» The Great Escape, Private

[Sybil Mallory]

Oh, he was to go to the Ashmores? Though not too well acquainted with any of the family, Sybil had attended school with an Adelle Ashmore, and she believed their home to be not far afield. “You’re not too far off at all!” Sybil offered encouragingly. “Though it was quite rude of this Becky to not make sure you were better skilled at the Floo Network before leaving you to your own devices!”

After a moment, the witch asked, “Do you feel up to doing it again, or would you feel more comfortable with the door-to-door route?” It would be a shame for the poor lad to get lost again, as the next house he appeared in might not be so kind.

[James Grey]

Jamie beamed. Apparently he was not as horrible at flooing as he had feared, although he still had no intention of ever doing that again. It was weird. "I think she was in a hurry," he said, "Our stepmother couldn't know she was there."

But he was free now! Ha!

He glanced back at the fireplace and glared at it. "If it's not too much trouble," he said, trying to be polite to the girl who was not having him arrested, "I'd like to avoid the fireplace." He was feeling very never again about the fireplace, because even if Jamie liked adventures this was almost too much.

[Sybil Mallory]

“Well then we shall find this Ashmore house and deliver you once again to your sister!” Sybil offered with great determination. “Accio shawl!” It would not do to catch cold, even if the summer was rather warm and she was aiding an unfortunate. When the garment arrived, Sibby through it over her shoulders in a practiced gesture before turning to the boy once more.

“Follow me!” And they were off.

[James Grey]

Jamie watched, awe-struck, as the girl summoned a shawl with a flick of her wand. Was this the world he was in now - fireplace transport and summoning things without going to get them?

He couldn't wait to go to Hogwarts.

He followed the girl, finding her determination contagious. "Thank you!"

Delayed, but not arrested; Jamie found his day improved.

[Sybil Mallory]

The witch’s reasonable confidence that she knew where she was going did not waver until she was on the doorstep of what she believed to be the Ashmore residence. Even then, she maintained a smiling face for her unexpected companion, rapping neatly on the door before turning to the lad. “We shall have you sorted out in no time!”

It was strange to interact with a younger boy who was—she would never voice this allowed, lest she offend—of normal stature; poor Meritt would likely never exceed the height of this…Becky’s brother. Oh, Magnus had been a boy at some point, but he was always older than she was, had never properly needed her. Sibby did like to feel useful!

[Rebecca Grey]

He hadn’t come through.

Becky had stood and stared at the fireplace for God alone knew how long, waiting in vain for a brother that had not arrived. The possibilities of what might have happened ran through her mind on loop: Charity might have found him, restrained him; He might have gotten lost in the Floo system—alright, perhaps there were only two possibilities, but each seemed positively dreadful to the Slytherin who had, until everything had gone horribly awry, been ecstatic by the prospect of a life with her brother.

Now she was not ecstatic, but frantic.

The sound of a knock at the door chimed through the house—as magical doors oft did—and the girl raced to the front of the house, hoping against hope that Jamie had found his way there in spite of having no idea where he was going. She could not believe her eyes when it proved true: there was her brother, standing on the Ashmores’ doorstep with a woman she had never before seen and scarcely registered the presence of. “You horrible fool; where have you been?!” she demanded, at once throwing her arms around the boy. How dare he frighten her so!

tag: james | words: 452 | notes: --
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