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A Friend In Need
Author: Fionna
Date: 01-22-09 15:49
Fionna frowns at the back of the man who'd just taken up nearly two hours of her time only to decide not to book a Terrortours trip until next month. It's not that Fionna had something else to do in those two hours, it's that the man during the fifth time of asking the same question concerning the Shiver Me Timbers Tour never once stopped to ask if Fionna had the minutes to spare while he dithered with asking the same things.
The fact that Fionna hadn't had anything else in urgent need of doing didn't make the man's taking up that much time any less annoying. The only thing that kept her from saying something was the fact that he was - and is - a potential paying client. Business isn't exactly booming at the moment, at least not in the Diagon Alley branch of Terrortours. Fionna is now the only full-time employee there, apart from the owner that is. Some of those who'd been full-time are either wherever the Nons were sent or in hiding. Of the Pures, most are working at Terrortours locations in other countries or moved on to other jobs entirely. Jericho Japes does work part-time, the rest of the time working with his band, even if it is currently short a few members. When Fionna had asked why they don't find replacements, Jericho said they want to wait until they are 100% sure people like Charlie Weasley won't be coming back.
With the office to herself again for the time being, Fionna turns on the WWN to see if there are any Quidditch matches somewhere around the world being broadcast. Unable to find one, she settles for listening to the lastest by The Weird Sisters. After fixing herself a cup of tea and settling at her desk with a packet of cheese twists, Fionna starts work on the details for a new tour to be offered. As yet unnamed, it's one to Africa where creatures such as the Erumpent will be viewed.
Fionna's barely gotten started when the door opens. Basilia Broomshull quickly shuts the door then stands with her back to it, arms stretched out across the door as if barring it. "Fi! Is anyone else here?" Basilia asks loud whisper.
"Yes. Why are you standing like that?"
Basilia darts forward, head swiveling around as if checking to make sure Fionna truly is the only other person in the office. She says with urgency, "You've got to help me!"
"Sure, what do you need?"
Basilia grabs Fionna, pulling her towards another room. "Not here in the open."
"What? What's going on, Basilia?"
Basilia practically runs into one of the side offices, dragging Fionna inside then hastily shutting the door. "Gran's been found out."
Fionna stares blankly at Basilia, wondering if her friend is manifesting some neurological disorder. As patiently as she's able, Fionna asks, "Gran's been found out about what?"
"Forged papers. She's a Non. Dad's a Non. And... and," Basilia wails, "I'm one too!"
"What? Back up a bit and explain, Bas," Fionna firmly says, taking Basilia by the shoulders.
"I'm not pureblooded five generations back. Dad's mother forged some documents long before she and Granddad ever met. Somehow she's been found out. The RAC took her away. They got Dad a few hours ago. Now the Snatchers are after me," Basilia wails.
"Why did you come here? Why didn't you apparate someplace safe?"
"They got my wand and I don't have much money on me. I wasn't near a Floo. I ran and ran. When I finally slowed down I saw I was near the Leaky Cauldron. I used some of what money I have to buy a drink and sat near enough the courtyard to watch for someone entering or leaving Diagon Alley then ducked through the arch before it closed. Thanks Merlin I was in London! I don't know what I would have done if I'd been someplace else. Please help me. You will won't you?"
Tears run in twin waterfalls down Basilia's cheeks. She pleads with her eyes as the sobs start. What can Fionna do? Basilia has been her best friend for ages. Fionna should turn Basilia in now that she knows Bas is a Non and wanted by the RAC but is Fionna that cold hearted?
Deciding the friendship is too many years along for Fionna to turn backstabber on Basilia, she nods. "Go upstairs to the room I used when Mum and I first argued. I'm going to put the Gone to Lunch sign on the door. I shan't be long."
"You're leaving me?"
"Only to get you some things. Trust me, Bas."
Basilia sniffles, her head bobbing up and down as Fionna opens the door and checks to make sure no one's coming into Terrortours. She motions to Basilia who hastens the rest of the way down the hall and up the stairs. Fionna goes to the door, flips the Gone to Lunch sign around so it's visible then locks the door behind her. Her first stop is the junk shop where she hopes there are some decent used wands for sale. The wand will have to do until they can get Basilia somewhere that she's able to pick another wand out for herself.
Pushing open the junk shop door, Fionna quickly locates the secondhand wands and picks one out then pays. Next stop is her current flat where she'll pack some clothes for Bas to borrow and dip into her stash of money.
At Blossom's
Author: Isolde
Date: 01-22-09 17:19
A half-dozen children, none older than five years of age, clutched small broomsticks in their tiny hands. It was surprising that the new model of broomstick for young children had even hit the market when the economy and workforce could hardly accommodate it. The Hummingbird was designed for the youngest of flyers. It only hovered a few feet in the air and moved this way and that at minimal speed. Isolde could imagine what chaos it would be if the young children she coached at Blossom's had full-fledged brooms.
"All right," she told them, clutching her own broom in her hand. "I want you to set your brooms down on the floor next to your feet, just like this." With some difficulty, she stooped to the floor and put down her broomstick. Then, with equal struggle, she stood up again.
The young children followed suit, setting their small brooms on the ground next to their feet.
"Now," Isolde instructed, "I want you to hold out your hand like this––" she demonstrated the movement by extending her forearm with palm down and fingers spread "––and give the command "Up!". Once you do so, the broom will rise up into your hand. Watch me." Isolde, hand still out and ready to accept the broom, called, "Up!" The broomstick flew up, remaining as horizontal as it had been on the floor. Isolde clutched it in her hand and had the children try it.
"Up!" cried the little voices, and one by one, the tiny Hummingbirds sailed up into the air.
"Nicely done!" Isolde commended. "Now, I want you to mount your brooms." Isolde demonstrated by carefully swinging one leg over the shaft of her broom.
The children followed her example, and soon the whole group, instructor included, was hovering in the air.
Isolde had never expected to like hanging around young children, but she found it very endearing and also quite rewarding. She liked to see their happy faces when she hauled out the small broomsticks, and she felt good whenever she taught them something new. The batch of children she had today weren't all new, but a handful were beginners.
She would teach them for a little while longer and then go to the library to spend some time with Azaelia.
Surprise?
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 01-23-09 01:46
It was sooooo cute! I held a little baby sleeping in my arms. The little baby wrapped snug in a blanket, just slept peacefully. This was the best part of having a baby, when it was sleeping. Thankfully, it wasn’t mine, so I didn’t have to deal with the crying.
I looked up from the baby over to its mother and realized I was flat on my face. I was lying on the floor in my kitchen. I grabbed my head as a looked around. There were a couple of utensils on the floor near me, some bread… I was making a sandwich.
Or, at least I was. I sat up and held my head. Sure, I learned how to retain the stupid visions, but sure as heck haven’t figured out how to stop myself from falling over every time I had one. This last one was so vivid; I don’t even remember when it started. I was making a sandwich, then I was holding… a baby?
It wasn’t mine… Only person… wait! If it’s not mine, and only one person I know is married…. I got up and wobbled before running out of the kitchen. I ran over to the living room, where Bronwyn sat reading, I stopped by almost falling on her, and catching myself on her chair.
“Bron! Are you… pregnant?”
No Bun in this Oven
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 01-23-09 15:18
Bronwyn nearly spit out the Diet Coke she was drinking. "Wh-What?" she sputtered, not sure if she heard Desi correctly.
"I asked if you're pregnant. I had this vision..."
Bronwyn put down the can and then the Cosmo magazine she'd been perusing. She swung her feet off the sofa and leaned forward so that she could fix her gaze upon Desi without anything to distract her.
"You had a vision that I was pregnant?" Bronwyn asked.
"Well, no," Desi admitted. "I had a vision I was holding a baby in my arms and I automatically assumed that it must be yours since you're the one with a husband and I haven't dated anybody since that asshole Jason. I would put Bianca in the mix because of her promiscuity but since I don't know where she is and what she's doing, I can't really picture it being hers. Besides, it was cute. She'd probably produce a demon baby."
Bronwyn relaxed her posture and leaned against the sofa cushion behind her.
"I'm not pregnant," she said, fairly certain. "I really don't want to bring a kid into the world with things the way they are right now and besides, I don't think I'm ready. I may be an adult but a lot of times I still feel like a kid."
Desi nodded and sank into the adjacent loveseat. "I know what you mean."
"Anyway, a vision doesn't necessarily have to show something in the immediate future, right?" Bronwyn asked. "I mean, it could be something years down the line. Like maybe Toby and I will have a kid someday. Maybe more than one."
She shot Desi a playful smile. "Who knows? Maybe that was your future baby you saw."
Desi rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right."
She got up again because she wanted to finish making her sandwich, but she still wanted to figure out the identity of that baby.
"Who else do I know who could be its parent?" Desi murmured to herself as she returned to the kitchen.
Bronwyn, feeling somewhat peckish herself, reached for her Diet Coke and followed Desi into the kitchen.
"Well, I sincerely doubt it's a baby brother or sister of yours."
Bronwyn didn't elaborate what they were both thinking. Desi's dad was still missing in action, so the likelihood of a baby sibling in the near future was definitely out of the question.
Desi continued to make her sandwich, wondering about that baby and therefore completely heedless to the fact that Bronwyn kept snacking on the cheese slices she intended on putting into the sandwich.
Conspiracy
Author: Marzipan
Date: 01-24-09 10:52
The hushed, conspiratorial voices drew Marzi's attention almost immediately. She'd just finished her breakfast and had gone to drop off her tray when she noticed the tight group of individuals, the determined expressions on their faces, and whispered phrases like "overthrow the regime" and "whatever it takes."
She very nearly stopped in her tracks to listen more closely but then forced herself to give up the tray and leave the dining room for her daily chore, sweeping out the water that inevitably and incessantly entered the building. Marzi feared that if she'd noticed the secretive discussion than a guard or even the warden surely would catch on to it as well. For the safety and well-being of those involved, she hoped they would be more careful and avoid getting caught.
With reluctance and great loathing, Marzi selected the now-familiar push-broom from the small supply closet in the rickety old building and wrapped her protesting hands around it. She positioned herself in front of the main door and swept out the water that the battering waves pushed in. Over and over again she did this so that her arms ached, her palms and fingers blistered, and her feet and ankles became wet and cold.
It felt like hours had passed, but Marzi knew that breakfast had only ended a short while ago. One of the conspiring individuals from the dining room approached her, a man with a gray hair and beard though he was probably only little older than she. He was broad shouldered but had that same malnurished look to his body that everyone else at 14-15-14 had. Marzi knew him as Abner and had heard that he'd worked as an editor for one of the magazines before his forced relocation.
Abner carried a short ladder over his shoulder and a paint brush and can of sealant in his other hand. He paused to adjust the ladder and glanced around furtively to make sure that no guard or warden would notice if he dawdled a moment too long. Certain the coast was clear, Abner lowered his voice so that it was barely heard over the sound of the battering waves outside the building's thin walls.
"We're hatching a plan to get out of here. Will you participate?"
Marzi nodded her head and whispered, "Of course. What do you have planned?"
"As far as we can tell, there's no easy way off this rock. Not with all those eyes watching our every move."
"So what do you propose?" Marzi asked, breathlessly.
Abner looked at her dead seriously. "We take care of those eyes."
He would have said more and Marzi would have asked him to elaborate but a guard stepped into the room. Abner moved on to wherever he was going, and Marzi pushed her broom against another onslaught of water. She watched the water she pushed seap back through the crack under the door, while her mind ran rampant with the most sinister of thoughts.
Breakfast of Champions
Author: Alanna Beck
Date: 01-24-09 11:41
Alanna sat next to Jared in the Great Hall. They dined on scrambled eggs with bacon, breakfast sausage, toast with strawberry jam, and pancakes with maple syrup. With it being so cold outside, Alanna found that she had a larger than usual appetite. Eating helped one warm up, but it also helped one pack on extra pounds and she truly hoped that it was only her imagination that her waistline had expanded a tiny bit. She also hoped that Jared hadn't noticed!
Thinking about Jared, whom she guessed was her boyfriend even though they'd never truly had the official conversation, caused her to smile. She slipped her hand into his under the table, which had him turning to her with a smile of his own.
She was glad to have someone who cared about her and whom she cared about so near. Having isolated herself from her family to keep herself out of Professor Snider's watchful eye was extremely difficult emotionally. Alanna had heard in roundabout ways about Ariella's new job in Hogsmeade and about Katherine's release from a prison-like place and her reunion in Australia with Toby. She longed to travel to Brisbane to reunite with Katherine herself, and she wished that she could see Ariella in Hogmeade. Unfortunately, she knew she shouldn't if she wanted to maintain her reputation. It hurt especially because Ariella was so near.
Jared squeezed Alanna's hand. "Ready for Defense Against the Dark Arts?"
She nodded, but took a moment to finish her glass of pumpkin juice and to pop a small square of toast into her mouth. Alanna chewed and swallowed and then answered, "Ready."
The two seventh years got up, collected their belongings, and left the Greart Hall hand in hand. They were really looking forward to Professor Isuki's class, as hers was always a lot of fun. Unfortunately, they had Charms with Professor Yaxley after that and later that afternoon, Potions with Professor Carrow.
At least they'd start off the school day with a good meal and a great class!
Astrology
Author: Saffron
Date: 01-24-09 14:35
Saffron groups three of the small tables in her classroom into a close in semi-circle. After that she checks the blackboards to make sure she's not forgotten anything. Lastly, Saffron puts on a kettle of milk to boil. While the room isn't freezing, having hot chocolate to serve the five 3rd years is nice. About the same time the third years are coming into the classroom, the milk is ready.
Looking up from where she's pouring up mugs Saffron asks, "Where's Ivan?"
Basil Wynbourne, Ivan Grimsby's friend and roommate is the one who answers. "Ivan twisted his wrist a few minutes ago. It was swelling so he went to see Madam Promfrey. If he doesn't make it to class at all, I'll make sure he's got the lesson and homework assignment."
"Excellent. Three points."
Saffron hands around the hot chocolate mugs then points to a poster she's put up. "Who can tell me what this is?"
Four hands shoot up. "Yes, Hadrian?"
"Constellations of the zodiac."
"Correct. These are the constellations we associate with the signs of the zodiac with which you are the most familiar. These are for the astrological signs of Western and Vedic astrology. We will talk more about these later. Our focus right now is Chinese astrology."
Saffron points to one of the blackboards upon which she's written some major points. "The Chinese astrological system is based on twelve year cycles. There are no corresponding constellations. There are also five elements that play an important role. I will talk more about those in a moment. First, let's talk about which sign each of you is under the Chinese system. For those of you who are still 13 or turned 14 from January 27th on, you are the Horse and your element is metal, more specifically, it is yang metal. For those of you who were 14 last year or who turned 14 this year by January 26th, you are Snake and you are also metal but yin metal. Anyone born from February 1st of this year through January 21st of next year is born in the Year of the Ram with the element of yin water."
Saffron points to something else on the blackboard. "The five elements are metal, fire, wood, earth, and air. There are two types of each, the yin and the yang. Who knows what that means? Daniel?"
"Everything has opposing forces, look good and bad or dark and light."
Saffron nods, launching into a more detailed explanation before saying, "With the two sides of each element, and with five elements, this aspect of Chinese astrology has ten parts, which are called heavenly stems. There are twelve of the animal signs, called earthly branches. The two cycles interact with each other, running concurrently. This combination gives a 60 year cyle. Does everyone understand that?"
The boys nod so Saffron continues with a list of the twelve earthly branches. Midway through, Ivan comes in, his wrist wrapped. Saffron puts the other four boys to work on an in-class assignment, sitting with Ivan to go over what he missed. When class ends, Saffron reminds, "Don't forget your homework. Compare the traits and characteristics of the snake and the horse, whichever you are, to the zodiac sign you know from Western and Vedic astrology. For example, if you have a birthday coming up within the next month, you are an Aries. Compare the traits and charactertics of someone born in the Year of the Horse with that of an Aries."
The boys scramble to leave, do doubt being the growing boys they are with unlimited appetites, all anxious to get to lunch. Saffron collects the now empty hot chocolate mugs, does a quick cleaning spell on them, then decides the rest of the tidying up can wait as she is hungry as well.