|
|
Comprehensive Exam
Author: Jolyon
Date: 10-29-09 16:51
"Thank you, Aleydis. You may return to your seat."
The Hufflepuff third year breathed a sigh of relief and hurried back to her chair to use the last five minutes of class to finish the comprehensive written exam currently underway. Throughout the hour and a half of class time, Professor Kent had called upon each student and had them demonstrate the proper way to care for a certain type of creature. Each student had had a different practical question, so as not to give those who had not yet been called forth an advantage.
The comprehensive exam covered everything the third years had learned since the start of term, including general concepts such as what magizoology was and the Ministry of Magic classification system for fantastic beasts. It also included questions on the various creatures they'd discussed, some live examples of which Jolyon had used for the practical portion of the exam.
He patted the head of an albino bloodhound and turned his wrist to study the time. After a minute, he summoned all the papers toward him and announced, "Congratulations. You survived Fall Term. Have a good holiday, and see you in January."
Jolyon would see them in the Great Hall and around the castle, of course, but not in class again until the start of Winter Term.
His third years bundled up and fled the barn for the castle. Jolyon penned some of the magical creatures he'd gotten out for the exam, and after seeing that all of the animals in the barn had enough food and water, he bundled himself up and took the exams up to his quarters in the castle.
A short time later, he exited his rooms with a large package. He carried it to the staff lounge where Professor Dumbledore or Professor McGonagall sometimes called meetings and set it underneath the small tree in the corner. He had drawn Majandra Weasley's name for Secret Santa.
Not knowing her as well as other staff members, he sought advice from those who'd taught her during her own years at Hogwarts. He learned that one of her hobbies was knitting and found a nice carrying case with yarn, knitting needles, and other essentials for the knitting hobbyist. He figured she probably had a lot of needles and crochet hooks and whatever else already, but hopefully she didn't have a case like the one he found.
After leaving it in the lounge, he headed for the Great Hall to get something to eat for dinner.
Before Supper
Author: Zabrynna
Date: 10-29-09 18:21
Philippa says through a yawn, "I need a nap."
Around her mug of spiced pumpkin juice Zabrynna asks dryly, "Doing nothing since noon is that taxing is it?"
"I did a little homework."
This earns the laughing response, "Very little from what I saw before leaving for History of Magic."
"She did even less after you left," Anne comments as she pulls out a chair. "When I went to Fitness & Athletics, Philippa was drawing little winged hearts all over what was supposed to be tomorrow's Potions homework."
Zabrynna chuckles again at this news. "No wonder you were rewriting it when I got back from class."
Philippa gives an unapologetic shrug. "What can I say? I've felt overwhelmingly bored today." Her eyes stray to the large, gaily decorated Christmas tree. "How about we check out all the presents? See if we can guess what's in them?"
"That's code for let's see if there are any presents with our names on them," Anne remarks.
"Don't pretend you don't care about all that," Philippa says with a grin. "Though you, Miss Anne, do need to stop fantasizing that any second now an owl will bring a gift for you from Indigo McFusty."
"Ooooh...," Anne sticks her tongue out at Philippa then after a second, returns Philippa's grin.
"Say, are you hoping to get something from your Mexican hottie?"
Zabrynna frowns slightly at Philippa. "I keep telling you there isn't anyone there."
"Sure there isn't," Philippa says with a wink at Anne.
Zabrynna makes an exasperated sound. "I don't know what else to say about that. There isn't a guy back in Mexico that I'm pining over."
"So where is he then?" Anne asks.
"What?"
"If he's not in Mexico, then where?"
Zabrynna makes the sound again, pushes back from the table and stands up. "I'm going to get some supper."
Zabrynna picks up her book bag, takes a gift from it and detours over to the Christmas tree. When the Secret Santa draw was announced, she'd immediately written home asking to be able to participate since it would mean being able to give someone else a present. Given that her parents are giving her no allowence whatsoever, that meant she could buy a gift or buy materials to make a gift. She would need her parents to send enough to be able to do something or if they wouldn't, then Zabrynna couldn't put her name in for the drawing.
Margretta and Nola agreed to allow Zabrynna to take part but only on the condition that when she found out whose name she had, Zabrynna would send them the name. They would then take care of getting a gift, which they would owl to Zabrynna.
Zabrynna had drawn Georgia Copperpot's name. She doesn't know Georgia really, just some general things. Like that Georgia is a Ravenclaw. A fifth year though would be a sixth if not for having been at that Happy Haven place. From Anne she learned that Georgia dates Sage Porter, whom Zabrynna knew a little from last year. After learning a few more things about Georgia, Zabrynna had written home with the information. She was somewhat worried what her mum would buy, thinking that Margretta would do a minimal gift with no thought.
Much to Zabrynna's relief, it was Mariposa who did the shopping. Mariposa went to one of her own favorite places to shop and got Georgia a kicky little purse shaped like a fortune cookie, complete with the fortune visible. Being a Wizarding item, the fortune changes every day to read something new and has enough different fortunes that it can do a different one for three years without repeating.
Mariposa had sent the purse with a box, wrapping paper, and ribbon so that Zabrynna could see it for herself before it got wrapped up. The gift wrap Mariposa sent had abstract trees and ornaments on it in a nice, artistic pattern. The ribbon is variagated shades of red and there was enough to wrap around the box and make a bow.
The gift deposited under the tree, Zabrynna heads for the door, aware that Philippa and Anne are watching her, heads close together, probably in deep debate over where the mystery man lives if he's not in Mexico.
If they only knew the truth.
Errand
Author: Illyria
Date: 10-30-09 18:25
The Leaky Cauldron felt delightfully warm and cozy when Illyria entered through the front door from Charing Cross Road. She dusted off the light coating of snow that had fallen onto her hair and shoulders and moved deeper into the pub. With it being nearly midday, the smells of lunchtime meals wafted throughout the building's common area. Illyria hadn't planned on eating outside of the castle when she'd left to run her errand, but her growling stomach convinced her to stay and take a meal at the pub.
She moved to the bar and shed her coat before sliding onto a stool. As she perused the menu Tom the bartender gave her, someone else entered the pub, but from Diagon Alley's side. It took only a moment for Illyria to have the feeling she was being watched. Her gaze lifted from the menu and fell upon Roland Gray, who had started to approach the bar.
He took off his coat and slid onto the stool next to hers.
"I hope you're not going to ask me for money again," Illyria said, without greeting him first.
"I wasn't," Roland replied. "I just thought I would say hello and maybe join you for lunch. Do you mind?"
Illyria found that she didn't and said as much.
"Thought you'd be at Hogwarts, though. What are you doing here at The Leaky Cauldron besides ordering a meal?"
Illyria shot him a wry look. "Teachers are allowed to leave the school from time to time, you know. Besides, I don't have class till late this evening and my office hours aren't until this afternoon."
"So you decided to spend your morning away from Hogwarts," Roland stated.
"If you must know, I went to a Muggle jewelry store to find a Christmas gift for one of my students."
Roland arched a brow. "Oh?"
"For Secret Santa," Illyria explained.
"Ah, okay. I wish we had something like that when we were going to Hogwarts. So what did you get the... girl, I presume?"
"Her name is Johanna Steele." Illyria turned her coat around in her lap and found the pocket that contained the small jewelry box. She handed it to Roland for inspection.
Inside was a pendant consisting of two silver, seven-pointed stars, one on top of the other. Nestled in the very center was a blue orb. The pendant hung on a silver chain. Illyria thought it a fitting gift for her Astronomy student.
"Well, what do you think?" she asked Roland.
"I don't know much about women's jewerly, but I imagine she will love it. It's a fitting gift from her Astronomy teacher."
Illyria couldn't help but smile, having thought the same thing, only in reverse. She accepted the jewelry box and stuck it back into the pocket of her coat.
She and Roland ate lunch together, during which she learned that he'd kicked his gambling habit for good. She certainly hoped so, for his sake and for anyone else he had gone to for money.
Gift For Jill Prewitt
Author: Declan
Date: 10-30-09 20:26
After his morning office hours end, which on Wednesdays run from 9 to noon, Declan had made the trip from his third floor office to his seventh floor residence. He could just have easily accio'd what he was after or used another of the summoning charms but Declan wants to ensure that nothing happens to the gift before he delivers it. If he'd not walked out of his flat without it this morning, he'd already be nearing the Great Hall in search of Jill Prewitt and that much closer to sitting down for lunch.
The gift, which is wrapped in paper decorated with colorful glass ornaments and which has a large multicolored matching bow, is a goodly size and not exactly lightweight. It's not terribly heavy either but nonetheless, Declan is careful in how he carries the present down to Hogwarts ground level and to the Great Hall.
As he enters the large room, Declan steps to the side just inside the door, searching for the girl he knows to be Jill Prewitt. Since she's a lower level, Jill's not one of his students and since she was classified as a Non under Smythe-Jones's Ministry regime, Jill wasn't one of his students last year either. Declan is slightly acquainted with Jill thanks to having become friends with Aaron Miller and Saffron Sacheverelle. A couple of times over the summer Declan was invited to gatherings with them and both times Jill, who is related to Aaron, was there.
Declan remains standing where he is, thinking to catch Jill on her way into the Great Hall for lunch. He'll give her a few more minutes then go on and sit down himself and eat while continuing to watch for her.
A familiar head of red hair walks by, causing Declan to involuntarily take a few steps backwards. With the Secret Santa gift for Jill in hand, seeing Zabrynna reminds Declan of how he'd nearly not put his name in for the gift exchange. He was concerned about how he'd react if he got Zabrynna's name or, worse really, if she got his. Declan has no trouble imagining Zabrynna fantazing about getting his name or Declan getting hers.
Declan decided to take part only after Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall assured him that they would see to it that Zabrynna didn't draw Declan's name and that he did not draw hers. Still, it was quite a relief when Declan got Jill's name, though there is still the unknown of who his gift is from. Declan found the Secret Santa to him under the common common room tree but has not opened it, wanting to wait for Christmas. There wasn't a name on the card along with his name to indicate who had Declan's name in Secret Santa but hopefully there will be one inside the gift so he can properly thank the giver.
Declan's about to walk to the front of the Great Hall to go on and get something to eat when Jill walks in. "Jill!" he calls out, taking steps towards her.
Jill stops and turns, looking about to see who's calling, somewhat surprised to learn it's Declan Douglass. Her surprise turns to a smile when he holds out the gift for her. "Happy Christmas from your Secret Santa."
"Thank you!" Jill reaches to accept her present. "May I open it now or should I wait?"
"That's up to you but whatever you decide, it's best to be careful with the box."
"I'll open it now," she grins, already pulling off the paper, though she does stop to admire it and the bow before continuing. When Jill opens the box and sees her gift she exclaims, "For my collection! How did you know?"
"Aaron and Saffron."
"She's beautiful! Thank you!" Jill effuses, unabashedly giving Declan a hug.
Declan is pleased that Jill so obviously likes her gift of a collectible doll. Saffron said that Jill has quite the collection and was estatic that certain family members were able to keep the collection intact during the time Jill and others were in those Ministry prisons.
Jill hurries away with her present to show to her friends over lunch while Declan makes his way to the staff tables to eat, feeling warm and happy that he was able to find something Jill seems so delighted with.
Secret Santa, Some Lunch, Then Class
Author: Charisma Stone
Date: 10-31-09 13:53
Isma, Blake and Eric stepped into the Great Hall, Isma had finally settled on something for the person she'd gotten for Secret Santa - her team mate Ella Harville. She had put the package in the Common Common Room. It was decorated with Gryffindor color wrapping paper - crimson and gold with a large bow on it. Ella's name glittered on the tag, and Isma was quite happy with it and hoped that the other Gryffindor would as well.
She'd selected a sweater that is soft and fleecy, and a soft, ashen grey color. A scarf and hat also came with it. She hoped that Ella would like the sweater. She hadn't yet picked up her own gift, - nor had she seen one with her name on it in the pile.
"Snap out of it Isma. We have class soon." Eric said, nudging her and snapping her out of her haze - which let her finish eating her lunch with much more attention than had been given to it in the last few minutes.
Examinations
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 10-31-09 14:57
All of Lawrence's students had been stressed, from the fifth years upwards to the seventh years. He had been giving comprehensive examinaitons for the last two weeks - that covered all of the material that they had learned since the beginning of the Term. Expectations were to give them a taste of what the major examinations would be like at both fifth and seventh years.
Lawrence had also found time to get something for his Secret Santa, one of his sixth year students, Zabrynna Ravensdale. She'd always had something to say about magical history, and he'd learned that it was indeed one of her favorite subjects. So, he'd picked up a few books, he was uncertain if she had them or not, but it was a shot in the dark truth be told.
Wrapped in a festive blue wrapping paper were a pair of books, bound with white ribbon, and Zabrynna's name on the tag. The books were Magic in Ancient Egypt by Professor Ahmed Ramesses and Magic in the Land of the Nile by Lycurgus Apostolides.
Now, he was getting ready for his meeting with his seventh year N.E.W.T class, and their examinations will be no less stressful than the two fifth year classes and the sixth year class had been.
He waited for the class to filter in, finding their seats and the written portion of their examination already face down upon the desk, quills already resting next to them.
"Alright. This is what will happen, you will have the entire class period to complete the written examination. However, throughout I will be calling forward each of you to offer a practical presentation of your knowledge. Identification of herbs, tell tale traits and common factors can all be addressed in the practical portion of the exam." He said, knowing well that the cold was fingernumbing, however, it was warm in the greenhouse - which would make it easy for the students to concentrate - not that it would make it less stressful of course.
"Time will start, now." Lawrence said, settling at his desk and looking through the roster, before calling the first name. "Gabrielle Delacour, please come forward." He watched as she took a deep breath, swallowed the nervous knot that no doubt magically appeared within her throat, and approached his desk.
"Choose one card from the stack upon the desk, you will tell me four things about the herb listed upon it. You may include any potions that use it as an ingredient as well." Lawrence said and looked toward Gabrielle, who with trembling fingers plucked up the first card.
"Yew, taxus baccata, is classified under the heading of poisonous. However, the trees branches are often used in the making of wands. The yew is also known to change sexes throughout its life span, but usually only does this once or twice through out its life. The leaves are also lanceolate, or lance shaped."
"Very good. Take your seat and continue with the written exam." He would then look down the roster and pick another name, having the students come up and each go through a similar routine - some would have to prune the small sample set up for the herb - others would simply go through a recitation.
He allowed his students up until the last three minutes of class, after he sent Rosalinda Yorke back to her seat from her practical portion. "Quills down." He summoned the quills and the exam sheets to his desk and looked at all of his students.
"If anyone has any questions now that the exam is done, I will have my office hours until five, and you are welcome to remain after class."
Hunger Pangs (Deak & Jack)
Author: Kody
Date: 11-01-09 14:13
Head bent over his Ancient Runes exam, Deak studies a phrase written in Elder Futhark then jots down the translation. He follows this with a brief explanation of the phrase's meaning. His stomach rumbling has Deak pausing to see how many more questions he's got left and how many minutes there are before the class ends. Deak's always had a healthy appetite but thanks to being in the midst of a growth spurt, it seems to Deak that his appetite has quadrupled and he's hungry more often than not. He can fill up at a meal or when having a snack only to be hungry again a very short time later. Aaron remarked just yesterday that it's a good thing he's finacially sound or else he'd go into bankruptcy feeding Deak. When Deak pointed out that most of his meals are school based, Aaron just laughed and said that Professor Dumbledore's threatened to start sending Aaron Deak's food bill. Deak grinned in return and replied that for Aaron's teasing, he'd be sure to empty the pantry of anything edible over Christmas holiday and that perhaps Aaron should consider investing in one of those big food markets.
Deak's quill breaks, which isn't anything unusual but seeing as how he's only got three questions left to answer it is annoying. His hand shoots up, clutching the broken quill to let Professor Hodfuffer know. After he's acknowldged, and under the professor's watchful gaze, Deak roots into his book bag for another quill. As he does, his hand brushes against the Secret Santa gift he'd received from Christopher Chant.
Christopher had gotten him a Wizarding version of the Muggle game Monopoly. The properties are locations from around the world such as King Cross Station's Platform 9 3/4s, Beauxbatons, Hogwarts of course, Billowing Sails - a restaurant in the American shopping area called Gryphon Gateway, a robe shop in Germany's Zauberstrasse, a world renowned herb shop in Beijing, the Cairo branch of Gringotts, and so on. Instead of Muggle style paper money, the game's money is all in Wizarding coins. The tokens include a snitch with wings that really flutter, a dragon that looks like a Welsh Green, a broom that floats, a bubbling cauldron, and a flying carpet. There are twelve tokens in all. Like the Muggle edition there are four railroad features, one of them being the Hogwarts Express line and the other three similar lines elsewhere in the world. There's a Go to Azkaban space and instead of Free Parking like on the Muggle versions it's a Perform Magic Freely zone, which would mean for a witch or wizard, a location such as Hogsmeade where there are no worries about being seen by a Muggle when doing magic of any kind. Where the Muggle utilities spaces are located, this game has Floo Network and Portkey. There are houses and hotels in this version but in this one, the house token used expands magically as upgrades are made by a player from one house to two, three, or four and then to a hotel when that upgrade is made. The hotels all look like actual Wizarding inns from around the world.
Deak's got the game with him because after lunch, which he's starving for at this point, he, Jack, Christopher and some others are going to play. They all have exams Friday exams to study for and some have Astronomy this evening, but they figure one game will be okay if they play one of the fast track versions.
Deak's stomach growls loudly enough that those sitting nearest him turn to look. He grins sheepishly and shrugs then goes back to working on the last question. He's got two questions he wants to read back over but for the most part, once this question is answered, he's done. That's not a good thing really when it just means he'll be more free to think about how hungry he is in the time remaining until class dismissal.
A few minutes later Deak finishes adding something to one of the answers he wanted to go back over then puts down his quill. He's got a candy bar in his book bag but somehow he doesn't think munching away on it while class is still going would endear him to Professor Hodfuffer. Also, it would just wet his appetite for more filling food.
As he puts his capped ink bottle and quill into his book bag, Deak sees the other Secret Santa gift there. This is the one from him to the person he drew this year, Eric Ling. With Eric being a couple of years younger and in a different house, Gryffindor, about the only things Deak knows are that Eric likes Quidditch and because he was a Happy Haven student he's a second year instead of a third.
Deak gave a great deal of thought as to what to give Eric, coming close to doing the expected and giving Eric something Quidditch related. This last Hogsmeade weekend Deak had planned on just that but while at McFusty's something different caught his eye. It looks like a picture frame but is a working aquarium. Deak got it and a gift certificate to stock it with decorations and fish, or if Eric's more inclined to have a terrarium with other creatures, then the gift certificate would get him started there too. Deak's included a supply of fish food but if Eric goes with something else, he can exchange the fish pellets for the correct food.
It seems like forever before Professor Hodfuffer collects the exams and lets the fifth year Ancient Runes students go, passing out Christmas favors to each as they file out of the classroom. As Deak accepts his with a thanks, his stomach growls again, prompting Professor Hodfuffer to ask, "Do you need a special portkey to get to the Great Hall faster?"
Deak's so hungry he's somewhat serious in his reply, "Yes, a portkey please! Could you make one to take me to Briar's too?"
Professor Hodfuffer chuckles, sending Deak away on his own two feet. Deak hurries away though slows as he approaches Jack, who's coming out of History of Magic. "You might have to levitate me to the Great Hall. I'm about to pass out from hunger."
Jack snorts. "Sure, though it would be a slow moving levitation so that the rest of us would have a chance at the food before you get to it."
Deak makes a face and playfully punches Jack on the arm. Coming up on his other side Christopher Chant says, "You've got a good point there, Jack. Maybe we should do a Petrificus on Deak so we can get some lunch before he clears the table of food."
Deak's stomach gives yet another audible rumble. Jack frowns, "Normally, that would sound like a good plan, Christopher, but at the moment, I think it would be the equivalent of a most cruel torture."
"Cruel torture would be taking him to the Great Hall where he can see and smell the food but couldn't eat it."
"Him is right here and him is going to come up with a deviously clever payback if you two don't stop."
The three continue their banter all the way to the ground floor. There they meet Wiggy coming in from Herbology, stamping his feet against the cold, his nose a bright red. "We still on for Monopoly?"
"Yeah, in the commons right after lunch," Deak nods, hurrying his pace as the smell of something delicious wafts from the open Great Hall doors.
Jack says, "Catch up in a sec." He's spotted Liannah McDougal talking to another girl over near the door leading down to the dungeons and Potions.
Jack knows Liannah better than he might otherwise because she is a cousin of Aaron Miller's and has spent some time around her when he's hung out with Deak and some of the extended family's been there. Despite knowing her somewhat, Jack still had trouble figuring out what to get her after drawing Liannah's name for Secret Santa. He'd ended up going with a musical jewelry box and hopes she likes it. Approaching the younger girl, Jack pulls out the silver and red wrapped present.
"I'm your Secret Santa," he explains.
"Thank you!"
"Merry Christmas," Jack says then beats a hasty retreat before she can open the gift. He doesn't want the embarrassment of seeing Liannah's crestfallen face if she hates the present.
Reaching the table where Wiggy, Deak, and Christopher are sitting together, Jack finds Deak already halfway through his second helping of all the food within his long reach. Sitting down, Jack realizes he's nearly famished as well.