island in the sun [hazel]

[IVY BURKE]

December Holiday Break 2025

When Hazel had suggested a holiday late last month, Ivy had immediately agreed. They hadn't even thought to include their brother in their plans, but that didn't matter. It was more likely that Asher would refuse them anyways. Ordinarily, the three Burke children would dutifully return to Cape Town to visit their doting parents, but now that they were grown adults, Ivy was utterly bored with that. She loved the family that had taken her in from a young age, who had always accepted her no matter what name she wore, but a holiday alone with Hazel was much more tempting.

Ivy had suggested Crete as a destination - it was steeped in ancient magical history, and rumoured to house alchemical metals. It suited the interests of both her and Hazel. In mere days, the two had planned and booked places to stay that were far removed from muggle society but still close enough to a beach to equal a holiday. While December in the northern hemisphere equated to chilly winters, Crete still had a measure of warmth and with the added magical charms the pair had added to their holiday home, it was positively pleasant.

A magically stifled gust of wind lifted Ivy's curly hair from her shoulders as she stepped out onto the balcony, breathing in the sea air. Only the occasional chirping of a bird sliced through the silence of the morning, and if Ivy hadn't been a witch she would have suspected that there was magic afoot on this island. She propped her elbows on the railing, gazing out at the serenity for the sea. She revelled in the near silence, which she was sure would be broken as soon as Hazel awoke. For now, she could muse over what exactly Crete had that made it so special.

Hazel Rosalie Burke

[Hazel Rosalie Burke]

Holiday Break, December 2025

It had been a late night, and Hazel was still recovering the next morning. But could you really blame a girl? She and Ivy were on vacation, after all, and in Crete no less! Even in the middle of winter, the days were warm, the beach was inviting, and the people here were absolutely gorgeous. Hazel couldn’t help but indulge, especially with the looming knowledge that they were due to return to Hogwarts soon, and then all three of those things would disappear. Even better, while they were on vacation, there’d be no hint of their overbearing older brother, their stuffy parents, or the ridiculously boring topics they liked to discuss – preserving the nobility of the blood line, wizarding politics, or speculation about the future fates of their children. Now, the society gossip was something Hazel did miss, but that would all be there by the time they got back!

She and Ivy undoubtedly had different interests when it came to Crete, but they still did everything together. During the day, they’d lounge on the beach or visit old historical sites that boasted impressive magical achievements. Advancements in the theory behind magic for Ivy, and impressive alchemical advances for Hazel. And during the night, they’d travel between all the hottest parties they could find, bonfires on the beach or tightly packed clubs. Hazel was rather careless about who she ended up with, or even where or how many. Those tiny little details didn’t matter to her. It had been one of those nights, but inevitably the sun had to come up and Hazel had to confront the consequences – usually in the form of a killer hangover.

When she did finally wake up, Hazel hissed at the sunlight as she blearily stumbled through the holiday home she and Ivy had decked out. “Shhh,” she scolded herself, absentmindedly waving her hand in complaint as she bumped into a door and it shut loudly. She could guess where Ivy had gone, because her sister was undoubtedly a woman of routine and loved to spend her mornings on the balcony to admire the view. Hazel grumpily maneuvered her way through the doors and joined Ivy, ignoring the magnificent view in favor of leaning against the railing and putting her head in her hands. “What in the name of Merlin’s wand do you do out here?” she grumbled, wincing at the bright light.

IVY BURKE

[IVY BURKE]

Hazel joined Ivy on the balcony, bleary and grouchy as Ivy had expected. It had been a late night for the younger Burke girl, and even though Ivy had chided her about responsibility, Hazel rarely listened to her sense of responsibility. "You should have had more water when you came in," said Ivy imperiously, lifting her wand and summoning a pint of water from the kitchen. She thrust the glass into her sister's hand, before returning her attention to the serenity of the beach sprawled out before them.

"We spend almost all year up in the frozen armpit of Scotland. I miss the beach and the sea," Ivy admitted. The waves cresting and crashing onto the white sand of the beach reminded her irresistibly of Llandudno beach back home. Though she and Hazel were similar in many ways - from their taste in fashion, interest in all things feminine and attitude towards muggles, the girls differed on what brought them peace. For Ivy, she preferred a morning taking in the scenery, drinking in coffee and the morning dew. Hazel preferred a night wedged between multiple different bodies, imbibing poison and admiring all things shiny. Despite their differences, the girls were immeasurably close. They both loved to gang up on their boring older brother.

"You've got to stop drinking so much of that shit, you're going to make yourself useless," said Ivy after a long pause. "Though I suppose we can sacrifice a day to sunbathing and lazing about. Does that sound amenable to you?" she continued, shooting Hazel a knowing glance.

Hazel Rosalie Burke

[Hazel Rosalie Burke]

It truly was amazing that Ivy hadn’t turned out as boring as Asher, Hazel grumpily thought to herself as Ivy scolded her for not drinking enough water. It would’ve been very easy to bring about that disastrous result, as the two older Burkes had the same sense of responsibility and rather sophisticated way of viewing the world. They took the Purifier cause immensely serious, not to mention the roles they played in that enterprise, and took great care not to look like fools in front of polite society. And Hazel – well, she just didn’t care. It had never truly mattered what the masses thought of her, because really they wouldn’t know good style if it slapped them in the face, and it had always been effortless to win over the people who actually mattered. But Ivy and Asher had always been so careful about their images, and Hazel knew how they looked – mature, contemplative young adults that thought through their actions carefully. Still, in all the ways that mattered – Ivy was clearly superior to their older brother. She had an effortless sense of fashion and grace, knew how to have fun, and didn’t try to turn Hazel into something she wasn’t (that would be breaking the laws of alchemy and nature, after all). She didn’t nag about marriage or image, and any scolding she did try was ultimately for Hazel’s own good. That’s why the youngest Burke sipped the water Ivy had levitated from the kitchen, even as she muttered rebelliously into her glass, “I’d rather have a margarita.”

Her head began to clear the more she worked her way through the glass, although Hazel still wrinkled her nose and moaned into her hands at the bright light and sound of birds chirping. Merlin and Morgana, who could possibly be so cheerful in the morning? Hazel wanted to get her wand out, or maybe even better just go back inside, but she listened to Ivy’s thoughtful observations silently. “Hey, you’re the one who decided to go to Scotland’s frozen armpit. I suggested Castelobruxo, but did we end up in the Brazilian jungle with sunlight and a few gorgeous bombshells? No, we’re in bloody Scotland instead,” Hazel complained as she finished her water and carelessly flicked her wand in the sort-of direction of the table on the balcony. It was a rough landing, but there was no sound of broken glass to suggest her levitating charm had missed, so she didn’t turn around.

Hazel pouted at Ivy’s proclamation – she was not useless, thank you very much, and did some of her best thinking while she was thoroughly plastered. It had only been after several shots, after all, that Hazel had begun to conceptualize her latest alchemical working, and she was generous enough to give credit where it was due. Violently pink fruity cocktails, in this case. Hazel turned up her nose at Ivy as she responded loftily, “It’s all part of the creative process, babe. Don’t question my methods and I won’t question yours.” She couldn’t keep up the pretense for long, and she smiled instantly. Not her usual mischievous or flirty smirks, either. No, this one was positively wicked as she exchanged a knowing look with her sister. “Besides, I’ve got a brilliant new idea now. Seems like a day of laying sprawled on the beach is the only way to coax it out.”

IVY BURKE

[IVY BURKE]

Ivy smirked at Hazel's grumble about rather having a margarita. In truth, since they were on holidays, Ivy would be inclined to agree. "Well, maybe that can be the next one can be a margarita. Hair of the dog. But at least don't blame me when you feel shit later," she replied easily. She observed that Scotland was freezing, to which Hazel heartily agreed. "Well, Hogwarts has a much better reputation," replied Ivy, as if was so simple. Hogwarts was known for providing some of the best education in the world - even if it was freezing cold. "At least we have better access to Europe. Like this," she added, glancing sidelong at her sister.

Chiding Hazel for her frivolous activity was a common pastime for Ivy, and today was no exception. She arched a brow, fixing her dark gaze on her sister. "But you do question mine," Ivy pointed out with a faint smirk. "When you're complaining about how if I keep up being boring, I'll end up like Asher. Truly, you break my heart," said Ivy, clutching at her chest.

Ivy suggested they spend the day on the beach and Hazel agreed. "What better way to mediate than on a beach?" said Ivy, finishing off her coffee and returning to the bedroom to change. The pair chattered idly, Ivy ignoring all mention of being hungover from her sister as they prepared to head down to the beach. As a finishing touch, Ivy placed a huge, floppy hat on her head and pushed a pair of oversized sunglasses up her nose. "Reckon we'll be unrecognisable," said Ivy with a chuckle. "Now, did you actually want a margarita? Or was that just a wild dream."

Hazel Rosalie Burke

[Hazel Rosalie Burke]

Merlin and Morgana, it was too early in the morning for logic. Hazel grumbled out something to this effect, although she wasn’t sure how much Ivy would have gotten from it. They were on vacation, and logic and reason were two things that belonged at work and not on the beach. “I came here to feel like shit later,” Hazel pointed out, although it came out more like the rebellious answer a teenager would give than any real attempt at convincing her sister otherwise. Life was dreadfully boring when you passed through it all clear-headed, and that slight buzz when you were on the edge between tipsy and falling over into something more? Hazel lived for those moments. It was the best way to enjoy everything around you, without worrying about what came later. And if she was hit by a stroke of inspiration in her alchemical work? All the better.

At least Ivy had a point about being close to Europe. It took ages to get anywhere from South Africa, even with the help of magical transportation. Then you had to worry about permits, and not being spotted by Muggles, and it was enough of a hassle that their parents had avoided it altogether while the kids had been young. Now at least, Hazel’s only limitation was not being able to go out on a school night. But these glamorous vacations with Ivy more than made up for the drudgery of Hogwarts the rest of the time. Hazel didn’t comment about Hogwarts’ reputation, because really who cared? All schools were the same, and it didn’t make any difference to her whether her academic credentials were enhanced by the school’s image. Instead, she smirked at Ivy as her sister rightfully mentioned Hazel constantly questioning her methods. “Well that’s just for your own good. Can you imagine Asher taking the stick out of his ass long enough to enjoy the beach?”

The thought of their brother taking a vacation was laughable, because Asher didn’t even so much as order a drink unless it came with a heaping side of business and murmured dealings with other purebloods. Hazel couldn’t guess exactly what went through his head – something something underground dueling, something something destroying all fun and enjoyable things in the world. And probably a heated opinion about whatever bland hobbies he enjoyed when he wasn’t at his club – counting Galleons, maybe, or complaining about the other Department Heads at the Ministry. Hazel beamed at her sister’s final question. “See Ives? This is what keeps the hope alive that you aren’t turning into Asher.” Hazel linked arms with her sister and promptly ignored the rest of the water pitcher that Ivy had brought. “We need some margaritas right now or I’ll lose this idea!”

IVY BURKE

[IVY BURKE]

Ivy couldn't help but roll her eyes at Hazel's petulance, but she was amused all the same. She snorted at Hazel's next observation. "I think that thing is so deeply lodged in there, it will be impossible to get out," she replied. Pushing her oversized sunglasses up her nose, Ivy's dirty look was hidden. "Never say that again, you wretched girl," said Ivy in her best impression of Asher. "If I end up like him I swear to you, you've got to set me straight. Deal?" said Ivy, before sashaying back into the bedroom to prepare herself for the day.

"Double shots of tequila in those margs, Hazel!" she called over her shoulder to her sister, ready to spend a day in the sun.

[end]

[Hazel Rosalie Burke]

Hazel nodded wisely at Ivy’s observation about their brother. But she couldn’t complain too much about it, because Asher being a stick in the mud and a good responsible pureblood took a lot of pressure off her. He was still unmarried, and the only male heir, and that was all their mum cared about for the moment. Asher got all the attention from their parents in all the dull and boring subjects – marriage, family business, making Galleons. As for Hazel? She was just fine with dazzling Mummy and Daddy with fantastic stories when she went to visit once a year and let them take care of everything else. As long as Asher insisted on being stubborn, they hardly cared about their youngest child. She didn’t mind that at all.

“You could start by setting that textbook you brought on fire,” Hazel called out after her sister as she sashayed back through the elegant balcony and into the lovely flat they were renting for their holiday. She couldn’t believe Ivy had brought ‘light reading’ of any kind on their trip, especially when that actually meant a heavy textbook that had probably never seen the light of day before Ivy had removed it to the library. Hazel was quite proud to say she hadn’t read two sentences since they’d hit the beach, and she rolled her eyes at her sister’s antics as she followed her back inside. Her trademark smirk appeared on her face at Ivy’s final words, and Hazel lazily swished her wand to choose her outfit for the day as she peeked outside at the rising sun. New day, new opportunity. And absolutely zero thoughts of their dull brother allowed.

IVY BURKE
[End post Hazel!]