Catie McKinnon

( ’It is better to light one small candle than to curse the darkness.’ )

The Lady of the Lake, her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite held aloft Excalibur from the bosom of the water signifying, by divine providence, that I, Arthur, was to carry Excalibur. That is why I'm your king!

Listen, strange women lyin' in ponds distributin' swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.


It's a Holy Grail kind of night.

[Warded to Friends]

I know this doesn't go for most of you since you've all moved out or got flat mates or are happy where you're at... but I'm potentially putting feelers out to get my own flat. In Hogsmeade, of course. If I got a tiny little place I could do it on my own, but truthfully - I like company and people.

I think Ashley and mum are getting closer to the idea of him moving in or getting more serious, and I'm already starting to feel a little crowded in the house. I adore him, but I think it's time for me to start thinking about getting out on my own.

PROS to living with me:

I'm an avid baker and cook. You'll never go hungry!

It's bound to be the best warded place in all of Scotland, save for Hogwarts.

I clean!

I come with a cute Yorkshire Terrier who is house trained and all kinds of adorable.

I come with a cute boyfriend named Arkie who is also all kinds of cute and his mum makes really good Greek food.

Healer-in-training! I can batch up some bumps and bruises and scrapes.

I'm pretty easy going and I will introduce you to any and all nerdy and geeky muggle shows you could dream of.

I also have a huge book and comic collection. Huge.

You'd have the added benefit of seeing Nic Mason a lot!

CONS are really just that you'd have to be able to put up with Marlene McKinnon interrogation, and I know that'll scare a few people off. But she's really not that bad, I swear.

MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU!

[Warded to Marlene & Maggie McKinnon]

Sooooooo. I'm going out with Arkie on Thursday and he's planning something really sweet and I figured rather than coming home really late and having to get up for training that I think I'll just spend the night at his place.



Is that okay?

[Warded to Nic Mason]

I think I'm spending the night at Arkie's on Thursday. AHHHHHHHH.

[Warded to Nic Mason]

So, Detective Mason. I haven't been privy to any art-filled thoughts recently. Has Mr. Remus taken over for me?


IF NOT! I was thinking about your ward the other day though, about the Unforgivables, and if you could incorporate that.

[Warded to Arkie]

How do you feel about taking me to see Friday the 13th: Part 2, this weekend?

[Warded to Kirk McKinnon]

Do you think mum would flip her gourd if I asked about moving out?

[Warded to Close Friends & Family]

Oh my God. Have you guys read the Prophet?????

[Warded to Arkie]

Hey. Would you be willing to let my mum look over your house and put up wards?

[Warded to Marlene]

I have a question for you.

[Warded to Friends of the DMLE]

I baked a lot last night, and we all know that means I've probably got enough stuff in my kitchen to feed the DMLE 8 times over. Does anyone want to get together and help me put together some baskets?

[Warded to Nic]

I hate this.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARLENE MCKINNON!!!

To the best mum a girl (two girls and a boy, even) could ask for! You're amazing and we love you.

( Because everyone wants pictures... )

Happy Birthday mum.

[Warded to Nic Mason]

So... False alarm. it wasn't what I was thinking. I mean, mostly not. But not right now. Now, he just wants to take a "family vacation" together. But he's thinking about marriage and he told us that.

I'm sure Ashley saw the look on my face and I feel like rubbish for that but-

It's not against him. If anyone, I would want it to be Ashley, but. I'm not ready. Every single time I think that thought, I feel even worse. I have no right, at all. Which is why if he'd asked our permission last night, I'd say yes. Mum's choice and I want her to be happy.

I just don't want anyone to forget about dad. I keep thinking if he moves in and then all of dad's stuff gets put away or it just feels... weird around here. I don't know. I know I'm being irrational but I'm just-

It just seems too soon for me.


You're still alive, aye? Dominic didn't get rid of you?

[End Wards]

No haggis from me today (I didn't have time last night with the defense classes and whatnot). So instead I decided that I'm going to devote the entire day to chocolate. I made chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast, and I picked up some chocolate truffles on the way into work, and I'm going to make... something with chocolate for dinner. Suggestions? I'm thinking chocolate ice cream might go good with being lazy.

I've had a few skeptics and people who turn their nose up at it, but I figure after the party last night, people might like this recipe!

I made this yesterday in preparation for this morning, but I didn't end up needing it for a hangover because I didn't have one! YAY!

( How to Make Haggis. (Warning: image heavy and animal parts.) ) *

[Warded to Friends & Family]

Arkie's mum is the most brilliant ever. A little crazy, too I've been over for dinner a few times and she showed me a bunch of old pictures of him and you guys would not believe how cute he was when he was younger. He brushed his hair and wore glasses and jumpers and it's just adorable!

ANYWAY!

( I warned you... )

[Warded to Arkie]

You are seriously the cutest thing I've ever seen. Please don't be mad.

[Warded to Arkie]

Hi. So... um. You invited me over for family dinner at your place but we don't really have family dinners that often with mum being at Hogwarts and Maggie working a lot of nights, yadda yadda. So.. like, my family is this really strange smattering of religions and my mum is Jewish but I'm not really, I just do a lot of the stuff with her and she's always been really cool about how we don't have to do anything we don't want to but most of her side of the family does it and I like to participate, and Passover starts on Friday and we're having a big family dinner at my aunt and uncle's house on Friday night and I was wondering if you'd like to come?

HANGOVER: Cured.
( Delicious food under here. )

There's extra if anyone wants!

[Warded to Friends of Nic Mason - MINUS NIC]

HI EVERYONE! Okay, so this weekend was brilliant with all the coming together and getting Diagon Alley back on it's feet - but Nic requested that we get completely drunk this coming weekend. WELL, this coming Saturday also happens to be her birthday. SO I would like to propose the idea of having a party for her that involves karaoke, booze and cake. Fantastic idea? I think so.

I can handle her cake and some snacks, some alcohol and maybe the location - I'm thinking about asking Abe or Madame Rosmerta if we can have it at the Hog's Head or 3B. It'd be easy for me (with helpers! Someone be my helpers?) to go over and set up and get everything ready and none of us would have to worry about it being too noisy in our houses.

ANYWAY, I'm saying Saturday - 7pm. I'll update for sure with the locale later! Bring booze and snacks to share and think of us poor & young people, please.

[Warded to Aberforth]

How do you feel about the Hog's Head being host to a karaoke birthday party for one Nic Mason? Please please please please? You don't have to worry about anything except just putting up with the lot of us for one night. I'd really really really really appreciate it, though!

[Warded to Nic]

Drinking, Saturday. Ink me in!

[Warded to Friends of the DMLE]

Can we do something? For everyone that lost someone and for the DMLE and for Cerys and Auror Longbottom?

I'd really like to help, if we do.

[Warded to Greta]

I'm so sorry, Greta. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers and if there's anything I can do, I'm not far away. I know it doesn't really help right now, but we're all here for you.

[Warded to Arkie]

Do you want to help me bake instead? We can go out dancing some other time. I think I want to make a few baked goods deliveries tonight, though.

[Warded to McKinnons + Ashley, Nic, Gwen and Addie]

I love you guys. I feel like no matter how many times I say that, it's not enough. So just keep reading it over a million and one times.

Max, I drew you something!



(I've been learning nothing at all from Nic, clearly.)

[Warded to Nic Mason]

How would you like to have dinner with me in Diagon and then go shopping? I've had my eye on a new dress for a few weeks and I decided that there's no time like the present.

[Warded to Arkie Philpott]

You should take me out on Friday. Dancing.

[Warded to McKinnons]

I'm going to (probably) have some dinner with Nic after training and run a few errands in Diagon Alley, so I might be home a bit late today. Does anyone need me to get them anything?

So, I'm half-Scottish (other half is German) and technically I'm not supposed to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. In fact, my grandad Graham still insists that we should wear orange and throw stones at Catholics wearing green - you'd probably like him, Dominic. I however, don't want to throw rocks at anyone! But I also have no desire to get on the bad side of an old Scotsman so I compromise and I wear orange on the outside and then compensate by wearing green knickers and a four-leaf clover pin.

Personally, I think any excuse to drink green beer is a good one! It's the celebration, not keeping up old prejudices.

(And sometimes I think the Scots are a little jealous that St. Andrew's Day isn't quite as awesome. Though on that topic, it should be - why isn't it an official holiday? From now on, everyone should drink lots of whiskey on November 30th!)



Now I want to make Scotch Collops.


ANYWAY, my main reason for even writing in the first place is that tomorrow is Mothering Sunday and I just wanted to say that I'm lucky enough to have an amazing mother, and I don't think we tell her that nearly enough. She's smart, beautiful, ambitious and everything a girl could ever ask for in a role-model. She hasn't had it easy the last 8 years, but she did her best and I like to think we all came out pretty good in the end - thanks to her. She never gave up and she continued to build an amazing lives for us. I miss my dad everyday, but I don't know what I would have done without someone like her around. Love you, mum.

I think that I've decided if I could be like any animal, a turtle is a good one. Some land turtles can outrun humans, and they can live to be well over 100 years old, and they can go up to a year without eating. I mean, I love food, but this is kind of brilliant. So take that, Dominic

[Warded to Kirk and Maggie]

ITINERARY FOR MOTHERING SUNDAY:

Deliver breakfast in bed for Mum at 8am. (Yes Kirk, that means you have to get up early) PROVIDED Ashley is not over. Then we knock on her door. You know, I'll just confer with him to make sure nothing gross will be going on. ANYWAY, I'm thinking eggs, bacon and toast for breakfast, and we can all make it together!

Flowers: Irises - Ordered.

A trip out to the park? Zoo? We should probably ask her what she wants to do.

Dinner: Spaghetti? I question her taste in food but it's her day.

Good? Great? Fantastic? Terrible? I think that she's due a day of pampering and being treated nicely.

[Warded to Ashley]

Hi! So, I have a request. Could you please not do anything dirty with mum on Saturday night? We want to surprise her with breakfast in bed on Sunday and we don't want any unexpected additions to that surprise if we can help it. It's better for all of us this way. THANKS!

[Warded to Marlene + Kirk and Maggie]

Mrs. Marlene McKinnon, your presence is requested at the McKinnon Household in Hogsmeade this weekend. Please and thank you!

My emotipolish is the brightest, sunshineist yellow. I love it! It goes really well with the pink streaks I hid in my hair this morning.

[Warded to Arkie]

How would you like to go on a double-date this weekend with Remus and Nic? We're thinking bowling, because I'm sure I've improved a little.

[Warded to Remus Lupin]

So, you're dating my best friend. With great power, there must also come great responsibility!

Are you going to treat her good? Show her all the respect in the world? Promise to stay by her side even if you get bitten by a radioactive spider and inherit several superhero-like abilities that may cause you the urge to push away everyone you love?

I need to check these things, you understand.

[Warded to Friends and Family minus Arkie]

Arkie's mum wants to meet me. Ordered him to introduce me to her, actually. But right.

This is where you lot tell me I'm cute and adorable and all mother's will love me because I'm responsible, mature and friendly and a virgin!

And how I should definitely not try to pass Klingon off as Greek. Or discuss Star Trek or Star Wars in any capacity.



I should probably find clothing that covers all of my skin, too.

[Warded Against Dark Army/Creepy Folk/Dead People's Journals]

SO I decided to take my own advice and show off a small chunk of the people I love and adore. REALLY. I LOVE AND ADORE all of you. Sometimes I love some of you more than the others, but I wouldn't be the same without any of you.

( Wave Wands!! )

[Warded to McKinnons + Ashley]

So.

I sort of have a boyfriend. Kind of. We haven't really, you know, specified. But it's been two dates with another one planned. Sooo. I have a boy that I've been on dates with. I thought you all should know. Mum please don't fre

SO hi! Dinner was awesome, Aunt Mia! How is everyone doing?

[Warded to Arkie]

Hi!



Yeah, I really didn't have anything else to open with.

[Warded to Nic Mason]

Detective Mason, come in please.

[Warded to McKinnons + Ashley]

What's going on? Ashley, you weren't working today, were you? Did you hear the wireless?

[Warded to Friends]

Nic was writing to me just a few hours ago from work.

I don't-

I warded her. Has anyone seen her?

So, I didn't get to hear the Order's message because I was... out. So everything I heard from it was second-hand. But, silly nicknames aside.. I do at least agree with one thing they've said. People are irreplaceable. You never know what's going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month. You should enjoy every minute you have with the people that are closest to you, and always tell them how much you love them. Because life is so fragile, and you can lose the person you loved above all else in the blink of an eye.

The last thing you want is to have regrets. You're never going to stop missing them or loving them, but I like to believe that they're all still looking down on us, and they're around in our thoughts and memories. Who would want those memories to be bad?

As someone who missed the opportunity to say "I love you" every chance I got to a person I cared about very much, trust me when I say that saying it a few extra times won't hurt anyone.


That ended up being a lot more sad than I meant. SORRY! I didn't mean for it to be! Just... Hug your parents everyday, okay?

[Warded to Nic]

EEEE.

Nic. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh.

Right. So. He took me bowling! I'd never been and I had a blast. I was really, really bad at it, but it was a lot of fun. THEN we went out for Greek and DID YOU KNOW that he speaks fluent Greek? I was impressed.

I think I may have prattled on a bit like an idiot though and I'm not really sure if he cared or didn't care or what, but I had a good time even if I'm convinced that my nerd-dom will be the end of me.

I've decided that my favourite character on The Daily Scoop is the quirky reporter that's obsessed with his hair and haircare products. Closely followed by the adorable layout designer that's an artist on the side. I almost feel like I know the people in this serial!

[Warded to Arkie]

What are you doing next Friday?

What are we doing this Friday?

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone. I wish today could be a little more cheerful, but I do hope everyone has a good day with their loved ones.

[Warded to Addie, Gwen and Nic]

Do you guys mind if after we go out drinking tonight, I crash at your place? Maybe for a couple nights?

I think I need to get away from my family for a few days.

I baked about 8 million biscuits and cupcakes last night that I want to share, too.

[Warded to McKinnons + Ashley]

I'm going to be staying at Nic, Addie and Gwen's for a couple nights if they agr, if that's all right.

[Warded to Arkie]

Thank you for not telling everyone to ___ off in your jour

Do you prefer chocolate biscuits or sugar biscuits?

[Warded Private]

Hey dad. I haven't talked to you since your birthday but it's been a little mental around here.

Some vampire or werewolf tried chatting me up a couple days ago. I think it freaked mum out some, but I got to hang out at Hogwarts and I felt a little younger again. I promise I'm okay. But I can't say the same for those two little girls, or that family, or the massacre that happened last week. It's been... terrible. I wish we could all run away, get out of here. I wish that the world was safe again and I wish you were back with us. I know these things aren't very likely to happen, but I'm a dreamer.

I had a date! And I have another one on Friday. Not the same bloke though - Merlin that sounds bad. I swear I'm not dating a lot. This is actually kind of a big step, compared to how my Hogwarts years were. I feel like I'm 6 steps behind everyone, trying to catch up.

Anyway, I like him. The boy for the date coming up. I like Dante too, but I just don't get that funny feeling in my stomach when I'm alone with him. I don't really think Arkie is the kind of lad that you and mum would really approve of, though. I'm working on her.

I wish you were around so I could ask you for boy advice. Ashley's hilarious to rile up but he's not you.

[Warded to Ashley Ketteridge]

Does kissing on the first date make the bloke think you're a slag? Or, alternatively, does NOT kissing make him think you're a prude?

[End Wards]

I don't really know how to put in words how I feel about what's been happening recently. I think it's ridiculous the crap the Order is getting when we've got madmen out there attacki It's a tragedy, and I hope that the DMLE is able to find each and every one and put them in Azkaban for a very long time. It's the least they deserve.


I also think that I'm just plain ol' tired from this war. I can barely even remember what it was like not living in fear. I've got good memories from the past decade, sure, but the bad memories are starting to take over and I'm ready for the good stuff to take over again. For all of us to leave in peace. I'm probably naive and young for thinking that, but I don't particularly care.

So I decided to see if I could make a blemish cream that doesn't smell like butt, and I think I succeeded! Third try, I finally got something that has hints of blue violet, black amber and jasmine. AND it got rid of the hideous horn on my head otherwise known as a pimple.

So I may not be a Muggleborn, but if you want to hug me today, I smell delicious and my skin is clear! The campaign may have been scrapped, but I still feel it's very important to have good personal hygiene when it comes to hugging or being in the personal space of others.

[Warded to Nic]

So. He called me an eleven last night. EEEEEE

Added Later:
[Warded to the PAT]

I think that there's someone harassing me in my journal? We're suppose to report it to you, right? Not just like someone being a jerk, but being genuinely creepy? Yeah. That's happening.

[Warded to Marlene McKinnon]

Um. Is it all right if I go over to Nic's house tonight? I know normally you don't mind, but she lives in a Muggle neighborhood and... well. Yeah.

I'll be apparating, so no flying or travel out late, and I don't think I'll be drinking more than one or two so I should be able to apparate home.

[Warded to Arkie]

So Nic told m PLAY IT COOL CATIE

How good is Rufus at being a guard dog? Better than Auror Fluffylips or worse?

I've decided that my Valentine this year is an adorable little ball of fluff. He's not so much a good kisser (too much tongue - ew) but he's a great cuddler, and that's all that matters.

[Warded Private]

Things I'd like to say in public but mum would end up shitting a brick and I'd rather not be investigated:

The broadcast gave ME hope, and I think that the Order is getting a lot of crap for it when they meant for it to be a good thing.

Everyone's become so pessimistic and cynical these days, and that's depressing. Can't we have hope in something? How can people say that they're no better than the Death Eaters? OF COURSE they're better than the Death Eaters! The DMLE is brilliant and I've got a lot of faith in them, but the Order is trying to do something good too. Rubbish, that they keep getting spat on.

[Warded to Family]

You should all know that I'm exercising massive amounts of self-restraint and just talking about fluffy things in public. Please be proud!!

[Warded to Ashley Ketteridge]

How do you know if you really fancy someone, or if they fancy you?

If they're your friend and you don't want to make the friendship awkward on the off chance that they really have no interest in you, how do you go about finding out if they like you without making everything go to crap?

I was a little bored today and this is in honour of R&R starting tonight! And who doesn't love legos?!

This idea was born from me always losing my dice when I roll them. Always. I get sick and tired of accioing them out from under Ted's the sofa and I'm always a little paranoid if I have them at home that Leo will swallow one.

( Arts and Crafts with Catie McKinnon. )

I know, I know. I'm brilliant!

Also, everyone not in the R&R group should be jealous that you're not nerds. I made homemade monkey bread for everyone.

[Warded to Jack MacDougal]

Do you know anyone named Tom?

[Warded to Marlene McKinnon]

Do you know a Tom MacDougal?

[Warded to Friends]

Everyone is.. you know, okay, right? Horrible senseless violence and I'm really glad we didn't take the Knight Bus last night. I can't even imagine- Merlin.

I'm baking today, to send to the DMLE and to anyone that was hurt. Anyone want to help is welcome to come over.

This how is slowly filling with wild creatures that can defend it with amazing, terrifying abilities.

First, Auror Fluffylips. He's clearly a danger to society.

Now, I have a new little friend. Sorry I didn't check with you first, mum, but I got him on the way home from training and I guess I came in right at a lucky time because he was free! He's so cute. Just settles around my neck and growls at everyone, acts like a little guard dog. Definitely gives Auror Fluffylips a run for his money.

Did I mention he was a badger? Probably should have done that from the start.

Oh, and I'm back to brunette, with a few ginger streaks. I decided I wasn't mad at Kirk anymore so we can share hair colours again.

Sometimes, sometimes I sit back and wonder what I'm doing sitting in a classroom most of the time, because there's a war going on and people always seem to be contributing more or doing something more worthy than extended school. But then I sit back and think about it, and I remind myself that Healers are the heart of the people. You definitely wouldn't want someone with no training trying to fix you up when you're fighting for the good of man-kind, right? Right.

I know I've got a long ways to go, but I can be an incredibly impatient person, unfortunately. I just want to SKIP AHEAD to poking at boils and saving lives. My superhero power would be absorbing all of the information from books, that's how impatient I am. Flying? Brooms. Invisibility? Charms and cloaks. Not great, but effective. X-Ray vision? Why do I want to see the bloke down the street in his knickers? No offense, Abe.

Sometimes we get to go watch the Healers and Medi-Wizards work in St. Mungo's and observe them at what they do best, and it's days like that when I'm reminded of how bloody awesome these people are. How much they know, how much they've seen... So regrets? Nope. Not a single one. Just that I wish I was a genius and I could skip ahead a few years.

Mum, you really should have let me get hit by radiation when I was a wee little sprog.

[Warded to Friends and Family]

So, I didn't want to put this part public just in case I could get a lecture or in trouble or anything, but EEE! Dominic had a fractured cheekbone (from falling on his face. HA!) last night and he let me mend it!

I did pretty well! Mostly! It only took me three tries and thank Merlin he was sotted, but I did it!

What a RUSH.

Back to blonde! Needed a fresh start, little late for the New Year, but appropriate none the less.

( For the curious... )

[Warded to Nic Mason]

You know that offer for drinking? Are you doing anything tonight?

I can't go anywhere (Maggie has to work and Leo'll be here), but I've got a bottle of scotch hidden under my bed and my family is mental and I could use a few drinks after Leo's asleep. Available? We can be boring people who have a couple drinks and play tipsy exploding snap.



... I sound like an old lady.

Today's my dad's birthday. He would've been 44, and I'm pretty sure that if he was still around, we'd be smothering him with chocolate cake and things would be a little happier around here. But it's got me being all nostalgic and looking through photo albums and crying. So I decided to share some pictures of my beautiful family.

( Wave Wands. Some magical, some muggle. )

[Warded Private]

Happy Birthday Daddy. I miss you and I love you.

[Warded Private]

That poor man. That poor family. I should see if we want to send a basket from the family... She'll probably be drowning in food, that's what always happens. But it's a nice gesture. No one wants to cook after-

We're perfectly safe. Totally safe. Mum is just a rather long walk away, Abe is down the road, Gwen and Addie are here.. Hogsmeade is protected.

Hogsmeade is due for

WELL THAT WAS DEPRESSING GOOD JOB CATIE

Maggie is going to have to work and then I'm going to be alone with Leo and if something happens I don't know if I can-

Christ. Dad, I miss you more than you'll ever know.

[Warded to Marlene]

Thursday?

Can I have some friends over tonight? Well-behaved friends? To watch a film or something?

[Warded to Ashley Ketteridge]

Hi. So. Thanks for hanging out or whatever. Mum can't make it back home tonight and we're having dinner. Do you want to come over and eat with us kids? I made chicken tikka masala and naan.

[Warded to Arkie]

Ugh why are you such a JERK Nevermind. My quill slipped.

Curiosity didn't kill the Cat, but it bleeding well got her arrested. Ugh.

( Wave Wands!! )

Everyone, meet Auror Fuzzylips. I'm pretty sure he's the cutest thing to ever exist and so far, his favorite thing to do is to lick Leo's toes. I hope that doesn't give him a weird complex later on-

Best post-Christmas present ever!