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diana eoina bainbridge
HOGWARTS ALUM METAMORPHMAGUS OCCLUMENS CURSE SPECIALIST
158 posts
played by vanessa
If I told you that a flower bloomed in a dark room, would you trust it?
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last online May 15, 2024 20:44:18 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Oct 14, 2021 21:24:45 GMT -7
Post by diana eoina bainbridge on Oct 14, 2021 21:24:45 GMT -7
Everybody knowing that what We'd invited still remains when we're gone The smell of smoke was thick and burned Diana’s nose and eyes. Her hair was dark and covered with ash and soot. Even if she’d wanted to make it bright pink, you’d hardly be able to see it. But, she was also scared, and, much to other Purifier’s disappointment, she could hardly disconnect how her abilities connected to her emotions. Kids were coming out of the Entrance Hall, and Diana ran past them, bumping shoulders with panicked kids. Inside she could see flames and a cloud of thick smoke coming out of the dungeons. Her heart skipped a beat in panic even though she’d been told by one of Penelope’s friends because she was back inside and not in the Common Room.
Kids were still running, tripping over small amounts of rubble, and Diana helped one kid up who had fallen flat on his face with great force. Looked to be about a second-year—a Hufflepuff. Since she was down here, she’d check the Entrance Hall first. Diana pushed past more kids and immediately paused. There were still kids present in here…but they weren’t moving. Had Diana not been a Purifier, she would’ve been more shocked, but this had the hallmarks of being part of Elaine’s plan. Still—she didn’t say anything as she looked around for those familiar blonde heads. ”Penelope?” She walked to the left toward the Hufflepuff table and kept looking around but didn’t see her or her sisters.
There was a feeling of mixed defeat and fear in her chest, and she exited the Great Hall and ran up the staircase for the first floor. Maybe she was stuck in the Hospital Wing for some reason? Again she just saw more kids, though there were far less up here and more smoke than anything. Looking right, she saw a few open classroom doors with flames beginning to creep around the doorframe. With her wand out, she walked down the corridor to her left, frantically looking through the classroom doorways and using whatever charm or hex off the top of her head to open the locked doors. ”Persephone? Penelope?” This was only the first floor, Hogwarts was such a massive place, but she needed to find them. Elaine had taken so much from her already, she would not let her take more.
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penelope raisa bainbridge
HOGWARTS ALUM FORGET-ME-KNOT FLORIST CASHIER ABILITY DETECTION
230 posts
played by Audrey
What if Cinderella had to save herself?
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last online May 20, 2024 13:45:45 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Oct 14, 2021 22:25:19 GMT -7
Post by penelope raisa bainbridge on Oct 14, 2021 22:25:19 GMT -7
May 15, 2026 Being a triplet, Penelope didn't like being split up from Peyton and Persephone for very long, but she knew that she needed to run back inside the castle to help some of the younger students, in particular. She didn't think that she, her sisters, and Max Greyback were the only ones who had ended up someplace other than the Great Hall, and she had made it her mission to check as much of the castle as she still could for anyone who couldn't get out without assistance.
With the added benefit of having had enough time to put Bubble-Head Charm on before working her way through the crowds of people who were trying to make their way out of the building, Penelope made it inside again. Already, the castle didn't look at all as it had earlier in the day, but she tried not to think about it too much as she made it up the stairs to the first floor. She was going to try to go as high as she could for as long as the moving staircases were there, but she didn't want to run the risk of having no way down. The fire seemed to have started from below, but Penelope knew well enough to know that heat rose. Anyone who was stuck on the upper floors would be at the greatest risk, but it would be difficult for her to try to rescue them without so much as a broomstick.
If they were going to need anything, it dawned on her, they were going to need first aid supplies. The Magical First Aid classroom was on the first floor. She could gather up as much as possible and take it with her, couldn't she? And it would be useful if anyone needed it on the way down, too. Finding the room still accessible and the door unlocked amidst the smoke, Penelope worked quickly to grab everything that might be of use and put it in her school bag.
"Persephone? Penelope?"
Penelope had just opened a cabinet to see what she could find when she heard her name. Her heart rate skyrocketed when she realized, groping around for anything that looked useful, that it was Diana's voice. For one thing, she was confused. Diana was no longer a student, nor did she have any reason to be at Hogwarts. Someone must have contacted her, she guessed, but it couldn't have been Peyton or Persephone; they knew where she had gone.
Turning and nearly hitting her head on the open cabinet door, Penelope called out to her older sister. "Diana!" she yelled, hastily grabbing a gauze bandage roll and shoving it into her bag before hurrying back out. The smoke had become heavier than when she had come up there and was beginning to drift into the Magical First Aid classroom, but she could see Diana down the corridor. "Di!" she called again as she ran towards her, hoping to grab her attention to let her know that both Peyton and Persephone were safe outside.
diana eoina bainbridge
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diana eoina bainbridge
HOGWARTS ALUM METAMORPHMAGUS OCCLUMENS CURSE SPECIALIST
158 posts
played by vanessa
If I told you that a flower bloomed in a dark room, would you trust it?
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last online May 15, 2024 20:44:18 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Oct 19, 2021 23:24:27 GMT -7
Post by diana eoina bainbridge on Oct 19, 2021 23:24:27 GMT -7
Everybody knowing that what We'd invited still remains when we're gone Diana felt frantic, but she knew she couldn’t stand around and wait for her sisters to appear. She had to find them. If anything were to happen to them, she would never forgive herself and her part in this entire scheme. Elaine had taken her freedom, will, and mind, but she wasn’t going to take her family if she could help it. The smell of smoke was strong, and the smoke was slowly thickening. Diana knew things and honestly, she was a safe choice for secrets considering the Vow and that if she’d tried to speak it would end her life, and she wouldn’t be here to ensure her siblings' safety.
Finally, after what felt like hours, she heard a familiar voice, and she spotted a blonde girl, and Diana started sprinting. ”Penelope!” Only a Bainbridge could positively identify a triplet on the spot, along with a few others. She slowed to a stop, and Diana was breathing heavily from the sprint and the smoke. ”What are you doing in here? It isn’t safe. Where are your sisters? We have to go.” Her words all came out all at once as she looked around to see if the other girls were here. The smoke just seemed to be getting thicker and thicker, and it felt as though it was coming from above and below at the same time.
Pulling out her wand, she waved it to clear the smoke in the corridor and give them a chance to see and get out. Elaine was the type of girl who wanted to make a statement, and the louder, the better, and the longer they stood there. ”Pen—we need to get out of the Castle now.” For the first time in a long time, Diana felt her composure fall. She felt panic everywhere in her being. Grabbing Penelope’s hand, she led them toward the staircase that led to the Entrance Hall, but she was mumbling under her breath. ”The school—I can’t believe she would do this…” It was a thought that was meant to stay inside her mind, but Diana hardly noticed at the moment.
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penelope raisa bainbridge
HOGWARTS ALUM FORGET-ME-KNOT FLORIST CASHIER ABILITY DETECTION
230 posts
played by Audrey
What if Cinderella had to save herself?
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last online May 20, 2024 13:45:45 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Oct 20, 2021 6:21:56 GMT -7
Post by penelope raisa bainbridge on Oct 20, 2021 6:21:56 GMT -7
May 15, 2026 Ordinarily, Penelope would have focused more on what Diana had said about Peyton and Persephone to remind her that they were her sisters, too, but she didn't even notice her older sister's wording as she said that they had to go. Diana—whatever she was doing there—must have rushed into the castle, because it was clear that she'd been breathing in the smoke.
Diana, making what seemed like a futile attempt to clear some of the smoke, reiterated that they needed to get out of the castle "now", and Penelope would have put her foot down if not for how terrified Diana looked and sounded. Feeling Diana grab her by the arm as though she were still a little girl who didn't know any better, Penelope wanted to pull away. She had to make sure that everyone was out. Students, staff, elves, pets… They all needed to get out to safety.
As she heard Diana muttering something under her breath, Penelope looked towards her. "Peyton and Persephone are out," she explained as hurriedly as she could. "They're… They're safe, Di. My friends and I, we went back in." She emphasized her point a little, hoping to get Diana to understand. She knew it was dangerous. They all knew it was dangerous. "Brígh and Addilyn and Raphael and…" Penelope took in a deep breath, feeling slightly guilty that she had that luxury even if it was what was keeping her from crying. She wanted to explain more, to tell Diana that they had started Phoenix Rising again with James Potter's help, but there was only so much time. "You can't keep breathing in smoke like this," Penelope cautioned Diana, making sure that her sister wouldn't stop moving until they were out of the castle. If she'd known that Diana would try to help her, she would have done something to reassure her sooner. The last thing she had expected was to be saving Diana after she had gone in to save her.
diana eoina bainbridge
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diana eoina bainbridge
HOGWARTS ALUM METAMORPHMAGUS OCCLUMENS CURSE SPECIALIST
158 posts
played by vanessa
If I told you that a flower bloomed in a dark room, would you trust it?
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last online May 15, 2024 20:44:18 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Oct 22, 2021 20:47:27 GMT -7
Post by diana eoina bainbridge on Oct 22, 2021 20:47:27 GMT -7
Everybody knowing that what We'd invited still remains when we're gone Diana felt a bit more relieved that Peyton and Persephone were already out on the grounds. ”Why?” She found herself asking without thinking. They turned a corner, and Diana checked to see if anyone was around. Her true fear was that Elaine wasn’t working alone, or worse, she was roaming the halls themselves. But, it didn’t entirely make sense to her. Because of the Unbreakable Vow, Diana was a natural choice for these kinds of tasks. Why? Because she literally couldn’t refuse, so why was she left out of this plan?
Penelope listed off her friends' names, and she just shook her head. ”Why would you all run back? You have no idea who you’re dealing with. Elaine is dangerous and she could still be around here.” Diana’s panic was still ever-present, though joined by a bit of anger and frustration. Diana had met Brigh and Addilyn on occasion when she was still a student, but Raphael Diana had known since he was literally born. They’d been neighbors with his family as well as the Potters. As her sister warned her of smoke and inhaled it, she merely ignored the warning as they turned another corner to finally reach the staircase.
Finally, they seemed to be approaching the Entrance Hall, but as they entered the large and suspiciously empty room, Diana’s eyes grew wide, and she skidded to a stop, not even caring if her sister ran into her.
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penelope raisa bainbridge
HOGWARTS ALUM FORGET-ME-KNOT FLORIST CASHIER ABILITY DETECTION
230 posts
played by Audrey
What if Cinderella had to save herself?
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last online May 20, 2024 13:45:45 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Oct 22, 2021 21:21:35 GMT -7
Post by penelope raisa bainbridge on Oct 22, 2021 21:21:35 GMT -7
May 15, 2026 "Why?" Diana questioned her, although Penelope wasn't sure what her sister was asking her about until she clarified that she was asking why they had run back into the castle in spite of the very obvious dangers that doing so posed to them. "You have no idea who you’re dealing with," Diana told her, clearly forgetting that she, too, had been in school when Elaine had begun her first killing spree. Elaine Dupree was evil; Penelope knew that, but that wasn't any excuse not to show her that they weren't going to sit there and take it.
Almost down to the Entrance Hall again, Penelope had to stop short of literally running into her sister as she immediately halted. "Go," Penelope urged her. She couldn't just stand there! Diana was the one who had been angry with her for not getting out of the castle quickly enough for her liking, yet she was the one holding them up. "Diana," she pleaded, "you can't just stop!"
diana eoina bainbridge
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diana eoina bainbridge
HOGWARTS ALUM METAMORPHMAGUS OCCLUMENS CURSE SPECIALIST
158 posts
played by vanessa
If I told you that a flower bloomed in a dark room, would you trust it?
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last online May 15, 2024 20:44:18 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Oct 22, 2021 21:51:49 GMT -7
Post by diana eoina bainbridge on Oct 22, 2021 21:51:49 GMT -7
Everybody knowing that what We'd invited still remains when we're gone There had been a cloud of thick smoke, though Diana didn’t know the source. But suddenly, that smoke had cleared, and Diana's eye’s found the cold and icy stare of Asher Burke. He stood alone and among at least one stunned Professor she recognized. Her heart seemed to stop mid-beat and lodge in her throat, and she didn’t even hear Penelope protesting behind her. ”Stay behind me.” She simply said, but seriously as she stuck her arm back behind her. Those eyes haunted her. She’d had intense headaches and nightmares in the early days of her involuntary Occlumency training after she’d graduated.
’Come with me Diana, you can make yourself useful.’ He spoke, issuing orders as he was used to. But Diana didn’t move, only glancing around slightly for the miracle of a Professor appearing or anyone really. But, nobody was there. ’Don’t make me repeat myself.’ She tried to keep her breathing even as she focused on her mind, but it was increasingly difficult knowing there was a fire around them that could encroach at any time. Bu then his eyes shifted, and she glanced behind her at Penelope. She couldn’t exactly completely hide her. Maybe she should have used some kind of charm to disguise her, but it was too late. ’Diana. Elaine will hear of this if you continue to disobey.’
Her heart rate jumped for a moment, but then she realized something. Disobedience. She had never disobeyed a directive from Elaine or one of her close and chosen few. Never. Why was Burke here but not Elaine? She had a hunch…no, she felt a hunch. ”N-No. Leave me alone Burke.” Diana finally stammered out. Her voice wasn’t as strong as she would have liked. There was anger in his eyes. Asher Burke was not the kind of man that was used to being disobeyed. ”I—“ Diana’s words caught in her throat, but then she mustered up her last bit of courage. ”I think she’s dead.” Something in her gut told her it was likely true. Diana looked behind her at the Great Hall doors. It was the only place she could run with her sister to safety.
But then Asher began to take a few steps forward, and Diana also took a few steps backward, keeping her sister behind her. His wand was out, and she raised her own, but then he cast a spell somewhere else. The blast behind caught her off guard, and she tried to shield her sister, though when the dust cleared, she could see he was trying to blast the wall near the Great Hall doors to block it from opening. And now, she just felt trapped, but she raised her wand again. Asher was Elaine’s loyal foot soldier, and Diana knew he wouldn’t stop, so she prepared herself as he raised his wand at them. But another voice entered the arena, and suddenly Asher was knocked to the side, and Diana realized that the man had also cleared the hall of the stunned bodies she’d seen earlier.
Burke wasn’t at the Entrance any longer, and Diana grabbed Penelope's hand, not knowing if they would get another chance. ”Pen—run!” And she went through the large archway. The smoke was marginally better outside, but she could recognize the Astronomy tower as they ran on the grounds, passed Ravenclaw Tower, and near the forest border, where Diana finally stopped and looked around them. Just a handful of students hiding in the shadows of the trees. Her chest hurt from the running and the smoke, but at least the air was much clearer here. ”Are you okay?” She turned to her sister to check for injuries. ”We should head down to the village. The Ministry is set up there.” She hoped they still were, anyway. It's where she had bumped into Sarah. But among all that, she felt a strange sense of foreboding. Had she not technically broken her Vow? Diana was almost certain she had, which meant her statement to Burke must be true.
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penelope raisa bainbridge
HOGWARTS ALUM FORGET-ME-KNOT FLORIST CASHIER ABILITY DETECTION
230 posts
played by Audrey
What if Cinderella had to save herself?
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last online May 20, 2024 13:45:45 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Nov 8, 2021 9:49:26 GMT -7
Post by penelope raisa bainbridge on Nov 8, 2021 9:49:26 GMT -7
May 15, 2026 Everything happened so quickly. Diana reached out and physically kept her from moving ahead of her, telling her that she needed to stay behind her. Penelope might have reminded her that she was newly eighteen and old enough to defend herself, but she was so stunned by how sudden it was that she didn't even have time to think about that. She didn't even realize what Diana had seen at first, nor did she understand why they were stopping while the castle was on fire in the way that it was. Her instinct kept telling her that they needed to get out and that they could stop moving after that, but Diana had a different idea. What she had seen, although not apparent initially, was a man whom Penelope didn't recognize in the slightest. He wasn't a teacher or other staff member at the school, but the way that he was looking at Diana suggested that he knew perfectly well who she was. A chill ran down Penelope's spine, though she was still being restrained by Diana. It had only been a matter of seconds, anyway.
The man—whoever he was—looked menacing, and the way that he addressed Diana by name made Penelope feel slightly sick. He told Diana that she could make herself useful, and Penelope's mind raced. She didn't know what he meant by that, but it didn't sound good. And what did he want Diana for? The last thing that needed to happen was that Diana would be put under an Imperius Curse and made to carry out his bidding.
The same menacing man spoke to Diana again when she didn't respond, telling her that she didn't want to make him have to ask her again. Diana looked to her as though she would have any idea of what to do, and Penelope just stared, wondering if she needed to push past Diana's hand to stand between her and the man.
"Diana," said the man, his voice still firm. "Elaine will hear of this if you continue to disobey."
At the mention of Elaine's name, Penelope gasped and nearly choked, even though she was still breathing fresh air because of the charm on her head. What did Elaine want with her sister? And why wouldn't her sister disobey Elaine?
Diana's voice sounded shaky as she told the man no and addressed him by name in return. Burke. Penelope, her mouth partially open, looked on in shock. Two of their professors were Burkes, too. Was that how he knew? Was that how Diana had come? Had she been working for Elaine? Penelope felt as though her heart might stop but kept listening. "I—" Diana started to say something else but stopped herself at first. "I think she’s dead."
At those words, the man, Burke, grew closer to them. Diana stepped backwards to avoid him, and Penelope was forced to do the same to keep either herself or her sister from tripping. Both of them raised their wands, and Penelope made sure that hers was in her hand. Burke seemed as though he was going to aim for Diana herself but set off an explosion behind them. Diana looked prepared to do something to him in retaliation for the blast that he caused. Someone else—although Penelope couldn't tell who it was from her spot behind Diana amidst the sudden chaos—blasted Burke out of the way, providing them with possibly their only opportunity to get out before he came to his senses again.
Diana urged her to run, and Penelope didn't wait a second longer, her feet almost flying as she left the castle. They kept going for as long as they possibly could, and Penelope wasn't sure that she had thought about anything else until they reached the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
Penelope stopped and caught her breath from having had to run. Dustin was the athletic one; she wasn't, though at least she hadn't had to worry about choking on smoke on her way out of the castle. Her chest rose and fell for a few moments as she tried to collect herself, leaning over and trying to breathe in a way that made it so that her rib cage didn't feel as though it had caught fire. She still had her wand. She still had her bag and all of the medical supplies she had tried to take before Diana had come.
"Are you okay?"
She looked up at Diana and nodded, still trying to regulate her breathing as she came down from the rush of adrenaline that had carried her outside again.
As Diana mentioned that the Ministry was set up in Hogsmeade, Penelope shook her head and held her free hand out, motioning for Diana to wait. She removed the Bubble-Head Charm from her head and then spoke. "What… Burke…" The stress of everything was beginning to catch up with her now that she had gotten far enough away from the castle to process what had happened, and she couldn't tell if it was because of the exposure to the smoke or just her emotions that her eyes were suddenly so watery. It wasn't just something that they could walk to Hogsmeade and chat about. "Di…" Penelope began, knowing that there was no good time to bring up what happened. "What—What did he mean when he…" Even mentioning Elaine's name felt a little bit like how older people were with Lord Voldemort's name, like she might be summoned if she were to speak it too loudly. "What did he mean when he said that… Elaine would hear of it?"
diana eoina bainbridge
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diana eoina bainbridge
HOGWARTS ALUM METAMORPHMAGUS OCCLUMENS CURSE SPECIALIST
158 posts
played by vanessa
If I told you that a flower bloomed in a dark room, would you trust it?
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last online May 15, 2024 20:44:18 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Nov 9, 2021 15:21:46 GMT -7
Post by diana eoina bainbridge on Nov 9, 2021 15:21:46 GMT -7
Everybody knowing that what We'd invited still remains when we're gone They were both still trying to catch their breath. Diana leaned against a tree and leaned her head back as she took deep breaths. There was so much uncertainty. In her mind, she felt sure that Elaine was gone, but if Burke was somehow still walking around, she still felt at risk. Plus, Diana wasn’t dumb enough to not realize that Burke knew more about her than she cared to admit. Those early Occlumency lessons had been grueling, and the mental fortitude to block out his invasion of her mind had not been present by any means.
Elaine could have held her against her will with the threat to her family alone, but the Unbreakable Vow had just sealed it in. But Penelope didn’t answer her immediately, and Diana hadn’t seen any injuries, but then her heart rate suddenly spiked—the questions were beginning. In hindsight, that interaction with Burke was rather revealing. The words replayed in Diana’s mind as her sole focus at the moment had been to get Penelope to safety. Diana finally looked back down, Penelope had removed her bubble-head charm’s effects, and there was that look in her eyes. She’d always worn her emotions so clearly as her sisters did.
Hearing Elaine’s name come out of her mouth gave her goosebumps, and she opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. She closed it again as this overwhelming feeling began to well up in her chest. Diana crossed her arms weakly as her eyes began to well up. The memory of that day in her sixth year and the days after. The time she’d sat and watched her family and friends laugh and be so carefree when she couldn’t be. Willingly performing tasks, she knew to be wrong…it was all wrong. ”Pen I—“ It was like all the emotions she’d held back over the past three years had caught up with her. ”You don’t understand—I didn’t have a choice.” Diana spoke, her voice was small, and tears began to silently stream down her face.
Where did she even start, how could she start. The conditions of the Unbreakable Vow had prevented her from talking about it, even if she’d felt brave enough to do so. Diana looked away. Her lip had begun to tremble as she tried her best to keep herself from breaking down completely. Did it matter anymore? Whether Elaine was alive or dead? What did it matter if she had nobody to go to if it ever ended one day? On the off chance the Vow was no longer valid one day, Diana just wanted to go home. There had been a lot to think about during all that time isolated from her family and friends. She’d grown cold and distant. Even her lighthearted humor had grown harsh. Like the transformation was supposed to keep people away and Diana firmly as a tool in Elaine’s toolbox.
But today. Today had been different. The threat of danger to her sisters and them actually being in danger had sparked something in Diana that she hadn’t felt in a long time. Once that mental wall had fallen, Diana realized how exhausted she was. She couldn’t even calm herself to bring that wall back up to steady herself. Finally, looking back at Penelope, she spoke again. ”I—I think I can tell you now because I think she’s dead.” It was a chance she was taking, and if Elaine wasn’t dead—well, then she knew what would happen. But where to begin? Another tear slid down her face as she took a last deep breath before speaking again. She was terrified that her sisters and brother would hate her for this, for all the things she’d done and known about.
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penelope raisa bainbridge
HOGWARTS ALUM FORGET-ME-KNOT FLORIST CASHIER ABILITY DETECTION
230 posts
played by Audrey
What if Cinderella had to save herself?
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last online May 20, 2024 13:45:45 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Nov 9, 2021 16:24:55 GMT -7
Post by penelope raisa bainbridge on Nov 9, 2021 16:24:55 GMT -7
May 15, 2026 Diana struggled to explain herself at first after she posed the question about that man, Burke, and the apparent connection to Elaine Dupree. Almost in an instant, though, she was in tears, claiming that she—Penelope, that was—didn't understand. Though Penelope wanted to comfort Diana as soon as she saw her crying, she didn't know if she could. What was it that Diana didn't think that she understood? Had she really been working with Elaine? Penelope didn't want to accuse her of anything, but the pain from having run so far was eclipsed only by the metaphorical dagger that she felt stabbing her in the heart at the idea that Diana had had anything to do with Elaine Dupree.
They stood in silence, with Diana turned away from her so that Penelope couldn't see her face. She didn't know if Diana was waiting for her to do or say something, but she was at a loss for words. What was she supposed to say in response to her sister's seeming to imply that she had something to do with the young witch who had terrorized everyone for so long?
"I—I think I can tell you now because I think she's dead."
Penelope hoped that Diana was sure of that, but she also didn't know how Elaine would have been able to get away that time. Somehow, she had survived much longer than anyone thought; even she had thought that Elaine was dead until being told otherwise. Diana seemed to be fixated on whether or not Elaine remained alive that time, though. Of course, anybody had reason to be fearful of retribution from her, and rescuing her little sister from being burnt alive in the castle was probably up there in terms of things of which Elaine wouldn't have approved.
"D-Did you know she was going to do this?" Penelope wanted to know, tears streaking her own cheeks. Her tone was slightly defensive, but it was primarily because she was no longer sure how much caution she had to use with her own sister. She had seen how Diana had made sure to stay between her and Burke inside the castle, but that was different. How many years had it been since they had had any sort of relationship that wasn't marked by strain? How rarely did she get told by Diana that she loved her? She didn't want Diana to hurt as she had, but Diana had pulled so far away from the rest of the family that there were times when she might as well have been dead. Why was it that she hadn't bother to mention anything until it had been so close to being too late?
diana eoina bainbridge
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diana eoina bainbridge
HOGWARTS ALUM METAMORPHMAGUS OCCLUMENS CURSE SPECIALIST
158 posts
played by vanessa
If I told you that a flower bloomed in a dark room, would you trust it?
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last online May 15, 2024 20:44:18 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Nov 9, 2021 19:48:25 GMT -7
Post by diana eoina bainbridge on Nov 9, 2021 19:48:25 GMT -7
Everybody knowing that what We'd invited still remains when we're gone It was not an easy silence between them. Diana took another breathe to settle her mind as best she could. She needed to calm herself, or she’d overwhelm herself before even beginning to speak. Part of the distance between herself and her family had been on her own account. It was easier to put the walls up to everybody and everything, and now she struggled to compartmentalize the parts of herself she hated to feel like herself again. Tears fell down Penelope’s face as well. Just looking at her—she saw her sister, but she also saw the other two triplets. Would they hate her too?
Diana immediately shook her head ‘no’. But that wasn’t entirely true either. ”No. I had no idea—I mean, she told us to stay away, but I’ve been lingering in the village all month. But she didn’t say when. ” Diana felt exasperated, just desperate even. ”I couldn’t say anything. She would’ve—“ She rambled a bit before stopping. It wasn’t helping her case at all. Had Diana somehow gotten her sisters out of harm's way, Elaine might have retaliated personally against Diana, or perhaps Diana would even be dead per the terms of the Vow. She stopped suddenly, her arms uncrossing as she put her hands out as if to say ‘stop’.
”Just let me start from the beginning…please.” Diana looked at the ground. The ancient ground at the edge of the forbidden forest saw students come and go and all types of things. Had it ever seen anything like the story she was about to tell. Two words she had not spoken aloud since she was sixteen, and quite frankly as scared as she was of the consequences—looking at Penelope now and just imagining the reactions of the other triplets…her twin Cara, her sister, and brother. Well, she’d rather die with them, knowing that she did love and care about them and not that she was some will and evil pawn of Elaine Dupree. ”An Unbreakable Vow…” Diana said, her voice soft as she felt a sudden chill move up her spine. And then…nothing.
Diana didn’t lookup. She was still standing there somehow despite the warnings and the mentioned Vow. ”Sixth Year after the attacks had happened, I saw something that I wasn’t supposed to see.” In contrast to the anxiety of just a few moments ago, she felt numb. Even saying the words out loud, Diana still felt like she existed in this isolated and desolate plane. ”Elaine and Ethan.” She shook her head, wrapping her arms around herself loosely. There were details she didn’t want to get into. The memories still haunted her. ”I…she threatened all of you.” Diana’s voice shook. ”She knew all of us were at school, and I was scared.”
A fresh tear slid down her face. ”There’s no bargaining with Elaine…it doesn’t matter what I said or tried. In the end, she’ll always get her way.” It had all been so futile, being dragged into the Chamber of Secrets for such a thing. Diana paused again, but only because she’d begun to cry more now that the words had been spoken. It was surreal to hear herself speak them. ”I couldn’t talk about any of this because of the Vow, and if I did…” She didn’t want to say it, but the inference was clear as she trailed off. ”And then she would have come after all of you.” The acts that Diana had helped perpetuate were horrible. Personally, she felt it was unforgivable, but she’d felt trapped. So very trapped. Diana wanted to explain more, but she began to shake slightly from crying as she tightened her arms around herself. She was still just that girl hiding in that bathroom stall so many years ago, even if Elaine was gone.
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penelope raisa bainbridge
HOGWARTS ALUM FORGET-ME-KNOT FLORIST CASHIER ABILITY DETECTION
230 posts
played by Audrey
What if Cinderella had to save herself?
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last online May 20, 2024 13:45:45 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Nov 9, 2021 20:34:58 GMT -7
Post by penelope raisa bainbridge on Nov 9, 2021 20:34:58 GMT -7
May 15, 2026 The explanation that she got from Diana was more thorough than what Penelope expected she would hear. She explained, first of all, that Elaine had told them to stay away—although Penelope wasn't sure if that was in reference to Hogwarts or to Hogsmeade. She said that she needed to start from the beginning instead, and Penelope was willing to extend her that courtesy. She wanted to know what happened. She wanted to know why her sister had stopped caring so much about her own family, only to swoop in after what felt like the millionth time they could have died.
"An Unbreakable Vow…"
That was why Diana had cared so much about whether or not Elaine was dead. Penelope gasped as she put those pieces together, crying more audibly as she processed what Diana had just revealed to her: She had been in an Unbreakable Vow with Elaine Dupree, and the only reason that she could know was because Elaine was really dead. It meant that she couldn't target anyone at Hogwarts anymore, not that there would be much left of the school by the time the Fiendfyre finished its rampage.
As Diana continued to tell her, she had had no choice but to agree to the terms of the vow in order to protect her siblings. Penelope knew that included herself, and she didn't know whether to be grateful or terrified. Diana could have died. She could have died, too. All of their siblings. They all could have been dead.
"There's no bargaining with Elaine," Diana told her, not that Penelope thought that there had been. She might have been years younger than Elaine, but she knew how the older girl had been. Anyone that crazed wasn't someone who thought rationally at all. "I couldn't talk about any of this because of the Vow, and if I did…" Diana was crying harder, but it was hard for Penelope to tell where Diana's crying ended and hers began. "And then she would have come after all of you."
Penelope, in spite of her own sobbing, stepped over to Diana and threw her arms around her, enveloping her in her school robes. Her older sister had shrunken in on herself, and she couldn't imagine what was going through Diana's mind, though she knew what was going through her own. Diana had been younger than she was then when all of it had started, Penelope realized. She'd been only in her sixth year. And of course Penelope's own mind turned to every weird thing that had happened to her since… There was that foreboding sensation that she had around certain people that she had never been able to explain accurately. There were the hours that she hadn't been able to account for on New Year's Eve but had eventually come to dismiss because she knew that it seemed just as crazy as it sounded. Why would there have been any reason for her to be paranoid? Had it been something to do with Elaine all along?
"W-We'll get… We'll get Pey and—and Seph, and then we'll go home," Penelope reassured Diana between heavy sobs, not wanting to let her sister go for a million years. Elaine had stolen so much from them, and Penelope was so grateful that she hadn't taken Diana, too. "We'll go h-home, okay?" she repeated with a slight hiccup. "And Mum and Dad…" Penelope's eyes lit up a little, and she managed a tiny smile as she continued to cry. She couldn't imagine how relieved their parents would be. "Mum and Dad will be so happy, and… Ev-Everything… Everything is going to be okay, Di. I promise. Because she… She can't hurt you now. We'll… We'll keep you safe, and…"
diana eoina bainbridge
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diana eoina bainbridge
HOGWARTS ALUM METAMORPHMAGUS OCCLUMENS CURSE SPECIALIST
158 posts
played by vanessa
If I told you that a flower bloomed in a dark room, would you trust it?
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last online May 15, 2024 20:44:18 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Nov 9, 2021 22:53:29 GMT -7
Post by diana eoina bainbridge on Nov 9, 2021 22:53:29 GMT -7
Everybody knowing that what We'd invited still remains when we're gone As Diana failed to fight off the tears, she closed her eyes, and the tears came through anyway. They burned as they picked up the soot and ash that had landed near her eyes and eyelashes, but that wasn’t the worst pain she felt at the moment. It was all out in the open now. Somebody finally knew the secret she’d been carrying since she was sixteen. But, suddenly, she felt Penelope’s arms around her. Human touch, it was a genuine gesture. The triplets were never one to shy away from what they were feeling or hide it well, but they were always genuine and loyal. True Hufflepuffs. Diana didn’t deserve them.
All she could do was nod as she wiped her eyes. They were still stinging, which made them water even more. ”I—I’m s—sorry Pen.” Diana felt like curling up into a ball. She felt like she couldn’t breathe. The mixture of anxiety and smoke inhalation was not a good one. There was so much she still hadn’t said, and she wondered if she should. There had been the whispers of looking for witches and wizards with unique abilities. But Burke would have known about Diana’s siblings while prodding into her mind. The thought made the pit in her stomach feel larger, and she curled up even more.
Diana didn’t know how long they were there for, she heard voices of students running by and heading toward the direction of the village. She was exhausted, her body hurt from all the emotion, but she managed to settle down. Finally, she wrapped her arms around Penelope and pulled her in close. ”Penelope just—“ She pulled away so she could look at her youngest sister. ”Please don’t say anything to anyone.” Diana pleaded with her eyes as she placed her hands on Penelope’s shoulders. ”I don’t know what I’m going to do yet…and I want to talk to your sisters, and Cara and Dustin myself…” She owed them that. Plus, until that moment, she hadn’t thought about the consequences yet. Who knew her by name? For the most part, she’d used her middle name, especially working. But a lot was still up in the air. ”We should find your sisters.” Diana wasn’t confident that the village was entirely safe, but if she could get all of them there, they could at least apparate.
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penelope raisa bainbridge
HOGWARTS ALUM FORGET-ME-KNOT FLORIST CASHIER ABILITY DETECTION
230 posts
played by Audrey
What if Cinderella had to save herself?
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last online May 20, 2024 13:45:45 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Nov 9, 2021 23:38:00 GMT -7
Post by penelope raisa bainbridge on Nov 9, 2021 23:38:00 GMT -7
May 15, 2026 "I-I won't tell them anything," Penelope swore when Diana told her not to tell anyone. If Diana had had to keep her secret for years to save her own life and potentially their family members' lives, it was the least she could do for her in return. She was sure that that would be a difficult conversation to have with their parents, especially, but Penelope had faith in Diana. Even in light of everything that had happened, Diana was still her sister. She had still protected her without her knowledge for years. And Penelope was happy to offer herself to sit beside Diana for moral support while she explained why she was back home. Obviously, their parents would know that much.
As much as she didn't like hearing Diana referring to the other two triplets as though they were her sisters only by the virtue of being the third in the set, Penelope didn't think much about it then. She knew what Diana meant, and she gradually pulled away from Diana so that they could make their way towards Hogsmeade. Even if they couldn't hug all the way there, Penelope held out her hand for Diana to take. Getting separated wasn't an option, and it was likely that Peyton and Persephone were already somewhere down on the high street in the village. "They're safe, Di," Penelope reassured her once again, making sure that Diana wasn't worried. They were probably just as terrified, though they had remained outside the whole time. She had no doubt that they were unharmed from a physical standpoint. "And I won't let anything happen to you," she added softly.
She meant it. Diana hadn't done what she had done willingly. It was almost as though she had been under the Imperius Curse, Penelope thought. In a way, it was almost worse. People who were put under the Imperius Curse would eventually be released. An Unbreakable Vow required one party to die. She had had no choice but death. Anyone would be able to understand that it had been like having a wand pointed at her head all the time. "You're my sister, too," Penelope reminded her as soothingly as she could. She had had to distance herself for her safety, but she wouldn't have to do that anymore. It wouldn't be like bringing things back to normal; she was sure that Diana would need no shortage of support in the years to come, but she had at least one person in her corner. "And I love you."
diana eoina bainbridge
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diana eoina bainbridge
HOGWARTS ALUM METAMORPHMAGUS OCCLUMENS CURSE SPECIALIST
158 posts
played by vanessa
If I told you that a flower bloomed in a dark room, would you trust it?
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last online May 15, 2024 20:44:18 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Nov 11, 2021 16:35:58 GMT -7
Post by diana eoina bainbridge on Nov 11, 2021 16:35:58 GMT -7
Everybody knowing that what We'd invited still remains when we're gone This was just one small hurdle in the journey going forward for Diana. She still had to talk to Peyton and Persephone. They were kind of like Penelope, but Diana never got her hopes up about much anymore. Talking to her twin was what she feared the most out of all the conversations she knew were coming. One of the main reasons she’d ended up giving in on the Occlumency training was to help block out the pain of missing her family, even if it had made her so distant and cold in the process. That last year at school had been difficult enough, let alone afterward.
All she could do was nod as her eyes welled up with tears again. This level of understanding and forgiveness was not something she had been expecting at all. But, perhaps it could help her find her path back to feeling like her old self again. Where the world was something to research and view with wonder and not fear. ”I love you too.” Diana muttered as she took her hand, and they went to find Persephone and Peyton. With the back of her hand, she wiped her eyes and took out her wand. Diana wasn’t convinced there weren’t more of Elaine’s or Asher’s minions around the grounds or even in the village.
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