Friday, September 14

The beginnings of...something
Author: Zahara Destrout
Date: 08-17-07 20:20

It was about half past three when Zahara made her way down the lake. She had finally finished her classes for the day and felt exhausted. She still hadn't gotten a full nights sleep, and the full day of classes didn't help much. Currently in her hands were her potions text book and a small notebook. Her long black hair was tied back in a messy ponytail and she slipped unnoticed against a large tree. She was positioned so that she was more or less out of sight from anyone just walking by, and so she began to leaf through her book in solitude. But she was beginning to crave some kind of company. It was shortly after this thought she heard someone approaching.

"Why don't you go find someone else to irritate?!" Sky yelled at Jake, she turned away from him and walked quickly over by the lake. He didn't follow her, she turned around and saw a girl leaning against a tree.

Zahara turned around to see someone there and she was a little startled, she hadn't exactly been one for making a lot of friends and was unsure of what to say. She noted easily though that she was a pureblood Slytherin, and that might not necessarily be a good thing. "Err, hello..." She said ending the awkward moment of silence.

Skyler looked at the girl for a long moment before deciding to speak. "Hi, who are you?" she asked, it came out more rude then she had meant it to be. "I mean whats your name?" she corrected.

Zahara felt like she was being judged at the way the girl stared at her. "Zahara Destrout," She said rather awkwardly, she really was bad at these kind of situations.

"Oh I'm Skyler" she said, she looked back for Jake but he wasn't there. She laid in the grass and closed her eyes. "I'm so sick of this school" she muttered.

Zahara watched the girl with interest and found her comment quite odd, considering the robes she wore. But she had realized long ago that outside appearances could be deceiving. "Tell me about it..." She mumbled in return and then spoke a little louder. "What's on your mind?" She asked with a bit of concern and interest.

Skyler sat up looked at the girl. "You aren't one of the ones enjoying our 'higher blood status' perks?" she asked. There were as many purebloods who liked it as those who didn't.

Zahara shook her head and effectively shut her books and pushed them aside. She was surprised to hear it from a Slytherin, but decided not to comment. "No, I'm not in fact its starting to drive me crazy. I feel like we should do something, I just don't know..." She let her sentence trail off and she sighed.

Sky sat up the Zahara had her full attention now. "Me too, my cousin and two friends are half muggle and the way some people treat them. It makes me mad, I've been wanting to do something since it was announced but everyone is to scared or something" Sky said. She was glad she finally had met someone who felt the same.

Zahara shifted uncomfortably when she thought of her own reasonings for going against her own families beliefs, but she really didn't want to share that, with Skyler or anyone else. "Yeah, and I'm afraid if nothing is done soon, people will just let it happen." Her mind started racing as she tried to think of something, "The only thing I can think of, well you know how the point is to separate us all? Well, why don't we just stick together or something..." She didn't think her ramblings made much sense, but she wasn't really sure how to articulate what she meant.

Skyler looked at her curiously thinking about what she said. "Yea, yea that could work! We can have our own special like club. Older purebloods need to watch out for the younger half and muggle borns they shouldn't be left alone" Sky said, she smiled at the thought of making Snider mad. It was all worth it for her, they needed to do something.

"Yea, we could," She thought for a second before continuing. "We could walk 'em to class or something. But we should talk with the younger purebloods too, I mean the last thing we need is to let Hairy get them." She was starting to feel better already, just thinking about doing something made her heart race.

"Yeah, we need as many as we can get. We can spread it word of mouth keep our names out of it at least until we have it started because if word gets back to Snider or her henchmen it'll never work." Sky added, things were starting to get a little better.

"Sounds like we may have started something. We might as well start with our own houses, and anyone we see in dire need." She felt a grin reach her face at the thought of doing this, "Even if we can't really ask them straight out, it won't matter as long as we stick up for them." For a moment she thought about the implications this would mean for them, blood traitors, but she didn't care at this point.

"Alright sounds like a plan and hopefully when people see us doing it they'll start too!" Sky said nodding with satisfaction.

The two girls spent a few more minutes going over some more of the details of there master plan. Both were greatly pleased with themselves, and despite there obvious house and age differences they were already proving something. The rules at Hogwarts might change, but the students would ban together in times of need.

Could Things Possibly Get Better?
Author: Bellatrix Lestrange
Date: 08-17-07 21:02

Bellatrix cackled with glee as she put down the morning’s copy of the Daily Prophet. In fact, reading the morning paper had become as much fun as torturing someone for information, except in this case the torturing arrived by owl and was written by someone else.

Rodolphus spread some apricot jam on his slice of toast with a silver knife and looked up, grinning. “Well, what’s happened today then?” he asked, taking a bite.

“Oh, more of the usual,” replied Bella airily. “Segregation within the Ministry as you know, and the continuation of such at Hogwarts. It’s about time. After all, might as well start the students off on the right foot. How much better would it have been when we were at school if we hadn’t to sully ourselves with having to take classes with those of inferior blood. I say it’s a job well done.”

“Quite.” Rodolphus continued to munch on his toast, his thoughts drifting back to the days of Hogwarts. “I wonder if the Dark Lord would have done things differently had we already had blood segregation?” he mused.

“I doubt it.” Bellatrix snapped off the words. She felt disinclined to speak of the Dark Lord, on this and any day. So much success and loyalty, mixed with pain and hate. Bywords of Voldemort’s dealings with his favorites, and in that they had both been lucky.

Rodophus picked up the subtle change in his wife’s demeanor and switched topics to one he knew would afford her amusement. “And how is Lucius doing? Still hiding out at the BOO?”

Bellatrix snorted. “He comes and goes. He seems overly eager to discuss the weather lately, but I assume it’s simply his way of not having to answer difficult questions from his sister-in-law. He looks rather…” she searched for an appropriate word, ”hounded.”

“Good lord, has the man stopped eating?” Rodolphus barked with laughter.

“Not quite, but I think he’s close. Perhaps he’ll decide to do the honorable thing and fall dramatically on a sword or something. I’m sure the ghost of Baron de Belleme would be happy to have a companion during the long years remaining to him. Perhaps I shall suggest suicide the next time he pops in.”

“I’m sure he’ll appreciate the suggestion,” drawled Rodolphus. He stood up, leaned over and kissed his wife on the cheek. “On the other hand, perhaps he’ll just end up like us.”

“How so?” said Bellatrix in a puzzled voice.

“We’ve grown used to each other. It happens to the best of us,” he replied with a wink, before striding from the room.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” shouted Bellatrix after his retreating back.

Moving Forward
Author: Skyler
Date: 08-18-07 03:34

Skyler and Zahara made plans to meet again. She walked back inside suddenly starving and headed to the great hall. Someone grabbed her from behind. Scared she swung around and punched them dead in the face.

"Damn, Sky!" Jake said grabbing his nose and falling to the floor. His eyes were watering up.

"Oh my god, oh my...I'm so sorry Jake! Are you alright?" she asked helping him up.

"I think you broke it. Well, no one will kidnap you, that's for sure," he said tilting his head up. She laughed and placed his arm around her shoulder. It was a bit awkward since he was taller than her. "Not funny," he said.

"Oh, stop being such a baby. You scared me. Besides I've been telling you to leave me alone for week. Now maybe you'll listen," Skyler said.

"Where are we going?" he asked. She smiled. Such a silly boy.

"The hospital wing, perhaps," Skyler told him hiding her laugh as they headed down to the first floor.

"No, I don't wanna go," Jake said and tried to turn quickly but Sky stopped him.

"Oh, would you knock it off. I'm only being nice to you because you're hurt," she told him. He grinned.

"In that case, I should get hurt more often," he joked. She shook her head and laughed.

"You know, I'm sorry about what I said last night. I had no right to talk about your parents," he said. She looked up surprised by his apology.

"Yeah, you shouldn't have. But you're forgiven," she said. He smiled.

"Would I get punched again if I kissed you?" he asked leaning down. She decided she was going to take Deely's advice and give him a chance.

"I guess I can let you this time," she replied. Jake kissed her and she let him. Today she had taken giant steps forward. She met Zahara, made plans against Snider and was sort of dating Jake. Hogwarts was getting better by leaps and bounds.

Busy Day (Harriet Snider)
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 08-18-07 10:12

Just before breakfast Harriet had House Elves putting up posters to announce the bands playing the Pures' common room this weekend. The posters are a bit short notice but couldn't be helped. Next week's bands will be posted no later than Sunday.

The posters for this weekend have a diagonal split with Friday's band on the left. Doxycide is playing three thirty minute sets beginning at 7:00, with a fifteen minute break in between. The band displayed on the right is new. Harriet thought to book them in honor of the Quidditch trials tomorrow. The Bludgers will also play three thrity minute sets beginning at 7:00 Saturday night.

Just before going to the Great Hall for a late lunch, Harriet inspected another room that has undergone a renovation. Pleased with the outcome, Harriet has started back to her office when she encountered a Pure wearing Slytherin colors grimacing in disgust as he walked near a Non. Harriet could well understood the look as that is how she feels when forced to be overly near a Non. She's simply better at not openly showing her distaste when doing mundane things like walking along a passageway.

The boy, a voice a little too loud as though he were wanting to draw attention to himself, snapped at the Non, "Hurry up. I won't be late to Potions because of you."

Harriet stopped the pair. Addressing the Pure she asked, "What is your name?"

"Gus van Tassel, ma'am."

"How would this Non possibly make you late for class, Mr. Van Tassel?"

"I have to escort her to her class, Professor Snider."

"Has she forced you somehow?"

"No, Professor Snider. It's part of a detention I got for being late to a class."

"Part of a dentention? I don't understand."

"For one week I have to escort a Non to class, making sure we both get to class on time."

"Preposterous."

"Ma'am?"

For the first time Harriet addressed the Non. She barks, "Get to class, girl. Stop gaping."

Harriet put a hand on Gus's shoulder. "How traumatic for you." She patted her other hand around in her pockets, pulling out a small box with some very nice choclates. "Have these, dear. Chocolate is always so soothing." Reaching into another pocket Harriet pulled out a wooden token. "If you are late for your class, give this to your professor." Before sending the boy on his way, Harriet said, "You do not have to escort any more Nons to their classes, Mr. Van Tassel. If the professor who assigned the detention, no no, don't tell me, not yet anyway, has a problem with my intervention, send that professor to me. Now, off you go, dear."

Harriet went on to lunch, wondering which professor it was who would assign such an odd detention. She could have asked for a name but didn't, not wanting to make poor Mr. Van Tassel into a tattler if it's not necessary. After eating, she returned to the Headmistress's office to personally write a set of invitations. Each is on a crisp white, rectangle of parchment, one for each of the new staff. The ink is a lovely royal shade of purple with sparkling metallic hints.

Each invitation is addressed in matching ink and given over to a House Elf to deliver. That task done, Harriet decides to patrol the halls and grounds before checking to make sure everything is ready for Doxycide to perform this evening.

What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 08-18-07 15:42

Lawrence's morning classes went well enough, his third, sixth and seventh years were doing fantastic, the remainder of his students were doing well also.

Lawrence had lingered in his classroom for a few moments, when he heard movement outside the greenhouse. He knew Marzipan was still working on finishing up a few papers that needed to be graded, so it wasn't she. Standing, he moved to the door and saw Gus and Mark talking not far from the greenhouses. When Gus saw Lawrence stepping out of the Greenhouse, he moved forward.

"Professor Masterson. Professor Snider would like to see you, most likely as soon as possible." The malicious smirk was all the information that Lawrence needed. The prat had no doubt gone to Snider to complain about his detention. Joy.

"Thank you Mister van Tassel." Lawrence said and dismissed the boy with wave of his hand, and Gus chortled and went to rejoin his friends. No sooner had Gus left, than a house elf pooped in, delivering an invitation from the very person he needed to see. Lawrence thanked the house elf and bade him good bye, tucking the invitation unread into his grade book. Those classes were be simple enough, the majority of the class would be the students presenting the herbs that they would be planting in their personal herb garden. With the ending of one lesson, squill for the fourth years, and the starting of another for the fifth years, elder.

He sighed, moving back into the greenhouse, he'd gather what he needed to take back to his quarters to finish up over the weekend. He'd go see Professor Snider first, get that whole thing over with. He was dreading this, no doubt the entire student body knew what he'd done, forcing Gus to walk a non to class for a week as part of his detention for being tardy to class and making comments that went against Lawrence's beliefs.

Snider's office was Dumbledore's old one, if it was still similar to how Dumbledore had it, one needed a password, something to gain entry into the room. He summoned a house elf, "Dobby." He called and the house elf appeared at Lawrence's side with an audible pop. "Dobby, please go let Headmistress Snider know that I'm here to see her."

That done, Lawrence would wait, before ultimately he would be granted entry into the office. "Good afternoon Professor Snider. I know you are busy with the preparations of the concert tonight, but, one of my first years said you wished to speak to me? Gus van Tassel." The name given, in an effort to prompt the woman's memory into drawing the reason for his appearance in her office.

Making Progress (Euphemia Smythe-Jones)
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 08-18-07 16:54

Eupehmia looks a the stack of parchment waiting for her signature. She's made a great deal of progress working her way through that stack. Euphemia had a great deal to day, far more than usual, but then today hasn't been a normal day.

As always since the news of the changes at Hogwarts first broke there have been mail bags full of letters, some addressed to the Ministry in general, many addressed specifically to her. There are the expected letters of protest along with the letters of praise letting Euphemia know that the changes at Hogwarts and those so far announced at the Ministry are about time in coming. Euphemia reads those as time allows, basking in the wonderful words of encouragement, getting all sniffly at times over the lovely sentiments expressed for her and the great changes she's brought about.

The other letters Euphemia hardly gives a glance. She does have someone reading them, taking note of what mudbloods and half bloods are trying to stir things up, seeing which are half breeds, and most importantly of all, making a record of those from Purebloods who might be considered blood traitors. Euphemia wonders how many of them are aware that in the Muggle way of doing things, many countries and cultures execute traitors.

Reaching for another of the parchments to be signed, Euphemia looks it over. It's a change in tax law made just yesterday by the Wizengamot. All businesses owned by Nons will see an increase in their taxes beginning October 1st. All businesses owned by Pures will see a tax break effective next week, on Wednesday, September 19th.

Euphemia signs it and moves on to the next item, pay increases for all Pureblooded Ministry department heads, beginning on the next payday.

The item after that is a memo to go out on Monday that Euphemia simply needs to initial to show it has her approval. The memo is a reminder to all department heads that by the end of next week, the Pure and Non sections of each department must be clearly marked.

Euphemia reads over another memo, one to the security personnel who work the desk in the Atrium. Starting on Monday, the wands of any Nons visiting the Ministry will be kept by the security desk. A special holding case will be delivered early Monday morning just for that purpose. Nons may pick up their wands only when exiting the Ministry.

By the time Euphemia leaves for the day to meet with some new members to the governing board of St. Mungo's, she's worked her way through the entire pile of paperwork. Pleased with the progress she's making, Euphemia departs with a satisfied smile on her face.

Usual Spot
Author: Alex Whitmen
Date: 08-18-07 18:11

Alex and Cailyn met outside as usual. They saw each other during each break and after meals. When he saw her motion to the door he quickly made an exit. No one really asked questions and that was for the best.

"Hey," Alex said touching her shoulder. She turned and smiled at him.

"Hi, what took you so long?" she asked. They sat down and Alex glanced over at the lake.

"Pureblood jerks," he told her shaking his head. It was annoying him to no end that they really thought they were better than him and were supported in their thoughts.

"I'm sorry," Cailyn said softly. He looked at her and smiled.

"Not your fault. Don't worry about it," he replied. She nodded. He could see she still kind of felt bad so he didn't bother explaining what happened. He knew it would make her feel worse.

"Anyway, are you going to see those bands in the common room?" Alex asked changing the subject.

"I don't know yet. Why?" she asked looking back at him. He shrugged.

"Don't know just curious," he answered. He wished they were back in Hogsmeade. That way, they could go out and do something together.

"One of these days you and I are going to go out where we don't feel we have to hide," Alex told Cailyn. It was more of a promise to her. It wasn't fair they had to hide and he wanted things to change.