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[The hand she takes with a delicate shake. Professor of Charms. How quaint. ] Prudence Blackwood, job title under some construction.
[She can hardly say weird sister or sentinel, former and not explain it. And she very much does not want to explain her life at this moment. She would much rather soak up all she can about Hermione Granger's life and the odd little life English witches must live. ] The Goddess must be smiling upon me to run into a charms professor right away. I was just going to try some butterbeer after this, would you like to join me Professor Granger? I would just love to pick your brain about charms. On me, of course.
[She can hardly say weird sister or sentinel, former and not explain it. And she very much does not want to explain her life at this moment. She would much rather soak up all she can about Hermione Granger's life and the odd little life English witches must live. ] The Goddess must be smiling upon me to run into a charms professor right away. I was just going to try some butterbeer after this, would you like to join me Professor Granger? I would just love to pick your brain about charms. On me, of course.
[It's not that she's not a hospitable person, because when the stars align, she is, but seven years studying in Hogwarts, seven years besting every little snotty, conceited, smug pureblood at their game, seven years of professors murmuring things like brightest witch her age and practically painting a target for bullying on her back...
They should've given Hermione more suspicion of strangers.
Fortunately for Prudence Blackwood, job title unknown, she finds the young woman veryattractive stunning intriguing, and curiosity is going to be her downfall.]
I'd be delighted to then, Ms Blackwood. If you'll let me pay for my books, I can show you to the Three Broomsticks.
They should've given Hermione more suspicion of strangers.
Fortunately for Prudence Blackwood, job title unknown, she finds the young woman very
I'd be delighted to then, Ms Blackwood. If you'll let me pay for my books, I can show you to the Three Broomsticks.
Oh, of course. I suppose Mr. Scamander and I should be heading that way ourselves.
[It's a gift, she's decided. Something she will either have to mail to Ambrose or have him collect in person, some months in the future. Greendale seems like such a faraway place now, it's hard to think of a when she will return.
She follows alongside Hermione to the check out, and her collection of strange English wizard money has been carefully organised in a way that she just hands over the gold coins and accepts the change, no matter how annoyed it might make those who have to count it. Prudence has an air of unbotheredness about her; a hint that she doesn't pay too much attention to the way people react to her. She exists and takes up the spaces she occupies; she refuses to be small, even when buying books. ]
[It's a gift, she's decided. Something she will either have to mail to Ambrose or have him collect in person, some months in the future. Greendale seems like such a faraway place now, it's hard to think of a when she will return.
She follows alongside Hermione to the check out, and her collection of strange English wizard money has been carefully organised in a way that she just hands over the gold coins and accepts the change, no matter how annoyed it might make those who have to count it. Prudence has an air of unbotheredness about her; a hint that she doesn't pay too much attention to the way people react to her. She exists and takes up the spaces she occupies; she refuses to be small, even when buying books. ]
[She's barely met the woman, and yet Hermione is already suitably impressed. It's strange - the way she handles money for example might betray her being a muggleborn, but the way she takes up space might indicate she's just American and unsure of the culture here. Regardless, Prudence has her suitably intrigued.
Does it help that she's pretty?
It certainly does.
Once outside again, Hermione will lead them both through Hogsmeade to one of Rosmerta's quietest booths.]
So what brings you to Hogsmeade, Ms Blackwood?
Does it help that she's pretty?
It certainly does.
Once outside again, Hermione will lead them both through Hogsmeade to one of Rosmerta's quietest booths.]
So what brings you to Hogsmeade, Ms Blackwood?
Love a friendly deck of cards. [She flashes her a grin, and theatrically cuts the deck, before pulling back to let the young woman predict her present and past and future.
The mark on her neck is quiet, no hum to it. A sign that Nick is far away - across moving water, incapable of coming to her rescue in the first place - and for the first time in years, she is on her own. Fucking. Bliss.]
The mark on her neck is quiet, no hum to it. A sign that Nick is far away - across moving water, incapable of coming to her rescue in the first place - and for the first time in years, she is on her own. Fucking. Bliss.]
Passing through on my travels. It seemed a waste not to explore the most famous magical sites in Britain.
[She has been to no dark Kirks yet, or even any temples to the Triple Goddess. No religious offerings made. Prudence time is selfish time, thus far. She still has time to burn a few Kirks to the ground and pay her respects, though. In the meantime: ]
I don't hail from a predominantly magical city, myself. We co-exist in relative secrecy. This is an interesting change of pace.
[She has been to no dark Kirks yet, or even any temples to the Triple Goddess. No religious offerings made. Prudence time is selfish time, thus far. She still has time to burn a few Kirks to the ground and pay her respects, though. In the meantime: ]
I don't hail from a predominantly magical city, myself. We co-exist in relative secrecy. This is an interesting change of pace.
Everything in this store has a mind of its own, most days. The most temperamental magic this side of the french quarter.
[She doesn't say that it longs for someone far away. That may be a little too dramatic, even for Prudence's taste. Her eyes, move down, and then as she selects the first card, her eyes are drawn up to the mark, just a moment. Curious.
First: The Lovers, reversed. Prudence lifts an eyebrow. ] You have been putting your energy into something which has not returned it. A person, a place -- the natural balance has been tipped, weighing you down.
[Next: Death, upright. ] Awareness of this has changed you. You're putting yourself first. [She pauses.] Good for you.
[And then, finally: The Devil, reversed. A little ironically: ] It's the right choice.
[She pauses again, and then leaning onto the table with her elbows, she chins the back of her hand and really looks at Mae. Her eyes, the mark again. She looks deep, and deeper still, and then hums softly. ] Something happened to you, I think. Someone. They took you and they changed you, and you want yourself back.
[She doesn't say that it longs for someone far away. That may be a little too dramatic, even for Prudence's taste. Her eyes, move down, and then as she selects the first card, her eyes are drawn up to the mark, just a moment. Curious.
First: The Lovers, reversed. Prudence lifts an eyebrow. ] You have been putting your energy into something which has not returned it. A person, a place -- the natural balance has been tipped, weighing you down.
[Next: Death, upright. ] Awareness of this has changed you. You're putting yourself first. [She pauses.] Good for you.
[And then, finally: The Devil, reversed. A little ironically: ] It's the right choice.
[She pauses again, and then leaning onto the table with her elbows, she chins the back of her hand and really looks at Mae. Her eyes, the mark again. She looks deep, and deeper still, and then hums softly. ] Something happened to you, I think. Someone. They took you and they changed you, and you want yourself back.
It's a good thing you chose, Hogsmeade, then. [And maybe this part is unwelcome, but Hermione Knows About A Fact, so she has to share it, evidently.]
Most of our community lives in mixed settlements, but Hogsmeade is one of the very few that are entirely magical. I wouldn't go as far as calling it a city, though. Where do you come from?
Most of our community lives in mixed settlements, but Hogsmeade is one of the very few that are entirely magical. I wouldn't go as far as calling it a city, though. Where do you come from?
[Oh, she's read all about those, the witch hunts in puritanical America, back in the day. Of course, some parts of the States seem to her that they'd try it again if they could get away with it, but she's not about to say that to Prudence's face.
They've known each other for only twenty minutes, tops.]
I can understand why that would be the case, considering. It's harder to feign your own death as a witch nowadays than when people didn't cart you off to a morgue.
They've known each other for only twenty minutes, tops.]
I can understand why that would be the case, considering. It's harder to feign your own death as a witch nowadays than when people didn't cart you off to a morgue.
Oh, I suppose it helps if witches are running the morgue.
[They are, she means. In Greendale. Mortals are so fickle; she's glad to not be surrounded by them, here. ] I hope you don't mind if I bend your ear some more? For example -- all these barriers. It must take a lot of magic.
[They are, she means. In Greendale. Mortals are so fickle; she's glad to not be surrounded by them, here. ] I hope you don't mind if I bend your ear some more? For example -- all these barriers. It must take a lot of magic.
Grim - but probably true. Practical, too. [It was purely observational, right? Witches running the morgue - well, maybe in America that's how they deal with staying hidden.
She shakes her head, to not go on too many side-tracks.]
Ah, yes - the Statute of Secrecy is incredibly convoluted and complex. It's not just one person performing the spells, it's a combination of ancient blood rituals, probably some sex rituals in there too, not to mention Arithmancy and Runes, as well. It's - think of it like an iceberg, really. What you see on the surface - the fact that Muggles can't see us or find themselves in Diagon Alley by accident - is just the tip of it all. The underbelly of it is - is such intricate spellwork!
She shakes her head, to not go on too many side-tracks.]
Ah, yes - the Statute of Secrecy is incredibly convoluted and complex. It's not just one person performing the spells, it's a combination of ancient blood rituals, probably some sex rituals in there too, not to mention Arithmancy and Runes, as well. It's - think of it like an iceberg, really. What you see on the surface - the fact that Muggles can't see us or find themselves in Diagon Alley by accident - is just the tip of it all. The underbelly of it is - is such intricate spellwork!
And here I thought you English witches were so vanilla, these days.
[There are worst generalisations to make, really. Hermione seems and sounds so proper, in a way that reminds Prudence of Hilda and Zelda both. There is a warmth to her that draws her in, that makes the prospect of butterbeer and conversation more enticing by the minute. ]
Do you do much research on the old ways? I don't mean to badger you with questions, it's just so fascinating how differently we all seem to evolve, don't you think?
[There are worst generalisations to make, really. Hermione seems and sounds so proper, in a way that reminds Prudence of Hilda and Zelda both. There is a warmth to her that draws her in, that makes the prospect of butterbeer and conversation more enticing by the minute. ]
Do you do much research on the old ways? I don't mean to badger you with questions, it's just so fascinating how differently we all seem to evolve, don't you think?
[She cracks a little smile at that, and shrugs.]
It's fine, you can call us prudes - certainly in many aspects the British Wizarding world feels that way.
[They arrive at last at The Three Broomsticks, so Hermione pulls and holds the door open for Prudence to step through first. She'll find them a table by the window, maybe somewhere secluded, if they're going to continue having this incredibly entertaining conversation. She doesn't feel badgered at all; what's more, she feels interesting to someone, finally. All that knowledge locked up in her brain, finally useful to someone.]
To answer your question, I do try, though there isn't a lot of written research on it to go by. Mostly it's old magical families who preserve rituals, and they're secretive. Especially to people like me.
[There's a tight, almost pained smile, before Hermione bristles and looks towards the bar.] Anyway - Butterbeer, Ms Blackwood?
It's fine, you can call us prudes - certainly in many aspects the British Wizarding world feels that way.
[They arrive at last at The Three Broomsticks, so Hermione pulls and holds the door open for Prudence to step through first. She'll find them a table by the window, maybe somewhere secluded, if they're going to continue having this incredibly entertaining conversation. She doesn't feel badgered at all; what's more, she feels interesting to someone, finally. All that knowledge locked up in her brain, finally useful to someone.]
To answer your question, I do try, though there isn't a lot of written research on it to go by. Mostly it's old magical families who preserve rituals, and they're secretive. Especially to people like me.
[There's a tight, almost pained smile, before Hermione bristles and looks towards the bar.] Anyway - Butterbeer, Ms Blackwood?
Oh, please, yes.
[Whatever does she mean; her curiosity is bubbling over. ] Old magical families tend to be snobs in my experience, for what it's worth. Annoyingly so.
[Not in the way Hermione means, probably. Worse, perhaps, in all manner of ways. ] In some ways -- tradition is all we have. Like butterbeer. I've heard you can't pass through Hogsmede without trying it.
[Whatever does she mean; her curiosity is bubbling over. ] Old magical families tend to be snobs in my experience, for what it's worth. Annoyingly so.
[Not in the way Hermione means, probably. Worse, perhaps, in all manner of ways. ] In some ways -- tradition is all we have. Like butterbeer. I've heard you can't pass through Hogsmede without trying it.
[Mae listens with a small smile at the corner of her lips, wondering what's pure spin and what is the cards telling the truth. In her experience as the leader of the Goblin Market, she's had her cards read a few times, but most of the artisans of the Market were cons - it was the dancers that raked in the money and attention, after all. Dancers who put their necks on the line at every opportunity, Mae included. Nick's mark on her throat had never been a guarantee that other demons would leave her alone. Only his old friends - and the other conclaves in London. But she's had nimble feet and a sense of needing that danger, so she'd danced.
When Prudence finishes speaking, she lets out a low little whistle and smiles.] You're as good as they told me.
[She looks around the shop again, curious, impressed.] Don't suppose you've ever been to a Goblin Market, have you?
When Prudence finishes speaking, she lets out a low little whistle and smiles.] You're as good as they told me.
[She looks around the shop again, curious, impressed.] Don't suppose you've ever been to a Goblin Market, have you?
I'll get us some. [She points towards a table by the window, empty.] Take over that one, will you?
[She hoists her bag of books over one shoulder and makes her way to the bar, where she orders two butterbeer pints for the two of them. She pays Rosmerta, and makes her way to the table, where the barmaid will have sent the pints through a clever spell.]
Ah, here we go - where were we? You mentioned that tradition is all we have in some ways, and I would disagree. [She shrugs, and takes her cloak off before taking a seat.] That kind of mentality is one I am very familiar with from my time in school, and all my adult life in the wizarding world, Ms Blackwood, so I should preface it by saying that I am a muggleborn. [And proud, says the jut of her chin.]
The wizarding world is stale in its traditions. It could do with some changes.
[She hoists her bag of books over one shoulder and makes her way to the bar, where she orders two butterbeer pints for the two of them. She pays Rosmerta, and makes her way to the table, where the barmaid will have sent the pints through a clever spell.]
Ah, here we go - where were we? You mentioned that tradition is all we have in some ways, and I would disagree. [She shrugs, and takes her cloak off before taking a seat.] That kind of mentality is one I am very familiar with from my time in school, and all my adult life in the wizarding world, Ms Blackwood, so I should preface it by saying that I am a muggleborn. [And proud, says the jut of her chin.]
The wizarding world is stale in its traditions. It could do with some changes.
[The question throws her, though she tries not to show it. A pause, and then she sits back, laughing. She shouldn't be surprised, she supposes. Hasn't Sabrina spent the last two years telling her mortal friends all the secrets of their world? Why shouldn't this random mortal also know some of the more niche aspects of the magical world. ]
What does a girl like you know of goblin markets? [Mortal, she means, but she does have a way of making it sound like a judgement. ]
What does a girl like you know of goblin markets? [Mortal, she means, but she does have a way of making it sound like a judgement. ]
[A girl like you, she says, like Mae sits in a whole category. She could tell her - this pretty girl with a gift for magic and old eyes. She could lay her cards on the table.]
I lead one. [In the end, it's easy to say it. It comes out dry and brief, with a shrug. No big deal, she lead one. When there was that power vacuum, when her brother nearly died - and others nearly died - Mae's strategy, Mae's quick thinking got them out of trouble. Simultaneously, it got her in control of the Goblin Market back home, the biggest one. Under her command, they'd stopped travelling but settled near London instead, to allow the younger kids to actually attend school and try their hands at something else. Under her command, the Market was no longer at war with the covens of witches, either.
Out of her command, now, who knows. But that had been the deal - seven years and no longer. She's served it for seven years, and here she is now, trying to serve herself.]
But thanks, I haven't been made to feel seventeen again with a barbed comment in a very long time. [Here a little chuckle.] Witches. What a gift.
I lead one. [In the end, it's easy to say it. It comes out dry and brief, with a shrug. No big deal, she lead one. When there was that power vacuum, when her brother nearly died - and others nearly died - Mae's strategy, Mae's quick thinking got them out of trouble. Simultaneously, it got her in control of the Goblin Market back home, the biggest one. Under her command, they'd stopped travelling but settled near London instead, to allow the younger kids to actually attend school and try their hands at something else. Under her command, the Market was no longer at war with the covens of witches, either.
Out of her command, now, who knows. But that had been the deal - seven years and no longer. She's served it for seven years, and here she is now, trying to serve herself.]
But thanks, I haven't been made to feel seventeen again with a barbed comment in a very long time. [Here a little chuckle.] Witches. What a gift.
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