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Strumming His Guitar
Author: Anthony Beck
Date: 08-31-07 20:37
Anthony strummed his bass guitar, trying out a rhythm he had in his head that he thought Dynamic Duo could use in a new song. The tune had whirled around his brain for weeks now, but somehow he missed a note here and there when he tried to play it. He knew he'd figure it out eventually.
Katherine slipped into his bedroom and sat down on Anthony's bed. She liked to hear him play and wished she had his musical talent. She considered herself tone-deaf, being unable to carry a tune nor understand music.
Anthony stopped strumming to give his brain a rest, set his guitar in its stand and then leaned against the edge of his desk. "Are you glad classes are starting up again soon?"
"Yes," Katherine said. "You?"
"Definitely," Anthony replied. "I want to get through the next two years as quickly as possible so that I can get out there," he waved his arm as if indicating to the wide world, "and do something good. Maybe by then all this segregation nonsense will be over and done with––"
"––or maybe it'll be stronger than ever," Katherine finished morosely.
Anthony nodded, knowing Katherine's concern could come true. He wished that his family could rise against the new Ministry regulations but knew it wasn't wise as long as Ariella and Alanna were still at Hogwarts.
"Hey," he started, as something suddenly occurred to him. "You don't think they'll start that segregation BS at St. Emrys, do you?"
Katherine drew her brows together pensively. "I bet so," she finally said, "if not this term then maybe the next or the one after. As long as Minister Smythe-Jones is in power, I think she won't rest until every institution in Great Britain falls under her dominion."
Anthony shook his head. "Something has to change."
Katherine pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs. "Are you looking forward to Saturday night?" Dynamic Duo was scheduled to play at Hogwarts then.
"Yes, and no. Yes, because I'll get to check on my sisters. No, because... well, you know."
"Yeah," Katherine replied softly. She brightened suddenly. "You know what would be cool?"
"What?"
"If someone started a protest group at St. Emrys. We could keep our anonymity by staying underground and keeping our membership hush-hush, but we could try to fix things. A letter-writing campaign, maybe."
"You sound like you've just signed us both up for this club," Anthony replied, laughing.
"Well, why not? And later on, when it won't matter if we identify ourselves or not, we can do real protests. Lie-ins in the street. Marches to the Ministry. All that good stuff."
Anthony stroked his chin. "Your idea has its merits," he said, "I'd just hate to get caught."
"So don't get caught," Katherine answered slyly.
Anthony fell silent for a moment. After a while he said, "Well, since you came up with the idea, why don't you pitch it to our friends to see what they think?"
"Okay, I will," Katherine said, rubbing her hands together with glee.
In Potions
Author: Gabrielle Delacour
Date: 09-01-07 19:59
Working on Gabby's left, Curtis Fiennes complains under his breath, "Why not just write stir clockwise? Just has to make it difficult. It's not like we don't have to think hard enough as it is without having to remember that deasil means clockwise."
Curtis stops talking as Professor Spudmore comes around, saying nothing but the way her eyes flick from cauldron to cauldron, it's obvious she's looking to see who's achieved what color change so far in today's Potions assignment. After the professor has moved on Curtis has Gabby smiling with more of his mutterings.
"Who calls it deasil? Just say clockwise. Trying to throw us off is what she's doing. Next she'll be writing widdershins instead of counter clockwise or anticlockwise, not that anticlockwise is used all that often."
Gabby says in a low voice to Curtis, "I shall teach her the words in French."
"Shouldn't be too hard to figure them out," Curtis scoffs but does so with a grin to let Gabby know he's being goodnatured.
"No, I don't suppose either would be. Clockwise is dans le sens des aiguilles d'une montre."
"You're joking," Curtis gapes.
"No, I am no. Counter clockwise is opposé dans le sens des aiguilles d'une montre."
"I think I prefer sticking with deasil, thank you." Curtis grins again then hastily looks busier then he had been as Professor Spudmore passes by again.
Gabby's chopping up one ingredient to add, thinking how even after a month of school, she still greatly misses having Estella and Rosalinda around her during Potions. Both are in Professor Snape's sixth year class as they are considered to be Nons. Tomorrow, with them each restricted to school grounds because of what they'd all done over the summer, Estella, Rosalinda, and Gabby plan to get some good time in together since there will be few others around.
Those that may will most likely go into Hogsmeade and others will probably attend the flying and Quidditch workshop. The three girls will go to that for a little while, as Gabby has told them it's a good way for her to spend some time with her future husband Viktor, but they will also spend part of the time sitting around chatting and looking at the latest fashions. If Viktor knew that Gabby will someday be Mrs. Krum and would give her more attention at the workshop, she'd be willing to stay longer.
Alas, for now that is not to be. Gabby hasn't yet let him know they will one day marry. That's probably for the best right now considering Gabby is only 15 and he is a Hogwarts staff member. How crazy it would be to try and conceal a staff-student relationship!
Curtis says something else that catches Gabby's attention and for the rest of Potions, he keeps her entertained with his grumblings.
(Mark) Not Paying Attention
Author: Isolde
Date: 09-01-07 20:02
Mark sat towards the back of the Transfiguration classroom and only half-listened to Professor Whitehorn's lecture. He wasn't even sure what the topic was, as none of the students had been required to demonstrate anything yet. Professor Whitehorn didn't always drone on in her classes, but she put heavy emphasis on magical theory which made the class slightly less exciting than it otherwise might have been. Not that Mark felt that any class could ever been exciting.
He shared a bench with Gus, who was equally less interested in learning and exponentially more eager to get up to some mischief. He wrapped his fat fingers around his quill and drew a picture of Professor Snider of all people with a little more hair in places she already had more hair than necessary. Even though Snider was a big supporter of the purebloods, and they her to some extent, even Mark and Gus couldn't help but make fun of her appearance.
Gus slid the sketch across the surface of the desk towards Mark, who snickered.
"You find something funny about my lecture, Mister Farnon?"
All heads swiveled to the back of the room to look at Mark, who had composed himself instantly and even managed to slip the paper into his textbook without anyone except Gus seeing.
"No, ma'am," Mark replied suavely. "I merely had a tickle in my throat." He cleared it for good measure, touching his fingertips to the base of his neck. "It's much better now, thank you."
Beside him, Gus quivered so hard that Mark honestly believed he'd explode any second, but Gus managed some self restraint.
"Very well," Professor Whitehorn said, "why don't you read the next section in the textbook aloud. Then I'll have you come to the front of the room and demonstrate the transfiguration exercise."
Mark opened his textbook, careful not to reveal Gus' drawing, and glanced up at the blackboard for help with the page number. He ran his index finger over the beginnings of several paragraphs, trying to recall if Whitehorn might have read any of them in her lecture so far this morning, but he really didn't know.
Just when it became evident to Professor Whitehorn that Mark hadn't been paying attention all along, Wilhelmina Kluck, a chubby Hufflepuff girl, started screaming.
She waved one of her sizeable hands in the air as she screamed. Mark saw a doxy attached to one of her fingers, its teeth sunk halfway into the girl's flesh.
Professor Whitehorn acted quickly to remove the doxy from Wilhelmina's hand with a flick of her wand. The doxy flew across the room, but before it could hit the wall, it found its wings and started ascending. Mark, thinking quickly, sprang from his desk and dumped out a glass jar full of black beetles. He leapt up and swooped the empty jar over the doxy, bringing it down quickly to the floor.
Other girls, meanwhile, were shrieking and climbing up into their chairs to avoid the beetles on the floor.
"Miss Vanderbilt, take Miss Kluck to the Hospital Wing immediately," Professor Whitehorn said. Doxy bites were poisonous and Wilhelmina needed to take the antidote as soon as possible.
Aleydis guided the sobbing Wilhelmina from the room while Mark, somewhat amused by the screaming girls avoiding the beetles on the floor, nevertheless decided to clean up the mess he'd made. Gus stomped over to the side of the room and picked up an empty box randomly placed on the window sill. He managed to crush several beetles under his feet as he went.
Professor Whitehorn knew there was no way she could get order in her class now, and it was nearing lunchtime anyway. "You might as well all go to lunch, then. See you on Monday."
Gus thought about loping off to eat, but when Mark started scooping up the live beetles and placing them in the box, he stayed to help.
Professor Whitehorn looked at the doxy flying madly against the overturned glass and frowned. "I suppose it's not uncommon for there to be a doxy infestation in old buildings, but it seems somewhat odd to find one here when Hogwarts is so well maintained."
"Maybe it's being used for one of the Care of Magical Creatures classes and it just got loose," Mark suggested.
"Yes, perhaps. Thank you for your quick thinking, Mister Farnon, and thank you for staying behind to help clean up the disorder, Mister van Tassel. Five points to each of you."
Mark and Gus grinned. For having not paid much attention in class, they still managed to find themselves rewarded in the end.
Caution: Wet Paint
Author: Brynn Holden
Date: 09-02-07 03:03
Brynn decided to skip lunch. She wasn't hungry and she really wanted to finish her painting before Herbology. As she lightly stroked in the color of the branches focusing mainly on the ones in the shadows. Brynn smiled as she saw one of her classmates approaching and waved flipping a little paint into her hair.
"Hey, Tim. You're early," she said smiling. She started painting again continuing to focus on the shadows.
"Yeah. Got a little bored. New painting?" he asked taking a seat in the grass.
"Yup. Started last night. Have you heard from you parents yet?" she asked looking up. His sister was supposed to be having a baby soon.
"No, no word yet," he said shaking his head.
"What do you hope for, boy or girl?" she asked him. Brynn was sure she asked before but couldn't remember what he said.
"Girl. I wanna niece but her husband wants a boy," Tim told her. She grinned.
"That's normal. My dad wanted a boy and got a girl both times," she told him giggling a bit. She teased her dad about it often. She was close to him and loved her dad quite a bit.
"Here comes your sister," Tim said waving. Brynn could hear her coming but didn't turn yet. As she was about to turn around Natasha fell into her causing Brynn's paints to splatter everywhere and Brynn to fall on top of her painting. Natasha rolled off of her and pulled Brynn to her feet.
"NATASHA!" Brynn yelled. Her sister slowly backed away from her. She knew Brynn was behind upset with her. Brynn had paint all over her clothes, face and hair. She picked up her painting which had spilt paint and smudges all over, she sighed placing it aside.
"Sorry B. It was an accident. I tripped," Tasha said. Brynn looked at her watch. She only had five minutes before class. That wasn't enough time to change.
"I know, Nat. You should probably head to class. I'll see you later," Brynn replied. Nat nodded and walked away. Brynn wasn't really mad at her sister. She was clumsy and Brynn always had to remind herself of that.
"I'll help you," Tim said helping her gather her paints. She and Tim ran to class barely making it on time. She looked at her professor and smiled as if nothing was wrong.
"Afternoon, professor. Uh, do you mind if I stand? I'm still wet," she asked politely.
Lunch Ends, Class Begins
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 09-02-07 11:14
Saffron finishes off the last bite of her sandwich. "You know, we should probably put in an appearance at the Great Hall tonight. We've only eaten there twice for lunch and once for diner this week."
Picking at the remains of sour cream and onion potato chips, not sure I'll ever think of them as crisps, I shrug. "You're right. It's letting her win."
I don't have to explain to Saffron who her is. She knows I mean Harriet Snider.
Saffron hands her plate to me when I reach out for it. She signs and asks, "Has Deak mentioned to you he wants to see Drake play tomorrow night?"
"No, but I'm not surprised. Drake's really not happy about being at the castle tomorrow night. He won't tell me why they agreed to play."
"But you can guess," Saffron softly states.
"It's not all that difficult. Drake and Plum - and Phin if he's joining them tomorrow night - have family who work for Hogwarts. Drake, Anthony and Kody have family in school. Some of Drake's family, Kody's cousin, and Phin's cousin and girlfriend are Nons."
"It's too bad we can't tell Drake not to worry about us. Even if we did, there are still Sage, Deak, and the cousins."
"Not to mention the family of the other Dynamic Duo members. I can see Snider making life more miserable for certain people simply because she can."
Saffron taps her watch and stands. "Your sixth years should start arriving any moment now."
"They're having an exam - written and practical - in finding their ways around a Muggle kitchen so I don't think any of them will be in any rush. It's not difficult, especially for ones with strong Muggle ties, but it's still an exam."
"What's next for them?"
"A general review of some things like telephone use and various Muggle money. That won't take long. Most likely just part of one class so then we'll reveiw computers."
"And then?"
"Emerald and Madeline have informed me I need to go over the differences in Muggle fashions and Wizarding fashions."
Saffron laughs. "Good thing you aren't a horrid dresser."
"Anyone ever tell you you're cheeky?"
"All the time. Frannie's going to help you isn't she?"
"Some, yeah," I chuckle.
"That's good. I can help you on the Wizarding fashion part but Frannie will be the first to tell you I still have a way to go on the Muggle part."
"Professor Miller?"
"In the kitchen, Bradley!" I loudly reply.
Saffron closes the space between us to give me a kiss. "I'll see you later."
"Way to go, Professor!" Bradley sniggers, catching the tail end of the kiss.
"Can't a man kiss his wife without heckling from the peanut gallery?"
Bradley shrugs. "I don't know what a peanut gallery is so nope, I suppose not."
I walk Saffron to the fireplace we use to Floo between Cloud's Kiss and Hogwarts, along the way passing five of the other Muggle Studies sixth years. At the fireplace we step back as the last of my students arrive. Saffron leaves and I walk with Coco back towards the kitchen.
"I'm surprised you've not been told to wear shoes," I remark, glancing down at Coco's bare feet.
"Just a matter o' time, I 'spec," Coco says.
"How do you stand it in cold weather? Don't your feet freeze?"
"Not even a little," Coco grins.
Holding open the kitchen door for her I follow her in, saying to groans, "Written part of the exam first. Won't take long and neither will the practical. With the time left over, anyone wanting may play video games."
This is met by more joyous noises and a scrambling to hurry up and get the written test out of the way.
Competition
Author: Carys
Date: 09-02-07 15:11
Carys sat outside the back door of McMerlin's and chewed the end of a straw. Some of her coworkers smoked cigarettes during their fifteen minute breaks, but Carys didn't smoke. It was a habit she didn't want to pick up, now that she was a mother. She wondered if she would have started smoking back when she'd been bad. Perhaps if her downward spiral would have carried on for much longer, she would have, or worse.
The watch on her wrist told her it was time to get back to work. She discarded the chewed up straw in the nearest rubbish bin and then went back into the building. She washed her hands at the nearest sink and then went to the front to relieve someone at one of the registers.
That person, a portly witch in her mid 30s, pointed to a Daily Prophet article she'd been reading in between helping customers.
"Look here, Carys," she said, tapping an article in the middle of the newspaper, "McMerlin's has a rival now."
Carys, making sure her hat was on properly, looked down at the article and read the headline aloud. "BURGER WIZARD OPENS IN HOGSMEADE."
"That is, of course, in response to the new McMerlin's that just opened in Diagon Alley," Carys' coworker told her knowingly.
Carys skimmed the rest of the article. Evidently, more branches of both McMerlin's and Burger Wizard were in development around the wizarding portions Great Britain.
"Do you think they'll build one here in Cardiff?" Carys asked.
"Probably. Well, I'm taking my break now." She waddled off, pulling a ciggy out from inside her cap.
Carys folded the newspaper and tucked it under the counter, devoting her attention to the customers who'd just walked up to her register. "Hi, welcome to McMerlin's. How may I help you?"
Sometime later, she was left to herself again. Her mind wandered to how in just two weeks, she'd start school part time at St. Emrys. She wouldn't be working towards a university-level degree like most of the students there, though. She'd be working on a diploma equivalent to what she might have gotten had she finished Hogwarts.
Thinking about St. Emrys led to Carys thinking about Griff and to his first weekend with Tristan. Carys had never been away from Tristan for so long before, but she'd managed with only minimal tears. She knew it would get easier for her with time, and that it was good that her son was getting to bond with his father.
The front door to McMerlin's opened and a whole family stepped inside and approached the counter. Carys plastered on her best smile and waited for them to make their selections.
Trial of Enid Eastwick
Author: Ronan Eastwick
Date: 09-02-07 15:46
Having never been witness to a real court proceeding before, Ronan hadn't really known what to expect at the trial of his mother Enid Eastwick. He'd only had a vague idea from the Mock Trial Scholastic Aptitude Tournament event he'd watched last spring at La Escuela de Hechiceria in Santiago, Chile.
With permission from Professor Snider, Ronan traveled to the Ministry of Magic this morning with Professor Jones. They were led to Courtroom 10, where Professor Jones was directed into a seat for visitors while Ronan, Urania––who'd come down from the Department of Mysteries––and a few other individuals who'd been called in as witnesses for the trial, were directed to another part of the courtroom.
Enid was brought in and seated in a chair in the middle of the room. Berwyck Oldridge, head of the Wizengamot, read off the charges. To Ronan's surprise, Enid pleaded guilty to all accounts. She looked extremely smug, as if proud of everything she'd masterminded over the years. The only time the lights went out behind her eyes was in recounting how she must have interpreted the prophecy wrong. Caden's rise to power was only to be short-lived–-not as long and satisfying as Enid had hoped and imagined.
After Enid's testimony, Ronan was called to the witness stand. He was asked about his relationship with his mother, which he answered honestly. Their relationship had been wonderful until she left after his father's death. Now she was like a stranger to him. He was also asked to recount what it had been like with Caden, starting from the time Caden became his legal guardian and ending with Caden's untimely death.
After Ronan's testimony, Urania took the stand. She talked about her brief relationship with Caden and about how things had changed after their Muggle in Knockturn Alley.
Others took the stand after Urania, and then the court adjourned for lunch.
Professor Jones, Urania and Ronan ate together in the Ministry cafeteria. Now, several hours later, they were still in the cafeteria because there had been some sort of delay with the Wizengamot.
Ronan picked at a slice of cake. He was pretty hungry for it, but his mind was a whirl of thoughts. What if Enid got set free, even though she was guilty of everything? What would become of him if she did go to Azkaban? Did she hate him for snooping through her things and finding the journal with all the incriminating evidence against her?
Professor Jones broke through his thoughts. "Ronan, there is something I want to ask you..."