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A Memory
Author: Tiberius Nott
Date: 07-04-14 07:09
The book was nowhere to be found. Tiberius spent the last months of his life meticulously searching the infinite divisions of Endhope Abbey for the book that he used to curse himself. No secret passage was spared; no closet or drawer was left unopened. The floorboards were pulled out, the paintings removed from the walls, and he checked the furniture for false compartments. In the gardens all the stones were revolved up and down, plants were ripped off, the soil was dug. Lottie would spend her days following her master around and cover the trace of destruction caused by Tiberius' wand. Once she was done, the divisions became impeccable once again as if no one had set their feet on it.
Tiberius had been convinced the book was still in the house or he wouldn't have spent so much time trying to find it. It was a lovely spring morning, but the living room was kept in the darkness. The curse had progressed over his body, and he could not tolerate the daylight like any normal human would do. He played with the glass of fire whisky in his hand; lately not even the drink was able to console him. He used to enter a state of numbness when he was under the alcohol's effect, but now he barely felt that. He could feel the bad blood pulsing inside of him, taking over his body. Now it was not just his hand that was black, but almost all his left arm. Intricate twigs of blackened veins marked his body, a dark path that led to his heart, which beat slowly and heavier than before. Death was approaching. Time was running out.
As if his life was about to end at that very moment, Tiberius' life passed in front of him. Fragments of his childhood swirled like snowflakes, that he would desperately try to hold, but they would melt as soon as he touched them. And then...
The wizard stood up and went upstairs, to the children's playroom. It was a large division, its windows turned to the south side of the house. There was a shelf with porcelain dolls, wearing elaborated dresses, their empty eyes observing Tiberius with curiosity. Generations of Nott girls had played with those dolls. Some had even had the privilege to sleep in their bedrooms, or go for a walk at the busy Diagon Alley in London. There was a rocking dragon at a corner, fine threads of dust attached to it. The green scales glinted with the light and its teeth seemed as sharp as they used to be. Tiberius knew Muggles had a similar toy, shaped not as a dragon but a horse. When he was little, he would set himself on that dragon that would magically move its wings and pretend he was flying around England, spreading terror to all its citizens. Not even the fastest broom could match his dragon's speed.
The wooden floor was covered with a fluffy carpet and at its center there was a small rounded table. Tiberius used it for his imaginary battles. He had little figures that represented all sorts of people and creatures: warlocks in majestic robes holding their wands in an attack position, trolls with their typical dumb expression in their faces, holding maces. Beautiful witches with long hair, their mouths opened, perhaps shouting a powerful incantation; werewolves, howling to the moon, a goblin carrying a heavy bag of coins, a giant spider and even an unicorn...Where were all those figures now? Tiberius couldn't tell.
It seemed like Titus had another use for the table. Above it there was a model of a Quidditch stadium, and little figures flew around it, forced to play the game forever. It had been perfectly assembled and Tiberius wondered how his brother had been able to do it so well without any help or magic. Two of the chasers were fallen on the fake grass of the pitch. The magic that made them fly had been all worn out. The seeker from one of the teams had lost part its flying vigor, and one of the miniature bludgers could be found next to an old doll house, which was no less but a replica of Endhope Abbey.
Tiberius moved towards the end of the room, where an old chest rested. The Nott children used it to hide their most precious treasures and possessions. It was protected by a magical padlock and no adult could open it. Tiberius had used it to store his chocolate frogs' card collection, including a very rare card of Cliodna, an Irish druidess who first discovered the properties of Moondew, which he had stolen to one of his dormitory colleagues back at Hogwarts, when everyone was asleep. The boy had cried for a week.
He tried to use his wand to open the chest. Tiberius was now certain that Titus had probably seen the book around the house, found it interesting and kept it there. The chest trembled but it did not open. He tried a large number of spells but there was no use: the chest was determinate to be a loyal guardian to the Nott children. Tiberius was an adult now and his chances to recover his possession were long gone.
He grunted with frustration. Outside, a cloud passed over the sun, darkening the room. Tiberius blinked: the Quidditch model on the table was gone and now there were two children knelt in front of the table.
"Would you like some more tea, Tiberius?"
The boy gave a short nod. He was upset. He did not want to be seated here, entertaining Phyllida. He wanted to be downstairs with the rest of his family and its guests. But he was considered too young to be part of their circle. Tiberius did not consider himself to be young. He was on his third year at Hogwarts: he knew a lot of spells and he could brew decent potions. He was sick of being treated like a child.
Phyllida picked up the teapot and pretended she was filling her companion's teacup.
"Sugar?" He did not reply. The young girl tool the initiative and added two spoons of imaginary sugar into his cup. "There you go. Careful, it's hot."
Her green eyes observed him, in expectation. They were as intense as magnets and Tiberius had to force himself to pick up the teacup, stir it with the little silver spoon, and pretend to take a sip. Only after that she took her cup to her own lips.
"This is fun. I have a tea set at home, but Mama doesn't let Ferne play with me." There was a pause. Ferne Scrivener was a delicate matter in the Grimshaw-Spore family.
Tiberius looked outside the window. The day was ugly and grey and it was probably going to rain. Phyllida kept talking, but he only heard the melodic sound of her voice and not her words.
"Tiberius? Are you listening to me?" He turned his attention back to her. Those green eyes were focusing on him again.
"What were you saying?" he asked with all the patience in the world.
"That this tea set belonged to my mother. She told me she used to live in this house when she was little, and that your elf, Osky, still obeys her. And one day I am going to live in this house as well. Do you want to know how?"
"How?" he inquired, pretending to be interested in what she was saying.
"By marrying you."
The imagine vanished right in front of his eyes the moment the cloud left the sun, lighting up the playroom again. Tiberius marched out of the division with determination; He had finally discovered where the book was.
(Ash) Before the Apparition Testing
Author: Rowan Westwick
Date: 07-04-14 08:56
Ash stood in the entrance hall with the other eligible students waiting for the apparition testing and silently went over everything he had learned during the twelve lessons he had taken since the beginning of February. He felt fairly confident that he would earn his license today, but Ash nevertheless realized the importance of ensuring he did his very best. Overconfidence sometimes led to simple mistakes, after all.
The group taking today's apparition exam was much smaller than the one that had taken the apparition lessons, since not everyone had turned 17 years old yet. Ash was 17 or 44, depending on how one looked at it. Either way, he was definitely eligible to take the exam and earn his license today.
Having a last name that started with W, Ash was at the bottom of the list of examinees. A part of him was eager to put the test behind him, while another part of him was glad for the extra preparation time. He wished he could actually practice apparating rather than go over the theoretics of it in his mind, but he would make do.
He leaned against the wall and thought about the three Ds, when Beatrix came bounding down the marble staircase. She spotted him immediately and made a beeline for his side.
"Hi!" she exclaimed.
"Hello, Beatrix," Ash replied.
"I just wanted to wish you luck on your exam. I know you'll do great!!!!!!"
"Thank you," Ash said. "That's very kind of you."
"Are you nervous?"
"No, not really."
"That's good!"
"Yes, I suppose it is."
"I can't wait to learn to apparate."
"You'll be able to enroll in the course next year, won't you?" Ash asked.
"Yeah." Beatrix beamed at him. "Maybe you can give me pointers."
"Assuming I pass and am worthy of doing so."
"Oh, you're totally worthy!" Beatrix practically batted her eyelashes at him.
Ash hardly noticed. "Where's my sister?"
"Rowan? She was still getting ready when I left the room." She gave a little laugh. "She distinctly told me not to bother you, but I knew you wouldn't mind. You don't mind, do you, Ash?"
Ash looked around the entrance hall. The other students gathered there looked highly distracted by Beatrix's chatter.
"Thank you for the well wishes, Beatrix," Ash finally said, "but I think I'll use the rest of the time before my exam to do a little mental preparation."
"Oh, of course. Good luck!!!!!" she exclaimed.
Ash offered her a small smile.
Beatrix lingered for a very long moment and then bounded up the stairs, throwing a look over her shoulder at him with nearly every step she took.
Early Visitor (Justin)
Author: Plum
Date: 07-04-14 17:51
Justin is waiting near the gates when Betsy arrives from Hogsmeade. "Sorry I'm early," she apologizes, giving him a hug.
"It's good you owled or you might have wandered around until the time I thought you were coming. Where's Jordan?"
"He'll probably be here at the time we first told you. He doesn't know I came early. I said I have a few things to do first and would meet him here."
Justin gestures to the vast expanse of ground where activity abounds as things are readied for today's Spring Social. "We can walk around, find a place to sit, or go in to the commons. The Great Hall isn't available yet or I'd say we could go there to sit."
"Walking around or going to the commons is fine. Booths and games being set up in the Great Hall?"
"Not yet. Apparition license exam. That's also where the lessons are. The lessons and the testing are the only times any apparating can be done at Hogwarts."
"Is it like home where you have to be of age for a license or is everyone who took the lessons taking the exam today?"
"Only those who are already 17, so like at home. Either you got those things you needed to do done much faster than you thought or you came early for a reason."
"That obvious, huh?"
"Just a little."
Betsy motions to a bench just ahead of them. "Let's sit for a moment."
After they're seated Betsy waits for some younger students to run past laughing and teasing each other before she tells Justin, "I got a letter from Martha."
He gives her a so? look.
"Luther has been expelled."
The look transitions to the verbal. "So?"
"He won't be allowed back."
Justin shakes his head and repeats, "So?"
"You could go back to Sydney's without worry."
"What does one have to do with the other?"
Betsy's expression puts Justin in mind of their mum when she's a little annoyed. "You don't have to pretend you don't understand."
"Who's pretending?"
"I know what happened."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Betsy's lip tighten enough to start turning white. After a long silence she loudly expels air. "All right, okay. If that's how you want to go with this for now."
Justin irritates her further by shrugging, his face a mask of innocence.
Jerking a thumb in the direction they'd been going before sitting on the bench Betsy says, "Let's keep walking."
"Fine by me."
Two or three minutes pass without either saying anything further before Betsy breaks the silence with, "Tell me more about Spring Social."
Not having been to one before Justin only knows what he's been told but shares with his sister what he knows, glad to have something else to talk about.
Not Quite Seventeen (Hydrangea)
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 07-05-14 19:21
Entering her dorm, combing damp hair with fingers, Hydrangea debates what to wear. As a prefect she'll have a patrol during Spring Social and will have to look official but until time to put on school robes with prefect badge on display, she prefers something more casual and comfortable.
"Don't you have the licensing?" Calliope Quinn asks, looking at Hydrangea from a mirror where she's fussing with her hair.
Though a fifth year, Hydrangea is one affected by time at Happy Haven. She shakes her head while pulling out a short sleeve blouse with matching light weight cardigan. "I'm not seventeen for a few more days. The twenty-fifth."
"As close as that is, they should let you do the test today."
"I like that idea but I don't think we could persuade those in charge to agree. The big advantage of taking it now is that the lessons are still fresh."
"Does this look silly?" Calliope asks of the way she's pinned a section of her hair.
"No, not at all." Hydrangea pulls on a pair of jeans before saying, "You're being more particular about your hair than usual."
"Not really. It just seems harder to fix today for some reason. I think it knows we'll have a school full of visitors and wants to make sure I look like part of the entertainment."
"So not because you want to look especially nice for someone and any of his family who come today."
Calliope's eyes widen as she attempts innocence. "I don't know who you mean."
"Suuuure you don't."
Calliope's mirror reflection makes a funny face at her as Hydrangea starts plating her own, still slightly damp locks. She makes a face back and both snigger though Hydrangea does drop the subject rather than teasing Calliope further about this person of the opposite sex. A few minutes later, sliding feet into well worn black loafers, Hydrangea leaves their room, Calliope still fussing with her hair.
Unfit Fiddle
Author: Ellis
Date: 07-06-14 12:58
As soon as the last of Alys' roommates vacated the dormitory room, she popped open the lid of the trunk positioned at the foot of her bed and gingerly lifted up the few layers of clothing protecting the hardanger fiddle she had gotten at Easter. Since she didn't yet have a case for it, Alys figured her trunk was the best place for the delicate wooden instrument.
She picked up the fiddle and carried it to the bed, where she sat and began plucking at the strings. While home over Easter break, Alys had not managed to visit a music store like she had hoped, but she had found a dusty violin bow in the attic. The whereabouts of the violin and its case were a mystery, though.
Even though Alys still didn't know the basics of playing her fiddle, she periodically plucked at the strings to train her ear to the different sounds it made and to see if maybe she could teach herself how to play. Hopefully, she could take private lessons during the summer. She knew most of the sounds she made sounded terrible, which was why she limited herself to practicing when she was alone in the room.
Just then, Estella swept into the room. She twisted her face into a grimace and plugged her ears with her index fingers. "Sorry, Alys, but you sound like you are strangling a cat."
Alys frowned. "That's not exactly an endorsement that I should keep practicing."
"Isn't the saying, practice makes perfect? You just might need a lot of it," Estella playfully quipped. "Some early birds have already shown up. Is your entire family coming for Spring Social?"
Alys set her fiddle aside and shook her head. "Only my dad, Blakeney, and maybe a few others. Mum's going to stay home with the younger kids."
Alys got up, deciding she might as well put away her fiddle. After all, it was almost time for her family to show up, and Estella had started banging around her corner of the dorm room. It didn't seem like she would give Alys another chance to practice without any witnesses (or critics) present. Alys tucked the fiddle back into her trunk and eventually went downstairs with Estella to meet up with their respective families.
Waiting His Turn For A License (Boris Samson)
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 07-06-14 14:26
Waiting his turn for the apparition licensing test, Boris tries not to be nervous. The last several lessons went well. He'd apparated successfully every time. Not so much as a splinched toenail. How difficult then is it to apparate a couple, maybe three times, or however many times he's made to do it, from one designated spot to another?
With someone scrutinizing his every move?
And judging him?
Bloody hard is what he thinks.
If he doesn't get his license today will he lie and say he passed? It's not as if he'd be able to prove it except maybe on the next Hogsmeade trip next weekend. He doubts he'd be asked by anyone to show off. It's possible he supposes but if he does fail and next weekend someone were to press him into proving his ability, he could alway apparate and hope no one at the Ministry noticed the blip and sent him a nasty owl about apparating without a license.
A bottle of butterbeer is held out to Boris. Only then does he notice best friend Mason standing there. "Thought you might be thirsty waiting your turn."
"Thanks."
Boris takes a large swig of the butterbeer thinking that while he sometimes has a spark of anger over being only in fifth year instead of sixth as he should be, all thanks to the efforts of the Smythe-Jones regime to segregate anyone not up to her standards of blood purity, much of the time he doesn't even think about it. If not for being a fifth year, he most likely would not be best friends with Mason. Those how are sixth years are okay lads but Boris can't imagine his time at Hogwarts without best mate Mason.
No sooner has he swallowed that the mouthful of drink he's taken then his name is called. As he hands the nearly full bottle of butterbeer back to his friend Mason grins, "Splinch a leg."
Boris grins in return. "Only if it's yours."
Bracing himself, he enters the Great Hall, ready to get this exam out of the way, pass or fail.
Difference of Opinion
Author: Marzipan
Date: 07-06-14 16:38
The original plan had been to spend the day as a family, though as a professor at Hogwarts, Marzi would have to do a little patrolling in between spending time with her husband and children. Typical as of late, there would be increased security on the grounds, but as a member of staff, it was also Marzi's duty to keep an eye on things.
At the last minute, the family's plan fell apart. Weston's boss called him in to work very suddenly, apparently after some errors in the current year's Theory of Herbology N.E.W.T. exams were discovered just as the test parchments were set to go to press. Weston hoped to make it later in the day, but he strongly suspected he would find himself in the office till late at night.
Even though it was still a bit early, Marzi headed down to the grounds with Carter and Vallon. They had both eaten a decent breakfast earlier in the morning but were already yammering about being hungry again. Marzi was feeling a bit peckish herself and though it was probably the wrong time of day for it, she decided ice cream cones were in order.
Luckily for the three of them, the booth offering ice cream and other sweet and frozen delicacies was already open for business. Carter wanted chocolate ice cream, Vallon wanted vanilla, and Marzi wanted strawberry. After getting their small, wafer cones, they wandered of a stretch of grass in a patch of sun and sat down together.
Shortly after they'd made themselves comfortable, Marzi spotted somebody she recognized moving across the Hogwarts grounds. She groaned inwardly, wondering what in Merlin's name the woman was doing there. The visitor had yet to notice them, instead making her way up to the castle, but for whatever reason, she gave pause and looked at her surroundings. Her eyes met Marzi's from across the grounds.
Marzi wanted to look away and pretend she hadn't noticed, but she did the polite thing and waved the woman over. When she was close enough, Marzi got up and greeted, "Good morning, Redberga. I wasn't expecting you. Boys, say hello to your great grandmother."
"Hewwo," Carter murmured through a mouthful of ice cream. His chin was smeared brown and some ice cream had already dripped onto the front of his long-sleeved T-shirt.
"Hi," Vallon said simultaneously. He managed to get ice cream on his nose.
Redberga did not look very impressed by their sloppy eating. She cast her eyes around the grounds again and remarked, "I don't recall Hogwarts being this frivolous. A carnival? How crass."
"This is a time for family and friends to visit with the students. What's the harm in a little family time and some fun?" Marzi asked, keeping her tone light even though she was tempted to point out that the "carnival" was usually held in November.
"In my day, Hogwarts was not a place for visitors. Students went to school and didn't see their families but for Christmas, if that. If you ask me, the administration has gotten very lax in recent years. I am firmly of the opinion that children are not to be babied. They must learn about life the hard way. Allowing them "family time and some fun", as you put it, makes them soft and weak."
"Some would argue that the strong support of family helps build positive character and can also boost morale, which in turn might influence how a student does in class," Marzi replied.
"And others would say that festivities such as this serve only as a distraction," Redberga countered. "With end of year exams just around the corner, is this really the wisest use of a student's time?"
"There is research to suggest students perform better when they take effective study breaks."
"This is hardly an effective study break."
Just then, Vallon led out a loud wail. Marzi looked down to see that his ice cream had toppled over into the grass. The wafer cone stuck up in the air.
"Oh, darling," Marzi said, kneeling to soothe him. "I'm afraid we'll have to leave that one to the ants, but we'll get you another one later, all right?"
"I share!" Carter declared, offering Vallon a lick from his cone.
Marzi thought for sure Vallon could continue to throw a tantrum, but he surprised her by taking the cone from Carter. Vallon gave it a lick and then handed it back to the slightly older boy.
Marzi patted Vallon on the head and then stood up again to resume her conversation with Redberga. Redberga, however, had wandered off in the direction of Professor McGonagall, who had emerged from the castle a few minutes earlier.
Arriving At Hogwarts With Her Little Tribe
Author: Blossom
Date: 07-06-14 18:27
Slowingly rubbing both eyes while sighing and giving a shake of her head Blossom takes a side step, bending to reach for toy nogtail Freddie and Fabian have decided bicker over.
"Mummy, no," Fabian protests while Freddie decides angrily huffing then stomping off after the triplets is the preferred course of action.
Stuffing the toy into one of the tote she carries, Blossom tells Fabian, "If you keep fighting with Freddie, neither of you will get ice cream or other sweets today."
The nearly four and a half year old pouts but doesn't argue, knowing Mummy will be mean and back up her threat if he does. A minute later, back with the others Blossom tells Freddie the same thing. With a stand having ice cream right there he glares but also says nothing.
Gideon staring intently at the listing of flavors asks, "Mummy, what's mickdam?"
"Macadamia. It's a nut."
"Is it good?"
Blossom asks one of the people scooping, "Is a taste possible?"
A nod. "Sure."
"A taste of the macadamia nut then, please."
Blossom accepts the tiny spoon and holds it for Gideon. He takes a very small, experimental taste leaving enough for someone else to try. "Larkin? Seth? Fabian? Freddie?"
Larkin and Freddie try it but Seth already knows what he wants and Fabian turns up his nose saying the color looks funny. Gideon and Larkin both decide on the macadamia nut while Freddie decides on the tried and true toffee fudge. Seth wants one of his favorites, black cherry while Fabian settles on mint chocolate.
In getting all five children cones and making sure they are happy with their choices, Blossom nearly forgets to get one for her and one to take to Fred at the booth he and George at setting up. With rum raisin for him and a honeycomb crunch for herself, she and her little tribe continue in the direction of where the Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes booth should be, keeping her eyes open for signs of Majandra, Georgie, and Miranda.