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Staying Busy And Help From Kingsley
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 03-27-07 09:56
Ginny had thought that Molly would want to stay home upon learning that both Ron and Charlie are missing. She'd thought Molly would have Hendrika and the boys come stay at the Burrow. Molly instead chose to keep busy working at Blossom's. Arthur too found that keeping busy is best. This morning Hendrika has thought about staying at home but then decided to bring the boys to the day care so that Schuyler could play and see friends.
Ginny had debated going to her two Tuesday classes but after attempting the first and finding she couldn't stay focused on a single word the professor was saying, Ginny too came to Hogsmeade to Blossom's. It was that or helping at one of the twins's shops. Ginny decided upon the day care and activity center because she wanted to be with her mum.
Kingsley has arrived and is in the office talking privately with Hendrika. Normally a regular law enforcement officer would be overseeing the investigation but Kingsley wanted to handle it himself. Other Order members are also doing what they can, like Mundungus poking around the back channels seeing if anyone's got some gossip to share about two missing young men.
So far there's been nothing. No one's come forward to say they've seen anything. No notes. No signs of struggle anywhere. The only thing Ginny and other family members have been able to come up with is that both Charlie and Ron have admirers who have trouble understanding the word no. Yesterday, Kingsley has spoken with Belladonna Sinistra in her St. Emrys office. Ron's admirer Gisela wasn't in when Kingsley went by but he'd left a note. Last night she'd contacted him by owl and arranged to speak with him this morning at the Ministry.
Kingsley said both women were overly concerned about Ron's and Charlie's whereabouts, just as obsessed women might be if the objects of their affections went missing, but neither woman knew anything, Gisela saying she'd not seen or spoken with Ron since a confrontation outside Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes in Diagon Alley and Belladonna saying she wasn't even sure when the last time she spoke to Charlie was but she thinks it was at St. Emrys and her sister was with her. Neither gave any of the tells people often make when lying so Kingsley has taken them at their words for now.
Personally, Ginny would look at both Gisela and Belladonna again. It seems an extreme coincedence that the two of her brothers with obsessive admirers went missing at within a short time from each other.
Looking Around Again
Author: Ron Weasley
Date: 03-27-07 14:02
Gisela enters the room where Ron's being held, frowning deeply and tsking. "You didn't touch a bite of lunch, Ron."
Ron doesn't answer. He continues flipping through a book on Quidditch that was a shelf in the room. It takes every bit of self restraint Ron possesses not to chuck the book at Gisela's head.
"I'm sorry you didn't like what I made. Perhaps if I'd been able to stay and eat with you instead of going to class you'd have eaten."
Ron doesn't look up from the book but does roll his eyes at her idiotic notion that her presence would have been the inducement needed to eat.
Gilesa keeps talking. "I need to go check on Charlie. Belladonna's still at St. Emrys. I'll be back in a bit. I want to tell you all about my day," she gurgles happily at Ron.
Ron's stomach churns at the thought of forced time listening to the barmy bitch. At least if he does need to vomit he can reach the loo. When he'd first woken yesterday and was of a mind to relieve his bladder, Ron hadn't know the chain on his ankle wouldn't reach. That problem has since been resolved. Ron can go anywhere in the bedroom, the bath, and the large closet with a dressing room.
There is an exception. If Ron tries to get withing two feet of the door into the hallway, the chain magically contracts, jerking him backwards. It's the same for Charlie. When both women have been gone Charlie and he have talked, or rather shouted to hear each other.
Ron now knows how Charlie was captured. Thanks to Gisela's explaining things to Ron yesterday he also knows how he came to be here. When he left Hermione's Ron had exited her flat using the outer set of stairs. Gisela, hoping to catch him exactly as she had, was waiting out of sight. When Ron reached ground level and was off the bottom step, Gisela caught him with a stunning spell. Ron's massive headache and the reason he was out of it for so long once the spell wore off was the result of falling backwards and hitting his head on that last step.
Ron puts the book aside and goes to look out the window. There's a nicely tended garden two stories below. Ron can see parts of the house and lots and lots of trees from a surrounding forest. No street is visible nor has he seen a single person outside other than this morning Gilesa and Belladonna Sinistra standing in the garden talking. Ron tried opening the window but couldn't budge it, which meant he couldn't eavesdrop on their conversation.
Although he's searched the loo, the bedroom, and dressing room, Ron starts looking again for something he can try to pick the lock on the ankle manicle or to budge the window open. Or to use as a weapon so he could get Gisela's wand from her. As he looks again, Ron hopes someone very soon puts together that both Charlie and he had woman wanting them each to give up their current relationships. That is the key for those looking for them to follow if Charlie and he are to be found anytime soon.
Dinner In Orange
Author: Plum
Date: 03-27-07 19:16
Plum opens the door of the flat, her mind making a list of she has that could be made into supper. Seeing Parker on the couch, Plum stops short, her thoughts already going to an alternate plan. Walking quietly to her bedroom, Plum drops her bag on the bed then walks back out of the flat.
Plum walks into Orange and goes straight to a food line without looking around to see who she knows. A pair of male hands come around from behind and cover her eyes, the voice saying, "Guess who."
Plum removes the hands and turns. "Hi, Drake."
"Ophelia, Kody, Adonis and I have a table. Come join us."
Drake points the table out then goes through the line with Plum. "I got here after the others," he says, explaining why he's the only one from that table in line for food.
Drake and Plum talk about how their classes are going so far, only two days into the new term. At the table, Plum greets everyone and takes the chair Kody's and Drake's suitemate Adonis, gets for her.
No sooner has she sat then Ophelia says, "I thought you took dinner at your flat."
"I usually do but Parker's crashed on the couch. I didn't have the heart to wake him by making noise in the kitchen."
Kody, who's maintained a good friendship with Parker even though Parker's sister Daria dumped Kody a short time ago, asks, "How's he doing?"
"Extremely sore and banged up. Whoever attacked Parker did a very good job."
Adonis speaks in his fractured English. Plum thinks he said something along the lines of, "It's nice of you to let Parker use your flat between classes."
Plum bobs her head up and down. "Tracey wants him to take several days off but he's being stubborn. If he's going to be that way then at least I can help out with a place to truly relax so that he's not traveling back and forth so much."
Chewing to swallow a huge bite of sandwich Drake says around the food, "Parker attacked that badly and now two of the Weasley's missing."
Plum's eyes widen. "What? Who?"
"You've not seen the paper today?"
"No," she shakes her head. "And I've not been anywhere with the WWN going when news was being read."
Kody fills Plum in. "Both Ron and Charlie Weasley are missing. Best anyone can tell at the moment is that Ron vanished on Sunday night and Charlie yesterday morning."
The five talk at length about the two Weasleys and about Parker's attack, all of them, even Adonis who only knows Ginny from that family, speculate who has done each of the deeds and why.
Counselor
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 03-27-07 19:23
Professor McGonagall had welcomed Thessily Ware back to school that morning, and after a talk with the young lady's guardians, had sent them on their way so that the two, Head of House and Gryffindor student, could talk amongst themselves for a bit. Minerva had spent only a small amount of time getting Miss Ware the assignments she'd missed over her absence, but had devoted more of her morning to providing the brave Gryffindor student with counsel. She'd let Thessily talk to her heart's content or be as silent as she'd wished; different people healed in different ways. Professor McGonagall would have sat with Miss Ware for as long as necessary, knowing that Professor Grubbly-Plank had the transfiguration classes under control.
Miss Ware had eventually asked to get some air, and Minerva, obliging the young lady, had reminded her that her office door was always open and that if she needed anything, she only had to ask.
Professor McGonagall had not taught any of her classes today, but instead had passed the time without Thessily doing administrative duties. The apparition lessons were soon to end, which meant that those students old enough could be tested. Minerva needed to make the arrangements with Professor Twycross regarding a date and time for those examinations.
Another matter close at hand was the next career day. Professor McGonagall wanted to write to all those businesses and organizations who'd once participated in the event and also to extend an invitation to anyone else who might be interested in showcasing themselves for the students in May. Every career day since its inception at Hogwarts had been quite successful and probably very enlightening to the students.
Professor McGonagall had met with most of her fifth years already to discuss future plans, be it more schooling at St. Emrys, an apprenticeship somewhere, or a full-fledged job upon graduation from Hogwarts. Some already knew what they wanted, but many had no idea. Deciding upon one's future could be a very daunting task. She supplied her students with flyers and other reading material, hoping it would help them discover how they might like to spend the rest of their lives before retirement.
Retirement was something Minerva never thought about, though she was getting older day by day and probably could decide she'd had enough of teaching if she wanted, but Albus, who was much, much older, didn't seem like he'd ever leave Hogwarts. It was true, that there was something about the school that made one never really want to leave, and in many ways, it was her one, true home. She almost couldn't imagine moving out of the castle and living an ordinary life.
After having spent nearly the entire day in her office, Professor McGonagall decided she ought to go to the Great Hall for some supper before retiring to her quarters for the night.
Boggart
Author: Kissy Isuki
Date: 03-28-07 13:53
Kissy does a half sit, half lean on the edge of her desk. As the second year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws file in, she checks off each name on the daily attendance roster she keeps. It's on this roster that Kissy initially records any points she gives students during the course of the class.
When the students are in their seats Kissy clears her throat to get their attention then says, "Let's see who read today's assignment. What is a boggart?"
Hands go up. Kissy calls on Eithne ni Domhnaill.
"A boggart is a shape shifter that prefers to live in dark, confined spaces"
"Excellent. Five points. What sort of shapes does a boggart like to take?"
Jack Emerson had been leaning over whispering something to Deak so Kissy calls on Jack. Eyes wide with the guilty look of having been caught doing something other than paying attention, Jack has to concentrate hard on remembering what question Kissy's just asked.
She's on the verge of deducting points when Jack says in a rush, "Boggarts like to take on the shapes of whatever it is the people they're encountering are most afraid of."
"Correct. Two points," Kissy fixes Jack with a pointed looked. He'd have gotten the full five if he'd been paying attention and quicker to answer.
Kissy taps one of the chalkboards. The term boggart is revealed along with the information Eithne and Jack gave as answers to her questions. Kissy taps the board again to reveal the next point she wants the students to remember about boggarts.
"No one knows what a boggart's true shape is. We don't even know if it has a natural state. Anyone injured from an encounter with a boggart is usually injured because of reacting in fear to whatever is seen. A boggart's shape shifting does not appear to be strictly defensive to scare of what it perceives as a threat. From what we can tell, boggarts feed off fear. That's why boggarts are classified as dark creatures."
Kissy taps the blackboard again to show the word Riddikulus. "Boggarts are fairly simple to deal with if you can keep your wits about you when faced with a great fear. Think of some way to make that fear something you would find funny. As you're thinking of this very amusing thing, point your want at the boggart and say Riddikulus.
Kissy has the students practice several times saying Riddikulus. When she calls for their attention again she says, "Ready for some practical application of Riddikulus?"
Most of the students sound eager when replying, "Yes!"
Kissy goes to her desk to a small, wooden chest. Before opening it she tells the class, "Right after my second year at Hogwarts, I went with a friend that summer to visit one of her relatives in the Himilayan Mountains. One day while we were out hiking in an area still very much snow covered we had an encounter with a Yeti, also known as the Abominable Snowman.
Now, Yetis are extremely dangerous and they love a human to snack on. It came charging at my friend, her older sister, and me. We were saved only because there were members of an international task force very close by. That particular task force has the job of keeping Muggles safe from Yeti attack and for keeping the number of Yeti sightings by Muggles to a mininum.
Anyway, even though we escaped harm, I have had a massive fear of Yetis ever since. I tell you this because when I open this small box and the boggart emerges, it will probably be as a very angry Yeti. If you don't think you'll be able to keep your seat then right now go stand at the very back of the class. I will very quickly demonstrate for you the use of Riddikulus."
Kissy gives students wanting to stand back time to get lined up along the rear of the classroom. When they look as ready as they're going to be, Kissy opens the box. In the span of a blink a 14 1/2 foot snarling Yeti is standing very close to Kissy. She takes a step back as the thing roars ferociously and points her wand.
"Riddikulus!"
Just as instantly the Yeti shrinks in size to about six inches tall, its ferocious roaring now sounding more like a loudly mewling cat. The face features are no longer frightening. It's huge teeth now look blunted and the snarl takes on the expression of an exaggerated grin. The now cute as a button yeti begins shaking its rear and doing a little dance in time to the mewling sounds it's making.
Smiling, Kissy turns to face the second years. "I made it into something I'd want to take home with me. Everyone have the idea?"
Heads nod, eyes still focused on the tiny dancing yeti. "Who wants to be first to give it a try?"
Carlotta Calloway steps forward. "I'll do it!"
The time until Kissy puts the boggart back in the box and has the students practice their dueling goes by quickly. When class ends, Kissy dimisses them with a reminder to review what they did this week. After the last student has left the classroom, Kissy hurries off as well to go into to Hogsmeade to see if her friends Ron and Charlie have been located yet. With only a half hour until her next class, Kissy rushes, preferring to go in person than to owl.
Worried
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 03-28-07 18:34
Although she sat in her Immunology class and took notes as Dr. Waldron lectured, Hermione hardly listened to anything her professor said. All she could think about what Ron and Charlie, but especially Ron, and whether or not they would be found safely. It was a poor way to start a new term, as Hermione could hardly find the motivation or concentration to focus on her classes when someone she cared deeply about had gone missing and might possibly never return. Tears began to well up in her eyes, as they often had when she'd first learned about Ron and Charlie. She blinked rapidly, causing most of the tears to vanish, but one escaped her bottom eyelid and rolled down her cheek. Hermione hastily backhanded it, leaving only a smeared wet mark on her face.
"Next week we will discuss the elements of innate immune response. They fall under several categories: anatomic barriers, such as your skin; physiologic barriers, such as temperature; and chemical factors, like fatty acids. See you next time," Dr. Waldron said, and then the class began to disperse.
Hermione tucked her notes into her bookbag and rose, shouldering the bag as she left the lecture hall at John Radcliffe Hospital. Her feet carried her down the corridor, through the foyer, and out of the building, where the cool spring air revitalized her senses and allowed her to forget about her worries, but only for a moment. She walked to her usual place, a series of bushes behind which she disapparated for St. Mungo's.
She went straight to the lunch room in the hospital, because she'd forgotten to pack something to eat and because she didn't really want to go out anywhere else, and filled her tray with a light meal. She ate it quickly, all too aware again that Ron and Charlie were still missing and that no one had yet discovered their trail.
As soon as Hermione finished lunch, which she managed in just over five minutes, she left the cafeteria for her father's ward, where she pulled a chair next to his bed and sank into it, resting her head against his arm.
"Ron and Charlie are still missing," she told him softly. "I hope they're not..." She couldn't bear to say the word "dead," so she opted to change her statement. "I hope they're all right."
She spent the rest of the hour sulking at her father's bedside until it was time to leave St. Mungo's for St. Emrys, where she had two classes that afternoon: Spell Damage II with Professor Flister and Pediatric Healing with Professor Watts. Unfortunately, she knew that she would have just as difficult a time paying attention in these classes as she had every other one since first learning about Ron and Charlie's disappearances.
Still, she would rather attend class than sit around anxiously for news, and even if she couldn't concentrate 100%, surely she would absorb something by just being in class.
No Spells Or Potions
Author: Charlie Weasley
Date: 03-29-07 14:56
If Charlie knew what Ron was doing he wouldn't be at all surprised to learn his brohter is once more exploring his own bedroom prison in hopes of finding something useful. Charlie's in the process of doing the same thing again. He's lost count of how many times he's gone through the room since Monday when the chain was magicked to allow him more freedom of movement.
Monday Charlie had been too enraged at Belladonna to give two thoughts on how it is that girl Gisela and she teamed up. He'd been more concerned about Hendrika and their children. Belladonna had taken a don't be silly attitude with Charlie. "Of course I didn't hurt them. As if I would hurt your children, Charlie, or any children for that matter. It's painful to hear such a question coming from someone I care so much about."
As to Hendrika, Belladonna had said, "She's all wrong for you. In time, here with me, you'll see that. As much as I would love to have her permamently out of the way, as the mother of your two sons I wouldn't cause her any harm."
During the times when both women have been out of the house, leaving an old, asthmatic House Elf whose name Charlie hasn't yet learned, Ron and Charlie talk loudly to exchange what they've learned and to bounce escape ideas off each other. The House Elf probably reports their conversations but the brothers make sure the ideas they shout out are clearly flawed, stupid ones. It helps pass the time while they figure out a real means of escape.
One of the first questions Charlie had asked Ron that first time they'd had one of their overly loud conversations was, "Have you asked after Hermione?"
Ron's reply had been, "Gisela says Hermione's fine. Said she's offended that I would think she'd do a thing to Hermione after I'd made it clear Gisela was to leave Hermione be."
Charlie hopes that these two demented women have been telling the truth about not harming Hendrika, Hermione, or the boys.
The door swings up. Charlie looks up from where he's been looking in drawers for anything he can use to help in escaping. Belladonna asks, "Do you prefer roasted chicken or rack of lamb for supper?"
Charlie rolls his eyes and snorts, "I don't care."
"This hostility doesn't become you, Charlie."
"I'm supposed to find your insanity charming?"
Belladonna's eyes flash with anger. "If all you're going to do is hurl insults and have a bad attitude, then you can just forget about having a say in your supper."
"I've already said I don't care."
"What is with you, Charlie?" Belladonna huffs.
Charlie reaches down and picks up a length of the chain keeping him in the room.
"That's for your own good and only until you've come to realize you love me and not Hendrika."
"Wouldn't using the Imperius curse or resorting to a love potion as you once attempted by easier than keeping me locked up?"
"I'd never use an Unforgiveable Curse! How can you even suggest I'd consider such a thing? As to a love potion Gisela and I did think about using one but we decided it would be better of Ron and you came around on your own so that we didn't have to keep dosing you. Once we've gone public with our relationships, someone would be bound to notice that you were both under an enchantment of some sort. Now, I need to see to supper before returning to the university to teach a class."
Belladonna's been gone a few minutes when Charlie remembers he hadn't asked how Gisela and she met up in the first place.
A Visit From Lyric
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 03-29-07 18:02
"You are still pushing down too much on your broom handle vhile at the same time sitting up as straight as is possible. Both are slowing you down. Hug the broom handle to you. That vill reduce wind resistance. Also, if actually playing Quidditch, it vill reduce the target your body makes for Bludgers."
The student, hoping to play Quidditch for his house next term, nods, gets back on his broom, and rejoins other students getting in some Quidditch practice. Other students practice flying for the SAT's Broom Racing competition coming up this Sunday. The contigents from the other schools taking part in the SAT will more likely begin arriving in two days, on Friday, for the Charms and the Broom Racing events.
"Viktor?"
Viktor turns in surprise. "Lyric. How nice to see you."
"I read about your friends - the missing Weasleys are good friends of yours if I recall. I'm so sorry. Has there been any progress made in locating them?"
"No, nothing yet, I am sad to say. Thank you for asking."
"It's why I came. I wanted to check on you in person. I know we aren't together any longer but I do care about you."
Viktor looks down at his feet then up to watch some of the students flying around the pitch. Finally he says, "I'm sorry I never got back in touch with you to give you a reply."
Lyric shakes her head. "No, don't apologize. When I didn't hear from you about giving things another go, I took that as my answer."
Lyric steps closer and reaches out to lightly touch Viktor's arm. "There's another reason I came in person today. I have a request. I know this isn't the best time to be asking but if you will have dinner with me - or lunch, or even breakfast - I'll try to explain why I tend to be so close mouthed about every single detail about me and my life. If not tomorrow or Friday, after your tournament this weekend?"
Viktor looks away from Lyric again to call some advice to one of the Quidditch playing students. When Viktor returns his eyes to Lyric, he thinks about how appealing she is and how he only stopped seeing her because of how secretive she was about every single little thing. He hadn't been going to go out with her again, as much as he has wanted to. Deciding he should at least give Lyric a chance to explain, Viktor relents.
"Tomorrow night? Around six?"
"That would be wonderful!" Lyric exclaims, giving Viktor an impromtu hug much to the delight of onlooking students.