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On the Manticore
Author: Jolyon
Date: 10-11-09 16:14
Jolyon's seventh year students met in the barn on Wednesday afternoon. The animals nestled in their stalls offered warmth to the students and their instructor, while outside it sleeted. The seventh years came inside with pink faces and wet cloaks but rapidly thawed out, thanks to the cozy atmosphere indoors.
Earlier, Jolyon had arranged chairs in a couple of rows in the open space in the middle of the barn. Each seat had a pull-out writing surface, currently stowed away on the right side of the chair. Behind the last row of seats, Jolyon had erected a projector, which he would use during his lecture.
When all the seats except one were filled (Bradley Neilson had informed Professor Kent that Curtis Fiennes had gone to the Hospital Wing with a fever), Jolyon greeted his class and launched into the topic up for discussion today.
"Manticores are one of the wizarding world's most dangerous creatures," he began. He flicked his wand at the old fashioned projector, which kicked on and displayed the image of the creature in question on the wall opposite the row of desk chairs.
"Who can tell me why?" he asked.
Emerald Green offered an answer. "I think it's because they are sentient and capable of intelligent speech."
Jolyon nodded. "You're exaclty right. Five points."
He flicked his wand at the projector again, producing a new slide. It was of another manticore, from a different angle.
"Manticores can talk, and they can think. Ordinarily, a creature like a manticore might be considered a being instead of a beast. The reason they are not is another reason why they are considered one of the most dangerous creatures known to wizardkind. Can anyone hazard a guess what this reason may be?"
Coco Nutt raised her hand. "Manticores are very violent."
"Correct. Five points to Ravenclaw," Jolyon replied, moving to the next slide.
Manticores looked like they were made up of an assortment of species. Their heads looked almost human. They had a lion's body and a scorpion's tail, complete with stinger.
Jolyon pointed out the creature's physical attributes, ending with scorpion's tail. "To get stung by a manticore is to die instantly."
"Where do they live, sir?" asked Jim Raynor, who looked like he never wanted to meet a manticore in his lifetime, if he could help it.
"Good question, Jim. They are native to Greece and are extremely rare. Your chances of running into one are quite slim, but what happens if you are unlucky enough to come across one? If I were you, I would run for my life. The reason is because magic is pretty much ineffective when dealing with manticores. Who can tell me why?"
"The skin of a manticore is said to repel all charms," Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen supplied.
"Yes. Very good, Fritz. Five points. I think you are all beginning to see why we don't have a live specimen..."
Jolyon went on to talk about the manticore some more, until class ended. Before he dismissed his seventh year students, he assigned them homework: to write a research essay on sentience in magical creatures.
Presents Discussion
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 10-11-09 16:33
"I want to give this to Charlotte for her birthday, Daddy."
Julian looks over at the catalog Grace has spread open on the counter. "Which one?"
"This one."
"Charlotte does not need a minnow shaped spinnerbait fishing lure."
"Why not?"
"Other than the few times Blossom's has taken your classes down to the brook, how often does Charlotte go fishing?"
Grace rolls her eyes at Julian. "She's only three, Daddy."
"Exactly. Charlotte is only three and though she'll soon be four, I can't see a great deal of fishing in her future to warrant you giving her a fishing lure as either a Christmas or a birthday present."
Grace rolls her eyes again then with an exaggerated sigh, starts flipping catalog pages again in such a way as to give the impression that each page weighs as much as she does.
Julian goes back to inventorying a box of children's books. He'd gotten it, and other boxes, at an auction, with each box having had a very brief and none too specific description of its contents. He didn't mind so much using his own funds to buy up boxes with only the vaguest of descriptions because he wasn't looking for any particular children's titles. He was simply looking to get some decent books to give to Blossom's and to the Hogsmeade library.
"Daddy, I want to give Charlotte this."
Julian glances over and tries not to grin. "An inflatable kayak? Do you know what a kayak is?"
"Not really."
"It's a type of boat that has to be paddled."
"Charlotte is too little."
"Yes, she's too little unless Uncle Lysander wanted to take her or some other adult would take her."
"Like you. So, let's get it then."
"Grace."
"Dad."
Julian briefly flashes on what a sixteen year old Grace is going to be like. He's been getting such glimpes far too often these days. Grace smiles sweetly at him, flips back a few pages in the catalog and says, "How about this then?"
"A portable water purification system? Any adult wizard or witch could purify water if needed. What is that you're looking through?"
"I dunno. Someone left it on the table over there."
Grace shows Julian the cover. It's a Muggle outdoors catalog. Julian tries to think who has been in today who might have left it. None of those who've been in since Julian's been at the counter seem to be the type to receive Muggle outdoors catalogs. That doesn't mean anything though because there's no telling what people subscribe to, Wizarding or Muggle.
Julian tells Grace, "I don't think you'll find many possible gifts in there for Charlotte, unless there's a clothing section. How about tomorrow I take you shopping?"
"Really?"
"Really."
"Thanks, Daddy!"
"I think we should also leave this catalog here at the counter in case its owner comes looking for it."
Julian checks the time then says, "Nearly time to lock up then I have to go to Hogwarts for Drama Club practice and fittings for the costumes. Do you want to come with me, stay here with Uncle Lysander and Charlotte, or go to Mummy's?"
"With you."
"You have to behave."
Grace does that eye roll again. "I know, Daddy. I promise to be good."
"All right then. Run wash your hands and comb your hair, then get your coat and mittens."
Grace hops off the stool she'd been occupying, gives Julian a quick hug them scampers off to comply with his instructions. By the time she's back, buttoning her coat and putting on her mittens, Julian's put a note with the catalog so Lysander will know not to toss it in the bin, has turned the OPEN sign to CLOSED, and is ready to walk out the door with Grace.
Idleness
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 10-12-09 08:10
During her latest observational rotation, Hermione found herself shadowing Pieter Vanderbilt, a healer specializing in potion and plant poisoning. Presently, he stood at the foot of a patient's bed and reviewed the chart that had been filled out during the patient's admittance to the hospital.
The patient, a rather large man with what appeared to be a naturally purple-hued face, scratched at his hairy arms, both of which were covered in a terrible rash.
"Okay, Mr. Trimble. It says you reached your arms into a bush in your neighbor's yard and came away with the rash on your arms. Is that correct?"
Between scratching, Mr. Trimble nodded his head, causing the folds around his neck to jiggle. "Yes. My son enchanted the ham my wife was preparing for breakfast. It leapt off the plate, straight out the window that had only just been opened to let in the owl bringing the Prophet, and bounded across the snowy yard! I chased after it, over the low wall separating my yard from the next. The ham wound up in the only bush to still have its leaves!"
"I see," Pieter said. "Do you know what type of bush it was?"
Mr. Trimble sighed. "No, and my neighbors aren't home to ask. They're on holiday in Mallorca!"
Pieter put the chart away and stepped to the side of the bed to assess the rash on Mr. Trimble's arm. "We'll see if we can't find out. In the meantime, let's take a look at that rash."
As Pieter studied Mr. Trimble's hairy arms, Hermione stood silently by, knowing she should concentrate on Pieter's methods but thinking about all the plants she knew of that could cause such a rash. If she had a bit more information, she knew she could figure it out. For example, what did the leaves look like? What color were they? Did the bush have blossoms or fruit? She almost opened her mouth to conduct the investigation but reminded herself that she was supposed to stay out of the way and let the healer do his job.
Hermione didn't like being idle when she could help out. She wanted to get her hands dirty and use her vast knowledge to make a difference. Luckily, she only had a few more months of training left before she would resume the career she'd left off two years ago.
You Learn Something New Everyday
Author: Plum
Date: 10-13-09 14:36
Faintly scowling at the notice posted on the classroom door, Plum makes sure she's got the room information for the change in location of the exam she's got next then starts in the direction the other classroom should be. She follows one colored stripe until a junction of corridors, double checks her bearings then makes a left. Not quite halfway down that hallway, Plum starts looking for the correct classroom.
Finding it, Plum can see through people through the pane of glass. Their heads are bent down, quills furiously moving. A final in progress and with time nearing an end, those remaining students are feverishly working to write the exam.
With none of her own classmates visible in the hallway, Plum doesn't know if she's the first to arrive or if others got here, didn't want sit outside the door waiting and so went somewhere else to kill the time. Moving to a spot along the wall on the side of the hall opposite the classroom, Plum drops her bookbag onto the floor then slides down to sit with legs bent at knees, against which she props open a textbook. As she searches for the page with a chart she wants to review again, Plum wonders why the exam was moved so last minute to this location.
Perhaps five or six minutes later someone coming down the hallway stops in front of Plum. "You must have an exam soon."
Nodding as she looks up from the text, Plum replies, "Yes, in around fifteen minutes. Do you have more exams to administer, Professor Weaver?"
To Plum's surprise, Anissa Weave does an elegant drop to the floor to sit beside Plum. "One tomorrow. I've graded your classes. It came as no surprise to me that you, as the expression goes, aced it."
Plum smiles with delight. "I did? Thank you for telling me!"
"I was wondering if tomorrow afternoon or Saturday you'd allow me to treat you to lunch or to supper. I'd love to see Alex again as well."
"He just loves the toy kneazle you gave him. When it's charmed, it seems very lifelike."
"I'm so glad to hear that."
"Dinner tomorrow night is good, though I should check with Anthony before giving you a firm answer."
"I perfectly understand. He's invited as well. Quite a charming lad."
"I think so."
Anissa changes the subject back to Alex by asking, "Alex has a birthday soon does he not?"
"Yes, on Christmas."
"Do you have plans for the 25th?"
"Anthony's family."
"If you can break away for a little while that day, you are welcome to our house. William's children will be visiting with their families. Perhaps better for you would be Christmas Eve. We're hosting a come and go party. Your Uncle Malachi will be there."
Plum looks blankly at Anissa. "Uncle Malachi?"
"As with me, you were most likely a baby the last time you saw him."
"But who is he?"
"You don't know about Malachi?"
"I didn't know you were alive and well until recently either," Plum points out.
"Malachi is my son. Your mother's younger brother. Like me, he moved to Australia. Mary nor Evan ever mentioned him? You never saw any pictures?"
"No, but I never saw pictures of you either and the only time I ever heard you mentioned was when they didn't know I could hear them and I can't recall ever hearing them mention her father a single time."
"I'll tell you about him if you like. I am surprised to learn you never met Malachi or even knew about him. He visited your parents regularly for a number of years. Malachi and Evan weren't best chums but they had been fairly good mates at one point and Evan and he were flatmates for a short time while in the same apprenticeship program."
All this is news to Plum. She doesn't know what to say or even how to react. She finds the exam she's about to write somewhat of a blessing because she truthfully tells Anissa, "My class is being let into the room for our exam. I should go in now."
"Good luck on it. Let me know tonight or in the morning about dinner."
"Yes, thank you, I'll do that."
Plum shoves her textbook into her bookbag as she climbs off the floor. After offering Anissa a hand to get up as well, Plum shoots her a small smile then goes into the classroom, putting her mind fully on what's sure to be a long, two hours of writing.
About That Loan
Author: Illyria
Date: 10-13-09 16:58
After a delicious supper consisting of cream of potato soup and garlic toast, Illyria returned to the Astronomy Tower to prepare for her evening classes. She would have two tonight: 2nd year Gryffindor and Hufflepuffs and 4th year Ravenclaw and Slytherins.
The second years would spend the class period on the observation deck of the Astronomy Tower. Illyria knew it was awfully cold outside and feared visibilty would be bad, since it had snowed, sleeted, or rained all day and the clouds had likely not departed for the night. The fourth years, on the other hand, would spend class in Illyria's classroom, where they would continue the ongoing discussion on planet Earth.
While Illyria busied herself with getting things ready for her classes, her mind wandered to her ex-boyfriend Roland Gray, whom she'd not thought of in recent weeks. She'd lent him a sizeable amount of money at the beginning of October, after he'd confessed to her a gambling addition he'd recently developed. He'd owed the funds to someone who had shown patience in his delay of payment at first, but who had soon resorted to placing pressure on Roland to pay up.
Illyria had been hesitant to help Roland out, sensing the underlying illegalities and lawlessness involved in his dire situation. However, she knew it would prey on her consciousness if she didn't help Roland and something terrible happened to him. The morning after their first face-to-face meeting in a long while, Illyria had gone to the bank and given Roland what he'd needed to pay off his debt.
She hadn't expected to see the money again, and certainly not so soon. Roland had paid her back in full plus interest by the end of the month. Illyria had thought to question where the money had come from, but in the end had decided that she really didn't want to know. Since then, she'd not heard anything from Roland and hoped that their next meeting, if it every came, wouldn't involve a loan of any amount.
After a while, it came time for her first class to start. She pulled on her warmest coat, a knitted cap, scarf and woolen gloves and headed up to the observation deck to meet her students.
One Term Down
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 10-14-09 12:52
Michaelmas Term came to an end, and with it some relief for Orei and Maddie both who had been stressing over finals and eagerly awaiting a break between the two terms. The weather was turning colder, and Christmas was coming soon - which made Orei happy. She would also be spending time with Jim over the break, which made her happier. He'd agreed to come with her and Maddie and Tidus and Artemis to Japan over break and spend the holiday with Orei's parents. Orei had even gotten a week off of work for the occasion, she was delighted!
For now, Orei was finishing up her essay for Greek Mythology and then had her final for potions, leaving her last final as gobbledigook which was after lunch.
After gobbledigook she was headed to the Ministry for her shift there and then home for three days off before she went back to work. She was even contemplating heading to Hogwarts for the Quidditch match coming up tomorrow - despite the weather being chilly.
"Are you seriously going to spend your entire break working?" Maddie's voice cut through the haze that surrounded Orei as she finished up her eassy.
"Yes, with the exception of the week we are in Japan. I really am going to be spending the break working, because I do not want my skills to get rusty. Besides, I've heard that there will be a perm position opening up at the start of the year, and I want it." Orei said, grinning at Maddie.
"Alright, alright. I get it. I'm going to be working to. I just felt like giving you a hard time." Maddie said with an impish grin.
"Alright. I've got to turn in this essay and then get to the potions lab. I'll see you later tonight. Are we still going to the quidditch match tomorrow? Even though Gryffindor isn't playing...?" Orei asked and Maddie nodded.
"Yeah. Since we both have a couple days off in a row, figured we could spend them catching up on our friendship." Because as it was they only got brief meetings between classes on campus, before they both fell asleep (after Orei got home from her shift at the Ministry), and a few hours each weekend.