The location of the Society for the Support of Squibs is a cozy building full of warmth. The gardens are covered in an assortment of flowers. There are glittering fireflies dancing among the flowers in the dark. There is a magical water fountain that musically twinkles in the background.
Ever since the Society for the Support of Squibs has become the weekly host of the Whisperers of Meow, it has become incredibly popular. The building is full of laughter and bustle as members and non-members wear a set of fluffy cat ears on their heads. Although members of the Whispers of the Meow also proudly wear a badge with an enchanted moving cat, which is presently playing with a string of yarn.
"C'mon, Mary," pleaded Willa Sands, who blinked her hazel eyes at her friend, Mary. "Really, it's quite fun," she pointed to the chestnut Bengal cat ears on her head that matched her chestnut hair.
Mary MacDonald looked rather disgruntled with her arms folded over her chest and her face rather unconvinced. Her dark brown hair is a bit messy, and underneath her golden brown eyes, there are matching shadows. "We're only here because your boyfriend said he was coming."
Willa's cappuccino colored skin flushed darker. "I-, I mean that's not the only reason," she protested at the mention of her boyfriend, Thomas Bell. She also wanted to spend time with her friend. She was genuinely worried about Mary, and it didn't help that Mary's mum, Mrs. MacDonald, had mentioned that Mary had been having nightmares all summer long.
Seeing the desperate plea on Willa's face, Mary signed and bent her head toward Willa. Willa hurriedly slides the pair of brown Burmese cat ears on Mary's head. "You look positively adorable," Willa gently teased with a cheeky grin.
"Very funny," Mary rolled her eyes, before glancing around. "So, where is Thomas?"
"Oh, I'm sure he's around," Willa shrugged before pulling Mary to the table.
"I can't believe you're a member," Mary pointed with scorn to the badge pinned on her friend's chest. "You don't even own a cat, Willa!"
"The Whisperers of the Meow are not just about cats, Mary," Willa firmly retorted. "It's about meeting other people and staying friends outside of Hogwarts. I've even made two good friends, Pauline and Sophie Lockhart. They're both squibs, but you've met their younger brother; he's in Hufflepuff."
"Gilderoy Lockhart," Willa paused to smirk, "or as they like to call him, Gildie."
"Oh, him," Mary dryly said upon recalling the kid in question. It was hard to forget such a chatterbox in the first place, even if he was in another year and in an entirely different house.
"Oh, hey!" Willa called out and waved to her two friends.
Mary turned to look as well and saw two golden-haired young women who shared the same bright blue eyes of their younger brother, Gilderoy. The two girls were quite pretty and even shared the dazzling smile of their brother. The largest difference was that while Gilderoy's smile was practiced, theirs was natural.
"Pauline and Sophie, it's good to see you both," Willa greeted her friends and hugged them, before turning to introduce them. "Pauline and Sophie, please meet Mary, one of my best friends from Hogwarts."
"Only one of your best friends?" Mary snorted in jest before greeting the two girls.
"It's nice to meet you," Pauline and Sophie both responded.
"So, how are things with you and Timothy?" Willa eagerly asked.
Pauline refrains from rolling her eyes as Sophie recounts her ongoing relationship with Timothy (Heskel, and former werewolf). Things had been serious from the start, but there were subtle hints that he planned to propose once she graduated from Secondary School at the end of the school year. Naturally, Sophie planned to accept the proposal, but she didn't plan to get married. At least not for a year or two, she wanted to attend university and graduate. Becoming pregnant simply wasn't part of the plan.
Seeing Sophie and Willa chatting, Mary fidgets, uncertain if to start a conversation with Pauline. She didn't really know the girl, and being the older of the two, Pauline looked much more serious than her sister, Sophie. She just didn't want to step on any toes.
Mary is saved from having to speak first as Pauline says, "Willa said you were quite the Quidditch player, but that you quit your position. Was there a reason why?"
"Er," Mary is taken aback at being asked a question so up front. "I just lost my drive," she quietly said. "I didn't feel like myself anymore," which was true.
"Good," Pauline solemnly said. "Sometimes it's easier to fit a mold to fit in rather than be ourselves."
Feeling a bit better after Pauline's words, Mary says, "Willa says, you're starting Uni this year."
"Yes, I'll be starting this Fall in the finance sector," Pauline proudly answered. "I'm only one of five girls in the entire program."
"That's quite impressive," Mary earnestly said, before a speck of curiosity flashed in her brown-golden eyes. "Er, I don't mean to pry, but isn't it daunting to be in a classroom full of boys?"
"It can be," Pauline solemnly responded, "and I'm not always welcome. It's an old boys club, and women simply aren't welcome. But Dad's got my back, and he said I've got what it takes to be good at finance. His opinion matters the most, the rest can just suck it."
Mary gasped in open admiration of Pauline and at the time is shocked at the audacity of Pauline. "Er, right," she flushed.
The two of them continue to talk for a bit before Mary notices two of her professors in attendance. Catching her gaze, Pauline turns around to gaze at a short, rugged man and a tall, ginger man with freckles and spectacles. "Do you know them?" Pauline sharply inquired.
"Oh, I was just surprised to see my professors outside of school," Mary murmured. "I mean obviously they live outside of Hogwarts, but it's jus' strange, you know?"
"Yes, it's like seeing them at the grocers or deli," Pauline sagely nodded her head in agreement.
"Precisely that," Mary said, before slightly panicking. "By galloping gargoyles! Don't look over, but I think they're coming over here!" The two approaching professors had a pair of cat ears each. Professor Buchanan had on a pair of black cat ears and Professor Murphy, a pair of ginger cat ears.
Mary feigned a smile and said, "Good evening, Professor Buchanan and Professor Murphy. This is Pauline Lockhart," she introduced her companion.
The two men greeted Mary and Pauline, before Professor Buchanan said, "Forgive me, but I am simply parched," and toddled off to get a drink and chat to another friend.
The freckles on Professor Elias Murphy's face are stark on his pale face. He hadn't planned to come, but had been dragged her by his friend, Benjamin Buchanan. He knew that Benjamin meant well, but he wasn't always good at socializing in a crowd.
Taking pity on her professor, Mary says, "Professor Murphy is the Professor of Muggle Studies at Hogwarts."
"Oh?" Pauline gazed at the ginger, freckled man. "So, you're a wizard?"
Elias Murphy shook his ginger head so fast his spectacles slipped down his nose. "I'm a muquib is the proper term, I believe."
Pauline's eyes widened in surprise and shock. "I'm so sorry, please pardon my rudeness. I didn't mean anything by it."
"Tis alright," Elias Murphy ruefully shrugged. "I never believed in magic either until I was bitten."
"I'm sure that must have come as quite a shock to you," Pauline emphatically murmured.
"Frankly, I'm just grateful that the first time I transformed, I was out camping in the courtside," Elias Murphy truthfully answered. "Had I been back in my apartment in London, Lord knows the carnage I could have caused."
Seeing that Pauline and Professor Elias Murphy are getting on splendidly well like a house on fire, she tactfully decides to retreat. She could read the room and sensed the two were definitely into each other. Though if Professor Elias Murphy did end up with Pauline Lockhart, he would have to deal with Gilderoy as a brother-in-law. True love conquers all…
Searching for a quiet place to rest, Mary wandered down the hall until she found a cozy parlor with a roaring fireplace. It was a trifle warm, but it was empty. Enjoying the peace and quiet, she plops down in an enormous, comfortable armchair. The armchair was so large that she looked small.
Mary had only been sitting when a violent rage struck her heart. It was so hard that she gripped her chest in pain, unable to breathe. She slid out of the chair onto her knees, trying to frantically breathe. She gasped for air, all the while feeling the awful rage. Just as quickly, the rage was gone.
Sitting on the carpeted floor, Mary held her aching chest huffing for air. She shivered, unable to fully comprehend what had just occurred. She had sensed rage from IT. It was angry at the changes that had occurred. She didn't know what changes had been made, but if she were to guess, it had something to do with the Ministry of Magic.
Weakly with limbs still shaking, Mary climbs back up into the armchair. She shivers as if cold. The heat of the fireplace no longer felt warm enough. She desperately rubbed her forearms covered in goosebumps trying to get warm again. Whatever it was that had angered THEM, she would learn of it soon enough. She could only hope it was in her favor.