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Post by Angelique St. Clare on Jun 22, 2009 0:59:53 GMT -5
Angelique's expression softened. "He's been through a terrible ordeal," she said. "And I feel terrible for him, and everyone involved, really. I just need to be sure, for his sake, and for hers."
She sighed and rubbed her head. "I'll wait to see him until you give me the all clear. And after I talk with him, I may be able to let him see Arthur. He's unhurt, and in good spirits. And he's very concerned about Geoffrey. I think it might do them both some good to see each other. But Riley... I think it may be some time before he can see her."
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Post by Chase Kelly on Jun 22, 2009 9:36:37 GMT -5
"It was an ordeal for everyone involved," Chase replied, feeling terribly sorry for Geoffrey. The guy had broken down, for Merlin's sake.
"When he calms down a bit, I will let you know, and you can speak with him. If Arthur's willing to see him...Well, I would send in Arthur first, to be honest. He's worried about both of them, and seeing just one of them may help tremendously. I can give you my word that it's safe for Arthur."
Maybe seeing one of the victims alive and well would make him feel better, if only a little, and then Angelique could talk with him. "It's more likely to happen sooner than if you insist on talking to him first. But from what I've heard about the girl... I agree. It may be a while."
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Post by Angelique St. Clare on Jun 22, 2009 10:14:28 GMT -5
Angelique nodded. "Believe me, I'm not unsympathetic to his paid. What he's been through... It can haunt a person for life. He's really very lucky that the person who put him under the curse wasn't more specific, that he didn't tell him to wait until he was alone with her to do it. IIf he had succeeded in killing her, I think you know that he'd be in pretty serious trouble, even with my word and yours."
She shook her head. It really was a lucky break that poor Geoffrey had tried to kill Riley in the middle of the Auror office. There weren't many places that could have been safer. Aurors weren't always 9-to-5ers; many of them stayed late, and they would always defend one of their own. Angelique was really very proud of them all.
"OK, how about this. I'll check with Arthur and his doctor to make sure it's OK for him to see Geoffrey. I'd also like him to see Riley for a minute, so that he can tell Geoffrey that Riley is OK. I think that will do him a lot of good, and maybe then I can talk to him afterwards. I don't want to rush things, but I also think that it might be better for him to get the interrogation out of the way so he can concentrate on healing."
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Post by Chase Kelly on Jun 22, 2009 11:16:33 GMT -5
"You know as well as I do that he may still be in trouble. I can give my word that he was under the curse, but none of us can prove what he was told to do. I've seen people under the curse using it as an excuse to do dark deeds they wanted to do anyway. Now, I don't think that's the case with Geoffrey, seeing how tormented he is... but someone might bring it up."
He considered this, but sighed. "I don't know that he should see Ms. Neves. You'll have to ask Dr. Kenyon. I already sent in two more visitors, and I'm afraid it will overwhelm her. But if Lydia gives you the go ahead, then yes, let Arthur see her. Geoffrey may be more willing to talk once he knows everyone is fine."
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Post by Angelique St. Clare on Jun 22, 2009 11:41:24 GMT -5
Angelique's expression was grim. "I know," she said. "I don't believe that was the case for him, either, and that's why I'm trying to make sure we eliminate as much doubt as possible. But it's hard, you know? Sometimes you think you know someone and they turn on you in ways you'd never expect they were capable of. And that kind of doubt... That's what they'll be looking for."
She sighed again. "Well, thanks for your help, Dr. Chase. Please let me know when it's safe to talk with Mr. Montgomery. I'm going to see if I can arrange to have Arthur visit him first."
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Post by Chase Kelly on Jun 22, 2009 12:48:39 GMT -5
"Whatever I can do to help, please let me know," Chase said, standing and shaking her hand. He meant it too, but there really was only so much he could do to help.
"You're more than welcome to have Arthur speak with him. It's safe now." Getting Arthur to the girl was not his call, and he did know the interrogation was important. "You could probably go in with Arthur and speak to to him while they talk, as well, if that would be helpful. And I'll be nearby if you need anything."
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Post by Andromeda Tonks on Jun 22, 2009 15:47:21 GMT -5
Having been cleared by Dr. Chase, Andi went with Veronica to visit Riley. Despite repeated assurances that Ted was fine, Andi was still nervous. She had vaguely heard something about Ted saving Riley's life, and while she was proud of him for being so brave, she really wanted to hit him for risking his life like that. After all, the news she had to give him was a pretty big deal, and she needed him around for it.
At the door to Riley's room, Veronica opted to stay outside, so as not to overwhelm Riley. Andi stood with her a minute, her stomach suddenly in knots. She desperately wanted to tell Ted her news, but the timing couldn't have been worse.
Finally, she pushed the door open slowly and stepped cautiously inside. She was struck by the sight of Riley clinging to Ted, while Hayden stood nearby. She bit down on her lower lip as she stood by the door. "Hey," she said softly.
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Post by Ted Tonks on Jun 22, 2009 16:25:14 GMT -5
Ted looked up, thinking maybe the doctor was back, but when he saw Andromeda, a look of relief and love crossed over his features. He didn't let go of Riley, because he didn't know how she would react without someone to lean on.
"Hey," he said softly, beckoning her over. "It's okay."
When she was close enough, he pulled her into a one armed hug. "Before you even ask, I'm fine. Everyone's fine. I heard Arthur's doing well too. Please don't worry." He knew she would be worried about the situation, and he couldn't blame her, but he had to see her. After what happened at the Ministry... he needed to see her. And he was so thankful she wasn't at the Ministry when it went down.
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Post by Andromeda Tonks on Jun 22, 2009 16:34:45 GMT -5
Andi kept her movements slow and gentle as she crossed the room to the bed. It was a relief feel his arm around her, but she was still worried. Riley looked out of it. "Is... is she OK?" she whispered, nodding toward Riley. "She looks shell shocked."
Seeing Riley like that didn't make Andi feel much better. If someone could go after Riley right in the middle of the Ministry, then was anyone really safe?
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Post by Ted Tonks on Jun 22, 2009 16:42:16 GMT -5
"She'll be fine," Ted said. "She wasn't hurt. She's just... well, she's in shock," he replied softly, but he didn't whisper it. He knew Riley wasn't really there listening anyway.
"Listen, Andi, I know the apartment's small enough with just us, but she needs somewhere to stay, at least for a couple of days. She should be around as many people as possible, right?" It didn't even occur to him that she looked like she'd been through the ringer as well. He was just still a little pumped on adrenaline, but when he pulled back to look at her, it finally hit him. "Hey... what's wrong? Everyone's okay."
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Post by Andromeda Tonks on Jun 22, 2009 16:48:35 GMT -5
Andi hesitated. She liked Riley a lot and wanted to help... but if someone was out to get her, then they might be at risk if she stayed with them. But in the end, her caring heart won out. "We should take precautions to make sure it's safe in the apartment," she replied.
When Ted noticed that something was bothering her, she hesitated again. This wasn't exactly the place or the way she wanted to tell him this. "It's... nothing."
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Post by Ted Tonks on Jun 22, 2009 17:18:26 GMT -5
Ted frowned. That's why he had Andromeda, he figured. He went in, guns blazing... not to the extreme that Roland once had, but he did what needed to be done and didn't really think things all the way through. Andromeda did. And he figured out instantly that she was worried about their own safety. "Hey, listen, it'll just be for a day or two, you know? Until she can stand on her own again." He'd let her go with Hayden, but for one, it was safer with more people, and two, the way she was clinging to him... he felt responsible for her now.
He didn't know how to handle her reaction. Was she angry that he offered a place for Riley so quickly? She was lying... something was definitely wrong.
"Hey," he said softly. "Will you talk to me later?"
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Post by Andromeda Tonks on Jun 22, 2009 17:36:00 GMT -5
"It's OK," Andi said. "I want to help her. I just want to make sure everyone is safe, you know? She needs that now."
She tried to smile, but it wavered. She had happy news, so why did she feel so uneasy about telling him? She couldn't help it, she was worried about Ted and herself and Riley, too. There was also the fact that her hormones were a bit off balance, which was why she'd been so emotional and sick lately.
She bit her lip. "I have news, Ted. It's not bad, I promise... I just don't know if now's the right time to tell you."
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Post by Ted Tonks on Jun 22, 2009 23:15:17 GMT -5
If he could have let go of Riley, he would have swept Andromeda up in his arms and whisked her away, kissing her senseless. As it stood, he could just look at her worriedly.
"I have to be honest, Andi, I'm a little nervous here." If it wasn't bad, how could there be a wrong time to tell him? Although, granted, this probably wasn't the best time to tell him, either.
"You're okay, right? Everything's okay?"
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Post by Andromeda Tonks on Jun 22, 2009 23:23:51 GMT -5
Andi glanced at Riley, who seemed to be completely unaware of her presence, and then at Hayden. She hoped he wouldn't be uncomfortable with what she had to say. Maybe he was tuning them out, she wasn't sure.
"I collapsed in the hallway at Hogwarts," Andi said. "And someone helped me to the Hospital wing..." She avoided telling him who had picked her up and carried her to the hospital wing; surely he didn't want to know that.
"Madam Pomfrey checked me over, and... well, you know the mood swings and the crying and the throwing up? Well... the good news is we're fine. Both of us." She put her hand on her stomach then, and raised her eyes to his. She felt like her heart was in her throat.
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Post by Ted Tonks on Jun 22, 2009 23:32:46 GMT -5
"What?" Ted tried to interrupt her, but she kept going. He wasn't sure where her going to the hospital wing turned into 'not bad' news, but she wasn't giving him the chance to question her on it.
As she revealed the rest of what she had to tell him, Ted just stared blankly at her for a second. If he'd been at the top of his game, he would have gotten it right away, but he had to think for a moment.
"Both of us..." his eyes settled on her hand over her stomach, and the light went on. His eyes immidiately found hers again.
"You're pregnant?" he asked, actually grinning at the thought. "Really?"
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Post by Andromeda Tonks on Jun 22, 2009 23:41:15 GMT -5
Andi smiled and nodded, leaning into his shoulder slightly. "Yes," she replied. "Just a couple of weeks along.... I'm still sort of in shock, you know? I didn't even think about it.... But it makes sense, now that I know."
She looked at him nervously. He was smiling, but was it more a shocked smile? "Are you happy, Ted?" she asked. "I was going to wait to tell you, but I just couldn't."
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Post by Ted Tonks on Jun 22, 2009 23:45:56 GMT -5
It was an awkward as hell place and time to find out that kind of news, but Ted was thrilled. He wouldn't have wanted to wait another minute to find out something like this.
He pulled her closer into his one armed hug and kissed her, still every aware of Riley next to him.
"Of course I'm happy," he said. "Wait... you're happy, right?" It struck him suddenly that she might not want to be pregnant. He'd be crushed, honestly, but whatever she wanted to do, he would support her.
"This means I'm going to have to finally grow up." He was joking, but a child would be good for Ted. It would force him to grow up a little, and to think things through, and not necessarily be so reckless.
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Post by Andromeda Tonks on Jun 23, 2009 0:21:00 GMT -5
Andi closed her eyes and leaned into his kiss. When he pulled back, she smiled up at him. "Of course I'm happy," she said. "Terrified... but happy. I just... Well, I haven't exactly had the best mother figure in my life, if you know what I mean."
She kept her tone light, but the truth was, this fear was something that had haunted her dreams for as long as she could remember. The possibility of her turning into her mother was still there in the back of her mind. How could it not be?
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Post by Ted Tonks on Jun 23, 2009 13:59:10 GMT -5
"No, you didn't," Ted replied, still smiling. "But you're nothing like her. You're perfect and loving and you work with kids. And I had good parents. We'll be fine."
Her fears probably weren't as easily erased as that, but Ted didn't see a bad side to this. Again, that's why he had Andi. Without her, he'd live in a world where nothing had consequences... until they came up and bit him in the arse.
"Andi... I love you. And you're perfect to me. We'll do fine."
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