Hogwarts in Ruins

The parchment floated over the fireplace for several seconds now, something unusually lucky for a parchment carrying a trivial information like that. A year ago he would not have thought twice in feed the fire with that piece of crap, he never liked politics, nor diplomacy, but if he had imprinted some of his believes on Debbie it was not a surprise to say it had happened the other way around too. And although he still could say he totally dislike social events, he now had to admit that sometimes it was necessary, for strategy purpose of course. He still did not buy that crap of 'relaxation oportunity' or 'time to make friends'. Yeah, sure!!

It was not a new idea though, Rellik had told him about the good it could do to the Alliance purpose to have more 'tact' in dealing with the important people in the wizarding world. But Branko had ditched the idea always without think on it twice. On the other hand, he had Debbie now, who makes that tedious labor a little bit easier and more enjoyable. In a third view, maybe she needed one of those. She, unlike him, loved events, dressing, make-up and all the rituals a Ball carried with it.

The parchment was summoned back on his hand then, and he gave it a second look. For him, it was a good oportunity to check on the important wizards and witches worldwide. For Debbie, well she would love the idea for sure.

"You are a grump-puss." Debbie held Kristof in her arms and walked back from the Auror tower toward the Headmaster's office. Her son's face was turned up in her direction with his cheeks poked out about as far as they could go and a teary eyed scowl marring his normally happy face. He looked about as angry as a baby could look and took his turn throwing the mother of temper tantrums back in her office the moment an official walked in and disturbed his nap.

She couldn't really blame him though. Debbie had put him down five times in one hour already to sleep and every single time he tried to sleep, someone would enter the office and wake him up.

And not only that, the hour before while she was trying to feed him was constantly interrupted with letters and questions. The moment Kris looked as if he may take a spoonful of the food, she was pulled away or startled by another intruder. She was finally forced to give him a bottle which by that time he didn't even want and threw on the floor more times than she could count.

Debbie knew it was time to give up now. He never had temper tantrums like that or seriously cried for long periods of time unless something was really bothering him and she felt it was time to take the rest of the afternoon off and let someone else deal with the paperwork. The door to Branko's office swung open when she walked up, shifting Kristof in her arms and letting him droop his head on her shoulder. "You have a grouchy son." she remarked, feeling the warmth missing from the cold hallways hit her.

She looked up from closing the door at the moment to see a piece of parchment trailing from the fireplace, the opposite direction she expected it to go in and gave a curious look, "What's that? Decided you had enough fire wood for now?" she grinned and moved a bit closer, keeping a careful eye incase Kris decided he would be angry about this too.

"It's a diplomatic gala" he said simply giving no further explanation on the matter. It was useless to explain better. Debbie was good at tracing his way of thinking and only the fact that the invitation had been dragged back from the fight still intact and his not so friendly face but not indifferent either, said all she need to know to understand.

And he dropped the piece of parchemnt on his desk for her to read it at please. If it would have been a council matter only, probably he would not have found it so useful, but councils weren't the only ones to be there, and not all the councils were from that part of the world either... It was a huge oportunity to know how was the view of the current wizards/muggles situation in a more global picture.

"I suppose it would be worthy to assist. If you have the time of course..." he added as her company was essential for him or he would lose half of his brain and IQ in that night!.

Debbie carefully leant down just the slightest bit so not to bump Kristof and pulled the piece of parchment from the desk, giving it a quick once over.

Wizarding Alliance Headmaster
Hogwarts Castle

Josef Milikov Branko


Dear sir,

We are pleased to inform that yourself and wife are coordially invited to attend a Gala hosted by the Official Wizarding Council of England on January 22, 2010. Particpants will include officials, councils and those of diplomatic standing throughout the wizarding world to discuss the current status of Alliance and Muggle connections as well as current events in the wizarding world.

On top of this will include..

The letter was already becoming boring the more she read on. However, the moment her eyes drifted back to the world gala, she couldn't help feeling a surge of excitement.

Gala's were events for formal wear and dancing, not to mention having the chance to see the top officials from all over the world. "That actually sounds like it may be fun." she smiled. Having to deal with their own council hosting this thing wasn't splendid, but being in a group of people they couldn't act like complete fools. Although Debbie was aware there was more than just one council scattered throughout the world.

Each base for wizards had a governing body that connected to their council in some shape or form, probably all with the very same ideals.

Still, the chance to go was too good to pass up. "We should definately go. It would be beneficial to get a more personal up to date look at what's happening in other places. Diplomatic alliances are always beneficial too." she dropped the letter back to the desk just in time for Kristof to let out an irritated huff, nearly sounding like a growl. 'Here he goes again.' she thought.

Branko looked at mother and son for a second and the smile on Debbie's face was even brighter than usually. He knew it was because of the invitation of course. Unlike him she really loved those events so much that she would even prepare his clothes and make sure he would not have any excuse to not go, which could mean reorganize his schedule if it was necessary. She loved plotting out things for that day to be perfect almost as much as he enjoyed plotting some strategy on a battle. That was good though, for him organize a mission was way easier than have to deal a whole day preparing for an event like a formal gala.

"I can take care of him for a while if you want" he offered as suddenly the little one started complaining again "I have to check on some informs and nobody really bothers me unless it is necessary." he said knowing it was most likely for people to trouble Debbie and to go straight to him. And if Kristof was so desperate for some quite place there was not a better option than when he was reading reports. Not even flies dared to interrupt.

Debbie looked surprised for a moment and took another look down at Kristof. He was glaring at her, something she hadn't seen him do very often as of late. "Well, that would be a good idea." she said slowly and blinked at the baby, who in turn blinked back at her. It was so funny how he nearly acted like a grown person in some of his mannerisms, already sprouting a very brilliant personality of his own.

Kristof had his likes and dislikes, his temperment and expressions. Sometimes he seemed to be the most expressionable baby she had ever seen.

He nearly looked as if he would be in tears again if he wasn't asleep soon. His eyes were squinching and his cheeks full and round, mirroring his pouting mouth. Debbie smoothed a hand down over his head and the little bits of fluffy hair there puffed up. "Let's go to daddy." she smiled and walked around the desk to Josef, extremely carefully shifting Kristof into his hands least he get angry again and pitch another fit.

"I'll just ah, go plan!" she beamed and hurried around the desk after pressing a kiss to Josef's cheek and moved toward the door. There was so much she had to decide now. Moving her schedule around and his, figuring out what dress to wear and how she would do her hair. Maybe up in a french twist with the curls hanging down? Or maybe over one shoulder and framing her face? Debbie couldn't even begin to decide.

Standing still on his frame, Rellik watched as Debbie rushed out the office and obviously going to plan things out about this gala. It was not rocket science to guess what was going on in that head of her right now. But what was really interesting him was Branko actually agreeing to go. He had been trying to convince the man for years to go to those kind of social events but no matter what the Headmaster had always denied.

Of course in those days Branko had a point to reject every invitation. That was something nobody knew, not even him till Branko's secret was revealed over a year ago. Now that he was curse free it seemed that part of him had changed.... and his common sense too...

The portrait watched the Headmaster's doings intently, for a second thinking he might share something with the portraits, perhaps there was some secret plan being cooked on his head. But as it seemed the man really was just reading reports and babysitting Kristof, Rellik finally spoke out his concern.

"I applaud that you wanna make lovely friends now but... are you sure of what you are doing?" the figure begun "I have nothing against Commander Ito, but woudn't it be better going to the gala alone? You have some reputation... that might be better to keep around them, do you know?"

Debbie's head was spinning with ideas on what to wear. Gala's were normally very formal if she remembered right, that would require an evening gown. She had several but none of them had been used since she lived in France. She didn't think it would matter, though. A little transfiguration if need be or a quick bit of tailoring and they should be right as rain.

The closet originally wasn't very large but shortly upon moving into the room, Debbie realized that her clothing was not going to fit in there well. Most people in the castle probably had a very small wardrobe, just something to pull out on their day off.

Not Debbie. Her love of fashion and clothing was her one vice in a world of uniforms and wands.

The door swung open neatly for Debbie to enter into the magically expanded room, light flooding the small area and illuminating the clothes hanging from one side to the next. But her eyes fell on a specific piece of clothing in particular, the silvery sequins catching the light and sparkling in the small closet. "Perfect."

Debbie had the dress in her hands and deftly held it up in front of the mirror, smiling a cheeky little grin at the evening gown. It was a brilliant shade of pink, lined with modest rows of silver glitter flowing down into the billowy bottom. The top was low cut and tastefully done, perfect in her opinion but unsure if it would be what she need. She took the material up in one hand, moving toward the doorway and putting her hand on the door that had been left just slightly ajar.

'....better going to the gala alone? You have some reputation... that might be better to keep around them, do you know?'

Branko raised his eyes at the portrait, raising an eyebrow looking somehow clueless of what he meant with that.

"To start with, what they might think or not about me, I give a s**t" he said as turned his head back to the sleeping baby on his lap just making sure that little conversation was not disturbing him, thus trying to keep his voice neutral "Debbie would love to go and I would not resist a second in there without her on my side. That is enough for me..." he said then continued after a few seconds of silent thoughts.

"On the other hand, I have no idea what you mean with that... I am sure most of them know I am married now. It would be unpolite not to go with my wife, if I cared about that. On the other hand, she is way more skilled in dealing with social activities than me and that will be of use to get information from the guests"

Rellik looked intently at Branko. His first answer could not be more trivial for the older figure, although it clearly had something of the past Branko in it. He never cared about going to those places even now for what it seemed.

The Headmaster second set of words, though, seemed he was at last talking with the Headmaster position and the strategiest he supposed to be and not the 'beloved husband' game he was playing at.

"Well, you got something there but... are you really sure about the last? You know this said 'you look prettier with your mouth shut' fits her most of the times." Rellik said knowing Debbie was not exactly good with high ranked people. She was known for messing some important meetings, he had heard it from the very same Branko years ago, when she messed up a meeting with Commander Chevalier.

"And if you let me remind her sister and she have some kind of... the same taste about clothing..." And rellik's beard twitched a little in disgust at that pompouse manner of that Ichigo girl "Sparkly dress with some kill-eyes color and a decollete reaching her waist, I bet!" he said still eyeing the man sitting "Not a good look for the 'wife' of the Headmaster. And with you and your uniform on her side, I would wonder in wich street did you picked that sweet apple..."

"That is enough! Suddenly Branko's stern look cut his trail of thinking.

(OOC: God mod aproved.)

'That old fool...'

Debbie stood there gritting the dress unknowingly in her hands. She knew Rellik and herself had never gotten along, especially after the enormous spectacle he caused for himself with the timeturner some long time ago now. But even so after that, Debbie had laid most her problems with him to rest and moved on after coming to a realisation.

If it wasn't for him, none of this would be happening for her right now.

But standing there, Debbie understood every word he said clearly. Rellik thought she would ruin Josef's reputation, and why so? She could feel her cheeks heating up already and had half a mind to go in there and finally find a way to rip that portrait from the wall.

It was a quick moment though and with a winning smile, Debbie realized she wouldn't have to. She was more than proud of her husband's answer. Not only had he smoothed over any qualms about their reasons for being there, he had also thought about the fact she really would love to go and that in itself caused the little butterflies fluttering in her stomach to dance. Surely Rellik wouldn't have anything to say to that now. But maybe it would be better not to interrupt and show Josef the dress later. There was always plenty of time for that, she thought while turning away.

'Well, you got something there but... are you really sure about the last? You know this said 'you look prettier with your mouth shut' fits her most of the times.'

Debbie froze before she could even turn fully away.

'And if you let me remind her sister and she have some kind of... the same taste about clothing...Sparkly dress with some kill-eyes color and a decollete reaching her waist, I bet!'

She could feel the anger boiling in the pit of her stomach at the mention of her sister. Indeed, Debbie felt Ichigo was far over the limit, much farther than she ever should be but that was her sister none the less. She wasn't inclined to stand by while someone insulted her.

'Not a good look for the 'wife' of the Headmaster. And with you and your uniform on her side, I would wonder in wich street did you picked that sweet apple...'

Debbie's eyes were fixed on the now stained pink fabric, reaching up a hand to wipe at her eyes. She regarded the smooth skin of her hand with some disdain at seeing the soft smudges of ruined mascara there, angrilly wiping it on her pants. Did she really look so..so shameful? Her fingers slowly closed around a piece of brilliant blonde hair, pulling the curl down slowly and examining.

Debbie didn't feel as if she were so angry anymore, just hurt and confused. She had never thought her style was promiscuous or flamboyant, always the level headed one of the sisters. Sure, she had been a bit more outlandish before Branko, but she had put a halt on that nearly completely. Her entire wardrobe had been tossed for more suitable colors, shapes and fits and still, Rellik still compared her with some common girl from the streets.

Her eyes turned toward the door then and peered through the small crack, curious as to what would be said next.

"That is enough!" the words escaped out of his control as Rellik seemed not to know where to put limits on his words. But his anger sooner were drowned as the little one on his lap started squirming and moaning. Branko bit his lips shut, patting and rocking Kristof sofly back to sleep, hushing him with an almost imperceptible tone. And for few minutes it seemed the previous conversation with Rellik had come to an end and died. But the truth was that Rellik's words still echoed into Branko's head as he was thinking about all what had been said, although his eyes and his behavious seemed to be completely on Kristof's wellbeing.

Even though he had to admit Debbie's ways of fashion had almost gave him a heart failures in countless ocassions for the many rules breaks to the commanders' dressing code; it was also true she had moderated herself through the times. She had been a crazy peacock since the first time she set a foot in the castle, but it was not like that anymore. Indeed she did quite a good job with his wardrobe as well, even when he did not ask for it...

On the other hand, they might have some clothing issues, time to time, specially when she wanted to change his... Lowever, it was a completelly different matter to let any other to speak of his wife the way Rellik was going to before he stopped him.

Kristof relaxing and falling back into sleep put his thoughts to an end, and as soon as the man considered safe he spoke again, in a calm voice trying not to raise it up more than the necessary.

"She knows better." he said simply to Rellik still keeping his eyes on the child, making sure that the renewed conversation did not upset the kid again "If you don't like her ways, it is fair enough. But wath the way to speak about her, keep you mouth clean or I might ask her to re-decorate your pictures all around the castle." the man gave a quick glare at the portrait, threatening him with those simple words.

Debriana's tears halted the moment she heard the sound of her son's voice rising over the trouble. His little moan's were distressed to her ears and Debbie could not help herself but to turn quickly to the door, her hand resting on it's frame in case she dared to move outward.

Yet as she watched, her eyes softened considerable and her posture relaxed. Josef was rocking him carefully back to sleep and his eyes were shutting just as peacefully as they were before. But something in her mildly relaxed posture did not feel right. She looked from Josef's face, quiet and contemplative and up to Rellik's, not missing the flicker of emotion on the portrait's face.

She was angry and confused that he would speak of her that way. It seemed no matter how one changed themselves in the eyes of others, one would still fail to gain the respect of someone.

'She knows better.'

Debbie abruptly looked up then after realizing her thoughts had strayed to the crumpled gown in her hands. She was shocked to hear Josef threaten the old portrait in such a way, declaring he may allow her to decorate the old man's frames. The story of Vangaard's office bloomed in her mind like a bud reopening, picturing the brilliant walls and pink trimming. She could scarcely imagine how Rellik might respond to the same treatment.

However she had grown from performing such pranks, however amusing they still were.

The look on Rellik's face told her everything she needed to know then. Yet, something still bothered her despite her husband's comforting words in her defense. Josef's point of view wasn't much farther than the portraits, albeit more containted and tolerated. She could tell by the way he agreed Rellik might not like her ways.

Her ways weren't appropriate, just tolerated.

For a brief thought, Debbie imagined what Jillian may have looked like. She compared the image in her mind to the look of Branko, so sophisticated and straight forward. He was always so well dressed yet conservative. Not loud nor un-natural.

Debbie was girly, not feminine. Loud and quite un-natural. Her hair always dyed a brilliant shade of fake blond, her lips painted pretty shades of pinks and her eyes wide and sparkling. Even her clothing choices, though much more sophisticated now, still held hints of her rebellious nature. Flowery, sweet perfumes, pink gems and bangles of all sizes. And her shoes, her shoes were never a normal color, always the offset of the outfit. She contrasted everywhere that Josef fit in perfectly in a picture.

Rellik did not look any pleased at Branko's reasoning, totally different with the Branko he had been used too. He had never cared about how he called a person... and he had said worst things about Debbie before.

What some people murmured around the castle seemed to be true, Branko had changed with Debbie around, specially with her. But the portrait could not quite see the changes on Debbie, althoug he had heard there were plenty, even more than Branko's. However, for him that just see her for a few minutes or just passing by, she was yet the same bubble head barbie doll woman, dressing as a teenager at her thirties.

"Pardon me then!" he said although looking stiffy as if Branko's threatening had been insulting for him.

~Gala Night~


Debbie could feel the butterflies fluttering in her stomach with every glance toward the mirror. She had been hidden away in the bathroom for hours now without so much as a glance outside. She knew Josef was probably going to be extremely irritated with her. Hell, she would be irritated with her if she had locked up inside without so much as a hello, how are you and sucked up all the bathroom time without hope anytime soon.

'You look lovely, darling.'

So said the mirror who was enchanted to tell her so. "Merci." she quiped and smoothed a hand down her dress once more. Debbie felt foreign, as if she weren't in her own skin.

Her dress was a deep fiery red, pleated from the sectioned bosom down to the sash pulled into a delicate knot. It flared down to the floor, comfortable for the small swell her tummy was finally beginning to show but fitted nicely to her form. Around her neck Debbie wore two necklaces; one a long chain of gold from her father years ago that held a claw of sparkling diamonds. Second, another thick golden band filled with sparkling rubies, another family heirloom.

Her earrings were small and delicate, a set with the necklace of gold and rubies dangling. upon further inspection, her eyes trailed to the second foreign look of her lips. Pale and soft, not a hint of color as they normally held.

Even her cheeks were only dusted a pale peach and her eyes lined in simple black liner. But the strangest sight, the piece she hadn't seen in so very long, was the straight hair hanging about her shoulders with just a faint hint of wave, colored a rich ebony-brown. Debbie's real color. She had even removed her fake nails in favor of the real, smoothed a pretty pale mauve and rounded nicely but short. All in all, she felt sophisticated and elegant, still a little strange.

"I guess.. here we go." she breathed and finally, slowly turned the knob on the bathroom door. "I'm sorry, I'm ready to go." she said quietly into the room, not even sure if Josef was in there at the moment. Debbie felt her stomach twist again. She hoped she had done a well job in his eyes.


[ooc: Dress]

Branko was not happy, not happy at all. Waiting was not one of his best qualities and having Debbie kidnapping the bathroom did not make things any better. It was good to know there were about 3 bathrooms between his office, his training room and the quarters... Luckily indeed she could just use one bathroom at time!!! he thought wildly.

"Finally!" he mumbled to himself as heard the bathroom's door open at last, and stood up from the seat at once turning his head to face the woman and see if they could make it in the gala before it ends... but the trail of his thoughts got cut the moment he lied his eyes on her.

Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined her looking like that. She was beautiful, not doubt on that, and even when he really loved the way she looked right now, he could not help to find her appearance to be odd.

He was so used of sparky Debbie that see her like this now almost made him wonder if she had thought this was a costume party. She wasn't being herself at all! that was for sure!

"What did you do with my wife?" he asked stupidly as he finally found his voice and after the first shock impression she had caused on him. "I.. I mean, you look... pretty... strange but pretty." he corrected himself.

"Strange?" The word tasted strange yet appropriate on her tongue, turning the thought over and over again in her head as Debbie gazed into a mirror across the room. The person looking back at her seemed a stranger, someone she didn't recognize. "I...do you like it?" Her voice sounded small and soft to her ears, not loud and full of assurance as it should.

Somehow, Debbie felt she was fidgeting and unsure of herself. It was perhaps her mind drifting back to that earlier conversation between Josef and Rellik. The conversation she wasn't suppose to over hear.

'Sparkly dress with some kill-eyes color and a decollete reaching her waist, I bet!'

"I thought..it would be more appropriate." she said slowly, looking down to the train of her gown. The color was lovely, running her pale fingers across the soft material and watching it shimmer subtly in the light. It containted just the faintest hint of orange in the swirls of red, an almost peach shade to soften what could have been labeled as harsh against her skin. It was flattering, how it draped yet flowed and fit perfectly to her figure.

Debbie could hardly find words to disagree with her attire. "I ..wanted you to be proud of me.." She barely spoke it in a whisper yet already the worlds sounded childish to her ears.

'Not a good look for the 'wife' of the Headmaster. And with you and your uniform on her side, I would wonder in wich street did you picked that sweet apple..'

The thoughts immediately frozen in her mind and Debbie found herself hardening her jaw. No, that's exactly what she wanted, she wanted him to be proud of her and be proud to present her. He may not care and she knew Josef didn't, but she cared what they thought of him. They needed diplomatic ties from this gala, that was the purpose of going. If even a dusty portrait thought she looked so cheap..

Debbie could feel the knot in her chest tightening again and immediately banished the thoughts, pulling a bright smile to the front. "I like it." she breathed, touching a bit of her hair hanging much longer than she was use to from the curls. And indeed she did, but maybe so much more if her feelings weren't still tender from Rellik's words.

Branko stared at Debbie's eyes at once. Something was going wrong... she did not seemed to be as sure of herself and her look as she used to, as if she was having double thoughts.

"Appropiate?" he asked raising an eyebrow at that new attitud of Debbie. She never picked something because it was 'appropiate', it was him who always pointed that out, she never realized those kind of things by herself.

She wanted him to be proud of her? What that had to do with a stupid dress? he wondered just as listened at her in silent. And even the way she pronounced the words 'I like it' sounded more as if she was trying to convince herself.

The truth was she did look lovely and appropiate and all what she had said. And the dress kind of reflected some of her personality... with that color... but most of her own self was missing in those layers of red-orange fabric and framed with darker hair.

"You got a little confuse here" he said looking at Debbie with some curiousity of why all that unexpected behavior of her "See, we are going to a social even... a f**ing party! Appropiate dressing comes with duties. And this is not a duty... in any case is my duty not yours... You suppose to have fun! So go put on something you like!"

Debbie's eyes were glued to her shoes, the one thing Rellik's temperment couldn't mess with. The delicate but pretty golden straps were gleaming back at her from beneath the fabric's edge and it was impossible not to be distracted by the small jewels twinkling down the middle. Especially since she was looking for a specific distraction and this one came without force.

She wasn't really paying attention to his looks, Debbie wasn't sure she wanted to know what Josef was thinking. His temperments were unpredictable and having a stomach twisted up in knots was bad enough. But in the silence of the room, she couldn't help but hear his voice;

'You got a little confuse here'

"Eh?" Debbie looked up then, her hair bouncing about her shoulders and falling down around her eyes and cheeks. That wasn't the answer she had expected. "But I..." Debbie's mouth shut and she stopped. She thought about what he said for several seconds until her lips curved up into a smile, the strangest bubbling sensation causing the woman to suddenly giggle with the delight. Yet, her eyes felt heavy and so did her chest, not sure if she was crying or laughing, or maybe both!

Frantically dabbing at her eyes wasn't helping and she could still feel the bubbles of laughter. But how did she explain? "Nonsense, it's just as important to me. We both know you hate politics." Debbie dabbed at her eyes again and tried to get control of herself past the little display of emotions. She wanted him not to notice but that was already too much to hope for.

"I like the dress." she finally gave in with a smile, walking up closer to grab his hand. "I'm just..pissed off. There isn't a nice way to put it." Her smile faltered for a moment, anger sparking in her eyes once again and Debbie pushed it away. "I heard stupid Rellik. It doesn't even matter, I'm being emotional and we're about to be late." she pointed toward the door for emphasis and to dispel this issue. He was certainly not going to be happy with her silliness now.

Branko raised an eyebrow in a gesture of doubt at his wife statement. Really if she liked that look, which pretty much was a sofisticate version of her natural self, she would not spend so much time in a daily basis to transform herself into a human version of the a muggle Barbie doll... But at the sound of the name Rellik, anything fell on its place, there was nothing else to add to that, he understood... and rolled his eyes while sighed somehow resignated. There wasn't much he could say to either calm her or change her mind... not to mention that she was right at saying they were late.

"Allright" he said as offered his arm to her and leaded her out the room "just remember, Agnam Rellik was an old mad wizard that lived when the rainbow was white and black!... you should not rely on his opinion about fashion..."