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Dewhurst Times Five
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 04-05-12 18:12
Wotan Dewhurst had participated in Career Day at Hogwarts since its inaugural year and had seen in grow with each event. It certainly hadn't been a small undertaking that very first year, but there had definitely been less businesses and individuals involved then than now. It also seemed to be a family affair for the Dewhurst clan. Not only was Wotan there, but his father Walter, brother Will, daughter Bronwyn and son Siegfried were also at Career Day today.
Wotan still worked for Wren, Inc., a wizarding architectural firm. He worked his booth alone, like always. He had brought with him pamphlets about his company and about architecture and architects in general. Wotan had also set up models and photographs of some of the projects he or others at his company had worked on through the years. Giveaways included model kits, which had proved popular every year, even with the children who weren't all that interested becoming wizarding architects.
Clear across the room stood Walter Dewhurst, the family patriarch. He was 90 years old but as spry as someone much younger. Walter had no plans to retire soon, although his wife of 60 years, Alessandra, wanted him to call it quits so that they could spend the remainder of their years traveling the world. The problem with Walter was that he loved his job. He worked as an alchemist in the Department of Magical Research at the Ministry of Magic. He liked creating things, liked tinkering with ideas until he came up with some sort of result.
His table was filled with Ministry of Magic pamphlets about the department for which he worked, as well as his specific division, Alchemy. He also had bio sheets on famous alchemists, most notably Nicolas Flamel. But Walter knew what to bring to his table that would lure students over the most: chocolate! In this case, the chocolate consisted of uneven lumps wrapped in gold foil to look like gold nuggets. It tied in with his career topic because when most people heard the word alchemy, they thought about how alchemists could allegedly turn lead into gold.
Will Dewhurst, Walter's second son, had not thought to bring chocolate or any sort of sweet to Career Day, even though he was a bit of a veteran to the event himself. He also worked for the Ministry of Magic, more specifically the Department of Public Relations. He worked as a printer in the Printing Office, which also had a satellite location in Diagon Alley (The Ministry Press).
Will had brought with him samples of different pamphlets, booklets and other publications the Ministry of Magic produced, as well as different types of parchments and type sets used in printing presses. He gave away rubber stamps with random Ministry of Magic logos no longer used, as well as some in which letters could be changed out to spell words like a person's name.
Representing sports journalism in written and photographic form was Siegfried Dewhurst, who worked for Quidditch Illustrated. He had on hand old issues of the magazine, which anybody could take, as well as some of his photographs, a few of which he'd gotten signed by professional Quidditch players. There would be a drawing for the autographed ones at the end of the day.
This wasn't Siegfried's first go at Career Day, so he knew what to expect. Anything Quidditch related always drew large foot traffic, though the actual Quidditch players at the event were certainly the most popular. He glanced over at Viktor Krum and Pyrrhus Fine, whose table was nearby and surrounded by interested students.
Also nearby was Bronwyn, who was at Career Day representing broadcasting and the Wizarding Wireless Network. She liked to talk and had plenty to say to anybody who would listen to her. Over the years, she'd worked different WWN shows. The girls were most interested in hearing about her time as the host of "Love Songs with Bronwyn", whereas the boys preferred listening to her current gig as the sportscaster for the morning show.
Bronwyn knew she had to up the ante when it came to luring students to her table, so she also had a drawing going. One lucky winner would get to guest host on the morning show one day this July. Bronwyn also had a candy jar, quills with Wizarding Wireless Network emblazoned along the shaft and small posters from different wizarding bands to give away. They were already proving popular. Bronwyn added more to her stack from a box at her feet and then put on a dazzling smile for her next visitors.
We Heard There Was An Orgy (Alexa, Jill & Alastor)
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 04-05-12 18:59
Jill and Alexa stand just inside the doors of the Great Hall, watching for either Alastor or Daniel. Alexa is eyeing some of the food currently available to snack on, having opted only for a single slice of toast this morning, knowing that there would be so great offerings throughout Career Day. She's debating whether to go over and snag a cinnamon roll that is probably still warm and has a topping of some sort oozed down the sides when Jill backhandedly tops her arm. "There's Alastor."
"Alastor!" Jill calls just loudly enough to get his attention.
He nods to acknowledge the two girls, stepping over to where they're standing. "Morning."
"And a good morning to you, if it is a good morning," Alexa replies.
"Good enough I guess, though I did miss breakfast. Thought I'd check out the buffet and see if anything appeals."
"The cinnamon rolls look good."
Jill makes an exasperated noise. "Forget food for a minute. Alastor, is it true you were caught having an orgy?"
Alastor's eyes practically bug out of his head. "Where in Merlin's name did you hear that?"
"It's all the buzz this morning," Alexa tells him. "You, Daniel, Errol Anderson, and Megara Flynn having an orgy in your dorm room."
"You're joking, aren't you?"
"Not even a little," Jill says with a shake of her head.
Alastor heaves a sigh, head moving from side to side as he starts pacing a short line in front of them. "No, no, no. WHY would someone think that's what happen? That's about the bloody stupidest rumor to start."
Jill says somewhat pragmatically, "Not stupid so much as titillating and entertaining."
"What's the real story?" Alexa asks.
Alastor gestures to a spot along the wall where there are places to sit. "Let me get something to eat then we can sit over there and I'll tell you."
Ten minutes later they are sitting together, Alexa munching on a couple of cinnamon rolls, Jill having a slice of a breakfast style quiche, and Alastor has a plate piled with a wide assortment of savory and sweet offerings. Pointing her fork at him, Jill commands, "Out with it."
Between bites of his brunch, Alastor explains about the Veritaserum and Jolyon Kent catching them when they'd barely gotten two questions asked.
"What had you asked?" Alexa's got a cinnamon roll posed at her lips for a bite.
"If Errol had attacked his girlfriend and if he'd attacked the one that died."
"And?" Jill sounds breathless with anticipation.
"A very definitive no to each."
"Then what happened?" and "What then?" at the same time from the cousins.
"Professor Kent came in, asked what was going on, Errol couldn't lie so we were caught. He took us straight away to Professor Dumbledore's."
"Are you still a prefect?" Alexa wants to know.
"Yeah, but on probation. It's kind of weird. Professor Dumbledore only took ten points from both Daniel and me and we each have to serve four detentions over the next two weeks."
"What about Megara and Errol?" This from Jill.
"No idea yet. We got the expected lecture about there being a reason Veritaserum is closely monitored by the Ministry then Daniel and I were dismissed. I tried waiting up for Errol to get back but I fell asleep and haven't yet seen him or Megara this morning."
Alastor chews another bite of food then says, "I feel really bad for Megara. The orgy rumor will go worse for her since she's a girl."
"Maybe we should let others know the real story so that rumor can be put to rest. I know some have bets going on whether Errol is guilty or not. Others will be interested in knowing his answers to those two questions."
Alexa nods at Jill, "I agree. Let's start with Olive and Etta. They're just over there. Glad you didn't get your prefect badge taken, Alastor."
"Me too," Jill chimes, polishing off her quiche and getting up.
"Keep us updated," are Alexa's parting words to Alastor as they leave eating to join up with Etta and Olive, eager to share what he's just told them.
Filled Croissants
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 04-06-12 14:17
As usual for a Hogwarts Career Day, Briar has plenty of baked goods ready to hand out to anyone coming by her table, be it just to get something to eat, to say hello, or to ask questions about being a baker, pastry chef, and business owner. She's also got pamphlets for a few different cooking schools, including one that's a branch of St. Emrys and has established itself in the few years it's been open as top rate. There is information on the different types of bakers and chefs, though with Briar being a baker and more of a pastry chef most of what she has available is on those fields. She's also got information on apprenticeships and internships for those wanting to get some on the job training, though Briar will emphasize that culinary school can be the best stepping stone for most. For those specifically interested in bakeries, Briar has gotten together with other bakery owners she's friends with from around the Wizarding World to put together a helpful packet on working in and running such a business.
Caerwyn Valentine and Augustus Hodfuffer are two of the first to stop by the table. Caerwyn gives Briar an affectionate one armed hug while reaching for a pastry with the other. Gus says hello, already diving into the breakfast offerings.
"If I didn't know better, I would think the school never feeds you."
"We knew you'd be here so we skipped breakfast," Caerwyn says.
"You know, I should double check with your father that your teeth are in good order in case you need to be cut off from the sweets."
Caerwyn grins toothily at her. "I've never nice teeth and no cavities."
"Me too." Gus's grin is every bit as wide as Caerwyn's. "Want to see my back teeth?" he offers.
Briar laughs, waving a hand. "That is quite all right, thank you, especially as you've just put half that chocolate croissant in your mouth."
"It's got chocolate in it?"
As Gus is in between licking chocolate off is fingers as he asks this, Briar simply laughs again, lightly swatting him on the back of the head. "Best not get too cheeky or I might be forced to cut you off."
"It's not just plain chocolate, is it?"
"No, that one was chocolate almond. Those there are a chocolate hazelnut, and those chocolate macadamia. These are the plain chocolate. That grouping there is a lemon cream, not to mention the plain buttery croissants."
"That's a lot of different kinds of croissants," Caerwyn notes.
"That's the thing with croissants or any other filled pastry and breads. The types of fillings are practically endless. Caerwyn, before I forget, Grace sent you this."
Briar hands Caerwyn a small box, inside of which are several collectable wizarding cards. He thumbs through them, Gus pressed in close to see, his grin getting even bigger. "These are awesome! Tell Grace thank you and I'll write her. I didn't have any of these yet."
"Just luck on her part sending you ones you don't have?"
Caerwyn shakes his somewhat shaggy head. "You know how smart she is. She always remembers what's in my collection. The only ones she doesn't know are ones I've gotten and haven't shown her or told her about."
"She and I were shopping the other day in Diagon Alley and went into the second hand junk shoppe just to poke around. There were some cards for sale and she very carefully went through the lot of them, pulling out ones she said you needed."
This earns her a, "Cool! Thank you!" and another hug, this time two armed.
An older student with some questions about being a pastry chef and how that differs from being a baker so the two boys, after each making two more selections (one for each hand), bid goodbye for now and aim in the direction of the Crown & Cauldron table, no doubt to see what food freebies Gus's aunt Furnella is offering.
Call Me Feorge
Author: Majandra
Date: 04-06-12 15:30
"Is a good imagination required, Mr. Weasley?" the boy, smallish enough to peg him as either a first or a second year, asks George.
"No need to be so formal. I'm Feorge and that's my brother Gred."
Confusion flits across the child's face. "Feorge and Gred? But I thought ?"
George continues on. "To answer you question, no, a good imagination is not required."
The first, or second, year's mouth opens, the befuddlement deepening the creases across his brow.
"It takes GREAT imagination. Stupendous. Gred and I are, if I do say so myself, Geniuses, with a capital G, at it."
"Okay, that makes sense. Needing great imagination I mean. Do you come up with all the ideas yourself? I mean the two of you, that is."
"No, I will not fib and say we think everything up ourselves, we just take credit for it all. I am just joking. There are products not originally ours that we have been known to improve upon. We do get ideas and inspiration from others. Here, take the missile-toe for example."
George gently tugs the boy over to where the missile-toe is hanging from an arched banner proclaiming WEASLEYS' WIZARD WHEEZES. As they draw near, tiny projectiles begin firing from the innocent looking plant. Amid the miniscules explosions leaving teensy feathery red and pink kisses wherever they hit, George gestures to the missile-toe. "Why, my lovely wife, whom you know as Professor Weasley ,"
"I thought her husband's name is George,"
"came up with this idea back when we were students here. It's a great seller, especially around the Christmas hols and at Valentine's. Over here though, we have a new product, not even in the shoppes yet, that's one I came up with. Care for a taste?"
The boy looks at a bite sized cat in a column shape. "Errr, what is it?"
"Why, it's a Cat-Or-Pillar of course. See, hold it like this and it's just a reclining cat. Hold it like this and it's a pillar shaped to look like a cat. I couldn't think of any real use for it so I made it edible. This one is blueberry flavored but if you prefer there's also cherry and lemon."
"I like blueberry, thank you." He pops the Cat-Or-Pillar into his mouth, sucking on it a few seconds before declaring, "It's very good. Feorge, if I were in your shoppe how would I know the flavor as it's not blue?"
"At the moment we've only the three prototypes. There are three classic types of columns, or pillars, Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. You have an Ionic one, see how the paws do there compared to that one simpler one, a Doric, or that more elaborate one, a Corinthian." George points out another Cat-Or-Pillar shaped like the one the boy had. "Ionic starts with I as does the color indigo, which is a dark blue to purple. Blueberries are a dark blue to purple."
"So Corinthian is C like the color and flavor cherry?"
"Exactly."
"How is that other one ?"
"Doric."
"Doric the lemon flavor?"
"Doric is a D and some daisies are yellow."
"I get it."
"We will have more flavors to offer once the Cat-Or-Pillar debuts in our shoppes and catalogues, the breed cat used determining the different flavors. Or maybe if we make each one look like a marbled column, then the color of the marble. A work in progress. The Indigo, Cherry, Daisy yellow are just for now, something for the testers and to have for things like Hogwarts Career Day."
"Just one other question about them, Feorge. Why does it keep changing in my mouth from hard candy to soft candy?"
"Why, because pillars are hard but cats can be soft."
"Um. Okay. I guess that makes sense."
"Now, let me show you another test product, the Dog Pen."
"How is a dog pen a test product? People have had pens for dogs for ages and ages. Or do you mean pin, P-I-N?"
"Dog Pen, P-E-N." George holds up a writing instrument. "Has a small ink reservoir inside. This is the writing end."
"That's a, what do you call them, weenie dog."
"Dachsund. Yes, but we have other breeds."
He hands the Dog Pen to the boy only to have the boy jump. "It's warm and furry, just like a dog. You said the tail is the writing end?"
"Yes, here, try it out."
The boy starts trying to write but ends up laughing as the tail wags happily back and forth. "I can't get a single word down without mistakes."
"Just turn him over then. His tongue has an erasure charm."
The boy does as instructed, turning the Dog Pen over only to start laughing harder at watching its little tongue greedily lick up the blotches of ink.
George gives the boy a friendly slap on the back. "Keep that one. Try it out. Let your friends have a laugh with it. Write us or come by either shoppe location if you're able and give us feedback on it."
Ten minutes later the boy, a Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes bag full of freebies clutched in one hand, walks off giggling hysterically, a half drunken cup of HilariTea in one hand.
Change Of Plans (Deak)
Author: Kody
Date: 04-06-12 17:07
Deak had gotten a light breakfast this morning, which for him meant he didn't have seconds or thirds of anything, then had gone to the library in an effort to finish up some research for a paper and because he'd promised Aaron he'd put in some NEWT study time this weekend. The research had gone quicker than he'd expected, which meant more time to spend going over first and second year material for Defense Against the Dark Arts. He figured he'd work until around lunchtime, eat then make the rounds at the Career Day tables.
Deak works steadily until his stomach starts grumbling, letting him know its displeasure at not having the full breakfast he usually eats. Over the course of the next fifteen minutes the gurgling increases in regularity and in volume, earning him looks from the few others scattered at tables in his vicinity. He's got a bag of crisps and a bag of oatmeal raisin biscuits in his satchel. If he goes to one of the study carrels he could munch without earning Miss Bramble's ire while continuing his NEWT prep work. The other option would be to pack up totally and go down to either the commons or the Great Hall for something more. As appealing as all the food in the Great Hall, both offered by the Career Day booths and on the side buffet tables, is Deak knows if he makes that trek it's doubtful he'd return to working until late this afternoon, if at all today.
Sticking a few things into his satchel and scooping other the rest, Deak makes for the nearest of the study carrels added to the library while Bambi Fandango was librarian. The door of the first one he tries is locked, two voices calling out, "Occupied," so he moves on to the next. The door opens easily but there are books spread out, several quills, parchment, and an open bottle of ink, indicating this one too is being used, the student probably taking a break to the loo or off locating another book. The third door is also unlocked and no light spills over him as the door swings open.
Deak enters, taking the few steps to the table to put down his things. About that same time he becomes aware of another presence but there's no window and without a light on yet he can't make out who it is.
"Sorry. Didn't know someone was in here."
This is met by a few sniffles. Someone upset about something, he supposes.
He's starts gathering his things back up, debating whether to turn on the light or light up the tip of his wand so he can make sure he's gotten it all. "Sorry again. Give me just a second and I'll be out of here."
Sniffle then another. "It's okay. I should have locked the door."
"Are you okay?" he asks, looking at the shadowy form, still unable to make out features beyond it's a girl, though the voice had given it away.
Without warning, Deak goes on and turns on the table lamp, the charmed light as bright as a flare in the small, dark room. Megara Flynn involuntarily flinches against the light, the sudden shutting of her eyes causing more tears to spill down her cheeks.
She backhands the tears away, sniffling more, looking down though in shame at being caught crying alone in the dark or at having a boy see her this way or both, he doesn't know. Deak answers his own question, "Clearly, you aren't okay. What's wrong? Are you sick?"
Still looking down, Megara shakes her head. "No."
"Is it that you lost points for Ravenclaw?"
Her head whips up then, eyes pinning him with an intense look. "You heard?"
"Yeah."
Her already sagging shoulders droop even more as she pulls further into herself. "Of course. Stupid of me to think you wouldn't have heard." She fervently adds, "It's not true, you know."
"That you lost points?"
"No, that part is true. It's the the, you know. The rest."
"The truth serum? Why did you lose points then."
"Not that. That's the truth. The lie about what happened."
"Ooooh. The orgy. I knew that wasn't true."
"You did?"
"Yeah, as soon as I heard it, I knew that's not what happened. About an hour ago Catriona was in the library and she told me about you being caught with Veritaserum after you'd given Errol Anderson some."
"Oh. Okay. Good. I mean that you didn't believe that awful thing some are saying. That I would… with three… It's horrid!" Megara's voices quakes with wounded fury.
Deak moves around to sit in the chair beside her, offering her some tissue he had crumpled in his satchel. "Anyone who would actually believe it is an bloody idiot. Everyone knows that all the real orgies are held in the Room of Requirement."
Megara busy wiping her noise, stares incredulously at him before the humor of his statement sinks in, causing her to giggle somewhat unsteadily between the hiccuppy breathing brought on by a hard crying jag. Once she's caught her breath again she says, "A few have made some suggestive remarks, offering to go one-on-one with me. I was just trying to help Errol, to be a good friend. He needs friends, you know, and ," she sighs. "And even if I had known this is what would happen, I'd still have done it."
"I'm sure he appreciates that more than he could ever say. Who was it that made the suggestive remarks? Want me to speak to the lot of them?"
Megara wipes at her eyes again, "No, but thank you. I should have let it get to me. It was just so unexpected I was taken by surprise. I'm ready for them now."
Deak looks to his things then back at Megara. "I was going to study more but I'm also starving. What say we take this stuff back to Ravenclaw then see what we can forage in the Great Hall from the Career Day booths. If you're up for it, I can even bore you with details on how I plan to be famous in both the Wizarding and Muggle worlds for nothing more the my excellent wit and above average good looks."
Megara giggles again. "You are hardly narcissistic."
"I'm working on it. I am increasing my time in front of a mirror each day. I'm up to five whole seconds."
This brings forth another laugh then Megara suddenly flushes, hands going to her hair. "I'm such a mess."
"You look fine to me but if you must freshen up while we're dropping my satchel off at Ravenclaw, don't hog the mirror. I have only put in two seconds today."
Deak packs up his satchel then offers Megara his hand.