RP: Easter in Phoenix Park

[rar_npc]

Date: 7 April 1999
Character(s): [Edward Clarke], Any citizens who want to come out and have a picnic
Location: Phoenix Park, Hogsmeade
Status: Very Public
Summary: Easter Sunday in Hogsmeade and the grand opening of Phoenix Memorial Park
Completion: InComplete

Comments

[rar_lisa]

Lisa had seen the flyers about the park's opening all over town, and she thought it would be the perfect place to get some air and think without being completely antisocial and moping about her room all day. She'd packed a small lunch for herself, though certainly nothing fancy, and jogged from her house until she reached the park, at which point she slowed to a walk. Her lungs felt like they could breathe the clear air all day and still never be tired of it; the exertion felt good.

There were all sorts of people wandering about, but no one she recognized yet. It was peaceful in a way that her room and house really couldn't be, and she found herself smiling in spite of herself. Lisa liked the simple things more than ever these days--a good book, a quiet meal, spending time with Terry, a drink with a mate--and this place certainly seemed to qualify. Already her mood felt truly lighter than it had all week.

She thought maybe she'd be spending a lot more time in Phoenix Park as the weather continued to improve.

[rar_cho]

Cho arrived at the park to find it already getting crowded. It was nice to see so many families and children enjoying themselves. She had been happy to receive such a quick reply from Lisa in response to the letter she had sent a little earlier. Lisa had mentioned she was going to the Phoenix Park opening which was an event Cho planned to attend as well. She walked around the park a few minutes until she saw the person she was looking for.

“Lisa! Fancy running into you here,” she grinned as she walked over to her friend. “I hope you don’t mind but I was already headed in this direction when I got your letter, so I was hoping I’d run into you.”

[rar_lisa]

"Cho, hi!" The sudden appearance of her friend had startled her a little, as caught up as she was in her thoughts, but she recovered quickly. Maybe she could even get through today without a pretense of happiness. Lisa smiled, realising that her expression might have said otherwise. "Of course I don't mind. Just a little distracted, sorry. How are you?"

[rar_cho]

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to surprise you like that. I just didn’t want to miss the opportunity to say hello.” Lisa did seem to be distracted and Cho really hadn’t wanted to intrude. Hopefully, Lisa was distracted by good things. She deserved them.

“It’s good to see you again.” She was realizing just how much she had missed everyone while she was back in Glasgow. “Hey! Congratulations on your new job! The Ministry chose well.”

“I’m doing okay. It’s been a bit of an adjustment living alone. I’ve never done that before.” She smiled again at Lisa. “So, things are good for you? With a new place and new job, it sounds like you’re doing well.”

[rar_lisa]

Lisa shook her head, chuckling a little. "It's okay. Probably good to get out of my head anyway. I have a tendency to get lost in there sometimes."

Glancing over at the other girl as they continued to walk, she realised it was good to see Cho as well. They'd never been exceptionally close, but in a way that made this meeting feel sort of like a true fresh start. Cho wasn't someone who had any sorts of expectations or impressions of her, really, but knew her well enough to be comfortable. "Thanks. The change is a little daunting, but I'm really looking forward to the challenge."

She nodded. Living alone would be strange at this point in her life, even though the last couple of days she might have liked the solitude a little too much. "I'm still living in the house on South Vinewood with Parvati, though Lavender's moved out and Padma in. I'm doing...okay," she said, using Cho's own words. Then she shook her head, giving the other girl a sheepish smile. "No, I'm really good most days, actually. Just a bit off this week."

[rar_cho]

Cho had to smile. “Being lost in thought is not all that unusual for Ravenclaws. I have to remind myself of that when I find myself overanalyzing things. It’s our nature, I think

[rar_lisa]

Lisa nodded. "I know I need it, it's just...." She paused, not really wanting to go into her particular issues, but at the same time feeling like a more objective party might be just what she needed. She decided on the middle ground, for the time being. "I guess it's just more complicated than I wanted it to be."

She smiled at Cho's words, thinking that if "okay" actually was good enough, then maybe she was better off than she thought. Then again, she wasn't sure what that said about her friend's current state, and the thought was a little worrying. She almost asked why she was only okay, but stopped herself. Lisa wasn't sharing, so she didn't think it was fair to ask Cho to do so

[rar_cho]

“I’m sorry, Lisa. Even when life should be a little easier, it’s still more complicated than I would have ever expected.” Cho hoped Lisa knew she could count on her if she needed to talk about what was troubling her. Although she didn’t seem like she wanted to talk about it now, she should know the offer was there. “If you ever want to talk, about anything, I hope you know I would listen

[rar_lisa]

She'd been right to walk away, but Lisa was proud of herself for not breaking into a full run. It was too much--how could she have forgotten about the memorial? Voldemort...and all those names.... Justin was gone. She knew he was gone, had accepted it as fact. But she couldn't just walk up and stare at his name on some list like it was nothing of consequence; not with so many people around, and not without preparing herself first

[rar_cho]

They walked together in silence, back along the path, until Lisa stopped and sat down on the ground. Cho wanted to make sure she was okay and was relieved when she finally began to speak. She listened to Lisa talk about losing someone close to her. The war may have ended almost a year ago but so many wounds were still fresh. “You don’t have to apologize, Lisa. I understand. It wasn’t something I wanted to be reminded of right now either.”

Cho knew she should ask if Lisa would rather be alone but didn’t feel comfortable leaving her friend like this. Instead she sat down beside her and quietly said, “It does get better. Just takes time.” What a trite statement. She knew she hadn’t wanted to hear such platitudes herself but somehow wanted to let Lisa know it was true. There was no need to mention it had been almost four years since Cedric’s shocking death. Lisa had been there as well and would know what she was referencing. “I’m saying that from experience

[rar_lisa]

Lisa looked up in surprise, suddenly realising that her friend knew exactly how she felt. Many people lost loved ones in the war, but Cho had had it worse, hadn't she? Cedric's death had been the first public casualty of war, and Cho's grieving had been even more public. Lisa could remember being at school and being annoyed at just how often the older girl had burst into tears afterwards, but now

[rar_cho]

The sounds of people talking and children laughing could be easily heard but surprisingly, didn’t intrude on their comfortable silence. The normalcy of a day at the park seemed to offset the rush of memories. After all this time, she still remembered all too well.

Their comfortable silence was broken a little later by Lisa speaking first. She snuck a quick glance and Lisa seemed more like her usual self. She was quiet but she always did have a quiet strength which Cho envied. “Anytime, Lisa. Anything you need.”