|
|
Living History
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 07-26-08 11:11
Hermione wrapped the sleeves of her birthday coat around her middle and knotted them together so that the coat would stay put. In the last couple of weeks it had already grown much cooler, though when one did a lot of walking, one tended to warm up enough that a jacket wasn't always necessary.
As a post birthday outing, the gang, including Janine who still didn't know much about what had happened to her parents and who needed a great deal of cheering up and distraction herself, went to the Cosmeston Medieval Village, a living history site near Lavernock in the Vale of Glamorgan, where the small group still resided for the moment.
Remains of the village had been discovered during the 1980s by an archaeological team. The village was reconstructed thereafter and served as a recreation of fourteenth century peasant life. Reenactors went about their lives in the village and showed any visitors what ordinary living was like seven centuries ago.
"Just imagine," Ron told Hermione, as they walked into one of the small homes, where a man and his daughter were baking bread, "at age 23, you'd have been married many years already and had several kids by now!"
Harry, Ginny, and even Janine chuckled.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Maybe I'd have died of some horrid disease or in childbirth. Most people didn't live to be very old in those days."
She immediately regretted the words, sensing that Janine's thoughts had traveled elsewhere. Pinky had explained all he knew to the small group after he'd first found them, but it hadn't been enough to truly know what had befallen the Foxes. At least Rocko seemed to have recovered from his injuries, though even after a couple of weeks, the mastiff wasn't quite back to his normal self again.
Too distract her friend, Hermione seized her by the arm and took her to a table with samples of freshly baked bread. Uncut loaves cooled on wooden cutting boards, but some were already sliced up and placed into several wooden bowls for visitors to sample.
"Try this one," Hermione said, picking up a small rectangle for Janine. Janine took the wholegrain piece of bread from Hermione and nibbled it, and then Hermione grabbed a piece for herself. "Mmm. This is surprisingly good."
"Let me try," Ron said. He ended up sampling every kind of bread available and left the small house with a tummy ache. "I think we need to find the tavern next," he moaned, rubbing his belly.
Hermione laughed. "I don't know if there even is one in the village. Isn't it a little early for drinking anyway?"
"There has to be!" Ron exclaimed, "and to answer your question, no!"
The friends spent the rest of the morning visiting each of the houses (and searching for Ron's tavern). They saw gardens and fields and farm animals, too. They spent a nice morning at Cosmeston Medieval Village, though it served as only a temporary distraction from the concerns and worries in their real lives.
Duckclaw, Catfoot, Same Thing
Author: Don Thomas
Date: 07-26-08 15:36
"Would you rather...eat a Poisonous Poppy or...spend Christmas with Snider?"
"Hmm," Don said as she and Curtis continued walking to the greenhouse. "Would I be alone with the Bearded Lady?"
"No. The entire Abbott clan would be there."
Nodding, Don mulled over either choice before coming to a decision. "I'd have to say Poisonous Poppy for the win."
"You'd rather die?"
"Well," she said as she walked inside the greenhouse. "Depending on my diet, my health, and my immune system, I could just get sick. That and even though Freya's mother is pleasant, it's just not worth it."
They passed Professor Farnon to find a seat. As they did, Don emitted a 'Hey Teach' before sitting down. Professor Farnon greeted her back.
"Good morning, Miss Thomas. I see you're both early today."
"Not by my decision," Don said as she took the ponytail holder off her wrist and tied into her hair, leaving a wavy little tail in the back.
"Oh? And did you both do your assignments?"
Curtis nodded. "Yes, professor." Don tried to remember the assignment. Something about feet? Wait. Was it about claws? No, the kitten claws had been earlier. Don gave up as Professor Farnon asked her individually about the assignment.
"My...roommate...ate my homework?" Though Don had completely bull-shitted that answer, it seemed to bring a chuckle out from Professor Farnon. As soon as he stopped though, Don knew another lecture would ensue.
Thank whoever was guarding the Pearly Gates that those three other girls showed up, marking the beginning of class. She'd have to thank them. Well, she'd have to talk to them first. She wasn't the most chatty of people in the world. But their arrival did get her out of another lecture with a teacher because she was slacking.
Professor Farnon walked to the end of the table and smiled at the small group of 6th years. "Today, we will be finishing our discussion on Duckfoot." Heh, so it was something about feet.
(Brisbane, Australia) Keeping up the Search
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 07-26-08 18:44
I swear, if any single force was driving the images I had been receiving while in Australia, they were really asking for me to hurt them. It’s been something like, two weeks since I’ve been here, I lost a few days due to jet lag, and my divination has done nothing to help me locate Bronwyn. I’ve seen all kinds of lands marks come up, including Ayers Rock, and The Great Barrier Reef. I don’t even want to try to name the creatures I’ve seen through the process.
The images started to lead me to think Sydney was the wrong place, but I couldn’t confirm it. Until I decided to write a letter to Bronwyn’s father. I had just received his response, and he didn’t flat out tell me where she was, but it was enough. I knew I was in the wrong city now.
So, now having relocated to Brisbane, it was only a matter of time before I found Bronwyn.
(Weston) The Past Few Months
Author: Marzipan
Date: 07-27-08 11:13
Weston had dropped everything and traveled to Austin the moment he'd received Marzi's note. He thought he'd arrived first at the hotel they'd chosen as their meeting point and waited anxiously for his fiancée's arrival. A day passed, then another and another. After a week, Weston feared Marzi hadn't managed her escape from Hogwarts, but he continued to wait. After two weeks, he simply knew she hadn't made it like she'd wanted. In all likelihood, Marzi had been snatched, either at Hogwarts itself or en route to Austin but likely while still in the United Kingdom.
Weston had returned to Britain, determined to find his fiancée. His manager and coworkers at the Ministry of Magic questioned his sudden disappearance but accepted the lie he spun for them: the anniversary of his father's suicide, just months away, had suddenly weighed heavily on his mind and heart. Weston had fallen into an abrupt depression and had needed to get away immediately.
Anyone who truly knew Weston would have realized that Weston had never been especially close to his father and that the circumstances surrounding the death of Constantius Ravenscroft had only further opened Weston's eyes to how terrible a person his father had been in life.
Although he'd returned to the routine of going to work, Weston put a lot of effort into finding out what had happened to Marzi. He did it subtly, as he heard more and more about blood traitors being arrested and sent to Azkaban or to wherever the non-purebloods had gone. Weston knew he'd have difficulty helping Marzi if he got snatched too.
On the other hand, if he got snatched, would it mean he could see her again? Weston had no reason to believe that there was more than one location for the nons and blood traitors. Few knew anything at all, and those that did only knew things on a need-to-know basis. Weston, working for the Department of Magical Education, certainly didn't have any clearance on the matter. So, he utilized his contacts in some of the other departments to see what they knew, and if he ever thought they suspected him of asking too many questions, he took a step back and tried again later on someone else.
Unfortunately, Weston didn't get any answers whatsoever. He felt very defeated and began to fear that he would never see Marzi again. Weston didn't know what to do and found that he wanted to vent to someone who would listen, someone who would understand and wouldn't consider him a blood traitor. The first person to come to mind was Georgia FitzRoy. Surely even after blaming her daughter for her lover's death, she still felt something for her firstborn. There was really only one way to find out.
Game Over (Percy)
Author: Charlie Weasley
Date: 07-27-08 13:56
Looking over his shoulder, Percy ducks into the nearest stairwell. He takes the stairs three at a time, hoping he's not made a mistake by avoiding the lifts. They'll think he's gone to the Atrium when he's really headed for the Department of Magical Transportation.
Percy knew it was only a matter of time before he'd need to go into hiding like the rest of his family. Only logical that at some point, simply because he's a Weasley, Smythe-Jones would decide that Percy is no longer trustworthy. Wouldn't matter that Percy has never give her a reason to suspect anything. Afterall, he's shown the same blindly devoted loyalty to her that he gave Fudge.
Smythe-Jones isn't much like Fudge. Percy is sure that Fudge would never have questioned his loyalty. Percy outwardly disavowed his family and their actions, backing Fudge no matter how much Percy secretly disagreed with the man and his policies. It's been no different with Smythe-Jones with the exception that Smythe-Jones required regular debriefings that were more like intense questioning sessions.
Percy had shown up this morning for work, knowing another prove-you-are-loyal debriefings would be taking place this week. Because of this, he wasn't in the least surprised when called to one of the rooms where such meetings take place. What triggered Percy's something's up sense was his wand being taken. That was the first time his wand had been taken before the start of a session.
Percy had handed over his wand without so much as blinking then he'd pointed to a door just down the hall. "I'd been on my way to the loo when I was told to report and to be prompt about it."
Savage, the auror who usually does these so called debriefings to find out where Percy's loyalties lie, has never had a real reason to distrust Percy. That's not to say he likes Percy. Just that Percy has never given Savage a reason to think he'd pull anything, which is exactly what Percy did.
Percy head down to the restroom, using the opening of the door as a ploy to see if Savage was watching. Then it was dash down the hall and duck into the stairwell. Percy knows there are some activated portkeys in the Department of Magical Transportation. He knows this only because in the lift going to his office this morning, two of that department's personnel were talking about the portkeys.
Percy reaches Level 6, easing open the stairwell door. Seeing no one he enters the hallway, walking as casually as he's able to where the portkeys are, at least according to the information he overhead this morning. The door is in sight when from around another hallway corner comes people Percy knows to be aurors along with Minister Euphemia Smythe-Jones herself.
"I am greatly disappointed, Mr. Weasley, though I can't say I wasn't expecting it." Her eyes flick to the door that had been Percy's destination. "It's a portkey you want, is it? Then let's get you one."
Smythe-Jones enters the room with Percy being shoved inside after her. Smiling wickedly, Smythe-Jones picks up an object that, given she's not transportated instantly away, is not an activated portkey. Tapping her wand on the battered shoe's side, "Portus."
The old shoe glows blue as it starts trembling then goes back to looking like nothing more than a cast-off, battered and torn shoe. She tosses it to Percy. "Have a nice trip, Weasley."
Before Percy can throw the shoe down, he feels the familiar pull that comes with using a portkey. Next thing Percy knows, he's being battered by an icy water as someone yells over the sound of crashing waves, "Welcome to 14-15-14!"
Goen Bren: Shepherdess
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 07-29-08 17:47
Minerva gripped onto her shepherdess' crook, crudely made out of very splintered wood, and called to the flock of sheep that grazed on a small pasture within the borders of the Goen Bren community. Upon arriving at Bodmin Moor after her transfer from Azkaban prison, Minerva had been assigned to milking cows in the wee hours of the morning and tending to the other livestock throughout the rest of the day. It was work she never in her life imagined herself doing, mainly since she was a witch and typically used a wand to handle chores. Playing farmer and shepherdess had simply never crossed her mind in all her many years of existence.
With the sun beginning to set, Minerva urged her flock to the keep where they were generally housed for the night and, after putting her crook away, she walked to Building A to wash her hands. Building A was more or less empty most of the day, and now was no exception. The only person present was Urania Jones, whom Minerva had taught many years ago at Hogwarts.
"Hi, Prof–– Minerva," Urania said, still not used to the fact that she could call her former teacher by her first name.
Urania had a basin in her lap and scrubbed at her hands with a bar of soap. They were very pink already.
"Hello Urania," Minerva replied. She knew that Urania had one of the most vile jobs at the community and wondered who had died.
As if reading Minerva's mind, Urania stated, "Oh, it's all right. Everyone's still alive and accounted for, as far as I can tell. The warden merely ordered us to do a little rearranging. No proper burials, mind you, and the Death Zone is still more a less a pile of rotting corpses, but... ugh, I will never get this stink out of my skin." She gave up, tossing the bar of soap into the basin of water.
Minerva picked up the basin and walked to the WC, where she dumped the water into the sink. "Have you an appetite for supper?" she called back to Urania, who seemed rooted to the flattened cushion that served as her mattress.
"Yes, I'm always hungry here, even when by all rights, I should want to heave up what happens to be inside of me," Urania answered blandly.
Minerva washed her hands and then came out, offering one to Urania. She didn't even wince when Urania clasped the hand that was worn and blistery from the splintery staff she'd held for most of the day.
Urania climbed to her feet and walked with her former teacher to the dining hall. They stepped in line, saying little as they waited to be served by some of the other members of the community.
Minerva nodded to Carys, who plopped something that looked mysterious and unappetizing onto her plate. Carys nodded back, as there was no time to say anything and socializing while working wasn't something the warded approved of. Minerva quickly passed through the line behind Urania and then followed her to the nearest table. There they talked about a great many things, such as how Carys seemed to be coping much better since the untimely death of her grandmother. Unfortunately, Goen Bren was a very difficult place to endure, even for those who hadn't yet suffered a major loss such as she'd done.
Minerva felt like she'd aged a lot in the short time she'd been at the community. Everyone at Goen Bren seemed so much older than they actually were. Would it just be a matter of time before they all withered away and died?
Santorini, Greece: Hard Decisions
Author: Drucilla Eternal
Date: 07-29-08 19:25
Sirius stood glowering from the doorframe. Mira and James played on the floor, oblivious to what was about to happen. Even I was a bit in denial. Was I really doing this? Could I really leave my babies?
"They're going to be fine. You don't have anything to worry about. Remus and I will protect them like they were our own."
I gave Tonks a tight smile, not trusting my voice at that moment.
Remus walked over, having given up on Sirius. Sighing softly, he looked at Tonks who gave him a sympathetic squeeze on his arm. "Let me try reasoning with him," she murmured before walking over to talk with Sirius.
"I'm sorry Remus," I whispered, hearing my voice catch slightly.
"No Drucilla, there is nothing to apologize for. You are taking a step most of us wish we could do."
I bit my lip sharply, feeling for Remus. Not only was he categorized as a Non but he was also a werewolf, a stigma he had been fighting all his life. At least as a Veela I could more easily hide that side of my nature.
"I just can't sit back anymore, watching Sirius leave to do his work for the Order, never knowing if he'll return again. If I watch him leave one more time while I stay back to watch over the children, I'll... I'll..." I pressed my lips tightly together. "I just can't do it anymore." I whispered hoarsely.
Remus patted my back in a comforting motion. I took a steadying breath, trying to stay calm around the children.
"Do you think he will ever forgive me for what I'm about to do?" I felt the fear sweep over me again, fear of losing my children but mostly fear of losing Sirius' love.
"I don't think he is mad at you Drucilla." Remus held his hand up when I gave him a skeptical look. "Yes, he is mad right now but that anger is not directed at you. He is angry with the situation. He is angry that he can't protect you. He is angry that he can't watch over his children. But no, he is not angry with you."
Remus' words made sense, and I felt the comfort of them.
"Look, Tonks got him to smile."
I glanced over at Sirius, and saw him smiling down at Tonks, forgetting to scowl after being distracted by baby Ted whom Tonks was cradling in her arms. As he looked up, he caught my eyes on him but instead of looking away he held my gaze. His eyes gave away the battle he was fighting inside, the turmoil he felt for having to leave his kids behind, but mostly they showed me his love. Caught in their hold, I walked over to him and let him wrap his arm around my waist as he pulled me close. Feeling two bumps against my leg, I knew without looking down that Mira and James had joined us in a family hug. Tonks backed away to join Remus, giving us a moment of privacy.
Resting his chin against the top of my head, Sirius sighed. I turned my face and pressed it against his chest. No words needed to be spoken. I knew how he felt, and he knew my feelings as well. Nothing was going to change. He needed to continue his work for the Order, and as long as he was helping them I needed to be doing something too. And with my Veela charms it seemed to make the most sense to be helping on the front line. It was going to be dangerous, but risks needed to be taken in order to find freedom again.
(Brisbane, Australia) Girl's Day
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 07-30-08 18:10
Bronwyn and Ariella strolled along Little Stanley Street, perusing some of the stalls and tables at the South Bank outdoor market. They'd decided to get away from the flat and the men for a while to enjoy a girl's day out in the Muggle World. They looked more than they bought, mainly since Ariella didn't have a source of income right now. Bronwyn limited her spending, even though Ariella didn't at all seem to mind that Bronwyn had money burning a hole in her pocket and she herself didn't.
"What's that?" Ariella asked, when they came to a stall that had strange musical instruments on display.
"It's a dideroo, or something," Bronwyn said, trying to remember.
"Didgeridoo," the vendor corrected, smiling so that he showed off a set of perfectly white teeth that contrasted greatly with the deep tan of his skin. He proceeded to pick up one and blow into it, playing music unlike anything Ariella had ever heard before.
"Want to buy?" the man asked, when he finished playing. He held out the same instrument.
Bronwyn gently took Ariella by the hand to lead her to another stall. Ariella, shaking her head at the man, said "Thank you, but no." She allowed Bronwyn to take her to a table several away that was covered in beaded necklaces.
"He didn't really want to sell me the one he just spit into, did he?" Ariella asked, bemused.
Bronwyn made a face. "First, eww. Second, that necklace would look good on you." Bronwyn pointed to a short necklace of pale, nearly translucent turqouise-colored beads.
"It's nice," Ariella said, but she made no move to pick it up or try it on.
Bronwyn picked it up and held it up to Ariella's neck. "Hmm. Yes." She turned to the vendor, a woman in a peasant top and broom skirt, and said, "I'll take this one."
"Excellent choice," the woman said, taking the necklace and slipping it into a small, brown paper sack. Bronwyn handed over the requisite payment and then handed the bag to Ariella. "Consider it your belated birthday present."
"Oh, thank you Bronwyn," Ariella said gratefully. "You didn't have to..."
"I wanted to. You're my sister-in-law! We're family." She looped her arm through Ariella's and led her to another stall. As they walked, she glanced across the road, where more tables and stalls were arranged. Silk scarves, hats, and purses hung from an awning at one stall. A woman with multi-colored hair styled in nearly the exact way Bronwyn's old friend Desi Diamond had always worn it perused some of the scarves. Only, the woman couldn't have been Desi since she wore blue jeans and a T-shirt. Bronwyn wasn't sure Desi owned anything other than combat boots and camo pants.
With the woman's back turned, preventing those across the street from seeing her face, Bronwyn soon lost interest and continued to lead Ariella elsewhere.
"I'm so glad you and Lawrence decided to extend your stay in Brisbane," Bronwyn told Ariella, as the two walked arm and arm down the sidewalk. "I'm having so much fun with you guys."
(Rivalen) Fire Ivy
Author: Isolde
Date: 08-03-08 10:19
After breakfast, Rivalen took his time getting to the greenhouses. He had five classes, which seemed like a lot on any given day but seemed especially overwhelming on Fridays. Rivalen fully planned on visiting The Hog's Head after the last lesson to relax and kick back with a few pints of the strongest of ales.
He pushed from his mind thoughts of starting the weekend early and slipped into Greenhouse 1. His sixth year students, a group of five, had spent all month learning about magical vines, beginning with angelwing, a white, feathery leaf intwined on golden stems. Next, they studied the candy corn plant, cat's claw, climbing hydrangea, and finally duckfoot. Today, they would tend to fire ivy, a plant that burned to the touch, smoked, and even occasionally lit up in flames.
In his experience, Rivalen hadn't handled any of the vines very much beyond his own studies at Hogwarts many years ago, but he had recently read about them in the textbook... in class... while lecturing to his students on the subject at hand. He had a charming personality that often hid his lack of knowledge on a particular topic. And it certainly wasn't that he didn't know anything, he just didn't know everything or most everything like he probably ought to in order to be a fine Herbology professor.
He entered Greenhouse 1 and went to his work bench, where he pulled on a pair of dragon-hide gloves. Rivalen walked to a high shelf across the glass building and reached for a potted plant with fire-proof trellis. He carried it to the main table in the room and set it down very carefully.
Although he hadn't gotten into the habit of truly preparing for his classes, Rivalen had, at least, begun to prepare examples of the plants he inteded on lecturing about beforehand. For the most part, it was easy work selecting the plants he needed, but occasionally he had to double and triple check the description and diagrams of the plant in question before truly being certain he had the right one.
Promptly at 10, the five students, Tranquillina Aemilius, Roane Eternal, Curtis Fiennes, Don Thomas and Rosalinda Yorke entered Greenhouse 1 and took their places at the table.
"Did you all bring your gloves?" Rivalen asked the class at large. "If you haven't got yours, I may have some spares you may borrow."
His students produced their gloves and put them on, seeing that Rivalen still wore his.
"Right then," he began, "today we will discuss fire ivy, which is this plant here." He gently touched one of the smoking leaves with his gloved fingers.
"Why's it called fire ivy?" Miss Thomas asked.
Instead of answering her directly, Rivalen sought the answer from someone else in the class.
"Yes, Miss Eternal?"
"It's called fire ivy because it will burn you if you touch it and because it can go up in flames."
Rivalen glanced at the open textbook next to the pot and nodded. "Nice work. And why does fire ivy burn in both respects?" he asked the class.
"It's a defense mechanism," Miss Aemilius offered.
"Yes. And it's one you will witness today. We're going to prune this plant, and it's not going to like it at all..."
(Mark) Charms Class
Author: Isolde
Date: 08-03-08 11:16
Mark left Professor Isuki's Defense Against the Dark Arts class and followed his classmates to Charms at a leisurely pace. Last year, Professor Yaxley had taught his DADA classes, while Professor Isuki had taught the Nons. Professor Isuki isn't a Non herself, otherwise she'd have gone wherever it was the rest of them were now. Her classes were certainly different than Yaxley's... much more interactive and fun.
Professor Yaxley taught Charms now. Thankfully, Charms was an interactive class by default.
Mark slipped into the classroom behind the other second years and found his seat. Professor Yaxley leaned on one arm against his podium and waited for the class to quiet down before he began lecturing.
"Freezing charms have their uses, and they vary, though it's a spell you won't typically use in your everyday life. Today, we will practice the simplest form of freezing charms and we will do so by freezing water. Please come forward and attempt a cup of water."
Mark slid off the bench and picked up a wooden beaker from Yaxley's desk. He scooped it into a basin of water and then carefully carried it back to his desk, only managing to slosh some onto the floor once.
Once everyone had seated themselves again, Yaxley pointed his wand at the basin of water and enunciated, "Congelo!"
The water immediately iced over.
Yaxley turned to the class. "Now, you try."
Mark pulled out his wand, pointed it at the cup of water and gave the incantation a try.
Little League Changes
Author: Isolde
Date: 08-03-08 12:43
Isolde sat in what had previously been the offices of Dexter Littlefield and Milo Hogg, former director and assistant director of the British and Irish Quidditch Little League. At the close of the inaugural season, Angelina Johnson, who'd coached the Iverness Imps, became the acting-director of the League since both Littlefield and Hogg had gone missing in early March.
Two other individuals sat on the other side of Angelina's desk with Isolde. They were Brioney Carnegie and Edan Collier, who'd coached the Cardiff Cubs and Belfast Beetles, respectively. Brioney's Cubs had won the very first Little League Quidditch Cup last season. Isolde's Polliwogs had been ranked #5.
With the loss of the rest of the coaches and the majority of the players, it had been decided that this season, there would only be three teams, and their host cities would be Cardiff, Glasgow, and London. Brioney would continue to coach the Cubs. Edan would handle the Goslings of Glasgow. That left the London Lambs for Isolde.
Isolde found it very unfortunate that seven of the ten teams had been cut, including her own, the Polliwogs! She almost felt that the Non-persecution running rampant in the wizarding world seemed far more troublesome to Pures than it was worth. However, she wouldn't dare say so outloud. But with many stores closing due to lack of employees and business, Isolde couldn't help but wonder if everything would come crashing down from the inside out.
"As you know," Angelina was saying, pulling Isolde from her thoughts, "the first match of the season is on October 5th between Cardiff and London. There will be a photo op and interview for The Daily Prophet before the match, so I want all of you, yes even you Edan, present at least one hour before game time."
"Has it been decided what sort of season we will have?" Isolde queried.
Angelina nodded. "Each team will play the other five times throughout the year. The results will determine the winner at the end of the season, and should there be a tie, there will be a championship match in June."
The meeting went on, touching the logistics of the season and the upcoming first match of the year. Isolde tried to focus, but she kept thinking about her Polliwogs and how she was starting to wish that things had never changed in the wizarding world.