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Alexa and Hunter at Lunch
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 10-03-08 21:01
Alexa leaves Charms, glad to have Wednesday morning over. With Professor Carry and Potions to start off Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and with Professor Yaxley in Charms just before lunch on those three days, the only bright spot three mornings a week is Defense Against the Dark Arts sandwiched between the the other two classes.
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons consister of Herbology, Transfiguration, and History of Magic. Professor Farnon, Grubblyplank, and Douglass are actually all nice though by the end of History of Magic, Alexa is always tired both mentally and physically. It definately helps these three afternoons pass that Rivalen Farnon and Declan Douglass are both handsome, though Professor Douglass is a far more exacting teacher than Professor Farnon is. As far as Professor Grubblyplank goes, she might be elderly and not someone Alexa cares to stare dreamily at, but the woman is far more caring than some of the other professors, such as the ones teaching her first and third classes today.
Taking a seat next to her cousin Hunter, Alexa asks, "Where's everyone else?"
Hunter takes the question to mean where are his brother Hadrian and their cousin Daniel. He shrugs at her while reaching for a platter of crispy fried fish to go with the heaping pile of chips he's already got on his plate. "Didn't you just come from the same class as them?"
"Yeah, but I went to the commons first to drop of a Secret Santa gift."
"Do you have me?"
Accepting the platter of fish from Hunter, Alexa shakes her head no. "Aleydis Vanderbilt. You?"
"Etta's brother."
"Was it hard to find something for Jared?"
"Yeah, sort of. I ended up asking Etta. Even though I know Etta well because of her being friends with you, Hadrian, Daniel, and... and the others, with Jared being a seventh year I don't really know him or much about him."
"And?"
"Maybe I don't want to say," Hunter laughs.
Alexa fixes him with an unblinking stare that she knows Hunter finds unnerving. He makes a face at her then laughs again. "Cologne. Etta said to get Jared cologne."
Hunter points to a tureen of soup. "Ladle some of that for me, please? What did you get Aleydis?"
"Bunny pajamas and warm, fuzzy bunny slippers."
Alexa hands Hunter a bowl of the soup. "Christmas isn't going to be the same this year," she says softly, sadly.
"I know," Hunter replies, his eyes suddenly feeling misty. He awkwardly gives his cousin a pat on the shoulder. "They're all okay though. I just know it."
"I hope you're right."
Hunter clears his throat, wiping at his eyes really quickly and hoping no one notices, then says, "Better eat. Time for our one o'clock classes will be here before we know it."
Alexa nods and cuts into a piece of the fried fish with her fork even though she suddenly doesn't feel much like eating anymore.
(Annabelle) A Place to Rest
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 10-03-08 22:28
For the first time in months, Annabelle Diamond woke up actually rested. She slept in an actual factual soft bed, not a hard rock called a bed used by hotels. She felt like a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Aemilia Dewhurst, the wife of the kind man who has opened his home, was alive and well. She had been detained longer then either Wesley or Bianca. Therefore, if she’s ok, they’re both ok.
Last night Annabelle had decided that she was going to put her search on hold. It was getting cold outside, and in the months she had been here searching, she learned less the Wotan had, and that wasn’t much.
Annabelle stretched out before flipping the covers off herself and stepping out of the bed. She continued her stretch as she walked to her suitcase. It was charmed to hold more then it should. She kept a week to two weeks change of clothes, and some smaller personal effects. One never knows when they’ll get a chance to hit up a laundry mat.
With a quick change of clothes, Annabelle walked out of her room. She quickly discovered she had gotten up early, which she had been doing for a while now. While a little disappointed she hadn’t gotten a chance to sleep in, she decided to take advantage of it anyways. She headed for the kitchen.
It had been some months since she’d actually cooked a proper meal for more then just herself. And what she cooked for herself sometimes weren’t really proper meals. Since, from the sounds of it, Wotan may not have gotten up yet, she made her way to the kitchen.
After washing a sink-full of dishes, she started to cook. Since the kitchen wasn’t as stocked as it could be, Annabelle made the easiest thing she could think of. French Toast. Everyone likes French toast. Plus, the stuff to make it is found in even the worst stocked of kitchens.
She managed to get the breakfast made before Wotan walked in. “Good morning.” She greeted him.
“Wow, you…” he trailed off for a moment, “Made breakfast.”
“Yeah, I did what I could. Have a seat and eat up.” Annabelle placed the plates of food on the table. Wotan took a bite and nodded approvingly. “It’s good.” Wotan ate the food quickly, and soon, he was getting ready for his day at work.
“Oh, Mrs. Diamond,”
“Annabelle, or Anna,”
“Annabelle, would you mind having lunch with me later, if you’re not going to be busy that is.”
“Sure,” Annabelle smiled, “I’m not going to search for a while. You’ve done less work then I have and had better results. So, Yes, I would love to.”
“Great, I’ll see you then.” Wotan left shortly afterwards. Annabelle turned to look back at the house. It must not have been cleaned for a while. It was messy, but not trashed. She decided, it needed to have a woman’s touch again, and got to work cleaning.
Between Classes
Author: Christopher Chant
Date: 10-05-08 12:51
Fitness & Athletics this morning had been so cold, Christpher is certain he now knows what it's like to be an ice cube. He wanted to leap around out of sheer happiness with Professor Batuti told them that after the Christmas holiday, they'll be meeting inside. If it's this cold in early December, Christopher doesn't want to even think about how cold it will be come January. Having indoor classmeetings for Fitness & Athletics will be excellent, though if he any Quidditch practice, they'll be that to contend with. Christopher isn't sure if he will seeing as how he'd played in the first Quidditch match and the teams for the second may or may not have members who played in the first.
On the trek up from the pitch to the castle, Christopher spots Cornelia Vanderbilt. He gropes around in his bookbag for a small, wrapped box. When it's firmly in hand, he alters his course just enough that he "accidently" bumps into Cornelia. The fourth year nearly drops her own bookbag and Christopher grabs for it, helping her slide the strap back onto her shoulder. In the process, he slips the gift into her bag.
Christpher has Cornelia's name for Secret Santa. He'd been going to put the present under the tree in the commons where most everyone else seems to be putting gifts but when he'd spotted Cornelia a moment ago, Christopher decided to see if he could get it into her bag without her noticing.
He takes it he was successful from the way Cornelia scowls and him and shoves him away before continuing to the pitch. Christopher plods on through the snow to the castle, catching up with Daniel and Hadrian. Inside they shake off the snow and hurry to get to the tower room for Arithmancy & Divination.
Christopher's settling into his usual comfortable chair when Basil asks, "Have a problem walking today, Chant?"
"Huh?"
"I saw you tumble into Cornelia Vanderbilt."
"Just an accident. Tripped over something hidden by the snow."
Basil sniggers. "Sure you did. I saw how you shifted paths just enough to deliberately run into Vanderbilt. Got a crush do you?"
Knowing that Basil Wynbourne is the type to harass someone just because he enjoys giving a person grief, Christopher doesn't bother denying Basil's assement. All that would serve to do is make Basil certain he's on the right track. Christopher merely shrugs. "You've made up your mind about it, Basil. Guess that means there's nothing else to be said."
Deflated somewhat that Christopher won't get into verbal sparring with him, Basil glares them moves on to sit at his own usual seat at the same table as his best chum Ivan. Basil probably decided not to push the issue for now because Professor Sacheverelle has walked out of her office to start class.
There's an exam but she informs them that the last portion is tea reading and to go with the tea she's got some Christmas sweets to pass around. Cheered somewhat at the prospect of sweets before lunch, Christopher doesn't mind quite so much that the tea reading is part of an end of term exam.
Wanting To Be Useful
Author: Majandra
Date: 10-05-08 15:59
"Mummy, Georgie's cwying."
Maj looks up from the pile of clothes she's folding, not for the first time wishing she could simply wave her wand and be done with the task. "Thank you, Miranda."
The sound of the baby's cries now reach Maj's ears. Usually she's more attuned to such things so she doesn't know if he's only begun or if she was simply that lost in thought while she worked. She starts for the door but sees her grandmother already on her way up the stairs. "I've got him, dear."
"Thanks, Gram."
Turning to her daughter Maj asks, "Are you hungry? It's nearly lunchtime."
"Me want cheese."
Maj laughs, patting the two year old on the head. "You need to have more than cheese."
Someone else enters the room just then, swooping Miranda up in a massive hug. "Cheese sounds great to me, poppet."
"Daddy!" Miranda squeals, squirming around in George's arms to plant kiss after kiss on his cheeks. "Me miss you!"
"I missed you too," George replies, holding Miranda away long enough to bestow a kiss on Maj.
With Percy then Harry captured and Ron nearly caught as well, and with Ron and Harry the situation having been a trap, Maj is worried beyond words every time George goes off collecting information for the Order and the Resistance and to broadcast the illicit program he, Fred, and Lee Jordan run by taking over WWN program time.
Kissing and hugging George in return, reluctant somewhat to let go, Maj steps back. "How does having that cheese on a grilled sandwich sound? Or cheese toast? Gram made soup though I'm not sure what kind."
"Anything's great. I'm famished."
In her delight at having George walk in unscathed, Maj forgot for a moment about his twin. Looking past him she asks, "Where's Fred?"
"Coming up the front walk we heard kids and looking around the back, we saw the triplets with Blossom so he's still out there with them."
Miranda frowns. "Mummy wouldn't wet me pway wif dem."
"That's because you aren't yet over an ear infection," Maj reminds. To George she says, "I want to hear how it went, but first let me see if anyone else wants sandwiches with soup."
George gives Maj another peck before allowing Miranda to pull him away, the small voice insistent that, "Daddy needs to see Georgie then pway wif me."
Locating first her grandfather and then sticking her head out the back to see if Fred, Blossom, and the triplets want sandwiches, Maj goes to the kitchen to begin lunch. As she works a feeling of uselessness overcomes her. Maj feels as though she's done nothing to advance the cause. If Drucilla Eternal-Black, a woman with small twins, can take on a mission, then Maj surely could do more too.
Placing the first batch of sandwiches on a platter to put on the table, Maj puts her mind to thinking about what exactly she could do to feel like she's helping the Order.
Afternoon Office Hours
Author: Declan
Date: 10-06-08 16:48
Declan puts the quill with its green ink stained tip down, the last of the 4th and 5th year exams graded and those grades recorded. There was some stumbles but overall Declan is pleased with the results. Perhaps he should allow his students to eat candy and baked sweets when taking History of Magic exams for the rest of the school year. With today marking the last class meeting those two years have until after Christmas, Declan had given the exam writing a festive air, providing the sweets and even drinks for the 4th and 5th years as well as small stockings for each student containing additional sweets and gift certificates from places such as HOgsmeade's Burger Wizard.
Friday's classes of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 7th years will be the same as today's had been. Each class will take a term exam but with a party of sorts going on. The whole week, in fact, has been more fun and festive than the usual expectations for History of Magic. Declan spent each of the other class meetings this week reviewing for the exams with the reviews being done in game form. He's found that when presented with a review as a game competition, the students seem to be better prepared and more excited about being in class.
With time left on his Thursday 1 pm to 4 pm office hours, Declan takes the time remaining before his work day is officially over to read through the five exams to be given tomorrow, searching for any mistakes on his part, be the mistakes typographical, grammatical, poorly worded questions, etc. When done, he checks to make sure he's got the correct number of miniature stockings to hand out tomorrow and also checks that he's got enough sweets and drinks for those five classes.
By the time he's done, it's past 4:00 o'clock. Declan locks up the exams for tomorrow then locks his office door behind him. Before going to his private quarters Declan swings by the students' general common room, dropping off the secret Santa gift for 4th year Ella Harville. Despite seeing her in class class hours a week, Declan has had trouble getting a good read off Ella, which made picking out a gift for her a little tough. In the end, Declan went with a sweater he thinks has an interesting look.
The present placed under the common room tree, Declan continues on to his flat to wash up before going to a holiday party a friend's having in Hogsmeade at the Imperial Crown & Cauldron.
Dementor
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 10-06-08 18:13
Stifling a yawn, Minerva stowed away her crook and made sure the animals were tucked away in their barn for the night. The sun had long set, and the already freezing temperatures had plummeted. Minerva saw the air she breathed out as it fogged up in front of her face and knew that her ears and nose were just as red as her fingers, which she could hardly feel anymore. A shudder passed down her spine, spreading more goosebumps across her already chilled body.
The barn was semi-warm, warmer, certainly, than her cabin. Unfortunately, she knew that she couldn't linger there. As tough as she had always been, Goen Bren had changed her severely, and she didn't think she could tolerate any form of punishment, which she would surely get if she didn't return to her cabin immediately.
She reluctantly slipped out the door and made the almost unbearable trek back to the cabin. The wind howled and battered her instantly, almost sending her into the closed door behind her. Minerva had lost weight since arriving at Goen Bren, though her chores didn't make her look as emaciated as she often felt. She pushed herself forward, wrapping her arms around her middle as she went. The wind picked up flurries of snow, which made an almost pleasant scene, if conditions weren't so miserable.
Minerva felt her hopes sink, as the wind carried the stench of the decomposing corpses to her nose. She always felt depressed, but the feeling seemed to intensify everytime she stepped outside. She certainly didn't like knowing that a pile of unceremoniously dumped bodies lay nearby for all to see and smell.
No one else seemed to be outdoors. Just as well. Minerva wouldn't be outside either if she didn't have to be. She pushed herself against the blasting wind all the more. There weren't any lamps at Goen Bren, so she couldn't exactly see where she was going. She'd simply walked the same path enough to know how to do it blindfolded, even if it seemed a little differently than usual with a little accummulation of snow.
Suddenly, the air seemed to grow even colder. Minerva felt herself shiver uncontrollably and slowed her walk to a stop. She felt herself sinking into a pit of despair. Something rattled, and then a black shape emerged from the inky darkness of the night. Minerva stumbled backwards, somehow managing to stay on her feet. She had not once wondered whether the overall depression hanging over Goen Bren had anything to do with dementors, but now she had come to grips with reality. A dementor drifted towards her, bony arms outstretched, ragged robes billowing in the wind.
Was this it? Would Minerva face a fate worse than death, the dementor's kiss? She continued to stumble backwards, instinctively groping for the wand she knew wasn't there. If only she had it. She could save herself and scare the beast away.
It floated closer and closer until it was nearly upon her. Just when she thought it was all over, something careened into her side, knocking her over onto the hard, frozen ground. She felt her wrist crunch beneath her body, but also felt a warm body cradling her. Unfortunately, the rattling noise and the overwhelming despair only seemed to intensify.
"Expecto Patronum!" a male voice shouted.
Minerva looked up to see a silver eagle soaring after the fleeing dementor. The person on top of her sat up and gently helped Minerva sit.
"Carys," Minerva murmured, cradling her aching wrist.
"I'm sorry. Are you hurt?" Carys asked.
"My wrist. I think it's sprained, maybe broken." Minerva sighed. "I think you saved my life."
"I didn't, not really," Carys said quietly. She didn't look behind her, hearing approaching footsteps and dreading their arrival.
"Get up, the both of you," barked the warden.
Carys stood up and helped Minerva to her feet. She stared straight forward into the darkness, while Minerva turned to look at the warden.
"Why did you save us?"
"What makes you think I saved you, you old bat?" the warden sneered. He looked away from Minerva and into the darkness, where the dementor had gone. "I hadn't expected that to happen," he murmured, mainly to himself. So far, the dementors had been very cooperative. They'd agreed not to snack on the prisoners, not unless given express permission.
Realizing Minerva and Carys were still standing in front of him, he glared at them and ordered, "Away with you both, now!"
Neither woman waited a moment longer. They set off swiftly through the night, not stopping until they reached their cabin.