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Chocolate Hearts
Author: Kody
Date: 01-16-07 09:00
Kody slides into a chair across the table from Drake and Ophelia. He tosses some candy at them. "Forgot to give these out this morning. Happy Valentine's."
Ophelia looks at the one piece she caught and opens the heart shaped piece of chocolate. On the heart the words I Love You fade out to be replaced by Be Mine. Seconds later the words are once again I Love You.
"You two loves birds seen Plum or Anthony? I've got candy for them too," Kody says while reaching for one of the club sandwiches on his tray.
"I saw Plum earlier," Ophelia replies, nibbling on the chocolate heart.
"And I saw Anthony, Ciara, and Katherine Spinnet this morning," Drake tells him.
Someone else drops into the vacant seat next to Kody. "Does your sister get some of that candy?" Kordelia asks.
"Well...," Kody drawls out with a grin before handing some chocolate hearts to her.
Kordelia then asks Drake and Ophelia, "What did you two give each other?"
Ophelia fingers the pendant and silver chain she's wearing. "I got this. It's got my birthstone."
Drake also fingers something at his neck, a braided leather necklace. "Ophelia made this for me."
"Nice," Kordelia and Kody say in unison.
"You get Daria anything," Ophelia then asks.
"I just sent her a corsage of rosebuds to wear today. We'll exchange other gifts on Saturday in Hogsmeade. I got Daria a charm for a bracelet she wears a lot and some earrings. And chocolate of course," Kody says with a smile as he reaches into a pocket and brings out more foil wrapped chocolate hearts to pass around.
The Best Gift To Give
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 01-16-07 13:17
Fighting the urge to use the tip of the quill in his hand to pop one of those oh so exasperating Valentine's Day balloons that seem to be everywhere in the Ministry today, Lucius snarls at no one in particular, "Who's bloody brilliant idea was it to make the very Muggle Valentine's Day a Wizarding cross over?"
Stepping quickly to keep pace with him, Lucius's secretary Jody Yaxley replies, "We've celebrated Valentine's Day for as long as I can remember, sir."
"When I want your input, Ms. Yaxley, I shall ask. Until then, if the urge to speak overcomes you, I suggest you learn how to quickly clap your hands over your mouth without dropping those files you're carrying."
A step and a half further down the corridor and another balloon barely escaping out of Lucius's way, he states, "I suppose you are wanting off spot on time today or even a smidge early to get dressed up for what do they call it these days? Your significant other."
"Now that you mention it, sir," Jody begins.
Lucius waves a hand in the general direction she's trailing him. "Fine, fine. A half hour early but no more though I do expect you to make up that time."
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."
Walking into the conference room where several of the higher up Unspeakables from the Department of Mysteries are already waiting, Lucius takes his seat. Jody sits at a small table nearby with the stack of files at the ready to hand Lucius as each Unspeakable presents his case for budgets for new projects.
As everyone gets settled and Jody pours tea for those who wish it, Lucius remembers he's seeing Bellatrix for dinner tonight. Although things are still a bit stilted between them, they are on the path back to establishing the relationship they once had. With it being Valentine's Day and with Rodolphus unable to give Bellatrix a gift from his prison cell at Azkaban, Lucius decides he'll give her a token gift himself.
A smile creases Lucius's lips for the first time this day as he determines that the best gift he can give Bellatrix is for him not to threaten to make that pig Catweazle into a nice roasted pork loin for dinner.
End of Potions
Author: Coco Nutt
Date: 01-16-07 17:39
Professor Slughorn moves to stand near his desk. In a mildly chastising tone he says to the fifth year Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs, "I shouldn't have to remind you but do be sure you've labeled your test tubes. Last week I had to from this class with no names. We of course found out on Monday to whom they belonged but points were docked from perfectly good potions work."
Although not one of the two Professor Slughorn means Coco nonetheless checks to make sure her name is clearly labeled on the test tube she's about to fill with today's assignment. Next to her Fritz does the same then gives his full attention back to finishing his potion. Coco smiles watching Fritz and the way his brow always furrows when he's being so careful with the contents of his cauldron and getting the potion in it just right.
Feeling her eyes on him, Fritz looks up and smiles then immediately drops his gaze back to the task at hand. Knowing there's not much time left in the class period, Coco returns her attention to her own cauldron, pleased to see the color is the same as Fritz's. That's a good indication she's done her potion correctly.
Less than five minutes later they and their classmates are turning test tubes in and cleaning work stations. Fritz and Coco walk out together talking about what might be served for Valentine's Day dinner. They'd already exchanged gifts this morning, Coco giving Fritz a kit to go with his chemistry set. The kit is a for fun, make things to eat and drink sort of thing.
Reaching the top step to the ground floor, Coco turns toward the main doors. "Oi'm off to feed Hazel," she says in reference to the Aethonon she's raising for the Best in Show - Magical Creatures SAT event. "No need for ya ter get spuds*. I'll meet you in the Great Hall in a tick."
Fritz nods and gives Coco a peck on the cheek. Stepping outside, Coco first lets Pea out of her pocket to do his business then once he's snug again, she walks down to the stable to see to her large, winged horse.
*spuds = potatoes in the mould = cold
Valentine's Day Dinner
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 01-16-07 18:22
Fritz winds up alone at the Ravenclaw table while Coco braves the cold to feed Hazel. He felt the cold blast of air that came into the entrance hall when students returning from Herbology entered the castle. Fritz wasn't at all sorry that Coco had offered to meet him in the Great Hall rather than have him follow her out to the barn. he still didn't know how she could stand to walk around without any shoes on when it was freezing, and in the snow no less!
Fritz gave Coco a sapphire pendant on a thin gold chain for valentine's Day. He'd saved up for a long time to buy Coco the blue jewel and knew it had been just the right gift for her when he saw the look on her face that morning in the Ravenclaw common room. The necklace wasn't really much to speak of, but the sapphire was a quality gemstone. Fritz had known he wanted to get it for Coco the moment he'd first laid eyes on it.
The house elves went all out for Valentine's Day dinner. Fritz notes with wonder and deep appreciation that the Choices for the main course include steak, lobster tails, filet mignon and ribs. Side dishes comprise of baked potatoes, roasted green vegetables, glazed julienne carrots and salad.
And then there are the desserts: cake, ice cream, chocolate covered strawberries, and chocolates galore. It's almost like a Hogwarts Feast!
Fritz knows he'll have an easy time overdoing it so he tries to moderate himself as he helps himself from a little bit of everything. He'd hate to wind up sick after such a great day but somehow Fritz isn't sure he'll really be able to restrain himself from at least taste-testing everything offered to him!
He refrains from taking a single bite until Coco sits down by his side.
"How is Hazel?" Fritz asks, pushing a few bowls Coco's way so that she doesn't have to stretch over anybody to get to the good stuff.
"Hungry!" Coco exclaims, "and so am I!"
Fritz can't agree more.
2nd Year Two-on-One DADA Exercise
Author: Kissy Isuki
Date: 01-17-07 16:06
Kissy watches the last few grains of sand run out of the timer she'd set for fifteen minutes. "Time's up. Quills down," she instructs the second year Gryffindors and Slytherins. "Be sure you've written your name on your quiz. Pass them to the front please then form two lines at the door."
The students rush to do as told so in less than a minute they're all lined up and ready to find out what's in store. None of the Ravenclaws or Hufflepuffs had mentioned anything out of the ordinary. Those who'd said anything to friends from the other two house merely confirmed that the quiz announced to them on Monday and to the Gryffindors and Slytherins on Tuesday was short but tough.
Kissy leads the students to the section of hallway and rooms Professor Dumbledore officially set aside for Defense Against the Dark Arts work. Taking the students into the largest of the rooms, Kissy gestures to four defined areas, each with a variety of barricade looking features.
"As often than not, if in a defensive or offensive position there's not the same number of people on each side of the situation. Today, instead of the more formal one-on-one dueling set up you're accustomed to, you'll be in a two-on-one situation.
Four sets of three will work at a time. That leaves one of you as odd student out. After three to five minutes I'll call time. The odd student out will rotate into area #1, one person from that area will rotate into area #2, and so forth with one person from area #4 rotating out for the next go around.
As you've already noticed, each designated area has different types of barriers. Deak, you'll be odd student out this time. The rest of you, when I call your first grouping, decide who's the one against the two then wait for my signal to begin.
Thalia, Jack, Jasper to area #1. Carlotta, Timothy, Milo to area #2. Eithne, Francis, Cornelia to area #3. That leaves Arista, Angus, and Wiggy to area #4."
Kissy gives them half a minute more then moves to the observation stand she's set up and has Deak follow her so he may watch from the best vantage point as well. With a smile, a nod, and a wave of one hand Kissy says, "Begin!"
Advancements in the Extendables Line (George)
Author: Majandra
Date: 01-17-07 17:04
As one Fred and George look up as Forest Woods's office door opens. Again as one they stand. Woods comes over, hand outstretched to shake. "Good to see you both. Come on into the office." To his secretary he says, "Prunella, if you want to go on to lunch, go ahead."
Once inside the office Woods pulls his door to and motions for the twins to sit down. "Can I get you something to drink?"
"We're fine," the reply.
"When you set up this meeting you told Prunella you have something exciting to show me."
"We do. Advancements of the" George starts
"Extendable Ears, Mouth, and Eyes," Fred finishes.
"You've got my full attention," Woods says, turning a chair to face the couch where the twins now sit.
Knowing how disconcerting their habit of speaking as they do can be to those not used to it, George launches solo to start off their presentation while Fred demonstrates.
"The Extendables line is excellent and we know your department has made good use of them. The one drawback to them is that for your department's use the Extandables are a little on the large side. Not always easy to hide or camouflage. What we've come up with, for true stealth purposes, are smaller versions.
We consulted with my wife, who has one foot in the Muggle world, as well as our friends Hermione Granger and Harry Potter, who both also have strong Muggle ties. We learned that Muggle authorities have tiny devices that tend to be much easier to conceal."
Fred opens the box they'd brought and pulls out a teeny version of the Extendable Mouth as George says, "An Extendable Mouth this small can be concealed just under the neckline or even in something like a brooch."
Fred demonstrates a few of the ways the tiny Extandable Mouth might be concealed, including bringing out one they'd put into a pendant. Next George talks about and Fred demonstrates a little version of the Extendable Ears and then an equally tiny version of the Extandable Eyes.
When done, Woods looks duly impressed. "Would these be available to the average consumer?"
Fred fields this question. "Not if this Ministry and other governments and law enforcement agencies are interested in them."
Woods, nodding his head, says, "Let's talk pricing and see what sort of agreement we can reach."
The twins grin at each other then Fred begins talking price points of individual units and what sort of discount they could offer if the Ministry bought multiple units of each Extendable line.
(Caden) How They Did It
Author: Ronan Eastwick
Date: 01-17-07 18:32
After work, Caden kissed Urania on the cheek and promised to visit her later. He had somewhere else he longed to be, in the hideout beneath the Hanged Man where his minions waited for him. With each day that passed by, Caden grew more and more comfortable with the dark life he'd seemed to have acquired. He liked having followers. He liked giving them idle tasks to perform. But most of all, he liked his new found power.
Caden arrived at the Hanged Man, went to the loo, and stepped through the hidden doorway in the last stall. His men were waiting for him, just like dogs waiting for their master to return home from work.
He pulled off his coat and draped it over the back of one of the chairs at the table. A minion quickly pulled the coat off the chair and hung it up properly in a wardrobe. Caden sat down, not having to ask to be served a meal and a stout drink. He ate and drank silently until half his plate was cleared. Then he addressed his men for the first time.
"Where's Gudgeon?"
"I will find him," one said, and disappeared quickly to follow through with the task.
He returned a mere ten minutes later with Gudgeon in tow. "I left my family's table to see you. What can I get you?" Gudgeon asked.
"Nothing. Have a seat." Caden indicated to a chair near him with the end of his fork.
Gudgeon sat down.
"Someone get him something to drink. And something to eat, too?" Caden directly the last question to Gudgeon himself.
"Something to drink will be fine, thank you," Gudgeon replied.
"I wanted to ask you about the Gringotts robbery," Caden said. "How did you manage it? Did you just barge in with wands blazing or what?"
Gudgeon smiled. "A friend of a friend works for Gringotts in Diagon Alley. He's kept me abreast of the security changes the bank as a whole has recently undergone. I knew that we would easily be identified if we all went in, as you say, with wands blazing. So, my three comrades and I entered Gringotts on the previous day, but only one of us came out."
"Hamm, Priller and Tapling remained in Gringotts overnight? How is it they weren't detected?"
Gudgeon's smile broadened. "They spent the night in my vault."
Caden's expression remained fairly blank. "And how is it that you were able to stow them in your vault in secret? Doesn't someone from Gringotts use his or her own key along with yours to open your vault?"
"Usually," Gudgeon replied, still smiling.
"Care to tell me how you managed to access your vault in an unusual manner?"
"A single copy of every key at the Hogsmeade branch is kept in storage at Diagon Alley. This friend of a friend secured my key for me. I had to return it, of course, but it served its purpose perfectly."
Caden leaned back in his chair after he'd finished his meal. "So, if there's an accessible copy of every key at Diagon Alley, theoretically we only need to get our hands on a matching key, probably the one belonging to the client, in order to access the vaults."
"Correct."
"And I imagine the keys cannot be copied further?"
"I imagine they are charmed to prevent anyone from doing just that."
Caden scratched his chin.
Gudgeon grinned. "I think I like what you're thinking."
"For the present, I'm only thinking Gudgeon. You may go back to your family now."
Gudgeon nodded and left without another word, leaving Caden alone to muse at the table.
Working On Automatic
Author: Griffin Price
Date: 01-17-07 18:56
Griff stocks a shelf, working on automatic as his mind goes over and over a conversation he'd had with Ruth yesterday at lunch. Almost all of their meetings for the last several weeks have been in the evening but Griff and Sinead Keddle had gone to a Valentine's Day part thrown by one of Griff's bosses, Belladonna Barkwith.
At their lunch meeting at Ruth's house, she'd first handed over the newest letter from Carys, owled Monday night, with pictures of Tristan and a brief message about how they are settling in with her grandparents. Carys also lets Griff know that Alun and Mairwen Hanham want to meet him so would he please contact her soon about that?
Before leaving Ruth's Griff had written a reply thanking Carys for the pictures and letting her know he's got the entire weekend off of it's convenient for her and them. Griff had also sent a toy to Tristan for Valentine's and had some flowers sent to Carys and her grandmother.
For Griff the timing of the shoppe's expansion into the empty building next door couldn't be better. The contractors are coming in early Saturday morning and with what they're doing they project to be done by Monday. The shop will open back up on Tuesday even though the expanded section won't be fully set up and stocked just yet.
What Griff is doing Monday is part of why Ruth and he met yesterday. Mercutio Wolfsbane is having Griff make a pickup of some sort. Griff doesn't know yet what he's to pickup or what else the task entails but it's another show of trust on the part of his employers for the very activities Griff is undercover to investigate.
Ruth had some news for Griff as well. The higher ups understand, in theory, that such missions can take months or even years to full accomplish the mission objectives but that doesn't keep them from being impatient for progress. They urge Griff to get this thing wrapped as soon as possible. As an incentive, if by the end of summer Griff has enough evidence against Wolfsbane and Barkwith to put them away as well as their connections, the higher ups will assign Griff to a firm that fronts as a personal and business security business, Stanford & Howard. While still spying, Griff would be able to lead a more normal, regular life.
Finishing the stocking of the one section of shelving, Griff moves on to another, all the while thinking about how if he's got a more normal, secure life, he could eventually offer a home to Tristan and Carys if she would have him or if not, offer her a place of her own with the baby if she doesn't want to live with her grandparents for long.
Griff does have one thing to do first - find the man who murdered his family and tried again to kill him last year. After that's taken care of Griff feels he can come fully clean with Carys. She'll hate him more for yet another lie about his true age but perhaps, in time, Carys'll understand his motives.