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MadAlice · 12-20-2022, 10:16 PM

Summary:
It was over 25 years ago that Helena Blackthorne, the only daughter of a rich, Pureblood family, eloped with a Muggle named Sam Hurst. She hasn't been seen or heard from since she sent her only child, Violet, home to live with her family sixteen years ago. Everyone assumed Helena was dead by now, until she turned up the summer of 2108 wandering in London with no memory of how she got there or who she was. Now the healers at St. Mungo's are trying to discover the cause of her amnesia, as her daughter Violet attempts to reforge a relationship with the mother she barely remembers.

Main Characters:
Helena Blackthorne Hurst (FearlessLeader19)
Violet Blackthorne, her daughter (MadAlice)
Kat Greer, a healer (Holmesian Feline)

Supporting Characters:
Ignatius Blackthorne, her father (MadAlice)
Jane Howard, her old school friend and Violet's ex-governess (MadAlice)

Other Characters:
William Black, another healer (Holmesian Feline)
Horatio Blackthorne,her brother (MadAlice)

Scene 1: Helena's bedside in St. Mungo's Janus Thickey Ward; late August 2108
Violet Blackthorne, Helena Blackthorne Hurst, Kat Greer
Scene 2: Just outside Helena's hospital room door; late August 2108
Violet Blackthorne, Helena Blackthorne Hurst, Kat Greer
Scene 3: In and around Helena's hospital room door in St. Mungo's; September 2108
Ignatius Blackthorne, Helena Blackthorne Hurst, William Black
Scene 4: Helena's room in St. Mungo's; October 2108
Violet Blackthorne, Helena Blackthorne Hurst, Jane Howard
Scene 5: Helena's room in St. Mungo's; November 2108
Helena Blackthorne Hurst, Jane Howard, Violet Blackthorne
Scene 6: Helena's room in St. Mungo's; Late December 2108
Helena Blackthorne Hurst, Ignatius Blackthorne

MadAlice · 01-29-2024, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

“Can we discuss the matter with the Healers today then? I’d like to see it if I can take your potion as soon as I can.”

Jane smiled and nodded. She had been pretty certain that Helena would decide that way, but it was important that the decision be hers. When one has been through...whatever Helena had been through, Jane felt that the best way to help them back to themselves was to allow them a sense of self-direction, of having the power to choose what they will and won't do. Now that Helena had elected to take the elixir, Jane hoped that this would give her that added confidence that could give a little extra help.

"Good," Jane said aloud. "I'll find the Healers in charge of your treatment right away and discuss it with them. Though they may want to wait at least until tomorrow--I'll need to prepare a dose of the elixir and bring it back here, at least." Merlin, but all these Blackthornes were all so impatient!

Violet beamed and impulsively reached over and hugged her mother. "Oh, Mum, I'm so glad. You won't regret it, I'm sure." If this kept up, Violet P. Blackthorne was in danger of becoming an emotional sort of person.

Scene 5: Helena's bedside in St. Mungo's Janus Thickey Ward
Time: November 2108

As it turned out, it had taken nearly two weeks to clear the new treatment with all the Healers involved, plus get authorization for its use from the Ministry of Magic. But Jane had managed to get it through all the red tape and was back in her friend's hospital room with a small vial containing a bright, dark-green liquid. She had convinced Violet to stay away during the treatment itself. After nagging them to get Helena to take the elixir, now Violet had become nervous that it might actually cause some ill effects to her mother after all, and Jane did not want her here now. She was afraid her nervous energy and suppressed fears would affect Helena, and they didn't need that sort of thing. Besides, Jane was beyond impatient with her young friend--no one had ever had a bad side effect from this elixir to date, and there was no rational reason to think there would be one now.

FearlessLeader19 · 01-31-2024, 12:24 AM

Jane was right all along; of course she was. Helena did feel a boost of confidence in her decision. It also made her feel as though her life was finally coming together. Though, there was a hint of disappointment when Helena learnt that she would have to wait until at least tomorrow. It was understandable, however, as Jane would have to get the potion in order. So Helena nodded gratefully. “I appreciate that, Jane.” And Violet did as well, she hoped?

Oh, it certainly seemed that her daughter did! Helena beamed and hugged the girl back. “I know I won’t.” The woman had a good feeling about the path she had just elected to take.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

It had taken longer than expected to get the go-ahead to consume the potion. Helena half worried that approval would not have been granted to her but it was, and she was thrilled albeit a tad nervous. Helena was at the moment brushing her hair when Jane approached her. “Did you get approval?” she asked immediately, her heart thumping with a mixture of nerves and anticipation.

MadAlice · 02-05-2024, 06:44 PM

Jane smiled, glad that her friend seemed committed to the treatment now. [b]"Yes, I have," she said, "and they've given me permission to administer it to you." After checking the potion and the dosage and lecturing her on procedures for what Jane considered an unnecessarily long time.

She put down a small carpetbag that she carried and her cloak, then without haste or dawdling, opened the bag up and reached inside. She pulled out a small, rectangular box that was made of some thin wood and had a sliding lid. Jane slid the lid open and took out a small silk-wrapped bundle, then carefully unwound it and produced a crystal phial containing a dark-green liquid that seemed to have a spark of cold fire deep within it.

Jane held it up for Helena's inspection. "Here it is!" she said, with a touch of pride. After all, this elixir of the Lesser Stone was her very own invention and had helped any number of people after the Wizarding War with the Neo-Alliance, and Jane was somewhat proud of it.

FearlessLeader19 · 02-14-2024, 11:46 PM

Helena’s heart leapt.

She felt joy and slight anxiety. But her mind had been staunchly made up and she intended on following in through with her decision to take the Potion. “Wonderful!’’ She set her hairbrush down on the bedside table and watched with interest as Jane brought out the liquid. In her opinion, Jane had gone all out in protecting the Potion; not that Helena could blame her as it was the fruit of her friend’s hard work.

The woman leaned in closer to examine the contents of the phial. “I’m proud of you, that you were able to create something that can help so many.” She sat up straight again. “Do I have to take the entire phial? And this will be the only dose? And does Violet know that you’ve brought this to me?” Maybe her daughter wanted to be here at this moment? “Also, how long until I start remembering?”

MadAlice · 02-26-2024, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

The woman leaned in closer to examine the contents of the phial. “I’m proud of you, that you were able to create something that can help so many.” She sat up straight again. “Do I have to take the entire phial? And this will be the only dose? And does Violet know that you’ve brought this to me?” Maybe her daughter wanted to be here at this moment? “Also, how long until I start remembering?”

Jane smiled at all of Helena's questions; they reminded her of the way her friend had been at school and it made her happy to see Helena's personality reasserting itself. "Yes, you drink the entire thing. It's actually said to be rather pleasant tasting," Jane answered. Rather like a mint liqueur, or so some of the patients had reported. Jane had not had occasion to drink her potion herself and did not imbibe liqueurs as a rule, so she couldn't say for sure. "And this will probably be the only dose, though that will be up to your Healers, of course. You should start feeling some of the effects fairly soon, although it may take a short while--a few hours, perhaps--for the full effects to manifest themselves. I can't say for sure what, if anything, you'll remember, but the potion does seem to improve the well-being and spirits of everyone who's taken it, so that's to the good. And Violet..." Jane had to pause again here, remembering her 'discussion' with that young lady (some might call it an argument, but Jane was used to her former pupil's stubborness by now).

"She wanted to be here, but I thought it might be better to wait a bit, to see how things went. She's nearby, though." In fact, Jane was pretty sure she was out in the visiting lounge trying to prevent her imperious grandfather, Helena's father, from barging in and interfering with things prematurely. "I can have her brought in here if you prefer it, though." Jane didn't want to push anything on Helena at this point; she felt enough had been done to her friend without her consent as it was.

FearlessLeader19 · 02-28-2024, 12:20 AM

A pleasant tasting potion was important in Helena’s opinion. How else was one supposed to properly consume them if they had a nasty taste? She did not fancy herself choking nor gagging over any. “That all sounds promising,’’ Helena spoke up, her nervousness now beginning to dissipate at Jane’s reassurances. Now she was even more certain that she wanted to take the Potion. It was going to benefit all involved in her life.

Helena would not lie: some amount of disappointment reared its head when it was mentioned that Violet would not be with her during this crucial time. But she also did understand the wiseness behind Jane’s reasoning. “No, that’s fine.” She grinned impishly. “If she’s here, she’d be asking if I remember anything every minute or so. No, Jane. You did the right thing.”

A deep breath was taken.

“Okay,’’ Helena said, adjusting herself comfortably on her bed so that she was propped up against pillows. “I’m ready. Do the Healers need to oversee this?” Otherwise, she was going to have the potion now.

MadAlice · 03-13-2024, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

“Okay,’’ Helena said, adjusting herself comfortably on her bed so that she was propped up against pillows. “I’m ready. Do the Healers need to oversee this?” Otherwise, she was going to have the potion now.

"No, there is a Healer on standby outside if we need them, but since this potion has already been in use for several years, they've allowed me to give it to you," Jane replied. They'd allowed it after checking and re-checking the potion for what had seemed to Jane to be an unnecessary number of times. Merlin, she was the one who made a number of the potions they used here! But Jane was calmly persistent and it had paid off. She was glad to see that Helena was finally ready to try to regain her memories.

"You can just take it at any time--though you might want to be sitting down; sometimes the sudden return of feelings or memories can be disorienting, but just for a few minutes." Jane put the lovely glass bottle with the dark green liquid into her friend's hand. "Whenever you're ready, dear."

FearlessLeader19 · 03-24-2024, 03:02 PM

Helena nodded; she was one hundred percent reassured and calm as the next phase loomed close now. That phase being consuming the potion, obviously. Propped up against the pillows, she certainly would say that she was ready. None of the reeling memories were going to catch her off guard. Helena collected the bottle with a firm grip.

“Cheers,’’ she said with a tiny grin. Helena uncorked the bottle then tipped the contents into her mouth, towards the back. It was her hope that the liquid would simply bypass her tongue for the most part - that way she could avoid any tastes. Her plan worked mostly and soon the bottle was being lowered. Eyes fixed on the wall ahead of her, Helena waited for something to happen.

MadAlice · 03-28-2024, 10:11 PM

Jane watched Helena intently, interested as both a friend and a scientist. Hmmm, she'd downed that rather quickly--probably afraid it would taste bad, like so many potions and elixirs. Too bad, for Jane had been told by many that this particular elixir had a rather nice taste. But none of that really mattered--what mattered is whether or not it would help. Jane looked at Helena's face and deeply into her eyes, trying to see if she caught any glimmer of a reaction.

Through the small window at the top of the door, Violet's face could be seen peering in. Surely Jane did not think that the youngest Blackthorne clan member would pay attention to instructions, not on such an occasion as this! Violet had distracted her grandfather by setting him onto a hapless healer's assistant and had crept away while he was busy scolding the poor young man. Violet was full of anxiety and anticipation and she wanted to watch and be ready to rush into her mother's room at the very first sign of...well, of anything, really!

FearlessLeader19 · 04-08-2024, 11:52 PM

Helena continued to wait for something to happen. Her eyes met Jane’s again, not at the moment noticing her sneaky daughter. She tilted her head slightly, about to open her mouth to say that she was certain something would happen soon. However, it was quickly shut and at the same time, she winced. A flurry of memories came rushing in: her younger self in the flower garden at her childhood home, laughing and talking with Violet’s father, leaving her home…

The woman leaned heavily against her stack of pillows, her lids drooping over her eyes. All these memories rushing back at her still ‘winded’ her though she had braced herself for it. “Your potion works, Jane,’’ she remarked quietly, even if her friend already knew this. She just needed a moment to catch herself.

MadAlice · 04-14-2024, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

The woman leaned heavily against her stack of pillows, her lids drooping over her eyes. All these memories rushing back at her still ‘winded’ her though she had braced herself for it. “Your potion works, Jane,’’ she remarked quietly, even if her friend already knew this. She just needed a moment to catch herself.

Jane nodded with a small sigh She'd been confident her elixir would work, but still--one couldn't help having a bit of anxiety when dispensing a potion to a friend. She sat back with folded hands, patiently waiting for her friend to collect herself. Jane could wait patiently for quite a while and wait until Helena was ready to tell her what she remembered--if, indeed, that was what her friend wished.

Violet saw her mother fall back on her pillows with a pang of anxiety, but caught the words Your potion works and immediately pushed open the door and strode over to the bed. "It worked!? I knew it would. So--what do you remember?" Violet reached out as if to take her mother's hands, but Jane restrained her with a slight frown.

FearlessLeader19 · 04-15-2024, 11:28 PM

The figure striding toward the bed shifted Helena’s attention. She turned her head slightly as she recognised the person as her daughter. Images of her pushing infant Violet in a pram as the visited parks and zoos. Oh, the joy of being able to have such dear and fond memories resurface! It indeed made up for the terrible ones. But Helena was doing her best not to focus too much on those for now… this was a happy time for her, for Jane and for Violet.

“I remember you,’’ Helena replied softly. “As a baby. How adorable you were then, as you are now.” She looked towards Jane. “And I remember us at School. Us arguing over silly things, trying to cram for exams…” Her eyes darted between the two. “I just want to focus on the happy things for now.” This was the woman’s way of letting them know that she did not want to talk of Sam.

MadAlice · 04-23-2024, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

“I remember you,’’ Helena replied softly. “As a baby. How adorable you were then, as you are now.” She looked towards Jane. “And I remember us at School. Us arguing over silly things, trying to cram for exams…” Her eyes darted between the two. “I just want to focus on the happy things for now.” This was the woman’s way of letting them know that she did not want to talk of Sam.

Violet wrinkled her nose slightly at being called 'adorable'--it wasn't how she saw herself. Strangely, hearing her mother use the term didn't bother her the way it would have if someone else said it. This was what it felt like to have a mother, then, she thought to herself, feeling as if something heavy that she'd been carrying ever since she could remember had at last been lifted.

"Oh, Mum!" she said, allowing herself to use that silly-sounding nickname that everyone else used--this was a special occasion, after all. "You do remember, then, don't you?" Violet noticed that her mother hadn't mentioned what had happened to her to cause this memory lapse, or her father, but tactfully didn't bring it up. Time for that later--after all, it wouldn't do to upset the woman, right after taking a potion. Besides, Violet didn't feel like she was ready to discuss her father right now either. "Thank you, Miss H...er, Jane," she said glancing up at her former governess for a moment. "I knew you could do it!"

Jane smiled and nodded before walking over to the door of the room. She had been fairly confident in her elixir, since it had already been used on a number of people over the last few years, but she had not been quite as sure of success as Violet had apparently been. Right now she wanted to slip out and confer with one of Helena's healers, and give mother and daughter a little privacy.

FearlessLeader19 · 04-27-2024, 12:38 AM

Helena took no notice of Violet’s wrinkled nose. To her, all versions of her daughter were adorable, and nothing nor anyone would be able to convince her otherwise. “I do!” she replied happily. “Oh, Violet! I’m so happy I can fully be here for you fully now.” The woman was desperately trying not to tear up but her eyes betrayed her by getting all watery. Helena was quite grateful about neither Jane nor Violet bringing up Sam; Violet was right as there was plenty of time to discuss that part of her life. Besides, on such a happy occasion, Sam did not deserve to be apart of it in a verbal manner or otherwise.

“Yes, Jane! Much thanks to you.” Helena gazed after her friend fondly. There would be plenty of time to catch up with her; Helena rather suspected she wanted to leave Violet and herself together for now. “I wonder how soon the Healers will clear me so that I can leave.” There was no need for her to stay here any longer… right?

MadAlice · 05-11-2024, 06:23 PM

Scene 6: Helena's bedside in St. Mungo's Janus Thickey Ward
Time: Late December 2108

Ignatius Blackthorne paced impatiently back and forth in his daughter hospital room. He had wanted to catch a private word with her and had finally managed to dodge his unbelievably tenacious grandaughter only to arrive to find Helena was not there. She was off for yet another final checkup with some Healer or another, but would be back shortly, one of the aides had told him. It had taken some time for him to gather up his nerve and tamp down his pride in order to come here in the first place, and he was not best pleased to have to wait.

FearlessLeader19 · 05-18-2024, 06:14 PM

It was indeed true that Helena had been away getting her final checkup but now she was on her way back to her room to gather up the last of her belongings. Soon, she would be leaving here for good; Violet would be there shortly to get her. To top off the wonderful recent days she had been experiencing, the Healers had given her a clean bill of health. The news left the woman feeling ecstatic. This was her second chance at life, to do what she wanted, to get to know her daughter…

Her train of happy thoughts was derailed as her feet rounded the turn to her room. The woman came to an abrupt halt; the very last person she expected to see was present there. “Hello,’’ Helena began cautiously, stepping closer. Now that things were looking up in her life, she wanted it to continue that way. It was why that warm-ish greeting was given.

MadAlice · 05-27-2024, 03:23 PM

Ignatius turned abruptly at the sound of Helena's voice. He had been so deep in thought that she had caught him unawares (blast, he was losing his edge!) Gazing at her, he thought she looked much more like herself than she had when she was first brought here, though she would never again be the optimistic and ingenuous young girl who had left his house in the middle of the night all those years ago. But looking in her eyes, he could still see his little daughter.

"Helena," he responded finally, clearing his throat when he heard the word come out a bit too husky. "You're looking well. I take it you're much better." It wasn't really a question, but it was Ignatius' way of leaving a conversational opening.

FearlessLeader19 · 06-16-2024, 08:21 PM

Of course she would not be the exact version of herself that Ignatius knew from so many years ago. Certain life events had a way of leaving their marks upon someone and Helena had many of such intangible scars. However, she was pleased with herself that measures had been put in place so that she would heal as best as possible.

While Helena may no longer be ‘little’, in a way the woman supposed that she would always remain that way to Ignatius. “Thank you. Yes, the Healers and Jane have worked their magic and I’m doing much better.” There was a short pause. “I’m about to collect the rest of my belongings before leaving here for good. Would you like to come with me while I do so?” And perhaps Ignatius could say whatever it is that he came here to say? Jane suspected there was more to this visit. With those words, the woman headed into the ward and towards the bed that had seen her many a night and day.

MadAlice · 06-25-2024, 01:24 AM

Ignatius merely nodded and followed his daughter into the small, uncluttered room that had been hers all this time. He had wanted to move her to a ward that afforded a bit more luxury, but the Healers had denied it, saying that too much stimulation would be bad for Helena (and surprisingly, his granddaughter Violet had backed them up! (when had she become so grown up as to defy him? that was more than any of his sons had dared to do, come to think of it, and that made him smile a bit...)

Ignatius shook himself out of this reverie, for it was not what he had come here for. "Well, I'm glad...we're all glad...that you're well enough to leave. I ... we've all missed you at home all these years, and I'm sure you had your reasons for leaving, though you were so young..." Ignatius cleared his throat before betraying any more unbecoming emotion that his currently husky voice. He watched his daughter move around the room, collecting her things as if she knew what she was doing, and he sat on the edge of a nearby chair and watched her for a few minutes. Yes, she was certainly far improved from the nearly hysterical woman who had been brought here at the beginning of the summer.

Finally he cleared his throat again and began to say what he had really come for. "Helena, I know we did not part under very good terms. I admit that I was not very happy at your wanting to marry a Muggle, but I want you to know that that wasn't the only--wasn't the main reason I objected. There was just something in that man that seemed...slippery, unsettled, not entirely honest. I truly didn't you want you with him because I was afraid he wouldn't take care of you, would hurt you in the end. And from what I've seen, it seems I was right!" Ignatius started off gently enough, but he was not quite able to stop a rather sharp edge creeping into his voice on that last sentence.

He paused briefly to collect himself, then went on. "Well, that's all in the past, I just wanted you to know. But now..." Ignatius frowned as he continued to watch his daughter pack up, ready to move on. "Have you given any thought as to where you're going? Because...surely you must know you're always welcome back at home. Things are not what they were, they have changed...I have changed." He was truly worried about what Helena's plans were--well as she might seem, he was not convinced she was ready to embark upon the world unsupported, a world that had changed a lot in the years she'd been missing. Besides, he did not think he could bear to have her leave him again so soon after he'd finally found her.

FearlessLeader19 · 06-29-2024, 11:52 PM

Helena actually liked her small room. It wasn’t huge and spacious but she did enjoy the level of intimacy it provided with her daughter and friend whenever they visited. The Healers and other staff also always ensured it was clean and cheerful.

The woman set about gathering the remaining belongings, her ears zoned in on the sound of her father’s voice. “Yes, I had my reasons,’’ she said simply, choosing not to elaborate. “Hearing that everyone missed me makes me happy, however. I cannot wait to reconnect with everyone at some point.” Helena reached for a mug one of the Healers had given her as a parting gift. It was her intention to stay with Violet for a while as she adjusted to life outside of St. Mungo’s.

As the mug was carefully placed into the bag she would be leaving with, Helena’s already soft nature was further softening as her father spoke. That is, until he used the words ‘I was right’ and his tone became harsh. No one liked anyone saying they were right and the words annoyed Helena. She turned to face him. “I hope the fact that you were right is not something you’ll constantly rub in my face.” Her eyes bored into his. She might have been a softie once but the recent years had taken away some of that softness.

The man was right, however. It was all in the past and Helena aimed to keep it there. She returned to her packing. “I need to spend some quality time with my daughter. I want to get to know her.” So much time had been lost and she needed to make up for that.

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