(Untitled)

[atouchofthyme]

Who: Astoria, Theodore, and anyone else in his group.
When: Hours After the Attack
Where: The Ministry of Magic
What: Finding the Unexpected
Rating: TBA
Status: Thread // In Progress

Comments

[augury_corner]

It was splayed before Michael like a schematic- hundreds, even thousands of golden tendrils reaching out and forming a complex network of grids that seemed to form a tapestry. But the tapestry was in serious disarray- threads were broken, their frayed tips glowing wildly. Others were knotted about the other threads. Still more seemed to pill up, like they had simply snapped. Floating around this map of lines were free radicals of numbers of rune symbols, sapping the energy

[seeingdarkness]

Theodore wasn't sure what do with himself, feeling entirely unhelpful as he hovered near Michael, his landmark for finding Rudolph again.

Suddenly, as Michael lifted away a sliver of the wards one of the many voices inside his head was sharpened, and he had a clear, yet fleeting image of Astoria, causing him to start at its suddenness. His arms were raised defensively, but within an instant it was gone again, and he blinked in surprise.

"...Astoria," he breathed, "What are you doing here?"

[mac_n_chezz]

Terry's arms were beginning to ache and pull at their sockets as he continued to grip tightly to the sides of the package of water bottles he was carrying. He kept reminding himself that they were almost back at the Ministry... Or, what was left of it. The term "ground zero," however appropriate, sounded too callous for Terry's taste so he removed it from his thoughts. His long, quick strides kept him a few feet ahead of Padma as they walked away from the store. He felt awkward looking at her and felt that the best thing for him to do at the moment was to keep away from her so that she wouldn't give him that face. He was worried about his parents now and the last thing he needed was Padma's calming, caring face. It would only make him feel ten times worse and he preferred to not cry in front of people and loose what little of a reputation he still had

[augury_corner]

"Thanks mate," Michael said, his tone a little distracted. His hand was even then parting that particular thread from the rest and he dared shift his head to offer Terry a reassuring smile. It took a degree of his reserves, but he had to. This was Terry. He chanced a look over Padma's shoulder and it was a mistake. It diverted his attention just enough to strain it. But it was Theodore's words that would trigger Michael's real distraction.

The ward lashed out at Michael, sensing his weakness. "SHYTE!" Michael hissed, his eyes going wide. And then it was like someone had just slapped him. Or punched him. He landed on his bum, growling as he took in breath. Stranger still, a thin line of blood, like a cut, seeped from his cheek. It was psychic backlash- that punishment from a violated ward.

Immediately, Michael's eyes darted to Theodore. Theodore couldn't see... and Astoria, at least as far as Michael knew the name, was nowhere near. "What was that Theodore?"

[padma_hilwe]

Though not impressed that Terry took off like he did, Padma knew there were more important things to be dealt with. By the time she was within a block of the Ministry's old position, the heels had been removed from the witch's feet and she was carefully side stepping the occasional piece of rubble and cracked earth. Her mind was content focusing on not having her foot cut open on her way with food for the people that may be inside.

Having successfully sidestepped any sharp pieces, the witch finally made it to Michael, Terry, Theodore and a tapestry. She did not miss Terry's hasty removal of his gaze from her but it was not the the topic of concern- Michael falling backwards was. With a sudden gasp, the girl dropped her back heels to the ground in shock. She was glad, however, that the bag of cans stayed on her arm since that would have made a lot more noise.

Of course when Theodore's name was mentioned, Padma almost felt bad since she had forgotten he was around, but her attention stayed completely on Michael.

[seeingdarkness]

"...I saw her. My friend, Astoria...she's here..." He frowned, stepping closer, "Are you all right?"

[liam_donally]

Liam felt bad for lingering behind the rest, especially when he was carrying important supplies. He had gotten distracted by the cloud of dust and noise that sprung up around Bill and Rudy. He wanted to go over, to see if they were okay, but he had to get this stuff back to where Michael was. Through the dust and chaos he found everyone again, and seeing Michael in the state he was in, he hurried his steps. He carefully set aside what he was carrying, and stepped in a bit closer.

"Michael, are you okay?"

[augury_corner]

Michael wiped his cheek, feeling the unusual sting. He went a little wide-eyed at the thin sheen of blood that came onto his hand. He didn't realize he'd held his breath until he saw it. "I'm... uhhh, fine, thank you Liam." He said unsteadily. He quickly stood up, his eyes not leaving Theodore.

"You can see her, can't you Nott?" Michael said in a steady, determined tone. Michael was one of the very rare people that Theodore had entrusted with his gifts, back before they had again returned to being enemies. "You sensed her..." Michael added, as if he was trying to figure it out for himself

[seeingdarkness]

"I'm...not sure," Theodore said with a frown, "...Somewhere near by I think, I saw her when you pulled back the ward." He hesitated for a moment, racking is mind for a why to locate her, though nervous about revealing any of his powers in front of these stranger. Fingering his crystal he thought through some of the divination he'd learned since leaving, lifting the chain over his head and holding it still, concentrating and muttering a spell. The chain swung lightly, before settling on a direction. "She's...in this general direction," he said, pointing down and to the left.

[padma_hilwe]

Padma watched Theo's chain, eyes bouncing from the object and its holder with confusion. She had no idea Theodore knew anything about divination- nevermind some form of scrying that was never taught at school officially. Her eyes narrowed slightly as the chain 'chose' its direction which the ex Slytherin interpreted as the direction Astoria was in. And no matter how interested she was in this sudden new talent the man possessed, her mind was elsewhere. Not just on Astoria but if Astoria's sister even knew that the younger Greengrass was at the Ministry that day. Whether or bot Daphne did, no word was not good in this situation.

Slowly, Padma's eyes trailed over to Michael, eyebrows raised. Where they going to follow this new lead.