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Orange and Black
Author: Eleanor BlackThorn
Date: 02-26-07 11:34
As the strange man, inched towards me on the bed, I felt my heart beating faster and a strange sensation crawl its way through my skin. Desire. I thought, closing my eyes listening as my breathing became heavy. Desire I hadn’t felt for a man in a long time. And I was married woman. Why was this man so different from my husband? Why had the desire I had once had for Nicolas run dry? Had the fire between us died out? I wondered as I let this strange man crawl onto me and cover me with his kisses.
The fire that I had once felt for Nickolas I suddenly felt growing inside of me for this man. First it started with a small kindling. Then the kindling grew and grew until the desire became a raring fire. Orange and black moving together as one in a darken room. He didn’t speak. Nor did I. And for the first time in my life I felt as if I had perhaps met my match. My equal. The person Nickolas could never be.
Oh yes, Nickolas had been that match once. But perhaps it was because of the way I had led him on. He had been the fire burning brightly in my soul. We worked together. Had children together. Grew up together. He was just as evil as any dark wizard. Only somehow, with Lord Voldemort’s death, he had grown more distance and less aware of things. I wondered how long it would take him to realize his wife was missing.
In the meantime, I was prepared to stay here in this room with this strange man who didn’t speak.
A letter from Aunt Eleanor
Author: Thessily
Date: 02-26-07 19:25
When the mail came I was shocked that I actually got something too. usually I didnt get mail. And I never got mail from home either. Not even on Christmas. So I was really surprised to receive a letter from my aunt. And I tore the letter open.
My Darling Thessily,
I am sure by now you have heard that I am no longer living in our beloved home. I just wanted to let you know that I am in Knockturn Alley if you need anything.
Your Aunt
Eleanor.
I stared and stared at the letter. Since when in the world did my aunt send me a letter by owl? And since when did my aunt even give a damn at all about me? I wondered as I sat down on the bed. There had to be a reason why I was suddenly getting a letter for her. Maybe she decided to suddenly be nice to me. Because my eighteenth birthday was coming up. And she knew how much I hated living with her. Or perhaps it was because she wanted some of my father and mothers money. Whatever the reason was, I found that I couldn’t resist the need to send a letter back to her.
I had never received attention from my aunt at all. Not even when my mother was alive. And that was all I ever wanted. Was just for her to love me and care about me. So maybe she was beginning to realize that I was there too. Or so I hoped.
Dear Aunt Eleanor,
I didn’t know that you had gone missing from home. But I am glad you told me where you where. I wont tell anyone if you don’t want me too.
Thessily.
After I wrote the letter I gave it to my owl and watched the owl fly away into the sky. Still wondering why my aunt was suddenly writing me letters.
Confusion in studies
Author: Epithymia
Date: 02-27-07 12:02
Epithymia sighed as she walked towards the quidditch pitch. She was hoping to find Cael sitting around alone, so she could talk to him. He wasn't returning any of her affection and she was really beginning to think he actually didn't like her.
She spotted him sitting under a tree outside the quidditch pitch.And just like the typical Cael, he had an open book in his lap, quill in hand, doing more work.
"Hiya, Cael! I didn't think I'd see you here." she said as she bounced up to him. She stopped when she saw him roll his eyes.
"Mia, we both know you've been looking for me.Now what do you want...help with herbology,charms, defense against the dark arts? Have you started failing all your classes just to get me to start hanging around you?"
Epithymia turned a very bright shade of pink. Was she that predictable? Of course, she did fail herbology to get his attention and sympathy but she wasn't dumb enough to fail all her classes. She just wasn't used to not getting her way.
"Actually I was wanting to ask you if you'd like to talk about what University you want to go too." she lied, she couldn't let him get the best of her.
"St.Emery's...just like everyone else. Why, do you want to know where I am going so you can follow me?"
Epithymia backed away from him with a hurt look on her face.She turned away to hide the tear rolling down ehr cheek. Was it wrong to like being in the company of someone. She didn't make friends easily and Cael was the only one who would put up with her.
"I am sorry I bothered you. I will go now." she said choking on her words as she started to walk away.
Cael looked up and sighed.Now he felt really horrible, he cared for Mia. She was a sweet, rambunctious girl who really enjoyed his company.She didn't even exclude him because he wasn't Slytherin. Now he probably blew the only chance he had to tell her his feelings. He shook his head, guys don't express that kind of stuff. But he had to set her straight...after he finished his studies.
*written with Cael
Observing At A Crime Scene
Author: Forest
Date: 02-27-07 14:06
Forest decides to pick up some sandwich makings from Delia's Deli to keep at the office for days he can't make it to lunch at Furnie's place in Hogsmeade. Nothing against the Ministry cafeteria - or canteen as many call it - but Forest would prefer sandwiches he makes himself. It's as he's walking past the entrance into Knockturn Alley that Forest on impulse decides to check out the crime scene there being investigated.
It's not that Forest wants to take over the scene of crime. Far from it. It's just that it's good to see his people at work now that he's also head of regular law enforcement and Hit Wizards. Forest isn't sure of the exact address as he'd only had the brief report so far of a double homicide at a flat in Knockturn Alley. It's not hard to find, however, due to the presence of law enforcement.
Pushing through the gaping throng, Forest approaches one of the men standing at the bottom of stairs leading up to an apartment . "We have an ID on the bodies, Hatcher?"
"Yes, sir. Vladimir Stolojan and his daughter Ivanka Stolojan. Both killed in their sleep."
"Method known yet?"
"A knife or knives or something else bladed. Or that's how it appears anyway. Forensics are still working."
Forest thanks Hatcher and climbs the stairs. He walks inside but doesn't do more than poke his head in each bedroom and he makes sure he sticks to the runners Forensics has put down to walk on. Like many working a crime scene, Forest experiences the urge to reach out and picks things up to examine them but refrains. Until Forensics is totally done, there's not touching allowed, even if he is head of the department.
Forest moves out of the way to observe, not even asking questions in case it disturbs one of those working from an important train of thought. By standing unobtrusively, Forest is also afforded an excellent chance to observe, watching how each of his people conduct themselves in the all important early hunt for clues and evidence.
Birthday and Not
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 02-27-07 17:57
Ethan kicked off his shoes within minutes from stepping out of his fireplace at home and padded in his socks to the kitchen, where he pulled a leftover hamburger he'd grilled yesterday from the ice box and set about warming it up for supper tonight. While his meal warmed, Ethan went to the front door and scooped up the letters that someone had put in the mail slot during the course of the day.
One was from Jon. Ethan used his finger to break the seal on the folded letter and read the short note written in Jon's hand.
You're actually working on your birthday? Shame on you! Hope your 31st was a good one, Eth. We still think of you as family.
-Jon, Tatiana, Elizaveta and Eudoxia
One was from Rob.
We wanted to surprise you with beer and burgers but you weren't home. We left the note but took the beer and burgers with us. Happy birthday, Ethan.
-Rob
Ethan couldn't help but smile. It was nice to know that someone thought of him on his birthday, even though it turned out that April 3 wasn't his birthday after all. He had a hard time adjusting to the fact that he'd actually been born on March 26, 1970 and honestly felt like he couldn't even change the habit of celebrating on April 3 every year. He'd always done it on that day, for as long as he could remember, because as far as he'd always known, April 3 was his birthday.
Ethan suppressed a sigh and padded back into the kitchen to get his burger before it turned black. One day, he hoped to celebrate his birthday with his real family. He just had to figure out how to tell them who he was and then hope that they would accept the fact that their son, Finn Towneley, hadn't died three decades ago.
Meeting Friends For Supper
Author: Plum
Date: 02-27-07 18:13
Plum locates 21 Sheep Street in Stratford-Upon-Avon and enters Coconut Lagoon where she's meeting Holly, Kelly, one of Holly's and Kelly's suitemates, Caryn Rookwood. Their other one, Ophelia Darling, is in Australia visiting her family between terms. Caryn went home to Canada to visit right after this past term ended but needed to get back here after just a week for her job. Holly, and Kelly have also stayed more at their residence hall suite at St. Emrys than they have home during the holiday from classes.
With Plum living in her mother's St. Emrys faculty flat, normally she would have met up on campus with the other three before going somewhere to eat. Today is different because Plum spent much of it poking around Muggle Stratford-Upon-Avon, spending a great deal of time at someplace called the Stratford Butterfly Farm. The fact that Holly picked a Muggle restaurant is just coincedence.
Walking in, Plum learns she's beaten Holly, Kelly, and Caryn. A table is ready so the hostess goes on and seats Plum. "I'll bring your friends right over when they arrive."
Plum looks over the menu, asking for water with lemon and going on and ordering a pot of tea. As she's trying to decide what she might order, Plum overhears the two women at the very next table. Looking over, she recognizes them both from a two night a week night class she'd recently had.
The night class met on Mondays and Wednesdays though the week just before final exams, they met on a Friday to make up for a class that had had to be canceled. It was that Friday night the professor had reached an end to the new material for the final exam. Monday night's class, the same day as the first day of finals was to have been for review, questions anyone might have, and make-up exams for anyone who'd missed one of the exams given during term.
The professor showed up obviously angry about something and gave them reams of handouts to be learned for the final exam on Wednesday night. Plum had pulled an all nighter and studied the entire day Wednesday, glad that no daytime finals are scheduled on Wednesday. When the time for the night class exam came, Plum was bleary eyed and still unsure of all the new material.
Plum did her best though didn't think it was enough to maintain her high grade. She was very surprised when her grades came in and she had what she thought she would have had if not for all those new material questions on the final. She thought perhaps the professor had ended up throwing out the bulk of those questions or graded on a massive curve. Either way, Plum was just happy to have ended up with the grade she would had before having to worry about all that new information.
Now, overhearing what the two girls from her class are saying, Plum's not sure exactly what happened. One girl, whose name Plum thinks is Angela, is saying to the other, whose name Plum knows to be Vivian, "We had lunch together today. He's still ticked at me for our little fight right before exams."
Vivian replies, "I'm so glad you made up with him before grades went out."
"Me too! I told him he was a bloody arse to give us all that new info. He shouldn't have taken our spat out on the entire class."
Realizing they are talking loud enough to be overheard by a girl who looks very familiar to them both, Angela and Vivian lower their voices. Plum heard enough though to now wonder about the ethics of a professor dating one of his students, because that's certainly how what she heard sounded.
Just then Kelly, Holly, and Caryn walk up to the table. Plum says nothing about what she overheard, not wanting to start rumor based on a snippet of conversation. Instead, after the waitress takes the others' drink orders, Plum requsts appetizers, "Bring an order of Mysore Kebab and one of Paneer Roti. That should get us started until we all know what we want."
DADA Practical Exam
Author: Kissy Isuki
Date: 02-28-07 10:04
"Time's up," Kissy informs her 1st year Gryffindors and Slytherins.
Over the noise of students gathering their belongings she continues, "For those going home over the weekend for the spring holiday, have a wonderful time. Those of you staying at Hogwarts, don't forget to get permission slips turned in for the trip to Hogsmeade. Also, any of you who want to get some time in here on the practice range, come see me. If we get enough we could do some mixed groups. You might even pick up some of the stealth moves from older students."
As the last of the Gryffindor and Slytherin 1st years file out of the corridor where the DADA practice ranges are located, 2nd year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws trickle in. "Put your things along the wall there then gather here around me," Kissy repeats several times as more of the 2nd year students arrive.
Marking names off in her roll book, Kissy ask, "Where's Timothy?"
Milo speaks up, "He cuts his hand somehow so Professor Flitwick did a spell to stop the bleeding then sent Timothy to Madam Pomfrey."
"Nothing too serious I hope," Kissy comments before getting class started. "I have your exams from Monday graded. You'll each get to see what you made on the written portion as you work on today's practical portion. I'm sure you've guessed what you'll be doing since I've had you come to the practice range instead of the classroom."
Kissy quickly fills the students in. "You'll start out with the regular one-on-one dueling then move on to other excercises we've been doing such as one against two, two against two, etc. Once done with the regular one-on-one, we'll utilize room 3 with the half walls, barricades, and barrels. Any questions?"
The 2nd years stand there with eager faces, much preferring this sort of testing to the written exam as on Monday. Kissy smiles, "Right then. Let's get started. Oh, one thing. You aren't being scored on whether you win or lose. I'm looking at how well you handle yourselves, what spells, charms, and jinxes you use, variety, that sort of thing. So, if you find yourself losing more than winning, don't get discouraged and think you've failed your practical. If you get discouraged and let it affect your performance then that's when your grade will start slipping."
Timothy Gabble comes scurrying up as Kissy finishes that last comment. His hand stiff and sore but the cut hardly visible now, he grins to show he's just as ready to go as his classmates. Getting the students divided up for the one-on-one portion, Kissy gets them started then goes around watching and writing down comments that will go towards helping her determine each student's grade on the practical portion of the exam. When she's gotten a good look at their one-on-one performances, Kissy ends the excercise and gets them started on a two against one excercise in room 3 of the DADA practice arena.
Time flies as it always does when doing these practical portions. To groans that it's time to stop, Kissy dismisses the 2nd year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws with the same parting she gave the 1st year Gryffindors and Slytherins.
Toby's Birthday
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 02-28-07 15:17
Bronwyn leaned against a tree on the grounds at St. Emrys and pulled her knees partly toward her chest to use as a writing surface for the letter she intended on sending to Toby. She'd sent him a package towards the end of last week with goodies, which she hoped arrived by today, the day of his 22nd birthday. Because she couldn't stop thinking of him today, she decided to write him a birthday letter, even if he wouldn't receive it until several days from now.
Already in Australia it was afternoon. Bronwyn wondered whether Toby had celebrated with the other members of the Brisbane Bandicoots yet or if a party would occur later in the evening. She hoped he'd have a great time––but not too great a time. She could well imagine women trying to throw themselves at Toby to give him a birthday kiss.
A little bit of sun had already begun to peek out from the clouds. It burned off the morning fog and left the air, though still cool, warm enough to enjoy sitting outdoors for a little while. With classes currently out of session, Bronwyn only went to campus to work at the WWN station, where she continued to host her weekend program, Love Songs with Bronwyn. During the week, she did other things such as pre and post production of her programs and others as well as publicity. Already, St. Emrys and the WWN station were planning Emrys Fest II. Bronwyn knew it would be just as popular, if not more successful, than last year's inaugural music festival.
She had just finished writing a bit about Emrys Fest to Toby when a shadow fell over her parchment. Bronwyn looked up to find Hunter standing in front of her.
"Hey," she greeted, patting a patch of grass next to her.
Hunter sat down cross-legged on the offered place and picked at a piece of grass. "Hi, what are you writing?"
"A letter to Toby. Did you send him anything for his birthday?"
"A note with a promise to take him out to drinks the next time he's in town."
"He'll like that," Bronwyn said, smiling. "Say, aren't you supposed to be at work?"
"I took the day off to take care of some business on campus. What about you?"
"I'm actually on my break." Bronwyn saw someone else familiar walking nearby across the grounds and waved. "Hunter, have you met Katherine? She's Toby's half-sister."
Katherine came over and started to sit down in the grass when Hunter sprang up and held out his hand.
"Katherine, this is Hunter. He's best friends with Toby and actually used to date Kendra."
"I've heard a little about you," Katherine said, smiling and accepting Hunter's handshake.
"And I you," Hunter replied.
Both sat down in the grass. They immediately fell into conversation with each other, which suited Bronwyn just fine because it allowed her to write a little more to Toby without much interruption and soon she had to return to the station anyway. She slipped away nearly unnoticed, smiling as it seemed like Katherine and Hunter were really hitting it off with one another.