[Ha Ha] Wool[ly] Gathering
Author: Georgia Copperpot
Date: 09-18-08 14:54
Potionsd professor Ursula Urquhart fixes an icy stare on Castor Lyon just before causing him to double over in pain from a jinx. "I realize that calling you worthless lot morons is disparaging to morons the world over but honestly, how difficult to grasp is this task?" she snits at them.
"I shall endeavor to speak more slowly with the instructions this time." Urquhart repeats the instructions treating each word as a separate sentence and in a tone that indicates her utter disdain for the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th years.
"Card."
"The."
"Wool."
"Until."
"The."
"Fibers."
"Align."
"Only."
"Then."
"Snip."
"The."
"Wool."
"To."
"Add."
"To."
"Your."
"Cauldrons."
I'm doing just that but stop a second to untangle some wool from one of the two brushes I'm using for carding. Wrong time to have put one of the brushes aside. I drop the one I'm holding when pain shoots through my hand. Tears well but don't fall as I massage the injured hand while Urquhart stands over me, wand still pointed. She snaps, "Two brushes needed for carding, you imbecile."
Pointing out that I knew that and that I'd only set one down to untangle the hunk of wool I'm working on would only earn me more pain. Vair inferior to awarding points, pain is. But try telling that to Headmistress Carrow and her cronies.
After Urquhart's moved on to torment someone else, I sniffle and backhand the tears from my eyes. Edith, working next to me, softly asks, "Hurts that badly?"
"No," I whisper back. "Getting nostalgic for the good old days with Woolly. She must miss us terribly. I shall ask the sex god, my boyfriend, to bid her hello from me in my next letter."
On my other side Izzy snorts. "Urquhart's right. You are an imbecile, Georgia."
I look askance at Izzy. "Why Izzy, my bestest chum o' mine, how can you say such a thing?"
"Need I list the reasons?" she huffs.
"Vair helpful if you did?"
"Where to start? Woolly misses you? Not bloody likely. Sage Porter your boyfriend? Barmy of you to continue insisting he is when you've never even held hands."
"But we've kissed," I interject, remembering to keep the volume down lest Urquhart notices we are talking.
"Doesn't count," Izzy forcefully insists before continuing. "The letters you write. You cannot mail them so why do you keep on with something so pointless."
I frown at Izzy and reply with sadness, "If I must explain then I doubt very much you would understand. Poor, clueless Izzy Wizzy."
Izzy rolls her eyes before looking back down at the wool she's carding, saying just barely loud enough for me to hear, "Miss Daft caling me clueless. That's rich."
Choosing to ignore Izzy, I inform Edith, "I shall pass on felicitations to Woolly from you as well, Edith."
Edith shakes her head but thanks me with a, "Ta ever so," though why she sounds so sarcastic I'm not exactly sure.
Translations:
vair = a much cooler, hip version of very
Woolly = Woolly Mammoth = woolly mammoths were vair hairy so = Harriet "the Hairy" Snider
sex god = in this instance refers to be still my heart Sage Porter
chum = friend
barmy = what the clueless Izzy is for not thinking sex god Sage Porter is my boyfriend
daft = another word for what poor, insane Izzy is
Coward
Author: Ron Weasley
Date: 09-18-08 18:07
"Go before you lose your wand too!"
"Not leaving you!"
"And both get captured? Got to let the others know we were ambushed!"
Much as Ron hated to admit, he knows Harry's right. On the other hand, Ron can't leave his best friend alone in an ambush. The decision is pretty much made for him when a bright red light slams into Ron's shoulder, nearly forcing him to drop his wand, which would pretty much ensure his own capture.
Crying out in anguish from the pain in his shoulder and the pain of leaving his friend, Ron disapparated but not before another spell caught him, this time in the back from someone stealing up on them from behind.
Ron first went to a place they'd been earlier in the fall, a Muggle world location. He needed to be sure that the Ministry people hadn't somehow tagged him with another locater. For all he knew, the Snatchers had improved upon that one, making it so there didn't need to be physical contact or even for a potion to be involved. For all he knew, that last hit he took was just such a spell. Ron needed to stay in one location long enough to determine if he was going to be followed.
Despite the pain from where he'd been jarred on the ground from getting shoved, from the pain radiating from his shoulder, and the pain in his back, Ron stayed crouched in a storage shed for hours. A few times he can close to blacking out from the pain but held on by sheer force of will, though the entire time he had a running internal monologue for what a coward he is to have run out on Harry like that.
Only after it appeared that he was not being traced did Ron continue on. Through a series of apparitions he made his way across England, across the Channel, and to just south of Paris where the Order is keeping watch over someone. Ron apparated as close to the Créteil safe house as was possible with the spells and charms on the place then, with cramping muscles and a very disheveled appearance, Ron staggered in.
Mad Eye Moody and Ron's father came rushing forward to help Ron make it to a sofa. Arthur immediately began examining the shoulder wound and asking, "What's happened? Where's Harry?"
Air hisses out between his teeth as whatever his father's doing to his shoulder brings on fresh pain. Ron says through gritted teeth, "Dung's contact was no good. It was an ambush."
"And Harry?" Mad Eye prompts.
"Captured. Captured and I was a bloody, fecking coward to leave him," Ron nearly yells from the anger at himself.
To this Moody says nothing. Arthur tries to reassure, "No, son, you were no coward. If you were able to get away, then that was the sensible action to take."
Ron shrugs, something he shouldn't have done since it increases the pain in both shoulder and back. Ron silently disagrees with his father. If it had been Ron about to be captured, Harry wouldn't have bolted off. His anger threatening to overwhelm him again and cause an outburst, Ron bites his bottom lip and sits mutely while Arthur cleans and dresses his wounds.
Weary
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 09-19-08 14:40
Fritz eases down into a chair in the cafeteria and stifles a yawn. It's sunset already but not yet bedtime, though he thinks if he went to sleep now, he'd drift off into unconsciousness immediately. He's just that tired, and seemingly has been ever since arriving at Happy Haven School For Nons. His professors work him ragged, and on top of the intense classwork and astronomical amount of homework he has to endure each day, he also has various chores that keep him busy and make him feel overworked. He's tired both mentally and physically and wonders if he will ever catch a break. Not in the foreseeable future, as far as he can tell.
Beside him, Coco sits and stares glumly into the bowl of stew on the table before her. Fritz glances from her crestfallen face into the bowl, unsure of what exactly it consists of and not exactly sure he wants to know. Some things are better left unsaid.
He looks down at his own bowl of mystery stew and sighs. Not for the first time he thinks Coco should turn into a bird and fly away to safety, but he knows she won't do it for fear of what would become of the others. There had already been one death at Happy Haven, and she didn't put it past Carrow or the professors to kill somebody in retaliation for an escape.
Although noble as he is, Fritz sometimes wishes he could turn into a bird and fly away. He's just sorry that he never passed his apparition exam. He would give anything to just disapparate and wind up anywhere but where he currently is.
He sighs again and picks up his spoon. The effort in just lifting the tiny utensil works his aching muscles in a manner he wishes it wouldn't. Would there ever be a day when he wasn't suffering?
All Work and No Play
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 09-19-08 16:38
Ethan and Maverick worked together to build scaffolding against the wall of the cottage they intended on repainting in the morning. They had already repainted several of the cottages at Brecqhou, and each time needed to build and take down the scaffolding. Both men had become more muscular during their time on the island, though neither had eaten well since their arrival and looked leaner than normal.
Ethan found that he worked well with Maverick, who, at one time had been both confidant and enemy. He couldn't fault Maverick for the past, for Ethan had lived through the same ordeal, even though he had been fortunate to break free on his own and much earlier. Project 25 would always link them together, but it was a time in history they had both overcome in their own ways.
Over the last few months, the men had forged a different sort of bond. In truth, Ethan could call Maverick a friend and felt that if they ever were free of their circumstances, they would continue their friendship. He didn't know it, since men generally didn't express their feelings, but Maverick felt the same way.
Maverick's life had been much like Ethan's. He'd been plucked from his family and raised by adoptive parents who'd supported the Dark Lord. Maverick had been groomed to become a liasion between Voldemort and the other Project 25ers, along with Morgain Noir who had been killed several years ago. His capture by Ethan himself had begun his rehabilitation and led to a feeling of great remorse for everything he had done during his time as an agent for the dark. Maverick, like Ethan, was a good person who had been used for a bad purpose.
He'd dreamt of leaving Azkaban and pursuing a new life, like Ethan had done. He hadn't thought he'd go from one prison to another of sorts.
Neither had Ethan.
Ethan shook his head. Finishing the scaffold would do no good in the dark. The sun had set and the already chilly day had turned to an even chillier night.
"Let's finish in the morning," Ethan said. "We haven't much more to do, and I'm sure we can finish our entire task even with this minor setback."
Maverick nodded. "I'm not worried we'll fall behind, but Lestrange might find fault in us anyway."
"Not might," Ethan responded, climbing down from the scaffolding, "will." He shrugged, though Maverick could hardly see the gesture in the dark. "I'm beyond caring at this point. Let's get out of this cold before my knuckles turn to ice."
Maverick didn't argue since he wanted to go where it was warmer too, and the two men set off in the direction of their cottage with plans to get up early and finish what they started in the morning.
Waiting... Wondering... Worrying...
Author: Janine Fox
Date: 09-19-08 16:42
Janine stared out of the window. Harry and Ron should have been home hours ago. It was not like them to at least check in or send a Patronus.
Somethings wrong, Janine said, turning around to face Hermione.
Nothing is wrong, Hermione said firmly, but the way she fidgeted with the newspaper in front of her gave away her worry.
I think we need to be ready to move.
Hermione bit her lip, but then shook her head firmly. No. Im sure everything is fine. There is no need to panic. We dont want to do anything rash.
Janine turned to look out of the window. Her eyes squinted into the darkness. She thought she could see something approaching.
Turning again, she said in a rush, Hermione, I think we need to go!
Honestly, Janine, you need to sit down and calm
Hermiones voice cut off as a fast approaching Patronus made a bee-line for her. It was a very weak Patronus and was already breaking apart when it reached her. Gasping softly she whispered hoarsely, Ron!
Janine noticed the way Hermiones face suddenly paled. Looking around the room, Janine waited for Harrys Patronus to follow. But after a few minutes it became obvious that there wasnt going to be another Patronus.
Taking charge, Janine grabbed Hermione by the arm and pulled her out of the room. She quickly scooped up the belongings that were always packed and ready, and calling Rocko and Pinky over, quickly exited the home. She wasnt sure what had happened with Harry and Ron but Janine knew that she and Hermione needed to make their way immediately to the next safety home of the Order.
As she walked, Janine only focused on getting her group to safely. She needed to focus on that, otherwise she would start to wonder what had happened to Harry, and any thoughts on that subject she knew would lead her down a dark black hole that she might not be able to climb out of again.
Welcome To Community Q
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 09-20-08 08:47
Harry's eyes feel gummy to the point that he ends up reaching with an arms that seems heavy and sore to forcefully pry his eyes open. Intense, bright light bombards him, causing Harry to groan and to snap his eyes shut again. The sound of someone moving around has Harry opening his eyes again albiet very slowly.
"Fully awake now, Harry?" the person asks.
It doesn't escape Harry's notice the underlying sad note in the voice. He pushes himself up, groaning from the effort as his entire body resists moving even a little. Harry's brow furrows at the face of the person whose taking a seat on a bed next to the one he's on. It's a familiar face. Searching his memories Harry finally croaks, "Lee Henderson?"
"Yeah. It's okay if you want to pretend to be out of it a little longer." Lee nods down to one arm in a sling. "I got picked to do work in the hut until you wake up, then it's back out doing hard work again even with a bum arm."
"What happened?"
"Fell off a ladder two days ago and cracked my elbow. Nothing entirely broken but something's definately fractured."
"That's an easy fix with Skele-Gro."
"Don't I know it! But wasting perfectly good medicinal potion on a lowly Non like me isn't in the warden's plans for keeping this place running."
"Warden? And what is this place? One of the prison camps like the Mews?"
"Not sure what the Mews is but yeah, this is a prison camp only it's called a community. Community Q. And we aren't prisoners, we're residents. The person in charge is the warden, Imogen Bulstrode."
"Any relation to Millicient Bulstrode, you know, the Slytherin that was in my same year?"
"As nasty a piece of work as Millicent and Warden Bulstrode both are, yeah, I'd say they're related. So what happened to you? You are covered in bandages."
"Ambushed. Took a bunch of direct hits. If your wound hasn't been tended I'm surprise mine were."
"You arrived like that this morning. Minister Smythe-Jones personally saw to your delivery. I only know that because at breakfast Warden Bulstrode told me she had a special duty for me. I got to see you brought in and overhead the Minister telling the warden that she had a healer take care of your wounds because she wanted to make sure you lived to suffer here at Community Q."
To that Harry wryly replies, "How very thoughtful of Minister Smythe-Jones."
"What's that Mews place you mentioned?"
"It is, so far, the only prison camp the resistance movement has confirmed the whereabouts of. One other is known, the place where all the little kids were taken, called, get this, Camp Lollipop. Two kids managed to escape through a Floo so while we now know who's there and its setup, we don't have a location on it. We knew there had to be other locations but we now know that there are charms and spells in place that keep employees from gabbing. We also know that most employees of one location have little, if any, knowledge of other locations."
"Sounds like we could all be stuck in these camps for a long while," Lee mournfully says. Only slightly more cheerful he then tells Harry, "Hagrid's here. He'll be happy to see you. Or, on second thought, maybe not."
Harry actually chuckles at that. "I know what you mean."
A very loud, grating female voice reaches their ears. Lee stands. "That's the warden. Best go tell her you're awake. Oh, and by the way, welcome to the tropics. You're now on an island in the Caribbean."
Harry watches Lee walk out before settling himself back on the uncomfortable cot, the better to pretend he's only just this moment woken up.
Bad News
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 09-20-08 09:19
Yesterday, rather than go to another of the safe houses belonging to the Order within Britain's borders, Janine led Hermione, Pinky, and Rocko on a series of roundabout apparitions to Créteil, France, where she knew other members of the Order currently resided and where she could give warning of what had occurred. The trip took longer than it normally would have because both Janine and Hermione wanted to make sure they didn't have a tail and because they were worried sick and could splinch themselves if they weren't extra careful.
At last, they arrived at the French safe house and entered, searching the familiar faces for the two they sought the most. Hermione spotted Ron almost immediately and went to his side, burying her head into his uninjured shoulder. Janine looked aorund mutely for Harry even though deep down she knew he wouldn't be there. Someone gently took her by the arm and settled her into a comfortable old recliner. Even Pinky, who was so utterly devoted to Harry, seemed at a loss as to what to do now. He sank to the floor with Rocko nestled beside him.
"What happened?" Hermione asked, not only her benefit but for Janine and Pinky's as well.
Once again, Ron launched into what had happened, leaving no detail unsaid. When he finished, his chin fell to his chest and his shoulders heaved morosely.
"There was nothing you could do," Janine murmured from across the room. Tears glistened in her eyes.
Hermione's cheeks also felt wet. She bit her lip and said, "We'll find him again," hoping she'd spoken true and that it wasn't just wishful thinking.