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Making Confetti
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 03-04-09 17:46
Sirius looks at the Daily Prophet in his hands then methodically starts ripping it to shreds. After the paper has been reduced to very small pieces of confetti, Sirius grabs another paper from the stack he has and starts ripping it to make more confetti.
When on the fourth copy of the Daily Prophet, Sirius still hasn't seen the person observing him from just the other side of the open door. Even when the person speaks, Sirius barely looks up from shredding the paper.
"You seem a trifle upset, Sirius," Albus Dumbledore says in that mild way he has that somehow also comes off as a scolding.
Letting tiny bits of paper flutter to the floor and reaching for more of the strips to shred further, Sirius says in a tightly controlled voice, "I don't know what you mean, Albus."
The older man enters, a gleaming twinkle in his eye. "Sarcasm does not become everyone but it has somehow always suited you well."
"I'm glad you find me amusing," Sirius dryly replies.
"What's troubling you?"
"What isn't?"
"Your children, who are beautiful and vibrant, are well. The plan to rescue Harry is in place and I have faith that he will be back among us by week's end. Progress is being made to bring down other of those horrific communities. From my perspective, there is much to be happy about."
Sirius stabs at finger at what's left of his stack of Daily Prophets. "My wife is still undercover and the my only communication with her is through ads she places."
"Drucilla is helping immensely. You should be proud of her."
"I am," Sirius says rather half-heartedly before repeating with more conviction, "I am!"
"You haven't spied on her to see for yourself that she's fine, have you?"
"Once."
"Only once? That seems out of character for you."
"Ron caught me and made me take an oath not to do it again."
Albus chuckles, "Good for Ron."
Sirius picks up another paper and once more begins methodically making confetti. "I'd be watching her all the time otherwise."
"Even though that would mean depriving both your children of their parents? Even though it would mean you wouldn't be part of Harry's rescue?"
Sirius stops shredding paper to run fingers through his hair, noting not for the first time that he should get a haircut. "Yes.
No.
I don't know."
"Does not knowing the answer to that question part of what's troubling you so much?"
"I don't know. I do know I want Drucilla back. The twins' birthday is less than a month away. She shouldn't miss it. They ask for her all the time," Sirius says with visible and audible anguish.
"All the more reason to bring out change as soon as possible."
Sirius puts the shreds of paper aside. "So very true, Albus. I could use a beer. Want to join me?"
"Why yes, I think I shall, thank you."
The two men leave the room, their talk turning to the plan for freeing those at the prison where Harry is being held.
(Elfrida) A Mother's Love
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 03-05-09 18:50
Elfrida had hated Varna the moment she'd laid eyes on the Bulgarian seaside city. After having spent well over a year at the 14-15-14 community for nons, upon which the ocean's waves crashed relentlessly, Elfrida had no interest in ever seeing a large body of water in her lifetime. Granted, the Black Sea was an inland sea and didn't go on forever like the seemingly endless ocean, but it did have waves, and from Elfrida's waterfront window, she couldn't see anything but water and more water.
She had been among those community members who had risen up against the warden and her guards. At the time, Elfrida had had no qualms about destroying those who had ruined her life. After all, they had been the same wizards who had ripped her newborn daughter from her arms right after the baby's birth. They had kept Elfrida away from her family––away from little Violet––and for that they would suffer just as she had ever since arriving on the island.
Even now, Elfrida didn't feel total remorse for what she had done. She believed that she had done what was necessary at the time, even if her actions had been motivated by revenge. A small part of her understood that she had been a part of something that she would never be able to take back. She might not have physically pushed the warden and those guards out the window to their deaths, but she had been with the mob and had urged them on and was, in her eyes, just as much a cold-blooded killer as those who'd had their own hands on the deceased.
But she had done it all for Violet, and because of that she felt justified in her actions.
After 14-15-14 had been taken by the community members, Elfrida had flooed away to The Leaky Cauldron of all places, because she didn't know where else she could go. Maddened by the absence of her daughter and pumped up with adrenalin from the riot, Elfrida had been too distracted to realize that the pub in London was probably the worst place she could go. However, once she'd arrived, she'd somehow gathered her wits about her and made a beeline for the front door. Her arrival had certainly attracted attention, and she'd heard at least once small explosion of sorts when a stunning spell blasted a wall she'd been in front of only a moment earlier. She'd made it out onto the street and run in zig zags to avoid getting hit by a spell. Thankfully, plenty of Muggles had been about and whoever might have been after her never cast another spell in her direction. Elfrida had no way of knowing that there was a shortage of oblivators at the Ministry of Magic and that cleaning up a mess such as the one her pursuer might have caused by using magic on the crowded street would have been very difficult indeed.
After losing her tail, Elfrida had wandered aimlessly through London like a beggar woman, and she'd certainly looked the part. Her robes had been dirty, faded and tattered, her hair unkempt and everything from head to toe sooty from the fireplace. Eventually, she'd located the home of an Oxford friend.
Elfrida had had a difficult time explaining away her appearance. She couldn't have told the truth because her friend, who hadn't seen her in well over a year, if not more, didn't even know about the wizarding world and had no legitimate reason to know anything. Instead, Elfrida had lied and said that someone had kidnapped her and kept her prisoner for so long she couldn't remember anymore. She had only just escaped and hadn't wanted to get the police involved, despite her friend's vehement protestations.
Elfrida had stayed with her friend for only a short while. During that time, she'd gotten new clothes and started to look more like her old self, even though she'd been very underweight and hadn't been able to eat a lot at once without feeling ill. Elfrida had kept some money in a Muggle bank from her time at Oxford and had accessed it to purchase a plane ticket to Bulgaria. Her father's unmarried sister, Alpaida Bisbee, had moved to Varna years ago in pursuit of art and romance, and though the romance didn't pan out, she'd found inspiration for her art and had simply never left.
Alpaida's seaside home was full of her paintings, many of which featured scenes of the Black Sea, and which Elfrida had liked looking at as a child but now found positively revolting. She turned away from the window and from the paintings that hung on the walls and fell forward onto her bed. She was grateful to have found a family member again and Aunt Alpaida was wonderful, but Elfrida really wanted to see her immediate family again. She missed her parents and her two brothers, Alfred and Carloman. She missed her husband, Jason, but it was Violet, her darling little girl, whom she missed most of all.
Elfrida hadn't seen Violet in exactly one year and four days. Violet, assuming she still lived––and Elfrida felt deep in her heart that Violet did––was now one year old. It pained Elfrida to know that she had missed out on one full year and the very first of her baby's life. It was a year she would never, ever get back. But with luck, Elfrida would find Violet soon and not miss out on her daughter's life anymore. It was what Elfrida hoped for and dreamed of the most... an everlasing reunion with her daughter Violet.
Can I Help? (George)
Author: Majandra
Date: 03-05-09 19:29
George is holding some notes in one hand, reading over them, while reaching for a sandwich with his other. Sitting at the table directly opposite him, Percy is giving George such a fixed stare that George finally puts both notes and sandwich aside to ask, "What?"
"Do you need any help with the broadcast today?"
A bit nonplussed at the question, George owlishly blinks for a moment before finally gathering his wits enough to reply. "Yeah, sure. Can always use another hand."
Not that Percy is a bad guy or anything but he's always been a bit of a prat. Politely asking if he can be of help isn't what George would have expected. Then again, since the weekend when Percy reunited with the Weasley's, George can tell Percy's been greatly changed by his experience.
Percy has given sketchy details on the prison community where he was. It was Hermione, naturally, who quickly realized that the prison's name 14-15-14 could represent the numbers N and O to spell N-O-N. Of the escape, all Percy said was that they'd overpowered the guards and warden. George is certain there's more to the story but he nor anyone else has pressed Percy for more.
The Percy sitting across from him has a haunted expression, gaunt face, equally gaunt body, and none of the officiousness that George remembers so well in his brother.
George smiles as an idea comes to him. "Since we can't refer to She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named by name, we were thinking of having a regular segment offering up alternate suggestions to people. Want to work on some ideas for that?"
Percy's face lights up as he too smiles though the haunted look lingers on. "I'd like that."
George grabs some parchment, finds some ink and a quill and as he works on his sandwich, Percy and he come up with some bloody grand names to use in place of saying Minister Smythe-Jone's name.
Montpellier, France: Le Trou
Author: Carys
Date: 03-06-09 14:11
Le Trou was the only wizarding prision in France, located in Montpellier, a mostly Muggle city. Like many wizarding structures in Muggle areas, Le Trou remained hidden by many enchantments, though the very bulk of the prison was located underground, hence its name: "the Hole."
Carys sat in the visitation area of Le Trou and waited on her father, whom she hadn't seen since his arrest over two years ago. She was both nervous and excited about the meeting. The relationship between father and daughter had been strained for many years leading up to Jean's arrest, and he had done quite a lot of awful things that some might consider unforgiveable.
Life in her own prison of sorts had done a lot to change her perspective, though. She didn't approve of any of what Jean had done to get himself landed in jail, especially when those actions had cost her brother Owain his life, but she no longer held a grudge against him. After all, besides Alun and Tristan, Jean was the only other family Carys had left. She couldn't disown him, particularly when she learned first hand how precious life, and a long, happy life at that, could be.
Carys felt uncomfortable at Le Trou. The walls were made of windowless stone and seemed very close. She might have had space to roam at Goen Bren, but it had still been a prison in its own right, and despite the fact that Le Trou and Goen Bren looked nothing alike, Carys couldn't help but think of the community for nons from which Griffin had rescued her.
At last, a door opened somewhere in the room and her father appeared, escorted by a guard in navy blue robes. They approached the table where Carys sat, and after saying something to Jean in French, the guard left him alone with his daughter.
Carys rose and started to move in to hug her father but she hesitated. She couldn't even remember the last time she'd hugged him. There had been a time when she'd seen nothing wrong with Jean and where her love for him had been unwavering, but that had been a long time ago, when she'd been young and ignorant of his secrets and her own demons.
Jean didn't try to hug her, knowing that his daughter probably still hated him for what he'd done, but then she surprised him and herself and wrapped her arms around him.
"Dad," she murmured into his chest.
He put his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. "Carys. I always dreamed you would come to visit me."
Carys gently extricated herself from her father's embrace and studied him. In many ways, he looked just as she remembered him, though there were a few differences. He looked older now, with gray in his hair and crinkles next to his eyes. He seemed slightly thinner now but only just.
Jean gestured to the table. "Should we sit?"
Carys nodded and sat down. Jean sat opposite her.
"You look changed," Jean commented, with a frown tugging at his lips. He had gotten some news from the outside during his two years at Le Trou and knew a little about the prejudices in the UK but he knew little else. "I worried about you and Tristan when I stopped receiving your letters."
"Tristan was never in any danger, but they took me and Grandmum away." Carys had told the story once or twice before and though some time had passed since the entire ordeal, she still felt herself getting choked up as she recounted nearly every detail from when she and Mairwen got snatched until Griffin rescued her from Goen Bren. She excluded everything about the warden and her subsequent pregnancy and miscarriage, somehow feeling uncomfortable talking about sex, even if it was rape, with her father.
Jean leaned back in his chair. "I never liked that man for taking away your innocence," he said, referring to Griff and bringing up the dreaded topic of sex that Carys had been so careful to avoid, "but he has my respect now. He saved your life."
"Yes," Carys agreed. "I don't know where I would be now if it hadn't been for him." She bit her lip and quickly thought about how to change the subject on to something less sexual when she remembered one of the reasons why she wanted to visit Jean.
"Where are all your belongings? The ones you didn't sell, I mean."
Jean leaned forward again, resting his elbows on the table. "I don't know what's left, Carys. I was already in prison at the time of the estate sale, but I do know that what wasn't taken away was put in storage. Unfortunately, I can't tell you where, but I'm sure there's a record of it with my file at the Ministry."
"Do you think I could see it or that they would tell me?"
"As long as you show proof that you are my daughter, I think so. And if they want my approval first, they only need ask."
"Okay. Thanks," Carys said, wondering when she could make time to go to the Ministry.
By then, the guard reappeared to escort Jean back to his cell.
"I'll visit you again," Carys promised, "and maybe I can bring Tristan."
"I would like to see him," Jean said. "And I'm glad you came to see me. It has been too long."
Carys got up and hugged her father again. "I'm glad I came too."
Her father kissed her hair again and then allowed the guard to take him away. Carys watched him go before leaving herself via floo since she didn't have license to apparate.
(Seattle, Washington) Last Day
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 03-06-09 14:48
Even though Desi still hadn't come around to the fact that her mother was pregnant with Bronwyn's father's baby, Bronwyn felt that she needed to return home to Australia. She hadn't seen her husband since early March and had missed celebrating both his birthday and her own.
Before now, she hadn't wanted to leave since it seemed that both Desi and Annabelle needed Bronwyn's company. Honestly speaking, Desi didn't appear interested in anyone's company these days, since she still buried herself in her work, but Bronwyn wanted to be there when Desi finally wanted to talk. And since Desi wouldn't talk to Annabelle, Bronwyn did. Bronwyn held her hair when she had morning sickness, and she patted her on the back when Annabelle felt like crying. She cried quite a bit, probably because of hormones.
Despite feeling needed in Seattle in one way or another, Bronwyn knew she had obligations elsewhere. She also missed Toby terribly. They'd been separated for long periods of time before, such as when Bronwyn had been attending St. Emrys and Toby was in season with the Bandicoots, but this was the first lengthy separation in a long time.
The time away from Toby gave him the opportunity to take care of his half-sister Katherine, who'd fled to Brisbane after being liberated from the Mews community for nons. She'd probably settled in nicely by now and maybe looked like her old self again.
Bronwyn came down the stairs with her luggage and found Annabelle sitting by the window watching the sunlight shine through the leaves of the dense trees in the yard. She turned at Bronwyn's approach and took in the younger witch and her bags in stunned silence.
"You're leaving?" she asked after a long moment.
Bronwyn nodded. "I think it's time for me to go. I've been away from my husband for too long, and I want to know what news there is from my father about my mother and my brother."
Annabelle nodded her head and rose to her feet. "Of course. You should go." She opened her mouth a few times to say something else but she didn't quite know how to word what she wanted to say.
Bronwyn put down her bags and crossed the space between them to hug the older witch. "I'll write when I get there, and I hope you will write me and tell me how you and my little sister or brother are doing." She stepped back and looked at the visible bump at Annabelle's midsection. Then she raised her eyes to the other woman's. "I'm going to write to Desi too. I've actually left a letter on her bedside table for when she gets home from work. I hope..." Now Bronwyn paused, not sure how to proceed. "I hope that she will come around soon. I hate to leave when she's... well, when she's like this, but I think I've already stayed longer than I should have."
Annabelle said, "You've been an enormous help to me, Bronwyn. Thank you."
Bronwyn shook her head. "No problem. I mean... it's weird... you having my dad's baby... but I can live with that."
Annabelle didn't smile but she still somehow looked pleased. "Goodbye, Bronwyn. I'm looking forward to your letter."
Bronwyn smiled. "Bye. Thanks for having me."
With that, she disapparated.
---
Letter to Desi:
Dear Desi,
By the time you read this, I'll be resting on some Pacific island or back home in Brisbane. I would have waited to say goodbye to you in person but I know you don't always want to talk these days, even for something as quick as hello or goodbye. I don't blame you for feeling the way you do and your reaction is completely natural. I do think the entire situation is messed up but it's something we can't ignore. It happened, and it's still happening, and it will always happen. Our lives are forever changed, but I'm trying to see the good and overlook the bad. We're going to have a little brother or sister. We. You and me. In a way, that's kind of cool. Sometimes we act like siblings toward each other and now we're actually going to share one. I have to admit I'm starting to look forward to his or her arrival.
Enough of that for now. The reason I decided to leave is because I miss Toby. I missed his birthday, and he didn't get to share mine with me either. I also want to know what news there is about my family. I promise I will write you as soon as I get home.
Please try to talk to your mother. She misses you.
Love,
Bronwyn
Ancient Runes Quiz (AJ)
Author: Furnella Hodfuffer
Date: 03-06-09 15:37
AJ waits until the four 6th years have entered the classroom and taken their seats. "Afternoon! As promised I'm not giving you an exam as we head into the spring holiday. You will, however, take a short oral quiz."
The four groan at this news with AJ ignoring the groans, talking over the noise. "I'll call you up individually and you'll do some translations with Hälsinge runes. It's quick and painless and shouldn't take above 5 minutes apiece, 10 at most; or so I hope. Yes, Isabel?"
"What are we doing the rest of the time?"
AJ can't help but grin at the four, the girls' body language and faces radiating hope that he'll tell them they'll have the rest of the class period free.
The hope falls away when AJ holds up what look like booklets. "You will work on these." AJ explains as he hands the booklets out. "As you can see from the covers, each booklet already has a name on it. Your booklet has been taylor made for you. If you compare them, you will find similar questions but I don't recall making any two exactly alike. The booklets are designed to help you in your weak areas while also helping you maintain your strengths. At the end of the period, you'll hand your booklets in whether you've completed yours or not. You get points for each correct item but no deductions for incorrect responses or unfinished ones. What should that tell you? Freya?"
"If we get stuck or don't know, move on to another item."
"Exactly," AJ nods enthusiastically. "Now, you're going to have to move around, not just in here but some items specify other locations to go. If not in this room, it's nearby. You won't be roaming the entire castle. That's another assignment," AJ grins.
AJ gives them half a minute to thumb through the booklets then asks, "Any questions?"
Isabel, Freya, Don, and Ron give a collective shake of their heads. "All right then, get started. Roane, you get to take the quiz first. Please join me at my desk."
Roane puts her things aside and gets up, following AJ to his desk. He sits, swiveling around to face her. "Tell me why calling Hälsinge runes staveless isn't entirely correct."
"The f, b, k, and s are shortened staves mains staves and the i is a whole stave."
"Now, write this phrase using Hälsinge runes. The Earth shall be rent, and the heavens above."
Roane takes the small, handheld blackboard AJ gives her and writes the inscription. When she's done and has shown it to him, he says, "Last question, from what famous runestone is this taken?"
"The Skarpåker Stone."
AJ smiles, "Thank you, Roane. Get to work on your booklet." Eyes scanning the room for Freya, AJ doesn't see her so takes it she's working on a booklet item out of the room. Spotting Don he instead says, "Don, you're next."
Tired And Overworked
Author: Griffin Price
Date: 03-06-09 18:57
"Thought I'd find you here. I can't say I'm surprised you're still working."
Dulcie crosses the space from the door to Griff's desk as she talks. Sitting on the desk corner, swinging a shapely leg she informs him, "I'm here to take you to supper. No argument."
Slumping back in the chair that has grown more uncomfortable each passing day Griff sighs, "Okay. No argument."
"If I had known it would be this easy, I would have come an hour ago," Dulcie says with a throaty laugh.
"I'm too tired to argue. Is that the time? Bloody hell. I wanted to tuck Tristan in but I've missed it."
"I thought Tristan and Alun are off visiting relatives."
"They are but I've tried to Floo there each evening to either read Tristan a story or tuck him in, or both. Then I come right back."
Griff can't believe he'd lost track of the time. He shouldn't have pushed himself so hard to make up for taking off this morning to close on a house. The house is in the south of France, along a pretty stretch overlooking the sea. There's a beach within walking distance as well as a small and very new Wizarding university. Griff hopes that Carys will take classes there. Also nearby is a place she she can taking apparition lessons and get her license. The house is nice and in a good location not to mention the fact that they can't go on living in a house that they are basically squatting in.
The house itself is on the snug size but does have four bedrooms. That way Alun can have his own space, Tristan gets a room, Carys has privacy, and Griff doesn't have to sleep on the couch or bunk in with Alun or Tristan when he's there. He knows it's far too soon for Carys to consider having him back in her bed. Hell, Griff doesn't know if she'll ever want him again.
Seeayetee will probably go to the little house but Griff isn't sure. He's going to be at Ruth's most of the time and it's hard for him to imagine not having the cat with him. The downside is that he's mainly there to sleep these days and it's not fair to Seeayetee. Tristan adores her and Alun likes her so Griff will probably cave and take her this weekend when he goes to help Carys, Tristan, and Alun get settled.
Reaching the Ministry atrium, Dulcie comments, "You're very quiet. I thought there were two new people to help with your workload."
"There are but one is an idiot. Doesn't know one end of a Floo from a portkey. The other. Well, all I can say is he's got some problems he's dealing with."
The man was a guard at Goen Bren who barely escaped a Dementor's kiss. He seems to be very afflicted with post traumatic stress. Even if that's not what it is, the man is basically useless.
Griff forces a smile. "Let's talk about something other than work? Where are we going, by the way?"
"That Greek place we went to a couple of months ago. I've a craving for spanakopita and kleftiko."
"Sounds great."
Moments later Griff steps from the Floo after Dulcie, who's already being led to a table.