It's the age of change. That was the big word in the last muggle election, and it's just a true closer to home. The private investigator I've been working for these last few years is struggling in the economy. He used to talk about how when he retired he'd give the business to me, but lately, he just talks about how much further into debt we're falling and how scarce cases are nowadays. The B word came up a few times. He told me to start looking elsewhere, so when he doesn't have any other choice but to file for bankruptcy, I'll have a head start on the job hunt.

So I did. I'm not technically trained in investigations, and it took me a while for Nathan to trust me enough to give me the latitude he gives me now, and I'm not sure I could go back to just being a clerk. Probably really should have gone back to school for real police or auror work, but I got my two year Quidditch coaching degree when I finished at Salem, and I got that job at Durmstrang right out. Then that whole mess with DP1 happened, and law enforcement really wasn't really something I felt comfortable getting too close to. Plus, I was the new matriarch of a brand new family branch, with two brand new adopted kids to look after. School wasn't really an option. I got what work I could.

Could maybe have gone for a PI license, I've got enough on the job training that it wouldn't be too hard, but the PI business isn't doing too well generally if Nathan's experience is anything to go by. So there was my old graduation certificate from Tashynott-on-Green. I started sending out my resume, what little there was of it, to magic schools all over the world, hoping to score another coaching position.

Bel's none to happy about it. She was kind of counting on me to run the DISCUSS office while she was in college. But getting someone else in here to take care of that won't be all that difficult. I was doing it in my spare time around my full time job. Heck, having a dedicated staff hired specifically for that sort of thing will probably be good for the organization. Then it could run normal office hours and such. It's not like Bel's going to have time even once she finishes at Sapienti. She does plan on having an auror career. I'm not going to put my life on hold for another three years just so she can hire someone out then.

Her real objection isn't even about DISCUSS anyway. She just can't admit that she has abandonment issues. But I'm going to be home in Boston as often as she is. I'm not even getting rid of the apartment. We're going to use that as a DISCUSS half-way house. Once I'm on a decent salary again (Nathan hasn't paid me in three months, so I'm on unemployment already - thank Merlin Bel got enough scholarships and financial aid that my bank account wasn't already completely wiped out, and Dru said she'd front me another loan if I need it), we can probably even buy a real house for that.

So the acceptance letter from Sonora in today's mail was more than welcome. As that's probably where Dru's going to send the next NH Pierce generation now that Salem's closed down, I might even get to meet my little cousins and brother. Sonora was really my first choice and I can't even begin to say how relieved I am that I didn't get a rejection letter from them.

The one thing that is a bit disturbing though, is that the coach that's leaving there was also named Amelia, also went by Amy, and she was a real Quidditch player. She's leaving because she couldn't keep on top of teaching with her Pro career picking up. According to some of my magazines, there are rumors that Amelia Fox is going to be in the next World Cup.

I was captain of Aether's team at Salem. That was the last time I played competitively. I got a coaching certificate from a university that went out of business the same year I graduated. I feel totally outclassed. Merlin. I've got four months to brush up on skills I haven't used in almost ten years. Why did I think going back to Coaching was a good idea?

Well, it's not like these kids are going to be world class pros themselves. They'll just be inexpertly comparing me to one. I learned to fly on a broom before I could speak full sentences. Heck, counting the family team, I was a Quidditch Captain for more years than they've been alive, even the seniors. I taught every one of my cousins except Darius and the new generation how to play. I can totally pull this off.

I wonder if I'll also be teaching the new generation, or if they already taught themselves, like Darius and I did. I guess I'll find out in a few years.

mood: hopeful

June 30, SI11 (shortly after graduation)

Lola,

I got my RATS scores today. Made me think about Salem, and you. I did well, all Es and Os. I don't think I'm going to go to college though. I can't really afford it right now. Amelia's got some money, but she's still trying to pay back the loans from Druscella, and Derry's still paying off his wedding and for Gabby's schooling. I'm applying to a two year (muggle) police academy program instead. It should be interesting. That's in Boston, so I'll be staying with Amelia.

Since I'll be in town for the forseeable future, I think me and Amy will open up a DISCUSS branch office here in Boston. Help out any girls, muggleborns, or alternatively inclined who might need the assist. Then we can actually have a place for people to go to when things get too much, instead of just talking about some ideal society that doesn't exist. I always liked DOING better than DISCUSSING anyway.

Speaking of which, what's going on with Catriona? Is she okay? Were you guys still planning to crash here at some point, or did that fall through?

Keep in touch,
Bel

tags: bel, discuss, lola

Welcome to the Boston Pierce collective journal. I'm Amelia Pierce, the matriarch, if a family of four can be said to have a matriarch. We're an offshoot of the New Hampshire branch, but they don't like that bandied about too much. We're far too liberal and muggle friendly.

I'm an unmarried career woman. I'm a partner in a private detective agency and when Nathan retires in a few years, I'll take over the business. In my spare time, I work for the non-profit Boston branch office of the DISCUSS movement. I'm told on good authority that this has prompted serious rumors about my orientation. I was, after all, a Quidditch Captain, a Quidditch Coach, and I haven't been seen dating a man since I graduated from Salem. That, sadly, is not from lack of trying.

Derry works for just over minimum wage for the Boston Historical Society. He does everything from working cash registers at gift shops to giving tours. He's in colonial garb at all times, which is what he likes best about the job. He married his childhood sweetheart, the Great Gabriella, the same year they graduated. They have an apartment together down near the historical section of town, which is close enough for her to walk to school and him to walk to work. While they both have apparition licenses, they figured not having an obvious mode of muggle transportation meant they should live close to where they worked and studied.

Gabby recently finished her bachelor's degree and is working on her master's. She's studying to be a medical doctor, probably in pediatrics. She's taking art classes on the side and has sold one painting to a family friend. She will also be a career woman, and if and when she has kids, Derry has every intention of being the one to quit his job and look after them.

Which brings us to Bel. I suspect she's the one the family really wants nothing to do with. Of course, the worst of it didn't happen until years after they cut her loose. She was only a feisty little twelve year old when we split off from the main branch. Unlike Derry and I, she had been a full believer in the whole pure-blood supremacy ideals. Thrust into a branch that made a home in muggle Boston was quite the shock for her. Let's just say she adapted with a flair that could only come from Bel. Suffice to say that she not only got over those outdated ideas, but she co-founded DISCUSS and all but published an ad in the Boston Herald that she was bisexual.

So yeah. We're the liberal Eastern branch. It's a close call, but we may even surpass the Californians.

Well, maybe we're not that liberal.

We're liberal by wizarding standards, not muggle standards. We're normal as far as muggles go.

Well, maybe not that normal.

Derry wouldn't know what a pair of sneakers were if you walked him into a Foot Locker.