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A Familiar Face
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 12-13-07 19:12
As more and more time went by, Ethan found that he didn't like spending any more time at the Ministry of Magic than absolutely necessary. He generally took his lunch outside the building, rather than at the cafeteria as was often convenient. Unfortunately, he always wasted time standing in the queue to drop off and retrieve his wand, since Nons were no longer allowed to have them on their persons throughout the workday.
Ethan slipped on his coat and tied his scarf around his neck before leaving his small cubicle and navigating through the rest of the Auror Office for the lifts at the end of the hall. Sometimes Ethan felt the administration had purposefully placed the Nons' cubicles towards the back––so that they would have to walk past the nicer cubicles and realize how unlucky they were to have impure blood themselves.
It wasn't a thought that really crossed Ethan's mind. He was by no means accepting of the new Ministry policies that constantly cropped up, particularly since all seemed biased against the so-called Nons, but he felt he'd been through much worse than the prejudice against him and his kind now. He would overcome this just like he'd overcome his past, it just might take some time to do so.
Ethan reached the lifts and waited as patiently as humanly possible for the grate to open. Several individuals stepped out before he could enter the lift. He took his place next to a man who had the Daily Prophet in front of his face and waited for the lift to move.
When the grate slid shut, the man lowered the newspaper. Ethan, looking straight ahead, did not at all realize who stood beside him until the man spoke.
"Bet you never thought you'd see me again, did ya?"
Ethan's blood curdled as he recognized the voice. He turned, instinctively reaching for the wand that wasn't in his pocket. "Nero! Don't tell me you got out too!"
Nero laughed. "Surprised? Dear old Mum and Dad were released ages ago, as I'm sure you already knew. I only just got my walking papers yesterday. I must say it's really nice being able to stretch my legs again!"
Ethan fumed. "And what reason did they give you for your so-very-early release?"
"Oh, it was all a big misunderstanding, is the short of it."
"Murdering your sister, not to mention a number of innocent healers, nurses and aurors is just a big misundersanding is it?" Ethan asked sarcastically. "I didn't realize I'd moved to Bizarro World."
"Face it, Ethan," Nero said, jabbing a finger right at Ethan's chest. "This world's not the one you remember. It's so much better."
The lift halted and the grate slid open. Ethan, eyes narrowed at Nero, slipped out. Nero stayed put.
"You might as well get used to it," Ethan heard Nero shout as he walked away from the lift.
(Siegfried) Picket Line
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 12-14-07 12:35
Siegfried stood with his fists in the pockets of his jeans and moved from foot to foot to keep warm. The hood of his sweatshirt covered his head and did a reasonable job of keeping his ears from turning too red, though his nose, cheeks and lips suffered from the biting air. He stood just outside Quality Quidditch Supplies and looked into the window at the racing brooms on display.
It wasn't the Quidditch supply shop that interested Siegfried, though. It was the offices of Quidditch Illustrated, the magazine he worked for––or rather, for whom he used to work––which were housed on the level above Quality Quidditch Supplies. Soon after leaving Hogwarts, Siegfried had walked into the office of the Quidditch magazine with a few amateur photographs he'd taken. Photography had never really been Siegfried's life dream, not had it been a major hobby in his life, but he'd had no idea what he wanted out of life and knew he needed to find a job so that Mum and Dad wouldn't hound him about making money, like they had his elder sister Brownyn.
To his surprise, he'd been hired on the spot as a freelance photographer for the magazine. Less than two months later, he'd secured a full-time staff position. It wasn't until a few months later that he'd decided he was ready to move out into a flat of his own. Siegfried had made an excellent start into adulthood, but in an instant he'd lost it all.
When those wizards without pure blood began being shunned by society in the early fall of last year, Siegfried didn't really feel the effects as severely as those at Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic. It had only been in the last month or so that things started going terribly wrong. First, the editor of Quidditch Illustrated got sacked. His replacement was a pureblood who was of the mind that anyone of lesser class didn't deserve to work for his magazine. Most everyone else got sacked in the next few weeks, Siegfried included.
For days, Siegfried and some of his disgruntled former colleagues met in places like the Leaky Cauldron to quietly discuss a plan of action. There were always rumors of uprisings against the current government, more rampant in the last few weeks than ever before, but so far nothing had really been done. Not everyone was willing to participate even now, as many were too frightened for their families.
Siegfried didn't have that worry. Both the marriages of his parents and his sister had just recently been dissolved, thanks to the latest Ministry regulations. They were probably just as ready to take up arms as he was. For some reason, he didn't tell them what he was up to though. In fact, he hadn't even told them he'd lost his position at the magazine.
Those who wanted to take action with him slowly emerged and congregated with Siegfried outside Quality Quidditch Supplies. There were only six in all, including the former editor of Quidditch Illustrated who felt he had absolutely nothing to lose.
"Well, let's hope we can bring about a motion for change," Siegfried said.
"The six of us won't change things," the old editor expressed sadly, laying a heavy hand on Siegfried's shoulder, "but it's a start in the right direction."
The small group stood quietly for a moment before conjuring signs that read slogans like "DESEGREGATION IS THE RIGHT WAY!" and "WE'RE ALL WIZARDS!" along with a few that focused entirely on Quidditch Illustrated's recently firing of all 'Non' employees. Siegfried himseld carried one that read, "EQUALITY FOR EVERYONE!"
They started marching in front of the storefront with their signs. It was blasted cold and their feet left deeper and deeper tracks in the snow that piled in front of the building. They chanted slogans like, "Two, four, six, eight. Smythe-Jones is who we really hate!" and "Who are we? Wizards! What do we want? Equality for all!"
At first, few paid them any attention. Then, they noticed two sorts of observers. Some hovered with small smiles on their faces. They obviously agreed with the protest but weren't courageous enough to join in on the chanting. The rest shouted insults and hexed snowballs to hit the protesters. One hit Siegfried right in the face. He spit the dirty snow from his mouth and kept on marching, not letting anything stop him from the point he wanted to make.
Unfortunately, it wasn't long before law enforcement arrived. A couple of Siegfried's former colleagues hurled their signs into the snow and tried to run away, but they were captured quite easily. Siegfried's sign was yanked from his hand by a summoning spell and he was easily overtaken as well, though he continued shouting for equal rights until someone had the intelligence to magically mute him.
Siegfried wound up in a temporary holding cell and awaited his fate.
Definitely Not Happy
Author: Ronan Eastwick
Date: 12-14-07 13:56
Ronan was just leaving Professor Pilliwickle's History of Magic class and wondering not for the first time if he would next time find himself in Professor Whitmen's class with the other Nons, when a house elf singled him out in the hallway.
"Professor Snider wishes to see Mr. Eastwick in her office," it quipped, wringing its hands on the starched white tea towel it wore.
"Why?" Ronan asked, not having any clue while Snider would want to talk to a Non like him, unless it was to officially inform him that he was to pack up his belongings and move into one of the lesser dormitory rooms in Gryffindor House.
"Melly is only doing as ordered. Please follow Melly to the Headmistress' office."
The little house elf didn't bother moving until Ronan took a step in her direction, muttering under his breath how he'd ben late for Professor Closterfob's, or would that now be Professor Hodfuffer's, Ancient Runes class.
He followed Melly to the gargoyle that stood before the staircase which swept Melly and Ronan up to Snider's office door as soon as the little elf said the password. Neither had to knock. Snider said, "Enter!"
Melly stood aside, knowing that the invitation wasn't for her but for Ronan. He hesitated a moment and then pushed on the heavy door and entered. What he saw surprised him greatly.
"Hello, Ronan."
Enid sat in a chair in front of Snider's desk. The smile that had been on the Headmistress' face disappeared when she looked from her guest to the student who'd just entered her office.
"Ah, Mr. Eastwick. Good of you to come when summoned."
"What is going on here?" Ronan asked, eyeing first Professor Snider and then his mother. "I thought you were in prison."
"I was." Enid smiled sweetly. "I'm a free woman now, and I've returned to receive you into my guardianship once more."
"I have a guardian already," Ronan replied angrily. "I don't want you, a murderess, in my life. You should be in Azkaban still."
Enid stood suddenly, her face stony. "Do you still blame me for Caden's death? It destroys me that your brother is no longer among the living, your brother, the pureblood."
"Caden's death. Father's death. The death of his lover, of his biological son! You are a monster."
Enid crossed the few steps necessary to reach Ronan and slapped him hard across the face. "Do not talk to me that way. I am your mother, and you will do as I say. From this day forth, you are no longer under the guardianship of that Mudblood."
"Don't you dare call her that," Ronan growled.
"I only speak the truth," Enid said. She turned to Snider. "I thought Miss Jones would meet us?"
"I sent the house elf to fetch her from the village," Snider replied.
"Good," Enid answered smugly. "I look forward to speaking with her."
Ronan stood, fuming. How could his mother have been released from prison? How many other murderers and downright evil wizards were being set free each day? He couldn't understand it, and he didn't like it one bit!
Lunch with Madeline
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 12-14-07 15:57
Maddie had beaten Orei to the great hall for lunch, because Orei had stayed after Herbology for a moment to ask Professor Masterson a question about their homework. Shifting her bag to her other shoulder she plopped down in a chair next to Maddie, then blinked. "Are you mental Maddie? What if Snider or Yaxley catch you sitting here..." Staring wide-eyed at her best friend.
"Snider and Yaxley can't make me move this time." Maddie said and pulled out the letter from her bag and handed it to Orei. "Read that." She sipped her pumpkin juice from the fine crystal goblet and waited for Orei's reaction to the paperwork.
"Seriously? You are a pureblood? Why didn't anyone find this out before?" Orei asked. "Mom and Dad never really cared who my parents were. They had a baby to love and raise as their own. It was only these changes from the Ministry that brought about the search now, instead of when I was done with school here." Maddie said.
All these years and Maddie hadn't disclosed any of her thoughts concerning the fact that she might be adopted or anything like that. "Well, this definitely will make the school year go a lot faster now that you can sit here with the rest of us." She hugged Maddie handing her back the letter.
News
Author: Anthony Beck
Date: 12-15-07 08:45
Anthony whirled out of one of the fireplaces at St. Emrys and immediately moved out of the way to allow someone else to arrive behind him. It was the morning rush at the university, so many students were arriving at the same time. He brushed soot off his robes as he headed towards the cafeteria to grab a quick breakfast, since he'd left the house without eating anything.
He found Plum sitting at one of the tables with Katherine, who'd left the house extra early to conduct some research at the library. Katherine's status had recently gone from pure to non. She wasn't thrilled about the change in her life, but it only inspired her more to rise against the growing injustice in the wizarding world. She continued to work on her newsletter, which had just recently been banned by officials from being read. That didn't stop people from reading it in secret, though.
Anthony bought a cup of yogurt and an orange and kissed Plum's cheek before sitting next to her. Plum was reading the Daily Prophet.
"Have you seen this yet?" she asked him, pointing to an article buried on the fifth page.
PROTESTERS ARRESTED IN DIAGON ALLEY read the headline. An accompanying photo showed law enforcement officers seizing six picketers in front of Quality Quidditch Supplies. One wizard's face stood out from them all.
"It's Siegfried Dewhurst!" Anthony gasped.
"He's in jail," Plum said, "and he's going to go on trial early next week. He'll likely go to Azkaban."
"That's terrible!"
"It's going to happen to a lot of wizards," Katherine added. "Anyone who dares stand up against the Ministry will get thrown behind bars. If I'm found out..."
"Best be more careful," Anthony advised.
"I don't care," Katherine responded flatly, lowering her voice so that the wizards around her wouldn't overhear. "If I'm caught, then I will go to Azkaban with my head held high. More of us have to take a stand if we want to change things. And we can. There are more of us than there are them," she said, referring to the Minister and her supporters.
Anthony knew what Katherine said was true. If everyone sat back and allowed the Ministry of Magic to continue on its path, the world would never change for the better. Unfortunately, standing up for what was right would come at a great cost.
Gaze Into The Future
Author: Gretta Kensington
Date: 12-15-07 15:18
Gretta stared at the bare ceiling. The night before had been another job and it had been the worst one yet. A previous job had been at the event and Gretta had even heard him make fun of her to other Ministry faculty. He had talked about how she was the Ministry slut and that it was only ritual to have a ride on her. Gretta had kept her temper, but she was crying on the inside.
When she had come home, she had bathed and hurt herself yet again. For some reason, it made the hurt go away. Gretta could not explain it. Everything had just seemed better after she had seen her own blood.
While staring at her ceiling, she thought about her future. She would live alone for the rest of her life. She did not even know magic. The most she could do was move to a place where magic was not used. She could get a real job then. She could even get a career. A nonmagical man would certainly be more likely to marry her. Her kids would be raised nonmagical. There was hope for Gretta. Gretta felt the hope. She felt the warm feeling associated with her dreams of a new start.
A knock on the window caused Gretta to jump. She looked over to see Tootsie, Thomas Applewhite's owl. She remembered the books he had requested that she buy. She had bought four of the seven books. He had claimed that children in their first year at some Hogwarts Academy were made to read these same books. He said that she would be a normal witch in no time, but only if she could get through the books in one to two months. He seemed very helpful. Gretta couldn't let his help be in vain.
Gretta opened the window and let Tootsie in. There was a parchment attached to her foot. Gretta opened it and read it to herself. Henrietta Boston had taught the girls to read at the whorehouse. She had said it made the girls seem educated and that men liked educated girls. Gretta closed the letter and pulled out a parchment of her own.
"It's a date," she spoke out loud as she wrote. "I'll see you tomorrow night." She attached the parchment to Tootsie's leg and gave her a crumb of toast. The owl flew out the window and into Diagon Alley.
Skipping class and doing nothing
Author: Cailyn Spicer
Date: 12-15-07 17:12
Cailyn stood at the edge of the Common Room looking out the window and staring at the tiny snow flakes that came swirling down. She had been skipping her classes lately. She had no desire what so ever to go to them or do the work that she was supposed to do for them. Ever since the ministry of magic had pushed in new rules it seemed that more and more of her friends where disappearing from her classes. She was glad that she didn’t have to worry about the new changes. She was a pure blood and her father worked in the ministry of magic. However, it didn’t change things for her at school.
She frowned as she twisted her locket that Alex had gotten her for Christmas that year. She had so much fun when she went to his place for Christmas. She wished it didn’t have to end. They had quietly exchanged presents while they where alone on Christmas day and she had been so surprised to receive the beautiful locket for him. She didn’t think her present even came close to matching his. She had gotten him a little glass blue teddy bear with his name itched in it. The item came from the States and she had to have it specially ordered for him. But the Locket was so much better. She didn’t care so much that her present didn’t match his. It was the thought that mattered.
Cailyn moved over to the window seat and sat down with a little sigh. She missed her home and wished it was summer. She knew she had been pouting since she had arrived at Hogwarts. But she just couldn’t help it. Her summer had been thrilling. She had moved and found out that Simon was not her father’s friend. She would much rather have been home following Simon around then dealing with the things going on at school. She missed her friends in America. But most of all she missed her father.
At least she had Alex and a few other people. At this Cailyn smiled and moved out of the window seat. She looked down at her watch and shook her head, time always moved by so slowly when you where skipping class and doing nothing.
Lost In Thought
Author: Gabrielle Delacour
Date: 12-15-07 17:50
Beginning on Tuesday afternoon Rosalinda has been acting oddly. Estella and Gabby have tried and tried to get her to talk to them but she always gets teary eyed and changes the subject. Gabby had thought that perhaps with Estella having classes with Rosalinda and sharing a dorm room, Rosalinda might say something to her. Before leaving for their respective History of Magic classes this morning, Rosalinda still hadn't said anything.
All through class Gabby's minds wanders, trying to figure out what would have Rosalinda so upset. She's so off in her own thoughts that when Professor Pilliwickle calls on Gabby, he has to call her name four times and physically poke her in the arm to get her attention. For her day dreaming, Gabby's earned another detention; at least he didn't dock her any house points as well.
Gabby supposes she shouldn't shrug off another detention so lightly. Earning one as she did for that day just before Christmas holiday began did not sit well with Gabby's parents. They were not, however, as angry as she expected them to be, not given the circumstances of Gabby earning it. In fact, after Fleur's marriage was declared invalid by the Ministry, even though Fleur and Bill were married in France not anywhere in Great Britain, Apolline Delacour wrote to let Gabby know she was glad her younger daughter had the courage to show some defiance of assinine rules. Then she'd gone on to admit that Gabby's father and she had nearly not allowed Gabby to return to Hogwarts. They weren't going to tell her until the last minute when they whisked her off to complete the term at Beauxbatons. It was only at the last minute that they'd changed their minds and decided to allow Gabby to finish out the year at Hogwarts as agreed.
At the end of class, Professor Pilliwickle has Gabby stay behind a moment. After the classroom has emptied he informed Gabby she's to report to his office promptly at 6 this evening. Nodding, Gabby left for lunch, her mind already going back to her friend and wondering if maybe Estella and she can get Rosalinda to take lunch in the common commons where they can eat together and talk.