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A Cat For Cat From Cat (Catriona)
Author: Fionna
Date: 10-02-08 16:59
Catriona paces the main entryway of the castle, moving round and round as if cutting a circle into the stone floor. Arms folded, leaning against a section of wall, Cat's roommate Biana states, "This is boring."
"You don't have to wait if you don't want but Aunt Moira should be here soon."
"You said that fifteen minutes ago."
"I know but I can't help it she's running later than she said she'd be. My aunt probably got held up by a customer."
"What did you say she does?"
"Aunt Moira owns an antique shop."
"It's her daughter who has the cool job with Terrortours?"
"Yeah, Fionna."
"I want to go on one of their trips, like that Shiver Me Timbers one, but Mum says I'm too young for anything like that."
"I could ask Fionna if they have anything for kids our ages," Cat offers.
One of the entrance doors starts opening. Cat pivots around to see if it's her aunt or just some student coming inside. It's Aunt Moira, looking harried and flushed, clutching a cat carrier in one hand. With her other hand she gives Catriona a big hug.
"Sorry I'm late, poppet," she says, handing the cat carrier to her niece. "Now I must rush off."
"But you just got here," Cat protests.
"If I'd not been held up getting here I could stay a bit but as it is, I'm pushing it to be back to the shop in time for an appointment with one of my best customers."
Aunt Moira gives Cat another quick hug, gives Biana a smile and a wave, then is gone out the door again before Cat's able to say a word. She shoves the cat carrier at Biana then rushes after her aunt to say, "I'm sure you can use a Floo from here. That would be quicker than walking all the way back to the gates to apparate."
Aunt Moira smiles gratefully at Cat, following her niece back inside. Soon after they are again saying goodbye as Aunt Moira steps into one of the fireplaces on the Floo network. Taking the cat carrier back from Biana, Cat promptly sits down on the spot to open the carrier for a look at the kitten inside.
Aunt Moira's cat had had kittens, which are just old enough to go to new homes. Before Catriona had known whose name she got in the Secret Santa gift exchange, she'd owled Aunt Moira to find out if a kitten would be available to give as a Christmas gift and was delighted to learn that one was.
After drawing a name in Secret Santa, Catriona then checked to see if the person had a cat already and learning that he does not, she'd written his mum to find out if he'd ever wanted one and if so, was it all right for Cat to give him a kitten.
Snuggling for a moment with the beautiful Persian kitten, Cat and Biana return to the main entrance to retrieve the gift box she'd put together with supplies such as food, a food dish, and a water bowl. She attaches a card to the cat carrier and puts a big Christmas red bow on it then goes in search of Christopher Chant.
The card reads
A Cat
For Cat
From Cat
(Aleydis) Presents
Author: Griet
Date: 10-02-08 18:07
Aleydis carried a flat, rectangular package wrapped in shiny, red paper across the commons and carefully deposited it with all the other presents under the beautifully decorated Christmas tree. She briefly sifted through some of the gifts without sending them into complete disarray to see if someone had left her one, but when she didn't find one for herself, she moved to the bar to get something warm to drink. She'd just come from the Great Hall and had a delicious meal, so she wasn't terribly hungry, not even for dessert (which had been available in abundance at her table), but she was thirsty and wanted something to warm her cold fingers and toes.
She sat down on a stool and requested mulled cider, which arrived shortly. Aleydis wrapped her hands around the warm glass until they became too hot and then carefully sipped the drink. It burned all the way down her throat to her stomach, but not in an unpleasant way.
Just as she was about to take another sip, someone tapped her on the shoulder. Aleydis jumped, spilling some of the liquid onto her hands.
"Ouch!" she exclaimed, resisting the urge to drop the glass. She set it down quickly and found a napkin to wipe her hands.
"Don't be such a baby," Cornelia stated, setting a heavy box down on the counter. She eased onto the barstool next to Aleydis and asked the house elf tending to the bar for "the same thing she's having."
"I'm not being a baby," Aleydis retorted. "My drink is very hot."
Cornelia rolled her eyes.
"What's that?" Aleydis asked, changing the subject and indicating to the package in front of Cornelia with an incline of her head. Although they'd gone shopping in Hogsmeade together last weekend, neither had purchased their Secret Santa gifts then. They'd both ordered by post, either through their mum or via catalog.
"This?" The box had been wrapped in blue paper that had small Christmas trees on it in patterned rows. "It's the Secret Santa gift I'm giving Daniel Gelson, a third year."
"What did you get him?" Aleydis asked.
"A really nice-looking wizarding chess set. I'd keep it for myself, if I actually liked playing chess."
"Does he like to play?"
Cornelia shrugged. "Who'd you get?"
"Augustus Hodfuffer. He's a first year. I got him a brown, zip-up jumper. I hope he likes it." She picked up her glass and took a sip. It was still quite hot, but not as warm as it had been earlier.
Cornelia drank hers quickly, finishing it well-before Aleydis finished hers. She got up without saying much more than "See ya" and left Daniel's gift under the tree before heading up seven flights of stairs for her own common room and dormitory.
Aleydis, meanwhile, nourished the warm drink until it was gone and then also climbed several flights of stairs before she, too, reached her final destination for the evening.
Birthday Boy
Author: Ariella Beck
Date: 10-02-08 18:48
Ariella entered the London flat she shared with Lawrence and found him standing over a pot of oxtail soup. He stopped stirring at her arrival and carefully set the spoon he'd been using on a nearby cutting board. Smiling, he approached her with arms wide open and embraced her warmly.
"You're not supposed to be cooking your own birthday dinner," Ariella chided playfully. She planted a kiss on his cheek and then pecked him on the lips before flicking her wand at the spoon, causing it to rise from the cutting board and enter the pot again, where it began stirring on its own accord.
She seized Lawrence by the hand and had him sit at the kitchen table, where she set the large shopping bag she'd been carrying in front of him.
"What's this?" Lawrence asked, surprised. He knew that Ariella had been especially tight with their money since she still hadn't found work and since he no longer earned as much as he'd gotten as a professor at Hogwarts. He hadn't expected her to buy him one gift, much less several if the size of the bag was anything to judge.
In all honesty, she'd mulled it over seriously and for quite some time before reaching a decision. Ever the practical one, Ariella had considered making him a gift, but she wasn't all that artistic and any grand idea she might have had might not have turned out exactly the way she'd planned.
It was her grandmother who had urged her to buy him something nice, and when Ariella wavered because of her financial woes, Nana had slipped her a small leather pouch of coins, which Ariella had promptly pressed back into her grandmother's hand. Only the stern look she'd received in response convinced her that taking the money was a good idea.
Ariella had wanted to go into Muggle London to buy some nice clothing for Lawrence. Most wizarding clothing stores had pants and sweaters in addition to robes and other more magical attire, but Muggle stores simply seemed to do pants and sweaters so much better. The problem was, Gringotts wasn't local anymore for easy monetary exchange, and there was no way Ariella was going to try to make the exchange with the new and poorly received Ministry of Magic banking system. Asking for Muggle money was probably just asking for trouble anyway.
After finding out the nearest Gringotts (in France), Ariella traveled there to make the exchange and then traveled back for her shopping extravaganza. Ariella rarely went to the Muggle world since she wasn't from there and really didn't know the ins and outs very well, but she put on a brave face and had a successful venture shopping for clothes for Lawrence.
"Open it," Ariella insisted, smiling at her husband.
Lawrence couldn't resist smiling in return and started removing tissue paper from the top of the bag. He finally came to his gifts, which included a blue Oxford shirt, a hunter green v-neck sweater, a brown crew-neck sweater, and a pair of black slacks.
"Do you like them?" asked Ariella.
Lawrence turned to her and smiled. "I love them. Thank you."
"You're welcome."
She climbed out of her chair and crawled into his lap, where she rested her head against his shoulder and thought about how in just a few short days they'd be back in Australia, preparing for their formal wedding before family and friends.
(Wotan) The Winter Guest
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 10-02-08 19:17
Wotan stared into the flames that licked the air inside the confines of his fireplace and not for the first time wondered if he could get to his wife, now that he had some idea where she was. He had heard somewhat recently from a nice young man Bronwyn and Siegfried had gone to school with that Aemilia was alive and well (all things considered), or at least she had been at her last sighting. Learning the news had given Wotan great hope that he would one day be reunited with the love of his life. He only wished he knew how to liberate her from "Camp Lollipop" right then and now. Finding the retched place would be a start.
A light knock at the front door startled him from his thoughts. He knew who his visitor might be, though he had honestly expected her to arrive via Floo, which might have led to an interesting first meeting, what with him currently standing in front of the fireplace. Removing the thought from his mind of him lying flat on his back with a soot-covered woman sprawled on top of him, Wotan crossed the room and entered the narrow hall to the front door.
He unbolted the lock and opened the door, where he was met by a middle-aged woman. She was very nice-looking, but she had a weary, almost haggard-appearance that showed the stress and worry she endured on a daily basis. She carried a small suitcase, which had likely been charmed to look small when in reality it carried her whole life, for Wotan had never met a woman who traveled light. At least the women in his life didn't know the concept, particularly his daughter Bronwyn.
"Annabelle Diamond?" he queried. He held out his hand to accept her suitcase without waiting for her to respond.
She nodded but held out her hand to shake his in a formal greeting. "I am, and you must be Wotan Dewhurst. I'm pleased to finally make your acquaintance."
"As am I," Wotan replied honestly, shaking her hand. "Please, come in."
Annabelle slipped her hand from his and finally gave him the suitcase. He opened the door wider for her to step inside and after shutting it behind them, followed her down the short hall and gestured for her to take a seat on the sofa. He set the suitcase down against the wall and offered her something to drink.
She accepted a glass of water, which suited Wotan just as well. He took one for himself too and sat on the other end of the couch so that there was a space between them.
"Thank you for your hospitality," Annabelle said, breaking the silence that had overcome them both.
"There's no need," Wotan replied kindly. "It was very thoughtful of our girls to suggest you stay here with me. I've been alone in this house since..." Wotan paused, remembering the day the snatchers had taken his wife and had caused Bronwyn and Toby to go into hiding, "...since I lost my family, and I understand from Bronwyn that you have been desperately searching for your own. You shouldn't be living in inns during this time." He waved his hand in the air. "I have all this space, and I could really use an ally."
"As could I. You've been living through all this for longer than I have. Can you tell me what you know, what you've learned? Is there any hope at all for our families?"
Wotan took a sip of his water and then told Annabelle the little he knew, starting with the first good news he'd gotten in months.
Unnamed Visitor (Theodosia)
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 10-02-08 19:24
Pulling a cap more firmly down on her head, Theodosia wishes that her office at the Quidditch pitch were better insulated from drafts and wishes that there was a real fireplace and not just a small stove. It seems that no matter how many spells she casts against the freezing drafts new entry points for the outside air materialize. For the African woman, last year was hard enough in this colder climate but this year has been downright miserable.
At least this is her last week to use this office for awhile. Come January, Theodosia will be using an office in the castle because her classes will be meeting inside instead of out on the pitch or somewhere else on the grounds. Theodosia might be in that other office right now if not for having just finished her fifth years class. She's got a few things to do here before going up to the castle. When Theodosia does go up, she reminds herself again to take the secret santa present for Hunter Rabnott.
Deciding what to get Hunter was not difficult. With her ties to the Quidditch world, not as great as those Viktor Krum has but nice enough to serve her well for what she needed this time, Theodosia was able to get the gift rather inexpensively for the brand and quality. Theodosia is giving Hunter a very nice set of Quidditch balls, complete with trunk to contain them all.
An hour later Theodosia is rubbing her chilled hands together over the small potbelly stove in one corner. The fire is nearly out but Theodosia is merely taking advantage of the dying heat before bundling up to trudge through the snow back up to the castle. Reluctant to leave even the small amount of heat the stove is putting out, she checks to make sure the fire is fully extinguished then reaches for a heavy wool coat to don.
Theodosia's buttoning up the dark brown coat when there's a knock on the office door. Curious as to who would have ventured down here at this time of day, in the horrible cold, she reaches for the knob and opens the door to find a middle aged, nice looking gentleman in business robes and black coat standing there.
"Theodosia Batuti?"
"I represent the Kendra Beck Hogwarts Scholarship. Are you familiar with it?"
Theodosia motions the man to come in and hastily shuts the door in hopes of retaining what little heat remains in the office. "Vaguely. I recall two students receiving something last year."
"Yes, Jared Wynbourne and Alanna Beck. The scholarship's benefactor did not initially award the scholarship this term because of... well, let's just say things are not as they once were. The benefactor recently decided to go ahead and name recipients for 2002-2003."
"What does this have to do with me, Mr... ?"
"Although not specifically for anything Quidditch related, the scholarship fund actually has a relationship to Quidditch. Since you are the current Quidditch instructor, the scholarship's benefactor felt that you should be made aware of the awarding of the scholarships."
Two thick envelopes are produced from within the folds of the man's heavy coat and handed to Theodosia. One envelope reads Cornelia Vanderbilt and the other reads Deacon Bennett.
The man flashes a smile. "Good evening, Ms. Batuti," before walking out of the office. A few minutes later, all bundled up against the cold, the two envelopes under one arm and the trunk of Quidditch balls for Hunter Rabnott clutched in her hands, Theodosia realizes that the man never did tell her his name.
Dead Man on Campus
Author: Ronan Eastwick
Date: 10-03-08 07:12
A group of fourth-seventh year students were heading in the direction of the Herbology classroom, when a foul stench wafted through the air. Already, the walk from one building to the next was uncomfortable since it was ridiculously cold outside and not one of the students had an extra layer of clothing on for warmth. The smell on top of the weather made the journey all the more unbearable.
"Ugh. What is that?" someone asked.
"It's probably coming from the kitchens," one person answered.
"Or the latrines," said another.
"Whatever it is, we'll probably have to clean it up," said yet another person.
Ronan's walk had been quite brisk, but it slowed as a single thought formulated in his mind. It didn't smell like rotting food or human waste; it smelled like death.
Happy Haven had already experienced one death, but even though Ronan had no idea what had become of Adella Darling's body, he didn't think she had anything to do with the foul stench in the air. The other students kept walking, heedless of the fact that they'd lost Ronan to his wandering thoughts.
Ever since his dead brother Caden had visited him in the night, Ronan had slept even more fitfully than usual. His roommates had had trouble sleeping in the beginning, too, but without a repeat arrival from the zombie in the window, they'd almost convinced themselves that it had never happened.
Ronan didn't know how it was possible, but he was pretty sure that Caden had been there in the window. Someone had raised him from the dead––and done a very poor job of it.
He stopped completely and scanned the landscape, eventually spotting Caden standing just inside the wall that surrounded the entire campus. Ronan couldn't imagine Caden scaling the wall, not even when he was at his fittest, and alive at that.
Slowly, Ronan walked towards his brother. The stench grew stronger, and the nearer Ronan got, the better he saw the terrible shape his brother was in. Caden looked far worse than before. More flesh hung off his bones, and maggots filled some of the exposed cavities. Ronan swallowed his revulsion.
"Roooonnaaaannn," Caden called out ever-so-softly. Ronan thought Caden might be smiling, but with the condition of Caden's face, it was hard to tell.
Ronan shuddered, cold and creeped out. He stopped a good distance before Caden, not wanting to draw any closer. The figure before him might be his brother, but at the same time it wasn't, and Ronan really didn't know what to expect.
"How did you find me? How did this happen? Who did this to you?" The questions couldn't help but spill from Ronan's mouth.
"Mother. Find you, she said. Mother did this."
Caden spoke in slow, baby sentences and in a voice that was so much like and unlike the one he'd used while living.
"But how?" Ronan emphasized, in regards to all his questions at once. He was truly surprised that Enid wanted to know his whereabouts, having assumed she was just as elitist and pureblooded as ever. Perhaps she was just keeping tabs on him, but Ronan hoped the reason for her search was to plan a rescue.
Caden didn't seem to understand Ronan's question. He looked confused, and from the way he contorted his face, Ronan was sure Caden would lose an entire cheekbone to gravity. Already, a patch of skin had fallen from his neck and landed on the snow under his feet.
Suddenly, Caden cocked his head and mumbled, "Trouble."
Ronan sensed that Caden wanted to leave in a hurry. He asked in a rush, "Can you bring her here? Can you get her to help us all?" Enid owed Ronan so much. The least she could do was save him and the rest of the suffering students from the atrocities of this so-called school of magic.
"No," Caden replied solemnly.
Ronan shook his head in disbelief and curbed the impulse to shout in exasperation. Caden was already backing away and looking up at the wall. He reached one boney arm up as high as he could and fixed his rotting fingertips into almost miniscule crevices found there.
"Just tell her I'm at Happy Haven School For Nons," Ronan said urgently, sensing the trouble was coming for him in the form of a professor, a wand, and the Cruciatus Curse. He started backing away from the wall and looked over his shoulder. When he didn't see anyone approaching, he looked back at the wall, but Caden was gone.