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(Ariella) International Magical Cooperation
Author: Beck
Date: 03-17-14 11:02
Ariella nibbled on a hot sandwich she'd picked up at one of the snack tables and tidied up the pamphlets and brochures she'd arranged on her table in the Great Hall. She was already a regular fixture at the school, being the wife of one of the professors, but today she was at Hogwarts to promote International Magical Cooperation.
Although she was still relatively new to her position as an assistant in the Foreign Relations Division of the Ministry's department, Ariella already felt like she knew enough about international affairs to talk up the business. Her favorite aspects of the job were traveling all over the world and observing the diplomatic talks between her country and others.
She was very excited about her boss's latest project, the planning of the second annual Scholastic Aptitude Tournament. If all went to plan, Hogwarts would participate in the inter-school competitions in a couple of years. The planning was still very much in the beginning stages, however, and Ariella didn't yet know any of the pertinent details.
There was much to work out, such as which schools would participate, what events to hold and on which campuses. Ariella remembered the first SAT quite fondly. She had placed in several events, visited schools she never would have otherwise, and met a lot of interesting people. She looked forward to the next SAT, even though she would be far too old to participate!
Alanna came over to her table looking extremely frustrated. Ariella knew that she wasn't happy to be at Career Day with Reed Wycombe as her partner. Reed was a first class jerk and had recently been promoted, springing over several levels to attain his current position. Alanna was quite sickened and still shocked with disbelief.
"I'm about ready to kill him."
"I think that's a supremely bad idea," Ariella said, "though I can't blame you."
"Seriously. If I have to hear him gloat one more time, I'll do it right here, right now and then you can help me bury the body."
"If we do that, we'll both go to prison, and I'm not sure Jared wants to get married in Azkaban."
"I don't know…" Alanna joked. "A prison-themed wedding would certainly be something different."
"Speaking of weddings, have you settled on a date yet?"
"I think we're going to be spontaneous. We'll just wake up one morning and say, 'Hey, I think we should get married today', and then we'll owl everyone an invite and whoever makes it, makes it."
"You're joking, aren't you?" asked Katherine, who had come over to join in on the conversation.
Alanna looked perfectly serious, but she wasn't really. She and Jared had delayed things, not because they'd wanted to, but because it had just happened that way. They would get married someday, and though it might not be completely spontaneous, it probably wouldn't be totally planned out either.
"You know you'll have to take our pictures," Alanna said to her half-sister.
"I will, except the ones you want me in, unless you don't think I photograph well?"
"Now who's joking?" Alanna asked, grinning.
Katherine looked prettier and prettier with age. She dated quite a bit but had yet to find the one.
"Where's that husband of yours?" Alanna asked Ariella.
"He said he wanted to visit with Maggie," Ariella said, "but we have a dinner date later."
"So do I," Alanna said. "I mean, with Jared, unless you want me to be the third wheel on your date, Ariella."
Ariella laughed. She actually had some big news to share with Lawrence, something she would eventually share with everyone, but first she wanted to tell him all about it.
Curiouser and Curiouser (Blackguard Offices)
Author: Nephele Mockridge
Date: 03-17-14 12:48
Nephele looked through her notes on the Revanche interrogation. It bothered her that they had nothing further, and no way to get more, as whomever had gotten access had been sure she couldn't reveal anything further. Off and on, she'd read through, wondering what she was missing. She knew Pippin was doing it as well, it was a trait the two shared, to some extent.
Strong fingers slid over her shoulders and squeezed as she leaned back, her eyes drifting closed and a low moan of appreciation slipping from her throat. "You're working too hard, my lovely," Pippin's voice teased. "I don't think I've even seen you in your lab for days and you know how much I like those protective robes you wear."
Nephele laughed and slid her hands over his on her shoulders. "I know. It's definitely a problem when it tears me away from my potions. But then, I was at a standstill there too, none of my cures have worked so far, and I haven't had any of the experimental accidents that usually result in something useful either."
"Then it seems a good time to pop it away and let me treat you to an afternoon out."
"Still trying to get back in my good graces?" she teased as he squeezed lightly.
"No, just wanting to enjoy some time on a lovely Saturday, in the middle of Winter, exploring London with my favorite Potions Mistress. And if that happens to help us get past my folly in not telling you of my affliction sooner, well then, it's a perk."
"I think I'm corrupting you, you're starting to think like a snake," Nephele teased. Her eyes softened as her gaze met his, though she was a bit upside down from tilting her neck toward him. It had hurt to find out the way she had about his curse, but things were slowly getting better. In some ways, she felt their relationship was stronger because there were no more secrets, at least not counting the continuing pressure from Cloris to make things official. But thankfully, Cloris was distracted for most of the year with teaching at Hogwarts in addition to her society role, and thus, less inclined to harp on her children to give her more grandchildren. Which was good as neither twin was inclined to rush anything.
Putting her notes away, Nephele got to her feet, spinning quickly to catch Pippin's hands in hers and squeezing. "Let's see what we can find in the city, perhaps something will catch our fancy before we freeze. That or you shall have to find inventive ways to keep me warm, and no cheating with warming charms," she teased gently.
Popular
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 03-17-14 13:17
Lysander reached into the bin by his feet and pulled out a green, leather-bound journal. He handed it to the female student who had just asked him and Julian a slew of questions and thanked her for stopping by their booth.
"I'm pretty sure that's the fifth time that same girl has been by our table," Julian said.
"I counted sixth," Lysander replied, a slight smile on his lips.
"Well, at least we can't say we aren't popular."
"True," Lysander agreed. "Say, I'm feeling a bit peckish. Want me to bring you anything if I stop by one of the refreshments tables?"
"Yes. I'll have whatever your having."
"That's easy," Lysander said. "Be right back."
He stepped out from behind their table and made his way to the front of the Great Hall, where several tables offering different meals from simple sandwiches to soups and salads were stationed. He queued up, eyeing the various combinations of hot sandwiches available, not feeling a presence behind him until the person spoke.
"Stratford."
Lysander's face fell. "Weasley." He turned and saw Bill in line behind him.
"I debated ignoring you but then I thought it might not be polite."
"Pity," Lysander said. "I could have done without engaging you in any sort of conversation."
Bill smirked, a somewhat uncharacteristic expression for the former Gryffindor, but then his features grew serious and he murmured, "That business with Aralyn and Kristos shocked me."
"Me too," Lysander admitted.
"What do you think happened?"
"I dunno," Lysander said. He had his suspicions, but he chose not to voice them.
Bill fell silent then, and it was just as well, for Lysander had begun thinking about Adriana. He had not seen her since the wee hours of New Year's Day and almost hoped he wouldn't see her again. They had made a huge mistake, one Lysander had no intention of repeating.
It suddenly occurred to him, with Bill standing in line behind him, that they had something in common now. He groaned inwardly at the thought.
Almost Hexed
Author: Capri Brycin
Date: 03-17-14 14:22
Once again Capri was arguing with her sister and how it was Capri's fault that they had to move to England. Andromeda yelled at her sister and told her how much she hated her and that she wished she had gone to prison for what she had done back home.
Fighting the urge to hex her sister Capri just turned on her heels and walked away. She wanted more than anything to hex her sister into the next week but she resisted that urge as hard as she could but she could still hear her sister yelling at her. She turned and pulled her wand pointing it at her sister and began to yell out a hex but she felt someone watching her and then heard Professor Snape and she lowered her wand.
"Sorry Professor." Capri said and dropped her head as she walked past him and back to the castle steps where she sat down; Andromeda and her friends were now laughing at Capri for almost getting into trouble with Professor Snape.
As she sat she felt a hand on her back and looked up, it was Mark. She smiled up at him and he sat down beside her.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." She said. "I just hate my little bitch sister."
"I understand. She hasn't been overly friendly to me since I met her. Nothing major just not overly friendly."
Carpi bobbed her head; "Yeah that is about the way she is until you really get to know her then the bitch starts to come out."
Mark laughed lightly and smiled at her.
"So, did you find anything interesting at career day after I left you?"
Capri shrugged, "I listened to some guy talk about writing and that was kind of interesting but I don't know. I don't know what I want to do when I get out of school."
"I'm going to get a job at the ministry. I have a couple of leads lined out."
"Nice." She smiled but continued to look at the ground.
"Yeah, I want to make some money and not worry about going to school."
"I understand that I don't want to go to more school after this. I just want to start making money."
The two just sat and talked for a long time before heading back inside to see what else was going on before heading back to the Slytherin Common Room.
Finding a Job
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 03-17-14 14:50
"I don't know why we are here: there's just no point to it. We'll be stuck at school again next year."
"I know you feel frustrated, Gus. So do I. This should be our last year at Hogwarts. But even if we don't graduate soon, we can at least check the booths and have a notion of what is out there."
"As if you don't know already what you want to do. Something related with History of Magic, am I right?"
Johanna nodded. Since she was young that she was interested in History of Magic and she always aspired to become a great historian, and become as famous as Bathilda Bagshot. However, she knew she had a long way to go until she reached Bathilda's level. There was a lot she had to learn yet. Another goal of her was to have her own home and that required money. Johanna was already making some plans to work during the summer and save some money. This Career Day would be the right opportunity to find a job, she thought.
"Look, there's Cornelia!"
Gus was very excited to see Cornelia Vanderbilt, the former Slytherin seeker and team captain who had given their house a Quidditch cup. While he exchanged a few words with her, Johanna read a pamphlet about the Frost Fugitive Recovery Agency. She couldn't see herself working there at all. They moved on to other booths, recognizing a few faces behind them such as Coach Krum and Kate's father, Mr. Dewhurst. After twenty minutes circulating around the Great Hall, Gus became frustrated.
"This is ridiculous. I'm eighteen, I should be going to college or get a job. Why spend another year at Hogwarts? I wouldn't need to graduate to become a Quidditch player. Or selling cauldrons..."
"But you don't want to spend the rest of your life selling cauldrons, do you?"
Gus didn't reply. Instead he decided he was done for the day and went back to the Slytherin common room. Johanna understood his frustration. It wasn't pleasant to see some of her colleagues like Mark or Bianca about to get out in the world, while they had to still stay at school and take their classes with younger students. When they were younger it didn't seem to make much of a difference but now they were grown up and it felt terrible to think that the same people that had been sorted alongside with them would be gone. It was always harder for those who had to stay, than to those who left.
Before exiting the Great Hall, she went to check the Museum Curatorship booth. She spoke to a wizard named Vespasian Bloor, who was curator at the Royal Museum of Magic. Naturally Johanna's current educational level was not enough to qualify her as a curator, but Mr. Bloor informed her that the museum could use extra tour guides during the summer. All she had to do was to bring some references by her History of Magic teacher. Her Outstanding at the History of magic OWL was also an indicative that she could work at the museum. She left her address with Mr. Bloor and went to find her friends in order to tell them that she might have just gained a summer job.
Taking a Life
Author: Tiberius Nott
Date: 03-18-14 07:05
"Please…" the woman cried. "Please let me go…"
"Lottie, close the curtains," Lucinda ordered, ignoring the woman's pleas. The little house elf quickly obeyed, not wanting to upset her mistress.
A lot of things had changed since Lucinda Nott had returned to Endhope Abbey, after her long stay at Azkaban. The mansion had regained part of its old glory thanks to the acquisition of Lottie, who had came to replace the previous family house elf, the deceased Osky. The poor creature spent her days cleaning the uncountable divisions of the house, removing large amounts of dust and cobwebs from the furniture. Ragged drapes were mended and jammed windows were opened for the first time in years, clearing the moldy scent that had taken over the mansion. The marbled fireplaces and chandeliers glinted and the quality of the food had increased immensely.
His mother's arrival was followed by Phyllida and Ferne's departure. They had decided to terminate their stay at the Nott manor, with the excuse that Tiberius should spend the holidays with his mother now that she was back from prison, after so many years in captivity. He had insisted on them to stay but they politely refused. Unlike her son, Lucinda was not surprised with the girls' actions. In fact she seemed quite pleased to have her son for herself.
Tiberius wished Titus to spend the holidays at home, but their mother wanted to keep her release in secret, for now. His little brother was now under Casper Hobday's guard. At first Tiberius had questioned this decision but one day he went to the street the Hobday's lived at Oxford and watched his brother having a dinner with his new guardians from the window. Titus seemed happy and Tiberius did not have the courage to interrupt such blissful family scene to greet his brother. He watched on the sidewalk for a long time, ignoring the snowflakes that started pilling up on his hair and shoulders.
"Please..." the woman begged, once more.
Lucinda looked at her with despise. She was on her knees, a fragile figure with a dress that had once been beautiful but now it was turned into the rags. Her lip was open and blood dripped into the dark blue carpet, staining it. She turned herself to Tiberius, her blue eyes asking for mercy. He looked away, incommoded. His mother had kidnapped the girl and took her to Endhope Abbey a couple of days ago. She was a Muggle. She used to silence her with a spell whenever she tried to scream for help, hence the blood and the several injuries in her body. Whenever Tiberius asked his mother what was the woman for, Lucinda would just tell him that all would be revealed at the right moment.
It seemed that such moment has arrived. The Muggle woman had been untied and Lucinda was pointing her wand at her. The woman trembled.
"Have you ever killed, Tiberius?"
"No," he replied.
"I thought so. It's not as hard as it sounds. Just like any other spell, you raise your wand, say the words and watch it happen. It comes naturally."
Tiberius thought Lucinda was going to kill the Muggle woman at that moment, to show him. She seemed to have thought the same because she squeaked:
"NO!"
"Quiet, girl!" Lucinda hissed. She used her wand and the woman screamed in pain.
"To free you from that curse there are things we will be expected to do. Killing is probably one of them."
"There is no we, mother. I do not plan to join Adriana Fairchild. I told you before."
"You have no other option, Tiberius. You couldn't find the cure on your own. You need help. Or do you wish to die?" this time the wand was pointed at his chest. "Shall we end this right now?"
He looked down.
"Good. I didn't think you wanted to die just yet. Now kill the Muggle. Prove to me you are capable of taking a life. Go on Tiberius..."
He lifted his wand, pointing it to the woman.
"No...please..." she begged again.
"Do it, son," his mother whispered near him.
"Please..."
"Kill her! What are you waiting for?"
Tiberius hold his wand tighter, but he hesitated.
"You know the words. You just have to say them..."
"Please don't..." tears fell down the woman's injured face.
"Kill her, Tiberius!" Lucinda repeated inciting her son.
"Aveda Kedrava!"
A flash of green light invaded the room, followed by a moment of silence. Tiberius' dropped his wand on the floor and passed by his mother's dead body without a word. Behind him the Muggle woman sobbed.
(Miranda) Clueless
Author: Mildred
Date: 03-18-14 08:00
By now Miranda should have a clear idea of what she wanted to do after leaving Hogwarts. But truth to be told she was clueless. Part of her wanted to go to St. Emrys and get a degree, while other wanted to begin working right away. She liked the idea of learning a trade. Her sister Perdita seemed divided as well but not for the same reason; she wanted to attend St. Emrys but she didn't know what degree to choose.
The Drawlight sisters walked together around the Great Hall but they separated when Perdita started a conversation with Lavinia Newmarch, the responsible for the St. Emrys admissions. Miranda continued to check out the other booths. She spotted Alan Birdwell leaving a crowded area holding a pamphlet with the crest of the British Quidditch League printed on it.
"Hey Alan," she greeted with a smile. "Are you considering becoming a Quidditch player?"
"One can dream..." he joked. "No harm checking it out. What about you?"
"To be honest, I'm lost. My sister already knows more or less what she wants to do in the future, while I'm just clueless."
"Don't panic, Drawlight. You still have plenty of time to decide."
He patted her back in a friendly way and walked away. Alan's comforting touch and words made Miranda feel better. She kept checking all the booths including the peculiar Wigmaking one, owned by Archibald Bennett. She ended up learning that wigmaking could be considered by some a form of art and that Mr. Bennett used many complex charms in each one of his wigs which made them unique (and quite expensive).
When she was done with her round she noticed Perdita was finishing her conversation with Lavinia. She was holding a large number of pamphlets and she handed a few of them to Miranda.
"Here is some information about a few courses you might like."
"Law, Architecture, Economics..." Miranda read.
"We can also check the booths related to those areas and they'll answer all your questions."
"I appreciate your help Perdita, but I am not even sure if I want to go to St. Emrys."
"Don't be silly Miranda. You have studied hard all these years; of course you want to have a higher education. Why wouldn't you?"
Miranda shrugged her shoulders. She didn't feel like arguing with her sister and so she just visited all the booths she wanted, still thinking about Alan's words of how she had plenty of time yet to decide what she would want to do about her future.
Variety of Jobs in a Restaurant
Author: Furnella Hodfuffer
Date: 03-18-14 19:16
Just before popping a stuffed mushroom into her mouth the girl newly arrived to the Crown & Cauldron Career Day stall states, "Working at a restaurant must be boring."
I've heard variations on this comment for years. My smile widens. "For some, yes, it might be; however, there are enough different types of jobs in the restaurant business that if one doesn't seem interesting or challenging, another might be."
She gives a slight eyeroll. "Being a waitress seems so very interesting and challenging."
"For some, it is. There are people who have made a career of being a waiter or waitress, by choice. There are many who do not but there are some who do."
The slight sarcasm from her previous statement is gone, replaced by genuine surprise. "Really? Why?"
"Different reasons. For some, it's because they enjoy meeting so many people throughout the day or evening. Also, being a waitress can be very challenging. During a busy service, she has to try to keep every single one of her customers happy all at the same time. For many restaurants, a waitress has to remember the daily specials and every time the menu goes through a change, she has to remember all those changes."
She pops another of the hor d'oeuvres type starters I've brought, a two bite pork and apple roll. I take the opportunity of her forced silence as she chews to bring up other jobs within a restaurant. "In addition to the wait staff, there are bartenders, chefs and line cooks, management, sommelier, "
"Somma what?"
"Sommelier. A wine steward."
"Isn't the bartender for wine?"
"Some finer restaurants have someone who is very knowledgeable about wine; a professional wine specialist who knows what wines that particular establishment should buy, who knows the best way to store the wine, and can answer any questions a customer might have about the wine offered, such as what wine is best with salmon almondine or which is better with a particular cut of steak."
"You mean to tell me there are people whose only job is knowing about wine but who don't make it?"
"Yes, and some are paid rather well for it."
The student stays at least ten minutes more, asking a string of questions. With her sarcastic, dismissive attitude gone, the conversation is quite enjoyable. When she finally wanders off to another booth, she's got a few brochures with her, including one that explains the different chef positions from sous chef to pastry chef, and another on being a sommelier. She may never develop an interest in the restaurant business but at least she's been enlightened.
Across the aisle and one stall down AJ is answering questions about being a professional writer and published author. With no one currently at my booth I meander his direction, arriving in time hear him tell one young man, "Some who can't find a publisher choose to self-publish. It can be more difficult going that route but if dedicated to get your book out, it can be the best way to go. There have been times someone self-published, worked hard to get the book noticed and that, in turn, led to working with a publishing company."
I leave him explaining exactly how one goes about self-publishing and promoting the book. My booth is still student free so I roam around some of the other stalls in the immediate area before returning to my own to speak with a fourth year who, after talking with Briar Rose, might want to become a chef, particularly a pastry chef.
When alone once more I refill the trays I've set out then leave just long enough to get a fresh cup of tea and something other than one of the appetizers I've brought.
From Plants To Animals (Travis & Indigo)
Author: Travis
Date: 03-19-14 18:43
"Yes, I love what I do."
"How did you know what you wanted to do or be?"
Travis smiles at the question, thinking back to when she good and truly fell in love with all things plant related. "My first, second, and third years I liked Herbology but didn't necessarily love it. A month or two after fourth year began I found myself eager to get to Herbology. I was reading ahead, volunteering for extra projects, and I started an indoor herb garden in my room just after Christmas holiday."
"So, you're saying that while a fourth year, your interest in plants blossomed." Darren Storm, a sixth year Ravenclaw, smirks with amusement.
Travis both grins and rolls her eyes at the pun. "Yes, or one might even say my interest sprouted. Since then my interest has branched into running a business and the wide variety of ways plants and plant based products can be marketed."
It's Darren's turn to roll his eyes though he too smiles broadly. He asks a few more questions and puts his name in for the prize drawings Travis is offering, including for a rainbow rose bush, saying he'd give it to his mum if he won it. A Muggle rainbow rose is one that's been artificially colored. The wizarding version is natural and in a healthy plant the variation in colors within a single blossom can be quite dramatic.
Darren also takes a few packets of the teas Travis is offering and a piece of chewy candy made from carrots, sweet potato, and chopped walnuts. He'd been hesitant to try the candy but after a small taste he polished off the rest of that piece and took another in parting, a Botanicals & Beyond owl order form clutched in one hand.
Across the Hogwarts Great Hall, Indigo is giving a check-up to a first year's kitten. "You say his appetite's good?"
"Yes, but he throws half of it back up."
Indi continues asking questions and examining the pretty little Torbie. Torbies have the black and orange blend of the Tortoiseshell coloring but with stripes like a Tiger cat would have.
After a few minutes he says, "Jinx has a sensitive spot here on his stomach. If you let me take him back to the clinic, I'll have him fixed and returned to you Monday."
"You'd do that?"
"I would love to make Jinx better. I normally charge a fee but since today is a special occasion, being Career Day, I will do it for free."
"You will?" the first year's eyes have grown large.
"Lots of the booths today are giving away gifts and prizes. How about we say you won a free service from my clinic?"
"Awesome!"
"Does Jinx have a carrier?"
"Yes, Mr. Mac, I mean Indi. I'll go get it."
The first year takes Jinx for the walk to the dorm and back, wanting some time with the kitten before having to send him off with Indigo. Another student, having realized Indigo and Coco would be willing to look over a beloved pet, has brought his owl in, worried that one wing looks crooked. The healing on the wing is something simple, requiring a healing spell that only takes a few minutes. He sends the boy off with the owl with the instructions, "Keep her in her cage or tethered to her stand for the next 24 hours. She won't be happy about that but she shouldn't fly for the next day."
With a temporary respite from answering questions about becoming a veterinary healers and from examining injured or sick pets, Indi heads to one of the refreshment tables to get something to drink for Coco and himself.
Apothecaries & Obliviators
Author: Illyria
Date: 03-19-14 18:48
Except for when there was a long lull in between visiting students or other guests to her table, Arsinoe found that the day at Hogwarts had passed rather quickly. It wasn't quite time to go yet, but the end was very near. As she had done many years in the past, she had come to the Hogwats Career Day to discuss what she did for a living. Arsinoe was an apothecarist at St. Mungo's Hospital.
She stressed the importance of excelling in Potions and Herbology to anyone showing a serious interest in working for an apothecary, whether in the hospital or at a shoppe. Going to St. Emrys wasn't a requirement to do what she did––after all, the university hadn't existed when she'd first graduated from Hogwarts––but Arsinoe knew that a time would come when having a degree would be advantageous.
For those not interested in continuing their education, there was the old-fashioned way of entering the workforce. Arsinoe had started out as an apprentice and had gradually moved up the ranks. Now she worked in a laboratory at St. Mungo's Hospital, where she brewed potions, made herbal poultices, and filled various prescriptions.
Over at another table was Arsinoe's second youngest sister Olympia, who worked for the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes at the Ministry of Magic. Olympia was an obliviator and spent the majority of her time in the field correcting the memories of Muggles who accidentally witnessed magic. She liked her job very much, though sometimes she felt a little bad about fiddling in the brains of others without their express permission. She knew it was all for the greater good, though.
Whereas Arsinoe promoted the study of Potions and Herbology, Olympia really stressed the importance of Charms, as well as a little Transfiguration. It was very serious business, performing magic on the mind. One misstep, and a person, wizard or Muggle, could be damaged for life. Modifying a Muggle's memory was usually fairly routine, but the more he or she witnessed, the more involved the procedure to 'fix' the Muggle became. Olympia had never had a particularly difficult task, but not all of them had been simple.
The day was growing long and soon it would be time to pack up her booth. Olympia, Arsinoe and Illyria were planning on grabbing a bite to eat in the village afterwards. It would be nice to catch up, since it was rare for any of the sisters to get together anymore without their extended families present.