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(Katherine) On the Job
Author: Beck
Date: 09-21-09 09:42
No sooner did Katherine arrive at work at The Daily Prophet on Monday morning, did her boss send her along with investigative reporter Betty Braithwaite to the scene of a crime. Following the lead and hoping to be the first reporters on the scene, they disapparated from Diagon Alley and arrived outside a small, wizarding house in Bath, England.
A barricade had already been erected around the property to keep the gawking neighbors from getting too close to the house. Many stood in front of their own houses or up against the barricade itself and conjectured what had happened.
A couple of aurors stood outside the house, deep in discussion with each other and also keeping an eye on the crowd in case anyone tried to venture past the barricade. Katherine recognized one immediately.
"Anthony!" she called out, after she and Betty arrived on the scene and moved toward the barricade.
Anthony broke from the conversation and swiveled his head until he caught sight of his half-sister. He said something to his coworker and then gestured for Katherine and Betty to come on through. They both wore badges with their pictures, names, job titles and The Daily Prophet on them, clearly marking them as members of the news media. Anthony stopped them outside the house and after quickly greeting Katherine and being introduced to Betty, explained the situation for their benefit.
"There's been a murder," he said. "A husband and wife live here. They don't have any kids, as far as I can tell. The wife allegedly caught the husband cheating and killed him and his lover. She tried to kill herself but botched the job."
Betty wrote everything down and posed questions she thought could flesh out the story that would go to press tonight. Katherine, meanwhile, raised her old-fashioned wizarding camera and snapped a photograph of the house. It looked well-kept and showed no outwardly sign that something awful had happened there.
Katherine and Betty stayed at the scene of the crime until they got the whole story before heading back to the office to prepare the article for the Evening Prophet.
Library Before Supper
Author: Coco Nutt
Date: 09-22-09 18:39
When Muggle Studies ended at 5, Coco got in line for the Floo from Cloud's Kiss to Hogwarts. Instead of going to her dorm, to the Ravenclaw common room to see if Fritz is there or to the common commons for the same reason, or to the Great Hall for supper, which is where Fritz would most likely be, Coco goes straight to fourth floor. Entering the library she makes a beeline for a shelf in the stacks she's checked several times a day for several days now.
Coco's only halfway there when Harkin the House Elf steps out from one of the many aisles between the rows upon rows of books. "This is the book, miss?"
Seeing the large tome he's holding, which looks even larger in the House Elf's spindly arms, Coco's eyes go straight to the title. A sense of relief goes through her and she smiles while reaching for the book. "Yes! Thank you!"
"Happy to be of service," Harkin says, looking pleased with himself.
Coco takes the book, which is one of the more ancient volumes on herb lore, and goes immediately to a nearby table. One of the current assignments for Professor Snape is a paper on the importance of the ingredients and preparations of each for the Draught of the Living Death. He took the list of ingredients and divided them more or less equally among the seventh years.
Coco has hers nearly done but needs more on one of the ingredients she was assigned. Majandra Weasley, the Potions professor for the lower years, highly recommended this book to Coco as the absolute best source for a great deal of information on that particular ingredient, specifically with regard to the Draught of the Living Death. The problem is that the book was never on the shelf where it should have been even though the new librarian, Miss Bramble, could find no record of it having been checked out and attempts to Accio the book were fruitless as were other efforts to locate it.
Coco has no idea where Harkin, or whomever it was, found the book. She also doesn't know why he would carry it around with him instead of reshelving it properly or leaving it with her name on it at the desk. Coco doesn't know and doesn't really even care. She's got the book now and is getting the information she needs right now.
As she works to read the herb information on the ingredient, Coco writes down relevant information. She also jots down all the publisher information so she has it for her source list to include with the paper. When Coco is finished, she goes to the desk to ask, "Should I leave this here or put it on the shelf where it goes?"
Miss Bramble holds her hands out for the book. "As hard as this was to find, I want to determine why it refused to be summoned and want to make sure that never happens again."
After thanking Miss Bramble and gathering up her things, Coco makes for the exit. She's hungry and supper started ages ago, she's got tomorrow's History of Magic and Herbology to review, the assignments from today's Potions, DADA, Transfiguration, Charms, and Muggle Studies to start, and there is the never ending exam preparation for the NEWTs. Passing Harkin on her way out of the library, Coco also makes the mental note to do something nice for Harkin.
From her pocket Pea's head pokes out to yap at her to hurry to supper. He's hungry! Picking up her pace, Coco can't help but wonder if she should have said no to returning to school and gone straight into a veterinary healing program that wouldn't mind she hadn't any NEWT scores. Maybe then she wouldn't feel as though she's always in a rush these days.
Cleaning House
Author: Isolde
Date: 09-23-09 17:33
In a cleaning frenzy, Isolde moved about the house. She knew very well that she could use magic to get the job done, but ever since her paralysis and miraculous recovery, she felt lucky to have functional limbs. She wasn't as fit as she used to be and often relied on a cane to get around, but she could walk, and that mattered to Isolde very much.
Already, she'd swept and mopped the tile in the kitchen and bathroom, scrubbed the bathtub and toilet, exchanged the bed sheets for fresh ones, and washed clothes. Isolde debated taking a break for lunch but found that she wasn't that hungry. Besides, if she stopped now, she probably wouldn't feel like continuing after she ate and would take a nap or plan for her late afternoon/early evening Little League Quidditch practice instead.
Isolde decided to dust the bookshelves. She used an old scrap of cloth and started wiping down each shelf, occasionally removing a book or statuette or whatever else she had on display to clean properly. In the process, she stirred a lot of dust into the air. Isolde inevitably inhaled some, which caused her to sneeze. The sneezing quickly led to coughing.
Isolde dropped the dust cloth in exchange for the tissue in her pocket. She clutched it to her face as the coughing spasms wracked her body, and used her other hand to support herself on the shelf. Tears welled up in her eyes and blurred her vision. With one final heave, the coughing subsided. Isolde cleared her throat and blinked back the tears in her eyes.
What she saw when her vision cleared shocked her. In the tissue she'd clutched to her mouth during her coughing fit were a few spots of blood. Isolde ran her tongue around her mouth and swallowed several times. Only then did she notice the coppery taste of blood in her mouth.
She turned away from the shelf and walked to the bathroom. Her face was a little red, probably from all the coughing, but otherwise she looked fine. She felt okay too. In her life, Isolde had coughed quite a bit and quite hard too, but she never remembered spitting up blood before. She knew she should probably show some concern, because coughing up blood just wasn't normal, but she attributed it to inhaling too much dust, even though she knew better.
Isolde swallowed a few times. The taste of blood had been faint before, and it was even fainter now. She suddenly felt like eating, not because she'd developed an appetite but because she wanted to taste something better and she no longer had any desire to dust.
She threw the tissue into the wastebasket and went to the kitchen to scrounge up something to eat.
Forgive And Forget
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 09-24-09 14:40
Johanna and her friends, Gus and Felicia were having a calm dinner after a hard day of classes. The excitement of the Fall Festival had gone and all the teachers had reminded them of that after giving them a lot of homework to do.
“What’s happening between you and Mark Farnon?” Johanna asked abruptly to Gus. They had been eating their dishes in silence, too tired for big conversations.
Gus suddenly felt very interest on his plate staying in silence, while Felicia laughed.
“You’re talking like they dated or so.” She said.
“No, I’m just asking because when he passes near us, Gus acts like he is his friend again.”
“And what’s the matter with that? Can’t I be Mark’s friend like I used to?”
“Of course you can. But do you want that? I mean he treated you without respect for almost a year. Can you forgive him?”
“I guess so…”
“And will you forget?”
“No…but we would be friends. “
Johanna made a face of disapproval.
“You would do the same thing if you were a pure. We all would act like Mark did. We can’t blame him. It’s in our nature.”
He was right. If she was a pure Johanna would immediately cut all her connections with Gus and Felicia. Still she didn’t like the idea of seeing Gus and Mark together again.
“And since we talk with Bianca now, the probability of Mark speaks to Gus it’s big.” Felicia then said.
Bianca…for some reason she started to speak with them again. They weren’t friends like in the past but she greeted them and sometimes sat with them during the meals. She had offered herself to help Johanna with some spells and to give them her second year notes.
“Who knows…” Johanna said with a sigh finishing drinking her pumpkin juice.
“I’m going back to the common room. I need the Herbology essay for tomorrow.” Gus excused himself and left the table.
“Why don’t you want to see them being friends again?” Felicia asked when Gus was too far to hear her.
“Well…It’s just we’re a group now. We passed through a lot together. It would be sad if we separate.”
“You’re with jealous.” Felicia smiled with triumph.
“No I’m not!”
“You’re afraid he spends more time with Mark than us. That he chooses Mark over us.”
Johanna didn’t answer. Felicia had understood.
“I think Gus needs some ‘boys moments’ , you know? He spent this last year with two silly girls. Three if we count with Kate. He might miss his time with Mark. They used to be inseparable.”
“We are not silly girls.”
“For him we are.” They laugh.
“You’re right Felicia. I can’t forbid him to be with Mark. I’m his friend so I shall support him, let him do what he wants. “
“And if he comes back crying we’re here to console him.”
“Yes we are.” They left the Great Hall giggling into the dungeons.
Visitor
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 09-24-09 17:53
Bill enclosed himself in his office to tackle the mound of paperwork on his desk. He'd had a busy day opening some accounts and closing others, helping out at the teller station during his staff's lunch hour, and checking the security of the vaults under the bank building. Now that he finally found a moment to sit at his desk, Bill hoped to accomplish plenty before closing time.
He glanced at his watch and groaned. Time seemed to have escaped him, because it was nearly time to go. Bill nonetheless committed himself to completing as many tasks as possible and reached for the first piece of parchment in his inbox.
A few minutes later, he heard loud voices in the foyer. Even with his door closed, it sounded very noisy. Bill started to rise to see what was going on when he heard knocking at his door.
"Weasley, I know you're in there!" shouted a familiar, albeit muffled voice.
Bill groaned inwardly and opened the door. "What do you want?"
Lysander Stratford glared at Bill through narrowed eyes. "A word, if you please."
Bill seriously considered shutting the door in the man's face, since he was obviously perturbed about something, though what Bill had to do with it, he had no idea. Curiosity got the better of him, however, and he stepped out of the way and went around to his desk chair.
Lysander stepped inside and slammed the door shut behind him. He came forward but stopped short of the desk and the chairs positioned there for Bill's clients.
Bill sank into his chair and laced his fingers together behind his head. "Again I ask, what do you want, Lysander?"
Lysander looked like he didn't know whether to ask what was on his mind. At last, he dug in his pant pocket and retrieved a heavily folded piece of parchment. He unfolded it and dumped it face up on Bill's desk.
"That's your handiwork, isn't it?"
Bill lowered his arms and leaned over the note on his desk. He read it silently and furrowed his brow.
"No."
Lysander took in Bill's expression and body language and knew, even though he wished differently, that Bill wasn't lying.
Bill looked up. "What is it?"
"What do you think? Someone's threatening me."
"You and I have never been friends, but even I wouldn't be bothered with this," Bill said, pointing to the letter. "When did you get it?"
Lysander ignored Bill's jibe and answered his question, "Today. It's not the first I've received."
"You don't recognize the handwriting?" asked Bill.
Lysander shook his head. "No. Do you?"
Bill looked at the note again. He started to shake his head but then a memory jarred. It did look somewhat familiar, but he wasn't entire sure and definitely didn't know who it belonged to.
"I'm not sure," Bill said. He shook his head and picked up the note, passing it to Lysander.
Lysander accepted it and stared at it a long moment before folding it and stuffing it back into his pocket. He started to say something to Bill, but turned abruptly and stepped out of the office without another word.
A moment later, one of the Gringotts staff members poked her head into the room. "All right, Bill?"
"Fine, Mrs. Davies."
She didn't look too sure about it but withdrew from the room with a nod.
Bill could understand Lysander's concern. He wouldn't want to receive anonymous threatening notes either. The note made Bill curious about something, though. It alluded to something Lysander had done. Just what could he have done to warrant such a threat?
In the Swing of Things
Author: Carys
Date: 09-27-09 19:09
Before class, Carys swung by the offices of Emrys Everyday to submit photographs she'd taken for some of the articles appearing in upcoming editions of the daily university newspaper. She'd quickly gotten into the swing of juggling the part-time job, her schoolwork, and homelife. Carys felt more and more confident with her photography skills and believed that if her mother were still alive, she would not only be very proud but thrilled to learn that her daughter was following in her footsteps.
Since her job only took up some of her time and because Alun insisted on her taking several classes per term so that she could get her diploma faster and begin studying photography sooner, Carys spent a lot of time at St. Emrys. When she wasn't at school, either for classes or work, she was at home with her son. Carys really didn't want to burden her aging grandfather much, but looking after Tristan gave Alun a sense of purpose after feeling so lost from losing the love of his life.
Knowing that Griffin was around to lend a hand everyday made Carys feel less guilty about being with Tristan less and at St. Emrys more. She knew she was lucky to have Alun and Griff in her life. Without them, she probably wouldn't have the opportunity to go back to school. She had Griffin to thank especially, since he'd initially encouraged her to take some classes.
Along with a French class, Carys was taking Remedial Potions, Remedial Charms II and Remedial Transfiguration II. So far, she was doing very well in all four classes and hoped to have four Oustandings once term ended at the beginning of December. It had been ages since she'd last taken Potions, and she was surprised by her recall. Professor Snape's teachings had obviously left an impression with her.
She was off to that class now, and though her professor was nothing like Snape, Carys felt like she'd already learned a lot and had a lot of work with which she kept herself busy. Once there, she slid onto the stool at her work station and prepared for the lecture and practical assignment which would surely follow.
Friday Morning
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 09-29-09 07:24
After a filling breakfast of scrambled eggs and bacon on toast with a glass of pumpkin juice, Professor McGonagall went to the Transfiguration classroom on the first floor. She had four classes today, two with fifth years and then the seventh years and sixth years, respectively.
Upon entering her classroom, she flicked her wand at the shutters over the windows, revealing the sleet and occasional snow flurries drifting from the white and gray overcast sky above. A thick layer of the slushy white substances already covered the ground, treetops, and castle.
Professor McGonagall flicked her wand again, raising the temperature in the classroom by a degree or two. It had been a bit chilly when she first entered and now was comfortably warm.
The fifth years would practice vanishing mice. Several cages and terrariums on the wall opposite the windows contained the rodents, which came in a variety of colors and sizes.
Professor McGonagall tended to the mice, making sure they had fresh water and food, while the first of the Hufflepuff and Slytherin fifth years trickled into the room. Some of them look at the mice with interest, others looked repulsed by the idea of handling them.
"Good morning, class," Minerva greeted, once the last student had taken his seat. "Today, we will continue our unit on vanishing spells. Please come forward and choose a mouse."
She moved away from the cages herself and headed for her desk and the blackboard, where she began to write a few rules and tips for transfiguring mice. Some of the students quickly selected a mouse and returned to his or her seat. The mice were relatively tame and for the most part stayed on the desks, though a few needed to be held.
A few students had difficulty choosing a mouse. A stern glance from Professor McGonagall gave them temporary courage to pick one up and carry it to a desk.
Since the fifth years had been practicing vanishing spells all term, the latest lesson didn't require a lot of lecture from Professor McGonagall. She said a few words, demonstrated the spell several times, and then went around the room offering commentary or criticism and lending a hand where necessary.
Some of the students seemed distracted. It was Friday, almost the weekend, and tomorrow was the first official Quidditch match of the season. Professor McGonagall couldn't wait for the match either, because Gryffindor would be playing and she was a huge fan of Quidditch!
Singapore
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 09-29-09 16:12
The time difference between England and Singapore is such that about the time Harry might have been getting lunch in England, he is entering a restaurant for dinner in Singapore. Even with the traveling he's done these past months with the job, and even with all these years spent now as part of the Wizarding World, it's still somewhat mind boggling to him that he's having a supper in Singapore in just a little while yet will be back in England hours before supper there. Just another advantage of being a wizard.
"Nice place," Catherine Patterson comments as she and Harry follow the maitre d' to a table with a beautiful watery view of the city.
"Very," Harry agrees.
Once seated and drink orders given, Harry muses aloud, "I wonder what's keeping her."
"I hope she's not changed her mind. I had a lunch date I had to cancel after being told we were coming to Singapore."
A tall, impeccibly dressed woman, back rim rod straight is brought to their table. Only because of their surroundings does Harry play the gentleman, standing as she approaches and only sitting down again once she's seated.
"My apologies for being delayed," Constance Jewkes murmurs, not sounding the least little bit sorry.
Harry waits until the server has moved away to say, "Your choice of a Muggle restaurant is somewhat ironic."
"Yes, well, the better to prevent your making a public fuss."
Catherine and Harry exchange a look that says that very thought had crossed their minds when being told where this meeting would occur.
"Let's not dilly dally. My son is willing to turn himself in and give testimony against others in exchange for a suspended sentence and being allowed to return here to Singapore."
Catherine, who's been nibbling on a thin, crusty bread stick, brandishes it around, giving Harry the impression she'd like nothing more than to skewer Mrs. Jewkes with it. "That's a matter for the Ministry of," Catherine catches herself from saying Magic, self editing to, "for the Ministry's solicitors to work out with your son and his solicitor."
"I specifically requested Aurors."
Harry leans forward slightly, "Yes, but I think what Catherine was meaning is why?"
"Perhaps I wanted an opportunity to meet the famous Harry Potter."
With a massive roll of her eyes, Catherine hotly mutters, "Oh please."
In Harry's head he's echoing those sentiments. Aloud he says while sliding a slim folder across to Constance Jewkes, "Here are the Ministry's conditions."
She quickly scans the document within the folder before shoving it back across the table. "This is not acceptable. My son was not himself. He's young, impressionable, and was most certainly Imperiused."
"He's 37. Hardly what one could call young and impressionable," Catherine dryly remarks.
"I do not care for you, missy," Mrs. Jewkes snaps at Catherine.
Harry cuts in, "You must be aware that the Ministry is treading very carefully with the Imperiused claims. They are checking memories."
"That's outrageous. Invasive!"
"Necessary."
Mrs. Jewkes snatches the file back from Harry. "I must discuss this with my solicitor. You will be hearing from me."
She abruptly stands and walks off in a huff. Taking the last bite of her breadstick, Catherine asks, "Do you think we'll actually hear from her again?"
"I hope so, especially if she's wanting her son to never have to worry about doing time in Azkaban for his part in the communities. We should get back and let the Ministry know how this went."
"We've already ordered. Besides that, I'm hungry and already had to cancel one lunch today."
"Plus, the Ministry's paying," Harry replies with a grin.
"Damn straight!"
Harry has suddenly stiffened, his eyes fixed on one person the maitre d' is showing to a table and another who is standing with a woman, waiting to be seated. Catherine, noting Harry's shift in demeanor, asks, "What? What is it?"
His eyes lingering for a few seconds on the man and woman at the restraurant's entrance, Harry replies, "My cousin Dudley ," his gaze shifting to the man who now taking a seat at a table with three other men, "and the subject of our defunct Uruguayan stake out, Isodro Cousillas."
Spellwork
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 09-30-09 17:07
Fritz stands outside, not far from Hagrid's Hut, and raises his wand.
"Expecto Patronum!" he shouts.
A silvery blob appears at the tip of his wand and gradually forms into an eagle. It takes flight and soars in the direction of the Forbidden Forest.
All day long, the weather has been absolutely miserable. It's still very cold but it has stopped sleeting for the moment. Fritz is taking advantage of the lull to practice some of his spellwork. Although there are still many months until the NEWTs, he doesn't want to wait until the last minute to study. Besides, he missed a whole school year from being at Happy Haven and feels the extra work is necessary.
Despite last year's absence, Fritz hasn't fallen behind in his classes. He's doing quite well, with Potions being his best subject as always. Still, he wonders how much better he'd be if he'd been at Hogwarts last year and not at Happy Haven. In all likelihood, he'd be at St. Emrys now, working towards a degree in Potions.
Fritz practices the Patronus charm and other spells a few more times before it begins to sleet again. He quickly returns to the warmth of the castle and heads for the library, where Coco said she'd be. By the time he arrives there, his ears and nose are no longer red from the cold and he's shedding his cloak and scarf.
Fritz finds Coco in one of the study carrels, her books spread out over the entire table. Pea and Domino are lounging together on one of the open books.
Fritz drops a kiss onto Coco's cheek.
"How was your practice?" she asks him, looking up from her work. She keeps her quill poised over the parchment she is writing on.
"Cold," Fritz replies with a laugh, "but well enough."
"Ready to hit the books now?"
Fritz gives Coco's pile a cursory glance and then looks at the kneazle and little dog. They look so comfortable, and both are half-asleep.
"There's time for napping later," Coco chides jokingly.
Fritz replies, "Yeah, yeah," and reaches for one of the books.