Echoes of Maoriland

[Autumn Tait]

Eric’s house was so vastly different than her own, Autumn was never sure how to act. There were so many people all speaking at once talking and laughing it was so welcoming and crazy she couldn’t make out one person’s voice from another. Her house had always been boring and quiet.

Eric’s Mother kept on insisting to hear the story of her trip, but Autumn wasn’t sure how much Eric wanted her to know and therefore how much she should say. Should she just tell her story and write off the box as a simple trinket? Or would it be better for her not to know about the box at all? Autumn wished that she had gotten the chance to ask Eric before they had entered the house, but now it was up to her judgment.

“Well it was nothing too exciting this time. I didn’t find exactly what I had been looking for but I came back with some nice little trinkets for the shop. Some old jewelry, a puzzle box, and stuff. Chisisi almost picked a fight with a cobra though, it was not a smart move on his part.” Autumn laughed trying to change the topic, as Chisisi cast her an evil look and slunk under her chair embarrassed at the unflattering story.

[Eric Koche]

Zack's, who was personally in love with Chissi, eyes widened. He had not noticed Chissi before until now. He wanted to pet him so badly, but how should he ask? It would be weird to just painly request to hold Chissi without having a proper conversation first. But he was so cute! What shou-

Kendra interupted his thoughts. "Oh dear! I hope your little darling iz alright!" she said. "Nasty things, Cobras are. Kendra quickly took out her wand, and with a flick, both Eric's and Autumn's meals came along toward the table.

Tyler spoke. "Nasty things, Cobras are. Madame Pompfry was telling me how much their venom can come in handy with poisons if you managed to get them." He was, of course, the biologist in the family, and managed to bring his favorite subject into the dinner table one way or another. "I hear that you can find a lot of them around the temples in Egypt, especially. Is that true?"

[Autumn Tait]

Autumn smiled, she had been successful the whole family was now talking about cobras and not her latest trip. “Oh yes he is perfectly find I was there to protect him, but it was a blow to the ego for him we was very embarrassed. Come out and say hi Chisisi.” Autumn said peering under her chair at the little fox. Autumn saw Eric’s brother Zack eying Chisisi she remembered from previous visits that they had bonded. Last time Autumn was over Chisisi had spent most of the night on Zack’s lap.

As soon as the plate full of food landed in front of her Autumn began to eat, she had not realized how hungry she was, but I guess being attacked by a group of death eaters gets a girl hungry. Autumn started shoving the food in her mouth by the forkful barely giving herself enough time to swallow. After she engulfed almost one third of her plate Autumn began to slow down and realize her behavior was unladylike, she should at least chew her food before swallowing.

Autumn peered over at Eric to see how he was processing the evening. Sitting here with his happy family eating a delicious home cooked meal Autumn almost felt like the previous events had just been a crazy dream. However, she knew deep down it was not and she guessed that Eric was going through same confusing mix of feelings, but she wouldn't know for sure until she got him alone and was able to ask.

[Eric Koche]

Tyler's question was pushed away as Zack interupted. "Chissi! Autumn, could I please hold your pet for a little bit?" he asked. He didn't have any animals of his own besides the owl up in his room. He liked his owl, but it was no where near as interesting as this cute little fox. Maybe he will ask for one for himself next christmas.

Tyler's feelings were not hurt at all. He understood the disruption around the table since six boys were getting fed at one. He smiled as Chissi came up from undercover to the center of attention. "Oh, Chissi's furr looks quite nice Autumn. How old is he getting?" Tyler asked.

[Autumn Tait]

Chisisi was thrilled that the conversation had moved from his stupidity to his cuteness. Autumn picked up the little guy and put him in Zack’s lap where he curled into a ball and puffed up his fur allowing himself to soak in all the admiration.

Then Autumn turned to Tyler she knew that he had asked something but had forgotten exactly what that was in the chaos... Oh Chisisi’s age! “Well I’m not exactly sure since I didn’t pick him up at a shop or anything, he found me on an expedition oh about… four years ago I think. He was a little fella then so I don’t think he is any older than five.” Autumn still remembered how thrilled she was when she found Chisisi. Autumn wasn’t exceptionally outgoing and therefore didn’t have a great deal of friends so having a steady companion in Chisisi meant a lot to her.

[Eric Koche]

Zack softly pet the little thing wit hthe tip of his fingers all the way to the lower end of its body. It seemed to Zack that Chissi was having quite the spectacular time on his lap, and enjoyed the attention he was getting after a long and tiring day.

Zack loved animals, and would have been another brother whom got into Biology if there wasn't so much studying. Instead, he found himself on his way into business and maybe owning a pet shop in Diagon Alley. Mum wouldn't have the money to afford to pay for such a thing, but Zack has been saving some galleons over the past few months, and hoped to get his very own shop in a few years. None of this came up in conversation, of course, but he was thinking of it as his borthers were talking.

Zack lifted his head as his medium-long blond hair was pushed over to the side. "How difficult is it to maintain him? Like, is he an easy animal to take care of?" Perhaps if he was able to find some information on such an animal before hand, it would save him some time of studying about his race.

[Autumn Tait]

Autumn thought for a bit she didn’t know everything about fennec fox care because she never planned on having one he just sorta appeared. But she could tell Zach what she had learned over the years “They aren’t too difficult to care for, but they are rather smart creatures so don’t under estimate them. So if your fennec fox doesn’t want to be your pet, good luck forcing him. They are amazing escape artists and if they start running they are almost impossible to catch. As for regular care, you can just give them basic dog food and then some fruits and veggies when you can.”

Hearing the word food Chisisi’s large ears perked up and his little eyes quickly looked over at Autumn to see if she was planning on giving him any of this food. Autumn picked up a piece of broccoli and tossed it over at Chisisi who happily caught it in his mouth, before snuggling back into a ball.

“Why the questions, are you thinking about getting a little pet for yourself Zack?” Autumn asked

[Eric Koche]

Zack chuckled. "Oh, no, not right now. The only thing I can really have at Hogwarts is a cat or a bird. Perhaps later, maybe. I graduate next year."

Eric was still eating as he listened to the conversation lightly. He did not bother in thinking that there may need to be some precautions in their conversations with what Autumn found- except for the box, of course. He was with his family, which was rare with the late hours he had to work recently with the Ministry. Johnny politely interupted the conversation by asking Eric about any recent excitement about his job. Eric spoke, enjoying talking about his work and having a brother who was just as interested in it.

"Well, not much has been going on recently. The Ministry is trying to keep things well in order." By well in order, Eric meant that The minsitry was tightening the use of magic as a source of capturing. His box, Undersecretary of Aurors Sr. Degano, is making it very clear that negotiating is a better way in getting not only what the ministry wants, but what the whole wizarding england desired. Eric made sure that this was something that he completely disagreed with.

"... and to be honest, I don't know how the Ministry is going to keep order without wands. Wands have been around for capturing as long as The Minsitry itself. Diplomats are beginning to replace much of our jobs around our department."

Johnny looked back at his dish, wishing that there was a story which was more interesting than the daily routine of an office working. However, he was sorely mislead.

"But an interesting case has been brought up once again..." Johnny looked up. "Kyle Ryan, the Auror a few desks down mine, was able to start up on the case against Madame Beaucoup." Johnny was well informed with what Madame Beaucoup was due to his brother talking all about suspects of treason. Johnny looked up immedietly once he heard her name, and Eric continued.

"Personally, I think it is nonsense. Juliette was an honorable Auror and dedicated her life to protecting the wizarding world. It just doesn't seem right..."

[Autumn Tait]

Autumn was only casually listening as the two boys talked about the ministry. It’s not that she wasn’t interested in the ministry, actually after all that had happened today she was quite interested in what was going on there. It’s just that Autumn didn’t expect Eric to start talking about the ministry of magic’s view on death eaters at the dinner table. And she was right, but something of their conversation did catch her ear.

“Madame Beaucoup, as in head of Ravenclaw Beaucoup?” While Autumn was at Hogwarts she had heard the rumors about Madame Beaucoup. Like any school there were scandalous rumors about almost every professor. Whenever someone got punished by Madame Beaucoup they would whisper under there breath about her being evil, a secret death eater, Slytherin supporter etc but Autumn always thought it was silly kid stuff.

"There were rumors going on about her at Hogwarts but I never really thought much of it. I thought she was quite cold but a death eater! What evidence does this guy have on her?" Autumn was shocked, it was just this morning she learned that Death Eaters were out there still actively fighting for the dark lord. Now she learns that her old head of house might be one of them, it was too much.

[Eric Koche]

"Yeah, supposivly the rumors are true, but the case never even went to trial. It closed immedietly when they didn't have enough evidence against her.

I think that the reason why they are accusing her is because of her teaching methods. She is quite the fan of intense dueling learning, but to be honest, I would have never made it as far if I wasn't taught so. She really prepared me for The Grump, I think."

kendra was not thrilled with such a conversation in the dinner table. Death Eaters? Back? She was the only one who could possibly understand the word 'death eater', and for that, Kendra coldly spoke.

Kendra folded her napkin and snapped her fingers. To her, it seemed that everyone was done dinner. Plates began to lift in the air and sorted into the sink. Cloths happily lifted themselves from the cabinents and began doing their duties.

"I think that this... outrage... should be left with The Ministry, rather than be discussed at our table. Don't you think Eric."

And eric thought well. He quite himself down and answer. "yes, of course mother."

Eric and the other boys began got up from the table and began helping to prepare for cleaning up. Tyler, on the other hand, went upstairs. He usually did anyways, for he was a keen student and did his studying ahead of time. Zack, out of awkwardness, lifted the little fox on his lap and held it up for Autumn. "Here you go Autumn. Thanks for letting me hold him during dinner." he gave a smile as he too began to leave.

The others, one by one, eventially left too until there were only three in the kitchen. Eric, trying to break out the silence, was the first to speak. "Mum, may I have a work with you and Autumn? There is something we have to tell you."

Kendra did not know what to think. She knew that they were not going out. Eric would have told her. He tells her everything. What did he have to say? Kendra turned around to further her attention to him. "Sure, what is it?"

"Perhaps we should talk in the study room about this." The study room was a room next to the kitchen, but farther away from the other boys in the living room. Actually, it was in the basement where there were a lot of other books to read and annotate for one's own purposes and desires. Kendra agreed, since she oversaw this as being something private and serious. Quickly, she opened the door for the both of them to be lead into the lower level. Eric was the first to walk in, and by Kendra's gesture, Autumn would be next.

[Autumn Tait]

Oh god, this is it. Autumn was nervous about telling Kendra. What if she thought Autumn was making it all up? Luckily Eric had been there too, seen them so it wasn't just her word.

As they walked into the study Autumn's heart started to beat faster, her face got hot and she felt dizzy. This is ridiculous I'm getting more worked up about telling Eric's mother than I did when it actually happened. Autumn felt pathetic.

Autumn walked into the room and went right over to where Eric was standing. Oh gosh she hoped that he wouldn't leave all the talking up to her she wouldn't know what to say if Kendra didn't believe her. I mean after all it was a crazy story three death eaters, who aren't suppose to exist, attacked her store for a little box. It really didn't seem realistic to any logical thinker.

[Eric Koche]

When the three of them found themselves in the basement, Egon stayed up in the kitchen. The study room was not for pooches, and the husky knew that well. He also knew that it was his duty to watch over the family when the mother was not around. With this in mind, he once again puffed up his chest and sat firmly by the door.

But that didn't matter to the three of them. What he was about to say would effect his family for the rest of their lives. They were endangered. There was very little time to explain why, but Eric had to say something, and it had to be said well enough for Kendra to trust him.

Kendra asked what was wrong. Eric gulped and responded. "I can't explain this well, but we all need to pack up and leave the house. At least for some time. When I went to pick up Autumn, Death Eaters came out of nowhere and attacked u-"

"Wh- What?!" Kendra said, shocked.

The conversation went on from screaming to frighting. Kendra walked back and forth, yelling on how this was irresponsable, and if they handed the box over, they wouldn't be in such danger. Eric quickly responded that handing something over to them would only make them stronger and change the very world his job protected. Kendra noted that just a few days ago Eric did not believe for one second that they were back. Eric made sure to note that he saw the Death Eaters with his own eyes, and that they were very real. Kendra was, surprisingly not convince. Perhaps it was a robbery, she said and thought. Convincing herself that it was so did not go well with Eric, and he made sure to give every detail of the incidient; what they were like, how many of them, the spells they used. It all matched the signature of a Death Eater.

Kendra was still too shocked to believe that it was true. "Dea-Death Eaters in Diagon Alley? This evening? What were they after then?" Eric responded. "It- it was this puzzle box Autumn found in Egypt. We are not sure exactly what it does or what it is for, but if that is what they were willing to kill Autumn and myself for it, it must be extremely important.

Kendra took a seat in an old wooden chair. It was happening, jsut like before. Death Eaters were quitely doing business without the public eye noticing. The ministry, how long have they een keeping this in hiding. It made her stomach hurt ot know that her kids were all in dangered. What were they going to do?

"This box, it is here right?" Kendra asked.

"Yeah, it is upstairs in my robes."

Kendra thought again. Everything was silent until Eric spoke up again. However, Eric did not dare to say this aloud in English. Instead, he quited himself down and spoke in German.

"Mum, I don't know what to do. There is no question that the Death Eaters are back. If we get rid of this box, we are handing it to them and loosing the fight."

"This is not about the fight, this is about our family. Having this box is endangering us all!"

"Then we need to find a hiding place. I refuse to give this box up simly out of fear. We need help."

Kendra looked at Autumn, and for the first time, it was a look of most high respect. They were on a journey, to save the wizarding world. She understood this now. The world that the Minstry has been speaking about is a lie. Her son's word prooved that! She gave a small clear of her thought, and looked back at Eric. Screaming was over. Now that they were all in danger, there was no time for that; only time for trying to keep her family safe.

With a wringly smile, she spoke up. "Well, as far as I have been reading, the only to people who believe tha0that..." She gulped before speaking. "You-know-who is back is Dumbledore and Harry Potter. I would suggest talking to them. Perhaps they can help."

Eric nodded in agreement. All he had to do now was hear what Autumn's opinion was.

[Autumn Tait]

Autumn was feeling truly awful. She had been so glad when Eric came to her rescues only a few hours before but now she was starting to sink back down to cold hard reality. Yes Eric had saved her, but in doing so he had placed his whole family in danger, all because of her. All this trouble was because she had found this stupid box. ‘If I was a better witch’, she thought, ‘then I would have uncovered the magical properties of this box before the death eaters and I would have been prepared, I would know what to do now and no one would be endangered by my ignorance’.

While Autumn was drowning in ‘ifs’ Eric and his mother were speaking in German. Autumn was able to recognize the language but could not understand a word. Finally they started speaking in English again. With her eyes still on her son she suggested that they, Autumn and Eric, go speak to Dumbledore. After a slow nod Eric looked over at Autumn, she could only assume that he was waiting for her opinion. Well at least they are speaking in English, and actually care about my opinion, she thought.

Go see Dumbledore…well Autumn would not have thought of that on her own, but it seemed like the best plan they. No one here knew anything about the box, and the people she usually turned to for advice would dismiss her questions as soon as they heard about the deatheaters. “Well,” Autumn started “that sounds like a plan to me if anyone would believe us, and be able to offer knowledge on the box it would be Dumbledore. But how will we get to him? We can’t just walk into Hogwarts and head for his office…” Autumn paused “Can we?” truthfully Autumn had no idea how the headmaster handled his business or visitors while at Hogwarts she was always too busy with her studies to notice.

[Eric Koche]

Contacting someone, especially Dumbledore is not a problem." Eric said with a proud smile on his face. "They don't call this forest Echos of Maoiriland for nothing!" Kendra, however, frowned upon his remark.

"There is no way, no way at all we are going to do that!" This, of course, was confusing for Autumn, but between Eric and his mother, it all made sense.

"Dumbledore has a piece of these trees in his office! His desk itself is made of this bark, and we both know that Dumbledore can speak and read Abore. it is safeproof!" He was going to support his reasoning, but was quickly interupted by Autumn...

[Autumn Tait]

“I’m sorry but what is going on?” Autumn had been trying to follow the conversation but was now lost. Eric must have been out of his mind.

“I think that is very…interesting that Dumbledore’s desk is made from the bark of these woods that you live in, but I don’t think that is enough to get you ushered up to his office anytime soon.” Autumn spoke slowly hoping that reason would return to Eric’s thoughts. They needed to come up with a plan and not get sidetracked by insignificant details like that type of wood Dumbledore’s desk is made of. It had been a long night and Autumn was starting to get annoyed. Not only had Eric and his mother been treating her like an insignificant child, speaking in German so she wouldn’t understand a word and keeping her out of the loop completely, but now they were arguing about things that didn’t even matter. What his desk was made of, and what languages he spoke had nothing to do with their current situation, or so Autumn thought.