Homes, Houses and Places To Stay

[G. Novella]

"Octavius, you said you had something important to tell us," said Veronica, "We can discuss supplies later."

She gave Lacey a dirty look. Maxwell was a hero, and she was acting too good for this mission?

[kumainpink]

Octavius sneered at the girl, before turning his attention to the group as a whole. "Ah yes, about that. I read up on the files Marigold sent me, and came across some rather disturbing information. For close to one hundered years, the Patronus barrier that keeps them from escaping has diminished greatly." he scowled at the thought. "And every request to renew it has been denied. The last denial came from good old Garrison himself."

[G. Novella]

"So Garrison has been working on his own then? Who's in charge of watching him?" asked Henry, but before he could continue, Veronica interrupted.

"How do we know the information is correct?" she asked, "He's often easily bought, he could be doing it for someone else."

[kumainpink]

"See for yourself." He said, giving her a large, manilla envelope. "The warden of Azkaban has been begging for the barrier to be restored for a long time. Garrison signed his name to the bottom of the last ten denials."

[G. Novella]

"So, why?" asked Veronica as she looked over the denials. "These should have passed my desk. Why has Garrison got the Dementors listed as his to deal with?"

"Someone needs to look into that," said Henry, interrupting Veronica's thoughts. "Maxwell, your call."

[kumainpink]

Maxwell fought the urge to rage and scream. WHAT THE FUCKING HELL, GARRISON? He always knew the Minister was a lowly, pathetic, foolish man, but this was something else entirely! He looked to Veronica. He hated to ask this of her - especially considering Cassalina's insecurities - but it had to be done. "Veronica, you're in the best position to find out. Would you be willing to worm the information out of him? I'd like to know why he's acting like this."

[G. Novella]

Veronica looked up. This wouldn't be the first time she slept around for information, but she hadn't ever been in a relationship. She took Cassalina's hand and gave it a squeeze. Her heart hurt at the answer she knew she'd be giving, but she had long ago committed herself to this. Cassalina would understand.

"Of course," said Veronica coolly, "He's shown an interest in me, and it won't be hard."

[kumainpink]

Cassalina felt as though she were going to be sick. She squeezed Veronica's hand tightly. Yes, it had to be done, but still...why her? It just wasn't fair! She glared at Maxwell, who gave her an apologetic stare right back.

"Thank you. I appreciate it very much." He closed his eyes, looking far wearier than ever before, and Cassalina felt her heart melt. They all had to make sacrifices here, after all. "Alright, does anyone have any suggestions or questions they'd like to address?"

[Nahara46]

"Is there anything you expect us to do until then?" It was Odin who asked, he wanted to know if they wanted him to supply something. He wasn't excited to help, but he needed to do what he had to if he didn't want to be hunted.

[kumainpink]

Maxwell considered Odin's question. "No, there is no need. I'm personally funding this endeavor. Everything you need will be covered."

[G. Novella]

Veronica felt Cassalina's discomfort, but ignored it when Wolf-Boy opened his mouth. She looked curiously at him. Since when did his kind try and help anyone? It was surely a ruse.

[kumainpink]

Octavius sneered. Like he'd want help from a lowly wolf! Disgusting, filthy creature!

[Nahara46]

Odin nodded, liking the fact he didn't have to do anything. He'd just make sure his patronus was working fine and maybe see if there were any other good spells he could use to repel dementors.

--

"Do we know any approximation of how many dementors there are?" Eleazar asked curiously, the more they knew about the enemy, the better.

[kumainpink]

"There are a total of twenty-two so far. But with the rate they're collapsing, we should only have to face around eighteen." Octavius replied, feeling rather annoyed by this whole thing. He didn't look forward to holding off a rampaging dementor...

[G. Novella]

"As for injuries, what then? Do we get individual Portkeys to bring ourselves or others to a Healer?" Henry asked coolly.

[kumainpink]

"I'm working on special necklaces for everyone." Cassalina said kindly. "They'll give a bit of protection, and will have a heal-all potion inside it as well. They only work once though, so if you are hurt again, apparate or shoot sparks in the air."

"Everyone will have to watch everyone, though portkeys will be administered. It's going to be a sloppy, messy battle." Maxwell told them warily. "But, we should be able to get in and get out. The fire will kill them almost instantly."

[G. Novella]

Veronica looked at Cassalina. She'd look after Cassalina first. That was her priority. She looked around the room. So many of her comrades were in here. Ah well, the revenge would be worth it. Much better to actually attack than stay behind and sleep with Garrison.

[kumainpink]

Cassalina laid her head on Veronica's shoulder. "Love you." she whispered in a low voice, so that nobody else could hear. She would do her best to protect Veronica, no matter what.

[Nahara46]

Deirdre had just been washing the dish she'd used for dinner, when she saw a bright light out on the lawn. She gave a start, dropping the dish as she peered out the window, wondering what it was. It didn't take but a moment for her to give a startled yip and dash toward the door. She'd only seen a glimpse, but she knew that her missing daughter had just appeared on the lawn.

---

"Yes," Was all Rhea could say before, quite suddenly, the door of the house was thrown open and a older women with Rhea's hair enveloped the werewolf in a hug, chastising as she went,

"Stepped into the back for a breath, indeed! Left with no warning! Where have you been? Arte you alright? Oh it's so good to see you! Could have been dead for all I knew!"

[kumainpink]

Lucinda removed herself from Rhea's shoulder, and watched as the woman from Chao's accidental attack proceeded to hug and chastise her. Rhea's mother, perhaps.

[Nahara46]

Rhea allowed the woman to hug her for a few moments before gently pushing away. "Hi Mum." Was all she said at first. Her mother proceeded to place her hand son her hips, and glare at Rhea.

"Hi Mum? You disappear for weeks and all you say it Hi Mum? Where have you been? I've heard some awful things about what's been happening, and I didn't know if you were in the body count or not!" Rhea sighed,

"I know Mum, I'm sorry I didn't contact you. It's just, some girl had just told me that the Ministry was apparently going to start hunting down werewolves, I freaked out and Lucinda here appeared an-" She was interupted but Deirdre turning toward the phoenix with a glare,

"So your this Lucinda person, I expect? Well you can just get up and leave, How dare you take my daughter away and pull her into this war! I have a mind to curse you to next year, so you should just-"

"Mum! Don't start going off on Lucinda!"

[kumainpink]

"It is alright, Rhea." she said, before directing her attention to Rhea's mum.
"Hello, Ms. Olivander." Lucinda sang, her head bowed. My name is Lucinda, and I am the one who took your daughter away. It is a long, long story, but I'll be happy to explain everything. May we come inside?

[Nahara46]

Deirdre glared at the bird for a moment, How dare it admit to taking Rhea, and then ask to come inside their home? But the mother looked over at Rhea, who was glaring at her, and said grudgingly, "Oh alright... But you try anything bird, And your out!" Turning, Deirdre went and opened the door, calling back at Rhea as she entered the room. "Why the sudden appearance anyway? Finally remembered little ol' mum?" Rhea sighed again, exasperated as she moved to enter the house.

"Mum, I already said I'm sorry for not contacting you. It wasn't really an option considering our situation... Anyways, you should know why I'm here, have you stopped watching the lunar cycles so quickly?" Deirdre turned to her daughter, her expression a bit softer as she realized why Rhea was here.

"Oh...Oh yes. I just haven't been expecting you to show up... But, I expect the moon will be rising within an hour or so... The cellar's still perfectly capable at doing the job."

[kumainpink]

Lucinda carefully flew behind Rhea, so as not to appear intrusive. The house was decent looking, though it paled in comparison to the last home she had been in. Even so, it had a nicer, cozier feel. She perched herself on the open window, so as not to make herself seem at home. Rhea's mother was angry with her, and she understood why.

Rhea was being exposed to far too many dangers in the forest, and now in the south pole. It only seemed fair that this woman have her say.

[Nahara46]

Rhea nodded to her mother, glancing over to see Lucinda perch on the window. The werewolf took in her surroundings, the home she hadn't been to in almost four weeks. Her mum was silent at first, letting Rhea get used to the house once again. However, after a few minutes, Deirdre finally broke the silence.

"So, Come on then. What's the story? Where have you been, have you been involved with these fights I've been hearing about?"

[kumainpink]

Lucinda winced. Hopefully, Rhea wouldn't reveal every little thing. Her mum was very scary!

[Nahara46]

"Well, as I was saying, Lucinda here got me away from the shop. Which" Rhea quickly added as her Mum looked ready to interrupt again, "Was good, because who knows what the Ministry would have done if they knew where I was, without any back up. I went to the Forbidden Forest at Hogwarts where most of the Magical creatures were staying. Yes I fought in the battle when the Ministry attacked the forest, but don't worry I wasn't hurt, Lucinda made sure of that." Rhea hoped that mentioning that would get her Mum to take to the bird more, "We've been recovering from the fight because other creatures weren't so lucky. But we received a... tip I guess you could call it, that the Ministry is planning to attack the Dementors. We've relocated to an island in the south pole where the dementor's live, so that we can fight against the ministry."

Deirdre stared unhappily at her daughter, Rhea was supposed to have a nice, safe life. Not go out and fight some stupid war! Why couldn't Rhea just hide out where the Ministry couldn't find her? "I suppose there isn't anyway I can convince you to stay here and not fight, is there?"

[kumainpink]

Lucinda trilled regretfully. In truth, she wished she had thought to keep Rhea out of the south pole battle. Especially considering the dementors and their recent behavior.

[Nahara46]

"Mum, you know there isn't." Rhea replied in a kinder voice, "I know you don't want me to fight. But I can't not fight, not when there's innocent, no matter how vile they may seem, creatures being attacked. Not when the other magical creatures are also fighting." As she spoke, she got a cup and some water, wanting something to do as she talked with her mother.

Deirdre nodded reluctantly, stupid daughter with stupid good morals. She would join Rhea in the battle, but Deirdre knew that her battle skills were just awful. She was a good witch, but not good under pressure or on the fly. Sighing, Deirdre glanced at Lucinda and asked, "How long until the fight?"

[kumainpink]

"We're not sure, yet." Lucinda sang gravely. "But we need to be back early tomorrow morning, as soon as she is ready."