Reactions; the Abbott's [HJ, DA, EM, MS]
WHO: Hestia, Dominic, Ernie and likely Miles
WHERE: the Abbott's
WHEN: Monday, 17 January, 2000; evening
SUMMARY: Reactions to the ongoing journal exchanges and owls. COMPLETED THREAD.
RATING: PG-13


Though brief, it seemed Hestia had at some point slept, as when she woke, the light in the room was different and both Ernie and Miles were passed out on various pieces of furniture. Dominic, however, wasn't within sight, but she had a guess where he was, the same place he had retreated to several times when it had become too much and he hadn't wanted her to see him drinking to blur it all a bit. Getting up quietly so not as to disturb the other two, she left the room, ignoring the Aurors in the hall. Ultimately, they hadn't been able to keep them entirely out of it and it was a constant source of fear, despite being certain Rodolphus and Bellatrix would know the guard staff would know, but Hestia had kicked Shacklebolt out of the house herself rather than having more Aurors involved.

At the door to Dominic's study, she pushed the door open, finding him at his desk, drink it hand and head bowed. She went to him, bare feet making no noise on the thick rug.

"You know, that's not fair, as I can't have any," she said quietly, leaning down to kiss the top of his head as she slid one arm around his shoulder.

Two days, or just a few hours short of two days, and it felt as though it had been a lifetime.