IT'S BLOODY HOT IN HERE (no, really. it's seriously hot.)
it's the summer holidays! a perfect time to travel, relax, spend time with loved ones and bask in the sun. the wizarding world is lively with energy at this time of year. everyone seems to want to make the most of their break before september comes around the corner and life returns to its normal, mundane pace. it has been especially exciting with the sporadic and strange appearances of old and new faces. some claim to be from a different world while others claim to be from a different time. then, there are the ones who have simply found themselves waking up to be remarkably younger or older. just remember to keep to your curfews, half-bloods and muggle-borns! those eerie disappearances are still happening in an increasingly alarming rate...
MINISTRY OF MAGIC
for the ones who don't have the good fortune of going on holiday, you won't have to worry about having nothing to do, especially if you're part of the ministry of magic! with all the anomalies happening, you're going to have your hands full registering, documenting, interviewing and/or helping with a multitude of busywork relating to the newcomers. or maybe your job doesn't have anything to do with that. maybe you're on the opposite end and you've been brought in. or maybe you're just a tourist and you want to see if you can catch a glimpse of the minister for magic. whatever your reason is, welcome and stay out of people's way!
DIAGON ALLEY
everyone loves to go shopping and what better place to do it than diagon alley? you'll find mills of people looking at all the different items on sale or on display in store windows. maybe you're here to purchase materials for the upcoming school year or you're out on a date with your significant other. or maybe you actually own or work at one of the many shops here. whatever your reason is, you better be ready for the crowd and the heat.
KNOCKTURN ALLEY
oh no! what are you doing here? turn back right now! knockturn alley is no place for you to be. well, at least it isn't if you aren't a dark arts practitioner or you're not part of some nefarious secret group. just turn around and go back to diagon alley. it's much nicer there, friendlier and safer. have you not heard about all the disappearances going on? you're only asking for trouble stepping into a place like this, even if it's remarkably cool here.
M.I.A.V.I.
not in the mood to go out? or maybe you're stuck in the waiting room at st. mungo's trying to figure out why you're suddenly 10 years older and you need a distraction. disregarding the reason, it's sure a good thing you've conveniently brought along your m.i.a.v.i. so feel free to browse the public network, create your own post, or private message someone!
OTHER
not interested in any of the options above? feel free to make up your own! the wizarding world is huge, so get creative with it. the setting is the summer of 1980. have fun testing out and shaping your characters, mingle with others, and start getting those crs down!
[ she lets out a low whistle, impressed. ] I think you're the furthest displaced I've met. Hogwarts is still... A haven.
[ it had been a haven for her, a muggleborn, keeping her from the harsh realities for just a little longer.
she's doing mental math though, because she knows from portraits he's not godric, and suddenly it all clicks into place and she sucks in a breath, coloring slightly pink. ] You're—
[ right. chill. he's still a person. don't flip out. merlin being here changes a lot, she thinks, and minister riddle would be against that. ] Sorry. Would you like to continue our conversation in private? People 'round here can be so nosy.
I was a bit suspicious of it at first, to be entirely honest. [ he glances back in the direction he knows hogwarts is in, frowning faintly, expression still complicated and a little reluctant. ] Seemed like a frankly stupid idea at the time. All that room for a handful of people? But.. looking at things now.. [ he trails off, something like pain twisting in his chest. the whole lot of them have managed to screw it up a fair bit, but it's still.. nice, a little, maybe, that they don't have to feel so alone anymore.
the startled, bitten off exclamation earns a sharp, questioning glance, but he bobs a nod shortly after. ] If you like. [ a beat, the small frown returning. ] I don't know your name.
I thought I was a freak before I met other witches and wizards. [ simply. ] Before Hogwarts I had one friend, and then I had many. I knew I wasn't something awful, then.
[ she's still flushed, feeling a little embarrassed, but nods. ] I've a shop in Diagon Alley we can speak in if that's all right. My name is Lily Evans.
[ she'll lead him toward auturgy if he's amenable - if not, they'll have to come up with something more private than the leaky cauldron or out on the street. ]
Most called me a demon, [ merlin admits after a moment, too casually for it to truly be casual. he likes to think that he's years beyond the frightened, vulnerable child he'd been, but he knows that it'll always be a part of him, no matter how deeply he buries it.
he pushes tangled dark hair behind an ear, nodding politely at the introduction and taking her cue to follow her. ] --It's a pleasure, Lily. [ a beat, then dryly: ] I suppose you've sorted out my name already. [ as.. bizarre as he finds it, his name being used as a swear.
when they reach the shop in question, he has to pause a few moments in the doorway to look around, intrigued, before glancing toward lily again with arched, questioning brows. well, tell him where you want him. ]
Some things have changed. Others haven't. [ that's all she says about it for the moment. at his response to the introduction though, she smiles and shakes her head. ] I have. It's a pleasure to meet you too, even considering the strange circumstances. I suppose there are few other options for that.
[ she does sigh a little at that, though she relaxes as soon as they enter the shop. it's small and clean and protective wards settle around them as soon as they're inside. the smell of herbs is all around and bottles both small and large are sorted neatly on unassuming shelves in front of and behind the counter. there's also what appears to be a dog bed up front, though there's no dog in it at current. she waves a hand around vaguely. ] Make yourself at home. I'm sorry for being strange out there, but things are... strained. Have you registered as being here, yet?
[ at the permission, he steps forward properly into the little shop, wandering toward some of the displays, brushing ink-stained fingers over them. he glances back toward her, then, frowning-- indeed, nearly scowling. ]
Certainly not. I only answer to one man, and he's-- [ he falters, something wounded passing over his features before being shuttered away. ] He's centuries dead, I suppose. [ everyone he'd known is dead, but gods, arthur. every time he thinks about him being gone from the world, he wants to scream and never stop screaming.
he takes a breath, steadying himself. ] I gave out my name, though, not.. knowing that it's well-known. [ he rubs the back of his hand tiredly over his eyes. ] .. And it is very well-known, it seems.
[ soft. it's not patronizing or anything, it just... is what it is. lily chews on her lip before setting the kettle and all about making some tea. it's better than nothing and an incredibly british thing to do. that said, all the implements scurry around doing things on their own.
she nods. worse than it could be. ] People could think it's a lie or a joke and with everything going on, rumors of Merlin being here are only going to make the Minister more and more paranoid.
[ a beat. ] A household name, yes. For pure-bloods and half-bloods, at least. I come from a muggle family so not so much for us.
[ despite himself, he watches everything scurry around on its own with great interest and amusement. despite his magic being alarmingly powerful, merlin doesn't use it a great deal in day to day life. it doesn't hurt him to make tea the way other people do it, so that's how he usually chooses to do so. it fascinates him, though, how integral magic has become this far in the future. it makes something unclench in his chest, something he'd nearly forgotten pained him in the first place. ]
It's bizarre, [ he finally decides about his name, reaching out to pluck a spoon out of the air, breathing in her magic with interest. ] .. Sunlight in a field of wildflowers. Noon, when it's warmest. [ he turns the spoon between his fingers, eyes going half-lidded. ] I was wondering if I'd pin it down. Emphasis on the sunlight. [ a beat. ] Your magic is beautiful.
[ he releases the utensil finally, letting it soar through the air to fulfill its duty, and glances up with a small, wan smile. ]
I expect you'd best tell me more about this minister.
I'm sure it must be. [ lily pauses when he's making the assessment of her magic and flushes slightly, head tipping forward. ] Thank you. [ most people that compliment her magic quantify it for a muggleborn but there's no sense of that here and it's not even that it's from merlin but that it's happening at all that makes her smile briefly before she goes back to what she was doing.
she sets the teacups and cream and sugar down on the counter manually though, just in case. then: ] It's... Difficult to explain the situation. He's been in office for a decade and even while he was working up the ranks, people were disappearing. Half-bloods, muggle-borns like me. Never pure-bloods, for some reason. [ bitterly. ] Muggles have started to disappear too. Some people have had their families leave.
We have curfews. I can't go out after nine pm. If I don't let a Ministry official into my home, even unannounced, I get fined. All my magic is tracked, all my magical travel is tracked. None of us can hold any sort of office in the Ministry. They say it's for our safety because of the disappearances, but I don't believe it.
[ hm. he takes the cup, handling the china a little gingerly as he does so as he considers her words. for a few moments, there's nothing; he blows steam off the top of his tea and takes a careful sip, trying to keep it from scalding his mouth.
at last, he sets the cup back down, lifting his glance to meet her eyes, the puzzled frown returning. ]
Before we go any further, I've been-- People throw these words around, pure-blood and the like. Salazar used it, too, and it's one of the stupidest notions I've ever heard. There's no such things as-- as pure blood. I can hardly believe that such a ridiculous idea--
[ he's getting worked up now, so he clears his throat and lifts his tea again to push the passion back down. ]
Apologies. I see what you meant earlier now, though. [ he turns the cup idly in his hands, brows knitting. ] .. I have to ask the obvious question, though.. why stay?
No, I agree. It's an arbitrary way of cataloging and separating people and allowing some groups to feel superior to others. Just because my parents can't use magic I'm something different or lesser? It's nonsense.
[ a breath. ] Mostly I use the terms for ease. They're the ones used by the Administration. [ a wry smile. ] In public, that is. Polite company.
As far as staying... [ she sighs, toying with her own teacup that she hasn't so much as taken a sip from. ] Because of the tracking on me, if I leave I can't use my magic at all. There's still deep prejudice against us from people without magic. A lot of fear. Staying here lets me at least keep my magic. I can't leave that part of me behind.
It's nonsense because all magic 'families' started somewhere, and that was with someone in an ordinary household being born with it. [ he clicks his tongue, annoyed. ] I've argued with Salazar over it for ages now.
[ but more importantly, this trace thing.. he hesitates, then reaches out, fingers waving through the air as if grasping something near her. ]
It's this foreign bit near you, isn't it? [ offensive to the uttermost, some stranger telling one how one is and isn't allowed to use one's magic. urging ethics, morality, that's one thing-- but trying to control people? ] It doesn't really feel like anything. Spider-silk, maybe. [ fine, almost invisible, almost unbreakable. ] --Hasn't anyone sorted out a way to dispel it yet?
No, [ she says it softly, shaking her head. ] It's foreign and wrong. It's used to keep track of children but... Now it's used for adults too, and we can't fiddle with it because they can tell if we do and we can get thrown into prison for it. Just like that.
[ a sigh. ] Even if someone managed, they'd drop off of tracking suddenly and then there'd be a manhunt. Very little's pretty in this world, Merlin.
Oh, certainly, [ he says after a moment, thoughtfully, still staring at what may or may not be the trace. something in his face is going a bit distant and calculating. ] I suppose the trick would be to make it seem as if it hasn't gone anywhere.
[ a decoy, maybe? a way to sidestep and trick it, or feed it false information based on one's daily life?
hm.
he finally uncurls his fingers and sits back again, tapping his knuckle against his mouth. ] .. It's something I suppose I'll have to work on if I'm to be stuck here for the foreseeable future. [ who is he kidding, he loves a project, especially if it supports potential rebellion against one's oppressors. merlin doesn't put up with nonsense for long, after all. ]
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no subject
[ it had been a haven for her, a muggleborn, keeping her from the harsh realities for just a little longer.
she's doing mental math though, because she knows from portraits he's not godric, and suddenly it all clicks into place and she sucks in a breath, coloring slightly pink. ] You're—
[ right. chill. he's still a person. don't flip out. merlin being here changes a lot, she thinks, and minister riddle would be against that. ] Sorry. Would you like to continue our conversation in private? People 'round here can be so nosy.
no subject
the startled, bitten off exclamation earns a sharp, questioning glance, but he bobs a nod shortly after. ] If you like. [ a beat, the small frown returning. ] I don't know your name.
no subject
[ she's still flushed, feeling a little embarrassed, but nods. ] I've a shop in Diagon Alley we can speak in if that's all right. My name is Lily Evans.
[ she'll lead him toward auturgy if he's amenable - if not, they'll have to come up with something more private than the leaky cauldron or out on the street. ]
no subject
he pushes tangled dark hair behind an ear, nodding politely at the introduction and taking her cue to follow her. ] --It's a pleasure, Lily. [ a beat, then dryly: ] I suppose you've sorted out my name already. [ as.. bizarre as he finds it, his name being used as a swear.
when they reach the shop in question, he has to pause a few moments in the doorway to look around, intrigued, before glancing toward lily again with arched, questioning brows. well, tell him where you want him. ]
no subject
[ she does sigh a little at that, though she relaxes as soon as they enter the shop. it's small and clean and protective wards settle around them as soon as they're inside. the smell of herbs is all around and bottles both small and large are sorted neatly on unassuming shelves in front of and behind the counter. there's also what appears to be a dog bed up front, though there's no dog in it at current. she waves a hand around vaguely. ] Make yourself at home. I'm sorry for being strange out there, but things are... strained. Have you registered as being here, yet?
[ she really, really hopes not. ]
no subject
Certainly not. I only answer to one man, and he's-- [ he falters, something wounded passing over his features before being shuttered away. ] He's centuries dead, I suppose. [ everyone he'd known is dead, but gods, arthur. every time he thinks about him being gone from the world, he wants to scream and never stop screaming.
he takes a breath, steadying himself. ] I gave out my name, though, not.. knowing that it's well-known. [ he rubs the back of his hand tiredly over his eyes. ] .. And it is very well-known, it seems.
no subject
[ soft. it's not patronizing or anything, it just... is what it is. lily chews on her lip before setting the kettle and all about making some tea. it's better than nothing and an incredibly british thing to do. that said, all the implements scurry around doing things on their own.
she nods. worse than it could be. ] People could think it's a lie or a joke and with everything going on, rumors of Merlin being here are only going to make the Minister more and more paranoid.
[ a beat. ] A household name, yes. For pure-bloods and half-bloods, at least. I come from a muggle family so not so much for us.
no subject
It's bizarre, [ he finally decides about his name, reaching out to pluck a spoon out of the air, breathing in her magic with interest. ] .. Sunlight in a field of wildflowers. Noon, when it's warmest. [ he turns the spoon between his fingers, eyes going half-lidded. ] I was wondering if I'd pin it down. Emphasis on the sunlight. [ a beat. ] Your magic is beautiful.
[ he releases the utensil finally, letting it soar through the air to fulfill its duty, and glances up with a small, wan smile. ]
I expect you'd best tell me more about this minister.
no subject
she sets the teacups and cream and sugar down on the counter manually though, just in case. then: ] It's... Difficult to explain the situation. He's been in office for a decade and even while he was working up the ranks, people were disappearing. Half-bloods, muggle-borns like me. Never pure-bloods, for some reason. [ bitterly. ] Muggles have started to disappear too. Some people have had their families leave.
We have curfews. I can't go out after nine pm. If I don't let a Ministry official into my home, even unannounced, I get fined. All my magic is tracked, all my magical travel is tracked. None of us can hold any sort of office in the Ministry. They say it's for our safety because of the disappearances, but I don't believe it.
no subject
at last, he sets the cup back down, lifting his glance to meet her eyes, the puzzled frown returning. ]
Before we go any further, I've been-- People throw these words around, pure-blood and the like. Salazar used it, too, and it's one of the stupidest notions I've ever heard. There's no such things as-- as pure blood. I can hardly believe that such a ridiculous idea--
[ he's getting worked up now, so he clears his throat and lifts his tea again to push the passion back down. ]
Apologies. I see what you meant earlier now, though. [ he turns the cup idly in his hands, brows knitting. ] .. I have to ask the obvious question, though.. why stay?
no subject
[ a breath. ] Mostly I use the terms for ease. They're the ones used by the Administration. [ a wry smile. ] In public, that is. Polite company.
As far as staying... [ she sighs, toying with her own teacup that she hasn't so much as taken a sip from. ] Because of the tracking on me, if I leave I can't use my magic at all. There's still deep prejudice against us from people without magic. A lot of fear. Staying here lets me at least keep my magic. I can't leave that part of me behind.
no subject
[ but more importantly, this trace thing.. he hesitates, then reaches out, fingers waving through the air as if grasping something near her. ]
It's this foreign bit near you, isn't it? [ offensive to the uttermost, some stranger telling one how one is and isn't allowed to use one's magic. urging ethics, morality, that's one thing-- but trying to control people? ] It doesn't really feel like anything. Spider-silk, maybe. [ fine, almost invisible, almost unbreakable. ] --Hasn't anyone sorted out a way to dispel it yet?
no subject
[ a sigh. ] Even if someone managed, they'd drop off of tracking suddenly and then there'd be a manhunt. Very little's pretty in this world, Merlin.
no subject
[ a decoy, maybe? a way to sidestep and trick it, or feed it false information based on one's daily life?
hm.
he finally uncurls his fingers and sits back again, tapping his knuckle against his mouth. ] .. It's something I suppose I'll have to work on if I'm to be stuck here for the foreseeable future. [ who is he kidding, he loves a project, especially if it supports potential rebellion against one's oppressors. merlin doesn't put up with nonsense for long, after all. ]