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Itching For A Fight
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 01-25-09 15:28
Sirius had been itching for days to get this fight started. Or, to be more precise, Sirius has been itching for weeks to get any fight started. With Dierna being able to pin point the origin of Ethan Somerset's Patronus, Sirius had been all for pulling Drucilla from inside the Ministry. He was outvoted. Sirius's already bad mood got even worse.
When Dierna put her proposed rescue plan forth, Sirius knew immediately that he wouldn't be riding in on a wing horse or on a broom. Sirius went and got his motorcycle. He'd reinforced the flying charms as that hadn't been done in a long time and gave it a good washing. The sidecar is now ready for transporting someone unable to fly out of the prison they know from Dru's coded messages is called Brecqhou.
Sirius grudging admits that thanks to Dru, they have a good idea of the number of prisoners to be rescued. Not having any sort of idea would have exponentially increased the difficulty factor of this mission.
The prison comes into view. Not only do the Order and Resistance have surprise on their side, the waning light makes spotting the aerial attackers all the more difficult. As the attack starts, Sirius dives the motorcycle down to make a parallel run along the length of one of the walls. He strafes the guards, firing spell after spell. Banking tightly, Sirius makes a return run, this time dropping vials of potions courtesy of Majandra Weasley and Severus Snape.
The first potions vial hits with a loud flash of light and the bang of an explosion. Smoke fills the air. The other vials hit BANG BANG BANG. The force of the four concussive blasts rocks the motorcyle momentarily but Sirius hangs on, never faltering in firing spell after spell from his wand.
He banks again, coming around for a third run along the wall. In between shooting at the couple of guards steadfastly attempting to hold the wall, Sirius fires off a spell that helps clear the smoke. With gaps in the wall now and the ability to see them, any of the prisoners who can get wands and outside the perimeter will be able to apparate away.
The two remaining guards along this section taken out, Sirius aims the motorcyle at another stretch of wall, preparing to make another strafing run, more vials of potion at the ready.
Joining The Fight
Author: Coco Nutt
Date: 01-25-09 16:23
Shortly after Coco learned the details for this first mission she's participating in as a Resistance member, she'd apparated to the outskirts of Hogsmeade then changed into her bird form. Coco flew to Hogwarts, going to the stable where her winged horse, an Aethonon, has been all this time. After profusely apologizing to Hazel for her absence and explaining that it hadn't been because she'd wanted to be away, Coco set about making it look as though Hazel broke out. Sneaking the horse from the stable, Coco had climbed on Hazel's back and they'd taken to the air.
Over the Forbidden Forest a few of the Threstrals Coco had befriended during her time at Hogwarts came to greet her. Next thing Coco knew, some had decided to help. Then, flying to where she'd planned to keep Hazel until time to rendevous for the mission, Coco was very surprised to have a few other winged horses join them.
When the attack on the prison begins, Coco is not on Hazel. She's got Hazel and the other horses that came with her hanging back. They will swoop in to pick up prisoners on Coco's signal.
Coco is on a broom and at the moment is flying alongside Fritz. Although they were key in helping with the Happy Haven breakout, this is their first real mission so both are somewhat nervous and Coco doesn't mind that she's been delegated to the back of her group. By the time, though, that Coco fires her first spell, she's more than composed and the rush of adrenaline has dispelled her nerves. She's still scared, just not nervous anymore.
The tail of Coco's broom takes a direct hit and begins smoldering. Thinking quickly, Coco has water shoot out of her wand to put out the small flame, thankful that Professor Flitwick taught them that particular charm her last year at Hogwarts.
The ground is a chaos of guards and prisoners but it's easy to tell who's who. The prisoners are dirty and thin, wearing ragged clothing. Over the sounds of the melee, Fritz yells, "Do you think it's time?"
"Yeah!" she yells back with a nod.
They both point their wands up, not down, and fire the twin signals into the sky. Hazel and her winged companions start their flight into the camp, some of them bearing packs of brooms for added modes of escape.
"Watch out," Coco yells, rolling her broom into Fritz's, knocking him out of the way of a green bolt of light. They can't be sure it was an Avada Kedavra but that curse does have a green light with it. Seconds later, it's Fritz calling out a warning to Coco and anyone else within hearing range.
"Dementors!"
All around them comes cries of, "Expecto Patronum!" Fritz's and Coco's voices joining in. Fritz's Patronus, an eagle, flies at a Dementor coming at them from one direction and Coco's, a gazelle, shoots out at another. Both are very, very grateful to know this one and be able to produce viable Patronuses that do the job.
Sticking close together, Fritz and Coco continue fighting guards and Dementors until the signal to pull back is given.
(Annabelle) Home at Last
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 01-26-09 20:34
Annabelle stood up, standing next to the limo that has brought her home. Rich was always kind enough to provide a lift. He also carried the bags to the house. He would, of course, find a generous tip in the car.
Annabelle walked to the front door of her house, finally glad to be home. She was tired from months overseas and was looking forward to spending time with Desdemona. The two had been on opposite sides of the world, and it was about time they actually got to see each other again.
Desdemona had not written since she returned home, probably too busy. It was fine though, she’d be surprised to find her mother had returned.
“Rich, I can handle it from here, you’ve more then done enough. Thank you.” Annabelle said with a smile.
“Anytime. Sure I can’t help you in?” He asked politely.
“No, I’ll be fine.”
“Alright, take care.”
“You too.” With that, he turned and left. Annabelle took out her keys and unlocked the door. She walked in, moving her bags inside, and closed the door. She walked in and took a few steps inside. She heard footsteps coming from the living room. Swinging around the corner was Bronwyn Dewhurst, Desi’s friend.
“Des…” Bronwyn trailed off as she realized it wasn’t her friend, “Hi?”
(John) Snatched with a Smile
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 01-27-09 01:25
The muggle airport was full of people. John could take the floo network or a portkey but he always found it very interesting the muggle way to travel. He was on the reception buying his ticket to Spain , when just in front of him appeared the announced of a plane to Greece.
“Excuse me can you tell me how much cost the flight A345, please? “ The woman started to type in her keyboard looking for prices. Meanwhile John looked around. No sign of suspicious movement. He decided to be alert. He could be found and snatched anytime, anywhere in England.
The woman said the price and John, paid for the ticket, with some difficulty (muggle money was very hard to handle). He directed himself to the zone of departures since it was almost time to catch the plane. He felt his heart pounding. Only when he was on air he would calm down.
Finally he entered on a plane and sat near an old woman. She looked at him and asked:
“Are you all right young man? “
John nodded. He was sweating, his hands shaking. He wasn’t sure, but he though to see someone following him.
“Ladies and gentlemen please take your sits please; we’re almost ready to leave. Thank you.”
John sighted in relief. But it only took a few minutes because a little woman followed by a tall man, all dressed in black entered in the corridor:
“Police. Please calm down” said the woman. The muggles were getting agitated. John had studied that at St.Emrys. It was the afraid of terrorism.
“We’re here to make a detention!” John remained seated in his place. He knew who they were going to arrest. He knew who they were and it wasn’t the muggle police.
The woman approached in his direction and pointed him a gun. John new it was an illusion charm. There was no gun but a wand. It was just to fool the muggles.
“Come with me sir.” John did what he was told. He abandoned the plane. Soon he was in an empty room with the two pair of eyes looking at him.
“I thought you would be cleverer Mr. Steele. A muggle airport isn’t something we can’t reach. In fact it’s very easy.” Said the woman. The man remained silence but he was pointing his wand to him. John reached his pocket and grabbed his own wand. He wasn’t going without a fight.
“Expeliarmos! “Said the man. And John’s wand flew to his hand.
“You can’t fool us Mr. Steele. We know you were going to meet your sister and your father. We were watching you since the beginning. We knew that you’re doing to do something stupid.”
He remained quiet. His father? So he wasn’t snatched yet. In fact the snatchers though he was with Johanna.
“I see you’re not a big fan of conversations. Please take him away Mr. Smith. I’ll find where exactly in Romania that plane will land.”
While Mr. Smith escorted John to the unknown he couldn’t avoid smiling to himself. For that he received a Cruciatus curse but still he remained happy. By buying a ticket to Romania he had managed to fool the snatchers who tough her sister was there. He made sure they wouldn’t find her in Greece.
Missing Brooms
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 01-27-09 09:59
Viktor walks around the showroom of Windweaver's Completely Quidditch personally checking the inventory lists. Kai Windweaver had had it with the economy brought on by the British Minister's politics. He sold the shop to Viktor and left for America where Quidditch is growing in popularity.
Viktor doesn't love what's going on at the moment but he's also isn't quite ready to abandon his adopted home to return to Bulgaria or relocate somewhere else. If things turn around in the UK then business will pick back up and the Quidditch league here will expand back to its former teams. Viktor has no doubt that it will happen. He's got faith and confidence in those working against the Ministry system.
"There you are Viktor! We've been robbed!"
Frank Hubbard, one of the assistants with the Humbatas, rushes into Windweaver's. Viktor turn to Frank, face full of concern. "Robbed?"
"I was just at the Humbatas stadium. Every spare broom is gone!"
"All of them? Is anything else missing?"
"Not that I can tell. I've got a couple taking better stock."
"Ve should report this," Viktor says. "I vill do that now. Vy don't you return to the stadium and I vill meet you there shortly."
Frank leaves, going almost as fast as when he came. Viktor puts aside the inventory list and goes to the door to turn the closed sign over. He debates whether to just stick his head in the Floo or to go in person to the Ministry. Sticking his head in will do for now. He'll have another robbery to report later. One for the Winderweaver storage room where sometime today Viktor will discover all the brooms there are missing as well. The ones on dispay in the shop itself are there but only because taking them would have meant someone noticing much sooner than desired, forcing Viktor to have to report the burglary before planned.
(St. John's Wood) Gloomy
Author: Ron Weasley
Date: 01-27-09 12:48
Ron stares out a window at the sodden garden as icy pellets form a crusty layer. If the weather were as gloomy as Ron's mood, there would still be piles of snow banked under the windows and blanketing everyhing, with thick coats of ice.
"Remus says all this weather is from Dementors. He says there must be scores of them all over the UK."
Ginny comes to stand by her brother. When he doesn't say anything she asks, "How are your legs and shoulder?"
"Fine." After a pause Ron adds, "Sore. You?"
Ginny was wounded along one side and got a long gash on her forehead in the Battle of Brecqhou. She gingerly touches her head. "Ok. Sore. Hermione says I'll probably have a scar. Too bad it's not lightening bolt shaped. I could match Harry."
"Yeah."
"That was a joke. You were supposed to smile."
Ron forces his mouth up into a rictus of a grin. Ginny turns away from Ron to gaze out at the garden. "Don't do that around the children or you'll give them quite a fright." After a few seconds she says sadly, "I'm sorry I mentioned Harry."
"No, don't be. I'm just not in the best of moods."
"Really? I hadn't noticed," Ginny dryly comments.
"I don't see why we have to wait. We know where he is. Sirius and I are ready to go. Why aren't the rest of you?"
Instead of answering that, Ginny asks Ron, "Do you think I don't care? That I like this waiting?" Ginny turns away from the window and starts for the door. There, she pauses long enough to say, "Ron, you know it hurts Mum that you are so fixated on rescuing Harry that you don't seem to care a fig that Percy's still unaccounted for. She cares about Harry too and thinks of his as a son so she certainly understands how you feel about wanting to get him out of that place but not once have you shown as much care or interest in finding out if Percy's even still alive."
Ginny turns without another word and leaves. Ron presses his face against the glass, watching as the sleet filled rain increases in intensity. With Ginny's words, Ron's mood now makes the weather outside downright sunny. Ginny spoke without malice or anger but there was a sting to her words nonetheless. Her words were very cutting because they were all too true.
In France The Day After Brecqhou
Author: Charlie Weasley
Date: 01-27-09 15:17
Charlie stares down into a mug that holds a vile to the point of being noxious smelling potion. He takes a deep breath then does his best to get the potion down all in one gulp. Shuddering at the foul taste and trying desperately not to gag it back up, a few seconds later Charlie is glad he made himself drink because his sore, scratchy throat is already starting to feel better.
He shouldn't have gone on the Brecqhou mission. Charlie's barely got a voice and his throat has been so sore that swallowing is a challenging, energy zapping enterprise. Still, he couldn't resist going. A little recon had been done but all in all, they hadn't known what they'd be up against - how many guards, the wards in place, or what other surprises there would be.
The Dementors were a defininate surprise. Recon might not have spotted one necessiarly but no one can figure out how the presence of Dementors wasn't picked up when the recon was done.
Charlie also found it hard to pass up the opportunity to have an excellent excuse to fly while charged with adrenaline. Not only that, but most of the brooms they used are the newest, fastest models available. Charlie hates to think this but he still can't help but have the thought that all that was missing were some Bludgers, a Quaffle, and a Snitch.
Charlie rinses out the mug he'd used then picks up the flask of potion to read the rest of the instructions Maj had written. He pulls a face at learning he'll have to down another mug of the awful stuff in only two hours. At a shuffling behind him, Charlie turns. The woman stops and offers a tentative smile.
"Sorry to disturb you but I was wondering if I could get another bit of chocolate."
"Yes, of course," Charlie hoarsely replies, already in motion to get of of the containers Remus Lupin had wisely had the forethought to stock many of the safehouses with. "It's Prunella Cromwell, right?"
Her smile widens. "Yes, that's right." She accepts the chocolate from Charlie and begins nibbling it then stops to say, "I was wondering if there's any word on Forest Woods." In case the name doesn't immediately ring a bell with Charlie she tacks on, "He was Head Auror and at the time of our arrest also in charge of the rest of the law enforcement department."
Charlie clears his scratchy throat to say, "No, I'm sorry. Of the other two prisons liberated so far, he wasn't among the prisoners. Happy Haven was the prison where all the school age children were being held. He wasn't among those from the other place, called The Mews. There weren't any casualties in that fight and no one from there has mentioned anyone who died during their internment nor who was there but transferred."
"Not everyone from law enforcement was at Brecqhou but most were. We didn't know if Forest was still in Azkaban or if he was sent to one of the campls like I was. We also all wondered how many other purebloods were sent to camps or are languishing at Azkaban simply because we were deemed threats."
Charlie nods, "All of us on the outside have wondered that as well because even before we were actively working against the Ministry, some of us were wanted."
To Charlie, Prunella looks strained. He picks up the container of chocolate and gestures back the direction from which Prunella had come. "How about we go sit where it's comfortable?"
Prunella smiles again, "That would be nice though I warn you I am going to bend your ear to tell me all about that Mews place and, what did you call it? Happy Haven? I also want to hear all you know about other prisons and what the plans are for rescuing the people there. As soon as I'm recovered somewhat, I'm helping out. I was an Auror before I was a secretary, you know."
Charlie laughs, offering Prunella his arm. "No, I didn't know that. If you don't mind that my voice is on the verge of giving out, I'll tell you what I'm able. Also, in about an hour I need to fix supper for my wife and sons. I promised we'd do a family meal tonight. I know you have to watch what you eat for now and have small portions to help adjust to how you were fed in prison, but would you like to join us?"
"I'd love to! Now, start with the Mews and tell me everything."
Say What?
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 01-27-09 18:01
Bronwyn had been up in her room mixing and matching some of her newest outfits when she heard the front door close. It was a bit too early for Desi to be home already, but perhaps she'd decided to cut out early since it was a Friday and almost the weekend. She came down the stairs and turned the bend to find not Desi standing in the entryway, but her mother, Annabelle.
"Oh, hi Mrs. Diamond. What are you doing back here?" And then, as a sudden, panicked afterthought, "Is my dad okay?"
What color had been in Mrs. Diamond's cheeks fled immediately, but she nodded her head emphatically and replied, "Yes, he's fine. Last I saw, at any rate."
She chewed on her lip for a moment as Bronwyn sighed with relief, grateful to hear that at least one person in her family was doing well, or at least had been when Annabelle Diamond had last been in his company.
Mrs. Diamond felt the need to explain, "It's actually been a while since I've seen him––I didn't just come from London, if that's what you're thinking."
Bronwyn was already nodding. "I didn't hear it from my dad, but I think Desi mentioned that you'd written that you were going to spend some time with your parents in France. Oh, I love France. It's so... romantic!"
"Yes, well..." Mrs. Diamond trailed off and subconsciously placed a hand on her stomach, which didn't reveal anything unsuspecting yet.
"Does Desi know you are coming?" Bronwyn asked. "She'll be glad to see you again. I know she worries about you."
"I didn't tell her, but I am glad to be home now. I needed to get back."
"Oh? Did something happen?" Bronwyn asked solemnly. "Did... did you find out about your husband and your other daughter?"
Annabelle shook her head. "No, no. Not a bit of news about either of them." She fell silent for a moment, missing them both. Then she said, "Let's sit. There's something I want to tell both you and Desi, and I know I should wait for her but I can't keep this in any longer. Although..." She hesitated, imagining her daughter's reaction, "perhaps it's better if I tell you separately."
Bronwyn felt a strong sense of foreboding and with lead feet walked into the living room behind the older witch. Annabelle sat down on the sofa and clutched her hands in her lap, twisting them nervously. Bronwyn sat down next to her, but left a space between them.
"What is it?" she asked tentatively.
Mrs. Diamond opened and closed her mouth a few times but couldn't seem to find the right words. When they finally came, they came out in a rush.
"Something happened when I was staying with your father, Bronwyn. I don't know why or how but it did and it shouldn't have. It shouldn't have happened at all, and I regret it. We both do. But unfortunately, it isn't something we can take back. It's not something we can change, and doing something like that... well, sometimes there are consequences. Big consequences. Consequences that will change your entire life... and not just yours but your family's too. Bronwyn, I'm pregnant with your father's child."