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Belated Birthday Gift
Author: Alanna Beck
Date: 04-14-07 21:09
Alanna had had a full day on Tuesday, though her lessons had only occupied the last half of the day. She'd spent the morning in the library studying for O.W.L.s. After lunch, she'd gone to History of Magic (what a snooze!), Charms (color-changing spells) and then Defense Against the Dark Arts, which had admittedly been a lot of fun for a class.
Now it was suppertime and Alanna was quite hungry. She filed into the Great Hall and started to head towards the Hufflepuff table when Jared called out to her from behind.
"Hey," he said, somewhat breathlessly, as he'd seen her in the corridor and had tried to catch up with her so that he could talk to her.
"Hey," Alanna said, smiling. "What's up?"
"Well," Jared started, pulling a small box from his pocket, "I meant to give this to you yesterday but I forgot for some reason. Happy Birthday."
Alanna grinned. "Oh, thanks! You didn't have to––"
"I wanted to." Jared smiled. "So will you open it?"
He didn't have to ask her twice. Alanna opened the box and gasped at the pair of earrings nestled within it. They were nothing terribly special, but Alanna liked them a lot and hadn't really expected to get any sort of jewelry from Jared.
Geheimzinnige Zilver
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 04-14-07 21:46
Julian had gone to an estate sale late this afternoon. He'd made some great purchases from the estate's library, including a rare volume a customer has been wanting for nearly a year. In addition to books, Julian bought some art, an excellent quality, small, oval mahogony table, and a set of boxes sold with the contents catalogued only as a selection of children's books, and other, miscellaneous items.
Back in Hogsmeade, supper out of the way and having gone over to see Grace, read her a bedtime story, and tuck her in, Julian's now sorting through the boxes. There are some small knick knacks, some of them ivory if he's any judge. Possibly worth some money if they are real ivory. There are some vintage children's toys, such as a small, wooden pony that prances around and a doll that has a soft, cloth body but porcelein head and hands. Julian will get the toys cleaned up and any Grace doesn't want or Lysander for Charlotte, he'll see if Blossom Weasley wants for her children's center.
Of the children's books, there turns out to be quite a few. They're in various states, some excellent, some in need of repairs. Julian sorts out ones for Grace and Charlotte from the ones that will be added to the shop's inventory. He also puts some aside that he doesn't think will sell. These he'll donate to Blossom's or to the library, probably splitting the lot between the two places.
Opening the last of the boxes, Julian goes through his sorting process, stopping when he comes across something wholly unexpected. There's a book wrapped in a protective cloth. Unwrapping the cloth, Julian is nearly open mouthed with shock when he reads the heavy tome's title. Geheimzinnige Zilver.
Julian wonders if there's any connection to the title that caused him so much grief with Afton Carew, Geheimzinnige Goud. It has to be connected somehow. The cover and binding is identical. The name is in Dutch. One translated to Arcane Gold. This title means Arcane Silver.
Placing the book on the mahogany table he'd just bought, Julian warily eyes it, unsure of whether he wants to look at the books contents or just destroy the book without ever looking at any of the pages.
Nervous
Author: Ariella Beck
Date: 04-15-07 09:15
Ariella took a long time getting ready on Wednesday morning. She had Arithmancy first thing and then an interview with someone from the Department of Magical Research for the internship she'd applied for on Professor McGonagall's recommendation. The interview would take place in Professor McGonagall's office.
Ariella was, not surprisingly, quite nervous about her interview. She really, really wanted to do well. Hopefully, her luck from the beginning of the week would carry over to today. Ariella, with great trepidation in her heart, had gone into the apparition testing fearing she'd fail, but to her great surprise and delight, she'd passed with flying colors!
Monday had been a nice day overall, because in addition to passing Ariella's apparition exam, it had been Alanna's sweet 16. Ariella had asked her grandfather to find a butterfly house for Alanna. Alanna collected butterflies, so Ariella thought it might be nice to give her something real butterflies could enjoy too. Alanna could set it up in the yard back home in Manchester, or perhaps Hagrid would agree for her to set it up on the Hogwarts grounds.
Deciding she couldn't do anything more with her appearance and that she looked nice enough, Ariella stepped away from the mirror, grabbed her Arithmancy and interview things, and headed to the Great Hall for something to eat.
Visit from Hermione
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 04-15-07 09:40
Bill felt extremely feverish, but he'd managed to remain lucid despite his suffering. His family visited him often, talking to him for the most part as if he were only ailing from something minor, though when he saw his mother or Fleur, he could see the fear and worry in their faces. They endured many sleepless nights, unable to think of anything but how he continued to grow worse and worse.
Bill had heard about Mr. Granger's passing and felt extremely sorry for Hermione, whom he knew had hoped that her father would one day wake from his coma. As if she knew he thought about her, she appeared in the doorway of his room looking somber but composed.
"Hermione," Bill said, "I'm sorry about your father."
She stepped into the room and sat down beside Bill. "Thanks." There was a brief pause before she spoke again. "I can't believe he's gone, but at the same time, I think I already knew that he wasn't going to get better. It's rare for people to simply wake up from long-term comas. I hate to say it, but––" She paused again, as if deciding against speaking the words on her mind at all, but then she finished her thought. "I'm a little relieved it's over. He wasn't by any means a burden to me––I'd have had lunch by his bedside for the rest of my life, if he hadn't died––but he didn't have any sort of life anymore. It's probably better this way."
She bit her lip to keep it from quivering and then decided to change the subject. "So, how are you feeling?"
Bill managed a small smile. "Terrible, but I haven't lost my sense of humor yet."
Hermione stuck her hand in the pocket of her jeans and pulled out a folded piece of parchment. "I've been doing a little researching on the powder Khalid Adallah blew in your face. I don't know if I'm on the right track but I hope so."
Bill was surprised. "Hermione, you have more important things to deal with right now than helping me. Have you made funeral arrangements? What about your classes?"
"Ron advised me to take time off from my classes. I didn't want to but he's right. I can't do everything right now, but I fully intend on returning to my lessons next week. I just hope I haven't missed too much..." She looked wistful and thoughtful for a moment. Then she said, "The funeral will be Friday morning. I hope you can come," though both she and Bill knew better.
"Anyway," she carried on, "I've had a little bit of spare time the past few days and made some visits to the library to see what I could scrounge up. I'm still trying to figure it all out, but I think it's a decent start."
"You are amazing," Bill said, smiling. "Ron's lucky to have you. The dolt better not screw up again."
Hermione smiled for the first time. "I think I have him well-trained now."
Bill grimaced suddenly, just as a nurse came into the room. She decided Bill had enough excitement for the morning and asked that Hermione leave. She left a copy of the parchment with Bill and then took herself home.
Gossip
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 04-15-07 11:39
After taking Charlotte to Blossom's, Lysander went back to Twice Told Tales to prepare for opening. He straightened some books on the shelf and picked up some that had been dropped on the floor the previous night. He set a featherduster to clean some of the dustier surfaces and mulled over creating a new display for the window. With summer coming up, perhaps he could pull some gardening books, summer cookbooks and travel guides.
"You look pensive," Julian said, when he came down into the shoppe and went to the register to check whether there was enough change or if he needed to run to Gringotts to get some.
"I could say the same for you," Lysander replied. "I was just thinking about a new display for the window." And he told Julian his idea. Moments later, it was time to open.
A short, rotund woman who was known as the village gossip was already waiting outside the door when Julian opened.
"Good morning, Mrs. Peabody," he greeted.
"Good morning, Mister Valentine! Good morning, Mister Stratford! You will never believe what I heard." She looked positively rabid as she prepared to tell them what she'd heard.
Lysander tried to humor the woman and smiled at her. "Well, what did you hear?"
"A friend of a friend of a friend of a friend who works at the Ministry of Magic told me that aurors went to South America to collect Aralyn Fox. She's currently being held on suspicion that she murdered Sebastian Taite!"
Julian whistled. "That is shocking." He looked at Lysander. "Don't you think?"
"Indeed," Lysander answered. He stifled the strong emotions he felt. If Aralyn were to be convicted of the crime, that would put him off the hook. Better that Charlotte's mother, who'd abandoned her, was the murderer and not Lysander himself.
"Well, now, I need a birthday gift for my nephew." And Mrs. Peabody bustled past the men and disappeared in the stacks.
Julian looked and Lysander. "With any luck..."
"Yes," Lysander said, understanding Julian perfectly without him having to finish his statement. With any luck, Aralyn would take the fall for Sebastian's death.
True Love
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 04-15-07 13:47
Harry paces back and forth, from one side of the living room to the other. From the direction of the kitchen Pinky worredly watches. Beside the House Elf, Rocko's head weaves to and fro as the large dog follows Harry's movements.
"Harry is upset?" Pinky asks.
Harry comes to a stop before the duo, his shoulders slumping. "No, not upset so much as concerned about some news to break to Janine."
Pinky cocks his head to one side. "Miss Janine already knows of the death of Miss Hermione's father. Something else has happened? Miss Janine's parents?"
"Something has happened, yes, but no, it's not anything to do with Janine's parents or Hermione, or any of our other friends. It... it's me. Something has happened with me."
"Harry is ill?" Pinky asks, desperation in his voice, his hands coming out to grasp Harry's shirt.
Harry gently pries the House Elf's hands loose as he says, "No, I'm not ill." Heaving a great sigh Harry explains, "I've fallen in love."
"But Harry loves Janine."
Harry sighs again, pushing hair off his forehead in a long, automatic gesture. "I do love Janine, it's just that I now realize it's not the deep down, long term committment type. I had thought that's what I have with Janine but now I know just how wrong I was. Now I know what true love actually is."
Harry moves away from Rocko and Pinky to sit sprawled on the couch. "I don't want to hurt Janine. As cliched as it sounds, I'd like us to remain friends. I do love Janine but now I know it's just as a very good friend."
Pinky crosses his spindly looking arms. He petulently informs Harry, "If Miss Janine moves because of this, Pinky is going with his friend Rocko."
"I understand, Pinky. I wouldn't try to stop you. You're free to work wherever you please, live wherever you want and with whomever you want."
Pinky keeps glaring at Harry for all of another two seconds before curiosity gets the best of him. "Who does Harry love if not Janine?"
"Harveyella. Unusual name but we don't fall in love over names, do we? At least not most sane people. She's beautiful but like her name it's an unusual beauty. Harveyella is an albino. She's tall, muscular with the grace of an athlete."
"Will Pinky get to meet Miss Harveyella?"
"Yes, er, maybe. I'm not sure. Not everyone can see Harveyella. Just this morning in the park people kept thinking I was having a conversation with myself."
"What does Harry mean not everyone can see Harveyella?" Pinky's starting to look worried again.
"The only people who can see Harveyella have witnessed death. I don't know if that's true for House Elves as well. You see, Pinky, my love Harveyella is an albino Thestral."
OOC: Ha ha ha. Late April Fool's. Couldn't do it at April Fool's when it was most expected and then of course Bellatrix put her up wonderfully entertaining Bellatrix and Lucius kill J.K. Rowling post, so I waited awhile to do this one.
Tired And Worried
Author: Gabrielle Delacour
Date: 04-15-07 14:29
Gabby stirs from her near doze and checks the time. She should be studying for an exam in her first Wednesday class, History of Magic at 10:30. Sitting across from Gabby at a table in the library, Estella notices Gabby looking at a clock on the wall.
"I started to poke you to let you know it's nearly time to go. Is everything okay? You don't usually want to take a nap before history."
Rosalinda, sitting on Gabby's left chimes in. "Is it that you're worried for your brother-in-law?"
"Yes, and I am worreed about my seester. Fleur had had her second meescarreege just before thees weeth Bill. Also, I am sad for Ermione Granger. She eez ze girlfreend of one of Bill's brothers. Ermione's father just died."
Gabby pulls out a letter and pats the envelope. "Then there eez thees letter owled to me last night. Maman has eenformed me that next term I weel be returning to Beauxbatons. I did not sleep well at all last night zeenking about eet. I am, of course, going to strongly protest."
Estella pulls a face. "Rosie and I will have to help you formulate well thought out arguments against going back to school there. For now though we'd better get to History of Magic. Professor Binns might not care if we're late but I really don't want to miss getting an exam when he passes them out."
All three girls get up and leave the library, Gabby going only because she can't, as her British friends say, skiv off from an exam. What she really wants to do is march off campus to Fleur's house, Floo home and have a contest of wills face to face with her mother. Gabby is NOT going back to Beauxbatons, even if it means running away and not going to Hogwarts either!
The Answer Is Still No
Author: Charlie Weasley
Date: 04-15-07 17:56
"How many times do you have to be told no?"
Jarvis Hepplewhite attempts not to look exasperated with Charlie. "Mr. Weasley, you once cared for Miss Sinistra. Do you really want to see her suffer through a trial?"
Charlie's laugh is a harsh bark. "When you say things like that you sound almost as barmy as Belladonna, Mr. Hepplewhite. Any feelings I once had for Belladonna are long gone. Any residuals feelings I might have had were killed when Belladonna and Gisela kidnapped my brother and me, then while holding us prisoner kept from us that one of our brothers had fallen horribly ill."
"Can't you see what a further inconvenience a trial would be for you?" Hepplewhite wheedles.
Charlie grins, "No inconvenience at all. Ron must feel the same way since he's not signed either."
"Yes. Unfortunately, your youngest brother is being as obstinate as you are on this. My clients are sorely disappointed."
"That's just too damn bad," Charlie retorts.
Tired of being pestered by the solicitor Belladonna's family had hired for her and Gisela, Charlie tells the man, "Look, neither Ron nor I will signed that bloody paper. There will be a trial. Ron and I will testify. Belladonna and Gisela are not going to spend time in some cozy, private mental care facility. If my family and I have anything to say about it they will be sentenced to Azkaban, even if that means they are in the mental ward there. Now, stop bothering me. I've got work to do and you're keeping me from it. If you don't leave now I'll have the preserve bill you for this visit and every other one you've made since the Sinistras decided to try and get Belladonna out of having a trial."
Charlie stalks out of the building, deciding that if Hepplewhite follows he'll lead the man out into the wilds where if the world is lucky, the man would get eaten by a Hebridean Black.
Session With Dumbledore
Author: Jet
Date: 04-16-07 18:18
Jet approaches the entrance to the headmaster's office. Reaching it, he gives the password, "Key lime pie," then steps into the stairs going up to the office itself. The door is open and Professor Dumbledore, head bent over something on his desk, wordlessly waves Jet in. Jet takes a seat in the chair he usually uses when meeting with the professor then waits for Professor Dumbledore to be done with whatever it is he's doing.
Jet's wait isn't very long, no more than a minute or two. When Professor Dumbledore does look up he smiles in that benign, grandfatherly way of his. "Congratulations on gaining your apparition license, Mr. Obsidian."
"Thank you, professor."
"Any difficulty with dreams since last we met?"
"No, sir. The shadow man, as I still call him even though I know now he looks like me, shows up regularly but I don't feel threatened like I once did. When I try to approach as you and Professor Sacheverelle suggested, he backs away. If I persist, he fades altogether or I wake up."
"You don't feel threatened but does that mean the feelings of malice and dark no longer emanate from the shadow man?"
Jet shakes his head. "The sense of those things is still there. I'm just not afraid of the shadow man anymore so I don't feel threatened by what I think he represents or the feelings that flow from him towards me."
"I believe that is excellent. I wish I could state that more firmly but as yet, we still aren't certain what's taking place or why," the headmaster says with more than a little disappointment with himself at not having pinpointed what they're dealing with or the mechanics behind it.
Professor Dumbledore rises to move around his desk and sit in the vacant chair next to Jet. "Are you ready to proceed?"
"Yes, sir," Jet replies, bracing himself for the professor's legilimency into his mind, hoping that this time they make real, definitive progress.