back to the place where we began

[Jackie Lupin]

The carriage ride into Hogsmeade isn't a long one but it was much shorter when she was a student and the only thing separating her from the village was the shrieking shack. Now, with a job and something close enough to stability living in London, she's rarely made the journey back over. Her life, now occupied with her tiny four walled apartment and growing shoe collection and field job rarely gave her time for company or socialization. Suffice to say, she's missed it. Quite a bit. Jackie fondly thinks back to her school days and remembers friends upon friends upon friends upon adventure and more friends. It's with a wary sigh and a slight sway to the carriage indicating they've stopped that she peers out the tiny window and releases her first hint at a smile in ages. "Hello, my old friend," she whispers to the populated bustle of the village, climbing out of the carriage and thanking the driver kindly. Even for mid-June, the air around Hogwarts and Hogsmeade always seemed chillier and it was with this thought in mind this morning that she dressed in warmer robes, which she tugs tighter around her now.

Chestnut colored hair dances around her face in whichever direction the wind blows, her smile growing by the minute. She wouldn't dream of being recognized, is the thing. There's a new age group now and a different selection of faces attending the school or looking after the village shops. Her eyes immediately search out for the Hogshead where her aunt's boyfriend used to bartend but he hasn't been in for quite a while, last she heard. It's all slightly depressing, is the thing. She misses the faces that she had kept so close to her heart and the faces that have slowly faded away; professors, friends, boys. Joseph. Brandon. She sighs again, this time more wistful, ridding the man from her mind as she steps into the pub, the tiny bell on the handle jingling to signify her entrance. "Hello?" She asks, poking around as she enters, but the pub looks bare - a ghost town, really - and not even a bartender seems to be visible. Frowning, concerned, the former Mihael makes her way over to the bar, releasing a breath, watching disdainfully as bits of dust fall to the wooden floor boards that creak under her feet. "Is anyone here?" She tries again but Jackie feels her heart clench with sorrow when she recognizes that no, no one is. So much for company then.

Uncertain what to do with herself, she moves to a table situated by the window, overlooking the street and pulls out her wand, conjuring a cup of tea for herself. No use in going home now, she decides. Head bent , Jackie blows carefully at the steam of her tea cup, humming in appreciation when the liquid goes down nicely. It's a pity, though. This place used to be full of such life and memories. Well. One step at a time, no?

|| EDIT: This thread is open to anyone and everyone as I miss you all quite dearly ||

[Sirius Black]

Blah another day at the stuffy office with nothing to do. Sirius is leaning back in his seat and tossing some wad up ball of paper into the air before his office mate snaps at him to get to work and really. Rude. The gall of some people. Now huffy the only thing Sirius trouble makin' Black wants is a drink and a stiff one at that. In a rowdy tone he asks the rest of the office if they'd like to accompany him but he's just met with blank and relieved stares. Arses. Bugger 'em all. Grabbing his jacket the man makes a loud and temperamental exit and soon finds himself on the once familiar streets of Hogsmeade. Ahhh good times good times!

With one look up there's a sure sign of rain that has Sirius cursing under his breath all over again. Bloody London. You gotta love it. Of course he brought no umbrella either and he was pretty shoddy at configuring charms so to hell with it. He sets his sights on the closest pub and decides that's the one! Raking a hand through his hair the man peers around and grumbles. No one. Who was gonna get him his damn drink? He's just about ready to leave when he spots one lone figure in the corner by the window hunched over and drinking tea. Brits and their tea. It was maddening. Having nothing better to do Sirius walks over to greet the only person in the pub and stops when the witch comes into view. "... Jax?"

--EHEHEHE trouble makers unite!!! : D thanks for the sig jacko I luff it.

[Jackie Lupin]

She'd apparate back, she decided, ruling out floo as it grew to be too dirty. Jackie swirls her finger above the teacup, having the spoon mimic her action so her tea wouldn't settle and get cold. It's a shame, though. Coming here she had at least hoped to see one familiar face but it appeared as if everyone had moved on to some next big adventure in their life. She sighs forlornly, not even bothering to lift her head and investigate the newcomer who enters the pub (by the sound of the bell chiming again no less), too invested in her thoughts. She just... misses having company, is the thing. When she lived in the castle, even as a professor, rarely did she suffer from loneliness of any kind as there were people around every turn.

After she graduated, the company became less and less. The Musketeers - she couldn't even begin to try figuring out where they were all now with their lives. Queety had still been at the school the last she had spoken to her, Lils was always chasing one thing after the other and rarely stayed in one place for too long, Violet was getting married, and Nessa had... disappeared, resulting in a broken engagement between her and Sirius. Jackie frowned. It was unfortunate; she really liked weddings. The last she had attended was the Petite- Wood wedding and well, Daniel had left too, hadn't he? Did anyone even stay together anymore? Briefly, her mind settles on Brandon but only for a brief second because, no. That was her fault but she came back. She always came back. If anything, it was he who didn't seem to want to reconnect with her and in truth? She didn't blame at all. Cole, Nova and Joseph, Shadow, Jonny... her mind keeps wracking through names and memories that she doesn't have anymore.

Jackie's thoughts come to a sudden halt, hearing her name breathed beside her. A little jumpy (it had been quite some time since she'd spoken to anyone after all) she jerks in her seat, affectively watching in her as the tea she's holding sloshes over the brim of the cup from the sudden movement and ruining her robes. Murmuring a quick 'Evanesco' cleaning spell, she sets the cup aside, clearing her throat and peering up. "Sirius." The corner of her mouth quirks upward in amusement. "13 going on 80 now, aren't you?" Pushing back the chair, she finally allows a full fledged smile to show, standing and pushing up on her toes to wrap her arms around her cousin's neck in a tight hug. "Hello there. It's good to see your face, as ugly as it might be," she teases, squeezing him tighter.

[Harmony Lupin]

"Wait .. what do you mean you're out of chocolate frogs?"

With a shocked expression sweeping across her features, Harmony lupin stood in front of the counter at Honeydukes, the shop owner explaining that, to Harmony's dismay, they had run out of chocolate frogs. This fact was something that was hard to process for the blond, both hands resting on the counter top as eh owner flashed her a sheepish grin in apologies. "So does that mean the next time I come in I will be able to get a free supply of frogs?" she asked with a small smirk, leaning on the counter slightly as she eyes the tender. Naturally, the tender said no, Harmony giving a slight pout as she placed her bag over her shoulder. "Thanks for nothing," she murmured under her breath as she passed by a few students and made her exit from the candy shop.

Today was probably the first day in merlin knows how long that Harmony had time to herself. She had been living a pretty busy life, her job at the ministry was soon to be changing which meant a lot of paperwork and running around for Harmony in preparation of a career change. But since she finally got a moment to herself to breath for more then five minutes at a time, she decided the best place to spend her day was the village of Hogsmeade. She hadn't been there since she graduated school, the familiar scene of students shopping and traveling in packs bringing back more and more memories for her. Sighing, Harmony smiled weakly at some students who caught her attention, her arms crossed over her chest as she made her way to the Hogshead. Harmony couldn't remember the last time she stepped into the sleezy bar, but after her lack of chocolate frogs she needed something to sustain herself.

Expecting it to be packed when she entered, Harmony stopped dead in her tracks when she noticed there was literally no one there [at least in her line of view]. "Geez," she spoke softly, hesitating as she took a few steps into the main room, her gray eyes scanning the dirty ceiling and bar. It wasn't long until her attention drifted over to the only two people in the bar aside from herself. Just her luck, it was her family that she had not seen in a long time. A smile pulled at the corner of her lips, Harmony shifting her weight where she stood. "Leave it to us to find the deserted bar," she spoke smugly before walking over to them quickly. "Serendipity at it's finest," she remarked, standing beside her two hugging cousins.

____________

11:30 PM & I'm out of clever things to say. ;__;

[Sirius Black]

"13 going on 80 excuse you! Look at you. All pale and wiry thin and you call me the old foggy? Lupin go eat a cookie would ya?" Smirking he returns the hug. She feels tiny in his arms. She'd always been tiny but just the look of her has him picking up on some bad vibes. He hadn't heard from Jax in a few weeks and maybe he didn't know the entire story but he knew enough to know she hadn't been herself in a while. This needed to change!! Good thing that the door sounds another customer and the part is REALLY started when Harms makes her way over.

"Well well wellllll if it isn't my little partner in crime herself. Look at you blondey. All done up nice for Hogsmeade are you?" Cackling wildly Sirius releases his grip on Jackie and pulls Harmony into a bone crushing hug -- hey at least she didn't feel like she was gonna break under his mammoth hold -- and then pulls back to grin at them both. "The three amigos are back lady cousins. What mischief should we indulge in today?" Sirius' eyes travel to the table and his smirk widens at what he sees. "Oh tea Jax? What have you aged yourself even more since I last saw you? You're in a pub and you're drinking tea. Explain that one to me will ya?" It had to be a Lupin thing. He and his Mum drank hard liquor but from what he remembered they all did it: Jax, Harms, Ash and Nicki were all fond of the warmer beverage. Ugh. No taste to it at all if you asked him and when he was asked to drink it at family parties and whatnot he'd end up pouring it in one of the plants. The plants needed it more than him anyway.

Sirius let out a long, dramatic sigh. Tea. Bloody tea -- that's what she was drinking?! She was loony that's gotta be it. "So what's the scoop lasses? Haven't seen either of you around the ministry lately so either you're both poor employees or something else is afoot. Have some new men in your lives? Hmmm?"

[Jackie Lupin]

It wasn't like Jackie was lacking company all the time. She had spent the past year living with Aunt Kellie, which was a trip in itself, really, and with a new apartment of her own she had just chose to pass up socialization. Or at least that was her story and she was sticking to it. Of course she planned on getting a new job, but he didn't know that. Not yet, anyway. Jackie's so caught up in the hug and reveling in the fact that she's around family again that she hardly hears the door open or see anyone approach them until she hears the light teasing of her other cousin's voice. "Harmony?" Peering up and stepping out of Sirius' hold, she smiles even wider and this all feels so new. Not that she doesn't want to smile or hasn't lately but these feel more genuine, more real. She quickly moves forward, throwing her arms around Harmony's neck, laughing quietly. "With the blonde hair I almost mistook you for someone else. I'm so used to you dying it every other week." Fondly, Jackie tugs on an end of it, her eyes brightening. "I like it. It's pretty. Much more natural, too." She taps her cousin on the nose lightly to show she's teasing and then rolls her eyes at Sirius' heckling.

"Yes, I know, you'd much rather be drinking that awful ale of yours but look, really all I wanted was a nice day out and no one was in here so." She realizes after closing her mouth that it sounds rather depressing. "Not that I- I wanted to see people, you see, but hardly anyone was around so I sat down in here for a breather." She didn't mention that this was her first stop nor that she particularly bothered going anywhere else after she discovered the empty pub. Her family hardly had to know she'd been acting strangely lately. It's only when Sirius mentions the ministry that her stomach turns in guilt once over. "It's not that I don't want to be there or working. I was there just the other day, actually. I've been gathering my things. I told Auror Longbottom it's been an honor working under him but night patrols in the city? Auror training eight times a week? That's not me." She shakes her head in dismal, fingers curling and uncurling at her sides. A nervous habit of hers, Jackie bites her lower lip, eying them both warily.

"I think I want to go back and teach. Or if not that, something else where I'm working with others. I can't... I can't do this whole me for myself thing right now." The former Mihael sweeps a strand of hair from her face, tucking it carefully behind one ear. She smiles again, this time just as a way to humor Sirius. "I've told you once and I'll tell you several times again, Sirius Black, no I'm not. Do I look like the sort that goes out chasing for men? Absolutely not. Mind your tongue, please." With that being said, she turns her head to look back at Harmony. Truth be told, she was quite curious about the girl's answer herself. Her and Harmony hadn't seen one another in quite a while but she did know that her cousin wasn't necessarily with Eric Pastrano anymore. Or were they? It's hard to tell as she hadn't been keeping up to date on her family this past year. She also carefully avoids the subject of Nessa because if she did know one thing, it was that the subject was still a sensitive one for Sirius. Nevertheless, she missed her old friend and hoped she'd return soon and that the two would work things out. Old romance was such a lovely thing.

[Harmony Lupin]

A family reunion was not something that Harmony expected to find when she entered the Hogshead. She was thrilled none the less, knowing that it had been far too long since they all sat down and enjoyed each other's comanpy. However things were a lot different know, and it was painfully obvious [at least to her]. As she took in the sight of her two cousins Harmony's attention went from Sirius to Jackie who looked positively sickly. She was always thin, Harmony recalled with perfect detail, but this was an unhealthy thin. She watched her with a concerned look before being dragged into a bone crushing hug from Sirius. She didn't even get to put her arms up properly by the time he had gotten to her. "Sirius - you're - " Harmony spoke painfully, smiling sheepishly as Sirius let her go. Running her hands down her shirt and pants she unwrinkled herself quickly, shaking her head. "I'll have you know blond is my natural color," she said in a matter of fact kind of time, smirking. "It's ok to be jealous of my dashing good looks, Black," she mocked with a snicker, turning to Jackie who approached her.

Actually having the time to properly hug her cousin, it felt good to be in Jackie's presence again. Harmony was always closest to her, and even though she was worried about her well being it was good to see her. "You know me, always needing change in one way or another," she said with a genuine smile. "Why thank you. I'm pretty sure I am the only natural blond in the family," she pondered for a moment, wrinkling her nose when Jackie Gently tapped it with her finger, a soft laugh escaping her lips shortly after. Looking to the table, Harmony spotted the cup of tea where Jackie must have been sitting, Harmony snatching up the seat opposite her. "Truth be told I can here for some whiskey," she said sheepishly, eyes darting form Sirius to Jackie. "It's been a stressful past few months. Lets not even talk about the past year," she said with a wave of her hand, dismissing the topic immediately. She never was the talking type, and since this was the first time they have seen each other in merlin knows how long speaking of depressing topics was not on her to due list. Unless it had to do with Jackie, of course.

It seemed a change in career was something both Harmony & Jackie had been considering. "You would be a fabulous teacher. I'm surprised you didn't follow in the footsteps of aunt Kellie, actually," Harmony remarked, crossing her arms over her lap. "I've been doing the same. Leaving the ministry as an unspeakable is a lot more difficult then I expected," she mused with a slight shrug, eyes averting to the table upon Sirius and Jackie's next comment. Eric. biting her bottom lip out of nervous habit, Harmony laced her fingers together to try and think of the right question. "I could use a good wingman, Sirius," Harmony responded, eyes darting to her cousin. "Men are the last thing on my mind right now, I plan on staying single for a very long time," was all she offered on the topic, eyes looking around the empty pub. To be honest, she half expected Kellie to barge in any second.

[Sirius Black]

"Jealous of you?" he scoffs turning his head to roll his eyes at the blonde. "I don't think so Harms. I was blessed with the Black genes. Be jealous of me little one." Grinning he reaches a hand up to ruffle her hair playfully. He really missed these two girls. Sirius was close with his entire family but especially Harms and Jax. They had been with him through thick and thin and really kicked his arse into gear his last few years at school. He wasn't a bad student but he really started branching out his fifth year after Jax and Harms insisted he grow up. Ever since he's done well and has a job he loves and friends he wouldn't trade. He had a lot to be thankful for because of these two!!

"Turnin' into a lush are we Harmy?" Good. Someone to drink with -- he loved it! And maybe Jax knew him too well and knew he liked his alcohol but posh tea and biscuits was never his forte so whatever. Sirius moves over to the table and sits down, leaning back so the chair is on its hind legs and his own feet are crossed on top of the table. "I think it's ace you're both gonna change jobs. We could all use some change lately. Look which is why I've decided 'm gonna throw a bash. Everyone can come! I don't even care if I know ya or not. Think it's time we get to meet some new faces and have fun with some older ones ya know? Besides this city has gone to bits. We need some life around here. Brando Corbett, Johnny from work, all sorts of people can come!"

Smiling toothily Sirius stares down both of his cousins and makes a little woof of air under his breath. "Looky ladies. Single or not we can all afford to get back into the dating game. I for one plan on maybe getting married this year if I meet the right bird so there. Anyway Mum's been on my case about finding some nice lass to tie me down. I think she's getting tired of all of my laundry being shipped to her place but what do I know, eh?"

[Jackie Lupin]

Jackie pondered the thought for a moment before making a vague noise of agreement. It was true. The Blacks all had darker hair and the Lupins possessed various shades of browns but Harmony was the only one of the offspring to be blessed with beautiful blonde locks. It seems as though she's not the only one in the family having a rough year which strangely enough, lessens the ache she had been feeling earlier. "It's been a really hard year on all of us," she finally agrees, following Sirius's motions and moving back toward the table to re-occupy her seat once more. She listens, just content to be in the two's presence as they playfully banter about drinking and that sort of thing, her smile gradually inching higher as the conversation progresses. "Well if I don't return to the school then I'd like to work with people in intensive care at St. Mungo's. Y'know, I've never been good with needles and blood and all that but after the way they've cared for me and my... funny little problem over the years, it's the least I can do to give back. Plus, I'd like to do a little more on my feet. I actually miss talking to Professor Potter; she was always rather good at giving advice. Perhaps I'll pay her a visit."

It all comes as a shock to hear that first Harmony didn't want to date at all; something really horrid must have happened with Eric for her to jump to that extreme but just when she thinks she can't be rattled anymore than she is, Sirius proclaims he's going to be throwing a party this week and more so, has plans of marrying by the end of the year. She knew Aunt Kellie had her moments but she hardly believed the woman would go so far as to pushing her son into a marriage that he didn't want. Now, Jackie hadn't intended on mentioning Nessa because sometimes the very name sent Sirius into a vent of emotions and regrets but this had gone too far. Marriage. Him? He wasn't even seeing anyone right now. At least to the best of her knowledge, from what she can remember. Jackie stirs her tea, having enough courtesy to at least allow him to finish before opening and closing her mouth several times, unsure of what to say. She first turns to Harmony, giving her a leveled look. "I don't think you should give up on men entirely. You're a wonderful person and anyone would be lucky to have you." She meant that too. As her eyes fix on Sirius, however, Jackie's lips take on a purse and her jaw tightens with the restraint not to backlash on him.

"As for you, Sirius Black, absolutely not! I was going to hold my tongue about this but you're clearly not over Nessa and if this is some ploy just to get over your loneliness then go make friends or something but if you marry someone just for the sake of marriage, believe me when I say I will not be in attendance. You want to pass on your blood line so bad? Go donate at Mungo's if you've the itch so bad." Men. Ugh, they were such a bother sometimes. Now that she has a minute to weigh everything over that he's said, it dawns on her that this 'Brando' fellow he had intentions of inviting to his get together was no other than Brandon herself and immediately Jackie swallows thickly, squirming uncomfortably in her seat. "I'm sure he'll be too busy to come," she finally says, soft and not as firm as she had been moments ago.

[Harmony Lupin]

Hearing Sirius's remarks, Harmony rolled her eyes with slight annoyance, a slight hmm! passing by her lips when Sirius messed with her hair. When done Harmony immediately tamed the frizzled mess, knowing it was barely able to stay in a manner she approved to begin with, let alone when Sirius decided to mess with it. She smirked slightly after, taking her seat while Sirius mentioned her drinking. Harmony reluctantly smiled, knowing that her recent love for fire whiskey had become a bit more then casual drinking. "I'm pretty sure I can out drink you now Sirius," she mused with a taunting glare, crossing her legs casually. "I would challenge you one of these days but that would just be embarrassing for you. The clearly better looking cousin out drinking you? Oh it would be a sight for the masses," she teased with a mischievous smirk, laughing a bit after as she turned her attention to Jackie, who was speaking of her career path.

Both jobs seemed to be the perfect fit for her. Harmony wished she was as genuine and sincere as Jackie was, but she would never be able to work with people like that. She always worked better alone, and she is starting to believe that being alone is the better choice these days. Though working at St. Mungo's wouldn't be a bad choice for her, given her sleeping pattern [or lack there of]. Harmony nodded in response to Jackie's comments, her attention focused on the brunette. "Anything that involves you working with people is a good choice. You're too much of a .. people person not to," she said with a small smile, leaning back in her chair. "I for one am in the process of switching to Dragonology," she shrugged slightly after her comments. "I was never good at working with people. I'll be an independent worker," a sheepish grin swept across her face hoping that Jackie wouldn't overreact. Being a Dragonologist wasn't exactly safe work, but it was something that would always keep her busy and on her toes. Nothing but the company of Dragons for this Lupin.

Then, a more serious topic came into play, one Harmony wasn't really in the mood to talk about. Dating. "Urg," Harmony rolled her eyes a bit at mention of the topic, looking to Jackie. "Oh I haven't given up," she told her with a genuine smile, hands interlacing. "It's just not that important right now. I'm in no rush to settle down; I'm still young, I'm about to change careers and basically start over. I should be focusing on myself and not another relationship, especially since the last one kind of went up in flames," she huffed a bit at the thought of Eric. There were no hard feelings between the two, though Harmony hasn't seen him in literally years she didn't hate him. On the contrary she wished the best for him, but she wanted no part in it anymore. "Married?!" Harmony interjected right before Jackie went on her little spiel about Nessa. She looked at both of them curiously. She was, for the most part, over Eric. These two however were still clinging to their past loves. "You're one to talk, Jackie," Harmony said with a slight smile knowing that the mention of Brandon probably didn't settle well with her either. "I for one don't think relationships and getting married shouldn't be top of our lists right now. It'll all fall into place eventually," she said honestly, looking to the both of them. "As much as I would love to see the two of you get back together with Nessa & Brandon because they both made you guys extremely happy, there is more to life then that, yeah?" she spoke sincerely, trying not to come off as callous as it may have sounded. However much Harmony believed in her own words, she knew that they were partially biased; she had become a bit of a work-a-holic lately, indulging in company of friends and nothing more. She liked her self inflicted isolation.

After a momentary pause Harmony spoke again. "Either way I'll be attending your party. I hope you do too Jack. It'll be good for you to be around all these new and old faces," she smiled, placing her hands on the table.