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How Meetings Are Arranged
Author: Kody
Date: 08-17-08 19:32
Kody most likely would never have known that Daria had somehow found her way to the meeting at Chickering's if not for his sister Kordelia. Kordelia had been wearing a scarf. Shortly after Drake, Kody and she arrived to the meeting room, Kordelia realized she'd dropped it. Kody volunteered to backtrack to find it.
The scarf was on the floor in the main hallway, just inside the doorway to the club's entrance hall. It was when bending over to pick it up that Kody saw Daria standing in the foyer, being asked the question for entry into the club, the question whose answer would allow Daria into the Resistance Movement's meeting. It was immediately clear to Kody that Daria didn't know that all important answer.
Although no longer true friends, Kody's always been cordial to Daria. What's more, he still cares deeply for her. Kody ohpes that his feelings don't bleed to the surface on those rare occassions they're around each other these days. Daria made it clear that she wants to see other guys. Kody's not about to let her know the depths of the feelings he still has for her.
Knowing her family situation and that no matter what the Matthews portray publically, Daria is against all this Nons shit, Kody doesn't hesitate to vouch for her. He's curious as to how she learned of the meeting. If she found out about it by accident then so could someone else who wouldn't be so welcome to the meeting.
Kody leads Daria down the main hallway to a staircase. They go down two flights to another long hallway off of which a couple of other hallways run. Kody turns down one of them, going to the end to the room where the meeting is being held. Daria hasn't said anything after the thank you up in the entrance hall but just before reaching the door to the meeting room she asks, "Are you a member of this club?"
Without turning to look at her, Kody replies, "Yes."
"But it's a Muggle club and what sort of club is it?"
"It's just a club. A place to come for meals, if from out of town there are rooms, there are rooms for parties and meetings. It's been around a long time. I belong because my dad was given a membership as a present from his brother Nathaniel, Jack's dad. Uncle Nathaniel is a member because his wife's family have had memberships since the club was first established way back when. Aunt Siobhan is a Muggle-born."
"Oh," is all that Daria says in response.
Kody opened the door to the meeting room, walking over to where Kordelia and Drake sit talking to a couple of other people. "Look who I found. Oh, and here's your scarf, Kordelia."
Drake and Kordelia smile warmly at Daria, Drake getting up to give her a hug hello. She's introduced to the other two who talk with them for another minute before moving on. Only then does Kody ask Daria, "How did you know about this?"
Kordelia and Drake lean forward in their chairs, surprised at Kody's question and interested to hear what Daria has to say. She explains how she came about being here this evening then asks in return, "How do people know to be here?"
A young woman is calling the meeting to order. Drake leans closer to Daria and tilts his head to indicate a small, portable wizarding wireless. "All meetings start with the meeting being announced. You'll see in a moment."
As those assembled quiet down, the young woman, whose name is Suzanna, fiddles with the wizarding wireless. At first there's nothing but static but then the room is filled with male voices.
"Greetings to our fans. Before we start the show, a fan named Manchester wants Primrose to know she still owes 24 sickles. He won't come to her street but will collect at Green's pub at seven."
Suzanna turns off the wireless. "Everyone got that? Right. Let's get started then."
Daria shoots them a confused look. Kody whispers in her ear, "Manchester, on the 24th. Primrose Street at 7. We're to look for something significantly green or the name Green."
Once more, Daria's reply is a simple, "Oh," before she goes silent to listen to what Suzanna is saying.
Amazing Fourth Year DADA Class
Author: Kissy Isuki
Date: 08-18-08 16:59
The third years have barely cleared the doorway when the fourth years come barreling into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. Even though they have a short quiz at the beginning of class, they want to hurry up and get things going because today they get to spend time in one of the mazes. As soon as all five are seated Kissy instructs, "Clean sheet of parchment for the quiz."
Desks are rapidly cleared and readied. Kissy reveals the five quiz questions written on one of the blackboards. "You have ten minutes for the quiz. Don't forget to write your name. Points off if you don't. Time begins now."
Precisely ten minutes later Kissy says, "Quills down. Pass your papers to the front and let's go into the first maze."
The five students - Ella, Deak, Cornelia, Timothy, and Francis - have their quizes to Kissy and are in the first maze room in a blink. This particular maze is currently done up like a jungle. Kissy climbs up above the maze to a vantage point that allows her to observe the students. At the same time the five scatter to different points. Kissy has them wait until everyone's gotten a good hiding spot to begin then calls down, "I especially want to see the curses and counter curses we've been doing this week and last. Whoever does the best today gets ten points and the second best gets five."
The points Kissy's referring to are the points that now go toward an individual point count to replace the points that used to be accumulate by house. At the school year's end, the student with the most points will get a trophy similar to the former House Cup.****
Kissy keeps close watch on the movements of the students, periodically making helpful comments such as, "Timothy, you're dropping your wand point and that's why your aim is so off," and "Excellent combination of defensive cover with that particular spell, Cornelia."
At two minutes of noon Kissy informs the fourth years, "It's nearly twelve. Time to return to the classroom to retrieve your things."
Once back in the classroom Kissy lets them know who gets the the ten points and who gets the five. "The five points go to Ella! Good work! Ten points for a job well done to Cornelia."
The fourth years leave with Cornelia looking especially pleased with herself and Kissy sits down to quickly grade their quizzes before going to lunch herself.
(Happy Haven) It's a Hard Knock Life
Author: Charisma Stone
Date: 08-18-08 17:09
Lunch, brief repose from classes (read chores) for the students at Happy Haven School for Nons, though Happy Haven, not a fitting name for the place. There is nothing Happy about Happy Haven, how could a place run by Alecto Carrow be a happy place? Students were cursed daily and as often as they did something that "annoyed" one of their Professors or the staff member simply didn't like the look of one of the students (this one was used most often).
"Some times I wish..." 'Della started to say but a pinch from Isma quickly silenced her.
"Don't you dare say that again 'Della. I've heard it so many times and I am sick of it." Isma hissed at her friend, who on numerous occasions had stated (not within hearing range of one of the staff members) that she wished one of the staff members would simply use the Killing Curse on her and be done with it.
"But its true." 'Della said and pushed at the mush upon her plate, glaring at Isma. The pair had fought on several occasions because of the depression that had gripped 'Della so hard. Eric and Blake were fighting their own depressions but all and all Adella was the only one of the foursome that had succumbed to such a deep depression.
"'Della, you can't keep thinking like that. They will only make it worse for you if they hear you." Eric said wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
Two older students came over and sat near them, Artemis and Titus Fitzgerald. They'd been friends with Oreileah and Madeline, and were also members (well in this case former members) of Gryffindor House. "At dinner, you need to at least pretend to be in a better mood. I heard rumors that Alecto was paying a visit tonight to check on how things were progressing." Artemis said in a whisper.
"She'll delight in cursing you until you are happy if she sees you like that." Titus said, and by happy, he meant of course all the more miserable and in pain.
"I don't want to be happy at all." 'Della whined piteously, casting a glare at the five who thought it would be a good idea to try and cheer her up. "I want to go home. I want to be with my family and I want to be back at Hogwarts." She got up and moved to put her dishes away, slamming them down so hard that the bowl crashed to the floor and shattered into several pieces.
'Della's eyes went wide as Professor Peakes strode through the tables to where the young girl stood. "You will clean that up quickly, else you'll not like the consequences." His voice leaving little room for argument. Quickly Adella gathered up the pieces of broken glass and dumped them into the rubbish bin, but she was not moving fast enough for Professor Peakes' satisfaction and he hit her with a Cruciatus Curse and tore a scream from her lips that rang through the dining hall. "I said quickly girl."
Hands shaking 'Della quickly (as quickly as she could when everything hurt) picked up the rest of the broken glass and food getting it into the rubbish bin. "Lunch is over, to your lessons now. All of you." Lunch ended ten minutes early, but not a single soul complained.
Isma helped 'Della to their Home Ec class which would last until two thirty and then to their Shop Class which would last until five.
(Franz) Memories & Mysteries
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 08-18-08 18:36
Franz Schnackenpfefferhausen once again stands on the bottom step of the basement, wondering why there are work tables cluttered with beakers, test tubes, and flasks. Cabinets are stocked with chemicals of varying kinds and in a variety of colors. Books, many in German but a few in English, are stacked haphazardly here and there.
Neither he nor his wife or his nephew, who lives in the same house, remember why the basement is outfiitted like a laboratory. Otto, the nephew, positively hates chemistry, and neither Mitzi, the wife, nor Franz himself work as chemists nor have an interest in the science as a pasttime. So, why is their basement full of chemical supplies?
It's just one of the mysteries they've encountered in many months. Franz shakes his head and turns to climb the steps again. He flips off the light when he reaches the top landing and closes the door on the unfamiliar lab, though he knows it'll just be another day or two before he finds himself back downstairs, wondering why it's even there.
His feet carry him past photographs hanging on the wall, family portraits that seem familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. Franz pauses to study a particular one. It's from the last few years or so, because Otto's in the picture. Franz remembers posing for the photograph, but at the same time he feels like there is a gap in the memory. He also doesn't remember the picture looking so off-center. The three individuals stand more on the left in the image, and there's an empty spot on the right. Odd.
Franz starts moving again. He comes to the stairs that lead to the second floor and climbs them. Then he turns down a corridor and stops by a door. It's cracked open. He pushes it open wider and looks into the room. It's got a bed, a night stand and a dresser. Nothing else. By all accounts it looks like an ordinary guest room, but Franz somehow feels like it should be, or once was, something more. The bed is unmade, with just the mattress on it. There's nothing on the night stand except for a lamp, and the dresser drawers are completely empty. Why does that seem so wrong to him?
And yet, he can't fathom how to make it right. He shakes his head again and walks further down the hall, to the room his nephew Otto occupies. Otto's at his computer with headphones on, playing a first-person shooter game against other people on the internet. He doesn't even notice his uncle peek his head into the room.
Franz watches Otto quietly for some time. He and his wife never had any children of their own and though it was a tragedy that had brought Otto to them, they felt blessed to have him in their lives for in a way, he was the son they never had...
Inattention
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 08-18-08 19:56
The Quaffle hurdles past Pyrrhus, well to his right. He glares at the player across from him, the man's eyes fixed on someone standing on the pitch approximately seven meters below. Wheeling around to retrieve the ball, catches up to it and from that spot hurls the Quaffle back, hitting Humphrey Pangbourn hard in the chest.
Pangbourn grabs reflexively at his chest, accidently managing to hang on to the Quaffle in the process. "Damn it, Fine, that hurt."
"Then you'd best bloody well start paying attention. It's a simply passing drill, you prat."
"No need to get testy, mate."
"If your attention span is this short all the time, no wonder the Kenmare Kestrels lost most of their games last year."
"Hey, we won some."
"Two. You won two."
"We had an off season, that's all," Pangbourn retorts, this time correctly passing the Quaffle to Py.
"We would have trounced you again this year," Py states, passing the ball back.
He rolls his eyes because once more Pangbourn's looking down, not at the oncoming ball. The Quaffle clips Pangbourn on the shoulder. He whips his head back up, startled, then having the grace to look sheepish, the player who would still be part of the Kestrels if teams hadn't been forced to combine due to lack of members dives down to intercept the Quaffle before it reaches the ground.
Py impatiently waits while Pangbourn slows, making a point of cruising past the woman talking with Viktor Krum. She's extremely attractive but with Isolde being the only woman who stirs Py's heart, after an initial glance of curiosity at her, he'd given his full attention to the passing drill. Pangbourn, on the other hand, seems unable to focus on anything but the woman. If he's this inattentive the rest of the drills, Pangbourn's going to end up sitting out the scrimmage. Py doesn't think that would be any great loss.
About the time Pangbourn gets back up to resume this particular drill, a whistle blows signalling that it's time to start a different drill. Py, not bothering to lower his voice, scathingly states, "Thank Merlin!" as he flies to get into position for the next drill.
(Happy Haven) One Month Left
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 08-19-08 06:43
“Good afternoon class.” Said Professor Dilys Hooch. “Today at Home Ec you are going to learn the basic about chopping vegetables. Every house elf knows it since they’re born, and you as an inferior race like them, should learn to do it too.”
On the work tables there were several vegetables and knifes. They started to work under the attentive look of Professor Hooch. Somehow it remembered Professor Snape and his Potion classes when he took points to Gryffindor. As a Slytherin Johanna appreciated those moments very much. Now there weren’t points that were taken. Everyone who did a mistake won a curse. Looking at the clock she wondered what day it was. For sure it was Friday because of their class schedule. But what day …?
“Hey, do you know what day is it?” she asked Ramona Mickle, a smart girl from Ravenclaw which was on the same year as her at Hogwarts.
“Maybe the 18. Now quiet. I need to do this right.”
18. In the next month it was Johanna birthday. When she was little she used to count the days to it when there were only 30 days left. But now all she wished was that it didn’t arrive. Not know, not on this place.
At Happy Haven when was someone’s birthday he or she received has a “gift” from Alecto Carrow a curse and an extra chore. She explained that fact to the students by calling it a “reminder of how you born inferior and weak”.
Johanna didn’t want that for her birthday. Unfortunately there were some rumors that there was a list of the birthdays on the Headmistress office. Again she found herself blaming her mother. “It’s all her fault. Why she had to be muggle? Why?”
Johanna holding the knife chopped the vegetables furiously. For that, on the end of the lesson and after an inspection by Dilys Hooch she was cursed (by the second time that day).
Sleepless Nights
Author: Janine Fox
Date: 08-19-08 13:07
Janine sat up in bed, unable to sleep. Soft, murmured voices came from outside the door. Glancing through the window, Janine guessed at the time. Midnight perhaps, or a bit before. Rocko was sprawled on the floor beside her, whining softly in his sleep. The dog hadn't left her side (except to visit the vet with Ginny) since arriving. The same could be said of Pinky with Harry. Pinky was particularly stressed if he lost sight of Harry and because of that had taken up a spot in their bedroom in the corner of the room amongst a pile of fluffy, soft pillows.
The door opened quietly and Janine could hear Harry softly whispering goodnight to someone. The door opened wider, and Janine thought she caught a glimpse of red hair as the person moved away quickly. Pinky scurried through the door and made a beeline to his pile of pillows.
Being careful not to wake her, it took Harry a moment to realize she was still awake. Smiling softly he stated the obvious. "You're awake."
Janine gave the expected response. "Yes."
Nodding, Harry moved into the room, closing the door behind him. As he pulled his shirt off, he asked, "Can't sleep?"
His question was muffled by his shirt but Janine understood him.
"No."
Harry paused to look at her, before pulling on his pj bottoms. "Can I get you something to help? A glass of warm milk?"
Janine shook her head. She knew it wouldn't work. She hadn't slept well since finding out her parents had been caught. The worse part was not knowing what had happened to them since the arrest. This was what kept her up at night, wondering and worrying. And having little contact with anyone else, it was hard to find out what had really happened to them.
She felt the bed sink to the left as Harry crawled in. She knew he worried about her. She also knew he was getting frustrated as well. The constant moving and hiding was starting to irritate him. Because he was a man of action, this blending in with the crowd routine was starting to wear thin with him. But it was hard to know what else to do at this point. Without direction from the Order, they found themselves isolated from the rest of the group. Janine knew it was only a matter of time before Harry's patience would wear out and he would do something. Something important - or maybe something erratic.
She felt Harry's hand on her arm, urging her to lay down and fall asleep. She let him pull her down into the bed, settling her body tight next to his. Trying to push all thoughts out of her head, Janine closed her eyes and willed sleep to come.