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Dudgeon
Author: Blossom
Date: 09-01-09 19:26
Without lifting her head from the ledger she's making entries into, Blossom observes her younger, half-sister stalking past the office. When Daria stalked by the other way a short time later, Blossom calls out, "Daria, come in here, please."
Daria backs up then pokes her head in, "Unless it's an emergency, give me a minute."
"Yes, that's fine."
Blossom returns to working on the business's books, shifting every now and then as the activity in her womb increases ten fold, at times with enough movement that Blossom would swear she can see the belly of her maternity top flouncing outward with each kick.
She stops writing, setting the quill aside then places both hands on her belly. "You're awfully busy in there."
"Is she kicking up a storm?" Daria asks, walking in.
"There is a storm going on but it will take more than your seemingly innocent question to get me to reveal gender."
"Fred said you're having twins," her sister non-chalantly states as she sits down on the sofa against one office wall.
Blossom arches an eyebrow at Daria, who's now moving into a more layed out sprawl along the length of the couch. "Fred said no such thing. He, like me, simply refers to this," Blossom points at her protuding stomach, "as Baby or the Bump. We have made it clear that the use of the singular in and of itself is not significant."
"So you are having another set of multiples."
"Our family is expanding. As with last time, we choose to leave by how much a surprise to everyone."
"I've got fraternal twins in the pool."
"So do others."
"Yes, but we all also have different dates, times, and genders. Mum says she thinks you look just like you did with the triplets so she thinks you're having at least two, if not three again. Based on that, the dates she took in the pool are all way earlier than your due date."
Daria sits up abruptly, feet thumping onto the floor. "Are you having contractions? Is that why you called me in here? Do we need to rush to to St. Mungo's so you can take that potion that helps stave off labor?"
Blossom's eyebrow quirks up again. "If I needed to be rushed to St. Mungo's, then don't you think I would have mentioned that tidbit already?"
Slumping back into the couch, legs flopping back up so she can recline lengthwise again, Daria says somewhat sheepishly, "Right."
After a beat she asks, "So what do you need?"
"I need you to stop clumping around all the day. It's worrisome to the children."
"I don't clump around."
"Oh, trust me, you do. Deep frowns. Massively heavy footsteps. You're also grouchy a great deal of the time. Either make up with Kody or get over it."
"Easy for you to say," Daria hurrumps.
"Be that as it may, the dark attitude has gone on long enough when here at work. I'd suggest you go work at one of the joke shops but scowling employees tend not to do well with sells of humorous items. Maybe you should do shifts with Wizard's lasar tag. With the lighting, your constantly gloomy expression won't be as noticeable."
"Fine, whatever."
"You don't have to sound snippy about it. I'm not the reason you've been in a high dudgeon for days now. What did you even fight about?"
"We didn't fight."
"Could have fooled me. From the way you've been acting, I thought you had fought and broken up."
"How can we have broken up if we haven't been a couple?"
"Are you still harping on that? Another issue you need to deal with, little sister."
Daria rolls off the couch, her posture stiff. "I'll work laser tag tomorrow. Now if you're excuse me, it's late and I've got a class meeting at the special time of 7:30. You should go home too and rest."
"I was resting. I rested with the triplets while they fell asleep then came back up here to do this paperwork work while it's quiet around here."
"And I spoiled it by clumping around as you deemed it."
"Daria, don't get terse with me. It's not as though I'm sticking my nose in your business. Your attitude and behavior is there for all to see and it's affecting your work, which means it's affecting my business. I said something because I care about you and because I can't have you continue to be glowering and touchy around the day care children."
"Yes, I get that. Sorry for being a bitch around the kids. Go home. Good night."
Daria stomps out and Blossom lets her go, knowing it would do no good at this juncture to press the issue with Daria in such go to hell mood. Besides, as Daria pointed out, it's very late. Taking a minute to put the ledge away and to put a cap on the ink bottle, Blossom then Floos home, arriving just in time to catch Seth awake, out of bed, and trying to sneak some chocolate chip cookies.
6th Years DADA: Offendendo
Author: Kissy Isuki
Date: 09-02-09 14:47
"Practical exam next Wednesday," Kissy tells her sixth years first thing. She holds up a hand to stay their groans. "You knew one was coming up so I don't want to hear it. I'll individually test you two of the spells we've been working on. Yes, Erebus?"
"Since we've been working on more than two spells since term started, does we might be tested on any of them but won't know which two until it's our turn to be test?"
"Yes, that's exactly what I mean. Cordelia?"
"How will you determine who gets which?"
"It will be random. You'll each draw from a bowl and whichever two you draw, will be the ones you will demonstrate for me. Any other questions?"
"While you are doing the exam, what will those of us not with you be doing?"
"Excellent question, Barnaby. You will be working on a new spell. We'll get started on it today. I'll give time on Monday for getting in some class time practice on the ones for the test. This is a good time for me to also remind you that even if Professor Somerset or I have a class going on, you are welcome to come and practice in the obstacle course and dueling rooms. If your schedule allows that is. I don't want to hear of any of you spending time practicing for my class when you are supposed to physically be in someone else's class."
Kissy moves to stand directly in front of the large desk at the front of the classroom, leaning against it slightly. She scans the faces of the sixth years as she says, "Since term began, you've been taking spells and charms you already know and working to perfect using them wordlessly. I've never really addressed why that is. Would someone care to venture a reason?"
There's a pause of the sort that Kissy imagines she can hear the gears working in the students' heads. The first hand that shoots up is Griet's. Kissy nods at her to give her leave to speak.
"If your opponent doesn't know what's coming, you have an advantage," Griet says then when something else clicks into place she adds, " But then, if the other person also isn't saying things, you've got a disadvantage. That's why the first thing we did was practice using shield charms without speaking."
"Yes to both points. Three points, Griet."
"If both sides can do wordless magic and would be shielding whatever is thrown by the other, then why bother with the extra energy and training to be able to cast a spell without speaking it aloud? Yes, Zabrynna?"
"Because there might be a situation in one person might need to take the other by surprise. Like if an Auror needs to put someone out of commission without letting anyone else hear what's going on." Zabrynna twists her mouth slightly as her thought processes continue working. "Or like when there rescue raids were done on some of the prison communities. If the rescuers could get in close enough to stun the prison guards without ever having to say a word, and also use spells to help them soundlessly move those guards out of sight from others at the camps, then the raid would have a better chance of success."
"Very good example, Zabrynna. Three points for you as well." Kissy has the added thought thaqt never shows on her own face that it's probably good that there isn't a love spell that can be wordlessly cast or else Zabrynna would have probably already perfected that one as part of her crush on Declan Douglass.
Addressing the entire class Kissy points her wand to one of the blackboards where the word STEALTH is revealed. "The main theme of your Defense Against the Dark Arts course this school year is stealth. Now, usually the word stealth brings to mind offensive strategies but stealth can be defensive as well. Also, as you know I am fond of telling you, being defensive against the dark arts may include taking an offensive stance."
Kissy begins pacing a little in front of her desk. "Let's say you are an Auror and you've found the person your office has sent you to find. She's in the middle of a very busy Muggle plaza. Scores of people everywhere. Your suspect doesn't know you are there. You can easily catch her with a simple stunning spell or one of the body binds. In this situation, why might you not use those options?"
"First there is the fact that you've got all those Muggles around. You can't pull out your wand and suddenly shout out a spell."
"Yes, the Obliviators get touchy when having to fix that many memories when it wasn't necessary to begin with. Go on, Artemis,"Kissy nods encouragingly.
"So you'd have to do any wand work carefully and then you'd want a spell that wouldn't have the Muggles all rushing over to help your suspect. If you stunned her, she'd fall over and Muggles would gather around wondering if she'd had a heart attack or something. Same with a body bind. Even if you cast it wordless, you'd have to contend with the fact that she'd be falling over from being full or partially immobile and Muggles would come over to help, maybe even thinking she'd had a stroke."
"Very good. Three points, Artemis. So, class, what might you as an Auror do?"
Duncan ventures, "Did I read about a potion developed that allows for tracking someone? And what about that Blood Hound thing used to find Professor Dumbledore?"
"There is such a potion, and the Blood Hound has proven to be a valuable tool but keep in mind you are in a very busy Muggle setting. You would need to be sure your Blood Hound looked like some piece of Muggle technology."
"How about getting some of that tracking potion on the suspect? If it's a busy square you could brush past her and tag her with it or," Frederick pauses, trying to think of a solution in terms of the wordless magic the class has been using. "Or provide a diversion that lets you get near and the suspect wouldn't think as much of something burshing against her. Or create a diversion that lets you get close enough to magical bind her in a way that no one else is going to notice."
"You're on a good track, Frederick. Three points."
"If she were to stumble or even fall, that might have others reaching out to help her. She'd have to be standing or walking."
"Yes, Griet, that's good. Anyone else?"
"A diversion that had everyone looking, including the suspect, like a really loud noise. No one would get hurt but everyone would look."
"Yes, good," Kissy says to Victoria. "I'm so happy that you came up with those two options on your own. There are some good spells for causing someone to stumble or fall and there are spells that create loud noises. Today you're going to learn a good one for causing a stumble or fall. If done correctly, your suspect will think she's simply taken a misstep or tripped on something. Yes, Alaric?"
"Does this mean we'll get to learn to do loud noices too?" he hopefully asks.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, you will. Not only can a loud noise be good for creating a simple diversion but there are some dark creatures that can simply and easily be repelled by sudden, loud noises, earning you some time to better take the necessary steps to handle the creature. Now, the spell today has been around a very long time but can be combined with new methods, such as the tracking potion you would tag your suspect with. It is a spell that may be said aloud and, in fact, some or all of you may know it already. Whether you do or not, you will be practicing it wordlessly today. And by worldessly, let me remind you that if I can hear you whispering the spell, you aren't being wordless. Keep that in mind for Wednesday's practical."
Kissy points her wand at the blackboard and OFFENDENDO appears written there. "Offendendo has its word basis in the Latin offendo, which can mean to stumble or to lurch. As part of the stealth in using this spell, in our scenario, just wordlessly casting it isn't enough. You need to be able to keep your wand hidden to some degree so part of your practice is going to be figuring out how to effectively hide your wand while also using it. We'll go to obstacle course 1 where some of you will walk around pretending to mind your own business while the rest of you practice performing the spell. We'll switch places at the halfway point in what time we have. You'll notice the floor seems springier. I charmed it so if any of you actually fall over the impact against the floor won't hurt."
Once in OC1, Kissy sets the sixth years to work, walking around to offer advice and critique and also to give them another target to use. When class comes to an end, Kissy calls them to gather around her. "Two things. First thing. My plans for this evening fell through any of you in Dueling Club who would like to get in extra time before the meet we have with Salem, come to the Dueling Club room at 5. I'll provide supper and snacks. Second thing. I know it's pointless to tell you not to practice Offendendo around school. It's the sort of spell that leads to bold faced lie while students innocently protesting, 'It wasn't me. He fell on his own!' Instead, heed this warning. Choose targets on open ground. DO NOT try it on someone going up or down stairs. DO NOT use it on anyone carrying something that is potentially dangerous if dropped and fallen upon. DO NOT use it out of malice. It's the sort of spell that can turn nasty if the energy behind is spiteful."
Kissy gives them all her sternest fact as she lets that last bit sink in. Her face transforms with a friendly, easy going smile as she bids them, "Now off with you. Have a nice weekend. Practice for you Wednesday exam."
Between Classes
Author: Ella
Date: 09-02-09 18:08
"That was disgusting," Francis remarked, as he and Ella left Transfiguration class.
Professor McGonagall had instructed them on how to vanish pairs of slugs and had provided a bucketful of the slimy creatures for her students to practice on. The slugs had come in a variety of colors and sizes. There'd been brown ones, speckled ones, long ones, thin ones, and many others.
Most of the girls hadn't been too thrilled about the slugs, and some of the guys had shared their sentiments. Ella herself hadn't minded.
She and Francis had made amends with each other soon after the Hogsmeade trip, where Francis had teased Ella about having a crush on someone. Ella had only been offended because she didn't want anyone finding out about her relationship with Zane, for fear that he would find out the truth about her age. So far he still believed that she was legal and not merely sixteen years old. Ella wanted to keep it that way.
Francis hadn't let up on the teasing entirely, which bothered Ella less now that she wasn't in Hogsmeade and in the proximity of Zane. Francis could speculate all he wanted about who Ella had her eye on and never get it right as long as they were safely inside the castle walls.
"It wasn't that disgusting," Ella replied, shrugging her shoulders. She'd had a pair of thumb-width, burnt orange slugs and had managed to vanish them completely by the end of class.
"If you say so," Francis responded, not all that surprised that Ella could easily work with creepy-crawlies like slugs. She seemed tougher than most girls.
They navigated the halls and took a flight of stairs from the first floor to the second floor, where the DADA classroom was located. Ella and Francis slipped into their seats, with several minutes to spare, and continued to converse with each other while they took out their books and homework.
"I think I've figured it out," Francis said, with a knowing smile.
Ella rolled her eyes, certain she knew what was coming.
"You've got a crush on my roommate Henry. It's why you hang out with me now. Want me to put in a good word for you?"
Ella shook her head. "You couldn't even be more wrong," she casually replied.
Luckily, Henry hadn't made it to the room yet and no one else seemed to have heard the conversation. Ella really didn't want false rumors spreading around the school.
Francis leaned close and lowered his voice to a near whisper. "Berengaria then. I think she has a thing for girls."
Ella rolled her eyes again. "Francis. Please!"
He snickered but didn't get to say anything further because Professor Isuki started class.
(Alanna) Michaelmas Term
Author: Beck
Date: 09-03-09 17:38
Finally, Alanna's first term at St. Emrys had begun. She'd enrolled in Merlin College and studied law, hoping to one day work at the Ministry of Magic like her grandfather or have her own firm. Already, she had one whole week behind her and a taste for the five classes she would take through the beginning of December. They included Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Legal Research & Writing, History of Magic I and Government I.
Alanna had spent an exorbitant amount of money on textbooks for her courses, especially the legal ones. Up until the moment when she'd first laid eyes on the prices, she hadn't thought about getting a part-time job to help pay her way through school. Her parents had left her some money, which her grandparents had also contributed to over the years, and though it wasn't a great amount, it and the other funds her grandparents provided her with would be enough to cover her scholarly costs. Upon discovering how expensive certain items like textbooks could be, however, Alanna felt both inspired and compelled to help.
She hadn't applied for any jobs yet, instead concentrating on her classes. With the weekend just arriving, she would have time to look into positions at the Ministry's legal office and court system and at jobs in the private sector. Hopefully she could find something that would not only give her experience in her field of choice but would also be something she really liked.
After her last class of the day, Legal Research & Writing, Alanna started to head back to the fireplaces to floo home, when she bumped into none other than her sister Ariella.
"Ariella, Hi!" she exclaimed. Between the two, Ariella had always loved school more, but now the roles seemed to be reversed. Whereas Alanna loved her classes and couldn't wait for next Monday to come around, Ariella didn't look as pleased with being back in school.
Ariella's NEWT review courses had begun with the start of Michaelmas Term. She didn't think she would feel so behind after a year without any schooling, but in many ways she felt a little rusty when it came to the routine of attending classes and doing assignments. Having always done well while at Hogwarts, it wouldn't be long before Ariella became used to everything again.
A part of her difficulty also stemmed from the fact that Ariella couldn't help but think about how she should have the NEWTs behind her already. She should be in the middle of her studies at St. Emrys––what, she wasn't sure––but something beyond the classes she took while at Hogwarts. Alanna would pass her by now, and it made Ariella feel a little sad.
Still, Ariella could feel grateful to be at St. Emrys and in the NEWT program at all. She would get her chance at something greater in the end. She just had to show a little patience, first.
"Hi, Alanna. Finished for the day?"
"Yeah," Alanna replied wistfully. "And you?"
"Me too. I was going back to the castle, but why don't we do something together. Do you want to get some ice cream or something?"
"Why don't we go to the Wyrding Way for a cuppa. I don't want to keep you long since I'm sure that husband of yours has some Friday night plans for you," Alanna replied with a knowing smile.
Ariella smiled. "Probably so. Speaking of Friday nights, were you planning on doing something with Jared?"
"I wouldn't mind," Alanna responded with a grin.
The two girls headed across the campus to the nearby coffee shop to enjoy some time together before they each went their separate ways.
On One Of The DADA Obstacle Courses (Olive)
Author: Emerald Green
Date: 09-03-09 21:42
Olive lowers her wand, a self satisfied grin on her face. Stepping from behind what looks like an actual living oak tree, Jill Prewitt frowns, "I can't believe you got me so fast!"
"Your foot was poking out."
Jill looks down at the shoes she's got on. The sneakers are an almost day-glo pink. "Not exactly the best choice for this, are they?" she states with a rueful grin.
"I can do a color change on those if you like."
The two girls turn in the direction of a somehwat deep voice. Olive knows who the seventh year is not so much because her sister Emerald is a seventh year but because Jill knows the names of every male in school, no matter younger or older, no matter the house.
Olive smirks at watching Jill's hand fly to her hair to pat it into place. When Jill, whose shoes are the ones in question, does nothing but stand there smiling stupidly at Bradley Neilson, Olive is the one who ends up asking, "You'd be able to change them back if she wanted?"
"Should be."
Jill suddenly decides to be bold, taking steps toward Bradley before stopping in a spot to give Bradley a better vantage point of her legs as she strikes what Olive guesses is supposed to be a come hither, sultry pose. Jill points one foot in Bradley's direction, turning it slowly from one side to the other as she asks, "You wouldn't mind? What color do you think? I'd be really grateful for your help."
Bradley starts to kneel but as two students having a running duel come running around an obstacle that looks like a ridge of thick, tall bushes, he ends up grabbing Olive and pulling her out of the way. They end up tumbling into Jill, one of her feet right in Bradley's face. He makes a chuckling sound, "I hadn't thought to have such a close up look of your shoe."
Bradley disentangles himself and stands, reaching one hand down to each of girls, easily hauling them back up at the same time. Jill, with that smitten look she gets about a hundred times a day, looks up at Bradley with the type of smile the damsel in distress gives the hero knight just after he's rescued her from some dastardly dangerous situation. Olive rolls her eyes before saying to Bradley, "Thanks."
He grins at them both. "Even though you're younger than I am, getting tangled up with two pretty girls is always a pleasure." He drops to one knee, wand at the ready. "I'm pretty sure I can do a decent camouflage pattern of greens, blacks, and browns to blend in with this somewhat rustic setting Professor Isuki's got. Unless you're going over to one of the other OCs that is. She's got that urban setting that would make neutral shades like some of the greys better probably. The other looks like a winter wonderland. Whites and grays would probably be best for there."
Olive says, "I'm fine staying here."
"Yeah, me too," Jill agrees. "The green, brown, and black camouflage then, please. By the way, I'm Jill and this is Olive."
"I knew your names though I admit I'd forgetten them. I know who you are, Olive, because of your sister mainly but you also play Quidditch. I know who you are, Jill, because you seem to be related to half the people at Hogwarts, including Professor Miller. I also learned most of the younger ones' names at Happy Haven. I thought..." Bradley shrugs as if what he were going to say wasn't important.
"Thought what?" Olive isn't too shy to ask though she tries at least not to sound rude or impolite in how prodding a question those two words together always seem to be.
"I thought it important to know who everyone was so that if I had been able to escape, I could give a complete list of who else was at the community. I don't blame you for wanting to kill Carrow," Bradley says to Olive of Alecto Carrow, who'd been head of Happy Haven. "We all entertained thoughts of doing it."
Olive is the one shrugging now. "I was angry," she says in a somewhat neutral tone.
"About your sister, I know," Bradley nods. He taps Jill's shoes. "What do you think?"
"Oooooh. Nice! I like this better than the pink," Jill gushes.
"Great! Glad I could be of help. Back to the trenches for me. I bet my team is wondering where the bloody heck I've gotten to. When you're ready to have them changed back, let me know, Jill."
With a nod at Olive, Bradley sprints into what looks to a thick stand of forest. Jill pretends to swoon. "I'm in love."
"You ALWAYS say that," Olive giggles.
"Yes, but this time it's true."
"You want to hide again or want me to?"
"I'll hide. Give me a ten count," Jill says, already taking off towards the obstacle that looks like a ridge of thick bushes.
"One!" Olive loudly but good naturedly calls after her. Finishing the count in silence, Olive keeps looking in the direction Bradley disappeared, thinking that she wouldn't mind at all if he came back to talk with her. Jill could use that extra time to get better hidden.