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Reduced To Babbling Idiot
Author: Jared
Date: 11-13-08 18:26
Ever since hearing Professor Snider refer to Griff Price as a spy, Jared could feel his eyes practically bugging out of his head. From the looks Sage has been shooting Griff since then, Jared doesn't need to ask Sage if he's as much in shock as Jared is. Jared keeps replaying in his mind Sage and he turning to Griff after Snider had move along, both of them asking him, "Spy?"
Just thinking about it again has Jared looking towards the Magical Transportation booth. Beside him, Sage gives Jared a nudge in the ribs. "We both need to stop looking at Griff so much."
Jared snickers, "Yeah, don't want people getting the wrong idea about us."
Sage breaks into a grin and nods in the direction of a certain someone. "Espcially her."
"Not that it matters," Jared replies somewhat morosely.
"For someone who makes good marks in his classes, you certainly are dim."
"What?"
"Dim. Daft. Clueless."
"We're just friends. That's how it's always been. That's how it will always be."
"I repeat, clueless."
Alanna looks their way, her face lighting up with a smile that quickens Jared's pulse.
"Ask her out already."
"I don't want to ruin a friendship by making her aware of my feeings for her."
Sage's hand comes up and hits the back of Jared's head.
"Ow! What was that for?"
"Seeing if you've got any sense whatsoever. Ask her to the Hearts and Roses Ball."
"And you call me the daft one?"
"How about I have Griff spy on her and find out if she likes you as more than just a friend?"
"Hi, you two. Enjoying Career Day?"
"Hi, Alanna. We're having a nice enough time. Do you like hearts?"
Alanna looks quizzically at Sage while at the same time Jared wants nothing more than to hit Sage in the back of the head just like Sage had hit him. Instead, he thinks he'll just disappear into the floor.
Alanna, still puzzled by Sage's questions says, "Yes, I like hearts well enough."
"What about roses?"
"I like roses too."
"Excellent. I was just telling Jared that you two should go together to the Hearts and Roses Ball. Say, there's my sister. I really need to talk to her. See you two later."
Sage dashes off leaving Jared with a bright red face and so flustered he doesn't know if he can say a word to Alanna.
Alanna is giving Jared a look that's the same quizzical expression she'd given Sage but now mixed with both amusement and embarassment. "Was he really just saying that to you?"
Jared's head bobs up and down, too fast and too much. He had to concentrate on making it stop and then he has to focus on speaking. When he does open his mouth, to Jared's ears he sounds like an idiot.
"Um. Yeah. Sage mentioned you. He mentioned the ball. Us. Together."
"And?"
"And what?" Jared asks, unable for some reason to process what Alanna means.
"And you said what to Sage's suggestion?"
Jared hadn't thought it possible for his cheeks to flame any brighter without him spontaneously combusting.
He was wrong.
"I er, well, friends. We are friends."
Alanna takes a step closer. Jared's breath catches at finding her so tantalizingly near when he's so very flustered.
"Yes, we are friends."
"Ball. Want to, that is, would you, with me, go." Jared cannot believe that his ablity to talk around Alanna has deteriorated to being to the point of nonexistance.
"Go with you to the ball?"
Jared's head starts the rapid bobbing up and down again.
"Yes, that would be nice."
(Alanna & Tobias) In the Great Hall
Author: Alanna Beck
Date: 11-14-08 11:13
Alanna couldn't stop smiling after Jared, by way of Sage, asked her to the Hearts and Roses Ball. Ever since she first found out about the Valentine's Day dance, she'd hoped Jared would ask her or that she would find the courage to ask him herself. Her wish had come true, and she couldn't be happier about it!
She surprised herself in how calm she acted and although she knew her face was probably rosier than normal, it didn't feel on fire like it often did when she thought about Jared lately. Maybe she was starting to act like her old self again. Very few things made Alanna nervous. Perhaps she'd grown used to the idea of having a serious crush on somebody, though having that someone share her feelings still felt so new.
Jared looked immensely relieved that Alanna had agreed to go to the ball with him. He, too, couldn't stop smiling.
---
Several tables away, Tobias Beck stood behind the table he'd set up on behalf of the Ministry of Magic's Department of Magical Law Enforcement. His differed from the auror table nearby in that he focused on interpreting law rather than enforcing it.
"Do solicitors make a lot of money?" asked an older student. "Do they make more than healers?"
Tobias smiled. "It depends on what sort of solicitor you are and who your employer is. Salaries vary quite a bit in my field. As far as comparing it to healers, I couldn't really tell you. I suggest you visit the St. Mungo's table for more information, if you haven't already."
The student asked a few more questions and then excused herself to visit another table. Tobias didn't have to wait long before the next student came along.
Don't See Spot Run
Author: Furnella Hodfuffer
Date: 11-14-08 11:48
AJ has just finished answering some questions Isabel Parker had about an Ancient Runes assignment due next week. Throughout the day, AJ's had students asking about writing as an occupation but he's also had some like Isabel who wanted to talk with him about class.
In a way, it's surprising that with so many fewer students at Hogwarts now that the career day hours are the same as previous ones. AJ never did a booth count in past years but it looks to him as if there are fewer booths this time. No shock there.
"Uncle AJ, Aunt Furnie wants you to have this."
AJ spins around to face Gus, and Gus's friend and roommate Caerwyn Valentine. Gus is holding a plate of food in offering to AJ.
Taking the plate AJ asks bemused, "Does Furnie think I look starve?"
"She said to remind you that you've not eaten anything since Career Day started even though lunch was provided and there are booths with food."
"I forgot to eat lunch?"
Gus looks at Caerwyn with an I'm-not-really-related-to-this-man expression before pointing out to AJ, "I wouldn't know if you did or not, Uncle AJ."
"Right. And thanks. Say, Caerwyn, did you put your name in for the drawing?"
"For your newest book? Yes, thank you."
Gus suddenly elbows Caerwyn. "She's coming our way. Let's move!"
Spinning back the direction he'd been facing when the boys brought the plate, AJ sees the she in question is none other than Headmistress Harriet Snider. It's not been lost on him that she's made a point of chatting up all the eligible men and a few of the taken ones as well. So far today she's not bothered AJ but then she does see him practically every day. Plus, it looks as though his luck is about to change.
"Professor Hodfuffer. AJ. I hope you don't feel I've been neglecting you."
Always having found it best to never look directly at Harriet Snider, AJ looks just over one shoulder, making it appear he's looking at her when he's actually not. "No, Professor, not at all."
"Excellent! With you talking to the students today about career opportunities as a writer, it got me to thinking that perhaps you should offer a writing club or literary club. Something of that nature. It could be open to students and faculty alike. I know I would love having someone such as yourself offering me tips and advice on improving my writing skills."
Even though it might mean having to work closely at times with Harriet Snider, the idea as a whole is a good one. AJ gives a small, tight smile. "Yes, thank you for the suggestion. I'll get announcements posted this week along with a meeting time and place."
"It's a shame my husband is no longer with us."
"Hu..huband? I didn't know you'd ever been married, Professor."
"Oh yes. My married name is Dickson; however, professionally I've always gone by Snider. Spot always did fancy himself a bit of a writer."
"Your husband's name was Spot?"
Harriet trills with laughter. "Yes, though it was a nickname. His given name was Carter."
"But he was known as Spot Dickson?" AJ pauses a beat, the name sinking in. "Oooooh, I get it. A play on spotted dick," AJ says, referring to a popular steamed pudding with dried fruit.
"Yes, exactly. Amusing isn't it?"
"Were you married long?"
"I met Spot just after my seventh year here at Hogwarts. He was British but grew up in India and attended school there. He stumbled into me, literally, attempting to navigate Diagon Alley on his own without his walking stick."
"Walking stick?"
"Yes, dear Spot was blind at the proverbial bat."
Taking in Harriet's appearance and knowing from things Minerva McGonagall had said last year about the woman that the appearance is not that different from when Harriet was a student, AJ thinks this tibdit of information about Spot explains a great deal on how it is he came to marry Harriet.
(Dorian) Perfection
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 11-14-08 12:02
Dorian Somerset smiled as he looked around the Great Hall. This was exactly the way Hogwarts should be. Every individual in the room belonged to a pureblood family, just as Salazar Slytherin had intended for Hogwarts over one-thousand years ago. Shame it had taken this long for his vision to finally come true.
"What does a person need to know in order to work in pharmaceuticals?"
The question drew Dorian's attention away from his thoughts about a perfect Hogwarts. He smiled at the speaker, a girl of about seventeen years or age, and said, "It depends on what exactly you choose to do in the field, but for well-rounded knowledge I would suggest you pay special attention in Herbology and Potions."
"Do you supply St. Mungo's?"
"We do, among other places. Some apothecaries don't make their own potions or grow their own herbs, so we supply them. Healers with private practices are our clients, too."
"That's interesting. And what exactly do you do at Vitruvian, Inc.?"
Dorian smiled. "I make decisions. I'm on the business end of things. Once upon a time, I got my hands dirty so to speak, but that was quite some time ago."
The girl looked at the Dorian's name tag, and a light seemed to turn on in her mind. "Somerset? Any relation to the Professor Somerset who taught Defense Against the Dark Arts for part of my first year?"
Dorian's smile faded instantly. "No!" he responded sharply.
The girl looked surprised and even backed away a step. Before Dorian could say anything, she turned and hurried away. Dorian stewed for a moment, not wanting to be reminded of his failure of an adopted son, but refused to let himself dwell on it for any longer. After all, Ethan had been carted off with all the other nons, and things were now as they always should have been.
With that thought in mind, he put another smile on his face and greeted the next student to stopy by his table.
Talking
Author: Declan
Date: 11-14-08 13:09
Standing with his back to a wall, arms folded, Declan takes in the activity around him. Even though the career day is nearing its end and soon the Great Hall will be restored to normal for supper service, at the moment it looks at though just about every student is within these walls, randomly roaming from one booth to the next.
One of those students periodically glances over to where Declan's been standing this past half hour or so. Every time she does that Declan's seen, he gets the feeling she's studying him, checking him out. In a way, Declan finds it flattering to have a student fancying him. In a way, it's very disconcerting because she is only fifteen, sixteen at most if she's had a birthday since the school year began.
Kissy Isuki walks over, turning to look at Zabrynna Ravensdale. "I take it you are aware she thinks she loves you?"
"Yes, just recently but more and more so each day. How did you know?"
"Several times the past couple of days I've seen the way she looks at you and made an educated guess."
Someone else looks their way. Someone who doesn't look at all pleased that Declan is having a conversation with Kissy. Using his chin as a pointer, Declan asks, "What's the story with Ryland and you?"
Kissy makes a noise that's a combination of comtempt and disgust. "Ryland would like there to be an us."
"You don't?"
"It's Ryland Yaxley. What do you think?"
"He's got the looks. He doesn't have the personality. Did he really kill a woman here?"
There's such a long pause that Declan looks over at her. Kissy's staring at the floor. "I'm sorry. Was that insensitive of me?"
"No, it's all right." Kissy lifts her head, a feeble, half-hearted smile on her lips. "Mary Lancaster was a very good friend, and yes, Ryland killed her. Mary was carrying her young son and Ryland pushed her down a flight of stairs. Mary's daughter saw it all."
"I'm sorry. I should have realized you were friends."
Kissy shakes her head. "You couldn't have known. It's just that I miss her terribly. She's gone, her husband's taken to drinking so much that he was sacked from his job here - Evan was Arithmancy professor - and has no interest now in anything but drinking. Their daughter Plum is working to pay bills and take care of her little brother. All while Ryland is here walking around as if he's the best thing that's ever happened to the planet Earth."
"He is rather full of himself, isn't he? He was ahead of me as a student but even then he was something of a bully."
"I have to admit that I don't remember you at all as a student."
"I'm never sure who knows my history and who doesn't. I was here for a short time then my father accepted teaching position in South Africa. He wanted me attending where he was working."
"No wonder I don't remember you from back then. What is that wonderful aroma?"
"Smells like something new being offered by the Imperidal Crown & Cauldron people. Let's go see if we can cadge a bite."
"If it tastes as good as it smells, I want more than just one bite," Kissy laughs.
"Then how about dinner together? Let's find out what it is then go to Hogsmeade to the restaurant?"
Kissy hesitates so Declan says, "Just as friends. Heck, I'd even let you do the paying if you want."
"All right then," Kissy agrees.
A few minutes later they exit the Great Hall, both of them acutely aware of being watched by both Zabrynna Ravensdale and Ryland Yaxley.
To be or not to be that is the question
Author: Cailyn Spicer
Date: 11-14-08 17:59
Cailyn rolled her eyes as she watched Professor Snider fly out of the great hall on her magic carpet ride. She gingerly approached the table where Snider had been, unsure if she really wanted to approach a table that Snider had addressed, Cailyn decided to by pass it. She had already been to most of the tables in the Great Hall and none of them had seemed to caught her attention. She had no idea what she wanted to be when she finished Hogwarts. She knew she was going onto St. Emry’s. But what was she going to do after that? And what was she going to do while she attended St. Emry’s? She frowned as she by pass another table.
Nothing here seemed entirely interesting, Cailyn figured she needed to decide what she was good at to succeed in finding a talent she would be able to make a living off of. Not that she really needed to make a living off of a career. Nicko had enough money to supply five of her. She had already inherited quite a sum of Nicko’s fortune when she turned seventeen. And when her father passed away, she would inherit it all. So then the real question was more on the lines of what she wanted to do for fun? It certainly wasn’t being at Hogwarts.
Cailyn sent another glare in the direction of the flying Professor who couldn’t even bring herself to walk down Hogwart’s halls. Instead she had to fly down them. She shook her head. For a brief second she wondered how her new step siblings were going to handle Hogwarts next year. Then decided that Muffy would probably let them continue going to whatever school they had gone to in the states.
“I see you still haven’t decided what you want to be uh?” Gaia asked as she snuck up behind Cailyn.
“No you?”
“Yeah, but it’s a surprised!”
“Okay…”
‘We’ll, you’re good at art, why not be a designer or something? You’re rich so you don’t need the money right?”
“Yeah but I don’t know if I want to do that or not. Art is just something I do for fun.” Cailyn said thinking.
“Maybe I’ll open a shop up some where and call it good. Or get myself lost away in some Wizarding library.” Cailyn laughed.
“Come on, I’m hungry. Let’s go get some snack.” She took hold of Gaia’shand and practically dragged the younger girl out of the great hall with her.
End of Day
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 11-14-08 19:27
Briar surveys the remnants of the food she's had as part of this year's Hogwarts Career Day booth. There's not much left and from the way a few are eyeing what is there, she knows she won't be carting any back to Hogsmeade with her. Throughout hte day, Briar had answered questions on what being a baker requires, the hours, the pay if working for someone else and what the potential earning is if owning one's own bakery, and many other questions, including one young man asking if it's true some people who work with food quickly tire of that food.
While it's true that some do tire of food they make over and over, it's never been true for Briar. She knows some bakers who never eat cake or pies anymore and some who even don't care much for freshly baked bread. There's one internationally known chef who has lost all interest in eating the very steaks he's so famous for grilling. But Briar... Briar is every bit in love with pastries now as she was when she first discovered her foodie love. It's a wonder she's not the one in need of a flying carpet to get around!
As much as Briar loves pastry and sharing her work with others, it's a shame that business has dropped off. She still gets by even if she's working more to cover for employees she no longer has but her business, like just about everyone else's, has suffered under the new regime. So many of those who can are relocating their businesses to places such as France and Spain. Unfortunately, that's not an option for everyone.
Briar's thought about it, especially after her visit recently from that Ministry person. Briar does not want to get carted off and given relocation assistance by the Ministry simply because of the lie that Hendricka Weasley and Briar are half-sisters, or because of how many relatives and friends she has who are among the missing or in hiding. It's just that at this juncture, Briar hates to uproot Grace. She'd still see Julian of course, as well as Charlotte, Lysander, and Caerwyn. Just not as often. Grace has not handled losing friends well so unless things get really dire, Briar's not going to take the next step.
As if on cue with her thoughts of him, Julian approaches Briar's booth. "Need any help taking things down? Carrying things back to Hogsmeade?"
"No, I think I have it under control and won't have any samples to take back."
"Let me know if you change your mind. Also, is it all right if I have Grace tomorrow? Mum heard about an indoor petting zoo so I want to take Grace and Charlotte."
"Of course. Grace will love that." Briar looks away for a moment then says, "One second. Caerwyn! Gus!"
The two boys change direction at hearing Briar and jog to the booth. She gestures to the remnants of the food samples. "If you want them, they are yours. Just be sure you eat some real food for supper, please?"
One fairy cake already partially stuffed into his mouth, Gus replies by way of assurance, "Aunt Furnie's been feeding us real food all day."
Trying not to roll her eyes, Briar sends the boys on their way, thanks Julian again for the offer of help and makes arrangements for when he's picking up Grace in the morning. Shortly after that, Briar's taken down the rest of her booth, ending another career day at Hogwarts for Briar's Bakery.