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Creature-Induced Injuries
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 12-09-07 12:45
Reynier Vanderbilt led the interns just recently assigned to Creature-Induced Injuries through the various rooms, serving both as tour guide and teacher. He showed them the wards and facilities where they conducted their work. In many ways, the first level of St. Mungo's looked like the ground floor, only the injuries of the patients differed significantly, as did the expertise of the healers and nurses who worked there. Reynier occasionally posed questions, testing the knowledge of the interns who followed him around the first foor. He noted that one of them always had her hand up in the air and looked forward to seeing her apply her knowledge to practical applications.
"Let's take a fifteen minute break," Reynier finally suggested. "Meet me at the nurse's station no later than half past the hour, all right? When you return, I will have you shadow some of the healers."
The interns, except one, were thankful for the break. Hermione reluctantly followed her colleagues to the lift which would take them to the Visitor's Tearoom, which seemed to have a better offering of beverages than some of the staff lounges in the entire building. Hermione bought herself a cup of peach-flavored tea and sat at one of the small round tables with Caldonia Black and Imogene Li. Fletcher Harrison, Philomena Patil and Orson Rush sat at the table right next to them.
"So, what do you think of the Head Healer?" Fletcher asked, dumping copious amounts of sugar into his Earl Grey.
"He's got to be at least 100 years old. Did you see the wrinkles on his face?" Orson replied.
"Oh, stop!" Imogene cried out, with a shake of her head. "I don't think he's that old, and he's not that wrinkly."
"I think he's very wise," Hermione put in, sipping her tea.
"Do you think we'll have more interesting cases this go around?" Harrison queried. "We saw some wicked cool artifact accidents, but I'm hoping creature-induced injuries are just as exciting, if not more."
"I can't imagine it not being interesting," Herimone answered.
The talk went on about Reynier Vanderbilt and the types of bites they might encounter during their term on the Creature-Induced Injuries floor of St. Mungo's. It wasn't very long before their fifteen minutes were over and the first practical exercises of their training would begin.
Grim
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 12-09-07 13:55
An icy blast of wind threatens to topple over the students who are unfortunate enough to have either Herbology or Care of Magical Creatures. It is when the weather is as miserable as it is today that Fritz wishes those respective courses were taught within the castle itself. He makes sure his coat is buttoned up to his neck and that his scarf hasn't managed to untangle itself, and then hugs his body with his arms. Next to him, Coco shivers quite visibly.
It takes at least twice as long to reach the greenhouses as normal, since they are fighting against the wind that brings with it sleet which turns into sludge beneath their feet. Perhaps it's a good thing that Coco is forced to wear shoes now. She'd probably get frost bite without them.
They finally get to the greenhouse where their Herbology class is scheduled to take place and instantly feel the warmth of the glassed-in building, which is not only warm from all the plants snuggled closely together to stay alive during the harsh winter, but also because several heating charms have been set up throughout the house.
At first Fritz doesn't want to part with his warm clothes, because he's still trying to thaw out from the wintry weather, but then he realizes that it's getting warm very quickly. He pulls off his coat, scarf, gloves and hat and puts them on the coat rack that's already brimming with the winter clothes of his classmates and instructor.
He then eases into the stool at the worktable and glances around the room. Although it had been a couple of weeks since the most recent regulations came into effect at the Ministry of Magic, the repercussions are still taking their toll on just about everybody. He can see the lines or worry, sadness and even anger in many faces, and even though Fritz's life hasn't changed much in the last few weeks, he imagines his face mirrors everybody else's. He looks at Professor FitzRoy, who looks just as grim.
Nevertheless, she tries to put a friendly smile on her face and greets her sixth years to the class.
"I hope your toes and fingers have warmed enough to concentrate today," she says, looking around the room. She waves her wand at a high table behind her and summons a large, potted plant which lands on the table in front of her. "Today we will discuss the spiny stemmed bamboo tree and then we will collect the spines. I hope everyone remembered to bring their gloves, but if you have not, I have some to spare. Now, who can tell me how many species of magical bamboo there are?"
Several hands shoot into the air, with Fritz's among them.
A Death
Author: Bailey
Date: 12-09-07 14:43
Phin drops down into a chair opposite Bailey. "That exam was a bitch."
Jewel, walking up at that moment to join them asks, "So you don't think you did well?"
Phin shakes his head. "I'm not sure. I thought I was prepared but Professor Closterfob gave a tough test today."
"Professor Closterfob seems nice enough I suppose but I'm glad I still have Professor Lancaster for Ancient Runes. Bailey, how did you do on your exam?"
Bailey looks up from staring into a steaming mug of tea. "Pardon?" he asks before it sinks in what Jewel's asked. A heartbeat later he says, "Oh, I think I did all right. I rushed through it though so maybe not."
"You rushed through a tough test and you left class early. Something wrong?" Phin asks.
"I got an owl early this morning from my grandmother. My mum's mum," Bailey clarifies. "Remember me telling you that she didn't make the pureblood cutoff? My mum did but Gran didn't. Mum immediately shut her out. Dad's steamed at having a wife so close to being a Non but, get this, forgives her for it. Mum is glad it was Gran's side that is impure and that the good Bailey name isn't smeared and she also keeps sniping at Dad about how his side of the family isn't so pefect by reminding him about the Gray's Muggle connection way back when."
Bailey sighs, knowing he's digressing, telling Jewel and Phin things they pretty much already know. No point in delaying but talking about the owl this morning and what came after isn't something he's really ready to talk about. Bailey also doesn't want to put it off much longer. Taking another breath he plunges on.
"The letter this morning was from Gran as I said. She wrote that she wishes she could see me one last time but she can't stand being shunned any longer, especially when one of the ones treating her like someone with spattergroit or some other disease. Gran included a copy of her will and a copy of Grandfather Thomas's in case hers is no longer valid what with her being a Non."
Jewel puts a hand on Bailey's arm, her eyes going wide. "Was the letter... was it a goodbye note?"
Bailey blinks several times, his eyes going watery. "Yeah, it was."
Phin leans forward. "She's committing suicide?"
"Committed. Just after," Bailey's voice breaks. "Right after she sent the owl. I went my head of house as soon as I realized what Gran was planning. Professor Flume let me stick my head in the fire to talk to my parents but when Mum didn't seem overly concerned, Professor Flume and I Floo'd to Gran's. We were too late."
Bailey stops to regain his composure before saying, "Professor Flume got me back her and insisted I go to class to help keep me occupied. She notified the authorities and we let my mother know."
Jewel moves to hug Bailey. He responds on automatic, still very numb from the morning's events. Phin clears his throat. "I hate to say it but if we don't start now for Herbology, we'll all be late."
Bailey walks with them but before they leave the castle to go outside he tells them, "I'm going to check and see if arrangements are being made for Gran. I'll see you both later."
Bailey goes to Professor Flume's office, looking at her posted schedule to see she's in class with second years. At her Charms classroom, he knocks and waits to speak with her. Professor Flume gives Bailey some information and then has him go see Professr Snider. Shuddering at the thought of purposely seeking out Hairy the Snide, Bailey walks slowly, trying not to let his anger at his mother simmer over to the point it's visible.
Lifestyle Upheaval
Author: Marzipan
Date: 12-09-07 15:34
In the oh-so-brief break between the sixth and seventh year classes, Marzi allowed her mind to wander to the subject that had plagued her the past couple of weeks. Marzi's family history had always been a troubled one, since up until only a few years ago, Marzi hadn't even known her mother or grandparents from that side of the family. Marzi's paternal grandparents had died when she was young, so she never really knew anyone but her father. She felt extremely sad without him in her life anymore, especially now that she needed him for answers.
She had bit the bullet and gone to see Georgia about her ancestry. Marzi's mother, still quite miffed that Marzi had, in her opinion, indirectly contributed to Constantius' death, refused point blank to speak with her. Marzi did the next best thing and went to see Georgia's parents, James and Virginia Wildsmith, whom she had gotten to know over the years, although she did not see them very regularly. Unlike Georgia, they held no grudge against the granddaughter they hadn't known for very long and were only thankful to have her in their lives.
Tullia Wildsmith, mother of James, was also present for the important visit, and provided Marzi with everything she wanted to know about the family. Yes, there were a few Muggles in the family tree, but no, they weren't in the direct lineage. The Wildsmith family was, for the most part, completely pure.
Unfortunately, that hadn't answered all of Marzi's questions. She'd still had the FitzRoy side of the family to research, which she knew had Muggle ties in history. Marzi simply hadn't known how far removed, or in near proximity, she was to those ties.
It hadn't taken her too long to find out. With Weston's assistance (the Ravenscroft family was pure for seven generations; beyond that, they didn't want, nor need to talk about it), Marzi dug up her family records. Although she had grown up in Australia, her heritage was entirely British, so it was relatively quick and easy work rounding up the vital records necessary to prove her blood status, which, regrettably, changed with the new Ministry regulations.
Percival's father had been Muggle-born. His parents and presumably all the generations thereafter were Muggles.
Marzi knew she shouldn't care about having Muggle ancestors, but the fact was that she couldn't help but care. Her whole life would change now, thanks to the Minister of Magic's prejudice agaisnt those without pureblood lineages.
The seventh years filed into the greenhouse, looking red-faced and shivery from the cold. Marzi plastered a smile on her face and greeted some of them individually, before welcoming the class as a whole and diving right into the topic of the day, magic moss.
A Shift in Status (Madeline)
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 12-09-07 20:04
Maddie sat, dumbfounded at the letter in front of her. Apparently she had been adopted after a tragic accident when she was a child. Her parents now, they'd adopted her when she was no more than six months old. They had, with all the changes in the Ministry looked up Madeline's birth parents and found out that she was a pureblood. Despite the fact that she lived with two Muggles, she was a pure blood and as there were no blood ties between them that made her exempt from the fifth generation cap on family history.
She was quite happy that she didn't have any classes until one on Mondays because she most certainly would have missed her classes when the owl had come in from her parents. What would Hairy the Snide's reaction be to those students who suddenly gained privileges and those that suddenly lost privileges because of the new Ministry edict.
The clock ticked half-past noon, and she needed to head to History of Magic, and she still needed to get something to eat! Dang it! She'd been dumbfounded all morning. She still had to tell Orei about the owl. That would happen later though, for now she had class, she'd tell Orei at dinner. Her parents had, as the letter said, forwarded all the important paperwork to the ministry so everything would be taken care of for Maddie.
She'd run into the Great Hall and grab a sandwich and a glass of pumpkin juice, finishing the juice on her way out she would eat the sandwich on her way to class. Ducking into the class room and finding her seat just as the bell chimed one pm. She'd made it barely, but she made it.
Lazy Monday
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 12-09-07 20:16
Orei sat at the Gryffindor Pure's section in the Great Hall, her Arithmancy book open in front of her. Her first class had been over at eleven, and she was free until two when she had Arithmancy. Monday's were her easiest days because she only had two classes. Now, the rest of the week was a different story.
She'd briefly seen Maddie rush in and out on her way to her History of Magic class, which must mean that it was close to one. Good, that means in half an hour she can pack up and start heading toward Arithmancy. Fingertips toyed with a few errand strands of hair as she thought about the new regulations and rules put forth by the Ministry that went into effect a little less than twenty days ago. She wondered if any of her friends were affected, and if so how much.
Tearing her thoughts from that she finished the final draft of her essay for Arithmancy and put it away. She grabbed her books and started out of the Great Hall, she wanted to go for a walk, despite the frigid temperatures, she needed to be outside for a moment and think on a few things.
Room 209
Author: Gretta Kensington
Date: 12-09-07 23:40
Gretta sat on her bed while dreams of her night with Thomas Applewhite swept through her head. The date had been some time ago. It truly was not a date. Gretta had been hired by him. It had just felt like a date to her. It was possible it felt like a date to him too. He had asked her out again. This time she was not being paid. Gretta quickly talked herself out of those thoughts though. No one dated call girls. It was more likely that he had felt sorry for her after he found out that she did not know magic. He was probably just being a kind friend and helping her out.
Gretta was shaken from her thoughts by a sudden booming sound. The booming sound was followed by another and another. A curious Gretta got to her feet and opened her door to see who it could possibly be. She was surprised to see a girl of around 4 feet pulling a trunk bigger than she was. There was some compassion in Gretta's heart for this little girl and she rolled up her sleeves to help her. When the load became easier to carry, the girl dropped the trunk and turned around to see Gretta. Gretta smiled. Smiling was a rare occurrence for Gretta.
"You looked like you needed help," she said in a friendly voice. The girl nodded and picked up her side of the trunk.
"I am Mulberry Watson. You can call me Mully though," the girl said.
"I am Gretta," Gretta replied. "Are you moving here?" Mully nodded.
"Yes ma'am. We're moving to Room 209. Mumma says that our old house reminded her too much of Papa. Jude says we are moving because Mumma lost her job and could no longer afford our home."
Mully stopped in front of Room 209 and dropped the trunk. She opened the door and yelled for the person named Jude. Another girl walked into the hallway and stared at Gretta for a moment. She was taller than Mulberry, but looked exactly like her. The girl called Jude took out a wand and muttered something. Gretta had wished she had listened because the trunk began to float. Jude directed the trunk inside of the room and then looked at Gretta again.
"Gretta helped me carry your trunk," Mulberry said to the girl. The girl looked at Gretta again. Gretta lowered her head. It was as if this girl could see through Gretta. She saw the whore inside and it made Gretta ashamed.
"Thank you," the girl said to Gretta's surprise. "Do you live here?" Gretta looked at the girl and nodded.
"I am in Room 205. My name is Gretta." The girl nodded.
"I am Jude," she said. Mulberry smiled a somewhat toothless smile.
"Mumma gave Jude a wand and magic book for her eleventh birthday," Mulberry said and pointed to Jude's wand. "She is getting super good." Gretta smiled again at the little girl. Mully's smile seemed to make Gretta smile. It was followed by a feeling that Gretta had not felt in a long time. This feeling was joy.
"Is your mum around?" Jude shook her head.
"Mum is at some pub. I wish she was not. I'm having a hard time getting things situated and taking care of my sisters," Jude said. She followed it with a heavy sigh. Gretta smiled at Mulberry.
"I will watch your sister for you." Jude shook her head.
"I do not need help with Mully. It's Dory that I need the help with. She is only 11 months old. If you watch her, I will help you with the hard stuff like changing her diaper. She eats baby food and drinks her bottle. She just needs constant holding and entertaining. Will you watch her for me please?"
Gretta looked down and then nodded. Babies did need care and it pained Gretta to see a child caring for other children. Gretta had never met her own mother. These children had their mother, but she was too busy at a pub. The pub was more important than her kids. Gretta felt a connection to these children. She felt a connection to Mulberry because Mulberry made Gretta feel a way she had not felt in a long time. She felt a connection to Jude because she had taken care of her sisters the same way Gretta had cared for younger children at the whorehouse. She felt a connection to Dory because Dory was being left alone as a baby the same way that Gretta had. These connections were what caused Gretta to take care of these children so that they would never end up as miserable as she was.
Sweeping, Sweeping...
Author: Waddle Dee
Date: 12-10-07 13:42
Waddle Dee worked happily away, sweeping the floor as students walked about him. Waddle was possibly the only person who had no idea abot the depression hanging over the school.
Turning, he saw Mr Filch walking up the stairs towards him.
"Waddle Dee, there's been a spill in one of the dungeons, I need you to go sort it," he walked away, "and don't be talking to anyone on the way there!"
Fat chance of that Thought Waddle Dee as he went to the nearest cupbaord, got a mop and set off for the dungeons.
A bit of light reading
Author: Drucilla Eternal
Date: 12-10-07 19:35
The candlelight flickered as the hours ticked away, but still I continued to read. The story of Tom Riddle was fascinating – like a great epic novel of Good vs. Evil. Every time I tried to put it down, I would read the first sentence of the next chapter and be hooked in again. Sometimes I forgot that what I was reading was true, but then a familiar name would appear on the pages and the reality of what I was reading would hit home in a physical tightening of my insides as coldness crept over me.
“A bit of light reading before bed?” He came up from behind my chair. I felt Sirius’ hands gently rest on my shoulders as his cheek softly grazed my own as he bent closer.
Then he stiffened.
“Tom Riddle? Why are you reading a book about him?”
I carefully set the book aside, making sure to mark my spot. Then shifting slightly so I could see his expression more clearly, I answered as truthfully as I dared. “I’m trying to learn more about my… about the past.” I had almost said my past, but admitting any connection to Tom Riddle, or Voldemort as he was known to the wizarding world, seemed dangerous. Especially to Sirius.
“It fills in some of the pieces,” I continued. “Your stay in Azkaban. Your feelings towards Bellatrix. And Harry…”
My voice caught. That poor boy. I knew his parents had been killed but I never had understood the full extent of it until now.
“It’s a grim story,” Sirius said lowly, “but it does have a happy ending.”
I tried to smile but couldn’t. Fear still lingered, making me ask, “What was it like? In Azkaban?”
Sirius stood up straight. Instead of looking at me, his eyes stared straight ahead, as if looking back into the past. “I lost so many years trapped in there. The dementors - I don’t know how to describe it. I never thought I would feel happiness again. The only thing I could hold on to was the knowledge of my innocence. Everyone thought I had betrayed James, my best friend, but I knew the truth. It was that truth that gave me the strength to escape.”
Sirius grew silent, and when I thought he would say no more he blinked and looked down on me, as if just remember I was still there. In a soft voice he said, “I could never go back. Never. I… I’d rather be dead.”
I bit my lip sharply to hold in my cry, knowing that what Sirius had just said was true.
Giving a tight smile that seemed out of place on his face, he softly rubbed my shoulder again and said in a far away voice, “Come to bed, Dru,” before turning and walking away.
I sat for a moment after he left, trying to get my thoughts in order before joining Sirius. Just because I could remember Voldemort’s name didn’t mean I had followed him, right? But doubt crept inside of me as I remembered what Bellatrix had said that day in Diagon Alley. ”I know your secret.” she had taunted. What if that secret involved Voldmort? What if I had done something terrible in my past? Terrible enough to be sent to Azkaban…
“Sirius would never forgive me,” I whispered to myself. Sirius, who had lost his best friend, who had lost years of his freedom all because of Voldemort! What would he think of me if it turned out I had some sort of involvement with the Dark Lord?
I slowly stood up, feeling stiff and cold. Wrapping my house robe tightly around my body, I headed upstairs.