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What A Joke
Author: Forest
Date: 12-19-07 13:40
Forest looks around the large space that is the Great Hall. The booths are larger - grander - then in previous years. The food and drink set out is finer than he recalls. The hall is, overall, more lavishly decorated then it was on other career days. There are fewer students but that's no shocker considering how few survived the to the fifth generation pureblood purge.
Forest sips coffee he's gotten from the buffet, a rich blend that he's sure costs a pretty sickle a pound or kilogram or however it's weighed for sale. When he takes a break soon he'll sneak some over to Ethan Somerset, who's manning the other Magical Law Enforcement booth. When helping Ethan get set up, Forest had gotten a taste of the coffee being offered in there. He's only gotten rid of the aftertaste by drinking this much finer coffee.
Forest hadn't even wanted to be here today but Minister Smythe-Jones herself insisted. Not just insisted there be a Magical Law Enforcement booth for the Pures but insisted Forest run it. She hadn't cared one way or the other whether there was a booth for the Nons. Forest would have preferred to be at that one if he had to be at Hogwarts today but it's not as though he could have done that and fooled Minister Smythe-Jones into thinking he had been at this booth.
Forest isn't sure what he would have said to the Nons, and any Pures, who visit the other booth in that tiny, musty room. Why yes, magical law enforcement is an exciting field with many opportunities. Just don't become a law enforcement officer, Obliviator, or Auror with the British Ministry unless you are pureblooded. The Nons mainly sit around doing paperwork and get oh so exciting cases like tracking down the Non who swiped a sugar quill from the Weasley's Diagon Alley shop. There's also the time spent in line at the law enforcement offices's own satellite Wand Registry desks of the Department of Half-blood, Muggleborn, and Half-breed Registration and Regulation, but hey, could be worse. Law enforcement Nons could have to go to the main Wand Registry office to turn in and pick up their wands.
Forest wonders what exactly Ethan is telling those who inquire. Maybe he's got a list of other governments needing good law enforcement personnel and what they are called in those countries, such as Dark Arts Specialists in the States. Taking another sip of the excellent coffee, Forest can't help but think what a joke this whole Hogwarts career day is compared to those held in the past.
Cramped Conditions
Author: Charlie Weasley
Date: 12-19-07 16:26
Charlie catches one of his dragon models just before it reaches the end of the table. It screeches and pumps its little wings but Charlie keeps a firm grip to show the student who's just stopped by his booth. Now that he's been teaching two days a week at St. Emrys for awhile Charlie falls more naturally into professorial mode as he explains to the student all about the Hebridean Black the toy dragon represents. As he talks a toy of a Chinese Fireball flies by emitting a tiny roar. It flies into the space of the neighboring booth on the right.
George, whose booth is the right neighboring one, catches the Chinese Fireball model and returns it. The student laughs and asks another question while inspecting both models more closely. A couple of minutes later, the young man is moving to speak to George. Free for the moment, Charlie turns to speak to Hendrika at the booth on his left.
As tiny as this room is, having a neighboring booth means literally being shoved up against each other. The booth spaces are small but there are approximately 20 booths jammed into the room. Add the banners and placards some booths have and throw in the people and Charlie has a sense of being cramped. Or snug as Hendrika puts it, trying to put a positive spin on things.
Still, Charlie wouldn't switch places with Kellan McFusty over in the Great Hall even if Kellan offered him payment to. Charlie might be a pureblood but anyone trying to find a Weasley who actually supports the segregation stupidity would be hardpressed to do so. Percy might appear to support it and the people behind it but that's just the sycophant, ladder climbing, eager for promotion Percy. Deep down, Percy is just as against all this crap as the rest of the Weasleys. Anyway, Charlie wouldn't want to be in the Great Hall, no matter how nice the booth is, how much space there is, and how good the buffet spread is. Not if only pureblooded students can take advantage of the career day booths there.
Charlie will stick to these cramped conditions and be happy with them. Besides, it's sort of nice having Hendrika practically on top of him. George too, though not as nice as it is working so near to Hendrika.
A Family Affair
Author: Isolde
Date: 12-19-07 16:49
The last time Isolde had stepped foot inside of Hogwarts had been two years ago, when she'd manned the professional Quidditch table with Viktor Krum and Oliver Wood. Now she had a booth all on her own for the relatively new Quidditch little league. Isolde herself had never really had aspirations to be a Quidditch coach until an injury forced her into it, but she knew that there were wizards out there who didn't want to stay professionally but did want to have a career relating to Quidditch. And there certainly wasn't anything wrong with coaching kids. Maybe one day one of Isolde's will wind up playing professionally for the Salisbury Snakes, just like she did.
She'd placed a number of items on her table, including pamphlet's about Quidditch and the Ministry's Department of Magical Games and Sports. Isolde even had a team photograph of herself and her kids on display.
Isolde looked across the hall at the regular Quidditch booth, which Pyrrhus manned on behalf of the British and Irish League and the Hogsmeade Humbatas. He was in the middle of talking to a child hardly older than eleven.
Isolde swept her gaze a few tables down, where her father stood at a table about veterinary healing. This was Gorman Farnon's very first Hogwarts Career Day. It had been Isolde herself who'd convinced him to sign up.
And nearby was Azaelia, also a Career Day volunteer for the very first time. Azaelia was representing the Diagon Alley Branch Library.
"Hey."
Isolde looked away from her cousin to the familiar speaker in front of her.
"Hi, Mark. Enjoying yourself today?"
Isolde's other cousin shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "Guess so. I'm not really here for the career advice since I'm only a first year. I'm just interested in the freebies and the snacks."
"Speaking of snacks, think you could grab me something? I'm mainly thirsty."
"Okay."
Mark ducked away to get some refreshmens for Isolde, just as someone came up to her table to ask about coaching Quidditch.
(Wotan & Will) Uneasy
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 12-19-07 17:20
Wotan Dewhurst pressed his knuckles to his table in the Great Hall and leaned hard, grimacing not from the discomfort in his fingers but from the battle that raged within his mind. His son had gotten himself arrested a few days ago and currently resided in a temporary holding cell at the Ministry of Magic. Siegfried's trial was scheduled for early next week. Everyone already knew what the outcome would be: Azkaban.
Wotan had yet to voice his opinion publically on the matter. If he spoke in favor of his son, Siegfried would likely be doubly condemned and the entire Dewhurst family would get labled blood traitors. However, speaking out against his son would go against what Wotan felt in his heart.
"Easy, old man."
Wotan turned his head slightly and saw his younger brother Will standing quite near, so that the whispered words carried clearly enough. He let up the pressure on his hand and relaxed his entire body with a deep sigh.
"Will, what's to be done about all this?"
"My daughter's but a child," Will replied, scanning the room as if Kate were there all the while knowing she didn't have the blood status to enter the room. "But she's is already being mistreated because of who, no, because of what she is. You have my support in what you decide to do for the family."
Wotan laid a hand on his brother's shoulder. "Thank you. I will wait to see what becomes of my son and then decide with the family's input."
Will noticed that someone was waiting for him at his table, the one for the Print Office in the Public Relations department at the Ministry of Magic. Wotan, meanwhile, also had a visitor.
"Hello, are you interested in architecture?"
Hodfuffers at Career Day 2002
Author: Furnella Hodfuffer
Date: 12-20-07 08:48
With not much space between the aisles, it's easy for me stand at my Food Services and Entrepreneurship booth, for the Imperial Crown & Cauldron restaurant of course, and hold out a platter of appetizers towards AJ. He in turn, doesn't have to stretch much to snag a some stuffed cherry tomatos and miniature cheese quiches. Around one mouthful he asks, "Do you and Lars have the same food to offer?"
"Yes. Why? Were you planning on going to the Great Hall at some point and knicking some of his offerings if we have different items?"
AJ grins affably. "You know it. Say, got anything sweet?"
Picking up another platter I hold it out to him. He take a two bite strawberry tart and a two bite treacle tart. "Thanks. The food on the buffet table over there is okay but nothing special."
"So I've noticed," I dryly reply. "The tea tastes old. I don't ever remember the food here being so, well, mundane."
"It's not generally. The food the Nons get is usually all right. I'm not sure why the fare offered today is sub-standard. On the other hand, the food being offered in the Great Hall is above the norm of what the Pures usually get."
"This is all so ridiculous," I snort.
AJ puts a finger to his lips. "Not so loud. Even in here."
"Well, I'll just say I'm glad Phin, and Jewel too, are 7th years. Poor Wiggy though."
"I keep my eye on them all."
"I know you do. Isn't that that Yaxley fellow?" I tilt my head slightly to indicate a man pushing through the students gathered around many of the booths.
"Yes, so best not say anything about... you know." AJ gives me a knowing look then turns to talk to some girls who've walked up to his booth. I put the platter with its sampling of desserts back down and walk over to a young man nibbling on one of the stuffed cherry tomatoes.
"This is very good, ma'am. What is it?"
"Are you familiar with sandwiches called BLTs?"
"Oh yes! My dad, he's Muggle born, told me he and his dad ate BLTs for lunch at least twice a week before he found out he was a Wizard and came to Hogwarts. Then he'd have BLTs when he was home. Still loves them."
"Well, that stuffed tomato is sort of like a BLT."
"No wonder the taste is so familiar! And now wonder I like it so much. My dad would LOVE these too. They're on the menu at your restaurant?"
"They are and you can also order them for owl delivery. Here's some information for you."
I hand the boy some pamphlets that include a take-away menu and order forms then ask, "Have any questions about the restaurant business?"
"Is it difficult?"
I offer him more of the stuffed cherry tomatoes and smile as I begin telling him about the challenges of the restaurant industry.
Working The Hogwarts Career Day
Author: Travis
Date: 12-20-07 16:21
"This blend is quite excellent. How do you come up with so many good ones?"
The girl, whose name is Jane, takes another sip of the tea sample she's holding as Travis says, "It's trial and error. Some combinations sound quite scrumptious in theory but in reality are good for nothing but the dust bin."
"Other than a strong herbology background, what do you recommend for the type of shoppe you run?"
"You should be good with numbers and learn bookkeeping."
"For keeping up with inventory and cash flow, correct," Jane states more than asks.
"Correct. You also need a good sense of marketing or at least have the sense to hire someone who does. Not only do you need to know how to properly advertise for the clientele you wish to draw in but you need to know how to best arrange your inventory. You have to stay on top of what people are wanting and try to predict what the next thing will be that they're all clamoring for."
Jane asks a few more questions before moving on, a small sample cup of herbed snack crackers in her hand. Temporarily without a student asking her questions, Travis puts out more little cups of the various teas she's got brewed, puts out more of the herbed crackers, refills a platter of cookies that have ingredients from her shoppe, and puts our more of the small packets of dry tea blend she'd brought. When she's done she makes a quick trip to the other career day setting to see if Neville needs anything refilled.
Before leaving the small classroom, Travis goes by to see how Lisi's faring at the booth she's running for Indi. Back in the Great Hall Travis spends the next half hour talking to two students, boys who end up making a large order of the herbed crackers and who down at least three each of the different teas she's got set out. Chuckling to herself after they walk to the next booth, Travis fills a mug with a blend she knows Indi likes and takes it to him.
Travis has to wait a couple of minutes for one girl who's flirting outragiously with Indi to move along, though with a promise she'll be back. Handing the mug to her brother Travis says, "Nothing against the tea offered on the buffet, as it's really quite good, but mine is better. Got a date for later, do you?"
"Maybe," Indi shrugs. "Some of the older students get to come into the village once a week now, you know, so could be she and I will work something out."
"And how many others?"
"A gentleman never tells," Indi says with a straight face before a self satisfied smirk creeps across his lips. "I can't help that woman find me irrisistable. Not that I'm like that Julian Valentine or anything. Or Lysander Stratford for that matter. He could have more dates than he knows what to do with."
Travis follows the direction of Indi's gaze then looking back at her brother replies, "Lysander has come to realize he's got more important priorities than shagging every willing woman who comes along." She pauses then adds, "Maybe if Julian were the sole caretaker of his own daughter he'd be more mature about dating as well."
"Jealous?"
"Not at all. Julian's very attractive and extremely charming and while we've gotten together a few times since I opened up the shoppe, we're nothing more than friends."
"If you say so," Indi grins then asks, "Did I see you leaving earlier?"
"Yes, I went to see how Neville is doing."
"And Lisi?"
"She's fine, enjoying herself though wishes this thing weren't segregated."
Indi drops his voice to say, "Don't most of us?"
"It's too bad her first real experience in this school is under the current conditions," Travis replies in an equally low voice.
They both go quite for a moment, breaking the silence only when another student approaches Indi's booth. Travis smiles at the girl then says to Indi, "I see I've got more at mine so I'd best be going. Talk to you again in a bit."
(Dorian) Back at Hogwarts
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 12-20-07 18:01
The last time Dorian Somerset had come to Hogwarts had been at the request of the CEO of Vitruvian, Inc. and had been something he'd had absolutely zero interest in doing. At that time, the Muggle-born wizard Dorian and wife Maren had raised, Ethan, had just fled his teaching position at Hogwarts to hopefully achieve greater things. How unfortunate that everything had only gone downhill from there! Nearly thirty years of Dorian's life, wasted!
Alas, when Dorian thought he'd lost everything, he found himself surprisingly on the fast track to success again. Since his release from Azkaban, Dorian returned to his old life. He and Maren moved back into the home never sold in Canterbury. He resumed his old position as board member at the magical pharmaceutical company. All of his past brushes with the law were forgotten, all thanks to the blood that flowed within his veins.
This time when the Hogwarts career day came around, Dorian jumped at the chance to attend again. After all, now things were perfectly different. No longer did he have to look upon those of inferior birth. Only purebloods, just like him, would speak with him today.
"So, what exactly do you do?" a precocious-looking girl of perhaps thirteen queried. She had bushy, extremely curly hair.
"Cornelia."
Dorian's colleague, Johannes Vanderbilt, smiled at his daughter. She pointedly ignored her father and repeated her question. "Do you actually handle potions and herbs?"
Dorian raised an eyebrow and had a bemused expression on his face. If only he and Maren had had a child of their own instead of the mudblood they'd raised for He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named!
"No, I don't work with them directly. Your father and I make decisions for the company. We decide the overall purpose of Vitruvian, Inc. Why do we do what we do? What do we expect from our products? Basically, we keep things ordered and organized."
"Sounds really boring."
"Cornelia!"
The young Vanderbilt finally turned to her father and asked, "Seen Griet yet?"
"No, I havent," Johannes replied stiffly.
Cornelia shrugged her shoulders. "Neither have I." With that, she walked off to peruse another table.
Dorian really didn't know too much about his colleague's personal life, but had heard through the grapevine that one of his children had been bitten by a werewolf. It had happened during Dorian's stint in Azkaban, so he didn't really know any details––not that he needed them. He knew what the child was now––impure. Dorian felt a small twinge of sympathy for the pureblood beside him, but at the same time he felt a bit jealous. At least the Vanderbilt child had been born pure. The child Dorian had raised and paraded as his own had been tainted since birth.
He shuddered involuntarily, briefly wondering what Ethan was doing at that very moment. At least he could take comfort in knowing that Ethan's bloodlines made it impossible for him to live his life to the fullest at the present time and hopefully forever more.
(Tobias) Letting Go
Author: Beck
Date: 12-20-07 18:16
Tobias settled into the chair by his table and used a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his brow. Although it was the dead of winter, he felt quite warm in the Great Hall, where he manned a booth on wizarding law on behalf of the Ministry of Magic. Tobias did his best to stick to his topic, remaining as neutral as possible when it came to discussing opportunities in working in law at the Ministry itself. He knew that everyone in the Great Hall had a chance at working at the Ministry without prejudice––at least until the Minister changed the definition of what made one pureblood again. Every generation Smythe-Jones added to the requirement list would make the actual pureblood population smaller and smaller. If she went back far enough, there wouldn't be any purebloods.
"Hi, Gramps!" Alanna bent over her grandfather and hugged him. She made room for Ariella who copied her younger sister.
"Hello, Alanna, Ariella. Enjoying yourself today?"
The girls noted how tired their grandfather looked, though they knew it wasn't physical exhaustion that ailed him. He worried too much about the future, about their future in particular.
"It's all right," Ariella said. "I'm just as undecided about my future as ever."
Alanna shook her head. "Not me. I'm pretty sure I know what I want to do."
"Oh, really?" Tobias asked, intrigued.
"Yeah, I want to get into law and make some changes."
Tobias smiled. "That's very admirable of you, but I'm afraid it may be difficult."
Alanna shrugged. "I think someone's gotta do it. Look at Siegfried."
The three fell silent suddenly. Tobias looked across the room where Wotan Dewhurst spoke to a young child, looking just as exhausted as Tobias, if not more.
"I know you just want to look out of us," Alanna said in a soft voice, "but I think we can handle ourselves. I don't want to miss out on another sit-in. I feel guilty that I'm not in detention everyday like my friends are."
"Alanna..."
"She's right," Ariella put in, just as quietly. "We don't want to sit by and do nothing anymore. We're all adults here." She paused looking to Alanna. "Well, almost. We've been though a lot as a family, and we've stayed strong through it all. I think if we all stick together on this, we'll survive it too."
"You know the risks involved?"
Alanna and Ariella exchanged looks and then looked at their grandfather. "We do," Alanna said.
Tobias sighed. "You are definitely your parents' children."
Both girls smiled.
"Very well. Do what you must."
They continued to smile, though they felt the heaviness of his words. Tobias knew that he couldn't keep his grandchildren under his wing forever, especially if they were as determined to do good in the world as his son and daughter-in-law had been.
The girls moved along to another table, while Tobias looked on until someone else required his attention.