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Tuesday Afternoon Classes
Author: Saffron
Date: 09-11-07 19:27
Saffron scrutinizes at her four students, the fourth years Henry Appleton, Georgia Copperpot, Matilda Flanders, and Edith Parr. Their heads are bent over pieces of flat, polished obsidian as they attempt to scry. Matilda, feeling Saffron's eyes on her, looks up in frustration.
Saffron walks over and puts a hand on Matilda's shoulder. "Not everyone can scry. Keep in mind what I said when we first began scrying using mirrors."
"You aren't grading us on whether we achieve anything. It's more important we know the process and what materials are best used." Matilda's frown deepens. "But I want to be able to do it."
"Keep trying then. Sometimes it can take awhile to learn to properly channel your energies into scrying. Have you been practicing out of class?"
"A little. I think I'll practice more though."
Saffron smiles and looks over the small class again before saying, "It's almost time to go. Next week we'll try scrying with fire. Read over that section of your text and review what we've done so far."
As the four get ready to go, Saffron offers them each a bag with half a dozen chocolate chip peanut butter biscuits.
"What's this for, Professor?" Henry asks, taking one.
"Just because," Saffron replies.
"Thank you!" Henry says, continuing out the door. The girls thank Saffron as well, going out as fifth years start coming in.
Once Duncan, Tiffany, Frederick, Danica Novak, Cordelia, and Rosalinda are settled Saffron greets them, pointing to one of the blackboards. "Afternoon! Using the section on phrenology in your texts, answer these questions on the board. While you're doing that, I'm going to have you come sit with me one on one to do a practical palmistry quiz. Next week you'll have a written exam. Once we're doing with the practical portion we'll do a quick review for the written portion."
Saffron makes sure everyone is on task then calls Duncan Day to take the ten question practical exam.
No Longer Sleeping
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 09-11-07 20:03
Something jarred Bill's senses. The profound silence that had settled over his entire body since mid-June lifted gradually. At first, he could hear muffled sounds around him. Slowly but surely the noises became clearer and he could make out words and sentences, though he hardly comprehended the conversation. Where was he? Why did he feel so funny? Why did he feel so tired and out of it?
His eyelids crept open. He saw nothing but a blur of color before his eyes, though the predominant colors seemed to be sterile white and lime green.
"He's awake!" someone exclaimed, but he couldn't quite recognize the voice.
"Welcome back, Mr. Weasley," someone else said, and a hand reached out and took his wrist.
Bill tried to say thank you, but the actual words stopped at his lips and only a mumbled "daannssh" came out.
"Coma patients generally need some time to orientate themselves to the world again. Since he was out for just over four months, his recovery should be a lot quicker. Still, he'll need a few days because he's confused. He doesn't know where he is, how long it's been and quite possibly what even happened to land himself here."
Coma? Had Bill heard right? He tried to shift his position but felt more like a lump of heavy rocks. All he managed was to twitch his legs and his arms a bit.
"He weell be all right?" another person asked. He felt a light hand come down on his free hand and gently clasp it.
Whoever held his other wrist lowered it gently to his side and was quite possibly the person who answered, "We'll know for sure in a few days when his senses are back to normal, but from the looks of things, I think he'll be quite all right. Miss Granger did really well."
Bill realized he knew one of the voices. It belonged to Fleur. He turned his head and tried to focus on her. He saw long shimmering hair but couldn't quite make out her face. It was as if his eyes were full of tears, but they felt dry to him. His head pounded dully, so perhaps he'd suffered a head injury and that was why he couldn't see properly
"Fleur?" he croaked out. His voice sounded foreign to him.
"Yes, my sweet." She quickly pressed her lips to his cheek. The smell of her perfume triggered a memory in Bill's mind. He moved his thumb over her hand.
"I..." But he had trouble saying anything else. It was as if it took too much effort to even think of the correct words to say, much less actually say them.
"Shh," she said. "You need to rest. Soon you weell be well enough to talk to me."
Somehow comforted by her words, Bill shut his eyes again but he didn't fall asleep. He hoped that when he opened them again, he would be able to see her clearly. He hoped that his head would have cleared enough for him to make sense of where he was and what had happened to cause Fleur to hover over him so protectively.
Angry (Deak)
Author: Kody
Date: 09-12-07 17:19
Professor Yaxley ends Defense Against the Dark Arts with the reminder, "Papers are due Friday. Twelve inches is the minimum I will accept."
Deak gathers his things, hoping to be one of the first out the door, hopefully seeing Wiggy and Jack as they leave their own DADA class, heading for Charms with Professor Flitwick on the third floor. Deak's Charms class with Carmella Flume is here on the same floor. Today he's even more disappointed at not being able to go with Wiggy and Jack to class because it's Professor Flitwick's birthday and some of the students are giving the diminutive professor a cake.
Deak spots Wiggy coming out of Professor Isuki's classroom. Rushing forward he greets his friend. "Would you give this to Professor Flitwick for me?" Deak requests, pressing a card and small box into Wiggy's hand. "Hi, Jack."
"Sure, we'll see he gets it," Wiggy answers.
"Gets what?" Jack asks.
"A present," Deak supplies.
The three have fallen in step towards the nearest staircase to the third floor, Deak starting to think that maybe he'll skiv off his own Charms class to sneak in to Professor Flitwick's. Just for today. He'll tell Professor Flume he was feeling ill.
"Cost you five sickles to pass."
"Huh?" a startled Wiggy asks.
The boy blocking their path looks familiar to Deak but he can't place the name. What surprises him most is that the boy is wearing Gryffindor colors. Jack and Deak look at each other and shrug, Deak starting to think maybe this chap is playing a joke on his fellow Gryffindor Wiggy.
Wiggy clearly thinks the same thing. He grins and starts on up the stairs. "Good one, Erebus."
Erebus puts a hand out to physically shove Wiggy back down the step. "Not joking, Hodfuffer. Five sickles to access the third floor."
"Don't be stupid," Jack snaps, starting up the stairs as well.
"That will cost you an extra five."
Deak asks, "Don't you have your own class to get to?"
"This is between me and these two Nons so bugger off."
Deak looks to Wiggy and Jack, "Go on and take another staircase. He's not worth getting into a fight with."
Erebus takes the few steps down to where Deak stands in a single leap and attempts to loom over Deak. Deak is tall for his age so it's not easy to loom over him, particularly when Erebus is actually a shade shorter. Realizing this, the older boy gives Deak a menacing glare. "I said bugger off."
Next thing Deak knows he's gasping for air thanks to the fist Erebus just thudded into his stomach. Deak gives the older boy a hard shove, sending Erebus stumbling back with arms flailing. Wiggy starts to jump in but Deak loudly says, "NO! He's a Pure."
Wiggy narrows his eyes but wisely steps back and up the stairs, dragging Jack with him as Erebus regains his balance and charges Deak. During all this time Deak has pulled out his wand so now he points it at Erebus. "Petrificus Totalus!"
Erebus immediately stiffens and falls flat on the floor. Deak says to his two friends, "Hurry to class. I can see Professor Yaxley coming."
Wiggy and Jack, far enough up the stairs to be hidden from view, nod wordlessly and take the remaining stairs in long legged leaps.
"What's going on here?"
It's Professpr Isuki asking. Deak hadn't noticed her. All he'd seen was Professor Yaxley charging down the hallway. The man reaches them before Deak can reply, posing his own question to Deak.
"Dueling in the corridors are we?"
"No, sir. He attacked me."
Professor Yaxley releases Erebus. "Mr. Mars, is this true?"
"He's covering for two Nons," Erebus bites out.
"Mr. Bennett?"
"I am not covering for anyone, professor. Erebus was trying to steal money and when I said something about it he attacked me."
Over Professor Yaxley's shoulder Deak can see Professor Isuki looking white around the lips. Deak thinks it's because she's angry but he can't read the rest of her expression so he's not exactly sure.
Professor Yaxley asks Erebus, "Do you have class now?"
"Yes, sir, Potions."
"And the period that just ended, you had a class?"
"Transfiguration."
"If Transfiguration is one this floor and Potions is in the dungeons, why weren't you on your way there?"
"I was, sir. I was taking the stairs down."
"Did you attempt to steal money from Mr. Bennett?"
"No, sir."
"But you attacked him?"
Erebus glares again at Deak then answers, "Yes, but only because he wouldn't mind his own business."
Professor Isuki speaks up, "What were you doing that he felt the need to interfere? Were you attempting to steal money from someone?"
Erebus looks down at his shoes and mumbles. Professor Yaxley orders, "Look at us and speak up."
"I was offering to relieve a couple of Nons from a few sickles."
Professor Yaxley raises an eyebrow. "A nice way to say stealing. I don't want to hear again that you are attempting to relieve anyone of any money. For attacking Mr. Bennett you will see me this evening for detention and ten points from Gryffindor. Off you go, Mr. Mars."
Professor Yaxley looks next Professor Isuki. "I believe we're about done here. No need for you to linger when you have students waiting."
Professor Isuki starts to say something but after a glance at Deak she curtly nods, spins around and heads back down the hall. Deak wonders what it was she was going to say. He bets it had something to do with the fact that Erebus isn't getting punished for trying to force a couple of Nons out of money.
Professor Yaxley pulls Deak's attention from Professor Isuki's retreating figure. "Before I send you on your way, let me just say how disappointed I am that you, a Pure, would get into an argument with another Pure over some Nons. I have to wonder what sort of influence Professor Miller has on you, him being a Non and worse that his Wizarding side is through a man who has little, if any, of his own magical ability. Professor Sacheverelle is a Pure but she has debased herself by marrying a Non. I may need to speak to Professor Snider about having the Ministry look into changing your guardianship."
With each word Professor Yaxley says, Deak gets angrier to the point he's quivering with rage. "Don't you talk about Saffron and Aaron that way," he warns, not caring at the moment who Professor Yaxley is.
Professor Yaxley crosses his arms, head tilted to the side as he appraises Deak. "While it's commendable you feel the need to defend the people currently making up your family, watch your tone, young man. Go on now to class before you say something that will force me to award you detention and subtract points from Ravenclaw."
Deak snatches up his things that he'd dropped when first confronting Erebus and stalks off to Charms, knowing he'll have some sort of punishment waiting for him from Professor Flume for being tardy, and not really giving a damn at the moment what exactly that punishment might be.
Destruction
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 09-12-07 19:21
Sitting at his small desk in his cramped little office, Viktor is working on writing an article for Quidditch Weekly. He could be doing this at his nicer Humbatas office in Hogsmeade but he is committed to being at Hogwarts for a certain amount of time each week. Why he's sticking to that when he has even less to do now that Theodosia Batuti is the flying instructor and is in charge of all things Quidditch related for Hogwarts, Viktor isn't sure.
"Viktor?"
Is Theodosia reading his mind now that she shows up if he even so much as thinks about her?
Looking up for his writing, Viktor barely conceals his exasperation at the interruption. As neutrally as he's able, Viktor responds, "Yes?"
"Someone's shredded the Quidditch robes."
"Pardon?" Viktor asks in shock as he half rises. "Did you just say the Quidditch unfiforms have been shredded?"
"Yes."
Standing the rest of the way and scootching around his desk in the close quarters, Viktor can see now that Theodosia is visibly upset. "Vhen?"
"I don't know. I only just discovered it. You didn't happen to hear anything, did you?"
"No, nothing out of the ordinary. As far as I know, no student has even been in here so far today. Do you know if the robes vere all right last night?"
Theodosia shakes her head. "I'm not sure. I think everything was fine when I left for supper."
"It's possibly though that it was done between then and before either of us arrived this morning."
"Yes, I suppose."
Viktor starts to move out of his office but Theodosia continues standing there, her arms moving from simply being crossed to wrapping around her middle. Viktor takes her by the shoulder and gently guides her out of the way. Going to where the uniforms are stored, Viktor wants to see the destruction for himself.
It's as Theodosia said. The robes are shredded. That's the best way to describe it. Each uniform is now nothing but a series of long, narrow strips of cloth. Most are not connected anywhere to other strips, meaning there is no longer any semblance of uniforms left. The strips are strewn haphardly around as if someone collected them together and purposely threw them upward and outward. No Repairo spell could even begin to fix the destruction.
Viktor turns to find Theodosia has quietly slipped up behind him, her arms still wrapped around her middle. "Who would do this?"
"I don't know. Ve need to order new uniforms and when they arrive, we can keep them locked up with strong spells."
Theodosia blinks and seems to gather herself. "If you will, begin filling out the order form. I should go report this to Professor Snider."
Viktor is glad to do the re-order. Better that then having to seek out Professor Snider. Shuddering at that thought, Viktor goes into Theodosia's office to get the order form. Going back to his office he wonders who would destroy the uniforms and why, then wondering if it's a student upset with the new rules regarding Nons playing - or not playing - Quidditch at Hogwarts.
Invitations
Author: Nymphadora Tonks
Date: 09-12-07 20:25
Tonks had flooed home for lunch. She could hardly stand being at the Ministry of Magic anymore, especially on her downtime. Even the cafeteria was segregated now, with purebloods getting everything from the best seats to the freshest foods. To top things off, she'd finally been stripped over her favorite assignment––the Resistance case. She spent most of her days at her tiny desk staring at the walls of her cramped cubicle.
"Ugh." She flopped on the couch next to Remus, who was signing invitations.
He stopped for a moment to slide over the stack he'd already signed. "Here," he said, also handing her a quill. "Put your autograph on these."
Tonks sat up and took the quill, brushing it against her lips for a moment. "Are you sure this is what you want, Remus?"
He looked at her and smiled a tired, yet genuine smile. "This is what I want. Isn't it what you want?"
"More than anything else in the world."
"Good. It will be wonderful." He turned back to the unsigned invitations and started putting his name down on the next one.
Tonks started signing her own name to an invitation addressed to Mister Harry Potter and Miss Janine Fox.
"Is it too short notice?" Tonks asked, moving the invite to an empty space on the coffee table to start a new pile of completed cards.
"Perhaps, but I think most everyone will come. Maybe Bill will be well enough by then to attend, too," Remus said. Both he and Tonks had heard that Bill had woken from his coma last night.
"A wedding on Halloween," Tonks mused aloud, grinning. "I think I'll make my hair black with ginger highlights for the occasion."
Lupin chuckled.
Tonks sobered quickly, as she thought about something. "I suppose this will be the last time we're all together, at least for a while."
"It won't be goodbye forever," Remus said, "just for now." He stopped writing and draped his arm around Tonks' shoulders. "Just think. In just a few weeks we'll be starting anew in Santorini. I can get a job teaching English to Greek wizards who never learned the language. You can sunbathe on the beach or do whatever you want."
"Maybe I'll become a bartender." Tonks grinned.
Lupin laughed. "Whatever you want. As long as you're happy."
Tonks put down her quill and kissed Lupin. "You're going to make me the happiest witch alive. You already have."
Lupin smiled. "Better finish up those invitations before you have to go to work, unless you want to quit today."
"Better not," Tonks said. "I'll stick it out through the end of the month and then start over with you on our wedding day." Tonks beamed at Remus and then signed her name on the rest of the invitations.