Junctus Journals

Nothing good can come from unexpected letters from the Ministry.

Which utter fucker decided to nominate me for Magical Mayor of London? And managed to get enough signatures that I'm actually in the running? I'm not even 30, I don't have the life experience for this.

I don't have time for this.

I don't want this.

I know I kind of wanted a new hobby, but lots of dressing up in fancy robes and ceremonial duties wasn't what I was talking about.


(From what I know the position is similar to the Muggle position of almost the same name.)

Those close to me know it has been a trying few weeks. My father's mood swings and confusion have been particularly troubling. I even had to give his carer Florence some time off, as he has been quite constantly upset and I was the only one who could seem to calm him.

But today is his fourth good day in a row, and when Florence returned this morning, Father greeted her by name with a hug and an apology for throwing the pot of pea soup she made into the garden the last time she was here. He seems more grounded and even the last few days than he has been since I returned home.

I am feeling very grateful at the moment. Today is a lovely day.


[Dean]
I am especially looking forward to seeing you tonight. Father and Florence have planned a whole evening of board games together, and he even picked her flowers. He can be quite the charmer, that father of mine.

Question of the day; Would you rather remember something painful or try and forget it?

Also, if you'd rather forget that painful thing, what are some tips and tricks to forget about it or to distract yourself from it?

Happy Halloween, everyone.

My father and I have been painting together a great deal lately, and the natural progression for today was that I let him paint my face today in honour of the festivities. After he was done, it reminded me very much of a muggle rockstar I learned of called David Bowie, so I dug through my own wardrobe and the few things of my mother's we still have to find clothes to go with it. It turned out quite interesting I think, though I'm not quite sure it's different enough from my usual style and attire to truly be considered a costume...

What do you think?

( Picture )

It is not a very traditional sort of costume, if it is one, but I am not a very traditional sort of person, I suppose. Besides, there is certainly no harm in a whimsical touch of modern pop culture. Well, relatively modern. I understand Bowie was at his peak a few decades ago, and passed away a few years ago.

Despite my muggle-inspired attire today, I will still be celebrating Samhain with a traditional sacrificial bonfire in my backyard tonight around midnight. There will be no crop or animal sacrifices as some offered in the days of old, of course. The Lovegoods observe the tradition of paying homage to the world of the gods by offering whatever deities and spirits and energies may be lingering something that is dear to us, and which represents our hopes for the new year. There will be a Seer here, an old friend of my father's from the Quibbler days, who will try to read the future in the flames.

If anyone would like to join in and ask the universe some questions, or just to come see what you might see while the veil between our world and otherworlds is thought to be at its thinnest, you are quite welcome.

[PRIVATE TO SAM]

I want to set my friend Luna up with someone, but we mostly know the same people, so I said I'll ask you, since you're now my blind date go-to guy. Your girlfriend's got any more brothers (or sisters, Luna's not picky)? I assume you're still together, because if I go on a blind date with her brother after you've broken up that might be awkward.

[ADDED: PRIVATE TO LUNA

Sam and I are going to set you up on a date with Sam's brother! I don't know him, but I'm sure he's nice, Sam's very nice.

Because caretaking and writing both occur at all hours of all days, I am starting to lose track of weekends. This is not really a problem, but I am aware that cities tend to have a sort of weekly ebb and flow, their own patterns that are very different from the patterns of the places I am used to.

Is there anyone particularly in touch with the ebb and flow and patterns of nightlife within the service area of the Knight Bus? I would welcome a recommendation. I am in a mood to go dancing somewhere interesting.

Also, this winter's first bloom of Frosted Euphoria Flowers opened this morning. They're a lovely icy purple colour, even more vivid than last year's batch, so I imagine they'll be quite nice. We have enough to share, if anyone is interested. Look how beautiful they are.

( Picture Enclosed )


( Ginny )


( Dean )

I know I'm supposed to spend these perfectly sunny, barely a breeze and very pleasant temperature fall days practicing, but instead I spent them feeding ducks and fish at Quuens Park, as well as taking a nap on the lawn under a nice tree.

Overall it's a Sunday well spent.

My father just threw a pot at
I don't know how to help him when



Sometimes it is a very difficult and painful thing to take care of my father. The past few weeks have made it clear that he needs more help than I thought he did. What is hardest is, perhaps, that he needs more help than he thinks he does, yet he gets so easily frustrated.

Though I typically try be mindfully present in the now, because things are what they are, lately I often find myself wondering how different things might have been if I had come home months or years ago...


I don't feel quite like myself today, my friends.


[Dean]
How was Paris? Did you enjoy the city and the art? Did you get used to the hotel? Have you been inspired since your return?

Margaret would like to meet with both of us in the next week or two, if possible. She suggested meeting here, because she's very thoughtful and she knows it is difficult for me to leave my father unattended lately. What do you think of that?

And how should we handle her misconception that we're in a romantic relationship? I don't think either of us have every really been that interested in lying, so I'm inclined to simply explain the misunderstanding to her, but I thought I ought to check with you first.


[Charlie]
Tinkering away at a coat rack housewarming gift for you was a nice distraction these past few weeks. I officially finished it this morning, and I'm looking forward to giving it to you, though I'm not sure when that will be. It's been hard to leave father alone, lately. Yesterday, I came home from getting groceries and it took me over an hour to find him. He was fishing for plimpies at Bottom Bridge.

I'm in Paris for 10 days doing some painting and taking a bit of a holiday. Thank you for all the birthday presents and everyone who came to the party. I had a lovely time.
Journal me if you need to, it'll save your owls.


[Poorly warded to Luna (half the words and pictures are visible)]
Luna,

I think Margaret got entirely the wrong idea about our relationship. This hotel is fancy as fuck. The hotel room only has one bed. It's not even a room. It's a junior fucking suite. And there is a couples' massage booked. Luna she thinks we're together. Romantically. I had to tell them you were unexpectedly looking after an ill family member and insisted I still come.

Also, I'm sure you'd love this place, and it's right near Monmatre which is the artsy area.

Look. Here are some photos. Then I'm taking a nap while I recover from the shock.

( Picture heavy )

I just got an owl from Margaret with the details for the hotel. I might be reading this wrong, but I think she thinks we're going together.

Why does she think we're going together?

Charlie challenged me to draw a dragon, so here's a Hungarian Horntail:


[Warded to Luna, Seamus & Ginny]
What did we decide we're doing for Dean's birthday? Is there a party or something?

If anyone's got any ideas what he wants as a present, that'd be great too.

GOOD NEWS!

To go with my amazing job, and fancy new leg I now finally get to move the fuck back out of my parents' house.

I signed all the lease papers yesterday and I'm officially moving to Godric's Hollow this week. Or at least I get my key and can start moving in from Tuesday.

I have some stuff I brought back from Romania, but my space there had basic furniture and I kind of built up decorating shit over the years, but that's not enough for a whole house. No matter it's not that big. I'm sure mum will foist some of the things I need on me, but I'm gonna need help.

What things could you live without in your house that someone might not think of?

What things could you absolutely do without?

Also does anyone want to help me paint, arrange furniture, or decorate? Ladders probably aren't a good idea for me and I'm not sure how accurate I am with a wand-directed paintbrush. I can provide food, beer, and sparkling company!

My cat is useless. I love her to pieces but she's useless.

A bird got into my flat, which is what I get for opening my windows instead of cooling the place with magic. But Puddle won't come and chase it out. In fact she's pretty much refusing to come back from Godric's Hollow to do anything other than eat. All I want is for her to chase the bird out since I'm having no luck.

This is punishment for my flat being too hot most of the time recently. She keeps demanding so much stroking while I'm meant to be painting too.


[Warded to friends]

I'm going to be away the week after my birthday (probably from the Sunday) in Paris, but I could do with someone checking in on Puddle and making sure she's fed. Is anyone available? Preferably to come to my flat in London which is easier to access.

I have been feeling quite creative lately, perhaps because of all of the writing I've been doing the past few weeks. I find myself pondering options for expressing that creativity, and wondering... Does anyone have any tattoo artist recommendations they could pass along?


[Broadly Warded to Friends, Excluding Dean]
It's Dean Thomas' birthday later this month. Does anyone have any thoughts or ideas or plans already in progress? I didn't include him in this ward, just in case, however, I am not very sure that he likes surprises so I would be inclined not to suggest a surprise party. I will certainly be doing something, though I have been away so long I am not sure if any traditions have developed in my absence. I thought that I would check before beginning any birthday preparations of my own.


[Warded to Dean]
Did Margaret (my publisher) get in touch yet about Paris?

Also, the rough drafts for the first few chapters are finally done. I think the creature that stands out the most and which I was unable to photograph due to its speed and rambunctiousness is the Draconis Aegagrus, or the billy gragon.

Inspired by stories by a few creative friends of mine, plus the odd conversation I've had over the last few years.

When you buy, or especially commission, an item from someone creative you aren't just paying them for the materials and the tools, you are also paying for their time and abilities. Yes, I did that drawing in ten minutes, but I've spent years learning how to do that so well and quickly and I have a professional qualification to prove it as well as several years of experience. Bakers may or may not have professional qualifications, but they have likely spent a lot of time learning techniques, how fast or slow their oven cooks, being able to create uniform results, or know what flavours do or don't go together.

If anyone ever costs out the price of supplies and tools and asks me for that price I'm just going to present them with that and let them get on with it.

The full moon the other night was quite wonderful. It was the first one since I'd been back. I spent it how I had spent so many through my life: Up in my favourite tree watching Mooncalves dance. It's quite something to see. Then I collected some dung before the sun came up, and it's already having an effect on the garden.

It was a lovely way to spend a Thursday night, and though it's only Sunday morning now, I can already tell that I will be growing more dittany than I can use this summer. If anyone would like some, please let me know.

It's my month on the Magical Emergency Services calendar next month, so I'm having a beach party to celebrate. Everyone's invited!

COME ON ENGLAND!!

It was close there, but it's one game, one win. Best way to start.

France won the football so they also win out in the kitchen. That means that one of my very favourite things in the whole world will be on the counter at both the Crosshaven Community Center and my darling friend's fruit stall down at Carkitt market tomorrow.

I won't ruin the surprise, especially as a lot of people can probably already guess what it is I've whipped up this afternoon, but I will say that my kitchen smells heavenly; like warm vanilla and stewed raspberries...

A million times nicer than if Austrailia had won.

Why have I had to learn of your return from my mother who 'spotted' you in town?



Now accepting: applications for new friends who tell you when they're back in the country.