|
|
St. John's Wood: Conversation With An Old Friend
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 01-19-09 12:00
Dierna ni Ciaran stands facing the large map that covers much of one wall in the spacious room. Her eyes on the pin that marks an approximate location in the tropical waters of the Caribbean Ocean, Dierna asks, "Any new information?"
"Not yet."
"Is Ron still berating himself for escaping but Harry being captured?"
"Only every day."
"From the sound if it, sean cara*, you are doing the same."
Sirius, rather than address the painful topic changes the subject by asking, "Anything more from Ethan Somerset?"
Dierna silently studies Sirius for a moment as if debating whether to pin him to the original topic or let it go for now. She lets it drop, which is good as far as Sirius is concerned. He wouldn't want to snap at Dierna or walk out when he knows she means well.
Dierna's eyes shift back to the map where another pin marks the small Channel Island of Brecqhou. "Nothing since the one, whispy Patronus."
"Amazing he was able to send it at all. I wonder whose wand he managed to get hold of to send it."
"Drucilla's information has indicated Rodolphus Lestrange is connected with the prison there, ceart?"
"Yes, that's right."
"What do you think of my idea?"
"It definately has the element of surprise. Combined with the fact that so far every name Dru was able to send us is that of someone from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and I think your plan has a high probability of success."
"My thoughts exactly. Those held there are used to having to think quickly in stressful situations."
"What do you think about what's been put forward for getting those children from Camp Lollipop?"
"It might work but with so many children to save and with none of them able to use a wand as anything more than something to throw or hit with, it's going to be a challenge."
"At least it's something," Sirius murmurs. He reaches out and wordlessly taps the map near the pin stuck in the Caribbean Ocean, his frustration clear.
Dierna puts her hand on Sirius's arm. "Show me more of this house and tell me about the twins. They are growing so fast!"
Blueprints
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 01-19-09 16:28
Hermione had run into Jet at the Resistance meeting on Saturday and had told him about Professor McGonagall's suggestion to look for the blueprints of the house on the Hogwarts grounds. They discussed their options and temporarily ruled out breaking into the Hogwarts library to see if the blueprints existed there, since it would be easier to go to the Ministry of Magic's Department of Magical Construction. Jet, as a pureblood and a Ministry worker himself, would have no problem getting in. Hermione could use polyjuice potion to impersonate someone else but at Jet's suggestion, would stay out of the building.
She sat at a small café in Muggle London not far from the Ministry of Magic and waited for Jet to arrive after work, hopefully with the blueprints in hand. Hermione knew that wizarding blueprints were't necessarily as black-and-white––or more correctly, blue-and-white––as they appeared. Shielding charms or invisible ink could hide certain features. She didn't necessarily expect the plans to conceal anything, but she kept the possibility in mind. Could be, the plans wouldn't reveal anything out of the ordinary. Whatever the case may be, Hermione figured they could be useful. At the very least, they'd give her and Jet an overview of the house.
Hermione didn't have to wait long for Jet to enter the café with a roll of paper in his hand. She waved to him to catch his attention, and after he sat down at the chair adjacent to hers asked, "Is that what I think it is?"
"The very same," Jet replied, unrolling it so that Hermione could take a look.
She moved her teacup out of the way and helped Jet smooth down the paper so that it didn't try to furl up again.
"I took a look while in the blueprint archive and again at my desk before I left work just now," Jet explained. "Off hand, I didn't see anything noteworthy." He ran his fingers over the various rooms. "We've searched through all of these several times already."
"Do you think there's something hidden in the plans?" Hermione asked.
"That's what I checked while at my desk. I tried all the counterspells for barriers I know but nothing revealed itself. I know I might be missing something. Maybe it's just a "magic word" we need or some kind of potion, but I'm starting to think that what we see is what we get."
Hermione nodded thoughtfully. "Still, it's good we have this." She scanned the page and tapped at a random room. "There's got to be something we're missing, though."
"Maybe it's not a place," Jet murmured thoughtfully. "Maybe it's a thing."
"A thing?" Hermione repeated.
All sorts of new ideas started to formulate in her mind.
Hole in the Wall and Some Mice
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 01-19-09 18:12
Lawrence massaged his temples as he stood over another batch of herbs that had spoiled for whatever reason. Inventory notes were made, and the stock would -have- to be replenished before the beginning of next school year at Hogwarts (sooner than that, because he wanted to get the cases set up before the summer).
"Bloody hell. That's the fifth herb that needs to be replaced." He said, and drew a look from his boss. "There has to be a leak somewhere in the store room. The herbs keep decaying sooner than they should."
He nodded, and the pair of them went to check the store room. After finding several more herbs that had decayed well before they were supposed to they located the source of the problem. There was a leak within the store room, a whole, and apparently a small gathering of mice within the walls as well.
"Alright. I'll call the exterminator and a contractor. We need to get this repaired so we can get new stock in before we start making the kits for the school year."
Lawrence nodded and stepped out of the store room. "It would be wise to close the shop until everything is taken care of, and until we get new stock. We have some that is able to be sold, but the rest is beyond its usage." His manager said and Lawrence nodded.
"Alright. I'll help you gather what is still salvagable and ensure that it is sectioned off for when the contractors come in and fix the store room." Lawrence said. "Let me just owl Ariella and let her know that I won't be making our lunch date, we can go to dinner when I'm done here."
He took a few moment and sent the owl, and told her that he'd meet her at the Imperial Crown and Cauldron once he was done helping with the situation at Slug & Jiggers.
Buggy For Beetles
Author: Christopher Chant
Date: 01-20-09 17:27
Christopher likes Tuesdays. He's got Care of Magical Creatures at 10:30 am and that's it until 10:30 pm when he's got Astronomy. Thursdays are good too because he's only got Fitness & Athletics followed by Arithmancy & Divination. The reason Tuesdays are better is because Fitness & Athletics is at 9 am on Thursdays versus not having to be up and to class until 10:30 am. With no roommate, Cat can generally sleep in undisturbed on Tuesdays, taking his time getting to breakfast. If something's going on in the Great Hall that has breakfast ending earlier than usual, Cat can grab something in the commons and be good to go.
This morning he didn't roll out of bed until ten till 10. A quick shower was followed by grabbing what he needed for class then it was down to the Great Hall where Cat created breakfast sandwiches from biscuits, ham, and cheese. With a drink to go and his breakfast sandwiches, Cat ate on the way to class, ending up levitating an umbrella over his head to keep his food from getting soggy while he gobbled it down.
With the rain making an already chilly day all that much colder, Cat is glad Care of Magical Creatures has an indoor place to meet and that today's lesson is one as suited to inside as out. Cat had read the assignment, finding the reading material on scarabs somewhat interesting. Actually seeing the beetles is for fun though and getting to handle some of them is even better.
The most interesting to Cat is the species most thought of as the one considered to be the scarab beetle of Egyptian myth, lore, and history. Even now, despite the smell coming from the container, Cat's got his face down low watching one of the scarabs rolling dung. Who would have thought that a bug that makes balls out of poo would have a such a sacred status?
Cat nearly forgets to pay attention to something Professor Kent is saying because it's so interesting to watch the progress the dung beetle is making rolling the poo into a ball. Cat forces his eyes off the beetle and onto the professor, jotting down notes as the professor talks about the three types of dung beetles - rollers, tunnelers, and dwellers - and why the sacred scarab of Egypt is a roller. (The ancient Egyptians made an analogy between the sun god rolling the sun across the sky and the dung beetle rolling dung.)
Cat keeps taking notes but also lets his eyes wander back to the one dung beetle he'd been watching. Maybe after class he'll ask Professor Kent if he can help take care of the beetles.
Scarabs
Author: Jolyon
Date: 01-20-09 18:48
The third year students congregated in the barn on the Hogwarts grounds simultaneously observed the scarabs in the small wooden boxes on display and listened to Professor Kent's lecture. He described the different types of scarabs, more familiarly known as dung beetles, their habitat, diet, and connection to Egyptian myth. Jolyon explained how dung beetles aided agriculture in that they improved soil and how livestock benefited from them because they removed that which attracted pests that could sicken the animals.
Scarabs had wizarding benefits, too. They were used, in part or whole, in potions. For example, crushed scarab beetles were a vital ingredient in the Wit-Sharpening Potion.
"The Chinese have a book called the Compendium of Materia Medica in which they describe 10 uses for scarab beetles. I want you to research those uses and write an essay about them, due next class."
With that, the students began to gather together their things and leave the barn, all except Cat Chant, who approached Jolyon.
"Do you have a question about the assignment or about anything we discussed in class today, Cat?" Jolyon asked.
"I do have a question, and it is related to the class, but it isn't about the lecture or the homework," Cat explained. "I was wondering if you needed help with the scarabs. Do they even need care? I think they're fascinating."
Jolyon smiled. "Actually, I think I could use some assistance. I usually clean up after the other creatures and don't really use the dung beetles like a farmer or rancher might, so they need special attention to continue to thrive. I'd be glad to have you help out, Cat."
"Really?"
"Absolutely, and three points for offering to help and for showing interest in the subject matter."
"Thanks!"
"Anytime!"
(Greece) Nightmare
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 01-21-09 01:22
Johanna fell asleep with the sound of the waves. At the beginning it was hard to sleep with that noise, but now it was a sort of lullaby for her.
She was almost in another place when Felicia screamed:
“No! Please , no. I beg you.”
Johanna got up in a second and sat on Felicia’s bed. She had wake up. He face was a full of tears.
“Are you all right?”
She nodded.
“It was just a bad dream.”
“Tell me about it.”
“We were at Happy Haven again. And the students were all lined up outside. Carrow was killing them one by one. It was horrible, Johanna. I saw Kate Dewhurst dead body. And that girl from the quidditch team… Aleydis’s sister…
“Griet.”
“Yes, Griet. All of them. Even the ones I don’t know. You’re dead too. Gus was going to be the next , but Carrow decided to play another game. She ordered me to kill him. She wanted me to kill the rest of us. If I didn’t obey she would kill my parents who were also there. “ she sighted “Then I woke up. “
It wasn’t the first time Felicia had one of those bad dreams. Johanna had also experienced it a couple of times since they arrived to Greece. They knew they’re safe and that Happy Haven days were over but still it was hard to forget what happened there. They would always have the scars of it.
Johanna decided to change subject:
“Tomorrow we can ask my uncle to take us with him for work. It would be fun.”
“Do you think your aunt Angela will let us go? “
“Sure, why not?”
Felicia smiled. Then she asked:
“Do you think your brother would come visit you? “
Johanna shrugged her shoulders.
“No idea. Probably he would see his mother. He’s very attached to her. “Johanna said with bitterness. She knew John liked to do things according to rules and laws. And the rule right now was that a pure blood must forget he has a half-sister who is half-blood. She went back to her bed and turned off the light.
“Goodnight Felicia.”
She didn’t want to think on John. Not when she though he wasn’t man enough to risk his reputation to go see her.
Having Faith And Being Patient
Author: Emerald Green
Date: 01-21-09 15:22
Through mud that squelches loudly Emerald trods as carefully as she's able so as not to splash the goat's milk around in the pail she carries. With one of the guards eyeing her, the last thing she wants to do is spill even a single drop and incur his wrath. Worse would be to have him call Emerald over for another reason. So far, only one guard has wanted something other than doling out punishment, though in Emerald's mind the other is even worse than receiving a sustained Cruciatus.
From what Emerald's heard, only a few of the guards force themselves on the City of Hope inhabitants. She supposes the others look down on the Nons too much even for that. She doesn't know if the warden, who styles himself as governor, knows and or even cares.
When Emerald first learned such things go on she was somewhat shocked. As far as she knows, nothing like that happened at Happy Haven. When Emerald found out what went on with a few of the guards she'd hoped by that time she was too skinny, dirty, and ratty looking but just as she was out of luck in being at Happy Haven long enough to escape, Emerald was lacking in the luck department when it came to catching the attention of one of the lascivious guards. An extremely small consolation for Emerald is that at least she'd been with Phin first, not that many know about it. She and Phin were very hush hush about it. She just hopes that once free of these stupid prisons, she won't have psychological problems with letting Phin touch her again, if he wants that is.
Emerald reaches a barrel where she dumps the pails of goat's milk then clomps back across the field to where more goats wait to be milked. The wind cuts through the fabric of her clothes, causing Emerald to shiver. If those keeping track of the date are right, it's March 18th. Wherever City of Hope is located, it still feels more like the dead of winter than almost spring.
Some of those at City of Hope theorize that they are somewhere in the North Sea or someplace similar. Wherever it is, Emerald's decided she doesn't want to live this far north, even if she has a warm house and lots of nice, thick clothes with thermal layers. Emerald has no doubt she will live somewhere else, somewhere that's not a British Ministry of Magic prison community. If Happy Haven could be liberated, and Emerald has to believe, has to have faith that it was, then there's no reason the City of Hope residents won't be saved as well.
For now, Emerald will keep the wand hidden that Olive insisted she take that day at Happy Haven. There will come a right time to use it. Until then she just has to be patient and, as her British father always said, keep a stiff upper lip.
The City of Lights
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 01-21-09 17:32
Fritz and Coco sit outside Le Vieux Bistro and sip espressos. They just ate a cup of soup, a small plate of salad, and mini baguettes with ham, melted cheese, and tomato slices and are waiting for that food to digest before tackling dessert. Pea peeks out of the front pocket of Coco's jacket and nibbles on some ham Coco had given him from her plate. Although it is quite cold in Paris, heat lamps hang over the outdoor seating area and keep the bistro's guests relatively warm.
Notre Dame cathedral is in plain sight of their table. Its windows glow in the night sky, and the distant sounds of the organ playing and parishioners singing fill the air. The cathedral offers mass four times daily during the week, and the last service of the day is currently nearing its end. Soon the plaza in front of the cathedral will be filled with people exiting the massive, ancient building.
Also near the bistro is the Seine river. Lamposts dot the paths on either side of the waterway, which is also busy with ferryboats that carry tourists and diners through the city.
For the most part, Fritz and Coco enjoy themselves and their absolute freedom. They talk about everyday things like what Coco does in Antwerp most days and what it's like for Fritz to have Professor McGonagall for a housemate. More morose things also slip into the conversation, though. Both Fritz and Coco miss their families and wonder if and when they can be reunited. Fritz also longs for a reunion with his kneazle Domino, whose whereabouts are currently unknown.
They also talk shop, too. Both Fritz and Coco have taken an active interest in the Resistance Movement and after hearing what Professor Hodfuffer had to say about the community Camp Lollipop, which is home to the children not yet old enough to be at Hogwarts, want to be on the team that helps get those children to safety. They are well-aware that assisting the liberation at Camp Lollipop will put them at risk of getting caught or killed, but even after all they suffered since last July, they don't want to sit idly by while others put their lives on the line. After all, very brave individuals helped them escape Happy Haven. The least they can do is help other even younger kids break free, too.
When at last it seems like they have more room in their stomachs, Fritz and Coco flag down a waiter and order dessert.