Riddikulus!

Ravenclaw Alum - Ghoul Task Force - Knight of Walpurgis Lyall B. Lupin, 24 years old

[mr-lyall-lupin]

𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐘 𝐎𝐅 𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐈𝐂 𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐈𝐋𝐄.

FULL NAME: Lyall Bodach Lupin

KNOWN SOBRIQUETS AND/OR PSEUDONYMS: ‘Laybolu’ - Appears to be the identity Mr Lupin uses when attempting to disguise as a muggle or avoid his personal name being known. The ministry is unclear on how often this sobriquets succeeds in this use. 

REGISTERED BLOOD STATUS: Pureblood.

KNOWN LANGUAGES: English, Irish Gaelic (intermediate). 

BIRTHPLACE: Galway, Ireland.

GENDER, PRONOUNS: He/him.

FAMILY:

PARENTS: Lark & Etta (née Macmillan) Lupin - both Hufflepuff Alumni. 

MARITAL STATUS: Single (appears to have formerly been engaged to Rowan Shafiq).

ORIENTATION: Heterosexual. 

DATE OF BIRTH & AGE:  June 22 1926, 24 years old.

WESTERN ZODIAC: Cancer - Loyal, protective of those he loves, intuitive and caring. However can be overly sensitive. 

PROFILE:

EYE COLOR: Brown.

HAIR COLOR: Brown.

BUILD & HEIGHT: 5′11, lean athletic build (seemingly achieved by accident).

IDENTIFYING MARKS & SCARS: Small dint on his forehead from when Mr Lupin seems to have tried to communicate with the Poltergeist Peeves at Hogwarts. Peeves proceeded to throw various objects at Mr Lupin, one particular plate struck his forehead and left a smalls scar.

SCHOOLING:

HOUSE, IF APPLICABLE: Ravenclaw, Hogwarts.

N.E.W.T.S:  Care of Magical Creatures - Exceeds Expectations [E] History of Magic - Exceeds Expectations [E] Defence Against the Dark Arts - Outstanding [O] Ghoul Studies (Optional) - Outstanding [O] Study of Ancient Runes - Acceptable [A]

OCCUPATION:

   MINISTRY FIELD, IF APPLICABLE: Pest Advisory Board, Ghoul Task Force. 

REGISTERED WAND: 10 ¾” Hazel wood, Phoenix feather core wand of unyielding flexibility

AMORTENTIA: The stench of ectoplasm, the soft smell of fresh ink and the scent of Rowan Shafiq. 

BOGGART:  Childhood ghost friend Sir Reivus being stuck in a haunted mirror for all of time (Formerly been suggested to be a ministry job rejection letter).

PATRONUS: Thunderbird Patronus - considered rare within Europe due to the creature hailing from the United States 

KNOWN AFFILIATIONS: Ignatius Prewett, Augusta Abbott, Rowan Shafiq (Formerly), Helena Hyslop, Knights of Walpurgis

CURRENT MAILING ADDRESS: 6.₍ʔ∤ Moirsaira Circle, London (next door to Obliviator Helena Hyslop).

LAST SEEN LOCATION: Level 4, Ministry of Magic, Whitehall, London.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Seems to engage in private study of ghosts in his free time. It has been noted that he particularly close to all the ghosts at Hogwarts, unclear what secrets and information he gleaned from them. 

SECURITY STATUS: Not known threat.

[mr-lyall-lupin]

moonlegacy​:

timestamp:  16,  Aug.  1950,   early evening.  ·  location:  norris  house,  the dining room.  (  unwarded,  public  space  )  ·  tagging:  @mr-lyall-lupin​ !

“ of course, this house would be magnificent, ”   it’s a feigned exasperation as she whirls on lyall, the sound of her pale blue skirts whispering across the floor is lost amongst the chatter of the room. artemis had been ushered through the main hall and into the dining room off to the left; she’d hardly had a moment to observe the other rooms, hardly a moment to wonder what the large doors at the end of the hall could have let to. a heavy looking door to the right also caught her attention. though she should not hope, something in the very pit of her whispered that there was nature beyond that door; plants and various vegetation that should not bloom at this time of year. it was an exploration for later. 

in reaching for something familiar, she’d meandered over towards the large windows that overlooked rolling hills and the now setting sun. her breath had caught for just a moment upon seeing the landscape, her mind swept away in thoughts of running through lush grasses, laughter ringing through the air. her heart had squeezed painfully. she must write to her mother soon.   “ could y’imagine seeing this view every night? it must be gorgeous when it snows. ”

Lyall hadn’t expected Artemis, and he certainly hadn’t forseen her looking quite so...eloquently dressed. But apparently even those on the run have better style than he did. But he was glad to see her, especially in more postive light. He found himself just smiling with calm happiness as she wondered from spot to spot trailed behind her. 

“I think you’re the first person whose spoken about the house rather than the event...” He pondererd softly, taking up position beside her and leaning on the window. This close he could smell her, a whift of lavender and mint that reminded him of his own mother’s herb garden. It settled him from the overthinking his mind had been engaged in most of the night.

As his eyes gazed out, he kept smiling just listening to her thick accent and feeling at ease. She had that ability, now that he’d cast aside too much thought about the trial - still certain in his own mind that she couldn’t have been what they accused her of. “It really must be...reminds me of home. The hills of county Ireland. Nothing like it.”

“Do you miss home? London is...exotic, but sometimes I miss the peace.”

[mr-lyall-lupin]

broughtdawn​:

❛❛ — 🗡️⚖️  › 𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆: @mr-lyall-lupin​ ❛❛ — 🗡️⚖️  › 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐌𝐏: CRUSADERS THIRSTING NEAR JERUSALEM ❛❛ — 🗡️⚖️  › 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐘: UNWARDED, PUBLIC

all  throughout  dinner,  he’d  been  antsy,  almost  unable  to  stop  his  leg  from  bouncing  under  the  dinner  table  laden  with  several  courses  of  fine  food  and  wine.  unable  to  stop  himself  from  waiting,  watching  every  other  guest  take  a  bite  or  a  sip  of  each  new  offering  before  he,  himself,  would  partake.  even  then,  he  wasn’t  so  sure  he  was  safe  in  that  house  yet.  as  soon  as  the  last  of  the  powdered  sugar  and  chocolate  had  been  savored  by  all,  he  scraped  back  his  chair  and  caught  up  with  one  of  the  other  guests  ––  a  face  he  saw  around  the  ministry  quite  often,  lyall  lupin.  “lyall,”  he  started,  in  a  low  voice.  though  there  wasn’t  much  point  in  trying  to  remain  unheard,  as  even  the  subjects  of  the  various  portraits  hung  on  the  walls  near  them  leaned  in,  interested.  “..can…  would  you  tell  me  a  bit  about….”  his  voice  lowered  further,  falling  out  between  them  in  a  hushed  whisper  even  the  nosiest  of  portraits  would  have  a  hard  time  picking  up  “……ghosts?”

Of course, Lyall had seen him. How could you not see Fleamont. Beyond his status and wealth, he had that sort of silent broody command of the room. An anti-energy the Ravenclaw decided to call it in his mind. 

However, he had never expected tha man to actually approach and talk to him. He found himself nearly jumping out of his skin at the sudden refine voice floating his way and those dark eyes on him. Lyall spared himself a deep gulp and awkward brushing down of his hair as he listened and cleared his throat. 

“I..what...well...” A nervous laugh escaped him and he adjusted his collar. But there was an bright look in his eyes at the mention of the ghosts - no matter how nervous, he could never hid his passion.

“Of course I can, what is it you’re curious about?”

[mr-lyall-lupin]

helenahyslop​:

timestamp:  16,  Aug.  1950  ·  location:  norris  house,  guest  bedroom  two  (  unwarded,  public  space  )  ·  tagging:  @mr-lyall-lupin​​!

❛  are  you  snooping  around  too  ?❜  lena  asked,  teasing  tone  evident  as  the  red  skirt  swished  around  its  wearer.  she’d  initially  arrived  in  a  yellow  dress,  one  that  was  more  form  fitting  than  what  she  wore,  but  an  apparent  outfit  change  was  needed  at  all  the  other  guests  who  had  arrived  in  the  same  color.  feeling  that  she  couldn’t  compare,  she  settled  on  gryffindor  red  —  a  reminder,  though  no  one  could  forget  the  house  that  raised  her.  her  neighbor,  though,  was  a  welcome  sight  at  the  party.  she  knew  that  he  was  also  a  ministry  employee  and  that  he  likely  had  his  own  reasons  for  being  there  (  wasn’t  everyone  just  welling  with  morbid  curiosity  about  the  evening  ?  ).  the  bedroom  they  were  standing  in  was  certainly  too  neat  but  lena  could  not  find  something  wrong  with  a  well  kept  space,  especially  if  guests  were  coming  over.  the  fact  it  did  not  look  lived  in  was  …  unsettling  but  it  was  best  to  stuff  down  whatever  issues  she  had,  as  much  as  she  could.  ❛  in  truth,  i  was  looking  for  a  moment  of  reprieve.  somewhere  that  wasn’t  about  either  of  our  mi—absent  hosts.  ❜  unlike  most  people  in  the  house,  helena  hyslop  had  an  unfortunately  decent  idea  about  the  state  of  mister  cecil  ashby  norris,  esquire,  even  if  she  didn’t  know  his  approximate  location. 

Lyall and Tal had split eventually to go on their hunt for more information, but he hadn’t expected to create much conversation ducking between crowds and keeping his head down. Then like a bolt of lightening, Helena’s voice had him freezing for a moment as he tried to adjust his mind to relax and escape from the deep bit of inter-dialgoue that was going on. He managed a smile, though it had a hint of worry in it that was hard to completely erase as he turned around. 

“Lena...didn’t expect to see you here.” He gazed over her, taking in the vibrant red of her skirt and adjusting his own suit jacket absently. He had to admit, she cleaned up far nicer than he did, though that wasn’t the hardest thing to do.

The bedroom was an akward place to fine ones self, and after a small moment of realisation, Lyall found himself blushing faintly. “You look lovely, red suits you.” 

As she explained her reason for being in the room, he put his hands in his pockets and stepped closer over relaxing in her presence. “Well I don’t blame you, everyone is running around like gossiping chickens...it can be a bit overwhelming. I guess I’m just trying to work it all out, I feel like a two-bit detecting. It just reminds me of Hogwarts...secrets in every corner and all that.”

“But...are you okay? I hope this isn’t all too destressing for you.”

[mr-lyall-lupin]

taliesinlestrange​:

    timestamp :      —— ,  august 16th, 1950      location :      the  lounge,  the  norris  estate,   public  &  unwarded      tagging :      @mr-lyall-lupin​

                    taliesin  was  thankful  that  he  had  come  with  lyall,  as  in  these  kinds  of  things  it  was  good  to  have  a  friend.  he  can  remember  the  large  number  of  parties  he  had  attended  in  his  youth  without  one,  spending  most  of  his  time  being  ushered  into  different  conversations  with  his  parents’  friends.  it  was  a  pleasant  and  hopeful  thing  that,  now  that  he  was  home,  he  could  control  his  own  life  and  relationships  to  a  larger  extent.  arriving  with  someone  his  own  age,  with  whom  he  felt  close  to,  as  opposed  to  trailing  after  dorthea  and  aneurin.  however,  no  matter  how  thankful  for  companionship  he  was  upon  the  arrival  to  the  norris  household,  it  did  not  change  the  fact  that  it  was  clear  that  something  wrong,  with  this  night  if  not  the  entire  summer.

                    the  clock  on  the  mantle,  tickly  too  quickly,  does  little  to  ease  that  feeling  for  taliesin.  rather,  it  seems  more  like  an  externalization  of  his  own  mind,  which  was  racing  a  bit  too  quickly  for  comfort.  if  this  had  been  his  own  home,  he  likely  would  have  collapsed  into  one  of  the  velvet  couches   (   they  did  look  quite  comfortable   ),   but  he  was  raised  with  better  etiquette  than  that.  he  seats  himself  carefully,  feet  on  the  floor  and  back  straight.  pointer  and  middle  finger  reach  up,  somewhat  unsteady,  and  put  a  level  of  pressure  against  his  temple.   well,    now  they  were  here …   now  what   ?    he  lets  out  a  breath  of  air  and  lets  his  hands  return  to  his  sides,  looking  back  at  his  companion  and  gives  him  a  slight  reassuring  smile,  more  for  himself  than  anyone  else.

                        ‘   we  likely  should  have  discussed  this  before  we  arrived  but  …   ’    he  trails  off  slightly  and  leans  closer,  lowering  his  voice.    ‘   do  we  have  a  plan  for  all  this   ?   ’    he  gestures  vaguely  at  the  house,  the  evening,  all  of  it.   ‘    i  mean,  clearly  something  is  amiss  here.   ’

The world was sideways. It was amazing how quickly a few days could change everything. First Cecil was gone, now he’s back (or at least inviting people) and everything seemed odd. Lyall was always a thinker and nothing worried him more when he couldn’t logic his way through. Beyond that even personal life was rather tilted - whether it was running into Rowan or Artemis, both had left his mind working overtime.

Maybe it was that over thinking that lead him accepting the invite even though it rang warning bells. But Lyall couldn’t help it, he just had to know what this mystery was, the same facisination that had him examining ghosts. That and of course he couldn’t ever refuse Taliesin’s invite to go together - it would be like letting down a family member. It had happened slow, surprisingly even, but he truly considered the other man close.

As his companion sits, Lyall doesn’t and instead places a hand on the back of Taliesin’s chair, gazing around at the others. He did his best to clean up, wearing formal wear - a black bowtie and all, but he couldn’t avoid somehow not quite wearing it right , his shirt not tucked enough and hair slopping at an odd angle. He listened to his friend with pensive silence before letting out a sigh and leaning down to reply. “I have...the sense that it’s a game, of some sort. Inviting all these people here...there’s no event, no reason for it.”

“So I suppose we just try to play the game and win. Did...he give a sense that he would do something like this? Maybe exploring the house would give some clues.” He murmured it all with a sense of excitement that he tried to suppress. It was hard to stop a ravenclaw wanting to solve a puzzle. 

[mr-lyall-lupin]

moonlegacy​:

jaw clenches as he settles by her chair, her spine straightening slightly. artemis fawley didn’t let people get close, not anymore. she’d opened up once, made that mistake once, and the hatred directed at her had hardened her once again. lyall had never once hurt her, at least not intentionally, but he had been so scared moments ago. 

an amused sound escapes her though at his intent of levity, her lips lifting for a fraction of a moment in a smile to mimic the sound. artemis looks him over, brow creasing as he offers her a hand and her gut twists horribly. she should say no. she should turn him away, tell him to leave, but there is a part of her, a scared twelve year old part of her, that longs for friendship.   “ oh — i don’t sleep here, i jus’ come here ‘cause it’s quiet. no one goes in an abandoned house, y’ken? ”

artemis twists in her seat, pulling her satchel off the back of her chair. taking her wand, she whispers capacious extremis before beginning to place the books and herbs that engulf the table into the bag. it’s her work space. the cooled and unlit lamp is the last to go in her bag.   “ i don’t know if i’ll stay fer a brew, but i’ll walk with y’home at least. ”    so much if her trust in the past few weeks has been shattered. who did she even trust anymore?   “ you’ll tell the ghoul hunters that there’s nothing t’be found here? that y’didn’t see anyone? ”

“Yeah I get you” Lyall murmured with a soft chuckle as he gave her a little bit more space if only to get up. It had taken him a moment, but he was calm now, broadly smiling in the semi-cast light of the room, he just had to have a moment to register that she was likely just a case of wrong time and place. Hopefully things would calm and she could explain herself at another trial that doesn’t get interrupted.

Of course it wasn’t that simple, but Lyall wanted to believe in that one dimensional world. For once in his life, he stowed away his logic and relied more on his feelings. As the lamp went away, he started heading towards the back door he had snuck in through, half illuminated by the crescent moon outside. Another bubble of laughter escaped his lips, this one more freeing and earnest. “Oh is that so? You’re going to escort me then? I feel safer already.”

“I’ll write my report honestly. No ghouls found, false alert. I don’t think there’s any lies in that is there? The rest doesn’t matter.” He offered a wink, before stepping out into the fresh air and taking a breath. Waiting for Artemis to follow he’d slowly start weaving towards the front house and the street.

“I urm...I’m not sure how to do this. Do we have to keep in the shadows or..?” He gave a nervous chuckle, semi-crouching like a poor man’s ninja to highlight his point. 

[mr-lyall-lupin]

moonlegacy​:

lyall + artemis.

i trust you — how long would it be before he didn’t? before he only saw teeth and claws, no longer the young woman beneath them? artemis was no fool, she had known the hatred of werewolves, grown up at hogwarts with whispers of it. yet, even then it hadn’t stung quite as much. the harsh words were never directed at her, at her bloodline.  did they even know legacy wolves were possible or did they only run in fear of being bitten? how many more people will look at her as he had just moments ago, with pure fear in his eyes? 

“ what happened? ”   artemis asks, her voice quiet. reserved.   “ the aurors kicked down me door in t’middle of t’night, the dragged me out m’bed by my hair and arrested me. no questions asked. ”   that muscle in her jaw gave way to quivering lip as she turned her face away from his gaze. she would never forget that night so long as she lived. how could someone be treated so cruelly?   “ and t’worst part is that i dinnae ken who even told ‘em. so, no, lyall. i’m not doing okay. ”   she haphazardly swiped away a tear that managed to slip past her defenses before shaking her head.

It’s easy to get caught up in your head. Words on a page make everything seem to abstract and normal. Someone gets arrested, or questioned and you just imagine the best case - friendly officers coming around and taking the person gently in. Lyall had never considered the trauma of living your normal day only to have Aurors barge in and remove you from everything you knew.

His eyes grew soft as he saw her upset. Never in his life did he think he’d ever see Artemis so vulnerable. It reminded him of seeing the ghost of the Grey Lady at Ravenclaw tower. That somberly sorrow drifting through the halls. Lyall stepped closer and knelt by the chair if only to be eye level with Artemis. “I...I’m sorry. I am. I wish I could do something but look at me...”

“I look like a off-market butcher.” He laughed softly, gesturing at his mud stained white lab coat. His eyes gazed around the poor state of the house and he glanced at his wrist watch, it was late, which perhaps was a blessing.

“This...this isn’t a great place to stay. Do you wanna come to my apartment? I’ve got some snacks, and I don’t know about you, but I could kill a few biscuits and a brew.” Lyall offered Artemis a sincere smile as he did so, getting to his feet and offering out his hand.

“I think the ghoul problem here is all sorted.”

[mr-lyall-lupin]

moonlegacy​:

lyall + artemis.

there is a satisfaction, a thrill at scaring the ghoul hunter. nose crinkles slightly as the wallpaper crumbles under his finger, raising an arm to cover her nose to protect against the dust.   “ i’m not goin’ t’be chased out o’me home, lyall. ”   brown eyes hardened as she looks over him. as he straightens, he steps back into the room she’d occupied. the fear in his eyes, it twisted her stomach.  i’m not a monster.   a muscle flutters in her jaw as she tears her gaze from him.   “ i’m not going t’kill you. i shouldn’t even have t’say that. ”   she grits out. turning on her heel, she whispers nox under her breath and strides across the room. touching the lamp on her table, watching it light beneath her fingers. artemis settles into her chair,  “ if you’re tha’ concerned, i can obliviate ye. y’never saw me. ”

Ah and like that, the Artemis he’d always known was in front of him. Lyall couldn’t miss the defiance even if he tried to be oblivious - and he it left him speechless for a moment, just following after the red head like a guided dog.

Within his mind thoughts were going a million miles an hour. As he glanced outside the window to see the dark sky, he could still picture that night in fourth year...the carnage, the blood. He could be in the room with someone capable of that horror. 

But then Artemis’ voice cut through again and Lyall pulled his eyes back to her, brows coming together as he hears the hurt. No. It couldn’t be. She was many things, but he could never see his former class mate as a monster. It felt wrong to. As she took a seat, he managed a small (if not shaky) smile. “I’m...I’ll pass, I trust you. I was just a bit shocked, sorry”

As the ghoul hunter looked around, he shifted closer to his unexpected visitor and finally let out a breath to cut through the tension. “What happened Artemis? I...I’m not just someone to swallow the ministry line but, the reports were such chaos. I couldn’t even believe it was you.”

“Has...” The words failed on Lyall’s lips, sometimes there were more important questions to ask.

“...Are you doing okay?”

[mr-lyall-lupin]

rowan-shafiq​:

Rowan was and had never been a quitter, that much was true. The fire inside of her wasn’t that easy to put out whether it regarded matters of personal stuff or her job. Then again, she had never planned to run into Lyall here and there was definitely a split second that she almost wishes she could make herself disappear.

It also seemed like she wasn’t the only one sharing that sentiment as she watched Lyall’s cheeks get redder and his eyes move around nervously, scratching the back of his neck which he always had done as a nervous tick. She let out a soft sigh. “Okay, thanks.” She replied as she wrote it down, “ You were just?” Rowan asked, nudging him on.

Just as Lyall said that Rowan heard someone yell out. “Hey!! What are you doing here?” Rowan turned around sharply as her eyes met the person who yelled. Shit, security.

It didn’t take long for things to turn rather dramatic and sour as it often did around Rowan. He didn’t have enough digits to count the amount times he had found himself chasing after her down the corridors of Hogwarts outside of curfew off on some sort of adventure. It had been worth it, he had to admit, if only just to see Rowan looking so free and happy.

Stay focused. Lyall snapped internally as the two security began to slow to a jog and stood in front of the pair of them. Wands weren’t out yet, thankfully for them, though he couldn’t help letting an awkward chuckle out anyway as he glanced between the two of them and awkwardly adjusted his bag.

“Ahh well gentleman I think we’re just going to...” His eyes flickered to Rowan and he cleared his throat, adrenaline pumping. He’d really rather not get into trouble.

So it was with that, that Lyall seized Rowan’s arm and ran as fast as his admittedly not long legs could take him. “RUN!”

He didn’t really think about it, but just kept sprinting as the sound of footsteps followed. Somewhere along the line his hand slid down to hold Rowan’s wrist, dragging her with him out of the ministry doors and across the streets of London. It was a good few minutes before he stopped and they were panting in an alley.

“Oh god, I think I have a stitch.” Lyall grumbled, looking down and spotting that he held his ex’s wrist. As if burnt, he let go immediately, glancing away and clearing his throat. 

"You need to be careful Rowan...the Ministry is getting really serious about things...last thing you want is to be taken in for asking too many questions.”

[mr-lyall-lupin]

moonlegacy​:

lyall + artemis. 

artemis’ path was well trodden at this point; after … what had happened at the trial, she’d gone on a run with no particular direction in mind and ended up here. she’d been coming back ever since. though cliché, the decrepit house was perfect for her to hide away from prying eyes.   maybe a new site for her transformations.   

she’d pried off the wood on one of the lower level windows all those weeks ago, easily making the jump inside of the musky house. some of the rooms were utterly unusable, the floors rotted through or other animals making their homes in the long forgotten place. one room, right off the main hall, seemed more or less intact. a table and chair, a couch that had seen better days, a rug that while dirty and stained held it’s purpose. 

a lantern was precariously balanced atop a pile of books — all various herbology books. paper, ink, and a quill are settled next to them with one other tome opened before her. for the moment, the world was quiet. peaceful. various herbs and leaves are lain across the table with the intent to be used for tea if she ever draws out of her reading long enough to make it.

what does draw her out of her thoughts is the creaking of the front door that barely sat on it’s hinges as it was — had someone followed her?  her stomach turned to lead as she reached for her wand, careful to move around the floorboards that squeaked as she extinguished the lantern’s light. if they had been here long enough, they’d have seen it — but escaping in the dark was easier. however, the sight of a vaguely familiar head of hair in the dark had her whispering lumos, the tip of her wand illuminating before them. 

“ i thought the aurors were bad enough. ”   artemis quipped, leaning against the frame as she looked to the muddied young man.   a fellow ravenclaw.   a sigh passes her lips as she idly moves the wand about, providing him some semblance of light.    “ what in merlin’s name could y’possibly be lookin’ fer out here, lyall? ”

Lyall had never been brave. It wasn’t exactly a Ravenclaw’s business to be the lion in the pack as it were. It wasn’t that he couldn’t stand up for himself, or even be daring, in fact he loved plunging into places that most would think twice about. But when it came to violence or standing his ground, he much preferred to be the shadow in the background.

So you could only imagine how high he shot up when he was greeted by a sudden glow of a wand and Artemis’ voice echoing through the abandoned house. Lyall nearly lost his footing, reaching and thankfully managing to grasp the wall beside him. The wallpaper crumbled apart against his palm, causing him to shiver as he let out a slow breath and tried to calm down. Even in the gloom, his pale cheeks lit up.

“A-Artemis, by the Ministry...” Where to even begin. They were never that close at school, but like much of Hogwarts they knew of each other, part of that same tight knit Ravenclaw ecosystem. She had always made him tense, she had an intensity that was hard to describe but drove Lyall to mostly avoid her. Never cruelly, but it just felt better to stay out of her path.

Then of course there was the trial, everyone knew of it, and knew what happened after. Lyall’s fingers clutched the moulding wall even harder as he realised he was talking to a wanted woman. His own Irish accent grew stronger, a mix of being caught aback and hearing Artemis’ own. “You...you shouldn’t be here. Not in London, not England even!” 

He managed to straighten, though his dark eyes were flittering all around, including glancing behind him. He had no clue what mess she was in, but he certainly didn’t feel like being jumped if she had allies around. “I’m...I work for the Ministry’s Ghoul Task Force. I had a report in this area...”

“I-I...are you really a- I...oh god I’m in trouble.” Lyall’s hands went to his hair as he paced in front of the other, just muttering to himself. Now he was either going to die, get forced to keep his mouth shut or become a criminal by association. What a trifecta. 

“Please don’t kill me...or at least give me a chance before you do. If you will. I’m...please don’t.”

[mr-lyall-lupin]

rowan-shafiq​:

That is where Lyall was mistaken, because Rowan did recognize him. It was in a split second between her hand hovering her shoulder and gravity pulling it back down. In a sea of Ministry workers it had been impossible to recognize him from afar but when she got so close, Rowan immediately could tell. The colour of his hair, the slight slouch of his shoulders and the faint soft smell of the soap he always used. Once her hand had touched his shoulder, there wasn’t much she could do. She couldn’t believe that out of all people, she just happened to have managed to find Lyall. Oh, the luck.

Seeing him tense at her touch, quickly made her retract her hand as she felt a heat spread across her cheeks. Rowan bites the inside of her cheek as she quickly cast her gaze aside, her mind racing with what to say next. To her surprise, her replied first. She looked back up at him. “Yes?” Rowan paused, debating on asking further or letting him go. Eventually, the first won. Maybe it was also because deep down she wanted to talk to him. “So, you were there at the party? What time was it when you remember seeing him?” She asked, grabbing her quill which was tucked behind her ear and fiercely keeping her eyes trained on the paper as she tried to just focus on her story.

It would have been easier if she just walked away - but Lyall should have known better. Rowan Shafiq had never been one to give up on anything. 

The silence, while only lasting a few seconds felt like a life time to the ghoul hunter. It was plenty of time to take her in, every curve of her cheek, the faint curl of her hair, her olive skin. It was like slow torture, leaving him white knuckled as he found himself unable to really leave.

More questions just bought the a redder flush onto Lyall’s cheek and he cleared his throat, hand instinctively moving to scratch the back of his neck. “I was there at the festival yes...and I spoke to him around urm...I think one? I mean I don’t know Rowan I was just...”

“I don’t..think this is a good place to talk.” Or time. He said to himself, unable to be that blunt in reality. Never would be a better time, he could have handled that. Instead Lyall lamely gestured around to the passing Ministry employees throwing the pair of them glances.

[mr-lyall-lupin]

Timestamp:  03 Aug.  1950  at  10:00pm Location:  The suburbs of South Wimbledon, London Security: Not warded, Public  Space Tagging: @moonlegacy

In times of fear, even the members of the Ghoul Task Force were hesitant to act. Was one call out going to be the day you get disappeared from the world? Suddenly no one wanted to partake in late night call outs or wonder too far from the ministry.

All except Lyall anyway. It wasn't that he didn't have fear (he was a natural born worrier) but he had a job to do and equally he never felt important enough to get caught up in some grand conspiracy.

It was this palpable situation that left the ghoul hunter working alone in the more quiet and rather gloomy parts of London.

Someone had made a report of potential ghoul activity occurring across back yards which considering the high population density in these parts, required serious attention even if a false positive.

As Lyall trawled through the rough under bush of a seemingly abandoned looking house nearby he could only lament his white uniform. "God it's going to be a pain to get this out..."

He looked up surveying the partly boarded up property. It seemed like one of those communal muggle properties offered by local government, or at least had been once. Now it was graffiti and rotting wood. Perfect place for a ghoul.

Eyes glued to the ground for any signs of the pest, Lyall crouched and moved slowly into the building, not noticing the shadow at the room beside entrance as he did so...

[mr-lyall-lupin]

Timestamp:  02,  Aug.  1950  at  12:30pm Location:  Diagon Alley Security: Not warded, Public  Space Tagging: @taliesinlestrange

Lyall marched up and down the street in front of Ollivander’s like an impatient soldier, his fingers clasping and unclasping behind his back. It was bad business, this stuff regarding missing people and the ministry. It was bringing an already bad situation even worse and he couldn’t help feel...powerless. More than that, Lyall felt worried for his friends.

It helped that Taliesin asked to meet the next day at least he knew his friend was safe. It would all probably turn out to be nothing, but as Lyall rubbed his temples he couldn’t help but blush as he remembered the sorry semi-drunken state he’d been in at the festival towards the end with Lazarus. Letting out a breath as he paused and looked at the ground, he shook his head to himself. “Calm down Lyall, it’ll be fine...a new day today”

[mr-lyall-lupin]

rowan-shafiq​:

Rowan Shafiq was weaving her way through all the people, trying to get a quote. With everything that was happening, she wasn’t the only writer vying to get more information. Nothing the press loved more than a mystery or three. Though in her mind, she was felt more concern - she was truly in the dark and had to be open to all answers, making her wonder if one of her compatriots had something to do with it.

Unlike the other reporters however, Rowan was bold enough to begin cold calling on people within the Ministry itself. Let them drag her out, she might get a quote or two first. She stopped and looked around, tapping someone on the shoulder. “Hello, did you happen to speak to Cecil Norris before he went missing?”

No, no, nooooooooooooooo

ooo

oooooooo

NO!

By magic wouldn’t it be good if there was a curse that could reduce the caster into a puddle and allow him to merely be trodden on and eke out of existence than have to face a moment quite so awkward and humiliating than this moment. 

Lyall wasn’t sure what was worse, the fact that his once true love fiancée partner wasn’t able to recognize him in the throng of Ministry employees or that she was had picked him out of this whole damn room to stop for a line about a story. 

The answer was definitely both. His shoulders immediately seized and the Ravenclaw silently turned in dramatic pauses, like a doll unwinding. Eventually his unkempt hair and white coated visage was in front of Rowan.

All Lyall could think was that she was still amazingly beautiful. His throat was dry and he licked his lips in desperate hope to not faint from sheer shock. “Urm...I...well...”

“Yes?” He finished lamely, brows almost shadowing his eyes with how tightly together they were knotted. It wasn’t a lie, he had seen the rather curt man before he went missing, but he’d rather not speak about it to Rowan of all people.

[mr-lyall-lupin]

helenahyslop​:

the  war  was  impactful  but  perhaps  it  was  a  gift  that  lena’s  mother  had  a  particular  gift  for  food  based  charms.  there  were  so  many  in  the  household  at  the  time  of  the  war,  and  perhaps  it  was  a  gift  that  so  many  of  josephine’s  children  were  at  hogwarts  for  the  majority  of  the  war’s  days.  she’d  paid  attention,  too,  when  her  mother  was  cooking  and  it  was  one  of  the  few  things  that  had  bonded  them  together.  it  was  a  quiet  space  in  the  kitchen,  even  with  their  music  playing,  and  their  occasional  light  hearted  jokes  exchanged.  it  had  been  a  place  of  peace  when  helena  was  usually  a  torrent  of  noise.  baking  had  always  calmed  her  and  now,  as  she  sat  on  the  precipice  of  turning  in  a  friend  and  explaining  her  involvement  in  another  missing  man,  she’d  turned  to  this  calming  exercise  because  it  seemed  more  useful  than  knitting.  at  the  least  it  was  easier  to  share.  

until  he’d  asked  why,  lena  was  beaming.  she  started  to  laugh,  a  little  nervous,  ears  burning  in  embarrassment  as  she  tried  to  come  up  with  an  explanation.  she  wasn’t  used  to  lying  to  lyall,  he  had  always  made  her  too  comfortable  and  there  had  been  no  use  for  it.  he  had  always  made  her  comfortable  to  be  herself  and  in  this  moment  perhaps  that  was  a  dangerous  thing.  ❛  we  have  a  couple  of  birthdays  coming  up  in  our  department  and  i  was  hoping  to  make  some  treats  for  everyone.  but  i  made  extras  for  you.  i’m  sure  the  snacks  in  the  ghouls  department  isn’t  all  that  delicious.  ❜

Over time, you can become attuned to someone. It didn’t have to be purposeful or expected, it just happened. Wavelengths over lap and before you knew it suddenly the minutia of someone’s mood or actions could become clear as day. 

It was the laugh that tilted Lyall towards recognizing something was up. But he was also not the kind of man that would push a lady beyond her own comfort. She didn’t want to share...at least that’s what he could tell from it all, and that was more than fine. He was there as a friend and a neighbor, not as the keeper of her life. Instead, his face just soften, dark eyes turning warm as he opened his door a little further. His tone, initially energetic turned more into a soft melody, gently coaxing Helena. “That so? Must be my luck then...because we certainly don’t have fun snacks in the GTF.” 

“Do you want to...come in? I was just relaxing but I’d love some company.”

[mr-lyall-lupin]

helenahyslop​:

timestamp:  13,  Aug.  1950  at  13:28  ·  location:  their  apartment  building  hallway  /  helena’s  apartment  (  warded,  private  space  )  ·  tagging:  @mr-lyall-lupin​  !

it  was  often  that,  when  lena  found  herself  at  home  and  struggling  with  something  to  occupy  her  mind,  she  would  begin  to  bake.  and  bake.  and  bake.  and  bake  until  the  apartment  was  fragrant  enough  to  waft  over  three  doors  down  when  she  opened  her  front  door  and  she  no  longer  had  counter  space  in  her  kitchen  to  contain  all  that  she’d  made,  so  it  spilled  out  into  her  dining  room  and  it  had  gotten  so  bad  today  that  it  also  occupied  half  of  the  coffee  table  in  her  living  room.  any  kind  of  treat  you  could  desire  was  there  —  pastries,  cookies,  cakes,  if  it  had  sugar  in  it,  you  would  likely  find  it  in  her  apartment.  

making  her  way  next  door,  platter  in  one  hand,  she  knocked  on  his  door  lightly.  lyall  was  an  ideal  neighbor.  he  wasn’t  loud  or  obnoxious  (  that  was  lena’s  job  )  and  he  also  worked  at  the  ministry,  which  meant  she  had  a  fair  idea  of  what  his  schedule  might  be  like.  there  were  no  false  pretenses,  no  secrets  to  keep,  and  with  enough  time  gone  by  between  the  events  of  the  night  on  august  first  and  now  she  was  able  to  look  him  in  the  eye  and  pretend  she  was  fine  so  well,  she’d  even  managed  to  convince  herself  an  hour  at  a  time.  

❛  lyall  !  ❜  she  called  out  after  a  moment  of  waiting  for  him.  perhaps  bribery  would  make  him  come  to  the  door  faster,  her  famous  patience  as  short  as  a  can  be  already  gone,  though  she  still  sounded  delightful  as  ever  for  her  neighbor.  ❛  it’s  lena,  i  have  treats  !  ❜

______________________________________________________________

The door perhaps couldn’t have flung open quicker at the mention of treats. Lyall was a lot of things but a good cook was not one of them. His diet was essentially the equivalent of the rations during the war, more of habit than anything. Only the most simple staples - toast, pasta, rice and sometimes soup if he felt particularly spicy (from a can of course) graced his table and even then it was always on the move - there was too much to write and research for otherwise.

He supposed that what he got for hanging around entities whose main food option was rotten. His smile was beaming as he peered through the doorway, unable to help his sheepish grin. The smell hit him like nector for the gods. “You are..perhaps more than I deserve in a neighbour Lena.”

Lyall’s eyes and fingers were already eager, trying to decide what to try first but he managed to contain himself and clear his throat, soft amber gaze meeting Lena’s “What’s brought you baking again? I could smell it through the walls...”

[mr-lyall-lupin]

taliesinlestrange​:

                sometimes  lyall  does  that,  mention  more  mundane  happenings  or  things  outside  the  wixen  world,  and  taliesin  only  nods.  subconsciously,  it  makes  him  worry  less  about  the  fallout  that  might  occur  if  lyall  were  to  discover  his  own  lack  of  magical  ability;  yet,  taliesin  has  done  so  much  mental  work  to  convince  himself  of  his  own  status  within  the  pureblood  community  that  he  cannot  fully  accept  or  feel  such  things  openly.  he  only  nods,  and  moves  on  to  the  question  he  had  been  asked.   ‘   uh,  magnolius,   ’   he  even  laughs  at  himself  as  he  says  it,  cheap  mass  market  fiction  for  the  bored  wizard,  but  perhaps  that’s  what  he  was.  or  hoping  to  be.  bored  would  mean  less  stress.

                  taliesin  counters  the  move  with  a  pawn  sliding  to  e  six.  he  was  grateful  for  things  like  this,  magical  chessboards  or  the  typewriter  his  mother  had  given  him:  things  that  were  magic  all  on  their  own  and  did  not  need  any  of  his  own  non  existent  ability  to  function.  they  made  him  feel  a  little  closer  with  the  world  around  him.   ‘   understood.  it  isn’t  exactly  easy  to  talk  about,  but  i’m  also  unsure  what  else  to  bring  up  sometimes.  perhaps  i’m  simply  paranoid.   ’   he  sighs,  but  then  perks  up  slightly  when  the  teas  are  brought  to  them.  a  thanks  is  said  politely  to  the  server  and  a  sip  is  taken  before  he  continues.

                   ‘   not  really.  as  i  said,  i  think  people  have  their  mind’s  elsewhere.  my  father’s  in  an  uproar  about  it,  though  he  usually  is  about  something.   ’   in  fact,  earlier  in  the  summer,  aneurin  was  waffling  between  being  upset  that  the  ministry  was  not  doing   enough   and  being  angry  that  the  curfew  was  interfering  with  his  social  plans.  

                  he  smiles  at  lyall’s  well  meaning  offer.  even  if  it  was  not  really  possible,  and  he  hopes  lyall  never  does  come  to  him  with  a  job,  he  appreciates  the  sentiment.   ‘   thanks.  thankfully  it’s  more  of  a  passion  project  for  me.  i  survive  fine  without  it.  i  just  have  to  find  new  ways  to  entertain,  or  distract,  myself.  hence  the  book.  that  and  i  think  my  neighbors  are  quite  sick  of  me  picking  up  new  records  so  i  thought  i’d  offer  them  a  moment  of  respite,  at  least  for  a  little  while.  ’

“Oh, how is it? Lyall asked, not skipping a beat as his smile grew. His eyes flickered over the board, wondering which way to take this fight. It didn’t matter to him that it was ordinary. Who cared really? A book was a book was a book, everyone had their own tastes. “I saw it in the shop windows and I was curious.”

His hand hovered over the board, mocking moves as his tongue slipped out between his lips and his brow coming together. It was a little comical, but Lyall never really cared. It was just the way he thought. “Hmm...pawn to h4..” 

“Ah ha, and what is the new musical obsession has taken our maestro?” Lyall jested with a wink, taking a swig of his cup as he eyed Taliesin over the rim. It was nice, to talk about the mundane, the simple. If only life was always this way. He gave a small sigh, glancing up at the ceiling.

“It must be nice. Freeing. Just to know you can really do anything and not worried. Here I am scraping for a London apartment while covered in Ghoul crap.”