June 29, 1888 - Apartment Above Twilfit & Tattings

Summer had been up and down. The fog was certainly a negative, but the fact that Hogwarts was approaching for both his children and himself was quite exciting and positive. Jeremy and his wife had been saving up to be able to get decent school supplies, and more importantly, wands. Not hand-me-downs, but actually newly bought wands. Though they couldn't get that of the top of the line, they could try to at least get some nice ones for their children.

The exciting part was that the twins had not yet been informed of the good news of this excellent milestone yet. Having still wondered what type of wands his two children would get before heading off to Hogwarts made him quite excitable recently. It was getting harder and harder not to announce the good news of heading off to buy their wands. Even if it wasn't very close to Hogwarts time quite yet, that didn't mean that the news was any less thrilling.

Finally getting the go ahead from his wife, today was the day that the twins were to find out the good news. Deciding to tell them over lunch, he waited somewhat patiently as time ticked on by before his wife was done cooking. With a kiss on the cheek, he helped her bring the food to the table. Even while he was off of work during summer, she was still working so hard in her own job, and he did wish to help her out. As they sat down to eat, he waited as his twins got seated before speaking, "I have some good news for the both of you." He stated to Tansy and her twin.

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Tansy Tatting

  

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Pretties by Bee

The longer the fog lasted, the more frustrated and almost depressed Tansy got. It was truly awful. She'd so been looking forward to the Summer Solstice event to be had in the park. She'd wanted to see the dancers and the bright costumes so that she could get some new inspiration for her designs. But, as it was, she'd hardly been picking up her sketchbook and charcoal as a result. Everything she sketched anymore was dark and dreary. She hated it.

At least she had moments like the one she was in with her family. Siting around their small table for lunch, or any meal for that matter, was always a joy. Even though her mother was as busy as could be, during the summers they always made time to eat together. During the school year, Papa wasn't there to enjoy in such moments as often so they had to take them while they could.

She looked up to her father with big bright eyes at the mention of good news. A wide smile spread over her features as she glanced briefly to her twin before looking back to their father. "And what is that?" she asked, politely enough but it was clear she was curious. And excited.

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Jeremiah had been noticing the change in emotion that was given off by his daughter. It did worry him greatly. She had grown less passionate in the drawing that she clearly loved so much. Both of his children seemed to have very little to do this summer, and that disappointed Jeremy. They should get to play in the sun, perhaps spend time in London if they could. The very fact that the Ministry didn't even know that the fog completely was did concern him on how it will effect them in the long run, if at all.

At times he did feel guilty for leaving them all home during the summer while he went off to work. His children and wife only got the summer with him, and that had been happening before he and his wife had even met. Summer was certainly family time. Learning more about what his children liked and how the rest of their year has been was something that felt quite important to Jeremy. Times like this brought him joy and comfort.

Seeing the twins eyes light up with excitement made Jeremy glad that he could still bring some excitement into this summer. The smiles on their faces were ones that he was always pleased to see. Glancing at his wife with joy, he was glad that she had agreed that they could do this now rather than later. Having more to look forward to for this summer would hopefully bring up their children's moods. Looking back at the twins, he said, "Your mother and I have been saving up to be able to buy you new wands! Though they can't be too fancy, we would be able to get some nice ones for the both of you."

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Pretties by Bee

Tansy's eyes widened even more, if that was even possible, when her father finally told the twins what the surprise was. She nearly bounced right out of her seat with excitement over the prospect of getting a new wand! She knew she'd have had to have a wand to go to school but she hadn't ever really expected to get one that was truly new to her.

"Oh how exciting!" she exclaimed, the happiness more than evident in both the expression on her face and the tone of her voice. And though she doubted it was something they could do right away, it at least gave her something else to look forward to.

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Now that was the reaction that he was excited to see. After a summer of not much to do for his children, it was nice to know that he and his wife had given them something to look forward to along with Hogwarts. True, their family wands weren't too bad off, but it sounded much more nice to get a brand new wand. Something that Jeremy hadn't done himself.

As he watched his children's reactions, he smiled brightly at them. It was always nice to bring them joy. "I look forward to going with the both of you. I'm sure the wand that you receive will be one that sticks with you forever." He said kindly. Even if wands had a mind of their own, they tended to be quite loyal from his own experience. And he had a hand-me-down wand!

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Pretties by Bee

Oh Tansy could hardly wait! It was so exciting to think she was finally going to be getting her own wand and would be going to Hogwarts in just a few short months. She'd been waiting for the day for many years, especially after listening to her father's stories about the school. There was so much fun and excitement to be had.

But then she remembered the fog and everything it had already ruined for her. She glanced cautiously at her father then. "But what about the fog?" she asked, worry evident in her voice, "Will we still be able to go to school if it hasn't gone?"

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Jeremiah was certain that both of his children would fit in well at the school for witchcraft and wizardry. Part of him really hoped that they were in his house for two reasons. One, so he would be able to keep a better eye on them. Two, because he was quite proud of his house.

And just like that, his children's smiles faded at mentions of the fog. "I'm sure the Headmaster's border will block the fog from entering. This shouldn't be a problem. And I'm sure they'll make some sort of arrangement to help us get wands for you at the school if need be." He responded softly. The fog was certainly a concern, one he did consider writing to Professor Black about. ...Or perhaps Professor Darrow, he was a much easier man to speak with.

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Pretties by Bee

Tansy still wasn't quite sure and the apprehension was still visible on her face even after listening to her father. "I hope so," she said, the worry in her voice clear, "Haven't we had enough awful things to happen around here?" She hadn't to appear the pessimist but it was still quite frustrating, especially when all she'd wanted to do for years was to go to Hogwarts.

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Jeremy hated to see his daughter so upset over all of this. Perhaps there was something he could do. But what? He certainly did not work for the Ministry, and he doubted that they needed a Hogwarts professor to help trained professionals handle the situation. "It will all work out. The Ministry officials have plenty of training to handle this sort of thing. My time in the Ministry did require me to have good grades and to actually know what I was doing. I'm sure the other departments are no different. Some have even more training than mine did." He responded. Though it had been about nine years before his children had been born that he had left to work at Hogwarts, it was no secret that he had previously worked for the Ministry.

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Pretties by Bee

Tansy nodded simply as she listened to what her father was saying. At least it all made sense. But it didn't change the fear and worries the young girl was still feeling. She'd just have to make due with what they had and see it through. Holding onto her dream of Hogwarts would have to be enough. "Thank you, papa," she said softly, though she was at least smiling once again.

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Jeremiah had faith in their government. They were working hard, he was sure of it. Perhaps it would take more time than he and everyone else would prefer, but there was a process to everything. "Of course, Tansy my dear." He replied kindly, returning the smile with one of his own.

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Pretties by Bee