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(Brisbane, Australia) No Means... Nevermind
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 08-30-08 02:44
“No, I’m not buying this!” I stated firmly.
“Oh YES, you are!” the reflected image of my friend said to me.
“No! I don’t do polka dots! Ever!”
“Ok, fine. Then, I’ll find you something else!” Bronwyn took off and left me standing there in the dressing room, door still open. Stupid lock. I knew I forgot something when I walked in here.
I slowly walked to the dressing room door, and looked around to see how many people could see me. Fortunately, with it being so early, Toby was the only one in view. I walked over to him, but I wasn’t sure he was awake.
“So…” I asked, “How bad is it?”
Toby looked up and almost immediately said, “Looks good.”
“Does not… I can’t help but feel… like… naked. Besides, polka dots aren’t my thing.” Toby didn’t make any comment, so after a moment I said, “I’m sorry about this. I figured that a good trip to the mall is something that would cheer her up.”
“It’s ok.” He simply said.
“No… I don’t think you quite understand… You know how much you make in a year?” I paused to make sure he was following along, “My dad makes in probably a month, if that. I don’t mean to sound rude or anything, but that’s why Bronwyn has no problems buying a two hundred dollar pair of shoes that she’s only going to wear three times.”
“When did she buy a two hundred dollar pair of shoes?”
“Last time she came over to my house. Anyways, since she doesn’t really have a limit to how much she can spend, she can go on like the Energizer Bunny.”
“The what?” Toby asked, with the most confused look on his face.
“It’s a muggle thing. Energizer makes batteries, and they say that they keep going and going and going… And they have a pink toy bunny as a mascot. You’d have to see it.”
“Ok…” He just said in response. It was about then I noticed, he hadn’t looked away that much, if at all since I had been standing there. If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear he was staring at me. Oh well.
“Oh, here she comes…” I sighed, “And she’s got a whole knew selection for me… great…” Bronwyn walked up a moment after I said that holding more bikinis. By this time, there was no point in trying to argue with her anymore. Bronwyn was a force of nature when she's inside a mall.
(Brussels) Not Seeing Eye To Eye
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 08-30-08 20:49
Mira sits patiently on Sirius's lap while he braids her long hair. Miraculously, she doesn't start squirming until he's tying a bow at the bottom of the braid. She slides off Sirius's lap, turns and gives him the sort of slobbery kiss that only a two year old knows how to give them dashes across the room to bestow an equally wet kiss on baby Teddy Lupin's head.
James immediately takes the opportunity of his father's vacant lap to take his sister's place. Shoving a book at Sirius, James orders, "Wead."
Sirius is a quarter of the way into the book when Remus enters the room. "Hestia's arrived."
Sirius nods to acknowledge Remus, his eyes never leaving the book. When he does come to the book's end, he gently lifts James off his lap and stands up. "Daddy needs to go to the other room for a few minutes but when I get back we'll play more, all right?"
James frowns but bobs his head up and down, deciding he'll go play with some blocks. Mira is too busy kissing the baby more to even be aware that her father has left the room.
Only a few are gathered in the other room: Arthur, Molly, Remus and Hestia. Tonks enters right behind Sirius, having left the children under Drucilla's watch. Remus makes sure to sit right next to Sirius, probably so that he can be quicker in restraining Sirius if his friend lets his anger at Arthur and Molly get the better of him.
Still furious with the Weasley couple for their backing the previous night of Dru going undercover within the British
Ministry, Sirius supposes he can't blame Remus for wanting to keep Sirius from blowing up at Arthur, or Molly for that matter.
Sensing the tension, Hestia gives a polite cough. "Alastor filled me in on the meeting last night. I'm sorry I couldn't be there. I do have some important information. Mundungus and I both saw Severus Snape at The Mews."
The nice feelings he had while braiding Mira's hair and reading to James rapidly drained away when Sirius entered the room and saw the Weasley's. He'd known they'd be here but actually seeing them soured his mood again and his anger bubbles just below the surface. He lets some of it leak out by contemptuously snapping, "Who cares about Snape? Do you have any real news to report?"
Hestia's face heatedly flushes and she hotly replies, "Severus Snape is an Order member in good standing. I personally find that knowing his location and that he is safe excellent progress for us."
"I've no love for Snape either," Molly says, "but I agree that knowing he's alive is good information to have. It gives me hope that the same is true of Minerva, Flitwick, and Hagrid, of the other Order members known to have been arrested and of those unaccounted for."
Sirius makes a derisive noise, indicating he doesn't give a bloody fig what Molly's opinion of the information is. Arthur glares across at him. "I don't think any of us appreciate this childishness, Sirius."
"Don't start with me, Arthur," Sirius snaps.
"I don't believe I've started anything, Sirius," Arthur calmly replies.
"Months ago you went behind my back and approached my wife with a plan and you have the gall to say you haven't started anything," Sirius retorts.
"I spoke with an Order member on a matter that might help us all. I wasn't aware that I had to get your permission first."
"Let's get back to Hestia's information," Remus interjects.
Sirius ignores his friend, stony eyes fixed on Arthur. "If it's such a bloody good idea, then send your own wife in to do the job," he snarls.
"If Molly were right for the mission, she'd certainly have my blessing," Arthur informs him.
"Just because you'd willingly send your wife into danger,"
"Stop right there," Molly orders. "If I were right for a mission, Arthur and I might discuss it but the end decision would be mine and mine alone. There would be no issue of him letting me. I'm fully capable of making such decisions on my own just as Drucilla is. The way you're acting I can see why she didn't say a word to you when Arthur first spoke to her about his idea."
"You never have approved of how I act, Molly, so why should now be any different?"
"Perhaps if you'd act like a grown up for once instead of like one of your two year old children, I'd finally find something to approve," Molly answers back.
Remus moves to the center of the room, holding his hands up. "Please, all of you calm down. Let's finish hearing what Hestia has to say without all this bickering. Sirius, please, cool off. Hestia's report shouldn't take more than a few minutes."
"That's right. Paint me as the bad guy," Sirius growls.
Lurching to his feet, Sirius stalks out of the room, going straight to the front door. He slams it behind him and walks without paying attention to where he's going, letting the gloom of the night quickly envelop him.
End of One Class, Start of Another
Author: Sage Porter
Date: 08-31-08 11:05
Crouching down behind an obstacle that has the appearance of a stumpy, gnarled tree, Sage murmurs the words learned a short time ago in the DADA classroom that will help camouflage him against the tree's bark. Movement off to the side catchs the corner of his eye. Sage finds himself holding his breath while staying absolutely still. When the movement stops, Sage fires off a quick Petrificus Totalus.
Gaia Goyle falls stiffly over not three feet away but Sage barely has time to register who it is as he's diving for cover behind another bark colored obstacle. He's almost not quick enough. His location given away with the spell fired at Gaia, Sage nearly gets caught with a spell cast by Jared.
Sage is in the process of rolling under an obstacle with the shape and appearance of a hedge when Professor Isuki calls time. "Well done everyone. Anyone wanting to practice the new camouflage spells is welcome to do so whenever I'm not using this room for a class. Remember to let me know when you're going to be in one of the obstacle courses."
Sage has crawled out from under the hedge and walks with the rest of the DADA seventh years back to the classroom to retrieve his bookbag. He's just hoisted it onto his shoulder when Madeline Miller gives him a friendly poke in the ribs. "Might want to go back to looking like normal for Charms," she grins at him.
Sage looks down to find his body is the mottled green he'd changed to for hiding under the hedge. He grins back, "Maybe I want to stay hidden from Professor Yaxley."
Professor Isuki is the one amused now. "In that case, go with something to blend with the castle's stone walls." To the class as a whole she says, "Top two students today are Jared with five points and Alanna with ten.* Don't forget you've a quiz first thing Tuesday. Enjoy your weekend!"
Coming up alongside Sage, Jared shakes his head back and forth. "We're loaded down with work and she says to enjoy the weekend."
"Not going to enjoy the Quidditch match?" Sage asks.
"Of course I will but not the rest of the weekend. Hell, I can't even enjoy lunch today because I've got to finish writing the last few paragraphs of those five scrolls of parchment Professor Carrow wants in Potions this afternoon."
"I finished mine this morning during breakfast. It's completed and is neat with no errors but I still think he'll give me a low grade. There just wasn't enough information to stretch out over five pages."
"The man likes giving low grades to everyone so you'll be right there with the rest of us."
Jared and Sage reach the Charms classroom, immediately going silent under Professor Yaxley's stern gaze. Pulling out the pages of homework to be turned in, Sage hopes this class and the rest of the day go by quickly. Having Yaxley in the morning and Carrow in the afternoon makes Tuesdays and Thursday a real drain.
Goen Bren: Miserable Conditions
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 08-31-08 11:11
Without a winter coat or umbrella to keep herself warm and dry, Minerva trudged from the small cow pasture with a heavy pail of milk in each hand. The rain only drizzled down from the gray clouds overhead, but having been outside already for a lengthy period of time left her soaking wet and chilled to the bone. The tips of her nose, ears and fingers hurt and were probably very red, and her knuckles were cracked and peeled and ached with every movement, especially in the extreme cold.
She entered through the back door of the dining hall and unloaded the buckets onto an empty kitchen counter. The workers preparing for breakfast were already present and paid her absolutely no mind. Most didn't want to appear to friendly because the warden didn't like it when his workers paused from their assignments to do something as short and simple as say hello. One face in particular stood out among the rest.
For weeks now, Carys Hanham-Beauvais had hardly spoken to anyone. She looked perpetually disturbed, as if something terrible had happened, something more terrible than her being at Goen Bren away from her loved ones and experiencing the death of her closest ally here at the community. Minerva had no idea what had happened, if something had. Perhaps the new demeanor was simply Carys' reaction to a prolonged stay at Goen Bren. Whatever the reason, Carys hadn't said, even when gently prompted by Minerva. Minerva certainly didn't want to force the young girl to talk about something she didn't want to talk about and wouldn't pry. If and when Carys wanted to talk, Minerva would listen.
She sighed quietly to herself and slipped out of the back door, even though she didn't want to leave the warmth and cover of the kitchen. She headed for her cabin, wanting to clean up before breakfast. The freezing rain continued to fall onto her head and shoulders, making her wonder if she could possible feel anymore uncomfortable than she did now. She shivered involuntarily and rubbed her hands together. Her palms were roughened and red from the heavy milk pails. Every part of her body seemed to ache in some shape or form. What she wouldn't give for a nice, hot bath and a full-body massage right now!
If she ever got out of Goen Bren, she'd make a spa visit one of her highest priorities.
Disconnected
Author: Plum
Date: 08-31-08 14:09
Shifting a child on her hip, Plum looks up at the leaden skies over Hogsmeade. A fat, icy drop hits her on the nose, followed by another on the chin. Mrs. Matthews, who'd been sitting on one of the benches in the small park stands as she too feels the freezing droplets.
"Right, that's it, back inside," the older woman instructs.
Daria, Mrs. Matthews, and Plum heard the group of children back into the daycare. Few protest as they'd been outside for quite a long time already and many were getting cold despite all of them being well bundled. Once indoors Mrs. Matthews oversees hot chocolate and cookies for the children then as they settle onto mats for naps, with Daria softly reading a story, Mrs. Matthews says to Plum, "The older children are all occupied and this lot isn't long from sleep. Why don't you take your break?"
"Yes, ma'am," Plum nods, reaching again for her coat.
Gloved hands shoved into pockets, Plum stands for a few seconds on the street in front of the day care. Here it is mid-November and it's already as cold as January. There are rumors of Dementors being used by the Ministry, and not just at Azkaban. Turning left to go two doors down to The Three Broomsticks, Plum can't help but wonder if the wet, chilly weather has something to do with the increased Dementor presence. If that rumor is true, that is.
Plum doesn't linger that The Three Broomsticks. She exits, her gloved hands now cupped around a to-go mug of steaming spiced apple cider. Walking back to the right, past what used to be Gringott's, Plum wonders how the Ministry is doing running the bank now. She's not heard much of anything and what she has heard hasn't been good.
Even if what she'd heard was one excellent report after another Plum wouldn't use the Ministry bank's services. Too easy for her father to find a way to access her vault and take money for his drinking binges. Plum's keeping her money someplace only she knows - well, she did tell Anthony in case something happens to her so he can be sure the money goes to Alex - and she parcels out small amounts to Evan. He hates being on a financial leash and his drink driven anger can get very ugly but so far Plum has stood firm.
If Evan wants to drink himself to death, he can pay for it himself.
A silver tray in the window of Botanicals & Beyond catches Plum's eye. Moving in for a closer look, she's reminded that as yet she's not bought Ariella a wedding gift. Keeping the tray in mind, Plum sips her cider and moves further along High Street.
She feels so out of touch with Anthony, his sisters, the band, their friends... with everything. The band hardly ever practices these days even though Phin is available now that he's graduated Hogwarts. Plum's usually working or taking care of Alex - sometimes Evan too - while her friends are getting together or in class at St. Emrys. The last date she had with Anthony wasn't much of a date at all. He came over one night while she fed Alex then ended up leaving before Alex was put to bed because Evan came stumbling in, reeking of liquor, and passed out on the couch.
Stopping to admire a beautiful set of winter robes in the window of Gladrags, Plum swipes at tears that start to well. The robes are an affordable price but she has to watch ever knut these days. Even the cider she's drinking is a luxury she rarely allows herself to have these days.
Feeling even more disconnected and disconsolate, Plum makes her way back up the lane to Botanicals & Beyond to see what other than the silver tray that shop has that would be both affordable for her budget and would make a nice wedding gift for Ariella.
Waiting
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 08-31-08 16:18
“Adella Darling had died this morning.” The announcement of Professor Godfrey Pince remained in Johanna’s mind till now.
Johanna knew Adella from the classes she had with her at Hogwarts but she had never changed a pleasant word with her. How could it be? Adella was from Gryffindor and she was a Slytherin.
Johanna was not sad with the girl’s death. It was her who signed her own death sentence by challenging the authority. How foolish she was! She and all the others ex-Gryffindors with their bravery and heroism. It only lead them to curses and extra chores.
While she was passing threw Adelle’s empty bed on the way to the Muggle studies class she couldn’t avoid saying “no” with her head. Polly Potts looked at her with a disapproval look. Johanna ignored it. She wouldn’t be stupid like Adelle. Although she had the desire off turning against the staff from Happy Haven she would never do that now. She had no wand and she was weaker than them. No. For now she couldn’t do anything. Just sit and wait. On another words just do exactly what they told. Suffer their humiliations. Survive.
One day, when the time came she would have her revenge. That was the way of doing things.
Johanna knew that Gus felt the same way. She could see his eyes, waiting for the right moment to attack. It could take years but as sure as the sun goes down everyday he (like her) would have his revenge.
Felicia thought differently. All she wanted was to go away when all of these finished. Like the majority.
The Muggle studies class started right on time. Professor Pince didn’t need to demand silence. They were all so dispirited that the will to talk was null.
“Let’s continue reading loud the masterpiece of the contemporary literature: “My Inferiority”. Like I said before it’s the perfect way that you, here at the Muggle studies class, have to understand why you are so minor and impure like those muggles. So open the books that are on the desks on page 36. You girl!” he pointed to Johanna “Please read loud to us.”
She obeyed him. She read the text with passion. Professor Pince looked very pleased. The other students didn’t.
At the end of the class the Professor order her to stay. When they found themselves alone he spoke:
“A fine reading girl. Not common for a non like you.”
“Thank you Professor.”
“What’s your name?”
“Johanna Steele.”
“So Miss Steele can you tell me the reason of your ardent reading?”
“Of course Professor. The book make sense to me. What the author says… It’s the truth. We are inferior and weak Professor.”
He smiled.
“Finally someone understands the massage we’re trying to give here. You may go to your chores now.”
Johanna left the classroom.
“He cursed you, right?”
“No Felicia, he didn’t. He showed himself proud. Finally he found someone who learned what he has to teach. It’s like winning points at Hogwarts”
“Next time I’ll read too” said Gus.
“You’re insane!”
“No we’re not. Just showing some interest, that’s all. And it’s just that. Or do you think I believe on their philosophy?”
“No. But that’s because I know you. You fooled many people today in class.”
They didn’t talked more. It was time for their chores. Johanna felt well with herself. In her mind she viewed Pince’s body lying on the floor, lifeless. When the time came she would have her revenge.