Work Hard, Work Harder

Dominique Weasley UNSPEAKABLE neutral pronouns:// she|her|hers PART-VEELA "Let the moonlight, keep me from the darkness Well soon I, will sleep beneath the forest Of lost souls, wondering in and out of love."

[hopefullyhoping-mini]

victoireweassley:

Although she was certain they were alone now, Victoire continued to listen and watch for any signs of hostile activity. This wasn’t a game nor a simulation, what was happening could cause harm to the both of them. She needed to ensure their safety, even if it meant being over-cautious. Dominique spoke, to which Victoire ignored for a few seconds to think about their situation. “We need to think of a safe route first, as well as possible outcomes to which paths we take. You can never be too careful.” She replied, giving an explanation rather than just saying no. They couldn’t move just yet until they’d come up with a plan. 

Sitting like waiting ducks was beginning to annoy Dominique the longer they stalled, and as her older sibling told her to wait longer, the fuse on the redhead’s patience was beginning to grow shorter. And the fact was that she was playing goose in a place she felt safe. A place that was her home. “There are no safe routes, Victoire. The safest thing to do is to break across the bridge, into the stairwell and hope that I can ward people off until we reach the safe confines of my laboratory. Because that is the safest place at the moment.” Her teeth were gritted against themselves and she let out a frustrated sigh. It took her a moment to breathe and find her calm composure once more, reminding herself that she was still in her work environment.

[seth-lawson-blog-blog]

Don’t cross your fingers [Seth & Dominique]

[seth-lawson-blog-blog]

“We all get lied to, swim with the current or drown.” Seth retorted, not understanding the humour that came with her reply. Seth had little time to get to know the ginger-haired woman with a slightly hollow face thus his behaviour could not be altered to fit how she wanted him to behave; he could only act in his usual way, and it included a lot of lying if the cause called for it. Deception and force were two main traits needed for a good Auror, one who was unafraid to get their hands mucky. Seth continued to move, aware Dominique was either going to have to follow or be left behind in the midst of all this water neither of them were pleased about.

Seth gave a light, short laugh to Dominique’s talk of inability to decline offers and replied, “Aren’t we all?” As both an employee and a loyal member of the Ministry, he had more or less an obligation to do as he was asked. Not that he minded at all — the Ministry were doing their best, Seth wanted to aid in that as far as he could. The people of this community were his peers, his comrades which ticked a switch in Seth’s head that said they were worth fighting for. Thankfully Seth had been unaware of the Death Eater uprisings given his muggle background, therefore he’d only heard of the struggles from second-hand sources. Still, the effects were the same and Seth wished to be one of those who could proudly say they put an end to the terror people were facing. If the rebels hadn’t gotten involved then it would have been a smooth process, however he hadn’t expected it to be a bump-free ride to the finishing line.

The woman talked and Seth found her words to run like honey, a sweet voice he could have listened to for as long as he could —almost like a lullaby. He let the words roll in his head before giving a solemn nod. “That is true, but it’s best not to be overly stubborn about where you place your trust.” Just as Seth managed to pull the last words from his lips, Dominique seemed to lose balance to which Seth automatically lent a hand out for her to stabalise herself with. It appeared she didn’t need it and corrected herself, but it made Seth weary of his own stepping. The thought of water near his face sent his heart racing. She spoke and he nodded, understanding. “Yeah, I get that a lot. Love the shroud of mystery around practically any Ministry-run job.” He added the last sentence with a drip of sarcasm, though much of it rang truth. With the secrets the Ministry held Seth wasn’t sure he would want to be knowledgeable into the on-goings. He had to believe what he was doing was right, even if it meant ignoring extraneous factors.

“Tower is as good an entrance as any.” Seth replied. He looked forwards to the tower she was talking of, sighing in a small sense of hopelessness at the distance between them and the bank. Water was terrifying. Seth wished to be as far forwards as he could, gripping his wand tighter and carrying on the steps forwards. “Once we get out, we go through the door and then head up the stairs. If nothing is there, we can go back down. And if there’s no entrance to the basement through the tower we’ll just have to make the short journey to the basement entrance.” His words came out more an order than a suggestion, so he was sure to clarify. “Just an idea, though.”

[hopefullyhoping-mini]

It was easy to admire someone who held no façades in the presence of her name sake. In fact, the male's behaviour was almost refreshing, because Dominique felt no need to uphold her reputation, but to keep to herself. Thoughts and being alike. Detachment was something she had learnt to do with her need of keeping secrets for the ministry and she was aware that duties did not instantly make people acquaint nor friends. This was their job and she wanted to get it done as quickly and to the best of her ability, so she continued on within the water, even as it rose higher than deemed comfortable.

The thin faced witch let a faint smile slip at his laughter and she just hummed in agreement. The Ministry, although not her allegiance, was her home. To her it was something to protect. All she wished to do was to protect people who mattered to her and her loyalty to the Ministry meant she was occasionally reckless in her decisions. Happiness was all she asked for, and for someone of her likeness, she was content with life. Work was important to her and this was work. "I would not call it overly stubborn, but perhaps exclusive." She murmured her thought aloud in reply. The sight of his hand attempting to aid her made a soft sigh slip from her lips, both due to his appearance of pity, but also because she had allowed herself to misplace her footing to require assistance. A brief mumbled thank you and she was pushed onto her tiptoes as the water began to tickle her chin - silently cursing her short height that she had been graced with.

His sarcasm was evident enough for Dominique to laugh a little. Her job held the most mystery and secrets than any of the other professions within the Ministry, at least that is what they had been told. What everyone else had been told too. She was smart enough to know that wasn't entirely true, but the fair haired woman had no desire to aim for the place that held all the secrets and fortunes one could ever wish for. "Mystery is sometimes a necessity, but it is also a nuisance. I would be lying if I said I understood, because I know more secrets than most within the Ministry. Some things, however, I wish I did not know." Her lips curled into an almost sympathetic smile, curling her toes to find more stable places on the uneven ground underfoot. Breathing in the disgusting air was difficult enough, but she didn't wish to lose her footing again.

With a nod at his words, Dominique began to move in the path of the tower rather than directly forward. She glanced down at her feet to see if she could hop onto a stable slab or path, but her eyes filled with instant regret at the sight of unnatural and vile things. Her nose scrunched and she carefully stepped onto another part of the ground, holding her head high as the water began to cover her chin. An amused noise sounded from her at his concluding words, finding humour in his attempt to null his orderly ways. It didn't bother her how he acted. She would do what he requested unless she had ideas for herself, "We should be quick. If the basement is not flooded now, it might be so by the time we reach it." 

[scorpiusmalfxy]

“Yeah, I forgot that smaller people have a lower center of mass.” He joked, diverting attention away from the fact he’d made her show him her foot for injury. Especially since he’d been wrong about it having any impact health-wise. “Empowering… true.” Scorpius didn’t wish to argue that point, mostly because it wasn’t his place to do so. “Why were you putting away boxes anyway? Or is it top secret Unspeakable shenanigans.”

[hopefullyhoping-mini]

Dominique gave a small chuckle and nodded, “I suppose we do,” the fair haired witch countered, moving back to where she had been and putting away the boxes that were supposed to be on lower shelves that she could reach without having to stretch her arms. “It is nice to be empowering, even if people do not take us seriously.” She mused thoughtfully, dusting down her hands once she had put away all the boxes of her capability. She let out a rare, but genuine laugh, “Not everything I do is top secret Unspeakable work. I’m just doing a small amount of housekeeping. Or- honestly, I am procrastinating my work for once.”

[scorpiusmalfxy]

“Your sister isn’t here.” Scorpius replied to the murmur, keeping his arms crossed and observing the woman. He preferred not to see the sight of feet but said nothing of it, simply looking for bruises or swelling which he assumed would be basic signs of a problem. Nothing. “But heels are basically like being on your tip toes, except less stable because you cannot fall back on the balls of your feet you just fall over.”

[hopefullyhoping-mini]

“True,” was all she mumbled, zipping her shoe back up and wiggling her foot a little. Her pain tolerance was surprisingly high for a fragile woman with poor health. However, she was tough enough to keep any complaints of pain to herself because she didn’t ever wish to be an inconvenience or nuisance. She preferred to get along with her life with little to no trouble. “I’m small. My tiptoes do a lot for me, but I am normally stable enough in heels. And they’re empowering.”

[itsluciiabitch]

Baked goods

[itsluciiabitch]

“Exactly! We cannot take every word we hear for granted, that would make us ignorant, would it not?” Lilac raised an eyebrow before she continued to talk. “ I really do think so. At least from my point of view, it is very admirable.”

[hopefullyhoping-mini]

“It would. Ignorance is not a bliss as people proclaim. It is foolish to be ignorant.” Dominique made a humming noise of consideration, before giving a rare, but kind smile, “I thank you then. I appreciate your words.”

[victoireweassley-blog]

A moment’s pause. One. Two. Three. Victoire let out her breath.

“I think they’re gone.” She whispered, keeping her line of sight focused ahead of her with stability and precision. One hand held her wand, the other used as a signal to beckon the people advancing behind her. When she was absolutely certain the opposition had removed themselves from the area, Victoire cautiously placed her own feet forwards whilst simultaneously checking left and right for any sigh of an ambush. “Just a little longer.” Victoire called behind her with a hushed volume; an attempt to bring confidence to her partner. 

[victoireweassley-blog]

[hopefullyhoping-mini]

Glancing over her sibling’s shoulder, fingers going through her red locks as she stood impatiently. Some Resistance members had angered some of the Ministry supporters and they were now storming around, picking on any of the other members of the Resistance whom crossed their path. Dominique loved her sister, she knew that, but it only frustrated her further to be wasting her time hiding with the woman because she had to pick an unconventional allegiance. If Dominique was caught with her, she knew that the Ministry wouldn’t favour it too lightly - so they were both under threat. And to think she wanted to be in her lab finishing up her work. “I am sure they are gone now, Vic. Please can we leave?” She breezed impatiently, playing with the sleeves of her blazer.

[scorpiusmalfxy]

“There are plenty more Malfoys in England too but I keep my mouth shut when thinking about such things.” Scorpius mimicked her hand passing in a jest then focused his attention on leaving, following shortly behind. “Agreed, but this isn’t something we should really discuss. It makes it seem like we’re favoring sides.”

[hopefullyhoping-mini]

“I suppose you are right,” Dominique murmured, a small tinge of guilt in her voice, As they moved, she listened to him speak, nodded a moment, paused then nodded again, “I don’t wish to favour sides, so it would be best, yes. I assume you are not part of either side. Is there a reason for such? Or do you wish to discard the topic?”

[jasperlaus-blog-blog]

Jasper didn’t like the uncertainty he was getting from the woman but pulled out his most charming smile to seem polite. “This level is pretty secure right now, we should head upwards. Keep your wand out. I hope you know some good breathing techniques because we need to move fast and it’s going to feel like we’re touring the whole of England if we have to straight up go to the second level. We should stop on the way though.”

[hopefullyhoping-mini]

“Good breathing techniques? We are hardly fish, but I suppose we should venture up,” Dominique murmured, offering him a momentary smile in reply, before they began their journey up. “Is there something you must get?” She questioned curiously, at his request to stop part way, her eyes flickering between him and the steps as she made sure not to misplace her footing between steps, to assure she didn’t hassle him by falling behind.

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[giveraoife-blog]

“Then I would refrain from using vampires and werewolves as comparisons for something unpleasant. Perhaps use something mythological. Hades, God of the Underworld, and all around an unpleasant man    -   now there’s an example to not be… hurtful.” Aoife mused, her words coming out calm and solemn as she witnessed the mess surrounding her. “Lauren Ackerman.” She told Dominique, wondering why the woman hadn’t heard of the news. “She’s being held here, no doubt without legal reasoning. Still, I must not question your Minister. And these people are trying to rescue their leader. An understandable move. Within the Aos Sí, if our Elder was to be taken against their will by another clan we would act in the same way.” Aoife placed her own wand against her thigh and muttered a spell to soothe the pain and turned to the red head. “At least I’m no longer cooped up on Level 4, shall we move on?”

[hopefullyhoping-mini]

Dominique nodded in understanding of her mistake, “Apologies. I get a little- unkind with my tongue when am stressed or concerned. In which I am currently both.” A glance to the other at the simply two words and a thoughtful hum overcame her, “I see. That is unfortunate. It is best to not question the Minister, but I can surely understand the frustration. However, I fear I cannot side with either, because the Ministry is not one to be messed with.” She didn’t like to involve herself into the business of the Ministry and so she was usually out of the picture or unaware of the common goings on within her sanctuary of work. At the sight of the other’s wand, Dominique slipped hers from its place up her sleeve and nodded at the request, “Have you been harmed?” She questioned, her hand gesturing to where the woman had cast a spell.

[hopefullyhoping-mini]

Eyes watching the chaos for a moment longer, Dominique considered wandering back to her workplace to work in silence, although she had been considering going home for the evening. Apparently that wouldn’t be possible without being attacked by savages. At the sound of a familiar voice, the fair haired witch turned her lips into a brief smile of friendship and a light chuckle at his humour, “And to think we had become civil creatures of the earth,” Dominique mused, before her shoulders jerked at his question, “Because nothing is ever normal in the Ministry.” Running her fingers through her hair, Dominique glanced at Scorpius, “I can handle myself, although - I’m not sure that all of those lot can. The werewolves might piddle themselves,” She gestured to the groups of people fighting or scanning the courtrooms like hawks or sniffer dogs. Due to the havoc, she felt no reason to be exclusively formal, “You here to subdue the worst of it or just to avoid Veronica Blake’s wrath?”

[scorpiusmalfxy]

“I wouldn’t know, they chuck us out practically as soon as we walk through our office doors.” Scorpius referenced his workplace. His boss was constantly sending everyone out to do something, even if that something was to pick her up a few files from the Atrium. And when they were free from out of office duties, they were studying, training or writing reports. Scorpius let out a light chuckle and shook his head gently. “I wouldn’t say that. Werewolves have sharp ears, and that head of hair makes you easy to remember.” Just as he spoke, someone backed into him and knocked him forwards a few steps. He turned to see it was his partner then shook it off. “Blake is sat in her office, actually.”

[hopefullyhoping-mini]

Dominique just waved her hand in passing, “They have more important things to worry than my commenting on their control of excitement. And there are more than one Weasley in England. I may be the only red of my siblings, but not of my family.” At his words she nodded, “I see.” Her eyes sharpened into a glare as someone tried to snatch the papers from her and she turned away, gesturing for him to join her on route upstairs, “I wish the Ministry would just give them Ackerman, we have not the time for this chaos.”

[giveraoife-blog]

Over the past hour Aoife had only needed to subdue one person, which she considered an achievement among the mess that was occurring. It really was not her place to take a stance against these people, but it was what had been promised and what Aoife must deliver. Upon hearing the voice, Aoife turned and looked down to the woman. “Humans tend to allow their animalistic instincts to take over when they are fighting so passionately for what they believe in.” Aoife offered as an answer to her question.

[hopefullyhoping-mini]

“I hardly see why they must. Why do they seem to act like vampires and werewolves in the frame of disaster? Blood hungry and violent. Not that I intend to call those creatures bad, they are quite pleasant people.” Looking up to the taller woman, Dominique offered a brief smile and stepped to the side as someone lunged for her, an eyebrow quirked. “I do worry what they are all desiring in a place like this? Do they have nothing better to do with their evening?” She questioned, her eyes flickering between the excitable humans and supernatural that pounced through the rooms and up the stairs.

[scorpiusmalfxy]

Scorpius, along with five other Hit Wizards, had been assigned to patrol the Ministry this evening for the case of an infiltration within the Ministry. By principle Scorpius preferred to stay away from conflict between the opposing sides, but he’d taken a few days off sick and needed to make up for it on apparently the worst of occasions. Once he saw Dominique walk through, he nodded as a sign of greeting and watched as people struggled. “I believe it’s called Natural Selection.” Scorpius joked though now was no time for such humor. “Why is it that I never bump into you in a normal situation? Anyway, you might want to steer clear. Things are going to get hectic.”

[hopefullyhoping-mini]

Eyes watching the chaos for a moment longer, Dominique considered wandering back to her workplace to work in silence, although she had been considering going home for the evening. Apparently that wouldn't be possible without being attacked by savages. At the sound of a familiar voice, the fair haired witch turned her lips into a brief smile of friendship and a light chuckle at his humour, “And to think we had become civil creatures of the earth,” Dominique mused, before her shoulders jerked at his question, “Because nothing is ever normal in the Ministry.” Running her fingers through her hair, Dominique glanced at Scorpius, “I can handle myself, although - I’m not sure that all of those lot can. The werewolves might piddle themselves,” She gestured to the groups of people fighting or scanning the courtrooms like hawks or sniffer dogs. Due to the havoc, she felt no reason to be exclusively formal, “You here to subdue the worst of it or just to avoid Veronica Blake’s wrath?”

[jasperlaus-blog-blog]

Jasper quickly mustered a stunning spell to use on the other person, ending the fight rapidly. He then turned to the woman who seemed oblivious and frowned, wondering if her words were laced with sarcasm or not. “Do you live under a rock? Even if you did, I’m sure you can see that right now is not the time for work.”

[hopefullyhoping-mini]

Watching the stunning take place, Dominique’s brow only quirked higher and she fiddled with the sheets in her arms as the other spoke to her. Her shoulders jerked in a shrug, while a brief smile ghosted her lips, “Now is always the time for work, Mister Lau. However, I suppose it would be in your best interest for me to seem at least a little more interested in dealing with the- savages before us?” She drew out her wand and offered him another shrug.

[hopefullyhoping-mini]

Dominique wandered into the courtrooms, her eyebrows raised and she made a humming noise out of curiousity as people rushed around. With her work clutched to her chest, the red head opened the door fully open as someone almost slammed into it mid-fight. “Am I missing something important here?” She questioned, blinking. “Why are you people acting like mad dogs?”

[properweasley-blog]

Dominique’s accusations struck Lucy, and for a moment it showed on her face, but she quickly covered it up with a venomous laugh. “War? Now, who has her head in the clouds? There is no war, and if everyone would just cooperate with the Ministry, nobody would have any reason to believe that. Now if you could go take your attitude elsewhere, I’d really appreciate that. I don’t want to be seen having this conversation.”

[hopefullyhoping-mini]

Her entire formal composure broke and Dominique let out a laugh, shaking her head. “There is no war? Are you stupid? You’re saying that rebellions and fighting aren’t happening? That threats aren’t being thrown around like confetti? That’s a war, Lucy. It might be a cold war for now, but it’s still a war. My attitude? My attitude? You should start to watch your tongue, cousin or perhaps I should ring up Gran. And really? You don’t want to be seen having a conversation with someone more successful than you? Is this the first time I’ve ever seen you not want to fester from another’s success? You’re really a big girl now, aren’t you?”

[properweasley-blog]

“Perhaps. Or, more so, your inability to pick the correct side,” Lucy said, pursing her lips and examining her nails rather than meeting Dominique’s eyes. Her cousin’s expression was giving Lucy an uneasy feeling, and she didn’t like it. “Clearly this conversation is not very productive. Is there a reason you were here? I completely forgot. Apologies.”

[hopefullyhoping-mini]

Something inside Dominique snapped and she almost lost her composure. With a sharp voice in comparison to her usual honey like rasp, she said angrily, “Of course you’d think that. Have you ever considered that you are on the wrong side? Get your head out of the clouds, you’re no longer a child. Stop messing yourself in a war you can’t handle, when you can barely handle yourself. This war is meaningless and it would only end in death. And if you think any differently, you are more naive than I once thought. Or are you afraid to be a failure?” Her green eyes glowed in aggravation, but she let out a low sigh, “I asked if you had a towel and what everyone was gossiping about. Some of us were working.”

[hopefullyhoping-mini]

scorpiusmalfxy:

Scorpius leaned back onto the shelves, his arms crossing over his chest before loosening his left arm to make gestures. This gesture was towards her foot. “I’d take a look if I were you. If it’s not bruised then I guess it’s fine, but I’m no Healer.” This was always Scorpius’ form of diagnosis for his own injuries - if it didn’t look bad, it couldn’t be that bad. Then again, he understood pain was different for everyone else. “Higher heels would make you less stable.”

“My sister is a healer...” Dominique murmured, as if that would change anything, “But it should be fine.” She followed his request anyway, slipping off her booted heel gently prodding where the box had landed, wincing a little as she let the pain affect her. It hurt more than she would admit to him. A small bruise was forming, but there was no swelling, only faint redness. With a hum of satisfaction, she slipped her foot back into her shoe without complaint, “I would be able to reach better, meaning no tiptoes.” She shrugged.