Title: After the Gates closed...
Penname: Winky
Rating: PG13
Pairings: None, since Sirius has just sent Lona away from the Bachelor competition, where he is trying to find his true soulmate.
Warnings: The first chapters are big weepies, but since I usually don't write weepies, it will get better, I promise!
Notes: For those who haven't followed the Bachelor RPG, it might be hard to follow, but feel free to ask questions.
Constructive Criticism?: Yes please. It's not beta-ed, so let me know if something is unclear. I do confuse myself sometimes
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and his world do not belong to me. I wish Sirius would, though, but I suspect Lona would have a word to say about that... No money is being made. No harm is intended...this is just for the pure joy of writing.

Starwanderer has written this fabbity poem for all the bachelorettes who have left. She gave me permission to post it here, and I am so thrilled. It is inspired by this fic, and fits so perfectly! Thanks Wand, you are a star!

Introduction

I've been writing the character of Lona in the Bachelor RPG for the last...yes, six months. At the beginning, when her bio was given to me, I had no idea what I would write...she is probably the exact opposite from me, and I just stared at the bio in disbelief, lol. However, I didn't have to write Lona, she wrote herself, and introduced me to her world, which became larger and more colourful as the Bachelor RPG went on. After being amongst the last three bachelorettes and having been on two fabulous dates with the man himself (to the Garden of Eden and to Capri), he finally told her that she was the one who would not be in the final round (ie, I was voted out, uuugh!). However, having written Lona for such a long time, I couldn't stop, lol. And since I have always written more RPS than RPG *hides long ears*, it was easy to change from RPG to fiction.

This story starts where the Bachelor RPG ends for Lona. She said good-bye to Sirius, and after the gates of the villa closed behind her carriage, she is going back to her home, her flat in 14 Rosewood Avenue, London. Or so she thinks...until the carriage is ambushed in spectacular fashion by her best friend Stella Monaghan, and good friend and colleague Amando Tocci. They take her to a place in the Lake District to get away from everything.

Characters and Places:

Hopefully, this will be helpful for the non-Bach readers. If you're curious, go and read the RPG, although it's now on its 84th page. But you can always catch what's happening now--it is REALLY good!

The Hawthornes
Family motto: You are what you produce. Ambitious, business-orientated, socialites. Alan Smith (Muggleborn, who agreed that his daughters would carry the Hawthorne name since 'Smith is rather boring anyway') is a curse-breaker for Gringotts', while his wife Miranda Hawthorne and eldest daughter Donna are models and travel all over the world on fashion shows.

Lona Hawthorne
Second daughter of Miranda and Alan. Works as a potion-maker and beautician at Glamwitches, London, and is often at fashion shows in that capacity. Lona is warm hearted and academically clever, but very shy and easily embarassed. A keen observer of everything around her, she has a very vivid imagination. She loves plants, and can often been found sitting beside one, hiding behind its leaves and watching rather than participating in conversation. She's insecure, has low self-esteem, and often compares herself to others which leads to feelings of jealousy. She feels ugly, especially in company of her mum and sister. Tall, slender, with pale skin and inky-black hair (the colouring of a magpie), she is the most unlikely person to take part in a Bachelor competition, but she really came out of her shell during the time she stayed at the villa, and especially the time she spent with Sirius.

Lona's friends

Stella Monaghan, nee Hornby:
Bestest friend of Lona. They met on the Hogwarts train at the age of 11, and were known as 'Lo and Stel' or 'Hornby and Magpie' (by the Slytherins). She is chaser for the Appleby Arrows. Married to Turlough Monaghan from Co Donegal, Ireland, who she met at an open air Muggle music festival.

Amando Tocci:
Close friend of Lona's, came to Glamwizards a few years ago. Gregarious, flamboyant, charming, warm-hearted Italian, who can't settle on one woman, but his close friends expect him to end up with his friend Hestia.

Dina:
Friend and neighbour of Lona's, lives in the opposite flat from her on the first floor of 14 Rosewood Avenue. She works as make-up artist for Glamwitches, and dates model Paul 'Paolo' in an on-off relationship. They own the cottage in the Lake District.

Hestia:
Friend of Lona's, one of the few women working for Glamwizards. She is calm and confident and speaks with a soft alto voice. In love with her friend Amando ever since they met at work, she often wonders if she should not move on.

Glamwitches
At no 1 Rosewood Street. Glamwitches opened after the defeat of the evil wizard Grindelwald. The founder of the company, which started off as the 'Magical Transformation and Beauty Company' felt that after such grim times, witches needed a boast. The old factory grounds were taken over, and where Muggles only see empty and increasingly ruined factory buildings and never feel the urge to go anywhere near it, many witches and a few wizards wizz into the sleek company buildings and the adjacent greenhouses every morning, day and night. Glamwitches (renamed in 1972) and Glamwizards (founded in 1973) operates on a 24 hour shift system, employing 244 people, and has several outposts all over the country and abroad.

Rosewood
An area on the outskirts of London that once had been very affluent and pretty, with villas situated on the edge of a big wood. Then the factory was built, and the rich people moved to prettier places. After the factory closed, Rosewood developed into a true melting pot of all sorts, including people that Muggles would describe as 'artisans and bohemians', who behave and dress rather strangely. These, of course, are the magical folks that settled in Rosewood when Glamwitches opened.

The period the Bachelor is set in is the early 1980s, so there will be plenty of 80s references. One of them is the band Adam and the Ants, who sang 'Stand and Deliver' and 'Prince Charming'. They wore very flamboyant costumes, such as pirate outfits *sigh*

Chapter 1

Home is where your friends are

Lona cried all the way to the Lakes. Stella wrapped her Quidditch robes around her, and hugged her tightly, but she couldn't find any warmth inside. The brightest star had stopped to shine for her, and she just felt alone, left behind in a world that would be so much colder for her. Grateful for her friend's presence, she uttered thanks, but then aways came back to the same question.

'Stella, why, why did he send me away?'

Her friend gave some gruff answers, such as 'he needs his head examined' and 'he'll know what he's missing', but they couldn't fill the terrible emptyness inside her.

He realized I was pathetic...jealous...and simply not good enough. That's why he didn't...didn't want to spend his life with me. I love him so much...I wish...but it's over...it's over...it's over...

Sometimes she could hear Amando, who was sitting at the front of the carriage, singing some sad Italian song, and sometimes he shouted into the carraige that Lona was worth 100 Siriuses, and it made her smile for a moment. Then she gave in to the awful pain in her heart again and cried some more.

The wind was blowing fiercely when they arrived at Dina and Paolo's cottage at the Lakes. Lona had only been there once for a big party, and had absolutely loved the scenery, even if it was pretty devoid of plants. But the rough beauty of the mountains and the vastness of the Lakes had left a lasting impression in her mind, a memory of haunting wildness and stirred emotions, of deep and meaningful, but disturbing dreams and strong magic. The party hadn't been much good for her though, because she hardly knew anybody, and after spending most of the evening behind a large pot of magical Pampas grass, she had snug out to sit by the lake and look at the stars. Dina had invited her to many parties since, but she'd been to shy to go again.

Stella half-carried her in, while Amando sent the carriage back. He stood there in the moonlight, and his shirt was billowing underneath the short uniform jacket. She suddenly remembered what the outfit had reminded her of and she nearly giggled despite her deep sadness.

Amando Ant...next season it'll be on the Kneazlewalk...

Entering the cottage, she felt the comforting hugs and whispers of Dina and Hestia. She was put on the sofa beside the fire, a blanket was wrapped around her, and a hot chocolate with dragon-flamed mashmellows pressed into her hand. Hestia's dark melodious voice told her that if she didn't want to talk about it, nobody would press her. Lona nodded thankfully.

He sent me home. Didn't want me. And fool that I am...I'd hoped...just a little bit...that he felt the same as I did in Capri...I want to be back...what am I doing here...I should be in the Blue Grotto with him...but never again...never again...never...

She cried silent tears into Stel's shoulder while the others talked quietly about different things, and the weaving sound of conversation comforted her like the tightly-wrapped blanket around her.

Hestia pulled out the game of 'Diagon Alley', the Supreme Mugwump edition for experts. Players had to buy shops in Diagon Alley, of which the most expensive one was 'Sparkle and Shine Magical Gemstones'. The proud owner of the shop could demand huge sums from the player who ended up on their field. However, you could try to haggle, and offer other services, or perform magic. The Glam team played this game to perfection, and had included some extra rules, such as if a player was really broke in the game, he could offer 'real' services such as getting more pizzas in or doing the dishes Muggle style. Telling an embarassing story was also something you could offer and was usally accepted. Soon, the others were howling with laughter, and Lona smiled under her tears. Their laughter was familiar, and it felt so good not to be alone.

I thought we'd got really close in Capri. Maybe too close enough...he realized...that I wasn't good enough...I was too open, showed him the real me...but I wanted him to love me, the real me, just me...only me...and he rejected it...rejected me...

Drifting into a restless sleep, she thought she felt somebody lifting her and carrying her to a room. A duvet was put around her, and somebody wiped her tears away. And then there was nothing...just darkness and pain.

New Characters and Places:

The Smiths:
Lona spent a lot of her childhood at Uncle Henry's (Alan Smith's older brother) and Auntie Betty's at 37 Hill Street, Lincoln, a working class area. Their children (now all grown-up), are Jason (a project manager), Ben (an unemployed poet) and Alice (a physics student), and their dog is named Rug.

Honoria Figg:
A good-natured but very nosy widow, works as caretaker of 14 Rosewood Avenue, and lives in the flat underneath Lona's.

Rosaleen O'Hagan:
Owns 'Rosaleen's Snack Place' at 40 Rosewood Alley, which connects Rosewood Avenue and Rosewood Street. On her way from work, Lona usually drops in to get food, since she does not cook. A mother of two, Rosaleen is a source of all information in relation to the neighbourhood.

Coven 54:
The coolest magical disco at the end of Diagon Alley. Shaped like rock formations, it can only be seen at night. The place for VIWs (Very Important Wizards), it's where you go to be seen. Lona went there on a night out with the Glam staff after her last date with, and met her fellow bachelorette, Cece (and a young wizard with a blonde quiff and a toothy smile, who talked about nothing but himself).

Chapter 2

Eleven-year-old Lona was running up the hill behind Uncle Henry and Auntie Betty's house. The sun was shining, and Rug the puppy was lolloping around her. And she ran, ran, and while running, herself and Rug grew older. From an awkward teenager, she grew into an awkward and shy woman, while Rug turned from a beautiful and strong dog to a gentle old one. Suddenly, she stood on top of that hill, and Rug was gone. She cried 'Rug, where are you?' and rushed around, looking for him desperately. Suddenly she heard a loud joyful bark. Another dog jumped towards her and threw her over, licking her face and lolloping around. 'Padfoot!' she laughted, and together they chased each other playfully. And Lona changed. She walked taller, smiled happier and laughed with joy. 'Oh Padfoot', she gasped happily, 'I am just so glad you came to me!' Suddenly night fell, and the dog was gone. A lone star shone at the sky, and she looked up, feeling safe and cared for. Then the light went out, she stumbled, couldn't see a thing, panicked...and fell, fell down the steep hill, crying out for the dog and the star. Then there was nothing but cold darkness and devastating pain.

Lona woke up with a jolt. She was hurting all over, and didn't know where she was. Then she remembered...Sirius...how he had sent her away, and how she would never never feel the happiness she had felt when she was with him ever again. Her head sunk back into the pillow and she cried, cried and cried until a restless sleep rescued her from the tears.

She was only dimly aware of what was going on around her. It seemed her friends were tiptoeing in and out of the room, checking on her, wiping more tears away, and whispering something about at least taking some water. Weakly she stumbled to the bathroom and back, only to cry more and press her face into the pillow.

What's the point of getting up? Who wants to see me now? I've been rejected...again...and it hurts so much because I love him so much. This is worse than anything I ever felt. I just...want...I just want...maybe if I can just somehow disappear. Nobody would care...nobody wants me...not wanted...Sirius sent me away...not good enough...it's over...I tell you where my heart lies, and it's not you, not you, Lona, not you...

Evening came, and Lona noticed that her friends were bringing huge pots of plants into the room. Plants and cards, and there was even a cuddly mooncalf whose big brown eyes looked dolefully at her.

Where does this all come from. Surely, they haven't gone out and bought all this, have they?

When Stel came in to check on her again, she weakly asked.

'Where...where does this all come from?'

Stella smiled.

"Rosewood. As soon as people heard that their Lona had been sent away, they've piled presents at your doorstep. Dina checked on the post today, and said it was really crazy. You couldn't see Honoria's windows for all the plants in front of them. And they remembered that you don't like cut plants, so they got you pots."

How do they know? Did I ever tell people this?

Lona cried again.

'They don't think I failed them somehow? They were all hoping I...well...I...Sirius and I...'

She couldn't speak for a moment as another wave of sadness hit her. Then she continued.

'...and they all bet on me...and now I've lost them money! I mean, do they even want me back now?'

Stella shook her head.

"Don't be silly. They are MAD at Sirius, MAD! Dina met Rosaleen...she left a big box of snacks, which...sorry Lona, we were rather hungry...well, we get you more when you want to eat again, but anyway, Rosaleen swore she'd write to Witches Weekly telling them what a rascal Sirius is, and how could he break her Lona's heart. To be honest, if I were Sirius, I wouldn't cross that woman.'

Stella laughted, and Lona had to smile, before she broke out in tears again.

'Well, he'll never...ever...never...be back in Rosewood AGAIIIIN.'

She felt the warm and comforting hug of her friend. When she stopped crying for a moment, Stella coaxed her to drink some water. Then, she cried some more.

Late in the evening, there was some commotion outside her room, and suddenly the door opened. Lona lifted her head and looked into the concerned eyes of her mother.

'Mum?', she cried, and her mother rushed to her side and took her into her arms. The familiar motherly smell and rocking motion soothed her.

"My baby!', exclaimed Miranda Hawthorne, 'what did he do to you? You should have never entered this strange competition in the first place. And behind our backs...I would have talked you out of it immediately!"

Lona's tears were flowing again.

'No, not his fault...mine. I just wasn't...he didn't feel the same way...as I did!'

Her mother's voice sounded softer now.

"Lona, you were never the tough or competititve type. You hated any kind of competition. I am surprised you lasted that long...but then, you are a Hawthorne, and he must have realized that."

Lona just wanted to be held by her mother, and didn't reply. Suddenly she heard her sister's voice, and looked up. Donna looked striken. She had never seen her sister look so concerned.

"He broke your heart. Lona...you allowed him to break your heart! Never do that again! Nobody ever broke mine...but then, I did fall for a decent bloke, so..."

Lona shook her head.

'Donna, Sirius is lovely...it's just...well, he decided...I...wasn't the one...not the one...'

Donna would have captured him. He'd not let her go. Just my luck to be the quiet Hawthorne, the Plant Girl. Who on earth wants that?

She collapsed in sobs. Her sister rushed over. Both held Lona for a long time until she stopped crying. Miranda took a tissue out and started to wipe her face.

"Lona, you have to stop this. Yes, I know it takes time to mend a broken heart--not that I know much about it--but your aunt Arabella had a few very unlucky relationships before she found true happiness. You will be happy again, baby, but not by just lying in bed. Come to Milan with us. This will distract you and make you forget about this...shameful treatment."

Lona shook her head.

'Mum, no...everybody there knows that I am...was...a bachelorette...'

She felt she would start sobbing again, but took a few deep breaths.

'Donna told me they want photoshots and appearances on the kneazlewalk, and I couldn't do that...'

Her sister shook her head.

"You know...that's exactly what you should do. Get out there, get your pic in the paper, and show his...this LOOSER...what he's missing. He might come back, begging for your favours. Lona, you were always too nice! Treat him with the contempt he deserves, and he'll be rushing back. Believe me, that's the oldest trick in the book!"

Lona shook her head, and suddenly she smiled.

'No, Sirius is not the type who would ever beg. He's...strong...determined...he decided I...I...wasn't...the one, and that's it. He followed his heart. He won't be back...'

Probably has already forgotten me. No wonder, he's got Cece and Willow...why would he waste time and thought on a girl he just dumped?

Her mum looked at her closely.

"Lona, you ARE totally in love with him. I have never seen you like this before. But...if he is so sure that you are not the one for him, you have to move on quickly before this will destroy you. There is no point of staying upset over something that won't be happening. Darling, come to Milan with us."

Donna added.

"You'll be innundated with dates! Everybody has been asking about you ever since your face appeared in Witches Weekly...terrible photograph by the way, but the latest of you from Coven 54 were stunning. Have you seen them?"

Lona shook her head. Her sister pulled out a copy of the Daily Prophet from the day before. There were two pictures of her in the gossip column. One photograph showed her standing in that group of people with this horrible blonde guy with the cheesy smile, entitled. 'Coven beauties. Book author Gilderoy Lockhart meets bachelorette Lona Hawthorne.' She was amazed at the way she smiled happily and stood tall.

But then, I'd just come back from Capri. I was so happy then...and now...

Tears were running down her cheeks as she looked at the second picture, Cece and herself laughing at the camera. The caption read. 'He's a lucky man...Cece and Lona, two of the three contestants in the Bachelor competiton.'

Never will I feel so happy and confident again...never so loved again...never...

Miranda Hawthorne looked at the photograph.

"The other girl...is very beautiful...but so are you, Lona, so are you."

Surprised, Lona stopped crying. She could not remember her mother ever calling her beautiful. It had always been...'too quiet, too studious, have more sparkle, don't look at your shoes, why are you not...'

"Why are you surprised? You are...you just never believed it yourself. You're a different type of person from this girl Cece though...and maybe that's why he choose her?"

Donna nodded and added.

"You never know...you might have a lucky escape. You're all impressed by these fairy-tale dates, but you don't know what he's like when you live with him. To be honest, I am a bit suspicious of somebody who organises a contest to find a soul mate. What about using an old-fashioned matchmaker, if he's so desperate?"

Lona had to smile under her tears. The thought of Sirius going to some old wizened witch in a remote part of the country who would then scout through the Magical world to find him a bride was funny.

'Donna, nobody does that nowadays anymore.'

Her sister snorted.

"Darling, you'd be surprised!"

Lona felt she had to defend Sirius.

'Listen, Sirius is a wonderful man. He is kind and generous, and really...really took time to find out who I was. He...he was really interested in me...wanted to get to know me...it was just...amazing...but then...'

Then he realized I was a bit of a failure and dumped me. Would have dumped me even if there were no Cece and Willow. Didn't want second best...

Another wave of sadness shook Lona. Her mum and sister decided to drop the topic and took turns in hugging and comforting her, talking about Milan and telling her the latest gossip to distract her. They stayed until the early morning hours and Lona was grateful. She knew they would go to their next photoshot with no sleep, but nevertheless would look perfect and act the true professionals they were. Perfect in every way...Hawthorne perfection...so unlike herself.

Winky, how could you! I should have gone to sleep an hour ago, but because I just found your fanfiction I had to stay up later to read it! Hahahah just kidding, it was SO worth it.

Awwww! You know I loved the first part, but the second half was new to me. It's coming along great! I'm so glad you decided to pursue Lona's fate in the wonderful world of fanfiction. It makes me happy to see that Lona's family is so supportive, but it's so sad that Lona's self esteem seems to have dropped back to what it was before she became so in love with Sirius. (I wonder how many more times I can use the word 'so'? lol) The last line nearly brought me to tears! I just wish there was someting I could do for her...

Siriusly, though, the story is fantastic. Keep it up!!

Quote::

--but your aunt Arabella had a few very unlucky relationships before she found true happiness.

...With her numerous cats?! lol.

And one quick spelling error--

Quote::

Lona just wanted to be held by her mother, and didn't reply. Suddenly she heard her sister's voice, and looked up. Donna looked striken. She had never seen her sister look so concerned.

Did you mean stricken?

*giggles, long ears flapping*

No, not the same Arabella...but our cat lady is the sister of Honoria (she might make an appearance, lol). Miranda Hawthorne has a younger sister called Arabella, but as yet, I've only a vague idea about her. It's funny how these characters develop...I am expecting Arabella to suddenly burst into life somehow...

I used the word striken in the sense of 'afflicted, affected.'

*scratches long ears*

Maybe I used it wrongly?

Thaaanksch for your lovely comments! And I am glad you stayed up late

Ooh, now I'm beginning to second guess myself! Hehe. Okay I just looked it up--Yup, the word you're thinking of is spelled with a 'c'. Oh well.

Haha! Yeah, I didn't really think it was the same Arabella, I just thought I'd mention that. It's actually a really pretty name...

*hides from Spam police*

Can't wait for more!

*laughs, long ears flapping*

Oh, the 'c' was missing?

*hides long ears*

I should have had that cup of coffee before replying to your post, lol. I thought I had used the wrong word...

*ties knot into long ear*

Do wake up properly before posting...

I'm so glad you continued over here. Lona has been one of my favorite characters throughout the series. You've done a fabulous job of creating her.

*long ears flapping*

Thaaanksch, Star. I still feel she created herself...she was suddenly...there, lol.

I am trying to write everything down really quickly now, because I begin to feel slightly removed from the Bach now...don't know if you felt the same when you left the villa, but once you're not in anymore, your mind starts to feel a bit detached from what's happening there, so I am writing while it's all still fresh. And I am having too much fun and too many ideas to let go yet. I hope to post more tonight, but my writing is really rushed, really sketchy right now, because I am jotting it down really fast. Hopefully I get some time to work on it tonight to edit it properly, and then I post more.

This is great, more Lona posts! You've really got so much background on her, I hope you keep writing about her...
I love the first part, and the second just as much. It shows Lona's personality so well; she was all confident and different, and the moment she got rejected, she falls back into doubts... let's hope she doesn't stay there too long!

~Glam

*long ears flapping*

Thaaaksch, Glam! Well, as the saying goes, it gets worse before it gets better...

However, tonight I thought I go for some light relief before I post more sad and heavy stuff. So here is what Lona's local area has to say about the result of the latest ceremony.

For those who follow the Bach, the first part is part of a post I wrote before the second date, but I've revamped it slightly.

I think most people and places I have mentioned before. Mrs Grace Kingstown is a friend of the caretaker Mrs Honoria Figg.

Chapter 3

Rosewood was a melting cauldron in the truest sense of the word. The Magical folk who dwelled amidst all the Muggles, recognized and looked out for each other, but pretty much lived their individual lives. Their sense of being a community was limited to complaining about Ministry neglect of their area, most loudly expressed down in the magical local, 'the Rose and Thistle'. Lona was friendly with her neighbours, but they knew little about her, while she knew more by observation than conversation. She lived there unnoticed, recognized but ignored, being close to only a few people. If somebody had asked the wizardring inhabitants of Rosewood about Lona Hawthorne a few weeks ago, most would have probably described her as the quiet friendly one from Rosewood Avenue, one of the Glamwitches staff; the shy one who always rushed into Rosaleen's Snack Place just before closing time to get some snacks, either coming from work or going back into work for a nightshift, usually carrying a hug pile of parchments. Most people would have not been able to say if she was pretty or not, since she often wore a hooded cloak with the hood pulled over her hair and walked with her head down.

Then suddenly, her face appeared in Witches Weekly. The Bachelor competition gripped the imagination of the wizards and witches of Rosewood and ignited a community spirit they never felt before. The inhabitants were filled with pride, that 'one of us' had made it amongst the last 25, then 12, then 6 and then 3 bachelorettes. Lona's success became their own. Everybody, of course, had always known that Lona Hawthorne was an exceptionally beautiful and talented person, and that she reflected the spirit and hipness of the area she was living in. The most unlikely person to become a bachelorette in the first place, had become a local celebrity.

After the last ceremony, Rosewood was discussing nothing else but the Bachelor competition, and the shameful way their Lona had been sent home. As soon as the news were broken through the Wireless Wizard Network late at night, those people who were still up wakened family members to discuss the outrage. Their Lona being sent away by that...rascal. Rosewood would not stand for it. Nobody treated their Rosewood girl like this! Honoria and some other elderly witches in their respective homes listened in all night for the sound of the arriving carriage to offer tea and sympathy, and also to cast a glance at the girl to see how she was taking it. They wanted to be the first to have seen her, and tell the others if Lona had looked sad but resigned, or angry and hurt, or been in floods of tears. However, no carriage came, and to the disappointment of Rosewood, word spread quickly that Lona would not return for a while.

Rosaleen's Snack Place and Luigi's Pizza Paradise never had so many people flooding in for an early breakfast to discuss the short article in the gossip column of the Daily Prophet. The column just mentioned that Lona was the one of the three bachelorettes who had been sent home. No reason was given, just that it was assumed, they had not been compatible.

"Rubbish!", exclaimed Mrs Grace Kingston, sipping her tea at a tabe close to Rosaleen's counter. "We've all seen him kissing our Lona at the carriage. Now if that's 'not compatible', I don't know what is!"

"'Hear, hear!", the crowds agreed.

A witch quibbed. "As usual, Rosewood is getting shafted! That's what's happening! He's slighting our Lona and our Rosewood, just like the Minsters do all the time!" More cheers.

Then Honoria rushed in and broke the news that she'd spoken to Dina. With her face glowing with righteous anger, the widow told Rosaleen, and the whole Snack Place, that she got the impression, that poor Lona was devastated.

"Dina didn't say much...just mentinoned that Lona is, of course, disappointed and also very tired, so they took her away to a quiet place...but I think, no, I can feel it that he really broke her heart. She's such a quiet girl, and really in love with this...this man, and she's probably now crying her eyes out over him!"

There was a hush in the Snack Place, and some people were sniffing loudly. Soon, the mood turned from sad to angry again, angry about Sirius' treatment of their Lona and their beloved Rosewood. A young wizard shouted, "How can he reject a Rosewood girl" and people clapped and cheered.

'Up our Rosewood girls, up' shouted a wizard and gave his wife a big smack on the cheek. She blushed. Others joined in the hooray, and the whole place resonated from the shouts of "Up our Rosewood girls!"

Rosaleen suggested to leave some cards for Lona with Dina, and somebody else suggested flowers.

"No", said Honoria, "she doesn't like cut flowers. She likes to see them on the plant!"

By the time Honoria had made the rounds to Luigi's and back to her flat, she couldn't see her own windows for all the plants that had arrived at 14 Rosewood Avenue. She smiled and added her own gift to the pile.

"I wish there was something more we could do,' said the elderly widow. "Maybe I'll ask my sister Arabella, she has always good ideas."

Grace, who was standing in front of the house admiring the pile of cards, plants and gifts, nodded, and said.

"Rosaleen wants to write a letter of complaint to Witches Weekly about the whole Bachelor competition and how shameful Lona was treated. Maybe we can sign it, too!"

Honoria nodded determinedly.

"Let's show this...this Sirius Black...what Rosewood is made of! But I better get some more tea in for when Lona comes home. I hope...she will come home."

In the meantime, Rosaleen O'Hagan, taking a break from serving customers, pinned quill to parchment and wrote:

Dear Witches Weekly,

as a long-term resident of Rosewood Alley, Rosewood, London, I sincerely have to protest about the cruel treatment one of our own, Lona Hawthorne, has received at this Bachelor Competition. In fact, it is shameful that a magazine should support this kind of 'game' which is only set up for the pleasure of one man, and the pain of the 24 if not all 25 contestants, because...I doubt the 'lucky one' will really be so lucky with such a man! I had thought the times that women were sold on some kind of cattle market were long over, but unfortunately, this doesn't seem to be the case. Our own area, Rosewood, has been long neglected by the Ministry of Magic. Now it seems that our women are exploited by men who drive into Rosewood Avenue by fancy carriage and promise them love only to dump them unceremoneosly...

Here, Rosaleen stopped.

"Patrick, how do you spell unceremoneosly?"

Her son replied after some hesitation, and Rosaleen, using her wand, changed the spelling.

...unceremoneously afterwards. To pick a vulnerable quiet young woman, take her out of her area, and break her heart in such a fashion is plainly cruel. Rosewood will not stand for such treatment of its people, and we hereby let this Sirius Black know that if he'll ever try his tricks on anybody from Rosewood again, he'll have another thing coming!

Yours faithfully

Rosaleen O'Hagan
Businesswoman
Rosewood Alley
Rosewood
London

Rosaleen smiled and quickly went to the little corner shop which also served as the local owl office, where the Bachelorette competition was still hotly discussed. Since she never had written a letter to a magazine before, she quickly paid for it to be delivered by an express owl before she lost courage. Then she joined the other locals for more gossip.

OMG!

Winky, I just came on Immy for a moment to look for a specific topic, and I promised myself that I wouldn't look at any other topics. But then I noticed that you had posted another Bach chapter, (and, of course, I had to go read it!) so I promised myself that I would just read it and save my review for later. But I loved this chapter so much that here I am reviewing. Again.

I really like your writing style in this chapter! In all the other chapters we don't get to see a lot of your unique style because they consist of mostly dialogue. You have such a way with words! I definitely look forward to reading future chapters.

I love the Rosewood people's righteous outrage towards Sirius...It's so cute! Oh, and I absolutely died laughing when Rosaleen interrupted her letter to Witch Weekly in order to ask her son how to spell 'unceremoniously'.

Ooh, Winky! I’m so glad that you’re still writing Lona! I love her character and all the thought you’ve put into her background. I’m really looking forward to reading Lona’s adventures after the Bachelor RPG.

Poor Lona- she feels so depressed, but of course her pain is still very fresh. She leads a busy life though and is obviously well-supported by friends, so hopefully she’ll feel a bit better soon!

Hee, I also enjoyed reading Rosewood’s attitude towards the whole Bachelor thing. Their reaction, including the Sirius bashing and the defending of Lona, seems very realistic.

*giggles, strokes long ears*

Thaaanksch! I really had fun writing this... I find writing funny chapters a lot easier than the heavy heartbreak scenes, but that's because I feel so sorry for Lona

Rosewood was suddenly there...it just appeared one day as I was writing. I know how it looks like, how the streets connect, where the people work...all the characters...

Hehehehe, I don't think Sirius will drop in for a pizza or snacks there in a hurry...not that he wants to anyway

(this was a Lona-ish comment, lol).

Winky,

I am totally hooked on your writting! Just from your writting I can completly picture Lona, the Bach, and Rosewood. Please keep writting & I hope that Lona finds true love soon....maybe there will be a drastic change in the Bach....us Lona fans can only hope.