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_reed]

Reed was stuffed. It was a wonder he could Apparate with so much food in his stomach. He and Mandy decided that since both their families had things planned for Easter, they would attend together. It was was the first time they'd shown up as a couple at a holiday gathering at either of their parents' houses. Which had put RB a little on edge

[rar_millicent]

It was a lovely day for a picnic, and after brunch with her dad, who was planning on lazing the day away reading, Millie grabbed a basket of leftovers, sandwich fixings, and a bottle of tea. She thought some time outside would take her mind off the forthcoming acceptance or rejection letter.

She spread a blanket on the grass near some other picnickers, and sat, watching the kids play. Someday, she'd like to see her kids play. Not likely to be soon, but one could hope, right?

[rar_neville]

Neville was looking around for a friend to share lunch with when he spotted Millicent Bulstrode sitting alone. He thought about it for a second or two and figured why not. She could always tell him to bugger off.

"Hey, Millie. Would you like some company?" Neville asked.

[rar_millicent]

Millie looked up to see Neville sans Pansy approaching her. She hesitated, then said, "Sure, why not. Hungry?" She gestured towards the basket, pulling a biscuit out for herself.

"So, er, how are you?" Really stellar opening gambit, but after the long talk with Pansy the night before, it felt wierd talking to the object of her friend's affections.

[rar_neville]

Neville sat down and opened his pack. "I am but I've brought my own, thanks anyway," he said as he unwrapped his ham and cheese.

"I'm good. How are you? Been here long? I hear there was an egg hunt earlier," he'd noticed a lot of kids running about getting dirty in their nice clothes. His gran never took him to things like this when he was little or if she had, he was sure she'd not let him ruin his finery.

[rar_eloise]

Eloise didn't really know much about Easter, other than that it was a Christian Holiday, but figured the park opening was a worthwhile event, Easter or not.

She stood next to the Memorial, fingering Megan's name and breathing deeply. Why hadn't she brought Wayne with her? This would have been easier with him there. Moving down, she spotted her Dad's name as well. Seeing Elliot Midgen and Megan Jones etched into the stone somehow made things more official. Their names were there for everyone to see. Everyone had known they were gone, of course, but this was different somehow. Walking back over to Meg's name, she stood and looked at the letters for a moment, just trying to focus on the form of the M and E.

[rar_kingsley]

Kingsley couldn't say he'd been looking forward to attending the opening of Phoenix Park in Hogsmeade, but he felt that it was important that he attend. Sure, it was important for his public image and many other reasons he could check off his Minister-for-Magic list, but ultimately, he thought it was important for him. So many friends and fellow fighters had been lost. It was easy to get caught up in the action of his daily tasks and not really acknowledge the approaching anniversary; he needed to start mentally preparing himself

[rar_eloise]

Eloise was startled to hear someone speak, not having realized anyone was standing near. Her eyes widened when she saw the bloody Minister himself, but didn't allow herself to really react. He should be allowed to mourn just like everyone else.

"Yes," she said simply, focusing again on her dad's name, sighing at the familiarity of his initials.

[rar_kingsley]

Hearing a voice next to him, Kingsley turned, almost surprised to see a girl standing next to him. There were other people around, of course, but he'd not really consciously taken them in as he'd circled the statue. Now that he saw her face, it was obvious she was feeling much the same way he did gazing at the names. He wondered who she'd lost, who had meant so much to her.

"I'm sorry," he said, turning to offer the girl a small smile. "I think the seriousness of the moment momentarily overcame my ability to watch my surroundings. I apologise for startling you, Miss...?"

[rar_shelby]

Shelby couldn't stand it much longer, pretending the truce that her parents kept pushing her on. She'd set up camp outside in her treehouse she'd hidden from them, only going inside to snitch food. She'd spent a lot of time wandering Diagon, reading in Flourish and Blotts, and writing in her notebook.

She had spent more time around people in that week than she'd had, voluntarily, in ages. Yet, the idea of a picnic still appealed, so she packed a bag of foodstuffs and set out to be near, but not with, people.

[rar_lavender]

"What do you mean Kieran's not coming?"

"I mean, he's not coming."

Lavender stared at James, wondering what he was playing at. "But he was talking about it all morning."

"Yeah." He smiled sheepishly, scratching his ear. "Until I asked him not to."

She stared for a few more seconds before it clicked. "Oh." Lavender bit her lip. "Okay." She couldn't quite stop her smile at that. "So it's just us?"

"Is that alright?"

Lavender was surprised, but grinned. "I... think it might, yeah." Though he seemed to be looking over her shoulder right now, which she supposed was slightly better than him looking at her chest. She turned to looked, then rolled his eyes as she saw that he was eying one of the flower beds. "Oh, go on, then. I know you want to go and look at how the plants have settled in. I'm going to... wander. Maybe get us something to drink. I'll be back soon."

Leaving him to the plants, Lavender set off for a walk of her own, keeping an eye out for any familiar faces and with just a bit of a blush on her cheeks.