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Worries
Author: Gabrielle Delacour
Date: 02-14-08 17:11
Gabby shoves the newspaper aside with an unladylike word. Amused, Rosalinda looks up from her Potions textbook. "Not to say I told you so but I did tell you not to read the paper today."
"If ze Meeneestree 'ates Nons zo much, why would eet want to take any newborns from zem? What weel eet do weeth ze babies?"
Gabby hadn't heard any of the news reports on the WWN yesterday with the newest Ministry policies. She also hadn't started reading Tuesday's Daily Prophet until just now despite have no classes to occupy her time today. Even though she'd heard the buzz, Gabby hadn't felt any real outrage until just now, reading for herself that Pures are to earn rewards for having children while Nons will have their children taken and have existing children taxed.
Gabby reaches for the paper again, crunches it up then tosses it into the fireplace. She can't help but think that even if they'd be taxed, her sister Fleur would have wanted each of the babies she miscarried, that she'd gladly pay a tax if she could just carry a baby to term. Of course, under the new policies, Fleur would have to turn the baby over to the Ministry, unless Bill was allowed to raise it that is. That's probably how it would be what with Bill being a Pure. Or wait, with Fleur being a Non and her marriage to Bill not recognized by the Ministry, would that mean this new policy would apply over the one that allows a Pure parent to have custodial rights over a child had with a Non?
Gabby opens her own Potions textbook, wanting to attempt to get at least a little work done before going to supper. Concentration is difficult with Gabby's mind on the upcoming memorial service for Mrs. Lancaster, Gabby still somehow being deemed a Pure, agreeing to return to Beauxbatons if things continue to degrade in Wizarding Britain, and various other things.
Estella adds to Gabby's concerned thoughts when she comes and plops down near Rosalinda and Gabby, worriedly saying, "I don't know why Mum and Dad haven't owled. I sent them a letter Sunday night asking something important. I would have thought I'd have gotten a reply yesterday, today at the latest."
"Maybe they are swamped with work and meant to reply by now but haven't had much chance," Rosalinda helpfully suggests.
Estella nods, "They work at the Ministry and with all the weirdness these last months, that's possible. Maybe as Nons they've had the work heaped on them to give the Pures less to do."
"Give ze Pures less to do but zey probalee are all geevin raises," Gabby snorts.
The girls find this highly plausible under the currrent conditions. They decide to go on to supper, theorizing more on the way about how the Ministry Pures probably all now work less hours at higher pay and when at work have less work to actually do while the Nons have longer hours, less pay, and three times more work than they used to have. Later, after learning the real reason Estella hasn't heard from her parents, all three will all wish that their theories had been true.
Sad Days
Author: Anthony Beck
Date: 02-14-08 17:43
Anthony opened up his book bag and stuffed into it the textbooks and the rather harried looking parchment leaves that had been scattered across the library table. Friday was the last day of Hilary Term at St. Emrys, and Anthony had finals all this week.
He went to the library not only to study, but also to get away from the pressures and misfortunes of real life; although, the library at St. Emrys certainly was not immune to the prejudicial long arm of the Ministry of Magic. However, it was difficult, studying, when tragedy plagued one's mind. Anthony had learned about the death of Mary Lancaster, Plum's mother, and he'd grieved for his girlfriend's loss.
Although Anthony had lost his mother too, he couldn't really claim to know how Plum felt. Anthony had been four when Karina Beck had been killed, and he barely remembered her. Plum was an adult who not only had perfect memory of life with a mother but who had also witnessed the tragic death. Anthony could only liken Mary's death to his sister Kendra's, though he knew losing a mother and losing a sister were still too entirely different situations.
He left the library to be with Plum, who was very glad to have him near her. Although he had seen her shed many a tear since Saturday, Anthony had shown great wonder at how Plum could appear so strong in light of her great loss. She had seemed to immediately take over as being the lady of the house, caring for her mourning father Evan and her baby brother Alex, who was still recovering from the injuries he'd sustained in the tumble down the stairs.
Mary's funeral and memorial service were scheduled for Thursday. Anthony had needed to make arrangements with a professor to reschedule a final, but his pureblood status made the task easy. For that one moment, he didn't at all mind the perks his blood status gave him. He knew he needed to be with Plum on what might be the second most difficult day of her life.
Free
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 02-14-08 18:40
Harry paces, ignoring the soup and sandwiches on the table. Alone in the Order's newest location, though alone here is much better than alone in that cramped Ministry holding cell, Harry can't seem to shake a pervasive restlessness. He can't settle down even long enough to enjoy the food Molly Weasley had sent. Not only is Harry concerned for Janine, Hermione, Ron, Sirius, and a number of others, Harry needs the exercise after having been shackled in a small room since Saturday morning.
Stopping the pacing to bend over and stretch out the muscles in his back, Harry groans aloud. Harry can only imagine what the isolation cell at Azkaban Smythe-Jones has for him is like. He pictures it as being so small he couldn't stand up straight. Constantly in the dark. Having a foul smel. A tiny hole in a corner to take care of nature's call. Gruel that either has no taste or tastes like what's down the tiny hole. No bed to sleep on, not even a thin, scratchy mattress.
Harry can think of an endless list of misery for that cell. For now though he's got other things on his mind, like whether those who'll surely be taken in for questioning about Harry's escape should be coming to this house or somewhere else safe before they get stuck at the Ministry. What can Harry be doing now to work against the Minister and her policies? He might as well do something given that he's already a wanted fugitive.
That thought leads Harry to think back to the escape. Both the men who'd been guarding Harry's cell came in together. Since they'd been taking alternate shifts, Harry figured them both entering his cell meant it was time for the mockery of a trial Smythe-Jones had said he'd get. The making it official trial.
Sure enough, Harry was escorted out and onto a lift. They'd gone as far as the lift could take them then they'd gotten out to walk the rest of the way to whichever courtroom the trial was to be held. To his surprise, they'd stopped when where no one else would see them. One had leaned close to Harry and whispered, "It's Hestia Jones and that's Lee Jordan."
While Hestia was saying this, Lee was reaching inside his robes and pulling out a cloak. Lee draped it over Harry as Hestia and he hurriedly explained, "Ministry's under an apparation lockdown. We're walking out an employee entrance."
To anyone watching, the two men were taking a break after delivering their prisoner for trial. Once through the particular entrance they'd chosen, they'd led Harry into an alley where they went behind a row of large Muggle rubbish bins. Hestia took Harry by the arm and they'd disapparated. Arriving at the safe house, Lee promptly set to work freeing Harry of the shackles.
After that, they'd filled Harry in on how the escape idea came about and let him know that Kingsley was going to do his best to get Harry's wand back. If he couldn't, someone would get Harry a replacement. He really hopes he can get his old wand back. Harry's been through quite a bit with it and wants that to be the wand he uses in the fight against Euphemia Smythe-Jones.
Harry's rumbling stomach finally gets the better of his pacing and stretching. Sitting down, he ladels soup into a bowl and grabs a sandwich, wishing that someone would show up to tell him more of what others are doing and what plans are in motion.
Making Contact
Author: Alex Whitmen
Date: 02-14-08 22:48
Alex stared rather blankly at his books. He was tired of studying and he wanted to go somewhere, anywhere but Hogwarts. He hadn't seen Cailyn in a little over a month and he missed her. He hadn't talked to Skyler either. The rules were really putting a strain on his relationship with his girlfriend and cousin which made him more irritable by the day. He sighed and snapped his books shut. He checked his watch. It was still rather early and he wasn't tired. With another sigh, he pulled out a pen and parchment. He twirled the pen around in his fingers before he decided he wanted to send Cailyn a letter. He needed some form of contact with her and he sounded like a lovesick puppy but he didn't care, not anymore anyway. His family constantly sent letters asking about her and the next time they could see her.
Cailyn,
I miss you... He shook his head then crumbled up his paper and grabbed a fresh sheet.
Dear Cailyn,
It's Alex. He huffed angrily and tossed the parchment aside and grabbed another sheet. He took in a deep breath and tried again.
Dear Cailyn,
It's been a while since we had a chance to talk. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. Mom has been on me about my studies so I'm not quite free yet but I do miss you. How are you doing? Maybe one of these nights we can ditch studying and go meet at our normal spot, but I'll talk to you soon.
Alex
Alex looked over his letter and decided to go ahead and send it. He hated that they had to hide but he wasn't about to get her into any trouble. He opened the window and his owl perched on the window. He smiled and fed her before tying the letter to her leg.
"Take this to Cailyn and be careful, okay?" he told his owl. She gave a soft hoot then flew off. He smiled after her then opened up his books again and tried to focus again.
(Kate) Another Day
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 02-15-08 17:36
When Kate woke up this morning, she treated the day like any other. She tried to ignore the fact that she'd lost another perfect night's sleep from being unable to get comfortable in her bed. She showered, wishing she had more than the ice cold water that sprayed from the nozzle. She dressed, trying not to wish that she had a purple stripe on the hem of her robes. Breakfast was the usual occasion. She ate what she wanted from the poor allotment allowed her and did her best to shut out the aromatic smells that wafted over from the pureblood only dining tables.
She went to Charms after breakfast and learned all about dancing pineapples from Professor Flitwick. Kate noticed the weary look on the small wizard's face but didn't realize that more than the current conditions at Hogwarts were behind the expression. Kate didn't know that Flitwick had been among a group of wizards worrying over the famous Harry Potter. She also hadn't yet heard any of the rumors about nons being carted off to unknown locations for whatever dark purposes.
Kate went to History of Magic next and tried not to fall asleep in Professor Whitmen's class, though the lack of sleep during the night had begun to catch up to her.
After History of Magic, Kate went to Transfiguration. Professor McGonagall wore an expression on her face not unlike that of Professor Flitwick. Her face was drawn tight and there were more wrinkles on her forehead than usual. But Kate didn't see anything unusual in this. She just figured her teachers were a little burnt out, having mean old Snider for a boss. After receiving her homework assignment, to practice transfiguring a peanut into a teacup, Kate left Transfiguration for her dormitory and then the Great Hall.
After switching out her textbooks from her morning classes to her afternoon ones, Kate hurried to the Great Hall for lunch. She felt a tug on her sleeve and saw Gus standing behind her. He blocked much of the doorway on account of his bulk and illicited a few unkind remarks from the pures with whom he'd once been on friendly terms.
"Come on," Kate said, gesturing with her head for Gus to follow her to one of the tables. They really didn't hang out very much and weren't exactly what one would call friends, but Kate did feel pity for him, and Gus, sensing this, felt like he had no one else to whom he could go for understanding.
The bench groaned under Gus' weight. Kate sat down lightly next to him and helped herself to a sandwich and some crisps. She gave him what she didn't want, which seemed to suit him just fine. They didn't say a single word to one another.
After a while, Kate felt eyes on the back of her head and turned to find the source. She saw Mark seated diagonally across the room at one of the pureblood tables. He slowly looked away to add to the conversation he was having with a few other purebloods. Kate turned back around and took a sip of her juice.
Between Classes
Author: Fionna
Date: 02-16-08 14:47
On the walk from Potions to Defense Against the Dark Arts Catriona talks very quietly with Hunter Rabnott. "I thought for sure Professor Yaxley would at least be on a leave of absence Monday. Hard to believe he's still here."
Hunter looks to make sure no one's within earshot, especially that Mark Farnon. "I know. Deak said that he heard there's not even to be an inquiry."
"You think it really was an accident?"
"Maybe. Not sure. Would help if Professor Yaxley seemed even a little upset that Mrs. Lancaster died. Of course, he used a Unforgiveable Curse on a student so even if Mrs. Lancaster's death was an accident, the man should be on charges for that."
"Yeah," Cat says before adding with a little sniffle, "I quite liked her language club. I shall miss learning Mermish."
"I'll miss the club too. You're going to the memorial service?"
"Yes, and was thinking maybe we language club members could also pool our money and do something."
"Like what?"
"Don't know. Plant a tree or flowering bush? Some language books for the library? Maybe for a remembrance for her little boy we can take a copy of the club photo and make a booklet. We can each write something nice about her so years from now he can read for himself how much we liked her."
"That's a good idea," Hunter agree.
Reaching their Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, Hunter and Catriona go silent. They slow down, neither really wanting to go in and sit through an hour with a man who Crucioed a student and who might have purposely pushed a woman carrying a child down a staircase.
Questions
Author: Charlie Weasley
Date: 02-16-08 17:24
Charlie glances at the clock ticking away on the wall opposite the opening of the cubicle where he's been sitting for a a few hours. A woman by the name of Charity Sun snits, "Clock watching for a reason, Mr. Weasley?"
Within a minute of meeting Charity Sun, Charlie learned she's neither charitable nor sunny. She is a complete contradiction of her name, so dimetrically opposite Charlie secretly finds it amusing.
Slowly pulling his eyes from the clock to give the woman a frank stare, Charlie replies, "No reason other than I've been here since mid-morning and have had the same questions asked too many times to count; questions I've given an answer to each and every time they were asked."
Ms. Sun glowers at him. "Perhaps if you gave even one honest reply we'd be done by now."
"I've been honest."
"So where were you yesterday?"
"St. Emrys. It's final examinations week. I was available for any of my students who had questions and I had an exam to administer. That exam began at one."
"You weren't here at the Ministry? Disguised as a law enforcement officer, breaking Harry Potter out of holding?"
"No, I was not. This is the first time I've been in the Ministry in quite some time." Charlie shifts in the chair and sighs. "Look, I've given you a list of people who can corroborate that I was at St. Emrys yesterday."
Ms. Sun taps a quill against her list of questions, her very long list. Her lips purse together and her eyes narrow. "We'll figure out how you did it. You Weasleys and Sirius Black, and whomever else was in cahoots. You may go for now but watch your step, Charlie Weasley. I'll be watching you closely. I know you were part of the escape plan and I know you know where Potter is."
Charlie gives the woman a lazy smile, just to annoy her more. "I'll be happy to take Veritaserum."
"You think you're so smug. If I were to go and get some serum right now, would you still be smiling?"
Charlie's smile widens. "Go get some and find out."
Ms. Sun practically snarls, "You may go."
Charlie rises and leaves the cubicle, walking at a regular pace, a smirk on his lips now as he wonders if Charity Sun didn't bring out the truth serum because the Ministry is out of it and can't find a batch ready to use. Once in the Atrium, Charlie Floos back to St. Emrys to see if any students needed him while he was at the Ministry. After that, he'll go home, making sure to behave as normally he would any other Wednesday evening.
Going into Hiding
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 02-16-08 17:11
Hermione came in through the door to the Order's latest hideout, carrying what looked like very little when in fact, she'd utilized a number of spells and charmed luggage to bring as much of her life with her. Harry, alone in the house, seemed surprised and yet very grateful for Hermione's arrival. She dumped her things in a corner (with the exception of Crookshanks' carrier, which she set down gently and opened so he could stretch his legs) and went to Harry, hugging him tightly.
"Oh, Harry. I'm just so glad you're safe." She took a step back to study him, lines of worry creasing her forehead. "That Minister is a horrid woman, isn't she?"
"I won't deny it," Harry replied, running his hand through his dark hair. "I'm really glad you're here. I've been worried about you, Ron, Janine..."
Hermione nodding in understanding. "Sirius, Arthur and most of the others thought it might be a good idea if I went into hiding. I think they were hoping I'd flee to the Muggle World––beyond this house, I mean––where I should be safe. Honestly, I almost believe the Ministry of Magic will go to great lengths to find you, even if that means combing every inch of non-magical Britain. Besides, I'd rather be here with you than there, alone and wondering."
"I don't like that your association with me is causing problems for you," said Harry, looking not at all pleased with the situation.
"Stop." Hermione put her hands on his arms and gave them a gentle squeeze. "How long have we been friends? Ages and ages, right? Face it, Harry. I'm not going to abandon you, even when times are bad. Besides, what would you do without me?" She flashed him a smile, though she couldn't really hide the weariness that was deep within her. She dropped her arms to her side and sighed.
"Anyway, simply being a Muggle-born in the wizarding world is reason enough to go into hiding now."
Harry wrapped and arm around her shoulder and led her to a chair. "Unfortunately, you're right about that." He gently nudged his head to hers and added, "I'd have never passed any of my classes without you, and I'd be dead now besides. I am glad you're my friend. Tea?"
"Yes, please." Hermione allowed Harry to serve her while she thought about all the things she would miss while in hiding. Her clinical rotations at St. Mungo's. Her own flat in Hogsmeade. All of the books she'd been forced to leave behind. Walking freely anywhere. She laughed suddenly. For years, bad wizards like Bellatrix Lestrange had lived in hiding, unable to be seen in public or risk getting arrested. Now the roles were reversed. Hermione was in hiding, liable of getting sent away like the "nons" who'd worked at the Ministry of Magic and hadn't been seen or heard from since Monday or sent to Azkaban for vigilantism and who knew other charges, bogus or otherwise.
"What's so funny?" Harry asked, sitting down next to her with two cups and saucers in hand.
Hermione took hers and shook her head. "I was just thinking about how the world's gone topsy-turvy. Do you think it'll ever go right-side-up again?"
"It better," Harry replied simply.
The two friends sat at the table together, sipping their tea and talking about their very uncertain futures.
Still Can't Believe
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 02-16-08 19:00
Caerwyn pushes open the door to Twice Told Tales, his other hand firmly gripping Charlotte's much smaller one, who in turn is holding hands with Grace. Julian hurries over to hold the door. "I was just about to walk to Blossom's and get you."
Caerwyn, his cheeks apple red from the chill wind, smiles. "I told Mrs. Weasley I would be all right bringing the girls such a short distance. She did watch us though."
Caerwyn turns to help Grace off with her coat as Julian kneels in front of Charlotte to do the same for her. To Caerwyn he says, "Thank you."
"Yes, thank you, Caerwyn" Lysander says, coming from around a bookcase.
Charlotte lights up at the sight of her father and runs on her chubby toddler legs to envelop him in a hug. Grace, who's already given Julian a kiss, is already out of sight, calling, "Dexter? Dexter?"
The cat darts out from the office, a blur of movement, as he follows Grace's voice to find her. Charlotte takes off after Dexter leaving Caerwyn standing there shifting his glance between Julian and Lysander. A heartbeat later he's politely asking, "May I be excused?"
"Of course you may, Caerwyn. Dinner is soon. Briar's bringing soup and roast beef."
"Sounds quite nice."
Another heartbeat, filled with an awkward silence then Caerwyn goes off in search of the girls who can be heard giggling over something Dexter is doing. Julian reaches over and flips the sign on the door to CLOSED and locks it. When he turns, Lysander is standing there watching.
"What?"
"Still not sure what to make of each other are you?" he asks in a tone low enough not to carry to wherever the children are.
"No, not really. I still can't believe the paternity test result. I was so sure it would back negative." Julian steps closer to Lysander and drops his voice to a near whisper. "I was so sure that somehow Afton survived afterall and having the twisted mind she did, used her metamorphmagus ability to present herself as this boy."
"Even though she was killed as she was?" Lysander asks in a roundabout way. Even though they are talking so quietly, there's no reason to speak aloud the fact that Julian had killed Afton with Avada Kedavra.
"Yes."
Julian runs a hand through his hair. "I wish I could remember..."
Julian stops talking as all three kids and the cat come speeding out from one aisle. As they start going in circles around the counter Julian suggests, "How about we head upstairs and set the table for supper? Briar should be here soon."
Lysander catches a giggling Charlotte and hoists her onto his shoulders. Julian grabs Grace and then after a brief hesitation, grabs Caerwyn as well, carrying them both like sacks of flour, following Lysander and Charlotte up the stairs with Dexter on their heels.