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Visiting Friends
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 03-24-09 17:12
Hermione hadn't gotten the chance to personally congratulate Bill and Fleur on the birth of their first child, since she'd been busy doing various things for the Order of the Phoenix. The moment she found the opportunity, she went shopping for a baby gift and then made the trip to France. When she arrived at Coquille Cabanon, she found that she wasn't the only visitor. Remus and Tonks and little Teddy were there, too.
It was Remus himself who opened the front door.
"Remus! Hi, how are you?" Hermione gave her former Defense Against the Dark Arts professor a hug after he stepped aside to let her into the house.
"I'm well, Hermione. How are you? How is Ron? How is Harry?"
"Oh, I can't complain too severely," Hermione replied. "Ron is well and keeping quite busy. Harry's much improved and eager to do everything he can to help the cause. You know how he is!"
Remus chuckled. "I certainly do." He gestured with his hand for Hermione to step down the hall and to join the others in the living room.
Tonks was the first to greet the newest arrival. She jumped up and hugged Hermione, shifting Teddy in her arms so that she didn't crush him between the two of them. Hermione exchanged the present in her hand for Teddy. He was unsure at first, since he didn't know Hermione very well, but he wasn't a terribly shy baby either and adapted quickly to her.
With Teddy in her arms, Hermione greeted Bill and then Fleur, who sat on couch with pillows propped behind and all around her and the tiniest little baby Hermione had ever seen in her arms.
"Meet Victoire Gabrielle Weasley," Bill announced.
"She's beautiful," Hermione replied, beaming at both Bill and Fleur. "Absolutely, positively, the most precious little girl I have ever seen."
Teddy rambled something that probably made perfect sense to him but didn't make any sense to the adults.
"See, even Teddy agrees!" Hermione exclaimed with laugh. She sought out Tonks to exchange baby for present. Then she presented the gift to Bill. "A little something for the baby."
"Thank you very much. We can use just about everything one needs to care for a newborn!" Looking to Fleur, he questioned without saying whether he should open the present or if she would like to.
Fleur, in turn, looked to Hermione. "Would you like to 'old 'er?"
Hermione looked delighted. "Oh, I would!" She moved a pillow or two out of the way to sit by Fleur and gently accepted Victoire.
Fleur, meanwhile, accepted the present from Bill. She emptied the contents of the pink gift bag from Hermione, which included several bodysuits in various shades of pink, booties, a cap, and a soft pink blanket with butterflies on it.
"Oh, 'Ermione. Zank you so much. We will use all of zis!"
"Oh, you're very welcome."
Hermione smiled and looked down at Victoire. She'd never really pictured herself having children, but as she looked at the newborn in her arms she could almost imagine the day when she'd have one of her own.
News
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 03-25-09 09:09
Early Saturday morning I sit with Drake out on a garden patio bathed in sunlight. He's got a plate piled high that he's scarfing down while I'm toying with a single piece of toast and one scrambled egg. Noticing that I'm not eating so much as pushing the food around on my plate Drake asks, "Still can't eat much?"
"More than at first but it's going to take awhile. I fill up fast and much as I want to eat everything in sight, I have to pace myself. People can actually kill themselves with eating after an experience like... like the prison camps. I read accounts from World War II of prisoners of war who'd been released only to die right after because they ate too much too fast."
Drake gives me a look as though he's assessing me. "That's not your only reason though, is it? When are we going to let them know?"
"When their knowing won't compromise their safety."
"They know about the cousins."
"I wasn't around to suggest otherwise, was I?"
"Point taken."
"You've kept my name off that list that's being kept? The others at Q have agreed not to mention me for now?"
Around a mouthful of pancakes Drake grunts, "Yeah." He suddenly sits up straighter, gulping down the rest of that mouthful. "I can't believe I forgot yesterday."
"Forgot what?"
"Lachlan Prewitt's, Samson Jenkins's and Siobhan Emerson's names were on the updated list yesterday."
"What? Really? Do you know anything more?"
Lachlan Prewitt is a Wenlock cousin, and Jill Prewitt's father. Samson Jenkins is married to a Wenlock cousin and is the father of Alastor, Jasper, and Eden. Siobhan Emerson is mother of Jack and aunt of Kody.
"Knowing I was coming here, Kody offered to find out what he could about Lachlan and Samson. You know, since he's looking into his aunt's name being on the list."
"Maybe we can find out something on our end. Once you're done eating, we can do some checking then head to Natalie's for lunch. They're dying to see you."
"That should leave plenty of time in between."
"For what?"
"I was hoping you could give me some advice on picking out an engagement ring."
I stare at Drake for several seconds then say with a grin, "I think you're young still but if you think Ophelia's the one, then I'd be more than happy to go along while you pick out a ring."
By the time Drake's finished with breakfast, Mom and Dad have joined us, Mom getting all excited about the prospect of Drake popping the question to Ophelia Darling. As happy as I am for Drake and as excited as I am to know that two more family members and one of Kody's are safe, part of me longs to be able to see Saffron, Drake, and Sage and us all be a family again.
Ready to Help
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 03-25-09 17:52
After a nice vacation of sorts in Greece, Ethan returned to the Turin household in France. Dierna visited fairly regularly and kept him and the others informed of the goings on with the Order of the Phoenix. Both Ethan and Michael were interested in doing more than just sitting around, especially since it seemed that things might be finally coming to a head. More communities had been liberated and sources from inside the Ministry of Magic itself have witnessed the growing uneasiness of the Minister of Magic.
Ethan had sat out long enough. He'd had time to recover much of his strength, though admittedly he still had ways to go before he was back to where he'd been before getting arrested and later transfered to Brecqhou. The tattooed N on his hand would always be a reminder of those days, unless he eventually got it removed. Ethan wasn't entirely sure he wanted to do that, though. It was a symbol of yet another hardship he had faced and overcome.
From Dierna he heard of the efforts of others to help those still trapped in communities or elsewhere. He heard of plans to do things to change the world for better. He heard much of the achievements of others and itched to do something good himself. Ethan had never liked idleness and had always busied himself with one project or another, be it for work or personal interest. He wanted to get his feet wet again and join the cause as more than just a former victim and current spectator.
On Saturday morning, Ethan and Michael sat over a game of chess and discussed the goings-on of the world.
"I've heard that some of the newspapers are carrying lists of the recently freed and those who unfortunately died while in captivity," Michael was telling Ethan, while moving one of his pawns across the board.
"Not the Daily Prophet, I hope," Ethan remarked.
"I sincerely doubt it, unless it's in code. Foreign publications, I think."
"Have you seen such a list in the local paper?" Ethan didn't speak French and never looked at the newspaper the Turins received every morning.
"I haven't yet. I've also heard the lists are being broadcast in batches."
"Dierna's mentioned the underground WWN broadcasts. We should listen in, if we can," Ethan said. He really wanted to know what was going on and when so that he could start to lend a hand.
He moved his rook and claimed one of Michael's pawns in the process.
Michael nodded. "I'll see if I can find out when the next one will be."
Ethan didn't say anything else, instead thinking about how soon he could get involved in the efforts of the Order and the Resistance Movement to turn things right-side-up again.
Invitations
Author: Kissy Isuki
Date: 03-25-09 17:59
After the respite from the apparition lessons, thanks to the Easter/spring holiday, having to stand in the Great Hall listening once again to, "Destination. Determination. Deliberation," is extremely tedious. The faces of the students are a mix of concentration and relief that they are nearly done. The faces of the other professors, with the exception of Professor Twycross, have the same, "Are we done yet?" expressions that Kissy is sure are a mirror of her own.
With few mistakes made by the sixth years at this point, Kissy sits at a table that's well off to the side, turning in invitation over and over in her hands and wishing she'd remembered to bring a book. AJ comes to sit beside her, whispering, "If your eyes glaze over much more we'll know you've figured out how to sleep with your eyes open."
"Am I really that bad?"
"You are, though I can't blame you. I've been working out a problem I'm having with one of my mystery plots or else I'd be all glassy eyed too." With a very slight, very subtle tilt of his head AJ asks, "What's got Yaxley's knickers in more of a twist than usual?"
Kissy looks over to where Ryland Yaxley stands, body stiff, arms crossed, a scowl etched more deeply than usual into his face.
"Don't know. I thought it was just being tired of the lessons."
"Could be but I heard him snapping heads off this morning for no reason. Oh wait. This is Yaxley I'm talking about. He never needs a reason."
"No, I think you're right and there's something going on."
"If I cared I'd tell you to go ask."
"You must care on some level because you asked me," Kissy says with a grin. "And why should I be the one to go ask him?"
"I asked because I wondered if I should work harder to avoid him the next few days. You should go talk to him because he likes you."
Kissy stands with AJ grabbing her wrist. "You aren't actually going to are you?"
"I've nothing better to do. I've been trying not to think about this invitation but was doing poor job of it, sitting here playing with it."
AJ looks at the invitation Kissy's holding out to him. "A birthday party for Akina. Today."
"I don't know why they keep sending me things like this."
"Because they want to kiss and make up is why."
"It's hard not to question their motives."
"Ever going to forgive them?"
"I don't know. I've forgiven them at some level but not completely and I doubt I'll ever be able to forget what they did."
"I won't pretend to begin to understand what it's like for you."
Kissy can't think of anything to say to that so she walks over to where Ryland is standing. Moving beside him, talking in a quiet voice so as not to disturb the on-going lesson, she asks, "Is something bothering you, Ryland?"
"My great great grandmother has died."
"Cammie? Cammie died? But she looks so well when she was here."
"Yes, Cammie, and yes, she looked the picture of health for someone her age. It's been quite a shock. The funeral is tomorrow. Will you come with me? She liked you a great deal."
"I liked her very much as well. Yes, of course I'll accompany you. I'm so sorry, Ryland."
"I'm not really needed here today. I'm going to go. Meet me in the main entrance hall at 10 tomorrow morning?"
"Yes, at 10. Will you be all right?"
"I will be. Just somewhat in shock at the moment. Thank you. I'll see you in the morning."
Without another word Ryland exits the Great Hall, Feeling sad for that Cammie has died, a woman Kissy did like immensely for the short time she knew her and who Kissy found it so hard to believe was related to Ryland, Kissy returns to where AJ is sitting to tell him why Ryland's mood is worse than usual. She's also doing a mental sweep through her closet to figure out if she has anything appropriate for a funeral. At least now she's got something to think about that doesn't involve invitations for Isuki family functions.
Daydreams
Author: Ella
Date: 03-26-09 16:57
Ella came down from her dormitory room and sank onto the sofa in Common Room C (formerly known as the Gryffindor common room). She carried with her a few books and class notes, with the full intention of getting started on some of her reading assignments and homework for next week but knowing that she probably wouldn't do anything but daydream.
She'd had the most wonderful week with Zane. He lived in a flat in Ayr, Scotland, which had an extremely small population of wizards and lacked a shopping district for them, which is why Zane often went to Hogsmeade. His flat was full of artwork, mostly paintings but also some drawings and sketches. Ella had been surprised to learn that Zane had painted and drawn all the art at his place. Never in all their conversations had Zane mentioned that he was an artist.
He'd had a half-finished painting on his easel, a portrait of Ella herself. Although he'd done a masterful job capturing her image from memory alone, it took Ella sitting for the portrait for him to finish it. Now it hung on his already cluttered living room wall.
The week with Zane had been memorable in so many ways and Ella simply couldn't stop thinking about it. She wished that May, June and the very beginning of July would hurry up and pass by so that she could spend her summer with Zane right now. She wasn't sure what she'd tell her parents when the time finally came, but she had a couple of months to think of some reason why she wouldn't go home.
Her parents had written from Vienna and then again once they'd returned home. Ella had dutifully written replies to both letters, never once mentioning that she hadn't been at Hogwarts like she'd claimed. She didn't once doubt that her parents would never have approved of how she'd really spent her spring break.
The other sounds in the common room suddenly jarred her back to reality. She shook her head and tried to hide the lingering smile on her face. She really needed to start on her homework, but first she had to find her focus. In an attempt to put her wonderful weekend with Zane far from her mind for the time being, Ella opened up one of the books she'd carried down with her and forced herself to start reading.
Needing Some Cheering Up
Author: Fionna
Date: 03-26-09 17:36
Sniffling a little, Catriona starts to ball up the letter that arrived this morning and toss it into the fireplace where a very small fire burns to help hold back the damp April chill. Even though she finds the letter upsetting to read, Catriona can't help but look over it again.
Swiping backhandedly at her eyes and sniffling once more, Catriona is surprised when a tissue is thrust at her. Looking up through teary eyes, Bianca looks somewhat blurry. Blinking then wiping the tissue across one eye then the other, Catriona's voice wavers with, "Thank you."
"What's wrong?" Bianca asks, dropping down to sit on the floor across from Cat.
There's no one else in their common room but Cat had chosen to sit cross-legged on the floor. For whatever reason, Bianca chooses to do the same.
Wordlessly, her bottom lip quivering and eyes filling again, Catriona hands the letter over. Bianca quickly scans it then not really sure of what to say that would be of comfort offers, "You can spend time with me."
"Thank you, that's very nice of you."
Bianca snorts, "You don't have to make it sound as though I'm inviting you to spend time lolling in a dungeon with daily beatings."
"I'm sorry. It's just that I had so hoped to see them over summer holiday."
Bianca points to the letter. "You will see them, just not for long or at the same time."
"I know. Just won't be the same. It's hard enough that Mum's married again but since starting her new life she doesn't seem to want me in it at all."
Since this is a fairly accurate assessment as far as Bianca knows, she doesn't bother trying to argue the point. Instead she makes what she hopes are sympathetic sounds that couldn't be construed as agreeing or as disagreeing.
Catriona hardly notices though, saying in her wavering, hurt voice, "Dad was recalled to Britain but likes working and living elsewhere so he's starting a new job. Going back to China. And he's getting married to someone I've never met and he's not mentioned in a single letter. Worse still is they aren't even going to invite me. Leslie's going to Vancouver to get to know her boyfriend's family. No one wants me."
The tears do fall then, despite Cat's best efforts to hold them at bay as Bianca exclaims, "That's just not true. I invited you to spend time with me, didn't I? And your aunt and uncle still want you. I bet Fionna and Fergus will be happy to see you. Maybe Fionna will even take us one one of her Terrortours. I also bet that Christopher Chant would like to see you. He fancies you still."
Bianca's words help Cat get her tears and sniffles somewhat under control but she's finding it hard not to start sobbing again. Bianca jumps up and pulls Cat up as well. "Come on. I know just the thing to help you work off your upset and anger. We'll go get in some practice on one of the DADA courses!"
"That does sound like fun," Catriona admits.
"Come on then. We'll go 'round to the common commons to see who might like to get a proper game going on one of the DADA obstacle courses."
Feeling somewhat cheered though still hurt and upset, Catriona allows Bianca to lead her from Common Room D, first to the commons and then to the rooms where the DADA courses are located.