(open) a stroll among muggles

[Amanda Hopkins]

"They're definitely not the answer to everything," she said lightly, petting her dog after she cried for attention, "It's strange that a lot of people don't think about it," she continued, "You'd think it would be one of the first things to cross their mind. Jon made sure all of his kids had godparents," she said, "It's good that Sirius does. I think a lot of people hate thinking about why you'd need godparents. That might be why some people don't pick some," She nodded, "I know a few people that have. In some ways, it's sad. That their family isn't there or that they alienate them. At the same time, it's amazing that they form such strong bonds with their friends. Human nature to have family and all that,"

Amanda noticed Sirius' eyebrows change and grinned, "Metamorphmagus?" she whispered, watching carefully to make sure no Muggles were nearby. When she noticed that most of them had cleared the park, she thought for a moment of something simple, before making her light blue eyes go orange, "Me, too," she added with a smile as her eyes went back to the usual blue, "Sometimes things happen," Amanda said, "I always admire people who make the best of such things," she rambled, "Scary?" she asked curiously.

Amanda nodded, "Yes, I think it was. Even to this day, he tries so hard," she frowned, "He'll reach out to the youngest, when he has the chance. It never works, though. They are like the black sheep in many ways. The one just trying to appease his eldest brother, the other wanting so desperately to be accepted by both of them. It is sad, but money can do crazy things to people. I'm glad my family never really cared too much about the money," she said with a shrug, "Don't get me wrong. We have our problems. My eldest brother... I love him dearly, but he's been in Azkaban a really long time," she let out a deep sigh, "My other brothers are great, though. That's sad about her and her brothers. I guess it happens a lot, though," She nodded, "At least he forgave you," she said with a smile.

[Deleted]

“I guess not. Your dog seems to be pretty attached to you. I know that a lot of people don’t and when they do it’s a little to late for them to do much about it. That’s very true and sometimes they should do that, have godparents, just in case something happens to them. I know, it is surprising that they do form very strong bonds with their friends it means a lot to them. Yes it is, I can see it in many of the students at the school where I council them.” She said remembering how several students she spoke to didn’t have good parents in their homes.

“Yep. I am surprised he got the gift at all but in many ways I am not really since being one myself it makes it easier for him to be one. Really? Me too actually. It can be.” She said shrugging and then changed her eyes purple proving she was a metamorphamagus.

“Well I wonder if sometimes it’s worth it but I guess it can be and sometimes we try to hard to want that part in our lives even if it isn’t healthy. At least he is trying to reach out and hoping he does have a chance there. I bet. That is kind of sad though trying to prove themselves and being something that everyone wants them to be. Money does stupid things to people and families and can easily rip them apart. What did your brother do to be sent there? You don’t have to say just curious that’s all. All of them younger though she isn’t close but it is sad that’s why she reaches out to my fiancé who is like her older brother though adopted by her aunt.” She said.

[Amanda Hopkins]

Amanda smiled, giving a light nod, "A lot of times, my dog and cat are all I have," she admitted, blushing as soon as she realized she'd said the words, "I mean, they've always been there. It's easy to get attached, and for them to do the same, in such situations. They helped me through a bad marriage and a bad divorce," she added, "Exactly," she said, "You never know when something is going to happen. Such things are quite unpredictable. Almost scarily so," She smiled, "Yeah, we really are mostly social. Most of us,"

She nodded, understanding what Nerefon meant. Her mother had been one, as well, so it had been easier for her to learn to cope with it. She certainly had never thought it made her any different. In fact, as a kid she could remember using the ability to entertain other magical friends. Even then, she often used it to make children patients feel more at ease. "It's a nice gift to have," she said, "I find that it helps patients, even. Especially the children," she added. She grinned when Nerefon's eyes changed, "It's always good to meet another. Seems there aren't many of us,"

She nodded, "Yes, even when it isn't healthy. He's given up hope with the eldest, I think. Sees that the man is pretty much set in his ways. I don't think he'll ever give up hope with his other brother, though," she said thoughtfully, "It's really sad. I can't imagine the pressure. My parents always encouraged us to be who we felt we were. As long as we weren't breaking laws," she added. At her question, Amanda let out a sigh, "He got into dark magic. I still don't remember exactly what happened," she said with a shrug, "Just that he and his friends really hurt a lot of Muggles," She looked at Nerefon, nodding, "It's good that she has your fiance," she said.

[Deleted]

“I can see where animals can be all anyone has. My cat, Lulu is all I had when Tony was in the hospital too. They are always there for you and they have a weird sense and they always know when something is wrong. That’s good your animals helped. I bet and yes we are all social, some of us.” Nerefon said nodding.

“It is especially when you are around others who are stressed and need relaxing colors or normalness. I bet it does help patients especially the children, it is it is a rare gift among our kind. I usually have to change appearance for the kids at the school here so they can open up to me more.” She said.

“That’s true that it isn’t healthy but trying with the other is the best a person can hope for really. Well that’s good that he hasn’t given up hope with his other brother. That’s good your parents did that though telling you not to break rules or laws. That’s not good, that’s actually horrible. It is, she counts on him a lot though and I can see why.” She said nodding.

[Amanda Hopkins]

"It happens so easily," Amanda replied cheerily, eyes on her dog. "Your cat sounds like a really sweet cat," she told her, smiling. She thought about how her cat was always just sleeping or staring. While she loved the animal, it had been her dog that had comforted her after her divorce the most. "They really are always there. And have this strange way of making us feel so much better. Often just by being there," she thought about the words some of us and nodded, "Most of us. But I suppose, not all of us,"

Amanda nodded, smiling, "I find that many patients relax easier if my hair or my eyes are a different color," she admitted, "It seems so trivial, and yet, it helps. And it definitely helps children," she added, smile still intact as she thought about that, "That makes sense. I have to change appearance for teenagers at St Mungos quite often for a very similar reason,"

She nodded, "It is good, I think," she said quietly, trying to push Lloyd to the back of her mind but currently unable. So, she spoke her next words without giving them much thought, "I think, it would be great if he could reach out to the youngest," then she sighed, before replying to the next thought, "It was horrible. I don't know why he did it. I try hard not to think about it. Sometimes, even if your parents taught you everything you need to know, something just... happens," She smiled at the others next words, "It's always good to have someone to count on."

[Deleted]

“Good point that it does happen easily, sometimes to easily. My cat is though sometimes acts more like a dog than a cat most days which I have no idea why. Yes they can be and are always there and their love is unconditional and yes they do, they always seem to listen and hang on your every word. I would have to agree.” Nerefon said.

“It’s funny how our appearance can change how people feel. I realized that when I started working as a counselor at the school when I changed something the kids either were comfortable or not. I would have to agree with that, that it helps them more then we realize. Isn’t that the truth about children, that our change of something helps them the most.” She said nodding at the last statement and smiled and watched as Sirius’s eyebrows turned to black.

“I do too actually, if he can do that and reach him then that is a family link and not something that feels so wrong. We will never understand why people do what they do, since they have their own way of doing things that aren’t always understandable. I would say that that is reasonably true. It is and he adores her so much and he is extremely protective of her and would do anything for her to make sure that she is safe.” She said.

[Amanda Hopkins]

Amanda laughed lightly, nodding her response as she said, "Yes, sometimes too easily, even. If your cat has been around dogs all his life, that could be why. I often find that a lot of cats start assuming dog like traits when they're around dogs. Funny, because it works the other way around, too. Like my Papillon here will use my cats litter box sometimes," She smiled at the next words. How true they were, "Often, they're the only ones who will listen," she said.

"Isn't it?" Amanda asked with a smile, "I started to learn it at a young age. At least, back then, I realized that it was easy to make my brothers laugh when they were angry at me. But I didn't truly learn the effect it can have until I got my job as a healer," she nodded, smiling again, "Yes, it is true of them," she said, looking down at Sirius, too, as his eyebrows changed again.

She nodded again, "It will be better for not only him, but his brother. Healthier, even," she added thoughtfully, "That's true. We can never truly understand what another person is thinking. No matter how hard we try, or how much we want to," she sighed, trying to push her brother as far back in her mind as was possible. "It sounds very sweet," Amanda replied smiling.

[Deleted]

"I guess it is to easy. Well sadly my cat hasn't been around dogs and that is the weird thing but then again I have trained it to fetch like a dog and took time training it like one for weird reasons. I mean I guess that a cat hanging with dogs can take up their traits and dogs cat's personalities too. That is a little strange that your papillon does that, never heard of a dog going in a litter box. I know the feeling that they are the only ones who always are will always listen to your problems." she said nodding.

"Yes it is. I learned on my own when I was in my room. I found out that I had the ability when my hair changed from bright red to blue when I was sad and back to red when I got angry at my uncle. I learned while in school, when I did make friends, I had changed to make them laugh but they always liked me for me but we don't talk much now because some had died by the hands of Dark Wizards." she said the last part sadly but smiled at Sirius who stretched in her arms and yawned.

"I do have to agree it would be healthier. It is difficult to know what the other person is thinking but with the ability to read their minds it is kind of easy but then again some people with the ability don't know respect. It is. Did you ever meet anyone that you actually like or wanted to date after...you know?" she asked.

[Amanda Hopkins]

Amanda nodded in response, before glancing up again as she spoke of her cat. Amanda smiled, "My little one here loves cats, if you think your cat would be good around dogs. I know some cats aren't, though," she added, "Your cat can actually fetch?" Amanda asked, voice slightly excited as she spoke the question, "I can't say I've ever seen a cat do that. My cat knows a few commands. Definitely not fetch," she finished with a lighthearted laugh, "With small dogs, I hear it happens more often than people realize. It's actually very convenient at times," Amanda nodded, too, "It's great to have them around,"

Amanda nodded, thinking back. Other than the things her parents described her doing during infancy - changing nose shape, eye color, and various subtle things - she wasn't certain when she first discovered her ability. "My hair was subtle when I was young. Blonde to brunette, usually. Was very orange at one point, though," she said with a chuckle, "It is easier to make friends with the ability. It's a conversation starter. I like to think people like me for me, too, though," Her face softened and darkened at the mention of dark wizards, "I'm sorry," she said softly, genuinely. Even though she knew it wouldn't help.

"I imagine some people abuse the power," she suggested with a shrug, "Scary to think about," her eyes went to Nerefon and she shook her head in response.

OOC: Sorry it's late. I'm thinking probably end this one in a bit if that's okay with you? My muse for Manda just isn't what it used to be.

[Deleted]

"Well thats good that your little one loves cats. Mine doesn't mind them, after all, with Selene and Airous's puppy trying to chase it around the house, yet failed, it just sits there looking at it as if to say 'what are you trying to prove? I am not running.' My cat is very good with the puppy though, doesn't use the claws on the puppy just swats it when annoyed." she said smiling.

"Yes, she is weird that way, sometimes I wonder if she is trying to be a dog or something but then again, you never know about animals actually, they have plans of their own when they want to. Really? Mine doesn't....yet. Though she likes to play hide and go seek. I bet it is, it is great to have them around, it is very therapeutic." she said nodding in agreement.

"Yeah? Not really sure what mine was when I was a baby but I guess....since watching Sirius, it probably changed quiet often. I bet you looked cute though. It can be....sometimes but it is easy though depending on the person. That is very true being able to start a conversation with this ability, I do too actually. Thank you...it's not something I talk about often." she said with a very small smile but it soon faded but then she shook herself and smiled again.

"I can see where people can abuse the power and that is what saddens me a lot cause a person can easily do that and look like someone else easily. It is scary to think about and it makes the job I do much harder when that happens." she said and watched amanda with curiosity.


OOC: That's fine.