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What a Saturday
Author: Charisma Stone
Date: 01-15-10 20:39
Isma had enjoyed the time with her Mum, and she'd known that it did her Mum good to come and visit with her and see how things were at Hogwarts. She'd met most of her professors, and actually had a decent conversation with Professor Binns. Isma couldn't stand the ghost, and she was desperately waiting for the year when she could drop History of Magic entirely.
That was a week ago - for now, she was sprawling on a rug in front of the fire, staring up at the ceiling of the Common room. Blake and Eric were seated around her, and they were debating on what they were going to be doing for the day. They couldn't go to the lesson in the Great Hall, and they were a year behind to go to the Village - which left little to do. None of them wanted to go to the flying workshop, and there had been talk of a pick-up quidditch game later in the afternoon - but they weren't actually interested in that at the moment either.
"Seriously. What are we going to do with ourselves today?" Isma asked, plucking up a cauldron cake from the box that had come from Isma's Mum that morning. "Either of you feel like going to the quidditch game, or the flying workshop? It's about the only thing that we can do today."
"I guess we can go to the flying workshop - could always use some pointers and there is bound to be a first year or two that can use help." Eric said, and picked up a cauldron cake and took a bite.
"There is always just hanging around outside - since it's gotten a bit nicer." Blake said and shifted, pushing himself up a bit. "Though, shouldn't you be working on your History of Magic essay Isma? I know you've not finished it yet."
Isma shot him an icy glare and pushed herself upwards - curling her legs beneath her as she let her hands fall down in her lap. "Yeah. I do have to finish my essay. I also need to finish my astronomy homework and maybe touch up my drawings for herbology."
The three of them soon enough - parted ways. Eric and Blake heading down to the pitch and Isma to the library with school books.
Not Working in the Castle
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 01-16-10 13:49
Ariella had once more told him to enjoy his weekend not working when she'd left for her shift at Briar's earlier this morning, because she knew he would go down and try and help out with the lesson in the Great Hall. He was not required to be there, so he should not be there. At least not in his wife's mind.
So, he would spend his day roaming about Hogsmeade, perhaps picking up a few things. He also wanted to put in an order at Briar's for his students for treats throughout the next few months of his course work. He needed to get his lessons plans updated - he was horribly far behind, and the information needed to be done. Syllabi were already created, but he needed to finalize the details of what he was going to be working on.
Checking his watch, he would head over to Three Broomsticks where he would ultimately meet Ariella for lunch. He'd brought some books with him, and his lesson book, so that he could pen out the lessons while he sat in the village. Eventually he may move over to the library, or back to the Castle when the village got to be too crowded after the students in the lesson got out. Already, there was a crowd in the restaraunt, because those third through sixth years that weren't old enough for the lesson were already in the village.
He found a table, placed an order for a butterbeer and set himself to working. A detailed outline of the next two months worth of lesson plans would be set out - and then he would begin formulating homework assignments, lecture notes, and examinations for his students. Thankfully the upper years were relatively easy course work wise - they covered a bit of everything, and a bit more detail given to what was already covered in previous years. N.E.W.T. and O.W.L course work was heavier in its detail, but beyond that - far simpler to compose than other years had been.
It would take Ariella plucking the quill from his hand midword before he realized she'd joined him at the table. "I wasn't done with that." He said, seeking to pluck the quill back from her, a grin on his face.
"I am aware of that, however, I've already been sitting here for five minutes, and I would like to spend my lunch break with a husband who is not working." She said, keeping the quill pointedly out of his reach, and then gathering his papers and setting them back in a nice, neat pile, and then sending them into his bag with a nod.
"Is that so." He teased, shifting, so that he could slide over on the other side of the table and sit next to her. A chaste kiss given to her lips, before he would slide an arm around her waist, tugging her to him. "There, now you've got my full attention." He said, and soon enough they were ordering lunch when a waitress came by to take their order.
Relaxation
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 01-16-10 17:04
Orei currently sat on the sofa listening to the final minutes of the current WNN broadcast, she was killing time until Jim got done with his apariation lesson at the Castle before he was heading down to the village to meet up with her for the rest of the day.
"Waiting on Jim?" Maddie asked as she stepped into the living room from her room, fastening the final button on her blazer, she was heading to work and thankfully wouldn't be home for the rest of the day.
"Yeah. Jim's coming over and then I've got a study group coming over once Jim has to go back to the Castle for the night." Orei said, turning off the radio, and pushing herself off the sofa.
"Alright. Well, I'm pulling a double tonight, Jacob called out sick - both he and his daughter have the flu." She said, referring to the Muggle man that ran the store that Maddie worked at in London. "I'll see you tomorrow, because you'll probably be in bed by the time I get home."
With that Maddie left, and within moments, Cristian's face appeared in the flames of the fire - flickering green encircled by the gold of the fire place. "So, are we still on for tonight? Dinner at the Crown and Cauldron? I've got someone you -have- to meet."
"Yeah. That's fine. I've got a study group after Jim heads back to the Castle, and I can meet you at the Crown around eight thirty?" She said. They talked for a few more minutes, and then Cristian's face vanished from the flames and Orei headed to her bathroom, she wanted to shower before Jim showed up.
Once showered, she dressed in a pair of jeans and a Weird Sister's t-shirt that she'd purchased at the last Emry's Fest that she'd gone to. She'd just procured a glass of orange juice from the ice box when there was a knock on the door and Jim stepped in.
"Hey you." He said, coming over and wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling him to her to press a soft kiss to her neck. "Mm..you smell fantastic. So, what are we doing today?" He asked, an impish grin within his eyes.
"I figure, we could just spend some time here, or we could go shopping, or whatever. I'm game for anything." She said, leaning back into him. "I've got the urge to watch a muggle movie, but don't have the ability to do such, and I can't take you with me, because you can't leave the village." She pouted faintly.
"Don't worry about it. We can go see all the muggle movies you want when I am done at Hogwarts, which will be in a couple of months." Jim said, sniping her glass of orange juice and taking a sip from it before setting it on the counter. "How is work going? Your classes at St. Emry's?" He asked as he pulled her into the living room and down onto the couch.
A Little Something Different
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 01-16-10 17:59
The workshop had started out in the usual way with students being divided into small groups. Some of the students are here simply to improve their flying skills while others want to improve at playing Quidditch, which also means working on flying skills. After each group had been working for awhile, Viktor called a break for everyone. There are tables with drinks, mostly of the hot variety, and snacks. While the students and his helpers today crowd around to see what's offered, Viktor and Theodosia set up for the next segment of today's workshop.
When done, Viktor stands on the pitch looking up at their handiwork. The rings he used to use and now Theodosia uses for flying practice and some of the Quiddtich drills, and the ones used back during flying events the Scholastic Aptitude Tournament, float above the pitch at varying levels. Also in the mix are the obstacles used for some of those same flying events of the SAT. In addition, at one end of the pitch at one set of hoops is a bright orange flag gaily flapping in the breeze. At the other end, at the opposite set of hoops is a purple flag, flapping every bit as much. Pleased with the set-up, Viktor blows his whistle to call everyone together around him.
"Ve are now going to do something slightly different," he tells them. Gesturing above him where many eyes are already looking, Viktor explains what's next. "You students vill be divided into two teams for a combination obstacle course, capture the flag, freeze tag, that is vat it's called, correct? Thank you," Viktor nods at several students who answer in the affirmative. "A combination of those games as well as keep avay."
Gesturing overhead again, Viktor points to each of the flags. "Team Purple vill protect its flag from Team Orange. Anyone who does get the flag must get through the opposing team's obstacles to vin. If you get the flag, you may hand off to a teammate. If someone from the other team catches you first, you are frozen in place with the flag. The only vay to become unfrozen is for the person vit the ball to touch you."
With those words, Viktor sees understanding dawn on faces as to what the keep away part of the game is. He grins as the says, "There is only one ball. The team that gets the opposing flag through all the obstacles firsts vins. As you can see even from down here, all the rings and barriers have either purple or orange markings or both. Any questions so far? Yes, Hydrangea?"
"It's not going to be easy to remember if a teammate has cleared an obstacle so is there going to be some way for us to know which we've done and which we still need to do?"
"Yes, excellent question. The colored markings vill turn clear. Anyone else?"
There are a few other questions but, surprisingly, not that many for what even to Viktor, who understands it, initially sounds complicated. The kids are quickly divided into teams, with each team going into a huddle to discuss the strategy of who's to do what. Theodosia stands at midpitch with the Quaffle they're using as the keep away ball, ready to toss it into play once the teams are ready with their players in starting positions. In those few minutes of waiting for things to begin, the other adults begin scattering around the pitch to take to the air as well to referee. Just before kicking off into the air, one of them, Tomas Mendoza chuckles to Viktor, "You do realize this is going to be complete chaos?"
Viktor laughs in return. "Yes, it most definately vill, but it vill also be grand fun I am hoping."
With that, Viktor blows the whistle to signal everyone to get into place. After giving them time for that he blows the whistle again to start the game and Theodosia throws the Quaffle into the air, putting it up for grabs.
We Have a Problem
Author: Arlington J Montgomery
Date: 01-16-10 19:35
Nearly a month ago Arley received a letter from his estranged father. He said he had news on Fallon's whereabouts. The boys had been skeptical, Mr. Montgomery hadn't been the most accepting person, and he had refused to help his son's search in the past. Why had this bitter man reached out to his son? Arley and Seb had argued that they shouldn't trust him, but Arley was desperate to know more about his missing sister. His father asked him to come back home so they could talk, and Arlington was to come alone. After a tearful goodbye, Arley had left, and Seb was very uneasy as his boyfriend traveled alone.
It had been nearly two and a half weeks since Arley left, and Sebastian hadn't heard anything from his boyfriend. Seb anxiously paced the living room in their New York apartment. Then a very tired owl had flown through the window and dropped a wrinkled scrap of parchment at Seb's feet. Sebastian hesitated then cautiously picked up the letter, his eyes widened as he read.
Seb...I found Fallon...not good...gotta get us out...help...
"NO! I knew this was a bad idea. I must find..." he stopped when he looked closer at the letter, there was blood spatter all over the letter, and Sebastian's face turned pale.
"I shouldn't have let him go alone, this is all my fault."
He slid to the floor in shock, but decided to tell his friends the news, maybe they could help. Quickly he scribbled notes to both Desdemona and Bronwyn.
To Desi and Bron,
I know we haven't been in contact recently, but there is a problem. Arley went to see his father, and to find his Fallon. That was nearly two and a half weeks ago. I hadn't heard anything from him since he left, until today. I just received a letter from Arley, asking for help. It was covered in blood...
Sebastian
A Pleasant Time Was Had By All
Author: Ron Weasley
Date: 01-17-10 00:14
Slamming a kitchen cabinet shut Ron yells, "Ginny, where's the bloody tea tin?"
"You're in a right snit," Ginny says from the doorway.
Whirling around, not wanting to admit she startled him when he thought she was down the hall and in the shower, Ron snaps, "I'm just trying to make tea."
Ginny arches an eyebrow and snaps back, "The bloody tea is in the same bloody place it's always been."
Reaching back to whip the cabinet door back open and stabbing at the cupboard contents with a jerk of his thumb over his shoulder Ron emphatically declares, "No, it's not!"
"If you've damaged my cupboards, Ron, you're paying to fix them and we both know your woodworking repairs have always been substandard. Merlin knows how bad you'd be at it if you were a Muggle!" As she's saying this, Ginny's stomped over to another cabinet and yanked it open. She takes one of the tea tins there and fairly hurls it at Ron. "Yes, it is!" she hotly states then adds, "Dumb ass."
"That's not where it's always been kept," Ron protests, barely having blocked the tin from smacking him square in the nose.
"Uh yeah. That's where the twins had it when they used the flat and that's where it was when we shared the place and that's where I've kept it since you moved."
"Then why do I distinctly remember it being here?" Ron demands, jerking his thumb again at the cabinet behind him.
"Can I help it that you have a piss poor memory?" Ginny retorts.
"You moved it as a joke on me," Ron accuses, slamming the tea tin down on the counter.
"That's it. OUT!"
Ginny's order is so vehement Ron's taken aback enough to lower his voice and take his own anger down a few notches. "What's got your knickers in such a twist?"
"YOU DO, YOU TWIT! YOUVE BEEN GRUMPTY TO THE POINT OF SURLINESS SINCE BANGING ON MY DOOR THIS MORNING AND WAKING ME UP. YOU HAVE CRASHED AROUND THE FLAT, GRUMBLING AND SWEARING THE ENTIRE TIME AND THEN START SCREAMING AT ME ABOUT THE FECKING TEA TIN WHILE PRACTICALLY RIPPING CABINET DOORS OFF THEIR HINGES BEFORE SLAMMING THEM CLOSED. NOW YOU HAVE THE NERVE TO ACCUSE ME OF MOVING THINGS IN THE CABINETS AROUND AS A PRANK ON YOUR INSTEAD OF JUST ADMITTING THAT YOU SIMPLY WEREN'T REMEMBERING WHERE THE DAMNED TEA HAS ALWAYS BEEN KEPT. GET THE HELL OUT SO I CAN CLIMB BACK IN BED EVEN THOUGH IS STILL DRIPPING WET!"
Ron slumps against the counter, head hanging, eyes now fixed on his feet. "I'm sorry," he mumbles. "I'm just frustrated."
"Don't you think we all are?"
"Kingsley won't let me work the case," Ron continues as if Ginny hadn't spoken.
"So work it in your own time."
"I have been but I'm limited on the details and every time I've gone to talk to anyone at the bank somewhere away from the bank, Kingsley somehow knows. He called me on the carpet about it just last night. No one working the case will talk to me either and I'm sure that's Kingsley's doing."
"Henry said something along the same lines."
"Bill's our brother and I thought Kingsley was our friend! If anyone should be on the case it's Harry and me! We should at least have access to all the information in the file."
"So let's get with Harry and figure out a way to get the information."
"What do you mean we?"
"Are you saying I'm not capable?" Ginny's eyes narrow.
"You aren't an Auror."
"That never stopped me in the past nor did it stop you before you took the job."
"This is different."
Ginny's eyes narrow even more and then, for the first time in a very long time, Ron finds himself the subject of one of Ginny's infamous Bat Bogey Hexes and Ginny yelling, "I was wrong all those times I thought Percy the biggest prat in this family!"
Ron yells back, "It's a good thing you're a girl or "
And then he finds himself subjected for the second time in less than a minute to one of Ginny's Bat Bogey Hexes.