( cis woman | she/her | sophie cookson ) —— isn’t that JOSEPHINE FITZROY-HOWARD? yeah that is them, outside the three broomsticks! they used to be in SLYTHERIN but apparently they now work as a WIZENGAMOT SECRETARY TO RODOLPHUS LESTRANGE / PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO THE CHIEF WARLOCK at the WIZENGAMOT ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES. sybill once said that they reminded her of precious gems threaded onto rosary beads, mother’s pearls clinging to your neck, blood red lips and soot black eyeliner, a pretty mouth but hideous words which seems about right. anyway i’ve heard they’re still a bit DILIGENT, MACHIAVELLIAN and VAIN, they’re TWENTY FOUR now but some things never change! i wonder how being a MUGGLEBORN is affecting them after hogwarts, especially now they’re an UNMARKED DEATH EATER? i guess only time will tell…
CHARACTER INSPO: amy dunne (gone girl), helen of troy, anora mac tir (dragon age: origins), phillippa eilhart (the witcher games), miss scarlet (clue), saadia (skyrim), briala (dragon age: inquisition), vivian rutledge (the big sleep)
gus was wearing a grin as he sat back on the bench, arm stretched out over the back, not a care in the world. “no, alright, so I was having lunch with the girls today, and you’re never going to believe what they told me.”
❝ i’m guessing they weren’t the girls from my department then ? ❞ thinking back in a moments pause for any whispers she might’ve heard that would garner such a response . ❝ else you wouldn’t be so sure i’d be in the dark . but you’re obviously very keen to share so tell me , what great secret have you uncovered ? ❞
things were always easier with josie when there wasn’t someone available to witness her sweetness; then again, this same refusal to give him even the smallest slice of this sort of affection while amongst the general public had (mostly) only served to entice him as the encounters had continued and the months had begun to pass. and gus? while it shouldn’t have been something he was growing familiar with, it was beginning to be. “it’s my fault you want to dress me up like the perfect walking accessory?” he questioned, teasing, as he used their closeness to his advantage and nipped at her neck in retaliation. “i’m just too good looking, then, is the thing, hm? can’t help yourself?” he decided, finally, lifting his head once more with a devious grin, and sliding his hands right back out of her pockets to pat them against her rear. “i’m beginning to get the picture, see,” he informed her, beginning to walk forwards without bothering to properly disentangle himself from her, and trusting that she would either hang on, or turn herself round, and kept speaking as he guided them towards the stairs he’d only just descended moments before, “and all i hear now is the sound of you wasting my perfectly good moments of distraction while you make your selections. and i like to make the most of that time, as you know.”
❝ yes , it is entirely your fault ❞ train of thought and wherever she’d been taking that point interrupted and entirely lost as she felt him against her neck , a little hum rising up from deep within her as her grip on his collar tightened . ❝ oh much too good looking , just excessively so . really that’s the root of all this . if you didn’t look nearly as good it wouldn’t be nearly as fun ❞ once more josie leveraged the hold she had on his shirt to pull him in for a kiss , a little nip of encouragement on his lower lip as his hands moved too . only pulling away as she began to have to shuffle backwards to keep up with him , holding tight rather than detangle at all from him . ❝ a very pretty picture , isn’t it baby ? ❞ the only change she allowed herself in how they were attached was to let up her hold on his collar to wrap her arms around his neck instead . all the closer now , now her turn for her lips to graze against his neck . ❝ maybe i could free us up a little time ? i know most of what’s up there , i could give you some options from memory and that should get us a few minutes i’m sure you’ll know what to do with … only if you’ll be a gentleman though . i don’t want to waste any time either , but our current situation ? i’m going to need a bit of help up the stairs ❞
he gave a sniff of a laugh in response, never going to admit he’d never been referred to in that manner before, but yeah, he did like it. ❝ is that so ? i guess i would have to be inclined to agree to your description of him, then. i’m sure both of my sisters would agree with that as well, but then again, i think my mother takes the cake on that. ❞ if mrs. demir had the option of choosing her children’s path, she would’ve. merlin, aydin would’ve been long married by now. ❝ i don’t think that could ever be true, ❞ he replied as his hand let go of hers, his body moving to sit back down in his seat. ❝ i would say the same for anything in the wixen world. when you’ve grown up in it, it seems boring, but the muggle world has always fascinated me, so i’m all ears. ❞ this conversation also reminded him about taking ogden’s and finding a way to put it on muggle shelves. ❝ you have a beautiful name, josie. it suits you. ❞
the ease with which the conversation ebbed and flowed with aydin was refreshing ; there was no chessboard here , no wondering if she were the one moving the pieces or what piece she was a pawn , no — it was just simple chatter and it was a breath of fresh air . ❝ i think it might be the way of brothers then , no matter the world , no matter your standing , you all wind up the same . i think that’s nice . familiar even : and i think it’s long been known mothers have a tendency to wind up in one of a few camps ❞ it would be interesting to see if things would unfold like that for either josie or thea . ❝ guess it’s all just a matter of perspective really , what’s mundane to me isn’t for you , just like when i first found out about all this ❞ she said with a small smile tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear . ❝ now where to start ? i get my title from my father because he has one , though mine is only a courtesy one — i’m not lady of anything but my father is the duke of something . duke of norfolk ❞
she sighed, it was getting closer and closer to another full moon and she was tired. but still, she had to know the truth. “and which of those rumors are you willing to talk about. because i’m only interested in one.”
she’d never been one to shop at borgin and burkes before but information had been her game long enough that she knew her ❛ secret ❜ wouldn’t be that much longer to jasmine , that is if it wasn’t already and this was just some exercise to make her say it . ❝ depends if you want to talk about the ones that are true or not . the ones about our mutual friend ? ❞
“i heard a little rumor, about you.” and if it was true it would gut jasmine, pushing her further from the death eaters and the cause she once believed in so strongly.
rumour . how that word , how all the little whispers , ate away at her in her moments of vulnerability . how they raised her defences and had her speaking with caged words all the more . ❝ there’s an awful lot of those about me ❞ a careful answer . an inconclusive one as wary eyes watched the room around them both .
“ Whatever makes you feel better,” Ludo didn’t react, not until Evan’s name came up in the conversation. He raised an eyebrow, and although he didn’t say a thing, you could tell that he wondered what kind of relationship these two might have had. Of course no one knew of the sort of relationship he once had with the Slytherin alumnus, and it had been so long that Ludo wondered sometimes if it ever existed. At least, until he ran into him again. The feeling in his stomach might have not been quite like what it used to be, there were things you couldn’t erase.
And if Ludo smiled, it was not in response to the look of fury on Josie’s face. Gone in his memories, in his thoughts, he almost had forgotten that he was not alone.
"Is that the only option there is then? Either you hurt people or you get hurt?” He hated that. What sort of world did they live in? Ludovic knew that he did not have it in him, that he was not a fighter. What he could do with his Quidditch bat, that was not the same as aiming his wand at someone with the intent to hurt. “I never said this was your fault,” there were things worth arguing about, but the well being of the people he cared for was not a laughing matter. “I’m not like you, or Gus. I don’t… fight people, I can’t do that,” he took a seat, this time sitting closer to her. “But please, don’t get involved with the wrong people, it’s not worth it.” Pot calling the kettle black, wasn’t it? Ludo was a bit too impulsive perhaps, and when they offered protection in exchange for stupid details regarding something that didn’t seem important, well Ludo was just happy to provide them just that. And now he regretted it, but what was he supposed to do about it?
❝ i’m only curious ludo , no need to spoil the fun ❞ but anger blinded her to any deeper assessments of just what he could’ve been thinking about as she saw the smile that came to his face . serving only to stoke at the flames simmering within her . she’d wanted to play nice but by god was he making it hard .
❝ it’s the way of the world ludo , it always has been . don’t be so naïve . you’re after someone and someone’s after you . at the end of the day your only ever two things . two facets of one thing : predator and prey ❞ and she was preying upon her own kind , a puppet for what was no longer would be predators but rather ones that now held her strings . ❝ but you implied it , i won’t be anyone’s patsy , not even his ❞ when really that was all she’d just made herself into . ❝ you don’t know me ludo , i’m not like that . i don’t do that ❞ but she could , and probably would have to … the day it was asked of her . her wand directed by forces beyond her . ❝ it’s a little too late for words of warning . we’ve all done what we’ve done , i’ve not got a timeturner , do you ? ❞
“no, jos…I mean .. simple. one day at a time. we can’t, I can’t, be whatever it was we were before. I won’t.” and it wasn’t just that he could neither stomach the indignity of having to live that down – after all the shitfits he’d thrown that summer, to walk it back like it never happened oh, he’d never hear the end of it – augustus just really could not walk back into that. for what all it did or didn’t mean to her, augustus craved security as much as the next man, hell, as much as josie herself, even, and he couldn’t feel the way he’d felt this summer again. he’d never experienced it before, and he certainly had no intentions of feeling that way again anytime soon, no sir. but here she was, all but promising him that he would, and that was, truly, terrifying.
but josie hadn’t come around at all, not once since she’d been gone; gus didn’t consider a ballroom sighting to be anything more than happenstance, and … the fact that josie was only here when she needed someone, well, augustus still had plenty of pride of his own left. “I can’t do anymore messes, I don’t want to. if you really believe that, that i deserve better, than maybe you should consider that you do too. I wanted that, and I do, josie, yes, I want you, but you’re no good for me, and honestly … I doubt you’d pass the vibe check right now.” she didn’t even knew what that meant, and that … was kind of part of the problem. it seemed a little, unfeasible, easilly, and uncikely, definitely, for anyone to believe they could feel anywhere near deeply for one another knowing so little about the other, and yet, wasn’t that what they were claiming? and he looked down at her, at the top of her head, buried in his chest, and he sighed. “so yeah, jos, i love you, and I want you, and I forgive you, but … i can’t be with you. not right now. and especially not if you’re coming for rescue. that’s called needing a friend, and if you came to me for something else, then, i can’t help you. I can be your friend, that’s it, that’s all I can give you right now.”
“besides, I have lounge pants on, and you know I don’t do anything at all once I have lounge pants on.” he let go of her, taking a step back, and pointing at the sofa. “why don’t you tell me what happened?”
and she couldn’t exactly blame him for that , couldn’t blame anyone who thought that a decision like that would be for the best , because really it was . she’d worked so hard to keep things just surface level between them was it any wonder that things had wound up so toxic for them ? what they’d had just a few short weeks ago hadn’t been good for either of them and it was only with the clarity of hindsight she could now see it and yet … and yet in this moment she still wanted what they had back . still wanted him . as selfish a thing as that was . ❝ gus , what i want , what i deserve ? that hardly matters now . but if you can’t do messes — and you shouldn’t feel bad for that — i should just go now . i’ve turned my entire life into one . you don’t have to be in it . i should just go , i shouldn’t have put you in this position . i don’t know why i came ❞ but that was a lie . in the time she’d been here josie had been able to work out that there wasn’t’ just one reason behind why she’d shown up . there were several , conflicting even at times . that’s why their emotions were such a mess over this . her heart was at war with itself . ❝ i love you too but that’s not what i came for ; that something else or even rescue , its too late for that . i don’t know what i came here for — ❞ a lie . she’d came here seeking pain , a way to hurt herself or be hurt and while that moment might be over she knew she couldn’t be trusted with herself tonight . ❝ — but i know what i need ❞ and so she followed to where he’d pointed , not taking a seat on the sofa but instead curling up on one half of and lying down as tears came to her once more .
❝ its this war gus , five years ago ? i was such a fool , thought it’d all be over soon . thought i was making the smart call joining up with who i did . cause with the others ? what would i be but just another bloody muggleborn , i thought i was going to be something … but i was just a novelty to them , just a novelty to him . kept around because what harm could a mudblood do till he found something i could be useful for . and he did . rod’s election ? who’d guess where his ties really where if i was there to turn to ? why would one of them trust someone like me with so much ? but the elections won now and you-know-who , there’s no use for me left for him . and as for the harm i could do ? what got me here to begin with . i’m too close to too many people , them liking me , trusting me ? i’m a threat to what he’s fighting for . and keeping me around for me to become useful again … too risky , much too risky when all i’m good for right now is information . much too risky when i’m not unique , not anymore . tess and i ? we’re so different but in his eyes we’re both the same . get rid of me and if they need this tool again ? i’ve an understudy waiting in the wings ❞ her eyes weren’t even on him then , focused on the dying embers of the fireplace and feeling all too much like she could relate to that fading fire . ❝ i knew he was going to kill me gus , or at least have me killed , i’m not fool enough to think i’m that important for the direct touch . knew i was going to die and that tess , little theresa — she’s still so much a child , was going to wind up put in this mess i made . i had to do something , buy her some time . this wasn’t for me . it was for her , i’m a lost cause . so i asked rod a favour . set up a meeting with him . with the dark lord . i had a plan , but god ! seeing him in person ? it didn’t go as i planned . i panicked . i offered too much . but i got what i wanted . i’m not long for this but at least tess will be safe ❞
and she let the silence sit there for a moment before casting her eyes up at him , damp sleeve coming up to mop at her eyes as she tried to meet his . ❝ i did it tonight gus . met with him , lord voldemort . met with him , sold my life away , and came here ❞
“You’ve got a collection of rocks in your handbag?” Baz wouldn’t have guessed that, but at the same time he had absolutely no idea what should be in a purse. “What kind? My grandma swears by quartz, but I feel like it just gets cloudy.”
❝ baz i — i don’t actually keep rocks in my handbag . i just keep what i need in there and i don’t really need to keep a stash of them by . it’s not like i go about chucking them at windows or skipping them across ponds ❞ a pause as she thought on what he said . ❝ i do have a keyring that’s amethyst though ❞
“i’m rather efficient, we both know that. and i didn’t want to bother you, work seems to have you quite busy these days.” she’d noticed of course, that it wasn’t just work keeping her roommate on her toes, but what the other things bothering josie were? that might always be a secret emira wasn’t sure she wanted to know. “how about now? we’re both here, we might as well start.” she didn’t know when she’d catch josie again after all and she wanted to make a clean exit. “the thing is, i guess i forgot how much i loved him before, and it snuck up on me this time. but i just know i’ve never felt like this about anyone else, amycus is my soulmate.”
❝ you can be a real force of nature sometimes ❞ josie smiled as she spoke the compliment , she meant the words , truly she did . it was a shame this shared chapter of their lives would have to come to an end so soon but it was better like this . better for emira to be moving on and being happy while josie was about to set down the path of a truly desperate woman . ❝ i have heard it said before that there’s no time like the present , and i’ve got time just now ❞ and who knew what she’d even have in the coming days . ❝ i’m so happy you’ve found a love like that ❞ it was something she’d never thought possible for herself and only with hindsight being as perfect as it always was she could see how maybe she had had it , and had so callously tossed it away .
it was a little odd how accepting josie was being of this, she had half expected her roommate, and fake friend, to be just the slightest bit down over the news. but ah well, best not to make it a big deal. “i already packed up most of my things, i suppose we can go over a few shared items to see where they end up?” she smiled at josie, it was such a shame the other wasn’t pure, they really could have been great friends. “for weeks? could i have really been so blind?”
❝ oh ? ❞ it was a little , half startled sound that escaped josie before she could stop herself . had she really been so absent , so distant both physically and mentally , that she hadn’t noticed ? ❝ i mean sure , you just say when and i’ll make the time ❞ she hadn’t been lying when she said it would be lonely without emira , in many ways she really had grown close to the younger witch in the past year , but it was really for the best this . josie making the entire process seamless really her way of looking out for her . ❝ it’s so easy to be like that when you’re in love ❞
❝ Josie. I don’t talk or think about you. Not when you’re not around. But if I had to think of something right now, I think I would go with scared little girl, ❞ and if that didn’t make her stupid smirk drop from her face, he didn’t know what would. Ludovic had dealt with people like that in his sport as well as in Hogwarts, people who thought themselves to be better than you because they were the product of inbreeding. Purebloods from the muggle and the wizarding world really were the same, and in the end, really weren’t more talented in any field but the one that consisted of thinking highly of oneself.
❝ That’s a lovely narrative you’ve got here, but frankly, you’re not the only one willing to do what it takes to protect your family, ❞ he looked at her and for the first time, allowed himself to show fragility, much like she just did. Ludo had sold information to terrible people, and this for the only reason that he was worried for his brother. Otto had a way of being fascinated with the wrong things. Studying muggles and their way of life wasn’t safe, but there was no talking them out of it. ❝ Gus probably meant to keep it a secret until he could find himself a good excuse, ❞ Ludo had to roll his eyes once again. He suspected that Augustus expected this to be once again a disaster and didn’t want anyone to start looking at the incoming trainwreck. Ludovic while he wished his best mate nothing but the best, knew already that this would fail. Josie was immature. Even if she seemed to care for her family, he didn’t see how that had anything to do with Gus. Unless… ❝ Josie, what did you do? ❞
❝ i did always wonder how men handled breakups , i suppose you provided no comfort then . how sad , i thought you had a great camaraderie ? i guess not . i just know my friends were a great support to me during that time . bella and evan were truly invaluable ❞ but try as she might to quip back with her usual poise his words had got to her in a way they hadn’t came close to before , a look of fury flashing across her delicate features for but a moment . scared little girl . how dare he . and yet … fear was becoming a close friend of late .
❝ i was only curious ludo , no need to take it so hard ❞ she shrugged . ❝ but you’ve just told me you’re really not in a position where you can judge me for what i said . i’ll do what it takes to protect my family too — and include gus in that — even if that whatever it takes means hurting people ❞ and she had a horrible feeling it was going to involve hurting people , even those she wanted to protect ; physical pain caused by her wand until that day when she won’t be able to make it home and hurts anyone who ever cared for her . that despite what she was saying — despite all the reassurances gus had given her that night — she was marked for death and that death would one day hurt people . ❝ which isn’t my fault ❞ she’d made her own mistakes and when her time before the lord came she’d pay the price her actions here on earth had wrought her , but her soul was damned for her own choices only , her own actions , she wasn’t about to go down for anyone else’s . and they were mistakes , choices , and actions she didn’t owe an explanation of to another . especially not someone who demanded what she had done . ❝ i do a lot of things , you have to be more specific ❞
“oh josie, i’m glad to have found you at home for once!” she exclaimed, rather excited with the news she had. “i’m afraid to say i’ll be moving out shortly, now that amycus and i are engaged he’d like to move into his place, and i think that’s best.” ·
❝ you know how busy work can keep me , i swear if i wasn’t shooing him out the door some nights rodolphus would never leave ❞ work and her own worries too had kept josie secluded of late , she’d known the decision she had to make and she knew what she’d have to offer a few nights from now . ❝ honestly ? i’d been half expecting it for weeks , the place will be lonely without you but i can’t say enough how happy i am for you , for both of you ! ❞ it was for the best , not just for emira’s relationship but just in general . josie didn’t want anyone with ties to her getting dragged down with her .
