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(Weston) Eavesdropping
Author: Marzipan
Date: 09-20-08 12:33
Weston gazed over the top of The Daily Prophet he pretended to read and watched the pair of men seated two tables over at The Leaky Cauldron. They worked on a late breakfast of eggs, ham, and fried tomatoes and drank tea with milk and pumpkin juice. On more than one occasion Weston had watched the men, hoping to glean any sort of information on the whereabouts of his fiancée from them.
By chance, several weeks ago, he'd come to Diagon Alley to run some errands and had stumbled upon the men as they tapped on the bricks behind the pub. They'd been quietly discussing the need to get to their jobs at Goen Bren and had made sarcastic remarks about the individuals who seemed to reside there. Weston didn't know what or where Goen Bren was and probably wouldn't have thought anything about the conversation, if the men hadn't abruptly stopped speaking at his arrival. Terribly suspcious of anything and anyone in these troubled times, it didn't take much for Weston to wonder about the men and their occupations.
He soon discovered that they visited Diagon Alley in the morning almost daily, mostly taking breakfast at The Leaky Cauldron but occasionaly venturing further in for one reason or another. It seemed they were often late to work, and a warm breakfast took priority over punctuality.
Occasionally he overheard them mention Goen Bren again, but they never said enough for him to learn anything of value at all. He had no way of knowing that for the most part, they were magically forbidden from saying too much. Weston sometimes imagined himself dropping his personal covert operation and confronting them outright. Sometimes he even thought about asking someone else if they knew what or where Goen Bren was.
A cautionary feeling in the pit of his stomach warned him to keep his questions to himself. He knew that there were individuals out there who had no qualms about arresting purebloods for merely having a doubtful thought about what was going on in the world. Weston couldn't help Marzipan behind bars.
He visted both public libraries in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade to research Goen Bren but politely declined any assistance from the librarians and was mindful to hide any trace of his futile searching. Weston even checked out the library at St. Emrys but also came up without any information whatsoever.
It appeared that all he could do for now was wait for the men to accidentally give him what he wanted to know.
Breakthrough (Indigo)
Author: Travis
Date: 09-20-08 13:54
Indigo looks down at the drawing in his hand then back to the house visible in the near distance. His eyes keep moving from drawing to house to drawing and back again as his brain attempts to come to grips with the fact that at long last he's found the place that both Travis and he keep seeing in what they can only describe as visions. Visions they are sure are sent by Lisianthus.
For weeks now, whenever Travis or Indi has such a vision, each has immediately jotted down whatever details were remembered. Separately, without the other knowing, they'd draw images of this house and rooms within it. When Travis finally admitted to Indi she'd been drawing details as well as writing down what she'd remember, he'd excitedly run down Hogsmeade High Street to his vet clinic to grab his own drawings from the office cabinet where he'd been keeping them on file. It was with even greater excitement that they compared their drawings and found the house and rooms they'd sketched were the same.
The big conundrum facing them was where exactly the house was located. They both sensed that Lisi was doing her best to give them as many hints to the local as was possible for her. When Indi got up this morning, he had another vision. He was still groggy from sleep when it came but in the few seconds of the images flashing through his mind, he came right awake.
Since then, Indi had an urge to apparate to a place he'd never been before. He's never had it before but since arriving on this spot, he knows that somehow Lisi put the notion in his head.
Tearing his eyes off the drawing and focusing on the house, Indi repeats the same thought several times, hoping that Lisi is picking up on it. I've found the house and will return with Travis as soon as possible.
Forcing himself to leave, Indi disapparates for Hogsmeade, his mind now on the thought of where they'll take Lisi to keep that bitch of a Minister from taking her away again.
Remembering To Tell Bronwyn
Author: Kody
Date: 09-20-08 16:43
Kody walks out of his last final, relieved to have this Michaelmas term over. KOdy checks the time and sees that he's still early to meet Drake off campus at the Wyrding Way but Kody heads for there anyway.
Upon entering, Kody spots Phin who waves him over. Kody wends his way around tables both filled and empty in a place that under normal circumstances would be packed during final examination week. No soon has he plopped down than a waitress scurries over to take Kody's order and to check on Phin.
Phin asks for a refill of hot cocoa. Kody decides he too wants cocoa and although the cake Wyrding Way serves can't compare to Briar's Bakery, it's still pretty darn good, so he points to one that's visible at the counter. "I"ll have a slice of whatever that is."
"Cherry vanilla."
"Cherry vanilla it is then. And a ham sandwich on rye with some of that peppery cheese you have. Pickle on the side. And chips. Chips with salt and vinegar. That's all, for now anyway."
Before the waitress walks away, Drake walks up and pulls out a chair. "I'll have whatever he's having," Drake says with a nod at Kody.
After the waitress has gone to place their order, and after lowering his voice to make sure he's not overheard, Kody asks Phin, "How are the Green twins doing?"
Leaning in towards them slightly, Phin says, "They're doing well. Better than might be expected considering what they went through. Very worried for their sisters and Dad said that Jade sometimes cries when their aunt's visited and has to leave. All in all though, they'd doing really well. Going to school and getting good marks. Help out with Cassandra."
Kody pulls a face. "I just realized. One of the names they gave us for that place they were is Bronwyn Dewhurst's mother but we didn't owl Bronwyn to let her know. We didn't even ask Plum to pass it on to Anthony or tell Anthony ourselves."
Drake offers, "I've got a letter to owl Ophelia tonight. Could put in something to be forwarded to Bronwyn. She's still in Australia, right?"
Phin's brow crinkles. "Would the letter to Ophelia be safe? Her being a Non even if she is an Australian?"
"I don't think any of the letters to her have been tampered with so far but just in case, this time I won't send it from here."
Kody asks, "What do you have in mind?"
"Did I tell you about going to Madrid tomorrow after my last exam?"
"Yeah, with Aaron's Uncle Cedric. Or I guess I should say my great uncle Cedric, huh? They have a house in Madrid and he's going on business so asked if I wanted to destress after finals and stay the weekend there. I can safely owl Ophelia from there."
"Wasn't Bronwyn good friends with Carlomon Bisbee?" Kody asks.
"I think she once dated him," Drake nods.
"Might include then that his mum is one of the names given for that same place."
"Yeah, definately. I do know one thing I didn't share with either of you."
"What's that?" Phin asks.
"The relatives are wanting to get a specific location and storm the place after I told them the younger kids were there."
"Don't I know it," Phin states, nearly forgetting to keep his voice down. "When my family found out our kids were there, they were eager to do something about it."
Kody, in a near whisper, says, "More people to help with the cause."
The sandwiches arrive just then so the guys decide it's a good time to go silent on the subject for the time being.
(Créteil) Giving and Receiving Information
Author: Charlie Weasley
Date: 09-22-08 15:26
Barny Bartlesby signs out from work, steps into the Floo and heads for home. Once there, the man who is Charlie Weasley in disguise immediately disapparates to another location. He debates going to a Wizarding pub where Barny most likely wouldn't be known and Flooing from there to one a French location and apparating from there to Créteil safehouse. He might be well now with apparating but in the past Charlie wasn't known for his apparition skills and there are still times when if he doesn't have to exert himself that way, he doesn't.
A pub that will do nicely comes to mind and Charlie disapparates once more. A very short time later Charlie is exiting a French tavern. He walks a few blocks to a forested park and from there apparates to within walking distance of the Créteil safehouse. It will be the first time Charlie will have seen anyone in on the deception since he left on his mission.
At the safehouse, Charlie is greeted by Remus Lupin. Although never a noisy place, the house is sombre in the extreme. Crinkling his brow, Charlie asks, "What's going on, Remus?"
Remus takes the direct approach, not mincing words. "Harry was captured two days ago, on Wednesday."
"No! What happened?"
"Ron and Harry,"
"Ron's all right?" Charlie quickly interjects.
"He was injured but not badly. He's all healed now, at least physically."
Charlie breathes a little easier. "Sorry to have interrupted. Go on."
Remus nods, starting over. "Ron and Harry went to Glastonbury to meet with a contact of Dung's. We don't know if the contact sold them out or if he was captured and made to talk. All we do know is that Harry and your brother were ambushed. Harry was captured and Ron very nearly didn't get away. He won't accept that he's not a coward for evading the snatchers."
"I imagine Janine must be in a state herself."
"She is but Janine's holding together better than expected. Pinky and Rocko are both extremely depressed as well."
Charlie starts to ask how Ginny's holding up but stops himself. Just because he's aware of Ginny's current feelings for Harry doesn't mean others are. Instead he asks, "How are Hermione and everyone else?"
"Hermione is understandably upset but not like she would be if it were Ron missing. Your mum has been ready to break down Azkanban's door to get Harry out."
"If he's there. Snape is at the Mews. Harry might be at another location instead of Azkaban. Has anything more been learned?"
"Just what the Resistace was able to tell us about that one called Camp Lollipop."
Charlie snorts in disgust. "How sick is that? Naming a children's prison camp after a sweet?"
"As sick as naming the structures within the camp after other sweets."
"I've not been able to learn anything but other locations. What Barny told us is the truth. Almost all the employees are magically forbidden from speaking about their own workplaces with anyone not also employed there and even that's restricted."
"Hopefully we'll get more info from other sources, like Drucilla Black. What can you tell us that Bartlesby wasn't able?
"Is Janine here?"
"Yes, Hermione, Pinky, Rocko, and she came here after getting a Patronus from Ron," Remus replies, curiosity evident in his face and voice as to why Charlie evaded his question.
"I have news that might bring brighten her up a little. Her mother, Sonia Hound Fox, is a prisoner at the Mews. I've not given myself away to Snape much less Mrs. Fox, but I made sure she's at least in good health."
Remus claps Charlie on the back. "Hermione and she were at the kitchen table discussing where they'll go next. Molly and Pinky are making lunch and the entire room smells wonderful so I can't blame them for wanting to sit in there while they talk. I'm sure Janine is going to love hearing her mum is fine at the moment."
End of Term
Author: Anthony Beck
Date: 09-22-08 18:59
After putting the finishing touches on an essay question for his Criminal Law final exam, Anthony put down his quill and massaged his writing hand before collecting all his belongings together. He got up with his things and the exam, which he carried to the front of the classroom and deposited onto his professor's desk before leaving the room. Anthony walked to the fireplaces without delay and took the first available floo home.
He arrived in his family's living room, spinning and scattering soot onto the carpet. A wave of his wand cleaned the dust off of his clothes and the floor. He greeted his grandmother with a kiss, patted his grandfather on the shoulder, and then went up to his bedroom to kick off his shoes and unload his things. Anthony waved his wand at the WWN receiver on a shelf in his room, just in time for the latest broadcast from the Resistance Movement.
He lay back on his bed with his fingers laced behind his bed and listened to the report, eager to take a more active role in developments and yet at the same time cautious since the last time he got involved, he very nearly got himself landed in Azkaban. Anthony's thoughts inevitably strayed to his half-sister Katherine and where she might be now. He wished he knew something about her well-being, though knowing exactly how to find her and bring her to the safety and comfort of her family's own home would be ideal.
Anthony didn't allow his thoughts to wander much further, at least not until the end of the broadcast. Soon, he and his grandparents and even Alanna who would be pretending to go on holiday abroad alone would travel to Australia for Ariella and Lawrence's formal wedding ceremony. Anthony wanted Plum to attend as his date, but he knew that she might have other obligations, since her father wasn't exactly capable of taking care of himself, much less Alex these days.
Before he knew it, his eyes were closed and Anthony was sleeping to the sound of dead air on the WWN.
Not Resisting Anymore
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 09-23-08 14:56
Offsides on the ground, Py leans back on a bench watching the action overhead. Beside him, Viktor Krum bleakly states, "Kensington iz not vorking. You vill play Chaser on Sunday."
Py nods even though he knows Viktor isn't looking his direction. Above, Kensington drops yet another pass. The man might be a pureblood with a long pureblooded lineage but he's a horrible flyer and a worse Quidditch player. From the few times Py has seen Kensington use magic, the guy is very weak there as well.
With enough Quidditch players to field the pared down number of teams in the league hard to come by, teams have been forced to have a few players like Kensington if they wish to have more than seven players total to choose from when deciding a game line-up. In fact, even having seven decent players is a challenge these days.
Hard to believe that while in school and even afterwards Py firmly supported the idea that the Wizarding world would be better off with all those not of pureblood either dead, imprisoned, or somehow permanently stripped of magic. Now that there is no one of impure blood legally living free in Great Britain, the Wizarding world is anything but a better place. Py cannot beieve that somehow, for all those years, he failed to carry the idea past the initial concept to consider the repurcussions of such a plan in action.
As Kensington inadvertently swings his broom tail into a bludger, sending it into the stands at the only group of spectators watching practice, Py starts thinking it might be time he check out this resistance movement he's heard a little about, one that his sister and her husband are most likely part of.
Viktor nudges Py with an elbow. "End this misery. Take Kensington's place."
Viktor blows his whistle to stop the scrimmage as Py jumps up, broom already in hand, ready to fly up to join those playing. His thoughts automatically shift from that of the resistance movement to the job of being Chaser. Time enough to resume thinking about how he'll go about joining the resistance after practice ends.
Night of the Living Dead
Author: Ronan Eastwick
Date: 09-23-08 18:31
If not for his rigorous and quite ridiculous class schedule, Ronan would have long lost track of what day it was. In some respects, everyday at Happy Haven was exactly the same. Ungodly early mornings, hard work of both the school and slavery variety, bad food, and then off to bed without a moment to truly relax or enjoy oneself. He held up his spoonful of questionable-smelling and -tasting stew and mentally told himself to just shove it down his throat already. Sometimes it was really hard choking down the slop Happy Haven cooks called food.
Finally, he forced the spoon into his mouth and swallowed the stew with difficulty. He shuddered and squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, waiting for the nausea and after-taste to pass. Then he put down his spoon and cleared his dishes before exiting the dining hall for his dormitory room.
He wasn't there long before one of the professors popped a head into the room and barked, "Lights out!"
A flick of that professor's wand extinguished all the lamps in the room, leaving the boys in total darkness. Ronan sat perfectly still and waited for his eyes to adjust to the darkness before he finished getting ready for bed. Bedtime at Happy Haven was ridiculously early, but since Ronan was always tired, falling asleep well before he might usually go to bed wasn't exactly a challenge.
Even the uncomfortable conditions of his bed (hard, lumpy mattress, no pillow, and a threadbare blanket), did little to keep him from falling asleep very quickly. He slept without dreaming until a loud thump woke him and several other boys in his room.
"Did you hear that?" someone asked in the darkness.
Ronan rolled over and said, "It's probably nothing. Try to go back to sleep."
He shut his eyes and attempted to follow his own advice when another thump, this time louder, caused him to reopen his eyes and sit up. The other boys in his room sat up as well.
"That's not nothing," someone whispered hoarsely.
Ronan shivered, whether from the cold or from fright, he did not know.
The boys held their breaths in silence when...
"Ronan..."
Ronan sat up straight and felt a chill race down his spine. That voice... it sounded oddly familiar... but it couldn't be, could it?
Although it was dark in the dorm room, he could feel all eyes on him.
"Roooooonaaaaaan..." the voice said again. It came from outside the building.
Even though the goosebumps that had sprouted across his arms and the back of his neck told him not to investigate, he forced himself out of bed and cautiously walked to the window. Every step seemed to take a million years, and when the floorboards creaked beneath his weight, he heard some of his roommates gasp in fright.
"Rooonaaaan..."
He stopped, quite frightened himself, but steeled himself to pull back the tattered, faded curtains that covered the window. He reached out with one shaky hand and clasped the thin material. With one quick movement he tore back the curtain and found himself face-to-face with his half-brother Caden, who looked unlike he had in life. His face was so white it was nearly translucent, and some of it had peeled and hung loosely here and there, exposing the bone behind it.
Ronan gagged first and screamed bloody murder second. The boys in his room screamed hysterically too, having seen the zombie-like apparition in the glow of the moonlight. Startled from all the screamining, Caden yelled loudly and then turned and limped away into the darkness.
Ronan let the curtain fall and clutched at his chest, breathing hard. He'd seen things, clearly. His brother hadn't just been standing outside the window. Caden was dead, and had been for well over a year. There was just no way...
The boys in the room had stopped their own yelling but didn't bother to keep down their voices as they discussed what they'd seen through the window.
...but if they had seen him too, then maybe Caden had been there. But how? It was impo––
"What is this meaning of this?!" shrieked Professor Carrow, having just come in through the door.
Ronan, still standing by the window, spoke up when his roommate wouldn't. "I'm sorry for the yelling, professor. We heard a noise and then saw––"
"Saw?!" Carrow questioned shrilly. "Saw what, boy?"
Ronan opened his mouth but he wasn't sure what exactly do say? Ghost? Zombie? My dead brother?
None of the other boys wanted to draw attention to themselves and dutifully kept quiet. Ronan didn't blame them one bit.
Carrow didn't bother to wait a moment longer. She whipped out her wand and Crucio'd Ronan on the spot. He fell to his knees, clutching his stomach, and breathed hard.
"Back to bed," she barked, and with a quick glance around the room added, "all of you!"
She slammed the door shut and locked it for good measure.
Ronan dragged his weary body back to bed and climbed under the covers, knowing now he definitely wouldn't be able to fall back asleep, and he doubted very much his roommates would either.