Why so serious
August 28th
Amelia Bones sat at her desk with a predatory gleam in her eyes. Leilani had left Amelia the memories of her and her house elfs destroying the dark lords soul anchors save for one. Not only that, but Heiress Potter also compiled enough evidence to take down Dumbledore along with the most corrupt of ministry officials. Bones was most surprised at the amount of charges that Dumbledore would be brought up on. While she had never been one of his avid supporters, she had never thought he’d been such a despicable man. It was as Leilani said in the letter she left. Dumbledore’s “greater good” was fundamentally a blanket excuse to allow him carte blanche to commit atrocity. He had essentially trained the wizarding world of Britian to just accept the reasoning was above their understanding and ignore whatever was going on. She felt quite sick at the realization.
Her first priority was Tom Riddle and his followers. Then she would deal with Dumbledore. She knew if she took out Albus first Riddle might pick up the attacks. So as much as it pained her, Dumbledore would have to stay in place for a little longer. She stored the evidence and memories in a fidelius secured safe under her desk. Once it was all stored safely she began putting a list together of strike force teams. Madam Bones had every intention to have the dark lord destroyed and Dumbledore in Azkaban by the time Christmas came around. She would very much like to spend more time with her niece for the holidays.
Skyrim
Lani took a running leap over the sofa for cover, breathing heavily after that full on sprint. She peered over at Dobby who had a scowl on his war painted face. “Alright Dobby.” she stated, getting his attention. “We’re outnumbered. There’s no way we can make it out alive.” she placed a hand on his shoulder and gave it a comforting squeeze. “But I say we go down fighting.” She hoisted her gun up and gave Dobby a grim and determined nod
“Yous been a good master, Missy Lani,” Dobby stated, eyes slightly teary.
“You’ve been the best house elf a girl could ask for “ she sniffed back. “You ready?”
Dobbie nodded and they made a break for the open, unloading as much firepower as they had. Dobby was hit and cried out as he fell to the floor.
“No! Dooobbbyyyyyy!” She slid down and cradled his small body. “You can’t leave me Dobby.” she sniffed.
“We’s made a great team, right Miss Lani?”
She sniffed again, “yeah we did buddy.”
A figure stepped forward with a gun aimed at Lani. “It's over Miss Lani” came a voice as they stepped into the light.
Dobbys eyes went wide at the site of his mate Winky, “Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!” He faked cough then dramatically “died” in Lani’s arms.
Lani snickered as she wiped the paint from the last barrage off her face. “I think you’ve been watching too much Firefly Dobby.’”
Dobby opened one eye and peered at her seriously, “no such thing as too much Firefly Miss Lani.” He whispered before pretending to be dead again. Winky covered her mouth to muffle her giggling.
A pop announced Bas, the eldest house elf, with a baby elf in his arms, “Now yous all be done getting paint everywhere, yous need to be cleaning.” He wagged his fingers at them sternly.
“Yes Bas” the others chorused together before going to clean the paint off the walls.
September 5th
Magical Britain was in an uproar. A transcript of the girl-who-lived trial (including what happened in the pensieve memories) was just printed in a special edition of the Daily Prophet. The quibbler even went into more detail about the last few years at Hogwarts asking if the children were really safe. People were demanding answers and fear of the dark lord's return was running rampant. There was an outcry for Minister Fudge to resign after he spread lies about their savior and ran her off. People were also calling for Dumbledore's head. Hogwarts had only just started for the year, and there were talks about closing the school temporarily. Many wanted the wards to be checked and many more wanted to start an inquiry into the staff.
In order to appease the populace until decisions could be made, Amelia Bones sent several Aurors to guard the school.
Skyrim
Trixy crossed her arms stubbornly while Lani looked on with apprehension. “Are you sure you want to learn the harp?” Lani looked at the full size harp and down at the tiny elf who had a determined glint in her eyes. In the corner Dobby had headphones on and was rocking out to electric guitar only he could hear. Winky was attempting to play violin and the screeching was really making Lani want to cry. Trixy’s mate Gus was holding his child as they played with a xylophone. Bas played on the piano with as much dignity as he could muster between hitting the wrong keys. All the instruments were too big for them, so naturally Trixy just had to pick the largest instrument in the room.
Lani’s shoulders sagged before she looked at Trixy again. Trixy was now giving her a pleading look. “Right,” Lani said, squaring her shoulders, “Lets make your dream of playing the harp become reality.”
September 19th
Dumbledores sat behind a silencing ward at his desk as a multitude of howlers went off at once. Logically he knew he would never get his hands on Lani again. That didn’t stop him imagining all the ways he’d strangle her for destroying his reputation. He let his head hit his desk with a thud. He didn’t know how to salvage this mess. He knew he was on borrowed time. Just the other day the department of mysteries came barging into his office to free Fawkes of his illegal binds. And yes, that made it into the paper too. His staff wasn’t talking to him and he had to check his food and drink for potions with the look Severus kept giving him. He was pretty sure the man was planning his death after he found out about Leilani’s abuse. Sirius and Remus probably would be too if they weren’t so busy trying to find a way to make a portal.
Skyrim
Bas steepled his old gnarly fingers and peered around the table. His large stern eyes made contact with the other house elfs and Lani.Candle light flickered in the darkened room, casting a contrast of shadows along the planes of his weathered face. Unfurling his fingers he began tapping his nails on the makeshift map laid out in front of them with several messily drawn landmarks. Lani furrowed her eyebrows together in concern and leaned in closer in anticipation. Taking a deep and fortifying breath, his rumbling and slightly gravelly voice broke the silence, “Roll initiative.” Dice began to fly and chaos ensued.
Later that night
Lani sat roasting a marshmallow over the bonfire in reflection. She had only meant to stay in one place for a few days but it had quickly turned into a little over month. She knew she couldn’t hide away in her trunk forever, no matter how tempting it was. The last few weeks had been amazing though. While she still kept up with training it wasn’t as grueling as normal as she just didn’t want to get out of shape. She had mostly spent the time with the house elves and helping them with starting the farm. Lani looked up at the enchanted night sky. It showed what the stars would be like back home and she felt a small amount of regret that she would never truly see them again.
Sighing she straightened her shoulders. Tomorrow. Tomorrow she would set out to see what this world had to offer. No sense in thinking about what ifs when there were adventures to be had.
A frightened and horrified gasp came from her left and she looked over at Dobby in alarm. “What’s wrong Dobby?”
Dobby looked at her with such horrified and sad eyes it sent knots in her stomach, “We forgot to check the boss room for additional loot!” he wailed dramatically
Lani snorted. Then Winky giggled and it set the rest of them off. “Honestly,” she thought to herself, “If he starts going around and calling his socks his precious I’m going to have to find him some serious help.” Maybe the goblins can do counseling over mirror call?