The weight of this sad time we must obey (Invite Only)

Being reunited with the children had been something Jake hadn't known he'd needed until they were both nested in to him, Adrienne not quite thinking forward enough as she crushed his right arm tight in to his chest with her 'power hug'. Not that it had hurt, but it had completely gone against the advice he'd been sent off with not fifteen minutes before of not knocking the arm about too much. Jake had had to placate his son a little more about being absolutely fine that he had his daughter, who had already left his side to try and find some colouring pens to decorate his bandages to look much better.

They had somehow arrived with a footman who'd never been called a moment later.

The four of them had had a quiet dinner together, with a quality of food Jake had never experienced in his life. How you made even the simplest of foods taste so much better than normal, Jake would not be able to explain, but he had tucked in heartily to all the food that came their way without complaint.

By the time they had finished, and caught up with Adrienne and Ivan's stories of what they'd been up to for the last couple of days, the children had been changed and put to bed with both adults tucking them in safely and kissing them good night. Azalea and he had retreated to their own room quietly, changing for bed and curling in to one another with a need that had become ever present over the afternoon. The comfort that they had always found in one another could not be taken away now, and they both needed to be reassured their eldest daughter would be okay -- even if those words weren't spoken.

The next morning the couple had awoken to a message from the Lord Clement, summoning Azalea to his office after breakfast. Well, it was an invitation, but they both knew that she couldn't refuse it. The Auror had offered to join her, there wasn't a shortage of help to look after the children, but Azalea had politely declined the offer. If the Lord Clement had wanted both of them, she had reasoned, he would have asked for both of them. Jake had conceded that much, even though he wanted to support her through whatever the man may have to say.

Azalea had put his mind at rest, though, with the proposition of calling Victoria to let her know everything was okay now.

The mention of Victoria had been enough to set Adrienne off in an excitement that would not be subdued. Sending Azalea off with a gentle wish of luck shortly before eleven, and a soft kiss to her lips, Jake had turned back to the children, pulling his phone from his pocket.

Only to find it devoid of signal.

Brow furrowed, the man tried Victoria's number. The phone didn't connect. Jake tried again, to the same outcome.

"You can just ask the people, Daddy. They can make anything happen!" Adrienne insisted, opening the door to their living quarters. "Hellllllllloooo?"

Someone had appeared almost too quickly in the next second.

"Miss Newbury, how may I help?"

"Daddy needs to speak to Aunty Victoria, but his phone isn't working. Can we have a phone that works?" Adrienne replied all too sweetly to the servant.

"Ah, may I speak with him?" The reply came, and Adrienne pulled the door open to show the member of staff.

"Daddy, you tell them!"

"Mr Newbury, good morning. I'm afraid you're mobile device won't work inside the Palace. It is the family's wishes to not have such technology in the house." The servant explained, Jake's features creased in that moment, not understanding why anybody would not allow for telephone service to work in their home.

"I need to speak with my sister..." Jake replied slowly, still not working out how to get his point across.

"You may use the Floo network to speak with her." The man replied simply, as if that was the most normal answer.

"She doesn't have a fireplace at her home." Jake replied, earning the same look of confusion in return.

It took only a few minutes to discuss before Jake provided the answer that she had a television which could broker the difference. Jake didn't know how the magic worked, but a few short minutes later, they had been connected with Victoria accordingly.

Who looked like she'd only just woken up, Jake belatedly realising that the time delay put it to just after six in the morning in Wisconsin.

"Sorry Vic," Jake had managed once the witch had explained the early hour.

"AUNTY VIC!" Adrienne had cut over, taking up the forefront of the conversation without a second thought. "Daddy has taken us on holiday to France! I think -- we're in France, right, daddy? -- but it's not a normal holiday. There's no sand, or beach or sea here. But it's nice! We went around a maze in the garden here. OH! We're in a Palace, did daddy tell you? It's really big, I haven't explored everywhere yet, but Zay-lea says we can go and explore everywhere!"

Victoria's features had been soft to begin with, but at the mention of Azalea, her features had turned to one of concern.

"Azalea is with you?" Victoria asked before the child could continue much further.

"Of course she is!" Adrienne replied, about ready to continue on with her story before another question came from her aunt.

"Is she okay?"

"She's fine." Jake supplied, pulling Adrienne back a little bit so that they could all be seen by Victoria. "That's why we wanted to call you. She's safely on holiday with us now." The point would be clear enough to Victoria in that moment, though, Azalea was safely away from the man who had been holding her for the last few weeks.

"They have been making me wear summer dresses, though, Aunty Vic! I don't like summer dresses, they are icky!" Adrienne continued, wanting everyone to know her disdain with this part of the trip she had whined to anyone who would listen about.

"But you look so beautiful, Adrienne." Victoria assured, her smile showing she meant it in that moment. Though almost as soon as she had said that much, her eyes had shifted up away from them. "Jake and the kids," came the witch's reply to the question of who she was talking to. There was some scuffling noise before a second person joined the picture. Jackson Blake's features came in to view, his hair completely array as he said hi to the kids and then Jake.

"What about your student, Jake, how is she?" Victoria asked, keeping the truth from the children as Jake had always asked of her. The look on his features had been enough for the worry to crease his sister's features in to one of fear.

"She's... stablilised, but in a very critical condition. The doctors are working very hard to make her better." Jake replied.

"And they will, they fixed Daddy up really good! Look at his cast, I made it all cool!" Adrienne continued on, lifting his arm up for Victoria and Jackson to see her art work which included lots of explosions, and a wolf because she had heard from somewhere about a wolf and thought it would be a cool idea.

"That looks really good, Adrienne! Did you help, Ivan?" Victoria asked, bringing in the boy who was sat quietly listening to the whole conversation.

"No, Adrienne did it, I was reading a book from the library. Did you know that there was a magical revolution at the same time as the Muggle revolution in France?" The boy asked.

"I can't say I did..." Victoria replied, though the smile on her features betrayed the lie. It was enough to get the kid talking again, though, as he gave a brief outline of what he knew so far, and caveated that he needed to finish the book before he could tell the whole story.

Adrienne grew bored of that, though, trying to butt in but being gently reminded Ivan needed to talk too by her father. By the time the boy had done, Adrienne was positively bursting with energy, and wanting to talk about the maze -- a maze that had the most boring centre, the child would explain. Ivan disagreed, they'd gotten chocolate, but Adrienne was certain it could have been better than a silly seat.

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~ Auror ~ Profile ~ DADA Professor ~
~ In a Relationship ~ 36 ~ Father ~ 6' ~ American Accent ~

Jake reuniting with the children was a sight for sore yes, and one Azalea was extremely glad to witness in person. That evening, as the four of them had gathers around a magical feast that tasted better than anything they had ever eaten, the witch could almost pretend everything was back to normal. If the threat of Mimosa's looming operations wasn't hanging like an invisible axe above them all, it really would have been perfect.

As it was, the witch took heart in Adrienne's enthusiasm as she clung to her father and Ivan's quiet but believing gaze. She had kept her promise to the boy who was used to not being heard even at this age. She knew it would take a while for him to trust her again but she was in it for the long haul.

As she hoped he was too.

The next morning, an invitation for her to join the Lord Clement at his office was left in the living quarters, complete with fancy letter writing tray in case she waned to respond. As grateful as the witch was for what the French family had done for them, the formality of this place was starting to keep her on edge. The palace gave off the vibe of a particularly strict school where one always had to be on their best behavior. How Jacques had grown up here yet was so carefree was beyond the brunette.

Still the invitation was issued and she had to accept. Jake had offered to go with her and support her through the appointment but Azalea had pointed out that the wording had specially stated only one person. The man - and the children too - had been more than compensated with a talk to Victoria in the States. Azalea knew she would also have to speak to her best friend soon but that would have to be in private. Above all else, she had a lot of explaining to do, even if Victoria was too kind to demand an explanation.

So the witch had gotten dressed once again, this time with a little bit more care than yesterday, choosing a tea length black skirt coupled with a white blase and ebony lace detail. Her jewelry comprised of the same pearls from yesterday as that was the only thing out on the dressing table and the witch had no heart to go digging through more accessories. Her hair however "(freshly washed and blow dried) had been styled up into a soft french chignon and her feet encased in quite black heels.

As usual, a servant was waiting outside her door the moment she stepped out to call for one. Politely, the man lead her from the guest suites down another staircase she hadn't noticed before and then through several other corridors. Never having had the opportunity to admire the palace before now, Azalea found her eyes wondering as they passed a large chamber with portraits on all sides.

"Are those works of art?" she thought aloud as her brown eyes roved over men and women in luxurious settings, some in action, some still.

"Oui, our 'all of portraits, Every Clement Lord and Lady starting with our own Lady Lissette and Lord Thomas." The footman helpfully pointed further down the hall where Azalea could make out two portraits of very regal looking people staring straight ahead, unsmiling. She supposed it wasn't the fashion back then to pose happily.

"Zis one if more recent," the servant noted as they reached the edge fo the hall, directing her to a gorgeous portrait of Elenore on her piano. The witch was clearly not even trying to pose, too lost in her music. Having met the younger Clement in person, Azalea concluded the picture more than did her justice. The slot beside Elenore's was empty.

"Jacques doesn't have a picture?"

The man looked taken aback for a moment, making her realize she probably should not have referred to the heir in such a casual manner.

" 'eir Clement promised Lady Mimosa 'e would get 'is portrait done with 'er. She is not sixteen yet so 'e 'as decided to wait until zen."

Azalea nodded as they left the hall, not failing to understand that Mimosa was to be included in the Clement's hall of portrait too. However they had decided to incorporate Mimosa in their lives, it was clear the Clements really did think of her as their own.

They traveled through another set of hallways and down more stairs before they finally reached a quiet wing tucked to the side, His Lordship's private solar. he servant was with ehr until the door, then he knocked quietly before almost melting into the shadows. The door opened on its own accord, a quite invitation to enter.

Smoothing her dress down one last time, the witch entered into a lavishly decorated workplace. The small sitting room gave way to a larger area where a beast of a mahogany desk dominated one side of the wall. Lord Louis Clement however was not behind his desk, fleeing no need to impose a persona of power because power exuded from him wherever he was regardless.

The man was now standing to one side, greeting her in his quiet authoritative tone.

"Good morning Miss Harrington, I hope you are well rested."

"Very well, thank you My Lord," the witch replied in kind, performing the curtsy that was becoming more natural the longer she stayed in his place. "Everyone is doing well, the children in particular."

At this, the man allowed himself a small smile before he ushered her to take a seat.

This was why they were here, the witch sidereal as she sat one of the plus chairs in the sitting area, on edge despite how comfortable her seat was. This was where she found out if they were in trouble somehow.

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The weight of this sad time we must obey (Invite Only) Rsz_gr10

The weight of this sad time we must obey (Invite Only) Rsz_az10

The weight of this sad time we must obey (Invite Only) Rsz_li10

The letter had arrived the previous day to the Palace. It had been given to Louis, as almost all correspondence did that needed to be dealt with. Louis had only had to read it once before he'd summoned the legal team to his office. They had been there instantly, and the contents of the letter hadn't been a complete surprise to them, except for the insistence that she was under Joshua's care for decision making. She couldn't possibly have made this decision herself, and that they should return her to him immediately.

There was no threat of repercussions, but Louis Clement now understood the young head of the Murray household to know that there wouldn't be any.

It took only a little time for Louis to give his thoughts to the team, and send them off with the response that Azalea was not going to be released back to the man of Wales. The team would also have to follow up on the claims that she was under Joshua Murray's stewardship, and to feedback on that as soon as they were able.

The advice to tell Azalea of this news, though, had not come from the legal time, or even Louis himself. When there was little to no update on Mimosa's health to provide his wife that evening, the man had opted to tell her of her daughter's situation instead. He'd known it wouldn't be an easy conversation with Ven, the witch rarely like to discuss their eldest daughter, but she had gently asked him to discuss this with the young witch. Louis had promised to do so the next morning.

Which was what had brought him to the moment now, awaiting the arrival of his eldest daughter. He didn't have much he could provide, but the knowledge of what the house were working towards was something that should help.

"Very well, thank you My Lord,"

As the curtsy followed the greeting, Louis wavered on the thought of waving away the formalities that Azalea observed, but decided against it. With all of this, they didn't need to raise more questions about what they were already doing.

The news the children were doing well didn't come as a surprise. Everything that went on in the house was made known, and the Newbury children had been making full use of the house and it's grounds during their stay. The small smile upon his lips would denote that he was pleased with this much.

"There's no news on Mimosa yet, she's still holding in there for us." The Lord Clement provided, not wanting to keep the witch's hopes too high as she looked to him for news of the youngest Clement. His tone would be apologetic, but at the moment, there was nothing more to report on.

Instead, the Lord Clement turned back towards his desk, retrieving a copy of the letter that had come through from Joshua Murray the previous day. Turning back to the witch, the man offered the letter to her, once she'd taken it from him, the man spoke again.

"Joshua Murray has written to us." He informed, though by this time the witch may have recognised the writing upon the paper. "He has written to inform us that we should return you to Wales without delay. We have no such intentions, of course." If the witch would look curious in that moment about the demand from the man, Louis would continue on. "It seems that Lord Murray has filed for your lasting power of attorney, to make decisions on your behalf. He did so when you had been... tested to have lost your own mental capacity to make decisions."

The hesitation came because Louis didn't wish to cause the witch any embarrassment.

"We have replied to tell him that we would not release you in to his custody, and that we will be contesting the lasting power of attorney that is in place as we believe this no longer to be of relevance." Louis explained. "I fear, however, Lord Murray will not make it an easy task."

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~ Lord Clement ~ Profile ~ 55 ~

Thank you to the amazing Ruby for the signatures! <3

The conversation began with an update on Mimosa, or lack thereof. The witch was at least grateful for that, clinging to the old adage of no news being good news. Her daughter was still alive, and that was good. As Doctor Desai had told her, it was a process and she would have to be patient.

As soon as she was sat though, His Lordship's tone shifted to one of great seriousness. As he retrieved a letter form his desk to hand to her, Azalea wandered for a wild moment if it was some kind of bill. The letterhead at the top however turned her insides to ice. She was all too familiar with the Murray coat of arms in their glaring lavender and orange hues.

It was perhaps in anticipation if this very reaction that the Lord Clement quietly began to explain the contents of the letter even as her eyes struggled to focus on the text within.

Joshua wanted her back, and was claiming some sort of legal ownership over her. Azalea was no lawyer but she was almost certain a human could not claim ownership of another human being. The closest would be a guardianship but that was for minors...

"It seems that Lord Murray has filed for your lasting power of attorney, to make decisions on your behalf. He did so when you had been... tested to have lost your own mental capacity to make decisions."

Of course, it dawned on her as the man continued. She had only recently learned that she had been under his stewardship for close to a decade previously. And since having learned that, the witch had found no time to process this information. But of course Joshua had made good of his time with her by claiming all autonomy over her.

She needed her best firmed in this moment.

She needed Victoria. Victoria could make it all go away.

As Lord Clement said he did not intend to do what the letter suggested, he witch felt herself sink back into the chair, visibly relieved that she wouldn't have to leave Jake and the children so soon after being reunited with them.

"Should we.. call my dad? I think he knows some lawyers?" Azalea suggested, fumbling for ideas because she had no clue what to do. "Or Jake's sister, she's a really good lawyer but she's in the States. And the travel restrictions won't let her fly over... "

The witch hoped she didn't sound as desperate as she felt, trying to grasp at straws. The nightmare she thought was over now seemed far from done.

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The reaction that came was more than expected. Finding out the man you'd just escaped from was coming after you could not have been a pleasant one, and Azalea held herself well despite the emotions that flashed across her features as he explained the situation. He had delivered the news as gently as he could have in that moment, but he knew it would still not be an easy concept to grasp.

The visible relief when he explained he wouldn't comply to Joshua Murray's wishes was one that made the man feel both sympathetic and uncertain in the same moment. Had the family not shown that they wouldn't allow for these things to happen, or had the witch before him simply worried that Joshua was powerful enough to fight him. Perhaps the witch didn't quite understand just how safe she was in that moment.

A point that was confirmed only a moment later.

"Should we.. call my dad? I think he knows some lawyers?"

It took all the man's power not to show amusement at that statement. The idea of Kit Harrington being able to come to help in this situation showed how truly... out of touch the young witch was with the European world. He held it in, though, instead about to say that Azalea need not worry when a second option came. Louis Clement did not know of Jake's sister's prowess in the legal field, but he doubted that she would be able to match the lawyers Joshua Murray would be readying in Wales right now.

"You don't need to worry Miss... Newbury with this situation." Louis replied, pausing only to see if he had correctly assumed the witch's current relationship status from Azalea's reactions. "Our legal team is already working through the paperwork that needs to be completed to overturn Lord Murray's powers as soon as possible. You may be asked to see one of the doctors for an evaluation of your mental capabilities, but I'm sure they won't need to keep you long to establish your condition is not as Lord Murray suggests."

Louis would not hear any argument to the contrary, either, so if the witch tried to say she could sort this herself, Louis would insist that the Clement family would help until she relented.

The man then turned to another piece of paper, though this time he didn't offer it to Azalea. Louis motioned to it before he began. "I'm sure you will agree with me that an investigation in to how Mimosa was taken from Hogwarts by Lord Murray is necessary." He paused, allowing a moment of agreement to pass from the witch before him. "We have already sent off investigators to establish how and when Mimosa was taken from the castle, and how no member of the teaching staff intervened with him in the process. As of yet, the reports are showing a... lack of security to begin with, and the possibility that Lord Murray used Polyjuice to get past the groundskeeper.

"All in all, we're not going to be able to make the situation not have happened, but we will ensure Hogwarts takes the right steps to ensure it doesn't happen again." Louis explained, his tone conveying that he had no doubt of this. "Which leads me to my next point."

The man's features softened slightly here, taking in the witch before he continued on.

"I am going to have Professor Kessler removed from his position at Hogwarts." He paused, allowing that to sink in before he could continue. "The man has not been well for a number of years, and his absence at the school... has allowed for situations to arise that never should have. The children deserve someone looking after them, looking out for them, and someone who would never allow them to come to any harm."

Louis paused, waiting to see if Azalea would follow his meaning.

"I would like to put forward your name as Headmistress of the school, Miss Harrington. If you would like the position."

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~ Lord Clement ~ Profile ~ 55 ~

Thank you to the amazing Ruby for the signatures! <3

His Lordship's offer to deal with her legal troubles was more than generous, and Azalea was sound of mind enough to know she had no choice but to accept it. Even if she had enough pride to say no - and right now, pride was the farthest thing from her mind, cloaked heavily by fear and desperation and hope for her eldest daughter - the witch understood she had very little options. Joshua was powerful, more powerful than she had ever truly understood. If she stood a chance, she needed an equally powerful ally.

And the Clements seemed up to the task.

Whether they were doing it because of Mimosa, or because they didn't want to see injustice done, Azalea wasn't sure. She was simply profoundly grateful for the situation. At the mention of tests to rove her mental faculties, the brunette merely nodded. It could be very difficult to prove she was no longer the walking doll she had been ten years ago, surely...

The conversation moved to Mimosa's abduction, a subject she wasn't particularly conformable with but at least had no uncertain feelings about. Her daughter had been taken from the school under all the teachers noses and Azalea wanted someone to blame in addition to the man who had done the deed.

When the Frenchman mentioned he planned to have the current Headmaster removed, the witch had to consciously contain herself from asking if that was under the purview of his authority. As far as she knew, those decisions were made by the school board. But then again, if there was anyone in the world who held unquestioned power, it was this man trying to do his best to reassure her that things would be okay.

The agreement she felt rising at his suggestion died in her throat however with his next point. As the head of the Clement family mentioned recommending her for the position of Headmistress, the witch had to make sure she heard him correctly.

"I... I don't believe I am qualified enough for the job, My Lord." in fact, the witch knew she wasn't. She hand't completed her masters, her thesis lay only two thirds completed and she had only just been promoted to Head of Slytherin house. Taking on the role of Headmistress would be... Not on her own merit.

It didn't do to argue with His Lordship however, as he assured her she would be better suited to the job than some of the past Headmasters. Instead Azalea merely listened with her head bowed until they reached the conclusion. With a final few words on Mimosa's impending surgery tomorrow and her regards conveyed to Lady Clement, Azalea left the office far more confused than she had entered it.

Joshua was suing for her custody by trying to prove her an invalid.

The Clements were, for some reason, willing to champion her in her legal tables.

Mimosa would be going into critical surgery tomorrow.

She wouldn't only be able to go to work but possibly be the school Head.

All these thoughts swirled through her head as she mechanically followed a footman back to the guest suites. Azalea made it back just in time to hear loud goodbyes (mostly from Adrienne) being said to Victoria and Jackson before the kids hurried to her, greetings her with hugs and questions.

And cone again, the witch swept all her own feelings aside for the time being, because there were still those who needed her.

Those she could not afford to let down.

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» Shall Never See So Much (Invite only)
» Rebirth (Invite Only)
» We That Are Young (invite only)
» Inevitability (Invite Only)
» Nor Live So Long (invite only)