Inside The Redwood Wand {open}

[Mia Moretti S4]

As the door to The Redwood Wand opened, the bells above it rang out in a sweet- albeit slightly eerie- melody. The two who had opened it entered, both adorned in black cloaks with the hoods drawn tightly over their heads. On entering, the first had cast a quick glance around The Redwood Wand. It was a café of some sort he gathered. Although he rarely entered a place without knowing what or who would be inside, his daughter had insisted the comfortable café would be the perfect place to take shelter from the heavy shower outside, let alone talk in peace. On first impressions it certainly seemed like such a place. It was almost empty, but for a few witches and wizards. Not a goblin in sight; just the way Pascal Moretti liked it. Nasty characters, goblins. Always trying to trick you.

The lounge area of the café was home to several large black armchairs, seated around four giant fireplaces set deep into the brick walls of the café. At the opposite end of the room were a few dark wooden counters and ten or so equally dark wooden tables. The general atmosphere was one of comfort and warmth; Pascal was almost surprised it was so empty.

“See father, didn’t I tell you it was perfect? I’ve been coming here most days I’m in Hogsmeade. Hogwarts students don’t really know about it so there’s no stupid first years- and certainly no-one here is lacking in pureblood, or at least I’ve found.” Mia would have continued, but her father had stopped just a few steps into the spacious room.

“Yes Mia that is all very well. But what is that irritating ringing ?” Pascal’s dark eyes sought for the sound- finding it with a frown. The bells above the door seemed to have broken… they continued with their melody, even though the door was shut long ago. Mia’s father slowly took his wand from inside his dark robes. With a flick and a muttered incantation the bells stopped ringing and a large crack appeared down one side of the largest bell.
“Much better, father.” Mia muttered, aware of the café worker behind the counters, watching them warily. “Shall we continue…?”

The two proceeded towards the back of the room, where they wouldn’t be heard or watched from any of the witches or wizards in The Redwood Wand. They removed their outer cloaks, which were taken by a house elf as soon as Pascal snapped his fingers impatiently, with a mutter of “‘slow service…” .
Mia ignored this, but was careful not to make contact with the servant as he took her cloak from her slender fingers. The two sat by two large black armchairs beside one of the fires, a small coffee table in between them. The café waitress, who had followed them to their seats with her cold eyes, trotted over much like a pony would if you were to offer it some sugar. Mia could see the waitress irritated her father- his furrow creased. Quickly, she ordered for them both; knowing her father only drank one drink in a café and selecting a simple coffee for herself.

It had been a long time since their last official meeting. Sure- it was the holidays now, and they were both living the large house just outside London. But they never sat together, something Mia missed. Lately Pascal had been away on work-related business more than ever, and she missed his presence and harsh wit. He was different, her father- unique. She knew no-one like him and doubted that she ever would. So it was nice when he suggested arranging a coffee, or even sometimes a meal if he had that much time. She of course, would always have time to see him- if she had other plans, she would scrap them. Her father came first; deep down, she felt that he needed her as a daughter. Him arranging this coffee in The Redwood Wand was an example of this, of his subtle want to talk with his daughter.

“So, Mia, how is school? I hope Hogwarts is proving itself worthy. Why, if you had gone to Durmstrang I’m sure I wouldn’t have to ask such a question. But Hogwarts… well you could say it’s had it’s moments in shame, could you not? Certainly, I’m sure.” Pascal nodded to himself, as if his answer to his own question had not been enough. “How are your fellow classmates treating you?” He added curiously.

Before she had time to answer, a house elf apparated directly beside them. It was clutching a piece of parchment between it’s grubby fingers, which it presented to Pascal. Mia’s father took it, taking it in a way similar to that of Mia’s when she gave the elf her cloak.
His dark eyes scanned the words of the parchment quickly. “Cloak!” He ordered, and within seconds the elf had given his cloak to him and it was wrapped around him once more. “Sorry, honey. I have to go- Ministry business. Another time, Mia.”

And with that, he was gone, leaving Mia sitting by the roaring fire, all alone.

[Randy Kerr]

“Hold still!” Elizabeth insisted as she brushed gold shadow on Randy’s eye-lids. Randy resisted at first but then sighed. ‘Mum, I know how to put make-up on myself!’ that is what Randy wanted to say but she couldn’t. Randy let her mother think that she was this perfect, obeying, loving girl. It was easier for Randy to do what she pleased if she gave in to Elizabeth’s wishes to her face. Plus, Randy didn’t want to fight with her parents. They fought with each other as much as it was. Their relationship had ended years before and they both moved on, but they still found things to argue about. Until Randy’s seventeenth birthday, they both have custody of her and loved to fight over her. But now, Randy didn’t have to bother with that. She visited her dad as often as he wanted and that was good enough. Randy knew they only wanted to fight about her because they could. It wasn’t like they were really fighting over her and her company. Nope, both of them had pushed her aside years before. They simply wanted to fight and it was the most annoying thing in the world. They would never realize that Randy wasn’t a toy, but she didn’t care. She was done being their plaything. She was grown up now and she could take care of herself just like she did as a kid.

“So where are you meeting him and why?” Elizabeth asked with her hands on her hips like a five year old. “At the Redwood Wand and because it’s our favorite place.” Tonight Randy was going on her second date with Calder Shipp, son of Lennon Shipp. Lennon was Randy’s father, Logan’s, business partner. And since Elizabeth loved to set up Randy on dates she agreed with it this time. But only because Randy was good friends with Calder and she knew that she wasn’t his type. His type was a lot manlier if you catch my drift. So she figured another ‘date’ with him would make her folks happy and allow them to feel better about Randy and her dating life. Plus, Randy got to spend time with a good friend so it was really a win, win. She eyed her mother and sighed at the look on her face. “You know, it’s a nice place and there aren’t many people there.” “But why isn’t he picking you up here?” Randy sighed. “I can apparate myself.” Elizabeth sighed and finally gave in half-heartedly. She was just glad that her daughter liked Calder enough to go on a second date. Usually, Randy stopped anything past the first.

“No! No! No!” Elizabeth exclaimed while pushing Randy’s suede boots away from her hands. She handed her the black Jimmy Choos. Randy sighed and grabbed them. If she had it her way, she would leave the house with her messy yet perfect hair, shrunken leather jacket, skinny jeans, and boots. But Elizabeth wasn’t about to let that happen. On her watch, her perfect daughter had to look pristine. Randy liked to throw stuff on and see how it looked usually, but when she was around her mother she had to look perfect. So, Randy took the outfit her mother insisted on and changed. She even let Elizabeth straighten her usually messy hair. Randy sighed. Why was she doing this for a gay guy? Oh well. Calder would probably take her to a club after dinner so at least she looked good for that. She smiled lightly at the sleak black and black lace dress that she was wearing. Elizabeth did have good taste even if she was annoying. “Bye mum.” Randy said giving her mum a peck on both cheeks. Elizabeth beamed. “Have fun Miranda.” And with that Randy popped away.

Randy smiled as she popped in the entry room of the Redwood wand. It was pouring outside so she was glad that she had avoided that. The place was nice and pretty empty for the night it seemed. “Welcome Miss Kerr.” One attendant smiled to Randy who was a frequent visitor. “Hi Randall.” She said nicely. “You’re usual table?” He asked. Randy nodded. “Set for two please.” He nodded, and motioned to a house elf who immediately got started on the table. Randy nodded as Randall escorted her to the table in a room toward the back. The only two people in the room were a father and daughter. Randy eyed the two. When was the last time she spent actual quality time with her father? Usually she just went over to his mansion and tried to avoid her step-mother and half-brother. Randy and her father had nothing to say to each other. They never had because Logan knew that Randy was a lot like her mother in the old days except for the fact that Randy could to without her complicated, rich life. While Elizabeth couldn’t live without it. Randy watched as the father received a letter, read it and then darted off. Leaving the girl on her own. Randy felt a little remorse for the girl knowing what she felt. In the old days when she even tried to spend time with her father, it would end just like that. “Yea, that has happened to me before. Isn’t the best feeling in the world, but I’ve come accustomed to it.” She said nicely toward the girl. She simply felt the need to speak. “But my father usually leaves in more of a hurry. It often looks like he is running away from me which he probably is. But, whatever.” Randy shrugged not knowing if this would make the girl feel any better or not but she was just trying to be polite no matter how the girl would act. Randy did care if she accepted her presence or not. She was well adapted that way.

[Mia Moretti S4]

He was gone- just like that. In an instant he was out the doors, his black cloak billowing out behind him and the waitress’s eyes following him with a look of relief in them that she didn’t even bother to hide. Mia’s father-daughter heart-to-heart was shredded to pieces in seconds; apparently without care. What has Pascal said it was? Work. Ministry business- of course. Mia scowled, fighting with her mind and heart. Her mind was telling her that the ministry work was very important; it certainly didn’t mean that Pascal didn’t love his daughter as much as he always had. And it certainly didn’t support her earlier theory that he was keeping something from his daughter. It was just that; ministry work. Good old ministry work.

But, exempt from the thoughts of her mind, the feelings from her heart were telling her a different story- the one about the man who didn’t trust his daughter enough to confide in her about his goings-on. This was a story about the daughter whose love for her father was unrequited. No! She couldn’t let herself think such things. Pascal loved her! She knew it. Or at least… she did, once. Lately his strange behaviour and letters had made her doubt the once fool-proof fact. Had she done something to displease Pascal? Had anything bad happened and he had somehow traced it to her? She sought for the answer, but knew there wasn’t one in her own head, only in his. She was a good daughter, she knew that much. Her views mirrored that of her fathers’. Her grades were good, some even brilliant. She hadn’t befriended anyone that she knew Pascal to dislike, and she certainly wasn’t making contacts with any muggles.

So what could it be? Her mind flashed back to the journey home from Hogwarts on the Hogwarts Express, when the ludicrous thought of Pascal having a girlfriend came into Mia’s head. But now, after this latest incident, Mia’s theory didn’t seem so laughable. Mia knew that in their earlier meetings over the last few years, Ministry letters had come a few times and Pascal had ignored them every time. Plus, it was five years since Mia’s mother left…

Mia’s train of thought snapped in two, much like this meeting with her father, as a voice broke into her conscience. An older girl with a distantly familiar face was speaking to her. Mia hadn’t notice her enter The Redwood Wand, especially now that the entrance bells had been cracked and therefore broken by Pascal’s own redwood wand. On failing to place a name to the girl’s face, Mia focused on what the witch was saying. Some talk about her own father apparently. But wait… the words ‘running away’ crept into Mia’s ears like poison. Running away! How dare the girl even suggest that Pascal be so weak as to run away!

“My father does not run away from anything.” Mia retorted coldly, glancing up to look directly into the eyes of the girl. Her eyes were as icy as her tone. But… Mia wasn’t in the mood for an argument, and she certainly didn’t want to be the foolish little fourth year who tried to outsmart an older student.
So as Mia continued to answer the girl, her tone became a little softer- although the obvious fact remained that she didn’t know one thing about this newcomer; and as a result the slightly hostile touch remained in her dark eyes, so like her father’s.

“He was merely needed… elsewhere. A dutiful daughter will not be angry or resentful when a father is called away for business which will soon benefit the daughter herself…” The words came to Mia’s head, an echo from a long-ago lecture on obedience, from a long-ago house-keeper or nanny. She watched the girl curiously. She sensed no hostility from her… perhaps it would do no harm to talk a little more with her. “I don’t think father wants to run away… but sometimes situations are hard to pull through. And my father he is a great man and wizard. I fear… I fear that he has news for me which I do not like. It is only his love for me that makes the situation difficult to talk about…” Mia’s voice faded out, now talking more to herself than the girl. It was true, she realised. Her earlier struggles to find answer could have been summed up by these few hesitant sentences. Risking a smile- something she never would have shown to someone so new and friendly- Mia realised that the waitress had brought over her coffee and sipped it, taking the pain from it’s heat as a much-needed distraction from this unexpected kindness in the smile she had shown.

[Randy Kerr]

Randy eyed the younger girl. Being left alone was defiantly something that Randy could relate to, but she knew that every situation was different. Randy was used to it though. She was used to being without her parents and had actually learned to relish her time alone. She didn’t need them to feel at home. Actually the only place she had ever called home was Hogwarts. Maybe Elizabeth and Logan’s split was for the best. After all, if the both of them had raised her together, she would probably be insane by now or at least getting there. But every situation was different. This girl’s life could be nothing like Randy’s. But Randy did feel like she could relate to her in a way even if they really had nothing in common. Randy eyed her watch. Where was Calder? Oh well it didn’t matter much. They would probably just grab a quick bite before heading off to a club which was perfectly fine with Randy. She smiled to herself thinking about her mum. In her head she was probably already making wedding arrangements. Ha. Oh well. Randy was having a little fun with the fact that Calder was gay and her mum thought they were perfect together. Randy had no problem rebelling right behind her parent’s backs. In fact, she was finding it less and less challenging to rebel in front of them. Randy would never be the perfect daughter and she wouldn’t claim to be.

Randall came back over and Randy ordered a glass of her favorite white wine and the glanced over at the girl again as she waited. She seemed offended by what Randy said. She hadn’t meant to offend her that was for sure. Randy shook her head. “I didn’t say your father does. Sorry if that came out wrong. I do that a lot.” She said a fast apology. Randy hated to offend people especially when she wasn’t even trying to. “Let’s just hope your father is nothing like mine because if he is, God help you.” Logan used to be quiet and docile, but with the rise of his company, so his confidence rose as well. So what he used to care about, his wife and daughter meant nothing to him. And they continued to mean nothing to him when he got a new wife and a son. So Randy wasn’t about to defend him. Why would you defend someone that doesn’t want you? Randy looked to the girl. Probably a Slytherin maybe a Ravenclaw if she was one of those Slytherin off-spring who insisted on Ravenclaw, but most likely Slytherin. She didn’t seem too friendly for the moment but that could have been Randy’s fault. After all, she had totally said the wrong thing. Oh well. She didn’t mean any harm.

Randy nodded at her next statements. Yep, that was defiantly a Slytherin girl talking no doubt about it. Randy heard what she was saying but she didn’t like a bit of it. A good daughter shouldn’t be angry for her father leaving? If that was true than Randy wasn’t a good daughter at all, but then again she already knew that. “When I was a kid I didn’t umm..care about the future and the money. I just wanted a dad.” Randy was deep in thought no as she thought about her childhood memories. She broke from her trance and shook her head. “Shouldn’t have said that..” She muttered. Randy didn’t know this girl at all, but the words sort of let themselves out. She couldn’t stop them. Randy’s wine was brought out and she took a sip and still looked to the younger girl. Randy nodded. The girl was concerned for her father it seemed and she really cared about him. “Yea I didn’t mean to intrude sorry. For some reason you sitting there reminded me of myself a few years ago.” She shook her head. “But I’m sure your father doesn’t have another family so you probably don’t have a reason to resent him like I have reason for my father.” Randy felt no shame in saying what she just did. When he left and moved, it felt like Logan found something better. She felt betrayed and she felt no remorse in sharing that with the rest of the world. Randy shook her head and eyed the younger girl. “I’m Randy Kerr by the way.” She introduced herself before eyeing the door for any sign of Calder. Nope.

[Mia Moretti S4]

Mia had no idea how the older girl would respond to what she had said. She almost felt embarrassed at having given away so much- Mia never did such a thing. It was seen as stupid in her eyes, trusting someone she didn’t know with such information. Who knows who this girl could be? A distant thought in Mia’s head told her that she had seen her at school before… but she didn’t linger on this notion. It didn’t matter who the girl was now. Although this was something Mia rarely decided on, bloodlines and heritage meaning a lot to her normally. It wasn’t that she hated anyone who wasn’t pureblood… she just got on better with those that were. A lot better. After all; if you were pureblood, you were obviously better. And Mia liked to be with the best. Her father, after all, had brought her up that way. Always make yourself known with the better (pureblood) families or fellow classmates. Never disrespect those that have connections or are older than you. Lessons well learnt, Mia smiled slightly.
But this girl before her; she didn’t know if was half-blood, muggle-born or pureblood. And for once, just once, Mia didn’t care. The atmosphere of calm tranquillity in The Redwood Wand that had always seemed, to Mia, as simply quiet, now became more than that. It made it easier for her to talk. It felt almost like a dream, as though no-one outside of the café would hear what she told this other student. It was just between them. Of course Mia wasn’t foolish enough to go blurting out her life story even in such a situation. But it comforted her to know that perhaps this area was more secluded than most, and would allow them a little more privacy; should Mia want to divulge any more theories about her father in the new girl.
Who, Mia now noticed, was looking at her watch. Was Mia being boring? Did the girl want to leave already? Hold on- why did Mia care if this girl thought she was boring? She’d never cared about such things before. The new thoughts going through Mia’s mind didn’t please her, and she quickly ignored the fact that the girl obviously couldn’t wait to leave her company. Glancing down at her own thin silver watch, Mia noted the time. It hadn’t been long since Pascal and his daughter had even stepped through the doors to The Redwood Wand, but it seemed like hours to Mia somehow.

The Slytherin watched as the waitress returned. The girl seemed to be familiar with the waitress, and Mia couldn’t hold her brow down as it raised slightly, studying the waitress. The thought of bonding or making conversation; or even knowing the name of someone who was serving her in some way, had never come to Mia. She guessed it could be a way the girl made friends. This was unfamiliar to Mia also; why be friends with those that serve you- i.e., your servants? It seemed like a completely new concept.
The girl ordered a glass of wine, which made Mia more aware of her age, and then returned to her company. Her apology surprised Mia… it was unusual to get an apology from someone so much older. The girl told Mia that she often said things that came out wrong; something which also seemed odd to the Slytherin. Why say something if you don’t yet know how it shall come out or be received? Why not plan what you say first and suffer no regret? But Mia nodded slightly at the apology. She wasn’t sure how to accept it, but hopefully this nod indicated that she took no offence. Not anymore.

The other girl’s father seemed interesting. What had he done that was so unacceptable? Mia wouldn’t dream of speaking in such a manner about her father. But instead of being embarrassed or similar because of the girl’s way of speaking about her family member, Mia (for a reason unknown to her) somehow admired the boldness in the girl’s voice. The comment to her father was said so easily, so simply. Mia wanted to ask what the girl’s father had done that was so terrible but felt that she wasn’t in a position to do so, so kept quiet for the moment.

“…I didn’t care about the future and the money. I just wanted a dad”. The words came to Mia and she paused, her coffee midair, at the words. How could you not care about the future? Could you be that foolish? Looking at the future in a different manner, no doubt the way this girl did, was also a notion that was unfamiliar to Mia. The only way she saw her future was with her father. That was it. He was her only family, her only connection to herself in a way. She had no best friends who she could call ‘family’, as she knew many at school did. A memory came to Mia. A memory of… of her sister, Talia, speaking about a boy in third year, the year above her then, who was such good friends with Talia that she talked about him as though they knew everything about each other; much like a family. Mia’s brow creased at the thought of Talia. She never thought of her dead sister, and she certainly didn’t wish to now.

To change the topic in her mind, she returned to the girl’s earlier statement. “I don’t really understand how you can feel that way about the future. For me, I do not care about money… I think… I think because it’s always been there. I care about the future- but I care about the future that I want with my father. I would not care for it without him… without him there isn’t really a future to look forward to.” Sure you thought that before all his strange behaviour… but is that really true? Mia ignored the thought; something she had been doing a lot of lately. She listened as the girl spoke again.
“No… that’s okay. I guess I have invited you to intrude by saying all of that earlier.” She paused. “No. My father certainly does not have another family, of that I am sure. I do not resent him in the slightest. He and I… we love each other.” As she said this, she imagined the girl’s disbelief. After all; if you didn’t know Pascal, his performance abandoning Mia not long ago would be a perfect example of unrequited love.

But the girl’s comment on another family gave Mia a small insight to what her father had done that was so terrible. Mia didn’t comment on this, feeling again she wasn’t in the right place to. She merely nodded very slightly and took another sip of her coffee. She hadn’t expected the girl to introduce herself; by doing so, it made Mia expect a longer conversation than what had already been said. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. Perhaps it would be good to speak to another witch who wasn’t a maid or cook. Randy Kerr… the name was certainly familiar. Mia allowed her lips to curve into a tiny, hesitant smile, before they replied. “Nice to meet you.” She said it out of politeness, but her mind told her it was true. It was quite nice to meet Randy. “I am Mia. Are you… are you waiting for someone?” For Mia had noticed again how Randy seemed to want to leave, although she stayed with Mia. Mia certainly didn’t want Randy to stay just because otherwise she would be alone; it would mean that Randy saw a weakness in the Slytherin, and that alone would be shameful.

[Randy Kerr]

Randy took a sip of her wine and didn’t look up to the younger girl. No, she was deep in thought now. Randy couldn’t help but realize how different her life was from this girl’s. And she didn’t even have to ask about her life; Randy just knew that they were different. Randy didn’t consider her family her real family. Her friends at Hogwarts were more of her family than her parents were. Actually Randy could run away to a foreign country at that very moment and feel no remorse for leaving her parents. They wouldn’t care anyways. They simply loved to argue over Randy. They could care less about loving her. As long as she wasn’t a disappointment, they were happy. Randy’s parents weren’t her family at all and it would always be like that. Randy couldn’t change the past nor would she. If her parents had been together when she was a child she probably would have become as much of a snob as her mother. So Randy was perfectly happy with the fact that she was different. She looked up and eyed the younger girl. Randy didn’t know much about her family situation but Randy felt slightly sad for her. She hated seeing people sad or upset even if they weren’t trying to show it. That was just the way Randy was.

Randy wondered where Calder was, but whatever. She couldn’t make him arrive any faster. Besides, Randy didn’t mind talking top this younger girl. There situations were similar even if she was nothing like Randy was at that age. Randy was naïve. She was the pretty, bright-eyed blonde who wanted everything to be simple. She enjoyed the little things like swimming in the lake and hanging out with her friends. This girl didn’t remind Randy of her old self at all but she could be wrong. But Randy wasn’t exactly the girl she used to be. She was more mature in ways and not in other, but that was simply Randy. She always wanted to be like Peter Pan. You know, never grow up. And for years she claimed that she never would, but she did and she couldn’t stop it. Randy sighed as she shook her head and tried to forget the past. Tonight wasn’t about that. Tonight was about having fun which was something Randy was perfectly okay with. She took another small sip of her wine and looked back to the younger. She didn’t know what the girl was thinking. The girl could hate Randy already for all she knew. But Randy didn’t care much. She just wanted someone to talk to. She didn’t care how they felt about her.

Randy smiled slightly at the girl’s words. She really cared for her father in a way that Randy couldn’t understand. Logan never showed her real love. He left and showed his then girlfriend and new son real love. He never cared much to show it to Randy so Randy didn’t care much about him and that was just the way it was. She wished she cared about her dad, but there wasn’t a reason to. After being let down so many times Randy simple got tired of getting her hopes up so she just stopped having them. She moved away from being the cute daughter and moved into her own little fantasy world. Randy shook her head and smiled slightly when the girl said she didn’t understand why Randy felt the way she did about her future. “I’m not like most girls..” She murmured not really meaning that for the younger girl, more for herself. “I envy you.” Randy said simply. She didn’t mind saying it and she wasn’t about to take her words back. “I don’t have to have a future with my parents and that’s just the way it is. I mean I grew up in a comfortable world to say the least. They gave me everything I wanted in more, but that’ all they gave me.” It was more complex than Randy was willing to explain but she hoped the girl understood.

Randy nodded when she said that her father didn’t have another family. “Well, that’s good. My father does, in fact I believe my half brother is about your age now at Hogwarts. But I avoid him the best I can so I really know nothing about him.” She shook her head. What was his name again? Erm..Landon. Randy really tried to block out any memory of her brother and step-mother from her life. She didn’t want or need them around and so they weren’t. Randy thought back to the image of her father leaving. She didn’t exactly feel the love in that moment but that didn’t mean it wasn’t there. Mia. Good to know the name. Randy eyed her. She wasn’t sure if Mia looked comfortable with this conversation but Randy could try and change that, right. She nodded. “Nice to meet you too.” Mia asked if she was waiting for someone. Randy nodded again and smiled slightly. “Yea, Calder. He’s kind of a funny story.” And she would tell it whether Mia liked it or not. “My mother set me up on a date. You know, she wants me to marry well, but Calder is a good friend and he’s very gay but she has no idea.” She smiled and shook her head. “So this way, I can have fun with my friend and avoid the whole awkward date thing. And my mom’s happy and I get to deceive her. It’s a win, win, win.” Randy smiled. Well, it was. She eyed Mia wondering what the girl would have to say about that.

((Sorry for the wait. Finally got some inspiration for Randy.))