Reunion Meme + Beach Meme!

[dou8letrou8le]

20 years have passed since everyone has left Hogwarts and moved on to bigger and possibly better things! Now it's time to reunite and meet up with old pals from long ago (or maybe not that long ago?). The catch?

It's at the beach.

There are refreshments at the bar, umbrellas and blankets set out for those wanting to sit and talk out on the sand, and anything else your little hearts desire to be at a reunion at a beach.

Comments

[dou8letrou8le]

[So Vriska graduated from Hogwarts and left for South Africa to work with Acromantula colonies for research purposes. She's come back to Europe a few times over the last two decades, but never for long.

Now she's sitting at the bar in a two piece bathing suit with an open button shirt on over it, writing in a journal. She's tanned considerably from when she was a young girl.]

[nosigntospeakof]

[Sal looks quite a bit different than he did when Vriska graduated. His hair is longer, pulled back in a loose ponytail and streaked with grey. The majority of his jaw is covered by a short grey-speckled beard. But those are just the small changes.

He limps as he approaches her, leaning heavily on a cane that keeps sinking into the sand. His left knee has been wrecked during the Battle of Hogwarts and the healers at St. Mungo's could only do so much. That's not even accounting the other scars on his back (covered by a light botton-down shirt) and the shiny burn scars on his wrists from his imprisonment during the war. But even with all his new physical scars and limitations his spirits haven't dampened. He grins widely when he reaches her.]

Either my eyes are beginning to fail me early or my favorite Ukrainian student is all grown up and back in the country.

[shaddup]

[Not going to approach her. Just going to whistle from a distance and pull a horrible grin.]

[wwistful]

I didn't think it was possible for you to look more like your Mother.

[He smiles as he takes a seat near her.]

It's good to see you again.

[plushaeusrumpified]

[And here is Bro, sneaking up behind her like the master of sneakiness he totally is. Once he's behind her, he slips his hands over her eyes from behind.]

Guess who, princess.

[selfhatred]

[Karkat graduated from Hogwarts and went on a roadtrip around America with several friends before coming back to the UK. During the trip, there were many things that happened, some which only caused others to grow closer. Shortly before the war started, he and Tavros decided to try and adopt a baby girl.

After Tavros died during the final battle at Hogwarts, Karkat got a letter back from the adoption station stating that they were allowed to. He adopted a little girl whose parents had died during the war, deciding to put his full focus into parenting and raising Tavros's legacy.

He's currently watching her from one of the beach towels, sitting under an umbrella. He's still short, still redhaired and still slightly pudgy. The only difference is that he's got a lot of emotional scars. He runs a relationship advice column in the Muggle newspaper and never really followed his dreams of having a career in Broadway.]

[clockspinner]

[Dave is hesitant to approach his childhood nemesis. Not in the least because he wasn't there during the battle for Hogwarts. He only found out later about Tavros, and later than that about Tavros and Karkat.

It's been three years since the war ended, but he knows from experience that three years doesn't mean shit in the long run - and he didn't even lose anybody important. Still, it's either face Karkat or face Tavros' memorial, and Dave wants to face the one that can answer him when he talks, first.

He clears his throat as he approaches. There's something sad and defeated about his demeanour - he's not the cocky shit he was in school.]

Sup.

[nosigntospeakof]

[It's early in the afternoon when Sal limps his way to Karkat and his great-niece. His cane keeps getting stuck in the sand but he trudges on and greets Karkat with a kiss on top of his head from behind when he reaches the towel.]

Long time no see.

[He saw him last week for Sunday dinner but it feels like an eternity.]

[givesyouaboner]

<sub>[As soon as he sees Karkat, Dirk decides he has to no choice but to talk to them. He hasn't been the best at keeping in touch with him, especially after the war. Dirk'd never been good at handling loss, and after what happened with Tavros, it'd just been too hard to even try. Yes, that was shitty of him, but he can't change the past now.

He approaches Karkat, but his eyes are trained on the little girl. That may be because he'd have to tilt down too much to see Karkat under the umbrella. Or he doesn't have the balls to look at him. Whichever.]</sub>

She's adorable.

[chousenplayer]

[And guess who comes toddling over? That's right, a tiny little 4 year old with a shock of messy black hair that covers his eyes already. And just like his mummy when she was young his gender is hard to guess, even in just a pair of baby boardies.

Noodle doesn't seem too concerned with his wanderings, idly following behind. But she is in fact paying attention, even as he wanders over to Karkat's umbrella to peer at the baby.]

[wwistful]

[So, by now Murdoc has had a few drinks. So the ability to start conversations is no longer a concept he doesn't understand. A small smile curls on his lips as he catches sight of Karkat and he strides over to the younger man. Without addressing himself, he places a hand on Karkat's shoulder and takes a sip of his drink.]

That advice column of yours is quite brilliant, Vantas. Don't ask me why I was readin' a muggle newspaper of all things. I always had a feelin' you'd be the type to pass on wisdom.

[Truth be told, he'd been quietly taking Karkat's advice since Karkat was half his age.]

[i_bullieve_i_can_fly]

[Maybe you notice, or maybe you don't, but the presence of a particular Hufflepuff is missing. That would be because he lost his life fighting for the lives of his friends and family during the battle of Hogwarts at the end of the second wizarding war. He fought bravely, but in the end he was cornered by a group of them and murdered. A memorial for him can be found on small table under a beach umbrella, next to many more umbrellas with similar memorials underneath them.

Before he died, he and Karkat were planning on adopting a baby together. Tavros also dreamed of becoming a professional magical crossbreeder to create a miniature, tame bull for a pet. However, he never was able to get very far in his career because the second war complicated things too much.

The pictures at his memorial consist of ones with him and his friends, his mom, Peter, and ones of him with his pets. He looks happy in each and every one of them.

So don't be sad. He wouldn't want you to be sad. Not for him, not when he fought to bravely for everyone he loved.]

[givesyouaboner]

<sub>[Tavros was one of the first friends Dirk made at Hogwarts. No, he'd become friends with him before he even started. He had so many fond memories with him. The ones that stood out the most were also the ones that were the oldest; things like Tavros teaching him how to rap on that very first summer they met. Taking over Bro's entire living room to build a lego city which they justly ruled over.

Despite being different ages, despite being in different houses, despite everything... Tavros had always been a good friend to him. Dirk always did his best to be there for him, too. But the one time it really counted. The one time he really needed to be there for Tavros more than anything, was the time he wasn't.

Dirk's stood in front of Tavros's memorial for a considerable amount of time. Just thinking. Reminiscing. Wishing he could have done something. He wasn't there for it; he was on the other side of the castle but still...

He digs in his pocket and fishes out a small red piece of lego from his pocket and places it on the memorial. It's a child's toy, but one that's part of the set he had twenty years ago. While it may mean little to someone else, he means a great deal to him.]</sub>

I'm sorry.

[selfhatred]

[Karkat had been dreading the memorial table. He knew that there would be pictures, would be faces that he'd seen fight and die that day. He and Gamzee had witnessed the group of Death Eaters murdering Tavros and been unable to do anything to stop them, and he hadn't bothered stopping Gamzee when the Slytherin went on a rampage for blood in return. Karkat didn't know which students had been collateral damage or killed by Death Eaters. At the time, his emotions had been ripped apart, and he couldn't have really cared less whether or not anyone else died.

He'd found Tavros's spot easily, almost as though he'd been drawn to it, Wendy in his arms as she blinked blearily at the tables. He'd woken her up from her nap when he'd picked her up, and he gently rocked her against his shoulders as he knelt in front of the table.]

Take a look, baby girl [he murmured into her ear, smoothing back curls of brown hair from her eyes when she turned her head] it's your dad. He'd be proud of you, y'know. And one day you're going to be a great witch just like he was.

[clockspinner]

[After Hogwarts, Dave and John went into business as entrepreneurs of wizarding theatre. They became richer than god, and Dave's name was elevated to Kubrickian levels of idolisation.

Then everything changed when the ministry was taken over by Voldemort's supporters. They recognized the power that cinema held over the masses, and more importantly they recognized the power of Dave's name. Dave was forced to sign a contract agreeing to make propaganda films for the ministry, and in exchange Dirk and Bro would be spared from the Muggle-Born Registration Commission. He did what he could to sneak protests and symbols into his films, even going so far as to pay the actors out of his own pocket (when they would accept it) to film alternate endings that could be accessed by casting certain spells on the reel at specific moments.

But he didn't fight in the Battle of Hogwarts, and all of his minor protests weren't enough. He was put on trial. The Prophet and other legitimate newspapers and media dragged his name through the mud. He was crucified and made into a pariah, made a public example of. But he was never convicted of anything, never spent a day in Azkaban.

So after he was acquitted, he fell into the bottle and made himself his own personal hell.

But now he's been sober for two years, he's put back some of the weight that he lost, and he looks healthy, if not a little older. He's not as worried about appearances anymore, so he doesn't bother hiding the silver streaks of hair at his temples. He's wearing a pair of red swim trunks and looking slightly self-conscious about how pale and bony he is. He still has his shades - the same pair that John gave him when they were teenagers. He and John got back together about a year after the war, and they're basically disgustingly sappy. All the time. Hope everyone has insulin.]

[dou8letrou8le]

[And here is Vriska, three shades darker compared to his complexion, with a virgin drink for him that she pushes into his hands with a smile.]

You look well.

tl;dr

[givesyouaboner]

<sub>[Fresh into his thirties, Dirk's spent the years outside of Hogwarts making a name for himself. That really was never his intention; it really wasn't until a few years ago that it happened, anyway. After he finished his schooling, he started his own studying and research in a variety of subjects. He travelled around, researching in muggle archives. He spent a lot of time finding efficient ways of combining magic and muggle technology.

Most importantly, worked with Dave. Dirk never had the intention of doing anything significant with film; it was simply a passion he'd developed from enjoying his father's work. It wasn't ever a priority though; he just wanted Dave to be successful with his films, because they were ingenious.

Of course, that was all before things went down the drain. Before the ministry made it impossible for him to work and nearly tore his family apart, if it weren't for the fact that Striders always stuck together. Once he understood the reasons behind what Dave had done and knowing that if he was in that situation, he would've done the same, Dirk never turned his back on Dave.

This didn't mean he sat idly, either. He played a key part in resisting the regime; he had enough resources at his disposal to be able to access all sorts of intel that he used to undermine the Ministry and its supporters in every way he could, whether it was something subtle or plastering anti-Ministry posters everywhere.

He participated in the Battle for Hogwarts. Honestly, there was nothing anyone could say to deter him from this. His inner Gryffindor truly shown during this battle. He sustained minor injuries, but none of them had any lasting effect on him.

What did affect him was the aftermath of everything that happened concerning Dave. Dirk advocated for his cousin's innocence, but it was in vain. It didn't change the way the public viewed Dave Strider, and it certainly didn't change the way Dave viewed himself.

Dirk didn't give up on Dave. Not even after he went into seclusion and ignored each of his daily attempts to contact him. After all, Dave had always been there for him; there was no way he could not do the same. When it became clear that it wasn't working, Dirk sent Dave an early copy of the only film he actually completely oversaw.

You may have heard of it; it was a popular drama about two years ago. It was about a man who was faced with a horrible decision of sacrificing everything he worked to obtain in order to protect his family, or to let them die. The protagonist sacrificed everything and tortured himself through the entire film. Because he should have done something different. He should have found a way to resist even when it was clear there was no other option. The film exhibited the family's reactions. Their initial anger and ended with their love and willingness to forgive and support the protagonist.

When the film was finally released, Dirk won several awards for it. At the award ceremony, he made note to specifically thank Dave, for saving his life.

Finally, weeks after sending the film to Dave, Dirk was finally able to get through to him. His mission was to simultaneously help Dave cope and get a hold on sobriety while trying to help Bro with the same. It was difficult. It always left Dirk emotionally drained, but this was something he insisted on doing to help both of them. They were basically--apart from Roxy and other friends--the only people who mattered to him. Definitely the most important.

At one time or another he'd forced both Bro and Dave to move into his flat so he could keep an eye on them easier. Of course, once Dirk was certain that Dave could handle it, he'd called John to initiate a well needed reunion between the two.

Two years have passed since then, and Dirk's life is as normal now as it'll ever be. He's been keeping himself busy with more research and inventions. Sometimes he gets so consumed in his work that he doesn't sleep or see daylight for ages. The emotional wear and tear on his body from everything that happened over the last several years is best seen through his eyes; they're inexplicably tired, but like always they're covered with shades.

He's sure this event will be interesting, in a way. If anything, it's an excuse to wear a muscle shirt and show off his ink. He doesn't care what Dave's reputation is now; Sweet Bro and Hella Jeff is still legendary. Forever the bachelor, he came here without a date, but that gives him more freedom to catch up with former classmates while making sure neither Bro or Dave nosedive for the bar.</sub>

[dou8letrou8le]

[In her own little swim suit she comes up from behind and pokes his sides with her index fingers with the intent to surprise him.]

Helloooooooo!

[thesmallesttrickster]

[So Loki graduated from Hogwarts and went traveling for a few years studying various things (read, he''d get bored with a subject and switch quiet frequently, so it took longer than expected.) When he came back he tried to go work at the Ministry with Thor but everyone there pissed him off he got bored with that too. Now he runs a bookshop in Hogsmead that may or may not sell high-grade prank items to those who know how to ask.

He did grow a bit more distant from those he knew. Some might even be surprised to see him here at all.

He is currently sitting under an umbrella on a blanket sipping some fruity drink.

[thesmallesttrickster]

[Also there may or may not be rumors that between working at the ministry and opening the book store he was briefly detained in a foreign wizarding prison for trying to take over a small country. The rumors may also say that he was not actually released but escaped and came back to Great Britain. Maybe. You know rumors.]

[fuckmackandme]

[So. John, John, John.

He went to Dave and pioneered Wizarding Cinema, and also became richer than god. After a while, though, he retired from the biz and a opened a joke's shop, hoping to pass on his family's tradition in pranking.

Then Voldy started getting too powerful for comfort. He pulled a Hermione on his father, something that is still a sensitive topic today. And then Dave's movies supporting Voldy came out. John did not take that well. Horrible accusations where thrown around. There may or may not have been a brawl between him and Bro.

It was not a pretty sight. When the time came, he fought at the Battle of Hogwarts, where while he was injured, he avoided anything permanent.

And then the truth about Dave's actions came out. John felt like the shittiest person ever. Eventually, he was approached by Dirk to reunite with Dave. They did. Sad, sloppy make-outs were had.

And then they pretty much married. Oh, and they have a daughter now! Little baby Jill, about 10 months old. So, him, Dave and Jill are the sugary sweet family ever. Have your insulin ready.

Feel free to comment on how Jill is wearing mini shades.]

[dou8letrou8le]

[It was high time they got back together. Vriska was tired of having to clean up Dave's apartment for so long.

Vriska comes over and smiles down at Jill.] Already incorporating her into Strider tradition?

LETS TRY THIS AGAIN

[chousenplayer]

[So guess who grew up well. Even in her 30's Noodle could easily pass for her mid 20's. She's not much taller, and still small enough to make it seem like a breeze would blow her away, but those long legs are muscled and she looks good.

Sitting under one of the umbrellas in a bikini with plain white shirt pulled over it she's fiddling around with her guitar. A successful musician it's been said she never stops working.

Though the 4 year old male mini Noodle running around in circles chews up a bit. For anyone keeping up with the muggle gossip mags this is Gibson, product of Noodle and unknown. Of course this has lead to many assuming it's a bandmate, which isn't helped by the fact the guys do care for him. Oh well.]

[clockspinner]

[first]

[Why hello there, Dave sees you have a child. What a coincidence, so does he (and he's actually wearing her, as she sleeps in the baby wrap with her little head lolled against his chest.]

Sup?

[nosigntospeakof]

[The years have been less than kind to Sal.

Life was good for him up until the war. That's when he'd taken a leave of absence from teaching and gone back to his pro-Muggle/Muggleborn rights activism full force. He was soon arrested for trumped up charges of conspiring against the ministry and for refusing to register as a Muggleborn.

He was questioned for days, subjected to torture and finally locked away. However, with the help of his nephew, he escaped and the two of them were on the run for months, right up until the week before the Battle of Hogwarts when Sal finally reunited with his beautiful wife and daughters.

When word came about the battle he borrowed Di's wand, kissed his family goodbye for what might be the last time and left for the school. He did get injured during the battle, sustaining a crippling injury to his left knee and would need a cane for the rest of his life but he'd survive. Once he and the school had recovered he resumed his position.

He looks older than his years, auburn hair longer and streaked with grey. The beard he'd grown during his time on the run that he'd decided not to shave is speckled with the same steel shade. He has some noticeable laugh lines around his eyes and mouth and terrible-looking burn scars from his torture but his spirits have never dampened.

Currently he's loafing on a beach towel, soaking up some sun and ready to whip out his wallet at any time to show off pictures of his gorgeous wife, Animagus oldest daughter, his younger daughter (currently a 5th year Hufflepuff) and his nephew and great-niece.]

[wwistful]

[It's nice to see a familiar old face around here. He was begining to think he was the only wrinkly bastard to show up to this thing.

He's still as awkward as ever when he steps toward him, but he's trying and smiling.]

It's certainly been a while.

[brothor]

[Guess who buffed up but still smiles like a goof and finds menial things exciting? This guy.
After Hogwarts he began the three year training to become an auror and is currently part of an elite defence team put together to protect the magical world in a time of great need.
He's still just as friendly and light hearted as he ever was, but he's become quite a bit more wise and perhaps a bit battle hardened. He's seen a lot of horrible things during the wars, but he's managed to keep hope.

Now he's rocking the orange board shorts and looking like a scarred up surfer on the beach.]

[clockspinner]

[Guess who's carrying Jill around right now, to give John's arms and back a rest? This guy. She's cooing and pointing at people and objects, while Dave parrots them back to her. He's all but dancing around with her, standing a little further down the beach, away from the memorial umbrellas.

He jumps when he sees his former housemate.] Jesus Christ, I thought you were a lifeguard or something. Sup, man?

[wwistful]

[This guy is not a beach guy. But he was informal enough to just wear black jeans and a shirt. He's sitting on a towel with a drink, but for once he doesn't look entirely grumpy.

As a pureblood he didn't have much to worry about for himself, but he took a turn for the better and helped protect his friends. He earnt himself a few new scars but they aren't visible.

He's now in a strange sort of relationship with Sybille and Peter and he helps take care of their hell child when he can. He gave up teaching a little bit after the war and know he's in an administrative position with the ministry.]

[givesyouaboner]

<sub>[Oh look. It's one of Dirk's former teachers. He had mixed feelings about him during his years at the school, but Dirk can honestly say the he learnt a lot in his class.

Might as well be polite and walk up to him and hand him a drink.]</sub>

Hello, Professor.

[spangledplan]

[Guess who's favorite American is here! If you can recognize him. He has changed a lot over the years. He's taller and broader, but he has no visible scares. (Granted you can't see much skin with him wearing a blue flannel shirt and khaki pants.)

After graduating from Hogwarts, he returned to America and worked for the American Wizard's Republic, an organization of witches and wizards that worked to protect Muggles from dark, supernatural threats. Always looking for the latest innovations, the AWR sought to create the perfect wizard - he would have immense magical capabilities, and he would also be strong enough to defend himself without the need for magic. As war began to brew in Europe, the Super Sorcerer Serum was completed. Steve Roger's was chosen for the serum, and he became the first enhanced wizard to date. Perhaps the last one, too, as after the serum took the formula was destroyed and the last remaining serum spilled and lost.

Hearing about the threat towards Hogwarts, Steve returned to the school and fought valiantly in the war until the very end. He stayed in the United Kingdom for a few months, and now travels between America and the UK frequently.]

[clockspinner]

[Dave is sitting in the sand just high enough that the tide barely dampens the sand, with Jill sitting between his legs. He has zinc smeared across his nose, but the sun is already starting to pinken his skinny pale shoulders. The baby, meanwhile, is slathered in SPF 95, so she's cool as a cucumber. And also wearing a tiny pair of pink baby shades. Did you know they make wetsuits for babies? Dave's attempting to keep her focused on the small set of rubber ducks scattered around the little impromptu play area and not on putting sand in her mouth nooooo Jill that's icky aaaaaaah you don't know where it's been.

Upon closer inspection, the rubber ducks are specially-transfigured Hogwarts ducks, wearing house robes. Jill is chewing on Gryffindor.]

TRIGGER WARNING: music video depicts images of war

[selfhatred]

[Who knows how they managed to convince him to do it, but there had been a stage near the memorial table set up for the band. With his uncle watching over his daughter, Karkat stepped up to the stage, hands wrapped around his wand before he pressed it to his throat and murmured 'sonorus'. When the cue from the band started up, Karkat had to steady himself before he started singing.

It was time to let go of the past, to let fallen comerades rest, and to move on to a brighter future.

No matter how painful it was.]

[screaminginthedark]

[After graduating, Veser immediately went back to Shetland. He searched for Lee, and eventually discovered that while he was at school, the man had been murdered. He was distraught, and once again turned to Hogwarts for an escape.

He spent a few years as a TA for Care of Magical Creatures, before being offered a position as a selkie liason for the Ministry. There had been unrest brewing in selkie colonies, as they felt the Muggles and wizards were encroaching on their territory and were a danger to their families. The Ministry had hoped Veser would be able to get both sides to listen to him, and he did as best a job as he could. He regularly traveled between the colonies, and was in Iceland when Hogwarts was attacked.

Now Veser is at this reunion, sitting underneath an umbrella. He's just as skinny as he was at school, and for someone who works in and around water he's horribly pale. He has some drink with a dumb name, and he's gnawing on the fake drink umbrella absentmindedly.]

[dou8letrou8le]

[Suddenly she's peeking underneath his umbrella, blond hair spilling out over her shoulders, a sun hat on her head.]

Why, you haven't changed at all since I last saw you.