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Study Session
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 11-23-09 14:07
Not even a week had passed since the holidays but the teachers hadn’t been merciful with homework. Today Johanna just had two classes, Transfiguration and Potions but she had to finish two essays for tomorrow’s class: Herbology and DADA.
“Hey how about we go outside for a walk? I’m tired of being stuck in the dungeons. “ Gus suggested.
“Did you finish your homework?” Johanna asked.
“No. But I could use some break.”
“Work first. Fun later.” She said turning the page of her Herbology book and then writing some notes with her quill.
“You sound like those nerdy Ravenclaws.” He contested.
“Hush Gus. I can’t think.” Felicia protested. She was practicing a spell Professor Ivy had taught last class in Charms.
“Apparently it’s a contagious disease. “ He said referring himself to the girls’ study dedication. He stood up from his chair. “I don’t want to catch it so I better leave you. See you later.”
When he went away Johanna turned her attention to Gus papers that he had left on the table.
“He didn’t do a thing since we arrived from class. “
“Leave him alone Johanna. You’re not his mother. I’m sure by dinner time he‘ll beg us for help.”
She smiled. That would be very satisfactory. Johanna returned to her Herbology work.
“May I sit here?” Someone asked. Both girls looked up. It was Drizella Ratcliffe, their classmate and roommate. Both the girls didn’t like her much since she was a year younger than them, always thinking she was superior. Drizella didn’t bother to wait for their answer. Instead she sat on Gus’ empty place, putted his things away with a movement of her wand and opened the History book in front her. Johanna looked to Felicia trying to figure out what had just happened but her friend just shrugged her shoulders and started to practice the spell again. Following the example Johanna went back to work.
“I don’t get this paragraph. Why exactly the trolls made a treaty with the goblins? Was it because of their lands or because they both were against the wizards? If only Professor Binns wasn’t so boring with his lectures I would have asked him…”
So this was it. Drizella was here because she needed help with her homework.
“I don’t know Drizella. I haven’t started my essay about the treaty yet. But Johanna had finished hers…”
Johanna sent a furious look to Felicia. She was passing the hot quaffle to her. Drizella turned her attention to Johanna. With a sigh and a dose of extra patience (Drizella seemed to have really difficulty in History of Magic) Johanna ended up explaining her what she was supposed to write in her essay.
“Thank you.” Drizella said for Johanna’s surprise. “If you want I can show you my Herbology essay. It’s not perfect but I think it’s good”
After all working with Drizella wasn’t so bad at all. She was eager to have some company and to chat about the new Ravenclaw second year student, Samuel Craven. Gus showed up some time later but he didn’t claim his chair. Instead he sat in one of the sofas reading a quidditch magazine. The girls spent the rest of the afternoon in the common room, finishing their homework and chatting.
Making A Date
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 11-24-09 15:15
"That will be 2 galleons, 16 sickles, 18 knuts."
A witch Briar's never seen in the bakery before - though that could simply mean Briar's not been working the front when she's been in - smiles at Briar then counts out the money, a small frown of concentration marring her brow. Handing over the coins she tells Briar, "My husband will pick it up tomorrow afternoon. I would but he's much better at apparating than I am and I wouldn't want to try and take it by floo. I just know I'd stumble coming out the grate and ruin the beautiful work on the cake."
"Let me make a note so if I'm not here, whomever waits on your husband will know the cake is paid in full." Briar jots down the information saying as she does, "If for some reason you end up needing the cake delivered, just let us know. There's no extra charge."
"Thank you, dear," the woman replies, picking up her purse from the counter and to make way for the person who's come up in line behind her.
Briar greets Griffin Matthew McQuillen, "Hi, Matt. What will it be for you today? Lemon tart?"
"You didn't stumble trying to call me Griffin and yes, please," he grins.
"For once but I'm sure you've jinxed me for the next time."
"Oh dear. Will that earn me banishment from your fine establishment?"
"Hardly," Briar laughs, "but the lemon tart might be slightly more sour just for you."
"Maybe it's time I switch to something else. That spice cake looks tasty."
"It is. Everything here is tasty. Unless you jinx me and then I hold no guarantees for how you'll find the food."
Matt chuckles then says more seriously, "I know this is last minute but a business dinner for tomorrow was just cancelled. Would you happen to be free to finally catch up? We've been talking about it for months."
Briar hesitates, not because she has to stop and think what's on her social calendar for Friday but because she still has qualms about certain dreams she had with Matt in them. In those dreams, she'd seen him exactly as he is now even though at that time she'd not lain eyes on him in years and hadn't remembered the McQuillens at all to speak of. Briar's never been one to have prophetic dreams but when someone appears in one as he looks now, years before she's met him as an adult and when her long dead mother is alive and well in those dreams... well, they do give Briar pause.
Before the silence stretches out uncomfortably, Briar swallows the nervous lump in her throat, smiles warmly and says, "Yes, that would be nice. What time tomorrow?"
Not Guilty
Author: Zabrynna
Date: 11-25-09 12:41
Zabrynna can't believe it. She's about to be expelled and all because she helped a friend!
Last night while studying in the library with Anne and Philippa, Anne revealed to the other two a love potion she's had since the last Hogsmeade weekend. After her last frustrating encounter with Indigo McFusty, Anne had bought it in a fit of pique. She'd decided that the next time she saw Indigo, she'd somehow get him to ingest the love potion.
Since buying it, Anne said she's wavered on weather to just chuck it in the waste bin or use it during the next Hogsmeade Saturday at the end of February. She explained, "I just want him to kiss me and finally agree to go on a date with me before I graduate."
Zabrynna had immediately suggested binning it. "The kisses wouldn't mean anything and as soon as the potion wore off, if Indigo remembers making the date with you, he'd immediately break it."
"And be really angry with you," Philippa pointed out.
"You'd probably muck up any chance you might have of eventually having a real date with him," Zabrynna added.
Anne had frowningly pouted but agreed with the rationale of her friends. "One of you take it and pour it out. If I hang onto it, I might change my mind without either of you to help me see reason. Then if I could throw it away, I'd be tempted to just drop the vial in the waste basket only to go back and retrieve it later."
She'd reached over and stuck the vial into the nearest bookbag, which happened to be Zabrynna's. "Don't do it here because Miss Bramble might not take kindly to having that much liquid poured into one of her trash bins."
That's how a vial of love potion ended up in Zabrynna's bag. She'd meant to pour it out straight away once back in Ravenclaw House. Zabrynna got stopped a few times on her way from the library then ended up jogging the last quarter of the way to Ravenclaw House because curfew was upon the students.
Zabrynna had gone to her room, grabbed what she needed to go shower but forgot to grab the potion vial. After her shower she was invited by Miranda Newberry to join a just starting card game. Time got away from them and next thing they knew it was one in the morning and all those playing but Miranda had 9 am classes. They'd all hurried to get to bed and once more Zabrynna forgot she had the potion.
When switching out the books in her bag for Friday morning classes, Zabrynna hadn't seen the vial so it didn't even cross her mind. Anne doesn't have classes on Friday until Charms at 11, which generally means she sleeps in on Fridays. This was one such morning. Zabrynna sat with Philippa during breakfast but Philippa didn't ask if she'd dumped the potion. Leaving the Great Hall with Philippa for Defense Against the Dark Arts, the love potion was not at all on Zabrynna's mind.
Halfway down the hallway along which her DADA classroom is located Zabrynna felt one of the straps of her bookbag coming loose. She stopped to fix it and told Philippa to go on into class, she'd be there in a minute. Zabrynna shifted the bag around to tighten up the strap but lost her grip. The bag dropped with its contents spilling out. The potion vial went rolling, stopping only when rolling against someone's shoe.
Professor Isuki's shoe.
Professor Isuki who bent to retrieve it for Zabrynna only to see the clearly written love potion label.
Professor Isuki who is one of the few who knows of Zabrynna's transgressions and stipulations doled out as part of consequences of having been caught.
Zabrynna had blanched with an irate Professor Isuki closed the short distance between them and hissed in a low voice, "Professor Dumbledore's office."
"But it's not "
"Now."
The look and the tone let Zabrynna know that now was not the time to protest. She hastily shoved everything into her bookbag that had spilled out and using the one fastened strap, rushed to comply lest it appear she was being difficult and thus making the situation even worse.
Arriving at the headmaster's office, Zabrynna found he wasn't there and not knowing the password to get the stairs to appear, she'd slid down the wall to sit to await the formality of being expelled, too numb to even cry.
Odd
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 11-25-09 17:32
"I think this will suffice."
The speaker, a young, curvaceous witch wearing a short, revealing robe––despite the awfully cold weather outside––closed the door of her new vault, removed her key, and turned to Bill.
He reached for the master key and slipped it into his pocket.
"Wonderful. Then I guess you're all set, Ginger. Is there anything else I can help you with today?"
"No, I got what I came for, thanks."
The two started walking through the underground vault area to the spiral staircase that would take them to ground level.
"But if you ever come by Petals while I'm working," Ginger went on with a sweet smile, "I'll give you a lap dance, on the house."
Bill was glad it was somewhat dim in the underground portion of Gringotts, for he was sure that his face was as red as his hair. "Thank you for the offer, but I'm not sure my wife would appreciate it."
"Oh, bring her along! Strip clubs aren't just for singles, you know."
Bill gestured for her to go up the narrow staircase first. "I'll keep that in mind," he replied.
They reached the landing in short order, where Ginger retrieved a fur-rimmed cloak she'd left hanging by the front door. She turned in the doorway and waved goodbye to Bill, before setting off into the mix of freezing rain and snow.
Bill turned to go to his office to file away Ginger's paperwork, and then he had plans to go home for lunch. He made it halfway across the foyer when a wizard stepped into the bank. The unfamiliar man wore a khaki cloak with a stiff collar that was up around his neck, probably to protect him from the cold. His hair was thick and slightly disheveled. Dark circles rimmed his equally dark eyes.
"Are you Bill Weasley?" the man questioned in a gruff voice.
Bill paused on his way to the office and studied the man briefly. "I am. Can I help you with something?"
The man scrutinized Bill for only half a second more before ducking back outside into the cold.
"Well, that was odd, wasn't it?" Elida Davies said, coming to join Bill in the foyer.
"Quite," Bill replied. He wasn't sure what to think of the incident. Hopefully it meant nothing, but what if it did?
Recognition
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 11-26-09 07:25
"Time to get back to work," Hermione mused, after glancing at the wristwatch on her arm. She'd been enjoying lunch at the Ministry of Magic's cafeteria with Harry and Ron.
Although the facility looked far different than the Great Hall at Hogwarts, she was somehow reminded of the latter. Even as she looked around the room, she recognized other wizards and witches with whom she'd gone to school, some even from her own year.
Hermione put everything back on her lunch tray and got up from her chair. The boys did the same. They carried the trays to a window, where a witch in uniform collected the dirty dishes and trays and then sent the Ministry employees on their way with a cheery "Have a nice day!"
The trio walked out of the cafeteria together and went to the lifts. There was one waiting for them, though it was not unoccupied. A dozen or so paper airplane memos buzzed overhead. Hermione got off first at Level 3. She said goodbye to the boys, who only had one more stop to go.
Several departments were on Level 3, such as the Department of Magical Research where Hermione had once worked. She turned into the offices of the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes and went straight to the Office of Magical Maladies, where she had been working full-time since the beginning of December. Starting the Monday after next, her hours would lessen, since the mini review sessions for those in the healing program at the hospital would resume.
Hermione's first mini session would include a lecture and review on spell damage, as well as an observational rotation on the floor dedicated to the same subject. She would also have reviews on medical plants and herbs and poisons and antidotes. After that, she would have just four more weeks of similar classes before she would once again get to participate fully at St. Mungo's. Hermione really couldn't wait!
She stepped behind her desk to continue working where she'd left off before lunch, when she heard a familiar voice coming from the exam room towards the back of the room. Hermione craned her ear to hear more, but soon found that she didn't have to, because the speaker had entered the room with Dr. McShane directly behind him.
"Are you sure you are all right?" Dr. McShane questioned, looking not at all convinced that his reluctant patient was feeling well.
"Yes, I'm fine. Just hadn't eaten anything all day, and I guess it caught up to me," Fletcher Harrison retorted, somewhat exasperated by the older healer's attention. He suddenly noticed Hermione in the room.
For a moment, she thought he might say something to her, but he ultimately pretended as if he didn't know her and continued through the office to the exit.
"Thank you for your time, though I'm afraid your attention was most unnecessary," Fletcher stated to Dr. McShane. He left quickly before the older healer could say anything in response.
Hermione came up behind her boss, who turned with a shake of his head.
"What happened?" she asked him.
"That young man collapsed in the Permit Office. He was hardly conscious when they brought him in here, but it didn't last very long. I didn't really get much of a chance to give him a check up. I guess he has an aversion to healers."
"He is a healer," Hermione replied, "or he almost is. He's one of the trainees. He started in my class two years ago but didn't suffer an interruption the way so many of us did."
"Ah, well. Some healers think they are invincible just because they can save lives. They're in denial when they get sick themselves."
Dr. McShane glanced at the clock on the wall. "I suppose I should eat something myself. Can you hold the fort while I'm gone?" It was a question he already knew the answer to, and he smiled. "Of course you can. I'll be sorry to see you go... what, in four weeks?"
"Five, I think," Hermione answered. "Enjoy your lunch."
With another smile, the healer left the office. Hermione returned to her desk and got back to work.
Owlery
Author: Ronan Eastwick
Date: 11-26-09 08:22
Ronan took the steps to the top of the Owlery two at a time. He'd just eaten a quick lunch in the Great Hall and wanted to send off a letter to Azkaban before he had to go to Charms class, which would be starting shortly. Once there, he sought out his owl Merlin, who flew down from the rafters and landed on his owner's extended arm.
Ronan used his free hand to pull a napkin from his pocket. Inside were bits of bacon, saved from breakfast.
Merlin gobbled down the bacon quickly, lest one of the other owls show interest and try to take the snack away from him. After he'd cleaned out the napkin, Merlin preened his feathers happily and hooted softly.
"Now, one other thing for you," Ronan said, exchanging the napkin for the envelope in his pocket. "Send this to my mother."
The owl accepted the envelope in its talons and took off through the open window.
It was cold where Ronan stood, but he imagined that up higher where the owls were all bunched together, it was probably a lot warmer. He quickly ducked out of the Owlery and again took the stairs two at a time, though he didn't move as quickly as he had going up, since he didn't want to fall.
Ronan's letter to his mother was pretty standard. He'd talked about how his first week of classes had gone so far, and mentioned that he'd enrolled in the upcoming apparition lessons. He'd not been sure if he would be allowed to take the course again, but Professor McGonagall had seen no reason why he couldn't repeat the class. Ronan hadn't apparated since he'd failed his exam nearly two years ago. He wouldn't feel comfortable just going in for the exam again, after so long without any practice. Ronan figured he wouldn't be the only one repeating the course, too, since others had wrongfully failed their exam.
He hurried from the Owlery to Professor Flitwick's Charms class, making it with only seconds to spare.