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(Seattle, Washington) Time To Leave
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 07-20-08 16:47
“MOM!” I sat up suddenly, blankets falling to the floor. The room spun for only a moment before stopping. “This has got to stop,” I mumbled. I pushed the mountain of blankets off me before crawling out of bed.
My feet hit the icy floor and jumped back up, “And I have to stop reminding myself to get a damn rug and just go buy one.” I stood up on the ice block called a floor and walked out of my bedroom. Walked down the hallway, and down the stairs to the kitchen.
The kitchen looked like a mess. Dirty dishes piled in the sink, food wrappers all over the counters and table, garbage overfull, like no one was around to clean it up. I knew if my mom saw the kitchen looking like this I would be killed. She wasn’t here though, neither was my father or sister. So, I figured, it didn’t matter what the kitchen looked like as long as it was clean when they got back.
I walked to the fridge and grabbed the jug of orange juice and took a swig. After all, no one else was here to drink it, and it kept me from having to wash something else. I walked out of the kitchen and into the living room before plopping down on my favorite recliner.
As I sat there, my thoughts drifted back to the dream that woke me up. Thankfully it was only a dream. Not… something else. The dream was about my mother, who was at this time in England. I dreamt my mother was captured and taken to some… internment camp or something, like my sister and father had been.
Something was going on in England, I didn’t know what exactly, but from what I could gather, people who could perform magic that had someone in their family that couldn’t within so many generations was taken to some kind of prison camp. I didn’t know enough of the details to be certain that was it, but it was enough that I was worried about the best friend I had that lived there. She would be in trouble.
At first, I was happy to be in the States when all the trouble started, I didn’t have to worry about anything. My entire family was not in any danger, until my father was forced by work to make a trip to England. He didn’t want to go, but they said he was the only one that could. So, he did. My sister went with him, to act as a bodyguard.
Anyone that knew my sister knew she was a force to be reckoned with. It wasn’t enough. I knew before they left I wouldn’t see them again for a long time. Somehow, I knew. It was some kind of hallucination, or premonition as my mom calls them. I told them both, but they didn’t listen.
Then, when we didn’t hear anything from them for a couple of days, my mom checked with the entire family. Both of them had vanished without a trace. They checked out of the hotel, but never arrived at the airport. So, my mom went looking for them. It’s been two months since she left. She hasn’t found anything yet. Only problem is she’s found too many clues to come back home. Plus my mom will not rest until her greatest love and beloved child are found.
So, here I sit, disheveled with a jug of OJ sitting in a recliner in a dirty house for my own safety. “Alright mom, I can hear you from Britain to clean up the damn house.” I stood up and walked back into the kitchen to put the juice away. I had grown into talking to myself in the near solitude of two months. I was surprised to find I’m an excellent conversationalist.
“Alrighty, let’s get started with… dishes? No, table? Wait, counter…” I looked around the kitchen at everything before settling on the garbage, “No, garbage. I’m gonna need a stupid dumpster to clean this up. And the bathroom, and living room…”
Having started before 5AM, I spent the entire morning cleaning. By the time the clock hit noon, the kitchen was Martha Stewart clean, the living room right out of one of them tacky decorating magazines, and the bathroom from… well, I don’t know from what, but you could eat off the floor in there, if it wasn’t, you know, gross.
“Well! There’s the highlight of my day,” I said to the now clean living room, “Now to find something to eat!” I walked into the sparkling kitchen and sighed. It reminded me too much of my missing family. In fact, the whole house did. I’d even spent time in my sister’s room. I actually missed her. Suddenly, I wasn’t so hungry.
I walked into the living room and dropped in the recliner, “If only Bron could see me now…” I sighed aloud, “She’d be the first to drag me to the mall in an effort to cheer me up,” a half smile crept onto my face, “Or take me to the lake to go guy watching,” I held back a small laugh at the thought. I suddenly sighed again, “Damn it, now I miss Bronwyn again. I hope she’s ok too.”
I suddenly stood up, “Ok! I need out of this house for a good long time. I’m so depressed being here I’m making myself sad,” I paused for a moment, “Which, is the same as depressed… which... makes no sense. Oh well.” I walked up stairs to my room and for the first time in what seems like years, I made my bed. I wasn’t going to be sleeping in it tonight.
I walked to my dresser and pulled out a wooden box. Opening the box revealed six crystal balls on the bottom half, and a mirror strapped onto the top half. I grabbed the mirror because the crystal balls and I weren’t talking for the moment. I walked out into the back yard and sat down. Concentrating, I was able to get the mirror to react. “Alright, I need you to help me find my friend.” It responded quickly with images of… koala bears? Followed by images of some dogs? Then an image of the Sydney Opera House flashed past before the mirror showed only my face.
“Well well! Looks like I’m going to Australia! Never been there before,” I said standing up. I walked back into the house and grabbed the cordless phone out of the kitchen and dialed my old friend, Rich.
“Hello Dee, it’s good to hear from you again,” He answered, “Heard anything new?”
“Hi Rich, no, sorry. Not a thing,” I told him, walking towards my room, “I actually need a favor. Would you mind booking me a flight to Sydney, Australia?”
“I guess I can do that… wait, Australia?” He asked.
“Well, because,” I paused as I put the mirror back in its box, “I want to go there. Besides, it’ll get me out of this house.”
“You know, I’ve offered you a job with the business to get you out of that house.”
“Oh yeah, me driving people around wouldn’t work. I can’t drive a limo, and I don’t like monkey suits, you know that.”
“Doesn’t mean I can’t offer,” he paused a moment, “Australia was it? I’m guessing you’ll need a lift to the airport too then?”
“If it’s no bother?”
“Dee, for you, it’s never a bother. Just do your packing, and I’ll make the arrangements. I’ll give you a call in a bit to let you know what the arrangements are.”
“Thanks Rich, I knew I could count on you. Just put the ride on my tab?”
“What tab?” He laughed a little, “Don’t worry about it, we’re wasting time, I’ll call you in a bit.” With that, he hung up. I put the phone down on top of my dresser and made way for my closet. I had a bag to pack, and then a shower to take before Rich called back.
Bad News
Author: Janine Fox
Date: 07-20-08 18:25
“Kip drank all the milk again!”
“Well, Beulah ate all the cereal!”
Janine watched Ron and Ginny banter only the way two siblings can and gave Harry an exaggerated eye-roll. She still wasn’t exactly sure how those two had come about their alias names, but she knew one thing – she wasn’t letting either of them pick hers!
Rolling her cup of coffee between her hands, she glanced at Harry who was reading the morning paper, cup inches away from his hand. It was a common scene for them; a scene that had played out over and over again in their cottage when they had both lived there. Tuning out the background noise Janine could almost imagine that they were alone in their cottage, enjoying a typical morning. Somewhere in the background Rocko would be barking, and Pinky would be bustling about in the kitchen getting breakfast ready. Afterwards, Harry would fold the paper up, kiss the top of her head and head out for work while she lingered over one last coffee before heading out herself.
Sighing softly to herself, she lifted her mug and slowly sipped the steaming coffee. A knock at the side door made everyone jolt in surprise.
Ginny was the first to take out her wand, closely followed by Harry. They instinctively moved together towards the door, one on each side. Janine hastily hit the ground as she moved towards the furthest corner of the kitchen. She was defenseless, having left her wand in the bedroom. Ron had quickly left the room, probably to track down Hermione who was taking a shower.
Janine watched as Harry exchanged a look with Ginny, and mouthed something to her without speaking aloud. Ginny made a signal that Janine vaguely recalled learning months ago, but couldn’t recall the meaning of it now. Her heart pounding loudly, she watched as Harry opened the door, Ginny falling back to cover him.
Silence filled the room, and Janine thought she would faint until Harry said a name she hadn’t heard in months.
“Pinky?”
As Harry pushed the door open, Janine could feel her mouth drop open as a distraught Pinky entered the kitchen. Rocko was limping in beside him, his ear torn and bloody. Pressing a hand to her mouth, Janine tried to muffle her cry of alarm. Rocko, after surveying the room, sighed softly and lowered his body to the floor. A continuous wheezing whine could be heard as he breathed in and out.
Dropping to his knees, Harry took Pinky by the shoulders, now at eye-level with him. “How did you find us Pinky? What are you doing here?”
But Pinky looked past Harry, his big wide eyes seeking out Janine. Janine could feel the gasp that caught in her throat, and frozen with fear all she could do was wait as Harry released Pinky and let him move towards her. Wringing his hands anxiously, he began to speak.
“I tried Miss Janine. And Rocko was so brave! If Pinky hadn’t pulled Rocko away in time…” He pulled on his ear before continuing. “Pinky couldn’t save them. Pinky was too late. And Rocko was too late. Pinky and Rocko had to leave or else… or else…” Moaning loudly, Pinky sank to the floor.
Feeling the tears rolling down her cheeks, Janine finally managed to whisper the question she was afraid to ask. “Are my parents dead?” The question hung in the room. Everyone had gathered now. Ron with his arm protectively around Hermione, Ginny and Harry too. They all made a circle around Janine and Pinky as they too waited for the answer.
“Pinky did not see any dead bodies. Pinky only saw them taken away. But Pinky couldn’t stop them. Pinky was too late.” With that said, Pinky fell to the ground, sobbing loudly.
Numbly, Janine stared in front of her. She could see Hermione on the floor next to Pinky, trying to console him. Janine could also feel Harry kneeling beside her, trying to make her move, whispering words she couldn’t hear. Everyone was crowding closer, closing in, suffocating her. She tried to stand but the room tilted sharply. Darkness overcame her until she could hear and see no more.
Wondering about chickens and other things
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 07-21-08 07:28
The days at Happy Haven seemed to pass very slowly. Every day, before getting up, Johanna asked herself if she wasn’t having a nightmare or something. Useless: Happy Haven was real.
Today she was going to have Potions, Home Ec, and Shop.
Johanna missed the subjects she had at Hogwarts: Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts and specially History of Magic.
She was feeding the chickens with other girls. Some of their faces were familiar to Johanna: she had classes with them or were from their house. Others don’t. But it didn’t matter now. They were on the same boat: they slept on the same dormitory, shared tasks and classes. And most of all shared the same despair, the same sadness…
Looking at a white chicken she wondered if the chickens were intelligent like owls. Maybe they could deliver letters to other wizards or witches… Maybe…
“I’m becoming crazy! Chickens delivering mail…For God sake.”
Even Colin ,the boy who was excited for having classes with other students, looked unhappy.
For how long would they be on this situation?
She felt like a toy in the hands of the pure wizards/witches. Her life and future depended on their will…
She concentrated again on her task. One mistake and she could be cursed! She missed her father, her mother and John…
She wished to return to Hogwarts, not the one she knew last year, but the one her father and brother had told her about, with a fair headmaster and fair rules. Albus Dumbledore…Johanna had heard a lot about him, although she had never seen him. Was he a myth? “No, that’s rubbish. I remember John talking about him. And there are some older students here who talk about him too.”
She remembered a boy who was cursed because he said Dumbledore’s name loud.
“Better save all these thoughts for me!”
Finishing feeding the chickens she returns with the others inside. It was time for the Potions class.
Demiguise
Author: Jolyon
Date: 07-21-08 07:37
"Thank you Haru. Right over there is fine."
Jolyon watched as his colleague from the Fuji Wildlife Park in Japan settled a large bamboo cage behind an enclosure on the Hogwarts grounds. The cage appeared empty, but a magical creature known as a demiguise sat inside it. Demiguises, when not invisible, resembled apes. They had large black eyes and long silky hair used to weave invisibility cloaks. Jolyon's sixth years would learn about demiguises in this afternoon's class and would, hopefully, get a chance to see one too. Hopefully the peaceful beast would show himself during class.
"I trust you didn't have any trouble bringing him into the country?" Jolyon asked his friend, after Haru finished with the cage and unloaded a small crate of Japanese fruits and plants for the demiguise to eat.
"We filed all the necessary paperwork with our Ministry and yours. Since he's only on loan for eduational purposes, it was easy to obtain the permit." Haru used his wand to fill up a water bowl for the demiguise. "There. That should do it."
"Excellent. Thank you again."
Haru smiled. "Not a problem. Your class is when?"
Jolyon flipped up his wrist to study the crystal face of his watch. "3:30, and over at 5."
"I'll be in the village, should you need me for anything. I'll stop by this evening to check on him."
"He's in good hands. Don't you worry!"
"I believe it." Haru smiled again and with a short wave, walked away from the enclosure near the barn where indoor Care of Magical Creatures classes would be taught. Jolyon turned away from his colleague and studied the seemingly empty cage.
"Well, my friend. Won't you show yourself?"
He saw a mutsu apple lift itself from the basket just outside the ape's cage. He heard a loud crunch and saw bits of juice and flecks of apple fall to the floor of the bamboo cage.
"Maybe after your lunch then?" Jolyon laughed and headed for what had previously been known as Hagrid's hut. Many of the half-giant's possessions remained, including his boarhound Fang, who had easily taken a liking to Jolyon, even though he didn't at all like the idea of not having his master around anymore.
Professor Snider had suggested Jolyon turn the hut into an office––that, or burn it to the ground. She'd told him all about Hagrid's arrest, which Jolyon had also remembered reading in the Daily Prophet. Jolyon didn't want to disturb Hagrid's things too much (he'd remembered Hagrid as the gamekeeper during his own time as a student at Hogwarts), but he did find the hut conveniently placed. He'd carefully moved about a few things to give himself ample space for writing his lesson plans and marking papers. Much else, he left alone, though the urge to tidy up a bit came over him from time to time.
Jolyon fixed himself a quick, toasted sandwich of ham and cheese with lettuce and tomato and a few crisps on the side. He fixed one for Fang too, and then after eating and making sure he had everything he needed for his one class this afternoon, he set back out for the pen to see if the demiguise had finally decided to reveal himself.
Taking Pea Home (Abigail)
Author: Jared
Date: 07-21-08 08:50
Abigail Wynbourne paces, Coco's dog Pea cradled in her arms. Reaching a window that looks out on the front yard Abigail stops and pensively looks out. Stroking the dog's head, Abigails says to Pea, "I never thought myself this much of a coward."
Taking a deep breath to muster all her courage, Abigail with Pea disapparates.
When school ended this past summer, Jared and Etta had taken Pea into the Hogwarts Express with them. They'd done it because if something happened, Coco didn't want Pea being punished along with her. Jared later told Abigail that he'd rarely seen the vivacious Ravenclaw visibly let anything bother her but handing Pea over to the Wynbournes had been clearly emotional for Coco.
As it turned out, it was good that her children had taken temporary custody of Pea. The Express stopped along the route and the train cars with the Nons were unhooked. Many, including Abigail, thought those students were simply taken somewhere for the summer but would be back at Hogwarts come September 1st.
As the summer progressed Pea had become depressed. Etta had said that Coco talked with Pea about why he was going to be with the Wynbournes for the train ride and possibly afterwards but that hadn't stopped Pea from missing Coco. With Abigail thinking the two would be reunited soon, she'd not taken the dog to Coco's grandfather. If he knew that Coco had parted with Pea, he would know the situation was much worse than whatever it was the families of the Muggle-borns were told about why their children weren't returning from school.
With September here and Pea's depression now affecting his health, Abigail knew she needed to take Pea to see Mr. Nutt in hopes that will boost the small dog's mood. Abigail's hesitation - what she thinks of as her cowardice - stems from going to visit a Muggle man at his Muggle house in a Muggle neighborhood.
Passing into the Muggle world can't be avoided unless in an all Wizarding setting such as Hogsmeade. Going to a Muggle household is something altogether different. If found out would Abigail be whisked away? Snatched with Gawain left wondering where his wife has gone?
Abigail and Pea appear in the backyard of the Nutt house. She'd been there before and knew it's relatively shielded from other eyes who might wonder how it is a woman and dog appeared out of thin air. Abigail knocks for several minutes before walking around the house to make the short trip to the store Mr. Nutt co-owns. Pea has already perked up some just seeing the home so Abigail feels he'll be even more buoyed at seeing Mr. Nutt.
Reaching Nutt's & Bolt's Abigail pushes through the door, eyes taking a moment to adjust to the difference in lighting. She spots Wal Nutt towards the back, talking with two people Abigail met when visiting the Nutt home the last time, Abe and Mitzi Bolt.
Approaching, Abigail greets them. "Mr. Nutt, Mr. and Mrs. Bolt, I'm Abigail Wynbourne. We met at your house Mr. Nutt when my kids Jared and Etta were visiting Coco."
Pea is excitedly wiggling in Abigail's arms so she puts the dog down. He prances over to wiggle and waggle around the three pairs of feet whose owners are staring blankly at Abigail.
Wal Nutt shakes his head, brow creased in a deep frown. "I'm sorry but I don't know who you are. Who is Coco?"
Mitzi Bolt adds, "We don't allow pets in the shop unless its a service animal."
Abigail scoops up Pea. "Coco. As in your granddaughter Coco, Mr. Nutt."
"You definately have me confused with someone else, ma'am. I don't have any grandchildren."
These words startle Abigail so much that for a full minute she can't get any words out. When it sinks in what the Ministry must have done, Abigail is shocked to the point she's speechless for even longer.
Taking Care of Rocko
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 07-21-08 14:33
Harry quickly moves to pick up Janine's crumpled form. Ron rushes to help but Harry shakes his head to wave Ron off. "Take the invisibility cloak and do a patrol. Make sure Pinky and Rocko weren't followed."
To Ginny's eyes, Hermione went so rapidly from being beside Pinky to checking out Janine as Harry carried her to a couch that it was as if Hermione had apparated the short distance. Not wanting to get in Hermione's way while she tends to Janine, Ginny replaces Hermione with attempts to console Pinky.
The House Elf stands with large eyes getting more and more watery by the second, wringing his hands and repeating, "Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear... ."
Nothing Ginny says helps until she offers, "I'll get Rocko tended to, shall I?"
"Rocko was so brave," Pinky practically wails.
A hand on her shoulder has Ginny looking up into Harry's concerned green eyes. "Let's look in the listings for a vet."
Harry gets the telephone directory that came with the house rental. Ginny looks over his shoulder, watching with interest as he finds the veterinary entries. "Should we do close or somewhat away? Hand me that map, will you?"
Ginny retrieves the map and helps Harry locate some of the places. "How about this one? Not too far, yet also not close. Rocko and I can get one of those taxicabs."
"I know you have money on you but let me get you more. Ring me if it's still not enough. You have this number memorized?"
"All right, and yes."
"I'm going to see about getting Pinky calm enough to answer some questions. He's so upset right now he might be forgetting important details."
Ginny nods, her mind running through a list of things around the rental that might work as a dog lead. That's when she remembers seeing dogs leads on a rack in one of those convenience shops just down the way. It's the direction she's going to hail the taxicab.
Talking in a soothing tone to Rocko, Ginny gets him to follow her, setting her pace by the dog's slow limp. They've only just reached the walkway in front of the house when Harry comes out after her.
"Be careful coming back. Watch for traps. If we aren't here go to the next place we've selected."
Ginny gives a short, simple, "Right," then continues on with the Rocko. When they reach the shop, Rocko sits outside the entrance while Ginny pops quickly in to buy the dog lead. Two of taxicabs refuse to take a massive dog that's bleeding but the third agrees.
At the vet's office, Ginny is happy to find no one waiting. The young man behind the desk asks, "Been here before?"
"No, we're just visiting the area."
"I saw he was limping. Anything else?"
Ginny shows the guy Rocko's ear. "We were taking a walk and another dog came after us."
"Come this way. I'll get more of the particulars after we get... What's his name?"
Ginny decides on the spot to give Rocko an alias. "Tiny."
The young man snorts with amusement. "Good name for him, eh? And your name?" he asks, pen poised over the clipboard on which he's writing.
"Anastasia Kipperson."
By this time a woman has joined them in the room where the young man - call me Kev - has led them. She smiles warmly, bending already over Rocko's mangled ear. "I'm Dr. Silsbury. This looks rather nasty."
Dr. Silsbury gets Rocko's ear and leg fixed up, then explains to Ginny the medications she's sending along and instructs, "In about ten days you may take out the stitches yourself or bring Tiny in for me or one of my associates."
"Thank you, Dr. Silsbury. Come on, Tiny, time to get going."
Ginny settles the bill with Kev and gets a lunch invitation in the process. Outside again it doesn't take all that long to find another taxicab. As Rocko settles his bulk against Ginny, groggy from one of the shots he'd been given, Ginny wonders if they are going back to an empty house or not. If not, she knows they will be moving again before nightfall as a precaution. Once settled at the next location, Ginny is going to have fun torturing Ron with his full alias of Kip Kipperson. If Pinky does remember details that indicate Janine's parents were killed, Ginny will, of course, wait to torment Ron further.
Ginny gets the taxicab driver to let Rocko and her off a block from the rental house. On the slow, cautious approach to it, Ginny hopes that whatever Harry got out of Pinky is encouraging. It's bad if the Foxes were arrested but are alive but at least there's hope of getting them back if that's the case.