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Monday Making Amends
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 03-29-08 17:55
Orei escaped the warmth of the green house and sighed. She was frustrated and in truth all of her friends had gone else where. She couldn't be seen with Titus and Artemis at all because they were nons, and in truth they feared being singled out by the Carrows, and Maddie had joined that stupid P.U.R.E club and had seemingly forgotten that Orei was even around. The only steady thing she still had was Brett, and she could at least see him on a weekly basis, his school schedule allowing given that the new term at St. Emry's just started today.
"Orei?" She heard a voice and turned around, she rolled her eyes when she saw it was Maddie.
"What Maddie? Going to try and get me to join P.U.R.E again? I've already told you that I'm not interested. I've no desire to be in something that goes against everything I was ever taught." She made to keep moving, but Maddie's hand on her arm stopped her.
"I'm not part of P.U.R.E any more Orei. Yeah, the trips were nice, but I remember what it was like to be on the non end of things at the beginning of the term. I'm sorry, I really am." Maddie said softly, her head hanging. "Forgive me?"
Orei stood for a moment, watching Maddie, it had taken months for her to realize what Orei had said from the beginning. Hell, the four of them had even debated about the stupid club when the fliers went up originally. Maddie had gone out and joined because she said "she wanted to see what it was like." But Orei knew that it had most likely been Peter Allen, the Slytherin boy that Maddie's been mad for lately, who had convinced her to join because he was a member.
"Given up on Peter then? Finally come to your senses? If not, then we aren't going to be able to be friends." Orei said and moved away from Maddie who quickly chased after her.
"Orei, Peter and I are done, broke up two weeks ago because I wouldn't go to Hogsmeade with him, I chose to study for my History of Magic test instead. We got into a fight and he said he made a mistake dating a Gryffindor."
Orei stayed silent for a moment and hugged Maddie. "Alright, but I swear, you go starkers again and start dating another Slytherin I'm gonna curse you myself." Of course she wouldn't actually, but it did get both girls smiling. "Early lunch then study for the quiz today in Arithmancy?" Orei suggested as they headed toward the Castle and the Great Hall.
(Brisbane, Australia) Missing Trinity Term
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 03-29-08 18:26
Sliding the glass door all the way open, Bronwyn stepped inside the flat she shared with her husband and their cat. The nights had begun to grow even the cooler than usual, on account of the coming winter. She slid the door shut behind her and padded into her bedroom, where she stepped into the closet and pulled a pale pink cardigan off a hanger. She slipped it on, rubbed her arms, and went back into the living room to snuggle against Toby on the couch.
Not stopping to read from the well-worn paperback novel in his hand, Toby nevertheless draped an arm around Bronwyn's shoulders.
"Today would have been the first day of my last term at St. Emrys," Bronwyn said softly. "Well, I guess it still would be my first day." It was around 10 pm in Brisbane, but only about 12 noon in Stratford-upon-Avon. It was probably also a lovely spring day and not the backwards autumn-like weather of most of the countries in the Southern Hemisphere.
Toby shut his novel with one hand and lay the book aside. He wrapped his now-free arm around Bronwyn so that he was hugging her tightly and pressed his lips to her hair. "I hope one day you can go back and finish," he murmured.
"So do I," Bronwyn replied. "I just wonder if I'll ever get the chance." She sighed quietly, reliving the flight from her Hammersmith home. She shuddered, causing Toby to hold her even more tightly.
He didn't say anything and only kissed her head again.
"I'm a fugitive. I can't return to my own country without risking arrest or worse."
"Do you want to go home? I mean, as long as things are the way they are?" Toby queried softly.
Bronwyn shook her head. "No, I wouldn't dare, and it's not the home I've known and loved. I will wait a lifetime if I have to before I go back. I just wish..."
"I know."
She didn't have to finish her thoughts because anyone, not just Toby who probably knew her best, could figure out what she wanted most. She wanted a reunion with her parents and her brother. She'd give anything for them to move to Brisbane, so that they could return to being the happy family they'd always been. Bronwyn sighed again and shut her eyes, silently hoping that her family was all right.
Return to St. Emrys
Author: Anthony Beck
Date: 03-30-08 08:04
His books spread out before him on a table in the library, Anthony attempted to do his readings and other assignments for his classes. Today was the very first day of Trinity Term at St. Emrys, and it was decidedly different than all the other first days of terms since Anthony began at the university. Most notably, the corridors were practically deserted without the so-called nons able to continue their education. Anthony's classes were small, too––almost miniscule. Half the teaching staff was gone, either arrested or carted off to Merlin-knows-where. In sum, St. Emrys was an eerie sort of place now.
Perhaps the main reason for Anthony's discomfort and lack of concentration was the fact that he could still recall Katherine's failed protest as if it had occurred just yesterday. He hadn't been identified as one of the participants, and there hadn't been any proof that he'd taken part in it. All remnants of the protest itself, the graffiti some of the members had painted on the wall, had been scrubbed clean during the break between Hilary and Trinity. It was as if it had never happened.
Anthony still felt guilty for walking free while his half-sister sat in Azkaban. He hoped that she wasn't treated ill, and that she would be released in October as scheduled. Sometimes he debated turning himself into the authorities, but he knew that Katherine would want him to remain on the outside, even if he never raised his voice against the Ministry of Magic again. He wished he could freely continue her work in her absence without fear, but he knew that the world had only gotten darker since Katherine's arrest. She wasn't the only pureblood to find herself behind bars these days, and more were following in her footsteps each day. Things had gotten very, very serious.
Anthony leaned back in his chair and shut his eyes for a moment. He breathed in and out and then opened his eyes and leaned over his books. He'd had three classes this morning, Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts, Stealth and Tracking, and Advanced Transfiguration III. Tomorrow he would only have two classes, Government III and History of Magic III. He wondered if the government's current state would be incorporated into both of tomorrow's classes, or if modern history would be in a later version of each course.
He shook his head, attempting to push all unncessary thoughts from his mind. Anthony had work to do, and it would take him ages to do it if he didn't focus right now. He picked up his quill and started scrawling notes from his readings.
The Foxes Meet Charlotte
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 03-30-08 12:03
Michael and Dawn Fox sat on a golden antique Louis XVI loveseat in their Ashton-Hotwell rowhouse with Charlotte Stratford between them. Lysander, sitting uncomfortably on a matching armchair adjacent to Michael, watched his well-behaved daughter get to know her grandparents better. The Foxes had met Charlotte before, when she'd been but an infant and in her mother's care. At the time, and indeed ever since, they'd been led to believe that Charlotte's father was a deceased rock musician. Charlotte's uncle, who'd learned the truth about her true ancestry around the time Lysander had learned it himself, had never said a word about it to his parents. In point of fact, Michael and Dawn were led to believe that their daughter had given Charlotte up for adoption before moving abroad.
Lysander didn't want to know where Charlotte's mother––or uncle, for that matter––was. He didn't care, and he certainly didn't even intend on allowing her to see Charlotte again. Michael and Dawn, not knowing how badly things had been between Charlotte's parents, were soon informed, in as gentle a manner, of how Charlotte came to be in Lysander's custody. Lysander had nothing against Michael and Dawn, who did not seem at all like their wayward twin children. He'd certainly had his doubts about talking to them, and even more so about allowing them to reunite with Charlotte. Only when they promised to tell him everything about their ancestry if he would bring her to Ashton-Hotwell for a visit, did he agree to their terms. Charlotte's well-being was at the forefront of his mind, though he was already somewhat comforted in knowing that neither Michael nor Dawn were in Azkaban or missing, like so many wizards were these days.
Michael and Dawn were purebloods, through and through. They had all the documentation to prove it, too. Charlotte was safe from persecution, and she would be able to live a good life, even better than she'd had when pures and nons had been treated almost equally. Relief coursed through Lysander with the knowledge that he wouldn't have to protect his daughter from the law. She was already very much protected.
"I think I understand why you kept Charlotte to yourself," Dawn murmured, looking up from Charlotte to meet Lysander's concerned gaze. "I don't blame you for worrying that my daughter might return and attempt to regain custody of your child." She sighed as her eyes slid away from Lysander's face, seemingly glancing at nothing at all. "She has had a troubled adulthood, but I think her time away has much improved her, emotionally."
Dawn looked back at Lysander, and for a moment he thought she might ask him to make amends so that Charlotte could get to know her mother. Dawn didn't, though. Instead she said, "It would make me very glad if you would allow us to stay in Charlotte's life." As she spoke, she indicated to Michael and herself.
Lysander's greatest fear was that news of his visit would reach Charlotte's mother and that she would begin to make inquiries. If she and her arse of a brother weren't in the picture, he wouldn't have any problem staying in contact with the Foxes. He waited a long moment before answering, and what left his lips was a bold-faced lie. "Of course. Charlotte should know her grandparents."
Relief flooded Dawn's face. She exchanged a genuinely happy smile with her husband, which ought to have made Lysander guilty for lying, but he didn't. All he wanted was to take Charlotte and get the hell out of Ashton-Hotwell.
Pair work
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 03-30-08 14:05
Johanna went with Felicia to the dungeons. They passed threw Bianca which was alone.
In the begging of the school year Bianca Bonfamille and Johanna were very close but, when things changed in Hogwarts, Bianca chose her blood status instead of friendship. Johanna didn’t blame Bianca. It was exactly what she would do. She preferred being alone with honours and privileges than with friends. “Typically Slytherin mentality!” like her brother would say.
Bianca and her trade a look but didn’t say anything to each other.
Waiting on the dungeons for Professor Carrow they start talking of the Saturday match.
“And when Daria caught the snitch, remember? For a moment I tough Orei had catch it first!” says Felicia.
Gus joins them. Although Johanna knows Gus wouldn’t talk to her she doesn’t send him away.
She looks trough the corridor. The 1st year Slytherin pures are waiting for they professor too. Now Bianca isn’t alone anymore, Johanna notices. She’s talking with Mark Farnon.
Professor Carrow appears and orders the students to enter in the classroom.
They sat near the cauldrons.
“Well, today you are going to do a potion in pairs that is in the book on page 101.” Johanna joins with Felicia.
Carrow looking at the girls and another students that are in pairs says: “Please go back to your inicial places! It’s me who chooses who is with who. Miss Steele you’ll work with Mr. Van Tassel and Miss Flaversham with …”
Johanna joins Gus with reluctance. He opens is book.
“So what’s the potion name?” She asks.
He responds and they start working together. For one hour she forgets that they aren’t angry with each other. Their potion was one of the bests in class. Carrow doesn’t give points to anyone in the class. Although the students are getting used to it. Carrow is for the pures.
The potions class ends and they left the dungeons.
In the way to defence against the dark arts Felicia comments: “You and Gus behave well together today. I’ll bet next time you’ll be friends again. You know that he’s just acting like that because is worried about his family.”
Johanna nods and answers sadly: “We all are Felicia.”
Time Heals
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 04-01-08 18:28
"What's wrong?"
Bill had come in from outside, where he'd been watering the plants on the terrace, to find Fleur sitting on the couch in tears. His first instinct was that something had happened to someone close to them. Someone had been arrested or gone missing or worse, died. He sank onto the cushion next to Fleur and put his arm around her shoulders, drawing her close.
It was then that he noticed something on the rug in front of the fireplace. Rémy's fishbowl was in pieces, and water soaked the carpet. The rainbow oranda was no where in sight. Nearby, away from the wetness, sat Marguerite. She licked her fur. Bill could now guess what had happened.
"Marguerite ate Rémy!" Fleur cried into Bill's shoulder. He rubbed his hand in small circles on her back in an attempt to soothe her. "Our first baby is gone!"
Bill rememered when he'd first brought Rémy home to the house he and Fleur shared in Hogsmeade. They'd joked that the fish was their test baby. If they could keep it alive, then they were probably responsible enough to raise a human baby.
"It's not your fault," Bill murmured. "Marguerite only acted on instinct. It's the circle of life."
"I know," Fleur replied, sniffling, "but we should have protected Rémy better."
Bill nodded, and said nothing because he didn't think there was much they could have done. Marguerite had had an eye on the fish since she first saw it, and it had only been a matter of time before she'd made a meal out of Rémy. Bill held Fleur until she finished crying and then helped her clean up the mess Marguerite had made. He briefly considered offering to get Fleur a new fish but knew that she probably didn't want to replace Rémy. She simply needed time to heal, and Bill would give her all the time she needed.