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(Wotan) Career Day at Hogwarts
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 11-10-08 07:58
Wotan had arrived at Hogwarts no earlier than absolutely necessary. He remembered quite vividly the Career Day from last year, when the Great Hall had been reserved for pureblooded presenters and students only, while anyone of lesser blood status had to spend the day in a cramped, dingy room. He knew that this year would be different, since Hogwarts only consisted of purebloods these days, but he felt he didn't like it any better.
With only a few minutes to spare, Wotan set up his table in the Great Hall. As he had the past few years, he represented the wizarding architectural firm Wren, Inc., where he was an architect. In addition to the flyers and other giveaways on the table (which included quills with the Wren, Inc. logo on it and building kits), Wotan set up a few models of some of the structures he'd helped design. By the time he finished setting up, the first few students trickled into the Great Hall.
None approached his table first, which allowed his mind to wander elsewhere. Annabelle Diamond still lived in his home, and although it had been a month since the incident that should have never happened, Wotan could still remember it as if it had happened yesterday. He felt nothing but regret and guilt over what they'd done and even though they never spoke of it again, he could tell that she felt the same way.
Nevertheless, for all appearances both pretended as if there wasn't any awkwardness between them. Wotan went to work everyday, and Annabelle went out on her daily quest to find her family. They saw each other at breakfast and at dinner and sometimes they met for lunch, and they tried very hard to move on and not dwell on past indescretions. In a way, it seemed to work for them.
Wotan glanced around the Great Hall. His younger brother, Will, stood behind the table for the Ministry of Magic's Public Relations division. Will worked in the print shop at the Ministry and produced governmental brochures and paraphenalia. He clearly did not want to be at Hogwarts, because it was a clear reminder that his daughter Kate had been missing for half a year. In fact, the only reason he was at the Career Day was because his supervisor had insisted on it.
Finally, a student, a girl around 16 years of age, approached Wotan's table. He redirected his attention from his brother to his guest and smiled at her.
"Interested in architecture?"
Coaching about Coaching
Author: Isolde
Date: 11-10-08 08:22
Isolde leaned her cane against the edge of her table and eased herself into the chair behind it. Although all the representatives at the Career Day today had chairs on which to sit throughout the course of the day, most tended to stay on their feet when talking to the students. Isolde's legs weren't very weak but they weren't what they'd been before her spinal cord injury, and constantly standing up and sitting down would tire them out easily.
She was at the Career Day at Hogwarts on behalf of the British and Irish Quidditch Little League. At first, she'd wondered why she even needed to attend the Career Day this year, since it wasn't like there was a need for coaches when there were hardly any teams in the league. Angelina Johnson had more or less agreed with Isolde's sentiments but had urged her to attend since the Ministry was keen on boosting the morale of purebloods everywhere, particularly since the economy and job market continued to suffer because more than half its able-bodied citizens had long gone missing.
So there Isolde was, ready to talk about the league and its three measly teams, hers the London Lambs, last year's cup winner the Cardiff Cubs, and the Glasgow Goslings. Pyrrhus was a the table next to hers, respresenting the professional British and Irish Quidditch League. Although the day had only just begun, his table seemed one of the most popular. Isolde certainly didn't blame the the students for preferring to learn how to become a professional player rather than just a coach. If she were in their shoes, she'd feel the same way.
She certainly remembered how she'd debated whether she'd even wanted to become a coach. It had never been something she'd wanted to do, since playing professionally had always been her dream. And a briefly-lived one, at that.
She could honestly say that she enjoyed coaching now. Or at least she did last year when the league wasn't suffering so. She didn't like her job as much now but had taken on offering Quidditch and flying lessons to the extremely young at Blossom's, which she surprisingly enjoyed. She'd never really been a kid person, but they'd certainly grown on her.
Isolde straightened some of the material on her table and thought about how she might grab some tea later and maybe chat with her cousin Azaelia, who was also at the Career Day represenating the public library.
Harriet's Offer
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 11-11-08 08:01
"Thanks for stopping by the table, and visit us the next time you're in Hogsmeade," Lysander said to a student who'd just asked a half dozen questions on book buying and selling. He pressed a leather-bound journal into her hand as a give-away.
She giggled, said "Thanks," and started to back away, nearly tripping over someone walking behind her.
No sooner had the girl moved away from the table did Professor Harriet Snider swoop in, quite literally since she was riding her magic carpet. It came to a rest before the Twice Told Tales table and hovered several inches off the floor. A smile spread over Snider's portly face, causing the hair on her upper lip to broaden.
"Hello boys," she crooned at Lysander and Julian alike. "I'm so glad to see you here again this year. Really couldn't have the Career Day without you."
Lysander had to remind himself to look into her eyes and not at the unibrow or mustache on her face.
Julian found his speech first. "Thank you for the invitation, Headmistress Snider. We're always glad to attend."
"I believe I told you last year to call me Harriet," she purred. "It's so much more personal." She winked at Julian and allowed her eyes to travel over his well-toned upper body. Luckily, the rest of him was obscured by the table.
Lysander tried not to make a sound or any sudden movement, since he didn't want Snider to turn her hungry gaze on him next. Unfortunately for him, she hadn't forgotten he was there and turned her face to him.
"I was wondering if you might like to do a survey of our library's collection and see what it is we are lacking. I would so like to provide our students with the best books on every subject, and I think you can help make my wish come true." She paused, allowing Lysander the unwanted moment of wondering if she had more than one wish when it came to him.
Before the shudder could rack his body, Snider went on with a wave of her chubby hand. "You may not be aware, but we are currently without a librarian. What we have is a house-elf running the library. Capable, surely, but just a creature and really little better than an impure wizard, am I right? You, however, are so much more. Won't you help, Lysander?"
She turned her gaze to Julian and beamed at him. "I'd be glad for your assistance too, Julian." She licked her lips and smoothed down some of the black hairs on her upper lip in the process.
"Of course you'll be handsomely rewarded." She named a sum that nearly knocked Lysander off of his feet. He'd done a number of high-paying specialty projects for desperate indivduals, but he'd never been paid nearly what Snider was offering them. With business so much slower than it had ever been, the extra money certainly couldn't hurt.
Lysander swallowed the lump in his throat and forced himself to say, "I think I can help you, Harriet."
Career Day
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 11-11-08 12:26
When Harriet Snider was giving her full attention to Lysander, offering the librarian position, while Julian took pity on Lysander for receiving so much of the woman's attention Julian didn't feel guilty in the least for thinking better Lysander than he. Besides that, Lysander doesn't have the deep, deep pockets Julian does so of the two if one had to be offered the job with the enormous salary Snider mentioned, it's better Lysander get it.
At a nearby table, the familiar profile of one boy catches Julian's attention. It's like looking at a picture of himself at that age. It's amazes Julian now that he ever doubted Caerwyn's paternity, but then, with Afton Carew as the boy's mother, anyone knowing what Afton was truly like would probably have had similar doubts.
Feeling himself being watched, Caerwyn starts looking around. Spotting Julian, he breaks into a grin, tugs on his friend's sleeve and starts for the Twice Told Tales table. Without any hesitation or awkwardness Caerwyn happily greets Julian, "Hi, Dad! You remember my friend Augustus Hodfuffer."
Coming around the table to give Caerwyn a quick hug - not wanting to embarass the boy in front of so many other students - Julian nods at Gus. "Morning, you two. Enjoying yourselves?"
Caerwyn grins again. "Briar and Gus's aunt have been feeding us."
Julian chuckles, "Is that why you have blue frosting on your nose, Gus?"
"It was a very good fairy cake."
"Briar said we'd had enough for now but she'll let us have another in an hour," Caerwyn says.
"I might have cookies. Or another fairy cake. I've not decided yet," Gus states. "I am definately having more of what my aunt's restaurant is offering."
"I can't offer you food, but if you'd like to put your name in for a drawing of a gift certificate for the bookstore, you're welcome to do so, Gus."
"What about Caerwyn?"
"As my son, he's not eligible for the drawing."
"Makes sense," Gus agreeably replies, moving over to where the sign up slips and the box for the slips are located.
Julian talks to the boys for a few more minutes, joined by Lysander when he's free of Harriet Snider's clutches. Caerwyn and Gus promise to bring them plates of the food from Imperial Crown & Cauldron, Briar's Bakery, Botanicals & Beyond, and any other booth, such as Burger Wizard that might be offering snacks.
Once the boys have gone and in a very brief lull when there are no girls hanging around the booth giggling at them, Lysander says under his breath to Julian, "I almost feel like I need a shower now."
Knowing exactly what Lysander's referring to, their eyes both going to Harriet Snider flying on her carpet across the Great Hall, Julian replies, "I understand perfectly."
Spy Game
Author: Griffin Price
Date: 11-11-08 17:20
"So Professor Snider had to get a special what's it to have her magic carpet?" a first year who'd identified herself as Anita asks.
"Dispensation," Griff supplies. "Yes, she did."
Anita peers more closely at Griff's nametag. "What's PK Tech?"
"Portkey Technician."
"Does that mean you make portkeys?"
"That's one of the things I do," Griff nods.
Anita asks a number of other questions then moves on, saying something about getting a sweet from the bakery booth. That sounds good enough to Griff he contemplates asking the next student who approaches his booth to go get one of the little cakes Briar Rose is offering.
The very next student who walks up is actually two students - Jared Wynbourne and Sage Porter. Jared sticks his hand out to shake Griff's, "Good to see you again. I figured you'd be going to university instead of immediately going to work full-time."
"Nice to see you again too," Griff replies, offering his hand next to Sage. "Both of you still playing Quidditch?"
"In a way. It's really different this year," Sage says.
"How so?"
Jared glances around as if checking to make sure no one's around to overhear before saying, "With so many gone now, there really aren't enough with an interest, knowledge, and talent for Quidditch to support four teams."
"No houses either," Sage interjects.
"Yeah, I'd read in the paper about there not being houses anymore."
Jared explains further, "There's a new course, Fitness & Athletics. Anyone interested in playing this year has to take the course. There are practices but we don't know who's on a team until a few weeks before a match. Teams are different each match."
"Viktor Krum still overseeing Quidditch?"
Both shake their heads no with Sage answering, "No. It's Theodosia Batuti. Oh, but you wouldn't know her, would you? She came last year when students were segregated. She was the teacher for the purebloods and was also put in charge of Quidditch."
Jared makes a face, "This year, Viktor Krum isn't even doing his Quidditch and Flying workshops on Hogsmeade weekends."
"That's too bad about Krum. Do you at least like this Batuti woman?"
"Yeah, she's nice enough," Jared says.
"My sister heard that Coach Batuti's sister and brother are transferring here."
Jared looks at his friend. "When did you hear this?"
"Saffron mentioned it this morning."
"Interesting," Jared comments then looks back at Griff. "Speaking of hearing things, I heard you're the father of Carys Hanham-Beauvais's baby."
Griff feels his cheek start to burn. "Uh, yeah. I am. Tristan. He turned two in September."
"Are you and Carys together?" Sage asks.
Griff's the one looking around now to see who's in hearing range.
"Unfortunately, Carys is among the missing. So is the grandmother she was living with. Her grandfather and Tristan live with me now."
Jared takes a step closer, his voice dropping several notches. "Are you glad she's not around now?"
After the way Jared spoke about there not being enough to have regular Quidditch teams, Griff understands that this is Jared's way of asking Griff where he stands on the pureblood-non issue. Griff tells the other two, "I very much wish she were with our son and if she'd have me, I'd marry her."
Jared's mouth is moving to form another question when Griff feels a sudden tug on his sleeve. From the way Jared shuts his mouth, Sage must have signaled him as well. Harriet Snider is approaching, her flying carpet undulating yet the throne looking chair mounted on it appears to be providing a steady, smooth ride.
With what passes for a friendly smile plastered on her lips, Snider greets the trio. "Good morning, Mr. Porter, Mr. Wynbourne. Mr. Price. Enjoying Career Day, boys?"
Sage and Jared give polite greetings, with Sage replying, "Yes, ma'am."
Batting her eyes in a simpering fashion at Griff, Snider says, "Griffin. I may call you Griffin, correct? And you must call me Harriet. The Minister personally told me she was so sorry you chose quit the spy game and while she's happy you are at least working for the Ministry again, she feels, and I must agree though you and I don't really know each other, that your talents and training would be of much better use if you were to resume your prior occupation."
Griff, forcing a polite smile and keeping his tone neutral, says, "I'm a single parent and prefer a more steady, safe job that ensures I make it home to my son each night."
"Understandable though a shame. We should have dinner one night so you can tell me all about the thrills had when you were a spy."
Griff grits out, "Certainly."
"I must continue on my rounds. We shall talk again, and soon, Griffin, about that dinner."
Jared and Sage stand with eyes wide, mouths opens, staring at Griff, who steels himself for what he knows is coming next. As soon as Snider is far enough away, they hiss at the same time, "Spy?"
(Weston) Distracted
Author: Marzipan
Date: 11-11-08 18:31
"One doesn't have to become a professor to be in the education field. The Ministry of Magic's Department of Magical Education is responsible for managing the O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. exams, among other things. An expert in any field, such as my own, Herbology, has a place in the Department of Magical Education."
"So it's more like behind the scenes teaching," the boy standing in front of Weston's table said. "You don't have to deal with students, just the material."
"You can look at it like that." Weston managed a smile, something he hadn't done in a long time.
"Well, thanks." The boy wandered off to another table, leaving Weston alone with his thoughts.
He drifted back to a few days ago when he and Bill, in diguise as Cyrus Abernathy and Whelan Wardle, had stumbled upon Minerva McGonagall in the cabin they'd been assigned to raid at Goen Bren. Weston had gone to Hogwarts and had been Professor McGonagall's student, just like Bill and so many other wizards who'd attended Hogwarts in recent decades. Unlike Bill, he hadn't recognized the frail woman on the cot until closer inspection. She'd been thinner and paler than normal and somehow didn't at all look like the stern witch he'd remembered from school.
Bill, however, had identified her immediately and without saying a word to anybody had formulated a plan to get her to safety before day's end. Everything had happened so quickly, and it was still a shock to Weston that it had gone smoothly. The slightest complication could have landed both him and Bill in prison or the community as not guards but captives... or worse... dead.
There was only one floo connection in all of Goen Bren. It was in the warden's building and under 24/7 surveillance. After he and Bill had left Building A without a word to the two women staring wide-eyed at them, Bill had quietly filled Weston in on what he intended to accomplish on that very day. Weston had initially thought that Bill was acting rashly, and perhaps Bill had had the same perception about himself, but there had been a fierce determination within him that overwhelmingly exuded confidence. Weston had quickly shelved his concerns and set his mind to carrying out Bill's swiftly conceived, yet carefully laid out plan to the letter.
Bill had Weston inform the guard on duty in front of the floo that he was taking over, which wasn't exactly protocol. Guards were assigned to guard the floo following a set schedule. The guard Weston had approached should have questioned Weston's motiviations, but had had a hankering to enjoy the flask in his coat pocket somewhere less noticeable. With him out of the way, Weston had full control of the floo, which only saw traffic when guards or the warden came and went.
Bill had retrieved Minerva from her cot during a time when most of the residents were in the dining hall. Before prying eyes he'd handled her roughly, dragging her across the snow and recounting a string of violations against her. He'd loathed treating her that way when her body could hardly stand it, but he'd told himself over and over again that if everything went according to plan, she'd soon be in safe hands.
Luckily, there'd been no obstruction between Building A and the fireplace. Bill had managed to get Minerva to safety––where exactly, Weston didn't know––and then returned to make a report to the warden. He and Weston had spun of tale of how they'd found Minerva in her cot, allegedly not having done her work for days or more and having contraband under her threadbare blankets. Since the warden had given them express instruction to dole out as severe a punishment as necessary to any wrongdoer, they'd told him that they'd killed her and had someone dump her body in the Death Zone. They'd never mentioned the other two women and their obvious part in playing nurse to Minerva in her sick bed.
Weston and Bill planned on getting others out of Goen Bren too. They just had to work out a way to do it without getting caught and without a growing absence of residents becoming obvious. They didn't want security getting any tighter than it already was.
"Hi Professor Ravenscroft," greeted a student who'd been in Marzi's class when he'd been her Ministry-appointed monitor.
Weston didn't remember the girl's name but smiled at her as if he did. "Hi... you. Are you interested in magical education?"