July 4th, 1888 - Lynch Family Home
Marlena Scamander

When my dreams are running out of road
And the world around me's turning cold
Anyone else would up and leave
But she's, yea she's with me

She's With Me - High Valley

Febs was exhausted, but there wasn't much she could do about it. Sleep was elusive and she couldn't tell anyone why, so she was a little extra miserable. She was snappy and cranky and everybody was generally avoiding her. It was obvious her mother was some kind of worried and Febby was just hoping everybody was chalking this up to her apparently late "rebellion".

Thank Merlin for Lena.

Her friend and roommate from school was thankfully actually in Hogsmeade with February where nobody else was. Of course, being an Unspeakable, Lena had a pass to get to and from the ministry for work-related matters and February was insanely jealous. The regret over not finding an occupation right out of school was hitting her harder and harder these days. At least Lena was willing to come and visit and keep her some kind of sane. Or a least be content to deal with Febby's horrific mood.

With dinner over and some time to themselves before Lena had to go, they found themselves in Febby's room, lounging and talking about nothing particular. "And just how is the Department of Mysteries treating you these days? Any leads on this fog?" It was a mystery alright, certainly they'd been looking into it? Febs asked from her perch on her bed, legs tucked beneath her and one hand absentmindedly running her fingertips over the handkerchief beneath her pillow nearby.

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The following 1 user Likes February Umbridge's post:1 user Likes February Umbridge's post
   Edric Umbridge

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Strangely, despite their years of being in classrooms together, Lena found that she much preferred conversations that were held with a bed in the room. The camaraderie they had shared at school seemed like something of the past when they were sat in dining rooms making politely conversation and being ever-so-proper when really all she wanted to do was kick up her feet and be herself, or at least the version of herself that was mostly acceptable. Even Febs, non-judgemental though she was, probably didn't need to hear the inner thoughts that drove her to distraction on a daily basis but she wouldn't find her lacking because she was tired and desired a bath, a stiff drink and bed in that order.

For now she would take the bed happily though and she scooted around so she could lean back against the headboard, letting out a sight of relief as she did s0. It had been a long few days: the logistics of the expedition in the Ministry as a whole had been a nightmare and even in her department, aloof by design, there had been a heightened workload. Not that she minded that per say but throughout there had been the niggling feeling that a single mistake could cost her brother his life. Now only his mistake could make that difference and, if anything, she was more concerned.

"Officially we're looking into it," she smirked and closed her eyes for effect, opening one to squint at her friend. "Unofficially if I told you I'd have to kill you."

  

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MJ: still raising the graphics bar as of 2022

Lena never failed to make her laugh.

"We can't have that, now can we." It felt good to have a genuine laugh escape her lips. Febs felt so incredibly unlike herself over the last forty-eight hours that it was hard to tell which was up. She'd taken the time and cleaned her entire room this morning. Lydia had asked if she wanted help or for one of the maids to do it, but Febs had needed something to keep her hands and mind busy. Her bookshelf had been completely rearranged and alphabetized and she'd found a couple of books she either hadn't read in a long time or likely had never actually read. Maybe one of them would be interesting enough to keep her entertained after Lena left. She'd need something to read tonight regardless as she highly anticipated sleep would continue to evade her.

Getting more comfortable by slouching on her pillow, Febs eyed Lena with interest. "Have I ever mentioned how much I envy your job?" She had, many times, but the feeling was still pretty ripe. Febs was highly motivated to give up the debutante thing and start a job, but everything was so up in the air at the moment, she couldn't make any moves. "It must be so fascinating. I'm thinking about picking up a job at the library, but I don't know how that would go." It was an honest assumption as she did enjoy books and organizing, but she was not very quiet or well-versed in subjects that didn't interest her specifically.

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It came as precisely no surprise to Lena to learn that her job was the envy of others: it was the best thing she had ever chosen to do for herself and every day was a delight in the department. Apart from some of her superiors who didn’t seem to appreciate that a maturity of rank did not necessarily equate to being mentally up to the challenge, but she mostly ignored them and let her results speak for themselves. There was seldom a week she didn’t get to enjoy being right about something.

“I imagine you pick up books and check them in and out,” she quipped sarcastically, a smile playing on her lips to take away any possible sting. “Don’t take this the wrong way but…” she frowned and pulled a face, not at all used to being honest about actual feelings rather than facts but for her friends she would make an exception. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like to try something a little more challenging?”

  

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MJ: still raising the graphics bar as of 2022

Febs burst out laughing, tossing one of her pillow at her friend in a fit of giggles. "I know how to do the job! You know what I meant!" She quickly tucked her handkerchief in her pocket and mused over Lena's more serious question.

"That's what's stopping me. I would enjoy it, but it would be kind of dull, wouldn't it?" Febs did need a challenge. It was why she had picked up her animagus studies. Perhaps she should just go back to that. "I've also thought about volunteering at the hospital. If that goes well maybe I could intern afterward." She was hesitant on that too, for a myriad of reasons, but it was more up her alley than the library. Maybe she really just needed a hobby. Something that would keep her occupied and out of trouble. Though, the latter was becoming harder and harder these days.

"My friend Fortuna just started at the museum. I doubt I'd be very good at that either. I'd need something fast-paced or nothing at all." A ministry job was out, Edric had pretty much turned that down the one time she'd jokingly suggested the Accidental Magical Reversal Squad and the Department of Magical Games and Sports. Plus she doubted that would go well at all, them working in the same building. "Maybe I should just pick up my animagus studies again." She sighed, voicing her previous thoughts.

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“Or maybe,” Lena replied with a pointed look as she threw the pillow back at the other girl. “You could just pick one of those things and focus on that?”

She was being rather hypocritical given her usual dedication to keeping her mind as active as humanly possible to allay thinking about…other, less useful things. Beautiful, transcendent things, but nevertheless things that would certainly not make her life easier or hurt less no matter how much she dwelled on them.

The hospital wasn’t a bad start, and neither was the studying. She could easily see Febs’ shepherding adoring hangers-on around the museum but Lena also could not shake the thought that it would also be the most boring job imaginable. No, no, Febs could do much better.

“Not everybody can multi-task like I can after all,” she added airily, well-aware that other than her job she had absolutely nothing else she needed to factor in to her daily life, which was just the way she liked it. Or at least it was easier not to think about the things she did not have. “Do you want someone to study with? I fancy adding another string to my bow and I’ll bully you into keeping it up this time.”

  

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MJ: still raising the graphics bar as of 2022

Febs really thought it came down to the hospital or her animagus studies. Maybe both. If she went with the animagus transformation, what would she do after to occupy herself? Well, maybe life would look different then. Surely it could get her through until then.

Snorting at Marlena's oh so humble comment, Febs lit up. "Yeah? I'd actually love that. It's slow going when you do it on your own." It had been part of the reason she'd stopped last time. Without somebody to discuss theory or to push her into the next step, or get a little competitive with even, she lacked the motivation to see it through. With Lena though, who was even more bookish and intelligent than Febs, it would be the constant she needed to keep it up.

"I've got a year on you, think you can catch up?" She waggled her eyebrows at her friend, laying down the challenge.

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Pulling a face as she raised a cocky eyebrow Lena looked between Febs and the ceiling, as though deep in thought, only her sense for the dramatic and genuine regard for her friend stopping her from laughing fully. She was quite positive that the only reason she was not yet an animagus was because it had never occurred to her to become one – now the thought was in her head…

“I’ll try my very best,” she replied solemnly, eyes dancing with mirth and the assuredness of somebody who had never failed at any academic pursuit in their entire life. “What do you think you’ll be?”

The acquisition of a skill, and something else to bolster her career at the Ministry, was more than enough reward but Marlena couldn’t help the part of her heart that was less sensible and pragmatic from souring at the thought of being something different. Perhaps a bird? Would she be able to fly?!

Or maybe a cat able to crawl into somebody's lap...

  

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MJ: still raising the graphics bar as of 2022

Febs's features threatened to split in two at the smirk on her lips when Lena pretended to actually think about it. It would take her friend three, maybe five moths tops to catch up regards to the theoretical side, if Febs was lucky that was. Knowing Lena, she could do it overnight if she really put her mind to it.

"Well, I'm sincerely looking forward to this now." It would be great to have somebody to bounce ideas off of and compare notes with, almost like they were back in school. They should have started back then, they could have likely been done by now if that had been the case. Unfortunately, NEWTs were enough work without adding some of their own on top.

Musing over Lena's question, Febs filtered through all of the choices she'd pondered since starting. "I've always fancied myself a bird of some kind, but that might be wishful thinking. What I wouldn't give to be able to fly whenever I wanted to." She wasn't so sure it would be anything majestic, but even if she was some tiny sparrow, it would be worth it. "What about you, what's your patronus again?" Not that it was always the same, but it may give an idea. Febs wasn't bitter that she couldn't produce a corporeal one or anything.

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Her lips twitched when Febs’ thoughts echoed her own but she was not overly surprised. They were modern women, were they not? And being able to fly away, to break free from those that would control them - was that not a common dream? Certainly it was one Marlena’s thoughts returned to time and time again.

She had already decided that as soon as she turned twenty-four she would move out of the family home. By then Helga and Eugene would likely be married and she refused to become her mother’s pet project. If she moved out then there would be no question that she was an independent woman rather than a girl waiting for a husband...but if she could fly out then it would be even better!

“A bumblebee," she admitted with a sardonic snort. “Or at least it was the last time I conjured one, but that was at school.” And, at the time, there had been a very different kind of B buzzing around her head that she was quite sure had contributed to her moderately embarrassing silvery protectress. “Not a great deal of use in a fight really,” she added with a laugh.

The following 2 users Like Marlena Scamander's post:2 users Like Marlena Scamander's post
   Edric Umbridge, February Umbridge

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MJ: still raising the graphics bar as of 2022

Febs had honestly forgotten that Lena's patronus had been a bumblebee in school. She'd been far too wrapped up in failing that entire assignment so miserably, she'd been a shit friend at congratulating those who had managed to actually get it done. That damn Defense class, naturally the bane of her existence in school, even though she'd put a ton of work into it! No other class had given her such a hard time. It was hilarious really, considering how... argumentative she could be. Being able to stand up for herself was useful!

"You'd make such an adorable widdle fuzzy bumblebee." She teased, nudging Lena with her foot. "Hopefully you don't get eaten!" What a nightmare that would be! Febs had to imagine having a animagus form that tiny would be a huge let down after all of the work. Admittedly that was the part that terrified her the most, but she was already into it now. Surely it couldn't be all that bad.

"I'd offer you my materials, but something tells me you can find better ones. Which you'll have to share." Febs added as she turned a pointed look at her friend. This was going to be so much more fun and interesting with someone to bounce ideas off of, especially someone as smart as Lena. It was like hopping on the fast track to success!

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At the teasing tone Lena nudged the other girl back, taking care not to be too rough. It was an unfortunate creature to have as one’s guardian against Dementors but it didn’t follow that her animagus form would be the same. She might need to check the register and surreptitiously hunt down those animagi she could find just to check, but she was reasonably mollified by the thought. And even if it was a bubblebee would it be so bad? At least she would be inconspicuous and that was certainly a better quality in form than protection!

“As soon as I can I’ll gather everything I can from the Ministry,” now she had the idea in her head Lena knew it would not go away until she had thoroughly explored the possibility and, really, who was she trying to fool, it would not go away now until she had achieved the goal. Fortunately she had every resource she might need only a few floors away from her desk.

“Assuming they deign to share it with us lowly women.”

  

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MJ: still raising the graphics bar as of 2022

Febs laughed at her friend's new enthusiasm for the subject. It was a trait they shared, endless determination and there was no doubt in Febby's mind that Lena would do just what she said. "Somehow I think that even if they didn't, you'd get them to anyway." They could both be persuasive when they wanted to as well. It was a skill, really.

"Well now I'm all excited again. I fell out of it, but this will certainly push me to get going in earnest." Having somebody to push her would do her a lot of good. Who knew, with Lena at the helm and likely setting the pace for their studies, they could figure it out within the year!

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