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+------ Thread: Camdown #8: Welcome Home : Nord-Stone (/showthread.php?tid=927)
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Camdown #8: Welcome Home : Nord-Stone - Matilda Nordstrom - 02-28-2026
10 April 1922
9am
Tilly was freaking out. Arriving home from Easter break, Bram, her grandpa and guardian had been off. Something had obviously been bothering him, but he wouldn’t give specifics when asked. Quieter than normal, disheveled, more owls coming and going than she had ever seen.
He was a busy man, she told herself.
Then, on the morning of the 10th, it got worse. An owl came knocking at the window early, and very insistent. Tilly let him in, immediately recognizing it as Claude, the Ravenstone family owl. Something wasn’t right, she could sense it. “GRAMPS! Claude is here, he seems flustered!”
Bram wasted no time, running into the room, clutching the letter tied to Claude’s foot. Obviously important, Bram read it quickly and cursed under his breath. Not good news apparently.
“Tilly, I need your help darling. Something has happened. Can you please make sure that Alice and Ever’s rooms are ready for them. Actually. No, I think it would be better if they were together. Lets set up Alice’s room with a larger bed, ask Poppy to make it a king. Lots of blankets and pillows.” Bram kept talking, flustered in his speech, as he furiously began writing on a piece of parchment.
Her stomach dropped at the mention of Alice and Ever’s names. With everything that Ever had been through in the last year, and the way she had deteriorated into a shell over her former self, she knew this was bad. “What happened, are they ok?” Tilly asked, her voice breaking on the last word.
Bram sighed, stopping to look at Tilly. “No, I’m afraid not. I don’t have time to go into everything, but they will be coming to live here for some time. I will tell you more later, but I need to get them here.” The letter was ready, attached to a new owl, ready to fly out the nearest open window.
7pm
It had been hours since Bram had left their townhouse in Cantebury.
Tilly paced the living room, waiting for some kind of news. An owl, a knock at the door, the fireplace coming to life with floo powder… Something. With the help of their house manager Poppy, Tilly got Alice's room ready for her cousins. The bed took up a large portion of room, filled with pillows and soft blankets. Everything cozy Tilly could find, including a few stuffed animals. Sometimes you just needed to cuddle.
With the sudden roar of the fire, green flames lit up the room. Seconds later, out walked three people, Bram, Alice and Ever. Bram helping Ever, nearly carrying her out of the fire, no recognition or light in her eyes. Running forward, Tilly engulfed Alice in a huge hug, something she was sure her cousin would need.
((OOC: Powerplay of Bram Ok with his Human, who is also me))
RE: Camdown #8: Welcome Home : Nord-Stone - Bertram Nordstrom - 02-28-2026
Wrapping up everything at Blackthorn hall took hours. Packing up everything the girls would need while the Aurors talked with everyone on the premises. It was a lot. All Bram wanted was to get the girls home.
When the owl arrived, explaining that something was wrong, that Alice was losing pieces of her day, Bram went straight to the Aurors office, not taking no for an answer. He would not leave his granddaughters there to be hurt further. Thankfully, they were close to moving in on Thatcher, the owl from Alice tipping off that they needed to move quickly.
What they found at the house was maddening. Ever was as vacant as ever. Barely functioning. Getting her help was his top priority.
As the Aurors began searching the home, potions were found that caused concern. Forensics would need to be run to decipher their exact nature, but the orange one sitting next to the tea pot in the kitchen pointed to a forgetfulness potion.
Thatcher and Margery said nothing. Once they realized the severity of the investigation, they stayed silent, only asking for their representation. The investigation would take weeks. Potentially months. The Aurors attempted to question Ever, but since his arrival she hadn’t spoken a word.
Walking through the fireplace, Tilly was waiting to embrace her cousins. Ever barely registering the change in venue. He took a deep breath, pulling his tie off, and breathing a sigh of relief. They were home. All three of his precious granddaughters were under one roof, safe.
“Tilly, Alice, why don’t you take Ever up to your room and get cleaned up. I think some dinner might be nice, if you’re hungry. Or, if you’d like to go to bed, that’s fine too. Whatever you need. I’m going to get changed, I will check in on you in a bit.”
He walked to each of the girls in turn, kissing them on the top of the head, lingering a second longer on Ever.
Bram walked up the stairs slowly, more tired than he had been in years. Finally, after all the work and stress he could get Ever the help she needed. While one portion of the issue had been solved, so much was still left to discover.
RE: Camdown #8: Welcome Home : Nord-Stone - Alice Ravenstone - 02-28-2026
Time was still slipping for Alice. She had blank spots when she thought about the moments after her grandfather appeared. Not a lot, but enough to be concerning for the girl who always had a perfect memory of everything.
Trying to fill in the gaps was exhausting, if she were honest. Everleigh was unable to do anything while she ran around collecting everything they would need when they moved in with their grandfather. She made sure to grab the extra journals and pencils she had gotten Ever just in case the girl found herself able to draw… or scribble.
She couldn’t think about Everleigh. If she did, she’d break down and cry. She should have done more, she should have acted quicker. She shouldn’t have let their mum and dad guilt-trip and gaslight her so much. It was her fault.
Alice tried to push those thoughts away, even as she went back downstairs so they could leave. Their mother and father were nowhere to be seen, though voices could be heard from the office. Always in the office. She hated that fucking room and would destroy it if she could.
Finally, the three of them departed by floo and she saw her cousin looking concerned as ever. Alice was attacked with a big hug, one that she needed. She could feel her exterior begin to crumble. Being out of Blackthorn Hall was hitting her hard. Her mother and father… who she thought she could trust more than anyone else on earth… were now the enemies.
She felt tears spring to her eyes as she nodded and took Everleigh’s arm in hers, Tilly taking the other side. With them on either side, Ever made it up to the bedroom easily.
Alice, unable to even look at her sister anymore, let Matilda take the lead on getting her ready for bed. She helped – she grabbed things that Tilly asked for – but she ended up mostly just looking at herself in the mirror, hardly recognizing herself.
The nightmare was over. Almost. She didn’t know how hard Thatcher and Margery would fight for them, and she knew that if they did fight, the things they’d say would surely cut through her heart.
“Can Poppy bring us something to eat? I don’t… wanna go anywhere,” Alice said, her voice tight with stress and exhaustion. She was finally in her own pajamas, her hair brushed (after days of not seeing a comb) and braided. Ever, by this point, was laying soundly in bed, but not sleeping.
Alice set the girl’s journals and pencils on a table on her side of the bed just in case she wanted to draw. If she could actually want anything.
RE: Camdown #8: Welcome Home : Nord-Stone - Matilda Nordstrom - 02-28-2026
Moving Ever around the room was like directing a doll. She was pliant, moving here and there, sitting or moving an arm was directed by Tilly, she was a doll. A vacant blank breathing doll. It Broke Tilly’s heart.
She knew it was bad, she had seen it at school, but she didn’t realize how bad it had become.
Tilly took the time to help Everleigh change into a simple soft nightdress. Taking a warm washcloth, she wiped her thin gaunt body down, cleaning away the day. It was strange, but Tilly detached from the weird and did what needed to be done.
Once Everleigh was dressed, the hairbrush came out. Ever sat criss-cross on the bed, Tilly kneeling behind her, brushing through the tangles of her long dark hair. Once her brush ran through without snags, Tilly went to work braiding the dark strands. It was comforting, taking care of her younger cousin.
As the time went on, Ever began to slump, her breathing slower. The poor girl was exhausted. Tilly’s arms went around Ever, pulling her back into her body, hugging her from behind.
“Can Poppy bring us something to eat? I don’t… wanna go anywhere.” Giving Ever a final squeeze, Tilly extricated herself from the bed and stretched. “Yeah, give me a minute, I’ll be right back.”
Running down the stairs, Tilly found Bram and Poppy in the kitchen drinking tea and looking far older. “Their resting. I got Ever all cleaned up and changed. Can we have dinner upstairs, something light. Maybe like cheese, fruit, crackers, cookies. Stuff like that.”
Poppy was up and out of her chair in the blink of an eye. “Absolutely Poppet. I will be up soon with the food. Go, get changed.” Bram just nodded, exhaustion taking over his expression.
Running back up the stairs, Tilly popped into her room to change and braid her own hair, then raced back into Alice’s. “Poppy will be up soon with the food.”
Minutes later the food arrived on trays, magically moving down the hall. “Here you go loves, let me know if you need anything else.” Poppy went in turn, kissing each girl on the top of the head. Not related by blood, but more of a Grandmother than her Granny ever was.
Tilly took some food, piling her plate high with some of Ever’s favorites. “Eat, I’ll try and get Ever to eat something.”
It wasn’t easy, but with some coaxing, Ever ate a small amount of fruit and cheese. The lemonade seemed to be her favorite, easy to slurp down with a straw. Tilly made a note to ask Poppy about smoothies.
The silence in the room dragged on. She wasn’t sure what to say, or ask, not wanting to make Alice relive the day, but she was DYING to know.
“Umm, so… I don’t know what happened, but if you need to talk I’m here. Or if you just want to rest that’s ok too. I can read for you, if that would be nice, or I can get the gramophone for some music. Or we can sleep. Whatever you need.”
Tilly was lost. She wanted to help but had no idea how.
RE: Camdown #8: Welcome Home : Nord-Stone - Alice Ravenstone - 02-28-2026
Matilda was back sooner than Alice expected – but then again, she’d probably missed some time. Again.
How long would this last? She needed it to stop already. Every time it happened and she realized it happened, her stomach churned and she felt nauseous. Her head was aching and she wanted to cry more but just… couldn’t.
Alice was infinitely grateful for Matilda’s willingness to take the lead with Everleigh. She felt selfish, though. Punishment for failing her as a sister would be to be faced with the damage done to her little sister. Still, even she needed a break sometimes.
And after everything, Alice had been wearing this weight on her shoulders since Everleigh began slipping. She thought her parents would help when they saw how bad she was, but all they did was make it worse. She was left trying to pick up the pieces, whatever tiny bits were left of her sister, to try to heal her and get her back.
But it didn’t work and Alice was tired. She’d feel better at the moment if she hadn’t been given the forgetful potion. It would take her forever to forgive her parents for that.
Poppy brought the food up, and Tilly attempted to feed Ever. Alice picked up a piece of cheese and put it in her mouth. She didn’t want to eat. She wasn’t hungry. She was too upset about everything that had happened.
But she ate one more piece of cheese and took a bite of a cookie.
“Umm, so… I don’t know what happened, but if you need to talk I’m here. Or if you just want to rest that’s ok too. I can read for you, if that would be nice, or I can get the gramophone for some music. Or we can sleep. Whatever you need.”
Alice would talk… eventually. She didn’t know when.
“The gramophone would be nice. Something soft,” she responded, hoping the music would help her get out of her own head for a bit. She pushed the plate away, leaving most of the food on it untouched. A waste. Just like her.
RE: Camdown #8: Welcome Home : Nord-Stone - Matilda Nordstrom - 03-03-2026
Soft music played in the room, she kept the volume low so as to not startle Ever. Her cousin just laid on her side, eyes facing the window, staring out into nothingness. She didn’t talk, no mumbles. She was a shell of her former self and it tore at Tilly’s heart.
Laying down, Tilly in the middle of her cousins, her eyes faced the ceiling where small little constellations were painted. Without looking, she felt around until her hand made contact with Alice’s, interlocking their hands together. Whispering, Tilly kept her eyes on the stars as she said, “I’m so sorry. I know that doesn’t mean much, but I’m here when you are ready to talk. Gramps won’t let anything else happen to you. We’re together now, forever.”
Squeezing her hand, Tilly shut her eyes and listened to the music until they all fell into a fitful sleep.
The light came through the windows, waking Tilly up. Stretching, she pointed her toes and raised her arms, yawning wide. As her eyes opened they focused in on the girl right in front of her. Ever, laid on her side, facing Tilly with another blank expression on her face. Tilly sighed, sad that her cousin was lost in her mind.
“Good morning. I hope you slept ok.” Tilly said, getting no response.
Tilly, the older of the two, felt protective over her younger cousin, especially after everything she had suffered. Lifting her hand, Tilly tucked a piece of black hair that had fallen out of her braid. She left her hand on Ever’s cheek rubbing her thumb over her cheek with a smile.
“Do you remember that one summer when you and Alice stayed over for a week. Gramps didn’t know what to do with so many girls under one roof. We stayed up late, eating sweets and then rain outside in the rain with our clothes on. You looked so free, twirling with your arms out. We laughed so hard that week we all lost our voices.” Running her finger between Ever’s eyes and down her nose over and over. Tilly brought her whisper even lower. “Did you lose your voice again? Maybe we can help you find it.”
Ever brought her hand up slowly, running her finger between Tilly’s eyes, just like Tilly had been doing to her. She only did it once, but it made the older girls smile. Tears formed in her eyes. “Hi Ever. I know you’re in there and I promise to help find your way out.” She said, kissing her on her forehead.
RE: Camdown #8: Welcome Home : Nord-Stone - Alice Ravenstone - 03-03-2026
The gentle music that wafted through the dim room comforted Alice. As did her cousin’s hand in hers. Matilda laid between her and her sister, and she realized she was the only other person she truly trusted to treat Everleigh right.
Despite the peacefulness that the music brought, Alice found herself silently crying. She’d looked over at Tilly after a while and saw her cousin’s eyes closed. She squeezed her hand and then rolled over, her back facing Tilly, her eyes looking at the rest of the room.
She knew she and her sister were safe with their grandfather – safer than even Hogwarts, obviously – but she was still scared.
Alice blinked her eyes open. She could hear Tilly whispering to Everleigh and instead of letting her know she was awake, the Hufflepuff remained on her side. She clearly hadn’t moved at all the night before while sleeping, and the fog that she felt since returning to Blackthorn Hall was finally dissipating. Was that the potion?
A clearer head would help her sort through what had happened in the past few days, and would help her come up with some sort of… plan. She knew that their grandfather was going to get Ever help, but she didn’t know what that looked like just yet.
After a moment, Alice finally rolled onto her back, yawning and stretching. She didn’t remember going to sleep last night, but she did remember crying. She couldn’t remember any of her dreams, but she could tell in just the few moments she had been awake that she had slept better than she had since leaving school on Easter break.
“Hi, Ever,” she said softly, sitting up a bit so she could see her little sister’s beautiful face. She was hopeful – stupidly so – that the girl would be better today. But it didn’t work like that. Still – she seemed less of an empty shell now.
Alice would take it.
“Did she sleep okay?” she asked their cousin. She hadn’t heard or felt a night terror, which was a huge improvement from the last few days.
Then a smell hit her nose. Alice’s brown eyes closed and a genuine smile came to her face as she breathed it in. “Kanelbulle,” she commented, the cinnamon bringing forth extremely happy memories.
RE: Camdown #8: Welcome Home : Nord-Stone - Matilda Nordstrom - 03-06-2026
“Did she sleep okay?” Tilly nodded to Alice while helping Ever sit up. “Yeah, no nightmares, so I call that a win. I think she likes it here with us.”
There was no immediate reason to get dressed, a lazy day in pajamas sounded perfect to Tilly. Grabbing a robe, she helped Ever into the warm fluffy fabric before taking both her hands. “Come on LeLe, let's go see what’s ready for breakfast.”
It was then that Alice said a word that would always and forever cause a smile to form on her face. “Kanelbulle.”
Eyes wide, smile large, Tilly squeezed Ever’s hand. The small girl just stood there, no emotion on her face, no recognition of the word or the smell wafting up the stairs. Sighing, Tilly helped Ever to the door. “I love Poppy so much, she makes the best Kanelbulle ever. Lets go have some while it’s still warm.”
As they entered the kitchen, Poppy was fluttering around making sure everything was just right, while Grandpa Bram sat at the small table reading the newspaper. Helping Ever into a seat, Tilly sat next to her, filling a glass with orange juice. Bram was watching the interactions closely. In the blink of an eye, Poppy was popping down plates in front of everyone filled to the brim with Kanelbulle, fruit, sausage, a fried egg and hashbrowns. There was no way she could eat a third of the food on her plate, but she would give it a valiant efforts.
Ever sat quietly, eyes void of emotion. Tilly sighed and cut up pieces of her breakfast. Spearing a piece of pastry, she brought it to Ever’s mouth and encouraged her to open her mouth. Ultimately, her experience with Applied Magic and the fake babies came into use and with a bit of coaxing, she started to take bites off of her fork. She needed to eat, she was losing weight, looking sickly.
“So Gramps, what's the plan?”
RE: Camdown #8: Welcome Home : Nord-Stone - Bertram Nordstrom - 03-06-2026
It had been a whirlwind. From the minute he walked into the Ravenstone home things had gone fast. The girls, finally under his roof, made his heart happy, but his worry increased tenfold. She was so much worse than he realized. Not feeding herself, not talking, not responding to anything. It was heartbreaking.
“So Gramps, what's the plan?”
Tilly’s question brought Bram out of his haze, bringing him back to the present. Putting down the morning copy of the Daily Prophet, he sighed before starting. Taking a long pull of his hot coffee gave him another minute to think before the words left his mouth.
“Well, the Prophet hasn’t gotten word yet, but I don’t expect that to last very long.” The longer the better. “Alice, you and Ever are now under my guardianship. Your parents rights were stripped while an investigation looks into everything. They haven’t lost their parental rights, this is basically temporary until the Ministry can determine if they are fit. I would love to give you time to rest, but with the active investigation, we need to work fast to get Ever the help she needs. I have a healer and therapist coming over later today. Once they have a chance to examine Ever, we will have a better plan.”
Taking another drink, Bram runs his hand over his face, scrubbing at the scruffy beard growing in after a few days of no shaving.
“I need you to understand, we are in uncharted territory. There is no way to know how the therapy will go, or if it will in fact work. At the end of the Easter Holiday, Tilly, Ali, you will return to the castle. LeLe will stay with me and get the help she has desperately needed. As of this morning, I sent an owl to your Headmaster. Until further notice, Ever won’t be going back to Hogwarts.”
RE: Camdown #8: Welcome Home : Nord-Stone - Alice Ravenstone - 03-06-2026
The smile remained on Alice’s face as she silently slipped a fluffy robe on, letting the thick fabric hug her. She’d missed their grandfather’s home.
She followed Matilda and her sister down to the kitchen, hugging herself as the sweet smell of breakfast grew stronger. Poppy was working quickly, impressively so, and their grandfather was sitting at the table with the morning’s issue of the Daily Prophet.
Alice sat on the other side of Everleigh, glancing at her sister while trying like hell not to stare. The little glimmer of hope she’d had upstairs was quickly dissipating, and as their grandfather began speaking… she felt her confidence waver.
“Alice, you and Ever are now under my guardianship. Your parents rights were stripped while an investigation looks into everything. They haven’t lost their parental rights, this is basically temporary until the Ministry can determine if they are fit. I would love to give you time to rest, but with the active investigation, we need to work fast to get Ever the help she needs. I have a healer and therapist coming over later today. Once they have a chance to examine Ever, we will have a better plan.”
The girl nodded silently, picking a good sized chunk off of the Kanelbulle on her plate and popping it in her mouth.
That was what she had expected to happen. She was under no illusion that she would not be returning to Blackthorn Hall, which was more than okay with her. Though she knew her mother and father were going to try like hell to hold on tightly to her and Everleigh. Even though it was clear they were not fit to be parents.
“I need you to understand, we are in uncharted territory. There is no way to know how the therapy will go, or if it will in fact work. At the end of the Easter Holiday, Tilly, Ali, you will return to the castle. LeLe will stay with me and get the help she has desperately needed. As of this morning, I sent an owl to your Headmaster. Until further notice, Ever won’t be going back to Hogwarts.”
Alice’s eyes shot to her grandfather’s face, her face contorted with her torn emotions about the situation. She didn’t know what she’d been expecting to happen; it made sense, of course.
But she hadn’t been away from Everleigh since everything happened – not for an extended amount of time anyways. What would she do without her sister? She put her hands under the table and squeezed them into fists, her nails beginning to dig into her palms. Breathe… she reminded herself.
But Everleigh was going to be so far away. Alice looked at Matilda, and then at her baby sister. She was being pulled from school. Honestly, she’d not been doing well in classes at all this term, but still…
It was then that Alice realized she might be just as guilty as her parents about the situation. She’d selfishly wanted to keep Everleigh near her for her own peace of mind. Maybe she had been using her sister for her own comfort, while also feeding off her misery and making it her own…
“She’s… not coming back?” she finally asked, an expression of sadness taking over her face now. She looked back at their grandfather, still squeezing her fists.
RE: Camdown #8: Welcome Home : Nord-Stone - Bertram Nordstrom - 03-07-2026
He knew when the news was delivered Alice would be devastated. She had a connection to Everleigh. A bond that went beyond sisters. It devastated him to bring more pain to his granddaughter.
“She’s… not coming back?”
Bram rose from his chair and walked around the table sitting at the chair directly next to Alice. Sitting, facing her, he held her face in his hands tenderly, rubbing his thumb over her cheek. “I’m so sorry Alli. I want to say that yes, she will come back. That one day she will run around Hogwarts laughing and learning, but I can’t promise that. What I can promise is that we will do everything in our power to get her the help she needs. Therapists, healers, mind specialists. You name it, I will bring them in. We don’t know the extent of her issues, but we will do our very best to bring LeLe back to us, ok?”
Leaning forward, Bram kissed Alice on the forehead and brought her into his arms for a tight hug, one filled with love and paternal affection. He needed to be strong for his girls.
Tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, he pulled away. Standing, Bram kissed her on the head and squeezed her shoulder. Ever was the one in the tower. Ever had been the one to take the torture and the subsequent punishment from their father, but Alice was the sister alert and aware of the horrors playing out. Ever was blissfully unaware, at least he believed so.
The look on his youngest granddaughter's face was vacant of all emotion. He prayed for a time where they could debate issues, play chess, argue about current events and talk about their favorite books. He missed his LeLe. Such a smart, inquisitive girl.
“The healer and therapist will be here by 10:30am. So lets finish breakfast and then maybe you can spend some time outside in the garden. Some fresh air and sun would do you all some good.”
10:30am
The knock sounded loud in the quiet space. Bram went to the door and opened, happy to see three people waiting on his doorstep. ”Good morning sir, you must be Mr. Nordstrom. I’m Healer Poe, this is my assistant and trainee Molly and then Mrs Patrick, our Paediatric Therapist.”
Bram shook their hands and invited them into the foyer with a wave of his hand. ”Good morning, thank you for coming on such short notice. Any help you can give us would be greatly appreciated. I know you have been given the file on my granddaughter Everleigh. As you will see, she is a shell of a girl. We know very little, other than she suffered kidnapping, torture and the imperius curse last May. Since then, we suspect that she has been victim to multiple memory charms. We don't know where to go from here, so your help is needed.”
Bram brought them into the study, where Ever sat in a chair, same vacant expression, body stuff and still, eyes unfocused, unaware what was going on around her. Alice and Tilly were there was well, everyone wondering what would happen next.
RE: Camdown #8: Welcome Home : Nord-Stone - Alice Ravenstone - 03-07-2026
Alice’s eyes followed her grandfather as he stood and then sat beside her. She closed her eyes, not liking how the unknown future felt. She sniffled, listening to his comforting words. All she wanted was her baby sister back. She wanted to see that smile, the life in her eyes, the defiance the girl had for every rule in the book.
She nodded silently and returned to eating, trying not to dread too much the upcoming appointment.
Alice sat in the study, silently watching the world outside the window. Soon, specialists would be here to look over Everleigh. Her biggest fear was that they would take the girl away – perhaps assess that she was too far gone to save.
Her stomach dropped at the sound of the knocking on the door. She frowned, immediately grabbing Matilda’s hand in hers. Their grandfather had asked if she wanted her cousin to be present for this appointment, and initially she wasn’t sure.
But after thinking about everything – how honestly terrified she was of what might happen – she decided she needed the support. Everleigh’s condition was definitely a double-edged sword; on one side, it was heart-breaking that she was so far gone, but on the other that made the younger of the two less terrified of what may happen.
Bram soon led three into the study, and Alice shifted slightly. She looked over at them, then glanced at Everleigh. Her sister who had so tightly clung to her journal since her world went dark, now didn’t have the mind to hold it. So Alice was.
She let her fingers fan the pages of the closed journal, and she watched as the new three adults sat on one side of the room.
Alice was not ready to speak about everything again. She’d already told so many people what happened, and now she had to tell more. She was exhausted from it.
RE: Camdown #8: Welcome Home : Nord-Stone - Bertram Nordstrom - 03-08-2026
The examination took hours. After about thirty minutes, when it was clear Ever was fine in the Healer’s care, Bram, Tilly and Alice left the room so that they could have some quiet and privacy. Tilly went out to the garden to putter around, it gave her hands something to do, which was good when she was nervous.
The doors were closed to the office, but you could hear muttering voices. Nothing came out clear, but it was a comfort that Ever wasn’t crying or screaming. The study, where the exam took place, was just off the living room. Alice sat on the chair nearest the closed door and waited. Bram, filled with nervous energy, paced back and forth waiting for something to happen.
When the door opened Bram stopped in his tracks and nearly ran to the study. He could see Ever curled up on the sofa, eyes shut, soft breaths escaping her mouth as she napped. She looked so peaceful in that moment.
When no one immediately started talking Bram crossed his arms and gave them a look that must have said, SAY SOMETHING, because the healer balked and then began talking. “Right, sorry. Ummm, Ever did great during our session. She is physically not injured in any way. She needs to eat more, she is dreadfully pale and underweight, but with some high fat healthy foods and maybe smoothies, she will get back to good in that respect. Also, set aside time for her to be outside. The sun will do wonders.”
Bram nodded, but readjusted his arms and stood taller. This was all well and good, but not what he really wanted to know. “And her mind? Is she still there?”
The healer gave a sigh and looked at Ever’s sleeping form. “That is harder to diagnose. We tried some general therapy techniques with no real success. We then moved onto magical means and did get a few moments of focus. She still didn’t speak, but you can see it in her eyes. She was able to see the room and us there. I believe that Ever is still there, but tucked away where she is safe. This won’t be easy, it will take time.”
Bram relaxed the smallest amount, holding on to hope that Ever would resurface in time. “Thank you for your help. What are the next steps? What would you recommend?”
As the training healer and therapist gathered up their equipment, Healer Poe spoke matter-of-factly, as if this was preplanned and obvious. “I have sent an owl ahead. Her room will be set up by tomorrow then we can work on a schedule of sessions. Besides the whole body health, we will work on unlocking her mental walls, possibly calling in a legilimence specialist.” The words finally penetrated Bram’s own mind, causing him to shut his eyes and wave his hands in front of his body, trying to stop the Healer from speaking. “Wait, what do you mean set up her room? She is staying here? I won’t send her away to some institution unless we have exhausted all other avenues.”
RE: Camdown #8: Welcome Home : Nord-Stone - Alice Ravenstone - 03-08-2026
The door opened and Alice immediately jumped up. From the thirty minutes she’d been spending with who was now Everleigh’s care team, she knew they were competent. She told them everything she could to help them with their treatment of her. She told them about the obliviate she had witnessed, about her sister’s night terrors, about how just being at Blackthorn Hall near their father seemed to trigger her. And how it was worse after she’d been left alone with him while she and her mother went shopping.
She told them everything. Including about her own memory slip-ups from the past few days, and the foggy feeling she’d had. She insisted she was fine because she didn’t want to take their attention from her sister. Her sister was the one who was struggling the most. Alice would be fine.
Alice followed her grandfather into the study, immediately sitting on the couch next to her sister who seemed to be soundly sleeping. Just seeing her, being near her, and not feeling the strange void emanating off of her calmed the older girl.
She listened to the adults speak as she gently rubbed Everleigh’s back, watching her slowly breathe. She nodded as they spoke about nourishment and sunshine. She could do that. She enjoyed being in the sunshine, and Matilda definitely did. Between the both of them they could get some nice tan to her skin.
They continued speaking about Ever’s mental state, and Alice brushed some hair out of her frail sister’s face. She had to still be in there. She wasn’t worried about that part. The part she was worried about was how long it would take her to find her way out of this strange shell.
“Thank you for your help. What are the next steps? What would you recommend?”
Alice finally glanced up at her grandfather’s question momentarily, but at the mention of the owl she looked back at her. And then…
“...Her room will be set up by tomorrow…”
Alice’s focus shifted immediately from her sleeping sister to the healer who was currently speaking. Her brown wide with concern. She didn’t hear anything else. Ever was going away?
Her grandfather was shocked too, clearly, as he began questioning what Poe had said. Alice was on her feet now, looking at the healer. “She doesn’t have to go away. She’s away from our father, that should help. Grandfather and Poppy can help. I have to be able to see her…”
What would her being away even look like? The thought made her stomach churn, and she looked back at Everleigh. They couldn’t take her away.
RE: Camdown #8: Welcome Home : Nord-Stone - Bertram Nordstrom - 03-08-2026
“She doesn’t have to go away. She’s away from our father, that should help. Grandfather and Poppy can help. I have to be able to see her…”
The trio of healers looked shocked. He imagined that Everleigh was the only one that didn’t looked shocked by the current conversation.
“I’m sorry sir, I assumed that was the plan. You see, typically… in situations such as this, the family decides to send the patient to a care facility. You must understand, the care will be extensive.”
Bram seethed. Yes, in most situations that was the case, but unless they couldn’t make it work, or if Ever wasn’t doing well in his care, he wouldn’t be sending her anywhere.
“Healer Poe, I thank you for your assessment, but Ever won’t be going anywhere. I would to set up IN-HOME CARE,” he stressed the last two words before continuing. “If, and only if, Ever doesn’t do well in this environment, will I consider sending her to St Mungos.” Alice was obviously upset by the turn in conversation. Bram went to stand by her, looking down at a still sleeping Ever. “Don’t worry Alice. We will try home care first. I’m hopeful we can make progress here.”
As the three ladies finished, they used the Floo Network to leave, heading back to the hospital. Before they left, a daily schedule was made for Ever, where a therapist would be by early to help with her care and work with getting her mind back. It would be a long road, but he was hopeful that they would see a change.
RE: Camdown #8: Welcome Home : Nord-Stone - Alice Ravenstone - 03-10-2026
21st April 1922
The past ten days had been confusing. Alice had been so sure that the daily therapy sessions with the therapist would be what would ‘fix’ Everleigh. Deep down, though, the girl knew there was much more her sister needed than that. She just didn’t want to admit it to herself.
Alice took it upon herself to be the unofficial mental health professional when the real one was not around. She had her sister spend time with her journal – which was beginning to see more action lately, just… nothing more coherent –, time outside, and attempting to get her to eat or brush her hair.
The vacant look was constantly on her sister’s face, and when it wasn’t… well, Everleigh tended to have moments of clarity paired with panic attacks. The night terrors were back, and the panic attacks seemed to be worse. More violent even?
More than once, Alice had found herself attempting to hold her sister’s arms down so she didn’t hurt herself… which caused her to get hit. She had a couple of bruises now but didn’t pay them any mind.
Sure, it was concerning, but Alice was determined to make Everleigh better. Stupidly, the girl had thought that maybe if she tried hard enough, her sister could return to Hogwarts with her.
Now, with Easter break ending in only two days, Alice was beginning to realize how unrealistic that was.
And how stupid she’d been.
Still, Alice finished setting everything on the tray. It was teatime, and the girl liked to be the one to deliver the sustenance so she could see how things were going. Carefully, she pushed the door to the study open, her hands full.
“It’s teatime,” she announced, a hopeful optimism in her voice and a smile on her face.
RE: Camdown #8: Welcome Home : Nord-Stone - Everleigh Ravenstone - 03-12-2026
Everything was confusing. Her mind flashing between memories, fog, nightmares and nothingness. For a while she had no idea where she was. It was familiar, nice, but not right. As days went on things changed. The fog lifted, the nothingness went away. She could focus on small things, but it would change in the blink of her eye.
Everleigh was exhausted.
The hours in the day flew by, one minute she was falling asleep, then waking in a sweaty scream. She didn’t typically remember her dreams, she didn’t really remember anything these days, but that was beginning to change. Much to her dismay.
She didn’t want to remember. The flashes of her past causing fear and pain to surface. The fog was easier. The fog didn’t hurt.
There were new people around. People that gave her things to drink, spells cast her way, words muttered. Most went without notice, but some of the potions made her stomach cramp and her head pound. With the head pounding came memories on occasion. Green lights and her fathers face twisted in anger. That face always got a reaction. Screams, shaking, vomiting, fight or flight kicking in.
Her father was one person she remembered. One she wanted to forget. There were others she remembered in the house. A house that she knew she should remember, but it just didn’t click in her brain. Alice, she knew Alice. Her anchor. Her sister. The one person in her life that she loved with all her heart.
Then there was the older man. He was important. She loved him, he was nice and Ever knew he was good, but it was hard to place his face and name. Then the girl with fire hair. She liked her too. At night, Ever would lay in bed with Alice and the other girl. She had a kind face and a smile. She liked her too.
Ever felt like she was swimming. The water was deep, she was submerged in the dark depths. The pressure making it hurt to breathe. The darkness was both soothing and terrifying. Things were getting brighter, the light hurting her eyes.
Sleeping brought her no peace anymore. It brought with it dreams that made her wake up screaming. Her father’s eyes clear in her mind. That was when she would hit. Ever didn’t mean to get violent, but Alice had bruises. That made Ever sad.
The new lady is asking questions. Ever doesn’t respond. More questions. The journal she loved was in her hands. Her hand moves fast, eyes not focusing on the pages. Another question was asked, “Ever, can you draw me a picture? What’s your favorite animal?”
Eyes unfocused, hand moving, scribbles didn’t show that her favorite animal was Maine Coon cats. The bigger the better. The black scribbles continued, her hand moving faster and faster. On the page, the right side was a blur of black lines, on the left, a more noticeable shape If you knew what to look for, the distinct shape of a cat tail could be made out.
“It’s teatime,” Ever’s head whipped up. Tea. Something about tea brought on fear and nausea. Her stomach rolled. Ever’s head started to shake wildly back and forth, her hands dropping her quill and journal then going to her hair. A scream was wrenched from Ever’s lungs, arms flailing.
She missed the fog. She didn’t like the feelings, memories, pain.
RE: Camdown #8: Welcome Home : Nord-Stone - Alice Ravenstone - 03-12-2026
What happened next… seemed to happen too quickly for Alice to even process what was happening. Ever’s head whipped up and as she dropped the quill, the older girl set the tray down on a nearby table. She picked up one of the cups by the saucer underneath and as she approached her sister, the scream startled her.
She jumped, just as Everleigh somehow hit the drink. Scalding hot liquid coated Alice’s hand. Instinctively, she screamed and dropped the china, then lunged at Everleigh. The feeling of panic and pure terror radiating off her sister threw Alice into protective mode. She had to hug her. Hugging worked.
Hugging always worked.
Alice grabbed onto Everleigh’s hands, trying to get control of them before she hurt herself. Or… or Alice.
Somehow she got scraped. On her cheek. She could feel the burning warmth from the injury. “No, Ever! It’s okay! It’s just me!” she yelled, tears streaming down her cheeks as she continued to try to get control of the situation.
If she could get control, if she could prove herself capable of her sister’s care, then maybe they’d never be separated.
And then their grandfather’s concern filled the room, followed shortly by his voice.
RE: Camdown #8: Welcome Home : Nord-Stone - Bertram Nordstrom - 03-13-2026
Bertram Nordstrom was well known in the pureblood community. Put together, distinguished, respected. All words used while describing the Head of Magical Affairs.
The man typically seen in the halls of the Ministry was not the man currently sitting in his kitchen drinking the strongest tea he could find. Bertram was exhausted, frustrated, saddened and beyond angry at his daughter and son in law. The situation he was now knee deep in was causing sleepless nights and migraines. Everleigh was not getting better. Deep down, he knew that it wasn’t a quick fix, but he had hoped getting her out of their house would bring some positive change.
“I just don’t know where to go from here. I get that things might get worse before they get better, but I didn’t foresee her getting violent. Ughhh, Poppy. I just don’t know what to do.”
Pushing away from the table, Bram ran his hands through his hair. Poppy was cleaning the kitchen after making snacks from a light lunch. No one had a large appetite. “No one knew what would come of this. Therapy isn’t a straight road, there will be setbacks. Just because she hasn’t returned to her mind, doesn’t mean she still won’t.”
Poppy had always been a good sounding board. She was a wonderful woman, much like a sister to him. He knew what she was saying was correct and trusted her judgement. “We must give it time, Bram.”
He nodded and sighed with exhaustion. The quiet house was suddenly filled with yells and loud voices. “No, Ever! It’s okay! It’s just me!”
Bram was moving towards the study, heart pounding, worried what he might find. The door was open, Alice was trying to get Ever to stop her agitated flailing. He saw the hand hit Alice across the face before he could stop it. “Ever, sweetheart. It's ok.” With two long strides Bram was next to the girls. Ever’s arms were moving without thought, hitting and flailing in her panic.
Bram moved behind Ever and wrapped his arms around his young granddaughter. It took a moment to restrain her, holding her arms tight against her body, stopping her from hitting Alice and also the possibility of hurting herself. “Shhhhh, LeLe, I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”
Holding her in a bearhug from behind, he was able to free one of his hands to run it down her face in a soothing manner. “I know baby, I know. Shhhhhhh. I’ve got you.”
Backing up, Bram sat down with Ever next to him on the sofa. She had calmed down, breathing heavily. He could feel her heart pounding out of her chest. As she calmed, he could feel her weight settling into his arms. “Are you ok Alice?”
Poppy came in, concern clear on her face. Taking one look at Alice she went into maternal mode, fluttering all around. "Oh sweet girl. Let me see."
Bram loosened his hold, Ever going boneless in his arms. "Poppy, please get ice for Alice." Looking at the therapist Bram sighed. "What happened?"
RE: Camdown #8: Welcome Home : Nord-Stone - Alice Ravenstone - 03-14-2026
Alice moved away from Everleigh and from her grandfather. He had her calmed down, but the older of the two was far from it. Her hands were shaking, the one with the burn now being hugged to her chest. Tears were still streaming freely down her cheeks, and while one of her cheeks felt warm with blood, she didn’t even realize she was bleeding.
“Are you ok Alice?”
She looked away from his face, not wanting to see the concern in his eyes. Just hearing it in her voice was more than enough for her. She kept her eyes away from Poppy as well, as she came to check on her.
Alice continued crying silently, her eyes on Everleigh. Her sister was gone. She didn’t think there was any getting her back at this point.
"Poppy, please get ice for Alice."
She shook her head slightly, sure that she was fine. She backed up a bit more, her body still shaking from the adrenaline and stress.
"What happened?"
The question wasn’t directed to her. Alice’s brown eyes found the therapist’s face before she turned and ran out of the room. She couldn’t deal with it right then. She had to get out of there. Away. What did that mean? She really didn’t know. But her hand hurt, and now her face was beginning to hurt too.
She still didn’t know she was bleeding.
Alice bounded up the stairs, going where her feet led her because her brain was occupied by the look of pure terror on her sister’s face, the way she’d fought like she didn’t know who she was.
She didn’t know where she was until she ran smack-dab into a body, knocking her back and off her feet. The aroma of herbs filled her senses, and she looked up to see the concerned face of her cousin.