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Birthday
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 03-21-07 18:42
As the day comes to a close, Fritz, seated in an overstuffed armchair in the Ravenclaw common room, thinks back on all that occurred on this, his sixteenth birthday. He rose early, not on his own but because Bradley Neilson, one of his roommates, had charmed the alarm to blare "Happy Birthday" quite loudly. He received gifts from his roommates and took some time to admire them all before heading to the prefect's bathroom, where he took a nice, long bath and then dressed for the day.
He enjoyed breakfast with Coco afterwards, during which an owl bearing gifts from home arrived with the other owls bringing in mail and copies of the Daily Prophet for other students. Fritz received a hand-knitted jumper from his mum, a tool set from his dad (because one never knew when a screwdriver or hammer might come in handy––even in the wizarding world), and a rather large package of some of the best German gummy bears from Otto.
Because Fritz's first class wasn't until after lunch, he dutifully spent his birthday morning in the library, studying for the O.W.L.s. Then it was lunchtime, where he not only indulged in a warm, tasty meal but also ate from a birthday cake someone had ordered from Briar's Bakery.
Then Fritz went to Herbology, where they discussed lovage, Transfiguration, where they practiced vanishing iguanas, and Defense Against the Dark Arts, which was proving time and time again to be one of the more fun classes at Hogwarts.
Dinner turned out to be just as delicious as lunch, and then Fritz, Coco, and the other Ravenclaws retired to the common room to polish off the remainder of the birthday cake.
Now that the day is over, Fritz allows himself to relax a little before it's time to go to bed, even though he's got a lot of homework and O.W.L. studying to do. He figures if he slacks off just this one evening––it being his brithday and all––it won't cost him too much later. Sinking a bit more comfortably in his chair, Fritz thinks of the one thing he might like to do besides lounge around, and that's sleep!
Famished
Author: Sage Porter
Date: 03-22-07 16:04
With no Friday class until Herbology at 12:30 Sage slept just late enough to get breakfast in the Great Hall at the last possible time. Afterwards he'd gone outside to study for OWLs, outside in a spot where Aubrey would unlikely be, outside where he could avoid running into her somewhere like the library or common commons. He'd see her soon enough in Herbology.
Although Aubrey is now dating Jimmy Peakes, Sage has heard she's doing it just to spite Sage for the breakup. He really hopes that's not the case because Jimmy seems like a nice guy. Aubrey shouldn't date Jimmy if she's doing it to knowingly attempt to hurt Sage. At least her dating someone else has gotten Euan to stop bugging Sage to make up with Aubrey.
Eating breakfast later Sage would have thought he'd not be really hungry again even at lunch time. He was wrong. Sage started getting hunger pangs of a type he knew wouldn't be satisfied with a snack. Sage ended up packing his stuff back into his bookbag and heading indoors for the earliest possible time he could get lunch.
Reaching for his third sandwich, this one ham and cheese on wheat, Sage turns a page in his Herbology notes to read over what they'd covered Wednesday. When he's certain he can answer any questions asked on juncus should Professor Fitzroy ask, Sage reads the section in his text on lovage, the topic of today's class.
Sage is trying to commit to memory things like the various names for lovage and the best way to cultivate it when Titus plops heavily down next to him. "I'm famished," the Gryffindor states, pulling the platter of sandwiches to him.
"Going to eat all that?" Sage asks, quirking an eyebrow up.
"I just might! Been holed up alone studying for those blasted OWLs. I never knew mental work could get an appetite up so much until I began prepping for the tests."
"Same here. I had breakfast late but still go so hungry I came for lunch early." Sage points to a pastrami on rye now on his plate. "This is my fourth."
"Good thing I came when I did then or I'd have to eat at my own table where there's still plenty of food," Titus laughs around a huge bite he's taking.
As Titus chews he pulls out of his rucksack some parchment, quill, and ink along with a letter. The envelope is a shade of pastel pink and has lipstick kisses on it. Seeing Sage looking at it Titus says, "From Tomasina Vernacchio. One of the Beauxbatons girls. Met her at the Arithmancy Challenge. We exchanged a few letters. This one came this morning and I meant to write a reply and owl it off but forgot all about it. Bloody stupid exams. I'm sick of studying for them!"
Sage, his mouth full again, just nods in agreement, not saying that he actually doesn't mind so much work. Sometimes he does but overall, Sage sort of likes having to put in so much time studying. It helps fill time he might spend otherwise moping about girls and how his first attempt at being a boyfriend ended badly.
Bored
Author: Severus Snape
Date: 03-23-07 09:05
Snape sat on his stiff cot in his cell and read a trashy romance novel. He read most everything else on the library truck that occasionally passed through the cell block and was far too bored to simply sit and stare into space, as he often had time for while in Azkaban. Presently, Roberto had just dueled Xavier for the hand of Annabelle, a wealthy and extremely beautiful witch who had long, flowing blond hair and wore robes that showed off every one of her ample curves. At least, the image on the cover displayed her as such. Every once in a while, wind blew her hair and ruffled the skirts of her robes. She fluttered her eyelashes at either Roberto or Xavier, whichever one was the wizard on the cover of the book.
"Don't tell me how it ends," leered a voice from the neighboring cell. "I might want to read it."
Without looking up from the book, Snape retorted, "I wasn't aware you could read. All I've ever seen you do is play with your ridiculous chess set."
"Chess is a game of logic," Rodolphus replied silkily. "The more you play, the more you perfect your strategy, and the more likely you're to get your opponent just where you want him. Besides, I wasn't aware you read such high-quality literature. Has there been any bodice-ripping yet?"
"Twice," Snape answered.
"I suppose without any conjugal visits you have to get your jollies somewhere," Rodolphus commented.
"Tell me, Rodolphus," Snape began, finally looking up from his book, "are you fully incapable of closing your mouth?"
"What's a friendly conversation between neighbors?"
Snape did not overlook the sarcasm dripping from the other man's voice.
"It won't be much longer now before you and I are no longer next door neighbors," Snape said, thinking on his impending release from Azkaban. Just 2 1/2 months to go.
"For once, Severus, I can agree with you," Rodolphus replied, the corners of his mouth almost twitching into a smile.
Friday Afternoon
Author: Alanna Beck
Date: 03-23-07 09:35
Alanna left the Great Hall with Olivia O'Toole. Both had Herbology directly after lunch. Besides Muggle Studies in the morning, Herbology was the only other class Alanna had today. She and Ariella had been given permission by Professor Dumbledore to floo home to Manchester after Ariella's last class of the day, Charms, which ended at 3:30. The funeral for Margaret Spinnet would be first thing tomorrow morning. Ariella had made arrangements with Professor McGonagall about rescheduling her apparition lesson. Merlin knew Ariella couldn't leave out a class. It had taken her a long time to apparate successfully and she still didn't feel 100% confident about doing it yet.
Both girls would return to Hogwarts tomorrow evening. Alanna had already packed a small bag for tonight and tomorrow, having taken a long time to decide on what she might wear at the funeral. She hadn't been to one since her parents' death, and she didn't even remember anything about it.
Alanna and Olivia entered the greenhouse and shed their cloaks. It was still quite cool outside but inside the greenhouse it was nice and toasty. They took their places at the main table and looked at the plants in the small flower pots scattered at each place. There were also several small wooden boxes filled with a few plant parts, like dried blooms and seeds.
"Good afternoon, class," Professor FitzRoy greeted, promptly at 12:30. "Today we will discuss lovage. Can someone please give me some of the alternative names for this particular plant?"
Alanna raised her hand. "Lovage is also known as Ligusticum Levisticum, Old English Lovage, Italian Lovage, and Cornish Lovage."
"Very good. Lovage is actually not indidenous to Great Britain, even though it grows here wild. It is native to the Mediterranean, in Southern France, northern Greece and the Balkans. Lovage is generally used for two purposes: the roots, leaves and seeds are used medicinally, while the young stems are used for flavoring and confectionery. So, here is an extra credit assignment for anyone interested: create an original sweet using lovage. You have until the end of term to turn in the assignment. Perhaps on our last class day, we will taste test what you have created."
There was a buzz of excited conversation in the greenhouse. Alanna thought the extra credit assignment sounded like a lot of fun. If she found she had time to include it on top of studying for OWLs and getting ready for the remaining SAT events, then she'll totally give it a try. It couldn't hurt, after all.
The Jones Sisters
Author: Illyria
Date: 03-23-07 10:09
Illyria had spent a good portion of the morning grading homework assignments. Most of her students did quite well, though there were some who obviously procrastinated and did their work haphazardly right before class. Very few didn't turn in any assignments at all. On the whole, Illyria was very happy with her students, which made it all the easier to like her job. It was true that she did miss inventing and that she wished she had more time for it, but she didn't feel like she was doing something she didn't like to do. She'd acclimated herself to teaching and found that she did it well.
Instead of eating lunch in the Great Hall, Illyria walked to Hogsmeade and then disapparated for Diagon Alley. Arisnoe had asked all four of her sisters to meet her at the Leaky Cauldron for a bite and to discuss more of her wedding plans. Almost everything had been decided upon, the dresses, the flowers, the invitations... there were just a few minor details to hash out, namely, who would be the maid of honor.
Arsinoe had decided that she couldn't choose on her own, so she wanted to have her sisters draw straws. Illyria was the first to arrive at the Leaky Cauldron, followed by Urania, and then Erigone and Olympia. They ordered fish and chips and butterbeers and talked amicably about other things before Arsinoe decided to get down to business.
"As you know, I still haven't made a decision about which one of you will be my maid of honor at the wedding," she began, looking from one sister to the next. "I know that some of you probably want it more than others, but I think all of you deserve an equal chance. I don't have a favorite among you. So, I propose that we leave it up to chance."
"That's fair enough," Olympia said. She, like Illryia, wasn't vying hungrily for the position.
Arsinoe nodded and retrieved her wand from her pocket. She conjured four straws, three long, one short, and then set her wand aside. As she gathered up the straws and mixed them in her hand, she said, "Whoever pulls the short one will be my maid of honor."
Erigone drew first. It was long.
Then Illyria chose. Hers was also long.
Olympia was next. Like the previous two straws, hers was long.
That only left Urania, who could merely draw the short one as it was the only one left. Illryia had known that becoming Arsinoe's maid of honor would have made Urania very happy, but she couldn't help but detect a hint of sadness in her youngest sister's eyes. Illryia knew very well that Urania missed Caden, with whom she'd broken up several weeks ago.
"Well, that's settled then," Arisinoe said, happily.
Urania managed a smile. "So, as your maid of honor, is it my duty to arrange a bachelorette's party?"
"And you might have to make a speech at the reception," Illyria reminded, with a smile of her own. "Can you handle the responsibility?"
"I think I can," Urania answered.
"Good, because we have a lot to talk about," Arsinoe said, immediately launching back to business. The sisters spend the remainder of the lunch hour discussing wedding details until it was time for them all to return to work.
(Eleanor) Time heals all wounds
Author: Thessily
Date: 03-23-07 13:03
It had been almost four days since my duel with Shane. My wounds had healed nicely. And I had been able to return home. The Aurors had told me that Shane had moved to another country. But that they would continue to look for him. For some one to do what he did to my niece was horrible. And they didn’t want it to get out either. Though most of the story had been told in the daily prophet and I had placed missing adds in the wizard paper. So of course everyone was wondering what happened. They all wanted the story. But Nicolas and I decided that it was best just to tell them we found Thessily alive.
Thessily was very much alive. But she wouldn’t take visitors. She was terrified of her own shadow and she wouldn’t come out of her room. Much less eat anything. My poor little house elf was worried sick about her. And so was the rest of us. I didn’t want anyone to know the mental state my niece was in. This wasn’t at all like Thessily. And all I could do was hope she got better.
I had thought about taking her to one of those Muggle therapist. But I wasn’t sure that would help either. I walked passed her bedroom and peaked in to see if she was awake. She was and she was sitting by the window looking out with a haunted expression. She didn’t even noticed that I had opened the door. I sighed. Time heals all wounds. I thought silently shutting the door. Hopefully it would heal Thessily.
Understanding
Author: Brett Kingston
Date: 03-23-07 14:50
Uther Croft helps Brett locate a reference book that should be on the shelves. The book is one of the main reasons Brett came to the Hogsmeade Branch Library. The trouble is that somehow it got misplaced.
"Ah. Here is it," Mr. Croft says holding the large book out to Brett. "Probably someone thumbing through a few of the books wasn't paying attention to where it should have been reshelved."
"Sorry. I believe that's my doing. I wasn't paying attention with that one when I was getting this one," Cecily Wright says from the end of the aisle, holding up another large book.
Brett forces a smile, tightly asking, "Working ahead too?"
"Yes. Knowing the assignments we'll have next term, I'd be daft to wait last minute like most will do and then have to scramble for the resource material everyone else will be wanting."
"That's my thinking as well," Brett says.
He thanks Mr. Croft again and turns with the book to go to the table where he's put his things. To Brett's dismay Cecily follows.
"I'd like a word, Brett. Please?"
"If it's to put down Orei or to be negative with me about what you think I should be doing with my social life, then no, I don't want to hear."
Cecily blushes. "It is about you two but not how you think."
Brett heave sigh and sits down. "Fine but if you do say one word against Orei, any remnant of friend between you and me is done."
Cecily sits down in the chair next to Brett, her face going more crimson. "I was wrong to ever say the first word. I shouldn't have tried to push myself on you. As much as I would have liked for us to have gone out, the moment you let me know you weren't available I should have back off. I didn't understand though I have somewhat of an idea now."
"You do?"
"I do. I've fallen head over heels for someone. There's an age different. A big one."
"How big?"
"He's forty-six and has a daughter a year older than I am."
"Whoa!"
Cecily sighs even more heavily than Brett had. "At least he's not married anymore. Though I'd like to think that if he were, I'd not be this in love with him."
Brett keeps to himself that Cecily had pushed hard with Brett knowing he was attached. He can't help but wonder if Cecily would have held back if her new love interest were still married. What Brett does say is, "I wish you the best."
Cecily gets up. "I'll leave you to your work. I've still got a great deal of my own to do."
Brett pulls the book he'd come for towards him and opens it, reaching for a quill and some ink to start jotting down notes.
Waking
Author: Jet
Date: 03-23-07 16:24
"Pleae go let Professor Dumbledore know Mr. Obsidian is coming around." The voice sounds like that of Madam Pomfrey.
"Yes, ma'am," Jet hears another voice say.
Jet struggles to make his eyelids open but they're even more glued shut than when he woke up this morning. He lifts a hand only to have another grab it. The hand is soft in his. A woman's hand.
His guess turns out to be correct when a female voice asks, "Jet, can you open your eyes?"
"Mum?" Jet croaks before saying, "I'm trying."
Madam Pomfrey's voice sounds again, this time closer. "Here, let me wipe your eyes with a cold compress. That might help."
The compress does help but it's still at least two or three minutes before Jet's able to fully open both eyes and to focus. His mother sits next to the bed still gently gripping Jet's hand. His father stands at the foot of the bed, silent and looking very worried.
Madam Pomfrey bustles around getting Jet something to soothe his throat and asking him questions such as, "Do you have a headache?"
Jet does, along with numerous body aches, so the nurse disappears into another room to get some potions for Jet to take. He's on the last one, forcing the bitter fluid down his throat when the headmaster, Professor Sacheverelle, and Professor Miller enter the hospital wing, coming over to join those already at Jet's bedside.
Jet looks around and with one of the potions already helping his parched throat he's able to ask clearly, "What's going on?"
"You did not want to wake up for supper last night," Professor Dumbledore begins.
"Last night? It's not still Thursday?"
"No, dear, it's Friday evening," Jet's mother tells him.
"I'd ask if you were joking but this doesn't seem to be the right time and place for that." Jet scrunches up his face. "I can't believe I slept that long. I missed four classes," he groans.
Professor Dumbledore projects one of his mild smiles at Jet. "Your professors know you were indisposed. Now, to finish answering your question. Your roommates knew you'd missed both breakfast and lunch so they thought you should have supper. They attempted to wake you but couldn't. One went and got your Head of House. Professor Miller tried to wake you but when he too failed, he brought you to the hospital wing and sent for me."
Professor Dumbledore folds his hands together and gives a very small shrug. "Neither Madam Pomfrey nor Professor Sacheverelle nor I could determine the problem. Not even a half hour ago we," the headmaster gestures to the adults in the room, "we discussing having a St. Mungo's Healer come take a look at you."
Jet levers himself up to a better sitting position. "I was dreaming. That shadow person I told you all about was there."
Jet's father speaks for the first time. "Is he what made you unable to wake up, son?"
"Yes, in a way. I don't know why I slept so long. Maybe it took that long for the confrontation."
"Confrontation?" Jet's mother asks, concern etched into her face.
"Yes, that's the best way to describe it. I came face to face with him. He's me. Or at least part of me. I think. What I mean is, I think it's the part of me that could turn evil again under the right circumstances."
Professor Dumbledore asks, "Would you be willing to allow me to look at the memory of this dream?"
"Yes, if it will help resolve all this," Jet agrees.
"I will get my pensieve," the professor says.
The headmaster goes to the door of the hospital wing to accio the pensieve to him, leaving Jet suddenly bombarded with questions from the Divinations professor, his Head of House, the nurse, and his parents.
Beaten (Parker)
Author: Blossom
Date: 03-23-07 17:47
Parker looks a mirror to make sure his hair isn't sticking up in back then checks his pocket to make sure he'd picked up his money off the chest of drawers. Tracey, along with Chelsea, had been out much of the day making decisions about things like bridesmaid dresses and flowers. The plan is for Parker to meet up with the two woman at The Bamboo Forest. Mason, coming from work, is going to meet up with them as well.
Parker pats one pocket then the other then goes to the bedroom to get the money he's glad he checked for. How embarrassing it would be to show up at the restaurant to treat Chelsea and Mason only to not have money. Tracey would not be happy with him if that had happened. At least it would have been easy to apparate home and get it while the others remained at the restaurant though it still would have made Tracey upset and Parker embarrassed.
Ready to go, Parker's on the verge of disapparating when there's a pecking at the window. Opening it, he sees there's a large owl with an envelope, Parker's name written in large, bold letters. Parker takes it then searches for a treat to give the owl. After closing the window Parker opens the letter to find it's from Chelsea and Tracey. They ran into another friend who told them all about a new place that offers a wide variety of Asian cuisine from Chinese to Thai to Indian to Japanese to Korean and even Mongolian and Vietnamese dishes.
Parker reads the directions, which include a good spot for apparating, a necessity since the restaurant it not yet on the Floo. Fixing the destination in his mind, Parker disapparates to the location in the section of London known as Mayfair. The spot is in Hyde Park and is one with which Parker is fairly familiar.
Parker arrives, pleased to see he apparated to the exact spot he'd envisioned. He takes one step in the direction of Mayfair when Parker is grabbed from behind and a sack or cloth of some sort is thrown over his head. Striking out with fists and feet, Parker connects with solid bodies but without being able to see or orient himself, the hits he makes don't do enough harm to allow him to free himself. He would have immediately grabbed for his wand but at the same time the cloth went over his head, Parker had felt his wand being taken.
Parker feels himself being pulled, bushes scratching his arms as he struggles. There's the sensation of falling when he's shoved hard from behind then the ground smacking him, one of his arms twisting oddly and painfully where he'd reflexively put his arms out when he knew he was falling. Feet start kicking him, hard enough to crack ribs and so rapidly that Parker can't tell if it's two pairs, three or four. He thinks there are three of them based on how he was grabbed and shoved but he can't be sure.
The kicking finally stops, Parker curled up to make himself as small as possible. One of the attackers finally speaks. "Please let me use crucio on him. I've always wanted to."
"No! That's against orders. For now anyway. Much as I'd like to get a Unforgiveable or two in there, we aren't to use anything but our hands and feet on him."
Someone kneels down by Parker's head. The owner of the second voice says, "Listen up, Matthews. Tracey Davis is done slumming with the likes of you. If you don't break it off with her, you'll get worse than this."
There are three distinct pops as the attackers apparate away, confirming at least for Parker he was right on how many there were. He knows he should get up and go to St. Mungo's but first he thinks he'll lie right there a little longer.