welcome to the family

[gehry benjamin ollivander]

Not long ago YOU'D FIND
THE ANSWERS WERE SO CRYSTAL CLEAR

December 25, 2028
veronica giselle ollivander
Galen Francis Ollivander
eleanor gwendolen ollivander
gideon edward ollivander

Benny inhaled deeply, accustomed to the sensation in his chest. For all he knew, this would be the last few moments of peace he’d have for the rest of the day and evening. Nothing like dinner with family to celebrate Christmas. The idea of food and family time itself was not what bothered Benny. With one last inhale and exhale, Benny dropped the remnants of his joint to the ground and beneath his shoe. Unfortunately, Nova got swamped with her holiday orders at the bakery, so Benny and Mina had to live without edibles this holiday. An unfortunate oversight on their part.

Popping a piece of ‘Drooble’s Miraculously Magnificent Mint’ chewing gum in his mouth, Benny knew it would help his breath and any lingering odor from the joint. How their father had not figured out Benny was as high as the clouds every Christmas since his third year—he would never know. Nell always gave him the same indignant look as they sat across from one another at the dining table. It was an unspoken rule—everybody had their seats. Their father sat at the head, with their mother to his right, followed by Veronica and Nell. Many years ago, Frankie occupied the seat to his father’s left, followed by Benny and finally Gideon.

However, since Frankie left home all those years ago, Benny and Gideon had moved one seat over so their father would always have a son to his left. And Benny thought nothing of it for this occasion. Frankie had made it quite clear he wanted little to do with his little brother, so he lingered just outside their backdoor. Energy must be saved for whatever eggshells he came across later. But, hearing his mother call him from inside—Benny could hardly linger anymore. And there wasn’t much excuse to arrive late to dinner. Entering, he didn’t spot his mother but heard voices—one of his sisters was either early or precisely on time as expected. ”About time—I’m starving.” Benny announced dramatically as if he had not eaten in months. In reality, he had not eaten in perhaps hours. Habitually, he went for his usual seat.

template by vee

[eleanor gwendolen ollivander]

▲

Arriving at the family home for Christmas dinner early in the day was a huge mistake. The Ollivanders tended to lean towards a late afternoon meal usually, but she’d gotten there just after breakfast. Nell didn’t mind helping at her parents and had assumed that what they’d needed her for was cooking or cleaning. The latter was sort of closer, but it came in the form of digging through the attic and uncovering what seemed to be centuries old wand boxes. All of which contained wands, of course. She tried to ask her father why they were up there instead of in Ollivander’s, like everything else the family made for generations, and all he gave her in response was a shrug. She wasn’t opposed to manual labor of any sort, as her chosen career of making furniture definitely had a bit of that, but crawling on her hands and knees to avoid support beams, thick cobwebs (that if she didn’t know any better, would claim they belonged to an acromantuala), and several piles of dried ooze that looked like a ghoul had lived there recently.

Trying not to gag at the smell of the ghoul bio-matter, Nell did her job dutifully, dragging box after box out of the confined space so that her father didn’t have to risk being hunched over during Christmas dinner. As if she didn’t get back pain now too. Her hope was that he’d hand her a few stacks of them for her own private stock, but he didn’t say anything as of yet. By the time she finished, both of her parents had disappeared, and she was covered in dust, insolation, and she was ready to take a shower and nap.

What she didn’t realize was how late it actually was. The waft of dinner being cooked finally hit her nose as she blew out decades of dust from her nostrils, and the panic that she looked like she’d just rolled around in the attic set in. If Veronica saw her, there would be an endless amount of comments from her. Several frantic wand motions and cleaning charms later, and Nell felt satisfied with how she looked. It wasn’t perfect, but it was also better than when she came out of her woodshop. At least this way, there weren’t any stray woodchips sitting in her hair.

Following voices from downstairs, she made her way down, eyeballing the stack of wands she’d pulled out of the attic as she did so. If her father didn’t gift any, she wasn’t afraid to abscond with a few. He’d never know. They would mostly be for research purposes and her own personal collection that anything else, but Nell wasn’t opposed to selling to those willing to throw down the galleons.

Just as she hit the landing by the front door, she saw Benny entering the dining room, announcing that he was starved. ”Nothing new there,” she said as she walked up behind him and jabbed him in the side with a finger to make him move for her. The smell of mint that was being projected from him did not hide the weed the way he thought it did. Their parents would be none the wiser though.

veronica giselle ollivander Galen Francis Ollivander gideon edward ollivander gehry benjamin ollivander ● 538 ● Song by Artist

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOX 2.0

[gideon edward ollivander]

The holidays were a tense time for the Ollivanders. Sitting around a table with family and alcohol oftentimes made things messy, especially when everyone around the table were equally hard headed. The Ollivander bunch surely fell from the same tree with how savagely they bickered.

His Mum and Frankie were the most entertaining while fighting… always an Oscar worthy performance. The downfall was dealing with his mums shite attitude the rest of the night after Frankie would do something stupid. Gideon hated when his Mum and Nell fought the most though. It was hard to explain to his mum that he always took Nells side since she was the most reasonable out of the family.

The smell of smoke slowly wafted in through his open bedroom window. Popping his head out, he expected to see Frankie. But alas, it was Benny, so he allowed it to slide. Nana called out for everyone to come to the table so Gideon obediently descended the stairs two at a time, offering Nana a rare kind smile as they passed.

Stepping up to his usual chair, he turned to his aunt and uncle, “So same spots as usual or are we switching it up this year?” He asked nonchalantly, already knowing the answer as his lips curled into a smirk. “My Mum and Frank probably prefer to sit next to each other..” Gideon’s nose flared as he sniffed the air. The aroma of delicious food mixed with herbal mintiness filled his nostrils, “Hm. Something smells like a minty limb of sweet birch...” He stated thoughtfully with an innocent tone, shooting his uncle a suspicious but playful look as he pulled out his chair to fall into.

veronica giselle ollivander
gehry benjamin ollivander
eleanor gwendolen ollivander
Galen Francis Ollivander

[veronica giselle ollivander]

━ you have bewitched me, body and soul ━

AH, THE ANNUAL OLLIVANDER FAMILY meal had finally come around. Such a momentous and joyful time of year. For Veronica's parents maybe. Out of the four Ollivander children, Veronica believed she was the one that visited her parents the most. She had heard from her father - via owl - a few weeks prior that the 'invitations' for their event were complete...despite the only attendees being the Ollivander children and their one grandchild. It was tempting to throw Francis' invite in the bin, to really secure how unwelcome he was almost anywhere he went but with both her mother and father insisting...

Regardless, Veronica entertained it, keeping in touch and ensuring that all the plans, along with the meals prepared would be up to standards. Tutting quietly as the Ollivander house elf moved, adjusting at Veronica's formal 'dinner' gown, the eldest rolled her eyes at the ruckus that came from within the house. Windows pried open, eyes narrowed as the wand-maker watched as her youngest brother Gehry popped a mint in his mouth before entering the home, only resulting in another quiet tut from the eldest.

Adjusting her jewellery as Veronica ushered for the elf to leave, to attend to her mother, Veronica flattened the creases within her dress, muttering another complaint. Her mother would surely comment upon such a thing...

With Mother calling everyone to come to the dinner table, Veronica waited for a few moments, before walking in the direction of voices. As she took her first step upon the stairs, the eldest peered over, noticing that her son and two siblings had already moved - settling into their usual seats. "Same spots." Veronica began as she stepped off the final stair, walking towards her son and pinching at his cheek. "You know this already.." She added in a warning tone, eyes slightly widening, essentially telling Gideon to not press any further.

"Father has always sat at the head, along with Mother at his side, myself next to Eleanor and you..Gideon, next to your uncle Gehry." Smiling forcefully at the awkwardness of the empty seat, Veronica looked up, eyes flickering from her seat to her father, noticing the slip of his smile. "I sent the invitation. It's up to him if he arrives." Watching as the house elves made their way forward, adding in the final touches, Veronica smiled happily before moving to stand in front of her seat.

The waft of the mint smell filling her nostrils only resulted in a slight drop of her smile, eyes narrowing as she looked at Gehry. "I assume you're simply cleansing your palette in advance for dinner, hm?" She asked, forcing her smile. Of course, her parents would never assume otherwise, but Veronica was no fool.

She raised Gehry the same way she had raised Gideon, seeing them both in diapers before they grew into the men they were today. Glancing at her sister, Veronica hummed happily at how presentable she was, before commenting. "No wood-chips in your hair today? How pleasant."

| Galen Francis Ollivander eleanor gwendolen ollivander gehry benjamin ollivander gideon edward ollivander |

[Galen Francis Ollivander]

nothing.

dec 2028

THE OLLIVANDER CHRISTMAS FARCE HAD NOT changed much since Frankie had been a boy. The decorations were gaudy, the house stunk of green fir and mulled goblin wine and somebody had lit every single candelabra in the entire property. Frankie hated it, so he avoided it for the most part. Like he avoided the house all year round, but the sick reality was that he was still stuck staying there. And if he didn't attend the Family Dinner they would stop his allowance and probably send him to another whacked psych ward just to spite him. So Frankie's tie was crooked and the bottom three buttons in his wrinkled shirt were undone and untucked. He had a pair of old sunglasses tucked into the collar. 

The house itself thrummed with activity, which was strange, as any other plain old day the house creaked like it was haunted. Everybody avoided one and other and nobody really spoke. Christmas was different, Christmas was a farce. Frankie snuck two steep cups of wine in the kitchen, hanging over the sink like the desperate boozer he truly was. He'd already been pulled aside by his father, the stern grip on his shoulder so triggering that it started a clammy sweat at the back of his neck - reminded firmly that he wasn't to touch a single drop of alcohol, with the threat of dire consequences should he upset their mother again. Frankie had agreed, mostly because his shoulder was starting to ache. Frankie reckoned there was a mutual understanding that his 'agreement' didn't stand for very much.

Licking the wine from the corner of his lips, Frankie dashed an arm over his mouth as he entered the dining room to find Ronnie's back lording over the masses. He'd heard her before, that snaking voice setting off every fight or flight instinct that remained active in his buzzing brain. That's why he'd indulged in two cups of wine instead of one. They hadn't spoken since he'd turned over her precious, failing wand shop. He liked it that way, in fact the reminder that she existed was quite jarring and unpleasant. He edged around her with a large smile, slipping into his designated seat by their dad's side. "Forget I live here again, Ronald?" He quirked his brows.

Frankie dropped a hand on top of Nell's head as he passed on his way to his seat, passing Benny on his way and catching the overwhelming scent of musty weed poorly masked by peppermint. He took a great big theatrical inhale as he slowed, turning his back to grin knowingly down at his little brother before he turned and slumped heavily into his seat. It was a graceless manoeuvre that scraped the legs against the polished wood and caused his mother to hiccup a disapproving gasp from the seat across from him. His father's polished loafer connected swiftly with his shin and he flinched with gritted teeth. He flashed a pained, sorry smile at his mum and she averted her gaze quickly, assuaged and desperate to avoid looking at her biggest disappointment.

"Least she does the work, right, Ronnie." Frankie commented off-handily. "I mean, you never really had the touch yourself, no harm in delegating, of course." He smiled meanly at Ronnie, his temper prickled by her base attempt to insult the only person Frankie liked 99% of the time. He reached for the crystal goblet in front of him, lifting it to his lips only to realise it was lemon water in his. While everybody else enjoyed the blood red mulled goblet wine, his own was noticeably clear. Even Gideon the Gobshite was entitled to a glass of mulled wine at Christmas. Frankie ground his back teeth so firmly he felt his jaw creak. "To selling out!" He declared harshly, raising his glass in a mocking toast before he set it back down without drinking a drop. 

gideon edward ollivander , eleanor gwendolen ollivander , gehry benjamin ollivander , veronica giselle ollivander

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[gehry benjamin ollivander]

Not long ago YOU'D FIND
THE ANSWERS WERE SO CRYSTAL CLEAR

December 25, 2028
veronica giselle ollivander
Galen Francis Ollivander
eleanor gwendolen ollivander
gideon edward ollivander

”Ouch.” Benny’s brow furrowed as Nell’s finger dug into his side. His body bent sideways enough to let her pass. Still rubbing the sore spot in his ribcage, Benny slowly made his way to his side of the dining table. Normally, he’d have something to add to his nephew’s taunting comments, but the pinker his eyes became, the more his brain began to slow. Instead, he offered a chuckle. An unfamiliar feeling of déjà vu washed over Benny as Veronica entered the dining room, orders already leaving her mouth before stopping. Their usual seats—that was not new, but Benny had forgotten why he’d walked over to the table for a moment.

And he blinked a few times at Ronnie, who also referenced ‘mint’, just as Gideon had done. ”Why, of course.” Benny offered his eldest sister a big, friendly grin. ”Drooble’s has a new flavor out. Would you like some?” Out of his pocket, Benny produced a small pack with foil-covered strips protruding from the top. But before Benny could visually search for wood chips in Nell’s hair, Frankie entered. Benny forgot about the pack of gum in his hand, wondering why Frankie smiled at him like that. He hadn’t offered Benny a smile since his arrival home.

Benny took a step back when Frankie pulled out the chair—Benny’s chair. Or at least it had been Benny’s chair for so many years. ”Erm—scoot over one.” He nudged Gideon. Sitting between his nephew and older brother felt odd, mainly because he was forced to stare at Veronica instead of his mother. It was good that he had smoked before dinner, or he might have shrunk down in his chair to Gideon’s height due to the weight of Frankie’s anti-Christmas cheer. While Frankie toasted to something, Benny focused on how the knot on his tie bothered him—sticking his finger behind it and his shirt collar to pull it away from his neck. Merlin, he hated ties. His eyes locked onto his goblet before glancing at Gideon’s. His brow furrowed again. ”Gid—you already drank out of this one. Swap with me.” Forgetting his uncomfortable tie, Benny reached for his nephew’s glass, which was full compared to the half-empty one before Benny.

template by vee

[eleanor gwendolen ollivander]

▲

Dinner already had the makings of being an unmitigated disaster. Nell wasn’t sure why her parents still went through with gathering all of them together. Each and every single one of them suffered through it, and they were all itching to escape from the second they stepped inside the house. Was it tradition at this point, or merely obligation? Only Frankie, who breezed past her and Benny with a mitt of a hand patting her on the head as he went, truly needed to be here. For his own sake, of course. And obviously her sister and Gideon would show, since she was still trying to convince everyone that she was the true heir of the Ollivander family, or whatever it was that kept the stick up her backside these days. Benny’s coping methods weren’t nearly as addictive as their older brother’s, but she worried just the same. Then there she was, nervous as hell for whatever impending doom-like scenario was about to unfold before her. Who was going to throw their goblet first? Or accuse the other of being a criminally overrated wandmaker? Who hated who the most this time around?

It didn’t take long, as Frankie apparently decided he was going to be the one to counter back against Veronica, and she could feel the tension already start to rise. Her parents looked on, and for a moment, Nell wondered if they didn’t care at this point. If somehow putting them all in one room was worth the price of whatever chaos descended upon all of them. There was no changing their adult children at this point, so she supposed they simply didn’t care. It was sort of exhausting.

Taking her seat and apprehensively watching her older siblings, Nell tentatively raised her goblet after Frankie, fearing whatever vicious glare Veronica would laser beam at her from her side. She’d tried to ignore the woodchips comment too. Thankfully it wasn’t difficult to shrink into the oversized, gaudy chairs of her parents dining room. At least she knew where her sister got it from. For now, she was going to stay quiet and see who got yelled at next. If it wasn’t Frankie, the prime target seemed to be whatever Benny and Gideon were about to squabble over…

gideon edward ollivander veronica giselle ollivander Galen Francis Ollivander gehry benjamin ollivander ● 378 ● Song by Artist

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOX 2.0

[gideon edward ollivander]

The nights shenanigans were beginning to unravel around the dinner table right on time. Gideon sank into the luscious chair as he observed his mother’s one sided exchange with her sister, Nell.

Giddys eyes flickered over to Nell, who said nothing back to his mum about the wood chips comment. Her hair looked fine to him. His Auntie Nell only had wood chips in her hair while she was working. Nell was also one of the hardest working individuals in the family - but no one was going to mention that. Not even Gideon because he didn’t want to deal with his Mums attitude. The family letdown entered the room, spitting idiocy through the room and making a grand toast. Gideon simply watched in amusement, hoping the focus wasn’t turned to him.

Well, it was, briefly, as Benny instructed him to scoot over because Frankie sat his drunkard ass in the wrong chair. His eyes flickered up to his uncle with a stupid smile. “I drank out of that one, too.” He revealed before passing it over to him and shaking his head with another smile to show he was only kidding. Gideon obediently and wordlessly scooted one chair over because he respected his Uncle. To be fair, Benny probably didn’t want to be stuck staring at his snobby sister the entire dinner. Giddy was used to staring at his Mum across a table, so he’d take it. Gideon felt like he was in a burning room but no one was trying to escape. They’d rather burn and talk shit to each other instead.

Gideon watched Frankie with scrutiny, waiting to see what tomfoolery came out of his mouth next to set the table off. The Ollivander bunch were a ticking time bomb. His gaze met his mum before reaching for the goblet full of wine with a childish sense of pride since he was now “allowed” to drink. He didn’t enjoy the taste of alcohol, by any means, but he’d drink it in an effort to shove the privilege in Frankie’s face and his lemon water.

veronica giselle ollivander
eleanor gwendolen ollivander
gehry benjamin ollivander
Galen Francis Ollivander

[veronica giselle ollivander]

━ you have bewitched me, body and soul ━

ABOUT TO RESPOND TO GEHRY'S suggestion about the mint in question, Veronica felt herself tense up momentarily like a record scratch in the distance. The wandmaker felt the 'peace' that she had planned on maintaining break and shatter within seconds. Out rounded the corner was her drunken mess of a squib brother and immediately he had taken up residency in his old spot, forcing Gehry and Gideon to move a seat down, resulting in her son being directly across from her once more.

Pinching at the folds between her fingers, Veronica kept her fake smile up, especially as her parents expression soured and even as Francis embarrassed himself. Even as Francis openly insulted Veronica and toasting away to his lemon water that the eldest had personally taken care of herself. Yet of course, nothing would keep his prying little grabbers away from a bottle. Addiction was a disease in her eyes after all.

"You may..live here, but remind me again where you actually live? I don't recall the streets being your permanent address...However did the owls find you?" Veronica knew of course that the Owls could and would find absolutely anyone, but with the state Francis put himself through, bouncing from home to home with no secure stability aside from their family home was more of an embarrassment itself.

"At least she does the work..?" She began, lips raising into a questionable smile. "Surely you're not insulting father and our ancestors long line of work are you?..Yes, I do seek aid in the wonders of magic, something you've..never been able to truly benefit from." Veronica feigned a pout then, taking a seat in her usual spot. "It's such a shame really, being born that way." Proving her point with a snap of her fingers, the dining cloth rose into the air for everyone, before unfolding itself and resting in the laps of each of the Ollivanders, even Francis.

Eyes glanced over at the rest of her siblings and son, noting at how quiet Eleanor was and how the usual mumbles between Gehry and Gideon were even quieter. As Veronica settled her eyes on her son though, she felt a pain of realisation settle in at how old she was getting, the more he was growing. He was finally at the age where drinking was acceptable - allowed in society and in turn, she couldn't stop him. In her heart though, Gideon was forever her small son, even if he was growing to resemble his father more.

Directing the sudden hit of memories and nostalgia away, Veronica smiled small as her mother patted at her hand in thanks, and watched as her father had called upon the elves to start bringing in the appetisers and finger food before the 'large' feast for dinner. "Siblings and well..now..Gideon." Veronica began, fixing her posture as she mainly spoke to Eleanor, Gehry and her son. "Do enjoy your mulled wine, I hear the elves took extra care with the ripeness of the fruits needed for it." Smiling over at Francis also, she then added. "And please do enjoy your flavoured water. I believe another vomit fest is out of the window for this Christmas..Maybe next year hm?"

Of course, her comments warranted a warning out of her father and widened eyes out of the elves, as if they all knew what to expect, but that was the 'beauty' of these Ollivander dinners. Dinner with a show. Veronica didn't mind though. It had been a little while since she had seen the useless member of the Ollivanders, with the two of them yelling at one another after he had trashed the shop floor during one of his 'moments' in the depths of the night.

| Galen Francis Ollivander eleanor gwendolen ollivander gehry benjamin ollivander gideon edward ollivander |

[Galen Francis Ollivander]

nothing.

dec 2028

IT HAD NEVER OCCURRED TO FRANKIE THAT HE had sat in the wrong seat. It had simply always been where he had sat at formal Ollivander dinners. As a child he had been the eldest son, and the eldest son always sat at the patriarchs righthand. He supposed later, when the fug of the wine had cleared and he recalled Benny's shellshocked expression when he'd taken his seat, Frankie would remember that he was no longer The Heir. In the meantime, he slouched low in his seat, sneering over the fine oak table as Ronnie held court like a hunchbacked matriarch, with the fine lines to show for it. She looked more like their mother every day, stoic and austere.

Absently, Frankie knew there were other tittering conversations going on around them, however it was hard to focus under Ronnie's lasering gaze.

"I don't believe in owl post, you old witch." Frankie leaned crookedly in his seat, pulling out a sleek mobile phone from his back pocket that he brandished between two fingers. "Normal, modern people send messages and receive phone calls these days." He explained with a drawn out, patronising tone, lest she misunderstand him. Frankie knew what she was doing, though it irked him no less. To her he was just a waste of good, fine blood. To him, she was a waste of space.

"That's not what I said." Sitting forward, Frankie flickered a quick look at the man in question. Watching the way his moustache twitched in disapproval as Ronnie lorded onward with no obvious intention of stopping. She was biting down, still not quite sitting in her seat, leveraging her aged height over him as she oozed a tectonic magic that made Frankie's tie feel as if it were tightening. "I'm insulting you, I think you don't do the work, I think you sold out. I think you're using the benefit of old, out of date magic, clinging to traditions nobody is interested in anymore." He leaned his elbows on the table, leaning forward with a creeping, cold smile. It was even easier to be cruel and concise when he was almost sober. "And obviously, I don't know what you mean. Born what way?" He asked her, blinking up at where she hovered over the table. Daring her to say it, to make their mother cry, to make their father storm off at the mere mention of his poor, tainted genetics.

Frankie leaned back in his seat, watching as Ronnie cast her questing gaze over the table. Clearly realising how deeply she had been drawn into her hatred for her brother. Frankie did the same, shaken from the stupor only to find the room holding its collective breath. He smoothed a hand down his tie, itching for a drink, but knowing that to reach for a neighbours glass was to admit defeat. He thought of all the ways he might excuse himself, but settled on jostling his leg restlessly instead. He caught Nell's eye across the room, lifting his brow at her and smirking humourlessly. He wished he was anywhere else.

Attention drawn back to Ronnie, Frankie almost rolled his eyes as she opened her wobbling mouth once again. She gestured to his unwanted glass and Frankie barked a single laugh at her poor humour. It was a blow that went perhaps just a little lower than propriety offered, causing their mother to squeak and their father to begin an aborted "Now that's quite-" The words caught in his old throat as Frankie's smile grew to a frightening, mouthful.

"Here, here!" He declared loudly, lifting his wretched glass and tipping the rim to his sister so that a splash sloshed over and onto the table. "But, I mean, lets not be hasty." He addressed the whole table, eyes comically wide as held his glass in place. "Given your involvement in tonight's festivities, I'm sure I'll have plenty of opportunities to be appropriately nauseous." Frankie took ginger sip of his 'flavoured water' and smacked his lips loudly. "I mean isn't that why he left you?" Frankie pursed his lips thoughtfully in a horrible beat of silence that followed a blow, "Because you're a frigid old bitch who bored her precious husband to near tears so that he just about faked his death to get out from under the sheer weight of you." And then he waited to be hit back.

gideon edward ollivander , eleanor gwendolen ollivander , gehry benjamin ollivander , veronica giselle ollivander

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[gehry benjamin ollivander]

Not long ago YOU'D FIND
THE ANSWERS WERE SO CRYSTAL CLEAR

December 25, 2028
veronica giselle ollivander
Galen Francis Ollivander
eleanor gwendolen ollivander
gideon edward ollivander

Sitting in the middle was unfamiliar, and Benny quickly felt his elbow lightly brush his older brother. With his heart giving an extra beat, he sobered for a full second as he focused on personal space. However, his nephew was in a playful mood. Gideon drinking out of the glass would not have stopped him at this point. “You’re such an annoying—” Benny huffed, glaring at his nephew in such a way that would bring pride to Veronica. No doubt Gideon would recognize such a stare.

Taking the glass, he placed it before him while somehow managing to keep all the liquid from spilling. ”You would’ve never had your first drink without me…” Benny elbowed his nephew without a care at the volume of his voice. Opening his mouth to speak again, but Veronica’s haughty tone came through. ’Born that way.’ Merlin—he shouldn’t have smoked that entire joint and at least saved half for some time through dinner. One of Benny’s longtime friends was born like Frankie. It had never made a difference to the youngest Ollivander as it had to his parents and Veronica.

At his eldest sister’s insistence, Benny drank heartily from his glass. Peering through his periphery at Frankie and the daggers, he shot at Veronica. But then he focused on a tune that had stuck in his brain. Honestly, he might have started humming while he visually traced the light designs of the tablecloth if not for his father’s booming voice. He couldn’t finish his sentence. Benny blinked a few times blankly. He had only spaced out for a moment or two, but at the same time, Benny felt as though he’d missed some exchange and why a bit of water splashed the table.

In his current state, Benny was rightfully amused. Already picturing Veronica growing so frustrated she would perhaps throw a chair at Frankie. He clenched his jaw hard to suppress the giggle at the mental image, just like those muggle wrestling shows he would watch with Mina while getting properly stoned over the years. It was clear, at least to Benny, that his poor two oldest siblings needed some kind of companionship—they were wound up so tight. ”You see Gid—“ Benny forcefully whispered into his nephew’s ear. But Frankie was not finished, and Benny forgot the rest of his thoughts. Irritated eyes blankly looked at Frankie before slowly looking directly across the table. He wondered what level of stoned one would have to achieve to find peace at this level of tension. Drinking the rest of his glass, Benny suddenly stood up. ”Who needs more wine? I need more wine. I’m going to get more wine.” He declared, forgetting the house elves and the napkin falling from his lap before he quickly escaped to the kitchen.

template by vee

[eleanor gwendolen ollivander]

▲

They hadn’t even made it through pre-dinner drinks yet and everything was kicking off. She slid further down into her chair to avoid the crazed glare Frankie was shooting across the table at Veronica. And speaking of her, Nell just wanted to get away from her. She didn’t want to be caught in the crossfire that was starting to be launched back and forth. Her parents were useless, as per usual, and it seemed like Benny and Gideon were caught up in their conversation over the goblets of wine.

Sadly, she had sort of expected there to be comments about him being a squib. Veronica never failed to bring that one out when given the chance. Something he was incapable of controlling. But once Frankie fired his insult over their sister’s divorce, Nell froze in place. That was a bold (and maybe true) comment he made, but they all knew it was a subject that wasn’t supposed to be touched at all. She sort of saw it as only fair, considering what Veronica had just said to him, but she still didn’t want to be anywhere close to the fallout.

Benny gave her an out though, and as he stood up from his chair to go and ‘get more wine’, Nell managed to slip out of her chair and scurry away as well. Their parents could handle this as it spiraled out of control. Quickly making her way into the kitchen as well, she gave her younger brother a look, ”I am not getting caught up in that again this year. I don’t even know why we bother to do this. It always ends up the same way.” She was sure she could hear more shouting already, though it was hard to tell from the other side of the thick, kitchen door. If it spilled into here as the family tried to escape it, she was already thinking of leaving. There was no point in sticking around now.

gideon edward ollivander veronica giselle ollivander Galen Francis Ollivander gehry benjamin ollivander ● 328 ● Song by Artist

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOX 2.0

[gideon edward ollivander]

The tension in the room could be cut with a knife. Once Frankie started to go off on his typical expected tangent, everyones eyes at the table started to glaze over with annoyance. Here we go again...

Benny got up from his chair declaring he needed more wine. Nell scurried after him muttering some words once she got into the kitchen. Gideon wanted to follow them but anger was still boiling at the back of his throat after Frankie mentioned his coward father. Frankie was madder than a bag of ferrets.

Taking a breath in, he pondered if he, too, wanted to get up from his chair and escape to the kitchen. The words that fell from Frankie’s lips were ringing in his ears. In no shape or form was it appropriate for him to speak to his mum like that, no matter how much they despised each other. Gideons eyes twitched over to his mum across the table and back to his deadbeat uncle.

Gideons jaw tensed, debating if he should go with his primal instincts that were making him see red. He cleared his throat, deciding against being polite for the sake of his sweet Nana. ”Shut your bloody mouth, Frank. Nobody wants you here.” Gideon snapped angrily. His chair loudly screeched away from the table and he stood up. Shaking his head at Frankie, he had a sudden thought. ”This feels like a prime moment to show everyone what Frankie taught me..” he revealed. There was a stark height difference now that Gideon was standing; an advantage he didn’t usually have with his uncle. Without any hesitation Gideon swung at Frank's jaw as hard as he could with a closed fist. The contact made a satisfying sound but he instantly knew he made a mistake. Now that only opened the arena for Frankie to punch him back which he certainly didn't want. His mum wouldn't allow that...right...? Gideon couldn't look at his Nana because he knew she'd be appalled by that behavior.

His eyes widened out of his skull in realization as he took a step back, hand throbbing in instant pain wondering if he should retreat to the kitchen for protection. ”Merry Christmas!” he announced to everyone knowing absolute and utter chaos was about to ensue as he attempted to shuffle away from Franks wingspan. 

Galen Francis Ollivander
veronica giselle ollivander
gehry benjamin ollivander
eleanor gwendolen ollivander

[veronica giselle ollivander]

━ you have bewitched me, body and soul ━

FEELING ORIGINALLY VICTORIOUS FOR HER cruel words against Francis, Veronica began to wonder if she should have bit her tongue as Francis' argument in response brought up the topic of her divorce from her ex-husband; Gideon's father. Francis - like Veronica - had no understanding of when to stop, of when things were going too far. Sure, the two of them hated one another, and their arguments were evident with every Ollivander reunion. But unlike the previous reunions, Veronica couldn't even find the words to respond. She was truly gobsmacked.

Of course, everything the squib idiot had said wasn't entirely true. Her husband didn't cheat or fake cheating death, instead he had simply lied about their blood status. Something that was vitally important for the Ollivander's parents when they were choosing a perfect suitor for Veronica. Though, despite all the lies, Veronica still loved her ex-husband. But that was something that would never come back to the surface, nor would their continuous affair with one another either.

With the tension rising between the two older siblings, Veronica simply sat back, lips thinning. Processing what would really get under Francis' skin, her brows furrowed tightly, as if thinking hard enough was causing her more pain than anything. The eldest couldn't even bother to give her brother a reaction when part of his drink had splashed in her direction. With both Gehry and Eleanor leaving for the kitchen, the elves themselves standing straight - pretending that what was going on amongst them wasn't bothering them - Veronica didn't expect what happened next to even occur.

Gideon had taken it upon himself to punch Francis, probably from his own anger when it came to the topic of his father and their divorce. Gideon was young when it all happened, but it had been the most taxing upon him as he now had two separate households to live in. With widened eyes, Veronica immediately rose out of her seat, part of her wine spilling on the table.

"Gideon!" She began, cheeks flushing red from frustration. Just as Veronica opened her mouth to say more, her father too, rose out of his seat, deciding to take control. "Enough! This is a disgrace! Are we not..civilised beings?" Her father sighed then, pinching at the bridge of his nose before he continued. "Gideon, go nowhere. Eleanor, Gehry, return from the kitchen at once." Veronica didn't fear much, except from her father in his current state. A flushed face, steam practically coming out of his nose and ears.

Slowly sitting down, Veronica's hand lifted, resting on her mother's as eyes flickered between everyone else. "Gideon, let the elves tend to your hand and Galen let them clean you up. We have had these family dinners...for generations and I'm tired of silly little sibling squabble stopping everyone from enjoying themselves!" Veronica felt like she was back in her younger years, being scolded for something. "This will be the last dinner anything like this happens."

| Galen Francis Ollivander eleanor gwendolen ollivander gehry benjamin ollivander gideon edward ollivander |

[Galen Francis Ollivander]

nothing.

dec 2028

IN THE ENSUING SILENCE AFTER FRANKIE'S bitter toast, one might have heard the doxies scuffling around in their dusty old attic. And yet, Frankie found the only way he could stand the company of his family sober was if he was yelling at somebody. He loved it, the way his heart was beating as he waited for any form of retaliation. It was like the first sip of whiskey over ice. Strangely, it didn't come from where Frankie had expected.

One moment he felt the breeze of his little brother and Nell making a quick exit. So fast their chairs screeched against the hardwood flooring. The next, Gideon's was tipped entirely as he stood up, rolled up his fine, starched sleeves and swung at Frankie's face from across the table. It was probably deserved, really. And Frankie decided it was a fair attempt, his lip biting into his smiling teeth so that it split and he tasted blood immediately. Head rocking backwards, more to lessen the blow than a direct result of Giddy's lame right hook. He ricocheted on the backhand, head rocking forward so that a gentle drip, drip, drip of red pooled on the lace table coverings. "Nice one," Frankie mumbled around a rapidly swelling lip, gently lifting the back of his hand to dab the wound with his sleeve. "But my nose is about a half inch higher." He added, winking at him from across the table. Ronnie, shockingly, hadn't said a word.

Instead, it was the booming voice of their father that suddenly commanded the room. Halfway out of his seat, his hands fisted on the table top as he rapped it twice so that the wood shook and the crystal ware tinkled angrily. His voice, though hoarse with age, cracked like thunder. "Keep your slave hands to yourself," Frankie grumbled dismissively, standing with a huff and crossing paths with a sheepish Benny and Nell as they returned as instructed. "Cowards," He hissed with a bloody smirk, shouldering past them on his way to the nearest bathroom. "I can get my own tissue, for christsake." He disappeared through the same door Benny and Nell had returned through.

Quickly, like a practiced thief, Frankie grabbed the cooking wine from the kitchen counter and disappeared into the downstairs bathroom through a side door. He took a moment to examine his face, top lip fat and shiny with blood. He probed it with his tongue and hissed a laugh, using the other side of his mouth to pry the cork out of the cooking wine to take a long and decadent slug. It tasted horrid, bitter and heavy, meant for lining pans not the inside of Frankie's mouth. But it was strong, he could tell by the way it burned on its way down. The proof meant for burning off over a stove, not searing a hole in Frankie's gut. He burped noisily, rinsed his mouth with water until it went from pink to clear, and tilted his head back for another punishing gulp of wine. 'Tis the season, after all. 

gideon edward ollivander , eleanor gwendolen ollivander , gehry benjamin ollivander , veronica giselle ollivander

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!