o u t and about (open)

[bugock]

Safira had been feeling restless being at home all day since Aurora had been born, so that fair, sunny day she left the house with her daughter early for some shopping. Safira found that her two-week-old infant strapped to her chest securely got a lot of attention, especially from the ladies in the shops that she had been in so far. Safira peeked down at the top of Aurora's dark-haired head to find her contently asleep, lulled by the sound of her mother's breathing.

She smiled, although she knew that she would have to go home shortly- Aurora wasn't quite old enough for outings longer than a few hours. Shopping bag in hand, Safira stepped outside into the sunshine, only to see a familiar face a little ways down the sidewalk.

[igloogirl]

Gabriella was walking slowly that day, though she supposed it was normal for human standards. When she spotted Safira a little ways down the street, Gabriella sped up slightly to meet her. "Hello," Gabriella said quietly, as not to disturb the little girl who was sleeping strapped to Safira's chest. Gabriella hadn't yet found the time to visit Safira and newborn Aurora, so she was glad that she had come across her sister in-law that day.

[bugock]

"Hi," Safira said softly in return to her sister-in-law. It was only then that the fact struck her that Gabriella would be Aurora's aunt, it just seemed odd to think about. They weren't related by blood, but as far as Safira was concerned her brother's wife was just as related to Aurora as Bellatrix or Vivienne. "How's Isaac?" Safira asked, her voice the same volume, although it had suddenly adopted a much more serious tone. She worried about her brother, horrible things must have happened to him in order for him to change so dramatically.

[igloogirl]

Gabriella smiled at the sight of Aurora for a moment, but looked back up as Safira spoke again. Her smile faded at the mention of Isaac. "The same," Gabriella said with a shrug, not really wanting to talk about it too much. They weren't speaking too much and Gabriella was feeling more and more guilty for not telling him that she was pregnant. In fact, she hadn't told anyone at all. She planned on confiding in Angel, but Gabriella hadn't seen her cousin in a little while, so no one knew the news as of yet.

[bugock]

Safira frowned, she was troubled by the state of her brother. She had only visited a couple of times, mostly because she wasn't sure he should be alone in their house all day. She was just thankful that instead of killing himself he seemed to be aggressively working on rennovations to their house. But she feared that she may never have her brother back. "I was about to head home for a spot of tea," said Safira, "why don't you join me? I daresay you'd rather be indoors on a day like this."

[igloogirl]

Gabriella considered this for a moment. She was supposed to have the day off work, but had entertained the thought of going in anyway. But now that Safira offered, Gabriella decided that an afternoon with her sister in-law would be rather nice. "That would be lovely," Gabriella said, a smile crossing her face. Safira certainly had the indoors thing right. While the sun wasn't physically painful to Gabriella because of the ring she wore, it was starting to get a bit uncomfortable.

[bugock]

"Excellent," said Safira with a smile, she gestured for Gabriella to follow her to where she had parked her car. It was actually her father's, but she was surprised that he had not come after the nice yellow sports car. She supposed he was too busy with his being a Death Eater to realize that it was missing. Safira unlocked the doors and carefully, as not to awaken her, took Aurora from the carrier and tucked her into her carseat. Safira breathed a sigh of relief that she did not waken the infant before quietly closing the door and slipping into the driver's seat.

[igloogirl]

Gabriella walked at Safira's pace over to the yellow sports car and then opened the passenger door and sat. She closed the door as quietly as she could manage as not to awaken Aurora and then fastened her seat belt. "Nice car," Gabriella commented quietly to her sister in-law, giving her a smile. She supposed the car had once belonged to Draco Malfoy, but clearly he hadn't been too bothered by Safira having it or he would have taken it back by now.

[bugock]

Safira grinned somewhat misheviously. She knew that she shouldn't have the car, but as long as she drove carefully there would be no reason for her to get pulled over. She started the car and the engine quickly settled in to its usual gentle pur. Safira didn't live far from where she had gone shopping, not wanting to have to take a long time to get home should she need to be there quickly. "How's work treating you?" Safira asked, keeping her tone quiet as not to disturb Aurora.

[igloogirl]

Gabriella shrugged a bit at Safira's question. Work wasn't exactly one of her favorite topics these days, as it was extremely difficult to catch dark wizards. "Alright, I suppose," Gabriella replied. "They're planning my test soon." She knew it was early to be thinking about making her a full Auror, but with the current war it seemed necessary. Besides, Gabriella felt more than ready. Her vampire blood and Metamorphmagus powers certainly came in handy when it came to her profession.

[bugock]

"Really?" said Safira as she pulled to a stop at a sign, "that's great!" She knew that the process of becoming an Auror was a long one, and her sister-in-law had not been in it for terribly long. She was proud of Gabriella's accomplishment, Safira was certain that not many ninteen-year-olds made it into the ranks of the Aurors. Once the traffic was clear, Safira went through the intersection, keeping the car at a suitable speed.

[igloogirl]

"Yeah, it's going to be nice not being the intern anymore," Gabriella said, a smile back on her face. Some of the intern tasks she was assigned to do bored her, though she knew someone had to do them. She only hoped that the Auror's office would acquire a new intern to fill her place- otherwise Gabriella might be stuck with the same duties as before.

[bugock]

Safira nodded as she made the appropriate turn into the neighbourhood where she and Demetri lived. Recently Safira had been thinking about relocating to a house in Hogsmeade, just so she would be closer to Demetri, but hadn't yet discussed it with her husband. She supposed that apparation didn't keep them very far apart, but she liked the idea of being somewhere where Demetri could be involved with his daughter more easily. "I suppose you're ready to advance beyond the more menial tasks," said Safira.

[igloogirl]

"Yes, I certainly think so," Gabriella replied. "But mostly I think the office is in need of more Aurors and I'm the best, and only, candidate." Gabriella didn't know what it would be like if there was another intern, but she guessed they would be pushed through a bit sooner than usual as well. These times called for desperate measures, and the Auror's office needed all the help it could get.

[bugock]

Safira nodded, making a left hand turn. Due to its magical nature, the neighbourhood had a confusing, almsot labyrinth-like layout to it, but having lived there for so long Safira knew the route by heart to get to her home. She didn't even have to pay attention to street signs anymore, although sometimes they were helpful if she took a wrong turn. It wasn't long before Safira eased the car into the driveway, silencing the engine as she removed the keys.