heavy is the head which wears the crown

[x-reubenashes-x]

charliecahill​:

        ”I can think of a few who’d disagree. People tend to be a bit… delicate when it comes to the matter of death, even when in regards to a politician most of them likely hadn’t met.” Charlie had never been particularly keen on politics, hence why they had no real idea on what happened in cases like this, but they did have to admit the man seemed to make it easier to understand than her professors ever had. “So they’ll have a stand-in for a bit? Not sure who from that pool I’d trust to fill her shoes. I am half convinced that whoever keeps putting Albus Dumbledore forward for anything is doing so out of some sort of joke, though. Surely.” 

“Death is an unfortunate part of life, everyone is entitled to feel how they feel but the world keeps moving no matter who falls and sometimes it appears to be callous but if the world was to stop every time a notable person died, chaos would reign.” he replied, sitting up straighter as he got more involved in explaining the world of politics. “The stand in will be temporary, normally it falls to the person who came second in the election. The country still needs to run and someone needs to be make decisions but it is literally just a figurehead to sign documents. By rights it shouldn’t go to him, he wasn’t the second but if I had my way, he’d be removed completely. Whoever does keep putting him forwards needs a swift blow to the head or a couple of shocks to stop being such a idiot. Makes me glad I’m in between both world’s, did you know the muggles have a full scale operation already in place in case of the death of her Majesty? It’s a lot more efficient than what we have here.”

[charliecahill]

𝙾𝙿𝙴𝙽

Location : open

        “No judging, but I’ve got something of a foolish question.” It was more foolish, given they’d gone this long without ever figuring it out, but if they were honest about it it hadn’t ever been something they cared much about. “And possibly a bit insensitive. With the Minister’s passing, will there be an election? Or an appointment? Or is there some chain of command?”

[x-reubenashes-x]

Politics was safe, politics was enough to keep Reuben straight and answering questions regarding it was something he was vastly trained in. He cracked his neck, running a hand across his eyes as he ‘hmmed’. “Insensitive wouldn’t be the word I’d use- proactive, maybe? And certainly not foolish.” he replied, tone rather warmer than usual. “There are always plans in place for situations like this, the first step would be placing an interim into the position however temporary and then when the storm has passed, it goes to the pool of candidates within the Ministry. If anyone suggests Dumbledore again though, I’ll resign straight then and there.” they didn’t need a self glorified hedonist leading the fold. No matter what his supporters spewed. 

[raveledits]

[franklongbottom-fm]

where; hogs head whomst; open

Walburga had never actually cared much about the Minister, or politics. But the recent death had her father shaken. She hadn’t seen him this out of sorts since Alphard left. He’d even mentioned Orion the other day. Wally hated when he did that, it hadn’t boded well since Cyg had replaced him on the family tapestry.

“No, I don’t know who they’ll pick to replace her.” She told the client currently doing a very poor job of checking in, “And frankly I don’t care. Are you going to book a room or not?”

==

[x-reubenashes-x]

He could’ve picked somewhere nicer, but when he needed to go under the radar. like most he found his way to the Hogs Head for utter discretion. But standing in line, waiting for someone to finish up booking a room was making him look at his watch impatiently. All he needed was the room for 24 hrs, no questions asked and it seemed the person in front of him were full of their own. 

“If they’re not going to, I will. Some of us have places to be.” he answered, sarcasm heavy as he looked the other customer up and down with a look of reproach. 

[x-reubenashes-x]

gparkingson-esq​:

Georgie praised any God who was listening that she was an expert at hiding her feelings. Between her pureblood upbringing and professional training had made her all but an expert. “I only have part of the family you have. And a mother who refuses to make a match for me, bless her.” This was…why had Daliah not told her? And well…they had quite the night together not too long ago. “I must admit, I had not known of this plan. I’m not sure how I should be able to help other than some sort of formal agreement.” 

“You’re luckier than most it seems. I thought it was all parents dreams to get their precious children matched up to preserve the honour and lines.” at least, it was the impression he received ever since he’d been here. He didn’t even need to name certain Family names to ensure his point, it was obvious. “Yeah, it’s been rather quick, thrust upon us almost, but there’s no denying she’s attractive, from a very family based home which means great motherhood prospects- and here i am speaking as if I actually care about it all. I suppose, I just want her happy and I’m sure soon we’ll be making an official contract, which I’m sure she’d love to have such a good friend involved with. I was more just fishing for information on what she likes, what to avoid, you all seem to be a gaggle of geese at events but of course, if you consider that rude-” he trailed off. 

[x-reubenashes-x]

gparkingson-esq​:

While she was tempted to still take notes, she put her quill down. Thank Merlin she had a pensive at home to bottle this, should she need it. “Someone we both share an interest in?” She wasn’t sure who he might be talking about. There were only a few people Georgie would say she was interested in. This was getting more entertaining by the minute. “And who might that be?” 

He felt a little awkward, mainly because he felt he wouldn’t have to be so investigative if she just gave him the chance. It wasn’t exactly a situation they both wanted, but they had to work with what they were given and he needed to know more about his intended. “A certain red head flower with the penchant for the theatrics. Seems my meddlesome mother and her dragon of a mother met somehow and almost if they forget we’re fully grown adults, have deigned us to date and I have no information on her, save me going into her ministry files which of course I would never do. And here I thought I’d of gotten a free pass at my age. Family, huh?” 

[x-reubenashes-x]

gparkingson-esq​:

Now this was worth being interrupted. She motioned to the seat across from her. “A glass of elvish wine, please.” She wasn’t going to make this a totally painless conversation. Very few had that privilege in reality. “I must admit, you’ve peaked my interest. Not many people come to me for personal reasons. Most are business. What is it that I can help with?” 

Expensive taste, but he wasn’t surprised. He caught a passing barmaid and gave the orders before taking a seat and carefully clasped his hands atop of the table. “Thank you, it’s much appreciated. I’ll try not to take up much of your time, I at least, can understand how precious down time is. And to save us beating around the bush and in the most politest of intentions, I wanted to ask your thoughts on someone we both share a particular interest in.” 

[gparkingson-esq]

“My going rate is not cheap,” she said, eyes not rising from the paper she was reading. It was always easier to do witness interviews at the Leaky. Or the Hog’s Head. Depended on who she was interviewing really. Today was a more above board so the Leaky it was. “If you have a question or a request for services, you’ll have to go through my secretary. I can get you her card should you require it.” 

[x-reubenashes-x]

“I can assure you, I’m good for it.” he replied, placing a hand on the top of the chair opposite Georgiana. “It’s less business, more personal, do you mind if I sit?” he asked, not wanting to let himself into her down time unless she granted permission. He couldn’t help it, it was manners and courtesy, everything which he had been brought up on. And it wasn’t legal advice he was after, just information in the nicest way possible. “Whatever you want to eat or drink is on me, no ulterior motives I assure you, to make up for disrupting your day.” 

[x-reubenashes-x]

fawleyfollies​:

Agnes had a tendency to live her life in chapters, and some had more concrete conclusions or segues than others. The others? Well, sometimes they blurred together with the next few, or the previous, and you never really knew which part of the story you were contributing to. That kept things fun, it kept things light, and kept feelings …. restricted to more manageable levels. Manageable, that was important, as Agnes had often been reminded, stay manageable, keep other people’s expectations managed, and their requests; the list went on and on. But the support was welcome whether she’d admit it or not (and she wouldn’t) helping to keep her steady when she was feeling anything but; it’d already been a hell of a day, hadn’t it? “Oh, well, you know me, Reu. I hate to see the same old, same old, but when it comes to me and mine, I like things to be predictable.” She gave the man a shrug, and half a laugh, far from realizing that her answer was as close to a PR dream as one could hope. “I hate to think I should ever catch you on a bad one, that would shatter the illusion entirely,” she teased, ignoring his question a little longer.

“I’m to blame of course. And exes, and flirty friends I shouldn’t go home with but probably will. And also, yes, Aberforth, please blame him. It’s all his fault. But yes, I’m glad to see you’ve finally embraced the local ways. When you’re here, you’re home, and here at home, it’s Christmas. Who did we shop for?” This thought did fill her with warmth, though, and it showed in her smile. “I’m sloshed, top to tipsy tippy toes, but worry not. The potion I took should kick in any minute, I’m smarter than that.”

She spoke in nonsense, but in a way, he understood it all fully. Agnes was a life and soul of a party, lively, spirited, fiercely confident and he knew one day, she would meet the right person to compliment her fully. It just hadn’t been him, despite the fun they had together previously. But he hoped that it would come soon, even just to see her settled for once. And not the beautiful disaster she currently was in his arms. “If you ever want to see me on a bad day, come to my work, I assure you all illusions and dreams will be broken.” that he was getting to be an old man, his life was flashing before him and yes he had his career in a good position at present- but his own social life and romantic life was caught and unable to move. He wasn’t getting younger and clocks were ticking. He didn’t want Agnes to feel how he was feeling when she got to his age. 

He let her look in the bags, mostly full of edible treats and bottles, as well as some woodsy aftershave and some tonics. It was easier to let her be nosy than keep her out “Maybe you should just go home alone tonight? Hmm? Let that potion kick in and simply relax. Take a moment for yourself. You’ll be surprised how much it can help. Here, you can even have some of these chocolates, because once again my eyes are bigger than my stomach. And if you weren’t like you are, I’d even offer you a night cap of this cherry wine- but I am a gentleman and wouldn’t let you at the present. But, I will wait with you whilst this potions kicks in and I will happily escort you home, if you wish.” 

[celebswhogetslepton]

Sinqua Walls Photos by David Higgs

[x-reubenashes-x]

fawleyfollies​

“If you weren’t already, you certainly are, now,” she replied, laughing – giggling really, Agnes was well past tipsy as she wandered the streets of Hogsmeade, and had lost both of the foxes she’d arranged to spend time with today, and to each other no less. The tiny girl didn’t miss a beat though, leaning up in the next instant, hand to Reuben’s shoulder to steady herself as she kissed his cheeks, a happy, if drunken, grin plastered on. “I can’t believe you actually came out, Reu!! What happened to Christmas is the twenty fifth, why are you like this?? You thought it was just me, and it was…but it isn’t.” 

With another giggle and a roll of the eyes, Agnes wasted no time dropping her line of sight to the shopping he’d been doing, and suddenly, she was all curiosity. “You, sir, have been very busy, haven’t you? Are you having a good time, at least? Scotland is treating you well?”

He hadn’t actively avoided her, but his work had kept him busy and whenever she had needed to come to the Ministry, he’d missed her by a moment or a meeting. Life was always fun when Agnes was involved, but he was getting older and part of him could only put up with it for so long. Perhaps that had been why they’d cooled off whatever had been between them? If he were honest, Reuben couldn’t remember precisely what it had been. But seeing her like she was, made him groan despite the grin on his face. “Still up to the same tricks, hmm?” he questioned, arm wrapping around her back to at least support the overly tipsy girl. “And I’m not a hermit, Aggy. Just selective and you caught me on a good day. Seems you’ve also had a good day from the looks of you- who’s to blame? Aberforth? Rosmerta?” he questioned, but knowing Agnes, she had been all over. 

Scotland of course was beautiful, it certainly made a refreshing change to London. He could see himself up here in the future, if he didn’t make his way back to Paris. “Well, it’s Christmas over here isn’t it? Would seem rather amiss to not buy a couple of things. But if you must know, I’m very much enjoying my time here. How drunk are you, chérie?” he was full of questions and despite the beautiful disaster she was, he also felt obligated to make sure she was okay.

[x-reubenashes-x]

location: hogsmeade status: open

It was still twenty something days until Christmas, but one of the things which still amazed him of the tiny country was just how festive they all were and how quickly the spirit spread. Back home, it wasn’t customary to be so quick in celebrating Christmas. Even in the week leading up to Noel, it wasn’t extremely popular to bade a season greeting or wish a merry Christmas. But something over here made everyone on the 1st start going crazy and he had lost count the amount of merry and tipsy people he had seen on his night so far wishing such things. 

But he had adapted a lot since being on the island and he was polite in returning the wishes, knowing that this was their custom, despite it being a little bit more than silly. He had a few bags in his hands, little bits he had seen on his traipse through the village, one of them being a large bottle of cherry wine and firewhiskey liqueor chocolates- a treat he would gift himself and most likely share with his new friend Achilles. He was somewhere in the village, no doubt charming his way with a couple of ladies- Reuben liked hanging out with him, together they had formed a friendship they both needed. And both had become wingmen for each other. 

With a hum he side stepped a group of women, before turning around and sending them a wink and smirk. “Joyeux Noël, mesdames.” he greeted, chuckling as they cackled and giggled amongst themselves before he turned back around, almost colliding with the person ahead. “je suis désolé-” 

[mrs-mblack]

location: the white wyvern

It wasn’t that Maria didn’t expect to work. She did. She had just hoped that some of her staff wouldn’t have asked to leave early. Most of them were younger, most just out of school. Normally, it wasn’t an issue. But their pleading eyes got the better of her. It’s why she found herself behind the bar, the enchanted Christmas Tree topper on her head letting out small sparks behind her as she walked. She moved towards one end of the bar, planning to make a full run of orders. “What can I get you?” 

[x-reubenashes-x]

There was something altruistically British about the White Wyvern. It reminded him of the muggle pubs he had frequented and had a unique charm and warmth. He soon had made it one of his places to haunt, when he wanted to escape the raucous and sometimes questionable patrons of the Hogs Head. But with the current event taking place, his now favourite place seemed teeming at the rafters with patrons and it had become a small struggle to situate himself at the bar. But once he had succeeded, he’d nabbed himself a stool and was happy to grab the attention of Maria. With his usual charming smile, he leaned over. “I will pay you handsomely for a decent cognac- it’s impossible to believe this is one of the only places which sell any. And then one for yourself, of course.” 

[x-reubenashes-x]

isamacmillan​:

    “I could offer you a sleeping draught, but I’m sure you’ve tried that before?” She offered anyway, knowing that sometimes the simplest answer was overlooked in favor of other methods, tricks, and tips. She watched as he nursed his drink, finding that her own wasn’t all that appealing anymore, though she kept it in hand anyway. “I’ll share in that hope,” She agreed. She’d never been naive, as people assumed. She knew well that people could be ugly, cruel, shameless. The difference was that Isa did her best to see the other pieces that made them a whole person, searched tirelessly for their reasons behind their choices. She didn’t always like what she found, but she still held to hope that most people were more good than not. “You’re hardly an old man, Reuben.” She chided, though discussing politics was far from her desired conversation. His question was fair, innocent enough, but she hesitated to answer. “I’ve not been sleeping well myself.” She confessed. “I thought to try a drink, but even that seems unappealing. I’m sorry, I must be a terrible bore.” 

“I’ve unfortunately tried many things, it seems I’m immune to regular sleeping draught properties- and so far I have not yet reached the stage where I want to try draught of the living death. So for now, I will nurse this brandy like it was warm milk.” he replied with a low chuckle. He mainly sat alone most nights, apart from conversations with Abe when he had a quiet moment, so even just having Isabella as company was a nice difference. He frowned at the mention of her being unable to sleep properly herself, although he surmised it was probably stemming down to one thing. Loss. “I might not look it, but I feel it, Miss Macmillan. And although I never encourage others to drink, you could, by using your advice earlier, try something stronger? And please, listening to a three-hour meeting about wizarding use of muggle properties is a bore. You however are not. What’s on that mind of yours?” 

[x-reubenashes-x]

blackestwalburga​:

“Then hopefully they will be more than busy licking their wounds and recovering and won’t pay us any heed at all.” They best not. The world had seen too much war recently. And Riddle out there, riling everyone up. Stealing her favorite cousin away, spreading more fear than Walburga already contained. It didn’t sit well. “On the contrary, if they are that afraid of their own kin, how much more fear would they have for another? Intolerance breeds intolerance.”

It was pointless, at least in Reuben’s eyes. Some people were just never accepting to change nor understanding more than what they know. And Reuben? Reuben pitied them. The tiny island in which he now called home, was so intent on being set in it’s ways that change would not appear in his lifetime. And discussing with Walburga Black of all people had been a challenge from the offset. “You don’t understand what I’m trying to say so I won’t bother any further than this. My point, if you take anything from this, is that the reigning majority of muggles fight for injustice and those who are different against those spare few so intent in their hate and ideals. Whereas here? You’re all talk and big mouths but when it comes to unifying and driving out hate and ideals, you bury your heads in the sand.” 

[x-reubenashes-x]

mercutio-crouch​:

“Heh, sounds like a nightmare,” Mercutio worried he wouldn’t be able to find sleep after his father’s death, after the explosion but he had been so busy with work he often fell asleep with his head on his desk, and would wake up with ink on his face or to an owl tapping his temple to startle him awake and fly away with the mail delivered.

  “I’m just saying, an actual witch would have poofed away,” and they were potions to become fireproof. It did suck for the muggles however, but it was not exactly news to anyone that they were cruel to their own kind. No wonder Riddle was the way he was, being half muggle, right? Mercutio couldn’t say he had not thought about that, but so many of his employees were muggleborns, and none of them were assholes.

“Heh, if I was a woman, my father would have had me marry some guy from another Pureblooded family, to breed and make dinner,” so much for being better off. But he had a dick between his legs and could remain unmarried as long as his brother had kids and a wife. Huzzah.

“I don’t know if I’ll ever have kids. Haven’t really found the right person yet. I might never find them…”

Ah, the pureblood way of life. Reuben could understand completely. The number of young women he had seen after Beauxbatons get whisked away so soon after their graduating year, the countless balls and cotillions he had attended by his parents- in search for the perfect bride. Something Reuben had managed to cool off the moment he came to England. Not that his parents still weren’t getting involved with his life. 

“No doubt I’d also be married off. We still have a fair way to go, maybe that’s something we should look to admire in the muggle way of life. A lot of women are choosing for themselves, becoming their own person.” he had avoided it so far, but the pressing urge from his mother on wanting to be a grandmother and for him to now be in his 30′s still without a wife. It wasn’t the most becoming. 

“Who knows. The world is a large place, they might not be here but they’ll be somewhere. If you believe in all that soulmate bullshit. When I marry, if I marry, I want it to be for love, I don’t know about you but maybe that is why you haven’t found them yet?” 

[x-reubenashes-x]

isamacmillan​:

   “I do believe a man without want of a good night’s sleep is the rarest of magical creatures,” Isa teased, eyes patient and understanding of such a plight. How many sleepless nights had she had of late? If she were to wager a guess, she would bet that the majority of her nights had been restless if not entirely devoid of proper rest. Every time she closed her eyes, well, she didn’t wish to think on it too long. She lifted her glass, sipping the sweetened liquid inside. “People are often afraid of what they don’t understand, I wish I could disagree with your assessment.” She added. 

“If you have any tricks, I’d be glad to hear them.” he replied with a low chuckle. He had considered himself a lost cause, but if there indeed was something which could work he would grab the chance by the horns. Instead he nursed a couple more sips of the brandy, releasing a deep breath afterwards. “I’ve been noticing that a lot, on both sides on the proverbial wizarding to muggle fence. I suppose I am biased, but I’d like to hope we’d both we wrong in our assumptions of how we’d be accepted into their world. But, I’m sure you don’t want to sit here and listen to an old man talk politics. What brings you here so late?” although in truth, he didn’t really need to ask. But he wasn’t going to make that assumption. If she wanted to mention it or talk about it, he’d leave the ball in her court.