OOC thread can be found<a class="postlink" href="https://creativefreedomrpg.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&amp;t=46825">here</a>.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">__________________</div><br/><br/><div style="text-align: justify;">August 1st, 2018<br/><br/>Roughly a month before classes started for the upcoming school year in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, things seemed to be peaceful. The last War had ended twenty years ago, with several casualties that had been sorely felt by the wizarding community. But the sacrifice had not been in vain. With the fall of many precious lives, had come victory. The wizard who had renamed himself as Lord Voldemort had finally been defeated, putting an end to his reign of terror.<br/><br/>It took everyone in the wizarding society to start feeling at ease again. It had been a very long war, and it was hard to fall back in a routine without a Dark Lord. Without a threat looming over everyone’s heads all the time.<br/><br/>But it had finally come. Peace, calm and the regular life style every respectable wizard or witch craved. They could leave their houses and be sure they were to return. It was probably even more so for half-bloods and muggle-borns, as they were the main target.<br/><br/>Of course, as everyone knows, forgetting history was risking repeating it. And as that was a part in history nobody cared to repeat, everyone was in full alert. A team of aurors was kept constantly ready for the moment they needed to spring into action. Everyone hoped it wouldn’t be necessary, but it was better to be safe than sorry.</div><br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">__________________</div><br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #BF00FF"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Bernice Carmody Kerry</span></span></span></div><br/><br/><div style="text-align: justify;">While the world at large lived in peace, in that small cottage outside London, a couple lived the life of those prepared for any eventual change in scenery. Mr. and Mrs. Jonas Kerry had every reason to be on alert. He was an auror, one of the members of the team the Ministry of Magic kept fully ready for the event of a new war. She was a Hogwarts Professor, and had the events occurred in the school fresh in her mind, as probably the entire staff did.<br/><br/>It was a constant worry that the school might be targeted in a future conflict, which was why the protection barrier around it was kept in prime condition at all times. That was a task every adult wizard or witch was welcome and even required to help with. Aid on that was mostly voluntary, but calls for aid could be sent out if needed. For Bernice Kerry, a call was unnecessary. With her usual concern for others, Professor Kerry did her best to use her free time reinforcing the protective spells whenever she saw the need to do so.<br/><br/>The rest of Bernice’s time was devoted to Astronomy classes and counseling for troubled students. It was a good life, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Her door was always open for anyone who needed her, and Prof. Kerry tried to keep good relations with everyone. Of course, not all of the other Professors were friendly. But with those who weren’t, Nice made a point of maintaining a neutral relationship, based on professional respect.<br/><br/>But right now, she didn’t need to think about the other members of staff, as she was home. Sitting on her favorite chair with a cup of tea, Bernice smiled as she heard her husband telling her how much he would miss her once classes started. <br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">“Poor you”</span>, she replied to his concerns, blowing the man a kiss. <span style="font-style: italic">“I will miss you terribly too. But we will meet in Hogsmeade every weekend, even if just for dinner, right? It will be like our dates when we were students”</span>.<br/><br/>Jonas smiled and nodded at his wife. <span style="font-weight: bold">“I think you have a point”</span>, he agreed. Bernice was always so optimistic, always seeing the bright side of everything. Crossing the small living room, Jonas sat on the couch and gestured for Bernice to come sit with him. She did so, resting her head against his arm. <span style="font-weight: bold">“I worry so much about you, Bernie”</span>, he said, now more seriously. <span style="font-weight: bold">“You think everyone is as good and kind-hearted as you”</span>. <br/><br/>Bernice smiled. <span style="font-style: italic">“No, I don’t. I know not everyone is a good person, and that I can’t trust everyone. I just choose to give most people the benefit of doubt”</span>. Jonas sighed and kissed his wife’s hair. He nodded afterwards. <span style="font-weight: bold">“That is good, Bernie. But please, be careful. Don’t… I don’t know. Just be careful”</span>.<br/><br/>Bernice’s smile faded at Jonas’ apparent hesitation. Her gaze went up to his gaze with a concerned expression. She didn’t know exactly what he was talking about, but it had to be acknowledged that there was something strange in the air. At least for those sensitive enough to realize it. It was like the calm before a storm. And storms were never a safe thing. <span style="font-style: italic">“I know”</span>, Bernice replied softly after a moment of silence. Standing up, the woman kissed the man’s lips. <span style="font-style: italic">“Now, get out of here. We don’t want you getting late for work. And I have to go as well. I will spend a few hours browsing Diagon Alley for a few new spare books and charts, but I will be home for lunch”</span>.<br/><br/>With these words, the Kerrys parted ways - Jonas out of the house for work, and Bernice in the couple’s bedroom, to get ready to leave. It would be good to be in the Diagon Alley again, and maybe she would even run into someone from the school, even though it wasn’t very likely. Regardless of that, it would be a fun day.</div>