|
|
Preemptive Strike
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 09-15-07 21:23
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Tilda Lawler asks.
"Do you have another suggestion?" I ask in reply.
"I HATE this," Saffron sharply states, pacing back and forth in front of one of the windows. "She is going to act on it though so we have to do something."
Drake, arms folded, states, "Still don't see why it couldn't be me."
Amorica Wenlock pats his arm. "They'll use the excuse that you are young and also overly influenced to be partial towards Nons since Aaron is your family as well."
Saffron stops her pacing, sighing as she turns to face Drake. "We didn't ask Sassy and Neil either just in case the so called taint of me being married to Aaron extends to them."
I sign my name to the document in all the spots Tilda indicates then hold the quill out for Saffron to do the same. Saffron signs then passes the quill off to Madeline Wenlock MacDougal. She is my cousin through my dad's brother Cedric. When Maddy's done her husband Scott takes the quill.
Drake asks, "Are all of you sure Maddy and Scott won't be considered tainted too?"
Tilda answers, "We hope not. Maddy and Aaron didn't grow up knowing each other and while first cousins, it's not quite the same as being in-laws like with Saffron's family. At least that's how we're approaching it for now."
Scott drops the quill, shaking his head. "Damn shame. Liannah starts school in a year. If this shite is still going on we're thinking of sending her someplace other than Hogwarts."
Sitting down beside Drake, Maddy says, "I'm glad we can help. Does know yet?"
"I spoke to him this morning and again at lunch," I tell her. "He's really ticked about it all but understands why we're moving so quickly on it. He wants to drop out of Yaxley's class now, which of course he can't."
Tilda tucks the document into a leather case. "If they act to remove Deak from you custody by the weekend as they indicated they were going to do, then at least for now you've got the upper hand in the situation."
"Preemptive strike," I nod, reaching out to shake Tilda's hand.
I escort Tilda to the only spot on the Cloud's Kiss property that someone may disapparate from then rejoin the others, really not wanting to return to Hogwarts for the night and thinking that maybe I won't go back until my office hours in the morning.
Setting up for Class
Author: Illyria
Date: 09-15-07 22:16
After supper in the Great Hall, Illyria went to her classroom and began setting up for her midnight class with the seventh years. Because the weather was poor, Professor Moon had elected not to send his seventh year class onto the observation deck. Illyria certainly wanted to take advantage of his absence to allow her students a chance to look at the night sky, even if visibility would be minimized due to the rain and cloudiness.
"Have I mentioned how much it sucks that you've been reduced to teaching Astronomy in a classroom hardly suitable for teaching?"
Illyria turned from the blackboard upon which she'd been writing an outline of today's lesson on "Cosmic Inflation" and smiled at Ronan. "Suitability all depends on what you can make of a thing." She waved her hand around the room. "I think I've managed all right."
"But you are a pureblood. I think it's a little backwards that Snider is punishing you by taking away things that used to be yours."
"I used to think so too," Illyria admitted, "but I realized that it's not me she's punishing. She's trying to make things hard on the non-pureblood students. I guess she didn't take into account that their teachers are dedicated to making sure they receive the best education around, no matter what their classroom looks like."
Illyria turned back to the blackboard and started writing again. "I suppose to some extent she doesn't like us––the original pureblood teachers––because we weren't hand-picked by the Ministry to teach the pureblood students about how they are better than everyone else. She knows she doesn't have us under her thumb like she'd like, though she obviously has some dissenters among her own staff too. I think if she really wanted this place to be hell on earth for the nons and a paradise for the pures, she would have made sure all the new teachers supported her ideals to the letter."
She turned back around and wagged a finger at Ronan. "I don't think I have to remind you that this conversation is between us, do I?"
"No, Mother," Ronan replied, grinning.
Illyria laughed. "I'm too young to be your biological mother, but as I am your legal guardian now I suppose you may address me as such."
She sobered suddenly and gazed at Ronan. "How are you?"
He knew that she was wondering about how he felt about his real mother being in Azkaban. Ronan nodded. "Never better." He'd been leaning in the doorway of the classroom and now moved in and sat down on one of the desks. "I feel like I can move forward now. There aren't any more secrets in my family."
Illyria nodded. Then she glanced at the time. "You best be going. It's getting late and I don't want you to get in trouble, even if your curfew extends beyond that of the nons."
Ronan nodded. "Good night, then. See you tomorrow." He left, leaving Illyria alone to finish her preparations for her seventh year class.
Meeting Aberforth
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 09-15-07 23:09
Minerva bundled herself into a coat and left her quarters. She moved quickly through the corridors and navigated the staircases with ease, having walked them often enough to know by heart where each trick step lay. She made it halfway through the entrance hall when the voice she least longed to hear called out to her.
"In a hurry, Professor McGonagall?"
Minerva steeled herself before turning around to face the speaker. How she loathed the woman! She had to mentally restrain herself from expressing revulsion, not only at her disdain for the witch but also because she was quite possibly the ugliest woman Minerva had ever seen. The hair over Snider's upper lip seemed to have thickened since she first came to Hogwarts.
"I have no reason to dawdle, Professor Snider," Minerva responded coolly. "Good night," she added, turning on her heel.
"If you think you can stop the changes, you are sorely mistaken!" Snider called to Minerva's back.
Minerva pulled her coat more tightly around her body and cast a rain shielding charm over her head. It was raining and had been since nightfall.
She walked briskly over the grounds, which had turned yellow with fall and the coming winter. The gates to Hogsmeade creaked open–-she would have to ask Hagrid to see if he could oil the hinges, though he'd probably use his pink umbrella to charm the creak away.
Minerva passed The Three Broomsticks, Gringotts, the Hogsmeade Inn and many other shops before turning into the lane that led to the Hog's Head. She ducked inside and went straight to the bar.
"Evening, Aberforth," she said.
"Evening, Minerva. I wasn't sure you could get away." He gestured for her to follow him up the stairs to his living quarters over the pub.
"Neither was I," she admitted, turning her lips down into a sour frown as she thought of Snider's interruption. She followed Aberforth into his flat. The first thing she noticed was Fawkes sitting on his perch. He turned his head in the direction of the new arrivals and greeted them with a chirp.
"Fawkes seems normal and not at all distressed that his master hasn't been around in months," Aberforth said, moving straight for the phoenix. Aberforth extended one of his fingers and stroked the bird's chest.
"I would like to think that Fawkes' intuition is that Albus still lives," Minerva replied. She brushed some goat hair from an armchair and sat down in it.
Aberforth stopped giving Fawkes attention and went to brew Minerva a cup of tea. "So, tell me all there is to know about Hogwarts, and then I'll fill you in on the news I've picked up."
Minerva started by saying, "I fear that my comings and goings may become watched. Snider stopped me in the entrance hall before I arrived here. She knows how I feel about the new rules at Hogwarts and no doubt realizes I'm lobbying to change them back to what they were. We'll all wind up behind bars if it gets out that the vigilantes, the Order, are back at it again."
"We all know the risks, Minerva. We'll just have to be extra careful."
She nodded and then began telling him about Hogwarts.
Press Conference (Euphemia Smythe-Jones)
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 09-16-07 11:30
Euphemia stands in the Atrium with the fountain tinkling merrily in the background. The comings and going via the massive Floo Network the lines the long hallway leading to where she stands have been temporarily suspended. Euphemia has a press conference to give and wants to do it with The Fountain of Magical Brethren positioned to show up behind her in photographs that will definately be taken.
The reporter and photographer from The Daily Prophet are front and center. Being, in Euphemia's opinion, the most important news publication in Great Britain, it's only right that its representative are positioned perfectly for documenting her announcements. Euphemia scans the group of reporters and photographers, noting that even that annoying Lovegood chap from that rag The Quibbler is in attendance. Well, that's good she supposes since even his readers should be abreaat of the lastest Ministry pronouncements.
Raising her hands to indicate it is now time to quiet down - Euphemia is not going to charm her voice louder simply to call them to order - Euphemia then clasps her hands benignly in front of her. "Thank you for coming, Witches and Wizards. I have one very important statement to give. Since I am here speaking with you, I thought I would also announce the newest Ministry policies."
Euphemia pauses, making sure she completely has their collective attentions. After two seconds have passes she tells them, "The first new policy is one concerning the well being of children under guardianships and those waiting to be adopted. Effective immediately, children who have a guardian who is a Non or who is a Pure but married to a Non, are now under the guardianship of the Ministry. Those children will be removed from their former guardian's custodial care and a new, Pure, guardian who is either single or who is also married to a Pure, will be appointed."
Euphemia pauses again, allowing the busily scribbling reporters to finish writing down that nugget of information.
"Also effective immediately, no matter their blood status, children may not be adopted by a Non or by a mixed blood couple."
Euphemia turns her head slightly to give one photographer a better angle as he snaps a photo.
"The third new policy must be effected by November 15th. Employees in all businesses must be clearly denoted as being a Pure or a Non. The Ministry has an ample supply of lovely purple ribbon for those businesses wishing to use the purple standard we use here at the Ministry.
Effective immediately, a Non may not open a new business. There must be at least one Pure business partner who holds no less than a 51% share in the business.
And now, the main reason you are here."
Euphemia pauses again, enjoying the expectant expressions gazing at her.
"When You-Know-Who first fell from power, some of his supporters were sentenced to life terms in Azkaban. Others, including some from his close circle of Death Eaters, were judged to have been acting under force and duress. Two who were imprisoned, seeminly loyal without any magical constraints and without any apparent fear for their lives were, in fact, operating under both conditions. Even after You-Know-Who's death, they were so indoctrinated at that juncture that they continued on as though their dark liege were still alive and controlling them.
At long last they were able to feel free enough of his presence to seek help. The Wizengamot has scrutinized their cases, many experts have been consulted, and as of early this morning a decision has been reached. The time remaining on their Azkaban sentences has been commuted and full pardons have been granted."
Euphemia can see that the reporters are chomping at the bit to know who the two are. The Atrium goes utterly silent except for the water splashing in the fountain.
"The two who have been pardoned are Bellatrix Lestrange and Rodolphus Lestrange."
The reporters erupt with questions, those Ministry workers and visitors who'd been gathered listening to the announcements break into a steadly growing louder buzz at this news, flashes from cameras are brightly going off all around. Euphemia stands there still smiling, hands still folded demurely in front of her, enjoying every second of the press conference.
Friday Herbology - Midterms
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 09-16-07 16:09
His third through seventh years were getting ready to, or should be to carve their pumpkins at the end of the month. Figuring out what designs would be used and that sort of thing. Each would need to have two designs, but ultimately one would be used on their pumpkin for the carving contest.
His morning classes had gone well enough, considering it was Midterm day for years three through six. However, two students had already been dismissed with detentions for cheating and failing marks upon their midterms. Also their houses loosing ten points apiece. Crispin Cooke and Castor Lyon were both dismissed within twenty minutes of class for cheating. That was his sixth year class.
He was hoping that he'd not have to give another detention for cheating for the remainder of the day, but that would seem unlikely as Victoria Visconti, one of his fourth years and a member of Slytherin was dismissed and given a detention for cheating as she'd made notations on the desk using invisible ink and he'd caught her pulling up the notes. Slytherin also lost another ten points for cheating.
Finally, after the fifth year class exited he collapsed behind his desk, head in his hands. He hated giving detentions, he'd sworn to Ariella he'd not use that quill again, so he'd simply have to find something more cunning to come up with for their detention. He had just the thing. He went over to Marzipan's office, knocking lightly on the door.
"I've three students that will be joining me for detention this evening, got caught cheating on my midterm exam. They will be weeding the greehouses and cleaning up the area around them. Do you have anything that needs to be done Marzipan?" He questioned, leaning against the door frame.
She gave him a list of a few things that she saw also needed to be done and he added them to the list for the hour and a half long detention he would be giving tonight after dinner.
Burning Off Some Anger
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 09-16-07 16:59
Orei had been the first to take the practical portion of her midterm, and was proud of her performance on such. She was sitting at her seat, along with Crispin Cooke, Castor Lyon, Cailyn Spicer and Katharina Lounders, who were all taking the theory first and then the practical because that was how the numbers were drawn for the exam. However, it would be twenty minutes in that Professor Masterson had to stop the exams for about five minutes to have Crispin Cooke and Castor Lyon excused from the classroom with each losing ten points for their house. They'd been cheating.
Professor Masterson had given them permission to leave class once they'd finished their midterms and she took the chance as soon as she'd finished her written portion. Heading out she waited a few moments, and managed to catch up to Crispin. "Why did you cheat? It wasn't that hard of an exam."
"Why should it matter if I cheat or not? I'm a pureblood, I'm going to pass no matter what my marks are. Why bother wasting my time studying?"
Orei rolled her eyes. "You are stupid for thinking that your marks don't matter Crispin. The world isn't always going to be segregated between pures and nons. You aren't always going to be on top."
"Such a thing to say from a pureblood. Oh wait, your dad's a blood traitor isn't he? Running a muggle communications network. I wonder if Snider knows." Crispin said snidely glaring at Orei.
"Sod off Crispin. I don't give a damn if Snider knows. Enjoy your detention. You've earned it Crispin. I know I at least earned my good marks, and don't expect them handed to me." With that Orei stormed off, she debated heading inside to the Gryffindor Commons but she'd go nuts if she spent too much time inside.
What she wanted to do was go to Hogsmeade and hide out at Aussie and Yuri's place for the weekend, but she couldn't. She knew that if Crispin said anything to Snider her life was possibly going to be ten times worse. But, who was to say that Snider didn't know already about what Orei's dad did.
She went inside long enough to grab her broom. She wasn't hungry, and spending time in the Great Hall, knowing that Crispin was probably snitching to Snider right now, about how horrible a person her Father was, simply because he worked for a Muggle Communication Network and didn't believe in the segregation of blood status that the Ministry was forcing.
She headed back to the pitch and was intent on practicing for most of the afternoon. She'd gotten the practice snitch from Theodosia Batuti so she could burn off some and not get herself a detention for braining Crispin Cooke. He got on her nerves every chance she got. She needed to Owl off for something for Aussie's birthday which was coming up near the end of next month. Also, she'd have to send an Owl to Aidan Lynch and give him and the rest of the team the Quidditch schedule for Gryffindor this year, especially since she's playing Seeker.
As she made a few passes, catching the snitch on all but one of them, she would summon it back to her and tuck it into her robes pocket, and bring it back Theodosia Batuti, and head back toward the castle. It was getting close to dinner time, and she'd not really eaten anything all day, save for something small at breakfast, and she'd worked all through lunch. However, shower first, then food. She headed up to Gryffindor Tower and into the embrace of a nice, hot shower.
Custody Issues
Author: Sage Porter
Date: 09-17-07 21:50
Turning from his stomach to his back, Sage bunches his pillow up beneath his head, getting it just right, as he stares up at the bed's canopy. Lately he's had moments of wishing he weren't at Hogwarts, something he never thought he'd experience once he got here and settled in. Today has been once such, very long, moment.
The past few days have been bad enough for the family with Professor Yaxley deciding that Deak didn['t need to be under the guardianship of a Non. Yaxley had spoken to Snider. Snider had spoken to Minister Smythe-Jones. Aaron and Saffron worked quickly to get Deak's guardianship signed over to relatives of Aaron's whom Yaxley, Snider, and the Minister could not find fault.
Today, a new policy from the Ministry went into effect that sure enough would have removed Deak from Aaron's custody. Even signing guardianship over to Saffron would not have worked because while she's a Pure, Aaron is a Non and the new policy prohibits a Pure married to a Non being a guardian of a Pure. It's that part of the things that potentially screwed up Sage's day.
Sage had been on his way in from Herbology, going to the Great Hall for lunch when he got the news. His stomach suddenly in knots, Sage no longer had an appetite. All he could think about was Lohengrin deciding he wanted custody of Sage back and showing up with Birdie to force Saffron into signing a new agreement and then yanking Sage out of school. Hogwarts is no longer the wonderful place it was when Sage first arrived but with Saffron, Aaron, and Deak here, it's tolerable. Must more tolerable than the return to home schooling Lohengrin wants.
The saving grace was Jennifer Flooing all the way from America after Saffron contacted her this morning. Saffron had Sassy and Neil on standby just in case but Jennifer was able to come. As Sage's mum, the only person who would protest her having custody is Lohengrin and with the papers now all signed, if worse comes to worse, Saffron's sending Sage to America where he'd live with Jennifer and Abram, though he'd really in residence at the same school Abram's kids, Savannah and Ezra, attend, Watling's Wizading Academy.
So far Lohengrin's not put in an appearance. Sage figures that's because Saffron or Jennifer or both let him know that Jennifer now has custody of Sage. It doesn't mean that Sage's father isn't going to anything. It just hasn't happened today if he is.
Sage still feels nauseous about it all, enough so he's skipping supper at well as having missed lunch. He can't help thinking that his Da is going to find a way to get custody back even after having given it away in the first place. At least Sage is seventeen in March. Once he's an adult, Lohengrin can't do anything. It will, however, be a long five months until March 17th, Sage's birthday, gets here and Sage can finally stop worry about Da's efforts to regain control of Sage.