February 19th, 1891 — Ministry Offices

The bards of ancient Greece looked into the skies and the gathering storm clouds and saw the goddess Nephele - a storm cloud made flesh. Today, as she whirled through the ministry offices, in her grey satin day dress, Nephele Lestrange embodied every bit of her name sake. 'Where is she?' Nelphele. The clerk knew better than to stand in her way and pointed to an office door and as she got closer, the young man had the good sense to scramble to his feet and beat the wife of Priam Lestrange to the door, opening it ahead of her. Priam had gone off with Mister Greyback to hear the details of what had happened to their daughter, and hopefully her missing cousin - that information could wait for Nephele. For right now the only thing that mattered was her daughter.

'Agape?' she called before she even made it across the threshold of the room, desperate to see the child she had lost home. She hadn't slept in days, her eyes were ringed with grey, she was exhausted, but she needed to assure herself that her child was whole.

---

If a member of the DMLE feels brave enough -feel free.
@'Acacia Ruskin'

  

---

Bee's made a beautiful thing!

To say February had been an eventful month for Agape Lestrange would have been an understatement to say the least. Kidnapped, transfigured into a phoenix, told to do circus tricks, and finally flying free in the chaos of the public before being transfigured back into the girl she had once been. At first, unrecognizable as her metamorphmagi abilities shuffled her appearance in her panic. Finally able to calm down enough to identify herself to the ministry authorities, it was a process before she was told that her family was to come and fetch her. Now she was sitting in wait, in days old dress, ready for a nice warm bath and then her bed. Really, if she had to answer one more question, she was going to burst into tears again.

Finally she heard her mother's voice echo through the ministry halls. "Mama?" She called out, though not loud enough to sound like a fully awake child. She was tired, after all. Any excitement in her cells were long gone after the unending questions from Ministry officials. This was a matter of investigation after all, one wouldn't expect any less. But she was still a child and burnt out, as anyone in her position would be. She finally saw her mother coming through the doorway and a jolt of energy was just enough to have her up and moving. Disoriented as she was, her mother was a beacon of light to her as Nephele was a storm to any other who dared to get into the Mother Lestrange's way.

---

  

---

Magic by MJ

'oh my darling' Rose fussed over her daughter, running her hands over her daughters hair, fussing and affirming for herself that Agape was here before her and that there were no obvious wounds or injuries marring her first born. 'Did he hurt you? If he laid a hand on you I will...' she let the threat hang in the air. No one had mentioned any injuries - well no physical ones anyway and there were more ways than knives or wands that a man could use to harm a little girl.

She cut off the threat by hugging Agape close to her, a bear hug crushing her right against her, a tingle of fear still running along her spine, as she dreaded letting the girl go. In a hug she would be safe.

---

  

---

Bee's made a beautiful thing!

Despite all that happened, Agape was not sure just how much she truly wished to be fussed over at this moment. However conflicted she felt, she did allow it. She was too tired to really sort out her own feelings and her mother seemed a lot more determined to fuss over her than Agape felt to make her own fuss. To the best of her knowledge, she was only exhausted - not hurt. "No, mama. It was all rather... odd." She wasn't all that loud. How else could one really describe being demanded to perform tricks?

The hug caused a squeak to escape Agape's mouth. More startled than anything else. But she held on to her mother immediately. "I missed you." She mumbled.

---

  

---

Magic by MJ

How brave her little girl was being, Priam would be so proud when she told him. Having been through so much in the last few weeks, here she was - tired and wane, pale through her naturally pale cheeks, and dark shadows around her eyes. It was best to leave the questions about what she had gone through until after she had gotten her home, bathed and tucked up in a nice night dress, where Nel could sit her in front of the fire, with her head in her lap and comb out the length of her blonde hair and reassure herself her child was once again back safely in the nest.

'Oh Darling' she wrapped her daughter in another bone crushing hug, 'I missed you too. SO much' She smoothed her hand over Agape's hair, and kissed the top of her head. 'Papa is talking to Mister Greyback, we don't need to go over all of what happened right now. Are you ready to go home? Do you want to stop off anywhere first?'

---

  

---

Bee's made a beautiful thing!

Was she brave? Agape didn't feel brave. Just tired. Though, she supposes, she wasn't crying. Not like when her cousin had died, but that was far different. Now she was here, exhausted, wanting to simply go to bed. Though she doubted that she was going to be allowed that upon the moment that she got home. Perhaps she would be pleased with a bath, but she didn't think of that now. She longed for sleep. But she didn't feel like immediately asking for her wishes.

Yet again, she was squeezed by her mother, and made a small, whining noise. The mention of papa did bring her to further attention. She had missed them both. How was he feeling? Was he going to be crushing her with hugs as well? "I just want home." She responded, having no imaginings of wishing to go anywhere else. Any friends and family could wait. She didn't feel like a big reunion for now.

---

  

---

Magic by MJ

Nel would be sure to make much of her daughter in the days to come, but it was clear that her daughter was about as over whelmed as she could possibly be. When Agape confirmed her desire to go straight home it was hardly a surprise. Before they had left her ladies maid and the house keeper had been instructed to prepare a bath, warm her bed, make hot chocolate and her favourite light meal. All in preparation for welcoming Agape back into the family bosum.

'Alright then my love' she affirmed, with a squeeze of her daughters shoulder. 'We shall go on home, Papa will follow when he is finished with Mister Greyback.', this last was more for the Ministry man who was lingering in the doorway, confirmation that she was taking her daughter home and heaven help anyone who got in her way.

'Lets go' she took Agapes hand and headed for the fireplace.

---

  

---

Bee's made a beautiful thing!

A nice warm bed was all she wanted. Seeing such things were prepared by the time they arrived would come as a welcome relief. She was sure that in the days to come, she would be questioned not only by her parents, but by several members of the Lestrange family and friends. Possibly even people she hardly knew, should she actually feel like going out. It was up in the air if she would feel such a desire, given everything. But perhaps, with several chaperones, she eventually would.

With the Ministry man in the doorway, Agape could only hope that they could go. But her mother seemed determined, and it didn't seem as though anyone was willing to stop her. Agape was pleased by that. It was time they went home. So she nodded to her mother's words and went with Nel Lestrange, glad to be leaving the Ministry.

---

  

---

Magic by MJ

Nel took her child by the hand and with a look that could have cut glass to the young man at the door, who was neither old enough nor prepared enough to handle an irate mother, and had heard enough rumours about the Lestranges to know better, she swept from the room with Agape in tow.

The corridor that led to the fluu had windows at waist height and she managed to catch Priam's eye, nodding to him as she passed. He returned her nod, the understanding that she was taking their eldest born home and they would debrief each other later.

For right now there was a hot bath waiting for Agape. Nel led the way to the fluu and in a whoose of green flames they were home.

---

  

---

Bee's made a beautiful thing!