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Quidditch League Questions
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 04-24-13 17:42
First year Hiram Young fiddles with one of the Careers In Quidditch brochures put out by the British and Irish Quidditch League looking as if he's screwing up his courage. For what, Viktor doesn't know. After the boy has been standing there a few minutes, a little back from the table as Viktor talks with others, co-Career Day representative Pyrrhus off on a short break, Viktor looks directly at Hiram. "Interested in the British and Irish Quidditch League?"
Hiram colors slightly, possibly embarrassed at how long he's been standing there without actually approaching for anything other than that brochure. He stops fiddling with the brochure, clutching it in one hand as he steps forward. "I do like Quidditch. I'm not very good at it though."
"You're young. Lots of room for improvement. Do you play any with friends?"
"A little."
"You've attended the flying and Quidditch workshops. Perhaps this next one we can do some one-on-one. There's always a unit on Quidditch in Fitness & Athletics. You should consider signing up for it."
"I wanted to this time but my mum said the first year of Hogwarts is a big enough adjustment without adding another class to an already full schedule. I'm hoping she'll let me take it for second year. Dad wants me to. But, well, what if I'm just not good at it? What if I don't get much better?"
"If you wish to be involved in Quidditch but aren't up to playing on the professional level, there are many other jobs to be had in the league. That brochure mentions many of them."
Hiram looks down at the pamphlet in his hand as if he'd forgotten he'd picked one up. It's more than a little crumpled at this point so Viktor hands him a new one. "Some coaches are excellent players but not all of them are. They are very good at helping others improve but don't necessarily play that well themselves."
"I didn't know that. I thought all the coaches were great players too."
"Some are, but not all. There are also trainers, recruiters, and promoters. Let's not forget assistants to various positions, including coaches. Referees."
"So I could still be involved in the sport even if I'm not a very good player."
"Yes, very much so, though keep in mind that given a few years you may turn out to be an excellent player, good enough to consider going pro."
Looking visibly brighter Hiram gives Viktor a big smile. "Thanks, Professor Krum."
Hiram walks away, a spring in his step, moving to join friends at another of the booths. Pyrrhus returns about that same time so Viktor leaves to take his own short break thinking he'll grab a sandwich from the food table. And one of this mini fairy cakes he's seen several people eating.
Dewhursts En Masse
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 04-24-13 18:41
The large cardboard box under Bronwyn's table was nearly empty. She knelt beside it and rummaged through the various T-shirts inside to find an extra small shirt for the cute little first year girl standing on the other side of Bronwyn's table. As luck would have it, she had one tiny shirt left. It had the Morning Show's logo and the names of the presenters on the back. The T-shirt itself was hot pink with a sequined guitar on the front. It was very appropriate for the girl. She smiled big when Bronwyn handed it to her and then went off to show her friends what she had gotten.
Bronwyn turned to Desi, grinning. "She was so cute."
"Mmm-hmm," Desi murmured, eyes constantly scanning the room.
"So Orion is moody and won't talk about it," Bronwyn said, changing the subject back to what they had been discussing earlier.
"Can't talk about it," Desi corrected, her gaze still roving the room.
"Right. Well, I never did tell you what Toby did."
"What?"
"He hugged another girl."
"I take it it wasn't a hug but a hug," Desi said, finally turning to look at Bronwyn. "Do you want me to beat him up for you?"
"No," Bronwyn said, shaking her head. "It wasn't like that. It was an accident."
"An accidental hug?" Desi asked skeptically. "How exactly does that happen?"
So Bronwyn told Desi how Toby had mistaken another witch for her and that he'd been horrifically embarrassed about it. He'd immediately confessed to Bronwyn his faux pas. Personally, she had found the telling of the incident amusing.
"He's bothered about it, though," Bronwyn finished. "He says he's not, but I've never seen him so lost in thought all the time."
"That sounds suspicious. Are you sure you don't want me to beat him up?"
"Yes, I'm sure," Bronwyn said.
"Suit yourself," Desi replied, resuming her scanning of the Great Hall.
***
Not too far away from his sister's booth, Siegfried Dewhurst ran one for Quidditch Illustrated and the field of sports journalism. He worked as a writer/photograph for the magazine and often attended the same events as Bronwyn, who was the sports commentator at the WWN.
It still seemed strange to think of Bronwyn being interested in sports, when all she liked to do was shop for clothes and high-fashion accessories, not Quidditch paraphernalia. She wasn't exactly a sports enthusiast, even considering her line of work and the fact that her husband played Quidditch professionally, but she did appreciate sports and had a talent for following the various games.
Bronwyn had also been Quidditch commentator while a student at Hogwarts. Siegfried always joked that she'd taken on that duty because she'd wanted to hear herself talk over amplification.
He snickered under his breath but quickly controlled himself when a student approached and started looking over the information at his table.
***
A few more tables down, Will Dewhurst, father of Kate, talked to a group of lower years students about making pamphlets for the Ministry of Magic. There was a lot involved in the process, but his most favorite part, was the actual printing. He described the process in loving detail, from woodcuts and moveable type to ink and parchment.
After a time, the students moved away and Kate and Mark stepped forward to talk to him. He had seen them periodically throughout the day. They had come and gone, spending their time away in the library doing homework or relaxing in the Common Common Room. Now that it was later in the day and the crowds had dispersed somewhat, they felt compelled to return and see what they had missed.
"Hi, Dad. Still having fun?" Kate asked.
"Yes. Staying out of trouble?" Will asked his daughter facetiously.
"Always," Kate replied, smiling.
Will looked at Mark. Over winter break, he had been surprised to see the younger wizard in his office. Evidently, the Farnons had taken it upon themselves to set Mark up with a job to get him some work experience. Mark had not been pleased to be spending the holidays working, but after learning he would be working with Kate's father––something the Farnons probably hadn't realized––he'd adjusted his attitude a tiny bit.
"Did you visit your uncle's table yet?" Will asked, turning back to his daughter.
"Only to say hi earlier. I guess we can go see what he has to tell us about architecture," Kate said.
***
"Well, Zuberi," said Wotan Dewhurst, an architect at Wren, Inc., "if you're really interested in architecture, you might consider applying for a summer internship with the firm. I have the parchmentwork right here. You can take it with you and decide later if you wish to apply. The deadline is not for quite some time."
"Thank you, Sir," Zuberi said. "And thanks for the kit, too." The kit was an architectural model kit and was always a big hit at Career Day.
"You're most welcome."
Kate and Mark wandered over, and so did Desi, who had decided to make her rounds again.
Chatting
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 04-24-13 19:28
Bill abandoned his post to visit with Briar, who never seemed to find a lull in business thanks to the sweets she offered at her table. He had distinctly seen several of the same students make their rounds at Briar's table and suspected their repeated visits had less to do with learning about running a bakery and more to do with filling their bellies with goodies. He supposed he couldn't blame them. He was hoping for a pinch of something sweet himself.
The students gathered around Briar's table felt Bill's presence and soon begged off for something else to do.
Briar smiled at Bill sweetly. "You just scared off my guests!" she teased.
Bill cracked a grin. "That's funny, considering I'm not the scariest person here." His gaze traveled the length of the room, passing over the patrolling auror with the rainbow-colored hair and settling onto the young lawyer seated at one of the Ministry of Magic's tables.
"Why do you think he really got them out?" Bill wondered aloud.
Briar followed his line of sight and frowned. "The Carrows, you mean?"
"Do you think they're working for her now?" He turned to face Briar again. "Maybe she arranged everything. Maybe she put the hit on Oldridge."
"We don't know she's behind any of it," Briar said. "And even if she is, don't blame yourself for what she's doing."
"I'm not, believe me," Bill said. "I just wish…"
"I know." Briar picked up a particularly chocolatey biscuit and pressed it into Bill's hand. "Here. Eat this."
He did and immediately felt better. "Can I take one for the road?"
"Whatever you like," Briar said with a smile.
He selected something lemony and strolled the long way back to his table, passing by Charlie and Percy and Ron and the twins as he went. No sooner had he arrived at his table that a student began asking him about curse-breaking. Bill launched into a description of the job and told a few anecdotes about his experiences in Egypt. For the time being he forgot about Adriana and whatever trouble she might have already caused, but she was never too far from the forefront of his mind.
Rylee the Humanitarian
Author: Rylee
Date: 04-25-13 07:13
Sitting, curled in the Common Commons, her Charms assignment open in front of her. Listening to the sounds of others instead of focusing on the assignment, there has been great stress among the older student population with the most recent headlines spouting that the Carrow Siblings, known Death Eaters, had been released from Azkaban, and apparently the man responsible is down in the Great Hall right now for Career Day, as are 'the boy who lived' and his two best friends as well as former Slytherin Draco Malfoy...but, she had no interest in being down there at the moment.
Dark tresses were pulled back and stuck up haphazardly with a silver and emerald colored hair pick, as she turned her attention to the pages before her. Gideon was off doing something or other and they would ultimately meet for dinner this evening when she was done with homework. Charms, Potions, and Herbology were the only assignments that she had left, and already she was pondering migrating to the library where she would have less distraction of people constantly coming in and out and chattering away about this or that.
Career Day was not something that interested her, and probably wouldn't unless there was an organization that signed up that dealt with humanitarian efforts. She was further and further from the spoiled brat that had come to Hogwarts last year and demanded everything her way. Legs curled beneath her she let her gaze drift to her bag, within it, waiting for her to finish are a list of charitable organizations both Wizarding and Muggle that she is considering donating to.
She knew there was going to be an argument with her parents at some point, but honestly, could they really hold it against her that their youngest was finally finding herself and it was not beneath their thumb? Complete one-eighty after being so sure that she would follow in their footsteps and be the snobbish type that they were.
Finishing her assignments in short order, she pulled out the pamphlets and began looking through them, trying to figure out just which organizations she wanted to donate to. She needed some advice on the muggle ones and would possibly go talk to Professor Miller on Monday if she could manage it and get his advice on the organizations.
She, however, did select two wizarding charities to donate to and would be working on getting things sorted on Monday, when it would be easier to owl the family's solicitor and get things set up.
Career Day Is Nearly Over (Blossom with Daria & Fred)
Author: Blossom
Date: 04-25-13 09:06
Blossom gazes around the Great Hall, the effects of a long night up with Fabian and having to be alert enough to intelligibly answer questions all day have her fighting an almost constant urge to yawn. The triplets have spent the day with Parker and Tracey. Freddie and Fabian are with her Dad and Azara. If not for Fabian being sick, Blossom would be very much looking forward to going home to a quiet house and curling up with Fred with thoughts of being able to sleep in for once. As it is, even if Freddie spends the night with Garrett and Azara, Fred and she should at least pick up Fabian. A day with a fussy, sick child who is not your own, even if a grandchild, is bad enough. Blossom isn't going to subject them to a night of it as well.
Reaching for a cup of steaming coffee, Blossom takes a sip, savoring the nutty undertone of this particular blend. A student approaches, one who'd been by earlier to pick up copies of the various handouts Blossom has on childcare and education, but who didn't stick around to ask anything.
After another quick sip of coffee Blossom smiles, albeit somewhat tiredly. "Hi, welcome back."
The girl returns Blossom's smile before saying, "I was wondering if I could come by in summer and observe or volunteer so I could get an idea of what a typical day is really like."
"Yes, that would be fine."
Because Blossom can ask the girl's name, the student launches into a string of questions, mostly about the day care but some about the relatively new Hogsmeade Primary Day, and about what qualifications someone needs to work at either. After having the girl slow down and start over so that Blossom can best answer each question, they get through the long list the student compiled after her first visit. By the time they are through the list and the girl cannot come up with anything else to ask, Blossom has her name and contact information so they can arrange for her to put in some time at the daycare this summer.
At a nearby booth, Daria is also looking forward to being able to pack up what's left and head for home. She and Kody have a date tonight though as yet they don't know what exactly they'll do or where they'll go.
There has been a steady stream by her table all day, students of all ages, male and female, wanting to get their names put in for the various drawings being offered, such as the one for ten free games of wizarding laser tag. Daria has had a number interested in the business of gaming, everything from mild, passing interest to the truly serious. The day has never felt as if it were dragging but now that the end of Career Day is nearly upon them, Daria is ready to be done.
The questions have been all over the place ranging from, "Do you have to invent all your own games?" to "Is there much money in a business like that?" to "Are you an expert at all of the games since you work there?"
To the question about inventing games Daria explained that some of the games at Blossom's were first begun by someone in the family, or as far as they know anyway. Most were adapted from existing games, such as bowling being Muggle and they simply put a magical spin on it, and the pin ball machines were all Muggle inspired. Even wizarding laser tag and paint ball are Muggle inspired.
As for whether there's much money in it, that depends on many factors. For Blossom's, the business is successful, making enough profit to not only stay in business but to expand. Someone else with a similar business, in a different location may not be a lucky. Daria went into some of the reasons why but kept that part of her response to a minimum because most of the students asking weren't really interested in the gory details of why one business does well when one just like it fails miserably. A few did ask for more information on that so Daria was happy to oblige them, but watched for signs of boredom or that she was losing their interests.
On whether she's an expert at all the games, Daria always gave a little laugh and honestly replied, "I am very good at some of them but at others I don't do very well."
With the steady stream of students to the table, good food to be had at some of the other booths and from the refreshments table, and people to chat up when taking a break, Daria has, for the most part, enjoyed the day. Munching a handful of seasoned crackers, she eyes the different decorated boxes, trying to decide how much longer to wait before doing the draws for each of the contests and trying to decide what to wear on her date, something made more difficult by not knowing what exactly they'll be doing.
Also trying to decide how much longer to wait before drawing names for a few giveaways from Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, Fred picks up a box that Larkin and Miranda "helped" decorate like a puffskein. A very bright pink with lime green spots and lavender stripes puffskein. Though not as full as the containers for some of the other give aways, there are quite a few names in this one, which specifically is a give away for one puffskein and for two pygmy puffs.
"Oi, George, for all of these with multiple drawings, how do we want to handle it if we draw someone's name more than once?"
"I say draw again. Spread the wealth. But, if someone's name comes up for different give aways, maybe let them have both."
"Works for me."
"What sort of dragon is this?"
The question comes from a small person, first, maybe second year. Fred gestures to the dragon, a small figuring that is currently flying back and forth along one the tables forming the booth while emitting tiny screechy roars. "That beauty is a Swedish Short-Snout."
The boy reaches out to touch the silvery blue skin of the figurine. "Is it dangerous?"
"This one, not so much. The real thing, extremely. If you're interested in dragons, the real ones that is, you should go over and talk to my brother there, Charlie. He's a dragon keeper and he teaches about dragons at St. Emrys."
"Really? Cool! Thanks."
Before the boy gets off, Fred offers asks, "Want to sign up for any of our give aways?"
The boy, of course, does. He ends up staying to chat about some of the joke products, asking how Fred and George get the ideas for the products they've invented themselves. When he leaves to go chat up Charlie, he's also giggling somewhat from drinking a sample of HilariTea.
A few other students linger, wanting to add their names again to some of the give aways and wanting to sample some of the sweets and teas again, or play with joke items so the twins decide to wait a bit longer before doing the name draws. There's not that much time left to the period designated for this year's Hogwarts Career Day so they anyone eager to find out if they won anything won't have all that long to wait anyway.
Missing Persons
Author: Severus Snape
Date: 04-25-13 13:51
As the sun sets on Career Day, Professor Snape gazed out the window of Professor Quigley's office, ruminating on recent events. He had been sending and receiving correspondences daily; from the worried Nephele Mockridge, notably. He had done his best to quell her worries, doubtful, himself, about what was to be done about Horace Slughorn's disappearance. But, weighing perhaps more heavily on his mind, were the owls he had not received. He had written to his former student, Ferne Scrivener, several months ago, but the usually diligent young witch had sent no reply. It was unlike her, he thought, to let a letter go unanswered.
She had been Celeste's student, also, and naturally their discourse this Saturday afternoon had covered her unusual silence. Celeste, evidently more experienced in the wiles of young women of eighteen years, did not seem much perturbed. "It's hard to guess what young people do with themselves, these days," she said, sipping her fragrant tea gingerly. "You shouldn't worry too much, she's probably enjoying herself, shirking her familial responsibilities. I'm far more worried about us."
Snape smiled. "Oh?"
"It's quite shocking that anybody is coming to the school, Severus, with everything going on."
"And what do you propose to do about it, Professor?"
"Oh, nothing, I suppose. Carry on, as we do. And, in the meantime, there is quidditch to worry about. After losing to Gryffindor, we must certainly defeat Ravenclaw."
"Indeed," he said, his eyes examining Celeste's still-unusual appearance. It was hard to get accustomed to her as a blonde. "As Miss Marks is still our Seeker, I despair of winning anything. The House Cup is most certainly beyond our reach now."
"Don't be so gloomy, Severus. There's plenty of good players on that team, and we still stand a chance." Celeste held out a pink-and-white checked tin. "Biscuit?"
"Thank you," said Snape, taking a sugar-coated confection. It put him in mind of a different subject. "And there is the hoopla surrounding Valentine's Day to worry about."
"Will you be sending any cards, Professor?" Celeste asked wryly.
Snape stared at the window at the daily traffic of feathered owls, carrying messages to and fro. A sigh quivered in his throat, but he did not let it out.
"Perhaps I will," he said, raising his cup to his lips.
Daydreams
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 04-25-13 17:25
Career Day was nearing its end. The crowd had thinned out considerably, though there were some students who'd deliberately waited till the end to snatch up any remaining giveaways. Lysander and Julian had brought journals with them and only had a few left to hand out to students visiting their table.
Although Lysander always worried about Charlotte, it had been busy enough throughout the course of the day that he'd not been so idle to think about her constantly. Even his special project stayed off his mind, for the most part.
He had yet to find any solid references to the Resurrection Stone in the books at Hogwarts, but he had only put a dent into researching the library's collection. Lysander felt confident he would find something useful eventually. Deep down, he still didn't believe in the Stone or what it could do, but Adriana's words echoed constantly in his brain. What if it really could be done? What if Chyler really could come back to him? Lysander had hope it was possible.
The fact that Charlotte had finally seen him in her mirror made her seem less far away, even if the distance between them remained the same. Seeing each other had been a surprise for the both of them, even Lysander who had already known how his mirror worked. The two had quickly discovered that they couldn't communicate with each other, except by gestures and notes. Lysander urged Charlotte to keep the mirror a secret so that Aralyn and Kristos wouldn't take it away from her.
Since Wednesday, they "talked" to each other every night after Charlotte's bedtime, when she was in bed and would pull the mirror out from under her pillow. Lysander kept their meetings short, since he didn't want to keep her up when he knew she was tired and needed her rest. It was always hard saying goodbye, but knowing they would see each other again the next night made it easier.
"Lysander?"
Lysander realized that he had zoned out, and that Julian had been trying to get his attention.
Julian frowned and looked as if he wanted to say something. He seemed to think better of it, however, and instead asked if Lysander wanted to grab a bite to eat in the village after Career Day ended, which had been the original question Lysander hadn't heard on account of his daydreaming.
"Yeah, sure," Lysander said. He hadn't yet told Julian about the magic mirrors, but maybe it was time to let him in on that secret. It was good news of a sort, after all.
Mortimus and Hecubia
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 04-25-13 18:23
Standing together, keeping an eye out for any latecomers to the Muggle Relations booth Mortimus Flister and Hecubia Nintwinty share a small slice of cake from the refreshments table. Holding the plate for Hecubia to have the last bite Mortimus tells her, "If I've not mentioned today, dear, you look quite fetching."
Hecubia is dressed in a traje de flamenca, which is the traditional outfit of a female flamenco dancer. The dress is a vibrant magenta with a mix of white and equally bright blue polka dots. The skirt as well as the long sleeves are ruffled and Hecubia's hair is pulled back in a slick bun, a large white flower adorning it.
At Mortimus's words, Hecubia does a quick twirl before replying, "Thank you. I was rather inspired this go around if I do say so myself. You too have outdone yourself this year. Morty."
Mortimus reaches to the frilled collar around his neck. "Isn't it grand?"
"I don't believe I've seen that particular outfit before. It is similar to some, but it's also more colorful than those I'm thinking of and the feathered helmut is rather dashing."
Mortimus had gotten so excited the day he came across a photograph of modern Rome, specifically of a place called the Vatican. Some men in the photo were the inspiration for his outfit today. To be both stylishly and modernly dressed as an Italian Muggle had Mortimus nearly giddy with glee as he dressed this morning in the blue, red, and orangy-yellow outfit, the silver helmet with red plume, and, the best part, a sword!
In the photo one of the men wore more of a beret but Mortimus thought the silver helmet has more flare. Another man was an outfit of the same cut as the tri-colored suits but his was a solid, somewhat plain, blue. His collar was flat and white. Somewhat boring compared to the frilled collar of some of the others.
After promising to show Hecubia the photograph after they get home this evening, Mortimus nods in the direction of Nathanial Ross. "Should we offer to treat Mr. Ross to dinner? There's that new Cuban inspired restaurant we've been wanting to try."
"Yes, let's go there or if we're treating Nathanial, we should find out if he even likes Cuban. I'll go ask while you start putting away what's left of the handouts."
Whistling a jaunty little tune, still keeping an eye out for any students eager to learn about the wondrous career of Muggle Relations, Mortimus begins clearing one of the tables making up their booth. He also starts thinking about what he'll wear to the next such event as the Hogwarts Career Day. The weather will be warmer then so perhaps that interesting German wear called lederhosen.