|
|
A New Name?
Author: Travis
Date: 01-18-07 09:20
Looking around the building that still bears the name Hogsmeade Pet Shoppe & Animal Clinic Travis asks her brother, "Will you keep the name do you think?"
"I'm not sure. I'd like to change it but haven't thought up anything that strikes me better than what it's already called," Indigo says from behind a counter unit where he's making a display of the dog food the shop will offer. The display is of miniature looking bags with pricing. Customers will let an employee know which of the feed offerings they want and the large version of the bag will be brought from one of the storeage areas.
A voice coming from one of the clinic exam rooms surprises Travis. Morticia Munch is walking out of that room saying, "I put in my two knuts with the name Indigo's Animals."
Travis says, "Hallo, Mum," and walking over to give Morticia a perfunctory kiss on the cheek then says, "I wasn't expecting to see you here."
"Didn't Indigo tell you? I'm behind him 100% on this. Oh, I wasn't at first but the more I thought about it I decided it's excellent for him. Your brother is stubbornly set on his professional goals and since I hate him doing anything at dragon preserve this is a splendid alternative."
The display of cat collars and cat toys with a fluffy pink border around the entire thing now makes much more sense to Travis then when she first saw it. With a smile at Indigo Travis inquires, "Indi, why didn't you mention Mum's helping you decorate and do displays?"
His eyes darting to that cat collar and toy display Indi forces a smile, "Because she only decided yesterday to help but I really did think I mentioned her change of heart in supporting this venture. Sorry if I didn't."
Travis gives Indi a look to let him know she shares his pain. Her eyes fall on a clock on the wall. "Didn't you say you have an exam this afternoon, Indi?"
"Yes," he replies, head turning to look at the clock. "Damn! I let time get away from me."
Indigo dashes over to where he'd deposited a bookbag earlier. "Got to run!"
Pressed for time as he is, Indigo doesn't take the time to go outside to disapparate. He does it on the spot leaving Travis with Morticia. Much as she would prefer not to, Travis turns to her mother and asks, "Mum, would you like to come to Botanicals & Beyond for a spot of tea?"
"That would be lovely dear. It will give me a chance to tell you all about Zoe Markes oh so handsome grandson from New Zealand."
"Lovely," Travis replies, holding open the door for Morticia. To her mother's ears it sounds as though Travis is being agreeable but in Travis's head her lovely comment is dripping with sarcasm.
Thinking About Lyric
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 01-18-07 14:55
Viktor whistles a merry folk tune as he resets the obstacle course for some of the 6th years, changing up several of the features and turning up the level of difficulty from when some of the younger students were working it earlier. He's been whistling or grinning or both since leaving Lyric Morgan at her door the night before.
Valentine's Day this year was made special for Viktor because of Lyric. It's the first Valentine's Day he's truly celebrated, the first real one-on-one Valentine's Day dinner with someone special. Someone so special Viktor very nearly bought an engagement ring for Lyric as her Valentine's Day gift.
The only reason Viktor ended up not buying the ring yet is because though he's been spending an increasing amount of time with Lyric, he still doesn't know her all that well. He knows Lyric is self-employed as a jewelry designer. Viktor also knows from one passing mention that she has a brother who died tragically a few years ago. Beyond that Viktor doesn't know all that much.
Lyric does like Quidditch Viktor knows for a fact because she told him so. From their dates out to eat and when together having snacks, Viktor has an idea of some of Lyric's tastes in food. From her choice of clothing and the colors, Viktor has an idea of her taste in fashion. None of that adds up to much really. Viktor isn't even sure what Lyric's favorite color is.
Does she like animals?
Does Lyric like children? Would she want to have any of her own?
Where is she from originally and where did she go to school?
Other than the one brother who died does Lyric have any siblings?
More questions form in Viktor's mind as he moves out of the way and signals the waiting 6th years the obstacle course is ready for them. It's not that Viktor hasn't wanted to know more about Lyric until now. It's that whenever he tries to steer the conversation her way she tends to put things right back in his lap. Viktor's taken that to mean Lyric is a very private person.
Until Lyric opens up more to Viktor, he's going to hold off on buying that ring. He's seeing her again on Friday so without pushing so hard as to be off putting, Viktor is determined to get a least a couple of the questions answered.
Who Said That?
Author: Bailey
Date: 01-18-07 16:39
Walking into the castle after being at the Quidditch pitch making runs on the obstacle course, Bailey rubs removes his gloves and rubs his hands together to get warm. Close at his heels is Ares, the Crup puppy Bailey's raising for the Magical Creatures competition of the SAT.
Bailey goes straight to the common commons, ordering a hot chocolate. He also gets a bowl with water for Ares. The pup had had fun chomping on snow and ice while Bailey was flying the obstacle course but he nonetheless laps eagerly at the water.
Taking out some food for Ares, Bailey places it in another bowl next to the water then sits back to enjoy his hot chocolate. The beverage hits the spot, warming Bailey from the inside and taking the chill away. It also spurs his stomach into grumbling for something more substantial and filling.
Glancing over to the counter where food in the common commons is served Bailey debates whether to get a snack or force himself to hold out until supper since the evening meal isn't all that far off. Turning his head back around, Bailey jumps a little to see someone standing extremely close.
Jewel Reily lightly laughs, softly saying, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."
Bailey's tongue tries to rebel as it always does when it comes to saying anything to Jewel. He successfully fights it to say, "No, that's all right."
"I know it's a bother but do you remember off hand what the Ancient Runes assignment is? I sat down to get it out of the way only to find I didn't write it down. I've not seen anyone else from class so was about to go ask Professor Hodfuffer when I saw you sit down."
Bailey's tongue once again tries to keep him from making a sensical reply. He starts then stops then tries again managing to get out, "It's no bother."
Bailey's still got his Ancient Runes notes with him so he pulls out the information for Jewel to read herself rather than attempting to keep talking and having it all come out stupidly garbled.
Jewel looks over the assignment information then beams a bright smile at Bailey. "Thank you!"
"Would you like to go with me to Hogsmeade Saturday?"
Bailey looks around trying to figure out who so rudely blurted that out to Jewel when she's standing there talking to him.
Jewel's gaze doesn't waver from Bailey's face and her smile broadens even more. "I'd love to."
Bailey's confused. Jewel's speaking to him as if he's the one who asked the question. Then it hits him that somehow he had indeed asked the question and asked it successfully just as he'd imagined himself doing a thousand times before now. Suddenly even more self-conscious than he usually is when Jewel's around, Bailey blushes and stammers, "Grreat!"
"Meet at the main doors just before breakfast?"
Bailey nods, unable to get out the words this time.
"Excellent," Jewel says, that smile still fixed on Bailey. "I'd best get to this assignment and get it out of the way. Talk to you later."
Nodding again, Bailey feels his lips curling into a grin that he's sure must look idiotic. To hide it, he takes another sip of his hot chocolate then because he can only keep the mug to his face for so long, Bailey bends to give Ares a belly rub.
Bad Mood (AJ)
Author: Furnella Hodfuffer
Date: 01-19-07 16:14
"What's got you in such a sour mood?" Bruce Cuddy, AJ's literary agent asks.
AJ scrunches up his face in annoyance, though it's not annoyance directed at Bruce. "Just something with a student this morning."
That something was AJ having a meeting with seventh year Ryan Surman. AJ would have liked to have had the conference with Ryan yesterday but AJ had very short office hours Thursday because of a commitment he couldn't break. AJ knew he needed to speak with Ryan about slipping grades but after marking Ryan's exam from yesterday morning's class, the need to talk with the student had become more urgent.
AJ had watched for Ryan to come to breakfast in the Great Hall, asking him to come to AJ's office. Ryan had eaten first but arrived at the office with plenty of time for the meeting before needing to get to his 9 am class. Before AJ had said more than, "Come in, sit down," Ryan had done on the defensive.
"I know my grades are slipping. I've been spending so much time preparing for the NEWTs that I let my actual course work get away from me."
"Cheating on an exam isn't the way to go about bringing up your grades, Ryan."
"Pardon?" Ryan looked startled but it was the look of being caught and not the look of someone who had no idea of what AJ was talking about.
"I'm not sure how you worked around the anti-cheating quill unless you somehow switched out quills without me seeing but after seeing your exam from yesterday there's no doubt that you cheated."
"In what way?" Ryan asked in a tone that came off almost as a demand.
AJ sighed, not liking the hardening expression on Ryan's face or the tone of the boy's voice. He placed Ryan's exam on his desk facing where Ryan could read it then place Elenor Branstone's next to it.
"You sat right behind Elenor yesterday. Compare your answers to hers."
Ryan leaned forward, his eyes going from one test to the other then back again. Sitting up he shrugged and sullenly said, "We studied together. You can ask Elenor. We memorized things the same way."
"That's possible, not probably since when memorizing long answers people still tend to make slight variations, but I'm willing to concede that's possible."
"So we're done here? Everything's cleared up?" Ryan said more or less rhetorically, starting to rise.
"Sit back down," AJ ordered with as much patience as his growing ire would allow. "Compare the questions on your exam to Elenor's."
Ryan, eyes narrowing, leaned forward again to look closely as the papers. He leaned farther forward studying more intent in comparing the two exams. When he leaned back again it was with an, "Oh."
"As you saw, going down each exam, your answers line up perfectly with Elenor's. The problem is that there were two copies of the exam. Both copies had the same questions, just in different order."
Ryan didn't apoligize or sound contrite as AJ had expected; instead the young man sat back, arms crossed and sullenly asked, "What now?"
"You get zero points on the exam. With your grades already low this Troll of a grade brings you to failing. I've got assignments here in this file that if you do them all and if you don't make another screw up like this will bring you into the barely passing range. To bring your grade up more you'll have to also make sure you do all the regular course work and do well on the rest of the exams from here on out. You'd also have the option of doing even more additional work."
Ryan glared at the folder but took it without looking inside or asking questions, and still no apology or any indication he's feeling anything other than angry at being caught.
AJ continued speaking. "Fifteen points from Ravenclaw and consider that bloody generous. After speaking with your Head of House Professor Flitwick, I'll let you know what sort of detention you'll be pulling." AJ waited a beat then said, "Now we're done. You may go."
Here it is midmorning and AJ is still angry about it. Looking across his desk to where Bruce sits he says, "I'm sorry for being irritated. I assure you it's not you. It's the incident this morning."
"Understandable. I don't think I could teach kids the ages that are here at Hogwarts. No patience for their antics. You don't really have anything to apologize to me about anyway. I'm here during your official Friday office hours so I'm encroaching on your professor time."
"Not a problem," AJ assures.
Bruce opens a large portofilio he'd brought with him. "I came at this time because I've got the mock up of the cover art for your novel that's at the editor's as we speak. If you approve the art I can get it in to them today."
His mood lifting somewhat at getting to see the artwork, AJ grins, "Excellent! Show me what you've got."
Meeting Fred and Blossom for Lunch
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 01-19-07 19:01
Ginny and her friend Kelvin Zeigler had Floo'd from St. Emrys to Charlie's and Hendrika's then after Ginny had introduced Kelvin to Hendrika and had gotten to coo over little Arthur and Schuyler, they'd walked to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes II, still known as Zonko's, to meet with Fred and Blossom for lunch. Entering the shop, Ginny shows Kelvin around while Fred finishes with a customer.
Blossom comes out of the office when she hears Ginny's voice. "Hi, you must be Kelvin."
The tall, stocky, blonde Kelvin cocks his head to one side, "You know, I think we've met before."
Ginny says to Blossom, "Kelvin went to Watling's too. Graduated the same year as I did."
Blossom purses her lips and narrows her eyes in thought then her eyes widen in recognition. "You're Beth Zeigler's little brother."
"One of them," Kelvin nods. "Dawson is still at Watling's. He'll graduate this year. When Ginny mentioned a sister-in-law named Blossom I had no idea it would be Blossom Wedgewood from the same class as my sister."
"And I didn't put the name Kelvin Zeigler together with the Zeigler's I knew at school when Ginny talked to Fred and me about lunch with you two today."
Ginny laughs, "Next time I go out with someone who went to Watling's I'll be sure to be more clear with him and with you, Blossom."
Kelvin pokes Ginny in the arm. "Already planning for my successor, are you?"
"A girl's got to be ready, have options, don't you know?" Ginny good naturedly retorts.
Fred comes over, "What's all the laughing? You lot ready to go? I'm starved."
Blossom hooks an arm onto Fred's. "Fred, meet Ginny's friend Kelvin Zeigler. Turns out he and I sort of know each other from Watling's and through his sister Beth."
"Hi, Fred, nice to meet you," Kelvin offers his hand to shake. "I'm with you on getting some food. Ladies?"
Ginny takes Kelvin's hand. "Imperial Crown & Cauldron?"
Fred's already walking to the door, pulling Blossom along. "It's close so that's perfect!"
The two couples walk four abreast down the lane to the restaurant, Kelvin filling Blossom in on what Beth's been up to since graduating Watling's.
A Close Call
Author: Gabriel Anderson
Date: 01-19-07 19:18
As Thessily and Krystal were walking out the door they accidentally walked right into Gabriel.
"Oh hi ladies, you going to transfiguration? I'm going to charms. Well I was just waiting for a friend but I can't risk being late. My father would kill me. You know he always expects me to get perfet grades but I can't help that I'm fam.....never mind. Well I catch up to you in class."
Gabriel then went running down the coridor to come to the grand staircase. He was in such a hurry that he had forgotten the time and right as he had reached his seat the class had begun. Good thing Thessily and Krystal were closer to their class he thought. Well he was glad they all made it, he didn't want to lose anymore House Points for he had wanted the house cup.
After class he went right back up to the common room and went straight to bed. He usually did that so he had his rest for dinner and usually after he went back to bed so he could study at dawn and be ready in case of a pop quiz on Monday. Well he had something else very special going on on Saturday that he had to worry about.
Not Paying Attention
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 01-19-07 19:40
The Quaffle smashes hard into Py's chest, hard enough to drive the air from his lungs. Wheezing, he throws the Quaffle back into play as Coach Gregorovitch yells at Py to pay attention. Until seeing the Quaffle too late to do a proper catch, Py thought he was paying attention.
Py shakes his head and tries to clear his mind. Seconds later a Bludger slams into his right shoulder and clavicle. Wincing, Py curses that damned Edmond Jeffers for his inability to concentrate on much of anything since Tuesday night. Then Py curses himself for once again thinking of Edmond Jeffers as a real person.
Oh, there was someone real enough Tuesday to buy that last round of drinks. Who the bloody hell it could be though when Edmond Jeffers was a pseudonymn used by Graham Hipworth years ago and Graham is now dead is beyond Py. The man has got to be whomever sent him to find the Cube and all the clues that led him to meeting with Odessa Stump.
A time out is called so that Clarissa can fix a crack in her broomhandle. Yuri Gregorovitch flies up to where Py's hovering, waiting for the scrimmage to resume. "Everything okay, Py?"
"What? Oh, sure, Coach."
"You're mind just doesn't seem to be in the game. In fact, you've been here in physically most of the week but not mentally. Isolde's all right?"
"She's great, thanks. Making excellent progress. I'm sorry I've not been up to standards this week."
"It's okay, Py. Everyone has off days but if you need to sit out, just say so. Don't want you getting injured simply because your focuse is off."
"If my mind seems to be wandering again after this time out is over, I'll do that," Py agrees.
"Excellent." Coach Gregorovith turns and calls out to Flora, giving her some advice on passing the Quaffle.
In the short time before Clarissa's broom is ready to go again and the scrimmage starts back up, Py has an epiphany of sorts. He's been unable to locate an Edmond Jeffers in the Wizarding World, several times this week wishing fervently that there were directories for locating people like in the Muggle World. There were a good number of Muggle World connections that led Py to Odessa Stump so perhaps he's been looking in the wrong place these last few days.
Py will start searching Muggle directories, such as tax rolls and any and all Edmond Jeffers he finds listed will get a visit from him. With a possible solution to finding this mystery person settled upon, Py is finally able to gives his full attention to Humbatas practice for the first time since having those drinks with teammates on Tuesday.
A New Business Venture
Author: Blossom
Date: 01-20-07 19:43
Blossom sits on the bare wooden floor of the largely empty building staring down at the papers Fred and she signed a short time ago. It still seems a little unreal but the document she's holding proves she's now the owner of the building next to Windweaver's on one side and the still new Hogsmeade play park (with the library on the park's other side) and across High Street from Botanicals & Beyond.
After lunch with Ginny and her friend Kelvin, Blossom got to thinking a great deal about an idea that she's had for awhile. The idea had already been formulating when Blossom got additional inspiration from the fun maze of tunnels the House Elf Aegean has set up for Grace in the flat over Briar's Bakery.
Blossom had always thought she'd have her own business someday or be part of someone else's. Now that she's been a part of Fred's and George's as first Fred's girlfriend and then as his wife, Blossom had started thinking about what sort of place she'd have if she had her own business. Blossom very much enjoys being a mother and being with the triplets but she also needs the outlet that helping out at one of the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes locations gives and the outlet that taking classes at St. Emrys gives.
That got her to thinking about mothers and fathers who don't have any such outlet. There are a few day cares around but few take children on a temporary basis. That means that someone like Hendrika who has two very small children but no family and friends to help out as Hendrika does finds it difficult to take a day off from the kids every now and again. Not everyone has access to a babysitter who can sit for a few hours during the day or even all day.
Blossom is hoping that having a day care that has a variety of pricing options such as by the hour or by the day depending on the parent's needs will be a good business investment. If Blossom goes one step further and provides an enriching environment for all ages too young yet for Hogwarts, that will be further incentive to use her business's services. Having the location in Hogsmeade instead of Diagon Alley means that they can utilize the park in the lot next door as well as some of the scenic surroundings of the village. Another plus is the libary with its excellent children's programs is just next door.
Getting up off the floor, folding the document to return it to its envelope, Blossom walks out of the building, her mind on what she'll call the place and one what she's going to fix for supper after she picks up the triplets from the Burrow.