27 December 1984 @ 05:11 pm
New Year's Eve Masquerade! For Tuesday  




Octavius believed hiring someone to organise an event for him meant they would actually organise an event for him. Unfortunately, that notion proved to be a false one when the organiser left him high and dry in the middle of the month, but Octavius persevered. With the help of himself, Mira, occasionally Lottie Sweeting, and an army of lackeys, the night of the masquerade had come together as beautifully as possible.

Lottie had, for once, actually done her job, and at either entrance of the grand foyer were attendants handing out beautifully crafted half-masks to party-goers, and collecting them as people left. The ballroom was majestic and shimmering, the music was softly thrumming, the drinks were pouring, and the mood was infectious. All in all, Octavius thought, it was a satisfactory night to end a rather satisfactory year. After the chaos and excitement that had chased him all throughout 1983, he was rather happy to have had a (comparably) quiet year.

"Can you make sure Miss Warbeck is ready to begin?" he murmured to an attendant nearby who then scurried off. The Wizarding Wireless Network had, after all, promised a wonderful surprise at midnight! Octavius needed to ensure everything went perfectly.

The flash of a nearby photographer made Octavius scowl, annoyed was he at even the few press witches and wizards who had paid handsomely to be at the charity event tonight. The publicity was good, no one could deny that, and the masks concealed everyone's identity at least marginally so there was no grievous intrusion on privacy, but that didn't mean Octavius enjoyed their presence.

He rolled up the sleeve of his dress robe to check his watch, then his eyes darted back to the stage. It was five minutes to midnight! What, for heaven's sake, was Celestina Warbeck taking so long to appear onto an already dressed stage? Shaking his head agitatedly, Octavius cut through a path through the brightly coloured bodies in the mingling crowd to check on his star performer.



OOC Read this for questions, or ask me! Fluid time, so feel free to thread before/after kisses. Again, the "compulsion" to find your kissing partner kicks in 5-10 minutes before midnight and could be anything from thinking you should walk and get some punch to being mystifyingly sexually attracted to the masked stranger at your side. HAVE FUN! GO WILD ♥ AND HAPPY NEW YEAR'S MY GORGEOUS GALS.
 
 
01 September 1983 @ 01:23 pm
 
WHO: !!!!!!!!!!!
WHAT: !!!!!!!!!!!
WHERE: !!!!!!!!!!
WHEN: !!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! )
 
 
06 May 1983 @ 07:05 pm
Open to Guests!  
She'd done it. Bianca wasn't even going to apologize for the thought; she'd done it. These past few weeks leading up to the wedding had been so nerve-wracking, worse than any training she'd gone through, more terrifying than any mission she'd been on, worse than...she really thought that she was not going to make it down the aisle. The guilt and the fear had nearly paralyzed her, but putting on her wedding dress, seeing her closest friends dressed up and looking so very happy for her, a last minute owl from Bertram that made things all seem right.

Well, she practically ran down the aisle after that!

The reception had turned out beautifully, and she really, really had to thank her mother for making her have such an event. All the planning leading up to it had been stressful, but it had made her stronger, and Bianca's life depending on being able to push through anything life threw at her. Her hair was down and out of the twist it had been forced into this morning; if she was going to dance and party, she was surely going to have her hair flying about.

A particuarly happy tune came on and she grabbed Amissa's hand, bouncing happily with the little girl who was now officially her step-daughter. The thought thrilled her, and Bianca caught Bertram's eye with a big grin.
 
 
27 February 1983 @ 07:53 pm
Gabriel  
Everything was different. Different faces, different names, different house, different friends. Sometimes Rachel questioned if it had been such a good decision to come back here, before remembering three very young faces that needed her just a bit more than she needed to be selfish. Their family might have been pieced together, but seeing Amissa with Gabriel, how Michael was with her—really, everything about Benjamin, told her if they'd done one thing, it was raise them well. Even lovingly, one might say, which just about struck her dumb. Rachel knew she had to be here, but it still felt like she was some kind of intruder, and it was not a feeling she cared for. It was a feeling she was reminded of every time she made to pass by the master wing, as she was doing just now. The double-doors at the end of the hallway at once beckoned to her and repelled her. Since leaving St. Mungo's, Rachel had been in the room once, to collect her clothes. But the idea of staying there, in a place of such intimacy, physical and otherwise, was unpalatable? Macabre. Nerve-wracking. Certainly nothing that would appease Rachel.

But she found herself walking toward them, regardless. As far as she knew, it had been empty since… before, and the urge to look at this setting of an unremembered life was irrepressible. A glance at the grandfather clock told her she had time before anyone else was due home. Unable to deny the tug toward the room any longer, she slipped through the ominous double doors.

She started with the wardrobe, tapping on the back, digging through pockets, )
 
 
09 February 1983 @ 02:42 pm
Gabriel :X  
"Are you feeling up to visitors?"

The question startled her, drawing Rachel out of her pensive reverie. Time was still getting away from her, so she was unsure how long she had been awake, but the minutes seemed to stretch on and on when she was by herself, easily getting lost in the swirling confusion of her thoughts. They said most of the physical ailments had been attended to, burns, lacerations, broken bones, that sort of thing, but she hardly felt well. The vague but ever-present, all-encompassing soreness and throbbing head were uncomfortable, of course, but there was more that disturbed her. She had the feeling she was missing something, forgetting something, like leaving a pot to boil. But the murkiness was gone. Even if the pain pulsing behind her eyes was just shy of causing them to water, she could see things much clearer now, literally and figuratively. At the very least, Rachel remembered she'd been awake earlier, though couldn't have said what transpired. That, a different nurse had said, was an improvement from before. An unsettling piece of news, but she appeared to be recovering.

Even if she couldn't quite remember from what, but no one was hard-pressed to tell her more than "unfortunate incident" and "totally normal, don't worry." Surprisingly, she wasn't terribly bothered, but that may have been the effect of the overwhelming tiredness and slightly unfocused head.

"There's someone who'd like to see you." The witch in the purple robes looked familiar to her, but she couldn't quite place her. Rachel assumed she'd been one to treat her earlier.

Believing she knew who the visitor was, she had her doubts about such a statement. Really, she just didn't know what she was going to say.

"All right," she said quietly, closing her eyes briefly. When she opened them again, a man, not who she expected, stood in the doorway. Blinking in quick succession, though regretting the action, her brows tugged together. "Yes?"
 
 
07 February 1983 @ 12:23 pm
Donovan!  
Gabriel had never been in quite a state, and this nurse, who had not done anything more but sit behind the large round desk and do her crosswords, was not helping his state.

"It has been nearly forty-five minutes, how could you possibly not have any more information? What kind of establishment are you running? I need to speak to the Healer-in-Chief, this is not acceptable---"

The nurse put her hand up and stood. Gabriel's mouth shut tightly as he listened to her repeat, once again, that when the healers were done with the spell casting that needed to be done on Rachel and Danielle that they would let them know. 'Dark magic takes time and care, Mr. Corner.' It was always the part of the nurse's spiel that quieted his rage. Dark magic. The war had been over for more than a year, but here he was, in St. Mungo's because of an attack on his wife and his best friend's wife. Dark magic. The seriousness of the situation could not be lifted, it could not be avoided, it could not be denied. Dark magic.

He pushed away from the counter and stalked back to the seats of the waiting room. It was empty save for he and Donovan; the ward for dark magic attacks had been the quietest in St. Mungo's for months, it was as if the healers there didn't know what to do with themselves. Gabriel dropped down into the seat beside Donovan, knowing that his friend was in quite the right state himself. He stared at his friend for a few seconds before clapping his hand on Donovan's shoulder in reassurance.

"They're going to be fine," Gabriel said, though he wasn't sure how believable he sounded.
 
 
01 September 1982 @ 10:12 pm
Rookwood Wedding! Open to Guests!  
Everything had gone off without a hitch.

Danielle wanted to cry for more than their vows, she was just so elated that the ceremony hadn't been interrupted by someone angry at the both of them, anyone who found it wrong for them to be together. It felt like all these months of turmoil and tears had been pointing towards this day, and Danielle was going to love every second of this day.

Her hands rested behind her back as she listened to her father's story about his wedding day. Danielle rocked on her heels with a smile on her face, so happy that she was going to have stories to share with her family, their future children, and anyone else who was willing to listen. The party was small, just their closest friends and family (Rian had come! He'd come!), and it was just what Danielle had always wanted. The wedding was supposed to be about her and Donovan, it had always been Donovan, and to have her fantasy come true was astounding.

And it wasn't even the felix felicis they had given all of their guests as favors, talking.

She was about to comment on how her father seemed to be getting misty eyed when a hand rested on her waist. Danielle turned and smiled brightly at her husband, and excused herself from her family to pay some attention to him.

"Have I told you how handsome you look today?"
 
 
07 April 1982 @ 11:19 pm
Rachel!  
It was a quiet morning in the Corner household. Breakfast was made to perfection, their newborn was happily and silently rocking in his cradle, and the older children were peacefully coloring in the playroom. Mornings were often a time of relaxation in the home, because it was before the busy schedules of the day were allowed to take hold of their emotions and stress Rachel or himself. Gabriel sat quite content with his copy of the Daily Prophet, slightly, but comfortably, slouched in a kitchen chair opposite of Rachel's.

He wasn't reading, or at least, not comprehending much. His mind had trailed back to a somewhat strange (and drunken) conversation he'd had his with friends a few nights ago. They were crowing at him about how Rachel had fled the country when he'd told her he loved her (something they had learned about from another drunken experience of his----) and it caused him to think about her return. They had definitely reconciled, reconciled so well that they produced their now one-month year old son...but Gabriel was recalling quite vividly the very large, missing piece of the story.

"Hm," he let out thoughtfully, putting down the paper and staring across the table at Rachel, his chin in his hand, elbow pressed against the wood. Interesting.
 
 
13 August 1981 @ 12:26 pm
 
Who: Corners
What: Distress
Where: Their house
When: Last night

“You ought to think it exceedingly lucky you have a nurse for a wife.” )
 
 
05 August 1981 @ 12:46 pm
BLACK OUT!  
Gabriel was silently wording his opening lines for the next segment of news when the lights dropped. He lifted his head in a curious manner, having been standing away from the news desk and wondering if it was just a backdrop thing. It wasn't exactly peculiar, there had been men working on the spells earlier this week which had caused the lighting charms to flicker and crackle. He let out a breath and stood where he was, watching as nearly everyone around him performed lumos with their wands. Gabriel supposed he should as well, and wondered if this sort of incident would mess up the wireless airwaves. He didn't know much about the magic behind the WWN, but he supposed those who did would fix things.

He muttered to his assistant that he was going to go into the corridor to see if it was only their studio that had gone out, and she quickly skittered away to find the snack trays. Gabriel let out a breath, sighing at the thought of having to stay at work later because of this delay. He had dinner plans for Rachel and the children, he did not need the annoyance of pushing back reservations. As he pushed out into the hallway, he let out a groan at the darkness. His wand was soon out and he felt awfully tired, frustrated that his day was going to be spent in near darkness.

"Do you have light?" he called out to a figure down the hall, noticing a brighter light than that of a normal lit wand. "The spells have gone out over here, it's pitch---"

Why had he been so languid in his movements just now? Darkness overcoming the WWN studios? In the middle of Diagon Alley? Diagon Alley, which was the near breeding ground for death eater attacks. Gabriel wished he had the mindset to jump to the worst possible conclusion, but the spell the cloaked death eater shot off sliced him across the side of the head, knocking him out cold and to the ground.

If he didn't die today, right now, Rachel was going to kill him.


OOC! )
 
 
03 August 1981 @ 10:34 am
OWL TO GABRIEL CORNER  
Delivered by a rather irate bird )
 
 
09 June 1981 @ 02:14 pm
Mister Corner, your errant wife returns...  
Ten days of sun, sand, and surf had not been enough to distract Rachel's obsessive mind. She was inclined to lay the blame toward everything but herself, from the less-than-satisfactory weather in Ibiza, to her reluctant, if willing, choice of travel companions. But the truth was, running away hadn't done exactly what it was supposed to do. And for that, Rachel thought, perhaps, she was unable to blame on anyone except herself. For her disarrayed state of mind, however, there was only one person at fault for, and he was somewhere in England.

It might have turned into a real holiday she could enjoy, if it hadn't been for some very disturbing words he'd uttered during their argument—foremost amongst them that he loved her. Even now, so many days later, Rachel was inclined to believe it wasn't true; it couldn't be true! They'd been married less than six months. They'd only known each other in the most basic manner since the end of October! That wasn't enough time to start loving somebody, particularly not somebody as outrageously flawed as herself. But when she'd begun to voice the same thoughts to Gabriel, he'd merely insisted that it was the truth. Regardless of whether or not it was, Rachel found herself being able to think of little else besides it. What if, one day, he decided her voice mattered little in their future decisions? He loved her. What if he let his mother take a place of importance in their lives, allowing her to make decisions and pass judgment that outweighed Rachel's? He loved her. What if he never took an active position in their marriage anyway, and went about doing whatever the first strong female figure told him to do? He loved her. )
 
 
29 May 1981 @ 02:59 pm
Rachel! Uh oh  
"Yes, good night---I'll owl you in the morning, Mother."

Half of Gabriel was grateful to send his mother home, but the other half was nearly begging him to allow her to stay. He was in trouble. In deep, absolute trouble that he knew he'd never be able to get out of. He had expected more of his mother, that she was a woman who could keep her mouth shut during social situations like a simple dinner with himself and Rachel's family, but no. The company of Rachel's mother simply had to cause her to discuss how this making-a-baby thing was going. In one of those sly ways, at that.

Gabriel had specifically asked his mother not to ask Rachel about this, for privacy's sake, and also because they were not trying to have children, in reality. Gabriel and Rachel had decided that their two children would be more than sufficient in their lives, and what need was there to add another baby? Of course, Gabriel wasn't as opposed to the idea as Rachel was, but he had accepted the fact and he was quite fine with that. Michael was turning a year old in a few weeks, all he needed was to focus on his son and step-daughter.

But, of course he couldn't let his mother know that they weren't trying. It would devastate her, especially with Rebecca being so very secretive with everything in her life. Gabriel had not seen the harm in letting his mother think that they were still trying, but he fully understood the wrath he was about to face with the one glare Rachel had shot him immediately after his mother had brought the subject up.

Maybe he could just sit down in the library for a bit until she went to sleep. Gabriel thought this would be a good plan, and it would have been, if Rachel wasn't already waiting for him in the library. He frowned.
 
 
29 March 1981 @ 01:52 pm
Rachel!  
Gabriel was still very much learning the ways of being a father, and a husband. It wasn't something that you were able to magically do over night, and even though Michael would be a year old come June (so soon! So fast!), there were still aspects of parenting that Gabriel could not fully comprehend. Even though a marriage was thrown on top of learning how to be a father, Gabriel was quite sure that he was doing a relatively decent job at both. It did help greatly that his wife was a very strong minded woman who didn't mind telling Gabriel what to do. He supposed many men would find that frustrating, but Gabriel was more than happy to have Rachel lead the way, as he was very complacent when it came to most matters.

Most matters, yes. One matter, however, that had completely alluded him during their short courtship and few months of marriage. His mother had dropped the not so subtle hints that it would be so nice to experience another grandchild, after the debacle that was Mary's pregnancy with Michael. Gabriel couldn't help but find himself quite bitter about the topic, but not bitter enough to want to punish his parents, or himself, by not having another child. He'd never thought to himself that no, he would not have more children, but it surely was a subject you had to discuss with your wife! And it was a subject that had been distracting him at work. And at lunches with friends. And at quidditch matches, and---

He didn't want this to feel pressured, like he worried that their engagement had been. Even though things had been working out quite nicely for them, Gabriel was sure that---he just wanted this to be their decision, and he wanted to know Rachel's thoughts on the matter.

Gabriel peered into the bedroom that had been devoted to Amissa's time spent at the house, and smiled at Rachel. Maybe this wouldn't be so hard to talk about.
 
 
30 December 1980 @ 12:18 pm
Corner/Englewood Wedding! For New Year's Eve!  
Getting married was absolutely terrifying. No matter how smoothly Gabriel proceeded through the planning, the discussions, and the actual event, he was holding back getting sick the second he could catch a moment to himself. He knew he didn't love Rachel yet, which might be the reason why he was finding himself so nervous as they sat at the head table of their reception, but he did honestly---he did honestly believe that he could fall in love with this woman. She was fiery with a mind of her own, and though some people might be irritated by it, Gabriel actually appreciated the way she took control of things. He had always been a bit of a follower, and it was easy to agree with Rachel because her reasoning simply made sense.

The reception did look fantastic. Gabriel couldn't believe it was all put together within two short months, but then again he was learning that Rachel was a woman who set her goals and refused to leave them unfinished. Maybe he should look at that as a good thing; surely someone who did not want to get married would not have put so much effort into the ceremony? Or she simply wanted to throw the most beautiful wedding of them all, simply because she could. He didn't know, and didn't mind not finding out as long as they remained content with each other.

He did find her very interesting, however, and that was the first thing a Ravenclaw looked for in a spouse. Maybe all of his concerns were for naught, and it was simply wedding day jitters. His parents had been arranged in a similar manner, and they were still quite happily married (and sometimes nauseatingly sweet about it, too). Gabriel turned and smiled at Rachel, pushing his chair out and offering his hand, "Would you like to dance?"

A chorus of glasses clinging supported Gabriel, and he flushed slightly at all the attention that was on them, once again.


ooc: guest list! We did our best, but if we missed someone let us know!