Liv Lavendale

finding my place

[olivet-lavendale]

Girls Night Girls Night Girls Night

[olivet-lavendale]

zaraivanxva‌:

Time, for Zara, was running differently than for others. She entered the space and observed the environment before answering Liv’s first question. “I can wait for the food. I think it must be a delicious feast.” Zara smiled at the other, realizing that Liv’s influence was soon beginning to emerge. She liked being around the woman, and she knew that even if she hated social interactions sometimes, she soon regretted what she felt. “I hope you enjoy it. I found a store in Muggle London that has these sweets, and I imagine you’ll have fun with them.” Zara wasn’t a fan of candy, but she knew it could be a great gift. “Anything in person gets more interesting, to be honest. I can tell you a few tries if you want.” She approached one of the sofas, but still stood, watching the space as they talked. “I always have some good ones. This week we had a man who had a key but wanted to go to another safe. It bothered the goblins until he himself saw that the key was wrong. But this is one of several. Last week they tried to wake our dragon.” She faced Liv with a brief smile as she listened and took one of the glasses from her friend and toasted her with a smile. “Our friendship.” She sipped a little, and resumed the conversation. “It’s good to have good people on our side. I arrived late at the last meeting due to work, should have seen the faces of some. Luckily, arriving at different times helps some things go wrong.”

Liv nodded, a shade gravely. She believed in the order with her whole being. Blood, or the lack thereof, had no influence on magic and muggleborns had just as many rights as those who came from wizarding families. She hadn’t realized how dark her native country had gotten until her most recent visit. That visit told her she was done galavanting around the globe. She had always been a sucker for being needed but this was different. She was making a difference. 

She set the candies next to her bourbon stash and tilted them so they were at their most attractive angle. Turning back to Zara she raised her eyebrows. “The dragon? How did they attempt that?” Dragons had always made her uncomfortable. They were giant magic lizards, nothing more, nothing less. Someone who attempted to wake one would have to be very desperate or very stupid. 

Her glass clinked satisfyingly against Zara’s. She nodded in approval when she tasted the wine. It was a rich, dark red and she had picked it out specifically in hopes of her friend enjoying it. “Any new paramours?” She was living vicariously through this question. Since her permanent move back Liv hadn’t had time to peruse the locals for her next project. “I’ve found the pickings around here.. slim.” 

[olivet-lavendale]

staygoldengilderoy‌:

He had to admit that even if his eyes spent more time than they should looking for Benjy in the crowd of people, he knew an attractive face when he saw one. And this woman truly was gorgeous. Also definitely his boss, yes, but still gorgeous. Could he flirt with his boss? Flirting with Rodolphus had been funny but almost never anything even remotely serious in any way.

“Oh I don’t know, these parties always do have a way of getting quite feisty when you least expect. Owen Baldwin’s here, he always loves a good scene.” Gilderoy sipped his champagne and smoothed down his velvet floral suit. “You know, I do work for you now, you don’t need to pretend like I’m the competition any more.”

She wasn’t exactly sure who Owen Baldwin was but she hadn’t read his name in Imogens file so she was probably fine shrugging one shoulder and changing the topic. “Fiesty parties are for teenagers. All I want is a good spread and an even better cocktail selection.” She half-lectured sliding her eyes over the handsome man beside her in a way that was all Liv. 

The real Imogen should really hire her, she was doing fantastic at this. If the curse breaking didn’t work out she knew who she would contact. 

“Oh,” She let him catch her watching him. “I’m very aware of how you work for me. But don’t worry, darling. I never saw you as competition to begin with.” She reached up and patted his cheek. His pictures truly didn’t do him enough justice. He was too pretty by half. “I’d like a write up of the night on my desk tomorrow morning.” 

[olivet-lavendale]

kingmeshacklebolt‌:

Kingsley blinked down at his elbow for a moment, startled. That he truly hadn’t noticed. If Anson was here he would’ve pointed it out instantly. At least Liv had his back for now. He removed his sleeve hastily and wrung it out on the floor before Charming it clean.

“Hestia deserves the chance to enjoy what she’s won.” He said gently. Of course Kingsley knew that Liv wouldn’t say this if she wasn’t the Witch Weekly owner, he knew this. But it didn’t make it any easier to hear. “My boy wrangled his team perfectly, you ought to be glad he’s out so he didn’t hear you say that. Every good team loses some times.”

She had spoken a little louder than she usually would to make sure the people surrounding them would have to hear. When even the eavesdroppers winced she knew she had probably gone too far. “I’m far from glad he’s out, Mr. Shacklebolt. I’ve been trying to wrangle him in for a cover for at least the past six months. Too bad about him disappearing, I was really hoping to make him Mr. December.” Liv would need to send Kingsley a nice fruit basket following this. A very nice one. 

She spoke as if Anson was away on holiday and not like he had been brutally kidnapped. For Shacklebolt’s sake she hoped the little bastard was fine. She would put money on the attackers even bringing him back unharmed, Anson Wood had that sort of charming way about him. Not like she would know or anything though. “Although Mr. January is still available if you’d be interested, Mr. Shacklebolt.” 

[olivet-lavendale]

marcus-bulstrode‌:

Marcus had been excited to be around his husband this evening, but it didn’t mean that they were attached at the hip. Still, he kept Levi in the corner of his eye making sure he was okay. It was a habit he’d picked up, but it wasn’t one that could be easily dropped even if this was where he was most of the time. 

Still there was a soft pleasant look on his face as he took in the entire party. He’d seen the Castle before, but it was mostly the grounds. He hadn’t really been in the building that his husband now spent most of his life in. 

He almost didn’t hear the other, eyes focused on looking at the room and where he should go next, but at the question he tilted his head slightly and gave a chuckle. “I think we can forgive them, I do hope this means that they spend more time focusing on teaching children. Although the spread isn’t great.” 

He shook his head trying to put the other at ease. “No I don’t think we have. I’m Marcus.” Looking at the drink and back at the other he continued almost conspiratorially, “They also are watering down the drinks. I don’t know if you usually go mixed drinks, but if you want a proper drink you might want it neat.” 

Liv laughed, feeling odd when the laugh wasn’t her own. “When you put it that way I suppose it can be forgiven if it meant the budget went to education.” She cast a disdainful look at the mentioned spread.

She held out a dainty hand for him to shake. “Imogen Dittle, I own Witches Weekly, the finest paper currently in publication.” Liv had actually always preferred the Quibbler but that was neither here nor there. At his helpful tip she looked down at her glass. It did look a little watered down even though she had gotten it not even five minutes prior. Subtly she left it on the table with the spread. “Noted. Dumbledore, that man.” She made a similar face to the one she had while thinking of the spread. 

She pretended to be impressed. “It’s not often I meet a man with actual taste. Are you currently employed?” Imogen was looking for more people around her publication so Liv was really doing the both a favor. 

[olivet-lavendale]

kingmeshacklebolt‌:

Standing here at a party without Anson felt wrong. Not knowing anything about where Anson was or who had him felt worse. What right did he have to feel happy and smile and smooze about when he didn’t even know if his boyfriend was alive right now? 

Kingsley clutched his fancy champagne and tried to plaster on his best smile. He was back in a room with his partner and Moody, he ought to feel a bit better. A good portion of the Order and several of his closest friends were scattered around the event in disguise. He ought to stay sharp and keep an eye out for them. Fuck, he just kept thinking of how much he could get done back at the office with his map and his sources, trying to whittle away at this infuriating mystery.

“Pardon?” He said to whomever had just spoken to him, turning around to get a better look, “Sorry, didn’t catch that. Come again?”

Liv pointed at Kingsley Shacklebolt’s elbow. “Your elbow is in the punch bowl, I thought you should know.” Shacklebolt was pretty high up in the Order, so he obviously knew what was happening tonight. But considering the amount of polyjuice going around tonight and the fact she couldn’t even trust her own reflection her smile was reserved and she didn’t drop her cover. 

Liv knew that Anson wasn’t probably something he would want to talk about but Imogen didn’t. “Too bad about the Arrows loss, Mr. Shacklebolt. I heard you were at the game. If your boy would have wrangled his team better maybe Hestia Jones wouldn’t be gloating this very moment.” She almost winced and wondered if that was too far. She actually liked Hestia Jones, but judging on the not-so-nice articles printed about her in Witches Weekly magazine she was sure Imogen did. 

[olivet-lavendale]

Polyjuice was a ghastly potion and Liv despised every second it was in effect. Being in control of someone else’s body always felt wrong. Looking down and seeing someone else’s hands and hearing someone else’s voice when she spoke was creepy to say the least. Every movement made her self-conscious. She tolerated it now only through reminding herself it was for the best. 

Keeping that in mind she scanned the room. She didn’t recognize most of the people around her but that was the point she supposed. She took another sip of her drink (usually her favorite, although now it tasted off) managing to appear much more casual than she felt. Liv looked at the person to her right who also seemed to not know anyone. “Not a very exciting party, is it? The spread is disappointing. Wait, sorry, have we met before?” She was asking everyone that, not sure exactly who this ‘Imogen’ might know. 

[olivet-lavendale]

calebgoldstein‌:

Caleb had been told in short who he was meant to pretend to be, donning the role as best as he could. There was no reason that Dumbledore should invite him among the other successful people, but Curtis Killman had good taste being a world-renown wizarding fashion designer and he suspected Dumbledore imported designed goods from him. Whether or not Caleb knew he was tonight hardly mattered. He was meant to blend into the crowd with a face that the people who weren’t masquerading tonight would know. It shouldn’t be too hard to know someone who was interested in fashion, thinking Curtis might have good taste enough to approach someone. The evening had just started and he needed to make the most of the time that he had such little of. The goal was to get information from those invited and he put on a smile that lighted through Curtis’ lips. “Enchanté. Might I remark on you beautiful those robes are? I could use that in my spring catalog.” 

Her file on Imogen hadn’t called her a flirt, but Liv couldn’t help it. There was something a little freeing about being someone else. “You’re more dashing in person than I had imagined, Mr. Killman.” She was glad to have found someone in the crowd that she recognized. Curtis Killman’s face had stuck out to her from the crowd having been featured in Witches Weekly not even a month back. Imogen would certainly know who this man was. 

“These robes? Oh I don’t know, my assistant picked them up somewhere. Isn’t that ridiculous? I’m dreadful with fashion. I’m Imogen Dittle, I’m sure you’ve heard of my magazine? We actually voted your line the most fashionable of the year, did you see?” From what Liv had heard of Imogen, she was a little bit of a chatterbox. She barely paused before continuing. “You cut a striking figure in person, Mr. Killman. I wish the interview we had requested would have worked out.” She had done her research, and by research she had read the past years back copies of Witches Weekly. “Are you enjoying yourself tonight?” 

[olivet-lavendale]

Girls Night Girls Night Girls Night

[olivet-lavendale]

zaraivanxva‌:

The idea of ​​a girl-only night could scare a lot of people, including Zara. For a few days, she had thought of denying the idea of ​​having that night, but at the same time, she needed to have fun. So when she chose the clothes and even trying a little makeup, she wanted to think it was because she could have another friend in England.

She even tried to be late, but her extraordinarily punctual personality made her see herself in front of Liv’s door looking at the invitation and confirming the address. She was already there, now she had to enjoy it. The other was always very receptive and lively, which made Zara very interested in the situation. When the door opened, she offered the best smile she could offer, almost wholly forgetting to escape the visit.

“Liv. Thank you!” She looked at the red shoes and smiled once more. “It’s wonderful today.” Zara certainly wasn’t good at complimenting people, but she was trying hard. “I brought some German candy,” Lifting the box with some chocolates. “I’ve been fine, thanks. How about you? I think you will have more news than me! Your traveling stories are amazing.”

“German candy is the best, you’re a darling.” She took it from Zara with a smile. Stepping back she made room for her friend to come in. “I’ve ordered some hors d'oeuvres which should be arriving soon. A little bit of everything, are you hungry?” It was truly a little bit of everything, Liv had ordered every single appetizer the cafe down the road had. She wasn’t sure about Zara’s taste and wanted to make sure she had a lovely time. 

“Of course! I’ve got a few that I’ve been saving. Dramatic suspense is better told in person. I can’t believe it’s been so long. I want to hear everything about your branch at Gringotts, has anyone got sacked? You all are a fun bunch if I remember correctly.” A small assignment had Liv working closely with them for almost a month. She had enjoyed her assignment much more than she thought she would, partly because of the friendships that had sprung up. 

Liv moved over to the counter and started pouring wine into glasses. “I saw you at last month’s meeting. I was glad to know we’re on the same side.” She murmured the last bit before her smile returned in full force and she handed the now full glass to her friend. She held hers out to clink. “Here’s to our friendship.” 

[olivet-lavendale]

Girls Night Girls Night Girls Night

It took her a second but her hand finally clasped around the right one. Liv pulled the red bottle from under her sink and read over the dusty label. This one would be perfect. The label was something that looked vaguely french which meant it had to be decent at least. She wasn’t a wine expert but the colleague who had given it to her last Christmas promised it was nice. Normally she wasn’t the red wine type but she was guessing her guest was. She couldn’t imagine Zara drinking a rosé, that was for sure. 

Standing up from her crouch by the sink she flicked her wand towards the cabinets. Two glasses floated lightly down from a height that was normally just a hair out of her reach. (They were thankfully dust free.) She turned and did a half wave with her wand and her candles sputtered to life. Finally she stood back to appreciate the full picture. She had the wine, the pleasant atmosphere and a loaf of bread baking. It was nice, very girls night-ish.

Ever since returning to England she’d come to the realization that her back home friends were few and far between. She enjoyed people so it was beginning to feel a bit like a self imposed exile. So here was her effort to remedy that. She and Zara had met through work and the few weeks they had worked alongside each other had been pleasant. Remembering her, Liv had sent her an owl inviting her over the week prior and it had been met pleasantly.

She was adjusting her knickknacks when the bell rang at the exactly the stroke of six. Liv straightened her blouse before yanking open the door and greeting her guest. “Zara! It’s so wonderful to see you. You look fantastic, love the shoes.” She hoped she was coming off a little too much. “Please, come in! How have you been?” 

@zaraivanxva 

[calebgoldstein]

paint stains (flashback)

[olivet-lavendale]

calebgoldstein‌:

There were many things that were new to him that were enough to make his senses overwhelmed. Being in a new country had its advantages of trying to be different than he was before and learning what he could as if it were relearning everything. There were disadvantages as well which took the form of being confused by the different culture and expectations. There were simple things like the money being different and the accents. But there were also hardships such as the immense sting of pain in his stomach which he diagnosed as being homesick and nauseous from the changes. 

Caleb had politely declined his father’s offer of transferring him from the MACUSA offices to the Ministry ones to make it easier, something that Caleb took for granted. The job he had now was new and had only been there for a few weeks but it was long enough to know he would need another state of income to get him through rent each month. The space he had now was dubious to be considered home. It was a place with four walls and a ceiling and it was enough room for him to sleep, eat, and any other daily rituals. He decided to plaster his name in local wizarding areas such as Diagon Alley and Hogsmede where he knew there would be crowds. It was an offer to paint portraits for people for a reasonable amount of money for the commission and so far he had only two people come forward. 

The studio was isolated at this time in the afternoon and Caleb combed through a terrible amount of paperwork. He refused a desk job because of the paperwork as a side effect and he should have known all work would have paperwork, but in the art field that meant organizing client files. Caleb had already used a charm for it to sort itself, the papers floating through the air on their own whim to the location that benefited them. It was time for him to leave and he was eager to do so until a woman was stepping into the studio and approaching him. Normally he would be blunt and say they were close but he wasn’t in the mood to turn her down. “Please don’t tell me you’re lost. Was there something I could personally help you with?”

@olivet-lavendale

Liv raised both eyebrows and took a step back as the door swung open on its hinges, creaking eerily the entire way. The man (more of a boy, really) standing on the other side looked a little strained but not nearly as creepy as she’d pictured in her head. She forced her hand to relax in her pocket and she stopped clutching her wand. He was wearing a cardigan for Merlins sake.

Behind him papers floated somewhere inbetween bird and snow like. It was a pretty little organization charm and she let it distract her for a second before they made eye contact. “I don’t believe I’m lost. I’m Liv Lavendale?” 

She didn’t mean to make it sound like such a question so she repeated herself. “I’m Liv Lavendale. I sent you an owl last week, I want my portrait done. I never really heard back from you and time is running out. It’s a Christmas present...” She trailed off and looked expectantly at him. “I have the money with me.” 

[valentinanottt]

Olivet and Valentina, Volume One

i: stand still - flight facilities. ii: before i ever met you - banks. iii: are you happy now - michelle branch. iv: stay - hurts. v: i hate myself for losing you - kelly clarkson. vi: i wish you would - taylor swift. vii: lover to lover - florence and the machine. viii: here you come again - clay aiken. ix: haunting - halsey. x: send my love (to your new lover) - adele. xi: one more night - maroon 5. xii: stay - rihanna, mikky ekko. xiii: break the fall - laura welsh. xiv: when you’re looking like that - westlife. xv: we are never ever getting back together - taylor swift.

Olivet and Valentina, Volume Two

i: what about us - p!nk. ii: love song - sara bareilles. iii: without me - halsey. iv: dancing with a stranger - sam smith, normani. v: undrunk - fletcher. vi: bye bye - gryffin, ivy adara. vii: impossible - james arthur. viii: let me down slowly - alec benjamin. ix: ghost - ella henderson. x: if i can’t have you - kelly clarkson. xi: break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored - ariana grande. xii: love stuck - mother mother. xiii: woman like me - little mix, nicki minaj. xiv: ruin my life - zara larsson. xv: this feeling - the chainsmokers, kelsea ballerini

@olivet-lavendale