#raxlestrange

[marius--lestrange]

Marius + Avery [Herbal Tarot]

Left: MARIUS – Four of Swords [Mullein, Verbascum tapsuse]

From the Herbal Tarot: Expectorant. Demulcent. Anti-inflammatory. Anti-spasmodic. Used for all upper respiratory complaints. Relieves mucus congestion. Topically relieves pain. Mild calmative. Healing from the wounds of battle. Rest before the final onslaught.

Key words: rest, restoration, contemplation, meditation, calm

Pat’s Summary: Marius has returned home—or at least to Vivienne’s place, basically licking his wounds—not only has he lost Beatrice, he’s had to accept help from places he didn’t think he’d ever need help with. He’s no closer to finding her killer, so he’s that point where he’s just over it. He’s not angry with Avery but he’s certainly not particularly apologetic either—but he’s calmed down significantly. I’ve been pulling a lot of fours lately, so it tends to lean towards these characters being the more ‘stable’, more ‘consistent’ than others.

Right: AVERY– The Devil [Lobella, Lobelia inflata]

From the Herbal Tarot: Lobelia is an antispasmodic, a stimulant, an expectorant and a nauseant. It is used for asthma, lung problems, relieving spasms, nervous tension and cramps, and to induce vomiting. Playfulness. Frivolity. Make believe. Getting loose. Lightening up.

Key words: excess, materialism, playfulness, temptation, seduction, manipulation, addiction, lust

Pat’s Summary: From a previous reading I did for you, the Devil is about temptation—yes, you have choices, but that doesn’t mean those choices don’t have hidden consequences to them. However, the Devil also refers to addiction, obsession, or manipulation. Is there something about Marius that Avery is particularly hyperfocused on? Or is there something he would need to convince or manipulate Marius to do? Most likely he may just be wary of Marius and it’s hard for him to take him seriously. Since this is the only card from the Major Arcana that’s been pulled, Avery’s the one who’s going to be the catalyst for change or conflict of their relationship.

Top: PAST – Queen of Swords [Lady’s Slipper, Cypripedium pubescense]

From the Herbal Tarot: Nervine. Tonic for hysteria, pain, all nervous inflictions and premenstrual syndrome. A serious woman, over thirty-five, who is unswervingly faithful to her goals—quite often at all costs. On the more positive side, she is eminently capable of upholding executive positions.

Key words: complexity, perceptive, clear mindedness, honest, knowledgeable, opinionated

Pat’s summary: So this card really just highlights what their relationship is about: both of them mostly bring their thoughts and opinions to the table and perhaps connecting through their mutual agreements. For the two of them, it’s about the honest truth and hard facts. Marius has no reason to lie to Avery, and Avery has no reason to lie to Marius.

Center: PRESENT + DYNAMIC – Five of Swords [Mistletoe, Viscum albume]

From the Herbal Tarot: Nervine. Antispasmdic. Regulates blood pressure. Treats cancer. Calms the nervous system. Realization of defeat. Need to regain composure and inner peace after the fray. Realization that there are no winners in war.

Key words: defeat, loss, battle, conflict, win at all costs, ambition, sneakiness

Pat’s Summary: They’re both kind of stuck in a garbage situation. For Marius, he’s back where he started—or definitely worse off; he’s at the mercy of his siblings’ generosity. Not to say they’re always fighting (though perhaps they are), but it’s getting to the point where the fight has gone a little too long. Perhaps this fighting has led to some bitterness. Perhaps one of them has gone a step too far—not necessarily something unforgiveable, but enough to put some pause in conversation it’s mentioned.

Bottom: FUTURE – Six of Swords, [Vervain,Verbena Officinaliis]

From the Herbal Tarot: Alterative. Hepatic. Bitter. Antispasmodic. Used for nervousness and irritability caused by congested liver and gallbladder, and for premenstrual tension.

Key words: transition, leaving behind, moving on, healing, travel

Pat’s summary: They’re going back to France. Like, this is the card that has to do with travel over water. Aside from this very straightforward interpretation, it’s probably the only thing they can probably agree on, or the only way to really recover from the stress of conflict.

So, a few other observations about this reading: they don’t have any reversed cards—not to mean that there’s anything explicitly bad about their relationship, but just that it’s very clear to them what’s involved in this relationship. Four out of five of the cards are from the suit of swords (the element of air, involved with logic, ideas, and intellect) so their disagreements are based on certain core fundamental beliefs rather than a true dislike of the other person. Their relationship is almost formal, in a way—if there’s a possible ‘meeting of the minds’ for the two of them to perhaps finally be on the same page, I think that’s the most they may be able to manage in the meantime.

@raxlestrange​ 

[julian--wood]

[ Avery | Julian ]: Pleut Des Roses

raxlestrange‌:

Avery couldn’t help but grumble as he unlocked the front door to the shop, finally able to open the storefront for business after whisking away the rest of the rose petals that seemed to have taken over the front of his shop. While the Department of Law Enforcement had been dead set on scouring the street for any evidence of their perpetrator, it seemed they hadn’t been quite as preoccupied with making sure the damn flowers hadn’t spread elsewhere.

While Avery hadn’t been quite as bothered by the political drama or squib scare due to privilege alone (that and he had been avoiding the topic of children like the plague considering his wife didn’t even life with him regularly until this mess), he had to admit it was starting to mess with his business and image, which he or the family certainly couldn’t afford. It didn’t help that his brother was hell bent on involving him regardless, and it was becoming more and more difficult to avoid it. He couldn’t ignore that it was affecting his staffing situation, either. Though he didn’t mind taking up more hours manning the shop, it also meant more time divided between the store and his workshop– where his real passion lied. Heaving a deep sigh, he flipped the ‘open’ sign before adjusting a few products in the window display to his liking.

“Il pleut des roses … incroyable. Bloody fantastic.”

The trips to Diagon Alley would become less frequent once the spring term started and Julian was already hesitant to pass through by Floo just to go into St. Mungo’s. He was friends with Samuel Prince – sort of? – but not in a way where Julian felt obligated to express some kind of ‘I’m sorry this happened to you’ yet. After all, they did make awkward small talk and Julian did get some awkward advice about – well, can’t deal with that yet.  Let’s go with never?

At least Diagon Alley wasn’t crowded in the morning; give it a few more hours and everyone will want to see the blood splattered on the wall – or what was left of it, if the Aurors did their fucking job and cleaned up after themselves. Julian entered a jewelry shop, not really thinking about which one he was supposed to have gone to.

“Excuse me – would you be able to tell me what this ring does?” He waved at the only other person in the store, taking off the blue ring that Julian had been wearing on his right hand. Of course it’s probably worth a lot – its previous owner didn’t know much about it, or just refused to tell Julian about it except for the fact that he just wanted it out of his hands.

@raxlestrange

[phoebemaddock]

No Business Tonight II Avery & Phoebe

There was much to be celebrated tonight, and Phoebe lifted her glass in a toast. Not only did her beer pong partner sink the winning shot, but her business partner from the across the table had also sunk a victory shot. This one was off pitch so to say and more of a physical blow then merely tossing ping pong balls into ridiculous plastic pink cups. It wasn’t any wonder to Phoebe that Danny Molina was behind such a waste of time. None the less, she did rather enjoy this Beers and Tears victory though not nearly as much as the one she shared with Sam and Avery. 

Allowing herself the much deserved reward, she brought her cup to her painted lips, sliding back its contents in one brisk movement. The burning sensation snaked its way down into the hollowed out depths of her core. Even if the smirk she now sported was a wicked one, riddled with self-satisfaction, she’d never forget her late brother’s values of decent sportsmanship and her own of practices maintaining trade relations. 

“Better luck next time, Lestrange.” Phoebe mused from across the table, a crimson smirk slithering across her lips as she exchanged glances from her pong partner to her business partner. “Didn’t think a jewelry nerd like yourself even knew how to shoot. I suppose there is much to be celebrated this evening.”

@raxlestrange

[lestrangecolette]

Things are changing || Colette & Avery

Going to social gatherings with her husband was a requirement of marriage. Even when she lived all the way in France, she tried to never miss an event where her attendance along Avery’s side was expected. She did so once in the first few months of their marriage and she got several letters from her parents about how disappointed they were and what a bad light she drew upon their name. Colette hated the thought of them being ashamed or disappointed in her, so from then on her attendance wasn’t to be questioned anymore, she’d be there at social events, hanging on his arm like the perfect pureblood wife everyone expected her to be. It’s not like she hated to be at such events, quite the contrary in fact, but it felt different when she knew that the decision to be there wasn’t in her hands, that it never had been. 

Tonights event was one thrown by Vivienne, her husband’s sister, so they had to go. Which meant that she needed to find something appropriate to wear and get ready. She needed to look perfect, put together and elegant. It took her about three hours from the bath to putting on her dress and make up and making sure that not one hair was out of place. The dress she chose was one she bought quite recently and she had not had the occasion to wear it yet. Colette thought it was gorgeous, champagne colored and fitting her like a glove. It wasn’t flashy color or cut wise, but she knew she looked good when she examined herself in the mirror. 

After putting on finishing touches she grabbed her purse and headed over to Avery’s quarters, figuring that he must be ready by now, knocking on the door waiting for him to come out so they could leave and attend his sister’s event. “Are you ready to go?” 

@raxlestrange

[dommi-weasley]

#bitingdownbehindthebio: What were Dominique’s grandparents like, and how do they compare to Arthur and Molly?

So this is something that I haven’t entirely worked out on the Delacour side but I’ve got an idea about the Weasleys:

I feel like Arthur and Molly have so many grandchildren, they love them all dearly but they can’t be really really close with all of them and since Dom is one of your youngest Weasleys, by the time she was born she already had so many cousins and other babies around that she never developed a really close bond with Arthur and Molly. 

She still loves them deeply and goes to visit them often but with Molly and Fleur getting off to a rocky start I think their relationship was probably strained and so Dom always liked to spend more time with Arthur than Molly, sensing the tension between Molly and her mother. (Although Molly is always great for a cuddle when she’s feeling upset).

On the Delacour side, I think since she never met Gabrielle or her other cousins she probably never, or very rarely saw her grandparents on that side either. I imagine them as very prim and proper and scary to a young Dominique. If they did go to visit them as a child I think she would probably have spent her time hiding behind her mother’s legs. If she were to visit now I think it’d be a bit awkward and Dom would feel she wouldn’t be able to be herself.

BUT, of course, the Delacour grandparents aren’t as canon as Molly and Arthur so I don’t want to immediately make my assumptions about them official HC as they’re shared with Viv, Marius, Avery, Louis, Victoire and as great aunt/uncle to Henriette - I wish we could have a group chat but maybe instead we can talk in the comments of this post? Do you guys agree or think something else?

@lafemme-lestrange@marius--lestrange@raxlestrange@vctoiires@hennydelacour

[lafemme-lestrange]

@raxlestrange 

Vivienne didn’t linger long once the press conference ended, hanging around just enough to pose for a few photos and give a factious perfectly crafted quote in support of her father-in-law’s decision to continue on with the Quidditch World Cup. What did it matter to a society debutant whether or not athletes got to zoom around on cleaning supplies while throwing oversized dragon eggs through hoops? It was just another event she’d be forced to attend, smile, and dazzle at. Another reminder that her duty to her family would always come first and foremost and tonight was no exception. 

Though the press conference had ended, her job did not. Vivienne apparated straight away to deliver the news of the upcoming tournament to her eldest brother whom had opted to play nanny instead, another moving piece in  the plan to keep the Lestrange name in tact. The manor looked quiet from the outside—serene even—but Vivienne knew it was all a facade just like their marriages and Marius’s recent outburst. 

She could still feel Dominique’s blood caked between her manicured fingernails as she twist open the door handle, sighing and letting herself in though the magnificent golden archway. Her heels clacked elegantly against the lavish marble floors announcing her arrival loud and clear. “Avery!” she called. “I have news.”

[colettelestrange-blog]

@raxlestrange

To say that Colette spent little time at the Lestrange manor was an understatement. Had she not spent the first budding years of her stagnant marriage there, she would probably still be getting lost in the many corridors, in the twists and turns of the ancient home. In this instance, she was home because she wasn’t allowed to be anywhere else. The travel ban set in place by the Ministry since the start of the Ministry Missing Nine, as coined by Rita Skeeter. Speaking of Skeeter, Colette’s eyes skimmed the Daily Prophet she held in one hand as she lounged on one of the many plush armchairs in the manor, legs dangling off the sides. The article was rather dry, more found dead, more chaos, blah blah. And she wouldn’t have cared had it not been for-

“Vivienne...”

A sudden chill swept through her  as she read her sister-in-law’s name and Colette pulled her cardigan closer to her body. Though she hardly believed that Vivienne was to blame for the Weasley girl being stabbed, any situation with the Lestrange name attached would not bode well for her. She was so entranced in her thoughts she barely heard footsteps echoing down the hall. 

[lettelestrange-blog]

Sniffling, Colette tugged on her sweater again, mentally ordering it to warm her faster. She had planned on spending the day at the park, but it was raining cats and dogs out there and the cold that had threatened to ruin her day yesterday was now doing its best to make her regret every single day of her life. 

It was weird, spending time in this house, technically she lives here, but the whole place is so foreign to her. The worst part is, she has no idea where most things are. Which means... Well, this isn’t going to be pleasant, Colette thought. Its not that her husband is a bad man, on the contrary, he is extremely kind to her (kinder than she deserves). 

Knocking on his office door, she only waits a second before sticking her head in. “Avery? Are you in there?”

@raxlestrange

[lucy--corazonweasley]

Silver and Gold || Avery + Lucy

@raxlestrange:

“I’ll be right with you–”

Avery’s voice quickly chased the sound of the entrance bell connected to the front entrance of Lestrange Allomancy, a precautionary measure he had once viewed as cliche but eventually deemed necessary considering the amount of time both he and his employees spent in the workroom with their wares. Between the recent bout of illness that had swept the nation and tragedy upon tragedy racking up more personal days than he dared count, Avery’s shop was terribly understaffed. He had been bouncing back and forth between the front of the shop and his personal work space, though with the state of their world lately he found he spent more time in the back than usual. Business wasn’t exactly dire, but he preferred their usual bustle any day. Hell, he’d rather work a busy day single handed than cater to a ghost town.

The warming charm bracelet prototype he had revealed to Colette had since become one of their most popular items for the holiday season (after a bit of tweaking, of course). He found that his customers loved the convenience of one-stop shopping, being able to find accessories that were both functional and impressive enough to be given as a gift among the cases in his storefront. The travel ban had put a stop to his imports for the time being, but because they weren’t exactly jewelers they could get away with the man-made crystals for the everyday customer.

Straightening the collar of his shirt, he returned to the front of the store with his best customer service smile and leaned his hands against the counter. “Bonsoir – can I help you find anything this evening?”

Lucy was startled by the voice behind her, his French a slight bit unwelcome. She thought she could do her shopping without having someone hovering over her shoulder. She had to give the awkward nod and smile wandering a little further away from him, despite the fact that she had been to Monsieur Lestrange’s house to help his wife with interior design. She didn’t actually expect to see him in the shop. “I’m just – I’m just looking, thanks…”

Although Lucy liked to accessorize, even she didn’t have the politician money her father did to afford anything in the shop. Unfortunately for Lucy, she wasn’t a crazy rich Asian. Surely Monsieur Lestrange was used to the just looking excuse? But the more she eyed the rings on display, the stronger an idea settled in her head. “Have you Madame Lestrange? I came by your place last month to help her with some paintings, but the Gringotts goblins have told me no one’s transferred the gold into my vault.”

[marius--lestrange]

slurred words (Avery)

“I can’t believe you let her die. You have all the money and power in the world and you let her die. Your sister is married to the Minister’s son and you’re sitting around like you couldn’t do anything -- you’re a damn liar, Ave -- especially since you’ve been trying to get her murdered for so damn long! I can’t believe I even let you have the change to kill her.

Go fuck yourself, because I have to take matters into my own hands now. You’ve fucking -- you’ve fucking betrayed me, and -- there’s nothing else I can do. Nothing else is gonna bring her back, and it’s all your fault. Why did you do this? Why do you hate me so much?”

[lestrangecolette]

💛 for a moodboard about our muses’ relationship

Colette & Avery

@raxlestrange

[marius--lestrange]

le sous-sol de la famille

Marius wasn’t expecting visitors. The only person who would visit him was now dead, and for all he knew, he was going to die in the family’s basement in their summer home. His mood quieted to a simmer, with not much to do but walk in circles without a wand or windows.

He wasn’t sure how long he had been, but he turned immediately as soon has he heard something that wasn’t his own footsteps. “What the fuck do you want?”

@raxlestrange @lafemme-lestrange @colettelestrange @finley-shacklebolt

[lestrangecolette]

Quidditch game prep  || Colette & Avery

Ever since the night of Vivienne’s ball, things between Colette and Avery had shifted. It had been happening in a subtle way, perhaps even before then. She couldn’t quite explain it, but things were definitely different. It was too early to tell if that change was a positive of a negative one. Did he notice it too or was it just her? There was no way for her to have a definite answer for that. 

When the news about a secret underground Quidditch game reached her, the first instinct she had was to look the other way. Her mothers and fathers words ringing through her mind about how inappropriate and shameful it would be for her to play Quidditch and get a speck of dirt on her clothing. It wasn’t fit for a woman of her standing. They only let her be on the Abraxan flying league of Beauxbatons because they deemed it to be more prestigious than flying around on a broom. Perhaps due to the fact that it had always been frowned upon and forbidden to her, she had always enjoyed watching the sport.

Flying had been one of her favorite past times and due to the fact that she did not have her Abraxan here she hadn’t been in the air for months and she missed it incredibly. So when she found out about Avery’s involvement she decided for once to disregard her parents wishes and ask him to train her. She didn’t like asking for help from anyone, but she knew that since she never sat on a broom it would be dangerous to try by herself. It took a lot from her to actually approach him and ask him to help her train. She wrangled with herself for several days before she talked to him about it, her pride standing in the way. He didn’t laugh at her when she asked, agreeing to meet the next morning on the grounds.  

The next morning Colette up early and was in her workout clothes before eight in the morning, her pulled back into a pony tail, her new broom laying on the ground next to her while she was stretching her muscles. Stretching before any sort of workout was important, she didn’t want to be sore later on after all. When he came over she started talking immediately, figuring he was busy and would need to return to his job as soon as possible.  “I don’t need you explaining the rules to me, I don’t have problems with the theoretical part of Quidditch, I just need help with the actual flying and manuevering on a broom...” 

@raxlestrange

[raxlestrange]

phoebemaddock‌:

There was much to be celebrated tonight, and Phoebe lifted her glass in a toast. Not only did her beer pong partner sink the winning shot, but her business partner from the across the table had also sunk a victory shot. This one was off pitch so to say and more of a physical blow then merely tossing ping pong balls into ridiculous plastic pink cups. It wasn’t any wonder to Phoebe that Danny Molina was behind such a waste of time. None the less, she did rather enjoy this Beers and Tears victory though not nearly as much as the one she shared with Sam and Avery. 

Allowing herself the much deserved reward, she brought her cup to her painted lips, sliding back its contents in one brisk movement. The burning sensation snaked its way down into the hollowed out depths of her core. Even if the smirk she now sported was a wicked one, riddled with self-satisfaction, she’d never forget her late brother’s values of decent sportsmanship and her own of practices maintaining trade relations. 

“Better luck next time, Lestrange.” Phoebe mused from across the table, a crimson smirk slithering across her lips as she exchanged glances from her pong partner to her business partner. “Didn’t think a jewelry nerd like yourself even knew how to shoot. I suppose there is much to be celebrated this evening.”

@raxlestrange

It had taken a while for Avery to allow himself to relax, what with all the social obligations to tend to and appearances to maintain. However, once the more routine elements of the party began to wind down, the party had begun to take a surprisingly pleasant turn. Sure, the socialites knew how to have a good time when the more watchful eyes turned tail and retreated home for the evening, but there was something delightfully juvenile about the games the American had started, a kind of carefree fun that Avery hadn’t experienced in a long time -- years, even. The allomancer had partied here and there in school when it hadn’t interfered with his studies, but as he became wrapped up in graduation, his engagement, and eventually his takeover of the British branch of the family business... he had nearly forgotten just what having fun meant.

His team’s loss had only been mildly disappointing; at the very least, he and Toma were in similar enough places in their lives to be a rather successful team of “grumpy old men”. It seemed his involvement had amused more than himself, however. Avery chuckled softly in spite of himself, tipping his drink to perhaps his most beneficial business partners as she shared her condolences. 

“This jewelry nerd was an athlete, once upon a time.” The metal charmer quirked an eyebrow teasingly. “It’s amazing the things we forget we’re capable of once we get caught up in life. Usually these parties are all work and no play for this charming heir... and who would have thought that Miss Maddock herself did more than just peddle goods for these kind of events.”

No Business Tonight II Avery & Phoebe