Post by Admin on Aug 23, 2020 5:47:00 GMT
Old memories become new family (Flo, Pippin, Tarik, Bridgetta)(Closed)
(OOC: Combined threads from the previous site)
Flo Richards
Finally the opening ceremonies were over and the young students had been sent to their rooms. Flo had noticed a small but comfortable looking room off the main hall, which according to the plaque on the door, was the Staff Lounge. She was not sleepy at the moment because of the excitement in the Great Hall at the Staff table. Her friend and fellow Professor Pippin English had decided to go to bed after making sure Flo did not need company and was feeling better.
Feeling better would take a while. The other professor had looked like her Michael, who had been dead for 10 years now. He was an older version but his eyes were the same. Their expression matched Michael’s exactly. As Flo thought about it she began to shake and the tears threatening to escape her eye were held back by pure effort. She thought she had put the sadness and yearning for Michael’s presence very deep inside her, so she would not have to feel that type of pain again. How could someone like him be half-way around the world? Michael had died in a Muggle car wreck in the United States. She had not gotten to say goodbye to her husband and best friend. She had not even been able to tell his family he was dead, because he had no idea who was his family.
Michael had been raised in a very plash boarding school from the age of three. He always had what he needed because of a trust fund set up by someone. The lawyer in charge of the fund, told Michael the person behind it wanted to remain unknown. Flo and Michael had spent most of their time they became a couple at school and their one blissfully happy year as a married couple, following every lead possible looking for his family. It was the one thing he desired to know the most, even if they did not accept him.
When he died in the accident, the monthly allowance he received stopped suddenly and Flo had been unable to contact the lawyer, who seemed to drop off the face of the Earth. Their savings had lasted about a year, which forced Flo out of the depression she had been in. Bills did not wait until you felt like paying them. She had been a muggle nursery school teacher and a governess before she found this job. Now she was not sure she would be staying. Those eyes made her hurt in her heart.
She sat down in one of the overstuffed wing-backed chairs and stared at the small blaze in the fireplace. Taking the picture of Michael out of her pocket she looked into the eyes of the past and wished it was the present. Soon she would go to her room and hopefully the nightmares would not be too bad. Flo had gotten used to them or so she thought. Some started out nice with her and Michael, enjoying life and would quickly turn horrible seeing the wrecked car and faces, Flo did not recognize trying to get her to do something or go somewhere. At this point she usually woke in tears. Flo did not like alcoholic beverages, and did not drink very often, but tonight she wished she had something stronger than pumpkin juice. She closed her eyes and put her head against the back of the chair listening to the crackle of the fire, which was the only sound in the room.
(OOC Continued from Staff Table thread)
Tarik Sadiki
Tarik waited until the two professors at the end went their separate ways. There was only one he wanted to talk to at the moment. She was the one that seemed to recognize him. He wanted to know how she could since she was new. More importantly, he wanted to understand why that seemed to upset her.
He waited until she went into the staff lounge before he started to head there. Saying to the elves of the castle softly, "I think the new young professor could use some of my favorite Egyptian tea. I think I will have some too." Tarik knew the tea would be ready when he got there.
When he got there both cups were near the fire. They were on a small table between two over-stuffed chairs. The young professor, seemed to be tossing and turning in one of them. Not wanting to startle her, he gentle tapped her saying softly, "Professor are you okay? The name's Tarik. I brought you some tea. I think we need to talk."
Flo Richards
“Flo watch as the car in slow motion headed for the tree. She couldn’t move. She tried to scream but nothing came out of her thoat. The deer the headlights had illuminated vanished. All Flo could do was watch as a loud crunch of metal split the cool cloudless night air. The vehicle ended up leaning on the tree at a 45 degree angle with the free front wheels still spinning. As Flo watched a young man climbed out of the window, brushed himself off, turned, smiled and waved in her direction.”
Flo’s eyes fluttered open and for a few seconds she stared at the fire. She must have fallen asleep and the dream took advantage. Her deceased husband was the young man who had climbed out of the window, but he was dead. After a moment a voice registered on Flo’s mind. Flo gently massaged her eyes with her fingertips. As she looked down and realized she had dropped Michael’s picture she bent over to retrieve it. “Oh, I must have fallen asleep,” she said as she was retrieving the picture. Placing it back in her pocket, she started to greet the other professor who had come into the room. She looked up as she said, “Hello, my name is….” But that is as far as she got, because Michael, no an older version of Michael, the man at the other end of the staff table during opening ceremonies, was looking at her with concern.
She forced herself to continue, using the shaky cracked voice which had firm control of her throat. “Excuse my rudeness, but I fell asleep and was dreaming. Reality got confused with the dream. My name is Flo Richards, but you can call me Flo.” With this statement she looked down at her fingers which subconsciously tried many ways of twisting themselves into knots. Who was this strange man who could make her heart squeeze with longing for her husband?
Tarik Sadiki
Tarik waited until the young professor was aware of her surrounding. Looking down he noticed the picture she had dropped. Wondering to himself a little aloud, "How can a woman, I never met have a picture of me?" Tarik realized that it was a younger version of himself.
Tarik was worried as the young woman put the picture away. He could not get over the fact that she had seemed terrorified of what ever her dream was showing her.
"That is quite alright Flo. Though I think it was a nightmare. The house-elves have made us some Egyptian tea." Tarik said still concerned hand her the teacup.
Deciding that now was as good as any, Tarik said, "May I ask why you have a picture of when I was younger?" Tarik did not accuse the woman, for all he knew she could be a cousin. Tarik continued, "It was just that I happened to see the picture while it was on the floor. The reason I ask is because I don't remember wearing that outfit, though it seemed to suit me."
Flo Richards
Flo accepted the cup of tea from Tarik and took a deep breath. It was not fair to Tarik to act like a love forlorn matron. “The picture?”, she started as she retrieved it from her pocket. “The picture is not of you, it is of my deceased husband Michael. He was killed ten years ago in a muggle car crash.” Flo looked at the picture and handed it to Tarik. “The reason I have been so upset, is because, as you can see, your eyes are so much alike. It startled me to see you sitting at the table. Sorry if I created any unnecessary commotion.”
Flo took a sip of tea, which was very good. She smiled and took another sip, because the tea had always had a very calming effect on her. It tasted like the tea Michael had always made. Flo remembered asking Michael about where he got the tea leafs from and he had explained they always came with the packet, containing his monthly allowance and a few other trinkets from time to time had been included. Flo had not tasted the tea in a long time, because when Michael died, the monthly allowances had stopped. The lawyer who had been handling all the transactions, from some unknown fund, had disappeared. She had spent one year in almost total isolation and depression. When her savings had run out she started looking for work. First there was the nursery school teaching job, which was a disaster, because of her magical tendencies to amuse the children at the completely muggle school, then the Nanny job which eventually lead her to Hogsmeade and then to the school.
Flo watched Tarik as emotions played across his face. Why was this man so familiar to her? Why did he have Michael’s eyes? Maybe she could get some answers.
Tarik Sadiki
Tarik saw the woman called Flo take the tea and instantly wondered if she liked Egyptian Tea. To most it was weird and took a required taste to appreciate it’s soothing qualities. As she took the picture from her pocket, he again wondered how she came by it. Tarik was positive he had never worn an outfit like that.
As she explained who it was and the man’s connection to her, Tarik remembered faintly seeing the face on another picture along with a letter. Thinking back as he sipped his tea,But where and when?
When she mentioned the eyes, it hit him of where he had seen it. It had been when he had helped his father with a trip to a lawyer. His father had demanded that he wait outside. So when his father had dropped an envelope as he was coming out, Tarik jumped at the chance to see what the visit was about. As he picked up the envelope a picture fell out. It was of the same man, he was wearing a three-piece suit and there was a woman wearing a wedding gown.
Tarik asked who the man was and all his father said was that when Tarik had done what the council wanted then it would be safe to tell him. Tarik had also been warned not to go looking for answers and to focus on catching Khalid.
Tarik had ask his sister to look into it without father’s knowledge. She had wrote him ten years ago to say that if he got to his aunt’s house in the next couple of days, he would meet the man. Tarik had shown up the following day to find his father’s sister dead.
As she took a sip, he asked as he handed back the picture, “Did you ever send wedding pictures to a lawyer in Egypt?” Tarik wondered if his sister still was looking as he had received an owl from her only moments before coming into the Staff Room. He had not even had a chance to open it yet. His sister had been able to get a hold of their father’s things after his death. Arianna had said that she would write if she found anything.
Tarik smiled as she drank her tea. It showed that she had drank it before. Since his sister was the only supplier of that blend, Tarik knew that she had to have gotten it from Arianna’s shop somehow. Pulling his sister’s letter out of his pocket, Tarik debated on whether to open it.
As Tarik thoughts raced, his falcon Horus came to him. It seemed Horus wanted the letter opened as he began nipping at it. Turning to Horus, he said calmly, “Yes, Horus. It’s from Arianna. It is too small to be your treat bag.”
Flo Richards
“This tea is fantastic, Tarik, thank you. I haven’t had it since Michael passed away and the packets stopped arriving from the lawyer.”
Leaning her head against the back of one of the wings in the chair Flo thought about Tarik’s question. “The one lawyer who seemed to be handling everything about Michael’s Trust funds gave us a phone number and a post office box to be able to send things to him. When we asked if we could see him personally he said he traveled a lot and never knew when he would be in his American office.” Flo took another sip of tea, and thought back ten years into her past. It was painful but she would keep going. “He did have an accent, but we were never able to place it. When Michael and I were married, the lawyer, a Mr. Avukat, did ask for us to prove we were married. We sent a copy of our marriage certificate and a couple wedding pictures to the post office box. We did get a holiday card once from with an Egyptian post mark on it, but it wasn’t signed.”
”Mr. Avukat, totally disappeared, off the face of the Earth, after Michael’s death. I sent a notice to the post office box, but it was returned as being no longer in service. Nothing ever came again for the last ten years. The family members I have back home in the United States, keep an eye out for things.”
Tarik’s attention never wavered, while Flo was talking. When she had finished he reached in his pocket and pulled out an envelope. She saw in his eyes, the ones so similar she had learned to read when Michael was alive, Tarik was wondering if he should open the letter. Flo hoped it wasn’t bad news.
When his falcon flew over to where he was sitting and started to nip at the letter, Flo smiled. The bird wanted to see what was in the letter. Who was Arianna, she wondered to herself. “Tarik you seem to want to read your letter. It is ok, go ahead. I’m going to see if I can find some treats for Horus.” She looked at the falcon and said, “Would you like that my fine feathered friend?” With that she put her tea cup on the small table, and headed for the kitchen area. If she remembered correctly, there were nuts and fruit in the bowl. She could cut up some fruit and make a small dish of a nice mixture, thus giving Tarik time to read his letter in private.
Tarik Sadiki
(OOC: Combined threads from the previous site)
Flo Richards
Finally the opening ceremonies were over and the young students had been sent to their rooms. Flo had noticed a small but comfortable looking room off the main hall, which according to the plaque on the door, was the Staff Lounge. She was not sleepy at the moment because of the excitement in the Great Hall at the Staff table. Her friend and fellow Professor Pippin English had decided to go to bed after making sure Flo did not need company and was feeling better.
Feeling better would take a while. The other professor had looked like her Michael, who had been dead for 10 years now. He was an older version but his eyes were the same. Their expression matched Michael’s exactly. As Flo thought about it she began to shake and the tears threatening to escape her eye were held back by pure effort. She thought she had put the sadness and yearning for Michael’s presence very deep inside her, so she would not have to feel that type of pain again. How could someone like him be half-way around the world? Michael had died in a Muggle car wreck in the United States. She had not gotten to say goodbye to her husband and best friend. She had not even been able to tell his family he was dead, because he had no idea who was his family.
Michael had been raised in a very plash boarding school from the age of three. He always had what he needed because of a trust fund set up by someone. The lawyer in charge of the fund, told Michael the person behind it wanted to remain unknown. Flo and Michael had spent most of their time they became a couple at school and their one blissfully happy year as a married couple, following every lead possible looking for his family. It was the one thing he desired to know the most, even if they did not accept him.
When he died in the accident, the monthly allowance he received stopped suddenly and Flo had been unable to contact the lawyer, who seemed to drop off the face of the Earth. Their savings had lasted about a year, which forced Flo out of the depression she had been in. Bills did not wait until you felt like paying them. She had been a muggle nursery school teacher and a governess before she found this job. Now she was not sure she would be staying. Those eyes made her hurt in her heart.
She sat down in one of the overstuffed wing-backed chairs and stared at the small blaze in the fireplace. Taking the picture of Michael out of her pocket she looked into the eyes of the past and wished it was the present. Soon she would go to her room and hopefully the nightmares would not be too bad. Flo had gotten used to them or so she thought. Some started out nice with her and Michael, enjoying life and would quickly turn horrible seeing the wrecked car and faces, Flo did not recognize trying to get her to do something or go somewhere. At this point she usually woke in tears. Flo did not like alcoholic beverages, and did not drink very often, but tonight she wished she had something stronger than pumpkin juice. She closed her eyes and put her head against the back of the chair listening to the crackle of the fire, which was the only sound in the room.
(OOC Continued from Staff Table thread)
Tarik Sadiki
Tarik waited until the two professors at the end went their separate ways. There was only one he wanted to talk to at the moment. She was the one that seemed to recognize him. He wanted to know how she could since she was new. More importantly, he wanted to understand why that seemed to upset her.
He waited until she went into the staff lounge before he started to head there. Saying to the elves of the castle softly, "I think the new young professor could use some of my favorite Egyptian tea. I think I will have some too." Tarik knew the tea would be ready when he got there.
She sat down in one of the overstuffed wing-backed chairs and stared at the small blaze in the fireplace. Taking the picture of Michael out of her pocket she looked into the eyes of the past and wished it was the present. She closed her eyes and put her head against the back of the chair listening to the crackle of the fire, which was the only sound in the room.
When he got there both cups were near the fire. They were on a small table between two over-stuffed chairs. The young professor, seemed to be tossing and turning in one of them. Not wanting to startle her, he gentle tapped her saying softly, "Professor are you okay? The name's Tarik. I brought you some tea. I think we need to talk."
Flo Richards
“Flo watch as the car in slow motion headed for the tree. She couldn’t move. She tried to scream but nothing came out of her thoat. The deer the headlights had illuminated vanished. All Flo could do was watch as a loud crunch of metal split the cool cloudless night air. The vehicle ended up leaning on the tree at a 45 degree angle with the free front wheels still spinning. As Flo watched a young man climbed out of the window, brushed himself off, turned, smiled and waved in her direction.”
Not wanting to startle her, he gentle tapped her saying softly, "Professor are you okay? The name's Tarik. I brought you some tea. I think we need to talk."
Flo’s eyes fluttered open and for a few seconds she stared at the fire. She must have fallen asleep and the dream took advantage. Her deceased husband was the young man who had climbed out of the window, but he was dead. After a moment a voice registered on Flo’s mind. Flo gently massaged her eyes with her fingertips. As she looked down and realized she had dropped Michael’s picture she bent over to retrieve it. “Oh, I must have fallen asleep,” she said as she was retrieving the picture. Placing it back in her pocket, she started to greet the other professor who had come into the room. She looked up as she said, “Hello, my name is….” But that is as far as she got, because Michael, no an older version of Michael, the man at the other end of the staff table during opening ceremonies, was looking at her with concern.
She forced herself to continue, using the shaky cracked voice which had firm control of her throat. “Excuse my rudeness, but I fell asleep and was dreaming. Reality got confused with the dream. My name is Flo Richards, but you can call me Flo.” With this statement she looked down at her fingers which subconsciously tried many ways of twisting themselves into knots. Who was this strange man who could make her heart squeeze with longing for her husband?
Tarik Sadiki
Flo gently massaged her eyes with her fingertips. As she looked down and realized she had dropped Michael’s picture she bent over to retrieve it. “Oh, I must have fallen asleep,” she said as she was retrieving the picture.
Tarik waited until the young professor was aware of her surrounding. Looking down he noticed the picture she had dropped. Wondering to himself a little aloud, "How can a woman, I never met have a picture of me?" Tarik realized that it was a younger version of himself.
Placing it back in her pocket, she started to greet the other professor who had come into the room. She looked up as she said, “Hello, my name is….” But that is as far as she got, because Michael, no an older version of Michael, the man at the other end of the staff table during opening ceremonies, was looking at her with concern.
Tarik was worried as the young woman put the picture away. He could not get over the fact that she had seemed terrorified of what ever her dream was showing her.
She forced herself to continue, using the shaky cracked voice which had firm control of her throat. “Excuse my rudeness, but I fell asleep and was dreaming. Reality got confused with the dream. My name is Flo Richards, but you can call me Flo.” With this statement she looked down at her fingers which subconsciously tried many ways of twisting themselves into knots.
"That is quite alright Flo. Though I think it was a nightmare. The house-elves have made us some Egyptian tea." Tarik said still concerned hand her the teacup.
Deciding that now was as good as any, Tarik said, "May I ask why you have a picture of when I was younger?" Tarik did not accuse the woman, for all he knew she could be a cousin. Tarik continued, "It was just that I happened to see the picture while it was on the floor. The reason I ask is because I don't remember wearing that outfit, though it seemed to suit me."
Flo Richards
"That is quite alright Flo. Though I think it was a nightmare. The house-elves have made us some Egyptian tea." Tarik said still concerned hand her the teacup.
Deciding that now was as good as any, Tarik said, "May I ask why you have a picture of when I was younger?" Tarik did not accuse the woman, for all he knew she could be a cousin. Tarik continued, "It was just that I happened to see the picture while it was on the floor. The reason I ask is because I don't remember wearing that outfit, though it seemed to suit me."
Deciding that now was as good as any, Tarik said, "May I ask why you have a picture of when I was younger?" Tarik did not accuse the woman, for all he knew she could be a cousin. Tarik continued, "It was just that I happened to see the picture while it was on the floor. The reason I ask is because I don't remember wearing that outfit, though it seemed to suit me."
Flo accepted the cup of tea from Tarik and took a deep breath. It was not fair to Tarik to act like a love forlorn matron. “The picture?”, she started as she retrieved it from her pocket. “The picture is not of you, it is of my deceased husband Michael. He was killed ten years ago in a muggle car crash.” Flo looked at the picture and handed it to Tarik. “The reason I have been so upset, is because, as you can see, your eyes are so much alike. It startled me to see you sitting at the table. Sorry if I created any unnecessary commotion.”
Flo took a sip of tea, which was very good. She smiled and took another sip, because the tea had always had a very calming effect on her. It tasted like the tea Michael had always made. Flo remembered asking Michael about where he got the tea leafs from and he had explained they always came with the packet, containing his monthly allowance and a few other trinkets from time to time had been included. Flo had not tasted the tea in a long time, because when Michael died, the monthly allowances had stopped. The lawyer who had been handling all the transactions, from some unknown fund, had disappeared. She had spent one year in almost total isolation and depression. When her savings had run out she started looking for work. First there was the nursery school teaching job, which was a disaster, because of her magical tendencies to amuse the children at the completely muggle school, then the Nanny job which eventually lead her to Hogsmeade and then to the school.
Flo watched Tarik as emotions played across his face. Why was this man so familiar to her? Why did he have Michael’s eyes? Maybe she could get some answers.
Tarik Sadiki
Flo accepted the cup of tea from Tarik and took a deep breath. It was not fair to Tarik to act like a love forlorn matron. “The picture?”, she started as she retrieved it from her pocket.
Tarik saw the woman called Flo take the tea and instantly wondered if she liked Egyptian Tea. To most it was weird and took a required taste to appreciate it’s soothing qualities. As she took the picture from her pocket, he again wondered how she came by it. Tarik was positive he had never worn an outfit like that.
“The picture is not of you, it is of my deceased husband Michael. He was killed ten years ago in a muggle car crash.” Flo looked at the picture and handed it to Tarik.
As she explained who it was and the man’s connection to her, Tarik remembered faintly seeing the face on another picture along with a letter. Thinking back as he sipped his tea,But where and when?
“The reason I have been so upset, is because, as you can see, your eyes are so much alike. It startled me to see you sitting at the table. Sorry if I created any unnecessary commotion.”
When she mentioned the eyes, it hit him of where he had seen it. It had been when he had helped his father with a trip to a lawyer. His father had demanded that he wait outside. So when his father had dropped an envelope as he was coming out, Tarik jumped at the chance to see what the visit was about. As he picked up the envelope a picture fell out. It was of the same man, he was wearing a three-piece suit and there was a woman wearing a wedding gown.
Tarik asked who the man was and all his father said was that when Tarik had done what the council wanted then it would be safe to tell him. Tarik had also been warned not to go looking for answers and to focus on catching Khalid.
Tarik had ask his sister to look into it without father’s knowledge. She had wrote him ten years ago to say that if he got to his aunt’s house in the next couple of days, he would meet the man. Tarik had shown up the following day to find his father’s sister dead.
Flo took a sip of tea, which was very good. She smiled and took another sip, because the tea had always had a very calming effect on her.
As she took a sip, he asked as he handed back the picture, “Did you ever send wedding pictures to a lawyer in Egypt?” Tarik wondered if his sister still was looking as he had received an owl from her only moments before coming into the Staff Room. He had not even had a chance to open it yet. His sister had been able to get a hold of their father’s things after his death. Arianna had said that she would write if she found anything.
It tasted like the tea Michael had always made. Flo remembered asking Michael about where he got the tea leafs from and he had explained they always came with the packet, containing his monthly allowance and a few other trinkets from time to time had been included. Flo had not tasted the tea in a long time, because when Michael died, the monthly allowances had stopped. The lawyer who had been handling all the transactions, from some unknown fund, had disappeared. She had spent one year in almost total isolation and depression. When her savings had run out she started looking for work. First there was the nursery school teaching job, which was a disaster, because of her magical tendencies to amuse the children at the completely muggle school, then the Nanny job which eventually lead her to Hogsmeade and then to the school.
Tarik smiled as she drank her tea. It showed that she had drank it before. Since his sister was the only supplier of that blend, Tarik knew that she had to have gotten it from Arianna’s shop somehow. Pulling his sister’s letter out of his pocket, Tarik debated on whether to open it.
Flo watched Tarik as emotions played across his face.
As Tarik thoughts raced, his falcon Horus came to him. It seemed Horus wanted the letter opened as he began nipping at it. Turning to Horus, he said calmly, “Yes, Horus. It’s from Arianna. It is too small to be your treat bag.”
Flo Richards
As she took a sip, he asked as he handed back the picture, “Did you ever send wedding pictures to a lawyer in Egypt?” Tarik wondered if his sister still was looking as he had received an owl from her only moments before coming into the Staff Room. He had not even had a chance to open it yet. His sister had been able to get a hold of their father’s things after his death. Arianna had said that she would write if she found anything.
“This tea is fantastic, Tarik, thank you. I haven’t had it since Michael passed away and the packets stopped arriving from the lawyer.”
Leaning her head against the back of one of the wings in the chair Flo thought about Tarik’s question. “The one lawyer who seemed to be handling everything about Michael’s Trust funds gave us a phone number and a post office box to be able to send things to him. When we asked if we could see him personally he said he traveled a lot and never knew when he would be in his American office.” Flo took another sip of tea, and thought back ten years into her past. It was painful but she would keep going. “He did have an accent, but we were never able to place it. When Michael and I were married, the lawyer, a Mr. Avukat, did ask for us to prove we were married. We sent a copy of our marriage certificate and a couple wedding pictures to the post office box. We did get a holiday card once from with an Egyptian post mark on it, but it wasn’t signed.”
”Mr. Avukat, totally disappeared, off the face of the Earth, after Michael’s death. I sent a notice to the post office box, but it was returned as being no longer in service. Nothing ever came again for the last ten years. The family members I have back home in the United States, keep an eye out for things.”
Tarik smiled as she drank her tea. It showed that she had drunk it before. Since his sister was the only supplier of that blend, Tarik knew that she had to have gotten it from Arianna’s shop somehow. Pulling his sister’s letter out of his pocket, Tarik debated on whether to open it.
Tarik’s attention never wavered, while Flo was talking. When she had finished he reached in his pocket and pulled out an envelope. She saw in his eyes, the ones so similar she had learned to read when Michael was alive, Tarik was wondering if he should open the letter. Flo hoped it wasn’t bad news.
As Tarik thoughts raced, his falcon Horus came to him. It seemed Horus wanted the letter opened as he began nipping at it. Turning to Horus, he said calmly, “Yes, Horus. It’s from Arianna. It is too small to be your treat bag.”
When his falcon flew over to where he was sitting and started to nip at the letter, Flo smiled. The bird wanted to see what was in the letter. Who was Arianna, she wondered to herself. “Tarik you seem to want to read your letter. It is ok, go ahead. I’m going to see if I can find some treats for Horus.” She looked at the falcon and said, “Would you like that my fine feathered friend?” With that she put her tea cup on the small table, and headed for the kitchen area. If she remembered correctly, there were nuts and fruit in the bowl. She could cut up some fruit and make a small dish of a nice mixture, thus giving Tarik time to read his letter in private.
Tarik Sadiki
“This tea is fantastic, Tarik, thank you. I haven’t had it since Michael passed away and the packets stopped arriving from the lawyer.”
Tarik thought about her words,
Tarik still wondered who this Michael was and why his father would have his best lawyer handling the boy’s trust fund. Tarik did know that he and Arinna had never had to work to make a living. They worked because they wanted to not because they had to. Their grandparents had seen to that. Tarik’s son Ali even had money set aside for him. For some reason unknown to Tarik, his father had deemed this Michael worthy of being concerned family.
It made Tarik think back to his first love, Mina. Mina had been pregnant when she had been murder. When the Medjai had found her the baby had been forcibly removed. Tarik had known it would have been a boy and had even picked a name, Michaki. It was not his people way to name a baby, but he loved Mina and it was a custom of her people.
Tarik did know that Abdan had offices all over the world, as he was the only lawyer that all the Magi went though. Tarik still had his number in his head. Taking a paper, Tarik wrote it down 902-756-8578. Tarik handed the paper to Flo and asked, “Is this the number that you were to call?” If it was then Tarik had some very bad news.
Tarik knew that Abdan was Egyptian and Sudanian. He was Hawk of the Night’s cousin on his father’s side. Tarik now had the sad duty of informing this woman that he had been murdered October thirty-first. The family had found his body on November fifth. He would wait for her to finish due to the fact that it seemed that she was a hard time, dealing with the memories his question seemed to force her to relived.
”Mr. Avukat, totally disappeared, off the face of the Earth, after Michael’s death. I sent a notice to the post office box, but it was returned as being no longer in service. Nothing ever came again for the last ten years. The family members I have back home in the United States, keep an eye out for things.”
When she had finished, Tarik said a little sadden, “Abdan Avukat was family and also the Medjai council’s lawyer. He was murdered October 31, though we did not discover the body until the fifth of November.”
Tarik’s attention never wavered, while Flo was talking. When she had finished he reached in his pocket and pulled out an envelope. She saw in his eyes, the ones so similar she had learned to read when Michael was alive, Tarik was wondering if he should open the letter. Flo hoped it wasn’t bad news.
Now he was even wanting to see what Arinna had found.
Horus had finally torn open the envelope and Tarik saw that it had four documents and a key. Tarik pick up the letter from Arinna, and nodded to Flo. Opening the letter and read,
Tarik smiled a little as he picked up the other documents and key. He would write Arinna and tell her about Flo.
Looking at Flo, Tarik realized that he had read the letter outloud.
Flo Richards
When Flo returned to her chair, with a small plate of shelled nuts and some fruit cut up, she noticed Tarik had been sitting with the letter in his hand. Apparently Horus had been very impatient because he had started the opening process for Tarik and had been very active in his quest to get into the envelope. She patted the arm of the chair and offered a macadamia nut to the falcon, which he promptly flew over and retrieved. He was so pretty.
Flo accepted the slip of paper from Tarik and read the phone number on it. “I know the area code is correct, but it has been 10 years since I have called the number. It does look familiar though. How come you have it, plus seem to have it memorized?” Flo was getting nervous. Tarik had answers and information about her past no one outside of family should have. Even they did not know the details he was relaying to her. Flo picked up her tea cup, not so much to take another sip of the delicious blend, but just to have something to hang on to and concentrate on. Horus had left the arm of the chair and decided to help himself to the treats on the table.
Flo’s hand started to shake, so she put the cup back on the table. She looked into Tarik’s eyes as he told her about Mr. Avukat. Ten year old memories were flooding into her head. She remembered the night, October 31st, when she had received the phone call from the police about Michael being in the hospital. Shortly after she had arrived at the medical center, he had taken his last breath. She had never even been able to say goodbye. Tears rolled down her cheeks from the corners of her eyes as she leaned against the wing of the chair. Removing a tissue from her pocket she wiped the tears, then cleared her throat and said, “Tarik, my Michael had his accident on the 31st of October, ten years ago. I was not functioning very well after his death. Loosing Michael and the baby was so hard.”
“The police said witnesses told them a deer suddenly appeared in the road, and Michael swerved to miss it and lost control. The deer disappeared as suddenly as it appeared apparently. Tarik he had been so happy that night. He had called from the meeting he was attending and said he needed to make a short stop and then he would be home with some very good news. We were going to have something to celebrate. He was as happy as when he found out I was carrying his new son.” Flo’s hand went to her stomach. The boy had been in the second tri-mester of growth when she had miscarried.
“Two Auror’s came about three days later and said they had checked into the crash and the muggle police were correct in their assumptions. They asked if there was anyone else they should talk too. I did not tell them about the lawyer because that was my business not theirs. I went back to the family farm and never heard from either the police or them again. I am glad I do not have to deal with that type, they were very rude and hard especially the younger one.”
Flo watched Horus because he had returned to the envelope and was making very good process at finishing his earlier attempts. The falcon was making sure Tarik would be reading the contents. Flo was a little surprised when Tarik started to read the letter out load. She wasn’t even sure he knew he was doing it. As she listened her brain started to take in the information which confused her thoughts. This whole thing was almost surreal.
Flo had picked up her cup again, because she had gotten her hand to stop shaking. When she heard her name, she gasped and came real close to regretting having the cup in her hand. If it had been more than a third full, she would have had a real mess to clean up. Taking the cup in two hands she placed it back on the table. Her attention was now focused on Tarik’s face and his voice. She only caught a few things; something about a number being in between Tarik’s and the writers.
Now she was confused. If as she was starting to comprehend, Michaki and her Michael were supposed to be the same person, the writer had wrong information. Michael had not been killed; his death had been an accident. She had reports from the Muggle Police and from the Auror’s. Who was the Aunt and where was she now. Flo had many questions for her.
Flo sat silently for a few moments, trying to add all the information up. Michaki and Michael was the same person. The writer, Tarik’s sister Ari, thought Michael had been killed. Tarik was Michael’s father and Tarik’s father, had all the answers Michael and her had spent so much time trying to find. Flo looked at Tarik’s face and saw the sadness. The man was hurting because he had found a son he did not known he had, and lost him all in the same breath. Flo had dealt with this heart wrenching pain for many years and although it hurt, she could function even with the memories.
“Tarik, Sir. This letter, from Ari you sister, is it really saying you were Michael’s father?” Flo wanted to try and make some of the pain go away for a person she was realizing was her father-in-law. “He was a good man, a fantastic man. He was kind and caring. We were very happy for the short time we were together. We never stopped looking for you. You would have been very, very proud of him and I know in my heart he would have been very proud to call you father.”
Flo stopped talking. Tarik needed time to take in what was in the letter. “Michael,” she thought to herself, “I have found him. Your father is here. Oh, sweetheart, I wish you could be here too. I miss you.”
Tarik Sadiki
Tarik smiled as he said, “We have learned to never have numbers laying around.” Writing another number 205-633-5247 on a different paper. Handing her the new number, he said, “What about this one?” The new number was to Adban’s home. All of his clients had it. Adban’s wife Mika had been out of town when her husband was murdered, but refused to move when the Magi realized that the safe house in the United States had been discovered. She had finally agreed but on one condition, she got to keep the same phone number.
Tarik reached out to steady her hand.
Tarik hated that it was his words that had made her cry. Tarik was already thinking of who could of known of the link between Abdan and the Medjai. Only one name came up, his half-brother Khalid. Khalid wanted something or somebody, but what or who, Tarik could only think of one, himself. Khalid was hunting him, but why. Tarik then thought of the proof that Potter and Dawson had, could Khalid have thought that Abdan would know where they had hid it. Khalid had not went himself, he had sent somebody, Tarik was sure. Khalid must have been surprised when Abdan could not tell where Tarik was. Only three people knew where he was at all times, his father, his half-sister Ari and Sasha McChey. None of the three had any reason to give Khalid anything.
Tarik was surprised that this Michael had died the same day as Abdan. Tarik wondered if Abdan had given some information that had lead to the man’s death. Abdan would have never intended for the man to get hurt, so had he planned some kind of trap for Khalid and the young man had gotten caught in it as well. Thinking of the man he was to meet at his aunt’s and Ari’s secretiveness as to details.
Tarik’s mind was racing as he realized that if he had arrived on time, he would have been there when the attack happen on his aunt. His aunt had been counting on Tarik to be there. They had set a trap and it had backfired. The man must have seen something or was on his way to the aunt’s when he was killed. The road that lead to Tarik’s aunts was a private one any on it had it be headed there or coming back from there.
Tarik listened to how she described the accident, realizing that the deer was a Patronus Charm. His was a falcon, but Tarik had heard that Khalid’s was an Egyptian Asp. Tarik had known for some time that his half-brother had been helped in hiding. Tarik was the best tracker excluding his father. When she talked about having been carrying Michael’s son, Tarik wondered where the boy was.
Tarik would talk to his blood brother about the Aurors. He saw no reason that they should have been involved, let alone ask a grieving widow for names and addresses. He would ask her what exactly they had said after she finished as it seemed to upset her.
Tarik smiled at her next comment realizing that she had spunk just like Mina and Sasha.
Tarik waited and then asked calmly, “Did you give these Aurors a way to get a hold of you? Rude, how? What did they say exactly?” It was not that he doubted her story. The questions were more to see if these “Aurors” were after something or just doing their job. It was also to see if he need to have Ari’s husband put some protectors on the farm or if her family was safe.
Tarik saw the records and realized that his son was indeed following in his footsteps. Michaki had graduated with honors. He realized that he could not wait for the pictures to come. Tarik only was sad that his son had been yet another victim. Michaki had not even gotten to see his son. He was not mad at his father for hiding him. It had kept him safe until somebody had seen him and thought that he might be Tarik. That made Tarik realize that either his brother or the people hiding him wanted Tarik dead. They would pay, most had the good sense to leave the Medjai alone. Now these killers would find out why.
Tarik nodded as he handed her the key to Michaki’s vault. He also showed her the rest of what was in the envelope.
Tarik smiled, “I am proud of him. I am happy to know that he was as interested in finding me as I was.”
Tarik tried to calm his voice as he said the rest, “The night he, Abdan and my aunt were killed, I was supposed to be at my aunt’s but had been delayed. My sister Arianna, who I have always called Ari, had gotten a hold of me saying that if I got to our aunt’s by midnight, they had a surprise for me. I got there at ten minutes after midnight(November 1,). If he was killed on Old Medjai Road, there was only one place he could have been heading, my aunt’s? The only thing I am still trying to piece together is the order in which the murders occurred. I figure that Abdan was killed last as he had been tortured to death. So did they kill my aunt or Michaki first?”
Flo Richards
Tarik thought about her words,
Arinna, had said that the family’s lawyer Abdan Avukat had asked for larger tea and coffee orders up to ten years ago. Then the orders stopped coming in. His father even had gotten worried to the point that he had Arinna his secondary of his estate. The man had been found dead in his home, Tarik’s sources had said that he was tortured. Abdan’s death seemed to hit his father hard and Tarik noticed that his father had become even more secretive.
Leaning her head against the back of one of the wings in the chair Flo thought about Tarik’s question. “The one lawyer who seemed to be handling everything about Michael’s Trust funds gave us a phone number and a post office box to be able to send things to him. When we asked if we could see him personally he said he traveled a lot and never knew when he would be in his American office.”
Leaning her head against the back of one of the wings in the chair Flo thought about Tarik’s question. “The one lawyer who seemed to be handling everything about Michael’s Trust funds gave us a phone number and a post office box to be able to send things to him. When we asked if we could see him personally he said he traveled a lot and never knew when he would be in his American office.”
Tarik still wondered who this Michael was and why his father would have his best lawyer handling the boy’s trust fund. Tarik did know that he and Arinna had never had to work to make a living. They worked because they wanted to not because they had to. Their grandparents had seen to that. Tarik’s son Ali even had money set aside for him. For some reason unknown to Tarik, his father had deemed this Michael worthy of being concerned family.
It made Tarik think back to his first love, Mina. Mina had been pregnant when she had been murder. When the Medjai had found her the baby had been forcibly removed. Tarik had known it would have been a boy and had even picked a name, Michaki. It was not his people way to name a baby, but he loved Mina and it was a custom of her people.
Tarik did know that Abdan had offices all over the world, as he was the only lawyer that all the Magi went though. Tarik still had his number in his head. Taking a paper, Tarik wrote it down 902-756-8578. Tarik handed the paper to Flo and asked, “Is this the number that you were to call?” If it was then Tarik had some very bad news.
Flo took another sip of tea, and thought back ten years into her past. It was painful but she would keep going. “He did have an accent, but we were never able to place it. When Michael and I were married, the lawyer, a Mr. Avukat, did ask for us to prove we were married. We sent a copy of our marriage certificate and a couple wedding pictures to the post office box. We did get a holiday card once from with an Egyptian post mark on it, but it wasn’t signed.”
Tarik knew that Abdan was Egyptian and Sudanian. He was Hawk of the Night’s cousin on his father’s side. Tarik now had the sad duty of informing this woman that he had been murdered October thirty-first. The family had found his body on November fifth. He would wait for her to finish due to the fact that it seemed that she was a hard time, dealing with the memories his question seemed to force her to relived.
”Mr. Avukat, totally disappeared, off the face of the Earth, after Michael’s death. I sent a notice to the post office box, but it was returned as being no longer in service. Nothing ever came again for the last ten years. The family members I have back home in the United States, keep an eye out for things.”
When she had finished, Tarik said a little sadden, “Abdan Avukat was family and also the Medjai council’s lawyer. He was murdered October 31, though we did not discover the body until the fifth of November.”
Tarik’s attention never wavered, while Flo was talking. When she had finished he reached in his pocket and pulled out an envelope. She saw in his eyes, the ones so similar she had learned to read when Michael was alive, Tarik was wondering if he should open the letter. Flo hoped it wasn’t bad news.
Now he was even wanting to see what Arinna had found.
When his falcon flew over to where he was sitting and started to nip at the letter, Flo smiled. The bird wanted to see what was in the letter. Who was Arianna, she wondered to herself. “Tarik you seem to want to read your letter. It is ok, go ahead. I’m going to see if I can find some treats for Horus.” She looked at the falcon and said, “Would you like that my fine feathered friend?” With that she put her tea cup on the small table, and headed for the kitchen area. If she remembered correctly, there were nuts and fruit in the bowl. She could cut up some fruit and make a small dish of a nice mixture, thus giving Tarik time to read his letter in private.
Horus had finally torn open the envelope and Tarik saw that it had four documents and a key. Tarik pick up the letter from Arinna, and nodded to Flo. Opening the letter and read,
“Dear brother,
I am sending you this letter with a birth record, a marriage certificate, school records and the key to the bank there in London. It would seem our father had never stopped hunting for Mina’s baby. His journal had stated that he had found Michaki when the boy was about four.
Tarik don’t be upset with father about not telling you.
Father believed that to protect you both, he had to act quickily. He had asked Abdan to insure the boy’s safety. The birth record shows both the name you gave him and the false name.
The marriage is his marriage to a woman have yet to find. Her name is Flo Richards. Once I have found her, I will ask that you return the key as it is rightfully her’s. It goes to number 163. That vault is right in between your's and mine.
Tarik as you will see though the school records, your son had taken after you.
I am hoping that you are sitting down, for I am sorry to inform you that Michaki was killed ten years ago. He was the man that our aunt had found. I will see if I can find the albums of pictures that dad’s journal spoke of. If I do, be ready to receive a very big package. It seemed father had not wanted you to miss nothing. There seems to be pictures of you and Mina as well.
I will keep hunting as I am sure that you want answers as do I.
Love Always,
Your Sister
Ari
I am sending you this letter with a birth record, a marriage certificate, school records and the key to the bank there in London. It would seem our father had never stopped hunting for Mina’s baby. His journal had stated that he had found Michaki when the boy was about four.
Tarik don’t be upset with father about not telling you.
Father believed that to protect you both, he had to act quickily. He had asked Abdan to insure the boy’s safety. The birth record shows both the name you gave him and the false name.
The marriage is his marriage to a woman have yet to find. Her name is Flo Richards. Once I have found her, I will ask that you return the key as it is rightfully her’s. It goes to number 163. That vault is right in between your's and mine.
Tarik as you will see though the school records, your son had taken after you.
I am hoping that you are sitting down, for I am sorry to inform you that Michaki was killed ten years ago. He was the man that our aunt had found. I will see if I can find the albums of pictures that dad’s journal spoke of. If I do, be ready to receive a very big package. It seemed father had not wanted you to miss nothing. There seems to be pictures of you and Mina as well.
I will keep hunting as I am sure that you want answers as do I.
Love Always,
Your Sister
Ari
Tarik smiled a little as he picked up the other documents and key. He would write Arinna and tell her about Flo.
Looking at Flo, Tarik realized that he had read the letter outloud.
Flo Richards
When Flo returned to her chair, with a small plate of shelled nuts and some fruit cut up, she noticed Tarik had been sitting with the letter in his hand. Apparently Horus had been very impatient because he had started the opening process for Tarik and had been very active in his quest to get into the envelope. She patted the arm of the chair and offered a macadamia nut to the falcon, which he promptly flew over and retrieved. He was so pretty.
Tarik did know that Abdan had offices all over the world, as he was the only lawyer that all the Magi went though. Tarik still had his number in his head. Taking a paper, Tarik wrote it down 902-756-8578. Tarik handed the paper to Flo and asked, “Is this the number that you were to call?” If it was then Tarik had some very bad news.
Flo accepted the slip of paper from Tarik and read the phone number on it. “I know the area code is correct, but it has been 10 years since I have called the number. It does look familiar though. How come you have it, plus seem to have it memorized?” Flo was getting nervous. Tarik had answers and information about her past no one outside of family should have. Even they did not know the details he was relaying to her. Flo picked up her tea cup, not so much to take another sip of the delicious blend, but just to have something to hang on to and concentrate on. Horus had left the arm of the chair and decided to help himself to the treats on the table.
When she had finished, Tarik said a little sadden, “Abdan Avukat was family and also the Medjai council’s lawyer. He was murdered October 31, though we did not discover the body until the fifth of November.”
Flo’s hand started to shake, so she put the cup back on the table. She looked into Tarik’s eyes as he told her about Mr. Avukat. Ten year old memories were flooding into her head. She remembered the night, October 31st, when she had received the phone call from the police about Michael being in the hospital. Shortly after she had arrived at the medical center, he had taken his last breath. She had never even been able to say goodbye. Tears rolled down her cheeks from the corners of her eyes as she leaned against the wing of the chair. Removing a tissue from her pocket she wiped the tears, then cleared her throat and said, “Tarik, my Michael had his accident on the 31st of October, ten years ago. I was not functioning very well after his death. Loosing Michael and the baby was so hard.”
“The police said witnesses told them a deer suddenly appeared in the road, and Michael swerved to miss it and lost control. The deer disappeared as suddenly as it appeared apparently. Tarik he had been so happy that night. He had called from the meeting he was attending and said he needed to make a short stop and then he would be home with some very good news. We were going to have something to celebrate. He was as happy as when he found out I was carrying his new son.” Flo’s hand went to her stomach. The boy had been in the second tri-mester of growth when she had miscarried.
“Two Auror’s came about three days later and said they had checked into the crash and the muggle police were correct in their assumptions. They asked if there was anyone else they should talk too. I did not tell them about the lawyer because that was my business not theirs. I went back to the family farm and never heard from either the police or them again. I am glad I do not have to deal with that type, they were very rude and hard especially the younger one.”
Flo watched Horus because he had returned to the envelope and was making very good process at finishing his earlier attempts. The falcon was making sure Tarik would be reading the contents. Flo was a little surprised when Tarik started to read the letter out load. She wasn’t even sure he knew he was doing it. As she listened her brain started to take in the information which confused her thoughts. This whole thing was almost surreal.
Horus had finally torn open the envelope and Tarik saw that it had four documents and a key. Tarik pick up the letter from Arinna, and nodded to Flo. Opening the letter and read,
“Dear brother,
I am sending you this letter with a birth record, a marriage certificate, school records and the key to the bank there in London. It would seem our father had never stopped hunting for Mina’s baby. His journal had stated that he had found Michaki when the boy was about four.
Tarik don’t be upset with father about not telling you.
Father believed that to protect you both, he had to act quickily. He had asked Abdan to insure the boy’s safety. The birth record shows both the name you gave him and the false name.
The marriage is his marriage to a woman have yet to find. Her name is Flo Richards. Once I have found her, I will ask that you return the key as it is rightfully hers. It goes to number 163. That vault is right in between yours and mine.
“Dear brother,
I am sending you this letter with a birth record, a marriage certificate, school records and the key to the bank there in London. It would seem our father had never stopped hunting for Mina’s baby. His journal had stated that he had found Michaki when the boy was about four.
Tarik don’t be upset with father about not telling you.
Father believed that to protect you both, he had to act quickily. He had asked Abdan to insure the boy’s safety. The birth record shows both the name you gave him and the false name.
The marriage is his marriage to a woman have yet to find. Her name is Flo Richards. Once I have found her, I will ask that you return the key as it is rightfully hers. It goes to number 163. That vault is right in between yours and mine.
Flo had picked up her cup again, because she had gotten her hand to stop shaking. When she heard her name, she gasped and came real close to regretting having the cup in her hand. If it had been more than a third full, she would have had a real mess to clean up. Taking the cup in two hands she placed it back on the table. Her attention was now focused on Tarik’s face and his voice. She only caught a few things; something about a number being in between Tarik’s and the writers.
Tarik as you will see though the school records, your son had taken after you.
I am hoping that you are sitting down, for I am sorry to inform you that Michaki was killed ten years ago….. He was the man that our aunt had found.
I am hoping that you are sitting down, for I am sorry to inform you that Michaki was killed ten years ago….. He was the man that our aunt had found.
Now she was confused. If as she was starting to comprehend, Michaki and her Michael were supposed to be the same person, the writer had wrong information. Michael had not been killed; his death had been an accident. She had reports from the Muggle Police and from the Auror’s. Who was the Aunt and where was she now. Flo had many questions for her.
I will see if I can find the albums of pictures that dad’s journal spoke of. If I do, be ready to receive a very big package. It seemed father had not wanted you to miss nothing. There seems to be pictures of you and Mina as well.
I will keep hunting as I am sure that you want answers as do I.
Love Always,
Your Sister
Ari
I will keep hunting as I am sure that you want answers as do I.
Love Always,
Your Sister
Ari
Flo sat silently for a few moments, trying to add all the information up. Michaki and Michael was the same person. The writer, Tarik’s sister Ari, thought Michael had been killed. Tarik was Michael’s father and Tarik’s father, had all the answers Michael and her had spent so much time trying to find. Flo looked at Tarik’s face and saw the sadness. The man was hurting because he had found a son he did not known he had, and lost him all in the same breath. Flo had dealt with this heart wrenching pain for many years and although it hurt, she could function even with the memories.
“Tarik, Sir. This letter, from Ari you sister, is it really saying you were Michael’s father?” Flo wanted to try and make some of the pain go away for a person she was realizing was her father-in-law. “He was a good man, a fantastic man. He was kind and caring. We were very happy for the short time we were together. We never stopped looking for you. You would have been very, very proud of him and I know in my heart he would have been very proud to call you father.”
Flo stopped talking. Tarik needed time to take in what was in the letter. “Michael,” she thought to herself, “I have found him. Your father is here. Oh, sweetheart, I wish you could be here too. I miss you.”
Tarik Sadiki
Flo accepted the slip of paper from Tarik and read the phone number on it. “I know the area code is correct, but it has been 10 years since I have called the number. It does look familiar though. How come you have it, plus seem to have it memorized?” Flo was getting nervous.
Tarik smiled as he said, “We have learned to never have numbers laying around.” Writing another number 205-633-5247 on a different paper. Handing her the new number, he said, “What about this one?” The new number was to Adban’s home. All of his clients had it. Adban’s wife Mika had been out of town when her husband was murdered, but refused to move when the Magi realized that the safe house in the United States had been discovered. She had finally agreed but on one condition, she got to keep the same phone number.
Flo’s hand started to shake, so she put the cup back on the table. She looked into Tarik’s eyes as he told her about Mr. Avukat.
Tarik reached out to steady her hand.
Tears rolled down her cheeks from the corners of her eyes as she leaned against the wing of the chair.
Tarik hated that it was his words that had made her cry. Tarik was already thinking of who could of known of the link between Abdan and the Medjai. Only one name came up, his half-brother Khalid. Khalid wanted something or somebody, but what or who, Tarik could only think of one, himself. Khalid was hunting him, but why. Tarik then thought of the proof that Potter and Dawson had, could Khalid have thought that Abdan would know where they had hid it. Khalid had not went himself, he had sent somebody, Tarik was sure. Khalid must have been surprised when Abdan could not tell where Tarik was. Only three people knew where he was at all times, his father, his half-sister Ari and Sasha McChey. None of the three had any reason to give Khalid anything.
Removing a tissue from her pocket she wiped the tears, then cleared her throat and said, “Tarik, my Michael had his accident on the 31st of October, ten years ago. I was not functioning very well after his death. Loosing Michael and the baby was so hard.”
Tarik was surprised that this Michael had died the same day as Abdan. Tarik wondered if Abdan had given some information that had lead to the man’s death. Abdan would have never intended for the man to get hurt, so had he planned some kind of trap for Khalid and the young man had gotten caught in it as well. Thinking of the man he was to meet at his aunt’s and Ari’s secretiveness as to details.
Tarik’s mind was racing as he realized that if he had arrived on time, he would have been there when the attack happen on his aunt. His aunt had been counting on Tarik to be there. They had set a trap and it had backfired. The man must have seen something or was on his way to the aunt’s when he was killed. The road that lead to Tarik’s aunts was a private one any on it had it be headed there or coming back from there.
“The police said witnesses told them a deer suddenly appeared in the road, and Michael swerved to miss it and lost control. The deer disappeared as suddenly as it appeared apparently. Tarik he had been so happy that night. He had called from the meeting he was attending and said he needed to make a short stop and then he would be home with some very good news. We were going to have something to celebrate. He was as happy as when he found out I was carrying his new son.” Flo’s hand went to her stomach.
Tarik listened to how she described the accident, realizing that the deer was a Patronus Charm. His was a falcon, but Tarik had heard that Khalid’s was an Egyptian Asp. Tarik had known for some time that his half-brother had been helped in hiding. Tarik was the best tracker excluding his father. When she talked about having been carrying Michael’s son, Tarik wondered where the boy was.
“Two Auror’s came about three days later and said they had checked into the crash and the muggle police were correct in their assumptions. They asked if there was anyone else they should talk too.
Tarik would talk to his blood brother about the Aurors. He saw no reason that they should have been involved, let alone ask a grieving widow for names and addresses. He would ask her what exactly they had said after she finished as it seemed to upset her.
I did not tell them about the lawyer because that was my business not theirs.
Tarik smiled at her next comment realizing that she had spunk just like Mina and Sasha.
I went back to the family farm and never heard from either the police or them again. I am glad I do not have to deal with that type, they were very rude and hard especially the younger one.”
Tarik waited and then asked calmly, “Did you give these Aurors a way to get a hold of you? Rude, how? What did they say exactly?” It was not that he doubted her story. The questions were more to see if these “Aurors” were after something or just doing their job. It was also to see if he need to have Ari’s husband put some protectors on the farm or if her family was safe.
Flo sat silently for a few moments, trying to add all the information up.
Flo looked at Tarik’s face and saw the sadness.
Flo looked at Tarik’s face and saw the sadness.
Tarik saw the records and realized that his son was indeed following in his footsteps. Michaki had graduated with honors. He realized that he could not wait for the pictures to come. Tarik only was sad that his son had been yet another victim. Michaki had not even gotten to see his son. He was not mad at his father for hiding him. It had kept him safe until somebody had seen him and thought that he might be Tarik. That made Tarik realize that either his brother or the people hiding him wanted Tarik dead. They would pay, most had the good sense to leave the Medjai alone. Now these killers would find out why.
“Tarik, Sir. This letter, from Ari you sister, is it really saying you were Michael’s father?” Flo wanted to try and make some of the pain go away for a person she was realizing was her father-in-law.
Tarik nodded as he handed her the key to Michaki’s vault. He also showed her the rest of what was in the envelope.
“He was a good man, a fantastic man. He was kind and caring. We were very happy for the short time we were together. We never stopped looking for you. You would have been very, very proud of him and I know in my heart he would have been very proud to call you father.”
Tarik smiled, “I am proud of him. I am happy to know that he was as interested in finding me as I was.”
Tarik tried to calm his voice as he said the rest, “The night he, Abdan and my aunt were killed, I was supposed to be at my aunt’s but had been delayed. My sister Arianna, who I have always called Ari, had gotten a hold of me saying that if I got to our aunt’s by midnight, they had a surprise for me. I got there at ten minutes after midnight(November 1,). If he was killed on Old Medjai Road, there was only one place he could have been heading, my aunt’s? The only thing I am still trying to piece together is the order in which the murders occurred. I figure that Abdan was killed last as he had been tortured to death. So did they kill my aunt or Michaki first?”
Flo Richards
Tarik smiled as he said, “We have learned to never have numbers laying around.” Writing another number 205-633-5247 on a different paper. Handing her the new number, he said, “What about this one?” The new number was to Adban’s home. All of his clients had it. Adban’s wife Mika had been out of town when her husband was murdered, but refused to move when the Magi realized that the safe house in the United States had been discovered. She had finally agreed but on one condition, she got to keep the same phone number.
As Flo looked at the new piece of paper Tarik had handed her, she tried to concentrate on what he was asking. Her mind kept slipping back to the happy thoughts she had found Michael’s family. It was the one thing he worked on constantly, following any lead possible.
“That number also looks familiar. If it is the same one I am thinking about we called it and were told to leave a message and someone would get back to us as soon as possible. The message was in a woman’s voice. Michael explained in his message who he was and why we needed to find the lawyer. No one ever returned our call though. It was supposed to be a direct line to Adban’s home, I think.”
“I probably should have tried it again after Michael’s death, but I was beyond thinking. Somehow I remember planning the funeral with the help of my family and friends, but the details are really sketchy. Two days after the accident I passed out and went into premature labor.” Flo’s hand subconsciously went to her stomach. “When I woke up in the hospital, the baby had come but the doctor said he did not make it. I never did even get to see the little munchkin, because I fell back into my dream world for at least another month.”
“I do remember a nurse coming on duty the next day, and asking how I liked my new baby boy. The other nurse that was there whispered something and the first nurse just said she was sorry, that they had probably forgotten to write it on the chart, then went about fussing with the bed sheets and things. She had probably been embarrassed.”
“I was told later, they buried the baby in the same coffin as Michael. On the head stone it has Michael’s name and my boy’s name which was Marshall James. Michael and I had picked it out when we found out I was carrying a boy.”
“The Auror’s knew how to get in contact with me because they came to my father’s farm to report their findings. Maybe rude is not the right work, callous may better describe it. The young one especially let it be known, if wizards hung around with muggles and tried to live in their world and use their contraptions, things could happen. He did not elaborate on what ‘things’ meant, but it was a slap in the face to me, Michael’s memory and even my family, because we all believe wizards and muggles should live together. Somewhere in time there is a common bond.”
Flo accepted the key which Tarik offered. She never thought of getting copies of the pictures and papers she had from Michael’s past for Tarik. Michael had kept everything, because he had always said there was a clue somewhere in the papers which would lead to his family. “I have pictures and papers also, which I will send for tomorrow. Michael kept every scarp.” Holding the key is the palm of her outstretched hand she asked,” What’s the key to? I heard you mention something about it when you were reading the letter from your sister Ari, but I was trying to not pay too much attention because it was a private thing.
Flo tried, again to concentrate on what Tarik was saying. Her thoughts painful, even after ten years, went back to the details of that night. “The witnesses said Michael had his turn signal on and had just made the turn onto another road when the accident happened. The Muggle Police did say the road had an Egyptian name, Old Medjai Road does sound really familiar. I can double check for you because I can get a copy of the Muggle police report sent here to the school. It may even give you the names of the witnesses. ”
“Michaki, I like that name, from the report had his accident at about 8:45 pm, from the best way the Muggle police could figure it, but it was after midnight before the police called me. I remember that because I was getting a little desperate to know where Michael was and had called around 10:00 to the meeting place to see if anyone had heard from him or if he had returned there.”
“That’s all I really remember. Sorry if it is not enough. I will try and see what else I can find out.”
“Tarik, sir, I do have one question. In the United States, when a girl marries into a family, the family actually becomes a new part of her family. I do not know how it is with your customs, but with mine it also makes it possible for the girl to call her father-in-law, father by name.” Flo hesitated for a moment then continued, “Would it be ok and proper for me to call you Father?” Flo hoped she had not overstepped the bounds of being a proper daughter-in-law as far as Tarik was concerned. She folded her hands in her lap and waited for him to talk.
Tarik Sadiki
Tarik listened as Flo told him everything that she could remember. She retold what the Aurors had said and he knew he would have Ari have her friends check on Flo’s family. He would also talk to Dempsey about the way the Aurors had handled things. Tarik’s friend could do a check without drawing too much attention.
Looking at Flo, he said calmly, “Flo, do you happen to remember the Aurors’ names? Also inform your family that my sister Arianna will be stopping by to check on them periodically. I will give you a picture so that they will know her on sight.” With that he reached into his robe and pulled out the picture of Ari. Handing it to Flo, he said, “If those Aurors comeback, have your family stall them and call Ari.”
Waiting a few minutes, he said, “Sorry about the baby. Though I will probably want to give them a proper Medjai burial. I will be wanting a look into the accident as well as a few doctor friends of my sister’s to looking into the death of the child. Will you consent to me digging deeper into this?”
Realizing that she probably would need to know why, Tarik smiled and said, “It is just that something is not right about the accident or the baby’s death. If he had the accident a little before nine why didn’t anybody notify you until after midnight? My son does not strike me as the kind of person to leave his wallet at home.”
Tarik realized a couple of things. The first being, that he had called Michaki, My son easily and loved the sound. Two was that he had already seemed to know how his son was. Somebody was going to pay dearly for Michaki’s death. The last thing was just a feeling he had. Something did not ring true about the baby’s death. Tarik did not want to get Flo’s hopes up but he was pretty sure that when the coffin was opened, the baby would not be in it.
When Flo spoke about her customs, Tarik listened.
After she had finished, Tarik smiled as he said, “Nothing would make me prouder, daughter. And do not worry. We will get to the bottom of this and those responsible will pay! That I swear!”
Seeing how tired she was Tarik said, “Now daughter, you are tired. Don’t worry, we will have plenty of talks in the coming days. You should go to bed and I will send the message to Ari, okay?”
Flo Richards
Flo took the picture of Arianna from Tarik. “She is very beautiful. It will be nice someday to finally meet her. She doesn’t even know me and she has done so much already.” Then she thought back to 10 years ago. It was getting easier now that someone else was sharing the time. Tarik wanted to know the names of the Auror’s. “The name of the older Auror was Timothy or something like that and the younger one was definitely Gideon, I will never forget the smirk look on his face. I will go into Hogsmeade tomorrow and send the picture and information off. Thank you for this Tarik, it means a lot.”
Flo’s hand again went subconsciously to her stomach. It would have been nice to have Michael’s baby to raise even without her husband. She made a mental note to try and remember to call Michael, Michaki around Tarik, “Of course, I know Michaki would have liked a proper burial with his family’s customs. He and my son would have both been proud to be a part of your family.” All of a sudden Flo realized Tarik was saying the baby Marshall may have been murdered along with her husband, Tarik’s Aunt and the lawyer. Flo’s heart squeezed, but she was determined not to make Tarik feel worse. “Let me know if you need any other information from me. I will have the hospital records sent from the United States, and some other personal papers which may have information. I am also going make sure some pictures and things of Michaki are sent for you to see.” She tried to smile, and accomplished a little one.
“Michaki did not leave his wallet home that night, Tarik. It was returned to me intact, from the coroner’s office. The muggle police told me it had been found in some bushes about 50 feet from the wreck sight, so it probably flew out of the car when….when the accident happened. They said they never did find the car registration, which would have been a piece of paper in the glove box, with our address on it, and I know it was in there along with the insurance card.”
“Our baby would have only weighed almost 2 lbs when he was born, and the rate of survival in the muggle world for one that tiny is not very good. Please don’t get your hopes up.”
Flo looked at the new father in her life. “I know you will do everything you think you need to do Father, oh I like the way that sounds.” She genuinely smiled at the man sitting in the other chair. “I will not get my hopes up. You have already, tonight, given me a new world and happiness in finding you, which I will never be able to express in words. All I ask Father is that you take care, because if what you are hinting, really is even partially true, then you need to take care. I do not want to lose someone I have just found.”
Tarik was right when he said she was tired. It was a strange tired though, one she had not felt in many years. There was calmness about the feeling. “I will go to bed now, I think. Sleeping may bring some good dreams tonight.” Flo rose from the chair and leaned over Tarik, kissing him on the forehead, “Good night, Father. Pleasant dreams to you too.”
She then made her way to the door and to her room. As she lay in bed her last thoughts before she fell asleep were of Michael. “We are a family again, Michael. Your father is now my father. Your family now knows about you. Give Marshall a kiss and hug from his mother. Love you, sweetheart.” She then closed her eyes to dream.
As Flo looked at the new piece of paper Tarik had handed her, she tried to concentrate on what he was asking. Her mind kept slipping back to the happy thoughts she had found Michael’s family. It was the one thing he worked on constantly, following any lead possible.
“That number also looks familiar. If it is the same one I am thinking about we called it and were told to leave a message and someone would get back to us as soon as possible. The message was in a woman’s voice. Michael explained in his message who he was and why we needed to find the lawyer. No one ever returned our call though. It was supposed to be a direct line to Adban’s home, I think.”
When she talked about having been carrying Michael’s son, Tarik wondered where the boy was.
“I probably should have tried it again after Michael’s death, but I was beyond thinking. Somehow I remember planning the funeral with the help of my family and friends, but the details are really sketchy. Two days after the accident I passed out and went into premature labor.” Flo’s hand subconsciously went to her stomach. “When I woke up in the hospital, the baby had come but the doctor said he did not make it. I never did even get to see the little munchkin, because I fell back into my dream world for at least another month.”
“I do remember a nurse coming on duty the next day, and asking how I liked my new baby boy. The other nurse that was there whispered something and the first nurse just said she was sorry, that they had probably forgotten to write it on the chart, then went about fussing with the bed sheets and things. She had probably been embarrassed.”
“I was told later, they buried the baby in the same coffin as Michael. On the head stone it has Michael’s name and my boy’s name which was Marshall James. Michael and I had picked it out when we found out I was carrying a boy.”
Tarik waited and then asked calmly, “Did you give these Aurors a way to get a hold of you? Rude, how? What did they say exactly?” It was not that he doubted her story. The questions were more to see if these “Aurors” were after something or just doing their job. It was also to see if he need to have Ari’s husband put some protectors on the farm or if her family was safe.
“The Auror’s knew how to get in contact with me because they came to my father’s farm to report their findings. Maybe rude is not the right work, callous may better describe it. The young one especially let it be known, if wizards hung around with muggles and tried to live in their world and use their contraptions, things could happen. He did not elaborate on what ‘things’ meant, but it was a slap in the face to me, Michael’s memory and even my family, because we all believe wizards and muggles should live together. Somewhere in time there is a common bond.”
Tarik nodded as he handed her the key to Michaki’s vault. He also showed her the rest of what was in the envelope.
Flo accepted the key which Tarik offered. She never thought of getting copies of the pictures and papers she had from Michael’s past for Tarik. Michael had kept everything, because he had always said there was a clue somewhere in the papers which would lead to his family. “I have pictures and papers also, which I will send for tomorrow. Michael kept every scarp.” Holding the key is the palm of her outstretched hand she asked,” What’s the key to? I heard you mention something about it when you were reading the letter from your sister Ari, but I was trying to not pay too much attention because it was a private thing.
Tarik tried to calm his voice as he said the rest, “The night he, Abdan and my aunt were killed, I was supposed to be at my aunt’s but had been delayed. My sister Arianna, who I have always called Ari, had gotten a hold of me saying that if I got to our aunt’s by midnight, they had a surprise for me. I got there at ten minutes after midnight (November 1,). If he was killed on Old Medjai Road, there was only one place he could have been heading, my aunt’s? The only thing I am still trying to piece together is the order in which the murders occurred. I figure that Abdan was killed last as he had been tortured to death. So did they kill my aunt or Michaki first?”
Flo tried, again to concentrate on what Tarik was saying. Her thoughts painful, even after ten years, went back to the details of that night. “The witnesses said Michael had his turn signal on and had just made the turn onto another road when the accident happened. The Muggle Police did say the road had an Egyptian name, Old Medjai Road does sound really familiar. I can double check for you because I can get a copy of the Muggle police report sent here to the school. It may even give you the names of the witnesses. ”
“Michaki, I like that name, from the report had his accident at about 8:45 pm, from the best way the Muggle police could figure it, but it was after midnight before the police called me. I remember that because I was getting a little desperate to know where Michael was and had called around 10:00 to the meeting place to see if anyone had heard from him or if he had returned there.”
“That’s all I really remember. Sorry if it is not enough. I will try and see what else I can find out.”
“Tarik, sir, I do have one question. In the United States, when a girl marries into a family, the family actually becomes a new part of her family. I do not know how it is with your customs, but with mine it also makes it possible for the girl to call her father-in-law, father by name.” Flo hesitated for a moment then continued, “Would it be ok and proper for me to call you Father?” Flo hoped she had not overstepped the bounds of being a proper daughter-in-law as far as Tarik was concerned. She folded her hands in her lap and waited for him to talk.
Tarik Sadiki
Tarik listened as Flo told him everything that she could remember. She retold what the Aurors had said and he knew he would have Ari have her friends check on Flo’s family. He would also talk to Dempsey about the way the Aurors had handled things. Tarik’s friend could do a check without drawing too much attention.
Looking at Flo, he said calmly, “Flo, do you happen to remember the Aurors’ names? Also inform your family that my sister Arianna will be stopping by to check on them periodically. I will give you a picture so that they will know her on sight.” With that he reached into his robe and pulled out the picture of Ari. Handing it to Flo, he said, “If those Aurors comeback, have your family stall them and call Ari.”
Waiting a few minutes, he said, “Sorry about the baby. Though I will probably want to give them a proper Medjai burial. I will be wanting a look into the accident as well as a few doctor friends of my sister’s to looking into the death of the child. Will you consent to me digging deeper into this?”
Realizing that she probably would need to know why, Tarik smiled and said, “It is just that something is not right about the accident or the baby’s death. If he had the accident a little before nine why didn’t anybody notify you until after midnight? My son does not strike me as the kind of person to leave his wallet at home.”
Tarik realized a couple of things. The first being, that he had called Michaki, My son easily and loved the sound. Two was that he had already seemed to know how his son was. Somebody was going to pay dearly for Michaki’s death. The last thing was just a feeling he had. Something did not ring true about the baby’s death. Tarik did not want to get Flo’s hopes up but he was pretty sure that when the coffin was opened, the baby would not be in it.
When Flo spoke about her customs, Tarik listened.
“Tarik, sir, I do have one question. In the United States, when a girl marries into a family, the family actually becomes a new part of her family. I do not know how it is with your customs, but with mine it also makes it possible for the girl to call her father-in-law, father by name.”
Flo hesitated for a moment then continued, “Would it be ok and proper for me to call you Father?”
Flo hesitated for a moment then continued, “Would it be ok and proper for me to call you Father?”
After she had finished, Tarik smiled as he said, “Nothing would make me prouder, daughter. And do not worry. We will get to the bottom of this and those responsible will pay! That I swear!”
Seeing how tired she was Tarik said, “Now daughter, you are tired. Don’t worry, we will have plenty of talks in the coming days. You should go to bed and I will send the message to Ari, okay?”
Flo Richards
Looking at Flo, he said calmly, “Flo, do you happen to remember the Auror’s’ names? Also inform your family that my sister Arianna will be stopping by to check on them periodically. I will give you a picture so that they will know her on sight.” With that he reached into his robe and pulled out the picture of Ari. Handing it to Flo, he said, “If those Auror’s comeback, have your family stall them and call Ari.”
Flo took the picture of Arianna from Tarik. “She is very beautiful. It will be nice someday to finally meet her. She doesn’t even know me and she has done so much already.” Then she thought back to 10 years ago. It was getting easier now that someone else was sharing the time. Tarik wanted to know the names of the Auror’s. “The name of the older Auror was Timothy or something like that and the younger one was definitely Gideon, I will never forget the smirk look on his face. I will go into Hogsmeade tomorrow and send the picture and information off. Thank you for this Tarik, it means a lot.”
Waiting a few minutes, he said, “Sorry about the baby. Though I will probably want to give them a proper Medjai burial. I will be wanting a look into the accident as well as a few doctor friends of my sister’s to looking into the death of the child. Will you consent to me digging deeper into this?”
Flo’s hand again went subconsciously to her stomach. It would have been nice to have Michael’s baby to raise even without her husband. She made a mental note to try and remember to call Michael, Michaki around Tarik, “Of course, I know Michaki would have liked a proper burial with his family’s customs. He and my son would have both been proud to be a part of your family.” All of a sudden Flo realized Tarik was saying the baby Marshall may have been murdered along with her husband, Tarik’s Aunt and the lawyer. Flo’s heart squeezed, but she was determined not to make Tarik feel worse. “Let me know if you need any other information from me. I will have the hospital records sent from the United States, and some other personal papers which may have information. I am also going make sure some pictures and things of Michaki are sent for you to see.” She tried to smile, and accomplished a little one.
Realizing that she probably would need to know why, Tarik smiled and said, “It is just that something is not right about the accident or the baby’s death. If he had the accident a little before nine why didn’t anybody notify you until after midnight? My son does not strike me as the kind of person to leave his wallet at home.”
“Michaki did not leave his wallet home that night, Tarik. It was returned to me intact, from the coroner’s office. The muggle police told me it had been found in some bushes about 50 feet from the wreck sight, so it probably flew out of the car when….when the accident happened. They said they never did find the car registration, which would have been a piece of paper in the glove box, with our address on it, and I know it was in there along with the insurance card.”
“Our baby would have only weighed almost 2 lbs when he was born, and the rate of survival in the muggle world for one that tiny is not very good. Please don’t get your hopes up.”
After she had finished, Tarik smiled as he said, “Nothing would make me prouder, daughter. And do not worry. We will get to the bottom of this and those responsible will pay! That I swear!”
Flo looked at the new father in her life. “I know you will do everything you think you need to do Father, oh I like the way that sounds.” She genuinely smiled at the man sitting in the other chair. “I will not get my hopes up. You have already, tonight, given me a new world and happiness in finding you, which I will never be able to express in words. All I ask Father is that you take care, because if what you are hinting, really is even partially true, then you need to take care. I do not want to lose someone I have just found.”
Seeing how tired she was Tarik said, “Now daughter, you are tired. Don’t worry, we will have plenty of talks in the coming days. You should go to bed and I will send the message to Ari, okay?”
Tarik was right when he said she was tired. It was a strange tired though, one she had not felt in many years. There was calmness about the feeling. “I will go to bed now, I think. Sleeping may bring some good dreams tonight.” Flo rose from the chair and leaned over Tarik, kissing him on the forehead, “Good night, Father. Pleasant dreams to you too.”
She then made her way to the door and to her room. As she lay in bed her last thoughts before she fell asleep were of Michael. “We are a family again, Michael. Your father is now my father. Your family now knows about you. Give Marshall a kiss and hug from his mother. Love you, sweetheart.” She then closed her eyes to dream.