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Bloody Wicked (Basil)
Author: Jared
Date: 08-12-07 10:27
A common room just for Pures. Now that's something. Basil could hardly wait to finish eating lunch after Professor Snider made her announcement. With only Herbology on Tuesdays and that already over, Basil is free to go make use of the room. Free to be totally away from the Nons who do nothing but bitch and moan about their unfortunate state.
Sodding idiots the lot of them. Do they really think the Pures give a river troll's arse about how, boo hoo, the Nons have to sleep on thin mattresses? Those who do care are either pretending for some reason advantageous to them or are blood traitors.
Basil had rushed to the new common room while still shoving the last bit of a sandwich in his mouth. He wants to be the first student to step foot in the new room. Ivan is right behind but Basil has a head start. Basil imagines others are coming as well, eager to take advantage of the new luxuries for the Pures.
Reaching the large, double doors made of a rich looking wood - Basil can't tell oak from cedar from the mahogany of the doors - Basil starts to push one open only to have it swing open on its own. Grinning he steps over the threshold into an extremely large room.
Ivan steps in a second later, going open mouthed. Basil points to a shelf with games on it. "Let's play exploding snap."
They settle in at a small table and are no sooner seated then a House Elf in an immaculately white tea towel appears beside the table. "Would either Master like a refreshment?"
"Butterbeer," Basil immediately replies, "and a handful of those chocolate frogs. Ooooh, are those cakes and pies there?"
"Yes, Young Master, fresh from Briar's Bakery."
"A slice of that tall, pink looking cake. Looks like it's either strawberry or cherry."
The House Elf looks to Ivan who orders, "A lemonade, very chlled, light ice. A pie of that pie there and a slice of the same cake as Basil here."
The House Elf hastens off to fill their orders. Basil looks at Ivan, his grin even broader now. "I LOVE this room!"
Success!
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 08-12-07 10:37
Hermione ordered a ham and cheese sandwich and a glass of peach-flavored tea at the Visitor's Tea Room at St. Mungo's and scanned the day's copy of the Daily Prophet. Apparently, the press hadn't yet caught wind of Khalid Adallah's recent escapade, or at least no mention of his kidnapping of Lysander Stratford had made it into the newspaper. Julian had sent Hermione a short note late yesterday evening with the news that Lysander had been found and transfered to St. Mungo's. Hermione was eager to visit, but didn't want to intrude. After all that had happened, she wasn't sure Lysander even wanted to be bothered by her again.
She finished her lunch and still had time to kill before returning to work. Hermione would only continue in her present position until the middle of October, when she would start her first clinical rotation as an apprentice healer. She decided to visit Bill, whom she'd been trying to help with Lysander's assistance.
Bill had been in a coma for months now. There was a time when it seemed clear that he would die, but Hermione's quick thinking had delayed his death. Now if only she could get the information needed to revive him completely.
Hermione found Fleur at Bill's bedside. Fleur came to see Bill during her lunch break everyday, and again after work. She only left him to go to Gringotts or home to feed herself, her fish Rémy, and to sleep.
"Hi, Fleur," Hermione said, entering Bill's private room.
"Bonjour, 'ermione. 'ave you deescovered anyzing for Bill?" she asked, with hope in her blue eyes. Everyone knew that Hermione had been looking into Bill's poisoning and had great hopes that she would be able to reverse his situation.
"Maybe," she said, trying not to sound too hopeful herself. "A man was brought in last night who may be able to help."
"Will you talk to 'im, please?" Fleur begged.
Hermione nodded, noting the urgency in Fleur's voice and the agony on her face. She backed out of the room and went to the nearest nurses station to find out where Lysander Stratford was.
A few minutes later, she poked her head into his room and saw that he was staring up at the ceiling looking bored out of his mind.
"Lysander?"
He looked towards Hermione and sat up a little bit. "I've been wondering when I would see you."
Hermione stepped into the room, feeling a bit sorry for having put Lysander in such danger, knowing that Khalid Adallah had gone to great lengths to make sure that no one knew what the book contained. "I'm really sorry about what happened."
Lysander waved his hand. "I've gone through worse. Listen," and he told Hermione about how he'd been locked in a room with the four stolen books. Her face fell when he told her how they had been consumed by flames but immediately lit up when he told her he'd memorized the missing pages from the chapter he'd once located for her.
He recited, "Cursed mummy powder is a rare poison that affects the nervous system. When inhaled, it causes the victim to experience extreme pain in all extremeties and to sweat and shake uncontrollably. After time, the victim slips into a deep sleep and then dies. The rate at which this happens varies from person to person.
"Rarer still is the antidote for the poison. Found only in desert oases, Adenius Aegyptus is a golden and white flower that blooms only after a considerate amount of rainfall. The antidote is made using seven fresh petals from a single plant, which are brewed over the course of thirty days in a salt solution. The antidote must be consumed on the thirty-first day."
Lysander described a drawing of the plant that had been included in the book as well as a table with specific instructions for making the antidote. Hermione had Lysander say the whole thing all over again after he finished the first time, and this time she took notes after conjuring a quill and some parchment.
"Now on the subject of payment," Lysander said, growing serious.
"I'll double what you originally asked of me," Hermione said. "I can go to Gringotts right now––"
"I'm stuck in this place till tomorrow morning," Lysander said, cutting her off. "Bring what you owe by the shop sometime tomorrow afternoon or evening," he said.
"Okay," Hermione said. She smiled. "Thank you. Thank you SO much." She resisted the urge to hug Lysander and left his room, nearly skipping down the hallway on the way back to Bill's room. She couldn't wait to tell Fleur her big news.
Happily Married
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 08-12-07 11:52
Being married to Toby was a dream come true for Bronwyn. She loved being Mrs. Beck, wife of the star Quidditch player for the Brisbane Bandicoots. She also knew that in time, her mum and dad would come around to the fact that she'd eloped. They'd always been fond of Toby and had probably known that Bronwyn would wind up with him. They would grow used to the fact that their only daughter was a married woman now.
Bronwyn knew she had to return to Britain without Toby, but she tried not to think about it too much. She still had one more year at St. Emrys University, and he still had another year on contract with the Bandicoots. He fully intended on moving back to Britain afterwards and would hopefully find a place on one of the British teams. If they didn't want him, then he'd find a desk job somewhere. He wasn't worried either way.
"Where will we live?" Bronwyn asked Toby. They were snuggled up on a hammock, watching the stars that twinkled over their heads. Night had already fallen in Australia.
"Do you want a flat or a house? We can afford a house, if that's what you want."
"I don't care either way. I just want to be with you. This next year will be unbearable."
"It will go by quickly, you wait and see. And I vote for a house. A flat isn't ideal for all the children we're going to have."
Bronwyn laughed. "Children? Just how many are you wanting?"
"My parents had five, six if you count Katherine. We'll have to outdo them."
"We will?" Bronwyn fixed Toby with a bewildered and amused expression.
"Oh, sure. Children always have to do everything better than their parents, from marks at school, to career paths, and yes, to children. We'll have to have at least seven, if we want to do one better than they did, but maybe we should double it. Ten, or perhaps twelve."
Bronwyn started laughing. "Now I know you're joking."
"Who me?" Toby feigned, looking serious. "I never, ever joke around. Honest."
"Suuuuuure," Bronwyn replied, grinning.
Plans
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 08-12-07 12:06
Lucius rubs a hand over his eyes. Lately, he's been at the Ministry more in the evenings and at night. He doesn't have to and sometimes he does go to the BOO but Cecily doesn't know that. During the day Lucius is at home if Cecily is going to be working at Narcissa's and is at the Ministry or the BOO if she is not.
Lucius is getting plenty of sleep yet he still feels tired all the time. He attributes it to the stress that is Cecily. If the chit would just consent to the divorce and be done with it Lucius could finally relax again. Too bad he can't simply kill her, making it appear to be an accident or even just disappearing altogether. That would have been the easy solution but thanks to Cecily that's not possible. She just had to go and blab immediately about their elopement.
If the project he's currently got going doesn't work, perhaps he can still consider her having an accident. An old enemy striking. A mugging along the lines of some of those that occassionally take place in Knockturn Alley. An attempted robbery at Narcissa's.
Lucius sits up a little straighter. That last one would be excellent. He'd be here, in a meeting or something along those lines. Lots of witnesses, perhaps even the Minister herself. Cecily would be killed in a botched robbery attempt on a shoppe that caters to wealthy Witches.
Perfect.
First though, there's this other little plan to try. It's already in motion so might as well see how it plays out.
Lucius checks the clock on the wall. Just after the time Cecily normally has lunch. Excellent. He can go home and eat his own lunch, cooked by his own House Elves, and take a nap in his own bed. Leaving his office, Lucius simply tells his secretary he's off to lunch. No mention of where just in case Cecily decides to do one of her surprise visits to let Lucius know how much she misses his company.
Grumbles (Evan)
Author: Plum
Date: 08-12-07 13:23
After lunch, out of curiosity, Evan had gone by the new Purebloods only common room. Mary, who'd been at lunch with Evan, accompanied him. They'd both stood in the doorway, gaping at the sight.
They'd walked around the room then left, Mary barely able to conceal her huffs of disgust. Evan was able to keep his face stoic though it was only because his real emotions and what he wanted to say aren't things to be shown or said around impressionable children.
After leaving, Evan walked into Hogsmeade with Mary to pick up Alex from Blossom's. Mary then took Alex to his pediatric healer for a check-up and Evan took his time going back up to the school. He still had plenty of time before his 2 pm class of sixth years when he returned but decided to sit in the classroom and work on putting together a pop quiz for his fifth years, a class that meets tomorrow.
When 2 o'clock comes, the six students file in, talking animatedly, mostly about the new common room from what he can tell. Evan raises one hand. "All right, get settled."
Gertrude promptly raises her hand. "Have you seen inside, Professor Lancaster? I tried peeking but the doors wouldn't open for me."
"My wife and I did a walk through. It's rather... opulent. Yes, opulent is a good way to describe it."
"Another step in making them royalty and us the nothings," Jim grumbles.
"We don't have royals," Madeline reminds Jim then hastily adds, "but we certainly are being treated like nothings."
Evan sighs. "I can well understand your frustration."
Jim flares, "How could you? You're a Pure!"
The other students look at Jim, slightly shocked. Evan sighs again. "I could take points for insolence, Jim, but I won't. I know you're not really angry with me."
Fritz speaks up for the first time. "Why don't I collect the homework, Professor Lancaster?"
"Yes, thank you, Fritz. Five points to Ravenclaw."
Fritz and the other four students get our the homework and Fritz collects it while Evan lets Jim step into the hallway for a moment to cool off. A few minutes later, Jim is seated, his homework turned in and Evan is asking, "Who can tell me again what Gemetria is?"
Sliding Another Notch Lower in the Grand Scheme of Things
Author: Charisma Stone
Date: 08-12-07 14:51
Charisma couldn't believe what she had heard at lunch, Hairy the Snide had created another Common Common room? Then again, the current one, given the new list of rules and regulations the new Headmistress had put into place this term, Charisma's very first term, wouldn't be suitable for the Pures. Rumor had already been heard that sweets from a place called Briar's Bakery in Hogsmeade would be delivered a couple of times a day.
She walked past the doors, just as a few older Pures came out. "Move along mud-blood..." The older girl glared at Charisma like she were nothing more than speck of dirt that had fallen on her robes. "Get going pathetic little first year mud-blood before we curse you." Another older girl, who was part of Slytherin said, and laughed as she and her companions went off most likely to the rest of their afternoon classes.
As it was she couldn't help but pass the large mahogany doors, she needed to go past them to get to the Dungeons and her Potions class with Professor Snape. She'd gotten a letter from her mom, Emily, for her birthday, and she had also gotten a leather bound journal and a variety of inks, it was for Isma to write down various thoughts and things while she was at Hogwarts.
She was going to be early to Potions, which wouldn't be bad. She could write a letter to Charlie, she needed to start writing him more often. But, what would he think when the letters he got were delivered by owl? Then again, she would need to write a letter to him explaining just -what- had happened after he'd left to go to school in France. She started penning the letter, but stopped about a quarter of the way in because the rest of the class was filtering in, and Professor Snape was about to start his lecture.
Bloody Hell As The Brits Would Say
Author: Forest
Date: 08-12-07 16:19
Still unhappy with the reasons behind his sister's and brother-in-law's moving and Christopher quitting the British Ministry to take a job with the American government, Forest reacts even worse then he might have otherwise to the news Berwyck Oldridge just gave him.
Forest, keeping his anger in check, has both hands placed flatly on Berwyck's desk. In an extremely low tone Forest says, "You're joking."
"No, I'm serious, Forest. I know that change is always difficult to accept but accept it you must."
"Must I?"
Forest's voice now holds enough menace that Berwyck flusters. "You must. To do otherwise invites charges of sedition and treason."
Forest stands up though he'd love to lean further across Berwyck's wide desk, take fistfuls of clothing in both hands, and give the man a shaking. That would be for starters.
Berwyck continues, his voice attempting to take on a calm, soothing quality. "It's ministerial decree for all departments, not just yours."
Forest crosses his arms, his jaw clenching. "That doesn't make it any less wrong."
"That is one opinion."
"One you don't share."
"No, not particularly."
Forest leans again onto the desk, looking straight into Berwyck's eyes. "As you Brits would say, that's utter and complete shite. Bloody, fecking shite. I said that correctly, didn't I?"
"There's no need for salty language, Forest. Now, er, if you don't mind, I do have other matters in need of my attention."
Forest gives Berwyck another hard glare then stands, pushing off the massive desk with enough force that it shudders a couple of inches towards Berwyck. On the way back to his own office, Forest's glower has more than one person skittering hastily out of his path. Reaching the secretary's desk, Forest still has an intensely dark, angry expression.
Prunella asks, "That bad was it?"
"You're about to find out. Call everyone together, regular law enforcement and Aurors. Anyone unavailable right now we'll set up another meeting. They'll hear about it soon enough but I want to tell them myself."
"Tell them what?"
"The reason Berwyck's been going around asking blood status is because our department, and every other Ministry department, is about to be as segregated as the students at Hogwarts."
Prunella's face loses color and she blanches. Worldlessly she starts doing as Forest asked, calling a meeting of the personnel Forest overseas.
Segregation at the Ministry
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 08-12-07 16:58
Following other aurors and law enforcement staff into one of the large conference rooms on Level 2, Ethan wondered what Forest had to tell them. He took a seat towards the middle of the room, between Tonks, who'd just returned from a surveillance shift, and Kingsley Shacklebolt. The room filled quickly and beyond capacity; several wizards were forced to stand along the back wall.
Forest came into the conference room, looking extremely frustrated. He stopped at the front of the room, where Prunella was sitting, and looked out at the sea of faces in front of him.
"I just returned from a meeting with Berwyck Oldridge," Forest began, not oblivious to some of the dark expressions that crossed over the faces of the wizards seated before him. "I wanted you to hear it from me before the news gets out, which I'm sure will happen before the end of the day." He sighed. "Extreme changes are coming to the Ministry of Magic, just like those happening at Hogwarts. Every department will be segregated."
There were gasps and shouts of outrage. Ethan, looking around at the faces directly around him, shifted uneasily in his seat. He was muggle-born. The changes weren't in his favor.
Forest went on to describe all the changes Oldridge described to him, from separating the cubicles of the pureblood workers from those belonging to the rest of the staff, to restricting certain assignments to wizards of a particular blood status. Some people declared they would quit, but others knew they couldn't because they needed to work or because they knew they couldn't do anything to stop the changes from outside the system.
Ethan, himself, wanted to stay––at least for now. He'd been through plenty of trials and tribulations over the past few years. He figured this was nothing in comparison to what he'd already experienced.
He left the office promptly at five, not because he couldn't stand being there anymore but because he had a dinner appointment with his birth family in Bristol. Tonight was the night he wanted to tell them he was a wizard. He had put it off long enough.
Hopefully they would at least understand and accept him for who he was.