casualty | ares

[diana eoina bainbridge]

Long nights to quiet my mind

with empty conversations

October 26, 2026
ares edward lestrange

It was surreal to walk down the same path she had walked down as a child, and then as a student and then discovering the dark alleyways out of sight when she was older and finally the same path she watched her old school go up in flames. The village wasn’t terribly busy, but it was only September. The business of students visiting once a month would not be expected, though definitely missed. The summer had passed without much going on. Things at home were still tense, and Diana struggled to adjust to being around her family again. There was that part of her that had been so damaged by Elaine and the Purifiers that she could barely get the worst out of her mouth as she feared the Vow would take her life—even though the Vow was gone.

When she turned one way, her younger sisters seemed to cling to her. Their natural disposition of wanting to be helpful easily welcomed her back. When she turned the other, she swore she saw Ondina around the corner, glaring with those eyes of hers as another warning to keep her mouth shut. The irritating part was that it wasn’t even considered weird that Ondina was cozying up to Diana—the Bainbridges had grown up alongside the Potters and Weasleys in Godric’s Hollow, Diana had known Ondina since they were born. Her twin had been the least forgiving, but she didn’t expect anything less from Cara.

Diana pushed open the old door to the Hog’s Head. It wasn’t the best of places, but it was a good place to get a drink and hide for a moment. All that time alone, and she now craved it more than ever with all the people around. Staring at the floor, she found her way to a seat at the bar where she only glanced to her sides a the at-most two people there. Peace and quiet before she went back home. Hearing the bartender ask what she wanted, Diana looked up and locked eyes with him, stopping mid-sentence. ”Ale—“ Diana blinked a few times as her hair shifted to a dark color. Her heartfelt as though it had skipped. ”I—um—“ She wanted to run. The last thing Diana needed was a face-to-face with another former Purifier and another warning about snitching, but she felt frozen to her seat. Out of all the times, Diana had stopped by The Hog’s Head, she had never seen Mr. A here before.

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[ares edward lestrange]

━ wasted on sunday, erase you on monday ━

october 26th 2026

AT TIMES, ARES FOUND HIMSELF wondering why he joined the Purifiers at the time he did. Maybe it was because the now 24 year old had matured slightly, a father of two now and happily settled with his girlfriend, but the thought always struck him every now and then. Things had changed immensely since Hogwarts went up in flames, which was seemingly a bad thing for most people but an incredible thing for business.

Of course, the children weren't roaming around as they had done years prior, but the patrons who wanted nothing more than to line their stomaches with enough alcohol to fill a home..Well, thats where the money chimed from. Unfortunately, today was on the slower side of things. Usually those type of patrons came later in the day. Though, it didn't matter as the Lestrange would've finished his shift by then and would probably be cuddling up to Sutton by nightfall.

Ares was doing his usual rounds however, his wandless and non-verbal magic helping as he kept some glasses filled and cleaned up around different booths. As he checked off certain things from the clipboard in his hand, the Lestrange placed it down once he heard someone sit by the bar. "What can I get you?" He questioned, not really being able to see the woman's face, that was until she lifted her head and the two's eyes locked. For a moment, Ares was sure he absolutely knew this woman, but he couldn't piece together where from.

She blinked though, seemingly nervously and the moment her hair shifted to a dark colour, the puzzles pieced together. "Eoina?" He murmured quietly. The Lestrange was sure that was the name his fellow Purifier had given to him.

| diana eoina bainbridge |

sorry for the late reply!

[diana eoina bainbridge]

LONG NIGHTS TO QUIET MY MIND

WITH EMPTY CONVERSATIONS

October 26, 2026
ares edward lestrange

Diana had watched curiously as the bartender served patrons on the immediately opposite side of the bar. He did slight waves of his hands, and glasses moved, the towels mopped up small spills, and clean ones moved from wherever they were before. Her curious mind drifted to the possibilities of charms being used and wordlessly cast. And then he went around just as she sat down, immediately her eyes stopped scoping the bar. The last thing she wanted to do was make eye contact with some seedy and drunk characters, especially at the risk that she likely knew them from her work.

Thankfully she’d found some work that made her some money legally. It was part-time to start, so she still had to supplement her work with her previous illegal activities. Years working for Elaine had created a small network of contacts, though she refused to deal with any that wanted too close to The Ivory Room. Asher Burke was in chains, but his family still ran the establishment, and Diana was far too scared to go near there. But working at the Museum in Wales was more rewarding than anything she’d ever done. Plus, when Diana’s shift was over, she was allowed to look at all the exhibits.

The bartender looked back at her, and even with the slight ringing in her ears, Diana heard his voice ’Eoina’. Yes, the name she had given him at headquarters that day, the name that was actually her middle name. Habitually her eyes moved to the left and right. Who else was here? Was Ondina about to turn the corner and make her appearance? That devilish smirk on her face, those eyes bored into Diana’s and reminded her that she was always being watched? Diana remembered to breathe. ”A.” The man had only given her an initial, but her eyes traveled down to the tag on his shirt. ”Ares?” Her face felt warm. She felt nervous and jittery. ”I-I can leave. I’m not—I mean—I just came in for a drink…” She struggled to find her words, and her voice wasn’t terribly strong. The last thing she wanted was another set of eyes over her shoulder threatening her.

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[ares edward lestrange]

━ wasted on sunday, erase you on monday ━

IT WAS SOMEWHAT OF A shocker, seeing someone from within the Purifiers once more...And outside of the base also. The Lestrange just didn't anticipate that it would be Eoina. It was the name she had given to him during that day in the base, when Ares was aimlessly chatting and flirting for the fun of it. It wasn't something he would do now, considering how serious he was with Sutton, but also because he was a changed man. Or so the Lestrange loved to say. His flirtatious nature was just always a part of him.

As 'Eoina' spoke up, using the name that he had given her that day, Ares gave her a small smile before looking down at the name tag that sat on his shirt. "Oh..Yeah, um..I'll admit..'A' wasn't the best name I could've given you..I apologise for that. Privacy and all you know?" As the girl started to somewhat panic, Ares shook his head and presented a glass before her.

"Please..Don't panic. I'm..Not gonna tell anyone or do anything. You can have a drink, I am a bartender after all." He added, chuckling quietly to lighten the mood a bit. "Ares Lestrange." He introduced himself, extending his clean hand out to her. "Nice to see you again Eoina."

| diana eoina bainbridge |

sorry for the late reply!

[diana eoina bainbridge]

LONG NIGHTS TO QUIET MY MIND

WITH EMPTY CONVERSATIONS

October 26, 2026
ares edward lestrange

Diana felt fairly certain her blood pressure was at an unhealthy level. She wondered if people around her could hear how her heartbeat against her ribcage. While she had been doing her best to move on with her life and feel normal again—it was a challenge. Every once in a while, a nightmare or even letting her mind wander too far during a daydream and paranoia kicking in. And then this. So far, she thought the worst of it had been the last time she sat alone in a bar and a patron nearby lamented the loss of someone important to them that day at Hogwarts—Diana had left quickly as she’d begun to feel nauseous.

But the bartender appeared equally as surprised, though far calmer than Diana. Using ‘A’ as a cover for his real name was simple and easy to remember, she supposed. She was tempted to just run for it. Maybe she’d run into Ondina outside with that knowing look on her face, that gleam in her eye that almost looked like joy at the sight of a panicked Diana. Elaine might be dead, but Diana would never really escape all of it—would she? But A—Ares, rather, instead insisted she calm down.

She let out a heavy breath and looked at his outstretched hand. Lestrange. She knew them—well, most everyone would, wouldn’t they? But one of his sisters had been in her year, and the other subjected to rumors the same year she’d gotten into that Vow. Diana had questions but felt it was better not to ask. Still, she paused a couple of moments before returning the handshake. ”Diana…my name is Diana.” She responded, but her voice wasn’t strong. There was no point in the secret anymore, was there? But that jittery anxiety still lingered. But Diana stared at the counter for another solid moment while she waited for her drink. ”I-I’m sorry. I just…my sisters were at the school when…” Diana looked back up at him, but all eye contact felt uncomfortable at the moment. This final attack had been so indiscriminate.

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[ares edward lestrange]

━ wasted on sunday, erase you on monday ━

WHILE ARES WANTED THE GIRL to simply calm down, he also knew why she was probably anxious as hell. The two were a part of a group that had a prime murderer as its 'leader'. Sure, while Ares' actions could eventually catch up to him for his association with the Purifiers and even what he did for Elaine, he still didn't regret his decisions. Instead, he simply continued life like normal and didn't bother thinking too far in the future. No one could control whatever happened anyway.

The air felt somewhat awkward between them, especially as Ares stood with his hand extended, waiting for her to shake it. He considered pulling back in that moment, but felt relived when 'Eoina' shook his hand in return, revealing her name as Diana. "Nice to actually meet you Diana." He smiled, taking a brief moment to make Diana's drink and then fill another patrons glass with whatever they were drinking before.

"Hey...I get it..I didn't agree with..You know either.." There were times when Ares couldn't even remember why he joined the Purifiers but with the final mission being what it was, he knew he wanted out from the moment the 'plan' was revealed. "Were..I mean..Are they all okay?" He asked, gently sliding her glass closer to Diana for her to grab.

| diana eoina bainbridge |

sorry for the late reply!

[diana eoina bainbridge]

LONG NIGHTS TO QUIET MY MIND

WITH EMPTY CONVERSATIONS

October 26, 2026
ares edward lestrange

Diana felt sick to her stomach, but running wouldn’t fix anything. Or maybe she’d grown accustomed to not running because she’d magically been bound and chained. Though it wouldn't do either of them any good to cause a scene in the bar. ’Lestrange’, that was certainly a way to put a target on oneself. At least nobody expected a Bainbridge or even a Weasley to be in league with someone like Elaine or Burke. No, she wouldn’t run and cause a scene. Diana could already hear the questions asking how she knew this man.

As A—Ares made her drink, he commented somewhat awkwardly about that day. Diana had not sought out anyone else she knew and merely listened to the whispers at home or when she was working in Knockturn to gather some kind of understanding of who was now in Azkaban. Diana merely nodded to acknowledge what he’d said. Even Sarah had defied orders to run to the Castle. Her sister was also in the school. Though it was funny. Diana would have never known that had Mina not been at Hogwarts at the same time as Diana and Cara, though in a different year.

”Yes. I got there in time.” Diana could still picture Asher Burke’s face in the Castle before he was intercepted. Penelope had told her late that the man was a Professor. Blaise Zabini, another pureblood, might have looked at with suspicion, but his actions showed otherwise. But her sisters could only tell her so much as he was Head of Slytherin. The rest Diana read in the paper. She grabbed her glass and drank heartily. Her heart hadn’t stopped racing yet. She paused for a long time. Whether this man had willingly followed Elaine or been bound as she was—she still had a question in her mind. ”The Ministry is still looking, aren’t they?” Her voice was low, though nobody sat near her. Knowing that Burke was in custody didn’t make her feel safe. He knew exactly who she was. But the overall intentional disorganization of the group had prevented Azkaban’s newest inmates from revealing too much.

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[ares edward lestrange]

━ wasted on sunday, erase you on monday ━

ARES KNEW SIMPLY HAVING THE 'Lestrange' name could easily put a target on his back and deem him an appropriate suspect. That is if people came around, asking questions anyway. He didn't mind the thought of an investigation though, especially since the last time he had been 'investigated' for anything, it was his parents death. Which he of course...Had some contribution to anyway. But no one needed to know that of course.

Ares nodded as Diana replied, using his magic to clean the extended part of the counter as patrons nearby partially spilled their drinks in the midst of their conversations. "That's..a relief." He mumbled before sighing quietly. The Lestrange caught a few drunk patrons in their booths, noting that it was way too early for them to be knocked out cold. With a whirl of his finger, his magic was up and at it again, clearing the glasses of beer, cleaning the booths and replacing their drinks with water. Disguised as water of course. Drunks hated water anyway.

"Luckily..No one was around for me but..I still feel bad for those who..lost someone you know?" He added in fairly quietly. In regards to her question, in which Ares noted her low tone, he glanced around the pub before nodding slowly. "Nobody knows where they're looking or if they have any suspects..At least I'd like to think..But at the same time, I'm prepared if anything goes wrong."

| diana eoina bainbridge |

[diana eoina bainbridge]

LONG NIGHTS TO QUIET MY MIND

WITH EMPTY CONVERSATIONS

October 26, 2026
ares edward lestrange

Diana felt like there was some reminder of the past few years everywhere she turned. A face that looked slightly familiar or perhaps some show owner that actually dabbled in the black market—not that they would recognize Diana outside of the changes she made for work. Different hair color, her nose, and chin a different shape. Darken her eyes to blend in. There was something genuine about the man in front of her. Though he’d seemed so at ease when they had bumped into one another before. Then again, so had she, masking her true feelings with some fake showy personality that wasn’t her.

A slight chill traveled up her spine, and she felt the goosebumps down her arms. She tried not to think about those that didn’t make it out. Or Merlin forbid if her sisters had not gotten out. She simply nodded and drank heartily. While she didn’t intend for alcohol to become a vice or a crutch, it did help at times. How many of them were still hiding in plain sight? And who knew the others? Diana knew of Ares and Ondina, but she didn’t dare speak the Weasley’s name to him. ”Prepared how?” She was curious because nobody would suspect her, but it didn’t mean she lived at peace.

Plus, Diana never had known the full extent of Elaine’s network. Who was in the Ministry, the Prophet, or other institutions? Even Burke—who was in custody. Did Ares know him? ”El—she didn’t introduce me to many people…” Diana admitted, drinking more as if the beer would somehow cleanse her mouth from almost speaking that vile name. Sarah worked for Law Enforcement. Would she even bother giving Diana the courtesy of a five-minute headstart if anything were to go south?

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[ares edward lestrange]

━ wasted on sunday, erase you on monday ━

ARES WAS SIMPLY NOTHING MORE than a honest man. Well, when he needed to be. He was always the type to think about himself first, but considering how he had become a family man over the last few years, he was willing to jeopardise his life to ensure his family was happy and safe. That being said...The Lestrange did have doubts when it came to the Purifiers. He joined initially for the thrill and the power edge it gave him but with the final plans going ahead and what happened..happened..it left the Lestrange with regrets. That and a slight nervous streak for what felt like a week or so.

"If the Ministry come sniffing this way.." He murmured quietly, keeping the low tone. "Then I'm ready to protect my family..And take whatever sort of blame." That and because Sutton had..Some involvement in the Purifiers as well. Ares had already been through a Ministry styled investigation - Sutton hadn't. He was willing to take the fall for anything really.

"Me either honestly..I kind of spoke here and there but I just did a lot of the front line work because I didn't care..who or what saw me." He shrugged then. "One day my actions will catch up to me. All of them. But until then, why stress over it? We- and I'm assuming here..had no direct involvement so.."

| diana eoina bainbridge |

[diana eoina bainbridge]

LONG NIGHTS TO QUIET MY MIND

WITH EMPTY CONVERSATIONS

October 26, 2026
ares edward lestrange

Watching such a majestic castle burn to the ground was traumatizing enough without including the factor that children had been attacked. Sometimes Diana felt sick to her stomach that she hadn’t stopped it or hadn’t seen the signs that Elaine had completely and utterly lost her mind. What kind of insane idea was that? Why did those like Burke go along with it? As she slowly reacclimated to a more normal world where she didn’t have to hide in the shadows and shut herself off to protect herself, those feelings still lingered. They crept out anything her guard was down, making that opening back up to her family much more difficult.

Ares seemed both serious and sincere. Diana’s dark eyes scanned his. That look she had seen with Elaine, Burke, and a few others wasn’t there. That lust for power or blood and complete lack of empathy. This man had people he wanted to protect, just as Diana did. He wasn’t using them as pawns in some sick and twisted game. Diana looked away, drinking more of her beer. She just about inhaled some as he finished his statement. ”No—never.” Fortunately, she hadn’t made a scene or a mess, but her eyes grew wide again for a moment. Diana looked away from Ares, staring at the countertop. She felt that lump in her throat again. ”I never wanted any of this…”, and that was the truth. How does one move on from what was practically a magical enslavement?

Shaking it off, she drank again. The only people she knew were Elaine, Burke, Ondina, Sarah, and A who turned out to be Ares. ”At least they have him—Burke.” The thought of him always brought out the worst emotions in Diana. Anger, mainly, but justified anger. A man like that would never talk, so even though he knew Diana, she wasn’t all worried about her involvement being revealed. Not from him.

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[ares edward lestrange]

━ wasted on sunday, erase you on monday ━

DESPITE ARES BEING A MEMBER of the Purifiers, he truthfully didn't agree with the climax that lead to the end of the 'organisation'. It wasn't right, knowing that children would be swept up in the horror of it all and it made the Lestrange wonder..what if it had been his own children? Years before, if Ares was childless and off his right mind, he wouldn't have a care in the word, but as of late, his conscience grew with every passing day.

Watching as Diana's eyes grew, Ares nodded. He could tell in that moment that she was carrying guilt or some form of shame on her shoulders. Like other members who were filled with regrets once they realised the true intentions of the Purifiers. "None of us did..or more so none of us knew..it would lead to that you know?.." To Ares' knowledge, no one knew the real location of the Purifiers base, not until the end anyway. Wiping down the countertop while Diana drank at her beer again, Ares offered to top her up with more if she wanted it.

"Burke?" He questioned quietly. The name seemed familiar but alas, Ares wasn't the type to ask questions. He simply followed orders and did whatever was required of him. It was one of the reasons he was favoured on the front lines, he didn't care for the danger or the risk, as long as it meant he would be able to 'have fun with it'.

| diana eoina bainbridge |

[diana eoina bainbridge]

LONG NIGHTS TO QUIET MY MIND

WITH EMPTY CONVERSATIONS

October 26, 2026
ares edward lestrange

Ondina had not seemed convinced that Burke would sit in silence over his punishment. And Diana did not want to agree, but…maybe she was right. A strange chill went up her spine at the thought that Asher Burke knew who Diana was. Had those in the Entrance Hall heard their little interaction as Diana tried to get Penelope out of the Castle? She nodded at Ares’ answer. She believed him. The sincerity existed in his voice, or he might have been the world’s best liar with that kind of casual charm. That lingered as a thought, but her way back to the light depended on not dwelling in such dread.

But Diana would never be free, and Ondina fucking Weasley ensured that. Diana couldn’t believe she’d ever felt bad for the poor girl as James and Dustin collided on their brooms and right into Ondina and Kinsey, who had been sitting off to the side of this little game of backyard Quidditch. Diana nodded again as Ares brought her more to drink. She felt she surely needed it. As a young and naïve teenager, she’d never understood people’s compulsion to drink, but now she fully understood why many escaped this way.

But it was a surprise that Ares was unaware of Burke. Shifting her head slightly in disbelief, she waited for a beat before speaking again. ”Asher Burke?” She all but whispered, waiting another moment to see if that triggered anything in the man’s memory. ”Head—former Head of the Department of Mysteries?” Even if you’d never seen the man, his name was mentioned in the paper whenever the Minister or other officials made the front page. Especially when speculation arrived at who would replace a former Minister. ”He—“ ‘—forced me to learn to block his constant intrusions into my mind against my will’ is what Diana wanted to say, but she didn’t. ”He’s one of those purebloods that still thinks he’s above everyone else.” And Diana had not needed to spend much time with him to learn that much.

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[ares edward lestrange]

━ wasted on sunday, erase you on monday ━

DESPITE JOINING THE 'ORGANISATION' FOR the fun of it - along with being able to flaunt his status as a Pureblood no doubt, there were still various things Ares disagreed with that either Elaine or other Purifier members pushed for. Topping up Diana's drink, the Lestrange's eyes blew slightly wider once Diana revealed who exactly she was talking about. "That Burke?" He questioned.

He had heard the name of 'Burke' before, but without a full name - or even a face, Ares was seemingly clueless. As Diana went on, Ares' expression fell. Of course there were still those kind of people out there, but given the havoc the Purifiers had caused in the last few years, was a reunion or a new alliance seemingly necessary? "No shit..There's always going to be those kind of pricks out there..But they caught him? Or..?"

| diana eoina bainbridge |

[diana eoina bainbridge]

LONG NIGHTS TO QUIET MY MIND

WITH EMPTY CONVERSATIONS

October 26, 2026
ares edward lestrange

After her last encounter with Ondina, Diana had begun to realize that the most frightening part of this group—or former group was that the one person who perhaps knew every member was dead. The rest, possibly not even Burke, did not know the entire roster. So she was not surprised that Ares did not know about Burke. Despite Burke’s closeness to Elaine, it seemed there were still certain barriers for him. Diana didn’t know how it was all organized. Ondina knew about Burke, so maybe because they were both Ministry? She had no idea. At some level, she just didn’t want to know.

She gave a silent nod, thanking him for the drink. Thinking about these things made her drink from it immediately. As she put the glass down, she nodded. ”Yes, it was in the paper when they arrested him, but nothing since then.” Maybe he was thrown in a hole and purposefully forgotten about. His crimes were out in the open and without question. ”My hope is he was thrown directly into Azkaban, but I don’t want to get my hopes up.” Diana admitted. The world didn’t seem the work that way. Not fairly. ”I don’t see him getting out though…” Now she was musing out loud, but she shook herself out of it. It only made her think of all the things that man had put her through. With a sigh, she placed her elbow on the bar and leaned her head on her hand. She was exhausted and weary. It was over, but it didn’t feel over.

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