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Dreams and Hallucinations
Author: Thessily
Date: 03-16-07 08:04
I stood on the edge of a long bridge over looking a beautiful river. It was warm. The sun was shining and there was blue sky. I knew I wasn’t in England. England wasn’t this warm. A young beautiful woman stood at my side. She looked a lot like I did.
I turned to look at her and stared. Her blue eyes smiled at me and she gently took me into her arms. She smelled of roses and wore a light blue dress. Her hair smelled sweet and was clean. My eyes filled with tears.
“ Mom?” I asked looking up at her for a few moments. Trying to decide if this was another dream or not.
“ Sh.. darling it’s alright.” My mother said in her Greek accent. She traced the cut on my cheek and the other one that my captor had drawn on my face. I whimpered when she brought out some kind of cream and gently rubbed it into my cuts. “ My daughter is strong.” She said softly looking gently into my eyes. “ You must be strong darling. This will pass.”
I shook my head and just clung to her. I had been with that evil man for what seemed like days. What was more, was I knew my aunt and uncle hated me. I didn’t think they where ever going to go out looking for me. I just wanted to die. I didn’t want to go back there. I didn’t care if this was a dream or not. I did not want to go back to that cabin.
“ I don’t want to go back there. He’s going to kill me.” I whispered as tears filled my eyes. Blinking back tears, I opened my eyes and stared widely around. “ No.” I whispered finding myself back in the cabin. I swayed as the world spun and closed my eyes again. I whimpered. Opening my eyes. I had to get away. I thought.
I moved my fingers down to the ropes that bound my wrist and my arms to the chair. If I could just reach my wand…. I thought. But no. I couldn’t. My fingers and hands where broken and I cried out in pain as I felt them cracking with each move I made.
“ Please…” I whispered as I felt the room sway again. “ Please. Just let me go. You’re not proving any point to my aunt. What ever it was that she did to you.” I spoke to nothing but the dark.
Thinking
Author: Eleanor BlackThorn
Date: 03-16-07 09:15
Sitting on my horse I glared at the spot where I had found Thessily’s foot prints a week ago. Dismounting I walked over to the spot near the river and gently traced the foot print that had been preserved into the earth. Oh I knew who had taken Thessily. Or at least I was fairly certain I knew who had her. The problem was, I had no idea where he had her. Or what he was doing to her. Nor was I sure I wanted to know.
Standing up, I looked over the river. I knew she was still alive. I knew Shane had her. He was the only person I could think of that would want to harm a little girl who had done nothing wrong. I kicked at stone and watched as it splashed into the river. If I ever ran into him again.. I thought pulling out my wand. But, I had nothing to attack, and so I put it back into my pocket. Save it for when you meet up with him again. I told myself.
I had already sent an owl to Hogwarts telling Professor Dumbledore and McGonagall. I had also sent in a missing persons report to both the Muggle world and Wizarding world. I was determined to get my niece back. After all, she was my baby brother’s daughter. And it was my duty to protect her.
Oh yeah it was my duty to protect her and I failed at that too. I sighed and gently petted my horse who nudged me. At the moment I felt like the lowest person in the world for letting that monster take my niece. And I wasn’t to sure what to do about this situation either. It was obvious that the Minister of magic wasn’t doing anything to help me. Nor did I really expect them too. Well, I would just have to find Shane and Thessily alone, I thought. I would go back to Knockturn alley and just kinda pretend like I was there for no reason at all.
Learning Something New About Hank And Jane
Author: Rolf Haaken
Date: 03-16-07 11:50
The advantage of having Monday as the travel day back to school is that for Jane, Hank, Doug, and Rolf it means no classes on Tuesday. Those three slept in and are just now eating something for breakfast - hot, buttery biscuits with jam - but Rolf went on and got up for breakfast in the Great Hall. He only did it so he could have breakfast with Gabby since her first class isn't until 10:30. If either had given it much thought they would have agreed last night to sleep in as well. They could do what Jane, Hank, and Doug are doing.
The three males are talking about wanting to play paintball in Hogsmeade. They'd all played during the previous week and are now looking forward even more to the next Hogsmeade trip. Jane and Gabby had been part of that conversation but got to talking about the fashion show Gabby was in yesterday.
Hank leans over to get another biscuit and a seal envelope falls out of his pocket. It lands under Jane's chair so she manuevers to get it. She starts to hand it back to Hank when she sees it's addressed to both of them.
"What's this?"
"It came this morning," Hank shrugs.
"You didn't think to mention it with it being for both of us?"
"Look at the return address."
Jane looks then says, "Oh. All right then."
Hank takes it and shoves it back into his pocket. Doug, looking puzzled, asks, "Are you going to open it?"
Jane says, "Eventually. Maybe."
Hank just shrugs.
"Expecting bad news?" Rolf asks, trying to think of what news they'd get that he wouldn't now that they're in the same family.
Jane is the one who shrugs now. "Not expecting it, no. We're just never in a rush to read anything from our mother."
Rolf looks back and forth between the twins. "Your mother? I thought she died when you two were small."
Hank mumbles around a mouthful of biscuit, "She might as well be."
Jane shoots Hank a look but she her own expression seems to echo Hank's spoken sentiment. "That's what most think. We usually don't bother to correct them. She left when we were only a few months old. Didn't want to be a mother anymore," Jane explains. "We've seen her only three times that we remember and one of those was at her mother's funeral. We get on average one letter a year from her."
"More like a card," Hank snorts. "A generic card that says hello, hope you're doing well. Signs it Lucy. Not Mum or Mother. Lucy."
Neither Gabby, Doug, nor Rolf really knows what to say to any of that so the table goes quiet. After a minute Jane laughs. "Awkward now, isn't it? Tell me more about the outfits you modeled yesterday, Gabby. You've still got a little time before class."
With the girls chatting away again, the boys pick up their conversation about paint ball then move on to discussing laser tag.
Tired
Author: Bambi Fandango
Date: 03-16-07 17:27
In her office Bambi pours another cup of coffee. Lars and she returned yesterday from their trip. They'd gotten back in the early evening, just before dinner was served at Hogwarts. With getting to bed at a decent time Bambi isn't sure why she's so tired today. It's only mid-morning and she's already had five cups of coffee!
Bambi has circulated some around the library but mainly she's stuck to her office. Harkin and Dorothy had culled a large number of books in need of repair, leaving them for Bambi to fix as she'd requested. She usually does this out at the counter where she can interact with students and keep an eye on things. Today Bambi is content to sit in her office doing the work and drinking her coffee.
Bambi's left the door open to let anyone needing her know it's all right to come on in. From the sounds of it, things are busy. Not that the students are being loud. It's more of the rustle of papers, shifting of chairs, the occassional question to Dorothy at the counter, and that sort of thing. With most 5th years not having any classes until after lunch and with 7th years mainly free on Tuesdays, it seems that many of them got up this morning and had reality smack them in the face that the OWLs and the NEWTs are very close. The result being that after breakfast lots of studying has been being done for it to be the first day back at school.
Bambi finishes the coffee in her cup. She eyes the pot on the side table where she keeps it. Another cup would be wonderful but a sixth cup before lunch seems extreme. Also, the five cups she's already had aren't going to make her bladder happy before long. Rubbing her eyes, Bambi decides if she must have something more to drink before lunch she'll have some lemonade. Right now she'll get up and walk around. Moving might help. Maybe sticking her head out the window. Yawning and rubbing her eyes again, Bambi makes herself get up and go out of her office.
Time to Go Home
Author: Shane Reimann
Date: 03-16-07 17:53
Shane was growing tired with the girl and her constant whining and whimpering. He had done everything and then some to her, and he was now bored.
"Come girl!" He said dissolving her bonds and yanking her from her chair. "It's time to go home!"
The girl looked at him with pleading eyes and started to cry. Shane rolled his eyes he had seen enough tears from this girl. He pulled her along behind him and out the door of the farmhouse, she stumbled as he drug her down the stairs with him. With a loud pop he apparated to a dark and shadowy alley in London. The girl crumpled at his feet and just lay there. "You can find the rest of the way yourself!" he spat at her and she just silently looked up at him.
Shane disapparated back to the farmhouse, he stood outside looking up at it's facade, until recently it probably had never witnessed such horrors. Shane had killed the old Muggle couple that had lived there for the better part of the last century, and then tortured Thessily. He didn't feel one bit bad for what he'd done, in fact he had throughly enjoyed it all even killing the Muggles.
Slowly he made his way up the front steps and into the house, he sat down on a chair in the enclosed porch and wondered if Eleanor would get the point or not? If not then he'd have to take more drastic measures.
Concern for a Missing Student
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 03-16-07 19:12
Professor McGonagall had received the owl with Eleanor Blackthorn's missive and had truly hoped and prayed that Thessily Ware would have returned to Hogwarts safe and sound with all the other children yesterday evening, but it had not come to pass. After having taken roll of all the returning Gryffindors and noting that Miss Ware had not returned, Professor McGonagall had consulted with Professor Dumbledore to determine whether or not it would be necessary to counsel Miss Ware's classmates regarding her absence. Any of them who might have read the Daily Prophet over the holidays would have probably seen the article mentioning Miss Ware's unexplained disappearance from over a week ago. Professor McGonagall thought that of all the students in Gryffindor, Krystal Blackwell, Thessily's closest friend, would probably benefit from a talk. She'd made a mental note to make such an arrangement for the following evening.
Professor McGonagall had also pledged to meet with all of her Gryffindor fifth years this week and next to discuss career options, as well as the various programs St. Emrys University offers to those interested in continuing their education. She intended on mentioning the meetings today during the fifth year Transfiguration class between the Gryffindors and Ravenclaws.
This morning, Minerva had already had two classes. First, she'd met the second year Slytherin and Hufflepuff students and introduced them to the topic they would study for the rest of the school year, animate to inanimate transfiguration. Their first task of Spring Term was to learn how to transfigure a pair of white rabbits into slippers. Next, Minerva had had third year Gryffindors and Ravenclaws. Their topic for Spring Term was multiples, and they began learning how to transfigure a single sock into a pair or more.
Now, it was lunchtime. Professor McGonagall left the Transfiguration classroom and went to the Great Hall, which was filled to the brim with hungry students, many of whom were still talking about what they did over Easter holiday. She couldn't help but glance at one of the empty seats at the Gryffindor table and wonder if Miss Ware would ever fill one again. Hopefully, the lass was all right! she thought to herself, as she sat down at the main table between Dumbledore and Hagrid.
An Apology
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 03-16-07 20:26
Briar cuts a carrot cake into even slices then carries it from the kitchen to put in the display case. When she stands, she steps back in surprise at seeing Copernicus directly opposite her. Putting a hand to her chest, Briar laughs.
"I never heard you come in and definately didn't see anyone's legs when I was putting that cake in the display."
Copernicus gives a small, tight smile. "I apologize. I hadn't meant to startle you."
Briar hasn't had any communication with Copernicus for a long time. From Byron Briar knows Copernicus was avoiding any contact with or mention of Melisande. Briar suspects that Copernicus's dislike of her was also a factor.
Briar looks down at the display then back to Copernicus and asks, "What might I get you?"
Copernicus glances at the array of sweets and pastries in the case. "I didn't come for any of that but as long as I'm here, Louisa does love lemon pie."
"Just a slice or two or would you like a whole pie? There's one still on the cooling rack if you want a whole one."
Copernicus's eyes light up. "I do love a good lemon pie as well. Perhaps the whole one."
Briar goes to the kitchen to box up the pie. She hands it over to Copernicus waving away the money he offers. "You're my brother's father. I can't take your money."
"At least half of it," Copernicus insists pressing money into Briar's hands.
She relents but only because she doesn't want to get his hackles of pride up. As Briar's putting the money in the till Copernicus says, "Byron told me last night what happened with Melisande. That must have been difficult for you."
"It was. She isn't the nicest person but she is a relative. What was done was so extreme. It still bothers me."
"That's what Byron said. How you handled things has made me fully accept that you're nothing like Claudia. While what was done is extreme, Melisande is still alive and as well as someone with gaps in her memory can be. Claudia would have handled things much different. Her actions would have been extreme too with the difference being that Melisande would not be quite so well. I'm sorry for making judgements against you. Even after you helped figure out it was Melisande trying to blackmale me, and even though you gave that help without asking anything of me, I still had my doubts."
Briar reaches over and puts a hand on Copernicus's forearm. "I accept your apology. Thank you for coming and telling me this."
When Copernicus leaves, Briar finally feels much better about what the Ministry had to do with Melisande.
More Questions for Hattie Harsnip
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 03-17-07 18:58
As soon as he got off work, Ethan went to Azkaban to pay Hattie Harsnip another visit. She'd answered only some of the questions he had regarding his first few years of life. Ethan already knew that he'd probably discovered his true identity and had found his birth parents, but if Hattie could supply him with more information, all the better. He'd always preferred the whole story to the short of anything, but particularly so when it came to his own life.
Ethan had been able to fill some of the blanks on his own. For example, the reason the locator potion Ethan and Dierna had brewed and used to bathe a single piece of parchment had come to Ethan's doorstep when it had been addressed to Silas Emeric was because for all intents and purposes, Ethan had been Silas Emeric. As soon as the real Silas Emeric had died and Finn Towneley––if that really was Ethan's real name––had found himself snatched from his hospital crib and placed in the deceased baby's bed, Ethan had become Silas Emeric. He'd been raised as Silas Emeric until he'd been snatched up once again to become Ethan Somerset.
No one but Hattie Harsnip herself had known that the Silas Emeric who'd eventually gone on to become Ethan Somerset hadn't been the same Silas Emeric born of Oscar and Greta Emeric. Even Voldemort had been duped, and to great consequence, it seemed.
Ethan sat down in the visitor's room and waited until the guard had escorted Hattie in and she'd seated herself before speaking.
"Tell me something, Hattie," he began, continuing on quickly to prevent her from getting a sarcastic word in, "how is it that when I first laid eyes upon Robert May and he me, that there was no doubt in either of our minds that we were father and son?"
She smiled proudly. "You are asking how it is that you look so alike, how it is that your face is undeniably a younger version of his?"
When Ethan didn't say anything, she went on. "It would have been quite lucky if the family resemblance had been real," Hattie said. "I would have then believed that it would have been Silas's destiny to die when he did and for you to have joined our family. It would have been too perfect."
"What do you mean by 'if the family resemblance had been real'?" Ethan asked. "Are you implying it was an enchantment?"
"Smart boy. When you first came to me after finding your grandmother, I tried everything to prevent you from ever looking at Robert face-to-face, but when you discovered the truth, I knew I had to act quickly."
"What would it matter?" Ethan asked. "Why did you still want me in the family after all the trouble I'd caused?" He paused, coming to a realization. "The prophecy?"
"Another cookie for you," Hattie replied sardonically. "Yes, I thought you might still have some use. So, I put up the illusion that you and Robert share features. Little did I realize that even this would be a waste of my talents and efforts. Everywhere you turn, you thwart my plans."
Ethan did not look smug. Instead, he asked one final question: "Why did you lie about everyone being dead? Surely it had little to do for your lack of interest in performing the enchantment on me and Robert."
"My brother and his family had, for the most part, severed all ties with the goings-on here. My niece and nephews didn't even know I existed it, that's how important Robert found his extended relations. Anyway, the point is, they weren't around, and I knew I could use their absence to keep you in my pocket. Have I answered your question, Ethan?"
"Yes, and I thank you for being so open with me, now if you could just tell me what the––"
"I believe I told you last time to figure that one out on your own. Goodbye, Ethan." To the guard she barked, "I'm ready."
As he hauled her away, Ethan thought about everything she'd revealed to him. Now only two main questions remained: What did the prophecy say and how was he going to approach the Towneleys and tell them that he was their son whom they thought to be long-deceased?