Blackwood Manor

Blackwood Manor
haunted house

A literal haunted mansion, Blackwood Manor is home to the many ghosts and portraits of the Blackwood family. It is also the childhood home of Fionnghall Blackwood, the last surviving direct descendant of the the line, before he was taken away at eleven to reside with some living relatives instead. He visits from time to time when he is on break from Hogwarts, but aside from that the ghosts do not get much company and have grown rather lonely... It would be nice to pay them the occasional visit if you dare.

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

Fionn waits patiently on the steps of his porch for Demi to arrive. He has not been waiting for very long, but he excused himself a bit earlier than he needed to but that was mostly to avoid the festivities inside. He knows that his family is doing this mostly for themselves and not for him (because he hates parties and everyone knows that), but he does not see the point in killing their fun when there must be so little to celebrate once you're dead. It's nice that they have this opportunity for festivities, definitely. In truth, he is also feeling a bit anxious and that is mostly because nobody else has ever met his family before... Still, Demetra is special to him and he doubts that she will judge him for his upbringing. She has not given any indication that it bothered her thus far.

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

Demetra has never attended a birthday celebration for people who are not related to her or are not colleagues of her mother. It is strange, but there is an unnoticeable adrenaline rush at the thought of getting to be there alongside Fionn on his special afternoon. A loud popping noise and she appears in the grass near the manor, having apparated from her father's place further south. Her knees snap upon appearing, but she catches herself before she collapses to the ground. The Ministry's willingness to give her her license can be alarming at times, but she is competent. Demetra dusts herself off, hands folding over the delicate dress she had chosen from her closet at home. It's long and hangs around the middle of her calves, but most importantly is a shadowy oynx color and almost resembles something to be seen at a wake. Her dress options are all rather professional and uptight considering the only occasion that would ever demand one would be a political function. When she is certain there aren't any dry fragments of grass stuck to the garment, she turns to find the entrance, but instead falls upon Fionn. Smiling, she shifts nervously and waves as she moves closer. "Hello," she starts, reaching to shove her hands into her sweater before remembering it isn't there. "Happy Birthday!" It's more enthusiastic than normal, but she can muster the energy for something so important.

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

Fionn is so pleasantly distracted by the sight of his friend that he forgets why she is here and it is only until Demi greets him that he remembers it is in fact his birthday. "Thank you." he says, before standing so that their faces can be more level. He takes in her appearance then smiles very slightly. He is actually very, very thrilled that she is here but he has trouble expressing emotion with his face. "You look lovely." he tells her. Fionn is wearing something like what he always wears, but that is always a little bit too formal and perhaps now it is finally fitting for the occasion. "Did you apparate here?"

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

Her head bows at the compliment, focusing on the stones between them for a brief moment before shifting towards his shoes and then further up his body until she is trained on his eyes again. "Thank you," she responds, one foot tucking behind the other before she starts to lose her balance and she shifts to be standing flat on the ground again. "You are dressed handsomely." Complimenting Fionn seems normal and isn't of any discomfort to her; her compliments are rigid simply because she doesn't understand how to give them. Still, mostly unaware of this while in his presence, she smiles slightly and seems rather pleased. "I did, but not from Greece. I would have splinched if I had tried." No, instead she had landed in London yesterday morning and had spent the last twenty-four hours recovering at her father's house. It was nice being given the opportunity to be so close to her twin again, so the extra time spent in the country was more needed than she had initially thought.

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

"Thank you." he responds to her compliment as well. It is very polite of her, especially since he knows for a fact he looks no different from how he normally does, which means she is probably just being nice. "I do not think I will ever learn how to apparate. It looks very daunting." He considered taking classes at Hogwarts and his uncle brought it up this morning now that he is seventeen, but the idea of losing a limb or something of that nature gives him too much anxiety so he does not think he shall ever learn. He is a Gryffindor, yes, but he also knows his own limits. "Have you been in the UK for a while now, then?" he asks, considering she mentioned that she had not come from Greece.

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

Demetra has noticed some of Fionn's anxieties by this point in their friendship, but has never pressed considering it appears to be something he would elaborate upon when he wants to. It has never bothered her nor has she minded it much at all apart from the small adjustments. "My parents suggested it... It was not much of a suggestion though," she responds calmly. It doesn't bother her that her parents wanted her to despite not being too interested in it herself. "I doubt you would want to. It is suffocating and in general not too pleasant," she adds after a short pause. Her shoulders lift and fall, not appearing too invested in the topic. Demetra would be willing to bring him along once, but isn't willing to suggest it giving how confident she is that he would be uninterested. In response to his question, her head gently and just barely sways from side to side in refusal of the notion. "No. I spent the night at my father's house, and that has been it." Pausing, she glances at the manor and processes its appearance for the first time. More so than the Shrieking Shack, it is quite Fionn in appearance and the thought brings a small modest smile to her face.

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

"That's nice. You were able to spend time with your sister, then?" He remembers Demi mentioning in passing that Aven had opted to stay for the summer instead of returning home to Greece. He does not entirely understand what the UK has to offer that Greece cannot, but to each their own. He offers his arm to her so that he can lead her inside. Fionn is not sure if she will take it but he feels like it would be good to keep her close to him, given the fact that they are about to enter the manor, which will be overflowing with ghosts. "It would probably be wise to stay near to me," he ends up explaining, "It's easy to get lost inside especially when people are badgering you towards different areas of the Manor then suddenly disappearing through walls."

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

Demetra is not too interested in discussing her sister at the moment, so she merely nods in response. Her focus soon shifts to Fionn's arm, a welcomed surprise considering the closeness often brings her some comfort. With the slow and gentle care of someone fearful to breach that boundary, her arm laces through his. "Thank you," she utters quietly to him. "I would have wanted to regardless," she adds, because she would have. Foreign environments are not a strong suit of hers, but she reminds herself that if something embarrassing happens, then she has no reason to see them again. It isn't as if the ghosts can just drift off and find her on the street. As haunted of a thought (and it does inspire some guilt), it reassures her for the moment's being. "It's your birthday, and you are nice to be around." Her voice is flat and most people would interpret it as a lie, but Demi is being genuine. Her eyes lazily drift in the direction of the door before letting him lead them both inside.

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

Fionn understands the genuineness in her tone and smiles slightly. "You are nice to be around as well." he tells her earnestly, before stepping forward and opening the door. There is a pair of ghosts to the side talking among themselves and one tips his hat at Fionn, so he smiles politely at the pair who seem to engrossed in one another to notice there is another living person around them. "Most of them should be in the function room – " It is too small for Fionn to call it a *ballroom*, but that is what his aunt refers to it as. All the ghosts are very extravagant. " – and they will likely swarm us for a little bit then go back to doing their own things. Most of them are very..." Fionn drops the volume of his voice. "Self-absorbed." he says, barely above a whisper, before returning to his original volume. "They will not bother us very much." He is trying to reassure her that there will not be too much interaction; as an introvert himself, the mere idea of meeting so many new people in one day is exhausting to him. He turns the corner of a hallway and continues walking before reaching a door at the end of the hallway. Opening it reveals a crowd of ghosts dancing and laughing together, a piano in the side having been enchanted to play music filling the whole hall. One in an extravagant gown instantly floats towards Fionn and beams at the pair, looking between Fionn and Demetra before flying away and whisking away to presumably tell everyone that *Fionnghall* is with the girl he has talked so much about before. Immediately he turns red and ducks to hide his face from Demi. "Ignore them." he mumbles.

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

Going unnoticed by the first set of ghosts is for the best considering she manages to stare at them nervously without much of an acknowledgement of their own existence. When he resumes their conversation, it occurs to her that she has been holding her breath and she releases just in time for an amused huff out her nose, smiling briefly. It's the closest thing to a giggle that she can muster. Demetra has not given herself much time to acknowledge the comments apart from that, but it immediately becomes inconsequential the moment she is face to face with a rather lavish ghost. Her smile reappears, quaint and polite, before the ghost disappears prior to any introduction between them. "Oh," she slips, bringing her free fingertips to her philtrum. The interaction is terribly disappointing, or at least before she hears what the ghost has started on about. *Fionnghall*, she repeats to herself. And he tells them about her often. It's easy for her to not gush at the thought, but her heart does flutter and she becomes rather thrilled by this thought. Her head turns when Fionn mumbles, but she recognizes his embarrassment and turns to go over the crowd of ghosts instead. "Okay," she responds flatly, patting his arm subconsciously as some means of comfort.

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

The pat *is* comforting and Fionn relaxes, feeling a bit less embarrassed. It is not like Demi to tease him and he knows better than to suspect that she has been acting for the entire duration of their friendship. He is about to open his mouth to say something, but he is interrupted by a couple swooping in and introducing themselves to Fionn's guest, talking animatedly and excitedly because it is always so thrilling meeting a new human. Fionn smiles a bit when he sees that the ghosts seem to be having fun, though he is concerned Demi might find it a bit overwhelming. When they leave, Fionn guides the pair towards a table where they can sit so they are not just standing there for hours. "Here," he says, pulling out a chair for her before sitting down himself. "If this is too overwhelming, we can go back to the porch." he tells her.

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

Their swooping is quite reminiscent of her parents' careers as politicians, reminding her of a particular time when she was twelve and a much shorter Greek man feverishly introduced himself and then his colleagues. It had felt unnecessary considering her opinion was not going to influence her mother's. Envisioning this once again has removed her from her senses, temporarily leaving her stunned as she simply smiles and nods as she was trained to do. Her responses are short, which appears appropriate considering the ghosts are a bit more interested in themselves. At least that is how Demi interprets it though she sees most interactions in a similar fashion. "Thank you," she whispers, regaining her self-awareness the moment she notices he is pulling out her chair. Fionn is so polite; for a moment, she becomes concerned that she will turn this into something that is so largely about herself when it is *his* birthday. Demetra knows she often gets in the way. "I will be fine if we are together," she answers honestly. "I would not mind the porch if you would prefer it."

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

Fionn thinks for a while and considers offering to go back out, but he cannot really tell what Demi would prefer and decides to just trust that she is being truthful when she says that she will be fine for as long as they are together. "We can stay here for a bit longer," he finally says, "Then we can return to the porch later. Or perhaps go to my old room." He is certain that his aunt and uncle will have something to say about him being alone with a girl in his room, but they are so caught up in celebrating that he highly doubts they will notice. Maybe he can just leave the door open or something like that. "Are you enjoying your summer so far?"

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

Demetra nods, and being rather sheltered (almost exclusively by choice), she doesn't consider the implications of it. Not entirely out of ignorance, her blindness is in part due to Fionn's own innocence or what appears to be such. He also gives her no reason to doubt his gentlemanly act. "Okay," she says before pausing to answer his question. "So far," she attempts as a response, head dipping down as she considers it more. In the meantime, she glances in the direction of the ghosts, watching them chatter and dance. It is quite beautiful with how silvery their forms are, resembling fog in a way that is almost disturbingly human. "It has been restful. I have not done much." Again almost exclusively by choice though her best friend living on the other side of the continent does her no favors. At least she has had no obligations causing her stress or that require her to fret over her sleeping. Her visions have become more frequent at home, but she doesn't mention this. "This has been most thrilling," she finishes, smiling at him. It would almost seem sarcastic, but alas she is being genuine. "Are you pleased with yours?"

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

"My summer has been very uneventful so far." he tells her. Fionn does not sound like he is complaining. He rarely does, and he wouldn't be about this. He much prefers the peace and calm the summer has brought him to the lively energy of Hogwarts and all its inhabitants. Whether or not he enjoys being alone is a whole other matter. Perhaps it is because this year he had Demi, but going home for the break was sadder and lonelier than usual. No matter – she is here with him now and he is looking forward to spending the day with her before she has to return home. "I've had more time for reading, which I enjoy." he says, "But other than that, there has not been very much to do." Fionn is quiet for a bit, his gaze wandering around the hall at the various ghosts celebrating before focusing again on Demetra. He is very appreciative of the fact that she seems to have fit in rather nicely and is not acting as if she finds the whole thing especially bizarre. He chose the correct friend, he thinks. "I am glad you are here now." he says, vocalizing his thoughts.

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

It amuses her that he clarifies his interest for reading though there is no trace of it on her face besides the smallest lift of her brows. It conjures the memory of their time at the Shrieking Shack, which brings her a lot of joy. Fionn turns and Demetra watches him watch the ghosts, staring for an unusually long period of time though she doesn't notice and doubts he will mind. When he faces her again, her chest tightens as she has this unwarranted feeling of being caught, but she continues to stare with only a hint of alarm visible in her eyes. His words sooth this concern immediately and she glances out towards the floor again. "I am too," she returns before sitting in her own words for a long silent moment. "I would not wish to be anywhere else." Not necessarily at Blackwood Manor, but with Fionn himself. "Your presence is preferable. I would not have wanted to go so long without it."

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

"Neither would have I." he tells her. He is quiet for a bit as he debates with himself on whether or not he should be so presumptuous with his next question. Demetra has not brought it up for a while, but he is still interested in visiting her, so he decides to be brave and just ask. "Would you still like me to visit you in Greece sometime before the summer ends?" he asks, "I already asked my uncle about it, the one I am living with, and he did not seem opposed to the idea. I am almost certain I would be allowed."

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

Her answer doesn't require much thought. "I would. I would not have retracted that offer—" or at least not to Fionn, she thinks. Demetra was the child who often decided to remain home while her siblings went out even if she would express wanting to prior to, but that is a behavior abandoned a long time ago when people stopped trying. He is the first person that has wanted to spend time with her in some time now. It is a blessing that she is just interested in spending time with him. "My mother had trouble finding your information," she tells him. It can be assumed that this is because his name is Fionnghall though her mother hadn't hassled her further in regards to having a friend with a false name, so she assumed she found him eventually. "I doubt concern is necessary. You have never made me suspicious." Demetra considers this more for a moment, remembering her conversation with her mother. "Transportation would need to be arranged," she mentions, staring at him as if she has just posed a question about his preferences. "A date would have to be set too." Another question not phrased as one.

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

The nature of how Demi phrases her questions does not bother him. "I would prefer to travel via portkey." he says. Both trains and planes make him anxious and while he cares for Demi deeply, he is not willing to make such a journey alone when he knows how susceptible he is to having some sort of panic attack. Apparition is also not an option for him. The idea terrifies him. "I could probably obtain my own portkey – you would just have to tell me the details so that I can procure the correct one." He is well-aware that the Macmillan family is probably far more well-off than he is, but he would not want them to cover the expense of this. "You are the one inviting me, and I am free the entire summer. I think it would be better if you are the one who decides the date of my visit."

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

To her knowledge, no one has ever arranged to be sent to her house themselves. Her mother is rather set on going through the legal process of filing for those portkeys herself and sending them out to the users with intense protective charms, which Demi assumes is a security measure. Regardless, even if there was not this safety concern, she would not want Fionn to pay to visit her. "My mother must arrange it," she insists, barely moving her head in refusal. "My apologies. It is customary and I do not mean to embarrass. My mother might accept repayment." Demetra doubts it simply because she is not a particularly expensive child and not much is spent on her as is. Her mother should be willing to accept this as the exception. Besides, if she doesn't accept his galleons, then the two will be venturing out into Greece and he will surely have the opportunity to cover the cost of something else along the way. Hopefully that would help him. "I do not want to decide for you, but I am interested in having you stay for some time." Again it's a question meant to see how long he is interested in coming for. To Demi, she has been planning for him to come for several days, but she notices now that that might have been presumptuous.

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

Fionn considers this for a while. He expected this to be a day trip of sorts but it has become apparent to him that Demi probably wanted him to stay longer. That would be very enjoyable, he thinks, but he would also not want to burden their family. "I could stay for a couple of days." he says, "However long your family will have me, I suppose. I would not want to be a burden, especially since I am staying with you." Demi's siblings seem nice enough, but he does not know enough about her mother to make an assumption of how long he would be welcome.

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

"A month would not be burdensome enough," she answers, sounding rather sure. It is true that Fionn could not burden her. It is something she is quite sure of. Demetra foolishly assumes that this means he could not burden her family, but she also rationalizes that they don't have Aven this summer and therefore it's not as if she is adding an additional member to the household. "However long you are comfortable is fine with me." It occurs to her that he might have to spend his nights with her brother and she frowns, visibly in thought for a moment as she stares at the table between them. "I would not want you to be uncomfortable. Maybe you should come in the beginning of August."

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

"Perhaps I could stay for a week." he says. Of course, Fionn would love to spend a month with Demi. He does not think that he could ever tire of her presence; it is very calming and their energies go well together. He hopes that she does not take his statement as indication that he does not want to spend that much time with her, so he quickly clarifies so that there's no doubt. "Staying for a month would be very nice. I would not want to be a hassle to your family." It is rather ridiculous how afraid Fionn is that he will prove to be an inconvenience – it is very easy for him to blend into the background. "The beginning of August sounds perfect."

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

"I wasn't expecting a month," she clarifies. It's important to her that she doesn't come across as pressuring him. Demetra is fearful of assuming people want to be around her more than they actually do. "I'm excited." Smiling, she toys with the seam that runs along the side of her dress. It's a nervous tick and a response to her not having a sweater to bury herself in. When she tugs at it a bit too aggressively, her hand slips and bumps the small clutch she had borrowed from her mother. It reminds her of the present she has somewhere among its contents, so her face illuminates uncharacteristically before it dims with anxiety. "I have a gift," she tells him, opening the bag and reaching her arm into it. After some stirring, she removes the box and it barely squeezes through the clutch's clasps. It is actually a set of two long and thin boxes tied together. Both are dress ties from high end brands, one Greek and the other Italian. While both ties are made of black silk, one has a gray Greek key pattern threaded onto it while the other has white and scarlet floral foulard detailing. Demi slides the bundle towards him before setting a letter down beside it. "Do not open this this second," she requests, not wanting to sit through him reading it. It might be too humiliating. "It is best kept for later."

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

Fionn is surprised that Demi had gotten him a gift. He is not very used to them and her presence with him today was already everything he wanted for his birthday. He did not expect that she would go beyond and get something for him as well. Then, she sets down the letter and he looks down at the bundle and the paper before looking back up at her, taking in her preference that he wait until later to open it. He nods, then looks at the bundle, suddenly feeling very unsure of what to do with his hands. Does she want him to open it now? "I... I did not expect..." Fionn, for someone so eloquent, is at a loss for words and he pauses again as he gathers his thoughts, not wanting to fumble. That would be embarrassing. "You did not have to get me anything, but I dearly appreciate it. I will read the letter later, as you requested." She did not say anything about the gift, so he presumes that means that he should open it, so he carefully opens the box careful not to tear any of the packaging too much. He realizes that it is a pair of ties soon enough, expensive looking ones at that, and he carefully removes the two individual boxes from the package so that he can admire both. His heart warms as he looks down at them then back up at her. "I like them very much. Thank you."

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

Gifts are not her forte, but shopping for Fionn was quite easy for her. It's a sign of friendship, she guesses. Demetra watches him carefully, not batting an eyelash to his stumble over his words. Anywhere except here she is far worse and would never judge. All things considered, she is confident in her gift or at least far more so than with the letter. Again, she believes she knows Fionn well. When he opens it, her hands move to hide the small smile forming on her face as she dips her head down slightly. It's one of embarrassment, only worsening when he reassures her that he appreciates them. "You're welcome," she tells him, moving her hands to shove her hair behind her ears on either side of her face. "I thought you would suit them well. I trust you will care for them nicely." Fionn is a rather delicate person, which is something Demi has appreciated since their first proper conversation. To think that he would do anything to damage such expensive garments is quite preposterous.

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

"I also believe they will suit me well." he tells her, trying to be reassuring that he does indeed love this gift. He really does – he is already thinking of when he will be able to wear one in her presence so that she will know that he appreciates and is using her gift. "And I will care for them. Of course I will; I appreciate them greatly." Fionn sets down the gifts on top of the letter again and directs his attention towards Demetra once more. "I still owe you a birthday gift. I will do my best." He does not feel very badly about not having known it was her birthday that day at the willow because he had no way of knowing, but this strengthens his resolve to get her a proper gift for this year. Perhaps he will write her a letter too. He is feeling sentimental and his heart feels so overcome with love that he goes quiet again for a couple of seconds before saying, "I am very grateful that we are friends. You are my best friend. I do not have many others but even if I did, I am fairly sure that I would treasure this friendship the most. Thank you."

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

It doesn't bother Demetra that he hadn't gotten her anything. To her knowledge, the two of them had resolved that issue a long time ago, but she isn't bothered that it was brought up again. Her mind is swiftly swept up in his little speech, gaze not wavering for even a second as she focuses intently upon him. "You are my best friend too," she begins, only then glancing down at the letter. It doesn't suit her to be repetitive, but she cares for Fionn too much to leave her response at just that. "Our friendship is dear to me. I would not wish to have stumbled upon anyone else's hunt for the perfect twig." Demi smiles out of the side of her mouth before shifting and turning to watch the ghosts for a while longer. Her hands have started to sweat, having felt rather bold with her last comment. Rubbing them nervously on her dress, she tries not to nervously smile again. He is truly *her dear Fionn*. No one else could be quite as near and dear to her heart.