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Panther Cap
Author: Marzipan
Date: 08-25-09 18:02
Earlier in the morning, Professor Ravenscroft taught her third year Gryffindor and Hufflepuff students about two varieties of a very uncommon mushroom.
"Amanita pantherina var. pantherina is the scientific name for the mushroom better known as panther cap."
She picked up a rectangular, wooden container filled with dark-colored dirt, a few wood chips, and some dry leaves. In the center of everything was a single mushroom with a moderately long, cream-colored stem and a light brown cap with a smattering of off-white spots.
"This is what panther cap normally looks like," Marzipan said. "Its cap can range in color from deep brown to hazel to even the palest of browns. Warts are always present," she went on, indicating to the mushroom's off-white spots, "and can range from pure white to cream-colored."
She gently tipped the wooden container towards her, exposing the mushroom's gills and spilling some soil and other detritus onto the table. "The gills are white and somewhat gray, and the spores themselves are white."
Marzi righted the container again and pointed to the stalk. "The stipe is typically white and darkens with age to a tan color."
She set the container down and explained, "This variety of panther cap is uncommon, but not as uncommon as its wizarding variety. Yes, this is basically a Muggle mushroom, though it has its uses in the wizarding world, as we shall later see."
Professor Ravenscroft moved to a shelf protruding from one of the higher glass windows in the greenhouse and produced a similar wooden container, only the mushroom it contained was jet black. She set it down on the table next to the other plant and said only, "Observe."
At first, nothing seemed to happen and the students very nearly started murmuring to each other about why they had to stare at a mushroom. After a long moment, the black mushroom seemed to quake, and then it did something even more unexpected. It let out a lion's roar.
The students exchanged surprised and interested looks.
"You see what I mean by wizarding variety," Marzi said, with a smile. "Now, how does this one differ from the other? Its color, obviously, but not only that, its texture is slightly different. It looks furry, doesn't it? Also, it doesn't have any warts. And most obviously? It has movement, albeit very limited, and it mimics the sound of an actual panther. I think we can all determine why this type of panther cap gets its name, but what about the Muggle type? Consider that an extra credit assignment. If you can tell me the reason for its name, if there even is one, you'll get extra points. Turn in your answer by the end of the month for credit."
"Is the wizarding variety dangerous?" asked Sadie Mickle.
"It's not," Marzi replied, ticking the mushroom's cap to demonstrate. "It won't bite or scratch or anything a real panther might do. Any other questions before we continue?"
There were several shakes of the head. Marzi indicated to the other variety of mushroom and said, "Our in class assignment today is to extract muscarine from the Muggle variety. If everyone can grab a plant from that shelf over there," she said, indicating to the one in question, "we can get started."
She waited for everyone to get settled at the table again and then began to demonstrate the in class assignment.
Scowling
Author: Kody
Date: 08-25-09 18:38
Over the weekend Kody and Drake had moved into a new place within walking distance to St. Emrys. Across the hall, in their own flat are Kordelia and Ophelia. Kody and his sister have already speculated that Kordelia will most likely end up staying overnight at the guy's place more than hers because Drake will probably be with Ophelia. Kody doesn't know why those two don't go on and make it official by moving in together, announcing an engagement and setting a date.
While Kody's happy for his best friend, the thought of couples has Kody scowling when he walks into the accounting class he's taking this term. He's deep in thought and still scowling several minutes later when someone just to his left amiably says, "I know our houses were rivals but I'm surprised you would know me to give me such a dirty look."
Kody looks over, his expression going blank.
"Mortimer Rollo. You were ahead of me at Hogwarts. What was the dirty look for?"
"Sorry about that. It wasn't aimed at you. Wasn't aimed at anyone."
"Sort of surprised to see you in this class, it being basic accounting. You were something like three years ahead of me at Hogwarts."
"I've been putting off taking it."
"You in a four year program?"
"It's usually three but I'm with the Griffins, the team for Blane College. I decided I would rather take lighter course loads and do well in each class to maintain my eligibility to play."
"Makes sense to me. I got a spot with the Nundus."
"Congrats. Guess we'll still be enemies then. What position?"
"Beater."
A tall, reedy woman standing at the front of the room clears her throat and starts speaking, introducing herself as a stack of papers floats from her desk to the nearest student. "A syllabus is coming around, be sure to take one as the reading schedule, project dates, and exam dates are listed."
Kody tries to listen to the professor, taking notes on the lecture, but can't help himself from thinking about Daria and wondering when she's going to get the stick out of her arse and talk to him again. Keeping in mind what Mortimer had said about him having a dark look, Kody also has to work to keep his face neutral so that the professor won't wonder why she's the subject of such foul looks on the first day of class.
Alone with Strangers
Author: Havana
Date: 08-25-09 19:57
Havana sat on the couch at her parents’ home, surrounded by strangers. They were her family’s friends, some used to be her friends. The family was celebrating; Annis and Braxton had just announced that they were expecting another child.
“Oh darling, isn’t this wonderful?” Lairen sat down beside her youngest daughter. “I do expect grandchildren out of you one day, Isadora.”
Havana growled at her mother “I warned you about calling me that! This is not my family, I don’t belong here!”
Lairen grabbed Isadora roughly by the wrist, before she escorted her to the kitchen for a chat.
“I’m not talking to you. Now let me go, I’m going to my room.”
She had to get out of here soon. This family was too arrogant for her, had she really been this way? Things had to change; she had overhead her siblings talking about a girl named Nyx. Apparently she had been with Havana the night she lost her memory. Had it just been an accident, or hand something more sinister happened to her friend?
Loch Ness Monster
Author: Jolyon
Date: 08-26-09 18:06
"I hope you enjoyed last week's field trip to Loch Ness," Professor Kent stated, after every last one of his sixth years had come to the picnic benches outside the barn, where class would be held today. The weather was nice and sunny, although there was an occasional cool breeze. Jolyon had brought out some woolen blankets for students to throw over their shoulders if they felt too cold.
This year, many of his classes had already gone on field trips to various sites, always during classtime and via a special portkey for the occasion. Besides last week's trip to Loch Ness to see the largest known kelpie in the world, some of Jolyon's students had visited places like the Eberlee Erumpent Conservation Habitat in Dumfriesshire, Scotland and Ayr Aquarium, a wizarding establishment in western Scotland, to see hippocampi. Of course, he'd also taken some of his classes into the Forbidden Forest and to the lake on the Hogwarts grounds, where so many magical beasts lived and thrived.
On Wednesday, Professor Kent's seventh years would visit the MacFusty Hebridean Black Preserve to see dragons with their own eyes and on Friday, the fourth years would actually get to go into the lake for a firsthand experience with grindylows.
Jolyon was rather fond of field trips, if only because he couldn't bring every magical creature to Hogwarts. In some instances, he'd acquired a special permit or had an expert come to visit with a specific beast, but there were some cases where it simply couldn't be done. Jolyon knew his students liked the trips, too, if only because it afforded them some time away from Hogwarts. He really did think they enjoyed the trips for educational reasons too, though.
"So, we each had a rare glimpse at the famous so-called Loch Ness Monster. Did the giant kelpie meet your expectations?"
Alaric Beauchamp shrugged his shoulders. "We didn't really see much of it, did we? Just a flipper."
"I thought kelpies are basically horses that live in the water?" Artemis Fitzgerald asked. "Wasn't that a leg we saw and not a flipper?"
"It looked like a flipper to me," Alaric retorted.
Jolyon held up his hands. "Let's review what we know about kelpies. They live in the water, though have been seen on land and sometimes seek out their prey there. Kelpies can take on any form, which means they can look like a creature with a flipper or just like an ordinary horse," he said, acknowledging both Alaric and Artemis with the statement.
"Usually, they do take on the form of a horse, and they do so for predatory reasons," Professor Kent went on. "They pretend to be a regular horse, an unsuspecting Muggle or wizard climbs on its back and then are dragged underwater, where they are eaten."
"Eww!" "Yuck!" exclaimed some of the girls, while they boys seemed mildly impressed and begun to wonder how close they'd come to getting eaten by the Loch Ness Monster.
"That said, kelpies can be rendered docile and harmless," Jolyon continued. "Who can tell me how?"
Estella Primrose raised her hand. "All you have to do is use a Placement Charm to put a bridle over its head."
"Correct. Five points to Hufflepuff," Jolyon exclaimed. "So if you see a kelpie with a bridle, you shouldn't have to fear for your life."
"Sir, did the Loch Ness Monster have a bridle on?" asked Philippa Fox.
Jolyon smiled mysteriously. "I don't know. We never did see its head, did we?"
While his students started to murmur in wonder and fascination, he handed out a piece of parchment with their homework assignment on it. "Write a research essay on variations of kelpies in other European cultures. There is no length requirement, so write as much or little as you think necessary, but know that you will be graded on the quality and thoroughness of your work. If there are no questions, class is dismissed!"
There were no questions, other than more wonderings about whether or not they'd all been in grave danger at last week's field trip to Loch Ness.
Stake Out
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 08-26-09 18:54
In the two weeks since Geoffrey Blackwell and Harry had met face to face with Uruguayan Vice Minister Gianina Montesdeoca concerning Isodro Cousillas, the man in question has been covertly surveilled by Geoffrey and Harry as well as by Brent Trentson and Catherine Patterson. It's a good thing Geoffrey and Harry have had the other two because not only does that allow Geoffrey time at home with his children and significant other but it's also allowed him to recover somewhat from the nasty cold he's had.
Harry, Catherine and Brent had offered to work in rotation without Geoffrey so that Geoffrey can once and for all recover but Geoffrey won't hear of it. The three really don't want to go through official channels to have Geoffrey put on medical leave. They all know that Geoffrey's Gigi Martini was held Community 485 where Cousillas was a brutal guard. If their superiors know this tidbit of information, Harry wonders if Geoffrey would have been assigned to the Cousillas case in the first place.
When Harry's not on shift he's gone home a few times but with Janine and he still having something of a rift between them and Janine so far not showing any signs that she's going to start acting like she's part of a couple again any time soon, Harry's mainly gone to show Pinky he's fine - as he can't have the House Elf popping up while Harry's on stakeout - and to see Ron and Hermione.
"He's on the move," Geoffrey says from the window overlooking the street that runs past the building where Cousillas lives.
Monitoring their special equipment, Harry looks from magical item to magical item before frowning over at Geoffrey. "Are you certain? Nothing's registering here to show he's even left his flat."
"I can see him clear as day. He's at that Muggle news stand."
Harry gets up and raps on the bedroom door where Catherine and Brent are napping. "Geoffrey sees him on the street but the equipment indicates he's in his flat. You want to stay here or tail him?"
Catherine was fully clothed whereas Brent is barefoot and doesn't have a shirt on. He says, "You and Catherine go. Geoffrey's still coughing too much to be a subtle tail."
Grabbing the invisiblity cloaks that are more tailored and easier to manuever in while still remaining totally concealed than Harry's own invisiblity cloak, Catherine and Harry hurry out before Cousillas is out of Geoffrey's line of sight from the window.
Observations
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 08-27-09 17:39
Yesterday had been the start of Hermione's review sessions at St. Mungo's. Her entire morning consisted of Artifact Accidents, a lecture and review session that went hand in hand with an observational rotation scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays. She spent her afternoon in review courses on medical charms and potions.
Having been without schooling of any kind for too long, Hermione loved being in the classroom again, even if she wasn't exactly learning anything new. She liked the routine of reading textbooks, writing essays, and offering up answers in class.
The other students from her year with whom she had become reacquainted last week at orientation seemed equally glad to return to their studies, if only because it would bring them one step closer to being back on track again in terms of becoming full-fledged healers. Everyone tried not to think about how if they hadn't been affected by the former minister's desire to purge the world of familial impurities, they would already be close to their ultimate goals.
Today they found themselves not in the classroom but roaming the ground floor of St. Mungo's, where patients suffering from artifact accidents sought medical attention. The interns, Granger, Li, Patil and Rush, were strictly there on an observational basis. Later in the program, they would get their chance to do hands-on work as they had before, but for now all they could do was shadow the various healers on the floor and watch them as they worked.
Hermione found merit in just observing the healers do what they did best, but she longed to get her hands dirty and do something herself. She had to remind herself time and time again that her moment would come. It wouldn't be long at all before she would have a real rotation on the floor. She just had to be patient and wait.
Presently, she found herself shadowing Jericho Kensington, who had just received a new patient, a man who'd managed to cut off three of his fingers with a cursed dagger. The patient had brought the detached fingers with him in a small, orange cooler.
Hermione itched to solve how to reattach or perhaps regrow the wizard's fingers but remained perfectly silent and still as Kensington assessed the injury and made a decision on what to do next.
Back Home
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 08-28-09 18:15
Bronwyn and Aemilia had said fond farewells to Arley and Seb and returned to London well over a week ago. The reunion between Wotan and Aemilia had gone well; they'd spent hours alone together talking about the past and made amends with each other. It would be a while yet before things resumed any sort of normalcy between them, but they were on the path to making everything right once more.
Since coming home, Bronwyn had gone back to work at the WWN station at St. Emrys. The station wasn't as understaffed as it had been when she'd first resumed working there, but it still wasn't fully staffed either. Dylan Cornfoot, the manager, was glad to have Bronwyn back on board and immediately put her on the air. With no classes to attend last week, she'd worked hard and thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.
Starting yesterday, however, she had to cut her work hours to accommodate her final term at St. Emrys. In a way, Bronwyn couldn't believe her final term at the university had arrived already, and yet, had she not been forced into hiding a year and a half ago, she would have long been finished with her communications degree and probably working somewhere other than St. Emrys University. Hers was a position many others shared. Everyone affected by the dastardly plans of Euphemia Smythe-Jones had had their lives interrupted. Only those who'd survived the ordeal could pick up the pieces and go on with life.
Bronwyn had had three classes yesterday, Communication and Culture, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and History of Wizarding Fashion. Her part in the Resistance Movement, however brief, had inspired her to take DADA one last time. The events of the last two years had shown that knowing something about DADA, as well as keeping current with the subject, was very, very important. Bronwyn hoped never again to find herself in a situaton where she needed to know spells for dueling, but one could never be too cautious.
She had only had two classes today, Communication Theory and Application and Introduction to Broadcast Media. Bronwyn already felt like a pseudo expert when it came to broadcasting, since she'd worked on and off at the WWN station since her first year of studying there. She thought only to take a course on broadcasting in case she needed classwork under her belt when she started seeking a job with a larger WWN station.
Bronwyn exited the station where she currently worked, with a music magazine tucked under her arm. One of the shorter articles inside the magazine mentioned the relationship between Bianca and Blane. Reading it made Bronwyn think about Desi and Xavier. Too bad there'd been no chemistry between them! Speaking of Desi... Bronwyn hadn't written since returning home, having been busy dealing with her family and work and now school. She resolved to write Desi first thing to give her an update on things and to find out what was new with her.