[Lake] Another Book

[Jac Shaw]

Jac was sitting on a lovely patch of grass with three letter and a large package on her lap. She had just come from the Owlery. She was always getting lots of post from her family; they always kept her up to date and often she heard the same bit of gossip several times.

She set the package next to her. She knew what it was so didn't really want to open it just yet. She crossed her legs and held her knee with on hand. In the other one she was holding the letters, trying to decide which to read first. She couldn't decide and it seemed she would be given the opportunity to decide because low and behold someone was advancing towards her.

[Henry Boggleworth]

And low and behold it was the infamous Boggleworth,
"Hiya Jac!" he called, "how are you? I see somebodies popular with someone," he observed
unlike me
hey, you've got me
suppose so, but you're me
eugh, no I'm not! I'm me and you're you
Boggleworth shook himself from his chat and said
"so how's things?"

[Jac Shaw]

Jac looked up from her letters and, being slightly shocked to see the Head Boy, her hair shot bubblegum blue. She forced herself to calm down and smile at the boy. "Hi ya'self!" she said, her naturally dark colour coming back.

She juggled the letters in her hand and shrugged. "Dunno," she said curtly, "haven't read 'em yet so I'm not quite sure. Must be something big! Otherwise everyone would just have let Pops tell me." Her long black hair had a blue tint to it as she realized she was talking her butt off. "You?" she asked, trying taking the attention off herself.

[Henry Boggleworth]

Boggleworth sighed it seemed even an out-going and chatty person like Jac would still start to clam up with his being Head Boy.
"I'm fine, just fine," replied Boggleworth with a grin
"So your Dad's the biggest gossip or just the messanger boy?" he asked, and suddenly thought it was times like these when he missed the family he never had.
I miss Dad, she killed him, the bit-
shut up! Cor you'll make me cry you fool!
I miss them sooo much! wailed Henry in Boggleworth's mind I need my vengeance
no, that's not the way argued Boggleworth.
To Jac it would seem that Boggleworth was just concentrating hard his brow furrowed in a deep frown. He grimaced
"eh what did you say?" he asked

[Jac Shaw]

Jac was once again staring at her letters so completely missed Bog's internal struggle. "Naw!" she said, laying the letters in front of her, "it's nothing like that. Pops just enjoy writing and Mum's far too busy to actually put pen to paper."

Jac looked up at Bog and smiled. "You pick! I can never decide!"

[Henry Boggleworth]

kill them, we must! Why don't we, start off on the quest again
quest it's not a friggin quest, it's a bloody vendetta! I'm not going to kill anyone
it's only hard the first time, then it gets easier
my God you really are a freak!
for a brief moment Henry took control, it had been happening more and more recently as Henry gained in strength
"kill them!" Boggleworth wrestled control back,
"ah yes...err, kill those dratted, pests, yes pests, they're very bad this time of year, terrible,"
what the hell did you do that for? demanded Boggleworth of Henry
to try to make you listen!
leave me alone...go away,
fine muttered Henry and supsided falling into quiet.
"Peace at last," breathed Boggleworth then looked at Jac's expression of...

[Jac Shaw]

... of confused questioning. "Bog?" she asked frowning, "what's up? You're not yourself; you seem stressed!" She ran a hand through her ice white hair to get it out of her face. She looked up at him calculatingly.

She moved her over-sized package to her other side to make space for Bog to sit. "Somethings up, I can tell!" she persisted.

[Henry Boggleworth]

"oh I'm fine now, honestly," he said with conviction as Henry really had quietened down. He sat down lightly feeling much better now and ful of curiousity into Jac's life and family instead of his own depressing past.
"So how often does your dad send owls then? Have you any brothers or sisters?" he asked desperately trying to change the conversation, though he sounded interested which he was.

[Jac Shaw]

Jac was a very perceptive person, so she knew he was avoiding. Suit me just fine! she thought.

She nodded. "Two brothers and two sisters." she picked up a letter with a large writing on it. "This is from Trish," she said, and picking up another, "and this is from Al, I mean Allona, probably telling me how well they did in their last game." She tilted her head towards the package and added, "and that's from Ed, definitely another book!"

She had a big family and was proud of it too. But these days gossip about the lady on the corner having a rowdy argument with the milkman just wasn't what she expected.

[Henry Boggleworth]

"A book eh? So are you all writers?" asked Boggleworth feeling inquisitive and wanting to have a read,
"does he write a lot then? Don't suppose I could have a quick read could I?" he enquired "don't mean to interrogate you so, but I'm so interested, do you write to?"

[Jac Shaw]

Jac giggled at Bog. "I don't mind!" she said and picked up the book. "Ed writes Care of Magical Creatures Hand Books!" she informed him, while tearing chunks of the paper off the book. "He always sends me copies of what he gets published."

She handed the large book to Bog and smiled as she saw the illustration on the front. It was of a beautiful lilac dragon. Kelly must have had fun drawing that! she thought.

Jac picked up the letters and shuffled them, once again pondering which to read first. "Um ..." she mumbled, remembering there had been more questions. "Only Ed writes. Trish does own a book store but that's her latest in -eyed hobbies! Al has no idea what a quill looks like let alone a book. And Lex is too young so ..." she giggled and shrugged. "And Pops just likes writing letters to me! But now I've had the crazy idea of writing for the new newspaper."

She smiled at Bog. "Sorry!" she breathed. Her hair turned a lighter shade of navy blue, "I can just go on and on about my family sometimes!"

Almost automatically, she slipped her finger into the letter on top and tore the paper. She looked down at which letter her hand had chosen and saw that it was from Allona. She removed the delicate paper from the envelope and read the letter, mumbling some words aloud.

Dearest Jackal
Pops just told me the fantastic news! As I arrived home from our tour in Germany I ran into the postman, literally, he's such a nice fellow. He told me that the owl had been perched outside my house for about two days. He didn't know why, of course but I thanked him anyway. We're having diner on Friday.
So I can't wait to hear from Ed, he must be over the moon. And what about Kelly, she must have had the shock of her life! Oh, you must come home soon so you can help with the planning and letter-writing to everyone (and you know how many there are to invite).
So I shall see you soon!
All my love,
Al

Jac stared at the cryptic letter. "What is she going on about?" she mumbled to herself putting a hand to her mouth.

[Henry Boggleworth]

Boggleworth laughed cheerfully, "it's fab you've such a great family and you can talk so much about them, they all seem pretty cool to me, and they obviously mean a lot to you" countered Boggleworth.
"merci pour...I mean for letting me have a read," he thanked taking the book gratefully
"should make good bedtime reading that,"
As Jac read her letter Boggleworth smirked at the blurb of the book,
Hearing Jac's last remark he asked concernedly "something wrong?"

[Jac Shaw]

Jac looked up from the letter and gaped at Bog. "Allona might not be a very lyrical person but she doesn't usually talk in such riddles!" It really was odd for Allona to even write to her but riddles? Jac put the letter down on the grass between her and Bog so it wouldn't blow away in the breeze and ripped open the next letter.

Dearest Jackie

This was the most shocking news I have gotten in the longest time. I knew Ed was keen on Kelly but, honestly, I never saw them going this far! Papa says that it was bound to happen but, if it was so obvious, why didn't I see it coming? But, little sis, don't you worry about that. That is my problem, not yours.

Ed promised they would wait for the holidays, so that you could be there too. I told him you wouldn't mind skipping school, if it came to that. But Papa said that they could just have it at Hogwarts. Not really sure why, Ed only met Kelly there and it's only a school!

Anyways, I hope you are well and not as shocked as I was.
All my love,
Trish

Jac angrily put the letter down on top of the first and looked at Bog. "But this is the problem with a big family. Everyone thinks you know everything so they call a spade a damn daisy. Everyone thinks I know what they're yakking on about but I actually have no idea!"

[Henry Boggleworth]

As Jac read her letter Boggleworth gazed out at the lake as he so often did, his mind wandering, but he was brought aburptly back to the present as Jac angrily threw down her letter.
"No idea eh? Well that's a bit of a predicament, nothing I can help you with?" He asked wanting to help if he could.

[Jac Shaw]

Jac shrugged. "Don't see how you could," she answered curtly. "My family, my business." She opened the last letter and showed Bog her fathers writing on the page. "Perhaps Papa could help," she said and turned to the letter.

Dear Jac

As you may have already heard, but I feel the need to repeat it in case you have not heard, Edward an Kelly are going to get married. At the launch of his new book, Edward proposed in front of everyone there. It was beautiful and romantic, you should have been there.

I am most pleased with Edwards choice, Kelly is a fine lass and she is probably the only girl Edward has ever brought home who can actually stand us. This is one of the most important things you must look for when looking for a future husband. However, that is not the matter at hand.

We have not as yet set a date for the wedding, however both Kelly and Edward have expressed a desire for you to be there. You are as much a part of the family as any one of us and it is most important for you to be there as well. This is a most fortunate decision for them to make as your mother is missing you terribly.

So keep well and stay out of trouble.
All the best
Father

Jac gasped and raised a hand to her mouth as she read. Tears welled up in her eyes and her hair curled and went ginger. "Oh my gosh!" she exclaimed, "oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!"