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Drudgery and Despair (Bob Copperpot)
Author: Georgia Copperpot
Date: 03-22-09 10:46
Bob Copperpot had been sitting in his Ministry cubicle, the work to be done piled up and Bob having no hope of ever making a dent in the ever growing amount. Sitting there with no hope and in despair at having nothing in his life now but the mound of work. Wife dragged off by the very organiziation he works for. One daughter kept at school and then taken away. The other daughter ripped screaming from his arms. His wife's family don't remember her or their girls or even him. Bob's small remaining family offer only small comfort because really, what sort of comfort can there be when a family's been torn apart and memories of their existances obliviated?
Bob had been sitting in his cubicle wondering why he even bothers continuing on. His only conclusion was that the soldiers on with the teeniest bit of hope that his girls are alive and out there somewhere and he will see them again some day. When one of his few remaining coworkers had asked if he wished to go out for brunch, Bob had agreed, not because he cared about eating or because he wished to spend time with someone who tends to always be abominably cheerful even in the worst of times. No, Bob went simply to break the monotonous routine of drudgery that his life has become.
They go to a place in Ealing, a place in Park Royal. The Witch who seats them also turns out to be their waitress who, after learning neither had been their in a long while, informs them, "We're so short staffed that we don't have a menu anymore. There's the buffet and it's whatever Chef decides to put out."
Bob couldn't have cared any less if he tried so he looked to his colleague. Walter seems inclined to stay so they do. Bob has returned from going through the buffet line, going ahead and starting to eat even though Walter hasn't returned yet, when the waitress comes over with their drinks. She's got a paper sticking out of her pocket. For some reason Bob notices that it's not The Daily Prophet and then for reasons he doesn't understand blurts, "Mind if I have a look at that?"
"Oh sure, luv. It's just The Quibbler. Good for a laugh and don't we all need a laugh these days?"
Bob nods, taking the paper from her. He randomly flips through The Quibbler, looking up only briefly when Walter returns. His eyes drop back down to the classifieds, one of them jumping out at him.
Bob has listened in on a few of the illegal wireless broadcasts put on by The Order of the Phoenix and a group calling itself The Resistance. He's heard enough to know about coded messages. Until now, he'd never given that much thought. The classified ad that caught his eye has got to be one such message. Bob is sure of it, just as he's sure without knowing how he knows, what the message says.
He quickly memorizes how to go about seeing a list of names of Nons who are safe, who escaped Ministry clutches. He mentally scolds himself for not listening to more of those illicit broadcasts to have learned more about who might have escaped the places Nons were taken.
Information memories, Bob abruptly stands. "I'm not feeling well, Walter. I believe I'm going to go home."
Giving Walter money for his share of brunch, handing the waitress back her Quibbler, Bob departs not for home but to where the classified ad pointed him. He knows it's just a first step and that it could even be a trap but he doesn't care. He's tired of sitting in that bloody cubicle day after day, despairing of ever seeing Connie, Georgia, and Libby again.
Making History Come Alive
Author: Declan
Date: 03-22-09 13:56
The morning started off well enough. Sun shining. A nice selection at breakfast that included waffles, whipped cream, and fresh strawberries. No Harriet Snider showing up during Declan's breakfast to ruin the fresh fruit and waffles experience for him. What looks to be a nice weekend ahead.
There's a chance of thunderstorms later today, and Declan knows that he'll see Professor Snider at least once, and Professor Snider will flirt. She always flirts. Nonetheless, it's Friday and it's off to a nice start.
The nice start comes to an end just prior to Declan's first class of the morning, which is the 1st years. Hovering near the entrance to Declan's History of Magic classroom, in a spot from where one can hear Professor Binns delivering a lecture to an empty room, is Zabrynna Ravensdale.
"Morning, Professor Douglass! I need to ask you something," Zabrynna says, all smiles and batting eyelashes.
"Hallo, Zabrynna. You could have come to my office, where I've been since just after breakfast," Declan reminds.
"I know but I only just thought of it."
Moving out of the way of the Stryde triplets as they jostle past to get to the classroom, Declan asks, "Do you have 10 o'clock class?"
"Yes, Transfiguration."
"And after that?"
"Potions directly after."
"Then why don't you come talk to me during the noon hour or any time after 4 o'clock this afternoon?"
"During lunch is good," Zabrynna say, bright blinding smile adding to the eyelash batting.
"Come to my office then. I'll have sandwiches in case you want to eat something and don't have time to also grab lunch before any afternoon classes you might have."
Her already huge smile growing bigger, Zabrynna thanks Declan then hurries off to her first class. Watching Zabrynna's retreating figure, Declan decides that he's got to figure out a way to broach the topic of her crush on him without hurting her feelings too very badly.
History with the 1st years goes by relatively quickly. Declan thinks that might have something to do with the fact that to help the students better understand some of the most important ancient battles, he's been using using charmed figures on large, three dimensional terrain maps. Today's had been more thrilling than usual as it involved an ancient Egyptian Witch who'd raised up an army of mummies in an effort to sieze wealth and power. The students had fun watching the mummy figures moving around in that odd way mummies move without the fear of having an actual mummy in the room after them. Declan has to admit, watching the battle unfold along the a section of the Nile was pretty interesting and he wishes he'd thought sooner about using this method to show students such things as how important battles played out. Definately makes more of an impact than looking at maps in books and reading passages out of books.
When that class ends, Declan using his wand to quickly change the map and figurines. The 2nd years are also getting an important battle today but theirs is one that took place in what is now China, when two different Wizarding factions went after each other with dragons.
Declan double checks that the models of Chinese Fireballs, which he'd gotten in Hogsmeade at what used to be Zonko's but is now a branch of Weasleys' Wizards Wheezes. Declan supposes it shouldn't be thought of as a branch anymore, not when the one in Diagon Alley has been shut down ever since all the Weasleys either went into hiding or were captured. Declan's actually not sure what exactly became of them. He's not even sure who's running the shoppe in Hogsmeade though he'd heard it's the same people running Blossom's.
The dragon models checked to make sure the fire they breathe isn't harmful, Declan puts them where they belong on the map, ready to be activated for the battle then turns to welcome the 2nd years.
"Morning, everyone. As you can see I've got something I hope you will find fun and entertaining but also educational. Before we get to that though, I did promise you an essay assignment. Let's get the assignment out of the way and any initial questions you have taken care of."
Declan pulls out some cards, which the students quickly see are Wizard trading cards. "I have cards for several Witches and Wizards important in the ancient world. You will each pick a card. Whomever's name is on your card is who you will do a five page essay on. You should know by now what my defination of a page length of parchment is but I'll go over that with you again in a moment. Something else for this essay is you will do a bibliography. I have examples for you to base yours on and will hand those out after you each know who you've got."
Declan fans out the trading cards in his hand and moves to the closest student, Mark Farnon. Mark picks and showing it to Declan says, "Circe."
"Excellent selection, Mark, though you may never look at pigs the same way again. Catriona, you're next."
"Yu Min."
"If you recall from class Wednesday, Yu Min was mentioned and he's extremely key to the battle you're going to see today so be sure to take excellent notes."
Declan moves on to Aleydis, Hunter, and Bianca, making little comments to each about their selections. Putting the cards not picked aside, Declan gets the information about the essays and bibliographies taken care of, as well as jotting down which student is writing what. When it looks as though all the initial questions about the essays are out of the way, Declan has the 2nd years take up excellent vantage points from which to observe the battle.
Declan begins with, "Please note the mountainous terrain. The area today is called the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The battle is well known in Chinese Wizarding history, though you would be hard pressed to find it mentioned in Chinese Muggle history by anything other than as folk stories in Muggle culture."
The students sit in rapt attention as Declan narrates the unfolding battle. Before they know it, History of Magic ends and it's time for lunch. After putting the figurines away, Declan shuts the classroom door and goes to grab sandwiches and drinks before heading to his office for that meeting with Zabrynna.
In Declan's Office
Author: Zabrynna
Date: 03-23-09 10:10
The thought of being alone in with Declan Douglass in his office has Zabrynna so distracted that she could no more tell you what had taken place in Transfiguration than she could give a personal account of what the far side of the moon is like. Potions wasn't much better. At one point Zabrynna had looked down at her cauldron to see a sludge that was bright lavender and giving off lime green sparks.
Looking over at Anne Kendrick's work station, Zabrynna didn't have to see inside Anne's cauldron to know without a doubt her own potion was brilliantly screwy. Anne's was giving off whispy steam in a pleasant shade of blue. A look to her other side confirmed that Zabrynna's potion wasn't as it should be. Stephen Hunt's cauldron also had whispy blue steam rising from it, although his shade of blue wasn't quite that of Anne's.
Zabrynna didn't know which color of blue was the correct one. All she knew is that she'd blundered badly. No one else had lime green sparks and she would have wagered a month's allowance that if she could actually see inside the other cauldrons there would not be a pastel purple sludge.
The class period was too far gone for her to start over. There was nothing for it but to soldier on and hope that if she incurred Professor Carrow's wrath, that his anger wouldn't be painfully dealt. With an in for a knut, in for a galleon thought, Zabrynna fiddled with the potion, figuring the only way she could make it worse would be for it to blow up or to send out poisonous fumes. If either of those happened then at least she'd be out of whatever misery Professor Carrow would inflict for her utter screw-up. Of course, that would also have meant no time alone with Declan in his office.
The thought of her History of Magic professor, whom Zabrynna has taken to thinking of as Declan and not as Professor Douglass, had her smiling as she chopped and diced ingredients, adding them to the cauldron. She has no idea what she'd done or not done to get the potion in such a bad state nor could she have really said what she was doing in her effort to make the potion better. When it was time to turn work in, Zabrynna's still was off from what it should have been but at least it was closer in appearance to what her classmates' results.
As they left the dungeons, Anne had commented, "I think the nicer weather is getting to you. I've never seen you do so horribly in two classes back to back."
Zabrynna has merely shrugged, giving Anne a somewhat apologetic smile, "What can I say? Everyone has off days."
Giggling, Anne had looped one arm through Zabrynna's. "If I didn't know better I'd say you were love struck. Anyone I know or have you been holding out on me and it's someone you met over spring holiday?"
Zabrynna good naturedly elbowed Anne, "You're the one forever talking about hot guys and whose bones you want to jump."
"There's an evasive answer if I ever heard one. Come on, who is it?"
"Why did I get stuck with such a cheeky roommate who thinks of nothing but men?"
"Exceedingly good luck?" Anne retorts back with a grin.
Zabrynna pulled away from Anne, "You're on your own for lunch. I've got an appointment with a professor."
"I shall keep my fingers crossed that it's brief and that you aren't stuck in some dreary conversation about assignments your entire Friday lunch break. If you are, though, I'll see you in DADA."
Zabrynna nodded, using all of her self-control not to sprint the entire way to Declan's office. When she arrives, he's already there, a small plate with sandwiches visible on the corner of his desk along with a small bowl with potato crisps. Declan's seated, a quill in one hand as he reads something and a sandwich in his other hand.
He looks up at Zabrynna's light tap on the door. "Come in, Miss Ravensdale."
"Thank you for seeing me. Like all the fifth years I've been preparing for the OWLs. In some of the study guides based on prior OWL exams, I've come across some things for History that I'm not familiar with. I think some of what's on the Hogwarts curriculum wasn't on the Durmstrang curriculum."
Declan's head goes up and down in a nod. "Yes, that's quite likely. If you'd continued on at Durmstrang you may have had the material in those classes."
Zabrynna has pulled out some parchment from her bag. "I have the course outlines for History from my four years there. I was hoping you would be able to find a way to compare that with what my classmates here have had. I wasn't sure if you could though because you're new to Hogwarts as well, right?"
"Yes, I'm new but there are records of what professors teach. We have to provide an accounting, you see." As he speaks, Declan's scanning the parchments that Zabrynna has given him. "Durmstrang certainly went heavy on the dark arts aspect of history."
"Yes, very much so. In every class actually."
Declan stands, "Give me a few moments and I can get started listing for you things you should review. Go on and grab a sandwich and there are drinks on top of that cabinet there."
Declan exits the office and Zabrynna sits back, munching on a sandwich and resisting the urge to poke around to find out what private information about Declan there might be had in the office.
In American (Drake)
Author: Kody
Date: 03-23-09 16:16
Drake apparates to a spot he knows of in Frannie's and Payton's garden. He picked that particular spot because it's one he can picture more clearly than anywhere else on the grounds or in the house. Drake had Floo'd from a friend's after one of his St. Emrys classes ended. He figured it was better not to come directly from school or anywhere else that would be more closely monitored. It's no secret by now that the Ministry is extremely short handed but Drake doesn't want to chance that the one time he's not careful is the one time there's actually someone at the Ministry paying attention to who's going where via Floo.
Drake had left from his friend's and gone to a Wizarding area in Dublin. From there he'd come to America to a place he's been a few times when visiting over here. It's a small Wizarding shopping plaza that Aaron's sister Natalie discovered after learning she's a Witch. After that it was an easy hop to the house.
Coming around a tree, Drake follows the stone path past well trimmed hedges, taking in how everything is in full bloom. In England, things are blooming and green but as cold and damp as it's been, it's just not quite what it should be there.
Drake enters the house through a sliding glass door into a large family room, calling out, "Anyone home?"
"Who's that?" a masculine voice replies from a chair, a telly going mute then a chair swiveling around. Even before he's all the way around Payton is saying, "Wasn't expecting you, Drake, but damned good to see you!"
Payton looks good. Robust. No hint of the cancer he's had. His bear hug also doesn't give evidence that the past few years have been hard on Payton, both from sickness and from having family so greatly affected by what's going on in Britain. Having his son among the missing until recently certainly hadn't helped matters.
Drake affectionately returns the hug, glad that the hard feelings Payton once had towards those who can do magic when he's unable to himself are no longer in evidence. "You look good, Payton."
"Anytime you want to start calling me Granddad, you just go right ahead. Frannie! Aaron!" Payton bellows. "They were in here just a moment ago. I didn't even hear them leave the room. They'll be back soon enough I'm sure. Sit. Or do you want something? You name it and I'm sure we have it. How's Deak? Saffron? Sage? I wish I could see them."
Drake goes over to the bar area and helps himself to a Coke from the bar fridge then spotting a bag of cheese crisps grabs it. Sitting down across from Payton, Drake settles in for a long chat with Payton, wishing Aaron and Frannie were here but not minding at all the time to catch up with this man whom he used to not care for much but now loves like the grandfather he, for all intents and purposes, is.