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Killing Time
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 03-25-07 09:24
Orei had been out of Arithmancy for an hour now, and still had two and a half hours to go before Charms and DADA later this afternoon. She needed to go talk to McGonagall, and see if she'd be allowed to go home for a couple of days for her grandmother's funeral. However, she didn't want to go alone. She still needed to owl mom back and send a quick owl to Brett...might as well do those now.
Parchment snagged from her bag and started penning out an owl for mom first.
Mom--
Just got your owl, and up until I read it my day was going fantastic. For obvious reasons, my day is now going in slow motion. I will talk to Professor McGonagall and see if I'll be allowed time off to come home for the funeral. Give dad a hug for me. I miss you both.
Love,
Orei
That done, she pulled another piece of parchment out and started penning a letter to Brett.
Hey Brett--
Hey hon. How are you? Things could be a lot better on my end. Just got an owl from mom. My grandmother died and I'm going to talk to Professor McGonagall to see if I can get a little time off to go home for the funeral. If not, I'm just hoping that I can still keep up my grades and get things ready for the OWLs that are coming up.
Oh, the next Hogsmeade trip is I think the 24th of May. I'll double check the calendar and let you know. Oh, how are things with Cecily, she still giving you problems?
Gotta go! Need to finish up my homework from Charms and attempt to get something to eat before class starts at 2.
Love,
Orei
Gathering up her things she'd head to the owlry, sending off both owls, she then headed to the great hall, at least she'd hopefully be able to track down McGonagall before class, and she could always wait until dinner to eat..she'd had a blueberry muffin...that was enough right?
What The Hell?
Author: Ron Weasley
Date: 03-25-07 09:36
Ron has such a pounding in his head along with his eyes not wanting to open against the light and his stomach doing flip flops he comes to the conclusion it must be a migraine or he's caught a bug of some sort. Whatever it is would have to come just as term at St. Emrys is starting back up. Whatever it is must be a real doozy because Ron doesn't even remember making it home the night before.
Trying to think back to leaving Hermione's and getting home, Ron lifts a hand to shield his eyes from the light as he tries squinting them open again. He manages but just barely and even before he gets that slit of vision Ron has become aware of something.
The bed he is on is not his own. When moving into the Diagon Alley flat Ron had gone from a twin sized bed to a queen sized. This one seems even bigger. And softer. Ron feels with one hand along the sheets. Silky. Definately not his.
Forcing his eyes open more, Ron takes a few seconds to let the worst of the light induced pain fade then turns his head slowly to one side. There is a bedside table with a fancy stained glass lamp. The table itself looks to be mahogony, expensive, and well made. Biting his lip at the jarring to his head the turning does, Ron looks to his other side.
The bed is definately larger and there's a matching table on that side. Ron can see part of the headboard. Mahogony too. Large and heavy looking. Ron makes himself shift to sit up somewhat to take in more of the room.
There's a window with floor length drapes pulled shut. Several pieces of furniture, such as an armoire and a chest of drawers, all of which appear to match with the tables and headboard. There's three different doors. One must lead out, one's probably to a closet and the other? Maybe a bath or an adjoining room?
Ron tries thinking back again to last night, wondering how the bloody hell he got to this room and wondering exactly where this room is. Ron shoves off the covers to do several things. One is to find out if one of the doors does lead to a loo because he desperately needs to go. He'll look out the window to get an idea of the outside surroundings and then he'll go into the hall and find whomever it is who brought him here and get the story on what happened last night that resulted in Ron feeling like death today in a room he's never seen before.
As the sheets leave his body, Ron makes a face. Before he starts exploring he'd best find his clothes. Ron slides off the bed, thinking the armoire is a good place to look first for his clothes since he doesn't see them laid over a chair or folded on top of something.
Another sensation trickles into Ron's aching head. He looks at one ankle.
"What the hell?" he loudly croaks at seeing a manacle attached to a chain around that ankle. The chain is in turn attached to part of one of the thick columns of the footboard making up one of the four posters of the bed.
Ron's examing the manacle and chain when one of the door opens. A female voice says, "Wonderful! You're awake! I've brought something for the headache you surely have."
Ron looks up to see Gisela Quackenboss standing there grinning and holding a tray with glass and a vial of potion.
What The Hell Indeed
Author: Charlie Weasley
Date: 03-25-07 14:56
Arms crossed, jaw clenched, Charlie glares at the one door in the room that's locked. There are is a set of French doors leading into a large closet with dressing room and another door into a very nice private bath. The logical conclusion is that the other door, the locked one, is the exit, probably leading into a hallway. Whoever brought him here or some flunky will be coming through it, eventually. Charlie wants some answers so eventually had best come sooner.
Charlie had gotten up this morning - at least he still thinks it's the same day, Monday - and after getting dressed had fed Schuyler and Little Arthur. After fixing breakfast for Hendrika and himself, Charlie had sat talking with his wife and eating before kissing his sons and Hedrika goodbye. Before leaving for St. Emrys, not his usual Monday workspot but it's the first day of term, Charlie did something he commonly does - walk to Briar's for a large to go mug of coffee.
Charlie had sensed rather than seen someone behind him but didn't think much about it. That time of the morning the chances were the person was walking to work or to the High Street to shop or get tea or coffee. One second he's walking along thinking perhaps he should be pleasant and turn around to say hello to whichever neighbor is behind him and the next the ground was rushing up, Charlie bracing for an impact he now has no memory of experiencing.
Charlie's arms and chest feel a little sore as if he had fallen and fallen hard on them. He guesses he was unconscious well before he hit the ground. Charlie also figures it was just a quirk that he wasn't unconscious before he began falling.
Charlie would be over at the door with something like one of the table lamps in his hands, waiting for someone to come through the door. Only problem is that Charlie's chained to the footboard of the bed and the chain is done in such a way around the very heavy footboard that Charlie hasn't yet been able to get the other end of the chain free. The chain isn't long enough for Charlie to get near the door. It's a good thing he's not had to answer the call of nature yet because the chain is so short Charlie would have to find something near the bed to go in. A shame really considering Charlie had a clear view into the lavatory.
Charlie hears someone walking in the hall. The footsteps come near the door to this room but don't stop for a few more steps. Charlie strains to hear, stretching the chain at his ankle as far as it will allow. He hears a woman's voice speaking but can't make out the words.
A voice replies and this time Charlie can clearly hear because it's raised in anger. "What the hell is this, Gisela?"
Charlie shouts, "Ron? Ron, is that you?"
"Charlie?" his brother yells in answer.
The door to Charlie's room swings open. "Please, Charlie. Really. There's no need to be so loud."
Charlie knows his mouth drops open at the sight of Belladonna Sinistra standing there with a hand on her hip, giving Charlie a use your inside voice reprimanding stare.
Stiff And Sore (Parker)
Author: Blossom
Date: 03-25-07 17:29
"Here," Tracey says, handing Parker a glass of water mixed with a pain relieving potion. She looks around the flat they're in then says, "I'll get Plum something to thank her for letting you use her place between classes."
"We'll pick it out together," Parker replies after downing the slightly bitter tasting liquid.
"I've been thinking about asking her to be a bridesmaid along with Daria. Chelsea's going to be maid of honor."
"Plum will like that. I'm glad you get along well with her. She's always been a good friend to me and Daria."
Parker closes his eyes and leans further back against the couch, wincing at the pain in his ribs. Tracey lightly runs fingers through his air, "Sure you don't want to go on home?"
"If I can I'd really like to make it to class. With it being a one night a week night class, I really hate the idea of missing the first meeting."
"The professor would understand, or I could go take notes for you, pick up the syllabus and whatever else gets handed out."
"Thanks you, love, but you've got enough to handle of your own without attending my classes for me."
The pain potion starts to take effect. It dulls the pain but in order for him to be able to function, the potion isn't of a strength to make the pain go away entirely. Parker would like nothing more than to get as comfortable as he can and then not move.
After the attack, Parker had lain on the ground for hours. If he'd not been well concealed Parker would have been found ages earlier. As it was, Parker had regain consciousness long enough to crawl into a more open area. It was luck, pure and simple, that the person who found him was a Wizard and not a Muggle. Parker had been coherent enough to see the man was wearing robes and asked to be taken to St. Mungo's.
Bruised all over and a number of bones cracked or broken, especially ribs, Parker had spent the rest of Friday night, all day Saturday, and all day Sunday in the hospital. By this morning Parker was patched up enough to be up and moving though extremely stiff and sore. With the Healers focused on mending bones and the worst of the contusions, such as severely bruised kidneys and liver, many bruises, cuts, scratches, and scrapes are still very apparent. Parker has seen a number of people today look his way and wince.
Tracey's family is of course denying any knowledge of anyone beating Parker as a warning to break off his relationship with her. Tracey doesn't believe them and neither does Parker. He'd worried that his family might react badly to Tracey once they learned she was the reason he was attacked but his mum had hugged Tracey tightly and said, "Well, if that's how they handle things you're better off being part of our family, dear."
Parker had done his best to recall details for the Wizarding police, even allowing one to look at his memory, but beyond the voices he'd heard and didn't recognize, there's nothing for the police. More evidence is needed. Tracey was asked to list any former boyfriends, friends, and family beyond her immediate family members who might feel strongly enough against her engagement to Parker to attack him. She'd gladly obliged and strongly recommended that her parents be questioned again.
Parker feels himself falling asleep. He's out of it enough as it is without adding severe sleepiness to the problems he'll have concentrating in class. Making himself sit up fully Parker kisses Tracey then says, "I'd better start walking to class. Slow as I am it will take awhile."
Tracey stands with him and reaches for his rucksack. "I'll carry your books," she informs him with a smile.
Parker's glad of that offer. Even with a charm on the bookbag to make it feel like it weighs less, carrying something around today that hangs from his shoulder has pretty much sucked.
Chat with Griet
Author: Remus Lupin
Date: 03-26-07 08:09
Lupin apparated from his home in Blackpool to Hogsmeade, where he travelled through the gates up to the castle on appointment with both Professor Dumbledore and student Griet Vanderbilt. Remus had fully intended on meeting with Griet more regularly than he'd had, but various things had prevented him from doing so. Perhaps he could manage it better now. She certainly deserved to talk to someone who shared her little problem.
He went straight to the gargoyle outside Dumbledore's office and gave the password ("toffee"). The staircase swept him straight up to Dumbledore's door. Lupin raised his hand, knocked once, and entered at Dumbledore's request.
"Ah, Remus," Dumbledore said, rising from his seat where he'd been scribbling something onto parchment, "please do come in and make yourself comfortable. Can I offer you a biscuit? Some tea?"
"Please, and thank you," Remus replied, easing himself into the chair in front of Dumbledore's desk.
"I asked Professor Slughorn to request that Miss Vanderbilt join us this morning."
As if on cue, there was a knock on the door.
"Enter!" called Dumbledore, and Griet stepped into the room and closed the door behind her.
"Miss Vanderbilt, please join us," Dumbledore said, as he began fixing some tea for Lupin. "Would you like a refreshment?"
"No, thank you," Griet replied, "I just came from breakfast in the Great Hall." She sat down in the other chair next to Lupin and said, "Hi."
"Hello, Griet," Lupin said kindly.
"Well, I think I will walk the corridors for a little exercise," Dumbledore announced, rising after he'd finished with Lupin's tea. His eyes twinkled as he glanced from one face to the other, and then he took himself from the room to allow the two werewolves a chance to talk in private.
"I heard about what happened before Easter holiday," Lupin said, referring to how Gervaise Taylor and Oberon Smith had stumbled upon Griet in werewolf form in the Shrieking Shack. "How are you holding up?"
Griet shrugged. "Okay, I guess. Everyone knows the truth about me now. Some people don't look at me any differently, but then there are those who think I'm either terribly cool now or a complete freak. I heard someone say that their mother wanted to get me banned from school because I'm a danger to the other students."
Lupin nodded sagely. "Yes, you will face that time and time again, I'm afraid. Do you fear that you will do someone harm?" He took a sip of his tea and nibbled on a biscuit.
"No," Griet said. "Professor Slughorn's been brewing Wolfsbane Potion for me, and Dumbledore makes sure I'm secure in the Shrieking Shack, should anything go wrong. I'm not worried about what I'll do, and I'm for sure certain that Gervaise and Oberon aren't going to spy on me again. I think they've learned their lessons."
"You seem very level-headed and strong. That's wonderful," Lupin complimented with a smile.
"I have to be," Griet admitted. "If I weren't, well... I think I would just give up, you know?"
"I do know," Lupin said, sighing, "believe me. Do your closest friends support you, at least?"
Griet bit her bottom lip. "I don't have many friends, any friends really. My former best friend is in Azkaban, and I doubt she even knows what's become of me. It's Cornelia, my sister, who's become my confidant now, which is strange, since we used to hate each other."
"I'm glad you've managed to forge a bond with your sister. Family is important."
"Yeah," Griet said. "She definitely supports me. So, how are you holding up?" she asked, referring to how he'd once been suspected of being the one who'd turned her into a werewolf.
"I'm doing well," Lupin replied. "Term started at St. Emrys yesterday. I'm teaching two classes, the third part to Introduction to Defense Against the Dark Arts and the Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts. It keeps me busy."
"That's good," Griet answered, but she really wanted to know about Fenrir Greyback. "So, the one who did this to us... he's... he's still in Azkaban, right?"
"Yes," Lupin said, "and he'll be there for a very long time. You needn't worry about him hurting anyone else ever again, except anyone who might be unfortunate enough to be near him when he turns while in Azkaban." Lupin took another sip of his tea.
"That's good," Griet murmured, the wheels in her mind still turning. "What are the chances of wizards breaking out of Azkaban? I mean, I know it's happened twice before in recent years, but that's really a small percentage considering the history of the place..."
"Azkaban was rebuilt better than ever before," Lupin assured Griet. "I think it'll be near impossible for anyone to break out these days."
It was after fifteen or so more minutes of conversation that Dumbledore returned to his office, eyes still twinkling merrily.
"It is a lovely day outside. Why don't you two go for a jaunt on the grounds?"
"When is your next class, Griet?" Lupin asked. He drained his teacup.
"Not till 10:30," she replied. "I'd very much like to continue our talk," she added quickly, in case Lupin was thinking about leaving.
He smiled. "Very well. Let's take a walk then."
First day back to school
Author: Thessily
Date: 03-26-07 10:06
I had told my aunt and my uncle that I was ready to return to school. They had both given me a look like I had gone insane. But I told them, this was my sixth year of school. Next year I would be getting ready for the career of my choice. And I couldn’t just drop out of school because of some stupid man name Shane. My aunt had liked that. She had liked that I had called Shane a stupid man.
But, that is what I had come to think of him as. He was just a stupid man who had taken his revenge out on me. I wasn’t going to let it get me down. I was going to go back to school and I was going to be an.. an Auror. Okay, so my aunt and uncle weren’t to thrilled about that. I didn’t care though. It wasn’t what they wanted for me. I also told them that I wanted to join Quidditch next year. And that I was going to join Quidditch next year even if they didn’t want me too. They just stared at me and told me to go to my room. So to my room I went. I knew they would sit there and talk about what I had said. But in the end they would know that it was my life. I would do those things even if they didn’t want me too.
A few hours later my aunt had come up to my room to talk to me. I wasn’t to surprised when she knocked on my door. She basically told me she was glad I was feeling better. That she was happy I had decided to come out of my room and talk to them. That she was here if I wanted to talk about what happened and asked if I was really ready to go back to school. I told her I was. She said alright. We will take you in the morning.
So here I was sitting back in the Common room while everyone else was in their classes. I hadn’t gone to my classes today. I had decided to take this day to get used to being back at Hogwarts. Then tomorrow I would go back into the swing of school. And get caught up on my homework.
So far, no one knew I was here but the professors. I wasn’t ready to let my class mates know I was here. I wondered out into the court yard and sat down on a bench. Watching the birds fight for worms on the ground. I needed some time to think. And this was the best place I could think of to come to think.
Making Some Arrangements
Author: Brett Kingston
Date: 03-26-07 17:28
Yesterday Brett had received Orei's owl, which had found him at St. Emrys and waited patiently for Brett to get out of a class. The bird waited just as patiently for Brett to write a reply - and to get the generous treat Brett gave it.
Dear Orei,
I am so sorry about your grandmother! I'm going to take a few days off to go with you to the funeral. I know of others who've been allowed to leave Hogwarts for funerals so Professor McGonagall will surely allow you to attend your grandmother's.
Owl me back on when and where to meet you. You'll probably be able to Floo from Hogwarts, with maybe a stop for an international conduit. If not, Aussie would let you leave from her place. I can meet you at Hogwarts, in Hogsmeade, or wherever the funeral is to be.
Love,
Brett
P.S. Oh yeah, saw Cecily just the other day. She's hung up on some much older man so she's not a pest for me any longer.
Brett had one other Monday class and then yesterday afternoon and this morning he'd spoken to professors about missing the rest of the week. After his one Tuesday morning class is over Brett's going to his London flat to pack and then is apparating to Hogsmeade. He's meeting up with Orei later, though he's still not sure yet if it will be at Hogwarts or at Aussie's.
Leaving after Potions
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 03-26-07 21:01
Orei had gotten permission from Professor McGonagall to go to her grandmother's funeral. She got Brett's owl, and quickly sent a reply back.
Brett-
Thank you so much for coming with me. Meet me at Aussie's this evening, after potions (which I'm done with at 5pm), it will be easier to floo from there. Mom and Dad flew out just after they sent the owl, making sure it got to me on time. Mom said we can floo to my Aunt's house. I've the address with me, and the funeral is on the twenty sixth, so we will have time to get there.
Love,
Orei
Owl sent Orei headed out of the Common room, her bag already packed and on her bed. All she had to do was grab it and floo out of the fireplace in the common room once she got back from Potions. Her processors knew that she would not be in class most likely for the rest of the week, she'd have her assignments done the following week.