double take | diana

[calliope ivory fleming]

━ if you ain't busy take a walk with me ━

december 2026

IN THE LAST YEAR OR so, Calliope Fleming felt her life had done a complete one-eighty. Firstly she had finally quit that ridiculous job at St Mungos, and earned enough from both her legal and illegal work to save for an apartment of her own, far from the stress of her dysfunctional family. Secondly, she managed to obtain her Magizoolist title once more, becoming an apprentice in order to work towards the official title. And thirdly, she had met the one person aside from her odd friends and siblings that made her feel comfortable and warm no matter how much time they spent together or even apart. That person of course being Cara Bainbridge. But these were all accomplishments gathered under a year or two.

While the first few goals initially caused issues, Cal didn't mind at all, and simply continued living her life. She worked less as a Black Market merchant however, as her apprenticeship filled most of her time and covered enough of the bills to be somewhat satisfied with. Though with Christmas rolling around, she picked up an odd shift here and there, using her ability to manipulate her way into various sales in order to gather enough Galleons to fund a little Christmas get-away for herself and Cara, that is if the latter accepted.

Yet, thats what brought the Metamorphmagus all the way to Godric's Hollow, to ask her..friend? Girlfriend? Significant other? If she would happily spend Christmas in a city, or country or two away, especially with what chaos that year had brought them. Cara had only mentioned her family home a few times, with the middle Fleming noting that the inside seemed to be filled with chaos as most of the family were home now. It was one of the reasons Cara would prefer to spend her evenings with Cal before heading home for the night if she didn't stay over. But since Calliope knew it was one of the Bainbridge's off days, she decided to pay her a visit instead of sending an Owl or text.

Walking up the steps to the house, Calliope knocked a few times before stepping back and waiting for someone to open the door.

| diana eoina bainbridge |

[diana eoina bainbridge]

We're not just making promises

That we know we'll never keep

December 2026
calliope ivory fleming

Diana didn’t have many complaints about her life now. Things felt more normal than they had in years. Once in a while, she would wake up in the middle of the night in the cliché cold sweat after a nightmare, and if Cara was awake, she’d help her settle down. That had been the key to helping it all feel normal—Cara. A twin was never complete without their counterpart in their life, and Diana had noted something different in Cara’s step. Still, she couldn’t tell if it was genuinely different or if Diana’s mind still compared her sister to a time before things went sour. It was better not to question things sometimes.

Working at the museum made Diana happy. She was learning a lot of history she’d probably missed daydreaming in History of Magic as she sat in her invisible cage. The Black Market was still there and where most of Diana’s income came from, but it wasn’t something she discussed with anyone. The thought that she was still keeping secrets from Cara left a lump in her throat, but it was a conversation for another time. Diana had the day off, however. Dustin wasn’t home much with his career, and her parents were at work, and all her siblings. The triplets had all branched into three very different careers, and it was a little easier for the neighbors to tell them apart when one came home with an eyebrow missing, and one was covered in dirt.

Cara also wasn’t working, but she’d stepped out about an hour before to run errands. Diana had continued lying in her bed reading a book, barely acknowledging that her sister had left. But then she heard a knock. Her heart beat faster for a moment. There was still that anxiety that followed her around. And the last time she answered a knock so quickly, it was Ondina with that fake happy smile across her face. The Potters were neighbors, and therefore, Ondina always knew where to find the Bainbridge. Diana closed her book and left it on the bed before grabbing her and as she slowly approached the door. Slowly she opened it, but not entirely. ”Yes?” There was something about the face that Diana locked onto. Her brain moved a million miles per hour before it clicked. Her eyes went wide, and her hair shifted dark. ”What are you doing here?” She asked in a hushed whisper, ready to close the door. Why a black market merchant like herself was on her doorstep was beyond her.

template by vee

[calliope ivory fleming]

━ if you ain't busy take a walk with me ━

AS CAL STEPPED BACK AND waited for the door to open, like a love-sick fool, the Fleming only began to smile wide as the face of her...Girlfriend...? Stared back at her. The Fleming was ready to step up closer to the door and give a small kiss on Cara's cheek as she usually would do, potentially offer for the Bainbridge to step out so the two could grab some food and such before laying the big 'Will you spend Christmas away with me' question upon her. But as Calliope got a closer look and the Bainbridge only stepped closer to her, the realisation soon settled in. She was most definitely not speaking to Cara.

As the girl's features changed, Cal's eyes widened and her hair shifted too, donning her usual confused colours while the rims of her eyes shone different colours as the Fleming tried to process her emotions. At first, she tried to wonder where she had seen this person before, despite the fact that she shared the exact same first as Cara. Truthfully, Calliope already knew that Cara was a twin, but the metamorphmagus was only aware of said-twin through minor mentions. Never..From..Actually meeting her. Until now anyway.

Before Calliope could even get any form of words out, a surprised claim, or even a question, the metamorphmagus before her pulled at the door, tugging it closed a little more before asking in a hushed manner as to what Calliope was doing here. "What are you doing here?" Cal asked, repeating the question back to her. The two had shared a conversation or two within the Black Market, using their abilities to conceal their identities and sell products of others. Calliope...Didn't anticipate she would be meeting...A 'colleague' so soon. "You're Cara's sister?" The Fleming then blurted out in realisation, the thought barely processing in her mind.

| diana eoina bainbridge |

[diana eoina bainbridge]

We're not just making promises

That we know we'll never keep

December 2026
calliope ivory fleming

It took a moment for the visitor to respond to Diana. There was recognition in her eyes and face and then a horrible realization and confusion. Now that they were on the same page, hair shifting colors and all, Diana felt that familiar thumping in her chest as her anxiety rose. Was she looking for one of her siblings? The triplets were all identical, at least to a non-Bainbridge. Maybe a girl looking for Dustin? It wouldn’t have been the first time. But despite Cara and Diana being fraternal twins, they looked remarkably alike when Diana let her hair be its natural blonde. It had never bothered Diana when her mother called her ‘Cara’ on accident, not like it bothered Cara to have been called ‘Diana’.

Diana didn’t answer right away. What. Was. She. Doing. Here. Merlin everywhere Diana turned was that reminder of the portion of her life she so wished to leave behind and move on from. Was the universe punishing her? She had toyed with the idea of visiting one of those Seers with a crystal ball, but Merlin, this was getting out of hand. But then a shift in the girl’s expression—Diana had never gotten her name much like she’d never given her own. The typical way to do business. But of course, it didn’t take long for the visitor to put two and two together. ”I—how do you know Cara?” Now anxiety shifted to suspicion.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted their neighbor walking out of her house and glancing over. Diana pushed the door open a little and tried her best to smile and give a quick wave. ”Good Morn—erm—Afternoon Mrs. Belby.” The woman gave a quick wave back before walking on the street and apparating. But it made Diana realize that the whole neighborhood could see them even if they couldn’t hear them. ”Merlin—I live here. Come inside.” Diana quickly moved to the side to let the stranger in, and she closed the door behind her, but her eyes never left the girl. She felt fortunate that she was home alone today. ”How do you know Cara?” Diana had yet to acknowledge that Cara was, in fact, her sister, but most people with a good set of eyes could see the tell-tale Bainbridge resemblance.

template by vee

[calliope ivory fleming]

━ if you ain't busy take a walk with me ━

AS ANXIETY BEGAN TO RISE in the Fleming, she took a few quick breaths, letting her hair cycle through a series of colours that simply reflected her emotions. It was one of the reasons why it was so easy to read the middle Fleming when all of the children were young, Calliope essentially wore her heart on her sleeve. Her mother and father could always tell when she was close to crying, simply from the hue change of her eyes and how little patches of her hair would darken before the tears came out. It was a habit she simply never dropped.

"How do I know Cara?" She parroted, trying to find a plausible reason aside from the truth. If Cara's...potential sister was asking, then it probably meant Cara hadn't had..'that' kind of conversation with her. And it didn't feel right to mention the twos relationship without Cara being around. But knowing that the stranger before her was probably getting suspicious, Calliope took a quick breath once more, snapping her eyes shut as she worked up the courage to reply. Though, it was as if Merlin had spared her just a moment, as a nearby neighbour had caught Cara's sisters' attention.

Looking over her shoulder at the brief interaction between 'Mrs Belby' and Cara's sister, Cal's mind only flooded with possible explanations to explain how she precisely knew Cara. But after being let inside - possibly to avoid anymore suspicious conflict outside the Bainbridge's family door, Cal swallowed as the stranger repeated the question once more. "We're...Kind of dating.." She revealed, looking down at her feet. "I wanted to come and ask if she wanted to spend Christmas with me..Since Cara spoke a little about your family and such.." Cal added.

"But who are you?.." It felt wrong to ask such a question, knowing that the person before her was pretty much an exact copy of Cara, with abilities that matched Cal's anyway. "And..Haven't we..worked with each other before?.." The Fleming added in a quieter tone.

| diana eoina bainbridge |

[diana eoina bainbridge]

We're not just making promises

That we know we'll never keep

December 2026
calliope ivory fleming

The stranger repeated her questions back to her, and Diana had to quickly rush her inside the house before Mrs. Belby decided to ask questions or stare. Godric’s Hollow was a lovely place to live, quiet and family-friendly, but the quiet allowed for any noise to be heard. Every since her siblings and their friends had grown up, there weren’t as many shouting matches in the streets. Fighting during Quidditch matches between neighbors or wondering if Mrs. Weasley, James’ mum, would finally hex Mr. McLaggen into next Tuesday. Diana didn’t let her eyes leave the girl. She knew her from the black market and Knockturn Alley. What in Merlin’s name was she doing here?

Diana’s first thought was that it was all related. Much like Ondina smiling at her from time to time in London, that smile so fake Diana wondered if it was transfigured onto her face for this purpose. Was this girl here to talk to her? Check up on her? Diana’s mind raced with possibilities but stopped in its tracks at the stranger’s answer. Dating? Cara was dating? Diana’s hair shifted to a calmer shade of blue—as if her face didn’t abundantly make it clear she was a little confused. In hindsight, Diana shouldn’t have been surprised. Cara didn’t work that many hours to be out as often as she was, though a little more time had been spent at home since Diana returned. But Diana hadn’t felt she had the right to ask or demand any answers from Cara, not after everything.

”Oh…” She took a step back, crossing her arms and her posture relaxing a bit. ”I’m…I’m her sister. Her twin.” Taking a breath as she tried to relax, her hair didn’t entirely shift back to its natural blonde. She was still a bit tense, it was all too coincidental, but the Magical World was a bit like an international small town. Fortunately, nobody was home. Just Diana or she would have had to shove the girl right back out the door to continue this conversation. ”Yes—we have.” Instinctively, her arms crossed a little tighter around herself. ”But I don’t—I mean, I’m trying to get out.” She looked back up at the girl with wide eyes. ”Cara doesn’t know about…all that.” What a world she lived in where she could admit her involvement with Elaine but not where she got her income. Suspicion still in her eyes, she extended a hand. ”Diana.” They obviously had not used real names when they’d worked together before. Diana only hoped that her sister was not caught up in something because of Diana.

template by vee

[calliope ivory fleming]

━ if you ain't busy take a walk with me ━

BEING BROUGHT INSIDE TO ESCAPE the quietness of the neighbourhood, it was then Calliope realised how silent Godric's Hollow really was. She had heard the odd story from Cara every now and then, remembering the faint laughs the two would share as Cara would go on about how hard it was to be secretive about anything in the area, due to how silent it was. Surprisingly enough, Cal knew she couldn't relate much, especially since she was American. LA was a big place, and even the magical community was just as big. She recalled her neighbours being friendly, at least in her younger days anyway.

Noticing the girls hair turning to a calmer shade of blue, the Fleming's brows rose out of interest. She wondered if the colours she used to express herself were different from Cara's sister. It was more than likely, considering that everyone expressed themselves differently. But as the sister finally introduced herself as Cara's twin and relaxed a bit more, Cal's own emotions and expressions relaxed also, the colours that expressed her feelings suppressing and instead revealing her natural brunette hair. The air between them was still rather awkward and tense, as it was bound to be - considering the line of work that the two of them shared, but Cal still smiled small at the girls response.

"I understand..She doesn't know about it..with me either." Cal admitted, frowning slightly. "I can't..Exactly get out of it, since it kind of helped me with my rent..but I haven't been..working there a lot lately because I have a legit thing now.." The 'legit' thing being one of the only jobs the Fleming wanted since her younger years. It was sad, as she was forced to give up her apprenticeship in its early phase because of her father. But now she did everything for herself. And well. Cara now. "Diana!.." Cal repeated, eyes lighting up as she recognised the name. "Cara spoke about you a few times..I just didn't realise you were her twin." Cal added with a smile. "Calliope. But I tend to respond more to Cal.."

| diana eoina bainbridge |

[diana eoina bainbridge]

We're not just making promises

That we know we'll never keep

December 2026
calliope ivory fleming

The stranger’s hair shifted color as well. It seemed they were both trying to figure out this unique situation and what it meant. Diana seriously doubted those that dabbled in black market activities bumped into one another in nice neighborhoods like Godric’s Hollow. At least Diana could fit in, whereas the girl in front of her had a distinct accent—American, and it had tipped her off aside from simply recognizing her. But Diana’s anxiety only stemmed from her last few years. She was a reminder of the world she’d never asked to be a part of standing right in front of her. Another set of eyes staring at her that knew.

Diana nodded to acknowledge she understood. It didn’t seem like this girl wanted much more of that life either, which was good if she was going to be dating her twin. Diana didn’t want Cara or her family anywhere near that. But she understood. The money was good, and it was easier to earn a few Galleons much faster than some part-time work. And Diana would never admit that sometimes she enjoyed the work asked of her, the tinkering and the research—despite its intent.

’Calliope.’ Diana was pretty certain that Cara had mentioned the name before but not in the context of dating. ”We’re not identical…” It would not be the first, nor the last time Diana or Cara had to explain. But they were clearly related when put next to one another, though all the Bainbridges shared similar features. ”Fraternal, but I’m a few minutes older.” It still felt odd to explain this to a stranger and former lurker in the shadows. But then Cal mentioned that Cara had spoken of her, which warmed her heart a bit. Diana was still rebuilding what she had torn down to protect herself and them. "I—um. Cara isn’t home. She left about an hour ago, but you can wait for her if you want.” It was better than the perpetual dread Diana would have had to sit with otherwise until she calmed. ”So ‘kind of dating’?” Diana asked, her posture relaxing slightly as she shifted from suspicion and defensive to simply a nosy sister.

template by vee

[calliope ivory fleming]

━ if you ain't busy take a walk with me ━

AS DIANA NODDED, CALLIOPE ALSO nodded, as if to share this mutual understanding of what they...did or sometimes did would be kept underwraps. No one needed to know what Calliope did or used to do in her spare time, i.e. exploiting her abilities in the name of a few extra Galleons. But truthfully, the Fleming was barely in the area of the markets especially since her apprenticeship kept her busy and brought in a decent amount of money. All the Fleming had to do was budget accordingly, make sure she was on top of rent and everything would be fine. And it was. It had been since she moved in.

"Understandable." She replied, remembering when Cara had explained that to her once or twice. "It must be annoying repeating that to everyone.." Nodding as Diana explained she was the older one, Cal smiled softly, thinking of a younger Cara potentially being upset that she was the baby. Cal knew Cara had more siblings than just Diana...Or was she remembering wrong? "An hour ago?.." Cal repeated, trying to piece together if Cara had work today and the Fleming simply miscalculated or misunderstood Cara's schedule.

"Ah..Yeah.." She began, lifting a hand to brush at the small hairs behind her neck while she noticed Diana's posture changed. "Dating but..we haven't put an official label on it I suppose..I've been too scared to bring it up.."

| diana eoina bainbridge |

[diana eoina bainbridge]

We're not just making promises

That we know we'll never keep

December 2026
calliope ivory fleming

Diana didn’t want to talk about that side of her life anymore, and the girl in front of her seemed sincere in her take on it. The past few years had shown Diana that there were two types of people in the underbelly of magical society. Those that operated out of necessity. The money was good. Nobody could deny that, and Diana was taking advantage of that fact to help herself get back on her feet. And then there were those that enjoyed it. She thought of people like Ondina with that sinister look of pleasure in their eyes as they looked upon the weak. For a while, Diana had tried to be one of those people, growing so cold that she could hardly recognize herself in the mirror. As if closing off her mind had permanently altered her image.

She shrugged lightly. It wasn’t a big deal. ”You get used to it. I think the triplets have it worse.” The three were almost identical. And really, only a Bainbridge could tell them apart even from a distance. ”Just to run some errands, I think.” At least that’s what she thought she heard. They were still standing in the foyer of the house, and Diana remembered her manners after they’d struggled to get on the same page. ”Erm—do you want to wait for her? I think we have some butterbeer in the fridge…” Diana began walking toward the kitchen and dining area. Her mother would have given Diana a stern look and wondered why she hadn’t offered their guest anything.

But she turned around and walked backward a few steps at Cal’s answer about dating. ”Hmm.” Diana didn’t sound discouraging but curious. She tilted her head before turning back around. Cara had always been the louder of the pair, and Diana happily acted the part of the wallflower. Her twin wasn’t typically shy with her opinions.

template by vee

[calliope ivory fleming]

━ if you ain't busy take a walk with me ━

TO THE NEXT GREEDY INDIVIDUAL, not working within the Black Market was seemingly a loss at bringing in additional Galleons for the next week or month - or generally however long you needed it. For Calliope however, she always knew working back there would always be temporary, a means to help develop and gather funds so she would have enough to put aside for a few months of rent in an apartment. And while the Fleming always had regrets about certain things, she truthfully had no regrets working there. But to discuss about it with someone she knew..was off the cards. Especially with Diana, who seemed to hate the choice altogether.

"Are they identical?" She found herself asking curiously. The Bainbridges were a large family, something Calliope knew just from the name of them. But being from the States, she hadn't really cared for all the distinctive wizarding families in the UK until she was forced to move here with her family. "Errands.." She muttered as she repeated, looking down at her feet then.

There wasn't awkwardness in the air, but more so..two..introverts trying to find something to discuss or do perhaps. At Diana's offer, Cal raised her head and smiled softly. "Only if that's okay?..Beerbutter sounds nice." Cal answered, slowly walking behind Diana as she seemingly welcomed her into the house. "Was that..a good hm? A..bad one?" The Fleming asked.

| diana eoina bainbridge |

[diana eoina bainbridge]

We're not just making promises

That we know we'll never keep

December 2026
calliope ivory fleming

Diana missed her boring old life. The anxieties and fears of a sixteen-year-old girl felt silly now. How would she explain her almost abysmal grade in Potions when she clearly was good at it? Would she ever find a way to control her metaphormagical abilities when a boy made her blush? The list of things Diana was disappointed in herself in simply went away. Now it merely held a few items, but the text might as well have been big enough to fit on a banner. The seedy and shady world of the Black Market was no place for girls their age, or anyone really. Even behind the comfort of time, experience, and disguises, it felt like a risk every time. But no more a threat than standing in the same room with Elaine for more than a few minutes.

"Almost." Diana answered casually. But the common Bainbridge features made it difficult without some scrutiny. Merlin, from some angles, they were the spitting image of Dustin but far more noticeable when you stood all seven of them side by side. "Erm—yes, of course, it's fine." Diana didn't really know what to talk about that wasn't Cara or the rest of her family. But perhaps that wasn't a bad thing? This girl—Calliope, spoke with a distinct accent. She was not from around here, though Diana had not noticed this during previous interactions. Walking to the fridge, she retrieved two glass bottles. They were twist-offs, so no magic was required to open them.

Diana motioned toward the dining table and placed the bottle at the seat across from hers. "A good one." She still liked to think that if there was someone who knew Cara best, it was her. They were twins, after all. Even the time apart and, more importantly, the clearing of the air between them had let the girls fall into their old habits and ways. Still, Diana had much to catch up on. Such as this new information today. But no siblings were ever open books to one another, and Cara was clearly taking her time sharing this bit of information. ”You didn’t go to Hogwarts, where are you from?” She could have phrased that a little differently perhaps. But Diana knew she didn’t recognize her. The girl looked around their age although another metamorphmagus in some other year would have been quickly pointed out to her.

template by vee

[calliope ivory fleming]

━ if you ain't busy take a walk with me ━

CONFUSED WITH DIANA'S ANSWER, CALLIOPE regardless felt she was learning more about the Bainbridge's the longer she stayed around one. Cara wasn't exactly chatty when it came to family and truthfully neither was Cal, considering her situation with her sister and father. But she loved learning new things about Cara, especially discovering that funnily enough, she didn't look anything like her twin. Cal had met her fair share of twins and triplets at her younger ages, but they had always been identical, difficult to pinpoint who was who without the added benefit that they tended to be in different houses in Ilvermorny.

"Okay great." She stated rather quietly, her smile staying plastered on her face. She felt awkward, hanging out with her girlfriend-but-not-so-girlfriend's sibling, that she also..kind of worked alongside. Small world. Walking behind Diana before moving over to the dining table following Diana's motion, Cal reached for the glass bottle - thanking Diana quietly for the beverage. "Good..okay.." She murmured rather nervously, her eyes flickering with all sorts of colours - overall reflecting her emotions. She felt she needed to try her hardest to impress Cara's sibling.

"Oh, I'm from Los Angeles. I studied and graduated from Ilvermorny but moved here when Ilvermorny had that whole thing.." She took a few sips from the bottle then, trying to put on a confident smile. "My family moved here so my younger brothers could continue schooling at Hogwarts..But we didn't think of moving back so..I guess I'm just here now." It wasn't an interesting story, but compared to all the things the Fleming had gone through in the last few years, it was one of the lighter ones.

| diana eoina bainbridge |

[diana eoina bainbridge]

We're not just making promises

That we know we'll never keep

December 2026
calliope ivory fleming

Diana was intrigued. One could even say borderline amused. But all in a good way. Part of this entire…recovery process, she supposed she could call it, was reintegrating into the family. The most important was finding her footing when it came to her twin, Cara. Diana could understand Cara’s anger and resentment. She remembered the immediate attitude in those days after the fire. Diana had wanted to defend herself so badly, to be angry that her partner in crime was acting this way. But the exhaustion of the last few years, plus recent events—Diana had just broken down. But fortunately, Cara was there to help carry the pieces this time.

Naturally, she had a few reservations about Cal, considering where Diana knew her from. But Cara never talked about stuff like this. Hardly even to Diana, though she just assumed Cara hadn’t found anyone to interest her yet. Merlin, she couldn’t wait to see Cara later. Diana’s hair lightened at the thought. As the rightful elder twin, she had a duty to occasionally prod and poke Cara about anything—though only to a point since Diana would never win a verbal fight with her twin. For now, she’d focus on getting more information from her guest.

It would be interesting to see how both responded with their innate inability to control certain aspects of their appearances perfectly. ”Ilvermorny…interesting.” Diana had read about the American school but obviously never visited. ”Did your brothers return for this school year?” She asked, sipping at her own butterbeer. ”Do you only have brothers?” She then realized how many questions she was throwing at the girl. ”Sorry—I don’t mean to pry.” Diana smiled sheepishly, trying to hide her face by drinking butterbeer. ”Cara doesn’t really—well, i’ve never met anyone she was interested in.” Diana admitted. Hence her earlier silent amusement.

template by vee

[calliope ivory fleming]

━ if you ain't busy take a walk with me ━

CALLIOPE FELT LIKE SHE WAS being interviewed. At least, that's what all the signals firing off in her brain felt like. As Diana continued questioning, Calliope sipped at her butterbeer in between the questions. "One did yes, the other one graduate already." She answered truthfully, before continuing, smiling small as Diana apologised.

"No it's fine..I feel its better to be open about this so I don't..come off as a complete weirdo." Cal added, taking another sip of her butterbeer. "I have one older sister as well. I'm the middle child of four." Hearing that Cara doesn't really speak about others she's interested in peaked Calliope's interest though.

| diana eoina bainbridge |