thegrassisnottalwaysgreener-blog

[thegrassisnottalwaysgreener-blog]

orion-bulstrode:

Orion watched as he saw Briony become, what he assumed was, nervous while she tugged on her scarf. Either things were much worse than she would tell him or that, like many others, they realized that they were talking to someone who had lost a sibling in the crossfire. Even so, his eyes trailed to the scar, gulping, “I’m sorry, Briony… did you happen to see any of their faces?”

“No, they all wore masks or had scarves covering their faces.” Briony’s hands shook as she quickly tied her own scarf safely around her neck once more. She hated exposing the scar. It felt even worse to do so in the place that she had received it. “I’m so sorry about Ophelia, Orion. She was a sweet girl. How are you doing?”

Far Too Long

[thegrassisnottalwaysgreener-blog]

orion-bulstrode:

Orion gave a small shrug with a grin. Really, he was just trying to come up with a reason for almost running - or rather, tumbling - into Briony and hoped he hadn’t thrown her off guard. Although, Knockturn was probably already doing so because of the attacks. He nodded at her words, gulping, “I know what you mean… Did you get hurt at all?”

Briony hesitated for a moment, wondering if it would be best to not say anything about her injuries. His sister had died. All other wounds seemed pathetically minor compared to that. But she still found her hands tugging at the fabric of the scarf, undoing the careful knot. Her name had been published in the paper as one of the injured. All it would take would be a quick check for him to realize she had lied to him. And Briony was tired of lying. She pulled it away just long enough for him to see the ugly pink scar that crossed her neck before covering it back up again. “Chryson and I weren’t able to hide before a couple of them caught up to us.”

Far Too Long

[thegrassisnottalwaysgreener-blog]

orion-bulstrode:

Orion gave a soft chuckle, catching himself steady and looking over Briony to make sure that she was all right, “I suppose so. Perhaps there should be stop signs or lights to warn when someone is about to ‘round them.” Returning her smile, Orion cleared his throat before asking, “Where are you off to?”

“That would be a smart idea.” But not very likely to happen. The idea of any sort of vaguely muggle thing making its way into Knockturn was laughable. There was no way it would be allowed to remain for any sort of time. “I - It’s going to sound silly but I just... I needed to face this place again. To see if it would help...”

Far Too Long

[thegrassisnottalwaysgreener-blog]

levi-yaxley:

He shrugged. “There’s been a fair number. But I’ve just been picking up extra shifts to get more experience in.”

“That’s smart. Just don’t overwork yourself, okay?”

[thegrassisnottalwaysgreener-blog]

orion-bulstrode:

It had been far too long since Orion Bulstrode made an appearance.  Well, he had made one. Mariela and Jake’s engagement party. Although it was more of an attendance, bit of drinking, the avoidance of Mariela, and a bit more spirits before leaving. Now, he was visiting Knockturn Alley - looking for some niche items that involved Magical Creatures. However, as he rounded a corner, he was surprised to see a familiar face, “Sorry, almost ran into you.”

“It’s alright. These corners seem designed to make people run into one another.” Briony smiled at Orion, hoping it masked just how startled the near run-in had made her. She had been jumpy since stepping foot back into Knockturn Alley and the sudden appearance of someone in front of her had brought back far too many unpleasant memories. 

Far Too Long

[thegrassisnottalwaysgreener-blog]

levi-yaxley:

Levi nodded slowly and brought his hand up to stifle a yawn. “I just need a little power nap and I’ll be fine.” What he would really kill for was a cup of coffee, but standing up once again to go make one himself seemed like far too much effort. “I’ve just been keeping busy, that’s all.”

“Alright. Well you better get your rest then.” She still didn’t think that a mere fifteen minute nap would do much more than make Levi even more tired than he already was. But she wouldn’t argue with him over it. Briony flicked back open the prophet. “Have more people been in the hospital than usual lately?”

[thegrassisnottalwaysgreener-blog]

levi-yaxley:

Levi groaned as he sunk into a chair. He loved his job but it could be absolutely killer on his knees and back. The day had been so hectic that Levi had barely had time to grab a cup of coffee for himself, let alone take a proper break. Within seconds of siting down his eyes began drifting shut and it took all his energy to fight to keep them open. “If I fall asleep wake me up in fifteen minutes, okay?,” he muttered.

“Alright. Are you sure that fifteen minutes is all you need? You seem tired.” Briony looked up from the paper in her hands. There was nothing of any real importance or intrigue within its pages anyways. 

[thegrassisnottalwaysgreener-blog]

With shaking hands, Briony removed the scarf from around her neck. She hated having her scar exposed; hated the constant, unshakable reminder of how close she had come to death. But the healers couldn’t very well check out her throat with a scarf covering it. She kept her eyes averted from the woman in front of her as she waited for the uncomfortable encounter to be over. 

@esmebaird

[thegrassisnottalwaysgreener-blog]

audeliaxprince:

“Thank you.” Audelia didn’t want to leave early, but it wouldn’t be fair of her to keep he best friend here if she felt uncomfortable or unhappy in anyway. “Can you promise me you will at least try to enjoy yourself? At least a little bit.” Perhaps this wasn’t where Briony wanted to be, but that didn’t mean the night had to be awful.

“I’ll try.” Briony assured, taking Audelia’s hand in her own and giving it a light squeeze. She knew that she could always count on her best friend to make life easier for her and she sometimes felt guilty about it. “I’m glad that you’re here. You always make everything better.” 

[thegrassisnottalwaysgreener-blog]

audeliaxprince:

The brunette brought her hand up to rest lightly against her friend’s arm as she movd closer. Audelia felt a tug at her heart at Briony’s words; she was torn between being a socialite for the evening or returning home early to make her best friend feel safe. “If you allow me at least another hour or two of small talk, I will join you. Would that be alright?”  

“That would be perfect.” Briony admitted. She bad been prepared to stay for the entirety of the party if it had been what Audelia had insisted on. She hated to ruin her best friend’s fun with her issues. It wasn’t fair to Audelia at all. 

[thegrassisnottalwaysgreener-blog]

audeliaxp.rince:

“You needn’t apologise to me, Briony.” Audelia was upset that Briony even thought she needed to. Of course, the brunette was trying to be careful that night not to be overheard saying anything negative about the event or anyone there. Eventually she would make her opinions heard, but not quite yet. And she did wish Briony would be careful as well, not wanting her friend to end up in any trouble. But still, it hurt a bit that she felt she couldn’t be honest without apologising. “You don’t need to stay the whole night. Only long enough to make it seem like you’re enjoying yourself and feel sad that you must leave.”

Briony sighed and interlocked her arm with Audelia’s. “What are the odds that I’ll be able to talk you into leaving with me?” She asked, turning her attention fully onto her best friend. “The apartment is too empty when it’s just me.” She tried to avoid being alone for long periods of time following the most recent attack, a little worried that the man who had nearly killed her in Knockturn would show up to finish her off.

[thegrassisnottalwaysgreener-blog]

ilianaburke:

Iliana held a strand of hair in front of her for inspection pursing her lips as she looked it over. To say she was surprised to wake up with blue hair after the pub crawl was an understatement. Before she was about to try any spells to reverse it she badly needed some caffeine which was why she had stumbled her way to one of the coffee shops blue hair and all. Dropping the strand with a sigh she took a sip of the coffee noticing a curious gaze on her. “Apparently I got my hair styled last night,” she made a bit of a face. “Not sure if I can pull it off, what do you think?”

“It certainly looks... interesting.” Briony said mildly, unable to tear her eyes away from the blue locks. “At the very least you now have a lovely conversation starter. Even if you change it back you’ll still have a story to tell.”

[thegrassisnottalwaysgreener-blog]

purebloodxpucey:

Xander had remembered her interest in flowers, though he doubted that it was a detail he would likely ever forget. The garden, he thought, felt fitting. “I did,” he answered, keeping his words short until they had finally made their way into the corridor, the main room’s doors shut behind them. A glimpse at the empty hall meant he could now be more vocal, though also still needing to be careful. “I attended for a time. Unfortunate circumstances arose, meaning that I no longer was able to attend, nor graduate.” To aid in helping her connect who he was with his words, Xander looked to her, wanting to meet her eye.

His words were pointed, along with the look he gave her. Briony ran them over in her mind, trying to piece together what he was attempted to tell her. After a moment, she realized who exactly she had agreed to a walk with. “Xander?” She asked, her voice dropping into a low whisper. “You know, if you keep announcing yourself in this way, eventually I’m just going to assume that every unknown person that introduces themselves to me is secretly you.”

[thegrassisnottalwaysgreener-blog]

audeliaxprince:

“I don’t know. Perhaps to bring spirits back up after… you know.” Audelia hated bringing up that attack here, especially surrounded by so many people who had been affected- especially talking to Briony, who had survived it. “They are still very young. But we’ve all been forced to grow up quicker than most given the circumstances…”

“This isn’t growing up. This is being sold off for power and prestige.” Growing up would be if the two fell in love naturally, if they had been given a choice in their lives and who they ended up with. Arranged marriages were just archaic rituals meant to demean and modify women. She fiddled reflexively with the scarf around her neck. Even with dresses, she never left the apartment without her scar being covered. “I’m sorry. I’m being negative. Please accept my apologies.” 

[thegrassisnottalwaysgreener-blog]

purebloodxpucey:

He knew how his request must have sounded. Knockturn had no doubt remained in all of their minds, leaving each to calculate risks closer than ever before. But he wished not to have this dance with her; it would be easier to speak candidly, and as himself without the restrictions of the room. “I hear the garden is rather nice,” he spoke, offering her his arm before ready to lead her away from the party, from listening ears.

Briony took the offered arm. “I did intend to slip out for a while and check it out.” She admitted, a little embarrassed. While those who knew her knew of her love for flowers, strangers could act a bit strange about it. “Did you attend Hogwarts? I’m afraid I don’t remember ever seeing you there.”

[thegrassisnottalwaysgreener-blog]

purebloodxpucey:

“Alaric Rookwood,” he answered with a slight nod of his head. Xander turned for a moment to thank the bartender before picking up his drink and looking back towards Briony. It was good to see her, even if she had yet to know it was him. “Could I be so bold as to ask if you would like to go for a walk?”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” The question was a bit surprising and Briony hesitated for a moment. It wasn’t as if she knew this man but there were plenty of people around if he tried something. And she had her wand on her in case of emergencies. “That would be lovely.”

[thegrassisnottalwaysgreener-blog]

marielaflint:

She shook her head, eyeing her father with a small sigh. Turning back to Briony, her eyes widened when the flask appeared. Briony was always a surprise. “You might actually be the most amazing person I’ve ever met,” Mariela retorted as she accepted the alcohol. Unscrewing the cap, she didn’t even question what was inside before taking a drink. “An engagement party for two teenagers definitely needed alcohol. You’re smart." 

“You both are close enough to being of age that it doesn’t really matter.” Briony also thought that it might help Mariela get through the night, but she kept that opinion to herself. “Plus, it’s practically mandatory for Purebloods to drink. It’s a genetic trait we all share.”