RP: Going for a visit

[shh_millicent]

Date: November 16, 2004
Character(s): Ella, Millicent, Gilderoy, Julian
Location: House on G-street, the Five Alarm
Status: Private
Summary: While Mummy is sleeping, Ella decides to go and visit Mr Bunny Man
Completion: Complete

Comments

[shh_avery]

The child was simply beautiful, so full of vitality and joy. Julian watched Ella run about, and then play with the rabbits, feeling quite charmed and... hopeful. Gods know this war had ravaged enough lives, and even in Ella's little family it seemed there were scars. But this world still had room for a child to have a moment of happiness. It greatly inspired Julian with the hope that they just might be able to rebuild this time. And perhaps not make the same mistakes again

[shh_millicent]

Playing with the bunnies was fun, and they were soft, and pretty, and then Mr Muffin man made her bounce! And he called her Miss Bunny. Ella giggled almost so much her tummy hurt.

She didn't want to go home, but Mr Bunny Man had said she needed to take care of Mummy, and if he said so, then she it must be awfully important. And sometimes you had to do awfully important things. Especially when you were a big girl like she was.

She ran upstairs to get dragon, and then downstairs where Mr Bunny Man and Mr Muffin Man were waiting for her. She happily took Mr Bunny Man's hand and skipped next to them while chatting about bunnies, and Myff and Penny and Mummy and flying. And Mr Bunny Man and Mr Muffing Man listened to everything! They were the bestest, Ella decided, as she saw her house and pointed.

'My house!' she said happily.

[shh_gilderoy]

It was so quiet, Gilderoy felt a chill as he went inside. "Hello?" he called out. "Millicent - Miss Bulstrode, are you there?" he asked into the silence.

Ella ran ahead into the sitting room and pointed happily to the sofa.

"Millicent? Are you okay?" he asked, kneeling down by the sofa. He put his hand on her forehead. There was no fever. But the house was still cold. Hadn't she cast a warming charm before she went to sleep.

She smelled like potions.

"Ella, did your mother ever use the socks and mittens I sent to her to go and eat?" Gilderoy asked.

[shh_millicent]

Ella nodded just as Mummy began to stir.

'Mummy brought home food, and cooked!' she said happily, although she couldn't really remember if Mummy had eaten herself. She frowned as she tried to remember.

Then Mummy mumbled her name and she smiled and climbed up on top of her. 'I'm here Mummy, and Mr Bunny Man and Mr Muffin Man are here too,' she said. 'We bringed muffins!'

[shh_avery]

Julian paused when he heard 'mummy's' full name. Bulstrode? He believed he knew exactly who Millicent was now, but was uncertain as to how to feel about that. Miss Bulstrode was what Julian might call an associate. Depending on what she knew or had been told, she could be just as unfriendly to him as any auror or Order member. Truly, it was hard to predict anything these days.

Wary and uncertain about the specifics of the situation, Julian hung back by the door. He settled for the typical Slytherin response, watching and calculating.

[shh_gilderoy]

"Come on, love, it's time to get up and have something to eat," Gilderoy said softly, helping Millicent to a sitting position. He turned to Ella. "Can you go see if you have any jam or jelly in your cupboard? Or something else sweet - honey, perhaps? Even just sugar would be fine."

Gilderoy had seen his share of malnourished patients at St. Mungo's, and he also knew that the best and fastest way of getting someone up and about again was to give them some sugar. The sooner her brain was working again, the better.

He sat next to her, and propped her up against him. "We have muffins and sandwiches, Millicent." His voice was tender, and he took her hand in his own.

[shh_millicent]

Ella nodded, climbed down from Mummy and the sofa and ran out into the kitchen.

Somewhere in the back of her mind Millicent noted that, as she noted that there were people in the house. Lockhart was there and there was someone else... She squinted her eyes to make out the other man - and felt her blood freeze when she did.

Avery

A Death Eater. What was he doing here

[shh_gilderoy]

As he held her there, he noticed just how thin Millicent was getting. What was it with these women and not eating? Are they all just insane? He glanced up at Marcel with a look of sympathy, and only then noticed that the man was also rather thin. Perhaps the war was worse than he had originally thought.

"Come on, you should have some of this sandwich. I have enough for today, and possibly dinner tonight, as well. Did you use those socks and mittens I sent you? I sent them to you so you could start eating properly and gather your strength up. Can't have my #1 employee pass out from hunger while using super sharp scissors, can I now?"

He put the sandwich in her hand and stroked back some of her hair like an overprotective father holding his little girl. She was very soft, and just a little more frail than he would have liked, but at least she was beginning to warm up.

[shh_avery]

Julian watched the scene unfold with a mixture of emotions. He was obviously wary, as the Averys had many associations with the Bulstrodes outside of the 'workplace'. It did not matter that the two families were related. To be quite honest, Julian was more wary of the Avery side of his family then the Wenlocks, which was how he and Seti were related. And once again, there was the whole issue of a strange man in your home without your invitation, playing with your innocent child.

As Julian watched Gilderoy fuss over Millicent Bulstrode, however, he was also feeling another emotion, one which he hadn't accounted for. It was... he was... well, a tad bit... protective, of Gilderoy. He stared in some surprise upon realising this. It didn't make sense to feel this way. Gilderoy was soon to be his business partner, should this venture prove favourable. And they were becoming, albeit flirtatious, friends again. From the appearances of things, the man's relationship with Ms. Bulstrode was merely friendly. Besides, the man had

[shh_millicent]

The feeling of Gilderoy holding her almost made her cry. No matter how she tried, Millicent couldn't remember ever being held like this. There seemed to be no ulterior motive, he didn't attempt to seduce her, he just...held her

[shh_gilderoy]

"It's all right, Millicent," Gilderoy told her, smoothing back her hair some more. He gave her a kiss on her forehead. "He's my partner."

The tension between Marcel and Millicent left Gilderoy somewhat perplexed. If course he wouldn't remember whether they knew each other or not. But if they knew each other, certainly they would be friends. And if they did not know each other, then there would be no reason for this unspoken standoff.

It was a good thing that Ella came bounding in with a small jar of honey. "Aah! excellent! He said cheerfully. Here, why don't you put some of that on a muffin and give it to your mummy. She needs something sweet and good that will fill her up."

When Ella came closer, Gilderoy relaxed his grip on Millicent and moved away to leave room for her daughter. After he noticed Ella had settled in completely, he stood and went over to the doorway that led to the kitchen. "I'm just going to check things out in here, and then we'll be on our way. Julian and I have a lot of work to do today!"

[shh_avery]

Julian felt a flutter of worry as he watched Gilderoy leave the room. Ms. Bulstrode hadn't revived fully yet, but it was always unwise to underestimate a Slytherin, doubly so if they were a Death Eater. He had noted the suspicion in her eyes - only a fool could have missed it - but spoke more of defensiveness than aggression. In many respects, that made her even more dangerous.

Keeping his demeanour personable, despite the pointlessness of it, Julian smiled lightly. "Yes, we are partners." He resisted the urge to make that more pointed... barely. "The idea is his brainchild, but I'm providing much of the capital and experience. I'm sure you recall the multiple businesses the Averys used to hold. Serendipitously, Gilderoy and I were about to view a property for this venture. From what I hear, it's in good shape, so you should be able to begin working soon." He allowed his voice to soften briefly, although his gaze never strayed from hers. "I'm sure it will be a relief to have steady work, both for yourself and your lovely

[shh_millicent]

Millicent started when Gilderoy left her side. Suddenly she felt alone again, even with Ella sitting next to her, spreading honey on the muffin (and herself a fair bit too).

Millicent took the offered muffin, but kept her eyes on Julian Avery, trying to figure out what he wanted.

'Mr Muffin Man buyed the muffins,' Ella said happily, which made Millicent frown as she tried to understand.

When she did she glanced down at the muffin with suspicion, then back at Avery who was now talking. She was uneasy, but what he said sounded fair. Money in advance could be useful, as she needed to pay for food, and at least he didn't seem to want to hurt her. She nodded, if still on her guard.

'Thank you,' she said softly, although she didn't specify if she meant the muffin of the advance in pay.

[shh_gilderoy]

Oh, everything was just perfectly peachy

[shh_avery]

Bowing formally, Julian said in reply to Millicent's gratitude, "You're welcome, Madam. If you think about it, it makes for good business. Staffing is part of ones resources. It only makes sense to keep your employees healthy and happy." They were making a tentative connection on a Slytherin level, so it also made sense to frame things in a logical business perspective. He couldn't resist a small smile to Ella, however. "Besides, I do believe the rabbits prefer your Miss Ella to no-one else for their brushing needs. Unhappy rabbits grow distressed fur." To say the atmosphere had relaxed would have been inaccurate, but Julian felt a sort of tentative peace

[shh_millicent]

Millicent watched them both leave, her body tense and aching now that the pain potion had left her system. She watched Ella waive happily to them, and pushing the muffing on her