home. Uh, congratulations, though, I guess. On... family stuff.

[Or whatever. What do you even say to things like this, what?]

phone

[inheritedtales]

[Don't make her smirk.] So I take it I am invited to the next meeting?

[She'll ask again later, Caesar. You know she will. She takes a breath however at his response.] Yes, that's what troubles me most... Thank you though.

[But it does lead her to filter the call. She's quiet a moment before speaking.]

I'm afraid I can't help as much as I did in the DA before. I will, of course, but... I'm not eighteen anymore. If something happens to me permanently here... it's not just me it effects anymore. There's Rose to worry about now... and Ron. I'll help, of course, but I can hardly risk as much as I had before.

[A breath.] Please understand.

phone

[commentboxtroll]

I suppose I can let you in on it this one time.

[No, he'll make her smirk if he wants to.]

Don't worry so much about that. [Crap, that means he can't foist it off again.] Nina and I can take care of things, but you already know, even without being in charge, there'll always be risks. Mayfield isn't a safe place, no matter what you do or don't do.

phone

[inheritedtales]

Oh? Just this once? I feel honored.

[Well good because she is.]

[Filtered.]

You must know me well enough by to know I will. You don't last the year I have here and not realize that. [She huffs.] But things are different now. We've yet to realize the worst they can do to those of us who defy them-- murdering us for a day and bringing us back the next can hardly be the worst of it.

phone

[commentboxtroll]

Maybe even twice, if you behave.

[You can't see it, but he is so rolling his eyes.]

You've been gone long enough, you could have forgotten. But no, things aren't different. If there are worse things, you're going to have to deal with them regardless of what you do or do not do.