January 5th, 1891 — Lestrange Home

Ellory had invited an old classmate over for tea. It was boring and lonely to be married to an Unspeakable. Sometimes, Claude would be missing for days. For the sakes and purposes of this thread, Claude had been at work for two days straight.

It was funny, how Ellory wouldn't even think about her cousin prior to their marriage and now that he was her husband, she got worried every time this happened. She had grown to like Claude. He was a very good husband, perhaps the best she could have gotten from their lot. She would hate to lose him to some Department of Mysteries freak accident, especially with their first child on the way. How would she raise the child on her own, when she was somewhat childish herself?

She had asked her maid to pour some calming potion into her tea, however for the sake of this thread, she gave her one of her "fun" potions that she'd use with her friends at parties. And this potion had ended up in all of the tea and not just Ellory's cup.

"It's so frustrating when I don't even know what's keeping him away from his home and family!" Ellory was complaining to her friend, about her husband's very secretive job.

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Begonia Belby

  

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SET BY MJ

Ellory Lestrange always seemed strange on the tip of Begonia's tongue. She was still not used to it. Even as she was sat, in Ellory's Lestrange marital home, it never quite seemed right. And what a lovely home it was. So large and well decorated. When no one was looking, Begonia's facade slipped, and the distaste managed to creep onto her face.

Begonia forced a sympathetic look, and replied "It must be truly hard, to have your husband away for so long - especially when you are with child." She did mean the words, she honestly did. Her tone was genuine. It must have been really difficult. Ellory was so sweet, and she didn't deserve to be stressing about the father of her child.

But also - nice problem to have.

"How much longer do you have to go?" Begonia asked, before taking some big gulps of her tea.

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   Ellory Lestrange

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Sweet Begonia understood her so well! She was such a dear friend.

"We expect the baby to be born in the spring," Ellory replied. "If my astrologist is correct, he or she will be a Taurus, just like me!" Then again, there were times when Ellory felt like her Leo ascendant fitted her more. She hoped that her baby would have a good ascendant, and not something boring, like Capricorn, for example.

"I hope they have a Cancer or a Pisces moon, so they are sweet and kind, it seems that everyone in this family has an earth placement."

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SET BY MJ

"Oh yes," Begonia replied, after drinking more of her tea, "Sweet and kind is perhaps desirable! Though I'm sure whenever they are born, with a mother's love they shall still be sweet and-."

Begonia lost her train of thought for a second, or maybe two. She stared at Ellory, having completely forgotten what she was saying. "I'm sorry, my head is a bit fuzzy - what was I saying?" she replied.

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Ellory's head had also started to feel lighter. She leaned back to her armchair and lazily watched her friend as she spoke. She had a certain glow to her as she spoke, which made her really pretty.

"Something about mothers," Ellory replied with a serene voice. Her surroundings were starting to get lighter and more colorful. "And their love. You seem like you'd be a lovely mother. You have that glow to you."

It was light as a candle, but also somewhat warm and pink and it shone all around her friend.

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SET BY MJ

"Yes of course, that is what I was saying." Begonia replied. "And thank you so much. I think you are going to be a great mother. You are so kind, and sweet, and thoughtful, and..." Again, Begonia lost her train of thought. She stared at Ellory for a second before continuing. "But I do worry I shall never be a mother. I am twenty four in a few weeks, twenty four!"

Begonia flailed back into her armchair. She stared off into the distance in angst.

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Poor Begonia didn't have things going in her favour on the marriage front. Her brother was a known werewolf. That was enough to put many potential suitors off. Even Ellory, who was generally open-minded, couldn't invite her with certain other company. Evelyn and the like, for example. And she had invited Begonia over on a fairly insignificant day too.

Anyways.

"Don't say that!" Ellory said, drawing out the last word. "Half of twenty four is twelve, so..." Where was she going with this? It had seemed very deep and profound in her head, before saying it. "You're not that old! OH! I have just the right man for you!"

Ellory suddenly got very excited. She jumped from her seat, as jumpy as she could get pregnant and in a dress from 1891.

"Balthazar Urquart! And he's Claude's colleague, so we could arrange for you to meet him! He's the perfect man for you! Only you would be able to understand his daughter's plight! Oh, Begonia! You have to marry him!"

She had walked up to her friends' seat and grabbed her friend's hands in hers. She emphasized her point by shaking them in her hands, as though Begonia marrying Balt Urquart was as simple as buying a new pair of shoes.

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SET BY MJ

"Of course!" Begonia exclaimed back, grinning excitedly as their hands shook together, "Why didn't I think of that! His daughter is a werewolf - my brother is a werewolf. We have so much in common! You are a genius Ellory!"

Begonia's mind wandered as she imagined her life as Mrs Balthasar Urquart. Perhaps having a million step-children was not the journey Begonia expected from life - but there were many positives to this idea.

"He is terribly handsome, do you not think?" she asked.

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Ellory was rarely described as a genius. It was nice to hear that for once.

"Yes, he has such a strong jawline!" Ellory agreed. One of the reasons he had become Minister was that he was so handsome and photogenic. He had looked so impressive compared to some of the other candidates - her cousin Priam, for example.

"And you are so beautiful too! Your children will have such nice, harmonious faces!"

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SET BY MJ

Begonia smiled. She moved her hands to her chest and replied, "Oh goodness Ellory, you are too kind. And you are so beautiful too - and I'm not just saying that because you told me first. I'm saying it because it is completely true! I am sure you and Mr Lestrange shall have the most beautiful children! And they shall be so loved, and so kind and sweet - regardless of which star they are born under!"

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Bright lights shone all around them. Ellory felt light. An incredible feeling of bliss was rushing through her entire body. She felt love towards everyone and everything. Part of her wanted to hug Begonia, kiss her even. The world was so beautiful, and everything in it.

"You are so kind, Begonia!" Ellory said with a deeply emotional voice. She took her friend's hands in hers and held them tightly. "I cannot wait for you to marry Mr. Urquart and then our children will become best friends! And, if they were to fall in love, I would turn a blind eye to their blood status and give them my blessing to elope and I am sure Claude would too!"

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SET BY MJ

Begonia could feel her eyes sting ever so slightly as they filled with water. "That is so sweet Ellory," she replied, "I cannot believe you would do that - for me. I have always had such respect for how kind and open your heart is."

"Our grandchildren will be so beautiful."

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Everything was buzzing and Ellory felt very happy and light. She was moved by the entirety of this to actually hug her friend. A tight embrace, which was cut short when one of the servants walked in. The maid was trying to hide the perplexion from her face as she asked if they needed anything.

"Begonia, dear?" she asked, moving towards the edge of the seat. She'd teared up a bit.

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SET BY MJ

Begonia wasn't sure what had come over her. Had she accidentally consumed some alcohol? No, this didn't feel like that. She just felt so happy and warm and loving. She wanted to love everyone. Give everyone a hug.

As Ellory moved closer, Begonia realised she had something very important to say. Begonia moved in, eager to know what her friend had to say.

"Yes Ellory?" she replied.

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"The maid, Begonia," Ellory replied. "Do you need anything from the maid?" She gave a pointed look towards the maid, who was trying hard not to cringe at the two women. She needed that job.

"Perhaps I could get you some water?" the woman asked, suspecting that her employer and her guest were likely intoxicated.

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SET BY MJ

Begonia turned to look in the direction of the maid. "Oh!" she exclaimed, jumping on the spot. "I didn't notice you there!" she added breathily. She had to take a second for some deep breaths, holding her hands on the sides of her face. How did she not notice the maid there?

"Yes, yes," she replied, "I think some water would be good. I don't know what's come over me, I feel like my mind is so... foggy!"

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