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Finishing Touches
Author: Plum
Date: 03-15-14 17:20
The last of the brochures on jobs in linguistics and translating neatly fanned on one of the tables making up the Devi Linguistics Services Hogwarts Career Day booth Plum begins putting some saltwater taffy type sweets into a bowl. The sweets are a new product offered by Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. When one of the sweets is eaten, the person is able to speak certain phrases of another language for up to twenty minutes. The language and phrases vary by taffy flavor.
At the other end of the table Plum's cousin Betsy Hodges is setting out a variety of bars, brownies, and cakes on a platter. Though these don't do anything special they are all very tasty. So good, in fact, that Plum set some aside last night for Alex in case there were none left after today. She'd also had to hide the bulk of them from Devi co-workers at the office yesterday, where'd she'd brought the cakes, brownies, and bars so that Alex or Anthony, or herself is she's being honest, would make eat too many between when she'd picked them up and this morning.
"Thanks, Betsy." Seeing the younger girl yawning Plum says for probably the fourth time today, "You don't have stay."
For probably the fourth time today Betsy replies with a wave of her hand, "I'm trying to get fully adjusted to the time here."
Betsy has recently come from Australia, having graduated Sydney's School of Wizardry in December, with plans to attend St. Emrys starting the upcoming Hilary Term. She'd originally thought to attend a university much nearer to home but after a very bad breakup in October she decided to switch to St. Emrys saying, "I was only going to the other because of Rafe."
Plum smiles at Betsy. "You're welcome to stay, of course, but you could go do something else instead of sitting around here with me, chatting about a topic you don't have much interest in."
"I know and I might leave later and go stroll Hogsmeade or something. For now, I'm good. Besides, maybe Justin will come in while I'm here and I'll get to at least say hello to him."
"Jordan told me Justin plans to come around though he didn't say when that might be."
"Speaking of my older brother, I thought he was coming this morning?"
"He is but when you said you were going to come help me set up, he mentioned sleeping in."
Betsy rolls her eyes. "If I'd have known that I would have chucked ice water on him when I left the flat" Until able to move into a St. Emrys residence hall, Betsy is staying with Jordan. "When I left I thought he had either come ahead or that he'd be along soon."
"He did come along soon."
Plum nearly hits her head from where she's bent under a table, checking that she's put out some of each brochure, pamphlet, and handout. Straightening, a hand going to the back of her head to smooth her hair, Plum finds Jordan standing there munching the last of a breakfast sandwich. Like Betsy, Jordan doesn't have to be or need to be here at Career Day either but he'd offered to help, saying he could help field questions and be on hand if Plum needed to take a break.
Plum doesn't mind handling Devi's booth alone but thinks today will be rather nice having both Betsy and Jordan lending a hand while also allowing her to spend some more time with her cousins.
The finishing touches to the booth complete, Plum checks the time. Students should be allowed in soon. In the meantime, she leaves Betsy and Jordan long enough to grab a cup of coffee.
Dewhursts at Career Day
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 03-16-14 10:21
Wotan Dewhurst had been coming to Hogwarts for Career Day for many years now. He always enjoyed it, since it was a chance for him to get out of the office other than when he visited his various buildings. It was a pleasure talking to students about architecture, and an even greater one to know that he had already inspired some to become architects.
His son Siegfried was also at Career Day this year, but unlike in previous years, his daughter Bronwyn was not. After her most recent disappearance, she no longer held a job. As far as Wotan could tell, nobody from the Wizarding Wireless Network had come to Hogwarts today.
Siegfried's table was not very far away from his father's. He was at Hogwarts to talk about sports journalism on behalf of Quidditch Illustrated, the magazine for which Siegfried was both a writer and photographer. He had a stack of free copies of the latest addition of the magazine with him, as well as samples of some of his photography. Images of famous Quidditch players zipped across the glossy photographs. There were even some photos of Hogwarts players on the tri-fold display set up on his table. Siegfried planned on giving all of the photographs away through a raffle at the end of the day.
The other member of the Dewhurst family hosting a booth in the Great Hall was Siegfried's uncle Will. Will worked as a printer at the Ministry of Magic and was responsible for many of the official publications issued through the government. He'd nearly brought Tessa along but Bronwyn had suggested they go shopping together. Since Bronwyn no longer had an obligation to attend Career Day (a fact that truly disappointed her), retail therapy seemed the best way to fill the void.
Kate had spent the morning in the library, finishing up some assignments so that she wouldn't have to worry about them for the rest of the weekend, and then went to the Great Hall to visit with her father and check out the various booths. If not for Happy Haven, then Kate would more or less need to know already what she wished to do with her life post-Hogwarts. She supposed it was nearly a blessing that she had an extra year to figure out what she wanted. Truth be told, she had no idea. None whatsoever.
She walked into the Great Hall and scanned the tables for her dad, spotting him not too far away from the doors. She went over and waited a moment for him to finish with a pair of fourth year students.
"Hi, Dad," she greeted.
"Hi, Kate," Will replied. "I don't suppose I can interest you in the wonderful world of printing pamphlets for the Ministry?"
"Hmm, maybe not," Kate said with a grin.
"I didn't think so," Will said, also grinning. "I guess you don't want to be like your old dad."
"That's not true," Kate said. "I just don't want to do what he does for a living."
"Well, what do you want to do?"
"That's an excellent question. I suppose I ought to walk around and get some ideas."
"After so many years of doing just that on Career Day, you'd think you might know one or two things that might interest you," Will teased.
"You'd think," Kate agreed.
She started to turn away, when she noticed a look on her father's face. He had just noticed Mark, who was accompanied by a red-haired girl.
Kate turned to look and then sighed. "She's new," she said. "Capri. They'd been hanging out ever since she turned up here, but I don't think they are dating. I mean, I don't know, and I really don't care."
Will looked at his daughter and knew better, but at least her face didn't betray how she truly felt. She was certainly trying her best to move forward with her life. "Well, you can do better. In fact, concentrate on finding a career and stop thinking about boys altogether."
Kate rolled her eyes. "Sure. I'll see you later, okay?"
"Okay."
Kate wandered away, and Will glanced back at Mark. Will wondered if he would avoid him, just like when Mark abruptly stopped interning in the Printing Office at the Ministry of Magic. Time would only tell.
Dragon Keeping Booth
Author: Charlie Weasley
Date: 03-16-14 13:28
Though few each year because dragon keepers, the MacFusty Hebridean Black Preserve booth at the Hogwarts Career Day has always had a goodly number of students stopping by with questions. Some are truly interested in the profession. Some have questions because of being interested in related fields, such as veterinary healing. Most simply want to know what it's like working with dragons and hear all about the dangers, the more detailed and lurid the better.
Charlie has the most updated versions of the usual literature and the animated dragon models he always brings. Like many of the booths, his has edible offerings, including a cinnamon red hot Fred and George have named Dragon's Breath. After eating, smoke and fire is expelled, though the fire is harmless with no heat. The fun is in the illusion though at least one boy did complain that it would be more fun if he could scorch something, like his bratty younger sister's rear.
Though engaged and enjoying being at Career Day again, Charlie's mind also tends to wander when more than five or ten minutes go by without at least one student wanting information about dragon keeping. After seeing Pierce Ford at Azkaban Charlie had begun gathering what was needed for the potion to cure the younger wizard of a poison hex. He'd also had a long talk with Kingsley Shacklebolt.
By the end of that Monday, Ford had been transferred to a secure ward at St. Mungo's to receive the medical attention needed for the injuries sustained in his attempted prison break. Ford had remained at the wizarding hospital for the rest of that week as his condition deteriorated from the hex. It had taken Charlie, with assistance from people assigned by Kingsley, the better part of that week to get all the necessary ingredients for the potion and for the potion to be brewed, overseen by St. Mungo's top potions master with Charlie's sister-in-law Majandra lending a hand.
Ford was kept at St. Mungo's a few additional days to ensure the potion fully cured him of the poison hex. He's now back at Azkaban, serving both what little time he had left on his original sentence and the additional time earned for trying to escape.
An investigation was launched shortly after Charlie first spoke with Kingsley to address several issues, including Ford's being denied immediate medical attention and being denied access to his solicitor. Charlie has no idea if anything will be done about the guards involved and hasn't yet learned if Azkaban's warden was aware of Ford's treatment but trusts Kingsley to set things to right. He's known the man too long to doubt Kingsley Shackleford's word.
A boy short enough and young enough looking to most likely be a first year, and thus new to a Hogwarts Career Day, approaches, his eyes fixed on the Peruvian Vipertooth dragon toy winging around a small goat, which is running to take refuge in a toy cave.
"Can it really hurt the goat?"
"Hurt it, no. The Vipertooth does goes through the motions of getting the goat to eat but then the animation resets. No actual harm done. Sort of like how captured chess pieces repair themselves at the end of a chess match."
The boy reaches a tentative finger as tiny flames emit from the Vipertooth's mouth. "Does it burn?"
"This one, no. A real one, very much so."
The first year ends up having a long string of questions, showing a keen interest in all the dragon models Charlie currently has on display. When he leaves to move on to the next booth, it's with one of every handout Charlie has to offer, a fistful of Dragon's Breath candies, and his name entered into each of the drawings for the different dragon models.
With no student immediately to fill the first year's place, Charlie takes a moment to refill his drink and to grab a couple of ginger biscuits from the array of food and drink available on a long table against one wall. First chance he gets, he's also going to go by Briar's booth and snag a few of the goodies she always brings to these things.
Back at the booth there are two students waiting. Glad to have them to engage with rather than his thoughts about Pierce Ford, what happened at Azkaban, and who this mysterious person that Ford is apprenticed to, Charlie is happy to answer all their questions, even some that border on being extremely silly. ("Could I take a dragon toy like this one and charm it to be as big as a real one to scare my mum?")
Questions
Author: Abdul Hazrat AlGunud
Date: 03-16-14 14:56
The air in the corridor was very still. An oppressive silence seemed to stifle any sound. Figures swathed in robes of iron black, scarlet red and emerald green went out about their business without speaking. Between the interspersed copper torches, the shadows lay heavy and thick. The combination of darkness and silence created an atmosphere of menace.
Behind a massive bronze door, the scene was quite different. The round chamber was brightly lit and sounds filled the air. The primary source of light was a pool of lava that lay at the center of the chamber. The sounds were generated by the trio of figures in the chamber. The noises were a combination of words, interspersed with screaming.
One of the figures was chained to the floor, near the lava pool. The other two figures stood some distance away. The first would speak, asking questions of the one in chains. When no answer was forthcoming, the second would gesture using a jambiya, causing lava to spurt from the pool onto the chained figure.
Always the same questions. They never changed. Could they not leave him in peace? Did they think that tormenting him would garner cooperation? One of the robed figures spoke again, "Where did you come from?"
When he did not reply, the other figure caused lava to spurt from the pool onto him. He moved slightly, screaming when the molten rock landed upon his bare skin. From the corner of his eye, he could see a bit of lava had landed upon the link of chain that secured his right arm to the ring driven into the floor. He had been waiting patiently, enduring both questions and the resulting torment of when he refused to speak. Each time lava was ejected from the pool, he shifted so as catch some on the chain. It was a slow, painstaking process. But, what had he except time? He shifted again, this time to subtly test the weakness of the chain. It gave a little, the red hot metal bending ever so slightly.
He tensed, waiting for more lava to fall upon him. When it did, he screamed. The pain was quite real. But he also pulled at the chain. With a snap, the weakened metal broke. Wasting no time, he whipped the length of chain toward the nearest figure. It caught his surprised questioner around the leg. With one quick motion, he hauled the figure towards him. Hoisting the robed questioner aloft, he pivoted so that his captive was dangling just above the lava pool. Looking at the second figure, who held a jambiya at the ready as if to cast a spell, he spoke: "Now I will ask my own questions. And if you do not answer, then your friend…" He gestured so that the robed figure he held upside down dipped toward the lava.
Representing Gringotts
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 03-16-14 16:03
"Excuse me, Sir?"
Bill looked around for the source of the voice and found himself looking at a young girl. He guessed she might be a first year, since he was sure he had never seen her before and was generally good at remembering faces, but there was a certain maturity about her too. Bill almost had the feeling that she'd grown up too fast.
She was with a boy with bright yellow hair.
"Yes, are you interested in banking or curse-breaking?" he asked, looking from one to the other.
"I don't know," the girl admitted. "Mostly I just want to know how wizarding banks are different from normal ones––I mean, Muggle ones. I know about the goblins," she added. "I saw them at the bank in Diagon Alley."
"Who are the tellers in normal banks?" her friend asked, emphasizing the word 'normal' in a facetious tone of voice.
The girl looked at him as if he didn't have any brains and said, "People, of course."
Bill chuckled. "I'm the first to admit that I'm not very experienced with the Muggle banking system, but from what I understand, the idea is still the same. There are savings accounts, lending options, storage for valuables…"
"I heard that there are dragon security guards," the boy said.
"Dragons? Wait. Dragons?" the girl asked.
Bill chuckled again. "We use various methods of protecting customer vaults and bank records. By the way, if you are interested in learning more about dragons, you might want to stop by my brother Charlie's dragon keeping booth."
"Cool!" exclaimed the boy. "Let's go see, Finley."
The girl allowed herself to be pulled away, her mouth forming the words 'dragon keeping?' and her face showing total disbelief at the idea.
Bill chuckled and used the temporary lull in visitors to greet the man at the table next to his. "Hi, I'm Bill Weasley. I don't believe we've met."
The man, who was also free at the moment, reached over to shake Bill's hand. "Kastor. Kastor Jorgenson."
That Watched Feeling
Author: Eoghan
Date: 03-16-14 18:20
"I still don't see why he has to be here." Lucy Hewitt stabs her fork in Eoghan's direction.
Sherman gives her a hard stare. "You want to act like a petulant child, Lucy, you can find out how you like being grounded."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"What do you think?"
Eoghan can't help smirking. Neither Lucy nor Jermaine Radley had taken the news well that Eoghan had made contact with Adriana Fairchild. They had considered making contact with her and getting into her group of followers in some way to be their project and theirs alone. That Eoghan had serendipitously stumbled into meeting one of her followers, which in turn led to meeting Fairchild, doesn't seem to matter.
As Lucy squabbles with Sherman, Eoghan have a momentary chill. For days now he gets the feeling he's being watched. Whenever he tries to pinpoint who might be staring at him, he never has any luck, no matter how surreptitious he's being. He's wondered if Fairchild is having him shadowed but if that's the case, he thinks that by now she'd have put him through her version of an interview and people such as Sherman and his parents would be searching for whatever was left of his body.
Eoghan's attention is drawn back to his lunch companions with Sherman's hissed, "Dammit, Lucy, I said enough. Not another word on this."
Eoghan sort of hopes she does say something more. Lucy Hewitt needs to be brought down a peg or two and being on Sherman's shit list would definitely do that. The glare she gives Eoghan is falls into the if looks could kill category. He smiles sweetly at her in return.
Sherman redirects the conversation and though Lucy obviously isn't ready to stop harping on Eoghan sticking his nose where it didn't belong, she wisely remains silent on the subject for the time being. Casting one quick glance around the restaurant trying to figure out if someone had indeed been staring, he joins the discussion, fighting the urge not to bait Lucy into saying something she shouldn't.
Telling Stories
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 03-16-14 18:41
Rose had gone to the Burrow in the early morning so that her parents could both volunteer at the Hogwarts Career Day. Hermione was there to talk about healing and St. Mungo's Hospital, where she worked, while Ron and Harry manned the Magical Law Enforcement table.
"What do you like about being a healer?" asked an older student.
"Well, I like being able to help others. I'm also very interested in the development of the spells and potions used to heal the infirm or injured. If I weren't working directly with patients, then I think I would be happy in a lab, coming up with treatments. I used to intern in one of the labs at St. Mungo's, actually, and I quite liked it."
"That does sound like it could be interesting."
Hermione and the student chatted a bit more, and then the student moved on to another table. As there was no one else waiting to talk to her at that moment, Hermione decided to stretch her legs a bit. Her feet carried her to where Ron and Harry were regaling a captive audience on the details of a long-ago case they'd worked on together.
There were quite a few oohs and aahs. Catching bad guys seemed far more exciting than any other profession. The boys finished their story and then the crowd dispersed.
Hermione stepped forward and folded her arms over her chest. "So, how much of that story was the honest truth and how much of it was embellishment for the sake of your young audience?"
Ron feigned surprise. "I'm shocked, Hermione. Truly. Do we look like we would ever use embellishment to sell what we do for a living?"
"Do you really want me to answer that question?"
"Don't tell me you aren't telling wild stories about your work," Harry said, grinning.
"Whatever wild stories I may be telling are either being told exactly as they happened or with heavy edits," Hermione replied, acting aghast at the suggestion that she would do anything else. In all honesty, plenty of exciting things happened at St. Mungo's every day, but she didn't need to share every sad or gruesome detail, or make anything up either.
Ron snickered. "Tell them about the obese wizard who got stuck in the floo. Didn't he show up at the hospital encased in brick?"
Hermione rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Ronald, honestly."
"What? I heard about it from a hit wizard who got called on scene."
"We've got visitors," Harry said, indicating to a group of students approaching the table.
"I'll leave you to it, then," Hermione said, smiling.
She headed back to her table just in time to talk to someone new about what she thought of as the exciting and adventurous field of healing.
Catching Up
Author: Maggie Hawthorne
Date: 03-16-14 18:41
"You gotta try this...."
Those were the last words I heard before I apparated back to my flat at about two-thirty this morning with my friend Jessica in tow. We'd been at a friend's party, and I'd been having fun until someone thought it would be a good idea to breakout the drugs. There was some minor stuff at the party, but I'd also heard a rumor that someone had sparkle, and I had no intention of staying around.
Jessica had crashed on my couch when we'd gotten back to the flat, and I was awake before noon with a splitting headache - probably from mixing my drinks at the party, but I'd deal with it. A pepper-up potion would kick most of the horrid after effects and so would a cup of steaming hot coffee.
That had been several hours ago, and I was thankful that I didn't have to work at the cafe today, and I was glad that my internship was over - though it hadn't been the same since they'd hired some woman to replace Bronwyn, they really needed to give Bron her job back, she was the best at what she did and this woman would only pale in comparison.
"Maggie?"
I blinked, looking up from the novel I'd been reading as Lawrence stepped out of the fireplace and grinned.
"Hey big bro. What's up?"
I hugged him before dragging him over to the couch and curling up with him, it was rare during the school year that we got brother-sister time now that we'd actually gotten to know each other and could stand each other.
"Not much, just thought I'd come hang out with you for a bit. It's Career Day at the Castle and it isn't the same without a chance to catch up with Bronwyn, but there wasn't anyone from the WWN there at all."
"Really? I'm not surprised, the woman that they hired to replace Bron isn't really all that nice."
I talked to him about the time of my internship from after Bron's disappearance to it's ending, and it reminded me that I needed to owl Bron later see if she wanted to hang out a little bit.
"So, have there been any other letters?"
Lawrence's silence confirmed that he'd gotten at least one more since the first one that had come to him about his parents.
"There was one, and I've not gotten any others but I'm not getting my hopes up that this is over. There will probably be another one sometime soon since it's been a little while."
We talked a little bit about his parents, and I invited him to stay for dinner, which was going to be in the form of Thai take away, but he declined saying that he had dinner plans with Ariella.
Once he was gone, I placed an order for Thai, and returned to my book waiting for the delivery guy to show up.
Distracted
Author: Petula Parkinson
Date: 03-16-14 19:14
Petula wandered through the stalls, paying little attention to Valeria's mutterings. The blonde had been increasingly wound up about Anton and whatever the weirdness between them was and Pet was really not in the mood to deal with it. Of course, she wasn't stupid enough to interrupt the other girl either, she didn't feel like fending off hexes for the next week, or more.
Besides, she had her own issues on her mind. Her father had owled that morning, and the letter was burned into her thoughts.
Daughter,
Your mother and I have decided that, since you are our only child, and the odds of us having more decreases with each passing year, we are going to officially name you as heiress to the Parkinson line. This also means that we must begin the process of finding a suitable husband, as you will be carrying on the Parkinson line, or rather, your children will. When Blaise found out what we were discussing, he offered his cousin up as a prospect for your hand, as he has expressed interest. Your mother and I are inclined to grant this, as further ties with the House of Zabini could be beneficial to you. As young Niccolo is not in the direct line, Blaise is willing to allow your children to be Parkinsons, thus allowing our house to continue.
Be accommodating, within reason, to young Zabini, Petula. He is your future, and I am depending on you to uphold our family's honor. While there will be loopholes to allow either of you to cancel the contract, it is our wish that you fulfill this as the Zabinis are an excellent family and we do not have hope of a better prospect.
Your Great-Aunt reports that you are doing well. We are pleased and shall see you at home next break.
Love,
Father
She hadn't spoken to Niccolo since she got the letter. A part of her wanted to rage that she was only twelve, but another part knew it could be worse. Nico was only a year older and many girls in her situation would have to settle for a husband much older, or less desirable. For now, she would hold her counsel and see how things developed.
"Petula, are you even listening?" Valeria snapped, drawing her attention back to the present.
"Sorry, Val. I was thinking about that letter from Father," she apologized.
"It's alright. Let's just get out of here, I'm not seeing anything of interest," Valeria said, shooting a look to where Anton was walking with some of the Slytherin boys. "Maybe we can get those essays done that are due next week."
Petula wasn't crazy enough to bring up the present that she knew was hidden in Valeria's trunk. Perhaps the two would make up soon and the blonde would give him the birthday gift later. Or perhaps not.
(Cornelia) Career Day
Author: Griet
Date: 03-17-14 07:11
Cornelia was in the prime of her life. She had a job she loved, a relationship that was going better than even she expected, and now she was at Hogwarts for the second time on behalf of her job at Frost Fugitive Recovery Agency. She liked showing that she was in charge, even if she didn't actually run the place. She was just a recovery agent, but that didn't mean she lacked in power.
In fact, she spun her position as something akin to the various law enforcement roles available at the Ministry of Magic, which to be fair, wasn't that far from the truth. Her business actually worked with the Ministry in rounding up common criminals. The difference between her line of work and being a hit wizard or auror was that she didn't work directly for the government, which in her mind gave her the freedom to handle cases however she wanted.
Cornelia, of course, knew that she couldn't do everything her way, but she didn't have too many restrictions.
"The way I see it, if you don't want to do things the way 'the man' tells you to do them, then don't work for the government. Being a recovery agent means not having to follow strict guidelines and procedures." Of course, even her line of work was ultimately regulated by the Ministry of Magic, but she didn't feel the need to share that information. Better to let imaginations run wild than to spoil the fantasy her words were generating.
A new figure joined the group of younger students captivated by Cornelia's speech. Cornelia looked up and saw her cousin Ramona standing there with a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
"What?" Cornelia asked, ignoring a child's question.
"Nothing," Ramona replied. "You just seem so… I don't know, grown up."
Cornelia narrowed her eyes. "Do you have something to ask about what I do for a living, or is this just a personal visit?"
Ramona sidled forward, took a pamphlet from the table, and moved back behind the younger students, who had started to grow bored. A few of them wandered away, earning a scowl from Cornelia.
"See what you did?" Cornelia asked accusingly.
Ramona shrugged. "What? I didn't do anything."
The rest of the crowd dispersed, leaving the cousins alone. Ramona, being in a teasing sort of mood, leveled a smile at Cornelia and said, "So, tell me about your average day at work."
"Ha. What do you really want?"
"I just wanted to say hi, mainly."
"Well, you've said it. Goodbye."
Ramona rolled her eyes and moved away. Cornelia shook her head and looked around for someone new to lure to her table, when she spotted a boy staring in Ramona's direction. It was Gus Hodfuffer, who Cornelia knew from her Quidditch days at Hogwarts.
Well, well, well, Cornelia thought to herself. Isn't that interesting.