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Wednesday Afternoon (AJ)
Author: Furnella Hodfuffer 
Date:   12-02-09 18:28

Looking around at his seventh years, AJ asks, "Who didn't remember to bring their Ogham?"

AJ's eyes rake the room. Hands go up holding bags that contain Ogham sets. With a nod and a smile he states, "No one? Excellent. As with most everything this school year, since most of you who had Ancient Runes prior to this year did not have it as a course last year, we'll do longer - but still quick - review of what's covered in sixth year. I also want to remind you that while we will touch on using Ogham for divination, for those of you in Professor Sacheverelle's class, my understanding is that you will have a more in-depth unit on it."

Very quickly AJ and the seventh years review the basics from sixth year, including such information as Ogham is sometimes referred to as the Celtic Tree Alphabet (five points Cassander Mayfield) because of one medieval tradition which gives names of trees to individual letters (five points Ronan Eastwick), and that particular tradition is called Bríatharogam (five points Emerald Green).

AJ waves his wand at a rolled up poster, which unfurls itself against one section of blackboard. There are several useful charts on the poster such as the following:

"For the rest of class you'll each have three sentences to translate into Ogham using your sets. This is to help you get used to working with the Ogham alphabet again. I'll circulate around the room to help where needed. If you complete one of your sentences, raise your hand to let me check your work before you start using the Ogham to work on one of your other sentences. If it helps, you may work quietly in groups of two or three. I stress the quietly part and if I catch you gossipping or chatting about something other than your translations, you will be split up."

The seventh years quickly get into clusters of twos and threes. When class ends at 2:45, AJ is pleased with their progress though that doesn't keep him from lightening the homework assignment, which he doesn't think is overly long or burdensome though some of the students might disagree. Then again, those same students think any amount of work required outside of class is far too much.

AJ takes a few minutes to tidy up the classroom and make sure everything's set for his Thursday classes consisting of sixth years at 9 am and fifth years at 10:30. From there he picks up the bookbag he carries with whatever novel he's currently working on and heads to the faculty lounge where there's also a supply closet. AJ's running low on chalk, parchment, and the ink he pefers to use when making duplicates of handouts and exams. He needs to make copies of handouts for both of tomorrow's classes.

No one else is in the lounge when AJ enters but there are fresh pots of both tea and coffee. There's also a hot mulled punch with cinnamon that AJ settles on, as well as a plate of sandwich quarters. There's no sign indicating they aren't for general consumption so AJ helps himself to four pieces, two chicken salads and two roast beefs. As long as he's going to be snacking there in the lounge, he might as well be productive as well. He takes out the handout for each of tomorrow's classes and with two stacks of parchment, two bottles of ink, two quills, and a couple of waves of his wand, the duplication of each handout is begun.

AJ's refilling his mug when a grumpy looking Declan Douglass comes in. Declan grabs the pot of coffee, pours a cup, then sits down heavily, spilling hot liquid on his hand. "Bloody..." he bites out.

"Bad burn?"

"Scalded," Declan grunts.

It takes but a moment to provide a tube of burn ointment and in the moment AJ comments, "You're in a mood."

"I'm still ticked about yesterday."

"Yesterday? Oh, right. She was back in class. I thought you were okay with the decision."

"I am. Was. Clearly I'm not now. I had that time to think about it and then she showed up in class yesterday. I've been bloody well steamed ever since."

"Professor Dumbledore irrefutably established that she didn't have it by means of subterfuge on her part; that she came by it just as she said."

"Yes, but still."

"She was what fifteen? Barely sixteen when she did it?"

"Yes."

"She's been being punished since getting caught. She seems remorseful. She was a foolish girl acting impulsively on a crush."

"Are you defending her?"

"No, of course not. What I'm saying is perhaps none of us should continue to be so mistrustful and hard on her for something she has admitted was very stupid of her to do. Professor Dumbledore found nothing to indicate she was lying about the plan to get rid of it this time just as her friend had asked."

"You aren't the object of her crush and the victim of her foolishly stupid stunt so forgive me if I find it difficult to fully accept that she didn't once consider finding a way to use that potion when her friend asked her to dispose of it."

"You're right. Maybe if it had been me, I wouldn't have said what I just did."

"I would have thought you more supportive of my position," Declan flatly states.

"I am but I can also see it from the other side. I was that age once and did very stupid things."

"Things that involved your professors?"

AJ sighs. For a wordsmith, he certainly is mucking up this explanation of his opinion and on getting across that he does support Declan and does not condone what Zabrynna Ravensdale did. He stands and gathers the handouts for tomorrow, packing them along with extra parchment, the ink, quills, and the chalk he came for into his bookbag. "How about I shut up about it and to show my support of your dark mood, take you out to eat and for just enough drinks to dull the mood but not make it impossible for you to get through classes in the morning."

Declan continues glaring for another half minute before standing as well. "Sounds good to me."

Stressing - but not really?
Author: Charisma Stone 
Date:   12-04-09 10:33

Isma sat in the library, curled in one of the chairs completely oblivious to the world around her. She was currently attempting to figure out where exactly she went wrong on her essay for History of Magic - because her explaination from Binns did not make any bloody sense. She'd talked to Professor Binns, during the office hours appointment she'd set up with him after Potions to see if there was something she could do to bring up the grade on that assignment and thus bring up her grade in the course - which in truth it was not her best course. She'd always hated history - at least magical history. She'd always been partial to muggle history - perhaps when she could choose her electives she would drop History of Magic in exchange for Muggle Studies - though she would talk to Professor Miller and see if they covered any parts of Muggle History in the class.

She'd been so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't heard Blake and Eric come over and sit down. It wasn't until her essay went flying out of her hands that she looked up and glared at them a moment. "I was looking over that." She whispered, irritated that they'd pull it from her.

"I know you were, but we'd been trying to get your attention for the last ten minutes. You've been zoned. Besides, we need to go over the stuff for Astronomy tonight. Who knows if Professor Jones is going to give us a pop quiz or not." Blake said and gave her back her essay. "Besides, why are you stressing about your History of Magic essay, you did fine on it didn't you?"

Isma shook her head. "I actually bombed it. I have until tuesday to rewrite it - and do the homework for the rest of my classes. It is the only way I can save my grade. I'm not doing so good in History of Magic." She said - and she knew she would hear about it if she brought home any poor marks while she was at Hogwarts.

"I'll help you this weekend if you want." Eric said shifting in his seat. "I am doing quite well in History of Magic." She knew he wasn't saying it to brag, so she resisted the urge to throw something at him.

"Sounds like a plan." Isma said and then the three of them settled down to start working on going over the things they would more than likely be discussing in Astronomy later tonight. Thursday was their latest night, but they were all glad that their first class on Friday morning was not until ten am, which meant that they could sleep in.

Studying
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen 
Date:   12-04-09 12:19

The library at Hogwarts usually isn't busy in the middle of the day, and today is no exception. Fritz has an entire table to himself, and his books and notes are spread out on its surface. He's just finished up some assignments for his classes and is now going to attempt to do some early preparation for the N.E.W.T. exams, which are just months away. Fritz knows that the library will likely get busier once the exams are nearer, especially when the procrastinators decide to hit the books.

For the present, Fritz has no intention of memorizing facts he may have forgotten over the years, since it is still a bit early and he'll probably forget some of them all over again anyway. He just wants to have some flash cards ready for when it's really time to prepare. Flipping through ready-made flash cards instead of pages and pages of textbooks and notes would be a lot easier and less stressful come crunch time.

After a little while, Coco comes in and joins Fritz at his table. She's careful not to disturb his study material, but he moves some out of the way so that she can spread out her books if she wants.

"How's Hazel?" he whispers to her. She went to the barn after lunch to check on the winged horse she'd raised a few years ago for the Scholastic Aptitude Tournament.

"Cozy in her stall," Coco whispers back. Pea pokes his head out of her pocket, but only so that his ears and eyes are showing.

Coco begins to work on an assignment for one of her classes, while Fritz continues to make flash cards in anticipation for what might end up on the various N.E.W.T. exams he'll take in June. Before long, it's time to pack up and head out for Herbology class.

Obstacle Course
Author: Ethan Somerset 
Date:   12-04-09 13:30

Ethan had been marking parchments in his office when he happened to glance at his watch and notice that it was nearly time to meet his second year Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw students at one of the classrooms Professor Isuki had had converted into an obstacle course. The room looked vaguely like the downtown area of a major city, with miniature buildings and alleyways that were enchanted to appear more real.

He quickly gathered together his attendance book and a few other things he might need for the class meeting, and then set out to meet his students. A few were already waiting for him when he arrived, including Samuel Craven, who'd requested more information about the dueling club during Tuesday's class.

Ethan recalled the conversation beginning with Samuel's question.

"Professor, I was wondering. Are second years permitted to join the dueling club? I saw something on the wall about it. Is it still running?"

Professor Somerset nodded. "I'm glad you asked, Samuel. Anyone can join. It doesn't matter what year you're in or what you're experience level is. It's just a club for anyone interested in dueling. Are you interested?"

"Yes, sir. I am," Samuel replied.

"Then feel free to stop by the next time we meet. We'd be happy to have you."

Back in the present, Ethan's students were buzzing with excitement. They much preferred being in the obstacle course than in their normal classroom. Although they were getting practical experience and learning something in the process, it was also a lot of fun!

"Okay, class. Now that we've been in the classroom for several weeks, it's time to see what you can do and to see what you still remember from last term. The object of this game is survival, and it's going to be every man for himself."

Ethan looked from face to face, settling last on Samuel who seemed decidedly interested in what was to come.

"If you are hit with a spell and unable to defend yourself with a counterspell, you are out of the game. If you lose your wand, you are likewise out of the game. If you are locked in a body-binding curse, you are obviously out of the game. The last person standing will earn house points as well as this gift certificate for an owl delivery from Briar's Bakery in Hogsmeade." Ethan had produced the certificate from his pocket while he was talking and waved it around for all to see.

"Are there any questions?"

There were shakes of the head and choruses of "No, sir!"

"Everyone scatter then. No one's to begin casting spells until I say so."

The second year Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw students spread out, hiding behind buildings and other obstructions, while Ethan climbed to a higher vantage point so that he could see just about everything.

"Ready. Set. Go!" he shouted.

Almost immediately there were cries of "Expelliarmus!" and "Stupefy!

Those unfortunate enough to be rendered wandless or unconscious so soon into the exercise were moved aside, while the rest continued to duel, eager to be the last one standing.

Re: Obstacle Course
Author: Craven 
Date:   12-05-09 07:45

Samuel sat there angry considering why he had acted so foolishly, he had known better. He hated acting like his dad.

This was the most Samuel had spoken all day, His spells whizzed through the room, He sent one more flying and than focused on another who seemed to be doing as well as he.

Had to keep moving, moving targets were harder to hit than stationary ones,

Focus, Impedimenta his hand clicked and the one who seemed to be moving at his pace slowed considerably.
Another child took the opportunity. Stupefy. It sent the child flying onto the carpet.

Than there was four.

They circled each other. Samuel considered each, who were they how did they compare.
Ramona Mickle she was Ravenclaw and a fine charmer... Still lacked bloodlust in his opinion... They all did.
Robin Sluefoot- Smart a lot of potential, but Samuel would not let him win.
Aned a hufflepuff he did not recognize.

In the group. He went first, a quick jerk of his hand and Flipendo right at Robin,
He jumps back screaming Finite Incantatum to avoid anyone from hitting him.

He watched there speed and was impressed, the idea that he saw himself as above him was slowly changing as he accepted there skills. Still, he was more ruthless. The first opening he got. Stupify.

Sending the Romana onto the floor. Robin grazed him than a stupefy skimming past his arm painfully. Samuel's temper immediately resounded he screamed out his own spell hitting the boy only to follow it up with another even though he was unconscious angry at being humiliated.
No one touched him.

He turned on the other who seemed to step back, when the teacher jumped in grabbing his arm.

"Thats enough."

Famished
Author: Fionna 
Date:   12-05-09 22:30

"Will we seen honest to Merlin pirates?" the bespectacled, slightly balding middled aged gentleman asks, leaning eagerly forward.

"Terrortours gives a 100% guarantee of pirate encounters on a Shiver Me Timbers tour, with the minimum number of guaranteed encounters based on the particular package the client has chosen. With the package you're considering, you'll have no fewer than five encounters."

Mr. Narraway looks to his wife, whose abundance of hair piled into a style akin to a beehive more than makes up for her husband's increasing lack of hair, "What do you say, honey?"

"I don't know. I still think we should give more consideration to one of the Haunted Honeymoon packages. This is, afterall, to be our second honeymoon." Mrs. Narraway smiles prettily at Fionna, "We're even renewing our vows."

"How lovely," Fionan smiles in return when really all she's thinking about is how much she wishes they'd make up their bloody minds already. She was to have taken lunch more than an hour and a half ago but the Narraways came in for a third time to ask Fionna an abundance of questions about the various trips they have been considering. They've been so over zealous in making sure they pick just the right trip that even if they were to leave this instance, Fionna can't get lunch as she's now the only agent in Terrortours. Fionna's flat is made up of some rooms in the office but her cupboards are currently bare. Part of her lunchtime plans were to pick up some things at market.

As the Narraways debate between themselves, Fionna idly opens the lower drawers of her desk, hoping there's a forgotten packet of cheese doodles or something. If she'd known she'd be hung up this long, she would have asked Jericho to bring her something from the place where he was having a client luncheon.

Are all the owls out? She could send one to Delia's Deli. Fionna nearly sighs aloud at the thought of something from Delia's. It's only four down from here. So very close yet she has no way of getting something from there this very second.

"We want Haunted Honeymoons #7," Mrs. Narraway gushes, cutting into Fionna's thoughts.

"And I want Shiver Me Timbers #2 for this spring."

Fionna shoots him a confused look. "Just you for Shiver Me Timbers?"

"No, book two people. I was talking up this one to my best mate and have him interested. We'll have a men's only holiday."

Mrs. Narraway beams. "I'm going to take in a spa while they're gone."

Fionna feigns interest, making the appropriate polite remarks while doing the paperwork for the two trips. After she's had them sign in all the right places and written receipts for payment in full for their Haunted Honeymoons package and for the down payment for Mr. Narraway's Shiver Me Timber's tour, Fionna is all smiles escorting them to the door. Once they're gone, she frowns at the empty office wondering where the blazes everyone else is. A few have been gone far longer than their alotted time for lunch and she knows for a fact they weren't meeting with clients, which would make a longer lunch allowable.

The owls aren't back either and the last time she tried to place an order via a Floo firechat, she found herself trying to get attention for nearly a quarter of an hour from behind a huge cauldron of bubbling soup. She won't hurry to try and order that way again if she can help it!

Bloody, bloody hell!

Fionna decides to take a page from the Ministry and send an order down to Delia's much like the memo zoom around at the Ministry of Magic. Much to Fionna's happiness, the order gets there without any problems and Delia's is quick to fill it. In just over ten minutes, Fionna is sitting at her desk, unwrapping the paper from around a very thick toasted sandwich of bacon, tomato, and cheese and, annoyingly, still no one else back from wherever the hell they've gotten off to.